Did Mariko Die in Shogun?

Summary

• Mariko bravely stands up to Ishido, refusing to be used as a pawn, and fights for her family’s honor and legacy.
• Despite facing threats and betrayal, Mariko remains resolute and sacrifices herself to remain true to her beliefs and values.
• The potential fallout from Mariko’s actions could ignite a larger rebellion against Ishido, leading to a shift in power dynamics in Japan.

The following article contains spoilers for Shōgun Episode 9, “Crimson Sky,” which premiered April 16 on FX. It also contains a mention of suicide.

For the entire duration of FX’s Shogun, Anna Sawai’s Toda Mariko has been positioned as a key player in Japan’s civil war. The feudal-era political drama has seen Mariko being used as Lord Toranaga’s translator and pawn as he tries to secure the throne of Japan. He no longer has faith in Lord Ishido and the corrupt Regents, so he’s deploying Mariko to garner public favor with citizens keen on democratic rule.

Mariko has suffered abuse all season long at the hands of her husband, Buntaro, but she finally accepts her purpose. She believes in this higher calling, so she marches into the Osaka palace to manipulate the optics in her boss’ favor. Unfortunately, Episode 9 ramps up to a very tragic moment that seems to indicate Mariko has paid the ultimate price for her loyalty to Toranaga: her life.

Shogun’s Mariko Redeems Her Family’s Name

When Mariko arrives at the palace, she holds council with Lord Ishido and his Regents. However, the defiant Mariko makes it clear she is there to take Toragana’s wives, and his newborn son, back to Edo. She will return to the palace after that, and endure her punishment at Toranaga’s trial. Her Lord has resigned, so whether that letter is accepted, or whether the Regents impeach him and deem all of his crew punishable by death, she is ready for whatever comes her way.

When Ishido tries to bully Mariko into staying at the palace to bait Toranaga in, she lashes out. She lets him know her father, Akechi Jinsai, was unfairly murdered and had his reputation tarnished. However, the same won’t be done to her. Akechi killed the then-ruler out of duty, knowing the king was going to send Japan down a dark path. His family, bar Mariko, paid the price. They were punished for it, but an enlightened and resolute Mariko is finally strong and proud enough to reiterate they never should have been vilified. She redeems the family name by confirming Akechi was a hero and that she will carry on his legacy in the same light — sticking up for freedom, parity and justice.

Ishido doesn’t like this tongue-lashing at all. This insubordination borders on treason. It doesn’t stop Mariko from attempting to leave with her soldiers hours later. Unfortunately, Ishido’s soldiers slaughter her squad. Mariko confesses if she can’t leave, she will commit seppuku to meet her kin in the afterlife. She has done her duty, stuck to tradition, and if she is to be held hostage, she prefers to end her life and let the word spread. Mariko will become a martyr like her father, letting Japan know Ishido and the mother of the heir (Yaechiyo), Lady Ochiba, are indeed oppressive rulers. No matter what, Mariko gets her family name back and redeems Akechi’s legacy in the public eye.

Shogun’s Mariko May Have Been Killed in Battle

When Mariko tries to carry out the ritual suicide, John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) is there with her to finish it. Luckily, Ishido arrives with permits to let her leave. He doesn’t want her blood on his hands nor would he have her to transcend and become a political symbol of insurrection. The twist is that Ishido has already approved a group of shinobi to raid Mariko’s temporary residence in the night. It’s down to the treachery of Yabushige, who finally picks a side: betraying Toranaga.

All-out war erupts, and when Mariko, Blackthorne and the others try to escape, they end up in a storage room hiding out. Blackthorne tries to shuffle around things to block and brace the door. It becomes obvious the ninjas are going to use cannons to blow the door open. Mariko shields the door herself, much to the disappointment of Blackthorne, who doesn’t want her to do this. They had just spent another romantic night together, plus him being there at her suicidal ritual confirmed to her how much he loved her. Unfortunately for both, their romance arc has become a lot more tragic and sympathetic.

The ensuing fiery explosion sends Mariko flying, which ends the episode on a harrowing, jaw-dropping note. It does feel like she is dead as it suddenly cuts to the credits. Either way, the pain in Blackthorne’s eyes and the look in Mariko’s face say it all. Their journey of star-crossed lovers isn’t meant to be. The timing has been awful, not to mention the political duress is just too much. It’s one of Shogun’s most heartbreaking sequences, considering viewers assumed Blackthorne and Mariko would get Toranaga’s allies back home safely to regroup.

Shogun’s Mariko Could Be The Fuse That Lights a Bigger Rebellion

Once word gets out regarding Ishido’s assassination plan with Yabushige, there will be hell to pay. Toranaga has thousands of men waiting to rush into the palace. They will likely have to cut through Saeki Nobutatsu’s army, and their numbers will likely dwindle in the attempt. However, there will be mass casualties and collateral damage on Ishido’s side. There is no predicting which other Lords will flip as well. This could create more opposition against Ishido, allowing a coup to take place.

The Christian Regents, Ohno and Kiyama, felt sorry seeing Mariko subjugated. Seeing Ishido operating in a vacuum may also lead them to think he will backstab them like he did Sugiyama. Lady Ochiba also began pondering if her hatred for Toranaga clouded her judgment. She and Mariko grew up like sisters, and while Mariko’s father took Ochiba’s father off the throne decades back, she knows deep down it was for the greater good. Ochiba has remained bitter, but sensing the role Ishido played in Mariko’s death can lead to her rebuking his marriage proposal and distancing the heir from Ishido.

If everyone turns against him, the public will as well. This could lead to a mass revolt and Japan’s important parties calling for Ishido to step down, go to trial or die. This would clear a path to the throne for Toranaga, or for him to guide the heir. Despite the outcome, Blackthorne — as much as he wants revenge — will be left feeling empty. Toranaga will, too. He lost his best friend, Hiromatsu, his son Nagakado, and now, he might have lost a daughter-like figure. Even Buntaro will be hurt to know how Japanese heritage and politics pushed Mariko into this role — a translator, emissary and pawn that Toranaga had no choice but to utilize.

It is possible that Mariko will emerge alive severely injured for the Shogun finale, as this would manufacture a more dramatic climax. It’s an intriguing mystery that will keep viewers locked in to see what happens as Shogun’sGame of Thrones narrative comes to an end.

The Shōgun finale premieres Tuesday April 23 on FX.