Shogun review - 2024 version vs the 1980 version

Sensei Norcross compares the two series, together.

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[erictheswan]

Thanks for a great review! I similarly am partial to the old version, but the new one takes you to a much better understanding of the council of regents, the motivations of Mariko, Fuji and Ochiba among so many others. Agree that the Portuguese characters were much more dynamic and memorable in the old series and I felt like there was more joy and humor mixed with the pathos in the old one. I actually loved the experience of not having subtitles in the old, though the character depth in the new one is a wonderful plus, and exactly the area where the old one could have been improved. And agree that you can’t beat Orson Welles as a narrator, and Mifune as Toranaga (though also very well done and with greater subtlety in the new version). Again, thanks for the review! Glad we have both versions to compare, discuss, and learn from.

[XCARZ]

I’m a Gen Xer as well who grew up on the 1980 _Shogun_ . I really liked it and as an Asian-American I was impressed with the inclusion of Japanese talent onscreen (at a time when Hollywood was still largely tone deaf to the differences between Asian cultures) and other attention to authenticity that the creators of that show demonstrated. Personally, I’d switch the scores, and I hope, as a fellow martial artist, you’ll appreciate my reasoning. I see the 1980 version as the _omote_ adaptation: introducing westerners to the outer more high-level aspects of Japanese society and culture — as you said it has brightly lit, and this helped convey how beautiful and exotic feudal Japan might have been. The 2024 version, on the other hand, is the _ura_, the inner door, the portrayal with more true _shin_ / heart. Sanada Hiro said the emphasis would be on a more authentic portrayal of Japanese culture, and it delivers so many levels of nuance in that regard that the 1980 version far from touches and never could given that production team lacked native Japanese principals. I love how _Shogun_ 2024 is all business in terms of the story arc of Toranaga, as the top _bushi_ / martial artist of his time in Japan, using sublime ura tactics and strategy within the _in_ and _ju_ spectrum to win while most of the other players fall for the omote feints and induce _kuzushi_ on themselves by trying to gain advantages through _yo_ and _go_ actions (such as Nagakado’s, Yabushige’s, and Ishido’s careless misuse of physical force). The dark cinematography (most of the 2024 version’s storyline is expressly set during winter) fits the focus on the ura, and I actually love how this causes the natural light sources, like candles and lamps, as well as highlights cast off of the metal and metallic objects, such as armor and embroidery, to richly glow in contrast. There’s a lot more detail I could go into. If you find this take interesting, perhaps I will.

[ab_gaensedistel]

Who couldn´t fall in love with Yoko Shimada in the old version? I was 13 years old when I saw the show in 1984 for the first time on TV and I was fascinated. The unknown culture, the settings, the beautiful pictures - often in bright light and colours - and wonderful actresses and actors. So I´m prejudiced against the 2024 version and I prefer the more romanticized show from 1980.

[Cabrece]

Thank you for this wonderful review. I loved the 80’s series, and read the book as a result. I’m not that fond of Richard Chamberlain, but I bought his Blackthorne, even though in my mind he was almost too pretty. Cosmo Jarvis is more to my liking physically, and his voice really reminded me strongly of Richard Burton! I didn’t realize he was wearing contacts! And I did think his character picked up the Japanese language SO quickly! My daughter’s family lives in Japan and I visited them, and I had the worst time pronouncing properly, learning Japanese is not a walk in the park! I agree with most of your comments and opinions. I will say I burst into tears at the critical point of Mariko’s death, so I fully bought that relationship. Time to rewatch the older version!!!

[serpnta]

I saw the original on TV when I was 12 and of course, I loved it. I really, really liked this version. For me, the new one not begin focused on the love story was a major plus. I also kind of liked the overcast look of the world because it shows that they were living in darker times and their world was oppressive. One thing the old version really had going for it was the sound track. Whenever I hear the title theme to it, I feel uplifted and excited like I'm going on an adventure. In the new one I felt like we were just trying to survive. I'm watching it again with friends who know nothing about the story or much about the culture and it is so fun to see how they react to it.

[davidedmon-eqyp]

Good review 👍 I'm with you I'm 56 and can't watch TV today it's mostly garbage but I did like the new shogun. And now I'm going to look for the old one. Tks

[josueroberto]

I haven’t read the book or watched the 80’s series, though after watching Shogun 2024 they’re definitely on the plan to watch list. I absolutely loved Shogun. As you said it’s very subtextual and leaves many things to interpretation so I definitely have to watch it again to really get it. I think that might be a negative for many people though, young or old alike.

