FX’s seriesShōgunmade waves when it was released last year, but it will soon have a rival in Jason Momoa’sChief of Warfor Apple TV+. The former historical TV show has since been commended as one of thebest historical action showsin recent years, and it has won awards to prove it, including 18 Emmy Awards and four Golden Globes.
Shōgunseason 1’s endingsees Toranaga emerge victorious, setting up big changes for viewers to look forward to in season 2. A recentupdate aboutShōgunseason 2’s filming schedulemeans that it will likely be 2027 before the show returns, but in the meantime,Jason Momoa’s upcoming historical series will be a great replacement.
Jason Momoa Is Leading Apple TV+’s Chief Of War - What The Show Is About
The Historical Drama Tells The Tale Of War In 19th Century Hawaii
Despite the different locations and periods, Momoa’s upcoming historical drama,Chief of War, features some important similarities toShōgun.Momoa, along with Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, created the new series, which will follow Momoa’s Ka’iana during a turbulent time in Hawaiian historythat saw clashes between Native Hawaiians and colonizers.
The trailer teases an emotionally intense and action-packed series, balancing Momoa’s character’s love for his family and people with the violence it takes to protect them.
Chief of Wartakes place in the late 18th century, as Ka’iana travels across Hawaii and the world, meeting and fighting with both other Hawaiian groups and European colonizers along the way.The new trailer forChief of Warparticularly highlights Ka’iana’s role in both fighting against and attempting to unify with the other Hawaiians.
The trailer teases an emotionally intense and action-packed series, balancing Momoa’s character’s love for his family and people with the violence it takes to protect them. Thus, I expect that the series will highlight the importance of this unity and the struggle to get there without shying away from the brutality of the real history.
Chief Of War Is Set To Be The Next Big Historical Drama After Shogun
Both Take Inspiration From Real Figures
Shōgunis phenomenal, butChief of Waractually looks set to follow in its footsteps due to a similar approach to history as the basis for its story. Just asShōgunadapted its plot from the Azuchi-Momoyama period, albeit with some name changes,Chief of Warwill focus on real events and people in Hawaiian history.
Ka’iana traveled across the world to China, the Philippines, and more, and fought in several battles in the Hawaiian islands.
Jason Momoa’s Ka’iana was a real Hawaiian noblewho lived from 1755 to 1795. Throughout his life, Ka’iana traveled across the world to China, the Philippines, and more, and fought in several battles in the Hawaiian islands. The series will also feature Chief Kahekili, Ka’ahumanu, Kamehameha I, and other contemporaneous Hawaiian nobles and rulers.
While the trailer keeps many of the show’s details under wraps, knowing that its characters are critical figures in Hawaiian history makesChief of Warsound even better. What’s more, the complicated dynamics between the different Hawaiian groups make it seem even more similar toShōgun,with its characters' complex plans and search for power.
Chief Of War Will Have Big Battle Scenes Like Shogun
Chief Of War Will Have Plenty Of Action In Its Historical Narrative
Shōgun’s combat can be brutal, as the show is no stranger to depicting its characters, even the main ones, bleed and die. Besides the gore that audiences see onscreen, the fight scenes are more generally beautifully choreographed, combining both a sense of authenticity and action.
While the plot ofShōgunon its own is already impressive, the battles are what really put the series over the top, andit seems thatChief of Warwill follow the earlier show’s path in this aspect too.Thanks to the setting differences, the fighting styles that audiences will see will be very different but no less enthralling.
Chief of War’s trailer shows various groups meeting in battle on several distinct occasions. This sometimes takes the form of different Hawaiian groups fighting each other, as occurred in Ka’iana’s lifetime. In fact, Ka’iana’s decision to switch sides and rebel against Kamehameha is what ultimately led to his death.
Chief of Warepisode 1 will premiere on Apple TV+ on June 02, 2025.
Additionally, the series' trailer shows the Indigenous Hawaiians battling white colonizers as well, both on land and at sea.There is even a brief clip of Momoa’s character holding the fin of a shark while it is swimming, proving that there will be no shortage of interesting action and dramatic fights inChief of War.
Chief Of War Has Taken A Similar Approach To Production As Shogun
Both Series Value Authenticity
Following its release in 2024,Shōgunreceived a lot of praise for its authenticity. While in development, the show’s creators, Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, took pains to ensure thatShōgunwas faithful to its source material (the 1975 novel of the same name) and to the real period itself.
The series is a masterclass in how to make a great historical drama, andChief of War’s production was equally focused on its own accuracy.
Even for viewers unfamiliar with the history of Japan during this period,Shōgunis entirely legible without losing its historical reality. From the costuming and sets to the performances, the series is a masterclass in how to make a great historical drama, andChief of War’s production was equally focused on its own accuracy.
In aGQinterview with co-creators Momoa and Sibbett, the pair shared just how much work went into making the new show historically accurate, from intensely learning the Hawaiian language (which is used for the majority of the series) to the clothing and boats. Sibbett even shared that they “had around 15 cultural advisors.”
Chief of Waris clearly something that both creators have been planning for years, as they attested toGQ. LikeShōgun,Chief of Warwill be able to showcase an important piece of the history of Hawaii, as it is made with respect by those involved, and will introduce new audiences to this history, too.
Chief of War
Cast
Chief of War (2025) follows the journey of the fierce warrior Kaʻiana, who sets out on a mission to unite Hawaii’s four divided kingdoms amidst warfare. As internal conflicts rage, an impending external threat looms, challenging Kaʻiana’s efforts to bring peace to his people.
Shogun
Shōgun, released in 2024, is set in Japan during 1600 at the onset of a significant civil war. It follows Lord Yoshii Toranaga as he battles political adversaries on the Council of Regents, while a European ship mysteriously appears in a nearby fishing village, complicating the tides of power.
