TV-Series
Description
Emonzaemon Souda is a key character whose real name is unknown, as the name he uses is merely an alias. He is a tall man, standing at 187 centimeters, with long red hair typically bound in a ponytail, and he wears a uniform reminiscent of a tuxedo. The most distinctive feature of his appearance is a large mask that conceals most of his face, upon which is written the kanji for unconcealed. This mask was a gift from Princess Hitei, and he refuses to remove it. The reason for this is that he has no face underneath; where his eyes should be are only severe scars after his original face was stolen from him.
His background is rooted in tragedy. Emonzaemon was once a ninja of the Aioi Corps, a group that was wiped out by the Maniwa Ninja Corps over 170 years before the main story. He was a friend and equal of Maniwa Houou, and the two even exchanged techniques. However, Houou ultimately betrayed him, stealing his face to gain a personality worthy of leading the Maniwa organization. After this betrayal, Emonzaemon was left for dead, both literally and spiritually, considering himself a dead man. It was Princess Hitei who found him, saved his life, and gave him a new name and the mask he wears. This act of salvation instilled in him an absolute and unshakable devotion to her.
In terms of personality, Emonzaemon is extremely reserved, quiet, and shows little emotion. He is a cool and collected individual who rarely raises his voice, yet he can be blunt and even cruel with his observations. He lives and dies for the sake of others, specifically Princess Hitei, and never for himself. He considers himself a disposable tool, a ninja whose purpose is only to accomplish his assigned duties with cold efficiency. He has very few qualms about killing, seeing it as a necessary part of his mission, and will ruthlessly eliminate anyone who becomes an obstacle. This ruthlessness is paired with a detached, logical approach to combat, though he does seem to enjoy fighting. He also has a notable speech tick, often beginning or ending his sentences with a word that starts with the prefix un-, such as unimpressive. He also has a peculiar interest in the final words of those he kills, always asking what their last words will be before he finishes them, perhaps stemming from his own experience of being reborn from a state of death.
Emonzaemon serves as the most loyal and trusted agent of Princess Hitei, working as a member of the Intelligence Division of the Owari Shogunate. He is constantly spying on the protagonists, Togame and Yasuri Shichika, reporting their progress and activities directly to Hitei. His role in the story is primarily as an antagonist and a foil to Shichika. He is also the wielder of the twelfth and final Deviant Blade, Ento Juu, a pair of pistols. This makes him the last opponent Shichika must face. The relationship between Emonzaemon and his master, Princess Hitei, is the most defining aspect of his character. His entire existence is dedicated to fulfilling her will, and he shows her a level of devotion that borders on worship. In contrast, he has a cool and antagonistic relationship with Togame, referring to her as a traitor.
His most significant relationships are tied to his past. He was once a friend and comrade to Maniwa Houou, but that bond was shattered when Houou stole his face. This event is the root of his current identity. His interactions with the Maniwa ninjas, including Houou and Pengin, are marked by a history of violence and stolen legacy. Emonzaemon confronts and kills several remaining Maniwa ninjas, reclaiming the Aioi Corps techniques that were stolen from him.
While Emonzaemon appears to be a mechanical and emotionless killer, his development is subtle but present. He is a man who has already undergone his greatest change before the story began, transforming from a proud ninja of the Aioi Corps into a devoted retainer who denies his own identity. Throughout the series, he remains unwavering in his duty. However, in his final moments, there is a glimmer of his own will. In his last battle against a vengeful Shichika, he fights not merely as a piece in the grand plan of the swordsmith Shikizaki Kiki, but to protect Princess Hitei. Even as he is dying, he asks for the princesss forgiveness for dying for her sake, demonstrating that his absolute devotion was his own truth.
As a combatant, Emonzaemon is an exceptionally powerful and skilled fighter. He is an adept swordsman who carries a pair of katanas, though he prefers to rely on his ninja techniques. He is also an incredible marksman, able to hit targets moving at tremendous speeds with his pistols. His primary combat style revolves around the Aioi Kenpou, techniques from his extinct clan. One of his abilities is Aioi Kenpou: Hairouken, which allows him to instantly slip into the shadows behind his target. His most notable technique is Ninpou: Shinobazuhou Ikasazukorosazu, also known as Namagoroshi, an ability that lets him cut through anything with a mere swing of his arm. This technique was originally from the Aioi Corps but was stolen by Maniwa Houou. As the wielder of the Deviant Blade Ento Juu, his pistols can fire projectiles of incredible speed and power, and most people in the era do not even know what a gun is, making it a devastating weapon. He can even combine his cutting technique with his pistols in an ultimate technique called Danzai Entou. He is so formidable that he was able to mortally wound Shichika, forcing the swordsman to abandon all defense in a desperate all-out attack to achieve victory.
