End of the Samurai - The Boshin War - Japanese History - Extra History - Part 3 

TFW this story is so dense that many of the unnamed assassins and shinsengumi members mentioned here are actually famous historical figures in Japan, hahaha

fun fact: the french advisor sent there stayed against his official orders and for this loyalty was made "samurai" and would serve as inspiration for tom cruise's character in the last samurai.

The Imperial warship "Kotetsu" got its start as the Confederate ironclad "Stonewall". She had been in Havana, Cuba when the American Civil War ended, so her captain sold her to the Spanish government to pay his crew's wages and passage home. The Spaniards then handed the ship off to the US to avoid a diplomatic incident, and the US sold her to the Tokugawa. But by the time she arrived in Japan the Boshin War had already started, so the US Consulate ordered her American crew to keep her at sea until a clear winner had emerged. After Saigo Takamori took Edo the ship was finally handed over to the Imperial Japanese Navy. That ship was the Forrest Gump of 19th century ironclads.

“We outnumber you 3 to 1, let us pass without a fight.” Yes, but: C A N N O N S

Shogun forces after seeing the rebels flying the imperial colors: Are we the rebels?

The Boshin War in Shogun 2: Fall of the Samurai: An epic final struggle that ravages Japan The Boshin War in real life: "So we kinda just walked in and won..." - The Pro Emperor Forces

This episode: Crush the separatists! Next episode: Execute Order 66!

The reformists : *pull out the emperor's banner* The shogunate : OUR MEN ARE RUNNING SIR

For a series that started out as an offshoot of the Total War games, Extra History has taught me that I play those games very, very incorrectly.

At the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate... In Kyoto there was once an Imperialist known as Hitokiri Battosai. He was man who killed like a demon and cleared the way for the new Meji Era, with his bloody sword, but with the end of the upheaval he disappeared without a trace.

It's amazing to consider how much Japan reshaped itself in an effort to "keep up with the times," as it were. We often ponder the enormity of the changes brought upon by, say, the French Revolution or Unification of Germany. But these events pale in comparison to a nation doing a complete 180 from centuries of isolationism to completely retooling basically every aspect of its culture and politics to emerge as one of the leading powers of its era in a scant few decades.

The Shinsengumi leader (Kondou Isamii) wasn't arrested by Saigo Takamori, he was arrested by a Satsuma samurai named Arima Tota.

(looks through telescope) "BROTHERS THE SABATON FANS ARE COMING THEY WILL BE HERE WITHIN 1 OR 2 VIDS. CLOSE THE GATES PREPARE THE BARRICADES!

"A sword is a weapon. The art of Kenjutsu is learning how to kill. That is the truth. What Miss Kaoru says is nothing but sweet and innocent talk that only those whose hands have never been stained with the blood of men can believe. But, To tell you the truth, I much prefer Miss Kaoru’s sweet and innocent talk over the truth, indeed I do"

When you're so op that you can cause mass defection by making a parade

Tokugawa Ieyasu : (japanese accent) All that work, all that I sacrificed, all that I betrayed . All had been for nothing.

So that's the real history during "Samurai X."

4:49 is the best unit in Fall of Samurai 😂😂.

Ah, yes. The Fall of the Samurai.

You forget the part in that Makoto Shishio is betrayed by the Meiji Government and he was burned

Tokyo: The Anagram Lover's Kyoto.

Smith and Wesson. Official sponsor of "Love at First Shot."

This is such a clusterfuck of conspiracies and convoluted political plots. Anime AF.

I assume the American Style republic in Hokkaido was the Republic of Ezo

Aizu Samurais: "Are we a joke to you?".

4:50 "... a sword that can cut the clouds in flight-" [DAKKA DAKKA DAKKA DAKKA DAKKA] "Capable of firing at a rate of over two hundred rounds per minute with its rotating barrel and hand-cracked automatic reloading system, this gentlemen is the Gatling Machine Gun! Created by renowned inventor Doctor Richard J. Gatling, his gun is the finest weapon to provide a continuous high rate of fire without pause for reloading. With Gatling Guns in your arsenal, a crew of just four can do the job of four-score trained riflemen. Reducing the cost of your army, while at the same time improving its effectiveness: all through American ingenuity." "Well gentlemen, are you ready to sign?"

