Apr 29, 2023
Lately I have read a lot of manga about the Sengoku period of Japan, more specifically about Oda Nobunaga. So when I saw this title I decided that I must read it.
This manga has a simple plot— What if Nobunaga did not die at Honnoji temple fire? What would he do if he survived? An interesting concept, but poorly executed. I read 15 chapters, but couldn’t figure out what was happening.
There are spoilers ahead, be careful.§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§
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Story. 5/10
This is a work of historical fiction. Fiction. But still, it is reasonable to expect that people will act similarly to their historical records. In this story Nobunaga acts like a madman. Had he survived the betrayal by Mitsuhide, he would’ve killed Mitsuhide and the others who plotted against him. He would’ve given serious thought to nation building, and also decided his successor.
But, what does he do instead—— he runs away to a random village, steals chicken, then comes back to Hideyoshi where he would’ve been killed, but gets protected by plot armour. He then hires pirates and sends them to Korea, China, Siam, India. Why would they even listen to him? They are pirates. But that’s how this manga goes.
The story is full of names like Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Shibata Katsui, Maeda Toshii, Akechi Mitsuhide, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Lord Cabral, etc. And these are just the famous guys. Believe me, there are dozens of names in each chapter, and it gets really confusing, really fast.
Okay, so now Nobunaga decides he will take part in a war between Shibata Katsui and Hideyoshi.
Why??????
He doesn’t want to be King anymore. If only he stands up and names Hideyoshi as his successor, automatically his goal is achieved. But no, he allows half of his own loyal army to fight the other half. A brutal, unnnecesary civil war.
At one point Shibata sees him, and surrenders immediately, saying “My lord, you are alive? Why are we fighting then? What is the purpose of this war?” What does Nobunaga say? He says, “Join me in death.” And kills his loyal follower.
And every chapter this nonsense continues. In one chapter Nobunaga plots the murder of his own son, saying that “It will strengthen Hideyoshi’s control” wtf.
Art. 7/10
The art is old style, I personally have no problem with that. Art style is similar to Ashita no Joe.
Characters. 4/10
Unbelievable characters. I mean it literally. NOBODY talks like this, thinks like this. The characters make no sense. All these historical figures, such great opportunity. Wasted.
Nobunaga is drawn badly here, just to show his impulsiveness, he is shown as a crazy fool. He shows off his great leadership in killing his own soldiers. Starts a civil war to show off. That makes no sense.
Overall. 5/10
I like historical fiction and that’s why I gave this manga a shot. Turns out, great idea, wasted opportunity.
Reading this manga was confusing to say the least. Not fun. I really really wanted to enjoy this. Couldn’t do it.
Nor recommended.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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