Sanada 10 - The Battle of Sekigahara (Ep 1-3)

Sanada 10 - more formally, Shinshaku Sengoku Eiyuu Densetsu Sanada Juu Yuushi (New Legend of the Warring States Heroes: The Ten Warriors of Sanada) - has an interesting history. First, the story of Sarutobi Sasuke and the Sanada Ten Braves is a well-known folktale that has been made into movies, manga, and anime several times, including the series Brave 10 just three years later. Second, the series was planned for two seasons (24 episodes) in three chapters: Ueda Hen (the special), Kudoyama Hen (this series), and Osaka Hen (the second series, never made). Because the show was planned for 24 episodes, it takes its time getting started, with three episodes devoted to another "prologue," the Battle of Sekigahara. For now, there is no sign of the Sanada Ten Braves, and even Sasuke has only a peripheral role.

The Battle of Sekigahara (1600) was the culmination of the Warring States period in Japan. After decades of indecisive warfare among warlords, two dominant coalitions emerged: the "Western" daimyos, led by Ishida Mitsunari and centered around Osaka and the imperial capital of Kyoto; and the Eastern daimyos, led by Tokugawa Ieyusu and centered around Edo (now Tokyo). The two camps fought it out at Sekigahara. It was a decisive and bloody affair. It established Tokugawa dominance over feudal Japan and led to the establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate, which would last without interruption until the Meiji Restoration in1868. When the battle started, Tokugawa's Eastern Army army was almost surrounded by the forces of the Western Army. However, thanks to fog that covered the battlefield, the inactivity of the Western Army's eastern detachments, and the timely defection of critical elements of the Western Army, Tokugawa was able to concentrate his forces and smash his foes.

The opposing armies consisted of many quasi-independent commands. Between the dozens of commanders and the additional heroic vassals who played a role in the fighting, there are an inordinate number of names to keep track of. In addition, unless you're a cinematic genius like Akira Kurosawa, or have a super-widescreen canvas and the services of tens of thousands of extras (as in the film Gettysburg), it's very difficult to portray the ebb and flow of a battle that involved 200,000 men. So the anime resorts to maps - lots of maps. The maps have lots of names on them, representing the various commanders. The maps move, scale, fade, and are overlayed by pictures of fighting to convey some sense of the battle. And did I mention there are lots of them?

When DigitalPanic did the series back in the 'noughts, they rightly concluded that the maps were too difficult for then-current technology and didn't subtitle them. However, I felt that without labels, the maps didn't help very much. To see why, here's a professional map of the start of the battle, from the Museum at Gettysburg:

Now, here's the same map, more or less, in the anime, without the eastern detachments:

The first episode wasn't too bad - only four map styles and 4400 lines of typesetting - but the second episode was a nightmare - eight map styles and close to 40,000 lines of typesetting. The third episode fell in between - about 20,000 lines of typesetting. To put it in context, the third Sangokushi movie, my previous reference point for over-the-top typesetting, is twice as long as these three episodes combined and has about one-third as much typesetting.

Despite the over-reliance on maps, the three episodes provide a good sense of the course of the battle - from Ishida's overconfidence in his numerical superiority, to the back-and-forth nature of the battle during the first few hours, to the overwhelming impact of the betrayal by the Western Army's southernmost forces.

The original DigitalPanic releases were hardsubbed. Fortunately, I had access to a project script archive, so I had at least late-stage, if not necessarily final, scripts for each episode. After verifying the script against the actual release, I shifted the subs over to a new R2J DVD encode. Then the fun began.There were significant timing discrepancies between the TV broadcast that DigitalPanic used and the DVDs. I fine-timed the first two episodes myself before I remembered that I was no damned good at it; ninjacloud fine-timed the third. Then came the endless, or so it seemed, typesetting. Next, editing. As with the Sanada 10 Special, the translation was very stilted, with too many impersonal and passive constructs. I needed multiple passes to make things flow better. Nemesis and Uchuu QCed. The encode was done by an anonymous friend from R2J DVDs.

A few notes:

• Otani Gyobu, perhaps the most level-headed commander in the Western Army, had contracted leprosy and always wore a mask over his face. He was dying as the battle commenced.
• Circumlocutions like "11th day, 9th month" have to be used, rather than "September 11", because at the time, Japan was using the Chinese calendar, and the year started three to seven weeks later than the Western calendar.

