Shōgun (TV Series) Tomorrow Is Tomorrow (2024) User Reviews

It just gets better and better!

[ROOKreations · 10/10 · 5 March 2024]

This show is just so damn good! I love these characters! They do such a great job at building things up, where you can really feel we're going somewhere epic.

Seeing how two types of cultures clash and work off each other is really exciting. Every episode has been a lot of fun with plenty of intensity. The whole world is so enriched. It's never been so easy to melt into a world or period in history.

In particular, a piece from the score that kicks in at the end of this episode left me demanding the next chapter!

I can't help but hype this show up to anyone that would listen. I'll eagerly be sitting in the Hulu app awaiting next week's episode.

I Love This Show So Much !

[Tv-Addict1991 · 10/10 · 5 March 2024]

This Is Phenomenal Television !

I did not know what to expect with this Series, an to be honest, it was only the 10/10-Ratings from the Pilot-Episodes, that intruged my interest on this show but got damn am i happy that i started it !

Already one of my Highlights 2024, this Show kind of fascinates me, and i dont know what the reasons are....is it the japanese ?

Cosmo Jarvis as. John Blackthorne is amazing Casting , such a great actor and Charakter !

Then Nestor Carbonell, as an Lost-Fan, seeing him again is awesome in many ways !

Until Now, after 3 Episodes, and half of the Series, i have to say i absolutly Love what i discovered for me

Already one of the Best Tv Shows 2024 !

Show of the year in the works

[tannerwyandt · 10/10 · 5 March 2024]

Everything about this show is just incredible so far. I cannot recommend it enough. Each episode is getting better and better and as the story begins to thicken. Mind you we haven't even gotten to major twists/battle scenes yet and it's already THIS GOOD. This show's character arcs are like nothing else. Immediately I've become so invested in each character. Even some characters I disliked minutes before their death! This show is in the workings for being one of the best of the year and it's only like the 3rd episode in?!? I wish they'd just come out all at once!

Also, could anyone else see the Mariko/Blackthrone love interest brewing from the first/second episode?!

Promising Start, Best TV show of the year ?

[paulocheller · 10/10 · 6 March 2024]

I'm a big fan of Japanese culture and SAMURAI, but surprisingly enough, Cosmo Jarvis acting as John Blackthorne, made him my favorite character of the show.

This character is a piece of art; an ordinary pirate, with a strong will, trying to survive in an unknown land. Since Peaky Blinders, I knew Cosmo could be more than just a side character. SUCH A GREAT ACTING !!!!

As for my favorite Japanese character, Kashigi Yabushige looks promising, since ep 1 he was one of the centered characters of the show, and not to forget, his character development with John. I hope he is not pushed backstage, now that John is getting closer to Toranaga; who is also another amazing character for the show.

After the "3 ep rule", I can tell u that SHOGUN will reign 2024.

Outstanding episode

[terrylarosa · 10/10 · 5 March 2024]

From the intricacies of the plot, the battle in the forest, the sacrifice of Buntaro ( I don't think he's dead ), breaking through the gauntlet, the increasing friendship between Toranaga and Blackthorne and the burgeoning romance between Angin and Mariko made this a superlative episode.. I really wish I could watch all the episodes now. This is such a well made, spectacular show.. I have nothing but endless praises for it. Exceptional TV. To say that it has exceeded all expectations would be an understatement and I'm glad many others think the same. This show is firing on all cylinders and is a complete winner.

Beautiful Show

[markoregan-08301 · 10/10 · 5 March 2024]

This show is so beautiful to look at. It's like we've been transported back in time and to the shores of Japan to be a fly on the wall. Everything is so perfectly crafted from the writing, the direction, the sound. I've not been so immersed in a series since peak game of thrones.

This is one of those rare shows where it will never age and can be watched 50-100 years from now and still be amazing. No lame CGI, no modern day politics or agendas or styling. Just perfect storytelling and epic scenery and characters alongside incredible history and culture.

If it was possible to fall in love with a tv series, this is the one.

TV at it's absolute finest!

[ArthurGD3 · 10/10 · 6 March 2024]

I knew I'd love this series from the very first teaser trailer months ago but this third episode was for me really something special.

The acting is too notch and as the viewer you really feel the chemistry between the material they're working with and the actors themselves shining through.

The production is really a feast for the senses. A lot of painstaking time and effort has been put in to ensure the authenticity of the period, the props are just spectacular.

I love Hiroyuki Senada and the last scene of this episode had to be my favorite. You can see he is genuinely interested in a friendship with John Blackthorn, we are seeing a playfulness in his character that we've yet to see and probably something he hasn't feel in a long time as a grown man with his title/status.

