Oda, Nobunaga
Summary
Oda Nobunaga, also known as Dai Rokuten Maou, is driven by a desire to conquer the world. Initially aided by the Juunishinshou, his ambitions were cut short when he was killed by the child Kyo at Honnoji Temple years prior to the Battle of Seikigahara. Recognizing his importance to the Mibu Clan’s schemes, they resurrected him by transferring his soul into the body of Lord Torii, Benitora’s uncle. Kyoshiro provided this vessel to the Mibu for the ritual. After Kyo defeated Nobunaga at the Battle of Seikigahara, he was resurrected once more. He later crossed paths with Kyo in Aokigahara Forest, where Benitora knocked him from his horse, leading to a duel. In the anime adaptation, this encounter ends with Nobunaga’s death. The manga diverges here, as Yukimura pleads for Kyo to spare the wounded leader; Kyo refuses and kills him in their subsequent battle. Following his death, Shindara delivers Nobunaga’s head to the Mibu, who resurrect him within the body of Shiina Nozomu. This vessel allows Nobunaga to access Nozomu’s memories and utilize his shaman powers. During their fourth confrontation, Nobunaga uses these abilities to revive the members of the Juunishinshou who had previously been defeated. Although he is defeated again, Sasuke observes that Nobunaga remains consistent with the rest of the group: a man seeking to be the strongest, fearless, and determined to forge his own path to a world of 'peace' defined by his control. The manga explores Nobunaga’s fascination with Kyo, noting his fearless eyes and how Kyo inspired Nobunaga to appreciate humanity and strive for supremacy. Nobunaga declares his intent to return to defeat Kyo, a challenge Kyo accepts. In the anime, the arc involving Shiina Nozomu and Nobunaga’s specific backstory is omitted. Instead, Nobunaga’s sister serves as Shatora, the leader of the Jūnishinshō. She resurrects her brother, transitioning him from Lord Torii to a tree, and finally into Kyo’s body. Within the anime’s narrative, Nobunaga functions primarily as a character who has lost his sanity, driven solely by the goal of world domination.
