Oniwabanshu In Rurouni Kenshin
The Oniwabanshu are an elite cadre of onmitsu who were established at Edo Castle by the 8th Tokugawa shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune, in the early 18th century. Rumored to have been quartered in the garden of Edo Castle, Yoshimune had tasked the Oniwabanshu with covertly gathering information on various daimyou and statesmen of the bakufu, as well as providing security for the castle itself. After the bakumatsu, the organization has dwindled in the absence of the bakufu and, headed by the genius Okashira Shinomori Aoshi, the remaining onmitsu have split into two groups, one maintaining an intelligence headquarters in Kyoto and the other acting as mercenaries in Tokyo.
Fighting Style: Kempo, Kodachi Nitou Ryuu
Weapons: Kodachi
Description: Shinomori Aoshi is the genius young leader of the Oniwabanshu onmitsu. He became the leader of the Oniwabanshu at the age of 15 on the recommendation of Okina. Known to his followers as the Okashira, Aoshi's skills in combat, stealth and reconnaissance are the best. Having missed his chance to gain glory for the Oniwabanshu during the Bakumatsu, he led a group of his men in serving as enforcers for the wealthy industrialist and opium dealer Takeda Kanryu in the hopes of finding a new battlefield in the Meiji era. Aoshi's weapon of choice is a kodachi, a short-sword where he uses primarily for defense while using Kenpo as his offense. After being defeated by Kenshin, he adopts a second kodachi, a technique the previous Oniwaban Commander used as well.
Han'nya
Fighting Style: Kempo, Shinwanjutsu
Weapons: Claw gauntlets
Description: Han'nya is an Oniwabanshu Ninja, under the command of Shinomori Aoshi. His specialty is espionage and disguises. He is described as adept at ninjutsu. He fights with the claws in his gloves, which are usually kept hidden until he strikes. The unusual stripes on his arm are used for deception when he attacks, it makes his arms look longer than they really are when he strikes. Han'nya is second only to Aoshi, when it comes to power and skill level among the Tokyo Oniwabanshu. He also has crushed his cheek bones and removed his nose, lips, and ears, giving him a monstrous appearance. This is to allow him to wear any face atop his own. He was later gunned down by Takeda Kanryu while assisting Kenshin rescue Takani Megumi. His head is buried on a remote, dangerous mountain along with those of his comrades.
Shikijou
Weapons: Ball-and-chain
Description: Shikijou was a member of the Oniwabanshu and the muscle of their arsenal. He is very tall, incredibly muscular and serves as the group's strong man. Said to be Aoshi's second in command. He is defeated when Sano lands a heavy blow to his head. He regains consciousness and is the first of the four Oniwabanshu to be killed when he defends the Okashira, Shinomori Aoshi. from the treacherous Takeda Kanryu's gatling gun fire. His head was severed and buried by Aoshi, on the mountainside, along with the rest of his comrades.
Hyottoko
Weapons: Gas bag
Description: Hyottoko was the fire-breathing member of the Tokyo Oniwabanshu. He is a large man who carries a barrel of oil on his back supported by two thick ropes. Noticeable of Hyottoko is the fact that he has removed all of his teeth and replaced only the front two top and bottom teeth with flint teeth in order to ignite a spray of oil from a bag in his stomach.
Beshimi
Weapons: Poisoned darts
Description: Beshimi was the dart throwing specialist of the Tokyo Oniwabanshu. He is manipulative and seems to underestimate his enemies. However, he cares for his comrades deeply as shown when he sacrificed himself to protect Shinomori Aoshi. He is shown to have great precision when throwing darts, almost never missing a target.
Weapons: Kunai
Description: Makimachi Misao is a teenage kunoichi and the youngest member of the Kyoto-based Oniwabanshu. A great admirer of Shinomori Aoshi, she leaves her home to find her missing hero, but instead encounters Himura Kenshin and tags along in the hopes that he will lead her to him. She is the granddaughter of the late leader who was Aoshi's master, a fairly skilled kenpoist and the adopted granddaughter of Okina. She soon proves herself a valuable ally and is temporarily named the Oniwabanshu's new Okashira (leader).
Kashiwazaki Nenji
Weapons: Twin Steel Tonfa, Chain-nunchaku
Description: Kashiwazaki Nenji, commonly referred to by his old shinobi name Okina, is an elder member of the Oniwabanshu. During the Bakumatsu, he commanded the Kyoto Oniwabanshu in their endeavors to keep tabs on the revolutionary mayhem escalating in the city, and when the Edo period ended, Okina spearheaded the transition of the Kyoto headquarters into a safehouse and escape route for his defeated comrades. As a result, he becomes the primary caretaker of Makimachi Misao after Shinomori Aoshi departs for Tokyo. He is known to be the only member who could fight the former leader of the group evenly.
