Shōgun: recaps, next episode and everything we know about the Samurai series (2024)

Shōgun: recaps, next episode and everything we know about the Samurai series (1)

Be transported back to Feudal Japan in Shōgun, based on the best-selling novel from James Clavell. The 10-episode limited series focuses on a civil war that would help define the 17th century in Japan. While the show hails from FX, it is a global offering available right away for anyone interested.

That should be pretty tantalizing, as FX has been behind some pretty great shows in recent years: Snowfall, Reservation Dogs, The Patient, Mayans M.C., The Old Man, Justified: City Primeval, The Americans, What We Do in the Shadows, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and The Bear. Can Shōgun reach the same kind of level as those shows?

Here is everything that you need to know about Shōgun.

Shōgun next episode

The Shōgun finale is now available to stream on Hulu in the US and Disney Plus in the UK. US viewers that don't have Hulu can watch the show when it airs live on TV at 10 pm ET/PT on FX.

Here is the synopsis for episode 10, "A Dream of a Dream":

"In the wake of a tragic death, Blackthorne finally considers the true nature of Toranaga's plan."

For US viewers looking to watch on FX, the cable network is available through traditional pay-TV providers as well as live TV streaming services like Fubo, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV.

Shōgun recaps

Here are the synopses for the Shōgun episodes released so far:

Shōgun episode 1, "Anjin"
"Destinies converge in Japan after a barbarian ship washes ashore in a poor fishing village. Meanwhile, in Osaka, Lord Toranaga finds himself outplayed by his enemies." Read WTW's Shōgun episode 1 recap.

Shōgun episode 2, "Servants of Two Masters"
"Blackthorne's arrival in Osaka stirs up a hornet's nest of rivalries. Mariko is trapped between her cause and her faith when she must translate for the barbarian in Lord Toranaga's custody." Read WTW's Shōgun episode 2 recap.

Shōgun episode 3, "Tomorrow Is Tomorrow"
"After Blackthorne survives a brazen assassination attempt, Toranaga realizes he must ferry his allies out of Osaka or risk certain defeat." Read WTW's Shōgun episode 3 recap.

Shōgun episode 4, "The Eightfold Fence"
"Blackthorne and Mariko test their new alliance as they train Toranaga's gun regiment for war. Yabushige must navigate his past promises to Ishido when an old friend comes to the village." Read WTW's Shōgun episode 4 recap.

Shōgun episode 5, "Broken to the Fist"
"Blackthorne and Mariko struggle to contain the secret that could get them both killed. Yabushige searches for the spy who has betrayed his intentions to Lord Toranaga." Read WTW's Shōgun episode 5 recap.

Shōgun episode 6, "Ladies of the Willow World"
"Lady Ochiba returns to Osaka in order to accelerate the Regents' campaign against Toranaga. In Ajiro, Toranaga tests Mariko's loyalty to his cause." Read WTW's Shōgun episode 6 recap.

Shōgun episode 7, "A Stick of Time"
"Outplayed by new alliances in Osaka, Toranaga is forced to carve out a new deal with a long lost family member." Read WTW's Shōgun episode 7 recap.

Shōgun episode 8, "The Abyss of Life"
"Toranaga's defeated clan moves to Edo; Blackthorne must decide who he fights for." Read WTW's Shōgun episode 8 recap.

Shōgun episode 9, "Crimson Sky"
"Mariko arrives in Osaka for the fight of her life. Blackthorne and Yabushige scramble to save their own heads as their options dwindle." Read WTW's Shōgun episode 9 recap.

Shōgun cast

The big name in the Shōgun cast is Hiroyuki Sanada, who is playing Lord Yoshii Toranga (in addition to serving as a producer on the show). Sanada has leant his talent to many big time Hollywood productions, including The Last Samurai, Lost, The Wolverine, The Last Ship, West World, Mortal Kombat, Army of the Dead, Bullet Train and John Wick: Chapter 4.

