Nihon Sangoku’s Kaku Taiaki and Toyotomi Kyoudai!’s Takenaka Hanbee Look Alike? Exploring the Similarities Between Two Genius Strategists

TV anime Nihon Sangoku features the genius strategist Kaku Taiaki (CV: Nakamura Yuuichi). His refined looks and astonishing intellect have captivated many viewers, but recently he has been buzzing on social media for resembling a certain character from the NHK taiga drama Toyotomi Kyoudai!

That character is Takenaka Hanbee, played by Sugata Masaki. Like Kaku, he is a brilliant strategist who supports his lord with cunning. But fans have pointed out numerous other similarities, leading many to draw parallels between the two.

What exactly do Kaku Taiaki and Takenaka Hanbee have in common? This article revisits memorable scenes from both works to explore why they are said to look alike.

Note: This article contains spoilers for both Nihon Sangoku and Toyotomi Kyoudai!.

A Striking Resemblance

First and foremost, their appearance. Takenaka Hanbee is described in historical records and the drama’s official account as “a handsome man renowned for his strategic brilliance”, and Sugata Masaki’s sharp features only reinforce that image.

Kaku, meanwhile, has not been explicitly labeled as handsome in official materials, but from his first appearance he drew comments like “I’m melting” and “such charisma”. His elegant, carefree demeanor—so different from the hot-blooded warriors—echoes Sugata’s Hanbee.

Both also share a fondness for folding fans. Whether plotting strategies or hiding their mouths while thinking, their subtle gestures overlap.

Falling Ill in the Rain

What really cemented the comparison was both characters collapsing from illness around the same time. Kaku fell ill in episode 9 (aired June 1), and Hanbee in episode 22 (aired June 7). Both scenes depicted them collapsing in a torrential downpour—a striking coincidence that signaled dark clouds gathering over their respective armies.

Additionally, both are fated to have short lives. In episode 10, Kaku’s medical records reveal he is 32 years old. Hanbee historically passed away at age 36. The tragic fragility of these geniuses, struck down before fulfilling their ambitions, is another reason fans link them.

On social media, comments include: “What an odd coincidence that both fell ill at nearly the same time!” and “Kaku and Hanbee keep overlapping in my mind~” as well as “Japan’s top strategists are both in trouble.” Toyotomi Kyoudai! airs Sundays at 20:00 on NHK, and Nihon Sangoku streams immediately after at 21:00 on Prime Video, so many viewers watch back-to-back and naturally connect the two.

Even Their Successors Align

Interestingly, the resemblance extends to their successors. In Nihon Sangoku episode 5, Kaku gives advice to Sankaku Aoki, as if testing whether he has the makings of a successor.

Meanwhile, in Toyotomi Kyoudai! episode 21, Kuroda Kanbee (played by Kura Yuuki)—later known as Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s strategist—appears. Though his relationship with Hanbee is more rival-like, in episode 22 Hanbee, sensing his own end, asks Kanbee to “become our ally.” If Kaku, too, is guiding Aoki with his own mortality in mind, both strategists have entrusted their legacy to a future leader.

Coincidence or Inspiration?

Given all these parallels, some viewers have speculated: “Maybe Kaku is modeled after Hanbee, and Aoki after Kanbee?” However, according to original creator Matsuki Ikka, Kaku’s base model is actually the Eastern Han Confucian scholar Guo Tai, with elements from Cao Cao’s strategists Jia Xu and Guo Jia. So the similarity to Hanbee is purely coincidental.

In Toyotomi Kyoudai! episode 23 (aired June 14), Hanbee passed away before achieving his goals, shocking and saddening many viewers. As for Kaku, his doctor says recovery is possible. Will he live to see the fate of the nation alongside Ryuumon? We’ll find out in the final episode on June 22 (streaming every Sunday at 21:00 on Prime Video).

TV Anime Nihon Sangoku – Overview

Streaming
World fastest streaming on Prime Video from April 5, 2026 (Sun) 21:00
Terrestrial advance streaming on U-NEXT from April 6, 2026 (Mon) 21:00

Broadcast
From April 6, 2026 (Mon) 24:00 on TOKYO MX, BS Nittele and other channels

Cast

• Sankaku Aoki: Ono Kenshou
• Asama Yoshikata: Fukuyama Jun
• Higashimachi Koki: Seto Asami
• Ryuumon Mitsuhide: Yamaji Kazuhiro
• Kaku Taiaki: Nakamura Yuuichi
• Heira Dokkei: Nagasato Takashi
• Fuji 3-sei: Kimura Taiki
• Wajima Sakurako: Tsuuba Minami
• Toi Miyakichi: Horii Kenyuu
• Nagao Takeda Jun: Ueda Shuichirou
• Kura Aiki: Sakino Shunsuke
• Heira Kei: Murase Ayumu
• Narration: Han Megumi

Staff

• Original story: Matsuki Ikka, Nihon Sangoku (serialized on Shogakukan’s MangaONE app)
• Director: Terasawa Kazuaki
• Series composition: Uchimi Teruko
• Character design / Chief animation director: Abiru Takahiko
• Art director: Tamura Seiki
• Color design: Koshigawa Hiroko
• Photography director: Kibune Hayato
• 2D / Special effects: Katou Fūna
• Brushwork: Kiriyama Kotoha
• Editor: Imai Daisuke (JAY FILM)
• 3D director: Ogawa Kouhei
• Sound director: Hata Shōji
• Sound effects: Izumo Noriko
• Sound production: Sound Team Don Juan
• Music: Kevin Penkin
• Production: Studio Kafka
• Production: Nihon Sangoku Production Committee, Co-produced with Amazon MGM Studios

Music

• Opening theme: Hidane by Kitani Tatsuya
• Ending theme: Chikai by Leina

(C) Matsuki Ikka / Shogakukan / Nihon Sangoku Production Committee