Eiji Mishima

Eiji is courageous, angry and stubborn. Despite being a child, he refuses to accept the terror imposed on Shingetsu and wants to take action against the men responsible for his family's suffering.

His anger easily becomes a desire for revenge. Kenshin recognizes the danger in allowing a child to define himself through killing, while Saitou approaches Eiji's situation with his characteristically harsher understanding of justice.

Eiji nevertheless retains the emotional vulnerability of a child. His aggression grows from grief and helplessness rather than a natural appetite for violence.

Eiji has no superhuman fighting ability and cannot match the professional warriors occupying Shingetsu. His courage considerably exceeds his practical combat experience.

He is willing to use a weapon and confront dangerous adults despite the overwhelming difference in strength. This determination makes him brave but also places him in situations where experienced fighters must intervene.

His role is consequently less about martial ability than about the consequences of exposing children and civilians to political violence.

Eiji encounters Kenshin's group during the liberation of Shingetsu Village. His older brother had entered the police and attempted to investigate what was happening in the region.

Shishio's forces murder Eiji's parents and his brother, leaving him determined to kill Senkaku in revenge. After Kenshin defeats Senkaku, Eiji attempts to finish him off himself. Saitou stops the boy from becoming a killer.

Saitou subsequently arranges for Eiji to leave Shingetsu and live with Saitou's wife, Tokio, removing him from the environment that had fed his desire for revenge.

Eiji later receives additional development in the Hokkaido Arc, where the trauma of Shingetsu continues to influence his understanding of justice and evil.

Hajime Saitou intervenes when Eiji attempts revenge and later places him in the care of his wife, Tokio.

Kenshin Himura helps liberate Shingetsu and tries to prevent Eiji from surrendering his future to hatred.

Senkaku is the Shishio subordinate whose brutal control of Shingetsu makes him the focus of Eiji's desire for revenge.

Makoto Shishio is responsible for the organization whose occupation devastates Eiji's family and village.

Tokio Saitou takes Eiji into her care after the Shingetsu conflict.