I've known some of these from my ragtag knowledge from Touken Ranbu, but It's really interesting how depth the Meiji restoration is

"Japan, 1867. The Tokugawa dynasty stands on failing legs. An invincible samurai, Kenshin Himura walks the path of death and destruction, ushering in a new regime. Hated and feared by many, he is known as Hitokiri Battosai, the Manslayer. In retribution for his deeds, he has taken an oath: To protect the innocent and to never kill again. But old memories seldom fade and bad habits die hard." - Peter Cullen, Toonami Rurouni Kenshin Promo

SHIROYAMA!!!

6:03 OUR MEN RUNNING FROM THE BATTLEFIELD, SHAMEFUL DISPLAY

4:41 this is the strength of the Neo Armstrong Cyclone Jet Armstrong Cannon that brought a country to its knees

Did the Restorationists just pull a reverse UNO card? 😅

0:26 I love the detail on the smoke coming out of not only the barrel, but also the cylinder.

Everyone, keep Saigo Takamori's name in your minds. He will probably be brought back up again.

Next time on Extra History - End of the Samurai: The Satsuma Rebellion!

I was immediately excited for the new video, then I realized Sakamoto Ryōma was gonna die

Where's Himura Kenshin? He was the reason the Imperial Army defeated the Bakufu at Toba-Fushimi!

Gosh what an incredibly well written series. But for those curious, this whole time period is a hell of a lot more of a crazy fever dream than Extra Credits can put in. My particular favorite part is when the Shogunate factions move to Hokkaido near the end of the video, which was arguably a great strategic move on their part but ultimately futile. These groups along with the Shinsengumi relocated to the modern city of Hakodate, at the southernmost tip of Hokkaido, and created the Republic of Ezo (the only Republic of Japan mind you), and they put their main administrative building within a European style, recently created fortress of Goryokaku, shaped like a five pointed star. The fortress location makes it that it can bombard both the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean as well. Politically it was a genius move as well as a lot of the European delegation had their buildings in Hakodate as well. But when the talks failed and fighting began, as soon as the Ezo side lost all their ships in the Battle of Miyako Bay (with the failed attempt to take Kotetsu), the battle became a land one and the overwhelming Imperial army surrounded Goryokaku where the Shinsengumi got destroyed along with their last leader Hijikata Toshizo (he's such an interesting and beloved figure in Japanese history and pop culture btw), Battle of Hakodate ended, the Republic crushed, the French advisors fled, and the Boshin War ended. I had a fortunate chance to visit Hakodate last December and it was one of the best experiences I've ever had, it was absolutely beautiful and the fortress massive. It was hard to imagine such a beautiful place being the site of a large scale conflict and the end of an era. Fun fact, when I visited Goryokaku, they had multiple statues of Hijikata Toshizo and it was surreal to see women around my age and college age (early to mid 20s) swoon and take selfies with his statue. He was and is subject of interest of multiple dramas, manga, anime, and even video games here and he has a massive fan base (but I didn't quite imagine it to be of this degree). Hijikata Toshizo who died relatively young was actually well known for being handsome and according to popular retelling to be quite tall (for the time period). But dang, it was odd seeing groups of women clamor with joy seeing a bronze statue.

Every time EC finishes an episode, the intrigue os so high I get goosebumps. So good.

Ah Armstrong Guns, the best unit in Fall of the Samurai

Ah, the meji restoration The start of anime and mangas

So we've covered Meiji's rise, next we're covering how Meiji managed to hold onto power... The next thing I want in this series is the following two words: Ōtsu Incident. 🤞

Note that the Boshin war is also where part of the huge stockpile of American Civil war weapons went

Amusing detail. During an international fair in paris during this era there were 2 stands for japan. One for the shogun controlled area and other for the restoration faction

5:45 makes me feel shivers for some reason.

Soon very soon: IMPERIAL FORCE DEFIED, FACING 500 SAMURAAAI

Oooh! Is this when Himura Battousai shows up?

