Kanryuu Takeda

Kanryuu is greedy, calculating and intensely status-conscious. Money is his principal measure of power, and he treats people as assets whose value depends on how effectively they can advance his ambitions. Megumi's medical knowledge interests him because it can improve his opium, while the Oniwabanshuu interest him because their combat ability protects his operation.

He is also deeply arrogant. Kanryuu assumes that wealth and modern technology can purchase superiority over traditional fighters, and he enjoys flaunting the Western weapons his money gives him access to.

His treatment of subordinates exposes the limits of his supposed sophistication. Loyalty means little to him once a person ceases to be useful, and fear rapidly replaces confidence whenever his financial or technological advantages disappear.

Kanryuu is not an accomplished martial artist. His power comes from wealth, organization and access to weapons rather than personal fighting skill. His mansion is guarded by numerous armed men as well as Aoshi's Oniwabanshuu.

His most formidable weapon is a hand-cranked Gatling gun. Against swordsmen accustomed to close-range combat, its sustained gunfire gives Kanryuu enormous destructive potential and allows him to threaten multiple elite fighters simultaneously.

The weapon also embodies Kanryuu's worldview: he believes industrial technology and money have made traditional martial prowess obsolete. He consequently relies on the Gatling gun with absolute confidence once direct confrontation reaches him.

Kanryuu's operation becomes central after Megumi escapes from his control and seeks protection from Kenshin and Sanosuke. Her possession of opium initially makes her suspicious, but the group gradually discovers that Kanryuu has coerced her into producing Spider's Web.

Kenshin, Sanosuke Sagara and Yahiko eventually enter Kanryuu's estate to rescue Megumi. They must fight through the Oniwabanshuu, bringing Kenshin into direct conflict with Aoshi for the first time.

After Kenshin defeats Aoshi, Kanryuu turns his Gatling gun on everyone present. Beshimi, Hyottoko, Shikijou and Hannya sacrifice themselves while exhausting the gun's ammunition, leaving Kanryuu defenseless. Kenshin then beats him and the authorities arrest him.

Kanryuu later reappears in the Hokkaido Arc, where his commercial instincts and expertise with modern weaponry again become relevant under dramatically different circumstances.

Megumi Takani is the physician Kanryuu coerces into manufacturing Spider's Web. Her attempt to escape his operation triggers the conflict with Kenshin's group.

Aoshi Shinomori leads the Oniwabanshuu fighters employed as Kanryuu's guards. Kanryuu values their strength but does not share the loyalty binding Aoshi to his comrades.

Hannya, Beshimi, Hyottoko and Shikijou serve under Aoshi at Kanryuu's estate. Kanryuu ultimately turns his Gatling gun against the Oniwabanshuu as well as his enemies.

Kenshin Himura becomes Kanryuu's principal enemy after choosing to protect Megumi and attacking his estate.

Sanosuke Sagara has an especially personal reason to oppose Kanryuu's opium operation after the drug's effects touch his own circle of friends.