‘Shōgun’ Fans Reached a Consensus on the Finale
Shōgun ended not with a bang but with a great job, everyone! After moving around his loyal chess pieces like Magnus Carlsen, Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) stares into the distance and envisions his long-held dream of becoming the shōgun. Japanese history says a massive battle will take place, but Toranaga knows that his goal is within reach. He is the titular shōgun. Even though the audience knew that all along, the race to the finish was still dramatic as heck.
Some viewers may still feel a little disappointed that Shōgun chose not to depict the Battle of Sekigahara. The FX series received countless comparisons to Game of Thrones throughout its ten-episode limited series, with many fans anticipating that Toranaga would go to war in the finale. However, thanks to a spectacular act of bravery by Mariko (Anna Sawai) in episode 9, Toranaga essentially wins the battle before it even begins. The same event occurs in the 1975 James Clavell novel, which Shōgun adapts nearly in full. While the book grants readers a brief battle epilogue and Ishido’s death, both stories prove that the journey meant more than the destination.
“It would have been nice to see the battle in all its glory, but I also like what they gave us as a finale,” one Reddit user wrote. “This show was never really about the action and spectacle, but more about the characters, and the finale gave them all a great sendoff.”
Many viewers seem to agree. Battle or no battle, Shōgun’s finale did the series justice. Below, check out some of the best fan reactions to the emotional episode.
One of the big things I’ll miss when #Shogun is gone is talking about it. I’ve not had this much fun chatting about a show for a long time. It’s like Game of Thrones minus the toxicity. Every tweet I put about it does numbers & 99% of the engagement is positive. I will miss it pic.twitter.com/REmtFycN1D
— Patrick J. Hurst (@InsertMontage) April 20, 2024
I'm so glad Hiroyuki Sanada is being praised for his work in #Shogun (#ShogunFX) but it's a damn shame that he has only started getting this kind of recognition recently when he has been COOKING since the 80s-90s! pic.twitter.com/e4fwkhAgcf
— Brett Murphy (BAMTube) (@BAMTubeBrett) April 24, 2024
Blackthorne realizing how much Lady Mariko truly loved him by asking the church to spare his life is all of us realizing this really is the #Shōgun series finale @shogunfx #ShogunFX pic.twitter.com/ApBkmixaes
— Nello (@LilNello) April 23, 2024
This is how you make a finale. No-frills. No epic battles. Just poetic, poignant, and powerful moments between characters that bring closure to the whole story. Hands down the best show of 2024! #Shogun #ShogunFX pic.twitter.com/yVF4nESB7J
— CJ (@christianfreo) April 23, 2024
If you're disappointed that we didn't get some kind of big battle for the finale, you were watching the wrong show i fear #shogun #shogunfx pic.twitter.com/gWabURtUOY
— Khadj (@GanzgangK) April 24, 2024
My guy is playing chess while the rest of those fools are playing checkers
I salute you Lord Yoshii Toranaga 🫡#Shogun #ShogunFX
pic.twitter.com/b86RLggphf— Joy Brown 🐞 (@thejoycharisse) April 24, 2024
Shōgun not only became one of the greatest shows i’ve ever watched but the finale was emotionally satisfying while also leaving me incredibly sad we most likely will never see more pic.twitter.com/ihrgHJJE0U
— Kaitlyn Red Wing (@KaitlynRedWing) April 23, 2024
I never could have guessed that the most romantic thing I would ever see would be a man offering to behead a woman 😭 #Shogun pic.twitter.com/zvrJGSPEJj
— Rachel Sisk 💡 (@rachelksisk) April 19, 2024
shogun is so good. more prestige tv should have this as its central thesis pic.twitter.com/h8DArfsiLv
— zou bisou bisou where are you (@lilgrapefruits) April 20, 2024
“i sent a woman to do something an army couldn’t.” powerful #SHOGUN #ShogunFX pic.twitter.com/VZPF1G9bSc
— sarah michel (no gellar) (@_iparker_) April 23, 2024
What an absolutely stunningly poetic, beautifully written and breathtakingly shot series Shogun is, every actor playing their role flawlessly. For me, this was a 10/10 must watch. pic.twitter.com/pDpkVb9xGP
— Jemalki (@jemalkiinlove) April 24, 2024
Shōgun is a masterpiece, truly one of the greatest series ever made. From beginning to end it is absolutely gripping, like a book you just cannot put down. The entire cast and crew deserve every award they could get. It's sad that it wont continue, but you can't beat perfection. pic.twitter.com/mrocXoDY2Z
— Domino (@Domino_792) April 24, 2024
Emmy, Golden Globe, what else is out there, give it all to Anna Sawai. Im so serious. #Shogun pic.twitter.com/4PsEoAFqx2
— JJ (@ladydragonjj) April 18, 2024
Me after every episode of Shogun pic.twitter.com/cARYmeK7p9
— The Jobfather™️ 🇯🇲🇨🇦🇬🇧 (@TheJobfather__) April 22, 2024
me after that #Shogun finale pic.twitter.com/wllG6zwxDD
— ❦ (@justInwuah) April 23, 2024
Yabushige: “How does it feel to shape the wind to your will?”
Toranaga: “I don’t control the wind. I only study it.” #Shogun pic.twitter.com/pkZGDkbuFO— 𝙿𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚜𝚊 (@djcaliphoria) April 23, 2024
#Shogun is an absolute masterpiece. What a magnificent series. Unreal performances across the board (still in awe of Anna Sawai last week). Beautiful storytelling throughout, capped with a perfect finale. Going to miss it so much. pic.twitter.com/A3lAcv6FBR
— Cory Varney (@coryvwriter) April 23, 2024
You Might Also Like