Idol Sengoku Jidai

Idol Sengoku Jidai (アイドル戦国時代), translated as "Warring States Idols", is the name to the overarching audio dramas on the four Sengoku Musou character image song CDs. Consumers are being asked to purchase each CD to learn each title character's perspective for the original story.

The general premise replaces samurai warfare with lighter Japanese idol promotions for a comical parody of the series. Each character seeks to become an idol and to sell more CDs than their rivals. Character image songs on these discs are the characters' debut song as idols:


 * Sakura Hitohira
 * Arishi Hi yo Tokoshie ni
 * Omoi Uta
 * Roku no Maki ni

Cast

 * Takeshi Kusao - Yukimura Sanada
 * Daisuke Ono - Nobuyuki Sanada
 * Eiji Takemoto - Mitsunari Ishida
 * Shinichi Yamada - Sakon Shima
 * Satoshi Hino - Yoshitsugu Ōtani
 * Masaya Matsukaze - Takatora Tōdō

Idols
Yukimura Sanada =

Nobuyuki barges into the scene with exciting news of Yukimura's CD debut. He patronizes his younger brother's stoic samurai reaction, ranting that Yukimura must improve his public image if he wishes to succeed as an idol. Once he catches onto Nobuyuki's criticism, Yukimura passionately declares his desire to become a superior idol who can cook, be a master of ceremonies, and excel at variety shows. While Nobuyuki sternly drags Yukimura with him, he raves about his sheer adoration for his younger brother in soliloquy. He believes Yukimura is undeniably the greatest man alive and is overjoyed that the world shall soon bask in his cuteness. Nobuyuki confesses he occasionally pretends to ignore Yukimura just so he can enjoy his brother calling for him.

Clarifying again that Yukimura must improve his charms, Nobuyuki announces that he will be his producer and handle all the business transactions for him. He heard rumors that Mitsunari and Yoshitsugu were debuting too and assures his brother that he shall be triumphant. Yukimura meekly protests the idea of competing against his honored friend; he is aghast when Nobuyuki flatly instructs him to ditch love and honor in order to succeed.

Yukimura wonders if the roller skates his brother is presenting him is a new ninja weapon; Nobuyuki explains that they are legendary shoes used by idols everywhere and demonstrates for his brother. He plans for Yukimura to wear them on stage to wow his audience. Although he is impressed by their swiftness, Yukimura wonders how he shall use them in his duels against the people who purchase his CDs. He is oblivious to Nobuyuki's reverence for someday buying the CD, reflecting that perhaps he should refrain to avoid accidentally hurting his fans. The younger sibling requests for his brother to continue his presentation.

Next up is to practice laughing. Even if he isn't amused or upset, it's vital for Yukimura to feign a cheerful laugh. Nobuyuki berates Yukimura's monotone and forced laugh. An idol must show his teeth and must always be smiling. Yukimura frets about the possibility of a photo being taken when he is not ready and being posted out of context on the Internet; Nobuyuki declares his desire to see said visage himself. The younger brother amends that information travels quickly in this day and age so maybe he shouldn't worry about it.

Despite recent trends favoring black, all idols must wear pink in Nobuyuki's eyes. He has specially prepared a pink headband and attire for his younger sibling to wear. Upon closer inspection, Yukimura is dismayed that it doesn't have their six coin crest on it. He is mortified when his brother tells him to forget about it for this one instance. Yukimura loses heart and starts to think about quitting while they're ahead. Nobuyuki weeps instantly in disappointment so Yukimura hastily agrees to do it to cheer him.

Wiping away his tears, the elder brother believes his brother shall be successful. Yukimura thanks him and declares his pardon to prepare himself. Nobuyuki halts him for one last nugget of knowledge. Idols cannot talk like samurai; they must speak in cutesy contemporary Japanese. When his younger brother teeters at the revelation, Nobuyuki again vouches for his confidence in him. Remembering his original desires as an idol, Yukimura renews his courage and bids his brother adieu with a sparkling smile.

Time skips forward to Yukimura's stage performance for his CD debut. Nobuyuki is thrilled by the swarm of fans clamoring to his brother, weeping in joy when his brother skates to his side. In spite of his jubilation, Nobuyuki feels a pang of loneliness. Everyone now knows Yukimura, and his charms are no longer exclusive to him. Nobuyuki is elated to hear his brother beckoning to him, pretending to not hear him a few moments longer. He is horrified to hear that Yukimura knows what he is doing and requests for him to stop.


 * -| Mitsunari Ishida =

Mitsunari initially disses the idol stage contest until Sakon interjects with news of his lord's CD debut. It hasn't been decided yet Sakon enthusiastically encourages his lord to do it so the world may know his charms. Mitsunari fumes until Sakon shows him one of Yukimura's promotional photos. The lord of Sawayama Castle is taken aback by the glimmering transformation, which Sakon identifies as the strife of the fierce idol world. Changing his mind, Mitsunari grunts for Sakon to do as he wishes with him.

Sakon announces that on-stage sociability is the lifeline for all idols. He is aware of Mitsunari's staunch refusal to change his behavior, so he suggests pushing for a tsundere image. Mitsunari is oblivious to the slang yet Sakon pushes forward by plopping down his personally authored idol plans. The passage includes lines for his lord to say on stage. Many of the lines are insults he would say on a regular basis. When Mitsunari wonders if the audience would like them, Sakon insists he keep reciting them.

The retainer is supportive of his lord's confused monotone readings until he reaches "Idiot!". He criticizes his lord to repeat after him, which dribbles into a little ditty of the word sung by both characters. Mitsunari snaps with a seething "Idiot!" and snubs that he won't become an idol. Sakon gravely reveals that Yoshitsugu and Nobuyuki are in the running as well; if Mitsunari were to give up, it would be like he is running away from the challenge presented by his two friends. Although Mitsunari admonishes the news, Sakon knows his lord well enough to know he is truly concerned about it. As if on cue, Mitsunari demands for the book to be returned to him.

Flipping through the book has Mitsunari realize that his iron fan is no where to be found. His retainer explains that he is borrowing it for stage merchandise. He plans to also have his lord's slogan projected above him, an image which enthralls Sakon, mortifies Mitsunari. The retainer counters his lord's cold shoulder by praising his qualities and restating his loyalty to him. The publicity stunts becomes easier for Mitsunari to swallow when Sakon reminds him that he is his lord's strategist who only seeks for his lord's success.

Before he forgets, Sakon presents his lord's restyled red horse hair helmet. He had it permed so it would appear exceptionally fluffy. He plans for Mitsunari to snuggle it, a trait he insists his fans would admire. They try practicing like they did with the "Idiot!" recital. When Sakon gets spry with it, Mitsunari roars for him to stop.

Preparations go without a hitch and Mitsunari rocks the stage. As he reunites with Sakon backstage, his strategist flamboyantly announces his victory in the contest. Sakon weeps in joy with his lord's success, as he has finally taken the land. Mitsunari smirks that it was a given before voicing his continued faith in his retainer. Wiping away his tears, Sakon vows to always prepare the best for his lord. When Mitsunari gently disses him as an idiot, Sakon warmly approves his lord's pronunciation of the line.


 * -| Nobuyuki Sanada =


 * -| Yoshitsugu Ōtani =