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Need More ‘Shogun’? Here’s What to Know About the Book and the Original 1980 Adaptation

Shogun was picked up for a second season, but fans who don't want to wait for more can read the novel or stream the original adaptation

By Jonathan Zavaleta

Jonathan Zavaleta

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September 16, 2024

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“SHOGUN” -- "A Dream of a Dream" -- Episode 10 (Airs April 23) Pictured (L-R): Hiroto Kanai as Kashigi Omi, Hiroyuki Sanada as Yoshii Toranaga. CR: Katie Yu/FX

Hiroto Kanai and Hiroyuki Sanada (center) in 'Shōgun' Katie Yu/FX

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Shogun set a record at last night’s Emmys, racking up major awards in acting and picking up the Outstanding Drama Series Award. The FX series, streaming on Hulu, is a work of historical fiction centered on a political struggle for power in 1600s Japan. Shogun also broke ground as the first show with mostly non-English dialogue to win the Best Drama award. Originally slated to be a miniseries, Shogun’s explosive popularity led to its renewal for a second season. The show is available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+.

Fans will have to wait a while before the second season hits streaming services, but anyone looking for more Shogun should consider the 1975 novel of the same name. Written by James Clavell, the novel, like the show, centers on an English sailor named John Blackthorne who finds himself stranded in Japan. Blackthorne was inspired by a real historical figure, William Adams, the first Englishman to reach Japan.

Shogun Book: Where to Buy the Novel and Stream the Original 1980 Series

Shōgun: The Complete Novel (Hardcover)

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Shogun, Clavell’s best-known novel, is part of his Asian Saga series. Shogun is the third in the series by publication date but the earliest narratively, taking place in 1600. The first edition paperback is a hefty 1,152 pages, so fans of the series can keep themselves plenty busy while they wait for the second season.

In addition to the hardcover edition, the novel is also available in paperback from Target, Barnes & Noble, AbeBooks, and other retailers, but note that some of the paperback editions split the novel into two parts. Shogun is also available in ebook and audiobook formats on Kindle and Audible.

listen to ‘shogun’ on audible

The 2024 FX adaptation isn’t the first time Clavell’s novel has been adapted for the small screen. The show was first turned into a miniseries in 1980. Broadcast on NBC, the series was also a big award winner, picking up the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited Series and the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama.

stream ‘shogun’ (1980) on paramount+

Shogun (1980) was broadcast over the course of five nights on NBC but is broken up into six parts on streaming. It’s available to stream right now on Paramount+. The 1980 series stars Richard Chamberlain, Toshiro Mifune, Yoko Shimada, and Frankie Sakai. The 1980 series is also available on Blu-Ray.

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