TV-Series
Description
Ii Naomasa is a loyal general serving the Tokugawa clan and a prominent figure in the Samurai Warriors series, where he is depicted as a young, ambitious warrior known for his distinctive red armor. As an adopted son of Naotora Ii and a trusted vassal of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Ii Naomasa strives to uphold the honor of his clan and prove himself as one of the premier warriors of his generation. His historical counterpart was a real Japanese samurai who lived from 1561 to 1602 and was renowned as one of the Four Guardian Kings of the Tokugawa.
Naomasa's background is rooted in the turbulent Sengoku period. He enters the service of the Tokugawa clan at a young age and is determined to forge his own legacy. Taking inspiration from the fearsome Takeda general Masakage Yamagata, he famously dons crimson armor for his unit, which becomes known as Ii's Red Devils, a tribute that is both a mark of respect and a psychological weapon against his enemies. Even as a child, the games show him being carried into the Tokugawa camp by his foster mother, Naotora, indicating his early exposure to the life of a warrior.
In terms of personality, Naomasa is characterized by his burning ambition and a strong sense of justice. He is bold and enthusiastic, often acting as if he is a hero of righteousness. In his early appearances, he is portrayed as reckless and prideful, believing he can single-handedly defend the Tokugawa and judging his peers as either too obedient or inadequate. He is particularly eager to compete with the legendary Tadakatsu Honda, whose seemingly effortless strength and lack of injuries in battle both frustrate and inspire him. Naomasa has a notable verbal tic, frequently using the phrase damesugiru, meaning its worthless or no good, a habit he picked up as a child. His motivations are driven by a desire to be the perfect guardian for his lord Ieyasu and to prove his worth as a leader, culminating in his desire to shoulder the burden of the next generation of Tokugawa warriors.
Naomasa's role in the story arc is one of personal growth and learning the value of teamwork. His initial journey is marked by a reckless solo charge during the Tenshō-Jingo conflict, which endangers both himself and his allies. This failure serves as a crucial turning point, teaching him humility and the importance of collaborating with his comrades, a lesson he successfully applies in subsequent battles like Komaki-Nagakute. He eventually earns the respect of his peers and is entrusted with the leadership of the Ii clan. One of his most significant battles is Sekigahara, where he plays a key role in the Eastern Army's victory, leading the charge and pursuing the defeated Western forces.
Key relationships shape Naomasa's development significantly. His dynamic with his foster mother, Naotora Ii, is central, as she supports him and ultimately hands over the clan's leadership to him. His relationship with Tadakatsu Honda evolves from one of hostile rivalry to a more mature and mutual respect, akin to a senior and junior colleague who push each other to be better. Perhaps his most memorable bond is with Shimazu Toyohisa. Initially dismissing him, Naomasa eventually comes to accept Toyohisa as a worthy rival and friend, even admitting after their final duel that he was truly happy to be considered a rival by him.
In terms of abilities, Naomasa is a highly versatile fighter. His primary weapon is a pointed spear, but his fighting style is unique as it incorporates hand-to-hand combat elements reminiscent of his mother. His attacks include powerful thrusts with his spear combined with punches, kicks, and grapples, making him effective at a variety of ranges. This style has been described as a mix of Tadakatsu's strength and Naotora's recklessness. A special skill he can perform is firing a shockwave, which serves as a powerful long-range attack. On the battlefield, his presence is a morale booster for his allies, and his crimson armor inspires fear in his enemies, embodying his reputation as a heroic and formidable force for the Tokugawa clan.
Naomasa's background is rooted in the turbulent Sengoku period. He enters the service of the Tokugawa clan at a young age and is determined to forge his own legacy. Taking inspiration from the fearsome Takeda general Masakage Yamagata, he famously dons crimson armor for his unit, which becomes known as Ii's Red Devils, a tribute that is both a mark of respect and a psychological weapon against his enemies. Even as a child, the games show him being carried into the Tokugawa camp by his foster mother, Naotora, indicating his early exposure to the life of a warrior.
In terms of personality, Naomasa is characterized by his burning ambition and a strong sense of justice. He is bold and enthusiastic, often acting as if he is a hero of righteousness. In his early appearances, he is portrayed as reckless and prideful, believing he can single-handedly defend the Tokugawa and judging his peers as either too obedient or inadequate. He is particularly eager to compete with the legendary Tadakatsu Honda, whose seemingly effortless strength and lack of injuries in battle both frustrate and inspire him. Naomasa has a notable verbal tic, frequently using the phrase damesugiru, meaning its worthless or no good, a habit he picked up as a child. His motivations are driven by a desire to be the perfect guardian for his lord Ieyasu and to prove his worth as a leader, culminating in his desire to shoulder the burden of the next generation of Tokugawa warriors.
Naomasa's role in the story arc is one of personal growth and learning the value of teamwork. His initial journey is marked by a reckless solo charge during the Tenshō-Jingo conflict, which endangers both himself and his allies. This failure serves as a crucial turning point, teaching him humility and the importance of collaborating with his comrades, a lesson he successfully applies in subsequent battles like Komaki-Nagakute. He eventually earns the respect of his peers and is entrusted with the leadership of the Ii clan. One of his most significant battles is Sekigahara, where he plays a key role in the Eastern Army's victory, leading the charge and pursuing the defeated Western forces.
Key relationships shape Naomasa's development significantly. His dynamic with his foster mother, Naotora Ii, is central, as she supports him and ultimately hands over the clan's leadership to him. His relationship with Tadakatsu Honda evolves from one of hostile rivalry to a more mature and mutual respect, akin to a senior and junior colleague who push each other to be better. Perhaps his most memorable bond is with Shimazu Toyohisa. Initially dismissing him, Naomasa eventually comes to accept Toyohisa as a worthy rival and friend, even admitting after their final duel that he was truly happy to be considered a rival by him.
In terms of abilities, Naomasa is a highly versatile fighter. His primary weapon is a pointed spear, but his fighting style is unique as it incorporates hand-to-hand combat elements reminiscent of his mother. His attacks include powerful thrusts with his spear combined with punches, kicks, and grapples, making him effective at a variety of ranges. This style has been described as a mix of Tadakatsu's strength and Naotora's recklessness. A special skill he can perform is firing a shockwave, which serves as a powerful long-range attack. On the battlefield, his presence is a morale booster for his allies, and his crimson armor inspires fear in his enemies, embodying his reputation as a heroic and formidable force for the Tokugawa clan.