Need Your Next Shōgun Fix? Here's 5 Series You Should Start Watching Yesterday
Here’s 5 Shogun-style streaming hits to add to your watchlist
good.film
10 months ago
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We get it. Disney’s Shōgun just wrapped up, and you're already jonesing for your next epic historical drama fix. Well Irasshaimase, gang - you’ve hit the right list. We can’t promise soba noodles, chain-cannons and earthquakes, but we CAN chuck five binge-worthy recommendations your way. Hopefully, these series will satisfy that itchy craving you’ve been feeling for cultural clashes and political intrigue. Grab your samurai swords and strap in.
KINGDOM (2019-2021)
Okay, we know it might feel weird to compare Shōgun to a medieval show about the undead. But this gripping South Korean zombie period piece will transport you to a whole new world just like Anjin Blackthorne did, as a crown prince investigates a mysterious “plague” ravaging 16th century Korea. With its blend of historical drama and supernatural horror, it's like Shōgun meets Train to Busan - a thrilling ride that'll have you solving conspiracies AND craving brains.
DEADWOOD (2004-2006)
A goldrush western? You bet. This acclaimed HBO series from the early aughts shares Shōgun’s focus on the brutal realities of power, violence, and moral ambiguity in a lawless historical setting (a gold mining camp in South Dakota, to be precise about it). We know you're a fan of complex, morally grey characters facing the harsh realities of the past, so this older series has a decent shot to captivate you just as much as Shōgun - just don't expect any samurai to swing by.
PACHINKO (2022)
War and peace, love and loss, triumph and reckoning. Sound familiar? If you dug the family sagas and strong female leads of Shōgun, this acclaimed series (based on the bestselling novel) is a must-watch. It covers the multigenerational hopes and struggles of a Korean immigrant family across decades, as they navigate cultural divides. It’s also perfect if you’re still sad about Mariko’s fate and you’re keen for a story of powerful women overcoming adversity. We can’t promise there won’t be some ugly-crying though.
HARLOTS (2017-2019)
Appreciated Shōgun’s unique female perspective, and exploration of patriarchal oppression? Us too. This period drama offers a, let’s say, refreshing take on the resilient Wells women, a family navigating the complexities of running a brothel in 18th century London (a.k.a. the heart of male-dominated society). We were totally drawn into the high-stakes world of these complex, unapologetic ladies - and keep your Notes app handy, you might want to jot down more than a few of their deliciously creative insults.
WARRIOR (2019-2023)
Maybe you’re after that same gritty, dramatic intensity as Shōgun? Give Warrior a spin. Set in the Tong Wars of 1870s San Francisco, this series explores themes of racism, immigration, and power struggles between rival Chinatown gangs. It's historical, sure, but it’s also a martial arts pulse-pounder, scratching that same Shōguny itch for high-stakes conflict. And hey, don’t blame us if you find yourself yelling Finish him! at your laptop.
So, can you feel the empty Shōgun void start to fill up again?! We reckon these five series all share that same epic DNA, and they’re all streaming now across various platforms in Australia. The only tough part is deciding which one you’re going to hit play on first : )