As with the Sanada 10 Special, I excised all of DigitalPanic's notes that weren't hardsubbed. They mostly explained the offices that functioned as the middle names for many of the characters. I've reproduced them here:

• Naidaijin: Prime Minister of the Interior Cabinet
• Kozukenosuke: -suke is a prefectoral rank lower than that of -kami.
• Nakatsukasataifu: An official in the Ministry of Internal Affairs which deals with the administration of the royal palace.
• Hyobushoyu: An official in the Ministry of Military Manpower which oversees the recruitment and assignment of soldiers in the capital and non-autonomous prefectures.
• Tokugawa Ieyasu's former name is Matsudaira Motoyasu. It is not uncommon for sons to use the name of an extended clan.
• Gyobushoyu: An official in the Ministry of Punishment, which oversees the judgement, sentencing and punishment of convicted criminals.
• Okurashoyu: An official in the Ministry of Finance, which oversees monetary and currency matters and the collection of taxes.
• Augustinus is Konishi's Christian name. Christianity was introduced by Portuguese missionaries in the late 16th century.
• Akashi is a devout Christian and was baptised as Joao. His other known Christian name is Giovanni Juste.
• Kamonnokami: The head of the Kamon division of the Imperial household, which oversees maintenance and cleanliness.
• Kanpaku: The Imperial Regent. Also known as Sesshou when addressed by members of the royal family.
• Enriedo Gongujodo: A line of Buddhist scripture that means, "Leaving this tainted world, striving for the purer heavens."
• Jiju: The Chamberlain for the Emperor.
• Samanosuke: A secondary official in the Imperial Stable.
• Kurandonotou: Head of the Secretarial Division to the Emperor.
• Kunaishoyu: An official in the Ministry of Palace Affairs, which sees to the running of the palace and also manages tribute from the various prefectures.

The voice cast is stupendously long, with many featured actors only having a line or two. I don't have time or space for my usual capsule filmographies, so I've just included a list of some lead or featured roles:

