WHY ARE THERE SO FEW SHŌGUN (Not just romance but any kind) FANFICS!?
Like, the series is incredible, I'm grateful that my stepfather introduced this wonderful series to me, and in my opinion, the main couple is great (and sad, very tragic), but it's scary how I had to struggle to find a Mariko x John fanfic relay (does anyone have a name for this ship? I thought of something related to the sea, but I'm not sure), and with the current four episodes, it is now possible for the fanfic writers's troubled minds to create a fanfic of at least two thousand words, seriously, they deserve it! I can think of possibilities, like, what if it was an alternate universe?
What if Mariko ended up in England for God knows what? I really don't know why I thought this, just that it would be a very sudden role reversal.
What if Toranaga had appointed her to be John's consort? I mean, the moment Buntaro died, a widow was born, in this case, Mariko!
What if she was married to someone other than Buntaro? I wish she wasn't married but knowing ancient Japan as it was...
What if Fuji's husband and baby hadn't died? I mean, damn that scene made me cry, it was a little baby, I wish I could change that.
What if Mariko's father hadn't died? I know we know almost nothing about him at the moment, but moments of reflection.
What if (again, alternate universe) there was magic involved in the story? I mean, it's ancient Japan, this is the perfect time to let your knowledge of Japanese legends run wild!
If John had done something and been able to recognize Mariko in the dim light of their night in their room?
What if Mariko ended up sleeping there and he woke up and confirmed it was her?
What if it took place in the modern world? I don't know about you, but I love fanfics that portray a modern setting, it's really cool, for me, Toranaga would almost end up being a politician!
What if (this one touches on the system of power, hierarchy and structural status of women in ancient Japanese society) Mariko had a higher position and was someone even more trustworthy than Toranaga?
What if John and Mariko had met before (through misfortune or any other factor of fate) and had some relationship? Like in a theater!
I literally developed an entire story from scratch just to make these two have a daughter (her name is Umi — I haven't decided if I'll keep that one yet — she has blue eyes, wavy hair and is completely Japanese, a Mariko's mini copy) and develop a whole material with this chaos! I know that the story is focused on politics, and not on romance, I know, but you can never dream too much and I like it when you know how to keep the fragile line of politics-romance well. I just hope there are more fanfics about them, I need fanfics about them!!
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Blackthorne and Mariko both spent every moment of this episode (1.06: "Ladies of the Willow World") looking like they were on the verge of crying. The *look* after he thanked Kiku for the previous night is not the look of a man who just had a relaxing night with a top courtesan, but someone who just is empty and going through the motions -- the word I kept thinking was haggard. And Mariko's eight fold fence must be so vast that it can be seen from space, her trauma is that great, I have no idea how she can function.
Excellent writing, acting, and cinematography, costuming, kudos to all involved.
I'm going to go have myself a good cry now.
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James Clavell and Shogun screenwriters: Gonna make Blackthorne so hot that everyone will thirst over him eh eh...
Fans: T-Toranaga-Sama...! 🥺💘😳🫦🥵
James Clavell and Shogun screenwriters:
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