Shogun star Anna Sawai opens up about Mariko’s episode 9 fate, her relationship with Anjin coming to an end, and her hopes for Monarch season 2.
Mariko’s journey has reached an emotional end in Shogun episode 9. Based on the James Clavell novel of the same name, the FX historical epic has followed the stories of English sailor John Blackthorne being shipwrecked in Japan and having to learn of their cultures; daimyo Lord Toranaga, whose efforts to retain his power have put him on the potential path to war with other clans in the country; and Lady Mariko, a close ally to Toranaga who is tasked with incorporating Blackthorne into Toranaga’s plans and assimilate to Japanese customs.
Shogun episode 9, entitled “Crimson Sky”, brought Blackthorne and Mariko’s journey to a head as they surrendered to Ishido in Osaka on Toranaga’s behalf, while also looking to return the daimyo’s family to him. After failing to convince Ishido to let them leave, Mariko prepares to commit seppuku, something she has long been hoping for to escape the burden of her family’s dishonorable past. Though she’s initially stopped from doing so, Mariko later sacrifices herself to protect Blackthorne, Yabushige, and Toranaga’s consorts from Ishido’s shinobi army.
While Mariko’s desire for death has been one of the key character points throughout Shogun, frequently requesting permission from Toranaga but being refused in order to continue his plans, her ultimate sacrifice served as a nice full-closure arc for her. By sacrificing herself to protect those she cares about, it actually allowed Mariko to find some semblance of meaning in her life, even if it was through death. With her being a key figure in both Toranaga and Blackthorne’s lives, though, the finale is sure to see her death result in an emotional fallout for both.
Mariko’s Fate In Shogun Episode 9 Was “Bittersweet” For Sawai
Heading into episode 9, Sawai looked back on her Shogun journey as a “very bittersweet” one, feeling like the episode’s premiere had her feel like “I was finally really releasing her“, despite having already seen the show ahead of time. She also feels that following the show with audiences has given her a “new perspective” on Mariko’s arc, as well as the entire show:
Anna Sawai: Oh, how does it feel? I don’t know. I feel like I was very excited and at the same time feeling very bittersweet about the episode that just came out, episode 9, because I knew that it would feel like I was finally really releasing her. But it’s funny, because I had seen the whole thing, and I knew that it was going to be great, but then, with every episode being released and living it with the audience, I feel like I’m getting a new perspective as well. I don’t know, maybe I’m finally seeing her from afar. So, it’s been a very exciting journey.
With her being such a key figure in Toranaga’s plans, Mariko’s death is sure to come as somewhat of a blow for her daimyo heading into the finale. Sawai, though, thinks that the lord ultimately expected her to not make it out of Osaka alive after surrendering herself there:
Anna Sawai: I don’t know if he expects her to be living, actually, I really don’t know. Maybe there’s a part of him that was like, “If all goes bad, she may die.” But, he’s seen everything, he’s gone through every scenario, and so I don’t think it would surprise him too much. I think that, yeah, he’ll continue his plan.
Anjin Stepping Up As Mariko’s Second Was Both A “Devastation” & “Shock” For The Character
Anna Sawai: Yeah, I don’t think that she was disappointed that he came back, because he came to give her the permission. Because, if she did, then she can go back to her Lord, and her Lord will now instruct what’s going to happen. It’s more so, if she was caught, then she wouldn’t be able to do anything about it. The point was she’s either leaving being released with permission and proving that he can’t take them hostage, or self-sacrifice and making a statement about it.
So, yeah, I don’t think there was any disappointment when he comes back. I think, if anything, it was like a celebration that she made a change within Ishido. [For her sacrifice,] I think that she’s always lived with this intention to serve her Lord. It’s not about her and what she wants to do, it’s about accepting her fate. And at the end of episode 8, he finds out that Hiromatsu also sacrificed his life in order to have Toranaga-sama keep going with his agenda. Agenda sounds really bad. [Laughs] So, once we see her find resolution in that scene, I think she’s just going forward with conviction and clarity, and she knows exactly what she needs to do.
And if that means taking her own life, she’s still doing it for a greater cause. It’s a much more meaningful way to live than living a long life doing nothing. So, I don’t think she is precious about it, I think that she’s very happy that she’s found kind of the answer. And the way that I approached episode 9 was the same, I felt really empowered and good about her journey.
Anjin choosing to step in and be her second in seppuku after her initial choice refuses could be seen as just as much of a betrayal of his desire to keep her alive and build a relationship as much as honoring her traditions. Sawai even feels that her character would be torn on how she feels about this choice, though ultimately sees it as a “huge gesture“:
Anna Sawai: I think that she feels devastation and shock when Kiyama is not there to second her, because that means that she will die an unloyal Catholic. But by having Blackthorne step up, she is able to still be faithful to her religion, and also be a loyal samurai dying for her Lord. And so I think she sees it as a very huge gesture that he is willing to take her over his religion, and it’s a very special moment, because she knows the suffering that he’s going to have to go through because of this act.
And I think that it’s a very romantic way to just show up, because in maybe a couple scenes before that, he asks her to live, “Continue living for me,” but then he chooses to second her, even though it’s the absolute opposite of what he wants. And I think that maybe, how she’s always telling him, “We live, and we die, we control nothing beyond that.”
For most of the show, Blackthorne is trying to control his fate. He’s going, and he’s rebelling and all that, but maybe in that scene, that particular scene, she sees him finally accepting what is. It’s not what he wants, but he’s accepting of it, so I think that that is the moment where she realizes how he’s changed.
Sawai Was Just As Surprised By Monarch: Legacy of Monsters‘ Season 2 News
Prior to garnering acclaim in Shogun, Sawai became a breakout star with her lead role in Apple TV+’s Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, a TV spinoff of Legendary’s Monsterverse franchise. With strong reviews and ratings for the streamer, season 2 was finally confirmed three months after its season 1 finale, and for Sawai, it was just as much of a happy surprise as it was for audiences:
Anna Sawai: I can’t tell you anything, because I actually don’t know what’s going on. [Laughs] I literally got the call that it’s going to be renewed, and have heard nothing. And just earlier, they were like, “Oh, but you’re going to be part of it, right?” And I was like, “I think so, because they did update me, as well.” So, I really don’t know. But I think, and I hope, that we’re going to be shooting it soon, because if we don’t shoot it soon, that means everyone’s going to be waiting for 2-3 years until the second season comes out. So, I believe it might be the next thing I do. Maybe.
About Shogun
FX’s Shōgun, an original adaptation of James Clavell’s bestselling novel, is set in Japan in the year 1600 at the dawn of a century-defining civil war. Producer Hiroyuki Sanada stars as “Lord Yoshii Toranaga” who is fighting for his life as his enemies on the Council of Regents unite against him.