• Utsumi Kenji (Narrator) - Roah in Fist of the North Star, Kaioh in Fist of the North Star 2, and Senbei Norimaki in Dr. Slump and Arale-chan. Orphan releaes: Nora, Bavi Stock, Stop!! Hibari-kun!, Techno Police 21C, Don Dracula (title role), 15 Shounen Hyouruuki.
• Wakamoto Norio (Sakakibara Shikibutaifu Yasumasa) - title role in The Gargoyle of the Yoshinagas, Cell in Dragonball, Katakuriko in Gintama, Oda Nobunaga in Sengoku Basara. Orphan releases: Apfelland Monogatari, Yamato 2520, Amon Saga, Joker: Marginal City.
• Yamada Keaton (Ishida Jibushoyu Mitsunari) - Orphan releases: Karuizawa Syndrome,  Boyfriend, and Sangokushi 1 and 2. 
• Ogawa Shinji (Tokugawa Naidaijin Ieyasu) - Maestro Stresemann in Nodame Cantabile. Orphan releases:Kasei Yakyoku, Starship Troopers, Junod.
• Nakamura Daiki (Honda Kozukenosuke Masazumi) - the title roles in Dangerous Jii-san Ja and Demon Beast Resurrection, Dayakka in Gurren Lagann, Seiji Date in Ronin Warriors, and Liu Bei in Yokoyama Mitsuteru Sangokushi. Orphan releases: Mikeneko Holmes, Condition Green, AWOL Compression Remix. 
• Yanada Kiyoyuki (Yagyu Mataemon Munenor) - Takenori in Slam Dunk, Gateau Mocha in Bakuretsu Hunter, and Kuroinu the black cat in Chii's Sweet Home. Orphan releases: Nanatoshi Monogatari. Hidamari no Ki, Hayou no Tsurugi, Exper Zenon, Akai Hayate, Nozomi Witches,  Ai no Kusabi.
• Aona Takeshi (Honda Nakatsukasataifu Tadakatsu) - Nurarihyon in GeGeGe no Kitarou through 2007, Billy Bones in Treasure Island, Bookman in D.grayman, Dracule in One Piece, Katsuhiko Masaki in Tenchi Muyo, and Shiro Sanada in Yamato. Orphan releases: A Penguin's Memories, Ginga Tansa 2100: Border-nen, Fire Emblem, Grimm Douwa: Kin no Tori, Hashire Melos!, the three Sangokushi movies,Tales of the Old Testament, Rain Boy.
• Mori Katsuji (Ii Hyobushoyu Naomasa ) - Astro Boy (1980), Cutie Honey, Real Drive, Rose of Versailles.Orphan releases: Cool Cool Bye, Amon Saga, Bagi, Stop!! Hibari-kun!
• Hiyama Noboyuki (Tokugawa Chunagon Hidetada, Matsudaira Shimotsukenokami Tadayoshi) - Madarame in Genshiken;Viral in Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, Date in Lime-iro Senkitan, Murata in Gundam Seed, Kouyuu Li in Saiunkoku Monogatari, Shin in Cowboy Bebop, and Kiei in Yu Yu Hakusho. Orphan releases: Fire Emblem,Next Senki Ehrgeiz, Shirokuma Cafe.
• Hashi Takaya (Otani Gyobushoyu Yoshitsugu) - Orphan releases: Tales from the Old Testament, Sanctuary, Oedo ga Nemurenai!, Yuukan Club.
• Horikawa Jin (Ukita Chunagon Hideie) - Bt'x; Musashi TV; Wangan Midnight; Zoids.
• Tomomichi Nishimuri (Natsuka Okurashoyu Masaie) - Yu Yu Hakusho, Slam Dunk, Mobile Suit Z Gundam. Orphan releases: Tales from the Old Testament, Bremen 4, Aoki Honoo, Eguchi Hisashi no Kotobuki Goro Show, Eguchi Hisashi no Nantoka Naru Desho!, Fire Tripper, Fumoon, Hi-Speed Jecy, Prime Rose, Wild 7, Wolf Guy, Yamataro Comes Back.
• Kashi Shouto (Ankokuji Choro Ekei) - REC, Kekkaishi, Monkey Turn, Gunparade March. Orphan releases: Ultra Nyan 2.
• Tahara Aruno (Konishi Settsunokami Yukinaga) - Orphan releases: Apfelland Monogotari, Bremen 4, Chiisai Sensuikau ni Koi wo Shita Dekasugira Kojira no Hanashi. 
• Tachiki Fumihiko (Shima Sakon Kiyooki) - Gintama, Golden Kamuy, High School DxD, Nana, Evangelion. Orphan releases: Jikuu Bouken.
• Nakata Jouji (Akashi Kamonnokami Teruzumi) - Alucard in Hellsing and and the Count of Monte Christo in Gankuutsuou. Orphan releases: Tales of the Old Testament, AWOL Compression Remix, Amatsuki.
• Ebara Masashi (Kuroda Kainokami Nagamasa) - Shakugan no Shana, Nodame Cantabile, Metropolis. Orphan releases: Blazing Transfer Student, Akai Hayate, Eiyuu Banka Koushi-den, Mikeneko Holmes, Apfelland Monogatari.
• Fujimoto Yuzuru (Shimazu Hyogonyudo Ishin - Orphan releases: Al Caral no Isan.
• Matsuo Matsuo (Shimazu Jiju Toyohisa (Nephew of Ishin)) - Dog of Flanders; Read or Die TV; Ryokunohara Labyrinth. Orphan releases: Exper Zenon.
• Fujiwara Keiji (Hattori Hanzo Masanari) - Antique Bakery, Shingeki no Kyojin;Kekkai Sensen. Blue Exorcist, Karas, Magi. Ushio to Tora TV.
• Egawa Hisao (Kani Saizo Yoshinaga) - Banner of the Stars, Fairy Gone, Ghost Sweeper Mikami, Haikyuu!!, Kaiba, LOGH Die Neue Theses. Orphan releases: Sangokushi movie 3, Doukyuusei 2.
• Watabe Takeshi (Fukushima Kiyosu Jijyu Masanori) - Gunparade Orchestra, Maze, Ninku, Oishinbo, Wrath of the Ninja, You're Under Arrest. Orphan releases: Tales from The Old Testament, Condition Green, Twinkle Nora Rock Me!, Sanctuary.
• Ginga Banjo (Goto Matabe Mototsugu (Vassal of Nagamasa)) - the title role in 80 Days Around the World with Willy Fog, Baloo in The Jungle Book, and chairman Nakiri Senzaemon in Shokugeki no Souma. Orphan releases: Gude Crest,Oruorane the Cat Player, Amon Saga, Ipponbouchou Mantarou, What's Michael? OVAs.
• Hirano Masato (Ohashi Kamon (Vassal of Mitsunari)) - Aterui, Dog of Flanders, Peter Pan, Slayers. Orphan releases: Blue Sonnet, Sangokushi movies 2 and 3.
  
• Inada Tetsu (Ban Danemon Naoyuki (Vassal of Yoshiaki)) - Shirokuma Cafe, Appare-Ranman, Babylon, Coicent, Gangsta, Kengan Ashur,; Kiddy Grade, LOGH Die Neue Theses, Made in Abyss, Boku no Hero Academa, REC.
• Kawashima Tokuyoshi (Mori Akijijyu (Saishou) Hidemoto) - Shirokuma Cafe, Concrete Revolutio, Emma, Giant Killing, LOGH Die Neue Theses, Monkey Turn, Boku no Hero Academa, Oh! Edo Rocke,; Tetsuko no Tabi.
• Sakaguchi Daisuke (Kobayakawa Chunagon Hideaki) - Ginpachi, Kamen no Maid Guy, Moyashimon, Tokimeki Memorial 4, Welcome to the NHK, Yoiko, Maburaho, Aoyama-kun. Orphan releases: Tales from the Old Testament.
  