Here is the rest of the cast, including many highly decorated Japanese actors:

  • Cosmo Jarvis (Persuasion) as John Blackthorne
  • Anna Sawai (Pachinko) as Toda Mariko
  • Tadanobu Asano (Thor) as Kashigi Yabushige
  • Hiroto Kanai (Labyrinth of Cinema) as Kashigi Omi
  • Takehiro Hira (Gran Turismo) as Ishido Kazunari
  • Moeka Hoshi (Unsung Cinderella) as Usami Fuji
  • Tokuma Nishioka (Sedai Wars) as Toda Hiromatsu
  • Shinnosuke Abe (13 Assassins) as Toda Hirokatsu
  • Yuki Kura (Ichiko) as Yoshii Nagakado
  • Fumi Nikaido (Vivant) as Ochiba no Kata

What to Watch spoke with Shōgun stars Cosmo Jarvis and Takehiro Hira about bringing the samurai story to life.

Shōgun plot

Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks handled the adaptation of James Clavell's best-selling novel, turning it into the 10-episode Shōgun series.

The series takes place in Japan in 1600, at the dawn of a century-defining civil war. Lord Yoshii Toranaga is fighting for his life as his enemies on the Council of Regents unite against him. But when a ship maroons in a nearby fishing village, its pilot, John Blackthorne, has secrets that could tip things in Toranaga’s favor and hurt the influence of Blackthorne’s own enemies — Jesuit priests and Portuguese merchants. To communicate, they must rely on Toda Mariko, a translator and Christian noblewoman who is the last of a disgraced line. While serving Toranaga, Mariko must reconcile her newfound companionship with Blackthorne, her commitment to her faith and her duty to her late father.

Shōgun trailer

Watch the epic Shōgun trailer to get a sense of what is to come in the limited series:

You can also check out these teaser trailers for the series:

FX has also started to release some behind-the-scenes videos for Shōgun, which you can watch directly below:

Get the What to Watch Newsletter

The latest updates, reviews and unmissable series to watch and more!

Shōgun: recaps, next episode and everything we know about the Samurai series (2)

Michael Balderston

Michael Balderston is a DC-based entertainment and assistant managing editor for What to Watch, who has previously written about the TV and movies with TV Technology, Awards Circuit and regional publications. Spending most of his time watching new movies at the theater or classics on TCM, some of Michael's favorite movies include Casablanca, Moulin Rouge!, Silence of the Lambs, Children of Men, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and Star Wars. On the TV side he enjoys Only Murders in the Building, Yellowstone, The Boys, Game of Thrones and is always up for a Seinfeld rerun. Follow on Letterboxd.

More about tv shows

How to watch Forensics: Catching the Killer season 4 online and on TV from anywhereCleddau/The One That Got Away episode 2 recap

Latest

Cleddau/The One That Got Away episode 3 recap
See more latest►

Most Popular
Bullseye with Freddie Flintoff Christmas special: everything we know
Mudtown: cast, plot, first-look images and everything we know
Game 7: release date, premise and everything we know about the sports documentary series
Haunted Wedding: release date, trailer, cast and everything we know about the Hallmark Channel movie
The Seed of the Sacred Fig: release date, trailer, cast and everything we know about the thriller
Have I Got News for You season 68: release date, panellists, presenters, episodes, inspired new trailer and everything we know
Scamanda: release date and everything we know about the docuseries
DNA Journey season 6: release date, celebrities, episodes and everything we know
The Other Bennet Sister: writer, plot and everything we know
Slow Horses season 5: everything we know about the Gary Oldman spy drama
Hysteria!: release date, trailer, cast and everything we know about the pop-horror series
Shōgun: recaps, next episode and everything we know about the Samurai series (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Moshe Kshlerin

Last Updated:

Views: 5936

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (77 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Moshe Kshlerin

Birthday: 1994-01-25

Address: Suite 609 315 Lupita Unions, Ronnieburgh, MI 62697

Phone: +2424755286529

Job: District Education Designer

Hobby: Yoga, Gunsmithing, Singing, 3D printing, Nordic skating, Soapmaking, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Moshe Kshlerin, I am a gleaming, attractive, outstanding, pleasant, delightful, outstanding, famous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.