Hakuouki (2022 series)

Hakuouki (薄桜鬼) is a 2022 live-action television series adaptation of the otome video game series Hakuouki. It follows a young girl, Chizuru Yukimura, who travels from Edo to Kyoto in search of her missing father and becomes entangled in the affairs of the Shinsengumi. Like the other screen adaptations of the game series, the storyline follows Hijikata's route but includes scenes from the other ones as well.
It was written by Shinya Hokimoto and directed by Masanobu Rokusha and Yūki Nishikata, with the music composed by Kuniyuki Morohashi. The series premiered on WOWOW Prime channel on January 7th and ran for 10 episodes of an average of 25 minutes, to conclude on March 11th, 2022.
==Cast==
Hijikata ToshizouSakiyama TsubasaThe Vice-Commander of the Shinsengumi. Nicknamed the "Demon Vice-Commander." In reality, he is deliberately playing the role of the demon in order to bring together the rowdy members of the group. He works hard every day to get Kondou a suitable position.
Yukimura ChizuruWakayanagi KotokoWhen she comes to Kyoto to search for her missing father, she is saved by Hijikata and the Shinsengumi just as she is about to be attacked by a Rasetsu. She joins the Shinsengumi and begins searching for her father together with them.
Saitou HajimeYano MasatoThe Captain of the Shinsengumi's 3rd Division. He is a left-handed master of Iai, a rarity in the samurai world, and is one of the best swordsmen in the Shinsengumi. A very quiet and shy person.
Okita SoujiKanai SondeThe Captain of the Shinsengumi's 1st Division. A genius swordsman, his skills are said to be the best in the Shinsengumi. He's always joking and smiling, but when it comes to wielding his sword, he is merciless.
Yamazaki SusumuNagata TakatoThe Shinsengumi's inspector and medic. He is responsible for internal and external intelligence activities, mainly espionage, and is tasked with treating wounded soldiers. 
Toudou HeisukeFukuyama KoheiThe Captain of the Shinsengumi's 8th Division. The youngest of the Shinsengumi's captains, a very cheerful person who loves having fun but jumps first in any battle.
Harada SanosukeTokito YukiThe Captain of the Shinsengumi's 10th Division. He is quick to fight and very eloquent, but he is kind-hearted and loyal. He is better with spears than swords.
Nagakura ShinpachiSaikawa KojiThe Captain of the Shinsengumi's 2nd Division. A native of Edo who loves swordsmanship, alcohol, and women, he hates anything unjust. His sword skills are among the best in the Shinsengumi.
Kazama ChikageImari YuThe leader of the "Demon Clan" employed by the Satsuma Domain and opposed to the Shinsengumi. For some reason, he sees Chizuru as special.
Sannan KeisukeNakabayashi TaikiThe Deputy Commander of the Shinsengumi. On the surface he always wears a cheerful smile, but behind that he leads his troops with a shrewd expression.
Kondou IsamiTanaka KotaroThe Chief of the Shinsengumi. While he has a presence forged through swordsmanship, he is also compassionate and easily moved to tears. He believes that helping the shogunate is what it means to be a true samurai.
