FX’s adaptation of James Clavell’s epic novel, Shōgun, wrapped up on 23 April after a stunning ten-episode run on Hulu and Disney+. Featuring high-level production values and a star-studded cast including Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai, the series successfully brought to life the intricate tale of power and betrayal set in feudal Japan. As a limited series, Shōgun has concluded its narrative arc, following Clavell’s original storyline.
The plot revolves around Toranaga’s (Hiroyuki Sanada) clandestine Crimson Sky plot, masterfully executed by Mariko (Anna Sawai), who sacrifices her own life to upend the schemes of the power-hungry Lord Ishido (Takehiro Hira). Her actions secure Toranaga’s destiny as the new shogun. Meanwhile, the foreigner John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) remains in Japan to assist in shipbuilding, continuing his unexpected journey in the tumultuous political landscape of the period.
Despite the series’ conclusion, which delivered a satisfying and poetic finale, some fans are eager for a second season. However, given that Clavell’s novel does not extend beyond the events of the series and major characters have met their ends, continuing the story could prove challenging without diminishing the quality of the original work.
The husband-and-wife showrunning team, Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo, have expressed cautiousness regarding a potential second season. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Marks highlighted the difficulty of extending the story without a clear roadmap. He referenced Clavell’s other works in The Asian Saga, noting their disconnected narratives, such as Tai-Pan, which explores early Hong Kong and offers no direct sequel or prequel to Shōgun. His full quotes are as follows:
“But it’s also about, not even topping the book, but, how do you even equal the roadmap that Clavell laid out? And I don’t know if it’s possible. I don’t know if Clavell could have done it either. That’s probably why he moved on to other books too, right? He knew what he had done. Yeah, it’s a tough one.”
“I can only speak for myself reading Tai-Pan right now, just apropos of nothing, honestly, and what a great book. I’ve been telling Rachel about it as I’ve been reading it and saying, “Well! He did it again.” But it’s completely different. It’s about Hong Kong in the early days, a totally different world, so it’s not just playing the hits. He’s conjuring new vivid characters that stand 75,000 feet tall all at once. And I think when you look at Shōgun, that’s part of what Clavell did. We were given these characters who were really so colorful and accessible, which is a hard magic to conjure as a novelist and as a writer.”
Marks’ comments reflect a respect for Clavell’s comprehensive world-building and an acknowledgement of the high standards set by the original series. While the possibility of exploring more stories under the Shōgun banner exists, particularly given the rich historical context of Japan, the focus remains on honouring what has already been accomplished.
The series is now streaming on Disney+.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing Honkai: Star Rail, cosplaying, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
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