Nobunaga the Fool

Nobunaga the Fool (ノブナガ・ザ・フール) is a Japanese stage play and anime series, part of a wider franchise titled The Fool by anime creator Shōji Kawamori. The play is a combination of live actors produced by Avex Live Creative and animation by Satelight, first performed on December 8, 2013. The anime series is also animated by Satelight and began airing on January 5, 2014 and ended on June 22, 2014.

Plot
Once upon a time, there were two planets called the Western Star and the Eastern Star. The two sides were bound by the "Dragon Vein" spanning the heavens. The civilization that once had prospered has now turned to a tale of dreams, as the inextinguishable flames of war tear the realm asunder. The two planets remain engulfed in endless battles. The return of the super technology known as "Sacred Treasures" could revolutionize the world order, but no one knows of them but one person—a "heretical girl". A girl from the Western Star, Joan Kaguya d'Arc, saw divine revelations of the birth of a "Savior King" who will save the world. She embarks on a journey to the Eastern Star with Leonardo Da Vinci, "the one who observes the world". They come across the heretic of the Eastern Star and "the greatest fool of the day", Nobunaga Oda.

Main characters

 * (オダ・ノブナガ)
 * Nobunaga is the main character and a member of the Oda Clan in the Eastern Star. He is usually taken as a fool for his brash and impulsive behavior, thus both his father and the court claim that his brother Nobukatsu would be a better successor to his father. He obtains powerful Giant Battle Armor from Da Vinci, naming it "The Fool" in homage to his reputation. He is prophesied by Joan to be the Savior King that will unite both the Western and Eastern Stars.
 * He chooses to become the Destroyer King and faces and is killed by his retainer Mitsuhide. However, against all prognostic, what he destroys is not the creation itself, but the power of destruction instead, and becomes the avatar of chaos. Before dying, he declares his love for Joan, and vow to encounter each other in their next lives.
 * He chooses to become the Destroyer King and faces and is killed by his retainer Mitsuhide. However, against all prognostic, what he destroys is not the creation itself, but the power of destruction instead, and becomes the avatar of chaos. Before dying, he declares his love for Joan, and vow to encounter each other in their next lives.


 * Janne Kaguya Daruku (ジャンヌ・カグヤ・ダルク)
 * Joan is introduced as a woman ostracized from the village Domrémy who is guided by divine revelations of an ominous future for the Western Star. She meets Da Vinci and joins him in his journey to the Eastern Star, where she meets Nobunaga and disguises herself as a male retainer called Ranmaru Mori to fight by his side. She possesses the Sacred Treasure of Absolute Purity, one of five powerful amulets that can empower a Giant Battle Armor. She frequently has doubts as to Nobunaga being the Savior King, claiming she will never understand him. Eventually, she receives her own Giant Battle Armor from Da Vinci, naming it Orléans.
 * She appears to be developing slight feelings for Nobunaga, as evidenced by her jealousy during the betrothal ceremony between Nobunaga and Himiko. She admitted her love for him later on while conversing with Himiko. She is fatally injured during the final fight and remains with Nobunaga, even after he becomes the King of Destruction, until both die, while declaring their love for each other and vowing to meet in their next lives.
 * She appears to be developing slight feelings for Nobunaga, as evidenced by her jealousy during the betrothal ceremony between Nobunaga and Himiko. She admitted her love for him later on while conversing with Himiko. She is fatally injured during the final fight and remains with Nobunaga, even after he becomes the King of Destruction, until both die, while declaring their love for each other and vowing to meet in their next lives.


 * (アケチ・ミツヒデ)
 * Mitsuhide is one of Nobunaga's retainers who is extremely calm and collected. He is Nobunaga's chief political advisor and the master of the Oda Clan's shinobi forces. A kind man despite his quiet demeanor, he reluctantly assassinated Nobukatsu in order to ensure that Nobunaga succeeds the clan. He seems to have feelings for Ichihime, evidenced by the fact that he felt shocked when Caesar proposed to her.
 * He is brainwashed by Arthur, and comes to believe that Nobunaga is the King of Destruction and tries to kill him in order to save the world. After Arthur is killed, he chooses his own path and kills Nobunaga, while realizing that he is the true Savior King and vows to Nobunaga and Joan that he will create a world of peace.
 * He is brainwashed by Arthur, and comes to believe that Nobunaga is the King of Destruction and tries to kill him in order to save the world. After Arthur is killed, he chooses his own path and kills Nobunaga, while realizing that he is the true Savior King and vows to Nobunaga and Joan that he will create a world of peace.


