The show focused more on the Japanese perspective of events, than the book ever did. I quite liked seeing more of the Japanese culture compared to the myriad of West centric shows out there. Breath of fresh air. But i do agree that they made that part unnecessarily mundane in places.

by cindypagac 5 days ago

the "random Japanese customs" are arguably the most important aspects of the show. you say them savings thousands of lives and avoiding a major destruction to their nation is a bad thing. The show/book isn't meant to be a wartime epic, its a political drama, and the entire point of the show was showing just how steeped the Japans was to tradition and honor especially compared to foreign mindsets that they were literally able to avoid an entire civil war based solely on witholding customs and honoring the actions/sacrifices of a handful of people for the sake of the nation. Also Toranada does become Shogun at the end, they just didn't show the ceremony.

by Many_Contract_4697 5 days ago

In that sense it was pretty well done but I didn't think it was tonally reflected. Like the sense of impending doom, everyone waiting on a war and bloodshed didn't go away even after Mariko pulled off her antics. In terms of the political drama aspect, they definitely could've cut the show down like 3 episodes and pass the "culture steeped in tradition" point better, with more intense confrontations and direct discourse between the Regents. Maybe that's my taste

by Anonymous 5 days ago

He doesn't even become Shogun for Christ's sake. I think one big problem with the show is how long production is going to take for the next season. They're saying it's going to be 2027 before it actually releases, which is crazy to me.

by Anonymous 5 days ago

I mean.. there was never supposed to be a "next season". The end of the first season is exactly how it was supposed to end.

by Tblick 5 days ago

Yeah Toranaga goes from being like a really scary dude who loves war, to kinda a pathetic dude just trying to survive. They introduce him as a killer, he studies death, be really scared of him. Anyway from now on he's just trying to save his ass the whole time. That said, I do really like the show.

by cassandra84 5 days ago

I think you're confusing Toranaga with Kashigi Yabushige.

by Anonymous 5 days ago

That's the way the book it's based on ends…

by Anonymous 5 days ago

The ending of the book kind of sucks from a dramatic perspective but makes perfect sense to me as a former history major.

by brooklyn61 5 days ago