==Episodes==
# 	Title 	Original airdate
1 	Episode 1 	January 7, 2022
Under the disguise of a boy, a young woman named Chizuru Yukimura wanders the streets of Kyoto searching for her father Kodo Yukimura, a doctor in western medicine, but is unsuccessful. She runs in ronin who bully her, but they are attacked and easily slaughtered by a vampirelike creature. Before she herself is attacked,the Shinsengumi appear and kill the creature, but since she saw everything they take her to their headquarters to interrogate her. Finding her ignorant of the creature's true origin, they decide against killing her and reveal that her father had been previously working with them, but had gone missing some months back. They allow her to stay on with them and help in the search for him. One of the Shinsengumi captain, Yamanami Keisuke, becomes crippled in an attack, forcing him to consider taking a secret medicine. Chizuru accidentally discovers a enemy spy, whom the Shinsengumi interrogate. 	Under the disguise of a boy, a young woman named Chizuru Yukimura wanders the streets of Kyoto searching for her father Kodo Yukimura, a doctor in western medicine, but is unsuccessful. She runs in ronin who bully her, but they are attacked and easily slaughtered by a vampirelike creature. Before she herself is attacked,the Shinsengumi appear and kill the creature, but since she saw everything they take her to their headquarters to interrogate her. Finding her ignorant of the creature's true origin, they decide against killing her and reveal that her father had been previously working with them, but had gone missing some months back. They allow her to stay on with them and help in the search for him. One of the Shinsengumi captain, Yamanami Keisuke, becomes crippled in an attack, forcing him to consider taking a secret medicine. Chizuru accidentally discovers a enemy spy, whom the Shinsengumi interrogate. 	Under the disguise of a boy, a young woman named Chizuru Yukimura wanders the streets of Kyoto searching for her father Kodo Yukimura, a doctor in western medicine, but is unsuccessful. She runs in ronin who bully her, but they are attacked and easily slaughtered by a vampirelike creature. Before she herself is attacked,the Shinsengumi appear and kill the creature, but since she saw everything they take her to their headquarters to interrogate her. Finding her ignorant of the creature's true origin, they decide against killing her and reveal that her father had been previously working with them, but had gone missing some months back. They allow her to stay on with them and help in the search for him. One of the Shinsengumi captain, Yamanami Keisuke, becomes crippled in an attack, forcing him to consider taking a secret medicine. Chizuru accidentally discovers a enemy spy, whom the Shinsengumi interrogate.
2 	Episode 2 	March 14, 2022
When Hijikata and his friends learn of the plan to attack the Shinsengumi camp, they decide to raid the meeting place where Chōshū people and other ronin from the sonno-joi faction gather. The meeting place will be either Shikoku-ya or Ikedaya, but it cannot be narrowed down based on the information provided by Yamazaki (Takato Nagata) and other inspectors. The Shinsengumi has no choice but to split their squad into two and go to battle. Isami Kondou (Kotaro Tanaka) and 10 others head to Ikedaya, while Hijikata and 24 others head to Shikokuya.The description has been taken from the official website. 	When Hijikata and his friends learn of the plan to attack the Shinsengumi camp, they decide to raid the meeting place where Chōshū people and other ronin from the sonno-joi faction gather. The meeting place will be either Shikoku-ya or Ikedaya, but it cannot be narrowed down based on the information provided by Yamazaki (Takato Nagata) and other inspectors. The Shinsengumi has no choice but to split their squad into two and go to battle. Isami Kondou (Kotaro Tanaka) and 10 others head to Ikedaya, while Hijikata and 24 others head to Shikokuya.The description has been taken from the official website. 	When Hijikata and his friends learn of the plan to attack the Shinsengumi camp, they decide to raid the meeting place where Chōshū people and other ronin from the sonno-joi faction gather. The meeting place will be either Shikoku-ya or Ikedaya, but it cannot be narrowed down based on the information provided by Yamazaki (Takato Nagata) and other inspectors. The Shinsengumi has no choice but to split their squad into two and go to battle. Isami Kondou (Kotaro Tanaka) and 10 others head to Ikedaya, while Hijikata and 24 others head to Shikokuya.The description has been taken from the official website.