 * (トヨトミ・ヒデヨシ)
 * Hideyoshi is another one of Nobunaga's retainers who is hyperactive and vulgar, which earned him the nickname "monkey". He has shown to be proficient with machinery and is capable of great acrobatic feats, implying training in the shinobi arts. He eventually steals his own Giant Battle Armor from the Western Plant, which he named Goku, and is given the Sacred Treasure of Wind by Nobunaga. After being nearly killed by Alexander, he becomes part cyborg after being saved by Himiko's powers. He is the only person that knows that Mitsuhide killed Nobukatsu, after being told by the former.
 * Hideyoshi is another one of Nobunaga's retainers who is hyperactive and vulgar, which earned him the nickname "monkey". He has shown to be proficient with machinery and is capable of great acrobatic feats, implying training in the shinobi arts. He eventually steals his own Giant Battle Armor from the Western Plant, which he named Goku, and is given the Sacred Treasure of Wind by Nobunaga. After being nearly killed by Alexander, he becomes part cyborg after being saved by Himiko's powers. He is the only person that knows that Mitsuhide killed Nobukatsu, after being told by the former.


 * Reonarudo Da Vinchi (レオナルド・ダ・ヴィンチ)
 * Da Vinci is a genius inventor from the Western Star. He is the one who builds "The Fool" and entrusts it to Nobunaga. He usually provides guidance to Joan and others by giving tarot card readings. He came to Joan in her village and travels with her to find out the meaning behind her divine revelations and to find the "truth" of the world.
 * After ending his painting The Last Supper, he dies after finally understanding the truth of the world, while letting all his tarot cards fly away.
 * After ending his painting The Last Supper, he dies after finally understanding the truth of the world, while letting all his tarot cards fly away.

Oda Clan

 * (イチヒメ)
 * Ichihime is Nobunaga's younger sister. She bears a calm demeanor and beauty that catches the attention of Caesar. She loves her brother dearly and claims that most people cannot see his true greatness. She accepts Caesar's proposal of becoming his queen in exchange of ensuring the truce between the armies, but assures him that if he does not keeps his promise of protecting the Oda people, she will kill him herself, even at the cost of her own life. She seems to reciprocate the feelings Mitsuhide has for her. She tragically dies at the hands of Nell and Bianchi when they betray Caesar and she holds him as he dies, shortly after she succumbs to her wounds, bringing despair to Nobunaga and Mitsuhide.
 * Ichihime is Nobunaga's younger sister. She bears a calm demeanor and beauty that catches the attention of Caesar. She loves her brother dearly and claims that most people cannot see his true greatness. She accepts Caesar's proposal of becoming his queen in exchange of ensuring the truce between the armies, but assures him that if he does not keeps his promise of protecting the Oda people, she will kill him herself, even at the cost of her own life. She seems to reciprocate the feelings Mitsuhide has for her. She tragically dies at the hands of Nell and Bianchi when they betray Caesar and she holds him as he dies, shortly after she succumbs to her wounds, bringing despair to Nobunaga and Mitsuhide.


 * (オダ・ノブヒデ)
 * Nobuhide is Nobunaga's father and leader of the Oda Clan in Owari. He is later killed by Caesar during the Takeda Clan's assault on Owari Castle.
 * Nobuhide is Nobunaga's father and leader of the Oda Clan in Owari. He is later killed by Caesar during the Takeda Clan's assault on Owari Castle.


