A bunch of anime deserves a second season, but I must say this one here is on top of my list. I just don't "WANT" a second season... I "NEED" one! And dangggg!!! I'm not even into isekai, but I love this...
The anime that I'm talking about is entitled, "DRIFTERS: Battle in a Brand New World War".
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Recently, I've been into Japanese history... well, mainly because of my students. We tend to talk about the happening in various eras in Japan be it in the Edo period, Sengoku or the Warring States period... but what I'm most fascinated with is Heian period.
One time, I was having a chat with a Japanese friend who's also into anime and Japanese history. She recommended me to watch DRIFTERS because she knows I'd like it... and guess what?! I love it!
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The anime started with a scene from the Battle of Sekigahara which is considered one of the biggest and most important battle of Japanese Feudal history. Toyohisa Shimazu was critically wounded but decided to sacrifice himself by leading the rearguard of his troop in order to protect his uncle.
As he was trying to retreat while losing a huge amount of blood, he suddenly found himself in a different place. A man waiting for him on the other side. However, as he approached the said man, he was pulled into a door which brought him into an entirely different world.
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Still bloody and almost lifeless, he was saved by two young-looking elves and brought him to a castle ruin where similar people like him lives. They're called DRIFTERS.
Another historical character, Yoichi Suketaka Nasu from the late Heian period appeared. He's known to be a topnotch archer during the Genpei War. After the elves left Shimazu in his care, he decided to treat his war wounds.
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It wasn't just him in the castle ruins. Another really famous historical figure was with him... the infamous warlord himself... Oda Nobunaga.
When he gained consciousness, the two told him where they are and what's happening in the current world they're living in. Shimazu also told the two what happened in Japan as the they have been long gone before the Battle of Sekigahara occurred.
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Actually, DRIFTERS don't only comprise of Japanese historical figures. There are also historical figures from the west including Hannibal Barca and so on.
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There's a current political unrest happening in the continent. The DRIFTERS were meant to fight against another group called the ENDS.
However, despite the threat of the ENDS which aim to completely irradicate humans from the world, there's an ongoing persecution of elves and other demihumans...
So, the Drifters (alongside an organization called the Oct led by another Japanese historical figure from the Heian period Abe no Seimei) decided to help the demihumans to gain more forces as they wage war to the Empire, protect the land they want to claim for themselves and challenge the Ends.
It's really interesting because this anime somehow shows a POV of how these historical figures must have thought after their death. There were a lot of historical references so it's also educational. The characters are based on real people and their personalities and abilities were really depicted in their character.
I also admire the strategies they used in each battle. It shows how different these historical figures think and see various situations.
It's also really funny to watch. There are points that are so interesting for me like Oda Nobunaga's obsession with firearms, but then he met the Drifters from the west... imagine his reaction when he saw a gatling gun for the first time. It's so hilarious!
There are more minor characters that I really like but they didn't have a lot of screen time.
It's really such an awesome anime, but sadly, there are only 15 available episodes if you combine the first season and two OVAs. I've read that the manga is still ongoing and that the author is someone who loves taking their time with the updates.
I imagine Togashi-sensei of Hunter X Hunter... Waaaahhh... I hope the author continue writing and finish the manga. I'm planning to read it soon and for sure, I'd get the urge to want even more.
Anyway, I love the characters in this anime... even those from the Ends. I recognize some historical characters from their group as well, especially Shinsengumi's Hijikata... I feel like watching more anime which is related to Japanese history, so I'll check the others on my list.
If you're into this type of genre and history (especially Japanese history)... and if you don't mind the cliffhanger, I recommend you watch this. Ugh!!!! I need to know what happened next! haha
Thanks for reading and see you around! (^^,)/