
Self-proclaimed “historical romantic comedy” series, Oda Nobuna, arrives with an abundance of fanfare – despite such, cute overlords paired alongside a retold story of yore piece together to form an intriguing setting.
Upon opening, our protagonist “Yoshiharu Sagara”, a supposed “boy from the future”, finds himself fleeting in the middle of an ongoing conflict of factions. After his historical companion, “Kinoshita Toukichiro”, is quickly disposed off, our casually dressed hero magically sees himself executing one of many generic plot routes – rescuing the series’ heroine, “Oda Nobuna”. This fated turn of easily foreseen events marks the start of a tale of so much predictability, one will wonder why such efficient recycling is not being put to use in the real world instead of animation.
Nonetheless, the 100% recycled nature of this series may also actually be one of its stronger points – “Oda Nobuna”, in short, retells the historical events of Oda Nobunaga’s conquest to unify Japan, albeit by simultaneously desecrating his grave by portraying him as a busty bishoujo. However, the personality of her in comparison to the actual historical figure may be somewhat accurate – a tsundere take on the famed hero Nobunaga, who was also fairly ecstatic.
After returning to our young queen’s stronghold in Owari, almost immediately is Sagara recruited as Nobuna’s “shoe monkey” during an “S” and “M” session which is likely some sort of attempt to grab the attention of foot fetishists everywhere. Quite surprisingly, this does have its horribly violated reference with history – our protagonist might take the future role as successor to Nobuna, as was the case with Nobunaga and relevant, whom was also nicknamed “little monkey”, and given the role of assisting in unifying Japan.
Despite his embarrassment, and conceived joy, the monkey explains how he is from the future like a senile man – as well as how he learnt of the current events from his so-called “video games”. Despite his obvious difference in appearance from everyone else in the era, nobody believes him – however, a pattern quickly emerges, upon disbelief, or tense situations, he steps up to the plate with a prediction that baffles everyone, and is ultimately utilized constructively.
Each of these predictions follow immediately with results – as if all planned and prepared in advance.
The first instance of this miracle work is when the monkey tells of the meeting place between Oda Nobuna and “Saitou Dousan – the leader of a rival province. Dousan settles to go to battle against Nobuna over a territorial dispute for the Mino province – however, Sagara, knowing the outcome of this battle, in turn demands Dousan to listen to him, quoting what he tells his soldiers after the meeting. Subsequently, the brave monkey earns both Dousan’s respect, and his trust – forming an alliance between the Mino and Owari provinces.
While the storytelling is terrible, and the characters look like retired sub-par fantasy RPG party members – this doesn’t reflect Nobuna negatively at all. If anything, it comes across as a hilariously cute and witty series, with female service at the plenty. As Oda Nobuna doesn’t attempt too hard at succeeding, it certainly doesn’t get anywhere near doing so – not that it could if it tried anyways, though it’s a rather polished series of lesser quality. Or in other words, of all the horrible series – this is the best.
For what might be the most predictable anime of this season, this may be one to keep an eye on.


























Jul 9, 2012 @ 21:57 CDT
This was a pleasant surprise for me…being the huge history nerd that I am, I’ve always found myself drawn to these kinds of shows despite knowing-with good reason, I may add-that they are mostly going to suck and that I should just enjoy them for what they are.
But this one, despite its flaws (like say explaining how the hell the MC got into this world in the first place) actually succeeded in getting me interested in the overall story instead of simply wondering how they’re going to genderflip and pull off a certain character. I also got the feeling that the writer may actually have done a good amount of research here as the show seems to have also snuck in some moments that are seldom known from popular history and executed them in a rather entertaining manner….like the nutbladder busting kimono scene.
Jul 9, 2012 @ 22:46 CDT
Great review and this anime sounds interesting. I might watch this also.
Jul 10, 2012 @ 10:19 CDT
The meeting of Oda Nobuna’s foot, with monkey’s face.
http://i.minus.com/iqFPbpU6uAvMB.jpg
http://i.minus.com/ibqwrWhOjUVeIY.jpg
http://i.minus.com/iVGXuXaCf9aQy.jpg
http://i.minus.com/iroLywVILGUsb.jpg
http://i.minus.com/ibwBZKztk1YhIv.jpg
http://i.minus.com/iyJ8axXycTiA7.jpg
http://i.minus.com/ibxDLtiwyU50iL.jpg
http://i.minus.com/ibfhDb7P2g9Eav.jpg
http://i.minus.com/i354WOHyvSBxK.jpg
http://i.minus.com/iKsroRI5wwGHY.jpg
http://i.minus.com/i0ZPgWzavwhYv.jpg
http://i.minus.com/i5EwS0anSUbPN.jpg
Jul 10, 2012 @ 11:34 CDT
I’d watch this although I’ve already seen enough series with Oda Nobunaga in them – he’s practically becoming a trope.
Hyouge Mono has the best rendition of him by far – and then when it comes to the bishoujo variants, the Sengoku Collection one is quite nice.
Jul 12, 2012 @ 3:26 CDT
I can see quality in pictures…I‘ll follow this one.Although I’ve seen a lot of them.But just have fun in this animi
Jul 12, 2012 @ 20:10 CDT
Not sure what sort of quality you’re seeing.