Shōgun Review: A Lavish, Gripping Samurai Drama
9/10 — Shōgun (2024)
Pros
- Stunning production design
- Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai
- Gripping political intrigue
Cons
- Complex politics
- Less engaging English lead
In 1600, an English sailor, John Blackthorne, is shipwrecked in Japan and becomes entangled in the power struggle between the lord Toranaga and his rivals. Hiroyuki Sanada, Cosmo Jarvis and Anna Sawai lead the ten-episode series.
What works
The production is lavish and largely in Japanese, with real attention to authenticity, and the performances, particularly Sanada’s calculating Toranaga and Sawai’s conflicted Mariko, are superb. The politics are gripping, and the show’s pacing builds to a powerful climax.
Where it falters
The political detail takes concentration, and Blackthorne is a slightly dull lead among stronger characters.
Verdict
A confident, handsome, intelligent drama and one of the best of its year.
