From Samurai Battles to Political Intrigues: Why Shogun Captivates

Ever wondered how a single shipwreck could alter the balance of power in 1600s Japan? This episode of our podcast takes you behind the scenes of the FX and Hulu series "Shogun," a gripping tale inspired by James Clavel's renowned novel. We explore the intricate world of Yoshi Toronaga and his tactical genius, set against the backdrop of civil war and cultural clashes. The characters Toronaga, Mariko, Anjin, Usami, Fuji, and Kashi are at the heart of our discussion, each bringing layers of complexity and intrigue akin to the storytelling style of "The Last Samurai." Their interactions are rich with double meanings, ensuring every scene is a masterclass in narrative depth.

For those who crave a saga with the strategic brilliance of "Game of Thrones," our review and recommendation segment spotlights why "Shogun" should be your next binge-watch. Despite mixed reviews on traditional rating platforms, we passionately argue its merits, highlighting the dynamic character arcs and thrilling plot twists. Whether you're a samurai enthusiast or simply love well-crafted drama, "Shogun" offers immense rewatch value and an enthralling escape. Our episode concludes with an enthusiastic call to action, urging our cherished listeners to subscribe, share, and stay tuned for more insights and discussions. Join us, and let's bring more glam and excitement into our pop culture journey!

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Chapters

• 0:00 Pop Culture Chat on Shogun Show
• 20:50 Shogun Show Review and Recommendation
• 26:29 Engaging Call to Action for Listeners

Transcript

 

Welcome to Second Emulation

  📍 Okay, so like, welcome to Second Emulation, the podcast that's all about pop culture, like, literally everything from movies and TV shows to the latest anime crazes. Join us for, like, all the juicy deets and insights on what's happening in the entertainment world. We're, like, totally here to spill the tea on what's hot and what's not, so if you're looking for the ultimate pop culture fix, you're in the right place, honey. So, like, grab a seat, kick off your heels, and let's dive right into it, shall we

I'd like to welcome you back to another episode of our podcast to new and current listeners. 

Introducing 'Shogun' on FX and Hulu

Now, this episode is going to be about a show that kind of no one knew about, but took everyone by surprise. And that shows is called Shogun,  which is on FX and on Hulu. The show just wrapped up and  God, this. Is a good show.

If you love Samurai  Ninjas and just sword fighting, then this is the show for you. Now let's get into it.  

Historical Context and Setting

I did not know that the show was actually based off a book by the author James Clave, which goes by the same title, Shogun Now.  For those who don't know, and I didn't know, this  takes place in Japan in the year 1600 during a civil war era focusing on a a character called Yoshi  Toranaga who at this time is fighting for his life against a council of regents.

who during this period is also a period of religion. Japan is very an undiscovered area. During the time of exploration, those who are trying to, you know, the Europeans and the Spaniards and the Portuguese are trying to, you know, discover new lands and trade and establish their, you know, foundations for religion in these areas. 

And so we're at the precipice of, you know, them branching out  in, you know, this area of like a fishing village.  And this is kind of where this story takes place, where this ship, which is, you know, Gets marooned in this area by a black thorn, kind of is the catalyst or the lynchpin  that  moves, or the shipwreck, I would say that kind of just, you know,  allows  toga to kind of like,  use, use this unforeseen, you know, event. 

and use that as foresight to envision, you know, things are going to play out for him throughout the series.  I don't think I've ever been so immersed and so captivated by a show or a movie by something so similar since The Last Samurai 47 Ronin, and  period pieces that were like this and the same type of care, just the characters and the story was so well developed.

It just, it just made me wanting more. And.  

Character Development and Dynamics

We're kind of just going to pivot into like, you know, these characters,  these characters within the show,  you know, weren't just one offs. Like the development of these characters was, you know, fleshed out.  You know, Lord, Yoshitaro Naga Mariko, Anjin,  Usami Fujii, and Kashi, I  apologize if I mispronounce these names,  Kashiji,  like these characters had personalities, you know, how they interacted, everything was,  it made you feel like an outsider looking in, their interactions I felt that moment, like,  Things were such elegance but also deceiving.

Like, every move, every  interaction, every conversation was a double edged sword. Had a double meaning. Everything was precise. Everything, you know,  What was said also had meaning and what was also not being said also had meaning and so it made you feel that you also as a viewer had to constantly be paying attention because you didn't know with  any one of these characters that I mentioned and those I didn't mention any interaction.

while they were on screen could have a, you know, a subtle meaning that would come up again or, you know, set a CADLC sitting like the fuse for something that would come back later. And so it was very interesting to see  I will say though, I do get a lot of The Last Samurai vibes, even though it's not in the same vein.

