Ginji Matsuzaki

Ginji is quiet, disciplined and deeply loyal to the Washimine family. His fearsome reputation as a killer contrasts with the restrained man Rock meets, who would prefer that Yukio remain outside the criminal world entirely.

He carries regret over his violent past and has little interest in returning to it for personal satisfaction. His willingness to take up the sword again comes from obligation and loyalty rather than a renewed appetite for killing.

Ginji also possesses a traditional sense of duty that makes compromise difficult once he commits himself. This gives him great personal integrity but also ties him to decisions whose consequences he understands may be disastrous.

Ginji is an exceptional swordsman whose skill allows him to remain lethal in gunfights without carrying a firearm. His reflexes and precision are sufficient to deflect or cut bullets with his katana and close distance against armed opponents before they can overwhelm him.

He is highly effective against multiple enemies. His speed, footwork and ability to read attacks allow him to move through gunfire while delivering decisive strikes at close range.

The reputation "Hitokiri Ginji" comes from his earlier work as an assassin for the Washimine Group. Even after years away from active killing, his technique remains formidable enough for Revy to recognize him as an opponent requiring her full attention.

Ginji appears when Rock and Revy travel to Japan during Hotel Moscow's conflict with the Washimine Group. Although he has stepped away from his former role as an assassin, his loyalty to the organization and its former chairman keeps him connected to the group.

He has spent years watching over Yukio and wants her to remain an ordinary student rather than inherit her family's criminal obligations. The escalating conflict with Hotel Moscow places that hope under increasing pressure.

After Yukio chooses to assume leadership of the Washimine Group, Ginji returns fully to his role as her protector and swordsman. Together they oppose Balalaika's campaign despite recognizing the enormous difference in military power between the organizations.

Ginji eventually confronts Revy in a final duel while Rock attempts to reach Yukio. He pushes Revy into a close-range battle and damages one of her pistols, but she ultimately shoots and kills him.

Yukio Washimine is the person Ginji is most determined to protect. Ginji Matsuzaki wants Yukio Washimine to live as an ordinary student rather than inherit the violent world associated with her family. When she nevertheless chooses the Washimine Group, Ginji follows and protects her despite knowing where that path may lead.

Tsugio Bando is Ginji's superior within the Washimine Group at the beginning of the conflict. Ginji Matsuzaki understands Tsugio Bando's difficult position as the organization struggles to survive against stronger criminal powers.

Revy becomes Ginji's principal combat opponent during the Washimine conflict. Both recognize the other's exceptional fighting ability, and [their final duel ends when Revy kills Ginji after a close and dangerous exchange.](#spoiler)

Rokuro Okajima meets Ginji during his return to Japan and shares his desire to keep Yukio from being consumed by organized crime. Their approaches differ, but both Rokuro Okajima and Ginji understand that Yukio's choices cannot simply be made for her.

Balalaika commands the organization threatening the Washimine Group. Ginji recognizes the scale of Balalaika's military advantage but remains committed to defending Yukio and the group.