Summary
One of the bestShōgunscenes is enough to convince me seasons 2 and 3 of the FX series will be great despite no longer having the book to adapt. The announcement thatShōgunwill return for seasons 2 and 3was very surprising considering that the show was originally described as a limited series. Although James Clavell’s Asia Saga includes other books, none of them follow theShōguncharacters. In other words,Shōgunseason 2 will have to be an original story.
Shōgunepisode 10was a virtually perfect conclusion to the first season, even though it had no battles. The finale revealed the true nature of Lord Toranaga’s plan, a twist that those familiar with the book were already expecting. WhileShōgunreturning for two more seasons can be worrying considering it was supposed to be a limited series, there is a moment from the first season that proves the show has all the tools it needs to tell great stories that were not in the novel.
Fuji & Blackthorne’s Boat Scene Was Not In The Shōgun Book
Shōgun’s finale’s best scene was created for the show
The scene withFuji and Blackthorne on a boat inShōgunepisode 10was not in James Clavell’sShōgunnovel. Although FX’sShōgunseries followed the book quickly closely and honored the source material, the series did make some important changes to it. This includes Fuji’s role in the story, the amount of screen time given to the character, and her interactions with John Blackthorne.Fuji is a more layered character in FX’sShōgun, whose first episode included the seppuku of Fuji’s husband and infant child.Shōgun’s finale brought Fuji’s story full circle in a fantastic scene.
“The fact that one of the best scenes inShōgunseason 1 did not come from the book makes me confident that seasons 2 and 3 will be great (…)”
The moment between Blackthorne and Fuji in the finale was one of my favorite scenes inShōgunif not my favorite. Blackthorne had recently lost Mariko, while Fuji was still grieving the loss of her family. Brought together by fate and sorrow, both Fuji and Blackthorne needed to come to terms with their losses before they could move on with their lives. Fuji and the Anjin helped each other in the most difficult moments of their lives, a fitting conclusion for a unique friendship that was forged throughout the show.
Shōgun’s Seasons 2 & 3 Will Have To Be An Original Story
Shōgun already covered most of the novel it’s based on
The fact that one of the best scenes inShōgunseason 1 did not come from the book makes me confident that seasons 2 and 3 will be great, even though they did not necessarily need to happen.Shōgunwould have worked as a limited series, not just because it already covered the book in its entirety but also because it had a very satisfying ending.There is a bittersweetness toShōgunepisode 10 that a second season could ruin, especially if it revisits John Blackthorne and his complicated relationship with Lord Toranaga.
How Shogun’s Story Can Continue In Seasons 2 & 3 (Based On Real Life History)
Shōgun is guaranteed to have at least 2 more seasons and should continue to chronicle the legendary historical conflicts of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
That said, the quality of the writing, acting, and other aspects ofShōgun’s production makes it difficult not to be excited about season 2.Shōgunseason 1 was one of the best series in years and proved that it was much more than just a “newGame of Thrones.” Although much ofShōgun’s success comes from the quality of its source material – Clavell’sShōgunis an all-time classic of its genre after all – what the show accomplished cannot be taken for granted. I would’ve been fine withShōgunending after 10 episodes, but I’m curious to see what season 2 will deliver.
Shōgun Has Proven It Can Go Beyond The Original Novel
Shōgun’s seasons 2 and 3 can be as good as the first one
Scenes like Fuji and Blackthorne’s conversation on the boat prove thatShōguncan go beyond the original noveland still be great. There are plenty of examples of adaptations that saw a major drop in quality after they went beyond their respective source materials, including Game of Thrones. However, I believe the situation is quite different forShōgun. Firstly, whileShōgunis a fiction story, most of the characters and events portrayed in the series are loosely based on real-life historical figures. For example,Lord Toranaga is based on Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Fumi Nikaido
Yodo-dono
In that sense,Shōgun’s seasons 2 and 3 technically have something to be based on.The show can continue to use real history to craft fictional stories about its characters, either with a direct follow-up to season 1 or with time jumps. Either way, there is no reason to believe there will be a massive drop inShōgun’s quality just because it no longer has the book to follow. There is a major difference between writing original scenes and crafting an entirely new story, but I’m confidentShōgunwill succeed in its massive challenge.
Shogun
Cast
Shōgun, released in 2024, is set in Japan during 1600 at the onset of a significant civil war. It follows Lord Yoshii Toranaga as he battles political adversaries on the Council of Regents, while a European ship mysteriously appears in a nearby fishing village, complicating the tides of power.
