Anji Yuukyuuzan

Anji is solemn, disciplined and far more compassionate than his intimidating appearance suggests. He considers himself an agent of punishment rather than a murderer motivated by pleasure and believes violence can be justified when directed against people who prey upon the innocent.

His philosophy is shaped by profound grief and anger. He continues to use Buddhist concepts and sees his mission as a form of salvation, but his understanding of salvation has become entangled with vengeance.

Anji is also capable of respecting sincerity in others. He teaches Sanosuke without initially treating him as an enemy, and their later battle matters because each recognizes something genuine in the other's convictions.

Anji is an exceptional hand-to-hand fighter and master of Futae no Kiwami, or "Mastery of Two Layers." The technique uses two impacts delivered almost simultaneously: the first neutralizes the natural resistance of the target, while the second transmits destructive force directly through it.

He can apply Futae no Kiwami through different parts of his body and can pulverize stone with his strikes. His mastery greatly exceeds that of Sanosuke Sagara, whom he teaches the basic principle.

Anji also possesses tremendous strength, durability and pain tolerance. He is considered one of the strongest combatants among the Juppongatana.

Sanosuke encounters Anji while traveling toward Kyoto and persuades him to teach Futae no Kiwami. At the time, neither fully understands that they will soon stand on opposing sides.

Anji's past is rooted in the anti-Buddhist violence surrounding the early Meiji period. He once cared for five orphaned children at a temple. Anti-Buddhist villagers burned the temple, killing the children, and Anji subsequently took revenge on those responsible.

During Shishio's campaign, Anji agrees to cooperate on the condition that he retain the right to judge who deserves punishment. His battle with Sanosuke forces him to confront how completely vengeance has consumed the compassionate monk he once was. Sanosuke defeats him after a brutal exchange of Futae no Kiwami techniques.

After Shishio's defeat, Anji turns himself in and accepts a lengthy prison sentence, intending to atone for his actions rather than escape responsibility.

Sanosuke Sagara is Anji's student and later opponent. Anji teaches him Futae no Kiwami, and their later battle forces Anji to reconsider the path his grief has led him down.

Makoto Shishio accepts Anji into the Juppongatana despite their differing motives. Anji supports Shishio's campaign because he believes the existing government permits injustice.

Houji Sadojima and the other Juppongatana members are Anji's comrades within Shishio's organization, although Anji's moral limits distinguish him from many of them.