I'm a western guy who's a huge Japanophile, loving the country's history and culture. I used to live in Tokyo. I go on vacations to Japan regularly. Naturally, I love samurai stuff. So, I was super hyped about this series. Probably hadn't been so hyped for anything since Game of Thrones. I always expected someone like me to love this show, and for other people who are less gung hoo about this kind of stuff, to maybe find it average. So to see everyone else love it so much, hailing it as the best series in a long time, glowing 9's everywhere, while I myself of all people, am left feeling dissatisfied, feels kind of surreal...
True, this show has impeccable sets, costumes (they said in an interview that they made the costumes from scratch, for each person, to make them as real and authentic as possible. Super awesome), cinematography, and acting, and also interesting characters, and an AWESOME setting. This much I agree with. But see, the story, it never actually reaches a satisfying conclusion, a payoff for all the build up. It just fades out into nothing in the end. The entire series teases war, and huge battles, but there is none of that, even until the end of the very last episode. In fact, there's almost no action at all. We never get to see the bad guys get theirs. We also never get to see the end result of Toranaga's plans and ambition, and all the sacrifices that are made along the way. Which is another thing; so many people die along the way, and I find it increasingly hard to root for Toranaga sacrificing them all for his cause. Mariko's death in particular left a really bitter taste in my mouth. As an insight into the culture, history, customs, and daily life of Edo time period Japan, this is all very interesting, and very well made, but as STORY, this is very unsatisfying, I feel.
True, this show has impeccable sets, costumes (they said in an interview that they made the costumes from scratch, for each person, to make them as real and authentic as possible. Super awesome), cinematography, and acting, and also interesting characters, and an AWESOME setting. This much I agree with. But see, the story, it never actually reaches a satisfying conclusion, a payoff for all the build up. It just fades out into nothing in the end. The entire series teases war, and huge battles, but there is none of that, even until the end of the very last episode. In fact, there's almost no action at all. We never get to see the bad guys get theirs. We also never get to see the end result of Toranaga's plans and ambition, and all the sacrifices that are made along the way. Which is another thing; so many people die along the way, and I find it increasingly hard to root for Toranaga sacrificing them all for his cause. Mariko's death in particular left a really bitter taste in my mouth. As an insight into the culture, history, customs, and daily life of Edo time period Japan, this is all very interesting, and very well made, but as STORY, this is very unsatisfying, I feel.