This show might top Vikings for me which would be astonishing for me as that's one of my favorites of all time. Can't wait for next week!

Enthralling Entertainment

[excellent_person · 10/10 · 6 March 2024]

Episode 3 of the new series on FX "Shogun" is breathtaking and thrilling.

I was again immersed in 16th century Japan with the realism and attention to detail.

SPOILERS: The scene of sailing through the blockade ambush was thrilling, as Blackthorne proves his courage and inventiveness to Toranaga (and Mariko).

The continuing political struggle between the Japanese regents and the Catholics, and the scenes of the meetings in the castle add so many dimensions to the story. And if you've ever been to castles and museums in Japan and seen the relics of these times, it is extremely satisfying to see it played out on screen - how they sit and straighten their sleeves and bow so politely before subtly insulting the lord.

The sacrifice of Buntaro was thrilling. Although his character will come off to most viewers as brash, macho, and over-controlling, he nails the archetype of the strong warrior of the time - and the undisputed leader of the family. I liked his character from the start. Of course, he survived the battle outnumbered 50-1 and we will se him again. I hope his character gets the honor he deserves and doesn't just serve as the gorilla in the way of Blackthorne getting it on with Mariko.

Finally, in that final scene we get some levity with Toranaga asking Blackthorne to show him how to dive into the water. He makes him dive again and again countless times, just watching him. Perhaps this is foreshadowing the friendship to come between them, where Toranaga will quietly observe and learn from Blackthorne about military tactics before using them perfectly on his first attempt.

The intensity grows!

[and_mikkelsen · 10/10 · 30 April 2024]

With each episode, this show has me more and more invested, as the story keeps evolving, leaving you eager to see what will happen in the next episode!

This show is quality TV, there can be no doubt about that! Every scene is something to admired! This is the kind of love and care, every production should have!

The characters are also growing on me! Blackthorne only gets better, as he slowly starts to embrace the culture, and earns the respect of Toranaga! Toranaga is equally great, and I am thrilled to see what his plan really is!

This episode contained more action, and I thought it was very well done, from choeography, to directing!

The fallback episode

[tsnoaduqu · 8/10 · 5 March 2024]

Think that the third episode was the weakest link among the three.

I think that following episodes will be better than the third one because this lacked the storyline and world building the first two and hopefully the rest will have.

The first two concentrate on world building which is the most fun part. Like creating a world where Portugal and Spain have the monopoly and Englishmen are trying to reach Japan.

The third one is strictly for Toranaga to travel to point B from point A and nothing more.

The Journey although necessary was kind of boring to follow.

The best thing about this tv-series is that it is less focused on characters than the world it is trying to paint.

The most intriguing part is not the Blackthorne's journey but the steps Japan will take to figure out what is really going on. Who is controlling them and so on.

This is why having a separate scene for Blackthorne to come out victorious seems very narrow minded as it serves no big purpose compared to the first two episodes.

Think that Blackthorne has done enough already like coming to Japan and informing Toranaga of Portugal's hidden bases.

Hopefully we get to see more of the big scale steps and actions like Ishido plotting to take over Japan or Portugal's emissaries trying to kill Anjin than scenes solely focused on Blackthorne or anything individual.

Maybe I am the only one looking at it this way but I am not interested in Blackthorne's family in England like it was hinted in episode 3 or how good of a sailor he is.

I am more interested in what Portugal will plot, how the "good guys" will reach England for potential backup or how Japan will unite to fight the foreigners.

It's turning into a Hollywood love story.

[mkd-88191 · 6/10 · 6 March 2024]

She lost her husband who didn't value her. And he is seeking freedom. Just Look at the way they look at each other. It's turning into a Hollywood love story.

It was originally set against the backdrop of the Battle of Sekigahara in Japan. By the third episode. The show's approach is increasingly old-fashioned Hollywood.

As a Chinese who has paid attention to and appreciated Japanese culture for a long time,. I am quite familiar with and understand Japanese culture. The first and second episodes of the show,.while distinctly American,.also show a Japanese aspect,.so I rated 9 and 10. But the third episode. For God's sake. Is it aimed at underage Americans or Americans who have no knowledge of the world outside the United States?

Disappointing Third

[Wilishem · 3/10 · 8 March 2024]

It is unfortunate that the writers couldn't keep the style and the premise further than two episodes. Because this one feels like from another show.

Our heroes get involved in unsurvivable ambush (yet survive). Manage to get away from it and board their boats before pursuers catch them (yet the whole village had time to make a blockade in open waters). Indulge in a fast & furious style ship race.

So basically plot armor was in every scene, ruining any surprise and lowering the intrigue.

And I do believe that this episode could've been directed differently with different atmosphere, pace and therefore effect. This one felt cheap.

