Live-Action TV
Description
Eiichi Shibusawa, often referred to as Baron Shibusawa, is a character in the anime OVA series Doomed Megalopolis, which adapts the larger Teito Monogatari storyline. The character is based on the historical figure of the same name, a prominent industrialist and political leader often called the father of Japanese capitalism. In the context of the anime's fictionalized 20th century Tokyo, Shibusawa is portrayed as a powerful and influential politician with the title of Baron, a position that places him among the elite decision-makers of the era.
Shibusawa is an older man with grey hair and grey eyes, and he is frequently depicted smoking. His primary motivation is the modernization and protection of Tokyo. He envisions transforming the city into the most prosperous and blessed capital in the East, reflecting the historical ambitions of Japan during the Meiji, Taisho, and early Showa periods. He is a pragmatist whose concerns are rooted in the physical and spiritual well-being of the metropolis he is helping to build.
In the story, Shibusawa serves as a key figure who seeks out supernatural solutions to urban problems. Recognizing that spiritual forces could interfere with his grand plans for Tokyo's development, he summons the master onmyoji Yasumasa Hirai. His purpose is to enlist Hirai's mystical expertise to deal with the restless spirit of the ancient warrior Taira no Masakado, which Shibusawa fears could become a threat to the capital. This action sets a significant part of the narrative in motion. His grand plan for blessing the city, however, is initially canceled following the death of the Meiji Emperor.
Years later, after the devastating Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 levels much of Tokyo, Shibusawa revisions his earlier ambitions. He reuses parts of his original plan as a framework to rebuild the shattered city. This demonstrates his resilience and unwavering commitment to Tokyo's future, showing that even a catastrophic natural event does not deter him from his goal of urban advancement, though it forces him to adapt his methods. His key relationship is with Yasumasa Hirai, whom he views as an essential asset for managing the occult dangers that threaten his vision for the capital. The character of Shibusawa does not undergo a significant personal transformation or development within the narrative, instead remaining a consistent force representing established authority and the desire for progress and order. He has no notable supernatural or combat abilities, as his influence is purely political, economic, and social, deriving from his title, wealth, and connections.
Shibusawa is an older man with grey hair and grey eyes, and he is frequently depicted smoking. His primary motivation is the modernization and protection of Tokyo. He envisions transforming the city into the most prosperous and blessed capital in the East, reflecting the historical ambitions of Japan during the Meiji, Taisho, and early Showa periods. He is a pragmatist whose concerns are rooted in the physical and spiritual well-being of the metropolis he is helping to build.
In the story, Shibusawa serves as a key figure who seeks out supernatural solutions to urban problems. Recognizing that spiritual forces could interfere with his grand plans for Tokyo's development, he summons the master onmyoji Yasumasa Hirai. His purpose is to enlist Hirai's mystical expertise to deal with the restless spirit of the ancient warrior Taira no Masakado, which Shibusawa fears could become a threat to the capital. This action sets a significant part of the narrative in motion. His grand plan for blessing the city, however, is initially canceled following the death of the Meiji Emperor.
Years later, after the devastating Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 levels much of Tokyo, Shibusawa revisions his earlier ambitions. He reuses parts of his original plan as a framework to rebuild the shattered city. This demonstrates his resilience and unwavering commitment to Tokyo's future, showing that even a catastrophic natural event does not deter him from his goal of urban advancement, though it forces him to adapt his methods. His key relationship is with Yasumasa Hirai, whom he views as an essential asset for managing the occult dangers that threaten his vision for the capital. The character of Shibusawa does not undergo a significant personal transformation or development within the narrative, instead remaining a consistent force representing established authority and the desire for progress and order. He has no notable supernatural or combat abilities, as his influence is purely political, economic, and social, deriving from his title, wealth, and connections.