History UsefulNotes / SasakiKojiro

* ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' has the "Assassin" who's based on Kojiro Sasaki and even uses the Tsubame Gaeshi and a nodachi. However, [[spoiler:this version of Sasaki Kojiro goes by the theory that the man is a fictional rival created by Musashi. The servant known as Assassin is just a nameless man who perfected his own Tsubame Gaeshi technique and was just credited by this name since Heroic Spirits are in large part powered by their own fame and Kojiro became very famous despite not actually existing.]] That portrayal is played by [[Creator/ShinichiroMiki Shin'ichirou Miki]].

[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasaki_Kojir%C5%8D Sasaki Kojiro]] (1585? - April 13, 1612) was one of the greatest swordsmen of the [[JidaiGeki Sengoku/Edo periods]], and is still known for his legendary duel against UsefulNotes/MiyamotoMusashi at Ganryujima.

* In the Altered Destinies multiverse (specifically in the stories written by Jim Bader), Sasaki is an Immortal who [[{{Franchise/Highlander}} quickened]] after his famous duel then went on to create the [[RurouniKenshin Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū]].

* ''Musashi'' by Eiji Yoshikawa. Kojiro is portrayed as an arrogant, sadistic, silver-tongued fop to contrast with Musashi, who is portrayed as a humble-but-spiritual vagrant. Musashi seeks enlightenment through the Way of the Samurai, while Kojiro seeks fame and fortune. Ultimately though, both men commit [[KickTheDog deeply cruel acts]] in their younger years, but eventually manage to improve their conduct.

* Tomu Uchida's five-part ''Miyamoto Musashi'' series, also called the ''Zen and Sword'' series, is a much closer adaptation of the Yoshikawa novel, depicting Kojiro (played by Ken Takakura) as an arrogant JerkAss who is nevertheless a very skilled swordsman. However, he does not [[spoiler:rape Akemi or try to sabotage Musashi during the Ichi-joji duel]] like he does in the book.

* Tomu Uchida's five-part ''Miyamoto Musashi'' series, also called the ''Zen and Sword'' series, is a much closer adaptation of the Yoshikawa novel, depicting Kojiro (played by Ken Takakura) as an arrogant JerkAss who is nevertheless a very skilled swordsman. However, he does not [[spoiler:rape Akemi or try to sabotage Musashi during the duel at Ichi-joji]] like he does in the book.

* In Hiroshi Inagaki's [[{{Film/SamuraiIMusashiMiyamoto}} Samurai Trilogy]], an adaptation of the Yoshikawa novel, Kojiro is portrayed [[AdaptationalHeroism far more positively]] than he was in the book. He appears as a starry-eyed young fop who is nevertheless an honorable warrior and a MasterSwordsman. He still seeks fame and fortune through his swordsmanship, but is much kinder and less ruthless about it than he was in the novel. Eventually though, Kojiro becomes obsessed with dueling Musashi, believing that the latter is a WorthyOpponent.

* In Hiroshi Inagaki's [[{{Film/SamuraiIMusashiMiyamoto}} ''Samurai'' Trilogy]], an adaptation of the Yoshikawa novel, Kojiro is portrayed [[AdaptationalHeroism far more positively]] than he was in the book. He appears as a starry-eyed young fop who is nevertheless an honorable warrior and a MasterSwordsman. He still seeks fame and fortune through his swordsmanship, but is much kinder and less ruthless about it than he was in the novel. Eventually though, Kojiro becomes obsessed with dueling Musashi, believing that the latter is a WorthyOpponent.

* In Hiroshi Inagaki's [[{{Film/SamuraiIMusashiMiyamoto}} "Samurai" Trilogy]], an adaptation of the Yoshikawa novel, Kojiro is portrayed [[AdaptationalHeroism far more positively]] than he was in the book. He appears as a starry-eyed young fop who is nevertheless an honorable warrior and a MasterSwordsman. He still seeks fame and fortune through his swordsmanship, but is much kinder and less ruthless about it than he was in the novel. Eventually though, Kojiro becomes obsessed with dueling Musashi, believing that the latter is a WorthyOpponent.

* In Hiroshi Inagaki's [[{{Film/SamuraiIMusashiMiyamoto}} ''Samurai Trilogy'']], an adaptation of the Yoshikawa novel, Kojiro is portrayed [[AdaptationalHeroism far more positively]] than he was in the book. He appears as a starry-eyed young fop who is nevertheless an honorable warrior and a MasterSwordsman. He still seeks fame and fortune through his swordsmanship, but is much kinder and less ruthless about it than he was in the novel. Eventually though, Kojiro becomes obsessed with dueling Musashi, believing that the latter is a WorthyOpponent.

