Gamaran / Characters

A list of characters from Gamaran. Warning, as there are spoilers ahead. Please notice this: the western name order is used instead of the Japanese one, so is first name and then surname.

For characters from the sequel Gamaran Shura, look here.

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Ogame Ryuu

The Ogame Ryuu (Great Turtle style) is a school of swordmastery and known for being very powerful. The members carry two swords with them and use a special style based on the five elements (Thunder, Fire, Void, Water and Earth). Their former leader was Jinsuke Kurogane and the current one is Kamedenbo Oizumi / Shinnojo Sakura.

Gama Kurogane

The young protagonist and skilled heir of the Ogame Ryuu. He's hired by Naoyoshi in order to take part to the Unabara Tournament, in order to make Naoyoshi Daimyo and show that the Ogame Ryuu is the strongest style. He also wants to find his rogue father and kills him. His specialty is the Lightning Form. By the end of the manga, he's walking the earth, trying to surpass Jinsuke using his own method.

He returns in Shura and gets involved with the Bakufu Tournament to seek the strongest man in Japan, getting the rank of Hyakken #5. He's also persuaded by the Muhou Ryuu remnants to join their ranks, which gets him expelled from the Ogame Ryuu.

Animal Motifs: A dog, according to Iori.
Anime Hair: All spiky and messy.
Berserk Button: Mocking his "manliness" and wounding his friends. Also, he doesn't like being interrupted when he's having a good battle against an opponent.
Big Damn Heroes: In Shura, upon learning that Jinkuu and Ryogo are putting their lives in jeopardy to infiltrate Edo Castle and assassinate the Shogun, Gama leads an attack on the castle alongside some of the members of the Muhou Ryuu to rescue him and actually succeds in doing so.
Death or Glory Attack: How Kamui works: it's a slash aimed at deviating the enemy sword and slice him dead at the same time. However a failure will result in death.
Demoted to Extra: In Shura he does appear regularly, but his role is less relevant compared to Iori. We can say they switched roles.
The Determinator: Especially against Arata Nakaizumi and his nasty arrows.
- When Toujou points out that even if he wins against him, he'll still have to fight all the soldiers of the Muhou Ryu, he answers that, even alone, he'll go on and save Naoyoshi.
Deadly Dodging: He's the first and most prolific user of Oboro Kata, which allows him to dodge and counterattack enemies even when he shouldn't be able to move. In Shura, he realizes that an enemy is about to spear him in the back while he's focused on Toujou's attack, and decides to suddenly crouch, causing Toujou's bisento to hit the spearman in the head and cut it in half.
Diagonal Cut: The typical results of his attacks.
Flash Step: The Narukami and the Kagenui attacks involve this.
Flat Character: Interestingly, this is admitted In-Universe: In Juuren Village, Gama admits that he's all about swordfighting and becoming stronger, as that's the way Jinsuke raised him. That's why he fears losing so much: because if he lose at the only thing he's good at, there'll be nothing left of him as a person.
Heel–Face Turn: Downplayed in Shura, where he's persuaded by Shimon to become the next leader of the Muhou Ryuu, though he seemingly has his own agenda, separated from his father's. In fact, when he accepts to lead them, he only does so on three conditions, the third being that they disband after Tournament.
Hollywood Healing: Averted, during the battle against Arata he gets wounded to the right leg. Some days later he fights Sakon and the wounded leg still causes some inconvenience, as well as the wound in the arm from a week earlier.
It's Personal: He wants to kill his father Jinsuke with his own hands for killing the other students of the Ogame Ryuu. Eventually, when he has the chance of killing a harmless Jinsuke, he refuses, claiming that now Jin has nothing left that he can trample, so he opts for surpassing him in his own way.
Katanas Are Just Better: Katana/Tachi are the only weapon he uses (outside of a wooden staff used in an attempt to copy Baian's Tsubame), but it's made obvious that his skill stems from his body and the use of his techniques rather than being a result of his sword's inherent quality.
Lamarck Was Right: He has the same "Eyes of Divine Sight" as Jinsuke, according to Toujou. Unlike Jinsuke and Ranmaru though he never bothered to use them properly.
Lightning Bruiser: His favourite style is the Ikazuchi Kata (Lightining God Form), which relies on speed.
Made of Iron: Can take a really huge amount of punishment, though he's usually smart enough to simply dodge/parry dangerous attacks.
Master Swordsman: By the time Kashitarou has taught him everything he knows, Gama has become a top-tier swordsman and easily reached the highest rank along with his companions. In Shura he even defeats Shin in a sparring match, showing that he's surpassed him and earning the right of owning the legendary sword of the Ogame Ryuu, Senka Murasame.
Megaton Punch: His post-timeskip Swordless Tiger Drill is powerful enough to send adult people flying.
Pet the Dog: In Shura, despite having burnt bridges with the Ogame Ryuu, he still can't bare to just stand there and watch his friend Zenmaru get killed and when the match is over he immediately rushes to his side to make sure he's fine and calls for a doctor.
Pint-Sized Powerhouse: He's very strong, seen when he knock out Kosaburo Hyuga unarmed. He gets taller after the timeskip though.
Super-Senses: It is revealed that he has the "Eyes of Divine Perception" just like Jinsuke and Ranmaru, which means that his eyes are much more perceptive than usual, allowing him to notice and follow even the slightest movement in his field of sight. Downplayed in that he didn't develop this skill the way Jinsuke and Ranmaru did.
Took a Level in Jerkass: It seems that each new victory is making Gama more and more arrogant and conceited, as seen when he angrily dismiss Naoyoshi when he asks him to spare Ranmaru when he was about to finish him off. Alternatively, it was a facade. By the time of Shura he's seemingly set for his old, nice self when out of combat, and even when he joins the Muhou Ryuu he makes clear that he gives the precedence to his own agenda.
Training from Hell: Did one under Iori's tutelage. Underwent another one later in order to best the Muho Ryuu.
Walking the Earth: In the manga's finale. He returns in Shura.

Senka

Kamedenbo's daughter. She takes care of the Ogame Ryuu dojo.

Berserk Button: Don't call her "pig".
Big Eater: Implied to be one by Zenmaru. Comes back later as a Running Gag.
Cool Big Sis: Becomes one for Yumeji.
Hidden Buxom: She claims so while trying to flirt with Iori.
Informed Flaw: She's often called pig or fat. She's pretty much normal.
Ms. Fanservice: While lacking shapely curves or large boobs she's really pretty.
Out of Focus: Since the series is mainly focused on the fightings, she rarely appears.
Tomboy: Was one when she was younger, judging by Zenmaru's comment.
Volleying Insults: With the Hyuga Brothers and Miika.
Yamato Nadeshiko: Seems to be one, though she still has her faults.. for examples, forcing the Hyuga brother to do all the houseworks.

Kamedenbo Oizumi

Current leader of the Ogame Ryuu and Gama's master. He's currently retired from his job, but can still pack a punch if required. In the finale, he survived the Shogunate invasion and now he's back at the Juren Village.

Bunny-Ears Lawyer: Looks and acts like a lazy old man who spends all day eating and complaining, but is still a skilled swordsman despite all this.
Cool Old Guy: He survived the assault on Unabara Castle by himself.
Flash Step: His Hoarfrost Thunderclap (Muhyo no Jinrai) attack, which allows him to perform a slicing attack which also takes advantage of the opponent's own movement.
Hostage Situation: Near the end of Shura, he, Senka and the Hyuga Brothers are taken captive by the Shogunate and used to force the heroes out to fight for their lives.
Old Master: He trained Gama in the past and, as Shin pointed out, he was the one who made Jinsuke join the Ogame Ryu and taught him and Tessai the way of the sword.
One-Man Army: Unsurprisingly, both he and Gensai end up stalling the bulk of the Muhous School (and later Shogunate) goons by themselves. This is impressive when you factor in Kamedenbo's age.
Retired Badass: Technically, after turning over leadership over to Kurogane Jinsuke, who left the school. done again, passing leadership of the school to Shin
Throwing Your Sword Always Works:Tries to kill the half-hidden Tsuchiryuu by throwing a sword at him.
Trademark Favorite Food: He's a big fan of dango, and during the assault to the inner citadel of the Muhou School complains about having eat too much dango.

Iori Sengoku

A high-level member to the Ogame Ryuu who served as Gama's mentor. He trains him after his victory over the Kyosen Ryuu. He's described as a powerful but sadistic fighter, master of all the five forms and often compared to a demon because of his power.

Iori becomes the protagonist of the sequel story Gamaran Shura, set in Edo where he's trying to make a living but gets involved in the Bakufu Tournament and the surrounding ploys. He's designated Hyakken #4.

Achilles' Heel: As pointed out in Shura, Iori is a genius swordsman and his attacks are extraordinary... but nevertheless, his greatest weakness lies in his low defense, especially when he's busy fighting more than one opponent.
Aloof Big Brother: Play this role to Gama.
Ambiguously Evil: Up to the Myoujin School arc he looked very suspicious and one of the author's earlier plans was to make him the Final Boss. Ultimately subverted, as in he's still loyal to the good guys, even if he's more of an anti-hero.
Antihero: He's a member of the Ogame Ryuu, but not as much of a nice guy as Shin. Lampshaded by Kamedenbou, who mentally thinks that as a man he may be far from perfect, but as a swordsman he's the greatest.
Ascended Extra: While Gamaran mostly focus on Gama and Zenmaru, Shura is mostly focused on him.
Boring, but Practical: Most of the time, his signature attack is a simple overhead slash which would normally be telegraphed and predictable if it weren't for Iori's skill and unearthly speed and power.
Break the Badass: In Shura, Iori has managed to overcome and win against all his opponents, even the difficult ones like Kitarou, as usual... until he actually fought Hiramatsu Tadaie, who manages to hand Iori such a defeat that the swordsman, for the first time, starts genuinely doubting his skills and abilities.
Charles Atlas Superpower: The man is incredibly strong for someone who's just a normal human who went to normal training, as he can easily crack walls with his attacks, send people flying with spiraling punches and, as of Shura, snap a katana with a wooden sword and swing his blade with enough strength to deflect urumi blades with the wind generated from his movement.
Conservation of Ninjutsu: At first seemingly played straight when Iori infiltrates the Muhou Ryuu's HQ alone and bucthers nearly everyone who stands in his way. However Ango Kuryuu later pointed out that Iori didn't get away unscathed and was actually injured to the chest, even if he was trying to hide it.
- When fighting against Banri, Riichiro and Ango he's nearly overwhelmed and killed twice because of their simultaneous, well-coordinated attacks.
Curb-Stomp Battle: Critics Gama for his mediocre fighting skills and then proceeds to defeat him using only his scabbard. Later he kills the Souen Ryuu member Ukyo in an istant. These are only the first two of many others. During the final battle, he's the one on the receiving end thanks to Jinsuke, and even after gaining the upper edge, is ultimately defeated.
- In Shura, he's confronted by Tadaie and utterly crushed, to the point that, for the first time he calls himself weak and doubts his skills.
Flash Step: His attacks, Kosen and Narukami involves this to some degree.
Hoist by His Own Petard: The first character to introduce the Kosen, which was his signature move. During his final battle against Jinsuke, he's defeated by Jinsuke's Kosen-like punch.
Jerkass: With a very tiny heart of gold. He gets slightly better by the time Shura is out.
Master Swordsman: The strongest in the Ogame Ryuu along with Shinnojo and Kashitarou.
Megaton Punch: His fists can be just as dangerous as his sword. Specifically, the "Swordless Tiger Drill" (Kosen Muto).
Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: After wounding Jinsuke in their final battle, he mocks him, telling him that because of Jin is unconsciously worrying about the Muhou School he's now strained and can no longer fight at full power. Then Jinsuke gets rid of this "strain" and starts overpowering Iori.
The Nicknamer: When confronted by Maniwa's division, he give them numbers based on their performance and calls them by that number.
No Social Skills: In Shura, he checks Ran's actual gender by pulling down the top of her kimono in the middle of a crowded road without a word.
Not Distracted by the Sexy: The idea of carrying Senka on his back so that he can feel her breasts doesn't even tempt him a bit. Senka also calls him out on this. Subverts being a Chaste Hero when he actually starts developing feelings for Ran Ichinose in Shura.
Not in This for Your Revolution: He refused to take part to the battle between Tessai and Jinsuke in the past. In reality, he actually faced Jinsuke alone but was defeated.
Not So Invincible After All: Despite being a seemingly unstoppable Master Swordsman, it's quickly shown that Iori, while powerful, isn't completely invincible: he did plowed through the Muhou School soldiers and Division Commanders garrisoning the castle like a hot knife through butter, but he received numerous wounds, one of which debilitating. Later on, he's nearly killed twice in a single combined attack of Banri, Riichiro and Ango, and ultimately lose to Jinsuke after a heated duel. In Shura, he's defeated so hard by Tadaie he actually doubts he can win the tournament.
Oh, Crap!: Not even he's immune to shock. A great example is during the Ayanaka Forest Arc, when he notices that Hanamura's about to cut him down.
One-Man Army: He slaughtered 40 members of the Muhou Ryuu without breaking a sweat, and later threatens to take at least half of Jinsuke's Advisors down with him.
- Becomes a plot point in Shura, where he's challenged to fight the Bakka Hyakken (Bakufu's Hundred Swords) to prove that he is the strongest warrior of Japan.
Pet the Dog: When Ran Ichinose challenges him with a real sword, even though Iori does defeat her and flat out tells her she's not strong enough, he's less conceited about it than you'd expect.
Roaring Rampage of Revenge: Jinsuke first met Iori when he was a nine-years old orphan trying to attack two ronin who murdered his family in cold blood.
Sadist Teacher: According to Zenmaru. At least part of his training regime for Gama involves tying him up and hitting him with a wooden stick.
Signature Move: His Kosen (Tiger Drill) attack, a sudden thrust with a spinning motion which turns the wakizashi into a drill-like weapon, able to pierce through mail with ease.
Walking the Earth: Has a penchant for spending a lot of time wandering around. Does this too in the finale.
Wild Card: That's why Shinnojo states that he can't become the new leader.
Your Eyes Can Deceive You: When fighting Sendo, he's so focused on defense that he needs to keep his eyes closed during the entire match to be able to anticipate and react to the incoming spear strikes. By the time he finally opens his eyes, he already delivered the fatal blow to Sendo.

Shinnojo Sakura

Member of the Ogame Ryuu dojo always seen together with Zenmaru, former member of the Itten Ryu. He joins Gama in the Unabara Tournament and eventually becomes the leader of the school when Kamedenbo retires. His specialty is the Water Dragon Form. In the end, he's seen training the Hyuuga Brothers as the new leader of the school.

Alliterative Name: Shinnojo Sakura.
The Combat Pragmatist: He has no problem attacking distracted opponent, not caring if the resulting victory is considered anticlimactic.
The Comically Serious: When compared to Zenmaru.
Drill Sergeant Nasty: In the finale, to the Hyuuga brothers.
Game-Breaking Injury: Gets stabbed in the foot by Arimaru, which inconvenience him for the following battles. This leads to a grievous wound in his left shoulder that cripples him.
Genius Bruiser: A deadly fighter who happens to also be very smart.
Graceful Loser: In Shura, he takes his defeat at the hands of Gama in stride and gives him the Senka Murasame as a reward.
Iaijutsu Practitioner: Seen executing a ridicolously fast Diagonal Cut against Amane, of the Souen Ryuu.
Informed Ability: Downplayed, before joining the Ogame Ryuu he used to be the best student of the Itten Ryuu, good enough to injure even a much stronger warrior such as Nikaidou before going down. Still, in the present he never makes use of the Itten Ryuu techniques, though Zenmaru mentally notes that Shin could use them to counter Riko's knowledge of the Ogame Ryuu's techniques.
In-Series Nickname: "My name is Shinnojo Sakura, but everyone just calls me Shin".
Master Swordsman: His style mainly involves tricky attacks, including a slash that changes direction at the last moment and another one that turns into a stabbing motion halfway through. He can also fight on par with Iori and even wound him. By the time of Shura, the wound on his arm has diminished his skills, as he loses to Gama in a friendly match.
No Sense of Direction: And blames Zenmaru for that. Is eventually lampshaded by Iori.
Shin:" Let's see... I think we should go East!"
Iori:" Ok guys, let's go West then."
Kamedenbo:" Shin, there's a crag over there..."
Shin:(Genuinely shocked) "What?"
Only Sane Man: Compared to Gama and Zenmaru.
Out of Focus: In Shura, he gets much less limelight than the other Ogame School members.
Pretty Boy: His prettiness is even noted by his former master, the leader of the Itten Ryu.
Red Oni, Blue Oni: Blue to Zenmaru and Iori's red.
Situational Sword: During the fight against Arimaru he makes use of the Monohoshizao (Laundry Pole) sword, a long and straight Nodachi which, apparently, is a situational weapon used by the Ogame Ryuu.
Technician vs. Performer: In earlier chapters, when he and Zenmaru fought as a pair, Zenmaru fights with bragadocious fury and an oversized sword, while Shin cuts his enemies down quickly and concisely with swift iaijutsu and masterful strokes.
- Conversely, Shin's fighting style revolves around tricky, unpredictable attacks, while Zenmaru simply charges in and crushes his foes.
The Stoic: The calmest and most composed member of the school, aside from Kamedenbo.
This Is Unforgivable!: He takes offense when he learns that Gama has become the head of the Muhou Ryu, and even after learning his reason why, he still banishes him from the Ogame Ryu.
Those Two Guys: With Zenmaru at first, traveling abroad together, then locating and navigating Unabara together, and finally defending Naoyoshi and backing up Gama as a pair. Once Iori returns, Zenmaru and Gama are paired off as the younger, less experienced swordsmen of the school, and Shin starts spending more time with Iori, discussing matters as the more experienced and older members of the school who trained together in their youth.
Tranquil Fury: When facing Masaku Nikaido, the man who destroyed his old dojo.
Used to Be a Sweet Kid: In his youth he was happy, confident and carefree... then Nikaido showed up and took away everything from him, plunging him into an Heroic BSoD.
Worf Had the Flu: In Shura, it's implied that his wounded left arm never fully recovered and lead to Gama's victory. It nearly costs him his life when the Genkai Tenpei rebels.

