Shogun on Disney+: Is the most-watched series of the moment any good?

Audience success is not necessarily a guarantee of quality. Many series were hits, although the result frankly did not live up to expectations. But that observation clearly doesn’t apply to all shows, as Shogun, the brand new Disney+ series, rightly reminds us.

This version is the second adaptation of James Clavell’s bestselling novel, following the 1980 miniseries by Richard Chamberlain and Toshiro Mifune. Has this new series managed to do as well as the previous one, which is considered a cult for several generations of viewers?

What does the press think?

Average press review: 3.8 out of 5

According to Le Figaro magazine (4.5/5):

“The series sought authenticity in the smallest details: the poses, the vocabulary. Thus, Shogun recreates before our eyes the ancestral Japan that disappeared after the advent of the Meiji era at the end of the 19th century. An absolute success.”

According to the world (4.5/5):

“On an impressive scale, Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks’ series finds a delicate balance between historical fresco and adventure story…”

According to Open the screen (4/5):

“A jaw-dropping rehabilitation exercise transforms into a riveting political and epic mural that rivals HBO’s finest.”

According to Parisian (3.5/5):

Adapted from James Clavell’s novel of the same name, the series benefits from excellent sets and costumes, as well as an excellent Japanese cast. But the story lacks a little intensity.

According to Inrockuptibles (2/5):

“Thus, the series only knows how to occupy its theme (a meeting between two diametrically opposed cultures) by reviving the providential motif of the West, which has already been largely mined by Hollywood, from “Dances with Wolves” to “Pocahontas”. “The Last of the Mohicans”. We were hoping for a little more recklessness in 2024.”

What do viewers think?

Average viewer review: 4.2 out of 5

According to Eragon (5/5):

“Very good first 2 episodes. References of the series are presented well. Not much action, but we feel it will happen. Having two languages ​​is a good idea, especially based on the importance of the language barrier. In short, a great series in perspective, why not as it is Game Of Thrones.

According to saugalix (4.5/5):

“A great series for the moment. 16th century Japan very well copied without clichés. I’m very pleasantly surprised by the non-Japanese production. Otherwise very beautiful in the sets and costumes. The story takes its time. The first episodes so that the audience can get to grips with the different characters and see all the challenges of each . Looking forward to the next episodes.”

According to Hector V (4.5/5):

“So far so good. Even for me as a non-history buff who prefers fiction, I have to admit that you are hooked the whole way through and never look away. The characters are very likable. Interesting but realistic. In short, I’m really looking forward to what happens next. “

According to Jean Louis L (3/5):

“The first two episodes are a long establishment of the characters, the heroes, obviously the Japanese, the Portuguese and the English, in the background, the war for the sea lanes, moreover, the Japanese, after the death of the emperor, all of them. Desire to take power. Who will become the future shogun, the strong man of the country, the shogun is the most powerful general character in Japan. Finally, we hope the sequel will be more animated, but we want to know how things go. Let’s get together.”

According to Adrien P. (0.5/5):

“The lead actor is just unbearable, constantly yelling. And the script really has nothing original. So the beautiful pictures are not enough to cover the mediocrity of the plot and archetypal characters. And then the music … pachydermic heaviness.”

Episodes of the Shogun series can be seen every Tuesday exclusively on Disney+.

Discover the list of series currently available on the platform!