User reviews

Jun Matsumoto along with the entire cast bring to life Tokugawa Iyasu story. I can't describe how incredible the storyline is written by Ryota Kosawa, very human and delightful to watch. The story takes you back to that period in time. The cinematography, storyline and actors do an incredible job. Its very funny, its very tragic and emotional just like life. The general historical timeline is true with some artistic imagination I'm sure. There are 48 episodes in this series and they are needed to really explain the story of all the lords that played a part in the turbulent time which eventually came to unite Japan as a nation. I was reading the history along with the series but was careful to let the show lead and not to do a spoiler. I really put this on top of my other favorite movies which was Kurara: Hokusai's Daughter. These styles of movies are an incredible gift to Japanese history.

Thank you very much to the writer and entire cast, you are all magnificent. Such an honor to have watched this.

Possibly the best historical series that I've ever watched. To see the evolution of a weak, kind, and rather cowardly young boy evolve into a tough, sharp, and fierce warrior and leader has no equal in historical dramas. Too, the array of characters along the way, especially the samurai leaders who tenaciously and fearsomely backed him at every step is another awesome component. 👌

Everything I could say in detail contains a potential spoiler. And that says so much about a show. It is a revelation.

The story is an in depth dramatization of perhaps the most important events of the entire history of the Japanese Samurai period. I did NOT know this going in. Because of the way Samurai could change their names to reflect a change in "circumstance" I had no idea what I was watching at the beginning. And I will say no more on that.

But I will say this. The show is full of the complexity of real life. Tragedy, laughter, honor, suffering, cowardice, loyalty and more all the forge on which a remarkable man is forged. There are points where I am laughing when I had just been crying, and others where I had to take a break for a few days before continuing.

And then I went back and watched it again and it was even better. Knowing where the story was leading didn't ruin it, it made the things I didn't understand at the beginning the first time much more poignant.

If you are fan of Japanese history, watch this. If you are a fan of human drama watch this. If you are a fan of romance, tragedy or comedy, watch this. WATCH THIS.

I thought this was a limited series. Every time I thought we were reaching a climax, it continued. Because this story was the story of a LIFETIME of challenges faced and overcome. It was 48 episodes and when it ended I wanted more.