Masukami
Weapons: Two discs
Description: Masukami, also known as Omasu, is a member of the Oniwabanshu. She helps run the Aoiya, assisted by Okina, and serves as Makimachi Misao's caretaker. She wields two discs that she uses either as a weapon or as a shield.
Omime
Weapons: Boomerang type shuriken
Description: Omime, also known as Ochika, is a member of the Oniwabanshu who helps run the Aoiya. She assists Okina and serves as Makimachi Misao's caretaker. She wields a boomerang-type shuriken. During the Juppongatana invasion of the Aoiya, Omime fought Iwanbo alongside the rest of the Oniwabanshu. She is shown to have feelings towards Kenshin's master, Hiko Seijuro.
Kurojo
Weapons: Bo staff and Bracer
Description: Kurojo, also known as Kuro, is member of Oniwabanshu onimitsu ninja group. In the everyday peace of daily life, he helps run the Aoi-Ya as a professional chef of Japanese cuisine, a repairman, assists Okina, and serves as Misao's caretaker. In battle, Kurojo is seen to wield a huge bo staff and bracer like gauntlets that can be thrown like shuriken.
Shirojo
Weapons: Brace like gauntlets
Description: Shirojo, also known as Shiro, is a member of the Oniwanbanshu onimitsu ninja group. In the everyday peace of daily life, he helps run the Aoiya as a professional chef of Japanese cuisine, assists Okina, and serves as Misao Makimachi's caretaker. In combat, he is seen to wield brace like gauntlets that he can fire to be used as shuriken.
The Tokyo Oniwabanshu
Shinomori Aoshi
Weapons: Kodachi
Description: Shinomori Aoshi is the genius young leader of the Oniwabanshu onmitsu. He became the leader of the Oniwabanshu at the age of 15 on the recommendation of Okina. Known to his followers as the Okashira, Aoshi's skills in combat, stealth and reconnaissance are the best. Having missed his chance to gain glory for the Oniwabanshu during the Bakumatsu, he led a group of his men in serving as enforcers for the wealthy industrialist and opium dealer Takeda Kanryu in the hopes of finding a new battlefield in the Meiji era. Aoshi's weapon of choice is a kodachi, a short-sword where he uses primarily for defense while using Kenpo as his offense. After being defeated by Kenshin, he adopts a second kodachi, a technique the previous Oniwaban Commander used as well.
- Onmyou Kosa (Yin Yang Crossing): Aoshi blocks an enemies striking weapon with one kodachi, then strikes it with the second kodachi, thrusting the first one through. It can slice even the toughest of shields.
- Jissen Kenbu (True Battle Sword Dance): Combo attack using Ryusui no Ugoki to flow around the enemy, confusing them with a constant change in speed. Aoshi will then strike from various points, slashing them with his kodachi, then ending it with Kaiten Kenbu.
- Kaiten Kenbu (Revolving Heaven Sword Dance): Aoshi claims to have used this attack to defeat all who have intruded upon Edo castle. It involves Aoshi rapidly spinning around three times, while holding the kodachi backhand, to slash the opponent thrice in an instant.
- Kaiten Kenbu Rokuren (Revolving Heaven Sword Dance: Six Links): This attack is Aoshi's ougi. The attack involves Aoshi gripping his kodachi backhand, then slashing the opponent six times in rapid succession, from both sides. It's basically Kaiten Kenbu but done with two kodachi.
- Onmyo Hasshi (Yin Yang Plectrum Halt): Aoshi throws both kodachi at the opponent, hitting the end of the first one with the second one for an extra boost. The second kodachi is hidden directly behind the first, so the opponent would only see one kodachi heading for them in their line of sight.
- Goko Juji (Five Hook Crosses): Aoshi crosses the two kodachi and moves them outwards in a scissor-like cut, usually to kill the enemy by slicing their carotid artery.
- Ryusui no Ugoki (Move of Flowing Water): This is moving technique where Aoshi moves around silently, rapidly alternating between fast and slow movements and confusing the opponent due to the fluid motion & continuously changing speed.
