The critically acclaimed FX/Hulu series Shōgun has earned a groundbreaking 25 Emmy nominations, which makes season 2 more justifiable than ever before. While Shōgun was originally intended to be a 10-part limited series based on the celebrated novel of the same name by James Clavell, the overwhelming success and popularity of the series inspired FX, Hulu, and creators Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo to expand the story in further seasons. Shōgun earned a near-perfect 99% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes and has now made history at the upcoming 2024 Emmy Awards in September.

Shōgun was previously adapted into a limited series back in 1980. Like the 2024 critically acclaimed series, 1980’s Shōgun received outstanding reviews and was widely considered one of the best series of the year in which it was released. 1980’s Shōgun went on to win a total of 3 Emmys in 1981 after receiving an impressive 14 nominations, including Outstanding Costume Design for a Series, Outstanding Graphic Design and Title Sequences, and Outstanding Limited Series. More than four decades later, Shōgun leads with a remarkable 25 nominations for its first season alone.

Shōgun Season 1 Received 25 Emmy Nominations (Including Outstanding Drama)

It leads in total number of Emmy 2024 nominations

Shōgun is one of eight nominations for Outstanding Drama Series at the 2024 Emmys, joining a competitive category that also includes Mr. & Mrs. Smith, The Morning Show, Fallout, Slow Horses, The Crown, 3 Body Problem, and The Gilded Age. Shōgun has earned several nominations in acting categories such as a Best Dramatic Actor nomination for Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Yoshii Toranaga and a Best Dramatic Actress nomination for Anna Sawai for her role as Lady Toda Mariko. Supporting actors Tadanobu Asano, who plays Kashigi Yabushige, and Takehiro Hira, who plays Lord Ishido Kazunari, are also nominated. Néstor Carbonell is also nominated for his guest role as Rodrigues.

In more technical categories, Shōgun earned nominations in just about every area, including directing, cinematography, writing, musical score, stunt performance, production design, costume design, sound editing, and more. It just barely beat out FX’s other celebrated series The Bear which led the comedy series categories with a record-breaking 23 nominations. Shōgun is arguably a clear favorite in many of the categories it is nominated for and could very well take home the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series, following in the footsteps of the 1980 adaptation’s Outstanding Limited Series win. Its 25 nominations are promising signs for its two planned upcoming seasons.

Shōgun’s Incredible Reception Shows Why Season 2 Is Happening

Shogun’s Emmy nominations, stream count, and positive reviews make season 2 a no-brainer

While there was initial speculation and even concern about Shōgun diverting from its source material for its upcoming season 2 and beyond, the resounding acclaim that it has received from the ATAS, or the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, should ease any lingering doubt. Since so many crucial and fan-favorite characters from Shōgun were killed off in season 1, it was difficult for some to envision how the series could continue. As evidenced by its various nominations in acting categories, Shōgun’s cast was one of the greatest aspects of the celebrated series.

However, any concern about Shōgun being unable to live up to the hype and acclaim of season 1 has also been heightened by its extraordinary 25 nominations in its very first season. There are regrettably many ways that Shōgun season 2 could fail, particularly because it will not be backed up by the proven success of Shōgun’s novel and Emmy-winning 1980 miniseries. Shōgun season 2 and 3 will have to rely entirely on its season 1 foundation as well as the historical information available about the real-life Lord Toranaga (Tokugawa Ieyasu) and John Blackthorne (William Adams). Shōgun’s impending Emmy success could either make or break the series.

Shōgun’s Emmy Performance Proves The Show Can Make Season 2 Work

Shōgun seasons 2 and 3 look more promising than ever

The series still has its two most crucial protagonists, which gives Shōgun season 2 a great opportunity to explore how that dynamic evolves after Toranaga’s rise to power. The show’s greatest benefit is the richness and depth of the real-life history of the Tokugawa shogunate that it can pull from, which is well-documented and studied. Even if Shōgun somehow surprisingly falls below expectations at the 2024 Emmys, its outstanding number of nominations will likely draw more top talent to the series and could feature even more exceptional actors. It’s a great time for viewers who haven’t seen Shōgun yet to jump into the series and an even better time to be a Shōgun fan.