History Series / AbarenboShogun

Initially, the young lord is reluctant to become shogun, lest he become a political pawn. However, when Echizen reminds him that the people of Japan need a strong and just ruler to guide them in a time of crisis, he decides to take up the post. Inspired by his mentor's advice (and much to the latter's frequent exasperation) Yoshimune also takes it upon himself to serve his people directly - as [[KingIncognito shogun incognito]]. Taking the guise of a minor ''samurai'' Tokuda Shinnosuke, he sneaks out of the palace every night. With the aid of a loyal band of Edo firefighters, his ''onibawashu'' bodyguards, and his like-minded courtiers who know his secret, Yoshimune goess off to right wrongs and deliver justice. Sometimes the ''shogun'' may have to face off against his evil uncle Muneharu (or his cronies), who wishes to become shogun himself.

** Zigzagged with Yoshimune and his financial reforms. While he tried enacting several financial and social reforms during his reign, some supposedly involved higher taxation for farmers.

'''''Abarenbo Shogun''''', aka '''''The Unfettered Shogun''''', (kanji: 暴れん坊将軍), originally entitled, ''A Chronicle In Praise of Yoshimune: The Unfettered Shogun'' (kanji: 吉宗評判記 暴れん坊将軍) in its first season was a long-running ''{{jidaigeki}}'' TV drama [[LongRunner that ran from 1978 to 2008 for a whopping total of eleven seasons, 831 episodes, and several TV movies]]. Produced by the Creator/ToeiCompany, it featured Ken Matsudaira as the title character, a role he would keep for its entire run (indeed, Matsudaira is only second only to Hashizo Okawa playing Heiji Zenigata for the longest time spent as one character in a jidaigeki series).

* ArtisticLicenseHistory: As expected with a show that called itself ''A Chronicle in Praise of Yoshimune''

Initially, the young lord is reluctant to become shogun, lest he become a political pawn. However, when Echizen reminds him that the people of Edo, and indeed, all Japan, need a strong and just ruler to guide them in a time of crisis, he decides to take up the post. Inspired by his mentor's advice (and much to the latter's frequent exasperation) Yoshimune takes it upon himself to serve his people the only way he can -- as [[KingIncognito shogun incognito]]. Taking the guise of a minor samurai, he sneaks out of the palace every night, and with the aid of a loyal band of Edo firefighters who know his secret, right the wrongs and deliver justice, ''samurai-style''. Sometimes he may have to face off against his evil uncle Muneharu (or his cronies), who wishes to become shogun himself.

** Likewise, Yoshimune did try to enact several financial and social reforms during his reign, so at least the show (sort of) got the anti-corruption and his concern for his people parts correctly.
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Though enormously successful in Japan, it was exported to Hawaii during its run, It's still quite popular there, as its theme song, along with the ''Series/HawaiiFiveO'' theme, is frequently played by the University of Hawaii for pep rallies.

Though enormously successful in Japan, it was exported to Hawaii during its run, and is still quite popular there, as its theme song, along with the ''Series/HawaiiFiveO'' theme, is frequently played by the University of Hawaii for pep rallies.

* ModestRoyalty: Yoshimune tries to reduce the Shogunate's various extravagancies, seeing them as wasteful expenses that don't interest him. As "Tokuda Shinnosuke", he derives more pleasure in his MundaneFascination at ordinary food, much to the amusement of his friends.

Initially, the young lord is reluctant to become shogun, lest he become a political pawn. However, when Echizen reminds him that the people of Edo, and indeed, all Japan, need a strong and just ruler to guide them in a time of crisis, he decides to take up the post. Inspired by his mentor's advice (and much to the latter's frequent exasperation) Yoshimune takes it upon himself to serve his people the only way he can - as [[KingIncognito shogun incognito]]. Taking the guise of a minor samurai, he sneaks out of the palace every night, and with the aid of a loyal band of Edo firefighters who know his secret, right the wrongs and deliver justice, ''samurai-style''. Sometimes he may have to face off against his evil uncle Muneharu (or his cronies), who wishes to become shogun himself.

