Toshizo Hijikata

Hijikata is stern, disciplined and uncompromising in matters concerning the Shinsengumi. His "Demon Vice-Commander" reputation reflects the severity with which he maintains order inside an organization constantly facing assassination, espionage and political violence.

He is intensely loyal to the Shinsengumi and the comrades with whom he fights. His severity is therefore not presented merely as cruelty; it is tied to the discipline he believes necessary for the organization to survive the chaos of the Bakumatsu.

Hijikata is an experienced swordsman trained in Tennen Rishin-ryū. His martial background and leadership position place him among the Shinsengumi's veteran fighters, although Rurouni Kenshin does not devote a major duel to establishing his exact level relative to Kenshin.

He is closely associated with the hirazuki, a practical horizontal thrust used by the Shinsengumi. Hajime Saitou's fictional Gatotsu develops the basic thrusting concept into a much more elaborate personal technique.

Hijikata's other principal strength is command. As vice-commander, he enforces discipline and helps direct Shinsengumi operations during their struggle against revolutionary organizations in Kyoto.

Hijikata appears within the Bakumatsu material surrounding Kenshin's years as Hitokiri Battōsai. He represents the senior leadership of the Shinsengumi, whose presence makes Kyoto extraordinarily dangerous for Chōshū revolutionaries.

Alongside Kondo and the unit captains, Hijikata helps define the organization that produces swordsmen capable of challenging the Ishin Shishi's strongest fighters.

The fall of the shogunate eventually transforms the Shinsengumi from an official security organization into a force fighting a losing war against the emerging imperial government, making Hijikata part of the old order that disappears as Kenshin enters the Meiji era.

Isami Kondo is Hijikata's commander and closest senior comrade within the Shinsengumi.

Souji Okita serves as First Unit captain under the leadership of Kondo and Hijikata.

Hajime Saitou is the Third Unit captain and another elite Shinsengumi swordsman.

Kenshin Himura belongs to the opposing Chōshū Ishin Shishi during the period when Hijikata helps direct Shinsengumi operations.