'Shōgun' Season 1 Finale: All the characters ranked, and why #1 spot was so hard to pick
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: FX's historical drama 'Shōgun' is captivating audiences with its intriguing plot and exceptional performances. Adapted from James Clavell's novel of the same name, the show follows the journey of a ship pilot who is drawn into the complex power dynamics of medieval Japan.
The show has dynamic stars like Hiroyuki Sanada, Cosmo Jarvis, Anna Sawai, Tadanobu Asano, Takehiro Hira, and Fumi Nikaido, each of whom is striving to achieve an individual goal that distinguishes them from one another.
As a result, it is difficult to identify a single favorite character in the series, as each character contributes something vital to the plot.
Although Blackthorne emerges as the primary character initially, the series' exploration of the intricate political environment and power dynamics in Japan reveals that each character possesses unique qualities, rendering it challenging to identify a singular 'number one' character.
John Blackthorne
Our insight into the fascinating world of feudal Japan is provided by protagonist John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis).
Blackthorne, a skilled ship pilot, disrupts Japan's political landscape upon his arrival, sparking tensions among the five daimyos as his presence signals the onset of conflict.
Despite his initial hostility, Blackthorne eventually gains the support of Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), who bestows upon him the title of Hatamoto.
All in all, he is more than just an Englishman put into a new land; he emerges as the primary reason Toranaga confidently launched his pursuit of feudal Japan's supreme authority.
The reason Blackthorne is so loved in the series is that he offers the audience an outsider's perspective. Through him, we experience Japanese traditions for the first time, providing a fresh and captivating viewpoint.
Another compelling argument for him being one of the best character in the series can also be attributed to the fact that he was the catalyst for change, upending the status quo with his arrival.
Lord Yoshii Toranaga
Another main character in the period drama, Lord Yoshii Toranaga, is a complex and powerful figure.
In addition to being a skilled strategist, the merciless warlord is also a long-term strategist with a sharp mind.
Toranaga escapes Osaka in fear of being impeached, hoping to achieve his ultimate objective of unifying Japan with the support of Blackthrone.
Furthermore, he is too driven to let personal loss influence his goal. Despite the impact of his son's and a close ally's deaths, he opted to continue with his mission.
Toranaga emerges as a strong contender for the most loved character in the series, boasting the intellect of a seasoned strategist who maneuvers adeptly through the political landscape, aided by his ruthlessness and purposeful strategies, he can easily pass as a formidable opponent.
A fun fact: Toranaga's character is partially modeled on the real-life historical figure Tokugawa Ieyasu, who eventually became the first shogun of the Tokugawa dynasty.
Toda Mariko
Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai) is an important character and strong female lead who serves as a translator and liaison between Blackthorne and the Japanese characters.
She helps Blackthorne have a better grasp of Japanese customs and traditions. Mariko, as a character, is highly resilient, as seen in the series, despite living a difficult life and being plagued by a loveless marriage.
As the story progresses, Mariko develops feelings for Blackthorne, leading to a pivotal moment where she shares an intimate encounter with him, adding a degree of complexity to her story.
The very next day, she receives the biggest shock of her life: her dead husband, Toda Buntaro (Shinnosuke Abe), returns, adding yet another layer of complexity to her story.
However when it was revealed that Toranaga has a big plan for her to win the war against Ishido Kazunari (Takehiro Hira), demonstrating that in a male-dominated culture, her intelligence and bravery are emblematic of a strong female character.
Mariko emerges as a symbol of personal growth who defies social norms and struggles to find her place in a world that is changing quickly, making her one of the most important character.
Kashigi Yabushige
Kashigi Yabushige (Tadanobu Asano) stands out as my favorite character from the series, thanks to his unpredictable nature and ambitious attitude.
Yabushige stands apart from the other characters in the show as an opportunist, willing to shift allegiance based on his perception of the winning side, a trait that sets him apart.
This pragmatism makes him both untrustworthy and weirdly empathetic, as he prioritizes his survival and progress in a world rife with power battles.
Blackthorne has had a profound regard for him since the beginning of the series due to his heroic act, where he was prepared to kill himself rather than die a cowardly death, highlighting his deep Japanese cultural roots.
Yabushige claims the position of the series' most important character due to the element of surprise and constant tension he injects into the narrative.
He injects unpredictability into the plot, keeping viewers intrigued and wondering who he'll side with next.
