TV-Series
Description
Maeda Inuchiyo, whose formal name is Maeda Toshiie, is a retainer of Oda Nobuna and is recognized as the foremost spear wielder in Owari province. Despite her youth, she holds the position of a general within the Oda faction.
In terms of background, Inuchiyo has been a close companion of Nobuna since early childhood, with a bond so strong that Nobuna regards her almost as a younger sister. This long-standing relationship is a core part of her identity, as she is one of the few people who truly understands the foundations of Nobuna's character and intelligence, even if she does not fully grasp her lord’s grand ambitions.
Physically, Inuchiyo is a petite girl with a small stature, indigo hair styled with long strands tied at the ends, and large silver-colored eyes. Her fashion sense is flamboyant, reflecting the kabukimono style often associated with eccentric warriors. She characteristically wears a tiger skin as part of her daily attire, using the head of the pelt as a unique piece of headwear, and is rarely seen without her favored yari, or spear, even in formal situations.
Personality-wise, Inuchiyo is typically quiet, reserved, and speaks in a deadpan, brief manner. She possesses a dry sense of humor, which can manifest in blunt, observational comments. Despite her serious demeanor, she has a playful side and seems to genuinely enjoy the company of those she trusts, even if their personalities clash with her own. She is extremely loyal and unquestioningly follows the orders of her daimyo, Oda Nobuna, no matter how unusual or difficult they might be. However, she is also sensitive about her youthful appearance and small size, reacting strongly to comments regarding her physique. This sensitivity is balanced by a fierce and capable fighting spirit that belies her small frame.
Inuchiyo’s primary motivation is her unwavering loyalty to Oda Nobuna. This devotion is absolute, as demonstrated when she accepted the order to burn Mount Hiei without allowing personal feelings to interfere. Beyond her service to her lord, she is also a very good friend and ally to the protagonist, Yoshiharu Sagara, often aiding him in his tasks and plans.
Her role in the story is that of a key military asset and a close personal attendant to Nobuna. She is a formidable warrior on the battlefield, known for her exceptional speed and skill with a spear, making her a crucial part of the Oda clan’s military campaigns. She also frequently accompanies Yoshiharu on his missions, providing him with protection and support, and serves as a bridge between him and the inner circle of Nobuna’s retainers.
Regarding key relationships, Inuchiyo’s connection with Oda Nobuna is paramount. Nobuna’s trust in her is so deep that when Inuchiyo was forced to harm a retainer of Nobukatsu, Nobuna refused to have her executed and instead, following Yoshiharu’s plan, arranged for her banishment to save her life. After surviving in the wilderness, Inuchiyo returned to the Oda clan, an experience that seemed to deepen her already fierce loyalty and alter her fashion sense.
Her relationship with Yoshiharu Sagara is also significant. While she often pinches his cheeks in response to his loud or outrageous comments, she clearly values his company and displays jealousy when he shows attention to other women. She accompanied him on many dangerous tasks, including a deep infiltration into enemy territory to rescue him during the retreat at Kanegasaki, and was visibly upset by his apparent death. Her devotion to him is such that she is frequently seen in his company, alongside other key allies like Hanbei and Goemon, even though she is not formally his retainer.
In terms of character development, Inuchiyo undergoes a notable change after her period of banishment. Forced to survive in the wilderness, she returned as something of a survivalist with a more pronounced gluttonous personality, likely a result of the starvation she endured. This experience also led to her adopting her distinctive kabukimono attire, including the tiger skin and face paint, which she explained by saying she "lost myself while trying to find myself". This journey marked a transition from a more standard footsoldier's uniform to a unique appearance that mirrors her fierce and independent spirit.
Notable abilities include her peerless skill with a spear, earning her the title of the top spear wielder in Owari. Her fighting style takes advantage of her small size, granting her remarkable speed and agility that allows her to perform acrobatic maneuvers on the battlefield. She also has an enhanced sense of smell, a canine-like trait that she uses for tracking enemies. Her loyalty and resilience are also exceptional, as she survived alone in the wilderness and returned to service without hesitation, her resolve seemingly strengthened by the ordeal.
