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| Himura Kenshin | Katsura Kogoro | Tomoe | Saito Hajime |
Himura Kenshin was based loosely on a historical figure. Kenshin was a cold and calculated eighteen year old assassin of the Choshu province and he was hired by the Reformists to overthrow the Shogunate. At eighteen years old, he was already an expert swordsman and his countless assassinations earned him the title, Hitokiri Battousai, meaning mankiller.
Katsura Kogoro was a historical Choshu leader and was considered one of the most important figures of the Reformists. He despised the Revolution and had hoped to put an end to the civil brutality. He hired Kenshin to end the Revolution quickly.
Tomoe acted as Kenshin's "wife." She was very calm, quiet, scholarly and excelled in the art of writing. She had been outcasted by her family following the death of her fiance.
Saito Hajime was also a historical figure. He was captain of the Shinsengumi of the Third Group and was the most powerful member of the secret police. During the revolution, he was Kenshin's most feared antagonist and earned the nickname, "The Wolf." Saito killed his enemies both the Reformists and the foreigners swiftly and without mercy. His motto was: "kill evil swiftly."
Information and images courtesy of Manga Max, Animerica, Protoculture Addicts and AnimeNation.
