Hijikata Toshizō in Drifters is based on the historical figure of the same name, who was the famed vice commander of the Shinsengumi, an elite special police force in Kyoto during the Bakumatsu period. In the world of Drifters, he is summoned as an End, a warrior brought to a fantasy realm to fight against the Drifters and ultimately help destroy humanity. His character is heavily defined by his past life and his unwavering loyalty to the fallen Tokugawa shogunate, having been a casualty of the Battle of Hakodate that marked the shogunate's end.

Hijikata carries himself with a stoic and grim demeanor, appearing as a tall man with shoulder-length black hair and cold steel-gray eyes. His personality is deeply serious and disciplined, reflecting his former role as a strict enforcer of the Shinsengumi's codes. The core of his motivation is not merely to serve the enigmatic Black King, but to settle a deep-seated, historical grudge. He harbors an intense hatred for the Shimazu clan, whose members were instrumental in the rebellion that led to the downfall of the Tokugawa shogunate. This personal vendetta is triggered upon encountering his main rival, Shimazu Toyohisa, a Drifter and a descendant of that very clan. This historical animosity often overrides his tactical sense, causing him to become enraged and abandon rational strategy in favor of personal combat.

In the story, Hijikata serves as a commander of the front-line forces for the Black King's army. He is a respected and effective tactician, quickly adapting to his enemy's use of firearms and directing his troops to use the terrain to obscure their movements. His tactical acumen is recognized by Oda Nobunaga, who notes that Hijikata’s understanding of gunpowder warfare sets him apart as a formidable opponent. His primary role is as an antagonist, leading assaults on Orte's capital city of Verlina and clashing directly with the Drifters. A key moment in his development involves his interaction with Naoshi Kanno, a Drifter who was also a historical figure and identifies as a member of the Shinsengumi, idolizing the organization's legacy. When Kanno expresses his admiration for Hijikata and the Shinsengumi, it causes Hijikata to momentarily reflect on the path he has abandoned and the honor of his former comrades.

Hijikata's most notable ability is a supernatural power he gains as an End. He can summon spectral, ghostly manifestations of his fallen Shinsengumi comrades to fight alongside him, slicing through enemies at a distance. This ability, which shrouds him in an army of vengeful spirits, makes him a highly dangerous close-to-mid-range combatant. In addition to this power, he is an accomplished and masterful swordsman, capable of matching Shimazu Toyohisa in single combat and even shattering his katana. He also possesses significant leadership skills, having once held the position of vice commander of an elite police force, and is a good battlefield tactician. Despite his effectiveness as a leader and warrior, his overwhelming and blinding hatred for the Shimazu clan proves to be a critical weakness that his opponents can exploit to gain the upper hand.