Okita Sougo serves as captain of the first division in the Shinsengumi police force. Orphaned in childhood, his older sister Mitsuba raised him alone, admitting she spoiled him due to their parents' absence, contributing to his early aloofness. His solitary life shifted when Isao Kondou noticed him and accepted him as a trainee at his dojo. Sougo developed a strong fondness and lasting respect for Kondou, viewing him as a brother. Toushirou Hijikata's arrival at the dojo altered Sougo's dynamic. Sougo perceived Hijikata receiving preferential treatment from Kondou and forming close bonds with both Kondou and Mitsuba, fueling deep-seated resentment. This resentment intensified years later when Hijikata rejected Mitsuba's request to accompany them to Edo, citing the life-threatening dangers. Sougo held this rejection as a significant grudge, compounded by his persistent ambition to usurp Hijikata's position as Shinsengumi vice-commander. Physically, Sougo is a young man with mild features, short light brown hair, and reddish-brown eyes. He possesses an almost childlike, innocent face often described as handsome. He typically wears the Shinsengumi captain's uniform: a dark, unbuttoned jacket with gold accents, black trousers secured by a brown belt with a silver buckle, a white cravat tucked into a black vest featuring a yellow lock, and heavy black boots. A katana is sheathed at his left hip. He is rarely seen without his distinctive red sleep mask, featuring a black border and wide-open eye markings, worn during rest or when skipping work. During the Dekoboko Arc, a curse transformed him into a female form noted by Shinpachi as a "Grade A beauty," wearing a yellow short kimono and thigh-high black tabi socks. Sougo's personality is predominantly marked by overt sadism, exemplified by chaining individuals for sadomasochistic play, leading Hijikata to label him the "King of the Planet of Sadists." Despite this, he displays unwavering respect and politeness towards Mitsuba, even kneeling to apologize. An incident during a roller-coaster ride revealed a self-admitted vulnerability beneath his sadistic exterior, suggesting underlying sensitivity. He frequently expresses blunt disdain, particularly towards Hijikata and Kondou (whom he consistently calls "Gorilla"), yet demonstrates fierce protectiveness over those he values. He nearly killed an official for insulting Kondou and exhibits unexpected sensitivity in critical moments, shielding comrades or bearing burdens to spare them pain. His ambition to become vice-commander manifests in relentless, often dangerous attempts to eliminate or frame Hijikata. Despite this antagonism, Sougo acknowledges Hijikata as one of his 'three rotten friends,' alongside Kondou and Gintoki Sakata. He shares a similarly competitive, often violent rivalry with Kagura of the Yorozuya. Typically, he maintains an aloof, disinterested facade with a blank expression, frequently neglecting duties or napping. However, he proves highly observant of political situations, readily explains complex scenarios, and becomes lethally focused during combat. Characters like Nobume Imai and Kamui recognize his "eyes of a killer," yet he actively prevents innocents from following his violent path, absorbing blame and hatred himself, as seen when he concealed the harsh truth of a father's death from his daughter during the Rokkaku Arc. In combat, Kondou identified Sougo as one of the dojo's best fighters. Shinpachi explicitly recognizes him as the strongest swordsman and a genius within the Shinsengumi. While his skills are sometimes noted as technically below Hijikata's, he rarely loses their confrontations. Demonstrated feats include cutting a car in half with a single strike, destroying concrete pillars supporting a building during his fight with Nobume Imai, deflecting sniper bullets while engaging multiple opponents, demolishing an entire concrete structure, and inflicting serious injuries on Kamui during the Shogun Assassination Arc. His primary weapon is the katana Kiku-Ichimonji RX-78, featuring a built-in MP3 player and a blade capable of cutting rock. This katana resides in Saya, a sentient scabbard and Amanto (alien) from the planet Excalibur, acquired from a New York pawnshop. Sougo also frequently employs a Shinsengumi-issued bazooka, targeting both enemies and Hijikata. His core relationships define much of his actions. Mitsuba Okita remains his most cherished person; he prioritizes her happiness above duty, initially pleading for her Joui rebel fiancé to be spared, only to ruthlessly kill the man upon discovering Mitsuba was being exploited. Sougo openly wept at her deathbed, showing vulnerability seen with no one else. His loyalty to Isao Kondou is absolute, rooted in Kondou being his first friend and mentor. He protects Kondou's honor fiercely, even feigning betrayal of Hijikata to stay by Kondou's side. His relationship with Toushirou Hijikata is defined by persistent hostility and violent pranks aimed at usurping his position, yet underpinned by a grudging respect acknowledged in their inclusion among each other's close "rotten" friends. His dynamic with Kagura involves constant, often destructive competition.