Hijikata Toshizo

Hijikata Toshizo (, Hijikata Toshizō) is a supporting character in Ryu Ga Gotoku Ishin!/Like a Dragon: Ishin! based on the real-life historical figure and the Yakuza 3 character Yoshitaka Mine. He is the deputy chief of the Shinsengumi. He authored the Shinsengumi's iron code and deals with those who defy it without mercy, earning him the nickname "The Deputy from Hell" (, Oni no Fukuchō, lit. "The Demon Deputy Chief").
== Profile ==
=== Appearance ===
Hijikata is modeled after Yoshitaka Mine as seen in Yakuza 3. Aside from his somewhat more mature features, the two are nearly identical. His build appears to be solid. He has tan skin, dark brown eyes, and short black hair (dark brown in Ryu Ga Gotoku Ishin!) worn in a slicked back, layered style, with two loose locks swept to the right side of his face. He also has a very faint mustache.
=== Attire ===
Hijikata's attire consists of a black pinstriped kimono and gold nagajuban. His navy blue pinstriped hakama are secured by a gold belt, which his katana is secured to when sheathed. Over his clothing, he wears the Shinsengumi uniform, a sky-blue mountain-patterned haori with the kanji for "fidelity" (, makoto) on its back. His haori is fastened by a white rope-like haori himo. He also wears black tabi with zori sandals.
=== Personality ===
Cruel, merciless, and rarely showing any emotion, Hijikata is referred to by his subordinates as the "deputy from hell." He authored the Shinsengumi's iron-clad laws and enforces them without exception, summarily executing members and leadership alike for violating them. He is a shrewd judge of character and a remarkably cunning strategist who controls and manipulates others with ease. Still, his leadership is as respected as it is feared, and with the exceptions of Okita Soji and Saito Hajime, he has no trouble getting his men to fall in line with his orders.
Although seen as cold-blooded by most, he hides a radical side beneath his calm and collected exterior. Nagakura describes him as a man who, at his core, burns with hope and ambition. Much like his friend and mentor Kondo, Hijikata is completely loyal to his country and strives to change it for the better.
== Background ==
Hijikata was born to a long line of farmers going back at least three hundred years. His father and grandfather were not permitted the right to bear swords due to their class, and Hijikata grew up believing he himself would live and die as a farmer. However, Hijikata's fate was changed when he met Kondo Isami, a samurai who'd also been born a peasant. Hijikata became a friend and loyal disciple to Kondo and was eventually also made into a samurai. When Kondo was granted permission by the Tokugawa Bakufu to form the Miburoshigumi, a special group of ronin tasked with killing enemies of the Bakufu in Kyo, Hijikata joined the group as its deputy chief.
By the start of 1866, the Miburoshigumi was comprised of only Kondo, Hijikata and eight other swordsmen but they had nonetheless started gaining a reputation for their militant support of the Bakufu and for the great skill of their members. Unfortunately, internal conflict between two factions within the group threatened to tear it apart: one faction, formed by Okita Soji, Inoue Genzaburo and Nagakura Shinpachi, heavily opposed the promotion of members of the other faction, comprised of Serizawa Kamo and his pupils, Hirayama Goro and Hirama Jusuke, because of the latter faction's past as wandering bandits. This conflict culminated in a bloody brawl where Okita, Inoue and Nagakura tried to kill Serizawa, only for their target to kill all three of them in self-defense. Since this internal conflict and the death of three of the group's most famous swordsmen would've destroyed the Miburoshigumi's reputation with their Bakufu masters, Kondo and Hijikata had Serizawa, Hirayama and Hirama take on the identities of Inoue Genzaburo, Okita Soji and Nagakura Shinpachi to cover it up.
By the end of the same year, the Miburoshigumi had become a renowned and feared group which had found some success in eliminating Loyalists in Kyo, so the government increased their funding and rebranded them as the Shinsengumi. As the organization grew, Commander Kondo became increasingly hands-off in his job and delegated running day-to-day operations to deputy chief Hijikata.
== Involvement ==
=== Ryu Ga Gotoku Ishin!/Like a Dragon: Ishin!: 1867 ===
At the Shinsengumi tryouts, Hijikata meets Sakamoto Ryoma (under the alias of "Saito Hajime"), who had just finished tryouts with Nagakura Shinpachi. Impressed by Sakamoto's swordsmanship, Hijikata invites him to a discussion later that night in Gion at Tsubakiro. Afterwards, Hijikata meets with Yamanami Keisuke, a Shinsengumi deserter and the Third Division Captain. Hijikata makes a deal with him: if Yamanami manages to defeat Sakamoto in a duel, he will be allowed to leave the Shinsengumi unharmed.
At Tsubakiro, Hijikata and Yamanami await Sakamoto's arrival. Once Sakamoto arrives, Hijikata reveals his knowledge of Sakamoto's interest in Tennen Rishin, and has him duel Yamanami. While Sakamoto defeats and spares Yamanami, Hijikata kills him anyway, and reveals Yamanami's background to Sakamoto. Afterwards, Hijikata extends the offer to Sakamoto: becoming the new Third Division Captain.
