Historical dramas are either right up your alley or they are not – there’s usually no in-between. However, it looks like Hiroyuki Sanada’s upcoming drama mini-series, Shōgun, is here to make everyone fall in love. The mini-series is based on the namesake novel by James Clavell, released in 1975.
Shōgun revolves around the story of two “Ambitious men from different worlds” – John Blackthorne, played by Cosmo Jarvis, and Lord Yoshii Toranaga, played by Hiroyuki Sanada. The early reviews for the FX original are out just a few weeks before its scheduled release, and it looks like Game of Thrones has finally gotten itself a tough opponent.
Is Hiroyuki Sanada’s Shōgun the New Game of Thrones?
Starring Hiroyuki Sanada, Cosmo Jarvis, Anna Sawai, and more, Shōgun has already begun making waves in the television industry. Set in 17th-century Japan, Shōgun is heavily inspired by real-life events, although the story in the mini-series has been fictionalized to provide an entertainment value.
If the early reviews are any indication, the release of Shōgun will be met with open arms by the audience, especially if they are big fans of the completed fantasy drama, Game of Thrones. While critics cannot stop themselves from gushing over the upcoming drama, many reviews seem to have one common element they are talking about – Shōgun’s comparison to Game of Thrones.
Gamespot’s Phil Hornshaw wrote,
“Ever since Game of Thrones came to an end back in 2019, I’ve been itching for some expansive medieval political intrigue. FX’s adaptation of Shōgun, James Clavell’s 1975 novel, provides exactly what I’ve been craving.”
Hornshaw was not the only one to have thought so. Games Radar’s Amy West stated that while season one has its pros and cons, it has the potential to become the next big thing and give GoT a competition.
“While its first is far from perfect, it does enough right to leave us wanting more. If it irons out its kinks in a follow-up, it could very well end up being TV’s next big book-based phenomenon. Watch out Game of Thrones, it’s coming for your throne.”
Well, it looks like if you binge-watched GoT and were absolutely invested in the story, Shōgun might be the next best thing you watch. In fact, the series has managed to bag a rare 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, just based on the early reviews!
Hiroyuki Sanada Says Shōgun‘s a Dream Project
Last seen in John Wick: Chapter Four, Sanada plays one of the lead roles in the upcoming drama mini-series. While talking about the show after a two-episode screening for the press (via The Wrap), Sanada stated,
“It was an interesting process. Very important, it never happens like this — deep communication from the beginning to the end. I believe this is a dream East-meets-West project. I’m so happy.”
Honestly, we cannot wait to see what creators Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks have managed to whip up with such engrossing source material. You’ll just have to wait and see if it lives up to the hype and whether it is a competitor for Game of Thrones or not.
Shōgun will be released on February 27 on FX and one day later on Hulu. Meanwhile, you can stream Game of Thrones on Max.
