- Oda Nobunaga is the ailing, kind-hearted warlord who entrusts the Oda Clan to Rance.
- Xavier possession: breaking the sacred gourds lets the Fiend's soul fragments take over Nobunaga's body.
- Kichou and Kouhime: his late wife and younger sister anchor his emotional storyline.
- Honnouji Incident: the climax of the True Route where Nobunaga's soul fights back from within.
- Combat profile: a Lv2 Jiujitsu warrior hampered by a fragile, sickly body.
Oda Nobunaga: Character Overview
Oda Nobunaga is one of the most important supporting characters in Sengoku Rance, the beloved strategy RPG by AliceSoft set during JAPAN's 4th Warring States Period. Unlike the ferocious historical warlord he is derived from, the Nobunaga of the Rance series is a calm, humble, and well-loved leader whose body is gradually destroyed by illness — and later, by something far worse. For full character details, see the AliceSoft Wiki entry on Nobunaga Oda.
Video Highlights:
- True Route gameplay showing the Oda Clan's expansion under Rance's command
- Reinforcement mechanics with units like Maria Custard
- Hani Empire conquest options and Hojo storyline events
- The diviner subplot involving Ran, Soun, and the recurring ogre Minamoto
His journey from a shy boy named Kazusanosuke to the heroic lord corrupted by a demonic entity forms the emotional backbone of the True Route, making him one of the most memorable characters in the entire Rance series.
Backstory: Kazusanosuke, Kichou, and the Great Youkai War
Born in GI985 as Kazusanosuke, the future Nobunaga grew up weak, sickly, and sheltered. His childhood changed when 3G hired a war orphan named Kichou as a maid. Unlike other servants, Kichou bullied and bossed him around — treating him as an equal rather than a lord. Their friendship blossomed under the cherry blossom tree near Oda Castle and eventually became love.
Kazusanosuke (Youth)
- Meek and unconfident
- Sheltered, lonely upbringing
- No genuine relationships
Kichou
- War orphan turned maid
- Bold, fiery personality
- Later his wife and political partner
Kouhime
- Much younger sister
- Runs the Dango shop with him
- Key figure in the Honnouji events
During the Great Youkai War, Nobunaga's father and elder brother died fighting alongside One-Eyed Masamune against the Youkai King Omachi. Kazusanosuke inherited his father's name and married Kichou under the cherry blossom tree. She managed diplomacy and even commanded in his stead during his sick periods — until an assassin attacked during one of his weakest moments, and Kichou traded her life to save his.
Nobunaga noticed that Rance shared many traits with his late wife Kichou — the same fiery, bold nature. This comparison is part of why he trusted Rance with complete command of the Oda Clan.
The Xavier Possession and the Gourd Mechanic
The central tragedy of Nobunaga's story is the possession by the Fiend Xavier, one of the most feared demons in the series' lore.
| Gourds Broken | Effect on Nobunaga | Effect on Xavier |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (accidental) | Nightmares, voices begin | Soul fragment enters his body |
| 2-3 | Losing control periodically | Grows stronger inside him |
| 4-5 | Secludes at Honnouji, will fading | Near-complete control of the body |
| 5+ (Honnouji) | Partially reclaims control | Escapes; Nobunaga's soul dies |
The Sacred Gourd
A Tenshi Sect monk checks the gourd sealing a fragment of Xavier's soul. Nobunaga's monkey Toukichirou causes it to break accidentally.
The First Fragment
Xavier's soul inhabits Nobunaga's body and begins exterminating Tenshi Sect members, burning hundreds of followers alive and sparking war.
The Traitor Revealed
Toukichirou is revealed as one of Xavier's Apostles, stealing gourds from clans Rance conquers to strengthen his master.
Kouhime's Disappearance
Kouhime forces her way into Honnouji and is captured by the Apostle Rengoku. Her rescue exposes Xavier's truth to Rance.
The Honnouji Incident
Weakened by Rance and Kentarou, Xavier loses grip — Nobunaga wounds himself to help Rance finish the demon, but Xavier escapes and Nobunaga's soul dies.
The Honnouji Incident ends with only a lock of Nobunaga's hair recovered. Kou buries it beside Kichou under the cherry blossom tree, closing his story with powerful symmetry.
Combat Profile and Skills
Despite his illness, Nobunaga is a genuinely formidable warrior whose fame reached the mainland Continent.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Class | Warrior |
| Level Limit | 60 |
| Sword Combat | Lv1 |
| Bow Combat | Lv1 |
| Jiujitsu | Lv2 |
| Cooking | Lv1 |
| Key Weakness | Fragile health, cannot sustain long battles |
His refined Jiujitsu technique lets him disarm opponents far stronger than himself — he even bested Rance in a duel while ill and weakened, though the short spar left him exhausted. His reputation was strong enough that Miracle Tou considered him for her theoretical team of the Twelve Knights.
Unusually for a warlord, Nobunaga loves cooking — a hobby learned from Kichou. He runs a humble Dango shop with Kouhime, selling Dango and tea purely for enjoyment. Even Rance grudgingly admitted the food was delicious.
True Route Priorities Checklist
To experience Nobunaga's storyline fully and reach the True Route ending, track these milestones during your playthrough:
True Route Milestones:
- Watch the gourd-breaking event with Toukichirou early in the game
- Conquer major clans while monitoring which gourds get stolen
- Rescue Kouhime immediately after her Honnouji disappearance
- Recruit strong reinforcements like Maria Custard for the endgame
- Complete the Honnouji Temple raid with Rance and Kentarou
The Ran Route is widely considered the saddest route in the game, but the True Route carries Nobunaga's tragedy to its conclusion — including his final act of will against Xavier. It is the only route where his story receives a true resolution.
FAQ
Q: Is Oda Nobunaga in Sengoku Rance based on the real historical figure?
Yes. He is derived from the real Oda Nobunaga, the powerful late-Sengoku warlord credited with uniting Japan through military conquest. The Rance series subverts his historically demonic depiction by making him heroic, then corrupted by the demonic entity Xavier instead.
Q: Does Nobunaga survive the events of Sengoku Rance?
No. During the Honnouji Temple Incident, Nobunaga partially reclaims control of his body and wounds himself to help Rance defeat Xavier. Xavier escapes with his body, and Nobunaga's soul dies in the process. Only a lock of his hair is recovered.
Q: What happens if too many gourds are broken?
Each broken gourd releases a fragment of Xavier's soul into Nobunaga's body, strengthening the Fiend while eroding Nobunaga's will. After five of the eight gourds break, the story moves toward the Honnouji climax.
Q: Is Nobunaga a playable combat unit?
He is a Warrior with a level limit of 60 and a standout Lv2 Jiujitsu skill, but his sickly body prevents extended deployment. His health decline and eventual possession remove him from active duty as the story progresses.