The following contains spoilers for Shogun episode 10
Toranaga actor Hiroyuki Sanada details The Anjin’s final test in Shogun episode 10. After losing his lover Mariko in the explosive final scene of Shogun episode 9, John Blackthorne returns to Edo in the season finale and finds his ship has been burned, making it impossible for him to return to England. Blackthorne may not wish to go back to England, however, as a vision implies he has finally embraced the ways of the samurai, having passed all of Toranaga’s tests, and now understands what it means to die a meaningful death.
Speaking exclusively to Screen Rant’s Grant Hermanns, Toranaga actor Sanada discussed Shogun episode 10, detailing Toranaga’s final test for Blackthorne, how The Anjin finally found the true samurai spirit, and why the deaths of Nagakado, Hiromatsu and Mariko were not wasted. Check out his remarks below:
Shogun has been a big winner for FX and Hulu, receiving critical acclaim while putting up good streaming numbers. It’s yet to be seen, however, if Shogun season 2 will be confirmed. The entirety of James Clavell’s Shogun novel was covered by season 1, but more story could be created, as Toranaga, Blackthorne and the rest of the characters who survived season 1 continue their adventures in feudal Japan.
What might be next for Blackthorne after passing Toranaga’s tests and finding the samurai spirit is one question that could be answered by Shogun season 2. Returning to England does not seem in the cards for The Anjin, as he has come to feel alienated from his own culture, while embracing the ways of Japan. If Blackthorne stays in Japan, it’s likely he will continue serving Toranaga, who promises him that if the day does come for him to lay down his life for his lord, his death will not be wasted.
Blackthorne’s role in Toranaga’s Shogun season 1 plan was indeed rather small, but he could have a bigger part to play as Toranaga restores the shogunate and reunites Japan. It’s not impossible, of course, that he could repair his burned ship, and use it to better serve Toranaga. It’s yet to be seen if Shogun season 2 happens, but there are myriad possibilities for Blackthorne as a character who continues to learn the ways of the samurai.