TV-Series
Description
Toshizo Hijikata, former vice-commander of the legendary Bakumatsu-era Shinsengumi police force, resisted the Meiji Restoration after the Tokugawa shogunate's fall. Historically recorded as perishing in the 1869 Battle of Hakodate, he secretly survived that conflict. Decades later, he remains concealed in Hokkaido as an elderly man, yet his exceptional swordsmanship and formidable presence—forged through combat and leadership—endure. His thick eyebrows and traditional Japanese attire make him instantly recognizable.
Driven by an unwavering mission, Hijikata seeks to reclaim Hokkaido for the Ainu people, establishing an independent nation governed by their laws and customs. This goal arises from witnessing Ainu suffering under Japanese rule and his own responsibility in conflicts that birthed the Meiji era. He believes the hidden Ainu gold is essential to fund this rebellion. Actively hunting the gold, he assembles followers and operates with strategic cunning, forming temporary alliances like those with Sugimoto and Asirpa while prioritizing his ultimate objective. He enforces a strict, disciplined code reminiscent of his Shinsengumi days, demanding loyalty and adherence to principles from subordinates.
Advanced tuberculosis ravages Hijikata’s health, marked by bloody coughs and visible decline. He acknowledges his impending death but resolves to achieve his goal first. This frailty starkly contrasts with his lethal skill bursts and indomitable will. He carries profound historical knowledge of the Bakumatsu period, the Shinsengumi, and the gold’s concealment, alongside guilt over past actions and fallen comrades. Encounters with former Shinsengumi members like Saito Hajime stir complex emotions from their shared history and divergent paths.
Hijikata harbors deep enmity for Tsurumi Tokushiro, a key antagonist also pursuing the gold. He views Tsurumi as a dangerous manipulator exploiting Hokkaido for personal ambition—embodying the Meiji government’s worst traits. Their conflict is both ideological and personal. In their final duel, Hijikata reveals his survival and grand plan for Hokkaido’s independence. He mortally wounds Tsurumi but suffers fatal injuries, accepting death peacefully near Lake Kussharo. His body is found seated with his sword, facing east toward the lands he fought for—a death aligning with historical records of his demise in Hakodate.
Driven by an unwavering mission, Hijikata seeks to reclaim Hokkaido for the Ainu people, establishing an independent nation governed by their laws and customs. This goal arises from witnessing Ainu suffering under Japanese rule and his own responsibility in conflicts that birthed the Meiji era. He believes the hidden Ainu gold is essential to fund this rebellion. Actively hunting the gold, he assembles followers and operates with strategic cunning, forming temporary alliances like those with Sugimoto and Asirpa while prioritizing his ultimate objective. He enforces a strict, disciplined code reminiscent of his Shinsengumi days, demanding loyalty and adherence to principles from subordinates.
Advanced tuberculosis ravages Hijikata’s health, marked by bloody coughs and visible decline. He acknowledges his impending death but resolves to achieve his goal first. This frailty starkly contrasts with his lethal skill bursts and indomitable will. He carries profound historical knowledge of the Bakumatsu period, the Shinsengumi, and the gold’s concealment, alongside guilt over past actions and fallen comrades. Encounters with former Shinsengumi members like Saito Hajime stir complex emotions from their shared history and divergent paths.
Hijikata harbors deep enmity for Tsurumi Tokushiro, a key antagonist also pursuing the gold. He views Tsurumi as a dangerous manipulator exploiting Hokkaido for personal ambition—embodying the Meiji government’s worst traits. Their conflict is both ideological and personal. In their final duel, Hijikata reveals his survival and grand plan for Hokkaido’s independence. He mortally wounds Tsurumi but suffers fatal injuries, accepting death peacefully near Lake Kussharo. His body is found seated with his sword, facing east toward the lands he fought for—a death aligning with historical records of his demise in Hakodate.