Anji Yukyūzan is a prominent character from the anime Rurouni Kenshin -Kyoto Disturbance-, serving as a formidable member of the Juppongatana, the elite ten-man fighting force assembled by the series' primary antagonist, Makoto Shishio. Before his fall from grace, Anji was a peace-loving Buddhist monk who dedicated his life to non-violence and the care of orphaned children at his temple. However, his pacifistic world was shattered during the anti-Buddhist purges that followed the Meiji Restoration. The local mayor, seeking to improve his town's standing with the new government, orchestrated the burning of Anji's temple. Anji was knocked unconscious while trying to save the children, and when he awoke, he found that the five orphans he had cared for had perished in the fire. Consumed by anguish, bitterness, and a thirst for vengeance, Anji abandoned his former beliefs, deciding that he could no longer accept a fate where Buddha would allow such innocent lives to be taken. He took the ash from the children's burned bodies and smeared it around his eyes as a permanent reminder of his loss, a striking feature that defines his appearance.

Driven by a twisted sense of righteousness, Anji's personality is complex. Every action he takes is intended to better the world, though he has come to believe that true salvation can only be achieved through a cycle of constant destruction and rebuilding. Despite his immense rage and power, he remains a thoughtful and patient individual, rarely acting rashly in a fight. He also retains a strong moral code, refusing to allow innocent people to be harmed. This is demonstrated when he physically confronts his far more dangerous comrade, Uonuma Usui, to protect the young Misao Makimachi. Within Shishio's ranks, he is considered the most merciful of the Juppongatana, a fact that Shishio himself acknowledges even as he notes that Anji's wrath has largely overshadowed that merciful nature.

Anji's primary motivation is the destruction of the Meiji government, which he holds responsible for the tragedy that befell his temple and the children he loved. He aligns himself with Shishio's revolutionary cause, believing it to be the most direct path to purging the world of what he sees as its evils. His role in the story is twofold. Initially, he acts as a mentor to Sagara Sanosuke, Kenshin's companion. Sanosuke, lost in a forest on his way to Kyoto, stumbles upon Anji training and witnesses the monk's devastating unarmed technique. Seeing a shared hatred for the Meiji government in the young man, Anji agrees to teach him the secret of his art, the Futae no Kiwami, setting a harsh condition that Sanosuke must master it within a month or be killed. Sanosuke's determination leads him to learn the technique in a single week, earning Anji's respect. Later, Anji serves as a direct opponent to Sanosuke when Kenshin and his allies infiltrate Shishio's fortress. As the first line of defense, Anji confronts Sanosuke in a brutal battle that is as much a clash of ideals as it is of fists.

Key to Anji's character are his relationships. The memory of the five orphans, particularly the eldest girl named Tsubaki, haunts him and fuels his rage. Tsubaki was the daughter of the late village chief and often scolded Anji for being too gentle, a trait he now sees as a weakness that led to their deaths. His relationship with Sanosuke is the most dynamic in the series. Anji sees a kindred spirit in Sanosuke's anger, but during their final battle, he accuses Sanosuke of lying about his hatred for the government, sensing that the younger man has found new bonds and a purpose beyond revenge. Through their fight, Sanosuke ultimately convinces Anji that his path of destruction has only brought more sorrow, and that the souls of the children he loved would not want him to live consumed by hatred. This confrontation marks the turning point in Anji's development. Defeated and spiritually shaken, he abandons his destructive crusade. After Shishio's death, Anji refuses a secret amnesty offered to other members of the Juppongatana. Choosing to take responsibility for his actions, he turns himself in to the authorities and accepts a prison sentence of twenty-five years.

Anji's notable abilities center on his self-taught kenpo technique, the Futae no Kiwami, which translates to Mastery of Two Layers or Two-fold Extremity. This technique allows him to deliver two strikes in rapid succession, with only milliseconds between them. The first impact dissipates the target's natural resistance, leaving it momentarily weakened, while the second strike pulverizes it from within. Anji has mastered this ability to the point where he can perform it not only with his fists, but also with his head, elbows, knees, and feet. He has also developed several derivative techniques. Kiwami Hazushi, or Extremity Release, is a defensive maneuver where Anji punches himself in the opposite direction of an incoming attack to neutralize its vibrational force. Tou-Ate, or Distant Hit, allows him to thrust a blade into the ground and transfer the destructive shockwave of the Futae no Kiwami through the earth to strike an opponent at a range. Anji's immense physical power and mastery of this martial art make him one of the most dangerous and formidable fighters in the Kyoto Disturbance arc.