Zenmaru Ichinose

Member of the Ogame Ryuu always seen with Shinnojo, later becomes a secondary protagonist closer to Gama. Specialized in the Fire element, he's always seen carrying a huge sword. Revealed to be a member of the famed Ichinose family. In the end, after recovering from the final battle he has decided to go back to his clan.

He returns in Shura and ends up being dragged in the Bakufu Tournament, getting the rank of Hyakken #94.

Animal Motifs: Frequently referred to as "Monkey" or "Ape".
Attack! Attack! Attack!: The style of the Ichinose.
Author Avatar: Word of God admitted that Zenmaru's early portrayal as a "loser" comes a bit from himself in the past.
Berserk Button: More than a few. Being compared to a monkey or ape, having his prowess compared to the younger and smaller Gama, being considered stupid or slow, an ally getting more attention from the opposite sex, etc. A particular pet peeve of his is whenever someone praises or criticizes his brute strength without acknowledging his skill. This is often Played for Laughs, as most of his techniques boil down to smashing people with his BFS.
Big Brother Instinct: For his little sister Ran Ichinose in Shura.
Boisterous Bruiser: He slowly calms down as the series goes on, but he's still this in the main group of heroes.
Butt-Monkey: Often called monkey, even his own teammates expect him to lose in a battle. In Shura, he not only gets his first fight in the story because his opponent mistook him for Iori, but also gets the rather low rank of 94th Hyakken (while Gama and Iori got a high single-digit number and even his sister Ran got the number 58).
Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass: The Butt-Monkey of the manga, until he faces Sasuke.
Curtains Match the Window: Zenmaru has red hair and eyes.
Fiery Red Head: Hot-tempered and inexplicably red-haired. The latter may be a trait of the Ichinose clan.
Hidden Depths: He fights for the sake of his clan. Who apparently disowned him for being too weak.
"Instant Death" Radius: His Gurensen attack, thanks to his very long sword.
It's Personal: His desire to cut down Kai. Eventually subverted, as he genuinely love his brother and just wants to set the score with him, not end his life.
Jabba Table Manners: He gorges himself on rice and fish, which he stabs with the chopsticks.
The Lancer: Though he shares many qualities with The Big Guy, He can be seen as closer to Gama than Shinnojo or Iori, fitting this role, especially after the Time Skip.
Lightning Bruiser: His fighting style with the Sadanaga blade, despite its size and weight. Post Time Skip, he wipes out seven warriors in mere seconds before getting serious, without Sadanaga.
My Greatest Failure: His inability to stop Kai back when he revolted. Later, his inability to save Kai from death, despite managing to surpass him.
Overshadowed by Awesome: To be honest, Zenmaru is pretty powerful, is just that Gama, Shin and Iori are even stronger compared to him. By the end of the manga he has become just as powerful as anyone else.
Red Oni, Blue Oni: Red to Shinnojo.
Scarf of Asskicking: Which he also uses to tie up his Sadanaga.
Took a Level in Badass: After his training with Kashitarou. Ok, he's still the weakest of the foursome, but not necessarly weak.
- After finally realizing how to really use the Sadanaga, he gets a handful of new levels, enough to kill a member of Jinsuke's Personal Corps.
- Eventually confirmed in chapter 188 that he has indeed surpassed Kai and is now giving a harsh lesson to Kujou Mario aka Jinsuke's second in command and the only one other than Jin that mastered all the forms of his school.
Unskilled, but Strong: Played for laughs. He can fight technically when he needs to, but his enormous blade is hardly subtle and the flame kata emphasizes offensive power. He often tries to show off his techniques and cunning, only for the witnesses to trivialize his methods as brute force.
Weapon Specialization: While he carries around two swords like all the members of the Ogame Ryuu, but his favourite weapon is the Sadanaga Kutaragi.
- Ancestral Weapon: The Sadanaga swords are the signature weapon of the Ichinose clan.
- BFS: Is very large and other enemies point out how it should be absurdly hard or at least slow to swing around. Not for him.
- Bigger Is Better: Zenmaru takes full advantage of the Sadanaga's superior length to deliver devastating, hard-to-block attacks and hit enemies even when they're seemingly out of range. Invoked in Shura, when he manages to turn Shiro Momose's owns Bind technique against him because of Sadanaga's weight.
- Named Weapons: His Sadanaga is called "Kutaragi".
- One-Handed Zweihänder: Only once for now, usually he swings it with both his hands. During the final battle against Kujou, he proves his strength and anger by cutting the bastard down with only one hand, but still at full force.
- Hearing Voices: Mysteriously enough, Zenmaru hears/hallucinates a voice coming from the Sadanaga and guiding him during his battle against Arimaru that the latter cannot hear. Whatever the cause, it helps him improving his fighting skills by taking full advantage of his sword.

Tessai Myouga

Member of the Ogame Ryu, who once rivaled Jinsuke in swordmastery and was one of the possible candidates to the rulership of the Ogame School, but was murdered by Jinsuke.

Master Swordsman: Said to be on almost on par with Jinsuke. Unlike Jin, he refuses to believe that Might Makes Right and genuinely believes that a swordsman must use his murderous art for good.
Nice Guy: Not only a powerful swordsman, but also a cool-headed, wise leader. He even tried to reason with Jinsuke when he decided to leave the school.
Perma-Stubble: Contrasting Jinsuke, who is always shaven.
Posthumous Character: He's long dead by the time he's introduced.
Red Oni, Blue Oni: Not outright stated, but the way he and Jinsuke are introduce leads to believe that they had this dynamic (with Tessai being the Blue) going on.

Rintarou

A man from Holland who ended up in Unabara and was helped by Jinsuke, he became the leader of the Juuren Village, the "Holy Land" of the Ogame Ryuu where the style was founded. He has two daughters (Yumeji and Miika) and a son, Kashitarou.

Cloud Cuckoo Lander: Sports an odd behaviour.
Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass: Think he's a random, big dumb guy? Wrong...
Gratuitous English: Calls Kamedenbo "Master Turtle".
Large Ham: Seen when he greets the Ogame School members.
Malaproper: Speaks badly and can't read. Justified because he's from Holland and hasn't learnt Japanese yet.
The Worf Effect: He's defeated after a harsh battle against Motoji, and the injuries keep him out of the games for some time.

Yumeji and Miika

Rintarou's daughters. Miika is the eldest sister and is a beautiful, Proper Lady. Yumeji is a tomboish girl who can use a sword and appears to have a soft spot for Gama.

Action Girl: Yumeji, who's also the only female character who can fight in the series, though Iori gave her a two out of ten.
Braids of Action: Yumeji sports them.
Ms. Fanservice: Miika, much to Senka's dismay...
Ship Tease: Yumeji with Gama.
Shipper on Deck: Miika suggest that Yumeji should pay Gama a visit... during night time...
Tsundere: Yumeji to Gama, of all things.
Yamato Nadeshiko: Miika. She does have however a more malicious side of herself and, like Senka, forces the Hyuuga Brothers to do all the cleaning.

Kawasaki and Shimoda

Members of the Ogame Ryuu, they're the guards of the Juuren village.

Battle Butler: To Rintarou's family.
Big Damn Heroes: Kawasaki performs one to save Yumeji from a Muhou Ryu Mook.
Elite Mook: Can easily take care of the Muho Ryuu mooks, but stand no chance against the Division Commanders.
Impaled with Extreme Prejudice: Kawasaki is stabbed in the shoulders by Mamiya and left unable to do anything to save the ladies or the Hyuuga Brothers.
Humble Hero: Kawasaki, who introduces himself as "just a mere servant" before gutting an attacking Muhou Ryu Soldier in a blow.

Kashitarou

A resident of Juuren Village and Rintarou's eldest son, is a master of the Ogame Ryuu style and lives like an hermit on the top of Juuren Mountain. He trains Gama and Zenmaru for a year and help them against the Muhou Ryuu members. In the finale, he decided to study the five forms of the Ogame school back from scratch in order to create the ultimate fighting style.

Abhorrent Admirer: To Senka. In this case, abhorrent because of his unhealthy quirks... He also develops a crush on Ran in Shura. The chance of helping a swordswoman training is perfect for him.
Amusing Injuries: After making some really pervert comments at Senka.
Anachronism Stew: He seems to wear perfectly functioning modern glasses.
Ass Shove: Apparently that's what he wants to do to Senka. With an apple. According to Word of God, it was based on a porn movie one of his assistants watched.
Beat Them at Their Own Game: How he defeats Yamanoue Kiyomori, paralyzing his arm by stabbing the nerves in the arm (since he's not strong enough to slash him fatally.
Big Damn Heroes: Jumps into action just in time to save Zenmaru from Kiyomori.
But Not Too Foreign: He's half ducthman.
Cloud Cuckoo Lander: A genius swordsman and an expert of the Human body, he also has 0 social skills, call an apple tree by (feminine) name and has erotic fantasies about apples and women's butts.
Genius Bruiser: He studies anatomy in order to improve swordsmanship.
Fragile Speedster: Because of an unspecified illness, he lacks stamina. Even when wielding a custom katana fit for his size and strength, he tires himself quickly after a few attacks. That being said, more often than not a few attacks are all he needs.
Master Swordsman: In a rather singular case, he is one in theory only. Not only he's studied all the elemental forms of the Ogame Ryuu, but he created a new, sixth form called Kamui and taught it to Gama and Zenmaru.
Nice Guy: A very gentle and caring mentor for Gama and Zenmaru, he also helps the latter against Kiyomori.
Non-Action Guy: Because of his weak body, he rarely fights.
Shout-Out: Two possible ones based on his name:
- The First to Kashitarou Ito, military advisor of The Shinsengumi, fitting his role as a "advisor" to the main group.
- The latter to Momotaro. Firstly Momotaro means "Peach Boy", while Kashitaro can mean "Pear boy". The former led a war against the Oni of Shikoku with the help of a dog, a monkey and a pheasant. The latter helps Gama and Zenmaru (dog-themed and monkey-themed) against Jinsuke, who was referred to as a Demon at least once.

Hyuga Ryuu

A recent Ryuu of swordsmen, is composed by the two brothers Masato and Kosaburo. They're hired by Naoyoshi to test the worth of the Ogame Ryuu but they're defeated by Gama.

Masato and Kosaburo Hyuga

The only members of their style, they fight in couple. Masato is the elder brother and relies on his mighty strength in battle, while Kosaburo opts for sneak attacks. After they defeat, they join the Ogame Ryuu as low-level apprentices. In the finale, they're finally being properly trained in the ways of the Ogame Ryuu.

Arrogant Kung-Fu Guy: Both brothers.
Badass Boast: Parodied after they join the Ogame Ryuu, as they claim that they have no rivals in cleaning floor and picking up mushrooms.
Battle Couple: They fight in couple and Masato always take on the stronger opponent.
Butt-Monkey: They more or less become this after joining the Ogame school...If they weren't already this beforehand.
The Brute: Masato. He can crush wooden swords and even rocks in his grip, but as both Gama and Iori noted, this type of strength is useless in a swordfight.
Dude Looks Like a Lady: Kosaburo.
Dumbass Has a Point: When they run into Iori and Shin's duel to decide the leader, Masato actually does the sensible thing and tells his brother to go and call for Kamedenbo.
Heel–Face Turn: train as members of the Ogame Ryuu after losing to Gama
Iaijutsu Practitioner: Kosaburo tries to kill Gama with a Iai attack to catch him offguard. It doesn't go well for him.
Plucky Comic Relief: Got degraded to this after joining the Ogame Ryu.
Red Baron: They called themselves the "Twin Dragons of the Ogame School".
Small Name, Big Ego: They boast about their skills and powers, and then a fourteen years old swordsman knock them both out.
Throw the Dog a Bone: After 22 and more volumes of humiliations and bullying they're finally taught the arts of the Ogame School.
Wax On, Wax Off: Subverted: They think that doing the laundry and cleaning the Dojo will improve their skills. Iori brutally points out that this alone won't make them good warriors.

Tengen Ryuu

The Tengen Ryuu (Heavenly Illusion Style) is one of Unabara's most famous schools, and practice the art of the naginata-jutsu. They're the first Ryuu faced by Gama.

Baian Maki

Also known as the "Drunkard", Baian is the deadly master of the Tengen Ryuu, a confident and powerful warrior and one of the last great masters of the naginata.

The Alcoholic: The nickname "Drunkard" should give you a clue....
Artistic License – Martial Arts: The "bisento" is actually a Chinese weapon, essentially a Chinese Naginata. While there's a "Japanese Bisento" used in certain schools of martial arts, those examples are Newer Than They Think.
Boring, but Practical: His signature Tsubame technique is just a simple overhead vertical slash which extends forward as it's falling down. That been said, its speed and reach are more than enough to kill or catch by surprise his opponents.
Brutal Honesty: He absolutely has no problem telling people what he really thinks of them.
Cloud Cuckoo Lander: At one point he kisses his sake jug, and Eima's flashback shows that he was pretty quirky even back then.
Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass: At first he seems just an arrogant and smug warrior who drinks too much saké. Is later revealed to be a powerful opponent on the battlefield.
Curb-Stomp Battle: A flashback narrated by Nachi has him dealing one to a whole Ryuu composed of 10 members and their master, right after said master mocked his weapon as a weapon for women. In the end, Baian butchered the whole school without taking a single hit.
Early-Bird Cameo: Back in the first chapter, in the flashback showing the daimyo announcing the Tournament, we have a shot of several warriors seen from behind. Baian can be spot on the let.
Expy: In-Universe, after chapter 155 is pretty clear that he modeled himself after his master Toujo.
Eyepatch of Power: Gama wound his left eye, forcing him to wear a bandage on that eye for the rest of the combat.
Graceful Loser: After doing his best to chop down Gama, he recognize his valor in his dying thoughts.
Let's Get Dangerous!: When he decides to use the Bisento instead of the naginata. And stops drinking.
Real Men Wear Pink: By the Edo period, when the story takes place, the naginata was popularly considered a feminine weapon for samurai wives and noblewomen to defend themselves with. Baian is well aware of the association and doesn't care.
What Could Have Been: Apparently, he was going to have much more screentime and become a recurring villain, but eventually the author was forced to cut that off.

Eima Yakushiji

The second strongest warrior of the Tengen Ryuu and the first member to join Baian, with whom he has a deep relationship. He comes back after the Time Skip under the tutelage of Baian's master Toujou and this time he's out for Gama's head.

Big Ol' Eyebrows: Noticeably big, oddly shaped eyebrows.
Determinator: Post Time Skip, Toujou lampshades that even if he's not as skilled as Gama, his sheer determination fills the gap nicely.
Gonk: After the Time Skip, when his face is horribly emaciated compared to before.
Made of Iron: After his training, he can ignore some serious wounds to his chest and legs and required two fatal blows before biting the dust.
Revenge Before Reason: After the Time Skip.
Scars Are Forever: Has a vertical scar on his chin, likely from Baian's Tsubame (Swallow) attack.
Sole Survivor: The only member of the Tengen Ryuu who was spared after Baian's death.
Took a Level in Badass: After being trained by Toujou he can now fight head on with Gama.

Hiyoshi, Masakiyo Yukimura and Junnosuke Akaboshi

The three strongest warriors of the Tengen Ryuu.

