Pretty much everyone watching Shogun so far is digging it. The lavish spectacular needs you to lean in, pay attention, and actively watch it. No dual screening. Lose the thread of the subtitles and you’ll be adrift. Do that, and you are rewarded.
Shogun is based on the 1975 historical fiction novel by James Clavell. It is the first of the author’s Asian Saga and has remained a global best-seller.
It is set in feudal Japan some months before the critical Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Shogun gives an account of the rise of Lord Toranaga through the eyes of English sailor John Blackthorne. In reality, it is based on the historical exploits of English sailor and navigator William Adams and his time with the real Tokugawa Ieyasu.
The series is acclaimed, and it is also proving a big success for FX. According to Disney, the premiere episode of the limited series has pulled in 9 million views globally across Hulu, Disney+, and Star+ in its first six days.
This makes it the No. 1 general entertainment series for the company to date and domestically puts it ahead of The Bear. Crucially it is also ahead of The Kardashians. Score one for proper television!
The first three episodes of the series are now streaming and a new one drops every Tuesday.
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