History UsefulNotes / UesugiKenshin

Another wild, popular rumor is that Kenshin was actually a woman, all based on the rumor that he never married and had no children on his own, thus popularizing either androgynous depictions in other media, or flat out giving him a GenderFlip. All his children were adopted, his successor Kagekatsu (who claimed the position after emerging victorious from an infamous power struggle against his adoptive brother Kagetora) being the son of Kenshin's older sister. Due to clever political maneuvering, the Uesugi clan continued to exist well into the UsefulNotes/MeijiRestoration (having acquired a noble title) and even into the present day.

Another wild, popular rumor is that Kenshin was actually a woman, all based on the rumor that he never married and had no children on his own, thus popularizing either androgynous depictions in other media, or flat out giving him a GenderFlip. All his children were adopted, his successor Kagekatsu (who claimed the position after emerging victorious from an infamous power struggle against his younger brother Kagetora) being the son of Kenshin's older sister. Due to clever political maneuvering, the Uesugi clan continued to exist well into the UsefulNotes/MeijiRestoration (having acquired a noble title) and even into the present day.

* Kenshin also appears in the NHK drama named ''Fuurin Kazan'' portrayed by Creator/{{Gackt}}. Yes. That Gackt.

** Kenshin got the typical GenderFlip referencing the popular idea of him actually being a woman and became a Servant for the fourth GUDAGUDA event, using her childhood name Nagao Kagetora. She's a Lancer-class Servant capable of riding a horse and striking at her enemy with ''eight'' different weapons for her Noble Phantasm and is voiced by Creator/NanaMizuki. And absolutely unable to show any other expression except smiling, even when she's about to dangerously wreck someone's shit, which was one of the reason she was referred like being a God: she acted very inhumanly, so much it was scary.

* ''Anime/BattleGirlsTimeParadox'' features a GenderFlip Kenshin. Still duking it out with Shingen, this Kenshin's swinging a BladeOnAStick, all ShockAndAwe SpamAttack. The TigerVersusDragon motif isn't mentioned, though; in fact, ''Shingen's'' the one who gets to throw a big dragon.

* In ''LightNovel/MirageOfBlaze'' he became the actual Bishamonten after his death and established the Underworld Uesugi Army made up of reincarnating spirits of his once-retainers, to protect Japan from vengeful spirits of other Sengoku era generals. The commander of this army is Uesugi Kagetora, one of Kenshin's adopted sons who, in the Sengoku period, was defeated by his older brother Uesugi Kagekatsu in the civil war that erupted over succession of the clan after Kenshin's death, and consequently committed suicide.

Then he died midway there [[note]]It's theorized he was assassinated, but it was also pretty certain he had esophageal cancer at the time of his death so whatever killed is more of a technicality[[/note]], and Nobunaga once again seized his opportunity to reach the capital. That lucky bastard.

He was named chief general for his brother at the [[ImprobableAge age of 16]]. His brother was a weak and sickly ruler, and Echigo province fractured. Kagetora put down rebellions left and right. He kicked so much ass that Nagao subjects [[AsskickingEqualsAuthority begged him to take over the clan]]. This he did reluctantly [[note]]after his brother forced his hand by attacking him, and even then he asked the powerless Uesugi ''shugo'' to come up with a fair solution[[/note]]. He was 19, and finished the reunification of Echigo province at 22.

** Kenshin got the typical GenderFlip referencing the popular idea of him actually being a woman and became a Servant for the fourth GUDAGUDA event, using her childhood name Nagao Kagetora. She's a Lancer-class Servant capable of riding a horse and striking at her enemy with ''eight'' different weapons for her Noble Phantasm, has a Saber-face trait and is voiced by Creator/NanaMizuki. And absolutely unable to show any other expression except smiling, even when she's about to dangerously wreck someone's shit, which was one of the reason she was referred like being a God: she acted very inhumanly, so much it was scary.

* In ''VideoGame/SamuraiMaiden'' Uesugi Kenshin appears as a HistoricalGenderFlip antagonist. Kenshin was a man in real life, but a [[https://youtu.be/T-jmdxacY3w promotional trailer]] (jokingly) states that this game is actually the accurate representation of the warlord.

