Shogun Creators Explain THAT Epic Fight Scene & How It Differs from Western Action

Shogun creators Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo have revealed the influence and meaning behind the show’s most gripping fight scene, and discussed how it differs from Western action. Set in 1600 Japan, Shogun follows the battle for power following the death of the Taiko (ruler, as several regional lords vie for control over the country. Caught in the middle of this battle is Mariko (Anna Sawai), a loyal servant of Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) and interpreter for the recently shipwrecked English sailor John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis).

Shogun‘s ninth episode, widely considered to be its best, puts Mariko in the spotlight, as she is forced to fight her way out of Kyoto after being held hostage by the presiding Lord Ishido (Takehiro Hira). The fight scene is exhausting, beautifully choreographed, and utterly unique to Shogun. Speaking to Variety for their Making a Scene series, co-creators Marks and Kondo discussed shooting the powerful scene.

“This is everything Mariko has been saying her entire life- or not saying, but feeling,” Rachel Kondo said.

The scene involves Mariko attempting to fight several of Ishido’s guards at the gates of Kyoto castle, and Kondo continued, calling the scene “her moment.”

“And this is her moment in which she can do it with a loudspeaker. And this is the moment in which people are watching.”

Justin Marks also discussed the difference between Shogun‘s theatrical fight and western action scenes. Marks said it came down to character motivation. The co-creator said the concept came from James Clavell’s seminal book, which often featured characters ‘failing’ in their surface level goals, which then allowed them to complete the true goal of their secret schemes. Marks said:

“It’s about a woman trying to leave the castle, and she doesn’t get to leave the castle. And there’s such a surprising component of that when it comes to how we, as westerners, approach action sequences. You know, the character walks into the scene, they’re going to fight with a bunch of people, and they’re going to win. Mariko has no intention of winning this fight. She simply wants to make an expression of her will and demonstrate it to everyone who’s watching, what it is she’s trying to do in order to expose the resolve of her enemies.”

Shogun Seasons 2 & 3 Are Now in the Works

Following a decade-long development involving numerous delays, Shogun was finally released earlier this year on Hulu. Throughout production, Marks and Kondo made it clear that this was a standalone show, and they would only be making one season. However, a few weeks after the show’s finale was released, FX announced that two new seasons were in development.

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Shogun’s Book Is Far Darker Than FX’s Series

FX’s Shogun is dark, violent, and bloody, but James Clavell’s book is much darker.

This doesn’t mean they will definitely be happening, as the co-creative pair are still anxious to move forward with the show without James Clavell’s source material (the author only wrote one Shogun novel before his death in 1994). Marks and Kondo, along with the show’s star and executive producer Hiroyuki Sanada, are currently working on ideas for future seasons. If these sessions prove fruitful, then it is likely that more seasons of Shogun will move into official production.

FX’s historical series is being hailed as one of the best TV shows of the new decade, and among the best shows ever made. Sitting at a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 99%, Shogun is expected to sweep through next year’s awards season, with many fans vying for Anna Sawai to receive a Best Actress Emmy.