The 2024 series delves deeper into the complex world of feudal Japan than the 1980 adaptation, giving voice and agency to the Japanese characters. Anna Sawai’s portrayal of Mariko, for instance, is a revelation, showcasing a woman caught between tradition and her own desires. This broader perspective allows for a richer exploration of cultural clashes and the power dynamics at play.

The series retains the grandeur of Clavell’s world with stunning visuals and meticulously crafted sets. However, it doesn’t shy away from the brutality depicted in the book, offering a more grounded and mature portrayal of the era’s violence.

This commitment to historical accuracy and a wider focus does come at a price. The series takes its time, unfolding at a slower pace compared to some contemporary shows. Those familiar with the novel might find certain plotlines rearranged or expanded upon.

Overall, Shogun (2024) emerges as a bold and refreshing adaptation. By expanding the narrative lens, it offers a deeper understanding of Clavell’s world and its characters. The series stays true to the spirit of the novel while establishing its own distinct voice. It’s a must-watch for fans of historical dramas and those seeking a nuanced exploration of cultural encounters and the fight for power.

Shogun (2024-) TV Mini-Series poster and book cover compared.

Shogun

Justin Marks, Rachel Kondo, 2024-

VS3

Shogun
James Clavell, 1975

The 2024 miniseries Shogun is an adaptation of James Clavell’s 1975 novel of the same name. Created by Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo, the series boasts a cast including Anna Sawai and Hiroyuki Sanada, Cosmo Jarvis, Tadanobu Asano, Yûki Kedôin, Eushin Lee, and others.

What users say

No votes yet.

Be the first to vote.

Watch & Read

Get TV series and book on Amazon

RATING

9.3

/ 10

TV Mini-Series Poster: Shogun (Justin Marks, Rachel Kondo, 2024-)

8.7

/ 10

Book Cover: Shogun (James Clavell, 1975)

NOT AVAILABLE

*Note: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

AUDIOBOOK

Audiobook cover of Shogun, the 1975 book by James Clavell.

Shogun

Read by: Ralph Lister

AUTHORS' QUOTES

“The story that James Clavell was trying to tell in 1975 is still the story we wanted to tell today.”

JUSTIN MARKS, Series Co-creator

“The novel was released in 1975, and decades later, it’s still asking the same questions through a different lens.”

RACHEL KONDO, Series Co-creator

“The book made most of the choices for us. Because of the way the 1980 miniseries came out, I think there’s a collective misunderstanding that the book is Blackthorne’s story.”

JUSTIN MARKS, Series Co-creator

“We did the work of bringing the three-pronged approach of Blackthorne, Mariko, and Toranaga back into the narrative of the show. It was really just a question of restoring what the book had already done.”

RACHEL KONDO, Series Co-creator


Storyline

Taking place in the 17th century, the story centers on John Blackthorne, a sailor who ascends from being an outsider to becoming a samurai. Throughout this journey, he becomes a pawn in the power struggle orchestrated by Japanese leader Toranaga, who seeks to ascend to the pinnacle of the ruling chain, known as Shogun.

Movie vs Book

TV series vs book

Key differences

• While Clavell’s novel primarily focuses on John Blackthorne’s experiences and observations, the series aims for a broader viewpoint
• The series expands on the roles of characters like Mariko, giving them more agency and highlighting their internal conflicts
• The series takes some liberties with the timeline, while the novel unfolds at a steady pace
• The series might handle the language barrier more realistically


Comparison

The 2024 series delves deeper into the complex world of feudal Japan than the 1980 adaptation, giving voice and agency to the Japanese characters. Anna Sawai’s portrayal of Mariko, for instance, is a revelation, showcasing a woman caught between tradition and her own desires. This broader perspective allows for a richer exploration of cultural clashes and the power dynamics at play.

The series retains the grandeur of Clavell’s world with stunning visuals and meticulously crafted sets. However, it doesn’t shy away from the brutality depicted in the book, offering a more grounded and mature portrayal of the era’s violence.

This commitment to historical accuracy and a wider focus does come at a price. The series takes its time, unfolding at a slower pace compared to some contemporary shows. Those familiar with the novel might find certain plotlines rearranged or expanded upon.

Overall, Shogun (2024) emerges as a bold and refreshing adaptation. By expanding the narrative lens, it offers a deeper understanding of Clavell’s world and its characters. The series stays true to the spirit of the novel while establishing its own distinct voice. It’s a must-watch for fans of historical dramas and those seeking a nuanced exploration of cultural encounters and the fight for power.


Poster of Shogun, the 2024 TV series by Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo

Year

2024

Minutes

60

Movie Rate

9.30

Source: IMDb

TV Mini-Series

Shogun

Country: USA

Year: 2024-

Length: 1h / 10 episodes

Cover of Shōgun, the 1975 book by James Clavell

Year

1975

Pages

1152

Book Rate

8.78

S: Goodreads

Book

Shogun

Country: Australia

First published in: 1975

Length: 1152 pages

Genre: Fiction

*Provided by Amazon

Other screen adaptations of the book

Movie poster
Shogun (1980)
Movie by Jerry London
TV Mini-Series poster
Shogun (1980)
TV Mini-Series by Jerry London

User polls & recommendations

Which is better?

Poster of Shogun, the 2024 TV series by Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo

TV Mini-Series

0

%

0 VOTES

*You can vote only
once in this poll.

Cover of Shōgun, the 1975 book by James Clavell

Book

0

%

0 VOTES

*You can vote only
once in this poll.

TV series

IS IT WORTH WATCHING?

Poster of Shogun, the 2024 TV series by Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo

WATCH

0

%

0 votes

0 votes

0 votes

book

IS IT WORTH READING?

Cover of Shōgun, the 1975 book by James Clavell

READ

0

%

0 votes

0 votes

0 votes

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

LISTS AND GROUPS

Related Lists

Check out all the movies and TV series coming out on week 9 and find out the readings that inspired them.