The Best Books, Movies, Video Games, and Podcasts to Check Out After Watching ‘Shōgun’

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Hiroyuki Sanada as Yoshii Toranaga in “Shōgun.” Credit: Katie Yu / FX

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FX’s Shōgun combines lush historical drama, complex political gamesmanship, and a deep dive into the intricacies of 16th-century Japanese culture and history to create wildly addictive TV. Despite being initially conceived as a single mini-series adapting James Clavell’s 1975 novel, it was so popular that two more seasons have been greenlit. I

f you count yourself one of the show’s fans, waiting for those new seasons might seem excruciating. We’ve already suggested the best TV shows to watch if you miss the drama at the end of Japan’s Sengoku Period, but if you need even more cope, here are the books, movies, games, and podcasts to dive into to ease your Shōgun withdrawal pains.

The best books like Shōgun

If you’re an avid reader, historical fiction books present a perfect opportunity to revisit the time period or tense plotting of Shōgun. While the original novel by James Clavell is terrific, the show adapted the story very closely. If you want a new experience, check out these equally great novels.

Tai-Pan, by James Clavell

Clavell wrote six historical fiction novels set in different Asian cultures, collectively known as his Asian Saga. Tai-Pan was the second of them (Shōgun was technically the third), and is set in Hong Kong in the wake of the First Opium War in the 19th century. While the culture being explored is Chinese instead of Japanese, it considers similar themes and is written in a similar style. After the British Empire claimed Hong Kong (then a largely uninhabited and undeveloped island) from China, two trading families (who are also prodigious opium smugglers) vie for supreme power on the island as other forces nip at their heels. It’s as addictive as Shōgun.

Musashi, by Eiji Yoshikawa

Based on a real-life samurai Miyamoto Musashi, Musashi is set in the same historical period as Shōgun. Musashi was taken prisoner after the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, and while in solitary confinement, he perfected a two-sword fighting style, emerging as one of the most skilled and feared swordsmen of his era. Revered as a kensei, Musashi’s mastery wasn’t just physical—the Way of the Sword involved inner mastery as well, seeking and maintaining composure and mental peace in addition to skill with the blade. If you found the characters and Japanese warrior philosophy of the show fascinating, you’ll love this book.

The Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follett

The first book in Follett’s Kingsbridge series, The Pillars of the Earth is set far away from feudal Japan, in 12th century England, during a time period called the Anarchy. But if you loved Shōgun’s historical immersion, complex personal and political threads, and sprawling plot, this is the book for you. Centered on the decades-long project to build a cathedral in the priory of Kingsbridge, the story involves all walks of life and levels of society, spinning a vibrant vision of the past that hums with tension and emotion on par with Shōgun.

Taiko, by Eiji Yoshikawa

Another knockout novel by Yoshikawa, Taiko serves as an unofficial prequel to Shōgun. Based on the real life of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who became synonymous with the title “Taiko,” or retired regent, after unifying Japan. Hideyoshi made strenuous attempts to preserve the authority he’d created, but after his death—the point in history where Shōgun begins—chaos crept in. If you’re interested in the history of Japan and want more background on the real history involved, Taiko is the perfect choice.

47 Ronin, by John Allyn

Did Shōgun leave you wanting more exciting samurai action? 47 Ronin is the way. Set during the same historical period, the story kicks off when Lord Asano is dishonored and forced to commit suicide by a rival clan, leaving the 47 samurai pledged to his service also dishonored—and unemployed. They embark on a bloody, relentless quest for revenge against their enemies and the restoration of their master’s honor. It’s based on real events and offers a glimpse of the politics, social customs, and the samurai’s place in Japanese society at the time.

The best movies like Shōgun

Shōgun has probably spoiled you for live-action Japanese historical fiction—it’s a gorgeous show with first-rate set and costume design and brilliant direction and cinematography. If you need more of that in your life, check out these great films.

