History Characters / RurouniKenshinTheTenSwords

A cross-dressing young man from the Juppongatana. He [[HoYay loves Shishio Makoto deeply]], but knows that he will never be loved like Komagata Yumi nor will he ever become as talented as Seta Sōjirō, who serves as Shishio's right-hand man. He still devotedly fights for the person he loves.

* CreepyCrossdresser: Played with; he's a villain that dresses like a woman, which the protagonists find disturbing and insult him for, but the story itself doesn't really treat his behavior as so strange.

* GagPenis: As noted above, his "manly parts" are used as a gag, shocking poor Misao. Apparently, he's *really* hung.
-->'''Misao:''' "It's like... An elephant, A...FURRY ELEPHANT!!"

* YouGottaHaveBlueHair: The OVA gives her purple hair.

* BaldOfAwesome: Being a buddhist monk, he has no hair on his head. He can also shatter granite with what looks like a light punch or even a shove of his elbow or a stomp.

* BeautyMark: On her lower lip.

* Evil as Shishio is, even he has a sense of disgust at how Sojiro's family treated the boy.

* BadassCrew: Excepting Hojo, Yumi, and Saizuchi, every member of the Juppongatana are OneManArmies capable of taking hundreds of police and soldiers and killing them within several hours (with the upper ranks being able to do so within minutes).

* TheDragon: To Shishio.

* BurnScarsBurningPowers: Shishio survived third- and fourth-degree burns over most of his body in an assassination attempt by the Meiji government after [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness he had outlived his usefulness]], and has a fire theme when fighting. Specifically, the blade of his sword catches fire (from human fats and oils left by previous victims in the manga, from gunpowder in the anime) and can give people he cuts with it flash burns.

* BadassMustache: Has a small stylish mustache which helps to call to mind the character he was based on. He's also one of the most dangerous Juppongatana.

* SpontaneousHumanCombustion: His [[spoiler:ultimate fate. Though a little better explained than most instances, he still burns pretty merrily following the initial ignition.]]

* TisOnlyABulletInTheBrain: And he ''survives'' it.

* UnholyMatrimony: With Yumi. He freely admits that no one else really understands their relationship, but they're rather happy together [[spoiler: [[TogetherInDeath even in Hell]]]]

* TransEqualsGay: Played with. Kamatari ''is'' male-assigned, presents (very convincing) like a woman, and is in love with the male Shishio. But rather than a trans woman the story treats as a man, Kamatari is specifically male-identifying, and even corrects Misao for assuming otherwise.

[[center: [-[[Characters/RurouniKenshin Main Character Index]] | [[Characters/RurouniKenshinMainCharacters Main Characters]] ([[Characters/RurouniKenshinHimuraKenshin Himura Kenshin]]) | [[Characters/RurouniKenshinSupportingCharacters Supporting Characters]] | [[Characters/RurouniKenshinRivalsAndVillains Rivals and Minor Villains]] | [[Characters/RurouniKenshinTheMeijiGovernment The Meiji Government]] | [[Characters/RurouniKenshinOniwabanshu Oniwabanshu]] | '''The Ten Swords / Juppongatana''' | [[Characters/RurouniKenshinTheSixComrades The Six Comrades]] | [[Characters/RurouniKenshinAnimeOnlyCharacters Anime Only Characters]] | [[Characters/RurouniKenshinMangaOnlyCharacters Manga Only Characters]]]]-]

* BoxedCrook: After Shishio's death he's [[spoiler: hired by the Japanese government as a crossdressing spy.]]

* SinisterScythe: His WeaponOfChoice. During the duel against Misao and Kaoru he uses more the large EpicFlail at the tip of the weapon to fight.

* AdaptationalWimp: In the films, he goes down [[spoiler:after Saito stabs him through the chest when he wasn't looking]].

* AdaptationalBadass: His Live Action incarnation is of normal height, seems to be younger, uses a katana, and tried to personally attack Kenshin on several occasions.

%%* HumiliationConga

* SuperSenses: His ears are sharp enough to compensate for his eyes, ''and'' allow him to easily read people's emotions.

* BladeBelowTheShoulder: For close-up work, paired with CreepilyLongArms to great effect.

* AdaptationalWimp: Not so much in terms of fighting ability, but his Live Action movie version is of pretty standard height compared to his massive manga self.