 * (オダ・ノブカツ)
 * Nobukatsu is Nobunaga's younger brother. He is believed by the court vassals, as well as his father, to be the better choice for succeeding the Oda Clan. He believes in his brother and says that he would be a better ruler. He decides to succeed his father and to later step aside for his brother when he is ready. He is later killed by Mitsuhide, who believes that the court vassals would never let him step down after he succeeds.
 * Nobukatsu is Nobunaga's younger brother. He is believed by the court vassals, as well as his father, to be the better choice for succeeding the Oda Clan. He believes in his brother and says that he would be a better ruler. He decides to succeed his father and to later step aside for his brother when he is ready. He is later killed by Mitsuhide, who believes that the court vassals would never let him step down after he succeeds.

Other characters

 * (ヒミコ)
 * Himiko is the queen of the nation of Yamatai. She holds a longtime crush for Nobunaga and entrusts him her Sacred Treasure of Lightning in exchange of becoming his bride. She later stands in harm's way to save Nobunaga from an assassin sent to kill him, although she manages to survive. She would continue to provide Nobunaga with great political support and allowed him to use her airship named Amenotorifune as his personal transport.
 * Her condition for using her Sacred Treasure of Lightning and the power of the Dragon Veins weakens her body to the point she becomes terminally ill, with only Da Vinci and Hideyoshi knowing the truth. When her condition reaches its final state, Hideyoshi tells the truth to Nobunaga in an attempt to save her. She uses her airship renamed Azuchi one final time to help Nobunaga and Joan reach the palace of Arthur. She finally succumbs to her illness, but accepts the love between Nobunaga and Joan while dying in Nobunaga's arms.
 * Her condition for using her Sacred Treasure of Lightning and the power of the Dragon Veins weakens her body to the point she becomes terminally ill, with only Da Vinci and Hideyoshi knowing the truth. When her condition reaches its final state, Hideyoshi tells the truth to Nobunaga in an attempt to save her. She uses her airship renamed Azuchi one final time to help Nobunaga and Joan reach the palace of Arthur. She finally succumbs to her illness, but accepts the love between Nobunaga and Joan while dying in Nobunaga's arms.


 * (タケダ・シンゲン)
 * Shingen is the leader of the Takeda Clan in the nation of Kai. He is a proud and noble warrior who set his sights on Nobunaga the moment he heard the boy had gained a Giant Battle Armor. He values honor and despises backhanded means such as assassination. His Giant Battle Armor named Furin Kazan, is enhanced greatly by the two Sacred Treasure in his possession, the Sacred Treasure of Wind and Fire. Following his loss to Nobunaga and death at Caesar's hands, Shingen passed on his Sacred Treasures to Nobunaga.
 * Shingen is the leader of the Takeda Clan in the nation of Kai. He is a proud and noble warrior who set his sights on Nobunaga the moment he heard the boy had gained a Giant Battle Armor. He values honor and despises backhanded means such as assassination. His Giant Battle Armor named Furin Kazan, is enhanced greatly by the two Sacred Treasure in his possession, the Sacred Treasure of Wind and Fire. Following his loss to Nobunaga and death at Caesar's hands, Shingen passed on his Sacred Treasures to Nobunaga.


 * (ウエスギ・ケンシン)
 * Kenshin is the leader of the Uesugi Clan and ruler of the nation of Echigo. He greatly respected and rivaled Shingen before his death. He is shown to be an extremely cordial and polite individual even when speaking to his enemies. However, underneath his calm mask lurks a man who greatly enjoys conflict and he secretly does what he can to prevent peace from settling on the Eastern Star. His Giant Battle Armor named Visra is capable of defeating other Giant Battle Armors with ease, even those using a Sacred Treasure, despite not using his own. After being defeated by Alexander, he desires to become stronger and accompanies Nobunaga in his quest to face the Star Dragons, going missing in the process. He returns to help Hideyoshi battle Alexander, after losing one eye, finally accepting his own weaknesses.
 * Kenshin is the leader of the Uesugi Clan and ruler of the nation of Echigo. He greatly respected and rivaled Shingen before his death. He is shown to be an extremely cordial and polite individual even when speaking to his enemies. However, underneath his calm mask lurks a man who greatly enjoys conflict and he secretly does what he can to prevent peace from settling on the Eastern Star. His Giant Battle Armor named Visra is capable of defeating other Giant Battle Armors with ease, even those using a Sacred Treasure, despite not using his own. After being defeated by Alexander, he desires to become stronger and accompanies Nobunaga in his quest to face the Star Dragons, going missing in the process. He returns to help Hideyoshi battle Alexander, after losing one eye, finally accepting his own weaknesses.


