The Drinker Recommends... Shogun

There's nothing else for it but to say... Shogun is a superb TV show, and I'd recommend it to anyone into action, drama, historical epics or just good old fashioned adventure. Go watch it now and thank me later.

Want to help support this channel?

[chucksenhowzen]

Oh look, Diverse characters in an accurate environment! This is how it should be 🇯🇵

[Rembreiker_lychec]

I have spent a lifetime wondering how Hiroyuki Sanada hasn't been a consistent leading man. The man has the cool, the calm, the presence to absolutely kill whatever he's in.

[earthknight]

They spent 11 years making this, and had a whole bunch of experts brought in to train the actors on behaviors, speech, and movements appropriate to the time. All this down the even the fine details of hand gestures and the differences in eating and drinking tea in a variety of settings. Hiroyuki Sanada has been involved in the conception and production from the very beginning 11 years ago.

With the amount of time and efforts spent on the show it's no wonder they did as well as they did.

[Bean_Soup]

To me, the best part of Shogun is that it doesn’t shy away from historic cultural differences between two societies. On one side, the Japanese natives’ overwhelmingly strict adherence to their values of virtue and honor is able to create a functioning society that’s cohesive and well organized, but that clashes heavily with the western-import of self-determinism and all the philosophies of free will and liberty it carries with it.
But the clash of these two philosophies is not only done rather subtly, it’s done with a dialogue with back-and-forth rather than a one-sided debate where winner takes all. The show doesn’t make it known which side it really endorses, as it shows the beauty and ugly sides which both worldviews come with.

[tallerwarrior]

Btw for anyone wondering. This was co-written and show ran by Justin Marks who was one of the writers on Top Gun Maverick. The other writer and showrunner is his wife Rachel Kondo who is Japanese American.

[JeremyIceAndFire]

Shōgun has been a breath of fresh air in a sea of shyte. Good old fashioned storytelling done right. Even with the book changes the show still remains pretty faithful to James Clavell's novel.

[Jonathan_Collins]

I'm quite impressed with Sanada’s portrayal of Toranaga, in that, for those versed in the history it’s based on, it’s like seeing Tokugawa Ieyasu in the flesh. The way Torunaga's quiet, firm, unfailingly shrewd and clever presence just dominates a room shows that Sanada has clearly modeled his portrayal on the actual figure. In that sense, we are in fact getting "good history" even within a fictional tale—something we can all agree is almost totally lacking these days.

[JGrimm]

This show is fucking incredible. Sanada was so based telling the studio he would not be involved unless all Japanese Characters were played by Japanese people. If only western actors did that

[grandmufftwerkin]

I also recommend reading Clavell's novel Shogun.

It's worth your time.

[eloyevd]

Shogun is one of the best things ive seen in recent years. On the edge of my seat every episode. And I genuinely care about the characters.

[GrantErickson_IT]

Japanese tradition of honor and self-discipline is always a fascinating concept for narrative. Add in the complexity of Shogun politics and a ever increasing presence of western influence and you have a story that captivates.

[mariochowphotography]

After that 9th episode and all the badassery Mariko does, she desserves a video from the drinker as a beacon of actual strong female characters.

[bfwebster]

Some 30 years ago, I was invited to speak at a software development conference in Tokyo. In preparation for the trip, I read several books on Japanese society and culture. I was particularly struck by a comment by one Japanese author, who said (more or less):

"If you as a Westerner want to understand Japanese culture and society, read _Shogun_ by James Clavell."

I already had - I was a long-time Clavell fan - but I did go back and re-read it prior to my trip.

Glad to hear the series was done well; I had my doubts. Definitely will watch it now.

[TheWarmachine]

The Last Samurai: "Are you challenging me?"

Shogun: "Yes."

[timwarneka]

In my 50s. Heavy reader. If you haven't read Shogun, please consider it. You're in for a treat. It's easily in my top 10 favorite novels. I've read it multiple times (which I rarely do with a novel). Great review, Drinker!

[dandybus]

Hiroyuki Sanada is one of those actors who always catches my attention. The Last Samurai was a surprise hit among my friends and I, and we were all talking about what a great actor Sanada-san was.

[ollyb]

Shogun is based on 1975 novel by James Clavell, which itself takes inspiration from the true story of William Adams. Look him up, but it might lead you to spoilers for the show.

[Tomiwa]

I love that foreign movies and series are winning. Hollywood needs a reality check.

[kylehansbrockmann]

It's been almost a decade since I've lavished every minute of a show with a genuine dread in my heart that I'll have to wait another week when the 50 minutes are up. I'd forgotten what that felt like; not wholly absorbed or immersed into it, rather letting each bite and scene savour and melt in your mouth as though you'd taken a drive to a week long booking at a Michelin tasting menu. My wife and I received a delivery toward the end of episode 5 and I found myself say to here, "We have 7 more minutes of the good show left when I get back."

[SpartanHighKing]

Drinker you magnificent bastard! Greetings from Cape Town, South Africa 🇿🇦