In terms of background, Inuchiyo has been a close companion of Nobuna since early childhood, with a bond so strong that Nobuna regards her almost as a younger sister. This long-standing relationship is a core part of her identity, as she is one of the few people who truly understands the foundations of Nobuna's character and intelligence, even if she does not fully grasp her lord’s grand ambitions.
Physically, Inuchiyo is a petite girl with a small stature, indigo hair styled with long strands tied at the ends, and large silver-colored eyes. Her fashion sense is flamboyant, reflecting the kabukimono style often associated with eccentric warriors. She characteristically wears a tiger skin as part of her daily attire, using the head of the pelt as a unique piece of headwear, and is rarely seen without her favored yari, or spear, even in formal situations.
Personality-wise, Inuchiyo is typically quiet, reserved, and speaks in a deadpan, brief manner. She possesses a dry sense of humor, which can manifest in blunt, observational comments. Despite her serious demeanor, she has a playful side and seems to genuinely enjoy the company of those she trusts, even if their personalities clash with her own. She is extremely loyal and unquestioningly follows the orders of her daimyo, Oda Nobuna, no matter how unusual or difficult they might be. However, she is also sensitive about her youthful appearance and small size, reacting strongly to comments regarding her physique. This sensitivity is balanced by a fierce and capable fighting spirit that belies her small frame.
Inuchiyo’s primary motivation is her unwavering loyalty to Oda Nobuna. This devotion is absolute, as demonstrated when she accepted the order to burn Mount Hiei without allowing personal feelings to interfere. Beyond her service to her lord, she is also a very good friend and ally to the protagonist, Yoshiharu Sagara, often aiding him in his tasks and plans.
Her role in the story is that of a key military asset and a close personal attendant to Nobuna. She is a formidable warrior on the battlefield, known for her exceptional speed and skill with a spear, making her a crucial part of the Oda clan’s military campaigns. She also frequently accompanies Yoshiharu on his missions, providing him with protection and support, and serves as a bridge between him and the inner circle of Nobuna’s retainers.
Regarding key relationships, Inuchiyo’s connection with Oda Nobuna is paramount. Nobuna’s trust in her is so deep that when Inuchiyo was forced to harm a retainer of Nobukatsu, Nobuna refused to have her executed and instead, following Yoshiharu’s plan, arranged for her banishment to save her life. After surviving in the wilderness, Inuchiyo returned to the Oda clan, an experience that seemed to deepen her already fierce loyalty and alter her fashion sense.
Her relationship with Yoshiharu Sagara is also significant. While she often pinches his cheeks in response to his loud or outrageous comments, she clearly values his company and displays jealousy when he shows attention to other women. She accompanied him on many dangerous tasks, including a deep infiltration into enemy territory to rescue him during the retreat at Kanegasaki, and was visibly upset by his apparent death. Her devotion to him is such that she is frequently seen in his company, alongside other key allies like Hanbei and Goemon, even though she is not formally his retainer.
In terms of character development, Inuchiyo undergoes a notable change after her period of banishment. Forced to survive in the wilderness, she returned as something of a survivalist with a more pronounced gluttonous personality, likely a result of the starvation she endured. This experience also led to her adopting her distinctive kabukimono attire, including the tiger skin and face paint, which she explained by saying she "lost myself while trying to find myself". This journey marked a transition from a more standard footsoldier's uniform to a unique appearance that mirrors her fierce and independent spirit.
Notable abilities include her peerless skill with a spear, earning her the title of the top spear wielder in Owari. Her fighting style takes advantage of her small size, granting her remarkable speed and agility that allows her to perform acrobatic maneuvers on the battlefield. She also has an enhanced sense of smell, a canine-like trait that she uses for tracking enemies. Her loyalty and resilience are also exceptional, as she survived alone in the wilderness and returned to service without hesitation, her resolve seemingly strengthened by the ordeal.