A few days later, the Shinsengumi's high-command meets at their base in Mibu to welcome Sakamoto as their new Third Division Captain. While several captains disapprove of Sakamoto, Hijikata vouches for his strength. Hijikata instructs Matsubara Chuji to give Sakamoto a tour of the facilities, but Matsubara denies, and Todo Heisuke volunteers to show Sakamoto around. During the same meeting, Military Advisor Ito Kashitaro complains that Kondo Isami hasn't attended a meeting in months, but Hijikata insists that Kondo has been working with Bakufu representatives on plans to fight against the rebels and is too busy to attend their meetings.
During another meeting a few weeks later, Hijikata briefs the Division Captains about a plot hatched by the Choshu Loyalists to set fire to the front gate of the Imperial Palace as a distraction so they can sneak in around the back and take the Emperor away from his Bakufu guards. As a response, all Shinsengumi Divisions will participate in a raid two nights later at Ikedaya, the inn where the Choshu rebels will be meeting to finalize the details of their plan. On the night of the raid, the Shinsengumi troops manage to defeat the rebel forces but the Choshu Loyalist leader, Katsura Kogoro, nonetheless managed to escape. Since the Loyalists had more people than expected and were clearly awaiting the Shinsengumi attack, Hijikata surmises that there is a traitor within the high-command and accuses Matsubara, using his Choshu roots and his connection with a Shishi informant as proof. Matsubara denies this and tries to shift blame onto Sakamoto, but his fellow captains don't believe him and he is killed by Inoue Genzaburo.
Sakamoto approaches Hijikata while he's reading in his quarters at the Shinsengumi base to ask for a meeting with Kondo, but the deputy chief stonewalls him, insisting that Kondo is too busy to meet with him. Sakamoto persists, so Hijikata asks why he's so deadset on meeting with Kondo, but Sakamoto can't come up with a good explanation so Hijikata rebuffs him and tells him he'll meet Kondo eventually.
Weeks later, Inoue is found murdered in the city docks. With Okita and Harada furious over it, Hijikata orders them to stand down, but neither of them listen and they leave with their divisions. Hoping to prevent needless chaos in the streets, Hijikata tasks Sakamoto and Todo with stopping Okita and Harada's rampage.
After a traitor within the Shinsengumi forges orders from Kondo instructing the troops to set fire to Kyo and also arranges Kondo's murder, Hijikata suspects Ito of being responsible but he doesn't have proof. During the first meeting after the fires, Hijikata obtains his proof by baiting Ito into a trap: He announces that, since Kondo is absent, it is up to the Captains to decide how to restore order after the previous night's disaster. Ito says that in the wake of Kondo's murder, the Captains must elect a new Commander. However, Hijikata says that he hadn't mentioned Kondo had been killed, merely that he was absent, just as he'd been for many months. Since nobody but him and Sakamoto had seen Kondo's body, the only way Ito could've known about his death would've been if he'd been responsible for orchestrating it. Now with confirmation of Ito's betrayal, Hijikata prepares to execute him, only for Todo and Takeda Kanryusai to draw guns and reveal that they've also been conspiring with Ito against the Shinsengumi. Ito reveals he, Todo and Takeda will start their own special police force, the Goryo Eji, which will support the Loyalist cause.
The next afternoon, Hijikata gathers with Sakamoto, Okita and Nagakura (who are the last remaining Captains loyal to the Shinsengumi) and he reveals he had come up with a plan to discover what Ito is planning: Todo had only pretended to betray the Shinsengumi and is in fact a double agent working for Hijikata. Todo then joins their meeting and tells them that Ito is working for Takechi Hanpeita, the leader of the Tosa Loyalist Party, who has been trying to cause a war between the Bakufu and the Loyalist alliance between Satsuma and Choshu. Takechi hopes that the Bakufu and the Sat-Cho Alliance will destroy each other in a war for control over the country, after which the Tosa Loyalists can emerge as the most powerful political force and take over Japan. Since Sakamoto has contact with the Katsura Kogoro from the Choshu Loyalists and Saigo Kichinosuke of the Satsuma Domain Army, the Shinsengumi Captains decide to ask them for help to lure Takechi into a trap.
On December 10, 1868, Katsura and Saigo lure Takechi to the Omi Inn at Sakamoto's request. Once the Tosa Loyalist leader is at the inn, Sakamoto, Hijikata, Okita and Nagakura attack the place in the hopes of assassinating Takechi. Unfortunately for them, Takechi survives and escapes, due to the intervention of Ito and Commander Sasaki Tadasaburo of the Mimawarigumi. Having narrowly avoided death, Takechi retreats to Tosa to take refuge in the palace of his co-conspirator, Yamauchi Yodo, and wait out the now inevitable war between the Bakufu and the Choshu-Satsuma Alliance.
Soon after, Hijikata and the other three surviving Shinsengumi Captains sail to Tosa to try to kill Takechi again, as well as Lord Yamauchi. The four samurai break into the castle and fight their way past the fortification's defenders. When the assailants make their way to the castle's boiler room, they are confronted by Ito and Goryo Eji soldiers, leading to a battle. As Ito and his soldiers show no sign of falling, Hijikata commands Okita and Sakamoto to leave, and fights Ito by himself.
