This article contains mention of suicide.
FX’sShōgunis an adaptation of James Clavell’s book, and it has changed many of the novel’s aspects. The show is one of the most popular and successful series of 2024;Shōgunwon the most awards at the 2024 Primetime Emmy Awardsand had the most nominations.Shōgunwon some of the most prestigious categories, including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor & Actress in a Drama Series, and Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series.FX had initially adaptedShōgunas a limited series, but it became so successful that nowShōgunseasons 2 and 3 are officially in development.
Although there is no canon book material forShōgunseason 2, the writers are determined to continue Lord Yoshii Toranaga’s story. However, the first season is based on James Clavell’s book, and the writers' room had to make many critical decisions when crafting a narrative for television.Although the TV show is largely a faithful adaptation, the writers still changed key elements from the book. Some of these changes improved the story, but others were disappointing. Regardless, the adaptation ofShōgungreatly contrasts its book counterpart despite mostly following the overall narrative.
15Shogun Takes Place During Autumn & Winter
The Book Takes Place During Summer & Autumn
The adaptation ofShõgunopted to portray the narrative in a late autumn and early winter setting, as indicated by the various scenes with snowfall and warm clothing. However, the book takes place during the summer and early autumn months. Although this change is insignificant in the show,the summer and autumn seasons affect the book’s narrative. The conflict occurs during “the rainy season” at the height of summer, and the amount of rain can disastrously affect the autumn harvest, which, in turn, affecting the aftermath of the war.
14Toranaga’s Relationship With His Half-Brother Is Drastically Different
Saeki—Zataki In The Book—Has Already Sided With Ishido
In the book, Lord Toranaga learns of his brother’s betrayal from one of Kiri’s letters, and the prospect is unsurprising given their hostile and unstable relationship. However,Shōgunportrays Toranaga and Saeki’s dynamicdifferently. Firstly,Lord Toranaga’s half-brother is named Saeki in the show, while his name is Zataki in the book. The adaptation portrays Toranaga and Saeki’s dynamic as loyal and close, so it comes as an utter shock when the narrative reveals Saeki to have betrayed Toranaga. Furthermore, Saeki’s betrayal seems much bigger than Zataki’s because Toranaga learns of Zataki becoming Regent through a later letter from Hiro-matsu.
John Blackthorne, referred to as Anjin
Toda Hiro-matsu, also known as “Iron Fist”
Toda Hiromatsu, also known as “Iron Fist”
Lady Iyo, also known as Daiyoin
Toda Hirokatsu, also known as Buntaro
Kiritsubo-noh-Toshiko, also known as Kiri
Toda Ryûji
Yuua Yamanaka
When Saeki betrays Toranaga, he reveals that he has simultaneously replaced Sugiyama as a Regent.Shōgunopting to portray Lord Toranaga’s dynamic with his half-brother as a surprising betrayal is idealfor a TV show. It creates a more compelling narrative and raises the stakes because Toranaga learns of Saeki’s new position simultaneously with his betrayal, indicating he is running out of time. Lord Toranaga’s learning of his half-brother’s Regent position later suggests that he has some extra time before he inevitably has to return to Osaka.
13Blackthorne’s Reunion With His Men Occurs Differently
The Reunion Is Antagonistic In The Show, While It Is Underwhelming In The Book
Another noticeable difference betweenShōgun’s book and TV adaptation involves John Blackthorne’s reunion with hisErasmuscrew. After many months away, he finally gets to reunite with his crew in Edo (Yedo in the book). However, the reunions occur differently. In the book, Blackthorne reunites with the remainder of his crew simultaneously, and despite their aversion to Blackthorne’s adaptation to Japanese culture, they are ecstatic to see him. Blackthorne was initially excited, too, but shortly after reuniting,he became disappointed due to their retention of European culture.
It makes sense that the show would opt for a more exciting route, but despite the differences, the outcome of both scenes is the same—John Blackthorne realizes that he does not fit in with his European comrades anymore.
In the show, Blackthorne only reunites with one member of his crew, Salamon, whose book counterpart does not speak at all. Salamon is resentful of Blackthorne, feeling abandoned in a foreign country.Their meeting quickly turns antagonistic as they physically fight each other, which ends with Blackthorne knocking out Salamon. It makes sense that the show would opt for a more exciting route, but despite the differences, the outcome of both scenes is the same—John Blackthorne realizes that he does not fit in with his European comrades anymore.
12John Blackthorne Only Saves Toranaga From The Earthquake
John Blackthorne Saves Toranaga & Lady Mariko In The Book
InShōgunseason 1, episode 5, “Broken to the Fist,” an unexpected earthquake almost kills Lord Toranaga. However, John Blackthorne and a few others work together to pull Toranaga to safety. In the book, John Blackthorne saves Lord Toranaga and Lady Mariko, who both land in danger due to the catastrophic earthquake. Furthermore, Blackthorne manages to save them on his own without any additional help. Despite the differences,Shōgunconveys a similar point regarding Lord Toranaga and the earthquake—the outcome of this war will depend on Toranaga, Mariko, and Blackthorne.
11John Blackthorne’s Hatamoto Ranking
The Book Portrays The Benefits Of John Blackthorne’s Hatamoto Ranking
In both the book and TV adaptation ofShōgun, Lord Toranaga appoints Blackthorne to the ranking of Hatamoto.In the show, the primary entity protecting Blackthorne is Lord Toranaga, even though Blackthorne’s position is more secure because of his newfound rank. Many of Lord Toranaga’s people continue not to take Blackthorne seriously and only do so after he proves himself. However, the Hatamoto ranking in the book significantly changes John Blackthorne’s relationship with the Japanese people, regardless of Toranaga’s influence. John Blackthorne becomes highly respected and protected purely because of his rank.