!!Ten Swords

* BadBoss: While he acts polite to his subordinates, most of it appears to be a facade. Our first time seeing him threatening to kill Senkaku if he loses to Kenshin without showing him a single move. After Senkaku escaped prison, Soujirou stated the only reason Shishio didn't pull a YouHaveFailedMe was because Senkaku was unimportant and there was no danger in killing him to avoid recapture. Shishio also threatened to kill Houji for suggesting a more practical approach of sending all the Ten Swords to kill Kenshin and his allies, until Houji flat out tortured himself to prove his loyalty. He also lied to them about his real plan, and pinned all the blame on Houji saying it was his suggestion to send them out to burn Kyoto while he used the Rengoku to destroy Tokyo. To be fair, Houji took the blame willingly.

* BigBrotherMentor: Sadly enough, he is the closest thing Soujirou has to a father and a best friend.

** He does feel an almost paternal affection for Sojiro. Sure he turned the kid into a violent SocialDarwinist like himself, but that was better than how his own family treated him. Even though in public he dismisses Sojiro for being weak after choosing to depart, in private Shishio takes his departure with respect.
** Though he can be harsh towards him, Shishio does come to respect Houji's unwavering devotion. After passing an intense SecretTestOfCharacter Shishio promises that Houji will be right besides him as he changes the nation.

* EvilerThanThou: His first assignment was [[spoiler: to eliminate the treacherous Choshu agent Iizuka, who was instrumental in Battousai's fatal match with the Yaminobu and Tomoe's death]]. He later remarks that [[EvenEvilHasStandards such scum as Iizuka]] are far beneath his skills, but will bide his time serving the Ishin Shishi [[FromNobodyToNightmare in order to make his name known]].

* EvilMentor: To Soujirou. And even then, he was [[VillainousFriendship nicer]] to him than his evil family would ''ever'' be.

* FairPlayVillain: Threatens to kill Houji when he [[WhyDontYaJustShootHim suggests shooting Kenshin]] in their climactic final battle. This trope ''is'', however, subverted: during the battle, he bites Kenshin to "prove" his ideology as an intimidation tactic, and detonates gunpowder he had stored ahead of time in his gloves.

* GeniusBruiser: He needed Houji to put his organization together, but Shishio is nonetheless a very crafty man.
* AGlassOfChianti: He's no Hannibal Lector despite his [[ImAHumanitarian hardcore man eat man philosophy]], and no, he doesn't have one post literally snacking on our hero, but he downs one during Kenshin's battle with Sojiro as he lectures Hoji on Sojiro's Shukuchi technique.

* ParentalSubstitute: During his time under Shishio's tutelage and service, Sojiro seems to regard him as a combination of master, god, and foster father.

* CoolBigSis: To Soujirou. [[spoiler: And to Hanabi, Kogari and Akari in ''To Rule Flame''; the three girls even refer to her as "Big Sister".]]

* HellHasNewManagement: Accompanies [[spoiler:Shishio and Houji in their endeavor to overthrow King Enma and take the throne of Japan's literal Hell.]]

** She is shown to care more about a person's character than their appearance, given her love for Shishio despite his burned and mutilated physical appearance, as well as her care for Sojiro.

* NeutralFemale: Since she's not a fighter like Kaoru, she's pretty much there to be arm candy for Shishio, and an AudienceSurrogate for Shishio and Houji to drop some info on, though she actually ''hates'' being a NeutralFemale, and that prompts [[spoiler:her death]]. To give an idea, [[spoiler: she's crying tears of joy as she dies, happy to learn that she has finally managed to be useful to Shishio and during his most important battle too.]]

** [[spoiler:After she and Shishio are dead and end up in hell]], she convinces Shishio to wait a while for Houji to show up [[spoiler:to be there when Shishio takes over the place]]. It's a small moment, but knowing Houji's fanaticism, it pleased him greatly to know they waited for him. In addition, she's the one to ThrowTheDogABone and suggest they meet up with Usui and let him join in on the fun as well.
** In Shin Kyoto Hen, she [[spoiler:makes a grave for Usui]] after he dies. Soujirou is surprised at the gesture, especially to a traitor, but Yumi is content to honor him because he, like her and the others, was thrown aside by the Meiji and they were united by their pain.