Extra Credits gave such better history lessons compared to entirety of high schools on the planet

BUSHIDO, DIGNIFIED ITS THE LAST STAND OF THE SAMURAI

Incredible, I'm learning contemporary history in university and our manual rarely focuses on the east, which is understandable since I'm European and it focuses on Europe. However they teach us that the meiji restoration was fast and bloodless, but it wasn't bloodless at all thanks for letting me know

Yes! More Extra History!

So the Boshin War and the Meiji Restoration are actually Tokyo's origin story. Also, how crazy is it that the most populous city in the world has had that name and been Japan's capital for less than 200 years!?

Gintama fans see these episodes very differently

Age of the Samurai: Comes to an end Japanese military: Keeps using Katanas

My lord! A glorious victory will soon be yours!

tbh, the Imperial Japanese's ability to modernize so damn fast is kinda badass

Bonus fact: the famous mitsubishi company got founded in 1870 with western technology

This makes me want to play shogun 2 fall of the samurai again 😍

With the rate of 200 rounds per minute this, ladies and gentlemen is the Gatling machine!!!!

This series might be really amazing if they ever made into a movie

The animation of channel has improved so much over the years

"God will be with the army that haves the best artillery (Or...something like that)" -Napoleon Bonaparte There arent Borders in War, i guess!

Thanks for getting me into liking history

Extra history AND alternate history hub video at the same time!

7:43 I see what you did there...

Aw. Was hoping would cover Yamamoto Yae. Maybe she'll get her own video in the future.

Total War Shogun 2, the game that got me into the Sengoku Jidai and the Boshin War

Finally I am early enough to this series to wait for the next video

When The Last Sword Is Drawn is an amazing movie during this period about the shinsengumi, highly recommend

8:00 Miyako Bay is in the Tōhoku region and what is now Iwate Prefecture, on Honshu, not Hokkaido

Love the reference to the classic Mickey Mouse villain Phantom Blot at 00:17

man the boshin war and caesar's rebellion. the dance of politics and war. such absolute intrigue

This would make a great semi-historically accurate mini series.

ah...yes...The Armstrong Gun... enough to win the day for you... especially with manual aiming...

A man slayer is a man slayer until the day he dies. Udon Jin-e

I like the way the horse was drawn

Shogunate Forces: Yeah we have like 3x the numbers and modern weapons. Choshu and Satsuma: You have rifles. Not Gatling guns. Nor Artillery. GG.

We are even closer to Shiroyama! Bushido dignified!

This inspire me to play Fall of the Samurai again

I keep waiting to see kenshin, even knowing he wasn't real and only very loosely based off of a historical assassin...😢

🎵 Bushido dignified, it’s the last stand of the samurai! 🎵

I just love Extra Credits

Yes but have you considered WAAAAAAAGH!?!?

Hijikata Toshizo was the Shinsengumis vice-comander,he was a die hard shogunate supporter fleeing to hokkaido and helping to estabilish the republic of Ezo as a holdout against imperial rule, he died in the Ezo republics last stand by charging a machine gun in the last battle before the republic fell to imperial forces, you dont get more samurai then that

The intro was a samurai story if I ever heard one.

Soldiers unwilling to fire at the imperial banner. And that's what happens when you put honor before loyalty. A Sengoku-period Samurai would not even have fliched when his daimyo gave the order...

This makes me wanna play FOTS again.

SHOGUNATE UNITS APPROACH! OUR ORDERS ARE TO PREVENT THEM REACHING KYOTO! TO THE NORTH WEST! BLOCK THEIR EXIT FROM THE BATTLEFIELD!

Someone should make a video game about this

Your intro music is legendary

How about Kenshin Himura and Captain Nathan Algren collab with each other?

It would be awesome that after this series you make a video about the russo-japanese war

Love this

Well tbh I never learned much Japanese history so this is quite amazing (the whole series )

Ahmed ziad turn has been a legendary patron for so long you should give him the offer to voice a episode

You should do a video on the Battle of Maldon in 991! It would look great with you animation!

Alright just finished the new Rurouni Kenshin movies.... whats up in youtube... *OH PERFECT*

8:25 That plan is insane, but also awesome!

Where is the Battousai?

Boshin War Swords Of Death. This can be a cool movie title