Ep 4. Wavering Scarlet Flower - Loyalty That Brings Sorrow!

In episode 4 of Sengoku Basara season 1, titled "Wavering Scarlet Flower - Loyalty That Brings Sorrow!", the focus shifts to the character of Azai Nagamasa, who finds himself torn between his loyalty to Oda Nobunaga and his loyalty to his wife Oichi.

Nagamasa has always been a loyal vassal of Nobunaga, but his relationship with Oichi complicates things. Oichi is the younger sister of Nobunaga, and she has been married off to Nagamasa to cement an alliance between their two clans. However, their marriage is not a happy one, as Oichi is still in love with her former husband, Azai's rival warlord Azai Hisamasa. Despite this, Nagamasa remains devoted to his wife, even as she becomes increasingly distant and cold towards him.

Meanwhile, Nobunaga continues his campaign to conquer the other warlords of Japan and bring them under his control. His next target is the warlord Takeda Shingen, who wields a formidable army and is considered one of the strongest opponents in the land. In order to defeat him, Nobunaga decides to enlist the help of Azai Nagamasa and his army, even though he knows that Nagamasa's loyalty may be wavering.

As the two armies clash, Nagamasa finds himself torn between his duty to his lord and his love for his wife. When Oichi is captured by Takeda's forces, Nagamasa must choose whether to abandon his alliance with Nobunaga and rescue his wife, or stay true to his duties as a vassal and follow his lord's orders.

The episode is filled with intense battles and emotional moments, as the characters are forced to confront their loyalties and make difficult choices. The relationship between Azai Nagamasa and Oichi is particularly poignant, as we see the struggles of a couple caught between duty and passion, and the toll it takes on their marriage.

Overall, "Wavering Scarlet Flower - Loyalty That Brings Sorrow!" is a compelling episode that explores complex themes of loyalty, love, and duty in a time of war and upheaval. The action sequences are thrilling, the characters are well-developed, and the story keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end.