Shōgun, the monumental series that just released its finale on Disney+ a week ago, is taking the entertainment world by storm.
Kudos to its rich historical context, compelling storyline, shocking twists and turns, and intricate characters, the show has got everyone talking online – expressions of love and appreciation, comparisons to the legendary series Game of Thrones, and the clamor for a second season and Emmy Awards recognition.
With its breathtaking visuals, riveting performances, and masterful storytelling, Shōgun has undoubtedly made an impact and could even potentially grow its audience in the future.
During the finale release, the hashtag #ShōgunFX trended for over 24 hours, underscoring the show’s immense popularity. Fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their reactions, dissect key moments, predict future storylines, and praise the show for its powerful finale, sparking a flurry of notable tweets and memes.
One user who appreciated Shōgun’s final episode wrote: “What I love about #ShogunFX was how it conveyed so much through the little things—things that point to deep feelings & back stories that aren’t spoken.”
Meanwhile, an avid viewer of the epic drama reflected on the void it has left, “I love this series. When will we see something beautiful like this again?”
Game of the samurai
Shōgun being at the same caliber as the legendary Game of Thrones didn’t escape the fans’ keen and eager eyes. Deemed as one of the few shows worthy to rival GoT in terms of world-building, character focus, and impact, Shōgun has won the hearts of period drama fans and even made a robust community for itself! Indeed, apart from the witty commentaries such as “Lord Toranaga is like Ned Stark if the latter was smart,” Filipino Shōgun fans are hailing the show as “what Game of Thrones should have been,” citing the show’s consistent slow-burn action, palpable tension in pivotal scenes and audacious ending.
Knowing the risks of getting pitted against the giant that GoT is, fans pointed out how Shōgun was able to make a name for itself without relying on big battle scenes, and bloody and nude scenes. “Shōgun didn’t fall into the Game of Thrones trap of trying to outdo the big battle scenes. The focus is always drama over spectacle.” Shōgun stayed true to its intended vision and leaned onto its unique charisma, which cemented itself as a legendary series with just 10 episodes.
Calls for Season 2
As soon as the show’s finale was released, excitement, rejoice, and calls for another round of this epic saga echoed in the Twitterverse and other social media platforms. Their request is simple: to have another season with samurais in Feudal Japan. The show’s creators may not be so keen on committing to another season, considering that they already exhausted James Clavell’s book, the show’s source material.
Still, that didn’t stop fans from expressing their wishes online and crafting their own possible storylines for their favorite characters. Blackthorne growing old and being a witness to other Europeans moving to Japan, Toranaga reigning over Japan, and Buntaro continuing his cool samurai adventures – these are just some of the plotlines Shōgun fans would like to see, should another season be granted. Others, however, are content with a perfect 10 episodes, aware of instances where a show gets ruined by unnecessary sequels and spin-offs. “Season One accomplished everything it needed,” said one Facebook user.
Next battle: Emmy Awards?
Fans and industry insiders believe that Shōgun has the potential to be a major player in the Primetime Emmy Awards later this year. Given the show’s critical acclaim, rich narrative, historical details, and exceptional production values, many deem Shōgun as worthy of racking up multiple nominations and, possibly, wins.
Goldderby.com, a US-based entertainment website that monitors races in different award-giving bodies all year round, currently has Shōgun as the frontrunner in the Outstanding Limited Series category. Meanwhile, Hiroyuki Sanada (Lord Toranaga) and Cosmo Jarvis (John Blackthorne) are both considered serious contenders in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series/TV-Movie competition. Anna Sawai (Lady Mariko) is among the top predictions in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series/TV-Movie category, with her standout episode ‘Crimson Sky,’ putting her character and storyline front and center and making it a perfect showcase for Emmy voters.
Also getting mentions are Moeka Hoshi (Fuji), Fumi Nikaido (Ochiba no Kata), Tadanobu Asano (Yabushige), and Takehiro Hira (Ishido) for their supporting roles.
In addition to acting, Shōgun is also eligible for nominations in writing and directing and can be strongly considered in below-the-line categories such as casting, editing, cinematography, production design, costume, and more. The nominations for the Primetime Emmys will be announced on July 17, 2024.
The excitement for Shōgun is still on! Time for you to have a repeat viewing, or if you haven’t seen it, kick off your binge-watch and dive into the world of samurais, political intrigue, and intense drama and know why fans can’t get enough of this remarkable series.
Whatever you do, just don’t miss out on the Shōgun phenomenon. Watch all episodes now available on Disney+.