 * , and (チャチャ、ハツ、ゴウ)
 * Chacha, Hatsu and Gou are three sisters who serve as kunoichi in the Oda Clan's shinobi forces under the supervision of Mitsuhide. They were assigned mainly to protect and serve Ichihime until her death. They are based on Nobunaga's nieces.
 * Chacha, Hatsu and Gou are three sisters who serve as kunoichi in the Oda Clan's shinobi forces under the supervision of Mitsuhide. They were assigned mainly to protect and serve Ichihime until her death. They are based on Nobunaga's nieces.

Western Star

 * Aasaa Ou (アーサー王)
 * Arthur is the ruler of the Western Star who has just united all of it under his rule. Despite being wrapped in mystery with an unknown origin and intentions, he has proven to be a charismatic leader as his commanders are extremely loyal to him. Some people, such as Caesar, consider him the true Savior King. He seems to be capable of changing his face to appear whatever that person wants, in order to make them blindly loyal to him.
 * He reveals his true face to Nobunaga, and when he tries to summon the Holy Grail, he is finally killed during the fight between Nobunaga and Alexander while being crushed by the avatars of the Star Dragons.
 * He reveals his true face to Nobunaga, and when he tries to summon the Holy Grail, he is finally killed during the fight between Nobunaga and Alexander while being crushed by the avatars of the Star Dragons.

Round Table

 * Gaiusu Yuriusu Kaeseru (ガイウス・ユリウス・カエサル)
 * Caesar is a masked man charged with dealing with the escaped Da Vinci. He pilots a Giant Battle Armor named Quo Vadis. He decides that he wants to have Ichihime for himself when he sees her while scouting out Owari Castle.
 * During the Takeda Clan's assault on the Owari Castle, he appears and kills Nobuhide. He later kills Shingen with a surprise attack from behind before he can pass his Sacred Treasure of Wind on to Nobunaga (which his subordinates Nell and Bianchi then steal), then proceeds to incite the Takeda Clan by claiming that Nobunaga was the one to stab Shingen from behind.
 * When he accepted a truce from the Oda Clan and a temporary alliance, he put the condition that Ichihime will become his queen in return for the peace between the factions. He seems to have a rivalry with Alexander. While he does not consider it dishonorable to attack someone from behind, he claims to dislike killing women.
 * He is brainwashed by Arthur and tries to fulfill his wishes, until he is freed of his influence by Nobunaga. He is betrayed by Nell and Bianchi and is pierced by a spear that kills him, Ichihime and Nell, although he kills Bianchi in retaliation before succumbing to his wounds, and dies in the arms of Ichihime claiming his happiest moments were with her.
 * He is brainwashed by Arthur and tries to fulfill his wishes, until he is freed of his influence by Nobunaga. He is betrayed by Nell and Bianchi and is pierced by a spear that kills him, Ichihime and Nell, although he kills Bianchi in retaliation before succumbing to his wounds, and dies in the arms of Ichihime claiming his happiest moments were with her.


 * Arekusandā (アレクサンダー)
 * Alexander is the strongest member of the Round Table, and Arthur's apparent second in command. His comrades hold his skills in high regard and greatly value his opinion. His Giant Battle Armor named Gaia is the most powerful seen so far, easily defeating Kenshin and Nobunaga and nearly killing Hideyoshi. He would have become the emperor of the Western Star if it was not for Arthur, according to Da Vinci.
 * Alexander is the strongest member of the Round Table, and Arthur's apparent second in command. His comrades hold his skills in high regard and greatly value his opinion. His Giant Battle Armor named Gaia is the most powerful seen so far, easily defeating Kenshin and Nobunaga and nearly killing Hideyoshi. He would have become the emperor of the Western Star if it was not for Arthur, according to Da Vinci.


