DanaL

Impossible to make somebody see something, even if it's right under their nose, if they refuse to see.
It's like speaking to deaf ears, showing to blind eyes.

"Shogun" fills all the criteria to qualify being here. Even if there are many voices here saying the contrary. I think they have hidden reasons to comment that way. It's ridiculous to deny the obvious in such a manner.
The production's wonderful in all aspects and deserves to receive all prizes in the business. I would laugh my butt off if will win some Golden Globes - which are very deserved:)

I saw this just now. What it's more annoying are those 20 likes for his/her shitty comment. What should we think about those who liked his/her... can't say "comment", maybe "insult" is more appropriate.
"Life lesson" ;))))

True ;)
I wonder if those postings and ratings are made on order, for money, or it's just the mentality and taste. I am convinced there are comments made under different names by the same person and they aren't quite a few. In some cases it's very obvious. I suppose it wouldn't be worth the time and energy if there wasn't a kind of reward.
I give my ratings after my own judgement, have learnt long time ago not to be influenced. Too old for that :)

Ratings here have their own sense (more like non-). A cheap, low quality series but starring a popular actor or actress receives very high ratings and a production like "Shogun" has lower. And if you ask, they tell you they have the right of own opinion and discussion is done.
Yes, it's lame (not the series) :)

I read it first time as a teenager, long time ago. A life time ago.
If I were you, I would find it and read it at least one time. Not now if there is no place for it, but in the future when its time comes :)
I think you'll not regret it. After "Shogun" I started to look after the other books by James Clavell. They all are great. China, Hongkong, Japan. A fascinating universe :)
Fujiko's very loyal and very stubborn. A real samurai, who puts duty and honor above everything.

"John. Blackthorne."
"Bond. James Bond." :))

Kiku is only a courtesan. Her role is to entertain and to please. Omi is her "special person", she would like to be his concubine. But her biggest dream is to marry a samurai and give birth to samurai children. Impossible with Omi. Kiku has a very lowly origin, her parents are peasants.
In the book, Omi is married to Midori, a very beautiful and sweet woman. Omi loves and respects her very much. She is samurai.
When Yabu comes 1st time in Anjiro, Omi sends his wife away :) But he has feelings also for Kiku. Before Midori left the village, she asked for Kiku, paying her fee for her services (wives manage all payments and the money of the family).
Kiku is like that with every man she interacts, it's her way to please a man, flattering him, exciting the man's ego, etc. It's a courtesan's job to make her client feel unique and the best in bed and everywhere else. This is how she earns her and her mama-san's money.

She is samurai.
In the book, she is described as ugly, a flat, round face with small, sharp teeth. Very determined, very loyal, ferocius. Very good in managing a house.
This actress gave to Fujiko more appeal. She's cute :)

It's just duty from her part. She is samurai (also Mariko).
Wrote much more but I thought maybe you'd not want to know what happens next.

If you look better, you'll see one of producers is Sanada Hiroyuki. Lots of other Japanese names in other departments. Also, I suppose 95% of actors are Japanese.
Maybe there are American money involved in it, but without the massive and crucial Japanese contribution this extraordinary production had no sense.
Look after "Pachinko", it's the same situation. And as I could see, many Thai productions are made with the contribution of American or European.
I've given you my like because of your 3rd statement :) I fully agree with it.

I am a little puzzled by the actor playing Yabu, Asano Tadanobu. He is too nice for that character. In the book, Yabu is described as ugly, cruel, treacherous, a venomous snake, enjoying to see the other people suffering and most of his terrible nature could be seen on his face. This guy, Tadanobu, is too likable, his smile is too sweet :)) You can see the nice person behind the character he plays.

Here too. Scandinavia. Samurai are very much liked in a land of Vikings :)

Don't rely on it, it's neither realistic nor objective. The tendency is for obscure and mediocre movies/series to have high ratings while massive and high-quality productions to have low. Ratings by interest, not objectively.

Do you use the word "rude" for every person who tells you directly what is obvious?
If you can't see why a remake of "Shogun" was done, then why even start to debate about it? Why do you watch it if you see all over the place only reasons to criticise it? You could put an end on your suffering and stop to watch it, making us a favor, too...
I love this production, I've waited for it for more than 20 years. And I am not at all disappointed. We all have to admit that perfection doesn't exist. And it's impossible to please everyone, there will always be some grumpy little people finding flaws about something. You have already, after only 3 eps, decided that isn't good enough - haven't read a word in your comments about something positive about this series.
Let's agree to disagree. This is just waste of my time and energy. I will find a better use for those.
Greetings from Scandinavia.

People are not realistic, their expectations are exaggerated. They expect to hear Portuguese, Latin, Spanish, English and Dutch - and later Japanese from 1 actor :)) I am just laughing here, thinking it's completely ridiculous.

Blackthorne is an imaginary character, they saw too much Iron Man, Spiderman and Godzilla (because we are in Japan :). He is already TOO good to be true in the novel, a kind of a genius giant - for 1600.
This book is an outcome of imagination - to put it exactly on the screen and look credible and not in the SF genre it's way too much to ask.

"Shogun" is a very complex and complicated book. Half of it is full with the inner dialogues of the characters. This is why we come to understand them, because "Japanese have 3 hearts" and we have the chance to see that deepest heart, the 3rd one, through those inner dialogues. They act/speak in one way and think/feel in another way. To adapt for the screen all of that would be impossible.
Can't understand what these "critics" expect to see. Instead to enjoy what is there to watch - and it's PLENTY!, they cry over the emply half of the bottle.

I would recommend to read the comments here.
I think that when I read "Shogun" for the first time you weren't born yet.

You are so right. This is why is called "adaptation". Never saw a movie or series made after a book to be exactly like the original source. It's an interpretation of the book. Especially a rich and very special like "Shogun" which would require more than possible to follow exactly the book. But the series are no less great than the book. Finally, a great production, waited for so many years. After so much Marvel... :)

And I think it's SO stupid. "Asia for Asians" - it's like an echo from nazi's time, only changed few words here and there... I fully agree with "pro Asian" but cannot agree with derision of other nations just because are not Asian.
None of the movies/series I've seen here could even compare with such a huge production on this quality like "Shogun". I can see above some comments calling it "shit". How flat brained can somebody be to say such thing?
In the end, who cares is a Japanese or Asian or an American production? Look at the final result and see the level of the quality, the art and the craftship involved in it, in every single detail. Enjoy a piece of art because there are not so many of them and I don't think there will be done soon another one on this level about the history of an Asian country. Be proud that a whole world could see it and learn about your own history, hear your language, see your traditions, etc.
FG'sS.

Happy to read this.