Axe-Crazy: Junnosuke at first looks like a Boisterous Bruiser, then Hiyoshi and Yukimura mentions that we he fights he goes on a killing rampage and that the last time he fought he raped and killed a girl who casually caught his attention.
Combat Pragmatist: They rely often on low attacks or coordinated attacks.
Combination Attack: The secret, triple attack of the Tengen School, Renge (Combined Flowers), performed by Baian, Eima and Hiyoshi: It involves breaking the enemy stance and weapon before delivering the finishing blow.
Evil Counterpart: Even though the latter hadn't been introduced yet, Junnosuke can be seen as one to Zenmaru: both are the largest members of their five-men Ryuu and possess incredible strength, boisterous attitude and even take criticism in the same way. However, while Zenmaru is a good person, Junnosuke is a murderous berserker who cares only about killing.
Eye Scream: Junnosuke is killed by Gama who slice his eyes open as an opening move, leaving him to bleed out.
Facial Markings: Hiyoshi has some black signs under his eyes.
Graceful Loser: Masakiyo Yukimura chuckles on his death throes, when Gama refers to his naginata as a "mere piece of steel".
Hot-Blooded: Junnosuke and Masakiyo.
Impaled with Extreme Prejudice: Hiyoshi, who's then used as a literal meat shield.
Oh, Crap!: Yukimura, as he realize that Gama's attack has sliced his steel pole and his face.
Only One Name: Hiyoshi, contrasting all his companions.
The Stoic: Hiyoshi, who's the calmest and quietest of the group and even a Terse Talker.
We Hardly Knew Ye: Junnosuke, Masakiyo and Hiyoshi have no meaningful background, appears out of nowhere and are killed before we can learn more of them.

Nakaizumi Ryuu

The Nakaizumi Ryuu (Inner Spring Style) is composed by archers employing the "Kyokyuu" (Furious Bow) and the so-called "Crazy Arrows" in combat.

Arata Nakaizumi

Leader of the Nakaizumi. He fights Gama and almost end up killing him, but is spared. After the timeskip he sides with the Ogame Ryuu in their battle against the Muhou Ryuu. In the finale, he's shown to have survived the final invasion.

Aloof Archer: He's calm, cold and stern although he sometimes loses his cool. Also, unlike many other archer characters, he's shown to be really muscular after the Time Skip.
Crippling Overspecialization: All his skills revolves around the "Crazy Arrows" and their usage. Once an enemy has overcome them, he cannot defend himself in melee.
The Combat Pragmatist: Rather than waiting for him, he ambushes a wounded Gama as he's coming back from his fierce battle against the Tengen Ryuu.
Big Damn Heroes: Pulls one in chapter 110, joining the battle against the Muhou School and forcing them to leave.
A Father to His Men: While it's not dwelled upon, his disciples looks younger than him and judging by his reaction to their deaths, he was protective of them.
Great Bow: The Reigetsu is enormous, squared and almost as thick as a man's wrist, and it takes a large amount of strength to prepare and wield it. In return, with such bow Arata can shoot the deadly Hao arrows.
Improbable Aiming Skills: Semi-averted by the deadly Fang arrow: Even if it took seven years to master it, he can only hit targets in a certain area around him, as the Fang is very difficult to control.
Master Archer: He fights with a bow and arrows in a series where melee weapons are far more common. He trained for years and has gained enough skill to master not just normal arrows, but the deadly Kuruiya (Crazy Arrows), which includes a super-heavy arrow, one able to curve midflight and a monstrous four-pronged one capable of shredding flesh and bones to short range. In his first appearance (before his ulterior training) he claims he could pin all the falling leaves from a tree to the trunk without having a single one touching the floor.
Oh, Crap!: As Gama manages to slowly approaching him by parrying his arrows one by one.
- Post Time Skip, when he saw what Tsuchiryuu did to his pupils.
Took a Level in Badass: Post Time Skip, he returns after training more disciples, growing more muscular and mastering both the giant bow Reigestu and a new Crazy Arrow capable of severing a man's arm and breaking down a castle gate.
Trick Arrow: His specialty. So far he has used three of them, called the "Crazy Arrows" (Kuruiya): Devastation (Ha), a heavy arrow with a lead tip, Circle (En), a special arrow which can curve midflight and Fang (Kiba), a sharp arrow made for slashing and maiming the victim. He also has non-lethal arrows used for making smoke screens and sending signals.
- Post Time Skip we have Hao, Lord of Destruction, which can remove a man's limbs with ease and break down gates.
Villainous Breakdown: As he's slowly bested by Gama.
The Worf Effect: He tries to kill Toujou with a Hao arrow, but it fails because, as Toujou pointed out, he waited too long before letting the string go and the arrow lose power.

Kyosen Ryuu

Kyosen Ryuu (Thousand Mirrors Style) focuses on unarmed combat and attacks that can damage the inner organs and break bones. They try to ambush Gama while he's recovering from his battle against the Nakaizumi, but their members are killed, forcing them to use Sakon.

Sakon Daimaru

The supposed leader of the Kyosen Ryuu, Sakon is an extremely powerful warrior, but the hellish training forced on him by his ambitious elder brother Ryuugo ends up damaging his mind. Now Sakon is a beast-like warrior who fights only on instincts and fear.

Armor Is Useless: His long sleeves hide steel plates covering his arms. However, Gama manage to slice through them after a second try.
Axe-Crazy: He's an extremely brutal and vicious fighter who will do anything to win.
Bare-Fisted Monk: The fighting style of his school.
Blood Upgrade: In order to "awaken" him, Ryuugo presses his forehead until it starts to bleed. Furthermore the more he's wounded, the more he's obsessed with destroying the man who hurted him.
Extremity Extremist: Unlike the other members, Sakon can deliver an organ-crushing attack with his legs.
Freudian Excuse: As a child, he was a meek and kind boy who made a point to never kill his wounded opponents. Ryuugo saw his potential, and put him through downright inhumane training that involved being forced to kill to survive. He emerged from the training as a borderline-feral berserker who fights with pure rage.
Lightning Bruiser: Can be really fast and hit like a truck.
Nice Guy: Back when he was young, he was shown to have spared a ronin after breaking his sword, even he he was injured in combat, clearly showing no bad feelings. His brother didn't approve...
Odd Name Out: He's the only Daimaru child who lacks a number in his name.
Only a Flesh Wound: Apparently defeated when Gama slice his arm off, he still has the strength to rise back, kill his brother and charge at Gama one last time.
Screaming Warrior: When he goes berserk.
Technical Pacifist: Back when he was himself, he refused to kill his opponents, no matter how badly he was wounded. That didn't set well with Ryuugo.
The Dog Bites Back: He kills his brother Ryuugo (who was insulting him) by hitting his neck bones so hard he damages his own fingers.
Training from Hell: Ryuugo locked him in a dungeon and pitted him against a whole horde of adult prisoners, forcing him to kill them all or be mauled to death.
Tyke Bomb: For his brother.
Used to Be a Sweet Kid: He was absolutely adorable and kind. Ryuugo didn't approve.
Villainous Friendship: Type III with Ryuugo.

Ryuugo and Goro Daimaru

Members of the Kyosen Ryuu, Ryuugo is the de facto leader of the clan and considers Sakon as his trusty weapon. Goro is much more calm and less ruthless.

Ambition Is Evil: Ryuugo turned his adorable, peace-loving genius brother into a mindless killing machine for his plans.
Big Brother Bully: Ryuugo subjected his brother to inhumane training to turn him into an obedient tool for the clan.
Dragon Ascendant: Goro is the only surviving Kyosen Ryuu member.
Extreme Doormat: Sadly enough, Goro, despite being a better person than his brothers save for Sakon, did nothing at all to stop Ryuugo and the others.
Flash Step: Ryuugo can do a sort of "Flash Hop" in order to get close to the enemy in the blink of an eye. He calls this technique Koshuucho (Leap-kick in the void).
Hoist by His Own Petard: Ryuugo has his neck broken by Sakon.
Only Sane Man: Goro is the sanest and most reasonable of all the brothers, but alas not as assertive as Ryuugo.
Sibling Yin-Yang: Ryuugo is manipulative, competitive and power-hungry. Goro is calmer, nicer and actually cares for his clan. Sadly, is also less action-prone than Ryuugo.
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: Goro delivers one to Ryuugo after Sakon's death. Subverted when he realizes, half-way through, that Ryuugo has passed away.
Token Good Teammate: Arguably Goro, who doesn't even take part in the fight.
Virtue Is Weakness: Ryuugo seems to think so, judging by what he did to Sakon.

Shinosuke, Genzo and Soji

Members of the Kyosen Ryuu, they're the fourth, third and second child. They try to attack a wounded Gama but are easily killed.

Arrogant Kung-Fu Guy: All three of them.
Axe-Crazy: Genzo enjoys killing a little too much.
Curb-Stomp Battle: As Gama pointed out, if their fists don't connect, they're useless. Expecially bad with Soji, who's sliced offpanel.
Elite Mooks: Essentially they're this to Ryuugo.
Establishing Character Moment: Genzo violently kills Tani by blocking his lungs (so he can't call for help) and then by destroying his spleen and stomach, causing him to spill a lot of high pressure blood from the face.
Kick the Dog: What Genzo did to Tani.
The Starscream: Soji, who's willing to kill Ryuugo and take his place. However, he dies before he can try anything.
We Hardly Knew Ye: Unlike Goro, Ryuugo and Sakon we don't learn much of them before they're killed.
Wild Card: According to Goro, they always had trouble with them because they were rash and unpatient.

Kasanemanji Ryuu

A Ryuu focused in the use of the Kusarigama and similar chained weapons. It's also famed for managing to destroy one of the Five Dragons (strongest ryuu) in their first round, as well as murdering all the members of the other ryuu in their group.

Muraku Matsumoto

Leader of the Kasanemanji Ryuu (Layers of Manji), he's a stern and cold man feared by his own men. He later joins the Muhou Ryuu and become one of Jinsuke's personal guards but is eventually killed off for real by Gama.

Alliterative Name: The author even admits to liking this trope.
Armor Is Useless: Averted: He wears an almost unbreachable mail made from the hair of the people he murdered.
Axe-Crazy: Post Time Skip has grown much more sadistic and obsessed with Gama.
Bad Boss: Don't expect to live long under his rulership, especially if you manage to get him angry.
Bald of Evil: Decorated with markings. The author joked that is because of his baldness that he developed his hair fetish.
Berserk Button: When a nameless Muhou Ryuu mook calls him a weirdo for his homosexual tendencies, he answers back that he's pretty normal... and then headshots him with his chain.
Black Eyes of Crazy: Briefly during the last confrontation with Gama.
Blood Knight: Gets excited after fighting Gama and witnessing the Narukami in action.
Boring, but Practical: Muraku's Secret Weapon is a lot less flashy compared to the ones used by his men (He just add another chain and weight to the sickle) but it is possible far deadlier than theirs combined.
Cold-Blooded Torture: He did this to an entire bandit camp offscreen. Shin notices how every one of them was rendered unable to move, had his throat cut open and only later had his skull broken.
Depraved Homosexual: And tries to hit on Gama, which makes him a pedophile as well. He also claimed to have killed all the young warriors who he "loved".
Disproportionate Retribution: Post Time Skip, even just crossing swords with Gama without his approval will result in a chained weight to the head.
The Dreaded: His own men are scared shitless of him. The fact that he defeated one of the strongest local schools probably helped.
Dual Wielding: His Secret Weapon, Futakubi Jasho (Two Headed Snake Bell). It consist in two chains tipped with metal weigths.
Early-Bird Cameo: Back in the first chapter, in the flashback showing the daimyo announcing the Tournament, we have a shot of several warriors seen from behind. Muraku is there in the middle, though he wears a different outfit.
Enemy Mine: Briefly holds Saizo still so that Gama can remove the paralyzing needles and counterattack.
Epic Flail: His weapon is a Kusarigama, and he mostly uses the flail-side to attack.
- Exotic Weapon Supremacy: It's also noted that he can skillfully use the scythe to parry any attack, which is impressive as the scythe is not suited for defense.
Eye Scream: In his first fight he use his flail to smash the eyes out of his opponents.
Face–Heel Turn: Joins the Muhou Ryuu and becomes a member of Jinsuke's bodyguards.
Family-Unfriendly Death: Gets hit by Gama's Narukami X Kosen attack, which both stabs him and slice his intestines to ribbons.
Family-Unfriendly Violence: The second time he shows up, he smash open the heads of two underlings, to the point that there's a "censor block" over the hit area.
Knight of Cerebus: When he shows up the first time he's much stronger than Gama's ordinary opponents and nearly kills him.
Lecherous Licking: He licks his lips when excited, and even licks his own hair mail.
Nightmare Face: During his second and last battle against Gama.
No-Sell: After seeing Gama using the Narukami against Saizou he managed to memorize it and promised to find a way to neutralize it, and during his battle against Gama he goads him into using the Narukami so that he can block it. Subverted, as Gama remembered that detail and so modified the Narukami on the spot, allowing him to fatally wound Muraku.
Orgasmic Combat: A good fight will cause him to lick his lips. An excellent fight will literally give him an erection.
Stalker with a Crush: Has become one towards Gama and is reintroduced after he had spied his fight with the 47th Division from afar.
The Stoic: He's extremely serious.
- Not So Stoic: Get's excited to the point that he can't fight properly when facing powerful enemies.
Villainous Breakdown: "Why won't you accept my love, Gama kun?"

Jaki and Kotaro

Two members of the Kasanemanji Ryuu, they're the first opponent faced by Gama in the second half of the tournament.

Armor Is Useless: Averted, Jaki wears a chainmail that protects him from Gama's initial sword attack.
Avenging the Villain: Kotaro proclaims this when Jaki is killed by Gama.
Berserk Button: Jaki's is being called "Bastard" (or "Troll", depending on the translation).
Chain Pain: Kotaro's secret weapon, Mitsuboshi (Three Stars) is composed of three chains hanging from his sleeve. The "sickle" is now a Blade Below the Shoulder attached to a bracelet.
Combination Attack: Their specialty, Orochi, is a twin attack that changes direction at the last second, making it nigh impossible to dodge.
Epic Flail: Apart from their Kusarigama, they both have a secret "Deadly Weapon". Jaki has Jagon (Golden Snake), a massive spiked flail with a short chain attached to his sickle's blade, trading away the longer reach for a deadlier attack.
Impaled with Extreme Prejudice: Gama use the Kosen attack to "drill throught" Jaki's mail.
Obviously Evil: Jaki. Is short, bald, has a mean scar and one of his eyes has black sclera and white iris.
Oh, Crap!: When their boss Muraku shows up and tell them to quit their challenge.
Red Oni, Blue Oni: Jaki's the more impulsive and violent, while Kotaro is the more laid-back and calm.

Tamagakushi Ryuu

The Tamagakushi school (Hidden Soul School)is one of the many Ryuu focused on [[Ninja ninjutsu]] and member of the "Five Dragons". They decided to kill Naoyoshi and finish off the Ogame Ryuu at any cost.

Saizo Fujibayashi

The Leader of the clan, is a young and smug warrior who looks very confident in his skills. He's determinated to show that Ninjustu is better than any martial art. He's known for a secret technique that cause paralysis in his opponents.

Affably Evil: He can be scarily vicious if he has, but is nevertheless very polite and talkative.
Arrogant Kung-Fu Guy: Believes that his ninjutsu is the stronest art in all of Unabara. Could also count as Small Name, Big Ego in the context, since it's quickly shown that his ninja don't fare very well against professional warriors within the tournament's rules.
Cold-Blooded Torture: Notorious for performing one on an entire Ryuu who murdered one of the school's disciples as a punishment. They were all paralyzed, tortured to death and finished off with their own swords.
Curtains Match the Window: Green hair and eyes.
Department of Redundancy Department: When you really get down to it, his paralyzing jutsu is called Fudo Kanashibari no Jutsu, roughly translated as "Immobile Paralysis Technique".
Half the Man He Used to Be: How he dies, bisected by Gama's Narukami.
Improbable Aiming Skills: With his kunai. Specifically, he was able to hit a sitting man in the forehead, while said man was in a street and nearly covered by two guys and Saizo was standing on a roof nearly out of sight. Oh, all this at night.
Ninja: His style, which he boasts about being the deadliest of all.
No Celebrities Were Harmed/Shout-Out: Named after two famous Ninja from the Sengoku Period (Saizo Kirigakure and Nagato Fujibayashi).
The Paralyzer: Known for a secret technique that can paralyze a person, referred to as the secret technique of the Tamagakushi Ryuu. It involves throwing small but sturdy needles in the victim's joints and muscles.
Red Baron: "Soul Binder" Saizou, for his paralyzing powers.
Smug Snake: He loses his smug only once, when Muraku holds him still with his chains.
You Have Failed Me: Assassinates Hakuryuu before he can be interrogated.

