Shinomori Aoshi

Shinomori Aoshi (四乃森 蒼紫), known in Western order as Aoshi Shinomori in the English version of the anime, is a fictional character in the Rurouni Kenshin manga series created by Nobuhiro Watsuki. Shinomori Aoshi is the genius young Okashira (御頭; literally "the head", as in "leader" or "boss") of the Oniwabanshū group for Edo Castle. After the Meiji Restoration Shinomori alone was offered rankings in the military, however, instead of abandoning his comrades, he decided to work with them for Takeda Kanryū. This decision leads to the death of his comrades and his defeat by the former assassin Himura Battosai from the IshinShishi, which results in driving him mad. Shinomori swears to kill Battosai at any cost in order to gain the title of "the strongest" and bestow this title upon the graves of his fallen comrades.

Watsuki created Shinomori as a new rival to face his protagonist in the series and soon would become a strong rival. He based Shinomori on Hijikata Toshizō, the Vice-Commander of the Shinsengumi policemen from the Bakumatsu era, known primarily for his strict leadership. The character is voiced by multiple actors though for the live-action films, Yusuke Iseya portrayed him resulting in swordmanship training. Critical response was mixed due to his portrayal as a revenge seeker against Kenshin though his causes and honors were said to be important representations of how Japan changed after the Bakumatsu era ended.