Sanadamaru Episode 1

A good start!

Summary
The first episode of a taiga is usually not very thrilling, but this one gave a really good start to the story. The story starts in 1582, when Sanada Nobushige is already a teenager. The great warrior Takeda Shingen is dead but the Sanadas remain faithful to his son and successor Takeda Katsuyori.

While the Oda and Tokugawa armies are making progress through the Takeda's territory, Sanada Masayuki, father of Nobushige, ask his Lord to retreat to the Sanadas' castle, Iwabitsu. At first, Katsuyori agrees and Sanada Masayuki left for Iwabitsu. But Katsuyori changes his mind and decides to go to Iwadono castle instead.

But everybody is not not as faithful as and soon Katsuyori is betrayed: Oyamada Nobushige refuses to let him in the Iwadono castle.

At the same time, the Sanadas brothers, Nobushige and his elder brother Nobuyuki, decide to join their father at Iwabutsu, and start their long journey with their family and servants.

My opinion
I loved this episode! There was a lot of action, but also simple historical explanations. And this period of the Japanese history is simply fascinating! I also liked the filmmaking, I found the images beautiful. I really hope the rest of the drama will be as good as this first episode.

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