3 	Episode 3 	March 21, 2022
Following orders from Keisuke Sannan (Taiki Nakabayashi), Chizuru rushes to Hijikata and his friends to deliver the message. At that time, Kondou and his friends had already set foot in Ikedaya, an inn where Chōshū people and other samurai from the Sonno-joi faction met. Kondou and his friends continue to wait for support from their allies, even though they are showing great performance against large numbers of people. During the fierce battle at Ikedaya, Okita and Heisuke (Kohei Fukuyama) encounter two mysterious ronin samurai with unusual auras, and they engage in a battle with them. 	Following orders from Keisuke Sannan (Taiki Nakabayashi), Chizuru rushes to Hijikata and his friends to deliver the message. At that time, Kondou and his friends had already set foot in Ikedaya, an inn where Chōshū people and other samurai from the Sonno-joi faction met. Kondou and his friends continue to wait for support from their allies, even though they are showing great performance against large numbers of people. During the fierce battle at Ikedaya, Okita and Heisuke (Kohei Fukuyama) encounter two mysterious ronin samurai with unusual auras, and they engage in a battle with them. 	Following orders from Keisuke Sannan (Taiki Nakabayashi), Chizuru rushes to Hijikata and his friends to deliver the message. At that time, Kondou and his friends had already set foot in Ikedaya, an inn where Chōshū people and other samurai from the Sonno-joi faction met. Kondou and his friends continue to wait for support from their allies, even though they are showing great performance against large numbers of people. During the fierce battle at Ikedaya, Okita and Heisuke (Kohei Fukuyama) encounter two mysterious ronin samurai with unusual auras, and they engage in a battle with them.
4 	Episode 4 	March 28, 2022
The Shinsengumi made a name for themselves overnight by raiding Ikedaya. In response to the recruiting efforts conducted by Kondou and others in Edo, Kashitarou Itou (Ryuhei Higashiyama) joins the Shinsengumi. Kondou idolizes Itou, but the other members have complicated feelings. In particular, Sannan, who had been cut off from being a swordsman even though he was the deputy commander, found himself increasingly without a place as Itou became a staff officer. Chizuru cares about Sannan, but one day the situation takes an unexpected turn... 	The Shinsengumi made a name for themselves overnight by raiding Ikedaya. In response to the recruiting efforts conducted by Kondou and others in Edo, Kashitarou Itou (Ryuhei Higashiyama) joins the Shinsengumi. Kondou idolizes Itou, but the other members have complicated feelings. In particular, Sannan, who had been cut off from being a swordsman even though he was the deputy commander, found himself increasingly without a place as Itou became a staff officer. Chizuru cares about Sannan, but one day the situation takes an unexpected turn... 	The Shinsengumi made a name for themselves overnight by raiding Ikedaya. In response to the recruiting efforts conducted by Kondou and others in Edo, Kashitarou Itou (Ryuhei Higashiyama) joins the Shinsengumi. Kondou idolizes Itou, but the other members have complicated feelings. In particular, Sannan, who had been cut off from being a swordsman even though he was the deputy commander, found himself increasingly without a place as Itou became a staff officer. Chizuru cares about Sannan, but one day the situation takes an unexpected turn...
5 	Episode 5 	February 4, 2022
Sannan, who secretly continued to improve the medicine based on the materials left behind by Koudou Yukimura, drinks the medicine himself and transforms into a non-human. Hijikata sees Chizuru's wounds healed in the blink of an eye after being attacked by Sannan, and asks if Chizuru is a Rasetsu. Due to the complication situation with Sannan, the Shinsengumi relocate its base to Nishi Honganji Temple. Chizuru continues to search for his father, but she still cannot find any clues. One day, Chizuru accidentally overhears Okita's secret... 	Sannan, who secretly continued to improve the medicine based on the materials left behind by Koudou Yukimura, drinks the medicine himself and transforms into a non-human. Hijikata sees Chizuru's wounds healed in the blink of an eye after being attacked by Sannan, and asks if Chizuru is a Rasetsu. Due to the complication situation with Sannan, the Shinsengumi relocate its base to Nishi Honganji Temple. Chizuru continues to search for his father, but she still cannot find any clues. One day, Chizuru accidentally overhears Okita's secret... 	Sannan, who secretly continued to improve the medicine based on the materials left behind by Koudou Yukimura, drinks the medicine himself and transforms into a non-human. Hijikata sees Chizuru's wounds healed in the blink of an eye after being attacked by Sannan, and asks if Chizuru is a Rasetsu. Due to the complication situation with Sannan, the Shinsengumi relocate its base to Nishi Honganji Temple. Chizuru continues to search for his father, but she still cannot find any clues. One day, Chizuru accidentally overhears Okita's secret...
