Hakuouki Shinsegumi Kitan & Hekketsu-Roku Review

 Pretty much all the characters. Ones I wrote about and ones I did not write about. =) A lot of minor characters, that's why.

If there's an anime with crowning moment of awesomeness then this is one of them although I must warn you beforehand that this is one of those anime's that truly embeds in your hearts but dont get too attached thought it doesn't have a happy ending. =|

Story is set in 1862 where there's a struggle of power between the Shogunate and the New Government controlled by the Emperor.

My understanding is that ever since The Shogunate took over as the ruler of Japan, The Emperor and his family is shooed aside retaining only their title and power.

At this era, the New Government have joined forces with the Emperor to regain their rightful place as the ruler of Japan. And story revolves around this particular shogunate forces called the Shinsegumi which are like special police force organization.

And one more thing, this anime is based on the real historical events that took place. So characters and storyline have been heavily anime-fied but the backdrop is these people really existed and the battles and wars and conflicts you would see throughout this anime is real. It HAS happened.

Character Introduction:

*PLEASE TAKE NOTE THAT THESE ARE THE CHARACTER DESCRIPTION OF THE ANIME NOT THE REAL PEOPLE INVOLVED!*

~*HIJIKATA TOSHIZOU*~

Calm, powerful, an excellent leader. He doesn't show his tender side often but all that changed when he met Chizuru. He died while fighting with this archenemy Kazama Chikage. His death was also quickened when he consumed the Ochimizu where it turns one into blood thirsty vampire-zombie like creatures that uses their life force as a substitute for their invincibility when Ochimizu is consumed. Age: 25-30

I must give it to him, he really is good-looking. Just like he was implied in the anime.

 ~*ISAMI KONDOU*~

The leader of the Shinsegumi. A good-hearted man who acts as a father figure to everyone. He took in many of the Shinsegumi captains and treated them like his own sons and they in return serve him faithfully. He died acting as a decoy so his comrades can escape from the enemies cluthes. It's is implied that he is executed in the prison for traitors. Age: 30-40

 The real Kondou-san. I wouldn't mess with this guy. O_O'

~*SANNAN(ALTERNATE READING OF HIS NAME IN JAPANESE IN KEISUKE )YAMANAMI*~

Vice Captain of the Shinsegumi who acts as Kondou-san's second-in-command. He appears as a delicate, graceful man with polite disposition. He is also a brainiac who does a lot of research on the Ochimizu's side effects. A scientific man, more than a fighter. He too died together with Heisuke due to overusing the power of the Ochimizu. Age: late 20's to early 30's.

*unfortunately I cant find the picture of the real historical figure*


~*SAITOU HAJIME*~

One of the best swordsmen the Shinsegumi have. It is implied that he's of nobility and he was disowned due to a misunderstanding between him and his father. He is reserved, taciturn and a very analytical tactician. He is the master of the left hand sword technique. My favourite man in the anime. Did I mention that he is a good cook as well? =) Age: Mid 20's.

Either one of these pictures are said to be the real Saitou Hajime.

~*OKITA SOUJI*~

Another fantastic swordsmen Shinsegumi have. He is very jovial, often picks on Hijikata-san much to his annoyance and doesnt show his true feelings. He died from tuberculosis in the series and the real one did too. He took the Ochimizu thinking it would cure his illness but it backfired and killed him instead, slowly. =( Age: Early 20's.

The real Okita Souji who had truly died from tuberculosis.

~*SANOSUKE HARADA*~

A tall man wielding the spear and not often the sword, he is best friends with Nagakura and Heisuke. He is very friendly, playful and sweet to the ladies. <3 His has a fierce rivalry with Kyo Shiranui later calls it truce with him to defeat the imitation Ochimizu creatures that's out of control.
Age: Mid 20's.

*unfortunately I cant find the picture of the real historical figure*
 
~*NAGAKURA SHINPACHI*~

A brash and loud young man who's sort of vain about his impeccable physique. A heavy drinker and womanizer, he often sneaks out to out to bars and 'fun'. Hmn... =|. His strong points is that he has high sense of honor and is very protective of his comrades. Age: Mid 20's.

 The only existing picture of Nagakura Shinpachi...as an aged man.

~*HEISUKE TODO*~

A hyperactive young man who is close friends with Chizuru due to them being the same age. He is a 'sleuth' swordsmen due to his small frame and short height. He is said to have lighting speed in his swordfighting. He died from overstressed due to the effects of Ochimizu. Age: Late teenager.

*unfortunately I cant find the picture of the real historical figure*


~*YAMAZAKI SUSUMU*~

Doesnt he look a little like Gaara from Naruto? @@;

The official doctor for the Shinsegumi, he too was close friends with Chizuru. He is also a talented ninja-like fighter who often goes on errands for the shinsegumi in disguises to collect information. He died protecting Hijikata from Chikage. Age: 20-21.

*unfortunately I cant find the picture of the real historical figure*

~CHIKAGE KAZAMA*~

This is how he is in the anime: elegantly dressed and impeccably smart in appearance. I have 'fantasies' about him. A fictional character made for the anime.

The main villain of this anime. He is a pureblood royal demon who wishes to make Chizuru his wife(who is also a pureblood nobility demoness) to produce more pureblood demons babies/offspring. He is terrying once he unsheaths his sword. Has a relaxed demeanor and condescending attitude towards humans. He is later killed by Hijikata. Age: Mid 20's.

~*AMAGIRI KYUJU*~

Fictional character made for the anime.

A powerful demon who seems to dislike fighting unnessarily and shows a lot of respect to his enemies. He even warned Saitou to leave for a safer place when a violent rebellion is about to unfold. Age: 30's.

~*KYO SHIRANUI*~

 Fictional character made for the anime.

A cocky and arrogant young man who dresses flamboyantly. His weapon is the gun and he can kill anyone with it in any range. His rivalry with Harada Sanosuke is later resolved. Age: Early 20's.

~*YUKIMURA CHIZURU*~

 

Fictional character as well.

Her twin brother, Kaoru. Yeah, he cross-dressers as a female.

A pretty much useless heroine who stands around acting pretty and useless and brings the boys tea. Most of the time. It is implied that she can wield the sword. She is the love interest almost all of the boys and Chikage who wants to bow-chicka-wow-wow with her. She is a pureblood nobility demon whose clan is extinct. She and her twin brother Kaoru is the last remaining Yukimura descendants. Her twin brother Kaoru is killed by Kazama.

My rating? 10/10 for awesome storyline, soundtrack and animation.