Movie
Description
Kondou Isao is the commander of the Shinsengumi, the special police force that operates in Edo. He was originally the master of a small dojo in Bushuu, where he met and recruited Toushirou Hijikata and Sougo Okita, forming a close bond that would become the foundation of his life. Aiming for greater opportunities, he led the members of his dojo to Edo, eventually transforming them into the powerful organization known as the Shinsengumi.
His personality is defined by a sincere, pure, and deeply honest nature. He possesses an unwavering will and a strong sense of justice, which inspire fierce loyalty in his subordinates. Hijikata describes him as the soul of the Shinsengumi, with every other member serving as the sword that protects him. This pure-heartedness, however, often makes him naive and too trusting of others, a weakness that can be exploited. Counterbalancing his serious leadership is a prominent, highly comedic side. He is well known for his obsessive, unreciprocated love for Shimura Tae, whom he endlessly proposes to and stalks. This usually results in him being violently rejected. He often acts in a foolish, childish manner, sometimes stripping down to his fundoshi as a bizarre expression of honesty, earning him the nickname gorilla from his peers. He is motivated primarily by his duty to protect his friends and his ideals, with his feelings for Otae adding a layer of comedic vulnerability.
In the Gintama films, Kondou plays a central role in the Shinsengumi's operations. In the Benizakura movie, he leads his forces against the rogue Bansai and the Kiheitai, cooperating with Gintoki and the Yorozuya. In the second movie, set several years after a devastating event, his loyalty to his fallen comrades drives him to turn against the corrupted government, becoming a determined leader of the resistance. This arc showcases his development from a comedic police chief into a revolutionary willing to sacrifice everything for his principles.
His key relationships anchor his entire character. His bond with Toushirou Hijikata is that of a brother; Hijikata manages the Shinsengumi's day-to-day operations and grounds Kondou when he gets too carried away. His relationship with Sougo Okita is one of deep mutual trust, though Sougo constantly mocks and torments him with a saracastic edge. His dynamic with Gintoki Sakata is a mix of rivalry and deep mutual respect, recognizing a shared spirit of protecting what matters. His unrequited affection for Otae is the primary running gag of his personal life, yet the sincerity of his feelings is genuine. As his former rival Itou Kamotarou once noted, Kondou is honest, pure, and unsullied, a man whose goodness draws people to him without him realizing it.
In terms of abilities, Kondou is a master swordsman who favors a powerful, one-hit-kill style that makes the most of his large, muscular frame. He is a capable strategist and an inspiring commander who leads from the front. While his comedic antics often overshadow his competence, his physical strength, resilience, and unwavering spirit make him a formidable ally and a dangerous enemy.
His personality is defined by a sincere, pure, and deeply honest nature. He possesses an unwavering will and a strong sense of justice, which inspire fierce loyalty in his subordinates. Hijikata describes him as the soul of the Shinsengumi, with every other member serving as the sword that protects him. This pure-heartedness, however, often makes him naive and too trusting of others, a weakness that can be exploited. Counterbalancing his serious leadership is a prominent, highly comedic side. He is well known for his obsessive, unreciprocated love for Shimura Tae, whom he endlessly proposes to and stalks. This usually results in him being violently rejected. He often acts in a foolish, childish manner, sometimes stripping down to his fundoshi as a bizarre expression of honesty, earning him the nickname gorilla from his peers. He is motivated primarily by his duty to protect his friends and his ideals, with his feelings for Otae adding a layer of comedic vulnerability.
In the Gintama films, Kondou plays a central role in the Shinsengumi's operations. In the Benizakura movie, he leads his forces against the rogue Bansai and the Kiheitai, cooperating with Gintoki and the Yorozuya. In the second movie, set several years after a devastating event, his loyalty to his fallen comrades drives him to turn against the corrupted government, becoming a determined leader of the resistance. This arc showcases his development from a comedic police chief into a revolutionary willing to sacrifice everything for his principles.
His key relationships anchor his entire character. His bond with Toushirou Hijikata is that of a brother; Hijikata manages the Shinsengumi's day-to-day operations and grounds Kondou when he gets too carried away. His relationship with Sougo Okita is one of deep mutual trust, though Sougo constantly mocks and torments him with a saracastic edge. His dynamic with Gintoki Sakata is a mix of rivalry and deep mutual respect, recognizing a shared spirit of protecting what matters. His unrequited affection for Otae is the primary running gag of his personal life, yet the sincerity of his feelings is genuine. As his former rival Itou Kamotarou once noted, Kondou is honest, pure, and unsullied, a man whose goodness draws people to him without him realizing it.
In terms of abilities, Kondou is a master swordsman who favors a powerful, one-hit-kill style that makes the most of his large, muscular frame. He is a capable strategist and an inspiring commander who leads from the front. While his comedic antics often overshadow his competence, his physical strength, resilience, and unwavering spirit make him a formidable ally and a dangerous enemy.