The wildly popular app game "Fate/Grand Order" has surpassed 13 million downloads and is currently a very popular smartphone app. It's been announced that "Fate/Grand Order" will be adapted into a TV anime in 2019! It's called "Fate/Grand Order - Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia." Fans of the original app are surely excited by this news. In this article, we'll be focusing on one of the most popular characters in the series, "Hijikata Toshizo," and taking a closer look at his charm, personality, and abilities! Hijikata Toshizo is the vice-captain of the Shinsengumi. He's a particularly popular character among the Shinsengumi, but what kind of servant is he in FGO?
What kind of servant is Hijikata Toshizo?
Hijikata Toshizo is a Berserker servant appearing in "Fate/Grand Order," boasting the highest rarity of 5 stars. He can be summoned through the limited-time event "Gudaguda Meiji Restoration" and the featured summons held at the same time. In the event's story, he leads the Shinsengumi (a group of little Nobuobu who rebelled against the Oda Shogunate) in a battle against the Oda Shogunate. During the battle, he reunites with his former colleague, "Sakura Saber." Incidentally, when only the illustration was released in advance, he was also referred to as the "Berserker of the Bakumatsu Period."
What is his real name?
His real name is, of course, Hijikata Toshizo, vice-commander of the Shinsengumi, a security organization that once operated mainly in Kyoto during the late Edo period. Hijikata Toshizo imposed strict discipline within the group and was feared by his skilled swordsmen as the "Demon Vice-Commander." After the Shinsengumi disbanded, he fought against the new government forces as a commander of the former Shogunate army. He demonstrated his considerable leadership skills and remained undefeated in the Battle of Futamataguchi, Hakodate. His reputation led a later writer to write, "Satsuma and Choshu may have conquered the world, but they could not conquer Futamata." In the end, he was shot and killed during a reckless charge to rescue his allies during a battle in Hakodate city.
What was Hijikata's personality like?
So, what is Hijikata's personality like in this work? First of all, he's a rare type of berserker, combining a great deal of fierceness in battle with the rationality to properly plan tactics. This also means that he is unable to think beyond rationality in battle. The Shinsengumi are often associated with light blue haori coats, but Hijikata in FGO does not wear one. He is a little closer to the modern era, wearing Western clothing and carrying a gun. He continues to fight against the times, striving to uphold his integrity. He also wields a gun and, despite being a berserker, is able to converse normally.
A Rationalist on the Battlefield
He may behave and fight like a demon, but he's also a rationalist on the battlefield. He'll use anything to win, and he never compromises on his beliefs. He even goes so far as to declare that if the Master who summoned him gives up fighting, he'll be immediately targeted for purging. His ego is so strong that it's almost like that of the Hero King Gilgamesh. Incidentally, in "Gudaguda Imperial Capital Holy Grail Tale," he manages to do something quite remarkable: repel the control of the Holy Grail, something that would normally be impossible to resist.
Other Facts About Hijikata Toshizo
This is his basic personality, but there's a lot more information about Hijikata Toshizo that I'd like to share!
He Loves Pickled Radishes
This is certainly true of the real-life Hijikata Toshizo, but he absolutely loves pickled radishes. He even casually asks, "Buy me a barrel." He seems to love them so much that he doesn't need anything else. Even in the story, he buys a storehouse full of them, causing a shortage of food supplies, and even nibbles on them during conversations, showing his eccentricities even more so than in real life. Maybe he's a bit laid-back.
Is he used to playing around with women?
Is this also the case with the real Hijikata Toshizo? He was considered quite handsome, wasn't he? He's also quite handsome in FGO, and seems to be used to playing around with women. He jokingly flirts with Nobu and has his eye on Carmilla. He can be strict with his Master, of course, but he seems to understand the "you're the Master, I'm the Servant" relationship. He even has a friendly side, asking, "Shall I compose a poem for you on your birthday?" The real Hijikata Toshizo also enjoyed reading haiku (his skill level is...). He also has a side that tries to give the protagonist a large amount of pickled radish as a gift. Furthermore, on Valentine's Day, when the protagonist collapses from exhaustion, he drapes his jacket over her and nurses her back to health, prescribing the Vice-Captain's special powdered medicine. Incidentally, this also comes from the fact that in real life, Hijikata Toshizo's family ran a pharmacy, and Hijikata sold "Ishida Sanyaku" medicine.
Living as a Shinsengumi
His warrior originated from his attachment to the Shinsengumi. He lived as a Shinsengumi member, fought as a Shinsengumi member, and died as a Shinsengumi member. In other words, his way of life, beliefs, and the pillar of his life were the very existence of the Shinsengumi. He was tossed about by the times, lost his important chief, and the Shinsengumi was disbanded. Yet, even in the midst of all this, Hijikata Toshizo never gave up on being a Shinsengumi member. He stood up to protect the will and sincerity of his fallen comrades, to protect the Shinsengumi, and his own soul.
Interlude for Strengthening Noble Phantasms: "About That Person"
Starting March 20, 2019, the Interlude for Strengthening Noble Phantasms, "About That Person," will be available. It's quite shocking: the Master's consciousness is possessed by a Shinsengumi soldier. From that soldier's perspective, the Master experiences the Shinsengumi and the life of Hijikata Toshizo, from the Ikedaya Incident to the Battle of Boshin. This allows the Master to understand what the Shinsengumi meant to Hijikata Toshizo, and what thoughts he had as he lived through the end of the Edo period. Furthermore, it allows the Master to see how Hijikata lived his life. A must-see for fans!
