Houji Sadojima

Houji is intelligent, methodical and extraordinarily devoted to Shishio. Unlike followers motivated mainly by personal grievances or the opportunity to fight, he embraces Shishio's political vision and genuinely believes that Japan would become stronger under his leadership.

His faith grows increasingly extreme. Houji is prepared to risk resources, lives and eventually himself because he sees Shishio as more than an ordinary political leader. Shishio's survival of the government's attempt to burn him alive reinforces Houji's conviction that he is following a man capable of overturning the existing order.

Houji nevertheless possesses genuine administrative talent. His devotion does not make him incompetent; it makes an already capable organizer exceptionally dangerous because nearly every skill he possesses is directed toward realizing Shishio's ambitions.

Houji is not one of the Juppongatana's elite hand-to-hand fighters. His greatest abilities are strategic planning, organization, procurement and administration.

He constructs the infrastructure behind Shishio's rebellion and acquires the battleship Rengoku on the international black market. Obtaining and operating such a vessel demonstrates the scale of his financial and logistical capabilities.

Houji also handles communications and coordinates personnel across Shishio's organization. Although he carries and can use firearms, his value to Shishio lies overwhelmingly in his mind rather than personal combat strength.

Houji joins Shishio after losing confidence in the Meiji government. He becomes one of Shishio's closest followers and oversees much of the practical preparation for the planned takeover of Japan.

He acquires the Rengoku, which Shishio intends to use as a major component of his attack on Tokyo. Sanosuke destroys the ship with explosives supplied by Tsunan, eliminating one of Houji's most expensive and strategically important preparations.

During the final confrontation, Houji continues supporting Shishio even as his plans collapse. After Shishio dies, Houji refuses to accept the Meiji government's authority. He surrenders intending to defend Shishio's philosophy publicly at trial, but the government plans to keep the proceedings quiet. Deprived of the opportunity to proclaim Shishio's beliefs, Houji kills himself in prison.

The manga later depicts him reunited with Shishio and Yumi in Hell, where he enthusiastically joins Shishio's new plan to conquer it.

Makoto Shishio is Houji's leader and the focus of his absolute ideological loyalty. Houji believes Shishio is the person capable of making Japan strong.

Yumi Komagata is another of Shishio's closest companions and works alongside Houji within his headquarters.

Soujirou Seta is Shishio's strongest subordinate, while Houji provides the organization and planning behind the movement.

Kenshin Himura, Sanosuke Sagara and Hajime Saitou become central obstacles to the rebellion Houji organizes.

Kamatari Honjou is another Juppongatana member serving the same cause.