Young Tokugawa Ieyasu: Appreciating the fusion of history and drama

"Boy Tokugawa Ieyasu": The appeal of historical animation depicting the childhood of a hero from the Warring States period

■Overview of the work

"Boy Tokugawa Ieyasu" is a 1975 anime television series based on the manga of the same name by Yamaoka Shohachi. The series depicts the childhood of Tokugawa Ieyasu, a hero of the Warring States period, and follows his struggles and growth from Tenbun 11 (1542) until he enters Okazaki Castle. It consists of 20 episodes and was broadcast on NET (now TV Asahi) every Wednesday from 7:30 to 8:00 p.m.

■ Story

In the year Tenbun 11, during the Warring States period in Japan, a boy named Takechiyo was born to the Matsudaira family, a small feudal lord in Mikawa, between the powerful Imagawa family of Suruga and the Oda family of Owari. He would later become Tokugawa Ieyasu. His father was Matsudaira Hirotada and his mother was Odai, the daughter of the Mizuno clan of Kariya. Takechiyo's childhood was a harsh one, being exchanged between the Imagawa and Oda families as a hostage. However, under the deep love of his mother Odai, he faced the harsh fate of the Warring States period, came of age at the age of 14, and took the name Matsudaira Motonobu. This is the story of the hardships and growth of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who would later build the foundation for the 200-year Tokugawa dynasty, as he became the lord of Okazaki Castle in Mikawa.

■Explanation

This work, which depicts the entry into Okazaki Castle from Yamaoka Shohachi's long original work spanning 26 volumes, is characterized by the active insertion of live-action scenes not only in the opening but also in the main story. This enhances the historical realism and leaves a deep impression on the viewer. In addition, the story of Takechiyo growing up in the harsh environment of the Warring States period gives a sense of depth as a human drama.

■Cast

The voice actors are Kiyoshi Komiyama as Takechiyo, Eiko Masuyama as Odai, Makio Inoue as Hirotada, Keiko Hanagata as Kusayoin, Hidekatsu Shibata as Nobumoto, and Kenji Utsumi as the narrator. The performances of these voice actors realistically portray the emotions and conflicts of the characters.

■ Main staff

The original story was written by Shohachi Yamaoka, the plans were made by Yoshifumi Hatano and Takashi Ogino, the production was by Kiyoshi Ohno, the script was written by Hisao Okawa, the chief directors were Takeshi Tamiya and Kimiro Yabuki, the directors were Guji Katsumata, Tetsuo Imazawa, and Yasuo Yamayoshi, the character designs were Shingo Araki, the art direction was Isamu Kageyama, and the music was Takeo Watanabe. Thanks to the cooperation of these staff, the historical background and the growth of the characters are beautifully depicted.

■ Theme songs and music

The opening theme is "Young Tokugawa Ieyasu," with lyrics by Ryoichiro Itami, music by Takeo Watanabe, and performance by the New Studio Singers. The ending theme is "Someday Spring Will Come...," also with lyrics by Ryoichiro Itami, music by Takeo Watanabe, and performance by the New Studio Singers. These songs are important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the work.

■ Appeal and evaluation of the work

"Young Tokugawa Ieyasu" is a work that depicts the hardships and growth of Tokugawa Ieyasu's childhood against the backdrop of the history of the Warring States period. In particular, the way Takechiyo grows up, supported by the love of his mother Odai, in the harsh environment of being held hostage, deeply moves viewers. In addition, the inclusion of live-action scenes enhances the historical realism, leaving a strong impression on viewers.

Furthermore, this work is also an excellent human drama set in the Warring States period, depicting the love of family, friendship, and the harshness of the Warring States period through the growth of Takechiyo. The voice actors' performances are also excellent, conveying the emotions and conflicts of the characters realistically. Furthermore, thanks to the cooperation of the production staff, the historical background and character growth are beautifully portrayed.

The theme song and music are also important elements in enhancing the atmosphere of the work, and play a role in evoking the emotions of the viewer. Overall, "Boy Tokugawa Ieyasu" is not only an excellent historical anime, but also an excellent human drama, providing viewers with deep emotions and learnings.

■ Recommendation points

"Young Tokugawa Ieyasu" is recommended not only for those who are interested in the history of the Warring States period, but also for those who want to enjoy human drama and stories of growth. In particular, the family love and friendship depicted through the growth of Takechiyo deeply moves viewers. In addition, the inclusion of live-action scenes enhances the historical realism and leaves a strong impression on viewers.

Furthermore, this work depicts the harshness of the Warring States period and the human drama, providing viewers with a deep learning experience. Thanks to the voice actors' performances and the cooperation of the staff, the characters' emotions and conflicts are conveyed realistically. The theme song and music are also important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the work, and play a role in evoking the emotions of the viewer.

Overall, "Boy Tokugawa Ieyasu" is not only a historical anime but also an excellent human drama that provides viewers with deep emotions and learnings. It is recommended not only for those who are interested in the history of the Sengoku period, but also for those who want to enjoy human drama and stories of growth.

■ Related works and how to watch them

"Boy Tokugawa Ieyasu" is based on the manga of the same name by Shohachi Yamaoka, a long work spanning 26 volumes. This manga depicts the life of Tokugawa Ieyasu in detail and is a must-read for history buffs. In addition to the TV anime series, there are many other works based on Tokugawa Ieyasu, including movies and dramas. By watching these works, you can gain a deeper understanding of the history of the Sengoku period and the life of Tokugawa Ieyasu.

You can watch "Boy Tokugawa Ieyasu" by purchasing the DVD or Blu-ray, or by streaming services. In particular, streaming services allow you to easily watch historical anime from the past, so if you're interested, be sure to check them out.

■ Summary

"Boy Tokugawa Ieyasu" is a historical anime that depicts the childhood of Tokugawa Ieyasu, a hero of the Warring States period. The family love and friendship depicted through the growth of Takechiyo, and the harshness of the Warring States period, provide viewers with deep emotion and learning. By inserting live-action scenes, the historical realism is enhanced and the viewers are left with a strong impression. In addition, the voice actors' performances and the cooperation of the staff convey the characters' emotions and conflicts realistically. The theme song and music are also important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the work, and play a role in enhancing the emotions of the viewers. Overall, "Boy Tokugawa Ieyasu" is an excellent work not only as a historical anime but also as a human drama, providing viewers with deep emotion and learning. It is recommended not only for those who are interested in the history of the Warring States period, but also for those who want to enjoy human drama and growth stories.