 * Cheezare Borujia (チェーザレ・ボルジア)
 * Borgia accompanies Charlemagne and Hannibal in their mission to the Eastern Star, though he chooses to remain in Magellan's flagship while they fight the Oda Clan. He stabs Hannibal in the back when she planned torturing the captive Joan. He is a sadistic person who has a loathing towards Machiavelli. He betrays Caesar and helps Nell and Bianchi in killing him. He later shoots Joan once he believes that she has fulfilled her purpose, and he is shot and killed by Mitsuhide in return.
 * Borgia accompanies Charlemagne and Hannibal in their mission to the Eastern Star, though he chooses to remain in Magellan's flagship while they fight the Oda Clan. He stabs Hannibal in the back when she planned torturing the captive Joan. He is a sadistic person who has a loathing towards Machiavelli. He betrays Caesar and helps Nell and Bianchi in killing him. He later shoots Joan once he believes that she has fulfilled her purpose, and he is shot and killed by Mitsuhide in return.


 * Sharurumaanu (シャルルマーニュ)
 * Charlemagne is a blonde man who acts as Hannibal's partner. He wields a Sacred Treasure of Wind that creates powerful ice attacks in combination with Hannibal's Sacred Treasure of Water. He uses this skill to freeze the people of Owari so that they may serve as hostages, only to kill them all when Hannibal commanded him to "release" them. He is fatally injured by Kenshin. However, he uses his remaining strength before dying to send the defeated Hannibal and captured Joan towards the Western fleet.
 * Charlemagne is a blonde man who acts as Hannibal's partner. He wields a Sacred Treasure of Wind that creates powerful ice attacks in combination with Hannibal's Sacred Treasure of Water. He uses this skill to freeze the people of Owari so that they may serve as hostages, only to kill them all when Hannibal commanded him to "release" them. He is fatally injured by Kenshin. However, he uses his remaining strength before dying to send the defeated Hannibal and captured Joan towards the Western fleet.


 * Hannibaru Baruka (ハンニバル・バルカ)
 * Hannibal is a tall woman who wears a rather flamboyant dress. She appears to be the cruelest member of the Round Table as she would make repeated requests to have Caesar punished for his failures on the Eastern Star. She is quite arrogant, often boasting that she could do a better job. It is possible that there might be some bad blood between them. She wields the Sacred Treasure of Water. After a failed attempt to acquire Nobunaga's Sacred Treasures, she returns with the unconscious Joan and the deceased Charlemagne's Sacred Treasure of Wind. As she plots to torture her captive, she is stabbed and killed by Borgia.
 * Hannibal is a tall woman who wears a rather flamboyant dress. She appears to be the cruelest member of the Round Table as she would make repeated requests to have Caesar punished for his failures on the Eastern Star. She is quite arrogant, often boasting that she could do a better job. It is possible that there might be some bad blood between them. She wields the Sacred Treasure of Water. After a failed attempt to acquire Nobunaga's Sacred Treasures, she returns with the unconscious Joan and the deceased Charlemagne's Sacred Treasure of Wind. As she plots to torture her captive, she is stabbed and killed by Borgia.


 * Niccoro Makiaberi (ニッコロ・マキャベリ)
 * Machiavelli is a woman with purple hair that hides her right eye because its mechanical. She seems to dislike Borgia, and she prefers using a more psychological type of torture unlike Borgia. She claims her biggest desire is being recognized by Arthur, and wants Joan's powers to achieve it. She was later killed by Borgia.
 * Machiavelli is a woman with purple hair that hides her right eye because its mechanical. She seems to dislike Borgia, and she prefers using a more psychological type of torture unlike Borgia. She claims her biggest desire is being recognized by Arthur, and wants Joan's powers to achieve it. She was later killed by Borgia.


