10 Historical Shows to Watch If You Like Shogun

Shōgun is a new historical fiction miniseries created by Hulu and FX. The series is based on a 1975 novel by James Clavell.

It features a group of European sailors who make land in Japan just as Japan begins a civil war.

If you’re a fan of this show, luckily, there are many other similar shows worth checking out, usually because they draw upon the same tropes and genre.

10. ‘Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan’ (2022)

Seasons: 1

Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan is a documentary series that provides excellent background context on the world of Shōgun. While it is a documentary, it cleverly combines expert interviews with dramatized re-enactments of the actual historical events.

The series was released by Netflix and received generally positive reviews. It’s an excellent pick for history enthusiasts or anyone interested in a more authentic portrayal of feudal Japan.

While Shōgun is set in the real world during a real era, it is a fictional story. However, the events in the documentary are authentically shot, further highlighting the series’ value.

9. Six Flying Dragons’ (2015-2016)

Seasons: 1

Six Flying Dragons is a 50-episode Korean TV show. While it was more prevalent in South Korea than in the West, it can be tricky to find outside of the country. You can watch it on Amazon, but depending on your location, you may need to use a VPN.

Despite its accessibility challenges, the show is grounded in historical facts, much like the film Shogun. It retells the story of the founding of the Kingdom of Joseon, which dominated the Korean peninsula for centuries during the Middle Ages.

The large cast of characters includes many actual historical figures, each with a unique personality. The show features thrilling action and political intrigue, so it’s worth checking out if you can get your hands on it.

8. ‘Kingdom’ (2019-2021)

Seasons: 2

The TV series Kingdom is a popular South Korean show that has captivated audiences with its first two seasons and a spin-off movie. Though Netflix has not officially canceled the show, it has not been renewed for a third season yet. However, this does not change the fact that the show is fantastic in every aspect.

Kingdom is set around the same period as the famous series Shōgun, between the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The main difference is that Kingdom has a fantastical element, featuring zombies that are accidentally unleashed by the Haewon Cho family’s attempt to resurrect the Korean King using a mystical plant.

The show offers stellar action sequences, a compelling cast of characters, and a creepy, horror-like atmosphere.

It also explores the rivalries between royal families, making it a must-watch for fans of historical dramas like Shōgun. Overall, Kingdom is a unique and captivating series that blends historical fiction with supernatural elements.

7. ‘Barbarians’ (2020-)

Seasons: 2

Barbarians is a captivating German show on Netflix that explores the wars between the Roman Empire and the Germanic tribes before the Middle Ages. This corner of history is often overlooked, making the show a unique and refreshing addition to the historical fiction genre.

Given the violent nature of the subject matter, the show does not shy away from depicting gritty action and graphic depictions of blood and gore. However, it avoids portraying either side as heroes or villains, presenting them as the violent armies they were, each fighting for their interests.

Alongside the action, the show weaves compelling narratives of love and betrayal, similar to the acclaimed series Shōgun. With more seasons planned, now is the perfect time to dive into this engaging historical drama if you are interested in this period of history.

6. ‘Black Sails’ (2014-2017)

Seasons: 4

Perhaps some of the most fascinating characters in Shōgun are the European sailors who arrive in Japan, secretly aiming to plunder the land and convert the population from Catholicism to Protestantism. In a way, they can be seen as pirates pursuing this goal.

If you enjoy stories like this, you might also enjoy watching Black Sails, a show about actual pirates. It is a prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic pirate novel Treasure Island and features many of the same characters.

While Black Sails has received little attention in recent years, it certainly deserves more recognition. The show has the same gritty, historical atmosphere as many other popular dramas, and it has an exceptional cast and well-executed action sequences.

Its seafaring adventures provide an engaging prequel to the renowned Treasure Island story, offering audiences a compelling way to experience that world.

5. Gyeongseong Creature’ (2023-)

Seasons: 1

Gyeongseong Creature is a new South Korean show on Netflix with some fantastical elements. While it shares the setting of East Asia with the show Shōgun, the similarities end there. Both shows have been very popular, but Gyeongseong Creature has a unique premise.

The show is set during the Japanese invasion of Korea in World War II. During this time, a mysterious creature appears and causes chaos across the country. The intriguing concept is executed well in the show.

There has only been one season so far, but more are planned. Once Shōgun has finished, Gyeongseong Creature could be a good next show.

4. ‘The Terror’ (2018-)

Seasons: 3

Now, The Terror is a very unique show, but you’ll have to get past the first season to find it similar to Shōgun. The Terror revolves around different historical tragedies and adds elements of supernatural horror. Each season focuses on a different event.

The first season is about a ship crew stranded while searching for the Northwest Passage. However, season 2 takes audiences to the West Coast of the United States during World War II, where Japanese citizens begin encountering the kakemonos.

3. ‘The Last Kingdom’ (2015-2022)

Seasons: 5

The Last Kingdom shares many similarities with Shōgun. It revolves around the actual historical figure of King Alfred the Great as he battles foreign invaders while also contending with power-hungry English rulers vying for the throne.

Though it had a slow start, the show gained immense popularity after Netflix acquired it during its third season.

The series offers gritty medieval action, swordplay, political intrigue, and captivating character relationships, making it a great addition to the television landscape when such shows were highly sought after, thanks to Game of Thrones’s success.

Based on a novel, The Last Kingdom features graphic violence and risky political maneuvers by contending lords. It is an excellent choice if you’re seeking a show remarkably similar to Shōgun.

2. ‘Vikings’ (2013-2020)

Seasons: 6

Vikings is a popular TV show that centers around the lives and adventures of actual Vikings in history. Despite its title, the show offers more than just Vikings – it blends drama, action, and historical elements to create an engaging viewing experience for a broad audience.

Like the acclaimed series Shōgun, Vikings is a fictionalized account set in a real historical context. It features characters, such as Viking warlords who often fought against each other. The show also explores the Vikings’ voyages and eventual arrival in North America, making them the first Europeans to reach the continent.

Vikings has gained immense popularity due to its clever choice of genre, balanced storytelling, and the compelling nature of the historical events it portrays. For fans of Shōgun seeking more dramatized accounts of history, Vikings is an excellent choice to watch.

1. ‘Game of Thrones’ (2011-2019)

Seasons: 8

The Game of Thrones is a fantasy story through and through. It is based on an unfinished book series by George R. R. Martin and has become one of the most successful TV shows ever.

While Game of Thrones and Shōgun are very different, they have quite a similar plot. Both are about powerful families fighting over a throne after the King dies.

The seasons leading up to the final one of Game of Thrones were widely praised and considered incredible.

Opinions on the finale were more mixed, with some loving it, some thinking it could have been worse, and others disliking it. It’s best to go into the finale with an open mind. Even if you end up not liking it, you might be surprised.

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”.