Shogun’s Ranks & Ruling Order Explained
Shōgun features a strict and intentional hierarchical system that is accurate to that of feudal Japan, consisting of regents, daimyos, and samurai.
Furthermore, the book portrays more superficial advantages of being Hatamoto, including acquiring a house, a complete set of servants, and a consort. While John Blackthorne has learned and respects a lot about Japanese culture, he does not have to work hard to earn the respect of his Japanese peers because of his Hatamoto ranking. However, the TV adaptation continues to portray Blackthorne in a precarious position—being Hatamoto does not protect him the way it does in the book. He must continue to work to earn respect and his place in Japanese society.
10Blackthorne Does Not Attempt Seppuku
Blackthorne Threatens To Commit Seppuku If Yabu Punishes The Villagers
In the book, Yabu promises to kill his villagers if they do not help Blackthorne learn Japanese fast enough to mark their failure. John Blackthorne is horrified by this statement and threatens to commit seppuku. However, Yabu does not believe Blackthorne until he attempts to stab himself. This scene only exists in the show as a rushed variation between Toranaga and Blackthorne instead. However, it does not provide the same insight into John Blackthorne’s character. AlthoughShōgunhas a variation of Blackthorne’s seppuku threat,it does not portray the depth of Blackthorne’s compassion given the other circumstances.
9Toranaga Kills The Assassin
In The Book, The Assassin Commits Suicide Before They Can Be Questioned
An assassin attempts to kill John Blackthorne inShōgun’s book and TV show. However, both versions of the scene have significant changes. In the book, samurai surround the assassin, leading him to cut his own throat so that Toranaga’s men cannot learn who had hired him. In the show, Toranaga surprises the assassin by switching his and Blackthorne’s rooms before killing her. It isan excellent example of how Toranaga’s enemies often underestimate him. Both variations also highlight the danger John Blackthorne is in and how much he needs Toranaga’s protection.
8Lord Toranaga Executes The Battle Of Sekigahara Without Bloodshed
Thousands Die In The Book’s Battle Of Sekigahara
The Battle of Sekigahara has the same outcome in the book and TV show—Lord Toranaga defeats Ishido. However, the path to Toranaga’s victory is executed differently. In the book, Lord Toranaga conceives a plan to allow his armies to sneak up on Ishido’s encampment rather than wait for the war to come. Thousands of men die, butthe Battle of Sekigahara ends with Toranaga burying Ishido alive, covering him up until his neck, where he lives for three days before dying. In the show, Lord Toranaga achieves victory without additional bloodshed, establishing an era of peace for Japan without fighting.
Toranaga knew that Lady Ochiba would remove her support for Ishido upon Lady Mariko’s death due to their childhood friendship. The other Regents would ally with Toranaga on the battlefield once they realized the Heir would not side with Ishido. The real Battle of Sekigahara had thousands of casualties, making the book more historically accurate. However, the TV adaptation highlights a critical point—many people had to die before Toranaga could achieve a bloodless victory. Lady Mariko, Nagakado, and Hiromatsu all died bloody deaths so that Toranaga could win the war without blood spilling on the battlefield.
7Nagakado Dies After Trying To Kill His Uncle
Nagakado Lives In The Book, But His Role Is Diminished After Jozen’s Death
A significant difference between the book and the TV show involves Nagakado’s character arc.The ending ofShōgunseason 1, episode 7, “A Stick of Time,” involves Nagakado dyingtragically after hitting his head on a rock in an attempt to kill his uncle, Saeki. This event does not occur in the book, making ita shocking major book change in theShōgunadaptation. However, Nagakado’s book arc diminishes significantly after he kills Jozen. He focuses on his responsibilities to his father and liege lord, Toranaga.Nagakado’s death raises the stakes and adds pressure on Toranaga to win the war.
Shogun Episode 8’s Seppuku & Whether Hiromatsu Knew Toranaga’s Secret Plan Clarified By Creator
Shogun co-creator Justin Marks discusses episode 8’s shocking seppuku scene and clarifies whether Hiromatsu knew Toranaga’s secret plan.
Nagakado is not the only significant character who dies in the show, but not in the book.Hiromatsu shockingly commits seppuku inShōgunseason 1, episode 8, “The Abyss of Life.“This decision is the only way for the narrative to proceed authenticallybecause Lady Ochiba would not believe Toranaga’s surrender unless something dire occurs, such as Hiromatsu committing seppuku. Lady Ochiba does not have the same power or influence in the book, so she does not need to believe that Toranaga will surrender. Therefore, it makes sense for Hiro-matsu to live in the book while dying in the show.
6Lady Ochiba’s Political Role
Lady Ochiba’s Vital Political Role Does Not Exist In The Book
Lady Ochiba-no-kata has a critical role inShōgunthat does not exist in the book. While her presence is important in the literary narrative—and she notably still sides with Ishido—Lady Ochiba does not have the political power to retract armies or take over the Council of Regents. She is not an active character in the book—her existence is essential, but she does not impact the narrative.Shōgunmade an excellent decision in giving Lady Ochiba considerable political power. Not only did the show flesh out the potential for a strong female character, but the decision also gave her more agency.