** Kenshin got the typical GenderFlip referencing the popular idea of him actually being a woman and became a Servant for the fourth GUDAGUDA event, using her childhood name Nagao Kagetora. She's a Lancer-class Servant capable of riding a horse and striking at her enemy with ''eight'' different weapons for her Noble Phantasm, has a Saber-face trait and is voiced by Creator/NanaMizuki. And absolutely unable to show any other expression except smiling, even when she's about to dangerously wreck someone's shit, which was one of the reason she was referred like being a God: she acted very inhumanly it's scary.

* ''Franchise/SDGundam BB Senshi'' had a model series titled ''SD Sengokuden Ten to Chi To'', which focused on making Gunpla based on figures in Japanese history. However it only released two models, with one of them being Kenshin Gundam. This concept was later revisited in ''SDSengokudenBushinKourinHen'', which while also short-lived had more models, including Uesugi Kenshin Gundam.

Uesugi Kenshin (February 18, 1530 – April 19, 1578) is one of the most famous [[UsefulNotes/{{Japan}} Japanese]] daimyo in the [[UsefulNotes/SengokuPeriod Warring States]] era, reigning in prominence before UsefulNotes/OdaNobunaga rose to power. He was a devout Buddhist, praying to [[WarGod Bishamonten]] most of the time. Combined with his prowess in the battlefield, he's also often regarded as either Bishamonten's Avatar or the God of War himself. A tamer nickname for him would be the 'Dragon of Echigo.'

** Kenshin got the typical GenderFlip referencing the popular idea of him actually being a woman and became a Servant for the fourth GUDAGUDA event, using her childhood name Nagao Kagetora. She's a Lancer-class Servant capable of riding a horse and striking at her enemy with ''eight'' different weapons for her Noble Phantasm, has a Saber-face trait and is voiced by Creator/NanaMizuki.

** The fifth game, being a SoftReboot, features a younger Kenshin, with a change of voice actor into Creator/KazuyukiOkitsu as well as some of his hair being more visible underneath his head wear: Turns out he's a LongHairedPrettyBoy.

* In the ''Franchise/AssassinsCreed'' setting, Kenshin is given a HistoricalVillainUpgrade as a member of the Templar Order.

[[caption-width-right:270:WarriorMonk [[AuthorityEqualsAsskicking Daimyo]]]]

** He was also voiced by Gackt in ''Manga/TonoToIssho'', as an alcoholic with a Anime/{{Doraemon}} fetish.

* In the ''Franchise/AssassinsCreed'' setting, Kenshin is given a HistoricalVillainUpgrade as a member of the Templar Brotherhood.

* ''Anime/SengokuOtome'' features a GenderFlip Kenshin. Still duking it out with Shingen, this Kenshin's swinging a BladeOnAStick, all ShockAndAwe SpamAttack. The TigerVersusDragon motif isn't mentioned, though; in fact, ''Shingen's'' the one who gets to throw a big dragon.

* The Uesugi is a playable clan in ''[[VideoGame/ShogunTotalWar Shogun: Total War]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/TotalWarShogun2 Total War: Shogun 2]]''.

* In ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'', Kenshin has two appearances:

** During the first GUDAGUDA event, which lampooned the UsefulNotes/SengokuPeriod, Kenshin was represented by [[VisualNovel/FateStayNight Altria]] (her name being Uesugi Altria), being late to the showdown between Oda/Shinsengumi vs Takeda.

* Uesugi Kenshin is playable in ''VideoGame/SamuraiWarriors'' and for once, isn't such a {{bishonen}} like most other depictions, in addition of being voiced by [[Creator/JojiNakata Jouji Nakata]] (along with Creator/TokugawaIeyasu) which makes his his face is kind of scary. As usual, his rivalry with Shingen exists and plays part in his series. The 3rd game includes his sister Aya Gozen, and the fourth game, his adopted son and clan successor Uesugi Kagekatsu. Kenshin's never seen with his hair on display (it's always covered with turban or some form of headwear).

** Kenshin got the typical GenderFlip and became a Servant for the fourth GUDAGUDA event, using her childhood name Nagao Kagetora. She's a Lancer-class Servant capable of riding a horse and striking at her enemy for her Noble Phantasm, has a Saber-face trait and is voiced by Creator/NanaMizuki.