* StatingTheSimpleSolution: During the climactic duel between Shishio and Kenshin, Yumi outright asks Houji [[WhyDontYouJustShootHim why he doesn't just shoot Kenshin]], since Shishio's body is approaching its limit. Houji responds by throwing his gun away, firmly believing that Shishio ''will'' beat Kenshin. [[spoiler: He almost does... but Kenshin puts up a better fight than expected, and it takes him too long to finish the job.]]

* TogetherInDeath: [[spoiler: After they both die, she and Shishio reunite in Hell, and seem very happy together as they plot to take it over.]]

[[folder:Ten Swords]]

* AdaptedOut: ''New Kyoto Arc'' drops several of the less important members: Iwanbou, Honjou, Saizuchi, and Henya. Most notable, however, is Houji's absence.

* TheBusCameBack: Several members return in the Hokkaido arc as allies against the Kenkaku Heiki. Saito recruits [[spoiler:Cho, Kamatari, and Henya]], promising that they would be rewarded for their efforts, while Sugimura Yoshie recruits [[spoiler:the wandering Soujirou and breaks out Anji]].
* DemotedToExtra: The live action films did it to everyone except Shishio (obviously), Soujiro, Houji and, to some extent, Yumi. Anji at least got to speak in the third film.
* NonIndicativeName: Very few of them are actually swordsmen. Just Soujirou, Cho and Fuji.

[[folder:Seta Soujirou]]

A teenage boy who is Shishio's right-hand man. He is noted in the series for always smiling, and apparently displaying no emotions in battle. He met Shishio when he was a small boy. After his parents died in the war, he stayed with his abusive relatives that treated him as a slave. He witnessed Shishio killing police men, after carrying large amounts rice packages back and forth, Shishio was about to kill him but didn't because of his habit to smile when he is in danger. Shishio orders him to keep him in a safe house and to provide for him. Days pass and Soujirou tended to him and explained his situation with his relatives. Shishio then explained his creed of survival of the fittest and gives him his sword. When Soujirou is blamed for wasting rice his older relatives try to kill him thinking that they can pin it on Shishio. In the end, Soujirou killed his relatives and went off with Shishio to become his protégé.

Soujirou's apparent lack of emotion, his simple, insensitive mentality that ''the strong will live and the weak shall die'', and his skills make him a formidable foe for Kenshin. As a master swordsman of his own style, Soujirou's abilities have earned him the nickname of "Heaven's Sword".

* BeenThereShapedHistory: Okubo Toschimichi really was assassinated. However, in the series, Soujirou is the one responsible and the samurai historically credited for Okubo's death showed up after the fact and decided to take credit for it.
* BerserkButton: [[CharacterExaggeration Made more apparent in the anime]], but Soujirou does not take well at ''all'' to his [[SocialDarwinist worldview]] being challenged. [[spoiler: He met with [[TheBrute Senkaku]] after his escape and assured him that Shisho didn't send him to [[YouHaveFailedMe kill him]]--[[TranquilFury only to kill him anyway]], when Senkaku started talking about how Kenshin sparing him had changed his outlook]].

* DarkAndTroubledPast: As a child, Sojiro was abused and beaten by his family, and he would smile instead of cry to make them stop temporarily. One night, he ran into Shishio Makoto, when he sliced a government official in half. Instead of killing him, Shishio took shelter in a shed and Sojiro would bring him food and bandages. He gave Sojiro a wakizashi to protect himself by killing his family, but he thought being killed by a sword would hurt too much so he hid it under the porch. [[spoiler: When his "family" found out Sojiro was harboring a wanted criminal, they planned to kill the boy and turn Shishio in... Sojiro fell in despair, took the wakizashi, and ended up slaughtering the five adults]].

* FreudianExcuse: Has a pretty screwed up backstory that ''really'' screwed him up, and underneath everything is a traumatized mess. It's clearly suggested that the difference between him and Kenshin is that, at their lowest points, Kenshin was found by a good man while Sojiro was found by a monster.

* HazyFeelTurn: Last time seen travelling Japan. According to Chou, he won't allow himself to be captured but will simply look for the truth by himself.

* StepfordSmiler: Sojiro is normally seen smiling, with seemingly no emotion. In actuality, he subconsciously suppresses his emotions, making him difficult to read in combat, as stated by Kenshin.