* OncePerEpisode: At the start of the episode, Yoshimune is typically informed about the crime-of-the-week, and sneaks out of his palace by its well. After spending most of the episode investigating the crime as Tokuda Shinnosuke, he confronts the villain, and inevitably sword duels said villain's army of mooks. Depending on the episode, he reveals that he is Yoshimune Tokugawa before or after defeating the mooks. Either way, the villain commits ''seppuku'' for his crimes (or is cut down if he refuses).

* ArtisticLicenseHistory:
** Naturally the real Yoshimune didn't sneak out of his palace like Batman every night to deliver justice, but that's but one example of the show taking liberties with history.
** Yoshimune is more famous for his financial reforms, emphasizing Japanese swordmaking traditions, and encouraging ''rangaku'', or Western studies.
** The show ran for exactly thirty years; Yoshimune reigned for twenty-nine, plus the rest of his life in retirement (as per Tokugawa tradition).

* CreditsRunningSequence: Sort of. Yoshimune is always seeing riding a horse in each opening. From the second season onwards, it's usually with Mount Fuji in the background.

* EvilUncle: Tokugawa Muneharu. Since he was bypassed in favor of Yoshimune to be the next ''shogun'' (despite being head of the senior Tokugawa cadet branch at the time of Yoshimune's ascension), he tries to stage a takeover of the shogunate my having Yoshimune killed.

* OncePerEpisode: At the start of the episode, Yoshimune is typically informed about the crime-of-the-week, and sneaks out of his palace by its well. After spending most of the episode investigating the crime as Tokuda Shinnosuke, he confronts the villain, and inevitably sword duels said villain's army of mooks. Depending on the episode, he reveals that he is Yoshimune Tokugawa before or after defeating the mooks. Either way, the villain ends up committing ''seppuku'' for his crimes.

* TheUnfettered: The Unfettered ''Shogun'', rather. Supposedly the real Yoshimune was, as well.

[[caption-width-right:350: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEZZuZsgwVE ''Dadada... dandandandaaaan..'']]]]

* EvilUncle: Tokugawa Muneharu. Since he was bypassed to be the next ''shogun'' 's death), he tries to stage a takeover of the shogunate my having Yoshimune killed.

* EvilUncle: Tokugawa Muneharu. Since he was bypassed to be the next ''shogun'' (he was head of the senior Tokugawa cadet branch when the main Tokugawa line died out with Yoshimune's predecessor but bypassed in favor of the former), he tries to stage a takeover of the shogunate my having Yoshimune killed.

** Likewise, Yoshimune did try to enact several financial reforms during his reign, so at least the show (sort of) got the anti-corruption part correctly.

'''''Abarenbo Shogun''''', aka '''''The Unfettered Shogun''''', (kanji: 暴れん坊将軍, originally entitled, ''A Chronicle In Praise of Yoshimune: The Unfettered Shogun'' in its first season) was a long-running ''{{jidaigeki}}'' TV drama [[LongRunner that ran from 1978 to 2008 for a whopping total of eleven seasons, 831 episodes, and several TV movies]]. Produced by the Creator/ToeiCompany, it featured Ken Matsudaira as the title character, a role he would keep for its entire run (indeed, Matsudaira is only second only to Hashizo Okawa playing Heiji Zenigata for the longest time spent as one character in a jidaigeki series).

* TruthInTelevision: Played with. In the show, Muneharu is openly engaged in acts of high treason (or at least attempts at doing so), with his lackeys going even as far as to try to kill Yoshimune on several occasions. The real Yoshimune and Muneharu did not have a harmonious relationship either, culminating with Muneharu writing a letter criticizing Yoshimune's frugality (Muneharu reportedly lived in comfort) and being exiled to Nagoya. As a final insult, a net was placed over Muneharu's grave as a sign of disgrace; a later ''shogun'' had it removed.