 * Chandoraguputa (チャンドラグプタ)
 * Gupta accompanies Alexander in their quest to conquer the Eastern Star, showing his ruthlessness by destroying the Takeda Clan territory. Unlike most characters, his Giant Battle Armor named Ganapati is shaped similar to that of an elephant. He was killed by Kenshin.
 * Gupta accompanies Alexander in their quest to conquer the Eastern Star, showing his ruthlessness by destroying the Takeda Clan territory. Unlike most characters, his Giant Battle Armor named Ganapati is shaped similar to that of an elephant. He was killed by Kenshin.

Other characters

 * Mazeran (マゼラン)
 * Magellan is an admiral from the Western Star who escorts Joan and Da Vinci to the Eastern Star until they escape his flagship. He would later escort Caesar, Nell and Bianchi on their own voyage to the Eastern Star as well.
 * Magellan is an admiral from the Western Star who escorts Joan and Da Vinci to the Eastern Star until they escape his flagship. He would later escort Caesar, Nell and Bianchi on their own voyage to the Eastern Star as well.


 * Buruutasu (ブルータス)
 * Brutus is Caesar's lieutenant. He is shown to be extremely loyal to his commander and follows his orders without question. Originally left behind on the Western Star, he personally escorted a shipment of Giant Battle Armors to the Eastern Star. One of these Giant Battle Armors was stolen by Hideyoshi, who defeated Brutus with the power of the Sacred Treasure of Wind.
 * Brutus is Caesar's lieutenant. He is shown to be extremely loyal to his commander and follows his orders without question. Originally left behind on the Western Star, he personally escorted a shipment of Giant Battle Armors to the Eastern Star. One of these Giant Battle Armors was stolen by Hideyoshi, who defeated Brutus with the power of the Sacred Treasure of Wind.


 * Neru Tsepeshu (ネル・ツェペシュ)
 * Nell is a mysterious and bloodthirsty little girl who accompanied Caesar to the Eastern Star. She is Bianchi's apparent twin sister. She is shown to take joy out of discomfort of others and she spies on Caesar for Borgia. When Borgia orders her and Bianchi to kill Caesar, she throws the spear that kills Bianchi, Caesar and Ichihime, before being killed in retaliation by Caesar. She and her brother seem to show relief as they die despite the pain, as the sinister red glow of their eyes fades presumably along with whatever spell they were under.
 * Nell is a mysterious and bloodthirsty little girl who accompanied Caesar to the Eastern Star. She is Bianchi's apparent twin sister. She is shown to take joy out of discomfort of others and she spies on Caesar for Borgia. When Borgia orders her and Bianchi to kill Caesar, she throws the spear that kills Bianchi, Caesar and Ichihime, before being killed in retaliation by Caesar. She and her brother seem to show relief as they die despite the pain, as the sinister red glow of their eyes fades presumably along with whatever spell they were under.


 * Bianki Tsepeshu (ビアンキ・ツェペシュ)
 * Bianchi is a mysterious and bloodthirsty little boy who accompanied Caesar to the Eastern Star. He is Nell's apparent twin brother. His personality is exactly like that of his sister and he also spies on Caesar for Borgia. When Borgia orders him and Nell to kill Caesar, he attacks him and before he can react, he is pierced by the spear thrown by his sister, dying alongside Caesar and Ichihime.
 * Bianchi is a mysterious and bloodthirsty little boy who accompanied Caesar to the Eastern Star. He is Nell's apparent twin brother. His personality is exactly like that of his sister and he also spies on Caesar for Borgia. When Borgia orders him and Nell to kill Caesar, he attacks him and before he can react, he is pierced by the spear thrown by his sister, dying alongside Caesar and Ichihime.

Anime
An anime television series by Satelight aired from January 5, 2014 to June 22, 2014. For episodes 1-13, the opening theme for is "Fool the World" by Minori Chihara, and the ending theme is "Axis" by Stereo Dive Foundation. For episode 14 onwards, the opening theme is "Breakthrough" by JAM Project while the ending theme is "Orchid" (蘭（RAN）) by Asuka. Anime streaming site Crunchyroll acquired the streaming rights for North America and other territories. Sentai Filmworks has licensed the series for digital and home video release in North America.