Movie
Description
Hijikata Toshiro serves as the vice-commander of the Shinsengumi, a special police force in Edo, where he is widely known by the fearsome nickname the Demonic Vice-Commander. His backstory is marked by hardship and a search for belonging. Born as the illegitimate son of a mistress and a wealthy farmer after his father's death, he faced rejection from his family. His older half-brother, Tamegoro, was the only one who protected him, becoming a fatherly figure. When Hijikata was eleven, a fire broke out in their village, and bandits used the chaos to attack. Tamegoro shielded him from the assault but lost his eyesight in the process. Driven by a blind rage, a young Hijikata viciously attacked the bandits, an act that earned him the nickname Thorny Toshi and made him an outcast from his own family, forcing him to leave home. He became a wandering, troublemaking ronin, seeking out fights, until he was taken in by Kondou Isao after a dojo battle. It was here he met the Okita siblings, entering a rivalry with Sougo and a complicated, unfulfilled romantic bond with Mitsuba. He later left his brother's home for good to follow Kondou to Edo, a journey that would lead to the formation of the Shinsengumi.
On the surface, Hijikata is ruthlessly strict and dedicated to his work, having authored the Shinsengumi's forty-five disciplinary regulations which he enforces with threats of seppuku. He is famously short-tempered, often seen reprimanding his subordinates for their antics. Beneath this steely exterior, however, lies a more compassionate, though often hidden, nature. He frequently veils his good or kind actions with exaggerated annoyance, a trait that aligns him with the archetype of a tsundere. His personality is marked by several compulsive and quirky habits, most notably an obsessive love for mayonnaise, which he drowns almost all his food in, including desserts and coffee. He is also a chain smoker, a habit he eventually struggles to quit. He shares with his rival, Sakata Gintoki, a deep-seated fear of ghosts and dentists, and the two can achieve an almost unbelievable level of synchronization when fighting together. Despite his reputation, he is awkward around women and does not frequent cabaret clubs, and he has a surprising tendency to cry during movies that are not even particularly emotional.
Hijikata's primary motivation is his fierce and unwavering loyalty to Kondou Isao, whom he views as the soul of the Shinsengumi. This bond drives him to defy orders and even risk death to save his commander, as seen during the Shinsengumi Mutiny. He is also driven by a deep-seated regret for not being able to save his brother, which fuels his desire to become stronger and protect those he cares about. His unfulfilled feelings for Okita Mitsuba, whom he rejected to follow a life of violence, also haunt him, leaving him with lasting guilt.
In the story, Hijikata acts as the brains and the iron fist of the Shinsengumi, often serving as the straight man to the antics of his allies and rivals. His role in the movie, Gintama: The Very Final, sees him taking a stand against the Tendoushuu, anchoring the Shinsengumi's legacy in the final conflict. A significant development in his character arc involves the cursed blade Muramasha, which fragments his psyche and gives birth to an alter-ego named Tosshi. Tosshi represents a conflict-averse, otaku version of himself who is obsessed with anime and manga. This split personality manifests during the Shinsengumi Crisis, forcing Hijikata to confront a suppressed part of his identity. His relationship with his rival Sakata Gintoki is a cornerstone of his development, as their constant clashes and grudging respect for each other push him to acknowledge his own contradictions and find an unlikely kindred spirit.
As a fighter, Hijikata is exceptionally skilled with a sword, demonstrating incredible strength and reflexes, such as slicing bullets in mid-air. While his swordsmanship might not surpass Gintoki's, he is a formidable combatant, capable of single-handedly defeating numerous enemies. He is also a brilliant tactical mind and a genius strategist, a fact acknowledged even by Gintoki, and his leadership skills are so sharp that he can expertly command a group even after a body swap. His notable abilities extend beyond physical combat to include a stubborn pride and a refusal to show weakness, as well as a surprising talent for administrative follow-ups.
On the surface, Hijikata is ruthlessly strict and dedicated to his work, having authored the Shinsengumi's forty-five disciplinary regulations which he enforces with threats of seppuku. He is famously short-tempered, often seen reprimanding his subordinates for their antics. Beneath this steely exterior, however, lies a more compassionate, though often hidden, nature. He frequently veils his good or kind actions with exaggerated annoyance, a trait that aligns him with the archetype of a tsundere. His personality is marked by several compulsive and quirky habits, most notably an obsessive love for mayonnaise, which he drowns almost all his food in, including desserts and coffee. He is also a chain smoker, a habit he eventually struggles to quit. He shares with his rival, Sakata Gintoki, a deep-seated fear of ghosts and dentists, and the two can achieve an almost unbelievable level of synchronization when fighting together. Despite his reputation, he is awkward around women and does not frequent cabaret clubs, and he has a surprising tendency to cry during movies that are not even particularly emotional.
Hijikata's primary motivation is his fierce and unwavering loyalty to Kondou Isao, whom he views as the soul of the Shinsengumi. This bond drives him to defy orders and even risk death to save his commander, as seen during the Shinsengumi Mutiny. He is also driven by a deep-seated regret for not being able to save his brother, which fuels his desire to become stronger and protect those he cares about. His unfulfilled feelings for Okita Mitsuba, whom he rejected to follow a life of violence, also haunt him, leaving him with lasting guilt.
In the story, Hijikata acts as the brains and the iron fist of the Shinsengumi, often serving as the straight man to the antics of his allies and rivals. His role in the movie, Gintama: The Very Final, sees him taking a stand against the Tendoushuu, anchoring the Shinsengumi's legacy in the final conflict. A significant development in his character arc involves the cursed blade Muramasha, which fragments his psyche and gives birth to an alter-ego named Tosshi. Tosshi represents a conflict-averse, otaku version of himself who is obsessed with anime and manga. This split personality manifests during the Shinsengumi Crisis, forcing Hijikata to confront a suppressed part of his identity. His relationship with his rival Sakata Gintoki is a cornerstone of his development, as their constant clashes and grudging respect for each other push him to acknowledge his own contradictions and find an unlikely kindred spirit.
As a fighter, Hijikata is exceptionally skilled with a sword, demonstrating incredible strength and reflexes, such as slicing bullets in mid-air. While his swordsmanship might not surpass Gintoki's, he is a formidable combatant, capable of single-handedly defeating numerous enemies. He is also a brilliant tactical mind and a genius strategist, a fact acknowledged even by Gintoki, and his leadership skills are so sharp that he can expertly command a group even after a body swap. His notable abilities extend beyond physical combat to include a stubborn pride and a refusal to show weakness, as well as a surprising talent for administrative follow-ups.