TV-Series
Description
Hajime Tsukishima is a sergeant in the Imperial Japanese Army's 7th Division, serving under First Lieutenant Tokushirou Tsurumi. He possesses a short, muscular build, a buzz cut, dark eyes with a slight greenish tint, and distinctive lines under his eyes. His facial features include a flat nose inherited from his mother and consistent chin stubble. He wears the standard 7th Division uniform with a hooded coat and bears an abdominal scar from shielding Tsurumi during an explosion at the Battle of Mukden.
Born on Sado Island, Tsukishima endured childhood ostracization as the "murderer's son." His only friend was a girl nicknamed Igogusa, named for her wild, seaweed-like hair; she alone used his given name. He enlisted in the 2nd Division in Shibata, fighting in the First Sino-Japanese War. Before departing, he promised Igogusa marriage upon his return. During the war, her letters ceased. Returning to Sado, he discovered rumors of his death, spread by his father, had driven her to apparent suicide—her shoes were found on the shore. The sight of egogusa seaweed washing ashore haunted him. In a rage, he killed his father without interrogation, resulting in imprisonment and a death sentence for parricide.
Imprisoned in 1896, Tsukishima was visited by Tsurumi. After hearing his story, Tsurumi falsely claimed Igogusa was alive, presenting a lock of her hair as evidence. Tsurumi secured his release by recruiting him into the 7th Division as a Russian interpreter, despite Tsukishima's initial lack of fluency. He later achieved conversational proficiency through study alongside Hyakunosuke Ogata. During the Russo-Japanese War, he fought at the Siege of Port Arthur and the Battle of Mukden. At Mukden, a soldier from Sado informed him Igogusa's remains had been discovered beneath his father’s house, exposing Tsurumi's lie. Confronting Tsurumi in fury, he punched him, but protected him during an artillery barrage—an act that caused Tsurumi's head injury and gave Tsukishima his abdominal scar. While recovering, Tsurumi fabricated another story, claiming Igogusa’s parents forced her into marriage in Tokyo. Tsukishima pledged his remaining life to Tsurumi out of debt for his "rescue," later releasing Igogusa’s hair into the sea.
Tsukishima exhibits a stoic, dutiful, and polite demeanor, especially towards superiors. Aware of Tsurumi's manipulative tactics, he maintains unwavering loyalty, believing his life holds little value and that he is "too far gone" for redemption beyond serving Tsurumi's ambitions. He frequently acts as the straight man amid the 7th Division's chaotic dynamics. Despite his reserve, he demonstrates concern for comrades, such as consoling Genjirou Tanigaki after reprimands. In combat, he employs brutal efficiency, using kicks, rifles, or explosives to end conflicts swiftly. He acknowledges a willingness to "dirty his hands" to achieve necessary outcomes.
His key abilities include exceptional close-quarters combat proficiency emphasizing powerful kicks and lower-body strength, high endurance allowing him to fight through severe injuries or poison, fluency in conversational Russian, and skilled marksmanship with his standard-issue Arisaka Type 30 rifle.
Notable missions include executing Captain Wada under Tsurumi's orders during the Escape King Arc. In the Edogai Arc, he and Kouhei Nikaidou staked out a grave in Yubari to capture taxidermist Yasaku Edogai, a tattooed skin forger. After a pursuit into mines involving Sugimoto, Shiraishi, and Ogata—who killed their comrade Maeyama—an explosion trapped Edogai. Tsukishima delivered Edogai’s forged skins and dying message to Tsurumi. He later guarded the wounded Nikaidou in Otaru. He also participated in the 1902 kidnapping of Otonoshin Koito and weapons acquisitions via dealers like Mr. Thomas.
Personal trivia includes favoring egoneri (boiled egogusa seaweed) with white rice and enjoying long baths. He ranked 3rd in a 2018 series popularity poll. His village is likely based on Shukunegi in Sado. Satoru Noda noted Tsukishima possesses one of the manga’s "juiciest" posteriors.
Psychological analyses position him between Hyakunosuke Ogata and Saichi Sugimoto. Like Ogata, he committed patricide, but his act was emotionally charged (bare-handed versus Ogata’s detached stabbing). Similar to Sugimoto, he harbored romantic aspirations (escaping Sado with Igogusa versus Sugimoto’s quest to aid his friend’s widow). His combat style mirrors Sugimoto’s relentless survival instinct. Termed the "conscience of the 7th Division," his defining vice is "acedia" (spiritual apathy)—ignoring moral consequences of serving Tsurumi. This indifference, symbolized by releasing Igogusa’s hair, enables his complicity despite underlying empathy.
