Anjin (Shōgun)

"Anjin" (Japanese: 按針) is the series premiere of the American historical drama television series Shōgun, based on the novel by James Clavell. The episode was written by series developers Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, and directed by co-executive producer Jonathan van Tulleken. It was released on Hulu on February 27, 2024, and it also aired on FX on the same day.

The series is set in 1600, and follows three characters. John Blackthorne, a risk-taking English sailor who ends up shipwrecked in Japan, a land whose unfamiliar culture will ultimately redefine him; Lord Toranaga, a shrewd, powerful daimyo, at odds with his own dangerous, political rivals; and Lady Mariko, a woman with invaluable skills but dishonorable family ties, who must prove her value and allegiance.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.764 million household viewers and gained a 0.14 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The series premiere received critical acclaim, with major praise for the visuals, performances and production values. Tadanobu Asano and Néstor Carbonell submitted the episode to support their Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series and Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series, with Carbonell winning in his category.