It started with a chance encounter on social media – a beautiful illustration that caught the eye. That was the anime ‘Nihon Sangoku.’ Initially drawn to the handsome cast, one fan found themselves increasingly captivated by a character who wields a fan and glasses with effortless grace. That character is Kaku Yasuaki, this season’s ultimate favorite.
What is Nihon Sangoku?
Based on the manga by Matsuki Ikka, ‘Nihon Sangoku’ has sold over 1 million copies as of March 2026. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic Japan where nuclear war, natural disasters, and corrupt rule led to revolution and collapse. The country splits into three warring states. Sankaku Seiki, a minor local official, rises using his vast knowledge and eloquent speech, aiming to reunify Japan. Later hailed as a genius strategist, his legend begins.
Three Reasons Kaku Yasuaki Stands Out
1. Overwhelming Visuals That Break All Resolve
Kaku Yasuaki is strikingly tall, with long hair and refined features. He exudes an adult charisma that made the writer’s resolution not to add another favorite quickly crumble. “I surrender – white flag,” admits the author. Kaku himself seems aware of his looks, using them to pull others deeper into his orbit. His every gesture, from adjusting his glasses to manipulating his folding fan, feels deliberate and laden with meaning. He is a man who understands himself completely and never wavers.
2. A Sharp Tongue Reserved for Enemies
While Kaku generally treats everyone with a soft, polite demeanor, he makes an exception for Hirate Naikyou. In one scene, after Ryuumon leaves for a morning council, Kaku casually refers to Hirate as “that fatso” (debu). Even when Chourei corrects him by using the proper name, Kaku repeats the insult. Yet toward allies, he shows a motherly side: when Sugou eats too many sugar cubes, Kaku warns him, “That’s your third! Don’t come crying when your wife scolds you.” This contrast between ruthless and caring drives fans wild. The writer exclaims, “How can one character make me so emotionally unstable!”
Another memorable moment occurs when Kaku waits in the snow for Ryuumon, who is seeking permission from the third Yamato Emperor, Fuji III. Kaku’s loose kimono and hair down, combined with his devotion, left the writer speechless at 2 a.m., crying, “This swamp is too deep – I can never escape!”
3. He Entrusts the Future, but Fans Want Him to Live
The writer admits a history of favorite characters who tend to exit the story. That fear now centers on Kaku. He is brilliant – nurturing subordinates, crafting flawless strategies, fighting for Ryuumon. But he seems to neglect himself. For Kaku, Ryuumon’s success is everything; Ryuumon is his light. This leads Kaku to pass hints to Sankaku Seiki, as if entrusting the future even if he himself may not be there. “Only a truly exceptional person can entrust the future to others without envy,” the writer notes. Yet the plea is heartfelt: “Don’t entrust the future! Just live! Take care of yourself! If you have a cold, go somewhere warm! Don’t go out in the rain! Want me to lend you my coat? That cough – don’t overdo it!”
With only two episodes left, the author watches in suspense, praying for Kaku’s safety while waiting for Episode 11, “Sleeping on Firewood to Counsel the Heavens.”
(C) Matsuki Ikka / Shogakukan / Nihon Sangoku Production Committee
