The introducing of Hakkenshi/The eight dog warriors in Nanso Satomi Hakkenden -Inuzuka Shino's Edition-

Of course, characters such as Hakkenshi in Nanso Satomi Hakkenden hasn't been known to foreigners very much.

So, at first, I decided to introduce Hakkenshi, the eight heroes of Hakkenden.

First, I'll introduce Inuzuka Shino, the protagonist of the first-half and the warrior of Kou（孝）/filial piety.

 

・Inuzuka Shino's character

He has an orb written with the word "Kou（孝）" (filial piety)

He has a peony birthmark on his left arm (right arm in the OVA "The Hakkenden").

 

 

The protagonist of the first half of the original Hakkenden.

There is a superstition that if you switch genders until coming of age, you will grow up strong in this era.

So, he was given a woman's name and raised in women's clothing.

But unlike Inusaka Keno, he wasn't fittable to cross-dressing. (Though he himself did not seem to mind.)

 

 

He was engaged to his childhood friend Hamaji(she's similar to Ophelia in Hamlet), but he refused to court her (Hamaji's wooing), prioritizing his father's will, which will be described later.

Following the will of his father, who served the Kamakura shogunate, he tried to present the famous sword Murasamemaru, which gushes forth moisture, to the Koga kubo Ashikaga Shigeuji.

But Murasamemaru was switched on the way, and he was suspected as a spy instead.

 

 

Shino prioritized fulfilling his father's will and continued to resist the forces of the Koga Kubo, eventually fought with Inukai Genpach/The Kenshi/Dog Warrior of Shin（信）/faith, at Horyu Tower, the Koga Kubo's mansion...

 

 

He is a "Kenshi of Water/Water Dog Warrior" whose trademark is the famous sword Murasamemaru, which gushes forth moisture.

(Ah, in that case, maybe Kamado Tanjiro, who is skilled in the Water Breathing technique, may be modeled after Shino)

But apart from that, he is skilled in both the literary and martial arts, so he doesn't have any particular characteristics.

His personality is often portrayed as a serious, dignified genius, especially in the original work.

But perhaps because of the episode of the theft of Murasamemaru, he is sometimes portrayed as an absent-minded person, such as in the OVA "The Hakkenden."

 

 

・In the Kadokawa film "Satomi Hakkenden/Legend Of Eight Samurai"  in 1983 (Actor: Kyomoto Masaki)

He appears as a supporting character.

His hot-bloodedness is emphasized, and after his childhood friend Hamaji (Actor: Okada Nana) was killed in an assassination mission by Inusaka Keno(Actor: Shihomi Etsuko), he chased Keno and crossed swords with her.

Hamaji was modified by the enemy army into a biological weapon in which both his blood and breath were turned into deadly poison, and he clashed with Hamaji in the final battle.

In the whole story, he doesn't use Murasamemaru.

 

 

・In the TBS New Year's Special Drama "Satomi Hakkenden" in 2006 (Actor: Takizawa Hideaki)

"Manly and brave, skilled in both the arts and martial arts, and a master swordsman"

The protagonist.

Since the story is basically based on the original work, he is portrayed as being serious and dignified overall.

But he also showed some absent-mindedness, such as the theft of Murasamemaru, and a somewhat clumsy side in love.

When his beloved Hamaji (Actress: Ayase Haruka) was put in danger by the people of Satomi, he gradually strengthens his resolve to protect her.

He retrieved Murasamemaru it in the middle of the story and used it in the final battle.(With using CG, to depict the sword flash as if it were wrapped in a current of water)

(By the way, my mother fell in love with Takizawa Hideaki's action in this drama at first sight, and recommended this over the competing program, Furuhata Ninzaburo Final)

Fortunately, I found a video of the action on Youtube, so I'd like to introduce it.

 

In the OVA "The Hakkenden" (Character Voice: Seki Toshihiko. Recently, he has voiced Momotaros and Kimutsuji Muzan)

"A coward who is spaced out throughout the entire story"

"A naive novice. Unlike the other dog warriors, he has no redeeming qualities"

The protagonist.

He is portrayed as a absent-minded character, which is rare in fanfic works.

The key to this work is his growth, that he's trying to protect the people he loves by himself, despite from being swept away by misfortune.

He didn't use Murasamemaru, except in his battle with Inukawa Sosuke in Shinsho Chapter 4 and in his battle with the vengeful spirit in Shinsho Chapter 5, and it was robbed by Inue Shinbei immediately afterwards.

He finally got it back at the end of the story, but then accidentally dropped it into the sea, highlighting his clumsy side.

 

 

I introduced both “Harem Protagonist as Hakkenshi” and “Garupan Captain Group as Hakkenshi”.

Needless to say,

"The Harem Protagonist as Inuzuka Shino": Itou Makoto (School Days)

 

"The Garupan Captain Group as Inuzuka Shino": Nishizumi Miho (Oarai Girls' School)

 

 

With this casting, I could decide the role of Inuyama Dosetsu(Ichijou Raku and Nishi Kinuyo) in a chain reaction.

Personally, I can't accept it if Makoto isn't in the role of Shino.

Also, in the old days, leaving one's family and children was also considered a virtue as 'Kou/filial piety'.

If you think about it, it feels like it would have been better for Makoto or his father to have been born in the Edo period.

In addition to his wife, they would have had concubines and had many children, thinking 'now our family is safe and sound'

(Don't throw eggs at them. Nevertheless, before the Second World War, more than half of the children died before reaching adulthood).

Nishizumi Miho was chozen because she is the main character in Garupanand because she usually has a lot of absent-minded sides.

Although, in her case.

She usually has a lot of absent-minded sides, but when she gets on a tank she suddenly becomes dignified'.