The hugely popular anime "Gintama". It is a sci-fi comedy set in Edo's Kabukicho district. It is a long-loved work that is popular for its charming characters and storyline, which includes humor, seriousness, parody, and dirty jokes. Particularly popular in "Gintama" is the "Shinsengumi", which is based on the "Shinsengumi" that survived during the end of the Edo period. In this article, we will introduce 10 charms of "Hijikata Toshizou", the vice-commander of the "Shinsengumi"!
Hijikata Toshizou's charms 1. He's cool and stylish!
Source: Gintama © Sorachi Hideaki / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Dentsu, BNP, Aniplex
When it comes to Hijikata's charm, first of all, he looks very cool. Hijikata, who is called the "demon vice-commander," always has a cool and stern expression. He is cool in everyday life, of course, but his serious expression during a fight is irresistibly cool. He has a lot of female fans and is always ranked highly in popularity polls. He looks great in the Shinsengumi uniform. It's also distinctive that he always has a cigarette in his mouth. He's the most popular guy in the Shinsengumi, but for some reason his pupils always look dilated.
He also looks cool in kimono!
Source: Gintama © Sorachi Hideaki / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Dentsu, BNP, Aniplex
Hijikata wears the Shinsengumi uniform at work, but on his days off he wears a rare Japanese outfit! Unlike his usual formal uniform, this loose-fitting kimono is cool and stylish. He's a handsome man, so anything suits him.
The charm of Hijikata Toshiro② "Demon Vice-Commander"! The shadow leader of the Shinsengumi
Source: Gintama © Sorachi Hideaki / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Dentsu, BNP, Aniplex
Hijikata is called the "Demon Vice-Commander" in the Shinsengumi. The chief is Kondo Isami, but it is the vice-chief's role to keep everyone together with a strict attitude. He is also known as "the brains of the Shinsengumi" and is an indispensable member of the Shinsengumi as a shadow leader. His fighting skills are of course first class. He is also good at following up, even among the many problem children in the Shinsengumi, and was even known as "The Fourteenth Follower."
He even created the internal laws!
Source: Gintama © Sorachi Hideaki / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Dentsu, BNP, Aniplex
The "Rules of the bureau" are the rules of the Shinsengumi created by Hijikata. If you break them, you will be forced to commit seppuku immediately, and they are horrifying rules that were created by Hijikata Toshizo in real life. There are 46 rules in total, but not all of them have been revealed. However, some of them are a little tricky, such as Article 46, "Hate the Jack-of-All-Trades, but be kind to Shinpachi-kun." Moreover, while Hijikata is a Jump character, he is also an avid reader of Weekly Shonen Magazine. As a result, there is even Article 12 in the bureau's rules, "Do not read any manga other than Magazine in the bureau," which is clearly a mix of public and private matters! For this reason, everyone in the corps even has their own secret Jump comics.
Hijikata Toshiro's charms ③ Is it too much? He's an extreme mayonnaise lover!
Source: Gintama © Sorachi Hideaki / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Dentsu, BNP, Aniplex
Hijikata is cool and handsome, but he is actually known to be an extreme mayonnaise lover. He is addicted to it, beyond just liking it, and thinks that there is nothing more delicious than it, and that it would be fine to put it on everything. His favorite food is the "Hijikata Special," an amazing food made by squeezing an entire bottle of mayonnaise onto a bowl of rice. Gintoki, who likes the "Uji Gintoki Bowl" with bean paste on top, also calls it "dog food." He has an incredible sense of taste.
3-minute cooking
Source: Gintama © Sorachi Hideaki / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Dentsu, BNP, Aniplex
In episode 50, "Get your motivation up again at each turning point," the characters try to give the anime a boost. While everyone was trying to reconstruct the story in their own way, Hijikata also had a secret idea in mind. It was called the "World Gintama Cooking Show," and it was a show in which Hijikata cooked as a chef. However, it wasn't really what you'd call cooking; he just roughly squeezed two sticks of mayonnaise onto a plate.
Hijikata Toshiro's Charm #4: He's an eternal rival to Gintoki!
Source: Gintama © Sorachi Hideaki / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Dentsu, BNP, Aniplex
For some reason, Hijikata is set up as a rival to the main character, Gintoki. The two are always at odds with each other and seem to fight whenever they meet, but they have an inseparable, rotten relationship. Hijikata is a strict police officer who heads the Shinsengumi as vice-captain, while Gintoki is always lazy. Their personalities seem to be polar opposites... but in fact, these two are quite similar! It may seem surprising, but they have many things in common.
