I’m Glad Sengoku Basara Became The Anime Instead

Having played Koei's Sengoku Musou long prior to Sengoku Basara, I had accepted the former as having the "official" designs and history(regardless of how loosely based) That said, I like Capcom's take on the whole epic (for the most part) and felt theirs are far more suited in an anime. Here are comparisons of certain key characters from both games, and by the end of it, hopefully you'd agree with me the Sengoku Basara would have translated better as an anime.

Yukimura Sanada

Yukimura retains a standardized look for both versions, right down to the red motifs of his armor, although Basara's sports two jumonji-yaris instead. Personality wise, they're also similar, though Basara's a lot more shounen-y (read: annoying)

Historical Titbit: His proper name was Sanada Nobushige, named after Takeda Shingen's younger brother Takeda Nobushige, and was called "A Hero Who May Appear Once In Hundred Years" and "Crimson Demon Of War"

Masamune Date

I never did like Musou's rendition since he was depicted as an ambitious loud mouthed brat who's not even old enough to use a real sword(he uses a kendo sword, if I recall correctly). Needless to say, Capcom gave Date a complete overhaul by ditching the twin pistols and boosting the number of swords to a grand total of six, to which he wields like claws.

Historical Titbit: Also known as the One Eyed Dragon, Masamune Date lost his right eyesight to smallpox as a child though it was unclear as to how the organ got removed entirely.

Shingen Takeda

Other than the mask, both Shingens look identical, although Capcom decided that the wise sagely look wouldn't have done him justice, so they buffed him up considerably and gave him an axe instead.

Historical Titbit: Unlike Date and Yukimura, only Shigen and Kenshin's rivalry was documented and made famous as the battle between the Tiger of Kai and the Dragon of Echigo.

Kenshin Uesugi

The first of many radical redesigns, Kenshin's effeminate features in Basara was an obvious pandering to whoever that is into that sort of thing, although I'd imagine him being paired off with someone other than Shingen... While Basara's version looks to be your typical swordsman, Musou's was a crazed fundie who fought in the name of the war god, Bishamonten.

Kasuga/Kunoichi

Along the way, both developers thought it would be a good idea to include their own characters, which resulted in these two female ninjas. They both however worked in different factions, though I personally prefer Kasuga since she's got a lot more personality and is funny to watch, with her constant orgasms.

Kotaro Fuma

The one on the left looks like he came out of Naruto while the other looks like an Indian wargod. Interesting to note however, is that the one that ultimately succeeded in assassinating Shingen Takeda was Show ▼

Motochika Chosokabe

I used neither Motochikas, but it's safe to say Basara's a lot more useful in war. Yes, that's a shamisen.

Yoshimoto Imagawa

All you need to know is that they both look like humongous faggots, which is ironic, since history's impression of him look a whole lot better.

Historical Titbit: Despite having a force of 25,000 strong, Yoshimoto fell to Oda's army of 3,000 during a surprise attack following a downpour.

Ieyasu Tokugawa

Look closely at both versions and tell me who is more fitting to become Japan's first ever shogun. That's right, I just cannot fathom why Capcom would turn Tokugawa into a midget who looks as though he was one of the grunts.

Tadakatsu Honda

Make no mistake, Honda's equivalent to the likes of Lu Bu in terms of raw power and fighting prowess, and I think both versions capture that very well, although Basara kicks the whole "unstoppable killing machine" concept a hundred notches up. You'll know what I mean soon enough....

Historical Titbit: Tadakatsu Honda was often called "The Warrior Who Surpassed Death Itself" because he has never been scathed or hit in over 55 battles.

Keiji Maeda

Keiji was probably the only person who could match Honda in terms of power and ferocity back in Musou, although I felt he lacks that similar omnipotence in Basara. Still, both versions have that wild and flamboyant flair that complemented Keiji's outlandish nature. Also, instead of his fabled steed Matsukaze, Basara's Keiji has a pet monkey. Talk about a downgrade.

Historical Titbit: He was nicknamed "Kabukimono" for being a strange man in terms of dressing, manners and such.

Toshiie Maeda

Don't be deceived by his introduction in episode 3, Toshiie's a badass who wields a two prong spear that's even bigger than he is. You may consider that a spoiler but I'm sure that the Musou version in the inset would have hinted at that.

Nobunaga Oda

The Demon Lord himself. Save the helmet and the odd inclusion of a shotgun in Basara, both Nobunagas share the same otherworldly aura that instill nothing but fear into their foes. However, Basara's Oda wins for having Norio Wakamoto voicing him, which pretty much increases the evil factor by tenfold.

Akechi Mitsuhide

I still question the effectiveness of a scythe in battle, and Basara's Akechi pretty much depicts him as a murderous psychopath, a far departure from the level headed yet cunning one from Musou. The latter makes a lot more sense of course, considering the fact that Akechi would be the one who will one day Show ▼

Nou Hime

Nobunaga's waifu and confidante. I don't like mature women, but I suppose Basara's version is a lot sexier.

Ranmaru Mori

Nobunaga's personal boytoy, except Capcom took that in the literal sense and purged Ranmaru of all the trappish appeal that attracted me to him in the first place.

Oichi

This one made me rage. Gone is the chaste moeblob Oichi of Musou that made my heart flutter everytime she graced my screen with her hammer and ball. Basara's Oichi is at the extreme end, as her submissive and soulless puppet persona is one hell of an erection killer, a role that Mamiko Noto voices to aplomb. Damn you Capcom.

Nagamasa Azai

The defender of truth and justice! At least until women are involved! A believer of hoes before bros, both Nagamasas differ only in color scheme and weapon of choice, although Basara's come off a little more dedicated both to his cause and to Oichi.

Unlike the Three Kingdoms, I have no idea to what extent the Sengoku period was butchered, despite using Wikipedia for those historical facts, so take whatever's posted here with a grain of salt. Also, if you recalled earlier about me mentioning the Tiger and Dragon metaphor, this is what I said about a week ago:

Me

Date Masamune = One-Eyed Dragon
Sanada Yukimura = Young Tiger of Kai
Tiger + Dragon = Toradora

koda

@shinn87 Ryuuji with an eyepatch and six large mold scrubbers vs. Taiga with two wooden swords. Better get to work in Photoshop, Shinn.

And the final result?

Show ▼

Thanks to hoshi for the sh00p, since I wasn't too satisfied with my MSPaint version, which I still think isn't that shabby.

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