6 	Episode 6 	February 11, 2022
As distrust towards the Itou's faction grows within the Shinsengumi, Shinpachi Nagakura (Koji Saikawa) grows irritated with Hijikata who does not say anything to Itou. Around that time, there are a number of incidents in Kyoto, and the Shinsengumi are ordered to protect a noticeboard. With the reward money that Sanosuke Harada (Yuki Tokito) received for defending his noticeboard, Nagakura goes out for drinks with his like-minded soldiers, but Hijikata is waiting alone at the bar he heads to in high spirits. Meanwhile, Itou has a secret meeting with someone and begins to exhibit suspicious behavior. 	As distrust towards the Itou's faction grows within the Shinsengumi, Shinpachi Nagakura (Koji Saikawa) grows irritated with Hijikata who does not say anything to Itou. Around that time, there are a number of incidents in Kyoto, and the Shinsengumi are ordered to protect a noticeboard. With the reward money that Sanosuke Harada (Yuki Tokito) received for defending his noticeboard, Nagakura goes out for drinks with his like-minded soldiers, but Hijikata is waiting alone at the bar he heads to in high spirits. Meanwhile, Itou has a secret meeting with someone and begins to exhibit suspicious behavior. 	As distrust towards the Itou's faction grows within the Shinsengumi, Shinpachi Nagakura (Koji Saikawa) grows irritated with Hijikata who does not say anything to Itou. Around that time, there are a number of incidents in Kyoto, and the Shinsengumi are ordered to protect a noticeboard. With the reward money that Sanosuke Harada (Yuki Tokito) received for defending his noticeboard, Nagakura goes out for drinks with his like-minded soldiers, but Hijikata is waiting alone at the bar he heads to in high spirits. Meanwhile, Itou has a secret meeting with someone and begins to exhibit suspicious behavior.
7 	Episode 7 	February 18, 2022
Itou left the Shinsengumi after announcing that he would be appointed as the Guard of the Imperial Tomb. Saitou and Toudou also leave the squad to follow Itou, and the Shinsengumi becomes fragmented. One night, a soldier who has become a Rasetsu attacks Chizuru. Chizuru is saved just in time by Hijikata and others who rush in, but something strange happens to Sannan. At the same time, Chikage Kazama (Yu Imari) and others invade the camp. Kazama slowly approaches Chizuru. What exactly is his goal? 	Itou left the Shinsengumi after announcing that he would be appointed as the Guard of the Imperial Tomb. Saitou and Toudou also leave the squad to follow Itou, and the Shinsengumi becomes fragmented. One night, a soldier who has become a Rasetsu attacks Chizuru. Chizuru is saved just in time by Hijikata and others who rush in, but something strange happens to Sannan. At the same time, Chikage Kazama (Yu Imari) and others invade the camp. Kazama slowly approaches Chizuru. What exactly is his goal? 	Itou left the Shinsengumi after announcing that he would be appointed as the Guard of the Imperial Tomb. Saitou and Toudou also leave the squad to follow Itou, and the Shinsengumi becomes fragmented. One night, a soldier who has become a Rasetsu attacks Chizuru. Chizuru is saved just in time by Hijikata and others who rush in, but something strange happens to Sannan. At the same time, Chikage Kazama (Yu Imari) and others invade the camp. Kazama slowly approaches Chizuru. What exactly is his goal?