'''''Abarenbo Shogun''''', aka '''''The Unfettered Shogun''''', (originally entitled, ''A Tale In Praise of Yoshimune: The Unfettered Shogun'' in its first season) was a long-running ''{{jidaigeki}}'' TV drama [[LongRunner that ran from 1978 to 2008 for a whopping total of eleven seasons, 831 episodes, and several TV movies]]. Produced by the Creator/ToeiCompany, it featured Ken Matsudaira as the title character, a role he would keep for its entire run (indeed, Matsudaira is only second only to Hashizo Okawa playing Heiji Zenigata for the longest time spent as one character in a jidaigeki series).

* OncePerEpisode: At the start of the episode, Yoshimune is typically informed about the crime-of-the-week, and sneaks of of his palace by its well. After spending most of the episode investigating the crime as Tokuda Shinnosuke, he confronts the villain, and inevitably sword duels said villain's army of mooks. Depending on the episode, he reveals that he is Yoshimune Tokugawa before or after defeating the mooks. Either way, the villain ends up committing ''seppuku'' for his crimes.
* StockPhrases: ][https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Unfettered_Shogun#Lines_of_rebellion The villains of the week have a long list of typical "lines of rebellion"]] they would deliver shortly before facing Yoshimune's wrath.

It is the year 1715. The young Tokugawa Yoshimune, scion of one of the Tokugawa shogunate's cadet branches, is informed by his mentor, Ōoka Echizen, that he is to be the next shogun.

Initially, the young lord is reluctant to become shogun, lest he become a political pawn. However, when Echizen reminds him that the people of Edo, and indeed, all Japan, need a strong and just ruler to guide them in a time of crisis, he decides to take up the post. Inspired by his mentor's advice (and much to the latter's frequent exasperation) Yoshimune takes it upon himself to serve his people the only way he can - as [[KingIncognito shogun incognito]]. Taking the guise of a minor samurai, he sneaks out of the palace every night, and with the aid of a loyal band of Edo firefighters who know his secret, right the wrongs and deliver justice, samurai-style. Sometimes he may have to face off against his evil uncle Muneharu (or his cronies), who wishes to become shogun himself.

** A RunningGag in the show is Yoshimune's refusal to get married. In fact, he was married two years after he became shogun and picked up several concubines along the way.

* TheUnfettered: The Unfettered ''Shogun'', rather. Supposedly the real Yoshimune was. as well.
* TruthInTelevision: Played with. In the show, Muneharu is openly engaged in acts of high treason (or at least attempts at doing so), with his lackeys going even as far as to try to kill Yoshimune on several occasions. The real Yoshimune and Muneharu did not have a harmonious relationship either, culminating with Muneharu writing a letter criticizing Yoshimune's frugality (Muneharu reportedly lived in comfort) and being exiled to Nagoya. As a final insult, a net was placed over Muneharu's grave as a sign of disgrace; a later shogun had it removed.

''Abarenbo Shogun'', aka ''The Unfettered Shogun'', (originally entitled, ''A Tale In Praise of Yoshimune: The Unfettered Shogun'' in its first season) was a long-running ''{{jidaigeki}}'' TV drama [[LongRunner that ran from 1978 to 2008 for a whopping total of 831 episodes]]. Produced by the Creator/ToeiCompany, it featured Ken Matsudaira as the title character, a role he would keep for its entire run (indeed, Matsudaira is only second only to Hashizo Okawa playing Heiji Zenigata for the longest time spent as one character in a jidaigeki series).

''Abarenbo Shogun'', aka ''The Unfettered Shogun'', (originally entitled, ''A Tale In Praise of Yoshimune: The Unfettered Shogun'' in its first season) was a long-running jidaigeki drama [[LongRunner that ran from 1978 to 2008 for a whopping total of 831 episodes]]. Produced by the Creator/ToeiCompany, it featured Ken Matsudaira as the title character, a role he would keep for its entire run (indeed, Matsudaira is only second only to Hashizo Okawa playing Heiji Zenigata for the longest time spent as one character in a jidaigeki series).