When Oda Nobunaga Meets Joan of Arc: Unveiling the Dual World History Legend in 'Nobunaga the Fool'

When history is turned upside down into a cross-world fantasy legend, 'Nobunaga the Fool' is one of the boldest works in Japanese anime. It brings together world-historical figures like Oda Nobunaga, Joan of Arc, Leonardo da Vinci, and Julius Caesar to roam in a parallel universe filled with giant robots, energy swords, and dragon powers. This 2014 series, despite its average score not being high, has its own charm and memorability.

Plot Summary (No Spoilers)

The world of 'Nobunaga the Fool' is divided into two planets: East and West, connected by dragon energy threads called 'Dragon Pulses.' On the Western planet, Joan of Arc (voiced by Yōko Hikasa) is branded a heretic for her visions of a savior who will save both worlds from meaningless war. Under King Arthur's orders, Joan travels to the Eastern planet with Leonardo da Vinci (Tomokazu Sugita) to find the savior of her dreams: Oda Nobunaga (Mamoru Miyano), an ambitious and unpredictable young man.

The series follows Nobunaga and his friends on their adventure as they fight against an imperial army threatening peace on both planets, aided by a giant battleship called 'Tenshu' and Da Vinci's Renaissance-era advanced weapons. The story is full of betrayal, friendship, and self-discovery, set against a freely adapted world history backdrop.

Performance and Characters

One of the series' strengths is the powerful voice acting from top-tier seiyuu. Mamoru Miyano perfectly captures Nobunaga's madness and ambition, while Takahiro Sakurai voices a calm and mysterious Akechi Mitsuhide. Yōko Hikasa makes Joan of Arc appear fragile yet strong. Each character has a distinct personality, though sometimes over-the-top, they are memorable.

However, character development in this series is quite rushed, especially in the second half. The relationship between main characters Nobunaga and Joan is built too quickly, lacking deep emotion. Supporting characters like Toyotomi Hideyoshi (Yūki Kaji) don't get enough screen time to leave a strong impression.

Direction, Visuals, and Music

'Nobunaga the Fool' is produced by Studio Satelight, which skillfully blends 2D and 3D animation. The design of the parallel world, combining ancient Japanese architecture with futuristic technology, is intriguing. Giant robot battle scenes are thrilling, though some animation quality dips due to budget constraints.

The soundtrack by Yasunori Iwasaki and Tatsuya Kato creates an atmosphere fitting the historical fantasy theme. The opening theme 'Fool the World' and ending theme 'Resurrection' are energetic and catchy, effectively driving the story's emotions.

Editorial Analysis

'Nobunaga the Fool' is a series that dares to experiment and freely play with history, which can be both a strength and a weakness. Bringing together historical figures from different eras and cultures in a fantasy world is a creative idea, but the complex plot filled with jargon may confuse general viewers.

Another issue is the storytelling trying to cover multiple threads simultaneously—war between worlds, the main characters' romance, and the mystery of the Dragon Pulses—making the content feel rushed and unbalanced, especially the overly hasty ending. However, for those who enjoy extreme historical reinterpretations and mecha action, this series has its own charm.

Verdict

'Nobunaga the Fool' is an anime suitable for those who enjoy fantasy historical reinterpretations and mecha action. Despite its rushed and complex plot, it offers entertainment and creativity worth watching. If you're ready to embrace a world where history is turned upside down, give this series a chance.