James Clavell is right at the top for my favourite authors. Really miss him.

ag88man said:

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Looks like 2 episodes per week on FX.

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2 the first week, then 1 a week through April 23rd.

Freaking amazing first episode!!!!!! I mean.. HOLY **** AMAZING.

Starting the second one.

I suggest watching the first episode (at least) with subtitles on so you can get the names of the Japanese characters quicker.

It is not hard to identify each of them based on story plot and what they look like, but when other characters elsewhere are discussing other characters not around, it is hard at to make those associations, but they come by the end of the episode.

Hulu and Disney+.

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Almost 50 years since Clavell's Shogun hit bookshelves and close to 45 since it was a hit TV miniseries starring the legendary Toshiro Mifune, it is reborn as a sprawling 10-episode drama on FX. Often violent, sometimes erotic, and at all times magnificent in its pure entertainment factor and period immersion, Shogun clears any rightfully placed suspicions over its ungainly premise to tell a classic tale of understanding and discovery, wrapped up in a complex political thriller.
Eric Francisco, Inverse

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The bulk of the series is presented in Japanese, with English subtitles. Early scenes immediately dig into the nitty gritty of Osaka's dirty politics, before Blackthorne even has a chance to interlope on the action. Most importantly, Jarvis's Blackthorne isn't a dashing hero swiftly adapting to Japanese life, but an opportunist confusedly surfing the waves of fortune.
Meghan O'Keefe, Decider

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Adapted directly from Clavell's novel, this sprawling, 10-part historical drama takes a far broader view than its predecessor, moving beyond the Western outsider's perspective to survey a fracturing society that is just as baffled by this interloper's ways as he is by theirs.
Judy Berman, TIME Magazine

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In recent years, Sanada has shown up briefly in titles such as Westworld, John Wick: Chapter 4, and Bullet Train, and basically stolen the show every time, so it's a real treat to see him in such a meaty role here.
Amy West, Total Film

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Shgun star and EP Hiroyuki Sanada brings his trademark blend of danger and gravitas to Toranaga, turning him into a titan just with his presence alone. Raised by Wolves alum Cosmo Jarvis lends Blackthorne his gravelly voice and quirky onscreen presence. It's a combination that turns a character who could have felt like a two-dimensional white savior trope into a complex human being.
Meghan O'Keefe, Decider

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The breakout star, though, is Anna Sawai as Mariko, Blackthorne's translator and a sort of right-hand to Toranaga, a meaty and sometimes unwieldy role that Sawai embodies with grace.
Brandon Yu, TheWrap

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Anna Sawai is alluring as the pillar-like Mariko, a high-class noble and translator (and inevitable love interest) for Blackthorne. Tadanobu Asano, who got a serious short end of the stick in the Thor movies, shines as the brash samurai lord Yabushige, risking his head in playing both sides of a bubbling civil war. Nestor Carbonell, as a Spanish sailor and rival to Blackthorne, makes for an overall entertaining foil, lending a touch of anti-heroic whimsy reminiscent of a Pirates of the Caribbean baddie.
Eric Francisco, Inverse

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Tadanobu Asano as Yabushige, Toranaga's shifty commander, is a standout. There's a consistent mirth in his eyes, and his demeanor works for the occasional comedic relief, but Asano understands the balance Yabushige must have for it to work.
Mae Abdulbaki, Screen Rant

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Shgun's story goes hard at every turn, gleefully serving up gore alongside eloquent sequences of poetry contests.
Meghan O'Keefe, Decider

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In terms of storytelling, viewers' ability to understand what the Japanese characters are saying to one another opens up Shgun's world immensely. We get private conversations, backstories, access to the inner lives of scheming double agents and ambitious courtesans and sons impatient to prove themselves through combat.
Judy Berman, TIME Magazine

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The high stakes and sense of danger, which looms over every plotting conversation, are palpable, which adds intrigue and thrill to the dialogue-heavy proceedings.
Amy West, Total Film

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There are so many moving parts, but the writers carefully craft a story that never overwhelms. Watching Shgun's story unfold is a slow, sizzling burn in the best possible sense.
Mae Abdulbaki, Screen Rant

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Marks and Kondo, with the help of a stable of directors across the season, have overseen a period piece of awesome scale and impeccable detail. Forgiving a couple moments of iffy visual effects, the production and costume design are wonderfully immersive, and a booming score reinforces the gravitas of the show's large canvas.
Brandon Yu, TheWrap

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Cinematographers Sam McCurdy (Game of Thrones), Marc Lalibert (Gen V), and more limit themselves on sweeping vistas and let's face it, what could have been dodgy VFX and instead, favor framing that highlights the exquisite work done by the production design, makeup and hair, and costume departments. High-contrast lighting adds to each episode's moody and intense atmosphere, while composers Nick Chuba, Leopold Ross, and Atticus Ross' score accompanies the aesthetics perfectly.
Amy West, Total Film

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Fittingly, the show looks greatthe sets, the landscapes, or the costumesand boasts of attention to detail.
Akhil Arora, AkhilArora.com

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My senior year at A&M after putting up with Corps bs all day and studying all night, I'd smoke a bowl and read a few chapters of Shogun before I blissfully dozed off.

Greatness…

AJ02 said:

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Can someone give me a general idea what this is about?

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1600 in Japan. The Portuguese maintain a stranglehold on Western trade with Japan. A Dutch ship piloted by an Englishman (John Blackthorne) using stolen Spanish charts makes its way to a landing in Japan. At the same time, the Taiko (ruler of Japan) died a year before. HIs young son is protected by a ruling council of regents (5 great lords). The two main lords of the council are Ishido (roughly the bad guy) and Toranaga (roughly the good guy). 2 of the regents are Christian.

Toranaga is seeking to protect the young ruler and stay alive himself while possibly seeking to become Shogun (that's what the other lords fear). Toranaga's true motives are not clear.

The lady Mariko is a Christian who speaks Portuguese. Toranaga uses Mariko to make sure the Portuguese priest translator is translating correctly.

Overall, for modern viewer's shorthand....think "Game of Thrones" in Japan.

AJ02 said:

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Can someone give me a general idea what this is about?

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Last Samurai and Game of Thrones had a baby.

If you like Shogun, check out "Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan" on Netflix. It is excellent.

AJ02 said:

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Can someone give me a general idea what this is about?

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Stranger in a strange land.

Shipwrecked Englishman is shocked by Japanese culture. Japanese are shocked by English and Portuguese sailors and their lack of culture.

Englishman befriends powerful Japanese leader. Hijinks ensue.

birdman said:

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AJ02 said:

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Can someone give me a general idea what this is about?

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Stranger in a strange land.

Shipwrecked Englishman is shocked by Japanese culture. Japanese are shocked by English and Portuguese sailors and their lack of culture.

Englishman befriends powerful Japanese leader. Hijinks ensue.

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also booty call with really hot japanese chick.

FYI.

apparently there are different versions of the show, which determines whether you will see ta-tas or not.

So this is showing on Hulu and FX.

Which channel is the one that will be showing the ta-tas?

and does this mean I have to watch the first two episodes a 3rd time?

(I really do not know the difference)