Tamagakushi Disciples

The numberous disciples of the Tamagakushi school of Ninjutsu, most of them look identical, usually sporting odd facial markings on their faces. They attack various Ryuu in the second round such as the Ogame Ryuu, Kasanemanji Ryuu and Myoujin Ryuu, but are unsuccessful. Named members include Shu and Yagoro.

Brick Joke: Not really elaborated upon, but if you look closely, the X-faced member who swore revenge against Zenmaru is actually guarding the very same gate attacked by the Ogame School. It's implied that Zenmaru got him this time.
Bullying a Dragon: Yagoro and the other member have the gall to attack Muraku with a well-performed, but doomed, sneak attack.
Butt-Monkey: The nameless member with the X-shaped mark on his face barely survives Zenmaru's attack, is hired by the Muhou School only to be demoted to a low-ranking Spear Carrier, is beaten unconscious by Iori and the gate he guards is eventually attacked by the Ogame School on his turn.
Combat Pragmatist: They make up for their lack of skills with sneak attacks, poisons, hidden weapons, and the use of coordinated attacks delivered by multiple members at the same time. Notably the member who disguise himself as a harmless peasant to approach Zenmaru and grapple him into submission.
Conservation of Ninjutsu: Inverted, since they're individually weak, they make up for it by attacking in numbers, ganging up on their enemies. Shinnojo even admits that fighting off seven of them at once may be too much even for him.
Eye Scream: Yagoro and the other unnamed member have their eyes plucked out by Muraku's deadly kusarigama.
Facial Markings: Many of them sport reddish marks on their faces. Yagoro has a red line going over his eyes like a mask, while the nameless survivor has an X-shaped mark over his face. He states that he will keep it on until the day he can avenge his comrades and kill Zenmaru.
Ninja: As the author said, "Lots of Shinobis". However, they're much weaker than the standard Ryuu member of Unabara, to the point that they're hired as Mooks by the Muhou School.
Oh, Crap!: The member in disguise has this when Zenmaru, who was struggling against his hold, overpowers him and smashes his head against a wall.
Only Six Faces: An Invoked In-Universe example, most of the members look identical to each other, differentiated by facial markings, hairstyles and headbands, possibly as a nod to the "Shadow Clones" jutsu attribuited to ninjas in fiction.
Poisoned Weapon: Not shown (as the tournament rules ban poison) but Yagoro states that the battle would be much easier if he were allowed to use poison.
The Worf Effect: Introduced as one of the Five Dragons of Unabara, it's quickly revealed that they're not much of a challenge, with Shingo Midou wondering how could they become so weak. Even the author doubts their status as members of the Five Dragons.

Souen Ryuu

The Souen (Twin Swallow style) ryuu of swordsmen lead by Nikaido Misaku, the "Murderous Sword". They lost during the second turn of the tournament, but still decided to hang around Unabara killing and maiming as many people as possible.

Misaku Nikaido

Also known as "Murderous Sword" and "Destroyer of Dojo", he's a weird swordsman who loves to kill people and face powerful warriors in combat. He once destroyed Shinnojo's old dojo, the Itten Ryu but he lose an eye to the young samurai.

Ax-Crazy: Another fellow who is into killing way too much and not very sane.
Ambiguously Gay: Has earrings and polish nails and the kimono he wears is usually associated with women. According to the other wikia, he may as well be a Depraved Bisexual.
Blood Knight: Murders whole dojos and leaves a young Shinnojo alive in hope that he'll come back to fight him when he'll get stronger.
Boring, but Practical: His style merely involves parrying with one sword and attacking with the other. He has other tricks up his sleeve though.
Dual Wielding: His style involves two swords, giving him a powerful defense.
Eye Scream: Shin cut out one of his eyes. He's killed when Shin stabs his other eye and then cuts open his skull with the Tanryu Hibaku attack.
Good Scars, Evil Scars: On his left eye, courtesy of Shin.
Griefer: Even after being disqualified from the second match, he and his men are still hanging around, slashing people up For the Lulz and hindering the other warriors.
Hoist by His Own Petard: Spares a young Shinnojo and taunt him to become stronger, so that he'll get more fame from slaying him. However Shin became so powerful that he eliminate him in a few blows.
Small Name, Big Ego: Thinks he's more than a match for Kurogane Jinsuke. Reflected in the name of his secret technique, called Muhi Musou Renjin (Invincible Unparalled Combined Blades).
The Worf Effect: Despite being so hyped and feared, he managed to inflict just one tiny slash on Shinnojo's arm.

Amane and Ukyo

Members of the Souen Ryuu, easily killed by Shinnojo.

Bullying a Dragon: Amane did this to Shinnojo and as a result, was killed before he could even understand his mistakes.
Early-Bird Cameo: Amane is seen among the various warriors inside Unabara's castle before the beginning of the second round.
Elite Mook: They're more powerful than ordinary warriors, but still too weak compared to serious fighters.
Impaled with Extreme Prejudice: Ukyo, on a wall, and by his own blade no less.
Noodle Incident: We didn't see how Ukyo is defeated, but we find him impaled to a cracked wall by his own blade, and upside down to boot.
Off with His Head!: Amane, mid-sentence no less.
We Hardly Knew Ye: So bad that even the author neglected to mention them in the extra dedicated to the defeated warriors and almost forgot their names.
The Worf Effect: So bad that Ukyo is killed offscreen by Iori in a panel.

Myoujin Ryuu

The Myoujin Ryuu (Enlightened Gods) is a martial arts school that specializes in Sojutsu. A style that has existed for over a hundred years and is known as one of the "Five Dragons of Unabara". The style passes down its techniques by continually handing down four unique Japanese spears to four wielders. These wielders are known as "The Four Divine Spears". While there are many 'disciples', only the four who wield one of these spears are considered members of the Myoujin Ryuu. Fought against the Ogame Style in the Second Round.

Shingo Midou

One of the four divine spears. Wields the spear,Onidachi(Demon Splitter). He inherited the spear after his master was killed by Kurogane Jinsuke.

Anime Hair: Back when he was an apprentice his hair was normal, but now his hairstyle is.. well, unique.
Big Guy: The most muscular and imposing of the divine spears. Justified, as Onidachi weighs a whopping 20kg yet he wields it with the ease and control of one of his own limbs.
Bigger Is Better: His Onidachi is around 3 meters long (about ten feet), and its blade alone is 3 feet long.
- BFS: It's also pointed out that the blade is very heavy but does affect the morale of the enemy.
Blade Run: Gama does this to his spear.
Blood Knight: Not as severe as many other characters in the cast, but he still enjoys a good fight, seemingly getting a huge kick out of his duel with Gama. He complains about one of the rival schools he destroyed being far too weak for his liking.
Blood Upgrade: Becomes even stronger after being wound by Gama.
Boisterous Bruiser: Far less than Zenmaru, but he's still an upbeat and energetic man with incredible strength, deep love for battle and respect for his opponents. Sasuke tells Zenmaru that the swordsman actually reminds him of Shingo.
Determinator: When he was training to be the successor of the Onidachi, he put all his time aside from eating and sleeping into training. To the point that he ended up doing fourty thousand strikes daily in order to train his style.
Died Standing Up: Winning Gama's respect.
Early-Bird Cameo: First seen in the crowd in Unabara castle when the Daimyo explains the rules for the second round.
Enlightenment Superpowers: He needed to build serious strength in order to wield Onidachi, but that alone isn't what makes him so skilled. After years upon years of grueling training, he had a stroke of comprehension in the middle of a workout and suddenly he and Onidachi were one and the same. Esoteric stuff aside, this means he can handle a spear that weighs 20kg and is four meters from point to butt as if it were an extension of his own body.
Heroic Build: His training made him so physically powerful that his body is described as perfection.
Lightning Bruiser: His weapon weigths 48 pounds but he can be extremely quick and swift with it, to the point that he can block a surprise attack from Gama at a moment's notice.
Muscles Are Meaningful: In order to master the Onidachi, he had to build a lot of muscle on his lanky frame.
Nice Guy: Outside of battle, and especially in comparison with Sasuke and Banri, Shingo's not a bad person. He even asks to Gama if he hates his father and why he's so eager to fight him.
Red Baron: "Demon Splitter" Midou Shingo.
Red Eyes, Take Warning: When close to death, his eyes become bloodshot and his skills skyrocket, leading to the first serious injury on Gama.
Religious and Mythological Theme Naming: All the techniques of his spear come from Buddhist terms and are named after the Vajura (the adamantine thunderbolt associated with indian deities). For example, the Rakan Jikazuki (Strike of the Invicible Ahrat) refers to the Ahrat, a wise men who reached Nirvana but didn't became a Buddha.
- Furthermore, as a recurring theme naming among the four Divine Spears, "Midou" can be translated as "Sacred Shrine".
Training Montage: Twice in flashbacks. Once in his youth, training with wooden spears to bulk up his scrawny frame. Then a second time after his master's death, with Onidachi, to master the weapon itself.
Wrecked Weapon: By the time the fight is over, the massive blade of Onidachi is chipped and worn out after being hit with Aragami.

Genma Baraki

Former Divine Spear and wielder of Onidachi. He taught Shingo the techniques of Onidachi and pushed him to train hard enough to master the spear. Was slain by Jinsuke.

Dare to Be Badass: When he notices how scrawny Shingo was, he called him weak but also goaded him into training harder to master the Onidachi. It worked.
Diagonal Cut: When we see his corpse, he has a noticeable deep gash across his body, right under his arm.
Drill Sergeant Nasty: Blunt and to-the-point, he downright mocks Shingo for thinking that someone that scrawny could ever wield the Onidachi, but also dared him to become its owner in spite of his scrawny build.
Posthumous Character: He only appears in a flashback narrating Shingo's story and his training to master Onidachi.
So Proud of You: In spite of his initial mockery, he's seen supervising Shingo's training under the rain with an approving grin. When Shingo becomes strong enough to be declared a successor, he openly compliments him with pride.

Sasuke Sakakibara

Wields the spear Beninuki (Crimson Extractor). He became the successor after killing all of the other potential successors. Despite his cute looks, he's a mad killer.

In Shura, we learn that Sasuke was actually the second candidate to Beninuki after the more talented Mashima Kitaro, who left the Myojin Ryuu and bestowed the Beninuki to his beloved Sasuke.

Adaptation Expansion: We learn more about Sasuke's past and background in Shura.
Alliterative Name: Both his name and surname start with "sa".
Axe-Crazy: He's so blood-thirsty and insane that he can't even be a proper Blood Knight.
Calling Your Attacks: Chigarami (Blood Weave).
Creepy Child: He "inherited" his spear by slaughtering his fellow disciples when he was just a kid. The flashback shows us Sasuke as a child, smiling amidst the aftermath of his massacre, holding a human heart in his hand.
Curb Stomp Cushion: Villainous version: he almost behead Zenmaru, but as the latter gets really serious, he start to lose pieces. Literally.
Cute Bruiser: Looks the youngest of the four, but he's still deadly. He was only a child when he massacred his way into the group.
Ear Ache: Suffers an extreme version when the Sadanaga chops off his hear along with a generous tract of skin around it. In Shura, we learn that Kitaro carries around Sasuke's severed ear as a memento.
Even Evil Has Loved Ones: While he's generally a well-hidden psycho unless bloodlust gets the better of him and eventually killed all his co-students, Shura reveals that he loved and respected his senpai Kitaro and eventually became his uke.
Half the Man He Used to Be: And good riddance!
Informed Attribute: Jinno notes that Sasuke has developed thousands of techniques for Beninuki. Whether this claim was hyperbolic or literal, we only see a few attacks in his single fight. Justified when we learn that he's not the "true" owner of Beninuki.
Killer Rabbit: Oh, dear god...
Names to Run Away from Really Fast: His spear is called "Crinsom Extractor" and that is exactly what it does. Sasuke's nickname is "Heart Ripper".
Nightmare Face: When he start fighting for real.
Orgasmic Combat: He gets quite excited at the prospect of spilling blood, and even blushes with Bishie Sparkles in the heat of combat.
Red Baron: See Names to Run Away from Really Fast
Religious and Mythological Theme Naming: "Sakakibara" means "Sakaki Field", with Sakaki being a sacred tree.
Sinister Scythe/Hooks and Crooks: What makes his spear special, is the curved scythe-like prong on one side of the blade. They also liken him to a Shinigami.
Slasher Smile: Unsurprisingly, given his approach to battle, he's prone to creepy grins.
Spin Attack: His secret move, Chigarami, involves a thrust delivered with a spinning motion that, because of the blade's asymmetrical shape, causes the shaft to sway, making the strike powerful and hard to predict.
The Stoic: Turns into a Not So Stoic when in battle, and even less stoic when Zenmaru actually wounds him.
Throwing Your Sword Always Works: His trump card is to throw his spear. His fight with Zenmaru averts the trope, however.
Villainous Breakdown: He starts to lose it when Sadanaga starts to chop him off.

Ichiou Jinno

The oldest of the four divine spears. Wields the Ginkan (Silver Gate Bar). Is quickly defeated in two blows by Iori and later plays an unexpected role in Juho's defeat.

Bullying a Dragon: He really shouldn't have challenged Iori.
Butt-Monkey: Of the Four Divine Spears, is probably the most pitiable one, as he survived against Jinsuke by sheer accident, trained twelve years in vain, was the only one who believed in the Four Spears (ok, maybe Shingo too) and then gets unceremoniously defeated by Iori.
Combat Commentator: With Banri, during Shingo and Sasuke's battles.
Cool Old Guy: He may be old but can take care of himself.
Curb-Stomp Battle: Tries to spear Iori. Two punches later he's twitching on the ground with his jaw broken, almost all his teeth gone and with three shattered ribs.
Informed Ability: Unlike his young companions, he's been a divine spear for over two decades, and made quite a name for himself despite having the simplest spear of the four. His confidence and Ranmaru's warnings imply that he may be even more dangerous than Shingo or Sasuke, but we don't get to see much of his spear technique.
Odd Name Out: His spears' name is probably the least threatening name ever for a weapon.
Religious and Mythological Theme Naming: "Jinnou" means "Divine Field".
Trauma-Induced Amnesia: Yup, Iori hit him that hard.
Sole Survivor: The only one of the four divine spears to live after fighting Kurogane Jinsuke. According to Banri, he slipped and lost consciousness before the battle started, that's why he was spared.
The Worf Effect: Iori didn't even need his sword to beat him.

Banri Omiya

Banri Wields the spear Kuyou (Navagraha). Joins the Muhou School before fighting the Oogame school, seeking to obtain the power of Kurogane Jinsuke

Blade Spam: Thanks to the signature tube on his Kuyo, he can deliver extremely fast attacks in series, sometimes so fast they're seemingly simultaneous.
Calling Your Attacks: The biggest amount of named techniques outside of the Ogame Ryuu, as if to showcase the style of his spear. They consist in: Jinshiki' (Speed Style), Gousen and Nanausen (Five Bladed Fan and Seven Bladed Fan), Jasen and Soujasen (Snake Twist and Twin Snakes Twist) and, last but not least, Hassai Kaigan'' (Enlightnement of the Eight Stars).
Child Prodigy: Became the successor of the Kuyou when he was seven. At the same age his father taught him how to use Hassai Kaigan, a technique so difficult that even he, the current wielder, never managed to pull off.
Diagonal Cut: How he finally meet his end.
Evil Counterpart: Fancies himself as the evil rival of Shinnojo.
Face–Heel Turn: Betrays his own comrades and joins the Muhou Ryuu.
Graceful Loser: So it seems at first. When his comrades are defeated and he stands alone against the four members of the Ogame school, he graciously concedes defeat. But then he admits it has far less to do with grace and more with his own selfishness and personal motives, coldly telling his frightened master that he has no intention of dying for some lord or spear school.
Kick the Dog: He never considered the other three Spears as "comrades".
Lightning Bruiser: Thanks to his spear's tube, he can quickly recover from any attack and can spam his stabbing attack at will.
- Super-Speed: Hassai Kaigan can unleash eight thrusts in less than a second, bordering in this.
Oh, Crap!: He didn't expect Shin to sacrifice his own left shoulder to grab his spear and finish him off.
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: To both Naokatsu and Ichiou.
Religious and Mythological Theme Naming: "Omiya" means "Great Temple".
Scars Are Forever: Gets a scar on his face during his second battle against Shinnojo.
Screw This, I'm Outta Here: He quit the fight against the Ogame Ryuu and declare the defeat of the Myojin Ryuu. Partially subverted as he just changed his allegiance rather than leaving.
This Is a Drill: Jasen, Soujasen and Hassai Kaigan all revolve around using the spear's tube to spin the spear itself during a thrust, resulting in a drill-like, hard to predict strike. The last one is so fast and powerful that can apparently hit the target eight times simultaneously.
"Well Done, Son" Guy: A complicated example, Banri seems obsessed with his father's demise, but on one hand he despised him for losing everything, on the other hand he wants to make him proud by leading the opposite lifestyle and surpass his reputation. Even the author expresses his perplexity on his philosophy.
The Worf Effect: An oddly enough, self-inflicted: During his third "fated" confrontation with Shinnojo, he's almost instantly wounded because, as Shin pointed out, he let him see his spear technique too many times, allowing him to learn how to beat it.
You Killed My Father: His father, the previous master of Kuyou, was killed by Kurogane Jinsuke. Subverted in that he doesn't seems too angry at the Muhou School.