His background is rooted in tragedy. Emonzaemon was once a ninja of the Aioi Corps, a group that was wiped out by the Maniwa Ninja Corps over 170 years before the main story. He was a friend and equal of Maniwa Houou, and the two even exchanged techniques. However, Houou ultimately betrayed him, stealing his face to gain a personality worthy of leading the Maniwa organization. After this betrayal, Emonzaemon was left for dead, both literally and spiritually, considering himself a dead man. It was Princess Hitei who found him, saved his life, and gave him a new name and the mask he wears. This act of salvation instilled in him an absolute and unshakable devotion to her.
In terms of personality, Emonzaemon is extremely reserved, quiet, and shows little emotion. He is a cool and collected individual who rarely raises his voice, yet he can be blunt and even cruel with his observations. He lives and dies for the sake of others, specifically Princess Hitei, and never for himself. He considers himself a disposable tool, a ninja whose purpose is only to accomplish his assigned duties with cold efficiency. He has very few qualms about killing, seeing it as a necessary part of his mission, and will ruthlessly eliminate anyone who becomes an obstacle. This ruthlessness is paired with a detached, logical approach to combat, though he does seem to enjoy fighting. He also has a notable speech tick, often beginning or ending his sentences with a word that starts with the prefix un-, such as unimpressive. He also has a peculiar interest in the final words of those he kills, always asking what their last words will be before he finishes them, perhaps stemming from his own experience of being reborn from a state of death.
Emonzaemon serves as the most loyal and trusted agent of Princess Hitei, working as a member of the Intelligence Division of the Owari Shogunate. He is constantly spying on the protagonists, Togame and Yasuri Shichika, reporting their progress and activities directly to Hitei. His role in the story is primarily as an antagonist and a foil to Shichika. He is also the wielder of the twelfth and final Deviant Blade, Ento Juu, a pair of pistols. This makes him the last opponent Shichika must face. The relationship between Emonzaemon and his master, Princess Hitei, is the most defining aspect of his character. His entire existence is dedicated to fulfilling her will, and he shows her a level of devotion that borders on worship. In contrast, he has a cool and antagonistic relationship with Togame, referring to her as a traitor.
His most significant relationships are tied to his past. He was once a friend and comrade to Maniwa Houou, but that bond was shattered when Houou stole his face. This event is the root of his current identity. His interactions with the Maniwa ninjas, including Houou and Pengin, are marked by a history of violence and stolen legacy. Emonzaemon confronts and kills several remaining Maniwa ninjas, reclaiming the Aioi Corps techniques that were stolen from him.
While Emonzaemon appears to be a mechanical and emotionless killer, his development is subtle but present. He is a man who has already undergone his greatest change before the story began, transforming from a proud ninja of the Aioi Corps into a devoted retainer who denies his own identity. Throughout the series, he remains unwavering in his duty. However, in his final moments, there is a glimmer of his own will. In his last battle against a vengeful Shichika, he fights not merely as a piece in the grand plan of the swordsmith Shikizaki Kiki, but to protect Princess Hitei. Even as he is dying, he asks for the princesss forgiveness for dying for her sake, demonstrating that his absolute devotion was his own truth.
As a combatant, Emonzaemon is an exceptionally powerful and skilled fighter. He is an adept swordsman who carries a pair of katanas, though he prefers to rely on his ninja techniques. He is also an incredible marksman, able to hit targets moving at tremendous speeds with his pistols. His primary combat style revolves around the Aioi Kenpou, techniques from his extinct clan. One of his abilities is Aioi Kenpou: Hairouken, which allows him to instantly slip into the shadows behind his target. His most notable technique is Ninpou: Shinobazuhou Ikasazukorosazu, also known as Namagoroshi, an ability that lets him cut through anything with a mere swing of his arm. This technique was originally from the Aioi Corps but was stolen by Maniwa Houou. As the wielder of the Deviant Blade Ento Juu, his pistols can fire projectiles of incredible speed and power, and most people in the era do not even know what a gun is, making it a devastating weapon. He can even combine his cutting technique with his pistols in an ultimate technique called Danzai Entou. He is so formidable that he was able to mortally wound Shichika, forcing the swordsman to abandon all defense in a desperate all-out attack to achieve victory.