Character Relationship Map: Hakkenden

Characters

• Bakin Takizawa (played by Koji Yakusho) — protagonist

  An Edo period author whose life's work is serializing a tale of eight warriors to fight a family curse. After 28 years, he faces blindness near the climax and must accept an unexpected proposal from h...

• Hokusai Katsushika (played by Seiyo Uchino) — protagonist

  A renowned artist and Bakin's friend who becomes deeply engrossed in the author's ongoing serial story. His frequent visits to hear the narrative evolve into a complex, strange relationship with Bakin...

• Fusehime (played by Tao Tsuchiya) — supporting
• Shino Inuzuka (played by Keisuke Watanabe) — supporting
• Dousetsu Inuyama (played by Shuhei Uesugi) — supporting
• Sousuke Inukawa (played by Jin Suzuki) — supporting
• Nanboku Tsuruya (played by Danshun Tatekawa) — minor
• Hamaji (played by Yuumi Kawai) — minor
• Onoe Kikugoro III (played by Ukon Onoe) — minor
• Tamazusa (played by Chiaki Kuriyama) — minor
• Souhaku (played by Hayato Isomura) — minor
• Keno Inusaka (played by Rihito Itagaki) — supporting
• Oji (played by Haru Kuroki) — minor
• Ohaku (played by Shinobu Terajima) — minor
• Ichikawa Danjuro VII (played by Shido Nakamura) — minor
• Genpachi Inukai (played by Koshi Mizukami) — supporting
• Daikaku Inumura (played by Koudai Matsuoka) — supporting
• Kobungo Inuta (played by So Kaku) — supporting
• Shinbe Inue (played by Maito Fujioka) — supporting

Story Analysis

A meta-narrative exploring the intersection of literary creation, obsession, and legacy through an author's 28-year serialization.

Plot Progression

1. The Tale Begins
2. Ink and Imagination
3. Decades of Devotion
4. The Final Proposal