Shinomori, Aoshi
Seiyuu / Dub
Summary
Shinomori Aoshi was trained as a ninja within the Oniwabanshuu, a group serving the Shogunate government during the Edo period. He played a significant role in raising Makimachi Misao from childhood while she was a member of the Oniwabanshuu. Following the revolution, as some members of the Oniwabanshuu struggled to adapt to life in the Meiji era, Aoshi and these disaffected individuals found employment with the corrupt and ambitious businessman Takeda Kanryuu. His team included Beshimi, who specialized in darts and poison; Hyotoko, whose name translates to "Fire Man" and who utilizes flint-and-steel teeth to breathe fire; Hannya, a skilled martial artist and expert in ninjutsu who was Aoshi's student; and Shikijou, a brute-force fighter. Aoshi remains an enigmatic figure, rarely displaying emotions both in and out of battle. At the start of the series, he wielded a single kodachi alongside martial arts. However, after being defeated by Kenshin at Kanryu's mansion, he dedicated himself entirely to revenge for his fallen comrades. Upon his reappearance, he had switched to using double-kodachi and appeared to have suppressed all emotions in his quest to kill Kenshin. The two eventually fought at Shishio Makoto's mansion to settle their scores. During the battle, Aoshi realized his mistakes and subsequently became an ally.
