Otowa Hyouko

Otowa is sadistic, theatrical and confident in his ability to confuse opponents. Killing is more than professional work to him; he enjoys frightening victims, revealing new weapons at unexpected moments and watching an opponent struggle to understand how each device works.

His confidence is tempered by cowardice when confronted with overwhelming danger. He prefers targets he believes he can manipulate and becomes far less enthusiastic when faced directly with Kenshin's intimidating presence. This contrasts with his willingness to attack people whom he considers vulnerable.

Otowa also has a competitive streak rooted in his past with Nakajou. The two assassins treated killing as a form of competition, comparing the number of victims they could claim. Although Otowa cites Nakajou's death as his reason for seeking Jinchū, his attachment to revenge is ultimately revealed to be largely an excuse for continuing to kill.

Otowa specializes in concealed weapons and claims to possess thirteen different instruments of assassination. His fighting method depends on ensuring that an opponent does not understand what weapon will appear next or how it functions.

Among his weapons are the Baika Chūzen, a projectile weapon hidden in his mouth; the Kasui Busuen, a device capable of spraying a combustible substance; the Rikudouko, a hidden blade mechanism; and the Bishamon Funken, a weapon designed to catch an opponent off guard at close range. His arsenal is most effective against someone encountering the devices for the first time.

Otowa is agile enough to combine these mechanisms with conventional movement and close-range attacks, but his greatest strength is surprise rather than physical superiority. [Once Yahiko Myojin survives his tricks and begins understanding the logic behind them, Otowa's advantage steadily disappears.](#spoiler)

Otowa is recruited by Enishi as one of the men claiming personal grievances against Kenshin. His connection comes through Nakajou, a member of the Yaminobu whom Kenshin fought during the Bakumatsu.

During the coordinated Jinchū assault, Otowa attacks the Kamiya Dojo. He initially expects to participate in the destruction of Kenshin's home but finds himself confronted by Yahiko, whom he dismisses because of his youth.

Otowa repeatedly injures and nearly kills Yahiko with his hidden weapons, but Yahiko uses his Kamiya Kasshin-ryu training and observations of Otowa's arsenal to survive. Yahiko ultimately defeats him, leaving Otowa stunned that a child less than half his age could overcome an experienced assassin. Otowa is subsequently arrested.

Enishi Yukishiro recruits Otowa into the Six Comrades for the Jinchū campaign. Otowa's stated grievance makes him useful to Enishi, although his true motivation is largely his own enjoyment of violence.

Nakajou was Otowa's friend and fellow assassin. The two competed in killing sprees, and Otowa later invokes Nakajou's death fighting Kenshin as his justification for seeking revenge.

Kenshin Himura is the nominal target of Otowa's revenge. Despite his boasts, Otowa recognizes Kenshin as exceptionally dangerous and is reluctant to confront him directly.

Yahiko Myojin becomes Otowa's principal opponent during the attack on the Kamiya Dojo. Yahiko survives his assassination devices and defeats him despite their enormous difference in experience.

Hyougo Kujiranami, Inui Banjin, Yatsume Mumyoui and Gein are fellow members of Enishi's Six Comrades.