There could be lots of overlap and inspiration from this that kind of helped, you know, develop the movie and vice versa. But when watching this, I kind of get that, you know,  that.  mo tif the that vibe from it make the outsider coming there who he know, who's not used to their ways and he's so demanding He comes from the new world, or Europe, and he's so used to like, you know, things happening quick.

You say something and it happens. You know? Its action, words and action, words and actions, he's not used to having where, you know, you say something, you request something and then, you know, you wait  You wait you have conversations you wait like there's this slow steady, you know of like Conversations almost like negotiations and you know procedurals  if you will of Any interactions that you have there's almost like mini procedurals, even though  You're aware of having it these conversations You  are procedurals  and they tie up things  and he's not so you like and Jen is not used to having these things because he's so used to everything being fast paced  and being in a world where things are no longer fast paced  everything's procedural it  Throws him off.

And so just seeing that  and also referencing, you know, the last samurai were a character who was, you know,  pulled from the The world that we all know where everything's fast paced and set into a world where everything's slow and procedural You know, you're not giving everything handed to you You know instantly  It's very different I  felt like  each one of these characters could have had a  Like a  a season of their own if they wanted to like backstory upon backstory of like  episodes the season could have went a little bit longer of just going to backstory of just you know Toronaga, Mariko, Anjin, it's like  even further than what we got  Because of just how developed these characters were and the understanding of like, you know, what role they played in the, you know, in the small,  in the bigger picture of things. 

And mind you,  these are samurais. So I, I'm a big fan of the culture and what it represents, which is nice to see it on screen. Like the rest.  The representation of that because you don't get to see a lot of shows about samurais and ninjas. We do get to see a lot of medieval and european type shows like Game of Thrones who had that european medieval aesthetic or Lord of the Rings fantasy.

We don't get to see a lot of, you know, Asian, Japanese type of cultural type shows. And media a lot. And so it was nice to see  K dramas are different types of shows, but something that more like, you know, that kind of would be Thrones, we don't get a lot.  And, you know, You  Samurais in Japan, I want to say  kinda could be close  and they fit in that world because who doesn't love sword fighting?

I think  that's like the  closest you could probably get to a Jedi, essentially because the Jedis were based off of Samurais. Swordplay and Aesthetic. So  if you think about it, that's like the closest thing you'll get to a real life Jedi. If you think about it 

and just having a samurai sword or a kantan just looks pretty cool in the armor.  

Production Value and Authenticity

And  this goes into our next part,  the production value.  When I say production value,  the care that went into this show  was  astounding. Everything from,  you know, set pieces to costume  to  culture and location.  Like, everything was done to perfection.

Correctly to the minute detail. They made sure to get everything right and  I watched one of the behind the scenes where they, the actors themselves, had to study how to handle sword, not, you know, fake swords, but a live sword, and how to study how it cuts, how it cuts certain objects, you know, the weight of it, how to handle, how to walk, you know, and they had someone who, you know, Who was a master, so, like, they went into great detail of.

You know,  studying and it shows like on set or on in the series of how these actors who are portraying these characters. You know, presented themselves on screen and it wasn't just the actors who played the Samurais, But also the women as well their women. You know, actors had to learn how to wear the Kimoho and how to walk out the talk.

Like  they went to great detail. And the garments,  the clothes,  they were top notch. Like,  it fell. Like you were immersed in that time period. It made me  personally like want  samurai armor,  you know, just like seeing how elegant and like  graceful the armor was and, you know, just the pieces of clothing  and how they talk to each other. 

As I mentioned earlier about the character development like they could  You know talk  so kind of like I  guess the word i'm saying like  the production value on this show was almost like that of a film they spared no expense on  Making sure that this was as merciful as they can and true to the IP of the book and what they were trying to produce for the audience and the story that they were trying to tell because it shows as I myself was invested my family was invested in the show like  even though it was a one episode you know 

I've never been  so impatient to watch something. And this is coming from someone who, you know, who binge watches shows. So, and the locations  marvelous. Like,  I would say this was kind of like If I had to give it like what it was What to compare it to I would say game of thrones would be you know I would say is what I could compare it to.

Without any CG,  you know, Game of Thrones would probably be the closest, you know, I can compare it to would be on that scale for the show.  Just like production value and what they went through to like make sure everything was, you know, correct. 

I mean, there was things that I, I thought I knew I didn't, and I ended up learning about the show and I was like, huh? And so that was even,  you know, I give even props to the production, you know, crew, because there was things that, you know, I myself was like, Oh, I thought I knew everything or just the basics of like the culture type stuff.

