Hulu's Shogun Is Great But The 1980 Miniseries Changed TV Forever

The original “Shōgun” miniseries is a triumph that raked in three Emmys and three Golden Globes. While the challenges posed by the 1980 SAG-AFTRA strike may have removed some competition from the board and thus assisted “Shōgun’s” runaway ratings success, the sheer quantity of eyeballs watching the NBC miniseries guaranteed that the comparatively over-the-top depictions of violence and nudity — the show also pushed the envelope by showing naked breasts — were as impactful as possible. It didn’t exactly hurt that it happened to air during a time when the U.S. was increasingly interested in Japan’s culture, which helped the show both ride the zeitgeist and contribute to it. 

It’s pretty unlikely that the 2024 version’s Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) and John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) can propel the FX show to similar cultural significance, regardless of how well-made the series is. As such, it may be best to appreciate the project for what it is instead of what it can achieve … and if you enjoy it, it might just remind you to get started on that pile of samurai movies you need to watch.