Food Hobbies
Source: Gintama © Sorachi Hideaki / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Dentsu, BNP, Aniplex
Hijikata Special is a dish of rice topped with a whole bottle of mayonnaise (?), and Uji Gintoki Donburi is rice topped with a can of red bean paste. ...Both are dishes that are difficult for ordinary people to understand. The two of them make fun of each other's food by calling it "dog food" and "cat food," but they're both the same. By the way, because they eat things like this, they both have health problems.
They're actually scaredy
Source: Gintama © Sorachi Hideaki / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Dentsu, BNP, Aniplex
It's very surprising, but the two of them are similar in that they're both very scaredy. When rumors spread that a ghost was appearing at the Shinsengumi barracks, both of them were terrified, which was hard to imagine from their usual behavior. Of course, they insisted that they weren't scared... They also both share a fear of the dentist. It's kind of cute, isn't it?
The Charm of Hijikata Toshiro 5. Who is the Akiba Otaku "Tossie"?
Source: Gintama © Sorachi Hideaki / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Dentsu, BNP, Aniplex
Hijikata is always cool and cool, but there was one time when he became an Akihabara otaku! His name at that time was "Tossy" and his personality was completely different from the usual Hijikata. Where did the cool and cool Hijikata go? He had become a completely different person. It was a long story that caused quite a shock among fans.
Why did he become an Akihabara otaku?
Source: Gintama © Sorachi Hideaki / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Dentsu, BNP, Aniplex
Hijikata had his everyday sword repaired. The sword he picked up at that time was actually a cursed sword called "Muramasa"! Due to the curse of the evil sword, a second personality emerged from Hijikata, and it was an Akihabara otaku named "Tosshi." He has an unconventional fashion sense, wearing a red headband and a denim vest on his bare skin. He also ends his sentences with "gozaru" and calls people by their names, such as "Sakata-shi," making him a character full of classic otaku elements. He also always holds one of his elbows protectively. He even draws "To Love-Ru" doujinshi.
The Charm of Hijikata Toshiro 6. Going into space in search of cigarettes? Severe heavy smoker
Source: Gintama © Sorachi Hideaki / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Dentsu, BNP, Aniplex
Hijikata always has a cigarette in his mouth. He's an extremely heavy smoker who never lets go even during battle. But there was one time when Hijikata found himself in a situation where he just couldn't smoke.
The Shinsengumi goes smoke-free!
Source: Gintama © Sorachi Hideaki/Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Dentsu, BNP, Aniplex
In episode 119, "One or two cigarettes in a pack, some that smell like horse manure," Okita suggested that the Shinsengumi go smoke-free. Of course, Hijikata resisted desperately, but he was pressured by the other members and reluctantly agreed. He then went outside the Shinsengumi to have a smoke in town. However, the city was filled with non-smoking areas, and perhaps due to the social trend, smokers found it difficult to get by. Furthermore, Matsudaira arranged for a smoking ban to be issued across the entire planet! Hijikata finally had no place to go and was at a loss.
Journey into space!?
Source: Gintama © Sorachi Hideaki / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Dentsu, BNP, Aniplex
Hijikata, a smoker, has practically been banished from the Earth, let alone the Shinsengumi. After this, he does something surprising. He goes outside the Earth in search of a place where he can smoke. Hijikata arrives at the tobacco-producing planet "Hammock" and finds the last cigarette. However, Hijikata meets a boy there. The boy is called Delde, and is crying after his father, a tobacco maker, was killed. Hijikata then goes on to face off against Frieza, who has attacked the planet. It's a bit like Dragon Ball.
Hijikata Toshiro's Charm 7: His Famous Quotes Are So Cool!
Source: Gintama © Sorachi Hideaki / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Dentsu, BNP, Aniplex
Speaking of "Gintama," the characters' famous quotes are also fascinating. There are many passionate and heavy words that shake the heart. Of course, Hijikata also has many cool quotes. Here are some of the most representative ones.
I just... want the woman I love to be happy
Source: Gintama © Sorachi Hideaki / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Dentsu, BNP, Aniplex
This is the best quote! The "woman he loves" Hijikata is referring to Okita Sougo's sister, Okita Mitsuba. Hijikata and Mitsuba were in love with each other. During their time in Bushu, there is a scene where Hijikata blushes as Mitsuba gazes upon him. Also, when Mitsuba came to Edo, she wanted to meet Hijikata. However, Hijikata, thinking of Mitsuba's happiness, stepped aside. By the way, the rest of this verse ends with "." It's just too cool, isn't it? But Mitsuba dies of an illness. After Mitsuba dies, Hijikata is alone on the roof. He sheds tears, something he rarely does. This is a rare official pairing in Gintama, but it is heartbreaking nonetheless.