And even though I'm, you know, only know  a very minute details was still being like almost taught history and taught things myself. And I'm like, huh, that's very interesting to know.  So yeah. I give it, I give them a round of applause, the producer, the actors, everyone on who worked on this. I give them a round of applause because they nailed it out of the park.

Like, and it shows,  you know, for what they did taking this novel and being able to produce this.  on this scale, well bravo to them because  it was a great,  great show. 

Plot Deep Dive and Intrigue

Now we're going to go back to the plot for a bit because the plot was a little bit short that they had the little description here, but Shogun is that Lord Turganagha  is trying to stop what would be a civil war.  And he is being ousted against regions, which is like a, almost like a political council of sorts to the air. 

And  throughout the whole series he is essentially  trying to outwit and outmaneuver those who would, prevent him from seeking absolute control military control which is Shogun to bring peace. His goal is to actually bring peace to Japan.  And so in order for him to do that, he needs to become Shogun and for all those to fall in line to do so, but he can't do that because there's people who are being manipulated.

There's people who are manipulating the air. And with him not around, he has to do the opposite and try to, you know, alleviate the situation.  And so the whole series is like this  three dimensional chest  of deceit,  lies,  mind games,  back and forth, just  back and forth mind games, sneaky mind games, people betraying people, all  all with one objective to become Shogun.

And no spoilers, but like,  I didn't think it was gonna happen, and it like it would,  I wasn't sure how it was going to end,  but the ending was crazy.  And it was interesting, because Lord Torokinaga was a brilliant person, from day one,  His plan was in motion all the way till the end. So he had already put things in motion from day one. 

And I thought that was pretty, pretty smart  that he was already,  he was already thinking of things, planning. He had already had plans years in advance. People thought he was like, you know, succumbing to his enemies. No. He had  set up a plan years in advance. Had piece moving pieces already in advance. So, his character, I liked the most that was most developed because everyone thought he was you know, down and now. 

And he wasn't. He, he just had the appearance that he was in order for him to move within the levels of freedom they allowed him to have.  So I thought that was pretty cool. 

Final Thoughts and Ratings

Will people like the show? Yes. Now,  I say yes, but it also depends on, you know.  If you're gonna like it, depending if you like games of thrones and  you like action now  The show does have action sequences. Not a lot, you know, it's very story driven, but if you're a fan of Game of Thrones and that type of, you know, storytelling, then you'll like Shogun because it follows, it has that same story aesthetic narrative.

You'll find it very pleasing.  And it's not going to be too like action heavy. There are action moments in the story, but it's not going to be like episode one, action, action, action, episode two, action, action. It's the action is, you know, tastefully done is woven through the season. And so it's,  it's smart. 

similar to with games of thrones, it's it has it there. It's not going to be like all in your face. It's Narratively done well within the series So I feel like this will appeal to audiences if you you're looking for something new to watch It's a you know, very short one shot series If your a fan of Game of Thrones Its does have that, you know aestetique to it It will help fill that gap until next season of Game of Thrones comes out or I think House of Dragons  But, I mean People will like the show Because based on  IMDB, they've given it an 8.

8 out of 10, and Rotten Tomatoes is giving it a 99%. So those are not good indicators as to what the audience likes. You know, I think By time this episode comes out you guys, listen to it you pray you would already have seen the series and Probably enjoyed it by that time  But you know these metrics or those ratings are really not good indicators but  I myself enjoyed the show so did my family and You know  It's one of those one shots.

I mean,  I feel like I could probably watch it again, you know, cause I feel like  There was things that I missed that I didn't pick up on that if I watched it a second time I would really get. So I feel like it does have some rewatch value because a lot of stuff you could easily miss if you weren't paying attention to the series or to the episode.

So,  but yeah.  My rating, I would give it a 9, a 10. I think you know, I know it's a little high for it, but I think it's rarely deserved.  I really, I think it's,  it is a deserved rating 9 out of 10 for the show.  I normally, yeah, 9 out of 10. That's all I'll give it.  I don't think I've given shows good ratings. 

I don't think I have a rating system yet. I have to work on that. But yes,  this will have a 9 out of 10 for the show.  My first, well, first high rating 9 out of 10.  If you love samurais and you like lies, deceit, backstabbing, and murder,  and some romance,  then Shogun is the show for you. And you can watch it on Hulu  for free if you have a Hulu subscription. 

Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Now, this brings this episode to a close. I want to thank everyone who listens to the episode, new and current. And, I'll catch you guys in the next one. Alright? Bye! 

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