Taizō Hasegawa was once a government official for the Bakufu’s Immigration Bureau, tasked with managing Amanto dignitaries. His life shifted irrevocably during an assignment to protect Prince Hata. When the prince’s pet turned violent, Hasegawa initially sought to avoid interference to preserve diplomatic relations. After witnessing Sakata Gintoki prioritize saving lives over obedience, Hasegawa punched Prince Hata and fled to avoid enforced seppuku. This cost him his job, social standing, and marriage. His wife, Hatsu, whom he had married despite their difference in social status, left him after his dismissal. They remain estranged but keep in contact, each expressing care and a willingness to reconcile should Hasegawa find stability. Hatsu came from a well-connected family and had shown loyalty during their marriage, even humbling herself to kneel and apologize to Hasegawa’s superior despite her higher rank. Now homeless, Hasegawa lives a transient life, often gambling and drinking. He survives on temporary work: as a stall holder, janitor, sushi shop employee, convenience store worker, taxi driver, lifeguard, and hotdog vendor. His persistent unemployment and disheveled appearance earned him the nickname “MADAO,” an acronym for phrases like “marude damena ossan” or “Middle Aged Dumb Ass Oldies,” symbolizing his failure to reintegrate into society. He wears a ragged brown suit, dark messy hair, and a pair of sunglasses that he rarely removes. These sunglasses are central to his identity, often described as “more Hasegawa than Hasegawa himself.” They symbolize his past dignity and act as a psychological anchor. His refusal to remove them frequently impedes employment. Despite his circumstances, Hasegawa exhibits a kind and altruistic nature. He sacrifices his own opportunities to help others, such as deliberately failing a job interview to help a father reunite with his family, or winning a rigged game show to pay a sick girl’s medical debts. These acts highlight his selflessness, even at his own expense. He displays masochistic tendencies, openly admitting to being “a bit of an M.” He finds perverse enjoyment in painful or humiliating situations, such as being hit by fruits or physically assaulted, a trait often used for comedic effect. His relationship with the Yorozuya crew—Sakata Gintoki, Shinpachi Shimura, and Kagura—is significant. While their interactions often lead to misfortune, they also provide support in critical times. Gintoki frequently helps him find jobs or housing, and they bond over gambling and drinking. Episodic storylines depict Hasegawa’s attempts to escape his predicament. These include a courtroom trial where Gintoki defended him against false charges, a parody game show to pay debts, and repeated failed suicide attempts. One notable arc involved a time-altering incident that caused his repeated deaths, though these were ultimately undone. In broader media, such as the AWA fics, Hasegawa appears as part of the faculty at City Saints Academy, though in a minor role. In the final film, he features in a futuristic illusion where he jokes about machines replacing humans, though this is revealed as a deceptive narrative device. Hasegawa’s philosophical outlook aligns with altruism and existentialism. He believes in defining his own values and acting with integrity, as when he quit jobs that compromised his principles. His struggles reflect a theme of finding meaning in suffering as he perseveres despite setbacks. His abilities are largely mundane, though he occasionally shows unexpected competence, such as in fishing. A gag device measures his fighting power at over 600K when wearing special sunglasses, dropping to 1K without them, though this is played for humor.