OVA
Description
Heisuke Toudou serves as the captain of the Shinsengumi's eighth division. He is based on the historical figure of the same name, a samurai from the late Edo period, and his storyline in the anime follows a similar trajectory to his real-life counterpart, including his departure from the Shinsengumi and the tragic events at the Aburanokoji incident. Born in September 1844, Heisuke is the youngest of the Shinsengumi captains, being nineteen years old when first encountered. He is a native of Edo. His background is complicated by the fact that he is an illegitimate child of a lord from the Toudou domain. His father provides him with a small monthly allowance on the condition that Heisuke never seeks him out, a situation that leaves him with deep-seated insecurities regarding family and belonging.
In terms of appearance, Heisuke is notably short in stature, standing at approximately 160 to 163 centimeters, which makes him the shortest captain in the Shinsengumi and close in age and height to the protagonist Chizuru Yukimura. He has long brown hair that he typically keeps tied up in a ponytail and blue-green eyes. His initial attire consists of a yellow sleeveless shirt over a purple one, a red sash, black pants cut to the knees, leg warmers, and sandals. In the second season, he adopts a more Western look, cutting his hair short and wearing a white shirt with a black vest and gloves.
Heisuke's personality is defined by his cheerful, energetic, and well-intentioned nature. He is often described as the most hyperactive of the Shinsengumi members and considers himself to be the forerunner who likes getting in harm's way. Outwardly bright and optimistic, he can be somewhat childish and is known for being talkative, a trait that sometimes leads him to inadvertently reveal sensitive information. Despite his youthful demeanor, he has earned his position as a captain and his skill with a sword should not be underestimated. He is also noted for being a terrible liar, so his true feelings, especially when he is in pain or turmoil, are usually obvious despite his attempts to hide them behind a smile.
A key aspect of Heisuke's character is his impulsiveness, with a habit of leaping first and asking questions later. This hotheadedness frequently gets him into trouble during battles and in social situations. He is also prone to bouts of insecurity and regret, often second-guessing his decisions. He candidly admits that he often makes the wrong choice and then regrets it, which can lead to periods of melancholy. While he enjoys fighting and is not a pacifist, he dislikes having to harm those he perceives as innocent and may disobey orders that go against his conscience.
Heisuke's primary motivation stems from a desire to prove himself and to live according to his own values. He is deeply loyal to his friends but prioritizes causes over politics. While his political views do not always align with the Shinsengumi, he initially considers keeping the peace in Kyoto more important than the conflict between the emperor and the shogunate. A very strong, underlying motivation is his fear of death. This fear is a driving force behind a critical decision he makes after being mortally wounded, choosing to become a Rasetsu, or fury, by drinking the Water of Life, simply because he did not want to die. Even after this transformation, he is determined to cling to his humanity. He refuses to drink blood and takes medicine to suppress the resulting bloodlust, striving to remain as human as possible even as his new form rapidly consumes his own lifespan.
In the story, Heisuke's role is that of a loyal friend and a capable, if somewhat naive, warrior. He is among the first to trust Chizuru and believes her when she claims to have witnessed nothing incriminating. He frequently asks Chizuru to call him by his given name, emphasizing their closeness in age. As the political situation becomes more volatile, Heisuke becomes disillusioned with the Shinsengumi's shift towards directly serving the shogunate. Believing in the vision of his former mentor, Itou Kashitarou, he makes the difficult decision to leave the Shinsengumi and join the Guardians of the Imperial Tomb, an act that causes a temporary rift between him and his comrades. His personal journey involves a painful realization that he made a mistake, and he eventually returns to the Shinsengumi's side, reconciling with his friends.
Key relationships define much of Heisuke's experience. He is part of an informal trio known as the baka trio, alongside Sanosuke Harada, the captain of the tenth division, and Shinpachi Nagakura, the captain of the second division. Together, they enjoy fighting, drinking, and frequently breaking curfew and the rules set by Vice-Commander Toshizou Hijikata, for whom Heisuke holds a healthy amount of fear and respect. Heisuke looks up to Itou Kashitarou, having studied at his dojo, which makes his eventual decision to follow him more impactful. His relationship with Chizuru Yukimura is significant, as she is often the one to support him emotionally. During his lowest moments, such as when he regrets leaving the Shinsengumi or fears his own death as a Rasetsu, it is Chizuru who provides the strength to coax him back from despair, even resorting to a slap to snap him out of his self-pity.
