History Awesome / AsianSaga

* The eventual victory of [[spoiler: [[MagnificentBastard Toranaga]]]]. It is difficult to summarise in a few sentences, given that the whole {{Doorstopper}} book is a GambitPileup, but suffice to say it is absolutely ''glorious''.
* All of Toranaga's plans count as this, whether it's his [[spoiler: escape from Osaka]], his excellent game of XanatosSpeedChess when he realises [[spoiler: that Yabu has him at a huge disadvantage and his only chance is to bullshit his way through it]], or his totally convincing [[spoiler: [[ISurrenderSuckers faked defeat]]]], if there is a situation where some truly awesome scheming is required, Toranaga always does well.
** Toranaga is also one of the few characters who can make a YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness awesome rather than a petty KickTheDog moment. The offhandedness with which he sentences [[spoiler: his treacherous ally Yabu]] to commit seppuku is extremely satisfying, if only because the victim was a ''really'' annoying SmugSnake.

** He has one whenever he manages to pull off a particularly difficult nautical manoeuvre, because even though it's a regular occurrence for him, it is repeatedly stated that there are only a few pilots in the entire world at that time who are equal to his skill. A stand out example of this is during [[spoiler: the escape from Osaka]], which is a SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome for both him and Rodrigues.
** His faking insanity to distract [[spoiler: Ishido from Toranaga being disguised as a woman during the escape from Osaka]] at great personal risk is treated as one in-universe by the other characters. As is his [[spoiler: valiant attempt to hold off the ninja attack.]]
** Managing to hold his own amongst all his enemies at [[spoiler: Osaka]]. Considering how instrumental he was in [[spoiler: Toranaga's escape]] even his enemies are impressed that he is able to hold his head high when he has to return.
** However, perhaps his greatest one is [[spoiler: his attempt at seppuku]], which is when he fully earns his place among the samurai. Not only that, but he actually manages [[MadeOfIron to stand up and walk after it]], which is considered exceptionally strong even by samurai standards.

** Whenever she plays around the YamatoNadeshiko expectations, proving that [[SilkHidingSteel to be a true YN]] you must be both [[ProperLady very classy]] '''and''' [[PluckyGirl plucky as fuck]] and showing just how strong she is. Stand out examples include her [[spoiler: fighting alongside the men during the escape from Osaka, telling Toranaga to his face that he has to become Shogun (which has been something of a BerserkButton for him), playing Yabu like a harp whenever she has to deal with him, and being completely untouched by her drunken husband's explosive temper]].
** However, an entire period of awesome comes during the [[spoiler: return to Osaka. Publicly standing up to Ishido, trying to fight her way out, attempting (and intending) seppuku, and finally committing it during the ninja attack [[DyingMomentOfAwesome while loudly declaring that she'll die honorably (and also out-gambitting the ninjas]]).]] Even MagnificentBastard extraordinaire Toranaga describes [[spoiler: Osaka]] as a "glorious" moment for her.
* The end of chapter one for Headman Mura. Facing a man twice his size and capable of the stuff mentioned above being pissy about taking a bath, Mura instantly paralyzes him with two well-timed jabs and forcibly bathes him. And then he, his mother, and his wife take turns discussing the size of Blackthorne's erection. [[spoiler: Near the book's end Toranaga's inner monologue reveals Mura has been his spy the whole time.]]

* Dirk preparing to go up against Gorth with a [[ChainPain fighting iron]] (even though [[spoiler: someone else beats him to it in the end]]).

* Dirk [[spoiler: publicly paying the Brocks off with a Scrooge [=McDuck=]-sized pile of silver. "The Noble House decided to pay cash." Then calmly walking away once the receipt has been tendered, leaving his competitors in awe at his wealth and his worst enemy responsible for a huge pile of silver in an area riddled with pirates.]]

* Jamie [=McFay=] just after [[spoiler:Malcolm's death]] when he confronts Norbert Greyforth and [[spoiler:punches him right in the face for insulting Malcolm]] - then beats the shit out of the larger man in the ensuing brawl.
* Yoshi battling and killing [[spoiler: Sumomo]]. Despite her ninja training and having the element of surprise, Yoshi insists on his guards not getting involved, outmaneuvers and eventually [[OffWithHisHead decapitates her]]. Those watching can only marvel that Yoshi is really living up to the original Toranaga's example as a total badass.
* Edward Gornt's spectacular game of XanatosSpeedChess towards the end of the novel, manipulating first Malcolm Struan, then [[spoiler: after he dies]] his mother Tess into the total destruction of [[ItMakesSenseInContext his father Morgan Brock and the other Brocks]] and allowing him to develop Rothwell-Gornt into a powerhouse in its own right. He even gets to marry [[spoiler: Angelique]], too.
* Angelique Richauds [[TakeALevelInBadass progressing over the course of the book]] from Malcolm's beautiful but naive bride-to-be to a [[ManipulativeBastard Manipulative Bitch]] who consistently outmanuevers the book's Western male characters to get what she wants, is [[spoiler: poised to marry Edward Gornt]] and looks set to develop into the [[spoiler: Gornt family's]] version of Hag Struan.

