Forbidden romance, human greed, and the horrors of wartime are some intriguing themes you’ll find in Shōgun starring Hiroyuki Sanada. The Japanese series reached nine million views globally in six days, making it the top scripted series premiere globally for Disney General Entertainment.
Witness the talents of Hiroyuki Sanada — Japanese actor, singer, martial artist, and producer of ‘Shōgun’. (Photo from: Disney+ Singapore)
Shōgun is an adaptation of the 1975 novel of the same name by James Clavell and a refreshed version of the 1980 miniseries. It also takes inspiration from real-life historical figures. Set in feudal Japan in 1600, the story starts with a British sailor named John Blackthorne. He winds up in Japan as a castaway struggling to communicate with the locals, quickly making himself clear that he is not part of the Portuguese religious leaders who have already established a profitable trade relationship with the Japanese.
British actor Cosmo Jarvis (whom you might have seen in the British series Peaky Blinders) plays the role of John Blackthorne AKA the Anjin or “pilot” of the ship that marooned on Japan’s shores. He gets thrown into the middle of the country’s strained political state and becomes useful for Lord Yoshii Toranaga’s (Hiroyuki Sanada) plans.
Toranaga is a renowned bushō or warlord, a brilliant strategist even when the odds seem stacked against him. He comes from a prestigious family in the country and claims he does not seek the title of shōgun, or the highest military title a man can achieve in Japan.
When the Taikō or the supreme ruler of Japan dies, he appoints Toranaga as one of the five members of the Council of Regents. The leaders were meant to share power until the young heir of the Taikō turned sixteen. However, the other members plotted to impeach Toranaga, leading him to gather his allies and enlist the Anjin to train his troops and Lady Toda Mariko as the translator.
The series boasts a notable repertoire of cast members including Tadanobu Asano as Kashigi Yabushige, Hiroto Kanai as Kashigi Omi, Takehiro Hira as Ishido Kazunari, Moeka Hoshi as Usami Fuji, Tokuma Nishioka as Toda Hiromatsu, Shinnosuke Abe as Buntaro, Yuki Kura as Yoshii Nagakado, Yuka Kouri as Kiku, and Fumi Nikaido as Ochiba no Kata.
Ready to get transported into a gory yet glorious era? Here are three reasons to add this show to your watchlist.