OVA
Description
Nasu Suketaka Yoichi, known as Nasu no Yoichi, is a 19-year-old male samurai with an effeminate appearance, featuring long black hair (sometimes depicted as blue), blue eyes, and a tall, slender frame. He wears traditional samurai attire: a blue full-body garb, white waist sash, green hair ribbon, archer's protective armor, and sandals with long white socks. His primary weapon is a bow and arrow, marking his role as the group's archer.
Historically, he served under Minamoto no Yoshitsune during Japan's Genpei War in the 12th century. He gained renown for shooting a fan off a distant ship during the 1185 Battle of Yashima. Accounts of his life stem largely from *The Tale of the Heike*, with noted discrepancies between historical records and his portrayal. His death date varies between 1189, 1190, or 1232, though he appears as a teenager in the series.
Personality-wise, Yoichi cares for others but grapples with profound self-doubt, frequently mentioning his status as the youngest and "ugliest" of eleven brothers in the Nasu clan. He suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stemming from wartime atrocities committed under Yoshitsune's command, which violated his bushido honor. These traumatic memories visibly shake him during combat, posing risks to himself and allies. His resolve to uphold honor intensifies when confronting Yoshitsune, who reappears as an antagonist. Yoichi becomes more talkative when intoxicated, often discussing his past service.
Within the group, he collaborates closely with Shimazu Toyohisa and Oda Nobunaga. He provides medical aid, such as bandaging Toyohisa's wounds and assisting with feeding, and physically supports others, exemplified by carrying Hannibal Barca. His archery targets fleeing enemies, and he mentors elves in archery. His trauma and moral conflicts drive his character development, particularly through his fraught history with Yoshitsune and his commitment to protecting non-combatants.
Historically, he served under Minamoto no Yoshitsune during Japan's Genpei War in the 12th century. He gained renown for shooting a fan off a distant ship during the 1185 Battle of Yashima. Accounts of his life stem largely from *The Tale of the Heike*, with noted discrepancies between historical records and his portrayal. His death date varies between 1189, 1190, or 1232, though he appears as a teenager in the series.
Personality-wise, Yoichi cares for others but grapples with profound self-doubt, frequently mentioning his status as the youngest and "ugliest" of eleven brothers in the Nasu clan. He suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stemming from wartime atrocities committed under Yoshitsune's command, which violated his bushido honor. These traumatic memories visibly shake him during combat, posing risks to himself and allies. His resolve to uphold honor intensifies when confronting Yoshitsune, who reappears as an antagonist. Yoichi becomes more talkative when intoxicated, often discussing his past service.
Within the group, he collaborates closely with Shimazu Toyohisa and Oda Nobunaga. He provides medical aid, such as bandaging Toyohisa's wounds and assisting with feeding, and physically supports others, exemplified by carrying Hannibal Barca. His archery targets fleeing enemies, and he mentors elves in archery. His trauma and moral conflicts drive his character development, particularly through his fraught history with Yoshitsune and his commitment to protecting non-combatants.