For those who read MiscelAna, the spoiler for the Shogun series was shared months ago, after all, there is the book and the 1980 series, so it’s not like the story isn’t known. However, this 2024 version is the BEST: it gave more space to the Japanese, the period reconstruction is impeccable, and features great performances from the entire cast.

Unlike the previous adaptation, this new version summarized the ENTIRE story in 10 episodes, so yes, there is a feeling of confusion and rush, but still, my rating is 10 for one of the best series of the year.

Let’s go to the final episode of the saga.

Why tell a dead man the future?

In a sad farewell to Mariko (Anna Sawai), we strangely begin with a Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) in the future, with a crucifix in his hand and in his final moments, thinking about the translator/friend/lover from the past. It’s a touching touch, no doubt, but a bit confusing because as we’ll see, he ends his days (in theory) in Japan, and Mariko’s crucifix was thrown into the sea, so would he have converted to Catholicism? Hmm, I’m tripping over myself but these are two of the questions that won’t be answered.

Blackthorne is shattered by Mariko’s death, but even more so is Yabushige (Tadanobu Asano), who, in addition to being partially deaf from the explosion, has lost all sense of his existence. What he had agreed with Ishido (Takehiro Hira) was to “hand over” Mariko, something that Ochida (Fumi Nikaido) had also understood as keeping her alive, but hence the idea of the translator who preferred to be a martyr and help Toronaga (Hiroyuki Sanada ) in your cause. Her death not only shakes everyone who knew her but leaves a unifying void for those who understood that it was not the expected sacrifice.

Ishido then – increasingly despotic – believes he finally has the numerical advantage and validation of commanding the war against Toronaga, so blind in his ambition that he doesn’t realize that he also hurt the only person who couldn’t, precisely the heir’s mother. Ochida was left without the necessary development for us to understand his alliance with Ishido and even less the reason why he quickly gave up on her after Mariko’s death. Hadn’t she realized who Ishido really was? Anyway, she is Toronaga’s final card, once again, thanks to Mariko.

Yabushige and Blackthorne return to Ajiro to be reunited with a devastated Toronaga. Mariko is as if she were his daughter, but her sadness is hidden beneath her usual calmness. Blackthorne is free to leave, but his ship has been destroyed. And the repentant samurai will have to answer, he is, as he anticipates, a dead man.

Studying the wind

I never thought I would sympathize with Yabushige but Tadanobu Asano‘s brilliant performance not only made me feel for him but agree as well. Toronaga is from the Littlefinger school, the one who never reveals the real objective of his actions until he is sure of the result, so Yabushige falls into the defeated facade that the shogun created for himself. Given this, being earthy and ambitious, he tried to get along with both sides.

When he returns home, he is thrilled to see his nephew, Omi (Hiroto Kanai), but somewhat confused and relieved when he is told that, as a traitor, he will have to answer for his decisions. He confessed his participation in Mariko’s death, crying, without realizing that Toronaga’s wives were listening to him. Now everyone knows that he was responsible for opening the door for the shinobi, making it impossible for everyone to defend themselves. He asks for “a good death”, but his sentence is that he commits seppuku. He denies Blackthorne’s request to help him but agrees to be the person to deal the final blow to Yabushige.

With this, we have the dialogue that summarizes the entire series and concludes the end of Shogun, with Toronaga explaining in detail to Yabushige how the entire strategy went. They are like two friends, calm. The plan was always to establish his shogunate, but with as little bloodshed as possible. Sending Mariko to Osaka was “Crimson Sky”, there was no need to send an army.

Her death was not part of the plan, but it undoubtedly culminated in exposing Ishido, his intentions and attitudes, discrediting him before the council and Ochiba. So in the battle of Sekigahara – which we don’t see in detail and which will happen a month later – Ishido will no longer have the Heir at his side – losing the strength of men and politics. The Council of Regents will reject him “before a sword is drawn,” meaning Toranaga’s victory will be complete.

I agree with Yabushige: was it worth warning? Toronaga’s most loved people died so he could win, which is hypocritical. Thank you Yabushige! He died with honor and spoke to his face before leaving. He redeemed himself for me.

And Blackthorne?

John Blackthorne loses the reason to fight and live, even against the Catholics, without having Mariko by his side. To make matters worse, she discovers that Fuji (Moeka Hoshi) considers she has already fulfilled her duty to Toronaga and is now the Englishman’s ex-consort. And to hurt an already suffering Blackthorne even more, she will become a nun. He tries to reverse the decision but fails. Friends and sad, they accept their fates.

Before, she comments that Toranaga is after whoever destroyed Erasmus and has been punishing the residents in retaliation, and Blackthorne does not agree, he asks for an audience and tells the Lord that it was Mariko who made a deal with the Padres: to save Blackthorne’s life, but handing over his ship.

Helping the conversation is fisherman Muraji (Yasunari Takeshima), who finally reveals his true identity as the loyal samurai and spy Tonomoto Akinao. Blackthorne at this point isn’t even scared by Toronaga’s strategies, he just wants him to stop attacking the residents, especially since he concluded that his ship isn’t that important in light of everything that’s happening. When met with insistence that the killings will continue, Blackthorne attempts to commit seppuku in protest, finally causing Toronaga to have to physically stop him. As a measure of help, the feudal lord then asks the Englishman to “rebuild that ship and make a fleet”, creating an immediate purpose.

All of this gains another perspective in the conversation that Toronaga has with Yabushige. It was he, Toronaga, who ordered the destruction of Erasmus to spare Blackthorne’s life from the Church’s hostilities and test the Englishman’s loyalty to him. He still doesn’t know if he’ll tell the truth one day, after all, he thinks Blackthorne’s destiny is to stay in Japan and he entertains him. Hi Toronaga? Manipulating a lot? Perhaps? That’s right, he warns that once the ship is rebuilt, he will have to destroy it by other means.

Well, folks, the scene of Blackthorne as an old man in England is just an image he had in the face of death, but which will never come true. We said goodbye to him, bringing everyone together to help him lift Erasmus, a personal metaphor now that there is only wreckage and that he will have to work to rebuild. With the surprising help of Buntaro (Shinnosuke Abe), Mariko’s ex-husband. Thus, together, they will serve the great Toronaga.

A great series

Shogun comes to an end with emotion, giving all the heroism of the saga to Mariko and surpassing comparisons with both the 1980 version and even Game of Thrones. There will be no second season, the story is finished and thus becomes even more powerful. Alongside Ripley, she is the clear favorite to party at the Emmy Awards in September. You have my whole crowd!

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