Kannari Ryuu

One of the Five Dragons of Unabara, focused on kenjutsu. Most specifically, iaijutsu.

Gensai Kizaki

One of the oldest and strongest swordsmen from Unabara, he's a vicious fighter who can and will kill for no reason. Because of him, Unabara was known as the Lair of the Demons, and is an ally of the Ogame Ryuu. During the final attack on the citadel, he fights against his former pupil Shimon but is killed.

Badass Boast: Does them here and there. Most notably when he casually asks Kiichi (who's been overlooking him during the battle) if he can kill him, since his guard has so many openings.
Badass Longcoat: Wore one during his golden years, with the kanji for "Peerless Sword" on its back.
Berserk Button: Tsuchiryuu pushed his when he wounded him in battle.
But for Me, It Was Tuesday: Nope, he doesn't remember what he did to Shimon, though he may was just trolling him.
Cool Old Guy: One of the oldest and strongest characters.
The Dreaded: Many in Unabara fear his name.
Early-Bird Cameo: Back in the first chapter, in the flashback showing the daimyo announcing the Tournament, we have a shot of several warriors seen from behind. Gensai can be seen on the right.
Enemy Mine: Helps the Ogame Ryuu against Jinsuke after the Time Skip.
Eye Scream: Loses his left eye to Shimon's Nagisengestu attack.
Iaijutsu Practitioner: Sometimes he's so quick that his movements are too fast to follow. He can even cut someone twice in a row with what seems to be one swift movement. Plus, the secret of his Quick Draw involves pulling the scabbard as he draw the sword.
Killed Off for Real: Facing his strongest pupil with an injured foot and his eye damaged was too much even for him.
Master Swordsman: One of the strongest around.
Mr. Vice Guy: He raids the corpses of his victims looking for money and stating that dead people don't need money anyway. He also admits that he takes the women and money of all his defeated opponents.
Red Baron: The Sword Fiend
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: Delivers one to Shimon, explaining him that even if he's more skilled than him at iaijutsu and in a better shape, Gensai is far more experienced than him when it comes to reflexes as he fought far more duels to death in the past.
This Cannot Be!: His last words, along with one final Badass Boast.

Muhou Ryuu

A recently formed Ryuu that is made of many different styles. Their objective is to make an army of powerful soldiers to create the strongest army of all times. The name means "Treasure of Void School".

Jinsuke Kurogane

Gama's father, he was the former leader of the Ogame Ryuu and infamously known as the "Killer of a Thousand Men". He left the dojo and is currently missing. However, rumors say that he'll partecipate to the Unabara Tournament. For the slaughter of most of the Ogame Ryu who opposed him, Gama and the other Ogame Ryuu warriors want him dead. His goal is to turn the Muhou Ryuu in an army of super powerful warriors belonging to the strongest martial schools and use it to conquer Kyushu and later Japan. However, near the end of the series is revealed that he's dying of a mysterious illness. As the Bakufu crushes his school, he eventually dies after defeating Iori and having a last talk with his son.

Armor-Piercing Question: Delivers a scathing one to a young Banri when he declares his intention of avenge his father.
Jinsuke:" Be honest to yourself, kid. A man who wins and obtains everything.... a man who dies and loses everything... which one would you like to become?"
Badass Cape: Is shown wearing one during the assault on the Myojin Ryuu.
Bad Boss: Try to desert? Good, you're in for being beaten to death with your own weapon.
Big Bad: Of the series.
Blood Knight: Decides to wait a whole year before attacking the Ogame School
Boring, but Practical: Also bordering with Mundane Made Awesome, all his attacks are unnamed slashes delivered with such speed and power that all his opponents are left speechless at his might. He's become such a great swordman that these nameless attacks are all he need to win. Downplayed when we learn, in Shura, that he developed his own sixth style for the Ogame School called Tenchi Kata (Form of Creation).
Captain Ersatz: Of Yujiro Hanma from Manga/Baki. An unstoppable One-Man Army considered the World's Strongest Man by many with a Might Makes Right mentality. Both have an Antagonistic Offspring relationship with their son, who were noted to have inherited their father's insane potential at a young age and wish to defeat and surpass them to avenge their deceased loved ones.
Face–Heel Turn: Slaughtered the entire Ogame school that didn't follow him (save for Shin, Zenmaru, Gama, Iori, and Oizumi) after becoming the leader.
Faux Affably Evil: He's incredibly affable and polite to those he views as worthy fighters, but views everyone who doesn't measure up to his ideals with contempt and will not hesitate to torture or even kill underlings that fail him.
Handicapped Badass: Dying of an incurable illness is everything but an obstacle to his fighting skills.
Lightning Bruiser: In battle he's shown to be nearly too fast to see. To cup it all, he can move at an incredible speed from any stance, making him unpredictable.
The Man Behind the Man: Becomes one for Naoyoshi and was the one behind the whole Unabara Tournament along with Yukio, Naoyoshi's mother.
Master Swordsman: He can unleash up to six slashes in a row effortlessly. This when even Iori can do only three. Shura reveals that, unknown to most, he secretly developed another Sword Form, the "Tenchi no Kata" (Heaven and Earth Form), which he only entrusted to his co-disciple Hanjiro and that he wants to pass on to Gama and Iori.
Might Makes Right: He feels that his swordmastery and strength will allow him to obtain everything he covets.
One-Man Army: Long ago he suddenly rampaged through Unabara and killed a thousand of warriors from various Ryuu and then he disappeared. Hence his nickname. Its worth noting that he accomplished such a feat over the course of three years.
Shrouded in Myth: For the first part of the manga.
Slasher Smile: In the first volume he's shown with a demonic grin on his face.
The Sociopath: Ticks all of the boxes for sociopathy: he's superifically charming, but he manipulates others with ease and doesn't care who he hurts as long as he achieves his goals.
Super-Senses: His secret is a mundane variation of this, known as the "Eyes of Divine Perception" (Tengaku no Me), incredibly keen eyes that allows him to notice even the slightest movement, allowing Jinsuke to anticipate any attack or evading any defense thanks to his fighting prowess.
Take Over the World: Or rather take over Japan, his goal.
Visionary Villain: His plans in the long run involve take over Japan and turn it into a nation of warriors and martial artists where Might Makes Right.
White Hair, Black Heart: He had white hair since childhood, paired with a cold-blooded personality and desire for might and power.
World's Strongest Man: Jinsuke is easily the strongest character of the story, and is highly implied to be the most skilled swordsman of Japan. By the end of the manga, he dies undefeated in combat.
You Don't Look Like You: The first time he appears in a flashback he's depicted with a demonic-looking man with pointy black hair and sharp visage traits. When he's shown in the Myojin Ryuu's flashback he's shown as a calmer, more handsome man with short wavy hair and a black cape.
Your Days Are Numbered: In chapter 172 he's seen coughing blood and keeping it a secret from Nachi, and thinks about settling things as soon as possible. Confirmed by Ranmaru in chapter 186 that he's ill, and this eventually does him in.

Jinsuke's Personal Corps

Ranmaru Itou

A swordmaster who's partecipating to the Tournament and desires to face Gama. He has been trained by Jinsuke Kurogane himself, and is revealed to be the leader of Jinsuke's bodyguards. After the Time Skip he's used as Naoyoshi's bodyguard and is eventually defeated by Gama during the final assault on Unabara Castle, later succumbing to his wounds.

Art Evolution: Looks quite different from his first appearence after the time skip.
Brutal Honesty: He's not shy about telling Zenmaru what his odds against the Divine Spears are.
Counter-Attack: According to Kashitarou, Ranmaru's an expert of the "Intersection Style" (Kosahou), which involves this. Coupled with his Eyes of Divine Sight, makes him nearly invincible. Curiously, the name of his style is actually associated with boxing.
Curb-Stomp Battle: Delivers a particularly crushing one to Gama, causing him to have a breakdown.
Cryptic Conversation: Has one with Gama the first time they meet..
Dark and Troubled Past: He was an orphan who was particulary gifted form martial arts thanks to his eyes, and yet was forced to live like a stray dog, killing people to survive and being called a monster for his abilities before Jinsuke adopted him.
The Dragon: Likely to Jinsuke. He's also his only other direct disciple.
Dude Looks Like a Lady: Apparently is a must when your name is Ranmaru. Averted after the Time Skip.
Evil Counterpart: To Gama. Is even revealed that he has the same Eyes as Jinsuke and Gama.
Killed Off for Real: Injured by Gama's Kamui, he's spared by the youth but eventually dies from the wound.
Master Swordsman: Specifically his fighting style is focused on counter attacks, he's also one of the two people (the other being Iori) who had the honor of being trained by Jinsuke himself.
Oh, Crap!: Post Time Skip, when Gama snaps his sword in half. The shock though it's quickly replaced by rage, but it's still the first time we get a reaction from him.
Pet the Dog: His friendship with Naoyoshi is seemingly genuine and uninfluenced by his duty to keep an eye on him.
The Stoic: Most of the time he tends to be emotionless.
Super-Senses: He too happens to have the Eyes of Divine Sight. Unlike Gama, Jinsuke istantly recognized his skill and trained Ranmaru accordingly.
You Shall Not Pass!: Heroically defends Naoyoshi against hordes of Bakufu soldiers when they try to kill him And ''no one'' does.

Shimon Kudo

A warrior who has been watching over Gama during the first half of the tournament. Turns out he's working for Ranmaru. During the Ogame Ryuu assault on Unabara's castle, is revealed that he used to be Gensai's pupil. In the finale he survived the Shogunate invasion and now intends to carry on the techniques of the Kannari Ryuu and Jinsuke's will.

Affably Evil: Very friendly despite being an antagonist.
Awesomeness by Analysis: Manages to learn and master the Ultimate Technique Manjinuki on the spot after receiving the attack from Gensai once.
Calling Your Attacks: Nagisengetsu (Placid Crescent Moon) and Sagiuchi (Heron Strike).
Dragon Ascendant: Leads the remnants of the Muhou Ryuu in Shura, but he tries to persuade Gama to lead them.
Enigmatic Minion: Kujou even admitted that noone, except for Jinsuke, knows about his past.
Hero Killer: Ends up defeating and killing Gensai.
Hostage Situation: In Shura It's highly implied he kidnapped Naoyoshi to push Gama to cooperate.
Hypercompetent Sidekick: Seems to be one for Ranmaru during the first part. Turns out he was his superior.
Iaijutsu Practitioner: Used to train under Gensai Kizaki and has not lost his touch. If anything, he has managed to surpass his master.
Karma Houdini: Technically yes, if you consider him a villain.
Let's Get Dangerous!: In chapter 166 he finally decides to stop fooling around and goes after the Ogame School, claiming to have a personal score to settle. Oh, he also unties his hair.
Nice Guy: Despite being a subordinate of Jinsuke he's quite a pleasant, talkative fellow, and goes along with most of his co-workers (except for Arimaru, who creeps him out).
Not-So-Harmless Villain: Thought he was Ranmaru's lapdog? He's actually his co-worker.
Oh, Crap!: Looks like he didn't expect Gensai's fierce attack. Though he managed to parry it in time.
Offscreen Moment of Awesome: It's revealed in the last chapter that he managed to recover Jinsuke's corpse from the main keep and carry it out of the city besieged by the Bakufu soldiers.
Pet the Dog: He gives Gensai a proper burial and even swear on his tomb that he'll carry on the Kannari School out of respect to his swordsmanship.
Start of Darkness: He apparently turned "evil" after being forced to kill his best friend in a duel to see if he was ready to learn the secrets of the Kannari School.
Throwing Your Sword Always Works: Uses a Quick Draw to throw his katana at Gensai's face, blinding him for long enough to grab the sword and strike his face with his secret attack, Nagisengetsu (Placid Crescent Moon).
Undying Loyalty: Confirmed by Ranmaru to have this for Jinsuke.
Younger Than He Looks: He claims to be around the same age as Gama, but he looks older.

Tsuchiryuu

A masked member who gloats about his stealthiness and skill. According to Gensai he fights with a style native to China. In the finale, he and Jinku survived the final battle and are going to carry on Jinsuke's will after burying him in a secret location.

Appears in Shura as the 69th Hyakken, under the name of Kurose Ryu, and later reveals his past as "Kokuryuu", former low-rank member of the Shogunate assassin squad Genkai Tenpei.

Anime Hair: Hair tied in a multi-pronged tail on the back of his head.
Badass Boast: Even after Shinsuke's defeat, he claims that he will still kill Iori, Kamedenbo and Gensai. When the latter calls him out on this, Tsuchiryuu calmly replies that he wasn't joking.
Bare-Handed Blade Block: Does this to Kamedenbo of all people!
Combat Pragmatist: Even more so than other characters. For example he takes fully advantage of his opponent's dead angle to strike him.
Counter-Attack: His main and only technique, referred to as Musou Ranbu (Peerless Chaotic Dance) consist in deviating an incoming attack with one axe while moving forward inside the opponent's dead angle to deliver a fatal attack.
Defeat Means Friendship: Downplayed, but Shura reveals that he was an assassin of the Bakufu sent to kill Jinsuke, but was defeated by him, spared and persuaded to join him.
Dual Wielding: One weapon per hand. It's essetitial for his fighting technique.
Exotic Weapon Supremacy: His weapon is a Chinese Mandarin Duck axes, a peculiar weapon consisting in two sharp crescent-shaped blades interlocked in an oval shape. He also carries a Dao instead of a Wakizashi. Works in his favor since this highly unusual weapon, paired with his movements, leave Gensai unable to read his move and counteract. It nicely foreshadows his former affiliation with the Genkai Tenpei in Shura.
Faux Affably Evil: When it comes to serious business he's mean.
Karma Houdini: He's one of the most villainous members of the school, massacres Arata's disciples and eventually gets away scot free.
Mask Power: The lower side of his face is covered, and he also has a grinning mask which is soon discarded. The one time he appears unmasked, the rest of his face isn't shown.
Ninja: His overall appearence, he has also performed stealthy actions. Jinsuke even instructed him and Jinkuu with carrying the will of the Muhou School from the shadows.
Only One Name: A trait shared by other onmitsu characters like Jinku and Tsukikage. In Shura, he uses the alias of "Kurose Ryuu", 69th member of the Hyakka Bakken, but his original name was "Kokuryuu".
Undying Loyalty: His boss is dying, most of the elites are gone and the enemy has an army of 1000 and more soldiers? Not a problem, he still kills Tsukikage for his boss. By the time of Shura he's still working for Jinsuke's plan.

Kiyomori Yamanoue

Former member of the Genkon Ryuu (Stringed Soul School), he's a deadly martial artist known as the "Lord of the Doom Fist", capable of incapacitating people with precise strikes. After defeating Zenmaru, he's killed by Kashitarou who use his own technique against him.

Affably Evil: Sadistic bastard or not, the guy's surely friendly.
And Show It to You: His strongest attack Senga Jinkei result in this.
Arrogant Kung-Fu Guy: In spades. The quirky thing is, that he somehow manages to be this and Affably Evil at the same time!
Bare-Fisted Monk: Another one, like the previously mentioned Kyosen School.
Bare-Handed Blade Block: Does this to the Sadanaga Kutaragi.
Brutal Honesty: The second thing we see him doing is telling a group of soldiers that they shouldn't take on the Ogame Ryuu because they're too weak. In his own words: "What's the matter if I tell some weaklings that they're weak?" The soldiers dont' take it lightly.
Calling Your Attacks: Tenmyaku Kisatsu (Heavenly Pulse Killer) and Senga Jinkei (Piercing Fang of Divine Power).
Charles Atlas Superpower: The above mentioned Senga Jinkei? Is achieved by focusing all the strength in the fingers pointed as a spear and capable of piercing a human torso (ribs and all) all the way through. Even if it doesn't strike the chest it can still tear flesh away from the body.
Curb-Stomp Battle: Inflicts one on Zenmaru.
Dude Looks Like a Lady: Kashitarou even calls him "Bishōnen" in a mocking way.
Explaining Your Power to the Enemy: He does this. Usually, right after landing the blow on said enemies, when they cannot do anything to counter.
Graceful Loser: "Kashitarou-san... you really are a genius.."
Hoist by His Own Petard: Kashitarou use the same nerve-striking hits as him to stab his nerves and defeat him.
Lecherous Licking: Licks his lips when he's deciding which Ogame School member he'll kill first. On the other hand, he was having a snack...
The Paralyzer: Induce paralysis with carefully placed hits. He calls the technique Tenmyakusastu (Heavenly Nerve Killer).
Red Baron: Lord of the Doom Fist (Kyoken Ou in the original).
What the Fu Are You Doing?: Subverted, he actually plays clumsy to catch his opponets offguard.

