is a Japanese shōnen

anime is a Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, , in Japan and in Ja ...

television series consisting of 46 episodes directed by Kazuyuki Okasako. Loosely based on real life events of

Tokugawa Mitsukuni , also known as , was a Japanese daimyō, daimyo who was known for his influence in the politics of the early Edo period. He was the third son of Tokugawa Yorifusa (who in turn was the eleventh son of Tokugawa Ieyasu) and succeeded him, becoming ...

, it is considered as a sort of remake of the successful

jidaigeki is a genre of film, television, and theatre in Japan. Literally meaning "historical drama, period dramas", it refers to stories that take place before the Meiji Restoration of 1868. ''Jidaigeki'' show the lives of the samurai, farmers, crafts ...

drama Drama is the specific Mode (literature), mode of fiction Mimesis, represented in performance: a Play (theatre), play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on Radio drama, radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a g ...

Mito Kōmon is a Japanese ''jidaigeki'' or period drama that was on prime-time television from 1969 to 2011, making it the longest-running ''jidaigeki'' in Japanese television history. The title character is the historic Tokugawa Mitsukuni, former vice-' ...

'' filled with more fantastic elements.

Plot

The ''

shōgun , officially , was the title of the military rulers of Japan during most of the period spanning from 1185 to 1868. Nominally appointed by the Emperor, shoguns were usually the de facto rulers of the country, except during parts of the Kamak ...

'' Mito Mitsukuni crosses Japan in disguise, accompanied by two bodyguards, the master swordsman Suke (Sasashi Sukesumaburo) and the strongman Kaku-san (Atsumi Kakunoshin), the grandson Sutemaru, the dog Dombee and, in part of the series, by a girl named Yuki. Each episode follows a basic plot: the group arrives in a village, with the ''shōgun'' hiding his identity. While they are resting they happen to witness some mysteries and some wrongdoings done by local personalities, prompting the group to investigate. In the end of every episode Suke and Kaku confront the main evildoer and, after a brawl in which Suke and Kaku show their physical prowess besting the minions of the main perpetrator with their abilities (Suke valiantly fighting with his katana, Kaku showing off "the strength of 100 men" to overcome his enemies), Suke shows the ''

inrō An is a traditional Japanese case for holding small objects, suspended from the (sash) worn around the waist when wearing a kimono. They are often highly decorated with various materials such as lacquer and various techniques such as , and are ...

'' that reveals Mitsukuni identity, ordering the villains to surrender and accept Mitsukuni's judgment, who then explains the mystery as an act of deliberate evil, punishes the wrongdoers and encourages the good people to go on with their lives.

Cast

Hirotaka Suzuoki was a Japanese actor, voice actor and narrator from Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, who graduated from Tokyo Keizai University. His best known roles include Bright Noa in ''Mobile Suit Gundam'', Kojirou Hyuga in ''Captain Tsubasa'', Dragon Shiryū ...

as Sasaki Sukesumaburo (Suke-san) *

Masaru Ikeda is a Japanese actor and voice actor from Tokyo. He is a graduate of the Tokyo Metro Fifth Commerce Senior High School and is currently affiliated with the Tokyo Actor's Consumer's Cooperative Society. He is best known for his roles in '' Yatterm ...

as Atsumi Kakunoshin (Kaku-San) *

Toshiya Sugita Toshiya is a masculine Japanese given name. Written forms Toshiya can be written using different combinations of kanji characters. Here are some examples: *敏也, "agile, to be" *敏矢, "agile, arrow" *敏哉, "agile, how (interrogative parti ...

as Mito Kōmon (Tokugawa Mitsukuni) *

Kazue Ikura is a Japanese actress, voice actress and narrator who works for Aoni Production. She was previously affiliated with theater groups/production companies 劇舎燐, 俳協, Production Baobab and NABEYA. She is most known for the roles of Kao ...

as Okoto *

Masako Miura is a Japanese voice actress employed by the talent management firm Arts Vision. Anime TV *''Pāman'' (1983) (Michiko Sawada, Girl) Unknown date *'' Aishite Knight'' (Kaoru) *''Chibi Maruko-chan'' (Yumiko, Kazuko Sasayama, Toshiko Tsuchihashi (F ...

as Onatsu *

Naoki Tatsuta is a Japanese voice actor affiliated with Aoni Production. He is most known for the roles of Buta Gorilla ( Kiteretsu Daihyakka), Daima Jin ( High School! Kimengumi), Oolong (Dragon Ball), Dr. Escargon ( Kirby: Right Back at Ya!), Ashibe's F ...

as Donbee *

Yōko Matsuoka is a Japanese actress, voice actress and narrator from Tokyo. She is affiliated with 81 Produce. Filmography Television animation ;1970's *''The Adventures of Hutch the Honeybee'' (1974) (Denta) *'' Wakakusa no Charlotte'' (1977) (Jim) *''An ...

as Sutemaru

References

External links

* * 1981 anime television series debuts Adventure anime and manga TV Tokyo original programming {{Japan-tv-prog-stub