Sōji Okita, Captain of the Shinsengumi's 1st Division and celebrated as "The Sword of the Shinsengumi," possesses exceptional swordsmanship honed under Kondou Isami and Hijikata Toshizō since childhood. This skill cements his status as the group's strongest warrior, central to his identity. Orphaned at seven, his older sister took him to the Shieikan dojo at nine, an act he perceived as abandonment. Kondou took him in, but young Okita remained withdrawn, resisting connections. Severe bullying by older students left him bruised and injured. After Kondou intervened, the beatings intensified with wooden swords and accusations of snitching. This trauma ingrained deep distrust and emotional detachment, solidifying his belief that self-reliance and strength were essential for survival. Kondou became his sole emotional anchor; he idolized him, emulating his mentor even in hairstyle as a mark of loyalty. Standing approximately 176–178 cm tall, Okita is a handsome man in his early twenties with chestnut brown hair in a topknot and emerald green eyes. He typically wears a loose red, gray, and orange haori over green hakama and white kyahan leggings. On duty, he dons a blue haori with a black-and-white headband. Following the worsening of his tuberculosis, Hijikata orders him into a white sleeping robe full-time. Okita displays a complex personality: sarcastic, teasing, and seemingly sadistic. He frequently threatens to kill Chizuru Yukimura for interfering or learning secrets, though these often mask protectiveness. He particularly enjoys provoking Hijikata, reflecting a volatile fraternal bond tinged with jealousy over Hijikata's closeness to Kondou. Beneath his abrasive exterior lies fierce loyalty to comrades, especially Kondou, whom he strives to impress and defend unconditionally. His childhood trauma and wartime experiences skew his moral compass toward utility over empathy; killing is acceptable if it serves Kondou's objectives. Though this perspective evolves with formed bonds, he consistently withholds information to observe outcomes, like admitting Chizuru’s gender was "obvious" yet staying silent initially. His story begins encountering Chizuru during her pursuit in Kyoto. While repeatedly suggesting killing her as a witness, he later teases Hijikata into assigning her as a servant. At the Ikedaya incident, he protects her from Kazama despite injuries, establishing a pattern of guarded concern. His tuberculosis manifests when he coughs blood during this fight, leading to collapse. As his health declines, he is confined and becomes bedridden. Desperate to remain useful, he consumes Ochimizu (Water of Life), transforming into a Fury (Rasetsu) with enhanced abilities but accelerated deterioration. This choice stems from his drive to avenge Kondou and protect allies like Heisuke and Chizuru, persisting even after silver bullet wounds impede his healing. After Kondou's capture and execution, Okita's physical and emotional state worsens. Consumed by grief and fury, he learns of a plot to assassinate Hijikata. Despite extreme weakness, he intercepts the attackers in his Rasetsu state, bandaging his sword to his hand. After eliminating the entire group en route to Hijikata's hiding place, his life force depletes entirely, turning his body to dust and leaving only his sword behind. This final act underscores his unwavering commitment to protecting the Shinsengumi's legacy. His relationship with Chizuru shifts from antagonism to mutual reliance. Initially dismissive, he gradually acknowledges her as an equal. Her consistent empathy and refusal to treat him as fragile erode his emotional barriers, allowing vulnerability, like his distraction upon learning of Saitou's departure. This bond culminates in his reliance on her support during Ochimizu-induced corruption, where her presence tempers his rage. His arc traces a journey from weaponized orphan to a man who, despite physical dissolution, finds purpose beyond utility through forged connections. His legacy endures symbolically through his sword and actions defending the Shinsengumi's ideals.