Throne of Blood (1957)

If you’re all about the political intrigue and violent scheming that underpins the drama on Shōgun, Throne of Blood is a must-watch. It combines two geniuses: William Shakespeare (the film is an adaptation of Macbeth) and legendary director Akira Kurosawa (you should also absolutely watch Seven Samurai, but we’ve already got two Kurosawa films on this list). It’s the story of an ambitious samurai commander, Washizu, whose wife convinces him to assassinate his lord and seize power for himself—with predictably violent results. Stream Throne of Blood on HBO Max or rent it on Prime Video.

The Last Samurai (2003)

It’s set three centuries after the events of Shōgun, but The Last Samurai works with the same plot mechanic: A Western foreigner comes to Japan and becomes embroiled in the local politics, culture, and personalities. Tom Cruise plays an American officer sent to Japan to train troops in modern fighting techniques, but he grows fascinated by the last remnants of the noble samurai and eventually throws his lot in with their doomed last stand against modernity. It adds a bittersweet coda effect to the events of the show, dramatizing the end of the era you see beginning in Shōgun. Rent The Last Samurai on Prime Video.

Silence (2017)

If you’re intrigued by the complicated role that Christian missionaries played in feudal Japan, this film by Martin Scorsese is a perfect choice. Set a few decades later in history, it explores the story of Portuguese priests who travel to Japan in the midst of a brutal oppression of Christianity that has driven Japanese Catholics into hiding and made it dangerous to be a foreign missionary. It’s an extension of the world depicted in Shōgun, and a thoughtful examination of faith in the face of violence and distrust. Stream Silence on Kanopy or rent it on Prime Video.

Ran (1985)

If you want the exciting, complicated plotting and thrilling action that Shōgun delivers, it’s time to turn to Akira Kurosawa's Ran. Another Shakespeare adaptation, Ran reinvents the story of King Lear in the Sengoku period of Japanese history, predating the events on the show by a century or more. In the film, lord Ichimonji Hidetora has built an empire through violence and manipulation and doesn’t think much about his three sons. After a vivid and disturbing vision, he decides to split his kingdom among them, and chaos soon swallows everything he’s built. Stream Ran on Kanopy or Plex.

13 Assassins (1963)

For a deep dive into samurai culture and the Edo period of Japan, 13 Assassins is the classic you’re seeking. Set toward the end of the Tokugawa Shōgunate, the story revolves around a feudal lord whose lifestyle and lack of respect offend both his peers and the samurai serving them, leading to a conspiracy to murder him; 13 samurai hired to do it. It’s got all the action and maneuvering you love from the show, rendered by a master of Japanese cinema, Eiichi Kudo. Rent 13 Assassins on Prime Video.

The best video games like Shōgun

Let’s be real: Part of why you love Shōgun is its absolutely incredible action. Nothing beats samurai sword fights, so if you’re looking for a more kinetic Shōgun-adjacent experience, check out these great games.

Ghost of Tsushima

This amazing open-world game is set long before Shōgun, in the 13th century, during the first Mongol invasion of the country. You play as a samurai named Sakai, and you can use a variety of fighting styles to defeat enemies in battle or resort to stealth and assassination, all in the service of protecting Tsushima from the invaders. Explicitly inspired by the work of Akira Kurosawa among other Japanese legends, it’s a complex and richly detailed universe, and the sword fights are thrillingly epic.

Platforms: PlayStation, Steam

Total War: Shōgun 2

If Shōgun has inspired a new life goal of becoming a daimyō and fighting for control of the Shōgunate, Total War: Shōgun 2 is the pick. This turn-based strategy game that requires you to manage your holdings as the lord and your armies as the general, ensuring that your economy thrives as much as your soldiers on the battlefield. It’s a satisfying complex game that replicates the business of being a warlord in 16th-century Japan, which every fan of the show will appreciate.