• Ogata Mitsuru (Kikkawa Kurandonotou Hiroie) - Chihayafuru, Death Note, High School DxD, Miami Guns. Orphan releases: AWOLCompression  Remix; Nanatoshi Monogatari; Nozomi Witches; Wild 7;.
  
• Houki Katsuhisa (Gamo Bicchunokami Yorisato) - Hand Maid Ma,; Tiger & Bunny, Babylon, Burst Angel, Fire Force, Ghost Talker's Daydream, House of Five Leaves.
• Tsujitani Kouji (Otani Daigakunosuke Yoshiharu) - played the lead role in the Captain Tylor franchise and 3x3 Eyes. Orphan releases Ai no Kusabi, Okane ga Nai, Condition Green, Kasei Yakyoku, Yuukan Club, Sotsugyou: Graduation, Shiratori Reiko de Gozaimasu!
• Kayumi Iemasa (Oda Urakusai Nagamasu) -  Ghost in the Shell. Orphan releases: Condition Green, Bander Book, Sangokushi movie 1.
• Muramatsu Yasuo (Ata Chojuin Moriatsu) - Miss Machiko, Orguss, Christopher Columbus..Orphan releases: Dallos, Hidamari no Ki.
  
• Akagi Susumu (Hosokawa Jiju Tadaoki) - Blue Dragon, Ikkitousen, Musashi.
• Hoki Katsutoshi (Yuasa Gosuke Takasada) - no information.
  

The director, Shimizu Keizou, also did the special.

So here is the first (and hardest) part of the Sanada 10 TV series, covering the Battle of Sekigahara. You can get the episodes from the usual torrent site or from IRC bot Orphan|Arutha in channels #nibl or #news on irc.rizon.net.

 

 

Wan Wan Chuushingura (Full HD)

Another re-release in full HD, courtesy of Ioroid's raws. Wan Wan Chuushingura is a 1963 feature-length cartoon from Toei Douga. It tells the story of Rock, an Akimi pup who lives in a mountain forest. His mother, Shiro, is a fierce defender of the local fauna from the depredations of Killer the tiger and his evil but clever sidekick, Akamimi the fox. (Never mind that tigers live in jungles, not on mountains, and are solitary except when mating.) When Akemimi lures Shiro into a fatal encounter with Killer, Rock vows revenge. However, he is too young and small to achieve much. He sets out for the city to recruit allies and falls in with a rough but lovable gang of street mutts. After many adventures, Rock eventually leads the city dogs into battle against Killer and Akamimi, with predictable results, if not exactly in a predictable way.

In the title, "wan wan" is Japanese onomatopoeta for a dog's bark, as "nyan nyan" is for a cat's meow. "Chuushingura"  (Treasury of Loyal Retainers) refers to a famous Japanese historical episode, the 47 Ronin, which is frequently dramatized in Japanese movies and plays. Except for the dogs seeking revenge against Killer, the anime doesn't draw on any part of the actual incident. But it's a good ride, fluidly animated, and with few of the saccharine interruptions that wrecked Toei's earlier Saiyuuki. It's also notable for its distinguished staff: original story and series composition by Tezuka Osamu, and the first anime assignment of Miyazaki Hayao, as an in-between animator.

The voice cast is from an earlier era of animation:

• Hori Junko (young Rock, girl at the lighthouse) played the protagonists in three Fujiko Fujio works, Obake no Q-tarou, Ninja Hattori-kun, and Chinpui. She also appeared in Taiyou no Ouji: Horus no Daibouken, Rain Boy, Time Slip Ichimannen Prime Rose, and Makoto-chan, all Orphan releases, as well as Moomin, Akage no Anne, Cinderella Boy, and Unico.
• Konshita Hideo (adult Rock) played Cho Hokkai in Saiyuuki and the title role in Sindbad the Sailor.
• Kamo Yoshihiro (Akemimi) appeared in Gigantor, Perman, and Planet Prince.
• Nishimura Kou (Killer) appeared in Jack and the Beanstalk, Lupin III: The Mystery of Momo, and Nutcracker Fantasy.

The director, Daikuhara Akira, worked on several Toei Douga features. He received a Lifetime Achievement Prize in 2006.

For the original release, Iri translated, M74 timed. I edited and typeset (not much to do there), and Nemesis and bananadoyouwanna did QC. For this release, Uchuu did a release check. Very little needed to be changed. The raw is a full HD web rip from Ioroid. The dimensions (1080 x 800) aren't quite right, but they're close enough. There's no visible distortion, and the images are noticeably less grainy.

Whether that's good or bad is for you to decide. And the opening and closing song ("The Doggie March")  is still an earworm.

I'm not sure Wan Wan Chuushingura needed a full HD release, but it's a fun "all ages" anime, one of the best of Toei's 1960s films. If you missed it before, you should watch it now. You can get the new version at the usual torrent site or from IRC bot Orphan|Arutha in channels #nibl or #news on irc.rizon.net.