Kamatari Honjou

Kamatari is lively, theatrical and proud of his feminine appearance. He can seem playful or flirtatious in ordinary conversation, but his demeanor becomes considerably more serious once a battle begins. He takes pride in both his appearance and his ability to wield a weapon that requires tremendous strength.

His deepest insecurity concerns his place beside Shishio. Kamatari loves him but knows that Yumi Komagata occupies the intimate position he wants, while Soujirou Seta surpasses him as a fighter and Houji Sadojima is more useful as an organizer and strategist. This leaves Kamatari searching for a contribution that will make him indispensable.

That insecurity does not undermine his loyalty. Kamatari is willing to risk his life for Shishio's cause and takes defeat personally because he interprets failure as proof that he cannot offer Shishio enough.

Kamatari possesses exceptional physical strength, necessary to wield his enormous scythe, the Ōgama. A heavy iron ball attached to the weapon by a chain gives him a second means of attack and allows him to control a large area around himself.

His Midare Benten technique spins the scythe and weighted chain rapidly, creating a dangerous combination of cutting and crushing attacks. The weapon's unusual construction makes approaching Kamatari difficult because opponents must account for both ends simultaneously.

Despite his appearance, Kamatari is physically powerful enough to manipulate the huge weapon at speed. His fighting style is most dangerous when he has enough space to build momentum and control the battlefield.

Kamatari joins the Juppongatana assault on the Aoiya while Kenshin and the strongest fighters are confronting Shishio elsewhere. He battles Kaoru Kamiya and Misao Makimachi, forcing the two women to coordinate their abilities against his unconventional weapon.

Misao damages the scythe's chain with her kunai, allowing Kaoru to close the distance and defeat Kamatari with a Kamiya Kasshin-ryū technique. Humiliated by his failure, Kamatari attempts suicide, but Misao stops him.

After Shishio's defeat, Chou prevents Kamatari from killing himself by falsely claiming that Shishio wanted him to survive and tell the world about their struggle. Kamatari subsequently accepts work as a government spy, using his feminine appearance to operate overseas.

Makoto Shishio is the object of Kamatari's intense romantic devotion. Kamatari wants to prove himself useful to Shishio and is painfully aware that he cannot occupy the same place in Shishio's life as Yumi.

Yumi Komagata is Kamatari's romantic rival for Shishio's affection, although Shishio's love for Yumi leaves Kamatari knowing that he cannot replace her.

Soujirou Seta represents the combat ability Kamatari believes he cannot match, contributing to his insecurity about his usefulness.

Houji Sadojima possesses the organizational and intellectual value to Shishio that Kamatari feels he lacks.

Kaoru Kamiya and Misao Makimachi fight Kamatari during the attack on the Aoiya and combine their abilities to defeat him.

Chou Sawagejou later lies about Shishio's final wishes to give Kamatari a reason to continue living.