Muraku Matsumoto, see Kasanemanji Ryuu

Banri Omiya, see Myoujin Ryuu

Shungaku Toujou

The oldest and most powerful of the bodyguards, he's Baian Maki's master. Jinsuke sent him to Edo to act as a spy on the forces of the Shogunate. Founder of the Toujou Ryuu of Naginatajutsu.

In Shura we learn that he's the 6th Hyakken and the and after Jinsuke's death joined the Shogunate forces, only to betray them when he heard that Gama was going to become the next head of the Muhou Ryuu.

Affably Evil: If it weren't for his orders or loyalty to Jinsuke' he'd be a great drinking buddy.
The Alcoholic: Carries around a huge gourd of saké.
An Arm and a Leg: In Shura, after he's taken prisoner, Gajiara personally tortures him and severs his right arm, delivering it to Iori to show what happened.
Badass Boast: Claims that a fully mastered naginata is the best weapon ever, not including the firearms.
Blood Knight: While he's more restrained and affable than many, he's still this, deep down. He even mentally admits to himself that to him, carnage is like water to a fish.
Bolivian Army Ending: The last time we see him, he's facing the hordes of the Bakufu soldiers, cutting them down as if there's no tomorrow. He's not seen in the finale, but someone saved Arata, who was near him, implying that he escaped to safety. He downright returns in Shura.
Boring, but Practical: When cornered, he makes use of his only secret technique Koou Haga (Tiger King Crushing Fang), which is, essentially, a reverse but proportionally stronger upward counterpart of Baian's own Tsubame technique (see above).
Bunny-Ears Lawyer: A bit quirky, like his disciple Baian, and spends a good portion of his reunion with Jinsuke drinking and ignoring everyone. However, he's also Jinsuke's most trusted and possibly strongest warrior, so his boss tolerate his quirks.
Cool Old Guy: One of the many.
The Dragon: One of Jinsuke's most trusted men, if not his actual right-hand man.
Enemy Mine: Pulls a You Shall Not Pass! against Tsukikage's goons and tells Gama to go forth and save Naoyoshi.
Enigmatic Minion: After attacking Gama, he tries to dissuade him by pointing out that even if Gama kills him, he'll still have to fight thousands of soldiers and warriors to get to Naoyoshi. When Gama answers that he will still go on even alone, Toujou sneers and offer a "good advice" to the young warrior.
Oh, Crap!: Gama brings down his large bisento and almost behead him by sliding the sword along the naginata's pole.
Perma-Stubble: Has traces of beard, making him look older and craftier than the other cleanly-shaven characters.
Undying Loyalty: As a warrior, he has this for Jinsuke. Upon his death he left the Muhou Ryuu, and returned only when he learnt that Gama was going to lead them.
Wake-Up Call Boss: A non-videoludic example: He's likely Jinsuke's strongest warrior, and he's the second opponent faced by Gama just as he enters the inner citadel.
Worthy Opponent: Considers Gama one after their brief clash, and hearing that he was going to lead the Muhou Ryu is enough to make him ditch the Shogunate just for another chance at fighting him.

Shinsuke Tsurumaru

A fair-headed swordsman. Mastered the Kamigaki Ryu ("Divine Wall" style). Wields a special sword made up with two different blades united on one handle. Killed by Iori after a long duel.

BFS: Once the sword is complete it's far broader than usual, though the length doesn't change. According to Shinsuke, it's at least twice as heavy as a standard sword.
I Call It "Vera": His sword, Souenmaru (Twin Flame Circle).
Confusion Fu: What makes his Souen Sharin (Twin Flame Wheel) so dangerous, is the fact that this technique doesn't have a proper stance, but he can execute it from any stance, angle or place, each time delivering a different, deadly blow. Even Iori is taken aback at first.
Lightning Bruiser: He can channel several attacks in a single, fluid movement.
No-Nonsense Nemesis: Hates Kiyomori's antics and is extremely serious and dedicated to the cause.
Oddly Shaped Sword: An hollow broadsword formed by two katana blades on a single hilt.
Oh, Crap!: He couldn't predict Iori's decision to stab his own leg to block his sword.
The Stoic: It takes a lot to get a reaction from him.
Villainous Valor: Even when grieviously wounded and blinded in one eye, he still gathers enough willpower to grab his sword with both hands for blocking Iori's attack. Too bad it's not enough.
We Hardly Knew Ye: Out of all the bodyguards so far is probably the one who gets the less characterization, and whose sole purpose is to provide a serious challenge to Iori.

Jinkuu / Kuugetsu Fuji

A masked, ninja-like warrior who seems to be close to Tsuchiryuu. Not much is known about him. In the finale he and Tsuchiryuu are going to carry on Jinsuke's will.

In Shura, he appears as the 63rd member of the Hyakka Bakken under the name of Shirasu Jin, and is revealed that he's an exponent of the fabled "Fuji Clan", a secret corps of master onmitsu, and third son of the head shinobi Kogetsu Fuji.

The Ace: An extremely skilled and versatile warrior. Also, prodigy and former heir of the Fuji Clan.
BFS: When he first appears, there's an enormous oblong bag alongside him. Revealed to be a nodachi in Shura.
Defiant to the End: Stranded alone in the middle of an hostile castle and surrounded by two of the Shogunate's top enforcers, Shinkuu refuses to surrender and is ready to cause as much collateral damage as possible before being killed himself, giving serious wounds to both Yagira and Kaido.
Faking the Dead: Pretends to have died during the first round of the Bakufu Tournament, leaving a faceless corpse behind thanks to the partecipation of Shinzo, a.k.a. Ango, to infiltrate Edo Castle and slay the Shogun.
Family Theme Naming: As member of the Fuji Clan, he has the kanji for Getsu (moon) in his name: he went by Kuugetsu, while his father was Kogetsu and his siblings were Shuugetsu, Kyuugetsu and Ryuugetsu.
Iaijutsu Practitioner: In Shura he shows that even if he's not competent as Shimon, he learnt a thing or two from him and is able to use his quick draw attacks to avoid being killed by Kaido Rin and counterattack.
Let's Get Dangerous!: Upon being revealed as a member of the fabled ninja group "Fuji Clan", Jinku uses the full extent of his martial arts against Kyoyasai and Rin, knocking them both out as they attack him simultaneously.
Mask Power: Unlike Tsuchiryu, he wears a full mask with a vaguely avian look. He ditchs the mask in the sequel.
Multi-Melee Master: While his first weapon is implied to be some sort of polearm and is stated to be skilled in Chinese Martial Arts, Jinku has shown proficiency with both swords and even bare-handed martial arts.
Ninja: Seems to share this role and theme with Tsuchiryu. He even infiltrates the Edo Castle in Shura to assassinate the Shogun, revealing during the mission that he's a member of the deadly "Fuji Clan", a secret group of powerful shinobi working for the very own Tokugawa Clan.
Offscreen Moment of Awesome: His "fight" with Yoshimori Genu isn't shown, he only remarks that his opponent was quite strong... while showing the latter crucified, headless corpse.
Only One Name: Again, like Tsuchiryuu. And just like him, Shura he adopts the alias of "Shirasu Jin", 63rd member of the Hyakka Bakken, but we also learn his true name, Kuugetsu Fuji.
The Scapegoat: In his flashback, we learn that he was accused of murdering his father Kougetsu by all his siblings and imprisoned. It was thanks to Jinsuke's interference that he was fred.
Spell My Name With An S: Most scanlations gave his name as "Shinkuu" for a while.
Taking You with Me: Thinking that he's going to die anyway, Jinkuu makes an effort and charges Kaido Rin, using a sword technique to slice his throat. He succeeds, but is left exhausted and wide open.
Throwing Your Sword Always Works: Zigzagged with his secret move: He throws he wakizashi upwards at his enemy while running at him in a low stance... only to suddenly grab the sword with his toes and use the kick to drive the blade into the opponent's chest, in a movement likened to a scorpion's tail attack.
Villainous Breakdown: Undergoes a composed but serious one in Shura upon finding out that he put himself in a deadly trap and got grievously injured only to kill the Shogun's decoy rather than the man himself.
We Hardly Knew Ye: Though he didn't die, he appeared only three times, talked once and we didn't even learnt his fighting style. As the manga ends, we still haven't known a thing about this guy. Shura rectifies this.
You Shall Not Pass!: In the final arc of Shura, he's the first of the main characters to stay behind at the first of the four gates to the Shogun's castle to slow down the pursuing Genkai Tenpei.

Arimaru

A giant brute of a creature with dark skin and abnormally large muscles. Apparently a female, she fights in a special arena with sandy ground and wields a colossal shield in conjunction with a pata (Indian sword-gauntlet). She's killed by Zenmaru.

Ambiguous Gender: Shimon Kudo is uncertain about his/her sex, both Ranmaru and the Ogame Ryu Team treat her as a female and Jinsuke refers to him as a male. The manga's wikia opted for female. Word of God stated that he originally tought of Arimaru as male, but his editor kept referring to him as a woman, so Naosuke decided to make Arimaru a woman, without changing her appearence one bit.
Ambiguously Human: Looks more like some sort of giant, skinned ogre, but Word of God assured that she's a human.
Animal Motifs: The Ant: powerful and ugly, can move underground and deliver nasty "bites" with her spikes.
Badass Boast/You Fight Like a Cow: After knocking back Zenmaru's first attack effortlessly.
Arimaru:" What was that? I thought I bumped into a mosquito..."
Berserk Button: Drops the affable persona and becomes furious when Shin wounds her arm, to the point that
BFS: Inverted, she's utterly massive and wields a tiny, shortsword-sized pata blade, alongside a truly gigantic shield.
Blade Below the Shoulder: Her pata sword.
The Brute: A rare depiction of a Brute using traps and well-planned strategies to take on his opponents.
Depraved Bisexual: Implied by subtext, there are several badly bruised corpses in her lair belonging to both young boys and women, one of them seemingly naked.
Diagonal Cut: Zenmaru's Shuengetsu slice her open from hip to shoulder.
Fed to the Beast: Implied that Jinsuke occasionaly sends her "company" (a.k.a. youth of both sexes), who're found dead. What she does to them, though, is left to the reader's immagination.
Genius Bruiser: She waits for her victims under a sand-filled arena and stab them as they move on it.
The Grotesque: Her looks are far from mere ugly...
Luckily, My Shield Will Protect Me: Her shield is more like a mobile iron wall with a slit for her sword.
Non-Standard Character Design: Probably the oddest and uglier character drawn so far by Nakamaru.
Shield Bash: And is difficult to dodge because of the sandy terrain and the size of the shield itself. The shield has a slit to let her poke out her sword.
Spikes of Villainy: Use drillesque spikes to stab her opponents' feet.
This Cannot Be!: Reacts with total disbelief after getting wounded to death by Zenmaru.
This Looks Like a Job for Aquaman: While probably she can operate as well under normal circumstances, she's nigh-unstoppable only when fighting on a sandy ground.

Advisors

Kai Ichinose

Zenmaru's brother, he too wields a Sadanaga blades. Ranmaru knows him, implying that he's a member of the group. Revealed to be the one of Jinsuke's Advisors.

Aloof Big Brother: Though he does behave in an Affably Evil manner with his little brother.
Always Someone Better: According to Ranmaru, Kai could have completely dodged Sasuke's last attack (his spear tossed at close range), while Zenmaru, could only partly dodge it thanks to Kagenui.
BFS: He too has a Sadanaga, but unlike Zenmaru's Kutaragi, this one isn't named.
Curb-Stomp Battle: Delivered to his brother Zenmaru during the Unabara Tournament. Also doubles as Single-Stroke Battle.
Evil Counterpart: To Zenmaru.
Evil Red Head: Seems to be a trait of the Ichinose clan.
Eyes Always Shut: Making him similar to Gin Ichimaru.
Heroic Sacrifice: Jumps between Mario and Zenmaru when the former tries to slash at him, saving his little brother's life at the cost of his own. He survives long enough to see his brother's victory and compliment him for the last time.
Lightning Bruiser: Can move extremely fast when required. Can even use the Shidensen with the Sadanaga Sword.
Jerkass: His behaviour towards Zenmaru. Eventually revealed to be a Jerk with a Heart of Gold and even accepting Zenmaru as superior to him.
Noble Demon: He lied only once to Zenmaru (when he told him to forget the Ogame School and get back to the Ichinose as he's a failure) and is determinated to defeat Kujou for Jinsuke's sake.
Scarf of Asskicking: Another trait shared with Zenmaru, which may or not be an actual trait of the Ichinose clan.
Smug Snake: Very devious and smug with both allies and enemies alike. Eventually subverted as he's loyal to Jinsuke and a genuinely nice person.
So Proud of You: His last words to Zenmaru.

Mario Kujou

Former Ogame Ryuu member. Apparently was close to Shinnojo. Actually a mole for the Bakufu, and an ambitious prick who only cares about his own career thanks to swordmastery.

Break the Haughty: Zenmaru inflict this on him before finishing him off.
The Combat Pragmatist: What? The guy you're fighting with is actually getting close to lop your head off? Well, there's nothing wrong in summoning a couple of guards to pull a sneak attack on him, right?
- Also, throwing your broken but still sharp sword stump at your opponet's helpless brother so that he'll be wide open for your next attack.
Eye Scream: Zenmaru snaps his sword and gouge his left eye out in one blow.
Face–Heel Turn: He's actually a spy for the Bakufu, and unlike many warriors seen so far he has no honor.
Killed Off for Real: Bisected by Zenmaru, he died wondering how could he fall in a place like that.
Lightning Bruiser: Manages to combine Shidensen with Gurensen to deliver an attack powerful enough to chip a sword much bigger than his.
Nightmare Face: When pulling his sneak attack on Kai, his eye is wide open and his mouth is gaping with the eeriely sharp teeth in sight.
Not So Stoic: Becomes upset with Kai comes close to defeat him, and completely loses his temper when Zenmaru, of all people, manages to finally overcome his insicurities and injures him.
Odd Name Out: Mario is a very odd name for a Japanese, and it sounds more like Italian.
The Rival: To Shin. He considered him better than Iori or Tessai.
Smug Snake: He's revealed to be a vile scumbag with earthly ambitions who just want to reach fame and glory using his sword skills.
The Stoic: Has yet to show emotions.
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: Gives one to Shinnojo. Also tries to give one to the Ichinose Brothers, but backfires.
Villainous Breakdown: Has quickly revealed his true colors as a Sore Loser jerk and has totally lost his composure.

Riko Murasame

Former Ogame Ryuu member, unbreachable defense is his strong suit. Used to consider the Ogame Ryuu as his family. In the finale, he's mentioned to have survived and now is walking the earth.

In Shura, we finally learn that he went into hiding somewhere near Edo.

Arrogant Kung-Fu Guy: Claims that his defense can't be broken by the techniques of the Ogame School.
Bolivian Army Ending: Last seen fighting back the bakufu soldiers. He survives though.
Distressed Dude: After his defection he was captured and imprisoned by the Muhou School, only to be rescued by Manjiro and Iori.
Dude Looks Like a Lady: Mostly due to his "Cleopatra" bob cut hairstyle, resembling the one of a typical Japanese doll.
Even Evil Has Standards: He's the less evil of the Advisors, and was absolutely against the entrance of Muraku Matsumoto in their ranks.
Face–Heel Turn: Was one of the members who sided with Jinsuke, quit the whole thing after getting bested by Gama.
I Let You Win: Let Gama go when the latter beats his Absolute Defense technique.
Nice Guy: Flashback shows him like a cheery, outgoing man and a sort of big brother for the younger members of the Ogame School.
The Rival: Back ago he was one to Iori.
Serrated Blade of Pain: His katana Genbou (Offered String) has a serrated edge, made for blocking swords and break them.
Stone Wall: Gloats about his Absolute Defense style (Kagi no Torou, literally Hooked Lantern). He seems to prefer the Douko no Kata style, which revolves about defensive attacks.
You Shall Not Pass!: Pulls this on the Ogame School while protecting the East Gate. Later he keeps the intruders at bay while Iori settles his score with Jinsuke.

