In the bloody Sengoku Period of feudal Japan, many generals fought in an endless struggle for national power and unification. One man proved to be too big of a threat: the dark lord Nobunaga Oda. Yukimura Sanada and Masamune Date, two young warlords from different regions who become heated rivals, begin to form an unlikely alliance with the rest of the generals to take down the "devil king". The first series follows the emergence of the protagonists, particularly Yukimura and Masamune, and their struggle against Oda, who seeks to unite the land under him and is willing to crush anyone, even his own allies, to do it. It ends with his defeat at Yukimura and Masamune's hands.
The second series witnesses the emergence of Hideyoshi Toyotomi as the next potential unifier of the land, though, unlike in actual history, he has no connection to Oda, whose retainers were almost entirely wiped out along with him by the end of the first season.
The film version depicts Japan as being in turmoil once again as Mitsunari Ishida, subordinate of Hideyoshi, cuts a wrath of fury across the land while other leaders rally for an era of peace. Yukimura and Masamune must fight Mitsunari again and bring the country to peace.
In Judge End, the story of both Ieyasu and Mitsunari's conquests continues, as more characters are introduced.
The opening theme song was "JAP" by Abingdon Boys School and its ending song is "Break & Peace" by Dustz. Pony Canyon released the first DVD volume on July 1, 2009. The second season's opening song is "Sword Summit" by T.M. Revolution and its ending songs are "El Dorado" and "Fate" by Angelo.
Although all characters are credited with their family name first, they will be placed last in this section for better reference.
Yukimura Sanada (真田 幸村, Sanada Yukimura)
Voiced by: Sōichirō Hoshi (Japanese); Johnny Yong Bosch (English)
Yukimura is among the most distinguished warriors in the Takeda clan, wields two yari, is very hot-blooded and fanatically loyal to Takeda. He is often depicted in a rival relationship with Masamune. Although he always looks at it as a test of strength, he is a common "punching bag" for Takeda's unnecessary brawls.
Shingen Takeda (武田 信玄, Takeda Shingen)
Voiced by: Tessho Genda (Japanese); Christopher Ayres (English)
Takeda is the leader of the Takeda clan, famous for its cavalry. He has a large, imposing frame and a brilliant mind. He wields a giant ax. He often starts large and unnecessary brawls with Yukimura, sometimes for no reason, usually by wrestling or exchanging names while hitting each other.
Sasuke Sarutobi (猿飛 佐助, Sarutobi Sasuke)
Voiced by: Takehito Koyasu (Japanese); Michael Sinterniklaas (English)
Sasuke is a ninja in the service of the Takeda clan. He is sneaky, cunning, and laid back but has a big sense of responsibility when necessary. Has a friendly rivalry with the Kasuga, though the latter doesn't look at it that way. He wields two giant shuriken attached with invisible razor wire. He also summons a crow familiar to glide down.
Masamune Date (伊達 政宗, Date Masamune)
Voiced by: Kazuya Nakai (Japanese); Robert McCollum (English)
Masamune is the ruler of the Date clan and known as the "one-eyed dragon". He is a cocky, ambitious warlord who tends to pepper his speech. He usually wields a single katana, but he can store and fight with six swords at once (three in each hand, held between the fingers). His six swords are referred to as "The Claws of the Dragon". He is depicted as having a rival relationship with Yukimura.
Kojūrō Katakura (片倉小十郎, Katakura Kojūrō)
Voiced by: Toshiyuki Morikawa (Japanese); Travis Willingham (English)
Kojūrō is Masamune's strategist and bodyguard in battle. He seems to agree with Masamune at some points in battle. He uses a katana and wakizashi set. His story revolves around him chasing Hisahide after the latter took the majority of Masamune's retainers captive, and sapped Masamune's will to fight by stealing his six swords. Eventually during his adventure, his power exceeds causing him to awaken his 'super' mode. He is referred to as "The Right Eye of the Dragon", for his skills as a bodyguard compensate for Masamune's missing right eye.
