By Morfeli Data Desk (AI-assisted, data-checked) · Published: November 14, 2026 · Last updated: November 14, 2026 · 5 min read
This historical drama set in 1600 Japan follows a political struggle between a besieged Lord and a marooned European sailor across ten episodes.
The 2024 series Shōgun currently holds an 8.4 score on TMDB and an 8.6 rating on IMDb. This historical drama portrays a pivotal period in Japanese history.
Review roundup, not a personal review. Scores and audience reviews were checked on November 14, 2026. Spoiler-free.
- TMDB audience score: 8.4/10 (1982 votes)
- IMDb: 8.6/10 (253,648 votes)
- Seasons: 1 seasons, 10 episodes
- Rank among 2024 releases: about #5 of 67
Shōgun Trailer
Official trailer via YouTube. Watch on YouTube
How Shōgun Stacks Up
- Among the 67 English-language series that first aired in 2024 with at least 200 TMDB votes, Shōgun ranks about #5 by audience score, roughly the top 7 percent.
- Within drama alone, it ranks about #3 of 47 in the same group.
Shōgun ranks in the top 7 percent of English-language series released in 2024 with at least 200 TMDB votes. Within the drama genre, it secures a position near the top three of 47 comparable programs. Season 1 maintains an average of 8.2 across its ten episodes, with the installment titled Crimson Sky receiving the highest score.
Critics vs Audiences
- TMDB audiences give it 8.4/10 across 1982 votes.
Different sites measure different things. IMDb and TMDB scores average votes from registered users. The Rotten Tomatoes percentage is the share of critic reviews counted as positive, not an average grade. Metacritic converts reviews into a weighted average out of 100. A title can score high on one and lower on another, so look at all of them together.
What Reviewers Are Saying
This section is based on 5 recent audience reviews posted on TMDB, which rate it 8.3/10 on average (3 positive, 1 mixed, 0 negative among 4 rated reviews). It is a small sample and not the whole audience.
What reviewers praise
- Several TMDB reviewers describe the production as a monumental achievement in television.
- Some reviewers appreciate the astounding level of historical accuracy.
What reviewers criticize
- Several TMDB reviewers feel the series shifts focus away from the pilot and Lord Toranaga.
- Some reviewers feel the Toranaga character is not particularly compelling.
The reviews behind this summary
| Posted | Rating | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-02 | 6/10 | Read the full review on TMDB |
| 2024-04 | — | Read the full review on TMDB |
| 2024-04 | 10/10 | Read the full review on TMDB |
| 2024-05 | 9/10 | Read the full review on TMDB |
| 2024-05 | 8/10 | Read the full review on TMDB |
What Is Shōgun About? (Spoiler-Free)
In 1600, Lord Yoshii Toranaga faces a precarious political situation as his rivals on the Council of Regents join forces against him. His situation changes when a European vessel is discovered at a local fishing village.
Shōgun at a Glance
Cast and Characters
- Hiroyuki Sanada as Yoshii Toranaga
- Cosmo Jarvis as John Blackthorne
- Anna Sawai as Toda Mariko
- Tadanobu Asano as Kashigi Yabushige
- Takehiro Hira as Ishido Kazunari
- Tommy Bastow as Father Martin Alvito
- Fumi Nikaido as Ochiba No Kata / Ruri
The Cast and Crew’s Track Record
Hiroyuki Sanada, Cosmo Jarvis, and Anna Sawai have seen their recent projects since 2020 achieve strong average TMDB ratings. Creators Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks oversee this production, which features Tadanobu Asano, Takehiro Hira, Tommy Bastow, and Fumi Nikaido.
Other recent work from the lead cast of Shōgun (since 2020):
| Actor | Recent project | Type | Role | TMDB score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiroyuki Sanada avg 7.7/10 | Hawkeye (2021) | TV | Akihiko (archive footage) (uncredited) | 7.8/10 |
| John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) | Movie | Shimazu | 7.7/10 | |
| Mortal Kombat II (2026) | Movie | Hanzo Hasashi / Scorpion | 7.7/10 | |
| Bullet Train (2022) | Movie | The Elder | 7.4/10 | |
| Cosmo Jarvis avg 7.1/10 | The Uprising (2026) | Movie | Wat Tyler | 7.8/10 |
| Raised by Wolves (2020) | TV | Campion Sturges | 7.5/10 | |
| Warfare (2025) | Movie | Elliott | 7.0/10 | |
| The Alto Knights (2025) | Movie | Vincent Gigante | 6.2/10 | |
| Anna Sawai avg 7.5/10 | Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (2023) | TV | Cate Randa | 7.7/10 |
| Pachinko (2022) | TV | Naomi | 7.9/10 | |
| F9 (2021) | Movie | Elle | 7.0/10 |
Season by Season
| Season | First aired | Episodes | Avg episode rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Feb 27, 2024 | 10 | 8.2/10 |
The best-rated season in this sample is season 1 (8.2/10), whose top episode is "Crimson Sky" (8.6/10).
Where to Watch (US)
| Streaming | Disney Plus, Hulu |
|---|
Availability data from TMDB (provided by JustWatch), checked November 14, 2026. It changes often.
The Bottom Line
The series consists of 10 episodes and is classified as TV-MA. It is currently designated as a returning series available on FX and Hulu.
It may suit you if:
- Viewers interested in historical dramas and political intrigue.
- Fans of jidaigeki and detailed period settings.
You might skip it if:
- Viewers looking for lighthearted content.
- Those who prefer modern-day settings or action-heavy pacing.
Shows Like Shōgun
| Title | TMDB score | About |
|---|---|---|
| The Terminal List (2022) | 8.0/10 | Navy SEAL Commander James Reece turns to vengeance as he investigates the mysterious forces behind the murder of his entire platoon. |
| The Narrow Road to the Deep North (2025) | 7.2/10 | Dorrigo Evans, an Australian surgeon on the Burma Railway during WWII, is haunted by his time as a POW, as well as a forbidden affair he had with his… |
| The Sympathizer (2024) | 6.9/10 | Near the end of the Vietnam War, a spy who was embedded in the South Vietnam army flees to the United States and takes up residence in a refugee… |
| Tell Me Lies (2022) | 7.5/10 | When Lucy Albright and Stephen DeMarco meet at college, they are at that formative age when seemingly mundane choices lead the way to irrevocable… |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IMDb rating of Shōgun?
On November 14, 2026 the IMDb rating was 8.6/10 from 253,648 votes. It changes as people vote.
Is Shōgun one of the best-rated 2024 series?
By TMDB audience score it ranks about #5 of 67 English-language titles with at least 200 votes, as of November 14, 2026.
How many seasons does Shōgun have?
Shōgun has 1 season(s) and 10 episode(s) listed on TMDB. Status: Returning Series.
Who stars in Shōgun?
Hiroyuki Sanada, Cosmo Jarvis, Anna Sawai, Tadanobu Asano, Takehiro Hira.
Data checked on November 14, 2026. Movie and TV data from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings via OMDb (IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic) where shown. Audience reviews belong to their authors on TMDB. Scores change over time; check the source for the latest numbers.
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About this page. Published by Morfeli on November 14, 2026. Facts come from public data sources (TMDB, OMDb, Deezer, Ticketmaster and entertainment news feeds) and are compiled with AI assistance. Review roundups summarize public scores and audience reviews; they are not a critic’s review, and nobody here claims to have watched or rated a title for the page. Dates, scores and availability change over time. See our Editorial Policy.
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