Okita, Souji
Summary
Okita Souji, a legendary swordsman and the captain of the 1st Unit within the Shinsengumi, is a man of striking contradictions. Standing at 5' 8'' with a weight of 140 lbs, he possesses violet-blue eyes and purplish-black hair. Though he is in his mid-twenties, his demeanor is often described as sweet, kind, and somewhat feminine. He frequently irritates his mentor, Hijikata, and other members of the Shinsengumi by deliberately acting like a girl. Despite his fearsome reputation, he has a soft spot for children and sweets, showing particular adoration for Kyoto candies. One of the youngest members of the group, Okita mastered every sword technique of the Tennen-rishin-ryuu during his teens. He went on to become a teacher in his twenties and is widely regarded as one of the finest swordsmen of pre-Meiji Japan. His childhood name is Soujirou, a name he permits children to use because he believes that using his formal name, Okita Souji, would prevent anyone from wanting to play with him. Indeed, despite his age, he enjoys playing with kids and often walks with his hair flowing freely when off-duty. His relationship with the katana began at age nine, when Hijikata forced him to decide whether or not to take up the weapon. In episode 7, Okita accuses Hijikata of making a mistake by allowing him to wield a katana before he was mature enough to make such a choice. While he is an exceptional fighter, he struggles to control his strength, often injuring his sparring partners to the point where they refuse to practice with him. Even with protective gear and a shinai, he can cause serious harm. Additionally, he suffers from Tuberculosis, which flares up periodically.