* [[spoiler: Ian Dunross]] escaping destruction, securing a lucrative business for the future and forcing [[spoiler: Gornt]] to return the airline to Struans or face ruin.
* "Yes Asian One" - the reveal that [[spoiler: Roger Crosse]] is a triple agent and that [[spoiler: Sevrin]] is possibly a trap he created.
* Paul Choy managing to at least partially outmaneuver Dunross when he [[spoiler: presents the half-coin, not entangling Struan's in anything illegal but securing himself a very rich and powerful future, including creating the first Asian stock market.]] Even Dunross is impressed.

* The whole Whirlwind plan itself is a huge one for Gavallan and the other Western characters, managing to [[spoiler: evacuate Iran, taking with them all their helicopters and employees from three separate airbases without the Iranians realising what's going on until it's too late.]]

** Early in the novel we find he was petitioning Abdollah Khan for Azadeh's hand in marriage when a group of assassins [[spoiler: sent by his son Hakim]] attack. Erikki kills '''all''' of them despite only being initially armed with his knife and doesn't calm down until he knows Azadeh is safe. The Khan acknowledges how awesome this is when he grants Erikki's request despite loathing him personally.

* Dirk [[spoiler: paying the Brocks off with a Scrooge [=McDuck=]-sized pile of silver. "The Noble House decided to pay cash." Then calmly walking away once the receipt has been tendered, leaving his worst enemy responsible for a huge pile of silver.]]

* Dirk [[spoiler: paying the Brocks off with a Scrooge McDuck-sized pile of silver. "The Noble House decided to pay cash." Then calmly walking away once the receipt has been tendered, leaving his worst enemy responsible for a huge pile of silver.]]

* Dirk's MagnificentBastard tendencies are never more obvious than in his efforts to buy the knoll. Dirk wants it for his headquarters, and as it's a matter of face, will pay anything for it. Brock knows this and plans to drive the auction bid for it so high the Struans will be ruined if they buy. Reasing this, but unwilling to lose face by not getting it, Dirk subtly manipulates Culum (who is in despair over his father's refusal to budge) into giving it to the Church, thus relieving him of trying to bid for it as no-one will go against the House of God and saving face. Even more impressively, Culum never realises he's been puppeted until Dirk tells him.

* Mariko Buntarou:

* The end of chapter one for Headman Mura. Facing a man twice his size and capable of the stuff mentioned above being pissy about taking a bath, Mura instantly paralyzes him with two well-timed jabs and forcibly bathes him. And then he, his mother, and his wife take turns discussing the size of Blackthorne's erection.

* Dirk preparing to go up against Gorth with a [[ChainPain fighting iron]] (even though [[spoiler: someone else beats him to it in the end]].

* The Mullah Hussain calmly and effortlessly shutting down Esfandiary and the Minister Ali Kia's attempt to squeeze Starke and the others for bribe money, warning them off charges being brought against them for corruption and leaving them in serious fear for their positions and even lives. Later it's revealed he'd worked out the Whirlwind plan but didn't act against it, as he believed it to be the Will of God.

** Early in the novel we find he was petitioning Abdollah Khan for Azadeh's hand in marriage when a group of assassins [[spoiler: hired by his son Hakim]] attack. Erikki kills '''all''' of them despite only being initially armed with his knife and doesn't calm down until he knows Azadeh is safe. The Khan acknowledges how awesome this is when he grants Erikki's request despite loathing him personally.
** Later, he's captured and held for ransom by Bayazid's Kurdish tribe. When the Khan has the messenger bearing news of his reply killed, Bayazid threatens to kill him on the spot. Erikki [[BatmanGambit bluffs his way out of it]], [[RefugeInAudacity convincing them the Khan is his enemy too]] [[EnemyMine and leading them in an attack on the han's palace to free his wife.]]
** In the aftermath of that, Bayazid and his tribesmen betray Erikki. in an OffscreenMomentOfAwesome Erikki [[KillEmAll kills '''over a dozen men''' himself]], [[CombatPragmatist using his knife, hands, feet and even his teeth]].
* Hakim's ascent to the Khanhood, and how quickly he turns out to be a MagnificentBastard that exceeds even his father. Special mention must be made of his reaction to Erikki's attack - despite being badly hurt, he quickly outmaneuvers and outbargains Bayazid and gets them to leave in peace.
* The Mullah Hussain calmly and effortlessly shutting down Esfandiary and the Minister Ali Kia's attempt to squeeze Starke and the others for bribe money, warning them off charges being brought against them for corruption and leaving them in serious fear for their positions and even lives.

