Hulus Shgun is a sweeping and brutal historical epic that's like a real-life Game of Thrones

Date:
Wed, 07 Feb 2024 17:00:01 +0000

Description:
Shgun lands on Hulu and Disney Plus on February 27 here are our
spoiler-light thoughts on its first two episodes.

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Few literary works have reshaped the Western worlds knowledge of, and appreciation for, Japanese history and culture than James Clavells Shgun .
The best-selling novel exposed US and British (to name just two) audiences to the uniquely rich traditions of the East Asian island nation, albeit in a story that, while grounded in real-life events, is laced with cultural fetishization and historical inaccuracies.

The aim of Shgun s latest TV adaptation the first, a 1980 NBC production, captivated viewers stateside thatll launch on Hulu in the US and Disney Plus internationally, then, is two-fold. One, introduce Clavells engrossing tale
to a new generation and, two, remedy the errors in his magnum opus and its TV predecessor, the latter of which was negatively received in Japan.

And it succeeds on both fronts. Educational and narratively riveting, Shgun s modern retelling is the kind of character-driven prestige TV that the aforementioned streamers are lacking in their show-based repertoires, and offers an impressive historical epic alternative to Disneys franchise heavy-hitters in Marvel and Star Wars. Worlds collide Hiroyuki Sanada stars
as Lord Yoshii Toranaga. (Image credit: FX Networks)

Set in the final throes of Feudal Japans Sengoku period circa 1600, Shgun primarily follows three characters whose fates become intertwined at the dawn of a century-long civil war. The most prominent of the trio is Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), a powerful Bush who rules Kanto and is fighting for his and his clans survival when treacherous members of the Council of Regents, which Toranaga is a part of, attempt to usurp him.

The arrival of John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), a roguish English maritime pilot and shipwreck survivor, though, further inflames the political
maelstrom when Toranaga and his enemies attempt to take advantage of the geopolitical secrets he wields. With the aid of the mysterious but invaluable Lady Mariko (Anna Sawai), Toranaga and Blackthorne form an unlikely and
uneasy alliance to try to maintain the fragile peace before things escalate
to all-out war.

Shgun is delightfully packed with as much double-crossing and political subterfuge

To stave off a full-scale and bloody interstate conflict, Blackthorne and his suspicious hosts must first overcome their differences. Understandably cagey about an outsider washing up on Japans shores, Lady Mariko, Toranaga, and the rest of his clan keep Blackthorne at arms length. Verbal exchanges are kept
to a minimum and only necessitated when Blackthorne is required to be a political pawn in the tense game of cat and mouse between Toranaga and his foes. The ones that play out, though, are laced with the requisite suspense
to heighten the mistrust that, initially at least, exists between both parties.

The absorbing nature of these chats is augmented by the effortless poise and needle that Sanada ( John Wick 4 , Army of the Dead ) and Jarvis ( Peaky Blinders ) imbue their respective characters with, which set up a fascinating dynamic to come in later episodes.

Sanada is an expectedly commanding presence whenever he graces the screen as the quietly intense Toranaga, ensuring his serene aura and stoicism cuts through the burgeoning chaos that threatens to envelop his fief and wider homeland. Toranagas reluctance to heed calls, from both allies and Japans
late Taik, to assume the role of his countrys commander-in-chief until the Taiks son Yaechiyo comes of age injects a pleasing slice of 2000s Gladiator into proceedings and acts as the fulcrum for his series-spanning character arc. Cosmo Jarvis' John Blackthorne is an integral part of Shgun 's story. (Image credit: FX Networks)

By contrast, Blackthornes temperamental, curt, and occasional trickster-like nature is captured with satisfyingly multidimensional intent by Jarvis. Thats not to say Sanada, Sawai, and the main supporting cast portray one-note characters indeed, theyre just as complex. Blackthornes three-dimensional persona is more evident, however, by virtue of him regularly swapping between facades to stay alive in what he perceives to be a barbaric land.

My one criticism of Jarvis performance and this might be something that only irritated me is I felt that he was trying to embody two Shakespearean Marvel characters: Thor, through the British stage accent Jarvis employs, and Loki , via Blackthornes scoundrel-like nature. Shgun s Sengoku period ran concurrent to Shakespearean England, but Jarvis lilt and mannerisms seem like they draw inspiration from two of the MCUs most notable characters, rather than real-world history. An exaggerated problem on my part? Maybe, but one I nonetheless found distracting.

Verbal exchanges are... laced with the requisite suspense to heighten the mistrust

Sawais portrayal of Lady Mariko shouldnt be overlooked, mind you. The
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters star proved she had the talent to lead an
ensemble cast in Apple TV Plus aforementioned Godzilla TV show, and she showcases those capabilities here as one of Shgun s co-leads. Sawai is an ethereal presence who brings a delightful mystique and fortitude to the enigmatic Mariko, and I cant wait to learn more about her cryptic backstory
in future episodes.

