History Characters / TheLastSamurai

* WickedCulture: Aside from warfare, Algren is also a highly intelligent man who's knowledgeable on foreign culture, languages, and is an

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[[folder: The Silent Samurai ("Bob")]]

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* BornLucky: Seriously, there should be multiple times where Algren should've died in the film, with him lampshading the fact that he should've died plenty of times ''before'' heading to Japan. At the end of the film, he was basically the ''only'' one out of all samurai who perish against the Imperial Army.

* DefiantToTheEnd: While Algren is pretty much a DeathSeeker for taking part in the massacre of the Native Americans and constantly finds himself in life-threatening battles, it doesn't mean he'll go down without a fight.
* TheDeterminator: That's why Katsumoto admires him. Ujio, on the other hand, sees his refusal to accept defeat from his betters to be disrespectful. [[spoiler:He comes around eventually.]]

* NervesOfSteel: Shows this a ''lot'' in the film, but is also justified for his military rank as a Captain and along with the fact that he's a DeathSeeker who's NotAfraidToDie.
* NotAfraidToDie: A theme that comes up several times in the movie. Notably, when Ujio draws his blade and swings at Algren, stopping a hair's breadth from bisecting him, Algren doesn't so much as flinch.

A samurai who was once Emperor Meiji's most trusted teacher. He was displeased with Omura's bureaucratic reform policies, which led him into organizing a rebellion against said reforms. He is based on real-life samurai Saigō Takamori.

* TheLeader

* ActionGirl: [[spoiler: Kills one of the ninjas during the attack on the village]].

* MadeOfIron: The man is an indmonitable fighter, shrugging off any wound he takes. [[spoiler: In the end it takes a bullet to the back and ''four'' gatling gun shots to finally take him out.]]

%%* NotAfraidToDie

* DidntSeeThatComing: Really did not expect Algren's DefiantToTheEnd moment where the latter impales him with the broken flag after being knocked down.

* KarmicDeath: In this case, he's seen impaling Zebulon Gant after the latter went down, and ends up getting impaled through the throat by a downed Algren.

* {{Samurai}}: Wears a full suit of red armor and we never see his face, which is obscured by a full ''menpō'' mask.

* DefiantToTheEnd: While Algren is pretty much a DeathSeeker for taking part in the massacre of the Native Americans, and constantly finds himself in life-threatening battles, it doesn't he'll go down without a fight.

* MasterSwordsman: He's capable of using the saber in the battle of the fog, and after learning the ways of the samurai, he was able to fight Ujio to a draw.

* PapaWolf: To a degree with Taka's children. [[spoiler: During the ninja attack on the village, when Higen takes on one of the ninjas to distract him from Algren, the sight of the boy in danger motivates Algren to dispose of the one pinning him down and deal with the other. The look of fury as he drives his sword into the back of the ninja about to kill Higen and then twists the blade really drive the point home]].

* CharacterTitle: According to [[invoked]]WordOfGod, ''The Last Samurai'' refers to him.

* DefiantTillTheEnd: While Algren is pretty much a DeathSeeker for taking part in the massacre of the Native Americans, and constantly finds himself in life-threatening battles, it doesn't he'll go down without a fight.

* DidntSeeThatComing: Really did not expect Algren's DefiantTillTheEnd moment where the latter impales him with the broken flag after being knocked down.

%%* BadassBeard

%%* BadassMustache

* NailedToTheWagon: Algren begins the movie suffering from acute alcoholism as a way of drowning out his guilt at his actions when he was part of the American cavalry, but after his capture Taka begins withholding sake from him in an effort to force him to sober up. After a brutal transition period where he is forced to confront the demons of his past, he winds up sober, even declining the offer of whiskey from Omura when he returns to the capital.

* UnderestimatingBadassery: Subverted. Of the loyalist characters, he is the only one (initially at least) that seems to appreciate the danger the samurai pose.

A samurai who was once Emperor Meiji's most trusted teacher. He was displeased with Omura's bureaucratic reform policies, which led him into organizing a rebellion against said reforms. He is based on real life samurai Saigō Takamori.

%%* BadassBeard
%%* BadassMustache

* HistoricalHeroUpgrade: He's an {{expy}} of Saigō Takamori, leader of the Satsuma Rebellion, a revolt of ex-samurai against the Meiji government from January 29 to September 24, 1877, 9 years into the Meiji Era. Historically, the reason why the Satsuma Rebellion was so dangerous was because it was an important manufacturing center for cannons. Paintings depicting the revolt show that Takamori's forces had plenty of guns while the well-uniformed Imperial forces mostly only had swords!
* HonorBeforeReason: He DoesNotLikeGuns since he considers them dishonorably for one thing. But in real life, most, if not all the samurai ended up using guns later on. He's also clings to the past.

* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Shows himself to be a firm, but kind leader to his people.

* InsultBackfire: Gets one to the American Ambassador Swanbeck, who is complaining that Omura isn't expediting the arms trade deal as fast as he would like, and that perhaps the Americans might speak to some other Japanese official to get what they want. Omura retorts that if that's the case, ''he'' can easily negotiate a deal with the French or British to supply Japan's army.
* JerkassHasAPoint: Notwithstanding his greed and hunger for power, he is astute in recognizing Japan's need for modernization and industralization in the context of the expansionism and imperialism of the westerns nations in the Nineteen Century.
%%* ManipulativeBastard
* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: His character seems loosely based on [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Ckubo_Toshimichi Okubo Toshimichi]], a preeminent Japanese statesman responsible for removing the samurai's privileged status in Japanese society who (for better or worse) is considered by many to be the founding father of modern Japan.
* {{Pride}}: He and Bagley are far too confident in their firearms and derisive of the Samurai's fighting abilities - after nearly 300 years of peace - early on in the film. Bagley appears to learn the error of his ways, suggesting sending in skirmishers rather than a main attack force at the start of the final battle with the samurai. Omura has definitely not learned a thing, overriding Bagley and sending his men to the slaughter rather than listening to his paid military adviser.
* SmugSnake: Significantly overestimates his own capabilities, and those of his men, and is shown to frequently disregard useful advice, even if it's advice he paid for.

* UnderestimatingBadassery: Is more dismissive of the samurai than any other character in the film. Even when ''Bagley'' starts realising what a threat they are, Omura insists on a full attack.
* VillainousBreakdown: Omura starts losing his smug cool when the Samurai prove to be more of a threat than he thought, and then he finally snaps entirely in impotent rage when the Emperor disowns him.

* {{Expy}}: Reviews have noticed Bagley bears a striking resemblance to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Armstrong_Custer George Armstrong Custer]] himself (who is mentioned in the movie), sporting the same sort of hair-style and facial hair, having served in the the 7th Cavalry, participating in the slaughter of Indians and being arrogant and racist.
* HollywoodTactics: Superior firepower and a larger force does ''not'' guarantee victory. To give him credit, [[TaughtByExperience he shows much more respect for the samurai the second time around]], and councils a cautious and tactically sensible approach when the samurai feign retreat, but the overconfident Omura overrules him.

* UnderestimatingBadassery: Woefully underestimates the samurai, believing them to be no more than "savages, with bows and arrows." and that the army's guns will be enough to secure victory. Seems to have learned his lesson by the time of the rematch.

* LastStand: Like Algren, likely realises that the first fight against the samurai is going to be a CurbStompBattle, and not in the way they were hoping. Yet when Algren orders him to withdraw with the rest of the noncombatants and advisers, Gant cheerfully responds, "No offence sir, but, [[ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight shove it up your ass.]]"

* MauveShirt: Technically those who get him aren't the villains of the story, but at this point Algren (who is a witness) doesn't yet know about that.

* UnderestimatingBadassery: Has a good laugh when he realises the samurai still wear armour. He seems to take them seriously enough in battle, though.
* UndyingLoyalty: To Algren. He refuses a direct order to move to the back line to fight with his old comrade.

* OhCrap: When he realises his interest in scalping has slammed down Algren's BerserkButton.

The 122nd Emperor of Japan, he presides over a time of change that witnesses the Empire of Japan rapidly transform from an isolationist feudal state to an industrialized world power, which included transferring power from the samurai Shogunate to him. That era would later be known as the UsefulNotes/MeijiRestoration, named after Mutsuhito's posthumous name.

* TheGoodKing: Katsumoto believes him to be this, until he realizes that the emperor puts his trust in Omura. Truly becomes this after Algren brings him Katsumoto's saber, when he realizes the value of Bushido.

* VillainousValor: Is clearly at least brave, placing himself in harm's way when the samurai charge his troops at the end of the movie. Used to underline his boss Omura's [[DirtyCoward relative cowardice]], who remains on the hill and visibly panics at the prospect of the samurai getting anywhere near his position.

* BadassGrandpa: He's an older man who should be retired, but is still a formidable and brave soldier.

* OldSoldier: Has been retired for quite some time.

The 122nd Emperor of Japan, he presides over a time of rapid change that witnesses the Empire of Japan rapidly transform from an isolationist feudal state to an industrialized world power, which included transferring power from the samurai Shogunate to him. That era would later be known as the UsefulNotes/MeijiRestoration, named after Mutsuhito's posthumous name.

* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: Katsumoto is a fictional counterpart to Saigo Takamori, who led the Satsuma Rebellion, and is generally thought of as the "last true Samurai". Of course, the real Saigo wore a [[HollywoodHistory Western-style military uniform into battle]]...

* TheAlcoholic: Prior to his captivity. He eventually overcomes it during his captivity.

* GoingNative: Occurs during his captivity.
* HelmetsAreHardlyHeroic: Goes into the final battle without one.
* TheHero: Of the movie.

Nathan Algren is a Former US Army captain, and a bitter alcoholic traumatized by the atrocities he committed during the Great Sioux War. He is approached to train the newly created Imperial Japanese Army in order to suppress the samurai-headed rebellion of Moritsugu Katsumoto against Japan's new Emperor. Taken prisoner by said rebellion after a disastrous battle, he starts learning the ways of the samurai and ends up embracing their cause.

An industrialist and pro-reform politician who dislikes the old samurai and shogun-related lifestyle. He quickly imports westernization and modernization while making money for himself through his railroads. Coming from a merchant family that was like many repressed during the days of samurai rule and the cause for his extreme dislike for their nobility, he assumes a great deal of power during the Meiji Restoration and takes advantages of Emperor Meiji's youth to become his chief advisor, wielding power similar to those of the Shoguns. He designed to evoke the historical figure of Okubo Toshimichi, a leading reformer of the Meiji Restoration.

[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Nobutada_6187.jpg]]

* TraumaticHaircut: When the government passes laws restricting the rights of the Samurai, he is subjected to a very undignified and humiliating public haircut by the emperor's guards.

!!Japanese Empire

[[folder:Emperor Mutsuhito (posthumous name Meiji)]]
[[quoteright:320:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/53040_2693.gif]]
!!!'''Played by:''' Shichinosuke Nakamura

The 122nd Emperor of Japan, he presides over a time of rapid change that witnesses the Empire of Japan rapidly transform from an isolationist feudal state to an industrialized world power, which included transferring power from the samurai Shogunate to him. That era would later be known as the UsefulNotes/MeijiRestoration, named after Mutsuhito's posthumous name.

* TheEmperor: Technically he's the 122nd emperor of Japan according to the traditional order of succession, but he's the first to have real power over the country after centuries of shogun rule.
* TheGoodKing: Katsumoto believes him to be this, until he realizes that the emperor puts his trust in Omura. Truly becomes this after Algren brings him Katsumoto's saber, when he realizes the value of Bushido.
* HistoricalDomainCharacter: Based on the historical Emperor Meiji.
* LeaveBehindAPistol: Sword version.
-->'''Emperor''': ''[to a stuttering Omura]'' If your shame is too great, I offer you this sword.
%%* StopWorshippingMe
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Has this reaction (though doesn't speak the trope aloud) when he sees what his attempts at 'modernizing' Japan have cost his people, prompting him to call off the trade agreement with the Americans.
-->'''Emperor Meiji''': I dreamed of a unified Japan. Of a country strong and independent and modern... Now we have railroads and cannon, Western clothing, but we cannot forget who we are or where we come from.
[[/folder]]

!!Neutral Characters

[[folder:Simon Graham]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/vlcsnap2011050217h57m16_1340.png]]
!!!'''Played by:''' Creator/TimothySpall

A British interpreter for Algren and his non-English speaking soldiers. Initially portrayed as a typical practical-minded Englishman, he later comes to understand the Samurai cause. He is shown to have some resemblances also to the real-world Corfiote photographer Felice Beato.
----

* TheEmperor: Technically he's the 122nd emperor of Japan according to the traditional order of succession, but he's the first have real power over the country after centuries of shogunates.

* CharacterTitle: According to [[invoked]]WordOfGod, the title refers to him.

* HistoricalHeroUpgrade: He's an [[{{Expy}} expy]] of Saigō Takamori, leader of The Satsuma Rebellion, a revolt of ex-samurai against the Meiji government from January 29 to September 24, 1877, 9 years into the Meiji Era. Historically, the reason why the Satsuma Rebellion was so dangerous was because it was an important manufacturing center for cannons. Paintings depicting the revolt show that Takamori's forces had plenty of guns while the well-uniformed Imperial forces mostly only had swords!

* CharacterTitle: According to the WordOfGod, the title refers to him.

[[folder:Simon Graham]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/vlcsnap2011050217h57m16_1340.png]]
!!!'''Played by:''' Creator/TimothySpall

A British interpreter for Algren and his non-English speaking soldiers. Initially portrayed as a typical practical-minded Englishman, he later comes to understand the Samurai cause. He is shown to have some resemblances also to the real-world Corfiote photographer Felice Beato.