Nachi, see Others

Ango Kuryuu

Former member of the Gaun Ryuu (Fanged Cloud Style). He's quite cocky and self-confident. Fights with a gigantic Nagamaki. According to Riko, Ango is actually the strongest advisor in terms of battle technique.

Shura reveals he has a younger brother, Ryogo, who helps the Muhou Ryu Remnants against the Shogunate.

Achilles' Heel: His Nagamaki, Choushimaru, is five times thicker than a sword, and unstoppable when in motion, but while unbreakable from the front, it can be destroyed if hit on the vulnerable sides.
Arrogant Kung-Fu Guy: Again, very overconfident in his skills, though he is the strongest advisor.
Big Ol' Eyebrows: Has noticeably large eyebrows.
BFS: The Nagamaki is gigantic, even for the polearm standard.
- Named Weapons/I Call It "Vera": "Tatsu-giri", a.k.a. Dragon Paulownia. Much later he turns up with another, nearly identical yet heavier nagamaki called "Choushimaru" (lit. Eldest Child).
- Bigger Is Better: Choushimaru's blade is shorter, compared to Tatsu-giri, but is much thicker than a sword blade.
Boring, but Practical: His secret technique, in short, consist in lifting up the nagamaki, holding it by the very bottom of the handle, and then slash forward, taking advantage of the size, speed and weight to do all the dirty work. It's frighteningly effective though.
Calling Your Attacks: Houkaizan, a powerful vertical slash.
Charles Atlas Superpower: Claims that Choushimaru's so heavy that it would break the floor if dropped and yet he can wield it without breaking a sweat. He's also the physically strongest Advisor.
Humiliation Conga: Iori best his technique, break his weapon, block his last assault and then calls him a loser and punches him to unconsciousness rather than killing him.
Knight of Cerebus: Played this role to Zenmaru and Shinnojo on their way to Unabara.
Let's Fight Like Gentlemen: During the Ayanaka Forest arc, despite bringing along several disciples he fights Iori and Shin alone, leaving his subordinates to keep an eye on the situation and Gensai Unlike Riichiro, he fights alone or the rest of the combat.
Lightning Bruiser: He's extremely fast, even when wielding the Choshimaru, a weapon so heavy that it can break the floor if dropped.
Misidentified Weapons: Downplayed, though Naosuke draw emphasis on the polearm-like traits of the Nagamaki, while the actual Nagamaki is more akin to a modified field sword.
The Rival: Tries to be one for Iori Sengoku, though the feeling isn't mutual.
Taking You with Me: After Iori breaks his nagamaki, he tries to perform at least a suicide attack and shank him with what's left of the blade. Iori calls him an idiot and bitch-slaps him into unconsciousness.
Villainous Breakdown: When Iori snaps Choushimaru's blade and doesn't even finish him off.
The Worf Effect: His battle with Iori lasted two chapters and he got his blade cut in half by Iori's swords before he could do anything else.
Worthy Opponent: For he, Iori is one. However, this feeling is one-sided. Iori gives him a 75.

Riichiro Hanamura

Former member of the Soujin Ryuu (Religious Army School). One of the most active members of the advisors. Is backstabbed by his own follower Toudou Koma.

Affably Evil: Evil? Unethical? Sure, but he's also polite and nice compared to his colleagues. He actually propers welcome Iori when he storms the castle.
Berserk Button: His is pushed after being wounded and nearly killed by Shin.
Dude Looks Like a Lady: Due to his youth, he's still very feminine and doll-like.
Karmic Death: Ironic in that a man who relied on his subordinates in battle is killed by one of them.
Gratuitous English: His weapons is written with the kanji for "Axe Spear" but the spelt name is "Pole Arm". His secret weapon's name is "Halbert".
In the Back: Backstabbed, likely by Tsukikage or Toudou.
Lightning Bruiser: Yes, halbeards aren't typically associated with speed, but he's really fast.
Mad Scientist: He's the one behind the Juugan project.
Oh, Crap!: Panics once he barely dodges Iori and Shin's attacks, knowing very well that he was that close to losing his head.
Wolfpack Boss: Unlike Kuryuu, he takes full advantage of the presence of his subordinates and fights in tandem with them against Shin and Iori.

Tsukikage

Member of the Advisors, not much is knowns about him. He's actually working for the Bakufu and helps the Ogame Ryuu, but eventually decides to take them on as well in order to eliminate all the threats to the Bakufu. As he gloats about victory, he's eliminated by Shinkuu and Tsuchiryuu.

Ambition Is Evil: He hopes to become a Daimyo for his efforts.
Chronic Backstabbing Disorder: He has no qualms about stabbing the Ogame Ryu in the back once is clear that they don't need them anymore.
Dragon-in-Chief: As loyal servant of the Bakufu forces, along with Mario. May also count as a third party Big Bad Wannabe opposing both the heroic Ogame School and the villainous Muhou School.
Facial Markings: Has curved line-like marks on his face, emphasizing his creepy and mysterious look.
Foreshadowing: Eventually revealed to be an onmitsu serving the Bakufu. The Bakufu becomes a more direct antagonist in the sequel series.
The Hyena: He laughs a lot. And when he's not laughing, he's at least grinning.
In the Back: He's shanked in the back by Tsuchiryuu, and then beheaded by Shinkuu.
Informed Ability: We never see him fighting, nor we get to see his weapons.
Manipulative Bastard: Hinted on having played a role in Hanamura's murder and Todo's rampage, now he's taking advantage of both the Muhou Ryuu and the Ogame Ryu in order to wipe out the Demon's Lair of Unabara.
Monster Clown: Gives this vibe, and even a badass like Iori admit that he's really creepy.
The Mole: Actually an agent from the Bakufu (the shogun's government). In chapter 172 his cover is blown by Nachi.
Nightmare Face: His face becomes creepy as he indulges in some Evil Gloating.
Troll: Shown to be devious, sarcastic and teasing with both his colleagues (Specifically Ranmaru) and others.
Too Dumb to Live: In-Universe, this is what Shinkuu and Tsuchiryuu ultimately think of him, as he stayed the whole time inside the castle even with two skilled ninjas like them still around. To be fair, they're not too wrong on that.

Corps Commanders

Nishio Motoji

Third Corps' Commander and leader of the anti-Ogame Ryuu raid. Fights with two swords, one of which is a sword-breaker.

Arrogant Kung-Fu Guy: True, he did defeat Rintarou and Shimoda alone, and was able to tell that Kamedenbo's defense was lacking, but he should have known better.
Cool Sword: One looks like a Jitte, the other looks more like a Chinese sword.
Dual Wielding: His unnamed Style, featuring a small sword on one hand and a pronged jitte-like blade on the other.
Too Dumb to Live: Thought he could kill Kamedenbo.
We Hardly Knew Ye: Not much of him is known.

Hajime Kuro

Leader of the Fourth Corps, he's one of Riichiro's pupils along with Koma. Fights with a halbeard.

Anime Hair: Resembles an onion.
Annoying Arrows: Averted, an arrow in the shoulder blade took him out of the fight.
Perpetual Smiler: Except for a Oh, Crap! moment after seeing Arata's Hao Arrow cutting a man's arm off.
Sole Survivor: The only former Soujin ryu member along with Koma who survived the battle.
What Happened to the Mouse?: After the retreat he hasn't reappeared yet.

Soun Nasu

Leader of the Eighth Corps. He's a very large, bulking man carrying two swords with him. Seems to be a sort of paternal figure for Gakushin Miina. Is killed by Iori.

The Brute: With hints of Genius Bruiser.
Early-Bird Cameo: Is first seen as the executioner of the daimyo's sons.
Large and in Charge: He's bigger than most men but also a commander with seemingly a good talent for leadership, as seen when he organizes an ambush on Iori.
Oh, Crap!: After witnessing Iori's extremely fast reaction to his attack.
The Stoic: He rarely seems to lose his cool blood.

Koma Toudou

Ninth Corps Commander, is a former member of the Soujin Ryu school of Sojutsu. Now he fights with a halberd. Murders his own commander Riichiro and tries to kill Jinsuke, but fails.

An Arm and a Leg: Loses his arm to Jinsuke while trying to finish him off with Nobori Hiryuu.
Authority Equals Asskicking: Subverted, he's actually even more powerful than Riichiro, to the point that he was offered the seat of Special Corps (a role even higher that Riichiro's own) but refused.
Berserk Button: He never forgave Jinsuke for declaring that his former master was useless.
Chronic Backstabbing Disorder: Betrays the Muhou Ryuu in order to avenge his former master.
Half the Man He Used to Be: His secret technique Nobori Hiryuu (Rising Flying Dragon) can be summarized as an heavenward slash that can slice a man in half vertically. He first builds up momentum by sticking the spear in the floor and pushing the elastic shaft to its limits.
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: To Jinsuke of all people. Too bad he got sliced.

Kiichi Hasukawa

Fifth Corps Commander, a former member of the Gaun Ryu. Killed by Gensai Kizaki.

Good Scars, Evil Scars: Is covered in scars.
Suicidal Overconfidence: Thinks he can overlook Gensai. Ends up in Too Dumb to Live as well.
The Worf Effect: Swiftly lose to Gensai.

Suzunosuke Mamiya

Leader of the Eleventh Corps, fights with a rapier.

Artistic License – Martial Arts: His rapiers are portrayed with blades so flexible they sway a lot when swung, to catch his enemy by surprise with speed. Downplayed in that they could be custom made though.
Crazy-Prepared: He carries a rapier with him, and has two more just in case.
Royal Rapier: His sword, which he can twist and move at high speed so that his blows can't be predicted. Given the shape of the blade and its flexibility it's implied to be customized.
Smug Snake: His attitude in battle.
The Worf Effect: Inflict this on Kawasaki. Is soon on the receiving end thanks to a newly trained Gama.

Shiden Kura

Twelveth Corps' commander, wields two swords. One-shotted by Iori.

Dual Wielding: A normal katana and what seems to be a wakizashi on his back.
Facial Markings: To make him more interesting, according to the author.
Killed Mid-Sentence: Shouldn't have taken Iori so lightly...
We Hardly Knew Ye: Killed by Iori a few panels after his introduction.

Rinkei

Fourteenth Corps commander, is an odd-looking man sporting a serpentine tongue, many piercings and an odd hairstyle. Quickly killed by Iori.

Dual Wielding: Maybe mixed with Hook Hand as his hands aren't visible.
Eyepatch of Power: An eyepatch with an eye painted on it.
We Hardly Knew Ye: Killed by Iori a few panels before his introduction.

Choei Maezono

Sixteenth corps' commander and likely Rinkei's brother. Quickly killed by Iori.

Manly Facial Hair: The only distinguished part of his design, as admitted by the author.
We Hardly Knew Ye: Killed by Iori a few panels after his introduction.
You Shall Not Pass!: If only he hadn't tried it on Iori.

Gakushin Niina

Young leader of the 18th Corps (after the defeat of the Maruyama Brothers) wields a nagamaki-like weapon. Killed by Gensai during the assault on the front gate.

BFS: His weapon. Overall resembles a large, two-edged straight sword with a long handle and no guard, but it doesn't resemble any known weapon.
Character Development: In his pre-timeskip appearence he's impatient and hot blooded. After the timeskip and the death of his father figure Nasu he seems to have grown calmer and serious.
Child Prodigy: Sixteen years old and yet is a Division Commander.
Dropped a Bridge on Him: Unceremoniously killed by Gensai before he could do anything interesting.
Killer Rabbit: He may look harmless, but is one of the commanders after all.
What Could Have Been: Originally, Naosuke had great ideas for Niina, wanting to make him the First Corps Commander and even Gama's Evil Counterpart, but eventually he decided to take another path.

The Maruyama Brothers (Ichida, Terujiro and Kozo)

Leaders of the 18th Corps, they're three identical siblings wielding the three Murder Swords: Kurotsuji (Black Crossing), Ginguruwa (Silver Enclosure) and Aogasumi (Blue Mist).

Cool Sword: Three at the price of one.
Dual Wielding: Aogasumi, a pair of very light sabers.
Family-Unfriendly Death: They inflict an atrocious end to all their opponents by chopping them to pieces. Ironically, they're given a taste of their own medicine by Shin, especially Ichida who gets disarmed, blinded and cut down in less than 5 seconds.
Oddly Shaped Sword: Ginguruwa, who has a short, kinfesque blade with another, longer and semicircular blade coming out of the main blade's back, overall resembling a deformed letter "G".
Serrated Blade of Pain: Kurotsuji. Seems to be designed fot inflicting as much damage as possible.
Uncanny Family Resemblance: The only way to tell them apart are the swords.
Undignified Death: They specialize in inflicting these, And is also their Karmic Death.
We Hardly Knew Ye: Textbook example, they're introduced and given some background by Shimon (who also reveals that they were in the Tournament as well) but are easily killed at the end of their introduction.
Wolfpack Boss: Even if they're three brothers, they're counted as one captain.
The Worf Effect: Effortlessly murdered by Shinnojo offscreen.

Manjiro Uchikawa

Leader of the 21st Corps, he's a pupil of Riko. After Riko's "defeat", he's ordered to side with the Ogame Ryu and help them in battle. He's mentioned to have survived the final battle.

Anime Hair: Even Zenmaru commented on that.
Guest-Star Party Member: For the Ogame Force during the assault on Unabara Castle.
Heel–Face Turn: Under the orders of his master.
Informed Ability: We don't see him fighting often actually, and his exploits are mostly mentioned.
Facial Markings
Serrated Blade of Pain: He's seen carrying around Genbou, to show to the Ogame Ryu that he could be trusted.

Jin Azumi

Commander of the 24th Corps, is a scarred swordsman who respect his followers. Is killed by Kiyomori just to show off his "Doom Fist".

A Father to His Men: Dares to attack a member of Jinsuke's bodyguards knowing very well that the punishment for such a deed is death. And he did so because said member was bullying his squad.
Ain't Too Proud to Beg: Tries to apologize and beg for his life, but too late, as Kiyomori stabs him dead before he can finish talking.
Family-Unfriendly Death: Kiyomori robs him of the use of his four limbs and then rips his heart out of his chest.
Oh, Crap!: Starting when Kiyomori "remove" his arm.
Sacrificial Lion: He appears just to show off what Kiyomori can do.
Villainous Breakdown: By the time he realize that he's fully at Kiyomori's mercy and that he's about to kill him, he tries, in vain, to apologize.

Ryuuho Kibe

Former heir of the Kibe Ryu and leader of the 47th Corps, nicknamed the Silver Ogre. Is a ruthless warrior who fights with the help of the deadly Jugan battle drug.

Badass Boast: "I'll become a God of War!"
Black Eyes of Crazy: After taking two pills. They get back to normal after taking the injection, thought they do bleed.
Calling Your Attacks: Gousenga (Solid Fang Vortex), his strongest attack.
Carry a Big Stick: His "sword" Kokusouso (Black Clawed Comb) is actually a ludicrously large spiked club, weapon which is traditionally associated with ogres. It's about 8 feet long and weights nearly 90 pounds.
Deadly Upgrade: The last Jugan injection will maximize his strength and enhance to the top his technique and speed, but after a few minutes of intense fighting he's as good as dead.
Dissonant Serenity: After taking the injection, he seems creepily calm and even rejoiced, even if his eyes are bleeding profusely.
Dynamic Entry: There's no better way to make an entrance than jumping mace-first on the battlefield from above, crushing your remaining mook to a pulp.
Empowered Badass Normal: Uses drugs to power himself up. However he's so badass that the Jugan has no ill effect on his brain.
Fingore: Gama slices the fingers on his right hand.
High-Pressure Blood: When the drug effects end, he spills some from the face.
One-Handed Zweihänder: Slightly justified: he holds the club's handle with one hand and use the other one to hold still the club's other end. However he does use one arm to strike. When he really gets serious, he can swing the whole beast with one hand and still be deadly.
Red Baron: The Silver Ogre (Ginki), which apparently is also how Yashichi calls him after taking Juugan.
Third Eye: Likely painted.
Took a Level in Badass: In his flashback, he was shown to be an ordinary, average warrior without outstanding skills. Now he's one of the strongest and most feared warriors of the Muhou School.
Savage Spiked Weapons: His Kokusosou is endowed with nasty-looking hooked spikes he can actually use in his secret technique to hook his opponent and shred him.
Super-Strength: The most blatant example in the series. Including mention to his strength being otherworldly. And according to Word of God, he's the physically strongest character in the manga (though many others are superior to him in techniques and strategy.)
Villainous Breakdown: When the drug's effect ends, he's reduced to a pathetic, angry wreck shouting at Yashichi and asking for more Jugan.
What Happened to the Mouse?: The last time we saw him, Yashichi was carrying him away, and apparently Kibe was still alive.