* Edward Gornt's spectacular game of XanatosSpeedChess towards the end of the novel, manipulating first Malcolm Struan, then [[spoiler: after he dies]] his mother Tess into the total destruction of his [[ItMakesSenseInContext his father Morgan Brock and the other Brocks]] and allowing him to develop Rothwell-Gornt into a powerhouse in its own right. He even gets to marry [[spoiler: Angelique]], too.
* Angelique Richauds [[TakeALevelInBadass progressing over the course of the book]] from Malcolm's beautiful but naive bride-to-be to a [[ManipulativeBastard Manipulative Bitch]] who consistently outmanuevers the book's Western male characters to get what she wants, is [[spoiler: poised to marry Edward Gornt]] and looks set to develop into the Gornt family's version of Hag Struan.

* Jamie [=McFay=] just after [[spoiler:Malcolm's death]] when he confronts Norbert Greyforth and [[spoiler:punches him right in the face for insulting Malcolm]].

* "Yes Asian One" the reveal that [[spoiler: Roger Crosse]] is a triple agent and that [[spoiler: Sevrin]] is possibly a trap he created

----

''Shogun''

''Tai-Pan''

''Noble House''

* Dirk killing Gorth

* Ian escaping destruction, securing a lucrative business for the future and forcing Gornt to return the airline to Struans or face ruin.

* Mariko Buntarou:

*** For even more awesome context: Blackthorne was told that he was to learn Japanese language and customs within a set time frame. If he did not, then every man, woman, and child in the village would be held responsible for his shortcomings, and Yabu would have them crucified. Blackthorne then stated that if this happened, he would not be able to live with the shame, and threatened seppuku. At first Yabu dismisses this threat as empty... but soon realizes that if anything happened to Blackthorne, HE would be held responsible for it as well. When Yabu doesn't back down, Blackthorn stabs himself and Omi just barely manages to wrestle the blade away from him. Yabu then relents and states that "Whatever you learn will be fine."

* "Yes Asian One" the reveal that [[spoiler: Roger Crosse]] is a triple agent.

** However, an entire period of awesome comes during the [[spoiler: return to Osaka. Publicly standing up to Ishido, trying to fight her way out, attempting (and intending) seppuku, and finally committing it during the ninja attack [[DyingMomentOfAwesome while loudly declaring that she'll die honorably (and also out-gambitting the ninjas]]).]] Even MagnificentBastard extraordinaire Toranaga describes [[spoiler: Osaka]] as a "glorious" moment for her.

** He has one whenever he manages to pull off a particularly difficult nautical manoeuvre, because even though it's a regular occurrence for him, it is repeatedly stated that there are only a few pilots in the entire world at that time who are equal to his skill. A stand out example of this is during [[spoiler: the escape from Osaka]], which is a CMoA for both him and Rodrigues.

** Whenever she plays around the YamatoNadeshiko expectations, proving that to be a true YN you must be both very refined '''and''' [[PluckyGirl plucky as fuck]]''' and showing just how strong she is. Stand out examples include her [[spoiler: fighting alongside the men during the escape from Osaka, telling Toranaga to his face that he has to become Shogun (which has been something of a BerserkButton for him), playing Yabu like a harp whenever she has to deal with him, and being completely untouched by her drunken husband's explosive temper]].

* Pilot-Major Blackthorne:

** However, perhaps his greatest one is [[spoiler: his attempt at seppuku]], which is when he fully earns his place among the samurai. Not only that, but he actually manages to stand up and walk after it, which is considered exceptionally strong even by samurai standards.
* Mariko:
** Whenever she subverts the YamatoNadeshiko expectations and proves just how strong she is. Stand out examples include her [[spoiler: fighting alongside the men during the escape from Osaka, telling Toranaga to his face that he has to become Shogun (which has been something of a BerserkButton for him), playing Yabu like a harp whenever she has to deal with him, and being completely untouched by her drunken husband's explosive temper]].
** However, an entire period of awesome comes during the [[spoiler: return to Osaka. Publicly standing up to Ishido, trying to fight her way out, attempting (and intending) seppuku, and finally committing it during the ninja attack.]] Even MagnificentBastard extraordinaire Toranaga describes [[spoiler: Osaka]] as a "glorious" moment for her.

* The eventual victory of [[spoiler: [[MagnificentBastard Toranaga]]]]. It is difficult to summarise in a few sentences, given that the whole {{Doorstopper}} book is a ThirtyXanatosPileup, but suffice to say it is absolutely ''glorious''.

* Pilot-Major Blackthorne has one whenever he manages to pull off a particularly difficult nautical manoeuvre, because even though it's a regular occurrence for him, it is repeatedly stated that there are only a few pilots in the entire world at that time who are equal to his skill. A stand out example of this is during [[spoiler: the escape from Osaka]], which is a CMoA for both him and Rodrigues.

* Whenever Mariko subverts the YamatoNadeshiko expectations and proves just how strong she is. Stand out examples include her [[spoiler: fighting alongside the men during the escape from Osaka, telling Toranaga to his face that he has to become Shogun (which has been something of a BerserkButton for him), playing Yabu like a harp whenever she has to deal with him, and being completely untouched by her drunken husband's explosive temper]].