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The Best Episodes of Shōgun

Every episode of Shōgun ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Shōgun!

Binge this in 9h 55m•Peaking at 8.6/10

In Japan in the year 1600, at the dawn of a century-defining civil war, Lord Yoshii Toranaga is fighting for his life as his enemies on the Council of Regents unite against him, when a

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Shōgun Season 1 Episode 9 - Crimson Sky
    8.6/10(69 votes)

    #1 - Crimson Sky

    S1:E9

    Mariko arrives in Osaka for the fight of her life. Blackthorne and Yabushige scramble to save their own heads as their options dwindle.

    Director:Frederick E. O. Toye
    Writers:Rachel Kondo, Caillin Puente

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  2. Shōgun Season 1 Episode 2 - Servants of Two Masters
    8.5/10(93 votes)

    #2 - Servants of Two Masters

    S1:E2

    Blackthorne's arrival in Osaka stirs up a hornet's nest of rivalries. Mariko is trapped between her cause and her faith when she must translate for the barbarian in Lord Toranaga's custody.

    Director:Jonathan van Tulleken
    Writers:Justin Marks, Rachel Kondo

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  3. Shōgun Season 1 Episode 3 - Tomorrow Is Tomorrow
    8.4/10(83 votes)

    #3 - Tomorrow Is Tomorrow

    S1:E3

    After Blackthorne survives a brazen assassination attempt, Toranaga realizes he must ferry his allies out of Osaka or risk certain defeat.

    Director:Charlotte Brändström
    Writer:Shannon Goss

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  4. Shōgun Season 1 Episode 4 - The Eightfold Fence
    8.4/10(81 votes)

    #4 - The Eightfold Fence

    S1:E4

    Blackthorne and Mariko test their new alliance as they train Toranaga's gun regiment for war. Yabushige must navigate his past promises to Ishido when an old friend comes to the village.

    Director:Frederick E. O. Toye
    Writer:Emily Yoshida

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  5. Shōgun Season 1 Episode 8 - The Abyss of Life
    8.4/10(66 votes)

    #5 - The Abyss of Life

    S1:E8

    Toranaga's defeated clan moves to Edo and awaits their fate. Blackthorne must decide who he fights for - the lord who has turned his back on him, or the ambition that brought him to Japan in the first place.

    Directors:Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour, Jr.
    Writer:Shannon Goss

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  6. Shōgun Season 1 Episode 5 - Broken to the Fist
    8.3/10(76 votes)

    #6 - Broken to the Fist

    S1:E5

    Blackthorne and Mariko struggle to contain the secret that could get them both killed. Yabushige searches for the spy who has betrayed his intentions to Lord Toranaga.

    Director:Frederick E. O. Toye
    Writer:Matt Lambert

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Shōgun

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  7. Shōgun Season 1 Episode 10 - A Dream of a Dream
    8.2/10(62 votes)

    #7 - A Dream of a Dream

    S1:E10

    In the wake of a tragic death, Blackthorne finally considers the true nature of Toranaga's plan.

    Director:Frederick E. O. Toye
    Writers:Emily Yoshida, Maegan Houang

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  8. Shōgun Season 1 Episode 7 - A Stick of Time
    8.1/10(70 votes)

    #8 - A Stick of Time

    S1:E7

    Outplayed by new alliances in Osaka, Toranaga is forced to carve out a new deal with a long lost family member.

    Director:Takeshi Fukunaga
    Writer:Matt Lambert

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  9. Shōgun Season 1 Episode 1 - Anjin
    8.0/10(129 votes)

    #9 - Anjin

    S1:E1

    Destinies converge in Japan after a barbarian ship washes ashore in a poor fishing village. Meanwhile, in Osaka, Lord Toranaga finds himself outplayed by his enemies.

    Director:Jonathan van Tulleken
    Writers:Justin Marks, Rachel Kondo

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  10. Shōgun Season 1 Episode 6 - Ladies of the Willow World
    7.9/10(69 votes)

    #10 - Ladies of the Willow World

    S1:E6

    Lady Ochiba returns to Osaka in order to accelerate the Regents' campaign against Toranaga. In Ajiro, Toranaga tests Mariko's loyalty to his cause.

    Director:Hiromi Kamata
    Writer:Maegan Houang

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Best Episodes Summary

"Crimson Sky" is the best rated episode of "Shōgun". It scored 8.6/10 based on 69 votes. Directed by Frederick E. O. Toye and written by Rachel Kondo, Caillin Puente, it aired on 4/16/2024. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Servants of Two Masters".