The Snow Man singer-actor will play Kazutada in the Emmy-winning FX drama’s highly anticipated second chapter.
Ren Meguro Enters the Shōgun World
November 19, 2025: FX and Disney+ have announced that Japanese pop sensation Ren Meguro has joined the cast of Shōgun for its second season. Meguro, best known as a member of the chart-topping J-pop group Snow Man, will take on the role of Kazutada in the new chapter of the historical drama.
Why This Casting Is Significant
New Chapter, New Faces: The second season of Shōgun is set to take place about 10 years after the events of the first season, opening up fresh storylines and new characters.
Returning and New Talent: Alongside Meguro, other new cast members include Asami Mizukawa, Masataka Kubota, Sho Kaneta, Takaaki Enoki, and Jun Kunimura. Returning actors such as Hiroyuki Sanada (Toranaga) and Cosmo Jarvis (Blackthorne) will reprise their roles.
Filming Begins Soon: Production for Season 2 is scheduled to begin in January 2026 in Vancouver.
Meguro’s Response and Vision for His Role
Meguro shared that it’s an “incredible honor” to join the cast. He admitted he was deeply moved after watching Shōgun’s first season on Disney+, describing the series as “grand” and culturally significant.
He also expressed a strong commitment to doing justice to his character:
“I submitted my audition footage … now, my dream has become a reality … I am committed to honoring the legacy that so many have built before me … and to carefully shaping the role entrusted to me.”
Meguro: From J-Pop to Acting
Though most fans know him for Snow Man, Meguro has also been making a name for himself in acting. He has appeared in TV dramas like Phases of the Moon and Silent, proving he can balance his music and acting careers.
He’s also active in the fashion world — serving as a global ambassador for FENDI — and featured in a Disney+ documentary that follows Snow Man around Japan.
What to Expect From Season 2
While Shōgun’s first season adapted much of James Clavell’s original novel, Season 2 is shaping up to be an “original continuation” of the story.
With Meguro on board, the upcoming season promises fresh energy and cultural depth, while continuing the intense political drama, samurai power struggles, and East-meets-West dynamics that made the show a global hit.
Published by HOLR Magazine