Platforms: Windows, Steam

Trek to Yomi

If you love the code of honor on display in Shōgun—a world where warriors first bow to the men they plan to kill—play Trek to Yomi. It’s an atmospheric side-scrolling game where you play as a samurai named Hiroki, who is killed protecting his village and finds himself in Yomi, the Shinto land of the dead. There, he must battle his way back to the world to exact his revenge. It’s a moody, philosophical game that also offers thrilling fight dynamics, so you can experience your inner samurai.

Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam

Rise of the Ronin

If you want to come as close as possible to replicating the atmosphere and plotting of Shōgun in a game, Rise of the Ronin is an excellent option. Set at the tail end of the Edo era (about two hundred years after the events of the show), you play as one of a pair of twin sword fighters sent on a dangerous mission in an effort to overthrow the Shōgunate. When your twin sacrifices themself to save you, you embark on a rescue mission. Along the way, you must navigate the thorny politics of the time, as the Shōgunate fights off factions seeking to overthrow it; your decisions about who to serve and who to kill have an impact on the rest of the game. It’s as close to being on the ground inside a Shōgun-like world as you can get.

Platforms: PlayStation, Steam

Like a Dragon: Ishin!

Based on real historical people and events, Like a Dragon: Ishin! also takes you to 19th-century Japan during a period of chaos as the Shōgunate collapses. You play as a disgraced warrior seeking vengeance, and the combat system is nicely varied, allowing you to use swords, guns, and hand-to-hand combat styles as you cut your way through the world. While not historically accurate, its nods to the real personages and politics of the time, combined with its exciting gameplay, make this a great choice.

Platforms: PlayStation, Steam

Bonus: James Clavell’s Shōgun (1986)

If you’re into retro games or just curious, you can also check out the 1986 game based on the original novel by James Clavell, developed by Infocom and released in 1988. You can play it online if you’re into ancient graphics and that unique Infocom text/graphic adventure style, and relive a version of the novel’s plot.

The best podcasts like Shōgun

Want a deeper dive into the show, Japanese history, or stories with similar vibes? Podcasts have got you covered. Here are some of the best ones for Shōgun fans.

FX’s Shōgun: The Official Podcast

Official podcasts vary, but the one FX put together for Shōgun is pretty great. Host Emily Yoshida is one of the show’s main writers, and she has access to every layer of the show, from production to actors. Listening to her dissect the episodes, research, and production decisions is listening to an insider tell you all the alchemical secrets that make this show amazing, and her writer’s POV makes the podcast especially valuable.

The Prestige TV Podcast

Looking for a deep-diver review podcast that isn’t so strongly aligned with the show itself? The Prestige TV Podcast always does a good job, and it explores every episode of Shōgun with the fan energy you want. They’ve got great background information and a real eye for the little details in the set and costume design that make the show feel so immersive.

History of Japan

If watching Shōgun woke you up to the fact that Japanese history is what historians call epic, check out this deep vein of history from Isaac Meyer. It walks you through the entire history of the island, from prehistoric times to the modern day. If you’re looking for context for the show or just find Japanese culture and history fascinating, you could spend your time in much worse ways.

The Sengoku Archives Podcast

If you want more background on the specific historical events that set the stage for Shōgun, this podcast is perfect. It explores the Sengoku Jidai period of unrest and civil war during the 15th and 16th centuries. What makes it especially great for fans of the show is that it also discusses pop culture that incorporates this period in Japanese history, making it a great resource for more stuff to watch, read, play, and listen to.

Unmei: The Following Path

Want more drama set in feudal Japan? Unmei: The Following Path is set in the Sengoku Jidai era of Japan in the 15th century, following the adventures of a group of warriors as they navigate the political and military chaos of the era. It’s set in a different era, but fans of the show will recognize the themes and cultural specifics while enjoying plenty of high-tension storytelling. If you’re looking to fill the void while waiting for more Shōgun, this is a great choice.