Kenshin Uesugi (上杉 謙信, Uesugi Kenshin)
Voiced by: Romi Park (Japanese); Greg Ayres (English)
Uesugi is the leader of the Uesugi clan, Takeda's rival and a devout monk to Bishamonten. He looks very feminine, but his accomplishments earned him the nickname "God of War". He wields a katana and uses a style seemingly based on iaijutsu (yet heavily stylized as he has great speed).
Kasuga (かすが)
Voiced by: Natsuko Kuwatani (Japanese); Stephanie Sheh (English)
Kasuga is a ninja serving the Uesugi clan. She fell in love with Uesugi at first sight (while attempting to assassinate him) and became his most loyal right-hand woman. She takes her instructions seriously and has rivalries with Nōhime (regarding on those they protect) and Sasuke (as a ninja, and due to contradicting personalities). She uses eight kunai (four on each hand) tied with invisible razor wire. Her double jump involves gliding by clinging unto an owl.
Nobunaga Oda (織田 信長, Oda Nobunaga)
Voiced by: Norio Wakamoto (Japanese); John Swasey (English)
Oda is the ruler of the Oda clan. He is ruthless and will stop at nothing until the world bows to his might. He wields a sword in one hand and a shotgun in the other. He is killed by Yukimura and Masamune at the Azuchi Castle.
Nōhime (濃姫)
Voiced by: Yurika Hino (Japanese); Stephanie Young (English)
Nōhime is the wife of Oda, who doesn't care very much for her, but still very devoted, showing no mercy to her enemies. She wields two handguns and is able to unleash other types of guns such as a cannon, shotgun or Gatling gun. She is killed by Oichi, who uses her dark powers, in Azuchi Castle.
Mitsuhide Akechi (明智 光秀, Akechi Mitsuhide)
Voiced by: Sho Hayami (Japanese); Vic Mignogna (English)
Mitsuhide is an Oda clan vassal who would eventually betray Oda. He wields two scythes, depicted as a sadistic psychopath that enjoys the suffering of other people, possibly of a greater evil than Oda himself. He is seemingly burned alive when he battled Kojūrō at Honno-ji Temple. However, he survives and appears as a monk named Tenkai in Sengoku Basara: The Last Party.
Ranmaru Mori (森 蘭丸, Mori Ranmaru)
Voiced by: Hiroki Shimowada (Japanese); Maxey Whitehead (English)
Ranmaru is a young page of Oda. He eagerly desires recognition from his master and will fight tenaciously for him. He wields a bow and has assisted Nōhime and Mitsuhide when each of them attacked Uesugi and Kojūrō. After Mitsuhide died, Kojūrō lets Ranmaru live out his life, not being bound to Oda anymore.
Oichi (お市)
Voiced by: Mamiko Noto (Japanese); Laura Bailey (English)
Oichi is the wife of Azai and sister of Oda. She is depicted as a depressed woman who worries about Azai and the friction between him and Oda. While considered innocent looking, she has a dark side which can become dangerous once she snaps. She wields a double bladed naginata, which she can separate and chainlink to its bar. Her story, considered to be the most tragic, revolves around her witnessing Azai being killed by Oda in Anegawa and was forced to fight on Oda's name, slowly losing her sanity due to her the loss of her husband and her brother's ruthless methods. In the end, she succumbs to her own dark powers.
Nagamasa Azai (浅井長政, Azai Nagamasa)
Voiced by: Kōji Tsujitani (Japanese); Christopher Bevins (English)
Azai was a former ally of Oda, but now rebelling against him. He is a man fighting for justice and vows to destroy anybody who creates chaos, namely Oda. He wields a long sword and a folding buckler. His fighting style and mannerism are similar to that of a typical superhero. He is also often seen roughly telling Oichi to shut up or stop crying, only to shyly declare his love (sometimes with flowers), making him a male tsundere. He is shot by Mitsuhide when Oichi goes to see him in the battlefield of Shitaragahara.
Ieyasu Tokugawa (徳川家康, Tokugawa Ieyasu)
Voiced by: Toru Okawa (Japanese); Liam O'Brien (English)
Tokugawa is the leader of the Tokugawa clan. Although small, he makes it up with his trust in his generals as well as his control over his most prized general, Tadakatsu. He wields a bladed staff. But later discards the staff, fighting with his fist.
