With the new FX format Shogun, James Clavell’s classic Japanese novel, which is already available as an 80s miniseries (Shogun), has been lavishly remade. This effort seems to be worth it, as the historical adventure series picked up in just six days since its premiere 9 million streaming views a.
According to Deadline, this even outshines the US premiere of the second season of The Bear: King of the Kitchen and, internationally, the first season of the reality format The Kardashians. The saber-rattling samurai enjoy an advantage on the streaming battlefield thanks to parallel availability on Hulu, Disney+ and Star+.
What is Shogun about?
The Samurai series is set in feudal Japan in the 17th century. As in the first adaptation, the English sailor John Blackthorne (then Richard Chamberlain, now Cosmo Jarvis) is stranded after a shipwreck in a culture that is foreign to him becomes involved in the intrigues of Japanese princes. Only this time, Japanese perspectives are also coming into the spotlight.
Above all, that of co-producer Hiroyuki Sanada (John Wick: Chapter 4) in the role of Daimyo Yoshi Toranaga, who takes on the powerful Regent Council and his adversary Ishido Kazunari (Takehiro Hira).
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The story is not necessarily historically accurate, but it is loosely based on real historical figures. For example, Sanada’s Toranaga is a reference to the Japanese unifier Tokugawa Ieyasu, who founded the Tokugawa Shogunate, while Jarvis’ Blackthorne is based on the Englishman William Adams, who rose to become a samurai with him despite the stigma of foreigners.
The format was created by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, who held the showrunner position.
Where can you stream Shogun in Germany?
The new miniseries has been since February 27, 2024 can be found on the local Disney+ *, where 3 out of 10 episodes are currently available. Another one follows every week.
Podcast: The 30 best series starts in March on Netflix, Amazon and Co.
Do you need more fresh streaming tips? We present the most exciting series in March, which start on Netflix, Amazon, Disney+ and Co., in the monthly overview:
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Among the 20 streaming highlights of the series in March you will not only find the return of the Amazon hit LOL: Last One Laughing, but also the hotly anticipated Netflix series from the Games of Thrones creators, German sci-fi and much more.
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