TV-Series
Description
Ashikaga Yoshiteru is the thirteenth shogun of the Muromachi shogunate and the ruler of Kyoto in Sengoku Youko, a figure revered as a peerless warrior and a natural leader. Known by his true name Kikudoumaru, he governs the capital alongside the local land goddess, Hanatora, and is admired by many as the ideal example of a warrior. He is an eccentric and charismatic individual, famously expressing a whimsical desire to become a bird, a quirk that highlights his unconventional and free-spirited nature. Despite his lofty status, he is approachable and demonstrates genuine compassion, particularly towards those who are struggling.
Yoshiteru's motivations are deeply tied to his philosophy on power, conflict, and humanity. He believes that the power of the World of Darkness is not inherently corrupting, as humans already fight and kill each other with or without supernatural abilities. This belief drives him to engage with and guide others, most notably the troubled boy Senya. Yoshiteru takes a special interest in Senya, seeing past the boy's self-identification as a monster and recognizing him as a human with katawara inside him. His actions are aimed at helping Senya overcome his existential despair and accept his own nature, organizing experiences to show him happiness and humanity, such as taking the group on an outing to the palace.
In the story, Yoshiteru serves as a powerful ally and a mentor figure. He first encounters Shinsuke's group by reading a letter and personally venturing into the city to find them. He demonstrates his authority by bringing them to the Realm of Darkness to meet Hanatora and engages Senya in philosophical debates about the nature of conflict. His role is defined by his relationships, especially his close friendship with Hanatora and his paternal bond with Senya, to whom he provides inspiration and a reason to move forward. He also has a pivotal adversarial relationship with the daimyo Matsunaga Hisahide, who ultimately leads the attack on him.
Yoshiteru undergoes significant development through his acceptance of fate. Through his relentless pursuit of swordsmanship, he attained the power to cut through time, granting him precognitive visions of his entire life from birth to death. He foresees his own demise at the hands of Hisahide during the Eiroku Incident. Despite knowing this future, he makes no effort to escape his destiny, taking only the measure of ensuring his family's escape. He confronts his fate head-on, fighting an army of thousands alone with astonishing power and nearly claiming victory by himself. During the battle, his attention is momentarily diverted by the appearance of the Five, allowing Hisahide to land a fatal blow. Even in death, he praises his enemy's courage. His final act is to entrust the surname Kazematsuri to Shinsuke Hyoudou, who fulfilled his dream of becoming a bird, symbolizing the passing of his will. After his death, his soul is sealed within a sword through a pact with Hanatora, becoming a secret weapon against the Mudo people.
Notably, Yoshiteru is a swordsman of unparalleled skill, often referred to as a sword saint. His combat abilities are superhuman; he can easily block bullets, project shockwaves with his swings to hit multiple enemies at once using a technique called Infinite Blades, and unleash a sharp tornado-like attack known as Demon Dance: Flower Blade, Karmatic Wings. His most unique ability is his precognition, which allows him to see future events, though he cannot control these visions or use them in the midst of combat. His social influencing and charisma are also exceptional, as he is a born leader whose genius is said to shine brighter than the stars, earning the admiration of even a centuries-old goddess.
Yoshiteru's motivations are deeply tied to his philosophy on power, conflict, and humanity. He believes that the power of the World of Darkness is not inherently corrupting, as humans already fight and kill each other with or without supernatural abilities. This belief drives him to engage with and guide others, most notably the troubled boy Senya. Yoshiteru takes a special interest in Senya, seeing past the boy's self-identification as a monster and recognizing him as a human with katawara inside him. His actions are aimed at helping Senya overcome his existential despair and accept his own nature, organizing experiences to show him happiness and humanity, such as taking the group on an outing to the palace.
In the story, Yoshiteru serves as a powerful ally and a mentor figure. He first encounters Shinsuke's group by reading a letter and personally venturing into the city to find them. He demonstrates his authority by bringing them to the Realm of Darkness to meet Hanatora and engages Senya in philosophical debates about the nature of conflict. His role is defined by his relationships, especially his close friendship with Hanatora and his paternal bond with Senya, to whom he provides inspiration and a reason to move forward. He also has a pivotal adversarial relationship with the daimyo Matsunaga Hisahide, who ultimately leads the attack on him.
Yoshiteru undergoes significant development through his acceptance of fate. Through his relentless pursuit of swordsmanship, he attained the power to cut through time, granting him precognitive visions of his entire life from birth to death. He foresees his own demise at the hands of Hisahide during the Eiroku Incident. Despite knowing this future, he makes no effort to escape his destiny, taking only the measure of ensuring his family's escape. He confronts his fate head-on, fighting an army of thousands alone with astonishing power and nearly claiming victory by himself. During the battle, his attention is momentarily diverted by the appearance of the Five, allowing Hisahide to land a fatal blow. Even in death, he praises his enemy's courage. His final act is to entrust the surname Kazematsuri to Shinsuke Hyoudou, who fulfilled his dream of becoming a bird, symbolizing the passing of his will. After his death, his soul is sealed within a sword through a pact with Hanatora, becoming a secret weapon against the Mudo people.
Notably, Yoshiteru is a swordsman of unparalleled skill, often referred to as a sword saint. His combat abilities are superhuman; he can easily block bullets, project shockwaves with his swings to hit multiple enemies at once using a technique called Infinite Blades, and unleash a sharp tornado-like attack known as Demon Dance: Flower Blade, Karmatic Wings. His most unique ability is his precognition, which allows him to see future events, though he cannot control these visions or use them in the midst of combat. His social influencing and charisma are also exceptional, as he is a born leader whose genius is said to shine brighter than the stars, earning the admiration of even a centuries-old goddess.