Movie
Description
Isao Kondou serves as the commander of the Shinsengumi, the special police force tasked with maintaining order in Edo. Standing 184 centimeters tall with a muscular build, tanned skin, spiky brown hair, and a goatee, his rugged facial features often lead others to affectionately mock him with the nickname gorilla, a joke he occasionally embraces himself. His appearance gains a distinguishing mark during the Farewell Shinsengumi arc, when he receives a prominent diagonal scar across his face from Sasaki Isaburo, a lasting reminder of his trials.
Kondou's background reveals a journey from troubled youth to respected leader. As a child, he was a delinquent known for stealing, and he was expelled from a temple school after defending other children from loan sharks. A shrine priest took him in and helped him reform, after which he returned to his family's swordsmanship dojo to train under his father. This dojo in Bushuu became the foundation for what would follow, as he welcomed outcasts like a young Toushirou Hijikata and Sougo Okita, giving them a place to belong. Kondou later moved his entire dojo to Edo, establishing the Shinsengumi as a force dedicated to protecting the city.
In personality, Kondou presents a fascinating duality. On the surface, he plays the role of a fool, often found in humiliating situations or pursuing his obsessive, comedic love for Tae Shimura after she offered him a few kind words of encouragement. His persistent stalking, which includes showing up naked in public to prove his sincerity, is consistently met with violent rejections that he endures with remarkable resilience. Yet beneath this absurd exterior lies the true heart of the Shinsengumi. His subordinates describe him as pure, honest, and excessively kind, a leader who never suspects ill of others and takes full responsibility for any failure. This trusting nature can be a weakness, as seen when he is nearly betrayed by his own advisor Kamotarou Itou, but it is also the very reason so many are willing to risk their lives for him. Hijikata famously declares that Kondou is the soul of the Shinsengumi, while the rest of the members are the swords that protect him.
Several key relationships define Kondou. His bond with Hijikata and Okita is unbreakable, forged through years of shared history from their dojo days. They correct each other, serve as shields, and are willing to defy orders or even die for him. Despite his comedic torment, Kondou holds great respect for Sakata Gintoki, recognizing their shared desire to watch over Edo, and he ultimately entrusts Gintoki with his final message to his men when facing execution. His relationship with the Jouishishi leader Katsura Kotarou evolves from bitter rivalry to a grudging alliance and eventual friendship during the series' climactic conflicts. His devotion to Tae Shimura, while often played for laughs, matures over time into a genuine mutual respect, particularly after she aids in his rescue during the Farewell Shinsengumi arc.
Throughout the story, Kondou faces trials that test his resolve. In the Shinsengumi Crisis arc, his unwavering integrity nearly costs him his position, but his faith in his men ultimately prevails. When he is sentenced to execution under Nobu Nobu's regime, his primary concern is not his own safety but the welfare of his comrades, entrusting them with the duty to continue protecting Edo even if the Shinsengumi no longer exists. In the film Gintama: The Final, he sets aside past conflicts to ally with former rivals like Katsura against the common threat Utsuro, prioritizing the defense of Earth above all else. After the final battle, he steps down as commander, briefly pursuing domestic life and an arranged political marriage with Princess Bubbles of the Shoujou Star before returning to a rebuilt Edo to uphold the Shinsengumi's legacy.
Kondou is also a highly capable swordsman, a fact often overlooked due to his comedic persona. His fighting style relies on overwhelming strength and power, specializing in heavy, decisive blows. Wielding his katana named Kotetsu, he has demonstrated his ability by defeating elite opponents such as Toujou Ayumu of the Yagyuu Four Devas with a single strike, even while under a severe handicap. His physical resilience is equally notable, as he has survived attacks from Yato warriors and even the gunfire of his own superior Matsudaira Katakuriko. While his strategic role as the protected leader often keeps him from the front lines, when Kondou does fight, he proves himself a formidable force, truly embodying the strength required to protect those he leads.
Kondou's background reveals a journey from troubled youth to respected leader. As a child, he was a delinquent known for stealing, and he was expelled from a temple school after defending other children from loan sharks. A shrine priest took him in and helped him reform, after which he returned to his family's swordsmanship dojo to train under his father. This dojo in Bushuu became the foundation for what would follow, as he welcomed outcasts like a young Toushirou Hijikata and Sougo Okita, giving them a place to belong. Kondou later moved his entire dojo to Edo, establishing the Shinsengumi as a force dedicated to protecting the city.
In personality, Kondou presents a fascinating duality. On the surface, he plays the role of a fool, often found in humiliating situations or pursuing his obsessive, comedic love for Tae Shimura after she offered him a few kind words of encouragement. His persistent stalking, which includes showing up naked in public to prove his sincerity, is consistently met with violent rejections that he endures with remarkable resilience. Yet beneath this absurd exterior lies the true heart of the Shinsengumi. His subordinates describe him as pure, honest, and excessively kind, a leader who never suspects ill of others and takes full responsibility for any failure. This trusting nature can be a weakness, as seen when he is nearly betrayed by his own advisor Kamotarou Itou, but it is also the very reason so many are willing to risk their lives for him. Hijikata famously declares that Kondou is the soul of the Shinsengumi, while the rest of the members are the swords that protect him.
Several key relationships define Kondou. His bond with Hijikata and Okita is unbreakable, forged through years of shared history from their dojo days. They correct each other, serve as shields, and are willing to defy orders or even die for him. Despite his comedic torment, Kondou holds great respect for Sakata Gintoki, recognizing their shared desire to watch over Edo, and he ultimately entrusts Gintoki with his final message to his men when facing execution. His relationship with the Jouishishi leader Katsura Kotarou evolves from bitter rivalry to a grudging alliance and eventual friendship during the series' climactic conflicts. His devotion to Tae Shimura, while often played for laughs, matures over time into a genuine mutual respect, particularly after she aids in his rescue during the Farewell Shinsengumi arc.
Throughout the story, Kondou faces trials that test his resolve. In the Shinsengumi Crisis arc, his unwavering integrity nearly costs him his position, but his faith in his men ultimately prevails. When he is sentenced to execution under Nobu Nobu's regime, his primary concern is not his own safety but the welfare of his comrades, entrusting them with the duty to continue protecting Edo even if the Shinsengumi no longer exists. In the film Gintama: The Final, he sets aside past conflicts to ally with former rivals like Katsura against the common threat Utsuro, prioritizing the defense of Earth above all else. After the final battle, he steps down as commander, briefly pursuing domestic life and an arranged political marriage with Princess Bubbles of the Shoujou Star before returning to a rebuilt Edo to uphold the Shinsengumi's legacy.
Kondou is also a highly capable swordsman, a fact often overlooked due to his comedic persona. His fighting style relies on overwhelming strength and power, specializing in heavy, decisive blows. Wielding his katana named Kotetsu, he has demonstrated his ability by defeating elite opponents such as Toujou Ayumu of the Yagyuu Four Devas with a single strike, even while under a severe handicap. His physical resilience is equally notable, as he has survived attacks from Yato warriors and even the gunfire of his own superior Matsudaira Katakuriko. While his strategic role as the protected leader often keeps him from the front lines, when Kondou does fight, he proves himself a formidable force, truly embodying the strength required to protect those he leads.