History UsefulNotes / TokugawaIeyasu

* Ieyasu is mentioned in ''VideoGame/OnimushaDawnOfDreams'' as Soki's true father. However, Soki thinks he's just a useless lapdog to Hideyoshi. In ''Soul'', Ieyasu finally makes an appearence as a Genma-aligned Daimyo: surprisingly enough, he's shown as a {{Bishonen}} in youth, and as a gruff but still attractive man wielding [[OddlyShapedSword a triple-bladed katana]].

Even before Hideyoshi's death, Ieyasu had already showed traces of being a [[TheStarscream heir apparent]], to the point that his rise might have happened earlier in a little known "what if" connected to Spain and Portugal. Hideyoshi had originally been in friendly terms with those, with even a joint invasion of China being entertained, but when relations soured and were replaced by rumors of war, the Spaniards considered a plan to instigate a revolt against Hideyoshi and replace him with [[LesCollaborateurs a local ally]] -- with Ieyasu's name coming up in the talks as the best candidate. The plan never went far,[[note]]At the time the Iberians were entangled in at least four different wars and there were neither resources nor need to start another. Ironically, the author of the plan, Martín de la Ascensión, would be later executed by Hideyoshi along with the 26 Martyrs of Japan under similar suspicions, though this time baseless, of an Iberian invasion.[[/note]] and Ieyasu, who probably never found out about it, would later have equally troubled relations with the Iberians.

* ''VideoGame/DeaeTonosamaAppareIchiban'' has him as the first boss, using rocket punches and beams against the player characters, because he has been possessed by aliens. Also, his name is spelled in-game "'''YEAH'''yasu", with Western alphabet and all (while the final boss is Oda '''NO'''bunaga). It's kind of [[WidgetSeries a weird game]].

Even before Hideyoshi's death, Ieyasu had already showed traces of being a heir apparent even outside of Japan, to the point that his rise might have happened earlier in a little known what if connected to Spain and Portugal. Hideyoshi had originally been in friendly terms with those, with even a joint invasion of China being entertained, but when relations soured and were replaced by rumors of war, the Spaniards considered a plan to instigate a revolt against Hideyoshi and replace him with [[LesCollaborateurs a local ally]] -- with Ieyasu's name coming up in the talks as the best candidate. The plan never went far,[[note]]At the time the Iberians were entangled in at least four different wars and there were neither resources nor need to start another. Ironically, the author of the plan, Martín de la Ascensión, would be later executed by Hideyoshi along with the 26 Martyrs of Japan under similar suspicions, though this time baseless, of an Iberian invasion.[[/note]] and Ieyasu, who probably never found out about it, would later have equally troubled relations with the Iberians.

Ieyasu proved to be something of a '{{Sidekick}}' or 'rear-guard' for Nobunaga, and key success to his campaign: Since they're allies, Nobunaga could march to the capital with ease when he's assured that Ieyasu would watch his back. Eventually, as Nobunaga was killed by UsefulNotes/AkechiMitsuhide, Ieyasu escaped with his life and planned revenge, but he was beaten to a punch by UsefulNotes/ToyotomiHideyoshi. After a bit of a stalemate, they made peace and Ieyasu once again bid his time, by deciding to just demote himself to become a vassal of Toyotomi.

While Ieyasu did all he could to ensure his legacy would last very long and stabilizing the country, [[HoistByHisOwnPetard it was also his actions to do so that eventually caused his shogunate's downfall]]: In order to win Sekigahara, Ieyasu promised those who were loyal to him to be heavily rewarded, and then [[CruelMercy applied heavy punishment without any deaths towards his defeated opponents]]; chief amongst these 'losers' were the Western clans: Mōri, Shimazu and Chosokabe. And one of his chief policies after unification of Japan is to close the country from any foreign trades except a few foreign countries, sealing off Japan from outer influences, which worked wonders for Japan's inner growth, but came to bit them in the ass when American fleet under Matthew Perry threatened his descendants to open the borders or else they'll overwhelm Japan with their superior technology. And the Mōri, Shimazu and Chosokabe, unhappy with these changes and still bearing the grudges over their treatment from Ieyasu, [[TheDogBitesBack decided to strike back]], leading to the UsefulNotes/MeijiRestoration and the end of the Ieyasu's legacy after 200+ years of ruling.

** As of press time, 2023's slated drama is entitled ''Dōsuru Ieyasu'' (どうする家康), once again taking his perspective. Jun Matsumoto of {{Music/Arashi}} has been announced for the role.