I think we can all agree Mariko and Toranaga absolutely stole the show. However I personally liked the character work all around. No one was wholly good and no one was wholly bad, every single character had both admirable and despicable traits. They all felt so real. From reactions online it seems the new generation has found a fan favorite in Yabushige, the slimy bastard you hate to love lol.

Thank you for the review and for all the work you do for martial arts. You mentioned Disney has killed Star Wars for you and I mostly share the sentiment. I do agree it’s a shame what has happened to it especially on the live action side. However I implore you to check out Andor if you haven’t seen it. I know no one asked for a whole show about this random character from a spin-off but just trust me, it’s incredible television. Also check out Dave Filoni’s work in the animated series Clone Wars and Rebels. He injected a lot of new fuel into the franchise and explored many previously untouched angles of the lore and the politics, great stuff all around. Although he has been making Star Wars content for so long now that some of his flaws are starting to show. But Clone Wars and Rebels are still well worth imo.

[philipkauffman]

ahh this is the first time i heard about the shinobi scenes, i was hoping that would be a thing in these two series.

[EngineersQuest]

I'm with you on that. I've watched the original several times. New version is very good but definitely not like what we grew up on.

[EngineersQuest]

I thought it was very well done though it doesn't beat the original. I do have to say that I'm disappointed with the absence of the narration at the end speaking of Lord Ishido.

[pulpogigante]

Thank You Zenzei! Highly respect and thanking you for the valuable and informative review.
I believe that the knowledge and view after postwar Japan was very different from the generation and perception of Japanese culture today. As you may have observed younger generations Japanese have lost touch and perception of their culture values and knowledge of how their country was founded and a morality code of conduct established. It was established with the Katana and Bushido code of conduct.
As of the movie I highly agree that most of it was computer generated and not actual scenes, but it projected the idea as accurate as possible. The not so colorful scenery I believe it was purposely done so, to depict the actual pre-Edo and Edo period. A period of about two hundred years of war(please correct if I'm wrong) and later about 200k of pease.
Also, the point of the newer version, is not a romantic one. But rather a more realistic one of real events. Also I've noticed a lot of disappointment on the ending, which begs the question ❓ How else would Toronaga defeat the far superior Daymio; Ishido Army? And Toronaga become the epic Shogun without the aid of Mariko?
Again in my opinion if you understand why the ending, then you understand Bushido, (The unspoken code of conduct rules and ethics).
Thank You Zenzei great 👍👍 Great review and highly respect your view. With a bow 🧎I say Domo Arigato. Please continue with your valuable information and videos.

[Krakonospivo]

I'm 33, I watched 1980 version at least three times and I absolutely loved it (I also red the novel). I must admit, if I wasn't familiar with and old adaptation, l would give 2024 version a 9/10. But the characters in 1980 show were just so much more memorable! I' m really disappointed with how bland and uninterseting father Alvito and Rodriguez were in the New show. Overall it is a decent series, but if I ever feel like rewatching Shogun again, I go for 1980 version, for sure.

[joannem.s.layton]

My thoughts. The original was captivating! We had one television in the house and all gathered around to watch it. It had Richard Chamberlain for heavens sake! What’s not to love!!

That said, the focus of the new one I find more intriguing. (Disclaimer, I read the book… twice, as well as the books that came after. ) Books are almost always better, in this case, the current series is more focused on Chinese culture and traditions. I highly recommend watching it. But don’t forget to pick up the book. I guarantee you’ll get halfway through the book and be disappointed there isn’t more!!

[MS-iisv]

I have never seen the old one but this one was just so dry and tedious that it actually killed my interest in Japan. If people in Japan are anywhere remotely as uptight as they are in this show I can't see why anyone would want to go there. Maybe that's just the nobility and the lower rungs of society were/are less wooden than that. Total buzzkill because the costumes and architecture are cool.

[chrisbanner]

🥷🏻
I really enjoyed it
the characters were strong i was surprised by Blackthorne being kind of a bumbling character and was more disappointed when Mariko died
I was also disappointed with the ending I feel it was kind of rushed and threw together

I will definitely go back and watch the original I did want to watch the 80's one first but didn't get around to it

Great review by the way