Born on Sado Island, Tsukishima endured childhood ostracization as the "murderer's son." His only friend was a girl nicknamed Igogusa, named for her wild, seaweed-like hair; she alone used his given name. He enlisted in the 2nd Division in Shibata, fighting in the First Sino-Japanese War. Before departing, he promised Igogusa marriage upon his return. During the war, her letters ceased. Returning to Sado, he discovered rumors of his death, spread by his father, had driven her to apparent suicide—her shoes were found on the shore. The sight of egogusa seaweed washing ashore haunted him. In a rage, he killed his father without interrogation, resulting in imprisonment and a death sentence for parricide.
Imprisoned in 1896, Tsukishima was visited by Tsurumi. After hearing his story, Tsurumi falsely claimed Igogusa was alive, presenting a lock of her hair as evidence. Tsurumi secured his release by recruiting him into the 7th Division as a Russian interpreter, despite Tsukishima's initial lack of fluency. He later achieved conversational proficiency through study alongside Hyakunosuke Ogata. During the Russo-Japanese War, he fought at the Siege of Port Arthur and the Battle of Mukden. At Mukden, a soldier from Sado informed him Igogusa's remains had been discovered beneath his father’s house, exposing Tsurumi's lie. Confronting Tsurumi in fury, he punched him, but protected him during an artillery barrage—an act that caused Tsurumi's head injury and gave Tsukishima his abdominal scar. While recovering, Tsurumi fabricated another story, claiming Igogusa’s parents forced her into marriage in Tokyo. Tsukishima pledged his remaining life to Tsurumi out of debt for his "rescue," later releasing Igogusa’s hair into the sea.
Tsukishima exhibits a stoic, dutiful, and polite demeanor, especially towards superiors. Aware of Tsurumi's manipulative tactics, he maintains unwavering loyalty, believing his life holds little value and that he is "too far gone" for redemption beyond serving Tsurumi's ambitions. He frequently acts as the straight man amid the 7th Division's chaotic dynamics. Despite his reserve, he demonstrates concern for comrades, such as consoling Genjirou Tanigaki after reprimands. In combat, he employs brutal efficiency, using kicks, rifles, or explosives to end conflicts swiftly. He acknowledges a willingness to "dirty his hands" to achieve necessary outcomes.
His key abilities include exceptional close-quarters combat proficiency emphasizing powerful kicks and lower-body strength, high endurance allowing him to fight through severe injuries or poison, fluency in conversational Russian, and skilled marksmanship with his standard-issue Arisaka Type 30 rifle.
Notable missions include executing Captain Wada under Tsurumi's orders during the Escape King Arc. In the Edogai Arc, he and Kouhei Nikaidou staked out a grave in Yubari to capture taxidermist Yasaku Edogai, a tattooed skin forger. After a pursuit into mines involving Sugimoto, Shiraishi, and Ogata—who killed their comrade Maeyama—an explosion trapped Edogai. Tsukishima delivered Edogai’s forged skins and dying message to Tsurumi. He later guarded the wounded Nikaidou in Otaru. He also participated in the 1902 kidnapping of Otonoshin Koito and weapons acquisitions via dealers like Mr. Thomas.
Personal trivia includes favoring egoneri (boiled egogusa seaweed) with white rice and enjoying long baths. He ranked 3rd in a 2018 series popularity poll. His village is likely based on Shukunegi in Sado. Satoru Noda noted Tsukishima possesses one of the manga’s "juiciest" posteriors.
Psychological analyses position him between Hyakunosuke Ogata and Saichi Sugimoto. Like Ogata, he committed patricide, but his act was emotionally charged (bare-handed versus Ogata’s detached stabbing). Similar to Sugimoto, he harbored romantic aspirations (escaping Sado with Igogusa versus Sugimoto’s quest to aid his friend’s widow). His combat style mirrors Sugimoto’s relentless survival instinct. Termed the "conscience of the 7th Division," his defining vice is "acedia" (spiritual apathy)—ignoring moral consequences of serving Tsurumi. This indifference, symbolized by releasing Igogusa’s hair, enables his complicity despite underlying empathy.