Make no mistake, Shgun might position its male cast as the de-facto mainstays of its plot an expected move, yes, given the gender inequality that majorly existed at the time. But, as particularly evidenced in her first big scene with Sanada, among others in the first two entries, Sawai is a shoo-in to be the series consummate surprise package. Power plays Lord Ishido is the
primary antagonist in FX's Shgun TV series. (Image credit: FX Networks)

A series like Shgun wouldnt work as an engrossing, tension-riddled historical drama if its ensemble cast of characters were a harmonious bunch. Its a good thing, then, that this isnt the case. From Toranagas adversaries among the Council of Regents members, including Ishido Kazunari (Takehiro Hira), to duplicitous warriors in his own ranks like Kashigi Yabushige (Tadanobu
Asano), Shgun is full of deceitful individuals with self-serving motives.

A collection of characters as complicated and narcissistic as this lot makes for delicious melodrama and politicking on a par with Game of Thrones ,
albeit one anchored in real-life history rather than HBOs live-action adaptation of George R.R. Martins beloved fantasy book series. Shgun is delightfully packed with as much double-crossing and political subterfuge as its Max -based contemporary; the envious Ishido leading his fellow council members in trying to oust Toranaga as he looks to seize power. Fans of
Thrones and its prequel series House of the Dragon , as well as similar politically-minded historical shows like Vikings: Valhalla , will find an abundance of histrionics to gorge on.

Shgun curries favor with viewers of an ultraviolent disposition with a
handful of obligatory brutal scenes

Where terse or frank discussions wont do, Shgun isnt afraid to step into cold-hearted, merciless territory. Like Thrones and Blue Eye Samurai Netflix s R-rated animated series set during Japans Edo period Shgun curries favor with viewers of an ultraviolent disposition with a handful of obligatory brutal scenes. Such moments are rare in its opening episodes, but it makes them all the more callous and shocking upon their unexpected arrival. And Im not only talking about beheadings or similarly bloody sequences, either indeed, a scene in episode one, which sees one of Blackthornes crew boiled alive in a vat of boiling water and soy, is as harrowing as it sounds. Anna Sawai's Lady Mariko is shrouded in mystery. (Image credit: FX Networks)

The trepidation felt by Japanese natives towards outsiders, as well as their cut-throat approach to dealing with those who hope to hoodwink them, is to be expected. Racial and religious intolerance was rife across the globe in the 17th century, and Shgun isnt afraid to demonstrate the level of xenophobia from all sides amid its wider narrative. It makes for uncomfortable viewing, yes, but adds to the mandatory realism that showrunners Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, in partnership with Clavells daughter Michaela (an executive producer on the show) wish to highlight as part of Shgun s authentic
portrayal and historical accuracy of this period.

If there are elements to nit-pick at, its Shgun s action-oriented sequences and occasionally heavy plot exposition. The latter is most prominent in episode two, with characters practically spelling out plans devised by Toranaga and Ishido verbatim; moments that although some will say its done without looking to offend anyone insult viewers intelligence to determine whats going on themselves.

As for the early episodes set-pieces, theyre pretty lackluster. A high seas-situated storm sequence is certainly intense and admirably showcases Shgun s high production value and cinematic execution, but it abruptly ends just as its really getting going. The same criticism can be leveled at
episode twos final scene; a bloody assassin-based scenario thats disappointingly fleeting in its ruthlessness and stunt work. My verdict

It can be challenging to judge the merits of a new series based on its first two episodes alone, but Shgun has the air of a sublime historical epic whose ambitious scope and scale has paid off. Its weighty and beguiling drama
that's ripped right out of the shogunate playbook, coupled with how it presents one of the most important periods in Japans chaotic history, ensures its off to a captivatingly dependable start.

Its heady mix of political intrigue and barbarity requires some refinement heading into its next six episodes, but it does a purposeful job of ironing out the arguably outdated elements of Clavells source material. Im sure some fans of his novel will question whether such creative deviations were necessary, however, given the era Shgun is set in.

Understandably, parallels will be drawn between Shgun and Game of Thrones plus, given its setting and similar time frame, other western world-developed productions like Blue Eye Samurai . Regardless, Shgun succeeds in being a large-scale production with a pleasing narrative confluence that proves two
of the worlds best streaming services (Hulu and Disney Plus) can supply high-quality, big-budget shows for their userbases. If Shgun builds on its first installments to deliver an entertaining and enthralling slice of prestige TV, Ill need no second invitation to add it to our best Hulu shows and best Disney Plus shows guides.

Shgun debuts with a two-episode premiere on Tuesday, February 27. New episodes air weekly until the finale on Tuesday, April 23.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/streaming/hulu/shogun-op-ed-hulu-fx-disney-plus


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