Han'nya
Weapons: Claw gauntlets
Description: Han'nya is an Oniwabanshu Ninja, under the command of Shinomori Aoshi. His specialty is espionage and disguises. He is described as adept at ninjutsu. He fights with the claws in his gloves, which are usually kept hidden until he strikes. The unusual stripes on his arm are used for deception when he attacks, it makes his arms look longer than they really are when he strikes. Han'nya is second only to Aoshi, when it comes to power and skill level among the Tokyo Oniwabanshu. He also has crushed his cheek bones and removed his nose, lips, and ears, giving him a monstrous appearance. This is to allow him to wear any face atop his own. He was later gunned down by Takeda Kanryu while assisting Kenshin rescue Takani Megumi. His head is buried on a remote, dangerous mountain along with those of his comrades.
Shikijou
Description: Shikijou was a member of the Oniwabanshu and the muscle of their arsenal. He is very tall, incredibly muscular and serves as the group's strong man. Said to be Aoshi's second in command. He is defeated when Sano lands a heavy blow to his head. He regains consciousness and is the first of the four Oniwabanshu to be killed when he defends the Okashira, Shinomori Aoshi. from the treacherous Takeda Kanryu's gatling gun fire. His head was severed and buried by Aoshi, on the mountainside, along with the rest of his comrades.
Hyottoko
Description: Hyottoko was the fire-breathing member of the Tokyo Oniwabanshu. He is a large man who carries a barrel of oil on his back supported by two thick ropes. Noticeable of Hyottoko is the fact that he has removed all of his teeth and replaced only the front two top and bottom teeth with flint teeth in order to ignite a spray of oil from a bag in his stomach.
Beshimi
Description: Beshimi was the dart throwing specialist of the Tokyo Oniwabanshu. He is manipulative and seems to underestimate his enemies. However, he cares for his comrades deeply as shown when he sacrificed himself to protect Shinomori Aoshi. He is shown to have great precision when throwing darts, almost never missing a target.
The Kyoto Oniwabanshu
Makimachi Misao
Description: Makimachi Misao is a teenage kunoichi and the youngest member of the Kyoto-based Oniwabanshu. A great admirer of Shinomori Aoshi, she leaves her home to find her missing hero, but instead encounters Himura Kenshin and tags along in the hopes that he will lead her to him. She is the granddaughter of the late leader who was Aoshi's master, a fairly skilled kenpoist and the adopted granddaughter of Okina. She soon proves herself a valuable ally and is temporarily named the Oniwabanshu's new Okashira (leader).
- Kansatsu Tobikunai: This is a move in which a ninja weapon called kunai (dagger) is used like a shuriken (ninja star). Kunai are placed between clasped fingers and they are thrown at the enemy by using the power of the entire body being bent back.
- Kecho-Geri (Monster Bird Kick): Misao is also a Kempo expert, and excels greatly in hand-to-hand combat. This is her signature move.
Kashiwazaki Nenji
Description: Kashiwazaki Nenji, commonly referred to by his old shinobi name Okina, is an elder member of the Oniwabanshu. During the Bakumatsu, he commanded the Kyoto Oniwabanshu in their endeavors to keep tabs on the revolutionary mayhem escalating in the city, and when the Edo period ended, Okina spearheaded the transition of the Kyoto headquarters into a safehouse and escape route for his defeated comrades. As a result, he becomes the primary caretaker of Makimachi Misao after Shinomori Aoshi departs for Tokyo. He is known to be the only member who could fight the former leader of the group evenly.
Masukami
Description: Masukami, also known as Omasu, is a member of the Oniwabanshu. She helps run the Aoiya, assisted by Okina, and serves as Makimachi Misao's caretaker. She wields two discs that she uses either as a weapon or as a shield.
Omime
Description: Omime, also known as Ochika, is a member of the Oniwabanshu who helps run the Aoiya. She assists Okina and serves as Makimachi Misao's caretaker. She wields a boomerang-type shuriken. During the Juppongatana invasion of the Aoiya, Omime fought Iwanbo alongside the rest of the Oniwabanshu. She is shown to have feelings towards Kenshin's master, Hiko Seijuro.
Kurojo
Description: Kurojo, also known as Kuro, is member of Oniwabanshu onimitsu ninja group. In the everyday peace of daily life, he helps run the Aoi-Ya as a professional chef of Japanese cuisine, a repairman, assists Okina, and serves as Misao's caretaker. In battle, Kurojo is seen to wield a huge bo staff and bracer like gauntlets that can be thrown like shuriken.
Shirojo
Description: Shirojo, also known as Shiro, is a member of the Oniwanbanshu onimitsu ninja group. In the everyday peace of daily life, he helps run the Aoiya as a professional chef of Japanese cuisine, assists Okina, and serves as Misao Makimachi's caretaker. In combat, he is seen to wield brace like gauntlets that he can fire to be used as shuriken.
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