As a fighter, Heisuke's notable ability is his skill with a sword, which is described as inspiring for a person his age. While his fellow captains acknowledge that his fighting skill might be the lowest among them, his speed and technique make him a formidable opponent who is often underestimated due to his small stature and youthful face. After becoming a Rasetsu, he gains enhanced superhuman strength, speed, and the ability to regenerate from wounds. However, this power comes at a terrible cost, as using these abilities accelerates the shortening of his lifespan, a burden he carries while continuing to fight alongside his friends. His development throughout the series sees him mature from an impulsive and naive young man into someone who, despite his fears and regrets, faces his challenges head-on, choosing his own path and fighting for the people he cares about.
In terms of appearance, Heisuke is notably short in stature, standing at approximately 160 to 163 centimeters, which makes him the shortest captain in the Shinsengumi and close in age and height to the protagonist Chizuru Yukimura. He has long brown hair that he typically keeps tied up in a ponytail and blue-green eyes. His initial attire consists of a yellow sleeveless shirt over a purple one, a red sash, black pants cut to the knees, leg warmers, and sandals. In the second season, he adopts a more Western look, cutting his hair short and wearing a white shirt with a black vest and gloves.
Heisuke's personality is defined by his cheerful, energetic, and well-intentioned nature. He is often described as the most hyperactive of the Shinsengumi members and considers himself to be the forerunner who likes getting in harm's way. Outwardly bright and optimistic, he can be somewhat childish and is known for being talkative, a trait that sometimes leads him to inadvertently reveal sensitive information. Despite his youthful demeanor, he has earned his position as a captain and his skill with a sword should not be underestimated. He is also noted for being a terrible liar, so his true feelings, especially when he is in pain or turmoil, are usually obvious despite his attempts to hide them behind a smile.
A key aspect of Heisuke's character is his impulsiveness, with a habit of leaping first and asking questions later. This hotheadedness frequently gets him into trouble during battles and in social situations. He is also prone to bouts of insecurity and regret, often second-guessing his decisions. He candidly admits that he often makes the wrong choice and then regrets it, which can lead to periods of melancholy. While he enjoys fighting and is not a pacifist, he dislikes having to harm those he perceives as innocent and may disobey orders that go against his conscience.
Heisuke's primary motivation stems from a desire to prove himself and to live according to his own values. He is deeply loyal to his friends but prioritizes causes over politics. While his political views do not always align with the Shinsengumi, he initially considers keeping the peace in Kyoto more important than the conflict between the emperor and the shogunate. A very strong, underlying motivation is his fear of death. This fear is a driving force behind a critical decision he makes after being mortally wounded, choosing to become a Rasetsu, or fury, by drinking the Water of Life, simply because he did not want to die. Even after this transformation, he is determined to cling to his humanity. He refuses to drink blood and takes medicine to suppress the resulting bloodlust, striving to remain as human as possible even as his new form rapidly consumes his own lifespan.
In the story, Heisuke's role is that of a loyal friend and a capable, if somewhat naive, warrior. He is among the first to trust Chizuru and believes her when she claims to have witnessed nothing incriminating. He frequently asks Chizuru to call him by his given name, emphasizing their closeness in age. As the political situation becomes more volatile, Heisuke becomes disillusioned with the Shinsengumi's shift towards directly serving the shogunate. Believing in the vision of his former mentor, Itou Kashitarou, he makes the difficult decision to leave the Shinsengumi and join the Guardians of the Imperial Tomb, an act that causes a temporary rift between him and his comrades. His personal journey involves a painful realization that he made a mistake, and he eventually returns to the Shinsengumi's side, reconciling with his friends.
Key relationships define much of Heisuke's experience. He is part of an informal trio known as the baka trio, alongside Sanosuke Harada, the captain of the tenth division, and Shinpachi Nagakura, the captain of the second division. Together, they enjoy fighting, drinking, and frequently breaking curfew and the rules set by Vice-Commander Toshizou Hijikata, for whom Heisuke holds a healthy amount of fear and respect. Heisuke looks up to Itou Kashitarou, having studied at his dojo, which makes his eventual decision to follow him more impactful. His relationship with Chizuru Yukimura is significant, as she is often the one to support him emotionally. During his lowest moments, such as when he regrets leaving the Shinsengumi or fears his own death as a Rasetsu, it is Chizuru who provides the strength to coax him back from despair, even resorting to a slap to snap him out of his self-pity.
As a fighter, Heisuke's notable ability is his skill with a sword, which is described as inspiring for a person his age. While his fellow captains acknowledge that his fighting skill might be the lowest among them, his speed and technique make him a formidable opponent who is often underestimated due to his small stature and youthful face. After becoming a Rasetsu, he gains enhanced superhuman strength, speed, and the ability to regenerate from wounds. However, this power comes at a terrible cost, as using these abilities accelerates the shortening of his lifespan, a burden he carries while continuing to fight alongside his friends. His development throughout the series sees him mature from an impulsive and naive young man into someone who, despite his fears and regrets, faces his challenges head-on, choosing his own path and fighting for the people he cares about.