FX’s Shogun has been getting all the hype for its political plot, large production scale, and good characterization. However, we haven’t been talking much about the romance in the series.
Although Shogun is not solely a romantic series, its treatment of romantic relationships has much to discuss. The series, set in 16th- 17th-century Japan, has a large scope that deals with various social, geopolitical, and emotional issues. Romance is also an integral part of the series.
If you’ve been trying to find out whether Shogun 2024 has any romance or if we can expect some passionate love from the show in the future, we’re here with all the answers.
Is Shogun 2024 A Love Story?
Shogun is not primarily a love story. However, romance plays an important role in the series as well as in the novel. The central romance in the story is that of John Blackthorne and Mariko.
Shogun mainly deals with the political scenario of 16th-century Japan. It cannot be categorized as romance, but the story has romantic angles. The most important romantic track is that between Blackthorne and Mariko.
Mariko is Buntaro’s wife. Her romance with Blackthorne follows the forbidden romance trope. She is torn between her loyalty towards Toranaga and her feelings for Blackthorne. Meanwhile, Blackthorne also has an unwavering commitment to his shipmates, which creates further tension between them.
Is there any romance in Shogun (2024)?
There are some romantic scenes in Shogun season 1, but they are not explicitly sexual. There is some slow-burn, forbidden romance between Blackthorne and Mariko.
Mariko and Blackthorne’s romance is laden with cultural misunderstandings as both come from completely different backgrounds. The language barrier exists, but the story does a lot to build up the forbidden trope. The weight of duty and honor also play a part, as both have other important stakes to take care of.
Mariko is stuck in an abusive marriage with Buntaro in the series. When Blackthorne arrives in Japan, she is assigned to be the translator between him and the Japanese. The two become close friends and eventually develop feelings for each other.
As per the book, Blackthorne asks Lord Toranaga to give Mariko permission to divorce her husband so they can get married. However, Toranaga refuses to keep his request and forbids Blackthorne from asking again. Their love story ends on a tragic note in the book.
About Shōgun
Shōgun is an upcoming American historical drama television limited series based on the 1975 novel of the same name by James Clavell. The novel was previously adapted into a 1980 television miniseries.
The series is set to premiere with its first two episodes on February 27, 2024, on Hulu and FX, with new episodes of the 10-episode series then releasing weekly.
Shōgun follows “the collision of two ambitious men from different worlds and a mysterious female samurai; John Blackthorne, a risk-taking English sailor who ends up shipwrecked in Japan, a land whose unfamiliar culture will ultimately redefine him; Lord Toranaga, a shrewd, powerful daimyo, at odds with his own dangerous, political rivals; and Lady Mariko, a woman with invaluable skills but dishonorable family ties, who must prove her value and allegiance”.
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