What Will You Do, Ieyasu?

Orphaned at a young age, Takechiyo loses his homeland, his father, and is torn from his mother. Lonely and scarred, he imagines a quiet life as a hostage, but fate has other plans. Inspired by the fidelity and courage of Mikawa warriors, he pushes upward from a deprived hostage to a minor lord amid a land fractured by constant war. He crosses paths with power players of the era, from Nobunaga to Shingen, learning to read people, pick his battles, and endure shattering betrayals. Every choice carries life or death weight, and the line between ruler and prey keeps shifting. In this crucible, what will you do, Ieyasu, when the world refuses to stand still?

Directed by Taku Katô and Naoki Murahashi, the series comes from an original script by Ryota Kosawa. It arrived in 2023 with a bold take on Sengoku era history, sharpening focus on character, strategy, and the political storms surrounding Ieyasu.

Awards: As of now, no major nominations have been publicly announced for this title. While it has earned praise for its performances and production design, it has not yet become a fixture in major award discussions.

Cultural Impact: The show reimagines a familiar historical arc through a stark personal lens, foregrounding loyalty, ambition, and the costs of power. Its visual scale and intimate storytelling have sparked chatter among history fans and drama viewers about how Sengoku figures are portrayed on screen. Its ambitions feel timely and provocative.

Reception & Themes: Critics give a read with a pace and strong performances. The show centers on resilience under pressure and the costs of loyalty, while exploring shifting alliances and the line between personal and political survival in a chaotic era. Early responses note a 7.7 rating from 7 votes.