Tadakatsu Honda (本多忠勝, Honda Tadakatsu)
Tadakatsu is one of the greatest generals under Tokugawa. A giant man clad in armor, possessing great strength in each of his blows. He resembles a giant robot and cannot talk. He wields a huge drill-spear.
Keiji Maeda (前田慶次, Maeda Keiji)
Voiced by: Masakazu Morita (Japanese); Eric Vale (English)
Keiji is the adopted nephew of Toshiie and Matsu, and he is a vagabond and known to be called a happy-go-lucky man. Despite his demeanor towards his step-family, he loves them though shows resentment at them due to their objection to his lifestyle. Accompanying him is a small monkey named Yumekichi. His weapon is a ludicrously over-sized nōdachi. Despite its length, he can use it one-handed. He also uses its sheath, but rather than carry it around he throws it into the sky, having it come down just when he needs to use it.
Matsu Maeda (まつ, Matsu)
Voiced by: Yuko Kaida (Japanese); Jamie Marchi (English)
Matsu is the wife of Toshiie and the aunt of Keiji. She is more responsible than her husband but loves him wholeheartedly. She and Toshiie served under Oda at the end of the first season, and then sided with Hideyoshi in the second season. She usually chases Keiji when he pulls pranks on her. She wields a naginata.
Toshiie Maeda (前田利家, Maeda Toshiie)
Voiced by: Tomohiro Tsuboi (Japanese); Chuck Huber (English)
Toshiie is the husband of Matsu and the uncle of Keiji. He and Matsu served under Oda at the end of the first season, and then sided with Hideyoshi in the second season. He loves his wife Matsu dearly but he doesn't have much for brains and seems to be perpetually famished, often asking Matsu for more food. He wields a trident.
Hideyoshi Toyotomi (豊臣秀吉, Toyotomi Hideyoshi)
Voiced by: Ryōtarō Okiayu (Japanese); Christopher Sabat (English)
Hideyoshi is the ruler of the Toyotomi clan. He is depicted as a giant man, whose ambition is to rule all of Japan and form it into a formidable, prospering nation, which causes him to declare Oda as a source of chaos that must be annihilated. Even though he has good intentions, he is drunk with power and will use any means, no matter how ruthless, to achieve it (though he is still charismatic and caring to his subordinates, unlike Nobunaga). With just his bare hands, he can destroy a platoon in seconds. His weapons are his hands, which can be strengthened with magical arm guards.
Hanbei Takenaka (竹中半兵衛, Takenaka Hanbei)
Voiced by: Akira Ishida (Japanese); Chris Cason (English)
Hanbei is Hideyoshi's strategist. He is intelligent and extremely loyal to Hideyoshi. Around his enemies, he is narcissistic, cold and very cruel. Given the chance, he can wipe them all out by swinging his weapon. His favorite methods of assassination are back-stabbing his opponents at his weapon's reach and snaring his opponents when they are not looking. Despite his physique, he suffers from tuberculosis. His weapon is a whipsword.
Yoshihiro Shimazu (島津義弘, Shimazu Yoshihiro)
Voiced by: Kenichi Ogata (Japanese); R Bruce Elliott (English)
Shimazu is the daimyo of Satsuma. Although old, he is a great warrior who is not to be underestimated. He is also known for his impeccable ambush parties. He uses a broad sword. He is seen being killed by Oda in the first season, but in the second season he survived. He aids Yukimura in leading an assault on Motonari in Satsuma.
Musashi Miyamoto (宮本武蔵, Miyamoto Musashi)
Voiced by: Daisuke Namikawa (Japanese); Sean Michael Teague (English)
Musashi claims to be a master swordsman, portrayed as a wild man itching for a fight to prove that he is the strongest man in Japan. He wields an Eku and a wooden sword. During battle, he constantly taunts the opponent, calling them "baka" ("stupid"), which does damage when his spit touches his enemy.
