Shogun’s finale was not the episode many were expecting, yet it still delivered an incredible conclusion to the stories of Toranaga and Blackthorne.

Shōgun’s finale subverted expectations and delivered something very different from what many thought would happen. Based on the James Clavell novel of the same name, FX’s Shōgun was the second adaptation of the homonymous book following the 1980 Shōgun miniseries. While those familiar with the source material may have known what to expect from the finale, those discovering the story for the first time must have been quite surprised with the approach Shōgun’s episode 10 took.

One of the biggest differences between 2024’s Shōgun and the previous miniseries is that the former was told mostly from Lord Toranaga’s perspective, while the latter focused a lot on Blackthorne. By making Toranaga the center of the story, Shōgun set the stage for the major reveal regarding the Lord of Kanto’s true plan. While Shōgun’s finale was incredibly satisfying, it was surprisingly missing one thing the show suggested was going to happen.

The Shōgun Finale’s Lack Of Action Was Surprising

There wasn’t a single battle in Shōgun episode 10

Shōgun episode 10 satisfyingly concluded the series and answered a lot of questions, all without showing a single battle. Considering how much was at stake, it is surprising that the only on-screen death in Shōgun’s finale came from Yabushige’s seppuku. Ever since Toranaga first confronted Ishido at the beginning of episode 1, it seemed like Shōgun was setting up a major battle between the Lord of Kanto and the Council of Regents. The tension between Ishido and the Christian lords also hinted at a large-scale battle happening at some point to see who was going to rule it all.

Character
Actor
Real-Life Inspiration

Yoshii Toranaga
Hiroyuki Sanada
Tokugawa Ieyasu

John Blackthorne
Cosmo Jarvis
William Adams

Toda Mariko
Anna Sawai
Hosokawa Gracia

Kashigi Yabushige
Tadanobu Asano
Honda Masanobu

Kashigi Omi
Hiroto Kanai
Honda Masazumi

Ishido Kazunari
Takehiro Hira
Ishida Mitsunari

Ochiba-no-kata
Fumi Nikaido
Yodo-dono

Toranaga’s Crimson Sky announcement further indicated that there would be a war in Shōgun’s final episodes. Even though Toranaga wanted to avoid bloodshed and played some smart political games, it seemed like the only possible conclusion to the story was a battle between his forces and Ishido’s. Surprisingly, Shōgun’s finale made Lord Toranaga’s victory clear without showing any battles. Toranaga’s plan was so perfect that, by the time he and Ishido met on the battlefield, the war was already over. With the heir on his side, Toranaga defeated the regents, and he will eventually become Shōgun.

Why Shōgun Episode 10 Didn’t Show The Battle Against Ishido & Toranaga

Toranaga’s true plan was more important than any battle

The closest thing to a major battle in Shōgun episode 10 came from a montage sequence that played as Toranaga was describing his plan to Yabushige. Toranaga knew that he could not defeat Ishido and his allies in Osaka, which is why Lady Mariko was sent to the castle first. Mariko’s sacrifice was part of Toranaga’s plan and resulted in Ishido losing much of the influence he had on Osaka. Even Ochiba-no-kata, who was friends with Mariko and reconsidered her stance in the conflict, decided to support Toranaga instead of betting her son’s life on a war Ishido would lose.

Shōgun did have some intense fight scenes and gruesome moments, but those were never the focus of the show.

Without the support of the heir’s mother, Ishido’s cause had no rightful justification. As a result, not only did Ishido lose many of his allies, but he was also not able to any more daimyos into his banner. Ishido was informed of Ochiba-no-kata’s decision just as the battle against Toranaga was about to start, a moment that sealed his fate and made it clear that he had lost. Lord Toranaga’s narration was more than enough to explain the outcome of the war, allowing Shōgun not to depict any battles and instead focus on the larger implications of Ishido’s defeat.