TV-Series
Description
Hajime Saitō is a fictional character from the anime Rurouni Kenshin, created as an anti-heroic foil to the protagonist, Kenshin Himura. His character is based on the historical figure of the same name, who was a captain of the Shinsengumi during the Bakumatsu era, though the creator altered the character significantly to suit his larger role in the story.
During the Bakumatsu period, which was a time of great political upheaval in Japan, Saitō served as the captain of the third squad of the Shinsengumi, a pro-shogunate police force. It was during this time that he was given the nickname Mibu no Okami, which translates to Wolf of Mibu, a testament to his ferocity and ruthless dedication to his duty. In this era, he developed an intense and long-standing rivalry with Kenshin Himura, who was then an assassin for the opposing Imperialist cause. The two skilled swordsmen clashed multiple times without a clear resolution.
Saitō is a tall man with a lean build, a long face with pronounced cheekbones, and piercing narrow eyes. He is easily recognized by his short, slicked-back black hair with a few distinctive strands or bangs falling over his forehead, which, along with his sharp features, gives him a wolflike appearance. During the Meiji era, he is almost always seen wearing a blue police uniform, whereas during the Bakumatsu, he wore the traditional uniform of the Shinsengumi.
His personality is defined by his unwavering and absolute commitment to his personal code: Aku Soku Zan, which means Swift Death to Evil. Unlike the more idealistic and gentle Kenshin, Saitō believes that the only way to achieve peace and order is to mercilessly eliminate anyone he considers evil or corrupt, without hesitation or regret. He has a morbid, arrogant, and cynical demeanor, showing little regard for human life when it stands in the way of his objective. He expects those who serve in military or police roles to carry out their duties without letting personal feelings interfere. Despite his grim and serious nature, he possesses a dry, morbid sense of humor and is occasionally seen smoking. He has also mentioned a fondness for the simple noodle dish, soba. He is married to a woman named Tokio, though she never appears in the story, and he seems somewhat annoyed when reminded of his domestic life, as it conflicts with his cold and terrifying image.
After the pro-shogunate forces were defeated at the end of the Bakumatsu, Saitō went into hiding. He later resurfaced under the alias Fujita Gorō, working as a spy and police officer for the Meiji Government, the very government he once fought against. In the story, he is initially introduced as an antagonist who attacks Kenshin's friend, Sanosuke Sagara, as a warning to draw out Kenshin. He duels Kenshin at the Kamiya Dojo, but the fight is stopped by a government official who reveals that Saitō was actually testing Kenshin's strength to see if he was still capable of facing a new and powerful threat to the nation, Makoto Shishio. This reveals his role as a ruthless but necessary ally.
Saitō thus becomes a key protagonist, forming an uneasy alliance with Kenshin to stop Shishio. He views Kenshin not as a true ally but as a respected adversary whose return to the path of the assassin he both hopes for and despises. Their relationship is central to his character; he constantly challenges Kenshin's vow to never kill again, believing it to be a naive weakness. He also shares a brief but notable relationship with Sanosuke Sagara, whom he easily defeats in a fistfight, dismissing him as an amateur with potential but no insight.
While Saitō undergoes little emotional development, his role in the story evolves. He transitions from a menacing antagonist to a cynical, untrustworthy ally who operates in the shadows. His resolve to live by Aku Soku Zan never wavers, but he eventually puts an end to his personal rivalry with Kenshin after acknowledging the former assassin's commitment to his non-lethal path. He continues to serve the Meiji Government long after the main conflict is resolved.
Saitō is a formidable and respected swordsman, capable of fighting on equal terms with Kenshin's most lethal persona, the Hitokiri Battousai. His primary and most notable ability is the Gatotsu, a powerful and swift left-handed thrust technique that forms the core of his fighting style. This technique is a fictionalized version of the historical Saitō's favorite move and features several different stances and variations. Beyond his sword skills, he is also a highly skilled hand-to-hand combatant and an intelligent observer and analyst, a necessary talent for a government spy. His devotion to his code and his ruthless efficiency in battle make him one of the most formidable and compelling characters in the series.