-->'''Soujirou:''' "You speak of not killing, of protecting the weak...that's a lie. Back then, when ''I'' needed help, why were you nowhere to be found? If a sword can protect the weak, where were you to protect me?"

[[folder:Honjou Kamatari]]

A cross-dressing young man from the Juppongatana. He [[HoYay loves Shishio Makoto deeply]], but knows that he will never be loved like Komagata Yumi nor will he ever become as talented as Seta Soujirou, who serves as Shishio's right-hand man. He still devotedly fights for the person he loves.

Kamatari uses a very heavy scythe-like weapon, a reaper, with a chain ball on the end of the weapon; this is called Ogama. He practices Honjou-ryu, his own style of martial arts with his scythe.

* AlwaysSecondBest: He laments that he can never serve as either Shishio's lover like Yumi or right-hand man like Soujirou. Even so, he does whatever he can to help Shishio succeed in his goals.

* DrivenToSuicide: Twice. [[spoiler:Misao knocks him out from committing [[{{seppuku}} jigai ritual suicide]] after losing [[LovelyAngels to her and Kaoru]], and later Cho has to dissuade him from joining Shishio and Yumi in death.]]

* CompositeCharacter: He's combined with Iwanbou in the Shin Kyoto Hen OVA. Fuji is much closer to Iwanbou's size, and Iwanbou's fight scene with Tokyo's Oniwabanshu was given to Fuji.

** Shishio remarks that Soujirou is his strongest warrior under him, [[spoiler: but it seems that Fuji has more ''raw'' power than all of his top men, even him. And is heavily implied that even Kenshin would lose to him, so Hiko the strongest character in the series had to face him]].

* TheStrategist: Thinks he's this, although Hoji's a lot better at than he is.

[[folder:Yukyuzan Anji]]

** When Shishio's base finally falls, he goes back into the heart of the destroyed base to rescue Houji.

[[folder:Sadojima Houji]]

Shishio's second in command. He used to be an official in the Meiji Government but lost faith in it when he saw no one in the government was worthy of controlling the country. He abandoned his position in the government and eventually met Shishio. Houji, too, envisions Japan as a mighty power led by Shishio, ruling with the principles of basic animal survival. Houji is indeed unique; although he is not proficient in any fighting style, he is a cunning organizer and possesses formidable leadership qualities. His skills as a staff officer figure are quite amazing; he even manages to purchase Rengoku on the black market. Houji's plan with the Rengoku fails when Sanosuke blows up the Purgatory with bombs provided by his friend Katsu. Houji was "baptized" by Shishio's intense body heat to kindle in him a belief in hell.

* AdaptationalVillainy: Not as bad as Anji and some of the others, but Houji in the live-action films is a lot more vicious. When Kenshin confronts Shishio in the 2nd film Houji holds Kaoru hostage and threatens to burn her face with a torch; later he kicks her off the boat into the raging storm hoping she'd drown. When they find an innocent fisherman in the 3rd film who saw Kenshin, Houji remorselessly beats the man when the information he gives them is inadequate.

* {{Expy}}: Sort of, but not really. According to the author, Hoji's overall concept originates from Forge from the X-Men, but you'd be hard pressed to find two characters who are more different.
* {{Fingore}}: In the manga, Usui rips off one of his fingernails to determine if he's telling the truth about not being a traitor. Houji then ''bites off six more'' as punishment for "betraying" seven members of the Juppongatana. In the anime, Usui breaks a finger, then Houji stabs it. Still quite nasty.

* OutgrownSuchSillySuperstitions: When Shishio inquires about his religious beliefs, Houji initially states that he is a materialist who doesn't believe in heaven or hell, something that Shishio says fits his rationalist nature. After Shishio's "baptism," however, he eventually ends up agreeing with his master's views on the subject, and [[spoiler: dies assured that he will follow his master to hell.]]

* TheStrategist: He's in charge of gathering all of the equipment and recruits for Shishio's army. His nickname translates as "Hoji the All-Knowing", a role he takes so seriously that he openly defies Shishio over the latter's plan to forgo an attack on Kenshin's allies in favor of [[HonorBeforeReason a straightforward duel]].

