The drama series depicts the life of Tokugawa Ieyasu (January 31, 1543 – June 1, 1616). Takechiyo (who later becomes Tokugawa Ieyasu) was born as the son of a poor and powerless daimyo. Takechiyo lost his father during a war. He grew up lonely and away from his mother. Takechiyo didn't have a clue about what his future would hold. He then has a dramatic meeting with the young Oda Nobunaga.

• Jun Matsumoto
• Junichi Okada
• Kasumi Arimura
• Tsuyoshi Muro
• Mansai Nomura
• Hiroshi Abe
• Nao Ômori
• Yuki Yamada