Nobukimi Anayama

Nobukimi Anayama is one of the twenty four generals of Takeda and Shingen Takeda's son-in-law. Nobukimi served the Takeda loyally until Katsuyori Takeda's disastrous assault at Nagashino. As the Takeda began to fall, Nobukimi was one of the first retainers to flee his clan for the Tokugawa, which may have contributed to his death a few months later.

Role in Games
Nobukimi fights for the Takeda clan in Samurai Warriors. His notable contribution is at the battle of Mikatagahara, where he falls for Hanzō Hattori's gambit to break up the Takeda lines, ultimately exposing Shingen to assassination. In Samurai Warriors 2, Nobukimi will try to halt the Oda forces’ retreat, causing them to call for help from the Tokugawa. He also appears in the Oda forces as one of three Takeda turncoats in the Fall of the Takeda stage, where he is lured into a trap in the northwest, and will quickly be defeated if not promptly aided. In the third game, Nobukimi also appears in the Escape through Iga, where he is cut off from the rest of the Tokugawa forces, with a mission provided to save him. Nobukimi’s role is expanded again in Samurai Warriors 4, taking part in the battle of Suruga, where he is lured into a trap by Naotora Ii.

Kessen III refers to Nobukimi as Baisetsu Anayama. He is one of the many loyal retainers of Shingen, serving him at the battle of Mikawa before his lord’s death of illness. Nobukimi remains loyal to the Takeda clan, fighting for Katsuyori at Akechi Castle and the fateful battle of Nagashino. He survives the battle, but his disagreement with Katsuyori leads him to betray the Takeda and join the Tokugawa. However, it is revealed during the Pacification of Kai that Nobukimi falsely surrendered to Ieyasu, in hopes to catch him and Nobunaga off guard as they pursued Katsuyori.

Voice Actors

 * Kota Nemoto - Kessen III (Japanese)

Historical Information
Anayama Nobukimi was born to Anayama Nobutomo. He was married to Takeda Shingen's second daughter, Kenshōin. Nobukimi first saw action in service of the Takeda at the fourth battle of Kawanakajima. After the battle, Nobukimi continued to serve Shingen, fighting to help suppress Takeda Yoshinobu's rebellion. Nobukimi saw more action in the many battles in Suruga and Totomi as the Takeda forces conquered the former Imagawa lands. For his services, Nobukimi was named lord of Ejiri Castle, a castle he kept for the rest of his service to the Takeda.

When Shingen began to march west for the capital, Nobukimi accompanied him into the Tokugawa lands, fighting in the battle of Mikatagahara. Along with the other retainers, Nobukimi joined in the retreat back after the death of Shingen. Under Takeda Katsuyori’s new leadership, Nobukimi played a major role in his new lord's own campaign to take the capital. He commanded one of the large center forces for the battle of Nagashino. Nobukimi had disagreed with Katsuyori's choice to fight the combined Tokugawa/Oda forces at this battle, believing it would end in disaster. His prediction was proven accurate and Nobukimi began to doubt the future of the Takeda.

Six years after Nagashio, in 1581. Nobukimi fled the Takeda clan and joined Tokugawa Ieyasu. Nobukimi is noted for seeking shelter under the Tokugawa even before Ieyasu issued an edict of sanctuary to any Takeda retainers who surrendered without a fight. He accompanied Ieyasu to Sakai the following year as part of the retainer guard of Ieyasu. However, when Nobunaga was betrayed and killed, Nobukimi accompanied Ieyasu as he fled back to Mikawa. Ieyasu's retainers split up to reduce their party size and increase their chances of evading Akechi Mitsuhide's men. Nobukimi went separate from his new lord and did not manage to survive the passage home. Although he died, his exact killer(s) are unknown, with legends claiming vengeful Takeda retainers ending his life.