* VillainousBreakdown: When Shishio is defeated, Houji destroys the lair in a sort of improvised SelfDestructMechanism to kill everyone. The reason?
-->'''Houji:''' "If you all die, there is no victor! If you all die, Shishio-sama remains undefeated! SHISHIO-SAMA ALONE TAKES THE DAY!!"
* WhyDontYouJustShootHim: Played for drama. During Shishio's final duel with Kenshin, he initially hides a rifle under his coat, ready to take out the heroes if his master starts to lose. He does this without Shishio's knowledge and is fully aware that [[FairPlayVillain Shishio will never forgive him for doing so and will almost certainly kill him if he goes through with it]]. Halfway through the battle, however, Houji reveals the weapon to both Yumi and Shishio, and throws it away, to express his faith in his master's abilities. Whoops.

* TheFriendNobodyLikes: While the Ten Swords are most certainly not TrueCompanions, most tend to get along well enough. Cho and Yumi are friends, Saizuchi never really offends anybody and while nobody seems to care about him, nobody hates Iwanbou either. Usui, however, is a kept around for his skill with the blade. Houji and Yumi think he's a loose cannon, Anji detests him, and Shishio simply uses him for his swordsmanship.

* HellHasNewManagement: Possibly. Yumi suggests finding and recruting him as she, Shishio, and Houji plot to [[spoiler: take over Hell]] (not that it would need much taking over).
* InformedAbility: We're told [[spoiler:he is the strongest of Shishio's men after [[TheDragon Soujirou]], yet his battle with Saito is one of the shortest in the series, especially when compared to any of Kenshin or Sano's fights]].

* KickTheDog: Frequently. He breaks Houji's finger, attempts to stab Misao from behind, and constantly belittles the other members of his team. Saito implies that this is the result of Usui needing an outlet for his own self-hatred.

* StealthHiBye: Pulls this twice, first on Shishio (ambushing him in a seemingly closed room by appearing from the ceiling) and later he appears behind Yumi and Sojiro without the former noticing until he talks.

[[folder:Sawagejo Cho]]

[[folder:Iwanbou]]

* AdaptationalHeroism: His complex backstory is AdaptedOut of the Anime and Live-Action films. In the anime he's a fairly harmless idiot and in the films, he's just an EliteMook, while in the manga [[spoiler:he's actually Gein, a graverobber who creates flesh-puppets from corpses, which was what Iwanbou was made of]].

* ArtificialHuman: It is revealed in the Jinchuu arc that [[spoiler:Iwanbo is actually a combat suit made out of corpses.]]

* ObfuscatingStupidity: [[spoiler: [[TheMole The one handling the Iwanbou puppet]] is NOT stupid at all.]]

* SlasherSmile: He's always seen grinning like a moron, except when Houji rips off his own nails (he had a "share the pain" face).

[[folder: SPOILER CHARACTERS]]

->Voiced by: Creator/NorikoHidaka (JP), Creator/TaraSands (EN - Episodes 31-47), Lynn Fischer (EN - Episodes 50-51), Creator/MelissaFahn (EN - Episodes 54-56, 61), Clint Bickham (EN - New Kyoto arc), Creator/JustinBriner (EN - live-action)

->Voiced by: Creator/JunkoTakeuchi (JP), Melodee M. Spevack (EN, mainly), Lara Cody (EN, episode 54), Heather Walker (EN, live-action)

->Voiced by: Ikuo Nishikawa (JP), Paul St. Peter (EN, TV series), Creator/PhilParsons (EN, live-action)

->Voiced by: Shou Ryuzanji (JP), Creator/JamiesonPrice (EN, TV series), David Matranga (EN, ''New Kyoto Arc''), Creator/BillJenkins (EN, live-action)

->Voiced by: Masanori Ikeda (JP), Creator/SteveBlum (EN)
->Portrayed by: Tatsuya Fujiwara (live action)

The primary antagonist of the "Kyoto arc" in the Manga and the second season of the anime. Like Kenshin, Shishio was an assassin during the Revolution. He aspires to conquer all Japan by re-creating the chaos of the Revolution. He was known as the successor of the legendary Battousai, replacing Kenshin after he retired. He possessed skills equal or even greater to Himura, but none of the conscience.

** In the source material he fought Kenshin, Saitou, Sannosuke, and Aoshi one after the other. In the film he takes them all on at the same time.

* AndStarring: His actor in the live action films, Tatsuya Fujiwara, is credited this way.

