Rich in Japanese Cultural History, Here are 5 Reasons Why You Must Watch the 'SHOGUN' Series!

Kapanlagi.com - The latest series from Disney+ Hotstar, SHOGUN, has successfully captured the attention of the public. Set in 17th century Japan, this series has attracted viewers due to its compelling storyline, historical background, and visually stunning scenes.

Let's start with the story, SHOGUN begins with the tale of an English sailor named John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), who is stranded on the shores of Japan. It turns out that Blackthorne's fate is intertwined with Yoshii Torinaga's (Hiroyuki Sanada) fate, the Shogun who is involved in a civil war at that time.

Another interesting aspect is that SHOGUN also tells the story of European missionaries who want to spread Christianity in the Land of the Rising Sun. One of the Japanese individuals who embraces Christianity is Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai), a noblewoman who eventually decides to become a samurai.

Toda Mariko, or Lady Mariko, becomes involved with Lord Yoshii and the sailor, John Blackthorne. So, why is the 'SHOGUN' series worth watching? Find out the explanations here!

1. Visual that is Very Gratifying

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The SHOGUN series successfully presents Japan in the backdrop of the 1600s. The cinematography is so exquisite and beautiful that it immerses the audience back into the 17th century Japan.

The film production is also top-notch, especially in terms of wardrobe. All the costumes are made using very expensive genuine silk. As it is known, Japanese kimonos are made of very beautiful silk.

The incredibly beautiful and aesthetic visuals, such as the scenery, costumes, and even the makeup, successfully mesmerize the audience. This is what makes SHOGUN the benchmark for historical dramas in the current era.

2. Plot and Characters

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For example, the story of the protagonist, John Blackthorne, a sailor stranded on the shores of Japan, finally realizes that he is in the midst of a power struggle.

Here, John not only tries to survive, but also undergoes a transformation from an outsider to someone who has a significant influence in Japanese politics at that time.

Another character who also manages to capture attention is Lord Yoshii Toranaga. Hiroyuki Sanada successfully portrays an individual who is very ambitious and fearless. Interestingly, Yoshii Torinaga himself is inspired by Tokugawa Ieyasu, a famous shogun in 16th century Japan.

Not only filled with political tension, the audience will also be presented with romance shown by several characters.

3. History and Culture of Japan

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The interesting thing about this SHOGUN series, although adapted from a fiction novel, is that the history revealed in this series is based on events that occurred in Japan at that time. The life of the Japanese society, politics, and the leadership of the shogun at that time are depicted in detail.

For centuries, Japan was ruled by sovereign emperors and their descendants. And over time, the emperors also granted the highest power to the generals, who were then called Shogun, to lead their own lands.

The Shogun, a landlord directly chosen by the Emperor, had samurais who were willing to protect their lord until the last drop of blood. In order to strengthen his power, the Shogun began to expand his authority by invading other regions, which eventually led to division and civil war.

From this story, the audience will be taken back hundreds of years to see how Japan was once divided around the 17th century. And in this series, all of that is shown in sufficient detail.

4. Perfect Performances by the Actors

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Indulgent cinematography, stunning visuals, and highly detailed art would not be complete without the exceptional acting of the actors who portray them.

The three main actors, Cosmo Jarvis successfully portrays the character of John Blackthorne, a British sailor stranded in Japan, who tries to destroy the Jesuit priests and Portuguese traders.

Horuyki Sanada, a seasoned actor who has appeared in many films, plays the role of Yoshii Torinaga, a shogun inspired by the original character Tokugawa Ieyasu, who led Japan from 1603 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868.

And thirdly, there is Anna Sawai who plays the character Toda Mariko or Lady Mariko. Lady Mariko herself is a mysterious female samurai from a noble family. She is also involved with Yoshii Torinaga and John Blackthorne.

5. Still Relevant in the Modern Era

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Although the storyline presented by the SHOGUN series tells about the Japanese empire in the 1600s, there are many things that are still relevant to the current modern era.

Power and politics. Until now, in any part of the world, power and politics are inseparable. Those rulers who try to control many things engage in a lot of politics to facilitate their efforts.

Power struggles are still ongoing. In other parts of the world, wars have been going on for years until now. Not only that, there are still many civil wars happening in several countries. This is what makes the SHOGUN series closely related to the current era.

(kpl/dwn)