Slightly my favorite episode so far

[mrntyky · 10/10 · 8 March 2024]

Very interesting how all the relationships are developing. No spoilers but possibly my favorite episode. Very cinematic, great battles, great story. It moved the story along. It's tough to describe without spoilers.

Clearly some are being disingenuous claiming other episodes were 9s or 10s, but this is a 1 because apparently the director was female. There was nothing "1" about this episode, not even 5, especially if you thought the others were so highly rated. But this is the Internet and that's to be expected.

Anyway, whatever the average rating is add half a point to account for that.

Can't wait to see episode 4, but I guess live for today like they say. Tomorrow is tomorrow.

Tomorrow is Tomorrow

[moviesfilmsreviewsinc · 10/10 · 23 April 2024]

Cosmo Jarvis' performance as John Blackthorne in the 1980 miniseries is commendable for its rawness and commitment. This performance contrasts the elegance of the upper classes with the grime and muck of being not among the elite, de-romanticizing our understanding of the past. Jarvis' reaction to the idea of more than one bath a week is commendable, but the rawness and intensity of the role are not enough for this kind of role. The show's attempts to contrast the elegance of the upper classes with the grime and muck of being not quite among the elite work well to de-romanticize our understanding of the past. The first two episodes of Shogun were visually stunning and intricately plotted, meeting the story's high dramatic stakes while maintaining a measure of grounded relatability. The show may have been too complex and byzantine in its depiction of the political machinery of feudal Japan for some viewers. However, the rewards have been well worth the effort. Blackthorne has survived an attempt on his life, and Toranaga wants Yabushige to help him get to the bottom of the matter. Yabushige, Toranaga's vassal, is looking out for number one and reveals that his loyalties are for sale. He won't betray Toranaga for his seat on the Council of Regents, but he will betray Ishido if Toranaga gives him the Suruga province. Toranaga agrees to the arrangement in exchange for Blackthorne and Lady Kiri's safe transport to Ajiro, setting the stage for one of the most famous scenes in the James Clavell novel on which the series is based. This iteration of Shogun is a demanding watch, but anything less would be a betrayal of the source material. Showrunners Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks have an intuition for pacing, knowing when to step on the gas and when to pump the brake, making a character's motives crystal clear, and withholding information. The intricate plot strands are being meticulously woven into a rich tapestry, making it a must-watch for fans of the series. Shogun is a series that explores cultural similarities and differences, highlighting the interplay between religion and commerce. The conversation between Blackthorne and Mariko highlights the universality of sex and medicine, while Buntaro's interruption of his wife's sexually charged conversation with a barbarian highlights Kondo and Marks' ability to convey a lot with minimal words. The show continually increases tension, as Blackthorne, Mariko, Kiri, and their party prepare to decamp from Osaka. The scheme becomes clear when a diversion is created, and the old switcheroo takes place under Ishido's nose. Blackthorne offers a distraction, allowing Toranaga to carry out his ruse. This is the first time Blackthorne demonstrates loyalty to any daimyos, a departure from his previous stance as hostile captors. Shogun balances intricate plotting with old-fashioned sex and violence, proving that no show has balanced intricate plotting with old-fashioned sex and violence since Game of Thrones. The show's most pulse-pounding action scene results from Kiyama's attack, exposing Toranaga's scheme and resulting in a multi-lateral conflict.

more action, deepening plot

[nerrdrage · 8/10 · 12 April 2024]

I remember enough of the 80s version of Shogun to recognize a lot of the events happening, but they're so much sharper and more engaging in this version.

The visuals are vastly better. This feels like an immersive trip to feudal Japan, putting you right in the middle of the action, with arrows whizzing past your ears and the salty smell of the sea in your nostrils.

Blackthorne is more believable here than the Chamberlain version, who was far too gentlemanly. Somebody in Blackthorne's profession, an adventurer with few qualms about piracy and mayhem, would have been more like the crude but basically heroic guy depicted here.

Lady Mariko is a stronger presence as well but the real star is Toranaga. Love this series!

Some fools with their fallacy of authority.

[satogo-95692 · 10/10 · 30 March 2024]

Chapter 3 has a beautiful meaning.

A logical narrative weight from what was seen in the first chapter. Religious conflicts and cultural differences have not been abandoned, but there is also room for dreams, love and freedom. Why does this bother some? It's not that it goes against your beliefs, it shows the harsh reality of the churches.

A very well-made amalgam of subtexts and subplots.

Your learnings about art are beyond us.

It's brilliant at the moment. And you don't have to be studied to see it. Unless you prioritize nonsense complaints like the ones there are. Not everything is rawness and darkness as some want.

It's only getting better and better!

