Ito Hirobumi appears in Rurouni Kenshin Part III: The Legend Ends as a figure operating in the shadows of the Meiji government. His role in the story is primarily defined by implication and atmosphere, with other characters suggesting his involvement in the darker aspects of maintaining the new regime. Notably, the character Shishio Makoto implies that Ito was the mastermind behind the unsuccessful attempt to have Shishio assassinated, a plot point that frames Ito as a ruthless political operator. He is also supposedly responsible for orchestrating numerous other assassinations and liquidations during both the Bakumatsu period and the Meiji era that follows.

The film presents Ito as a nasty individual when his power or the stability of the government is threatened, representing a cynical view of the Meiji government's leadership. His portrayal is considered a historical villain upgrade, as the film attributes to him actions and a level of direct malevolence that are not explicitly documented in historical records. In the context of the story's conclusion, Ito Hirobumi goes on to secure his political power, and the film implies that the Meiji government under his influence gradually follows a path that will eventually lead to the militarism of Imperial Japan.

No specific information is available regarding his personal background before the events of the film, his personality beyond his ruthless political nature, his personal motivations separate from consolidating power, his key relationships with other characters, any character development he undergoes, or any notable combat or other abilities he might possess.