I'm curious! What exactly are Hijikata Toshizo's abilities?
At this point, you're probably wondering about Hijikata Toshizo's abilities! As a Modern Heroic Spirit, he receives almost no bonuses from magic or arcane abilities. And like Sakura Saber, his stats are low for a 5-star Servant. However, his Berserker stats, combined with his aggressive skill set, Noble Phantasm characteristics, and his own excellent tactical thinking, make him a powerful Heroic Spirit.
Introducing People Related to Hijikata Toshizo
Here, we'll introduce people related to Hijikata Toshizo in Fate/Grand Order!
Okita Souji
They were colleagues during his lifetime. Although their time together was short, they were both patriots who fought under the banner of sincerity through the tumultuous and chaotic end of the Edo period. While historically, Okita Souji was a man, she is portrayed as a woman in this work. Isn't she cute?! She's a playful person, but also a sensible person. Because of her personality, there seems to be a slight difference in their personalities, and they have a difficult relationship. Incidentally, she was apparently the only one within the squad who treated Hijikata kindly, even though he was feared by the others. Incidentally, in his My Room Voice, Hijikata describes Okita's sword as "something else that doesn't fit into the category of swordsmanship." This is likely referring to the strangeness and otherworldliness of the "Mumyo Sandantsuki." Furthermore, during the event, there's a scene where he forcibly picks her up after she collapses and carries her to the battlefield. He likely prioritized clearing her mind over her physical safety. She also appears in the "Teito Seihai Kitan," in which she plays the main role, wielding her Noble Phantasm, the "Flag of Sincerity." Encouraged by Hijikata, Okita confronts Nobunaga alongside Hijikata.
Oda Nobunaga
Oda Nobunaga is the Sixth Heavenly Demon Lord whom Okita faced in the "Teito Seihai Kitan" and also appeared with in the event. Incidentally, she is also (!) a woman. During the event, Hijikata compliments her, saying, "If you look closely, you'll see she's beautiful," but in his My Room voice, he seems to dislike her despite appreciating her skills. In the story, they seem to be incompatible, and they often bicker.
Chacha
She is the niece of the aforementioned Sixth Heaven Demon King, who appeared with him at the event. In his My Room voice, Hijikata even says, "Looking at you makes me irritated, so don't let me get close." She seems to be quite annoyed. Incidentally, perhaps still fearful of her glare, she says things like, "It's so sad that Chacha won't even talk to me," and even nicknamed her "the sullen assassin with a scary face" during the event.
Oda Nobukatsu
The former head of the Oda Shogunate, who was an enemy during the event. Hijikata mocks Nobukatsu, calling him a "comedian" and Hijikata calling him a "peasant."
Demon Pillar Andras
She's the Demon Pillar who summoned Hijikata during an event. She summoned him to prevent his own annihilation, but they separated due to their differing views on life and death. However, Hijikata's belief that he should continue moving forward even after death influenced Andras, who feared death, and helped him escape the space where he was about to disappear.
Miyamoto Musashi
In her My Room Voice, Hijikata sees her and says, "Take a break from joking." However, his subsequent reaction suggests that he has somehow changed his mind. Furthermore, he even acknowledges the Niten Ichiryu style, saying, "It's very good."
Carmilla
Like Hijikata, Carmilla is a Servant skilled in torture. In her My Room Voice, Hijikata is jealous of her torture techniques. However, at the same time, perhaps for reasons similar to Miyamoto Musashi's, he also praises her appearance, calling her "very beautiful." He seems to like women. However, it seems that Hijikata himself is not very happy with them.
Nobu Sengumi
These are the Shinsengumi members that Hijikata accompanied at the event. Their appearances are clearly different, but Hijikata was able to communicate with them and didn't feel any discomfort. At first glance, they may have seemed careless, but they were often entrusted with important tasks, such as intelligence. In reality, he likely trusted them as comrades in battle.
Sakamoto Ryoma, Okada Izo
These two co-starred in Gudaguda Teito Seihai Kitan. These two are also popular characters! They had a rivalry in life, and even after being summoned, they would have been fighting each other. However, for some reason, they called a truce and formed a united front. Incidentally, Oryu praised them, saying, "Their fighting style is crazy, but they're strong."
More Details About Hijikata Toshizo
Real Name: Hijikata Toshizo, Gender: Male, Height: 187cm, Weight: 75kg, Source: Historical Facts, Region: Japan, Alignment: Law/Evil, Likes: Pickled Radish, Dislikes: Satsuma-Choshu Patriots, Cowardly Shogunate Retainers, Illustration: Hiroki Yogo, Voice Actor: Takanori Hoshino
Complete Introduction to Hijikata Toshizo!
That's all about Hijikata Toshizo in this work! The historical Hijikata Toshizo was already popular, so he is also a very popular character in the game. He is certainly very cool! The occasional references to historical settings have also attracted attention. And above all, many people seem to be struck by the way he continues to live as a Shinsengumi member and protects Makoto. As you can see, this work features a variety of fascinating servants. There are quite a lot of characters, so you're sure to find your favorite. An anime adaptation is coming soon, so if you haven't played the game yet, be sure to download it now. You're sure to find your favorite character. This work will likely continue to gain momentum as it heads towards the anime adaptation. We're really looking forward to seeing what happens next!