->Voiced by: Kanako Irie (JP), Creator/WendeeLee (EN)
->Portrayed by: Maryjun Takahashi (live action)

* BreakoutCharacter: She became quite popular with the fans to the point she was a main character in her own prequel spin-off, ''To Rule Flame''.

** [[spoiler:After she and Shishio are dead and end up in hell]], she convinces Shishio to wait a while for Houji to show up [[spoiler:to be there when Shishio takes over the place]]. It's a small moment, but knowing Houji's fanaticism, it pleased him greatly to know they waited for him. In addition she's the one to ThrowTheDogABone and suggest they meet up with Usui and let him join in on the fun as well.

->Voiced by: Creator/NorikoHidaka (JP), Creator/TaraSands (EN - Episodes 31-47), Lynn Fischer (EN - Episodes 50-51), Creator/MelissaFahn (EN - Episodes 54-56, 61)
->Portrayed by: Ryunosuke Kamiki (live action)

->Voiced by: Creator/JunkoTakeuchi (JP), Melodee M. Spevack (EN)
->Portrayed by: Hiroko Yashiki (live action)

A crossdressing young man from the Juppongatana. He [[HoYay loves Shishio Makoto deeply]], but knows that he will never be loved like Komagata Yumi nor will he ever become as talented as Seta Soujirou, who serves as Shishio's right hand man. He still devotedly fights for the person he loves.

* DemotedToExtra: In the live action films, [[GenderFlip she]] doesn't have any lines and her integral fight scene with Kaoru (and Misao) is AdaptedOut.

* DrivenToSuicide: Twice. [[spoiler:Misao knocks him out from commiting [[{{seppuku}} jigai ritual suicide]] after losing [[LovelyAngels to her and Kaoru]], and later Cho has to dissuade him from joining Shishio and Yumi in death.]]
* DudeLooksLikeALady: To the point that the good guys thinks he's a woman at first.

->Voiced by: Creator/UnshoIshizuka (JP), Creator/BeauBillingslea (EN)
->Portrayed by: Kôta Yamaguchi (live action)

* ManlyTears: When [[spoiler: Hiko]] adresses and treats him as a human and not a tool or a monster, Fuji takes off his mask and helmet and cries in ''joy''. [[spoiler: Then, they duel properly, and Hiko wins.]]

->Voiced by: Ikuo Nishikawa (JP), Paul St. Peter (EN)
->Portrayed by: Kentarô Shimazu (live action)

A cunning small old man who manipulates Fuji and lays out the battle plans for him; his real name is not stated in the series. He believes that his old age makes him the one who is right since he has lived so long. Saizuchi's talents lie not in battle-abilities, but his proficient use of words.

* LaserGuidedKarma: After using Fuji as an attack dog to destroy Kyoto and tormenting others, he's finally take out when Fuji, defeated by Hiko, accidentally crushes him under his arm.

->Voiced by: Yasuyoshi Hara (JP), Creator/MichaelMcConnohie (EN)
->Portrayed by: Tomomi Maruyama (live action)

* GentleGiant: Subverted on the giant part. Anji is very tall but he used to be rather scrawny, and bulked up ''after'' his FaithHeelTurn. He's gentle- Until force is needed on his end.

* {{Irony}}: In his flashback, he's chided for having a kinder face than most and an inability to be firm when scolding children. He even says that he just can't muster up enough anger to be imposing. [[ForegoneConclusion However,]] the audience doesn't see this until after we've come to know him as the wrath filled destroyer.

* WhatTheHellHero: Downplayed example, he still calls Sanosuke an hypocrite when he sees him fighting for the sake of the Meiji government after he told him he hate it.

->Voiced by: Hiroshi Takahashi (JP), Dave Mallow (EN)

* AdaptationalBadass: His live action film counterpart is an ActionSurvivor.

* WhyDontYouJustShootHim: Played for drama. During Shishio's final duel with Kenshin, he initially hides a rifle under his coat, ready to take out the heroes if his master starts to lose. He does this without Shishio's knowledge, and fully aware that [[FairPlayVillain Shishio will never forgive him for doing so and will almost certainly kill him if he goes through with it]]. Halfway through the battle, however, Houji reveals the weapon to both Yumi and Shishio, and throws it away, to express his faith in his master's abilities. Whoops.

->Voiced by: Shou Ryuzanji (JP), Creator/JamiesonPrice (EN), David Matranga (''New Kyoto Arc'')

* BadassMustache: Has a small stylish moustache which helps calling to mind the character he was based on. He's also one of the most dangerous Juppongatana.