I'm not the Shogunate or the Shogun, Kondo-san is the only general I've had since then
Source: Gintama © Sorachi Hideaki / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Dentsu, BNP, Aniplex
Hijikata's famous quote. These words convey his admiration for Kondo. Hijikata is extremely grateful to Kondo, the head of the Shinsengumi. He told his comrades that it was Kondo who accepted them, even though they had no education, no place to belong, and no skill other than their swords. Even after losing their swords and dojo due to the sword ban, Kondo did not abandon his comrades, but continued to look after them. You can really feel the bond between the Shinsengumi.
I even put mayonnaise on dessert. Come on, I'll show you a real fight.
Source: Gintama © Sorachi Hideaki / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Dentsu, BNP, Aniplex
Hijikata is cool even though he says things that are completely incomprehensible. This is a line from the long story "Yagyu Arc" in the battle between Hijikata and Kitaoji. Kitaoji is a ketchup lover, and a battle unfolds between him and Hijikata, who is a mayonnaise lover. Kitaouji kept pouring copious amounts of ketchup on the omelet rice. According to Hijikata, "No matter how much ketchup you put on the omelet rice, it's still within common sense," "It's the limit of dojo swordsmanship, you can't break out of the mold," and "If you want to reel yourself in, throw mayonnaise on the way down." He's saying some incredible things. But he looks so cool as he readies his sword. He's starting to look cooler.
The Charm of Hijikata Toshiro 8. Is he being targeted by Okita...?
Source: Gintama © Sorachi Hideaki / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Dentsu, BNP, Aniplex
Another popular character in "Gintama" is Okita Sougo. He is the captain of the 1st division of the Shinsengumi and is quite sadistic. His relationship with Hijikata is like that of Tom and Jerry. Due to various conflicts, there was a time when Okita was quite annoyed with Hijikata. However, now, somehow, they are portrayed as being the ones who spend the most time together and understand each other. However, Okita's harassment of Hijikata sometimes goes too far.
Is he trying to get rid of him!?
Source: Gintama © Sorachi Hideaki / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Dentsu, BNP, Aniplex
Firing a bazooka at Hijikata, holding a death ritual every night, poisoning his mayonnaise...Okita's harassment of Hijikata makes you wonder if he has murderous intent. As you would expect from a sadist, Okita doesn't just do half-hearted harassment. Once he even set up a huge trap and ended up imprisoning Hijikata and himself. Does he really hate him? You would think, but maybe it's just Okita's way of communicating with him. Although it does go a little too far... Incidentally, there was a scene where Hijikata lamented that Okita didn't like him.
Hijikata Toshiro's charm 9: His voice actor is Nakai Kazuya!
Source: Gintama © Hideaki Sorachi/Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Dentsu, BNP, Aniplex
Hijikata's low voice is also very cool. The actor who plays him is Kazuya Nakai. He is from Hyogo Prefecture and was born on November 25, 1967. He is affiliated with Aoni Production, and apart from Hijikata, his other notable roles include Zoro in "One Piece" and Witz Sue in "After War Gundam X". In fact, before he became a voice actor, he worked as a civil servant! That's surprising.
The charm of Hijikata Toshiro 10: The live-action actor is Yagira Yuya!
Source: Gintama © Sorachi Hideaki / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Dentsu, BNP, Aniplex
The live-action version of "Gintama" has been a hot topic. The role of Hijikata is played by Yuya Yagira. With his sharp gaze and cool demeanor, he was the perfect actor for the role. He said he felt pressured because Hijikata is a popular character, but he was very well received, as he was able to perfectly embody the atmosphere of Hijikata! Yuya Yagira will be playing Hijikata in the second live-action version, so I'm looking forward to seeing his new acting!
Summary of Hijikata Toshiro's charms!
Source: Gintama © Sorachi Hideaki / Shueisha, TV Tokyo, Dentsu, BNP, Aniplex
That's all about Hijikata Toshiro's charms! The vice-commander of the Shinsengumi is strong, cool, and loved by everyone. He has a lot of charm. The contrast between his usual cool personality and his extreme love of mayonnaise is also wonderful. The original "Gintama" manga is also reaching its climax, so I'm looking forward to seeing how Hijikata develops and achieves in the future!
