Any historic reference?

ErwinJA said:
Most of the characters are based on very real people, and much of the attitudes and rivalries are based on historical data and popular myth. I've only seen up through ep 8, but so far, this clearly follows events that occurred during 1573, though with some notable deviations.


Some things that are accurate.

The Rivalry between Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen was quite real, and is among the most famous in Japanese history. They also never got a conclusive battle with each other.

The big battle a few eps back was real (Battle of Mikatagahara). The result is also similar: Takeda had a limited victory in that he wiped out Tokugawa's force, but halted.

Aside from the Date clan's interventions and Nagamasa still being allied with Oda, the various leaders and armies are situated much as they were in 1573, which is clearly when this takes place.

As mentioned, Date's Engrish is a nod to his acceptance of foreigners and that he was a champion of Christians. He also established Japan's first diplomatic mission with the western world. However, his dealings were mostly with the Spanish and the Pope. But the Japanese don't mix Spanish in as much as English I guess.



Some things that are NOT accurate:

Date Masamune was not a notable figure at this time. He did not come to power until several years after nobunaga died (1584 VS 1582). In fact, while most of the indicators suggest this story happens in 1573, Date was only around 6 years old at that time (!).

The big battle against Nobunaga and co only involved Takeda and a (small) combined Nobunaga-Tokugawa force. Neither had other allies present. The reason for Takeda halting is also different.

Similarly, this huge anti-Oda alliance never really existed (smaller ones did, but not with all these groups). Both Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin fought Nobunaga mostly on their own, and at separate times, though neither was ever defeated by him. Both died (supposedly) of illness or old wounds shortly after their initial victories.

Honda(m) did not die in the fight with Takeda. In fact, he lived until 1610, 37 years after most of the events here. He was rumored to have never been injured in battle, hence the gundam getup. The subordinate who sacrificed himself in the RL battle was Natsume Yoshinobu.

Mitsuhide was not a bloodthirsty lunatic (this is the only place he's portrayed as such). While he betrayed Nobunaga, and there are varied reasons supposed for it, none of the accepted ones are as portrayed here.

Nobunaga wasn't any worse a ruler than other leaders of the time. While he does have a RL reputation for cruelty, it's more myth than proven fact, and is largely undeserved.

Nagamasa Azai did in fact die around this time, but it was not at this battle. The order to attack the Asakura clan came in 1570, and Nagamasa turned against Nobunaga then, fighting 3 years before finally being completely eliminated. He died by Seppuku while his own castle was under seige.

Matsunaga Hisahide , on the other hand, actually lived until 1577, when Nobunaga grew tired of his shifting allegiance and killed him.


And finally: the gattling gun Nouhime used, it wasn't invented until 1861, nearly 300 years later :p