Ishido Kazunari
Ishido Kazunari emerges as the primary rival to Toranaga in the series, actively causing trouble for him. As a member of the Council of Regents, Ishido strategizes to undermine Toranaga, recognizing the threat posed by his power.
He passionately opposes Toranaga's power grabs and craves more control for himself, igniting a simmering tension within the council.
As the series unfolds, Ishido finds an unlikely ally in Ochiba-no-Kata (Fumi Nikaido), and the two forge a bond fueled by their shared animosity towards Toranaga. Together, they conspire to force him to bow in front of them.
Ishido's presence highlights the complexity of the political landscape and the range of factors operating outside of Toranaga.
He ranks fifth on the list because his character brings another level of conflict and displays the physical strength that Toranaga has to win against.
Ochiba-no-Kata
Ochiba-no-Kata is the powerful mother of the young heir, Nakamura Yaechiyo (Sen Mars), and wields considerable political power in Osaka.
After witnessing the deaths of her father, Lord Kuroda Nobuhisa (Eijiro Ozaki), a former daimyo assassinated by Mariko's father, Akechi Jinsai (Yutaka Takeuchi), and Torangna, she transformed into a clever and manipulative woman determined to get revenge.
Ochiba, driven by rage towards Torangna, is leaving no stone unturned in her quest for justice for her father and enlists Ishido's assistance in doing so.
Ochiba stands tall in a patriarchal society and offers a significant danger to Toranaga's goals.
Her character adds dimension to the narrative and highlights the problems of women in positions of authority, landing her sixth spot on the list.
Toda Bunatro
Mariko's husband, Toda Bunatro, is a skilled samurai who harbors discomfort with Mariko's closeness with Blackthorne.
Bunatro is a merciless samurai whose beliefs are in stark contrast to Blackthorne's Western ideals.
His courage was highlighted when he put his life in jeopardy to assist Toranaga in fleeing Osaka, an act that led to him being presumed dead.
However, fate has something spectacular in store for the brave man, and he miraculously returns alive with few injuries.
Since his return, the plot has primarily focused on his growing jealousy towards Mariko and Blackthorne's close relationship. His disdain for the Englishman is so intense that he even seeks Toranaga's permission to kill him.
Despite being a supporting character, Buntaro earns the seventh spot on the list due to his bravery and embodiment of traditional samurai values, which serve as catalysts for Blackthorne's development.
Kashigi Omi
Yabushige's nephew, Kashigi Omi (Hiroto Kanai) is a character who is subtle yet adds depth and intricacy to the narrative.
Omi, as the lord of Ajiro, encounters Bunatro for the first time after his shipwreck and regards him with skepticism. The Young Lord is courageous and does not hold back while expressing his opinions.
While working on his cunning, Omi was the one who advised Yoshii Nagakado (Yuki Kura) to murder the Nebara Jozen (Nobuya Shimamoto), a suggestion that Toranaga later approved, highlighting Omi's ability as a devious and cunning man.
Kashigi Omi remains a prominent character in the series, contributing to the show's examination of cultural clashes and generational gaps, earning him eighth place on the list.
Toda Hiromatsu
Even though Toda Hiromatsu (Tokuma Nishioka) has already met his tragic end in the series, the significance of Toda Hiromatsu's role remains undiminished.
Hiromatsu can be described as Toranaga's right-hand guy, his most trusted advisor, and a close buddy.
A seasoned warrior, Hiromatsu embodies the ancient samurai values of honor, devotion, and respect.
Initially, it appears that Hiromatsu commits suicide due to his distress over Toranaga's decision to submit. However, it is later revealed that his sacrifice was a calculated move to convince Ishido that Toranaga would indeed surrender.
Hiromatsu's character development explores the intricacies of loyalty.
His character enriches the series' exploration of complex themes such as honor, ambition, and the sacrifices made in the pursuit of power, securing him the ninth spot on the list.
Yoshii Nagakado
It's reasonable to argue that Yoshii Nagakado (Yuki Kura), Toranaga's ambitious and multifaceted son, holds the least prominence among the ensemble of strong characters.
The reasons are simple: Nagakado was impetuous and believed he might potentially win the war, although he had never even fought a single war before.
Ultimately, in his attempt to make things easier for his father, he ends up complicating matters even more by killing himself, yielding no beneficial results for his father's goal.
It's not surprising that Yabushige mocked his fruitless sacrifice, cementing his status as the lowest-ranked character in the series.
'Shōgun' trailer