[moritzherz · 8/10 · 31 March 2024]

After the huge reveal in the last episode Shogun wastes no time and expands its already rich story with great character development.

After being told of the portuguese plans to conquer Japan mastermind Toranaga wants to get the anjin out of Osaka quickly, knowing he is the target of not only the portuguese but Lord Ishido aswell. With a trick and Blackthorne's cleverness they manage to escape the sea blockade. Toranaga also retreats from the council and prepares for war. Blackthorne will play an important role by training Toranaga's men in european combat.

What stands out of this episode is the great character development. Blackthorne and Lady Mariko come closer and I can already feel the heat. But also Toranaga and Blackthorne forge a bond. The pirate proved again his honor and bravery. He will be a loyal ally for the japanese lord.

With this said, I am stunned they managed to keep the quality as high as possible and cannot wait to see the next one.

Solid, But With A Few Flaws

[dk777 · 6/10 · 5 March 2024]

An interesting series, with a lot of good things and some flaws.

I can see why some think this is a masterpiece, it sure looks that way when compared to most of today's film and tv production.

The scenography is excellent, the cast is mostly good, and Hiroyuki Sanada stands out here with his subtle and excellent performance.

However, there is seriousness here, interesting intrigues and fun characters. The violence is shown brutally, as it should be, because that is the violence in real life and it should not be embellished.

The direction is good, the soundtrack is solid and fits well with the atmosphere of the series.

Of course the series is not historically accurate, the script is sometimes a bit clumsy. Some expressions are too modern, as well as the behavior of some characters, but this is the standard in series today, it unfortunately lowers the whole impression.

I've read that this is just another series where the writers express their hatred for Christians. I understand why some think so. At times it seems so.

The series is significantly different from the book and most of the characters are different, especially Mariko. They wrote her as if she came from the 21st century, so unfortunately it seems unconvincing.

Toranaga is arguably the best written, with subtle characteristics to make the viewer like him the most.

Feudal Japan is a brutal but orderly system, in which mistakes are paid with life, and this is well represented here. The relationships in society are mostly well portrayed, with some exceptions, but hey, at least this series is not a complete parody like for example Vikings: Valhalla.

It is interesting enough to continue watching, which cannot be said for most films and series today.

Episode 3: Not as Good as the First Two

[dashx-60047 · 1/10 · 7 March 2024]

Episode 3 felt different, and when I learned it was directed by Charlotte Brandstorm, it made sense. The first two episodes were really good, but this one wasn't as good.

The camera angles were weird, the lighting and mood didn't feel right, and the story didn't fit together well. I didn't like it as much, and it felt like it was made by someone new or like spoiled food-just not good. Most people might not notice, but I did because I'm an artist.

It's sad because the show could have been much better. The big scene could have been exciting, but instead, it was weird and not exciting. Some parts felt forced, and the characters didn't seem like themselves. It's not the writing's fault, but how they showed it on screen that wasn't good.

Overall, this episode wasn't as good as the first two. It's disappointing because I can't fix it myself. I wish they had picked a different director. It's a shame when talented directors don't get a chance.

Tomorrow Is Yesterday

[Oslo_Jargo · 3/10 · 24 March 2024]

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

*Plot and ending analyzed*

Follows in the footsteps of the horrible previous episodes. At least they are consistent in that manner.

The idiotic scene with the boats and ships? Utterly unrealistic. Preposterous. This is the type of dumb things that we are forced to sit through, cartoon fantasy scenes.

The English steersman was supposedly starving and had scurvy on the long trip to Japan, but when he took off his clothing to swim, it appeared that he had been at the gymnasium recently.

Terrible writing, I don't think that the series will improve much. But I'll still watch it to the end. Like a man on a sinking ship.

Pathetic

[tolo42 · 3/10 · 20 April 2024]

So I guess they don't really need samurai when they've got sheltered courtesan ladies wrapped tightly in heavy kimonos, swinging naginatas like ninja turtles and cutting through the enemies like there's nothing to it. Hell, Buntaro should've just let his wife clear out the docks, super woman had it in the bag! Unbelievably dumb show, the real Shogun from the 70's is just infinitely better. It's like this remake is a parody, only its creators aren't in on the joke.

What's the point? The new Mariko is completely flat and one dimensional, one of the most boring performances in this show of wooden, emotionless robots. Making her an action star just drives home the absolute cluelessness of the writers when dealing with the story. The new Blackthorn does what he can but they've stripped him of any characterization of being thrust into this completely new world. It's like a group of talentless hacks sat around trying to "fix" the 70's show, but didn't at all understand it to begin with and just added a running explanation of everything going on.

On the plus side, all that time, effort and money they've poured into the sets and costumes has payed off. Looks great!