* BrutalHonesty: Claims he lost his original job with a British trading mission because of his ''"unfortunate tendency to tell the truth in a country where no-one ever says what they mean"''.
* EarnYourHappyEnding: Effectively lampshaded in the epilogue; while Graham doesn't know Algren's fate for certain, he (correctly) believes that he's ''"may have found some small measure of peace, that we all seek, and few of us ever find"''.
* GentlemanAndAScholar: A scholar who makes his living translating the lies of Japanese who never quite tell the full truth.
* IShouldWriteABookAboutThis: Graham states that he's long wanted to write a book about the Samurai for years, but their insular nature made it impossible. Algren leaves Graham the journals he wrote in captivity just before the final battle, stating his hope that perhaps they'll help with Graham's book.
* NightmareFetishist: "I've always had a dread fascination with scalping."
* OhCrap: When he realises his interest in scalping has slammed down Algren's BerserkButton.
* PluckyComicRelief: To an extent.
* QuintessentialBritishGentleman: Though he's more lively than the stereotypical British scholar, a typical trait of whom is generally not a fascination with execution and torture. That said, Algren's vivid description of the process of scalping does seem to scare him straight.
* RefugeInAudacity: Claiming Algren is [[spoiler: President of the United States to bluff his way past the Omura-paid guards guarding Katsumoto]].
* StockBritishPhrases: "Jolly good"
* TagalongReporter: Follows Algren into some really dangerous places.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Omura]]
[[quoteright:298:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/thelastsamurai2003720p-42_3778.jpg]]
!!!'''Played by:''' Masato Harada

An industrialist and pro-reform politician who dislikes the old samurai and shogun-related lifestyle. He quickly imports westernization and modernization while making money for himself through his railroads. Coming from a merchant family that was like many repressed during the days of samurai rule and the cause for his extreme dislike for their nobility, he assumes a great deal of power during the Meiji Restoration and takes advantages of Emperor Meiji's youth to become his chief advisor, wielding power similar to those of the Shoguns. He designed to evoke the historical figure of Okubo Toshimichi, a leading reformer of the Meiji Restoration.
----

A samurai who was once Emperor Meiji's most trusted teacher. He was displeased with Omura's bureaucratic reform policies which, led him into organizing a rebellion against said reforms. He is based on real life samurai Saigō Takamori.

One of Katsumoto's best warriors and Taka's husband. He gets killed by Algren when trying to finish the latter off. After befriending the samurai and learning their ways, Algren eventually dons Hirotaro's armor (minus the mask) for the final battle.

* [[MalevolentMaskedMen Malevolent Masked Man]]: He's never seen without his traditional samurai battle mask, and [[LeaveNoSurvivors takes no prisoner]].
* {{Samurai}}: Wears a full suit of red armor and we never see his face, which is obscured by a full mask.
* ThwartedCoupDeGrace: Is speared in the neck by Algren, after he dodges Hirotaro's blade.

-> Played by: Creator/BillyConnolly

* {{Retirony}}: He could have well enjoyed his retirement from the army but opted to serve in Japan. [[spoiler: He perishes in his first engagement against the samurai.]]

* WeaponOfChoice: Good old Winchester Model 1873.

-> Played by: Masato Harada

* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: His character seems loosely based on [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Ckubo_Toshimichi Okubo Toshimichi]], a preeminent Japanese statesman responsible for removing the Samuraii's privileged status in Japanese society who (for better or worse) is considered by many to be the founding father of modern Japan.

-> Played by: Creator/TonyGoldwyn

* {{Expy}}: Reviews have noticed Bagley bears a striking resemblance to Custer himself (who is mentioned in the movie), sporting the same sort of hair-style and facial hair, having served in the the 7th Cavalry, participating in the slaughter of Indians and being incredibly arrogant and racist.

The 122nd Emperor of Japan according to the traditional order of succession, he presides over a time of rapid change that witnesses the Empire of Japan rapidly transform from an isolationist feudal state to an industrialized world power, which included transferring power from the samurai Shogunate to him. That era would later be known as the UsefulNotes/MeijiRestoration, named after Mutsuhito's posthumous name.

* TheEmperor: Technically he's the 122nd emperor of Japan, but he's the first have real power over the country.

* HistoricalDomainCharacter
* LeaveBehindAPistol:
-->'''Emperor''': [''to a stuttering Omura''] "If your shame is too great, I offer you this sword."

The 122nd Emperor of Japan according to the traditional order of succession, he presides over a time of rapid change that witnesses the Empire of Japan rapidly transform from an isolationist feudal state to an industrialized world power, including taking power away from the samurai. That era would later be known as the UsefulNotes/MeijiRestoration, named after Mutsuhito's posthumous name.

-> Played by: Shichinosuke Nakamura

* TheEmperor: Of Imperial Japan.