Yoshimoto Imagawa (今川義元, Imagawa Yoshimoto)
Voiced by: Kozo Shioya (Japanese); Barry Yandell (English)
Imagawa is the daimyo of Suruga. He acts childish and cowardly but will fight when ultimately cornered. His lack of resolve costs his soldiers to lose heart multiple times while still in battle though his occasional bursts of courage would increase their morale, that is until the next time he panics again. He wields a giant fan. When Yukimura and Masamune prepare to attack him, he sends out decoys to escape. However, Oda's operatives kill the decoys, and Imagawa is shot by Oda himself.
Ujimasa Hōjō (北条 氏政, Hōjō Ujimasa)
Voiced by: Tadashi Miyazawa (Japanese); Jerry Russell (English)
Ujimasa Hōjō is the head of the Hōjō clan. He is mostly known for his impressive fortress named the Odawara Castle, and his defensive stance towards the brewing war. He uses a multi-bladed spear. He summons Kotarō to attack Takeda, but Takeda manages to defeat Kotarō and kill Hōjō afterwards.
Kotarō Fūma (風魔小太郎, Fūma Kotarō)
Kotarō is a ninja who primary serves Hōjō in the first season, then serves Hisahide in the second season. His weapons are giant shuriken. He is depicted as a man who never talks, but takes action immediately. Like Kasuga and Sasuke, he can create duplicates of himself. Unlike Kasuga and Sasuke who need bird familiars to glide down, Kotarō can glide straightforward with just his body and can further glide when paired with his air attack.
Hisahide Matsunaga (松永久秀, Matsunaga Hisahide)
Voiced by: Keiji Fujiwara (Japanese); Kent Williams (English)
Hisahide is a very shrewd daimyo, being a manipulative, scheming man whose weapons are a sword and gunpowder. He is involved in various back stories, such as taking most of Masamune's retainers hostage and inciting Kojūrō's anger by humiliating Masamune. In another story, he humiliated and defeated Hideyoshi, causing him to be drunk on power and turned him from a sane man in vein of Keiji into the power-hungry ambitious man.
Motonari Mōri (毛利元就, Mōri Motonari)
Voiced by: Shigeru Nakahara (Japanese); Sam Riegel (English)
Motonari is the daimyo of Chūgoku. He is known for possessing a great tactical mind, but thinks very little of his subordinates and sees them as disposable pawns. He, like Mitsuhide, can hit his allies with his weapon. He wields a ringblade, which he can separate to become twin blades. He has a habit of watching the sunset. He is depicted as the rival of Motochika. In the second season, he forms an alliance with Hideyoshi. He destroys the Fugaku, Motochika's fortress, and rebuilds and renames it the Nichirin. However, Yukimura manages to destroy the Nichirin with his full power, seemingly killing Motonari in the process. However, Motonari survives and appears in Sengoku Basara: The Last Party.
Motochika Chōsokabe (長宗我部元親, Chōsokabe Motochika)
Voiced by: Ryuzo Ishino (Japanese); Patrick Seitz (English)
Motochika is the daimyo of Shikoku. His fortress, the Fugaku, has a cannon which repels his opponents and several mechanical machines. He wields a long anchor-like spear that is equipped with a metal chain which he uses as his weapon and his mode of land transportation. Motochika appears within many variable conflicts as a supposed rival to Motonari. When Hideyoshi parts the sea, he destroys the Fugaku and easily defeats Motochika. However, after still surviving, he and Masamune joined forces to attack Hideyoshi in Odawara.
Mitsunari Ishida (石田三成, Ishida Mitsunari)
Voiced by: Tomokazu Seki (Japanese); Troy Baker (English)
Ishida is a former vassal of Hideyoshi in the second season. He views Hideyoshi as a role-model and served with absolute loyalty. He is fueled by rage and obsessed with his desire to take revenge on Ieyasu for forsaking Hideyoshi's plans and Masamune for killing Hideyoshi, caring very little for other concerns, personal or political. He wields a katana and attacks faster than the eye can see, often having his weapon sheathed again before the enemy knows what has hit them. In the movie, The Last Party, he desired vengeance against Masamune Date instead, putting his anger of Ieyasu in other priorities.
