Shogun review: Game of Thrones, if Game of Thrones was set in feudal Japan

GamesRadar+ Verdict GamesRadar+ Verdict Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Episodes reviewed: 8 of 10 Still missingGame of Thrones? Well, Shōgun, a new ten-part series based on James Clavell’s 1975 novel of the same name, might just be the show you’ve been waiting for. Set in 1600 Japan, Hiroyuki Sanada’s Lord Yoshii Toranaga is essentially Shōgun’s answer to Ned Stark, a man in a precarious position of power, when the historical drama kicks off. When Japan’s supreme leader, the Taiko, died and left behind an heir far too young to rule a year ago, Toranaga found himself on the Council of Regents, a board of five men from every corner of the country set to govern until the Taiko’s son comes of age. But over the past 12 months, the political ambitions – and secret schemes – of Toranaga’s fellow councilmember Ishido (Takehiro Hira) have caused the lords to turn on the Taiko’s Osaka Castle-dwelling favorite. If voted out unanimously, Toranaga faces not only a demotion, but a death sentence. The tides turn, though, when a European warship drifts onto Japan’s shores and brings with it an English protestant named John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis, doing his best ‘Tom Hardy in Taboo’ impression), who hopes to undercut Portugal’s current dominion over Japan’s outsourcing and strike a direct trade deal with the latter. Initially, Toranaga aligns himself with Blackthorne as a way to sow division between the non-religious and Christian councilmembers but as time goes on, the so-called “barbarian” proves himself to be a loyal ally, and Toranaga quickly rises him up the ranks of his inner circle. As civil war brews, the duo – alongside Toranaga’s men and samurai-turned-translator Lady Mariko (Anna Sawai) – task themselves with thwarting Ishido’s plans and keeping the leader alive. Power play (Image credit: FX Networks) Allegiance to authenticity (Image credit: FX Networks) In recent years, Sanada has shown up briefly in titles such as Westworld,John Wick: Chapter 4, andBullet Train, and basically stolen the show every time, so it’s a real treat to see him in such a meaty role here. Other standouts include Bates Motel’s Néstor Carbonell as a foul-mouthed Spanish sailor with one heck of a beard, and Sawai, who recently grabbed attention in Apple TV’s Godzilla seriesMonarch: Legacy of Monsters, as she brings a quiet steeliness to the grieving and vengeful Mariko. Shōgun’s literary inspiration was the first installment of Clavell’s six-book Asian Saga, so if season 1 does well, we’ll likely see more chapters greenlit swiftly. 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… Shōgun premieres on February 27 on FX and Hulu in the US andDisneyPlus in the UK. While we wait, check out our round-up of the most excitingnew TV showsheading our way. 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