Movie
Description
Kondo Isao is the commander of the Shinsengumi, the police force operating in the alternate Edo period of the story. He is loosely based on the historical figure Kondou Isami, the real-life commander of the Shinsengumi during the Bakumatsu era. In his youth, he ran a dojo in the Bushuu region where he met and recruited Hijikata Toushirou and Okita Sougo. Later, he moved the entire group to Edo, where they formed the core of the Shinsengumi.
Physically tall and muscular with tan skin, spiky brown hair, and a goatee, Kondo is often called a gorilla by other characters due to his hairy appearance. While he initially resents the nickname, he sometimes uses it humorously about himself. He usually wears a standard Shinsengumi uniform, but on occasion he appears naked, believing that exposing his body is a sign of openness and a big heart.
Kondo’s personality is marked by genuine warmth, honesty, and an almost naive trust in others. He consistently sees the best in people, even when those around him cannot, and this trusting nature can sometimes be exploited by enemies. His subordinates describe him as the soul of the Shinsengumi: the moral center that holds the group together. Hijikata Toushirou has stated that everyone joined the Shinsengumi because they wanted to be with Kondo, and that as long as Kondo is present, the organization will not fall.
Despite his role as a leader, Kondo relies heavily on Hijikata to maintain discipline among the more hot-headed members, particularly Okita Sougo, who often notes that Kondo’s kind attitude is also a weakness because he overlooks the negative qualities of others. Kondo’s own loyalty to his comrades is unwavering; he believes that if any of them loses their way, the others should pull them back.
A significant and comedic facet of Kondo’s character is his obsessive love for Shimura Tae, the older sister of Shinpachi. His infatuation began when she answered that she would accept a boyfriend with a hairy buttocks, a trait Kondo possesses. This leads to relentless stalking behavior, for which Tae frequently beats him up. In the Yagyuu arc, he becomes determined to become Shinpachi’s brother-in-law, even offering to entrust the Shinsengumi to him, much to Shinpachi’s exasperation. This unrequited affection drives many of his comedic moments and personal struggles.
As a commander, Kondo is an adept swordsman, favoring a powerful, direct style that can fell opponents in a single blow. However, he is more often seen in a leadership capacity, coordinating the Shinsengumi during conflicts. His approach to combat reflects his straightforward personality.
Kondo’s development is most pronounced in arcs that test his leadership and integrity. In the Mutiny arc, his honest and pure nature is highlighted as the reason his men remain loyal even in the face of betrayal. Itou Kamotarou describes him as unsullied, and Hijikata reaffirms that Kondo is the reason the Shinsengumi exists. His relationships with Hijikata and Okita are particularly strong; the three share a brotherly bond, often joking and bickering but ultimately standing together. Kondo also answers to Matsudaira Katakuriko, a high-ranking government official who oversees the Shinsengumi.
Across the movies, Kondo retains these traits, providing both comic relief and moments of sincere resolve when the Shinsengumi or his friends are threatened. He remains a steadfast, if eccentric, pillar of the group, embodying the blend of absurd humor and genuine heart that defines the larger story.
Physically tall and muscular with tan skin, spiky brown hair, and a goatee, Kondo is often called a gorilla by other characters due to his hairy appearance. While he initially resents the nickname, he sometimes uses it humorously about himself. He usually wears a standard Shinsengumi uniform, but on occasion he appears naked, believing that exposing his body is a sign of openness and a big heart.
Kondo’s personality is marked by genuine warmth, honesty, and an almost naive trust in others. He consistently sees the best in people, even when those around him cannot, and this trusting nature can sometimes be exploited by enemies. His subordinates describe him as the soul of the Shinsengumi: the moral center that holds the group together. Hijikata Toushirou has stated that everyone joined the Shinsengumi because they wanted to be with Kondo, and that as long as Kondo is present, the organization will not fall.
Despite his role as a leader, Kondo relies heavily on Hijikata to maintain discipline among the more hot-headed members, particularly Okita Sougo, who often notes that Kondo’s kind attitude is also a weakness because he overlooks the negative qualities of others. Kondo’s own loyalty to his comrades is unwavering; he believes that if any of them loses their way, the others should pull them back.
A significant and comedic facet of Kondo’s character is his obsessive love for Shimura Tae, the older sister of Shinpachi. His infatuation began when she answered that she would accept a boyfriend with a hairy buttocks, a trait Kondo possesses. This leads to relentless stalking behavior, for which Tae frequently beats him up. In the Yagyuu arc, he becomes determined to become Shinpachi’s brother-in-law, even offering to entrust the Shinsengumi to him, much to Shinpachi’s exasperation. This unrequited affection drives many of his comedic moments and personal struggles.
As a commander, Kondo is an adept swordsman, favoring a powerful, direct style that can fell opponents in a single blow. However, he is more often seen in a leadership capacity, coordinating the Shinsengumi during conflicts. His approach to combat reflects his straightforward personality.
Kondo’s development is most pronounced in arcs that test his leadership and integrity. In the Mutiny arc, his honest and pure nature is highlighted as the reason his men remain loyal even in the face of betrayal. Itou Kamotarou describes him as unsullied, and Hijikata reaffirms that Kondo is the reason the Shinsengumi exists. His relationships with Hijikata and Okita are particularly strong; the three share a brotherly bond, often joking and bickering but ultimately standing together. Kondo also answers to Matsudaira Katakuriko, a high-ranking government official who oversees the Shinsengumi.
Across the movies, Kondo retains these traits, providing both comic relief and moments of sincere resolve when the Shinsengumi or his friends are threatened. He remains a steadfast, if eccentric, pillar of the group, embodying the blend of absurd humor and genuine heart that defines the larger story.