After his battle with Ito, Hijikata meets with Okita and Nagakura. The three track down Sakamoto's location, and find Sakamoto being threatened by Yamauchi with a gun. Hijikata watches as Yamauchi is disarmed by Nagakura, and killed by Sakamoto.
== Fighting Style ==
=== Ryu Ga Gotoku Ishin! ===
Hijikata is practitioner of Tennen Rishin, and he uses Kondo Isami's variation of Inoue Genzaburo's moveset.
He emits a pinkish red aura.
=== Like a Dragon: Ishin! ===
Hijikata's moveset receives the same changes as Kondo's, including sped-up attack animations, the added forward quickstep move, and Sakamoto's 'Essence of Incendiary Bomb' ability.
Like Kondo, he now has a fiery orange aura.
== Promotional Material ==
=== Ryu Ga Gotoku Online ===
On December 31, 2019, Hijikata was featured in a promotional event for Ryu Ga Gotoku Online called "Bakumatsu Ishin! Fortune Telling" celebrating a collaboration between Ryu Ga Gotoku Ishin! and Ryu Ga Gotoku Online. Players could draw New Year's fortunes featuring the majority of the cast of Ryu Ga Gotoku Ishin! to predict their fortune for 2020. The fortunes described the character's personality in a general, relatable sense, offered some advice relating to the character, and predicted the player's "lucky item."
Unlike many of the fortunes, Hijikata's lucky item, "The Internet, " was based on Mine rather than himself. Aside from the obvious historical anachronism, Mine is frequently depicted researching topics of interest in Ryu Ga Gotoku Online.
Hijikata's Fortune
Your fortune this year is... Hijikata Toshizo The Shinsengumi's so-called "deputy from hell."	Your fortune this year is... Hijikata Toshizo The Shinsengumi's so-called "deputy from hell." 	 	
Your Fortune 	Ever calm and composed, you're seen as practically flawless. Turn on the charm once in a while. You'll catch more flies with honey.	Study 	Do your best
Your Fortune 	Ever calm and composed, you're seen as practically flawless. Turn on the charm once in a while. You'll catch more flies with honey.	Lucky Item	The Internet
== Trivia ==
* Hijikata's image as the "deputy from hell" is most likely derived in part from the book (, lit. "Burn, O Sword") by , a dramatized account of the real Hijikata's life which popularized this perception.
** The subtitle of Hijikata's second Ryu Ga Gotoku Online card, "The Demon's Sword Burns" (, Oni Ken Moeru) is a direct reference to the book.
** The fact Hijikata's special move in Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a Fire-element move may be a reference to the book as well, as Mine is normally associated with the Electric element.
* The haiku Hijikata recites in "Finale: Dawn Breaks," "Face to face they stand / heart and mind like a clear stream / a mirror image," was written by the real Hijikata (under the pen name Hogyoku) in his book, the Hogyoku Haiku Collection.
* Hijikata's popularity with women is most likely a reference to both the real Hijikata and Mine. The real Hijikata was considered classically handsome and had a reputation as a womanizer, whereas Mine is very popular with women both in-universe and in real life. 
* Hijikata narrates the chapter summary of "Chapter 6: The Ikedaya Incident" at the start of "Chapter 7: The Two Ryomas."
== Gallery ==
=== Ryu Ga Gotoku Ishin! ===
RGGI! - Character Render - Hijikata Toshizo.png|Full-body Ryu Ga Gotoku Ishin! render of Hijikata
Hijikata_Toshizo_Profile.png|Hijikata in the finale to Ryu Ga Gotoku Ishin!
=== Like a Dragon: Ishin! ===
LADI! - Character Render - Hijikata Toshizo.png|Full-body Like a Dragon: Ishin! render of Hijikata
=== Ryu Ga Gotoku Online ===
RGGO - Card - SSR Hijikata Toshizo.png|SSR [Deputy Chief of the Shinsengumi] Hijikata Toshizo
RGGO - Card - SSR Hijikata Toshizo (Decisive Battle).png|SSR [The Demon's Sword Burns] Hijikata Toshizo (Decisive Battle)
RGGO - Card - KSR Hijikata Toshizo (Ishin Kiwami).png|KSR Hijikata Toshizo (Ishin Kiwami)
== References ==
Category:Historical Figures
Category:Tennen Rishin Users
Category:Mibu Wolves
Category:Shinsengumi
Category:Ryu Ga Gotoku Ishin! Characters
Category:Like a Dragon: Ishin! Characters
Category:Ryu Ga Gotoku Ishin! AI Partners
Category:Like a Dragon: Ishin! AI Partners
Category:Ryu Ga Gotoku Ishin! Supporting Characters
Category:Like a Dragon: Ishin! Supporting Characters
Category:Ryu Ga Gotoku Ishin! Bosses
Category:Like a Dragon: Ishin! Bosses
Category:Ryu Ga Gotoku Online Characters