* DisabilitySuperpower: His hearing more or less functions as a sonar, allowing him to read people's emotions and movements. He is convinced that recieved this power due to his near-death experience at Shishio's hands.

->Voiced by: Creator/EijiTakemoto (JP), Jake Martin (EN)
->Portrayed by: Yûya Hara (live action)

* BodyHorror: His torso is horribly emaciated, all his ribs are perfectly visible under the skin and his entire abdomen is so skinny he practically has a hourglass figure.

->Voiced by: Norito Yashima (JP), Creator/LexLang (EN)

* AdaptationalHeroism: His complex backstory is AdaptedOut of the Anime and Live-Action films. In the anime he's a fairly harmless idiot and in the films he's just an EliteMook, while in the manga [[spoiler:he's actually Gein, a graverobber who creates flesh-puppets from coprses, which was what Iwanbou was made of]].

* BewareTheSillyOnes: True, he's such a harmless idiot that he cannot do anything on his own, but remember, it was Shishio who let him joing his elite. [[spoiler: Even more so in the manga, considering the truth.]]
* DemotedToExtra: In the live action films, he doesn't have any lines and his integral fight scene with Kaoru and the Oniwabanshuu is AdaptedOut.

* {{Kevlard}}: He's so disgustingly obese that shurikens and weapons bounces off him. Almost bordering with RubberMan.

[[center: [-[[Characters/RurouniKenshin Main Character Index]] | [[Characters/RurouniKenshinMainCharacters Main Characters]] | [[Characters/RurouniKenshinSupportingCharacters Supporting Characters]] | [[Characters/RurouniKenshinRivalsAndVillains Rivals and Minor Villains]] | [[Characters/RurouniKenshinTheMeijiGovernment The Meiji Government]] | [[Characters/RurouniKenshinOniwabanshu Oniwabanshu]] | '''The Ten Swords / Juppongatana''' | [[Characters/RurouniKenshinTheSixComrades The Six Comrades]] | [[Characters/RurouniKenshinAnimeOnlyCharacters Anime Only Characters]] | [[Characters/RurouniKenshinMangaOnlyCharacters Manga Only Characters]]]]-]

* AdaptationalHeroism: Not only does the movie tones down the brutality of his backstory, but he aids Kenshin in the movie against Enishi.

* AdaptationalVillainy: Downplayed. The circumstances of his backstory was made LighterAndSofter considerably in the live action films (albeit the problem is still the same). He is, however, the most sympathetically portrayed of his group in that continuity.

* AdaptedOut: The Shin Kyoto Hen drops several of the less important members: Iwanbou, Honjou, Saizuchi, and Henya. Most notable, however, is Houji's absence.

->Portrayed by: Kenichi Takito (Live Action)

->Voiced by: Shou Ryuzanji (JP), Creator/JamiesonPrice (EN), David Matranga (Shin Kyoto Hen)

->Portrayed by: Tatsuya Fujiwara (Live Action)

->Portrayed by: Maryjun Takahashi (Live Action)

* TheBusCameBack: [[spoiler:He returns in the Hokkaido Arc, still wandering the countryside when he stops by a local restaurant terrorized by a wanted man. He later joins Sugimura Yoshie alongside Anji as allies against the Kenkaku Heiki]]

* FamousLastWords: Writes them [[spoiler:in blood on his cell wall before committing suicide.]]
-->[[spoiler: ''"This world is dead to me. I go to serve my lord in Hell."'']]

* FamousLastWords: Which more or less sum up the wreckage of his life:
-->''"To hold onto one's beliefs, without even the smallest fraction of doubt. It seems easy, but what a difficult thing it is. Just how long will you last, in this new world of the Meiji? Can you live by the sword, holding true to your precious, [[CatchPhrase Aku, Zoku, Zan]]...?"''

* RealityEnsues: [[spoiler:In real life, people with anhidrosis are at extreme risk for overheating. Though most don't ''actually'' catch fire the condition can be very deadly. Doing something very physical in a very hot place is not a great idea, no matter ''how'' badass the flaming sword attacks make the dramatic final duel look.]]

* StayingAlive: Dude. Was shot point blank in the head. Doused with oil. Lit on fire. Left to die. STILL HE SURVIVED.