Shōgun has come to an end and the disparity of where to get a good dose of samurai drama can be a challenge. There is a wealth of media, mainly from Japan, that can be watched that echoes the drama, splendor, tragedy, and intensity that this Feudal culture of warriors has excited audiences within cinema for decades.

From wild animes, and incredible live-action epics, right down to the original adaptation of Shōgun, the variety can be endless, so to narrow it down a little having a broad-stroke variety that covers some dramatic bases that this year's Shōgun is in good order. Many die-hard fans may find a favorite or two missing. However, these films and shows are meant to give a kaleidoscope of media that can inform and excite audiences about the history and culture uncovered in Shōgun.

10 Sengoku Basara (2009)

Taking place in the Sengoku period (16th century), Sengoku Basara has had a lot of fun flavoring an era rife with civil war with superpower samurai lords. Although there are so many great samurai warrior animes out there, almost none really show big battles or fully armored samurai. This show presents bombastic and intense battles between armies mixed with awesome duels between their leaders.

Of course, there is plenty of creative license taken to the history and the historical figures presented, but it doesn't take away from the splendid variety of armor, weapons, and locales in the show. The period the show takes place in is about 50-60 years before the events of Shōgun, painting a pretty colorful picture as to the reason the samurai lords were trying to find more covert and civil political tactics than war by the time Blackthorne arrives.

9 The 47 Ronin (1941)

Not to be mistaken for the Keanu Reeves film 47 Ronin, this original film is about the ronin who attempted to avenge their lord who was forced to commit seppuku. Despite the intrigue of the premise, the film is largely about the court intrigue between the ronin and the ladies. For those who are more interested in the inner intrigues of court drama within feudal Japan, this film exemplifies those intricacies with a fine-tooth comb, replacing action with political positioning and conspiring.

It's a lot slower a watch because it is an older film, however, for those looking for the more subtle tones of dialogue and drama within the culture, this one is definitely worth a watch.

8 The Last Samurai (2003)

It's safe to say, that without The Last Samurai, it may have taken longer for Hollywood to find the legendary Hiroyuki Sanada who now plays Toranaga in Shōgun. Furthermore, this film takes place around 250 years after the events of Shōgun, giving audiences insight into how samurai culture dissolved with the saturation of European influence and trade.

This beautiful film starring Ken Watanabe and Tom Cruise is loosely based on the Satsuma Rebellion. The performances by Ken Watanabe as Lord Katsumoto and the supporting role of Hiroyuki Sanada as Ujio steal the show in the best way, building a gorgeous, sad, and admirable image of the samurai before they finally meet their end in one last battle. This film also boasts an incredible soundtrack by Hans Zimmer.

7 Unforgiven (2013)

An interesting study on Hollywood's constant use of samurai films to fill the plotlines of Westerns, 2013's Unforgiven flips that idea on its head, making the plot of the famous Clint Eastwood film adapted for the post-samurai frontier of Japan in the late 1800s. Ken Watanabe plays the role of Jubei, who is the analog for Clint Eastwood's character in the original, and he was a samurai who was branded a killer because of his survival and self-defense from Japanese Imperial forces.

Filled with nuance and a more intimate look at disinherited samurai of the Meiji Period, Ken Watanabe returns to the same period after his The Last Samurai fame to play this role with grit and gravitas that all Westerns deserve, and he delivers right from his own homeland.

6 Throne Of Blood (1957)

Akira Kurosawa's love of blending Shakespeare and Samurai drama into one brilliant tapestry really sings in his classic Throne of Blood. For those who really love the balance of court intrigue, betrayal, and unconventional battles that occur during Shōgun, this black-and-white classic is just the ticket.

The film is a pretty direct plot adaptation of Macbeth which is rife with drama and backstabbing that can satisfy those urges for that Game of Thrones brutality. One of the most impressive scenes is the final moments of Taketoki (Macbeth) as he covers and cowers as volleys of arrows are loosed at him.

5 Ran (1985)

A good pairing if Throne of Blood is already on the watchlist, Ran is one of the most beautifully-coloured samurai movies of its time, and one of the rare few Akira Kurosawa shot in color. Like Throne of Blood, Ran is also an adaptation of the Shakespearean play King Lear. A Shōgun wishes to retire and divide his domain between his three sons, but he underestimates how power corrupts them to the point of turning on one another.

Full of extras draping the screen in colored armor and gorgeous outdoor scenes with radiant fabrics on set pieces and costumes, those who love the production design of Shōgun will be spellbound by the detail of this film's rich narrative palette.

4 Heaven and Earth (1990)

Pick up a sword and mount up, because Heaven and Earth is a masterpiece of samurai battles and duels wrapped into one large epic. Taking place during the Sengoku Period in the 16th century, this film is full of full-scale battles, recounting some of the events of The Battles of Kawanakajima.

If anyone thirsts for more samurai battles after Shōgun, this film delivers in spades as an epic spectacle. If viewers of Shōgun ever wanted some insight as to why the samurai lords tried to consolidate their power with more methods than war, this film displays the long road of bloodshed that led up to it.

3 The Seven Samurai (1954)

One of the most prolific samurai films in history, inspiring Westerns like The Magnificent 7 and homaged in episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, this film paved the way for Western filmmakers to be inspired by Japan's filmmakers. After the constant harassment from a band of ronin bandits stealing their harvest and provisions, a small village begs seven samurai to come to help them fight off the bandits, and as a reward, can only pay them three square meals a day.

This is a film about warriors with different motives, some optimistic, some jaded, and others mercenary in their mindset, finally being grounded back to their bushido beliefs to aid and train the village to defend against insurmountable odds. The film's pacing is old school but Akira Kurosawa's brilliant shooting and the theatrical performances keep the audience engaged for this very moving and intense warrior tale.

2 Kagemusha (1980)

There are a lot of great Akira Kurosawa samurai films, but none hit as emotionally hard as Kagemusha does. Set in the war-torn Sengoku Period, Kagemusha is about a lowly peasant who bears a very close resemblance to the recently fallen Daimyo. For the clan to not admit defeat, they train the peasant to act like their former lord so they may continue fighting.

The character development of the peasant who becomes the dead Daimyo Takeda Shingen is inspiring and tragic as he learns the gravity of the responsibility his position holds for the people under him. Shōgun's Toranaga has the collective responsibility of the country's well-being on his conscience with every move he makes, especially as the future of Japan evolves with more Europeans. Kagemusha shows some hints of this European influence in the costume and armor design as well.

1 Shogun Series, the Original Adaptation (1980)

The original holds a strong place in the hearts of readers and watchers of Shōgun. For many, this was the very first exposure to an authentically delivered story about Feudal Japan on television, and although some of the ways it was portrayed are dated by today's standards, FX's Shōgun wouldn't have been made quite the same without its influence.

Starring Richard Chamberlain and Toshiro Mifune, who appears in numerous samurai films from Japan, this sweeping tale has yet to disappoint no matter which generation is exposed to it. Shōgun on television has been a big cultural connector for many when it comes to understanding the West's history with the East, both now, and during the release of this original adaptation. The show also features John Rhys-Davies as the Spanish sailor Rodrigues, which is a very entertaining and boisterous performance.