During the Bakumatsu period, which was a time of great political upheaval in Japan, Saitō served as the captain of the third squad of the Shinsengumi, a pro-shogunate police force. It was during this time that he was given the nickname Mibu no Okami, which translates to Wolf of Mibu, a testament to his ferocity and ruthless dedication to his duty. In this era, he developed an intense and long-standing rivalry with Kenshin Himura, who was then an assassin for the opposing Imperialist cause. The two skilled swordsmen clashed multiple times without a clear resolution.
Saitō is a tall man with a lean build, a long face with pronounced cheekbones, and piercing narrow eyes. He is easily recognized by his short, slicked-back black hair with a few distinctive strands or bangs falling over his forehead, which, along with his sharp features, gives him a wolflike appearance. During the Meiji era, he is almost always seen wearing a blue police uniform, whereas during the Bakumatsu, he wore the traditional uniform of the Shinsengumi.
His personality is defined by his unwavering and absolute commitment to his personal code: Aku Soku Zan, which means Swift Death to Evil. Unlike the more idealistic and gentle Kenshin, Saitō believes that the only way to achieve peace and order is to mercilessly eliminate anyone he considers evil or corrupt, without hesitation or regret. He has a morbid, arrogant, and cynical demeanor, showing little regard for human life when it stands in the way of his objective. He expects those who serve in military or police roles to carry out their duties without letting personal feelings interfere. Despite his grim and serious nature, he possesses a dry, morbid sense of humor and is occasionally seen smoking. He has also mentioned a fondness for the simple noodle dish, soba. He is married to a woman named Tokio, though she never appears in the story, and he seems somewhat annoyed when reminded of his domestic life, as it conflicts with his cold and terrifying image.
After the pro-shogunate forces were defeated at the end of the Bakumatsu, Saitō went into hiding. He later resurfaced under the alias Fujita Gorō, working as a spy and police officer for the Meiji Government, the very government he once fought against. In the story, he is initially introduced as an antagonist who attacks Kenshin's friend, Sanosuke Sagara, as a warning to draw out Kenshin. He duels Kenshin at the Kamiya Dojo, but the fight is stopped by a government official who reveals that Saitō was actually testing Kenshin's strength to see if he was still capable of facing a new and powerful threat to the nation, Makoto Shishio. This reveals his role as a ruthless but necessary ally.
Saitō thus becomes a key protagonist, forming an uneasy alliance with Kenshin to stop Shishio. He views Kenshin not as a true ally but as a respected adversary whose return to the path of the assassin he both hopes for and despises. Their relationship is central to his character; he constantly challenges Kenshin's vow to never kill again, believing it to be a naive weakness. He also shares a brief but notable relationship with Sanosuke Sagara, whom he easily defeats in a fistfight, dismissing him as an amateur with potential but no insight.
While Saitō undergoes little emotional development, his role in the story evolves. He transitions from a menacing antagonist to a cynical, untrustworthy ally who operates in the shadows. His resolve to live by Aku Soku Zan never wavers, but he eventually puts an end to his personal rivalry with Kenshin after acknowledging the former assassin's commitment to his non-lethal path. He continues to serve the Meiji Government long after the main conflict is resolved.
Saitō is a formidable and respected swordsman, capable of fighting on equal terms with Kenshin's most lethal persona, the Hitokiri Battousai. His primary and most notable ability is the Gatotsu, a powerful and swift left-handed thrust technique that forms the core of his fighting style. This technique is a fictionalized version of the historical Saitō's favorite move and features several different stances and variations. Beyond his sword skills, he is also a highly skilled hand-to-hand combatant and an intelligent observer and analyst, a necessary talent for a government spy. His devotion to his code and his ruthless efficiency in battle make him one of the most formidable and compelling characters in the series.