Division Commanders

Juho Maniwa

Leader of the Second Raid Division of the Muhou Ryuu. Appears right after the defeat of the Myojin Ryuu to reveal his plans to the Ogame Ryuu. Namely, trying to hire Gama, Zenmaru and Shinnojo and bringing Naoyoshi to Jinsuke. Is killed by Shinnojo after being distracted by Ichiou.

Anime Hair: Hair can't grow like that!
Anticlimax: He does perform well, but he's killed by Shinnojo when he's distracted by a rambling Ichiou wanting his Ginkan back. Even Iori calls Shin out on that.
Beard of Evil: Has a goattee and is evil.
Crippling Overspecialization: According to his men, his only notable skill is Bojutsu.
Expy: Probably a coincidence, but he looks a lot like Asuma Sarutobi.
Hoist by His Own Petard: "Borrows" Ginkan from an unconscious Ichiou. This gets him killed when Ichiou regains just enough consciousness to interrupt the fight and demand his weapon back.
Martial Arts Staff: Despite using the Ginkan, his true fighting style is Bojustu.
Megaton Punch: Gaigou Resshin (Great Earthquake's Thundering Cover) focuses the strength of the whole body in one blow.
Too Dumb to Live: Even the author wonders why he walked into a hostile area without bringing his weapon with him...

Ippi Shibano

Commander of the Fifth Guard division, he is the best archer of the Muhou Ryuu and fights with a giant bow and poisoned arrows. Is also implied to be a necrophile. Is punctured to agony with his own arrows for trying to escape after failing to kill Iori.

Cold Sniper: Rather than taking on his enemies, he'll rather snipe them from a safe position with poisoned arrows.
Evil Counterpart: Though the two never meet, you can see him as one to Arata Nakaizumi.
Great Bow: His bow is very large compared to him, so much that we never see if fully in one panel.
I Love the Dead: Claims to want Iori's corpse to have some fun with it. Shinjiro, disgusted, calls him on that.
Oh, Crap!: Yes, Iori just blocked your arrow without effort.
Poisoned Weapons: His arrows are treated with a poison, which causes a rather painful, disgusting death.
You Have Failed Me: After trying to escape, he gets impaled with his own poisoned arrow all over his body, turning him in an agonizing, pathetic waste.

Kenzo Sarumata

Commander of the 27th Commando Division.

Dirty Coward: After witnessing Zenmaru's power, he tries to run away.
Off with His Head!: Decapitated by Shinnojo.
We Hardly Knew Ye: In one chapter he's introduced and killed.

Other Members

Tagosaku Yamashita

A feminine-looking guy who fights with a Bo staff and member of Maniwa's division.

All There in the Manual: Some extra pages in the manga explain his background as a son of a farmer who was eventually adopted by a Bojutsu master. His birth surname was "Yamada".
Ambiguously Gay: He thinks of Jinsuke with the utmost fondness and values his praise over all else. His first thought of Iori is that he's good-looking. Whether Yamada has feelings for Jinsuke and is attracted to Iori or simply has a warrior's respect for both is left unknown after his swift death.
Dude Looks Like a Lady: Due to his face and hair he looks quite feminine.
Half the Man He Used to Be: How he's killed
Sissy Villain: Rather delicate and feminine looking. See also Ambiguously Gay above.
The Worf Effect: Killed by Iori in one blow.

Shinjiro

Member of Maniwa's Division, is a fair-headed guy who fight with reinforced Nunchakus.

Arrogant Kung-Fu Guy: Though he's turned by a cocky fighter to a wimpy coward after seeing Iori's real abilities.
Calling Your Attacks: Saishigeki (Fiery Blow).
The Combat Pragmatist: Wears a chainmail, and isn't above using chains to restrain his enemy.
Dirty Coward: Doesn't even try to face Iori during his assault on the Muhou Ryuu's castle.
Oh, Crap!: Whan about to be hit by Iori's sword. Later when he realized that binding Iori wasn't a good idea after all...
Slasher Smile: Sports one during most of his first appearence.
You Have Failed Me: Get's clubbed to the point of being unrecognizable for his cowardice. Word of God hints that he actually may have survived.

Chuji

Member of Maniwa's Division, is a dangerous warrior who use studded gauntlets and chains to fight.

Arrogant Kung-Fu Guy: Unlike Shinjiro, he doesn't lose his arrogance even after facing Iori once.
Chain Pain: Uses chains to bind Iori. Not that it worked out, mind you...
- Epic Flail: His last weapon is a spiked ball on a chain connected to a ring on his finger.
Impaled with Extreme Prejudice:

Killed by Iori's Kosen.

Oh, Crap!: After realizing that his chains weren't enough to hold Iori.
Power Fist: Knuckledusters are his weapon, but he's also skilled with chains.

The 47th Corps

A special corps of the Muhou Ryu whose soldiers are powered up by the deadly Jugan Drug, which makes them awfully strong but careless and immune to pain.

Achilles' Heel: As noticed and exploited by Gama, in spite of their unnatural strength they lack finesse: as a result, they make a brief but fatal pause before attacking.
BFS: Seems to be their weapon of choice. Justified in that they only focus on raw power, not technique.
Drugs Are Bad: They'll make you obscenely powerful but clumsy and they'll also burn your brain to a crisp.
Elite Mooks: They're much more powerful than the ordinary goons.
Exotic Weapon Supremacy: A bald member using a chakram. Another one fights with a spear with a zig-zagged blade.
Major Injury Underreaction: One of the members "shatters" his hand and wrist by punching a stone cliff. He looks barely annoyed.
Muscles Are Meaningless: The above mentioned cliff-puncher was horrorifically skinny, and yet he also broke a good deal of rock.
Taking You with Me: The first two guys who try to kill Zenmaru via explosive flasks.
Sinister Scimitar: One of them has a curved sword with a large tip, leading to heaviers hits.
Weapons Kitchen Sink: The members don't seem to have strict rules regarding weapons of choice, running the gamut with giant swords, glaives, hammers, spears and even hand claws.

Yashichi

Kibe's right hand man.

Ambiguously Brown: Which is pretty odd, since flashback showed him with fair skin and black hair.
The Dragon: He's Ryuuho's right arm and best friend.
Heel–Face Turn: After Ryuuho's death he decides to quit and reveals some details about the Muhou Ryu to Gama and Kashitarou.
Only Sane Man: The only member of the 47th who doesn't use the Jugan.
The Unfought: He decides to not fight Gama.

Sekiryu and Seirin

Members of an unknown division, they assault Gama in an inn inside the inner city. They both wield iron whips but are easily defeated.

Artistic License – Martial Arts: Real Life Tetsuben are not that flexible, being more akin to rods or clubs.
Dissonant Serenity: They're here to murder you. This doesn't stop them from happily grinning the whole time. However, as soon as they realize that Gama may be a little far out of their league...
Dual Boss: Their fighting style and attacks seems to imply that they always fight as a couple. Deconstructed by Gama, who manages to dodge their attack and points out that attacking in couple leave them both open, allowing him to kill them both simultaneously.
Dual Wielding: They both dual wield whips. Iron whips, specifically.
Only One Name: Contrasting most Muhou School members who give themselves surnames.
We Hardly Knew Ye: Not much is learned of them and are defeated before they can do anything important.
Weapon Specialization: Iron whips: unlike typical whips they're shorter, bulkier, professional and very hard to boot.

Ginji Tatehara

Member of unknown rank (possibly a division commander) who wields the Mystery Sword "Kasumi Shirosada", and boasts about his speed and reach. He's easily killed by Gensai

Arrogant Kung-Fu Guy: Modesty isn't his strong suit.
BFS: Kasumi Shirosada is a nodachi with a thinnier, curved blade made from the best steel, hence is faster than your everyday nodachi.
Diagonal Cut: How Gensai killed him.
Good Scars, Evil Scars: Has a single, sinister scar on his eye.
Oh, Crap!: Yes, Gensai is faster than you, has broken your precious sword in half and has cut you down before you realized it.
Small Name, Big Ego: Really, you shouldn't give lessons about swords to two of the oldest and most skilled swordsmen of the country.
We Hardly Knew Ye: We don't get much of his personalities, except his hubris.

Others

Naomasa Washizu

The cruel Daimyo of Unabara. He started the tournament in order to find a worthy successor and see which style is truly the strongest.

Big Bad: Possibly. Later gets killed by Jinsuke.
Dropped a Bridge on Him: Offpanel to boot.
Face Framed in Shadow: Always, even when his face is properly shown.
Good Scars, Evil Scars: Has a nasty looking, badly sewn scar on his scalp.
Lack of Empathy: He values the martial artists of his domain much more than his own sons. All of them.
Large Ham: He has his moments...
Orcus on His Throne: He never leaves his palace.
Red Herring: In the end he was just a disposable pawn.

Naoyoshi Washizu

The main character along with Gama, he's one of the Daimyo's sons. His mother was a commoner, hence he wants to clear her name (and end his days of humiliations and suffering) by winning the tournament and becoming the new Daimyo. He hired the Ogame Ryuu for this. However, after all his brothers and father are killed, he's forcefully installed as a puppet daimyo controlled by his mother and the Muhou Ryuu. He's eventually rescued by Gama and invited by Kamedembo to "join" the family of the Ogame School, becoming a member.

All of the Other Reindeer: He was treated badly by everyone at court because of his humble origins.
Be Careful What You Wish For: After the tournament, he's both the Daimyo and close to his mother... however, he's nothing but a puppet in hers and Jinsuke's hands.
Berserk Button: Don't insult his mother.
Dark and Troubled Past: Yup, being the son of a concubine and growing up with 30 other brothers that treat you like crap isn't nice.
Distressed Dude: Sort of: he's frequently targeted by his brothers and their assassins, making him in costant danger. After the Tournament, he's kept alive as a puppet leader for Jinsuke. And after the Time Skip, the Muhou Ryuu will kill him in a month as he has outlived his usefulness to them.
Out of Focus: During most of the after timeskip arc.
Puppet King: Or rather, Puppet Daimyo after the Tournament.
Reasonable Authority Figure: Is much more mature and wise than his brothers.
Scars Are Forever: When he meets Gama again in Shura, he shows him a large scar across his back, courtesy of the Bakufu agents.
Shut Up, Hannibal!: To his big brother Naosada in volume one. Later to Naokatsu.
The Unfavorite: Due to being the son of a peasant born concubine, unlike his brothers.
The Wise Prince: Seems to be the most well intentioned of the princes.
You Have Outlived Your Usefulness: Post time skip, Jinsuke managed to made a game out of this: The Ogame Ryuu has a month for reaching Unabara, defeating the Muhou Ryuu and save Naoyoshi, who's now no longer of use to him. If they fail to reach him in time, Naoyoshi will be executed. To cup it all, even the Bakufu agents are now aiming for his life.

Naosada Washizu

The tenth son, he's the one who hired the Tengen Ryuu to fight. Was executed along with his brothers when Jinsuke took over.

Gag Nose: Has a prominent nose which could count for a Sinister Schnotz.
Off with His Head!: His final fate.
Oh, Crap!: Freaks out when his brother Naoie is beheaded right next to him.
Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Promptly runs away when Gama attacks the Tengen Ryuu.
Smug Snake: Like the other brothers, he's an overconfident slimy bastard.

Naoie Washizu

The eleventh son, sponsor of the Tamagakushi Ryuu, things between him and Naoyoshi are much more personal. He's the first of the captured sons to be executed by the Muhou Ryuu.

Asshole Victim: It's also kinda satisfactory to see him being treated like the worm he is by Jinsuke and beheaded.
Big Brother Bully: Used to give sword lessons to Naoyoshi... or rather beat him up with a wooden sword.
Bullying a Dragon: You know, it's not very wise to threaten the man who currently has you in his power.
Dirty Coward: In a flashback, he panics and calls for help when Naoyoshi strangles him after he insulted his mother.
Killed Mid-Sentence: Executed while trying to talk down Jinsuke.
Off with His Head!: Rather brutally too.
Smug Snake: Like most of the elder sons, he's a smug, condescending coward.
Villainous Breakdown: Loses all traces of dignity and smugness when he's about to be executed by Jinsuke's men.

Naokatsu Washizu

The youngest of the Daimyo's son, he's the only one among them who's nice and gentle to Naoyoshi. Hires the Myojin Ryuu to fight and slowly reveals his true colors as a sneaking bastard who actually hated his brother, but is eventually impaled by Banri.

Enfant Terrible: The youngest child, but still a prick.
Hoist by His Own Petard: Gets Impaled with Extreme Prejudice In the Back by Banri.
Oh, Crap!: When Banri tells him that he gives up.
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: To Naoyoshi, cementing him as a great bastard.
Smug Snake: His true colors when revealed.
Token Good Teammate: He's the only brother who's kind to Naoyoshi. Subverted, when Naoyoshi wanted to compete in the Unabara Tournament he felt betrayed, because he took it as Naoyoshi taking arms even against him.
Villainous Breakdown: A textbook example. Also a case of Sore Loser.
Wham Line: In-Universe, when Naoyoshi told him about his intention of joining the competition. Another told by him when Shingo's defeated.
Naokatsu:"Brother... you've gained some excellent retainers, I may only be watching from afar, but I can sense your trust in them... Kill them all. (...) I said kill them all! Kill everyone that my brother places his trust in!"

Nachi

Naosada's advisor, is a creepy-looking man who's in charge of the tournament. He usually explain the situation to Naosada and describes the rules of the tournament. He later ditch his master and join Jinsuke in his quest.

In Shura he left the Muhou Ryuu and apparently joined the Shogunate.

The Dragon: Possibly to Naosada. Later to Jinsuke.
Easily Forgiven: Apparently, he's working for the Shogun himself in Shura, despite being part of the anti-government Muhou School. Turns out, he was on their side all along.
Even Evil Has Standards: He seems wary and opposed to the usage of Jugan on Muhou Ryuu soldiers, unlike Riichiro, though possibly the fact that the drug is Awesome, but Impractical factors in.
Face–Heel Turn: He's hired by the Muhou Ryuu post Time Skip, and was working with Jinsuke from the beginning. Truth is, he's actually on the Shogunate/Genkai Tenpei paycheck.
Mr. Exposition: He explains the rules of the tournament, and also explains other major things here and there through the story.
Obviously Evil: Nasty looking scar, evil grin, black and white hair... yes.
Torture Technician: Seems to be one in the Muhou Ryu.
What Happened to the Mouse?: It seems like Naosuke forgot about him, so if he died during the bakufu attack or survived is unknown. Subverted in Shura, where he does reappear and loose ends are unfolded..

Agon and Hakuryu

Two assassins from an unknown Ryuu which specialize in Dual Wielding axes. They were hired by the leader of the Tamagakushi Ryuu along with a nameless third member to kill Naoyoshi and pretend that it was a tsujigiri accident, but they're stopped and killed by Shin and Zenmaru

The Brute: Especially Agon. Hakuryuu is closer to Lean and Mean.
Dual Wielding: Both of them use axes, in reminescence of certain chinese martial arts.
Glass Cannon: Shin points out that their attack is something to fear, as an axe can shatter a katana blade. However, their defense is kinda lacking...
Irony: Shinnojo warns Zenmaru, stating that axes are strong enough to easily destroy a katana blade held defensively. Zenmaru wins by destroying both of his opponent's axes, one after the other.
This Cannot Be!: Hakuryuu, when he realizes that Shin's attack has bypassed his axes and has sunk into his side, and Agon, when Zenmaru is able to smash through his tomahawk in midair.
Throwing Your Sword Always Works: Agon's Tomahawk attack.
We Hardly Knew Ye: They appear briefly and are killed before showing any major characteristic.
You Have Failed Me: Hakuryu is spared by Shin as he wants to interrogate him, but he's killed by Saizou.

Yukio

Naoyoshi's mother, was a concubine and so was mistreated for not being a noble, and eventually disowned his own son as well. In reality, she's plotting with Jinsuke and helped him to orchestrate the plan for taking over Unabara.

Manipulative Bitch: She's willing to help Jinsuke by manipulating her own son.
Strong Family Resemblance: To her son, including the red hair.
What Happened to the Mouse?: Apparently disappeared post-timeskip. In the last chapter is mentioned that she was executed by the Bakufu along with the remaining members of the Washizu clan.
You Don't Look Like You: Like Jinsuke, she looked different from the original pictures of her when she finally appeared.
You Have Outlived Your Usefulness: Defied: when her son points out that Jinsuke may dispose of her when she's no longer essential, she states that she doesn't care, since she loves Jinsuke deeply and is willing to give her life if he wishes so.

Characters / Gamaran

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