Peacemaker Kurogane (PEACE MAKER鐵) is a historical fiction manga and anime series created by mangaka Nanae Chrono. The story begins in 19th century Japan before the Meiji Restoration, while the seeds of the revolution are being planted. The story follows the boy protagonist, Ichimura Tetsunosuke, who joins the Shinsengumi (initially as Hijikata Toshizo's page) while seeking strength to avenge his parents' death by a Choshu rebel. The prequel of Peacemaker Kurogane is Shinsengumi Imon Peacemaker. However, the anime is called Peacemaker Kurogane, which starts at the same place as the prequel (Shinsengumi Imon Peacemaker), and finishes before the sequel manga (Peacemaker Kurogane) starts. Apparently the anime Overtook the Manga.The story is focused on the main character, Ichimura Tetsunosuke, an energetic, short, and very childlike 15 year old. Sadly, he and his older brother (Tatsunosuke) are left to fend for themselves after the vicious murder of their parents. While Tetsunosuke wants to get revenge, his pacifist brother is not so inclined. 'Tatsu' happens to join a special police force dubbed the Shinsengumi, as an accountant, to earn a living, ironically the organization 'Tetsu' wishes to join as a soldier to seek his revenge. This is where the story truly develops during Tetsu's trials and tribulations as a struggling page craving redemption. He develops relationships with all the legendary members of the Shinsengumi army helping them with their various struggles as he constantly battles his own against himself. The story comes to fruition as Tetsu discovers himself and the overwhelming responsibility the power he is searching for holds.The series is well known for its massive amounts of Fanservice that comes in the form of Mr. Fanservice and Ho Yay / Foe Yay.
This series has examples of:
Alas, Poor Yorick - Suzu carries around the head of his master Yoshida after Yoshida is killed in the Ikedaya incident. He eventually has it lacquered.
A Love to Dismember - Suzu affectionately carrying around Yoshida's skull, even talking to it.
The Berserker - In the manga, Okita may count as this when he effortlessly slaughters some Choushuu men invading the Shinsengumi barracks while he's looking for Hijikata and Kondou and simultaneously coughing up blood.
Break the Cutie - Suzu goes insane after he thinks that Tetsunosuke (his only friend) killed his master Yoshida (whom he admired and was the only person who cared for him). Not to mention that he was taken in by a Depraved Homosexual old man and raped.
Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass - It's sometimes very easy to forget that the Comedian Trio and the girly looking boy with the pet pig and the creepy psychic are five of the ruthless Shinsengumi captains who can lob your head off without so much a blink.
Depraved Homosexual - The anime-only characters Kichisaburo and Maro are both shown to be homosexual, and both are depicted as being depraved psychos. Ito, who is shown to be explicitly homosexual, is also very much depraved. Not to mention Suzu, who, after apparently becoming homosexual, goes insane. Also, the old man that raped Suzu is one, too. In fact, pretty much every character that is shown overtly to be homosexual is depraved and psychotic.
Unless you assume that Hijikata and Okita are a couple; you can hardly consider them depraved by the standards of the series.
Even the Guys Want Him - Tetsunosuke. With the good number of Bishōnen guys that surround him, combined with the massive amounts of Ho Yay/ Foe Yay, and Suzu's actions towards him in the manga, it's not hard to see why.
Evil Counterpart - Suzu to Tetsunosuke. Made even more obvious in the art for the second section of the manga.
Freak Out - Tetsunosuke freaks the fuck out after Yoshida nearly kills him a second time. Then Suzu goes insane after being raped and finding his master dead and in pieces on the ground.
Foe Yay - Suzu and Tetsunosuke. Come on, Suzu even pretty much comes out and says, after another character asks him why he hates and obsesses over Tetsunosuke so much, that "this isn't hate - this is love."
Friendly Enemy - Suzu and Tetsunosuke for most of the prequel.
Gratuitous English: Not only the anime opening and closing themes, but within the story itself, but Ryoma uses it all the time. EVEN IN THE ENGLISH DUB.
Tetsu and Tatsu's father also used Gratuitous English a lot, which is stated to be why the Choshuu Clan killed him.
Heroic BSOD - Tetsunosuke, for starters. Though he's not the only one. Then there's how Suzu reacts after finding his master Yoshida dead.
In the anime, Tetsu goes through this twice. Once, after meeting Yoshida at the brothel, and much more severely after Yoshida nearly kills him near the end of the series - under circumstances exactly like when Yoshida killed his mom.
Older than They Look - Tetsu notably had this problem, but he's since grown out of it. An extreme example is Nagakura, who looks younger and younger with each passing volume. As of the latest one he's twenty-eight, but looks like he's barely reached puberty. Also, the killer in the extra story in volume 5
One-Man Army - It'll be easier to list the people who aren't this.
Shallow Love Interest - Saya. She doesn't really have any personality. Come on, even mute people can have more of a personality and quirks than just being shy and good.
Stalker with a Crush - Suzu becomes this way towards Tetsunosuke after he goes insane in the sequel. He has Tetsunosuke's every action monitored, and becomes jealous and scared when Ryoma decides to take Tetsunosuke away with him, taking drastic action to kill Ryoma and frame it on Tetsunosuke so Tetsunosuke won't be able to get away from him.
Stealth Hi/Bye - Saitou, who's so good at sneaking up to people his teammates have wondered if he's part ninja.
Took a Level in Badass - Good lord, Tetsunosuke. In the start of the series, he pretty much acts like Naruto Uzumaki did for his first few episodes - brash, hot-headed, and all talk. However, we see him steadily training and sparring whenever he gets a chance, and about mid-way through the series, Tetsu actually manages to beat Heisuke. Then, at the climax of the anime, Tetsu shows up to fight Yoshida - who's sent him into a Heroic BSOD and/or Freak Outtwice - and wins.
What Do You Mean, It's Not Symbolic? - The "symbolism" of the cats and bells in the anime adaptation. It was never explained. (Though it was explained in the manga.)
The character for suzu means bell, and can also be read as "rin".
White-Haired Pretty Boy - Suzu. Especially after he turns Ax Crazy and becomes a Depraved Homosexual, wearing makeup and revealing clothes. Even the other characters in the series comment how beautiful he is.