* In the Altered Destinies multiverse specifically in the stories written by Jim Bader Sasaki is an Immortal who [[{{Franchise/Highlander}} quickened]] after his famouse duel then went on to create the [[RurouniKenshin Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū]].

* ''Musashi'' by Eiji Yoshikawa.

[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasaki_Kojir%C5%8D Sasaki Kojiro]] (1585?-1612) was one of the greatest swordsmen of the [[JidaiGeki Sengoku/Edo periods]], and is still known for his legendary duel against UsefulNotes/MiyamotoMusashi at Ganryujima.

* [[IllGirl Ill Swordmaster]] and IaijutsuPractitioner [[VideoGame/SamuraiShodown Ukyo Tachibana]] is based on Kojiro. He even has (at least in the first game) [[SwordBeam the]] [[RollingAttack Tsubame]] [[FlamingSword Gaeshi]] [[SignatureMove attack]].

* [[IllGirl Ill Swordmaster]] and IaijutsuPractitioner [[VideoGame/SamuraiShodown Ukyo Tachibana]] is based on Kojiro. He even has (at least in the first game) [[SwordBeam the Tsubame Gaeshi attack]].

* The original name of [[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} James]] was Kojiro, while Jessie's was Musashi.

* ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' has the "Assassin" who's based on Kojiro Sasaki and even uses the Tsubame Gaeshi and a nodachi. However, [[spoiler:this version of Sasaki Kojiro goes by the theory that the man is a fictional rival created by Musashi. The servant known as Assassin is just a nameless man who perfected his own Tsubame Gaeshi technique and was just credited by this name since Heroic Spirits are in large part powered by their own fame and Kojiro became very famous despite not actually existing.]]

* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' references Kojiro with the move Aerial Ace. In Japan, it is named "Swallow Return" after his signature move. Most Pokémon can learn the move, despite it being Flying type (JustForPun, due to its name).

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He also developed a signature powerful sword technique called ''Tsubame Gaeshi'' (Returning Swallow), a [[DiagonalCut high-speed swordslash]] that changed direction at the last second.

** Also shows up in ''VideoGame/WarriorsOrochi''.

* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' references Kojiro with the move Aerial Ace. In Japan, it is named "Returning Swallow" after his signature move. Most Pokémon can learn the move, despite it being Flying type (JustForPun, due to its name).

* Appears in ''OnimushaBladeWarriors'' as an aloof, cold warrior very skilled with his blade. His rivalry with Musashi is also toned down.

Also known as Ganryu (he later named his martial arts school after it), he was trained by famous swordsmen in the art of wielding the ''kodachi'' (shortsword) and later the ''katana''. By 1610, he became a powerful warrior, capable of [[CurbStompBattle fending off up to three opponents]] with a ''tessen'' [[CombatHandFan (metal fan)]], and was named a 'Sword Saint', someone who has perfectly mastered the blade. His favourite weapon was a ''[[BigFancySword nodachi]]'' called ''[[ICallItVera Bizen Osafune Nagamitsu]]'' which was also referred to with the less-formidable name of ''Monohoshizao'' (Laundry Pole).

* Kojiro appears in ''Manga/{{Vagabond}}'' as a deaf, mute but good-natured swordsman. He's also very [[{{Bishonen}} pretty]].
* The original name of [[{{Pokemon}} James]] was Kojiro, while Jessie's was Musashi.

* ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' has the "Assassin" who's based on Kojiro Sasaki and even uses the Tsubame Gaeshi and a nodachi. However, [[spoiler:this version of Sasaki Kojiro goes by the theory that the man is a fictional rival created by Musashi. The servant known as Assassin is just a nameless man who perfected his own Tsubame Gaeshi technique and was just credited by this name.]]

Also known as Ganryu (he later named his martial arts school after it), he was trained by famous swordsmen in the art of wielding the ''kodachi'' (shortsword) and later the ''katana''. By 1610, he became a powerful warrior, capable of [[CurbStompBattle fending off up to three opponents]] with a ''tessen'' [[PaperFanOfDoom (metal fan)]], and was named a 'Sword Saint', someone who has perfectly mastered the blade. His favourite weapon was a ''[[BigFancySword nodachi]]'' called ''[[ICallItVera Bizen Osafune Nagamitsu]]'' which was also referred to with the less-formidable name of ''Monohoshizao'' (Laundry Pole).