8 	Episode 8 	February 25, 2022
Saitou, who was hiding in the Itou faction, brings information that Itou is planning to assassinate Kondou. Hijikata orders Nagakura and Harada to kill Itou and his followers. And, if Toudou decides to attack, he orders to kill him as well. Chizuru worries about Toudou and raises her voice, but Hijikata does not listen. One night, the Shinsengumi and the Guardians of the Imperial Tomb finally decide to take matters into their own hands. Nagakura, Harada and Toudou meet during the battle, but... 	Saitou, who was hiding in the Itou faction, brings information that Itou is planning to assassinate Kondou. Hijikata orders Nagakura and Harada to kill Itou and his followers. And, if Toudou decides to attack, he orders to kill him as well. Chizuru worries about Toudou and raises her voice, but Hijikata does not listen. One night, the Shinsengumi and the Guardians of the Imperial Tomb finally decide to take matters into their own hands. Nagakura, Harada and Toudou meet during the battle, but... 	Saitou, who was hiding in the Itou faction, brings information that Itou is planning to assassinate Kondou. Hijikata orders Nagakura and Harada to kill Itou and his followers. And, if Toudou decides to attack, he orders to kill him as well. Chizuru worries about Toudou and raises her voice, but Hijikata does not listen. One night, the Shinsengumi and the Guardians of the Imperial Tomb finally decide to take matters into their own hands. Nagakura, Harada and Toudou meet during the battle, but...
9 	Episode 9 	March 4, 2022
As the Shinsengumi prepare for the upcoming war with the Satsuma and Chōshū clans, Kondou is left in a critical state from an assassination attempt. A sick but furious Okita drinks the Water of Life to slaughter the assassins, but is afterwards shot and incapacitated by a silver bullet. In preparation for the battle, Sannan gives the last four vials of the Water of Life to Hijikata, Inoue, Harada and Saitou as a last case resort. The Shinsengumi fight hard against the Satsuma-Chōshū forces, but are repelled by their superior technology and numbers. Hijikata withdraws the Shinsengumi to resume fighting under the cover of darkness, but their enemies maintain the upper hand. Having already suffered many casualties, Hijikata orders their retreat, and Chizuru and Inoue leave to request reinforcements from Yodo Castle. However, their former allies turn against them, and on their way back to their headquarters, Chizuru comes unexpectedly face to face with her father.	As the Shinsengumi prepare for the upcoming war with the Satsuma and Chōshū clans, Kondou is left in a critical state from an assassination attempt. A sick but furious Okita drinks the Water of Life to slaughter the assassins, but is afterwards shot and incapacitated by a silver bullet. In preparation for the battle, Sannan gives the last four vials of the Water of Life to Hijikata, Inoue, Harada and Saitou as a last case resort. The Shinsengumi fight hard against the Satsuma-Chōshū forces, but are repelled by their superior technology and numbers. Hijikata withdraws the Shinsengumi to resume fighting under the cover of darkness, but their enemies maintain the upper hand. Having already suffered many casualties, Hijikata orders their retreat, and Chizuru and Inoue leave to request reinforcements from Yodo Castle. However, their former allies turn against them, and on their way back to their headquarters, Chizuru comes unexpectedly face to face with her father.	As the Shinsengumi prepare for the upcoming war with the Satsuma and Chōshū clans, Kondou is left in a critical state from an assassination attempt. A sick but furious Okita drinks the Water of Life to slaughter the assassins, but is afterwards shot and incapacitated by a silver bullet. In preparation for the battle, Sannan gives the last four vials of the Water of Life to Hijikata, Inoue, Harada and Saitou as a last case resort. The Shinsengumi fight hard against the Satsuma-Chōshū forces, but are repelled by their superior technology and numbers. Hijikata withdraws the Shinsengumi to resume fighting under the cover of darkness, but their enemies maintain the upper hand. Having already suffered many casualties, Hijikata orders their retreat, and Chizuru and Inoue leave to request reinforcements from Yodo Castle. However, their former allies turn against them, and on their way back to their headquarters, Chizuru comes unexpectedly face to face with her father.
10 	Episode 10 	March 11, 2022
The Shinsengumi have decided to withdraw from Fushimi. Chizuru and Genzaburo Inoue (Hideaki Okajima) go to Yodo Castle to request reinforcements, but on the way, his missing father Yukimura Koudou (Hideki Yamazaki) suddenly appears. Chizuru cries at the reunion. Chizuru asks why he has disappeared, but what Koudou tells her is horrifying. Chizuru is shocked, but then Kazama appears and tells her an even crueler truth. When Chizuru is overwhelmed with despair and tries to commit suicide, Hijikata appears... 	The Shinsengumi have decided to withdraw from Fushimi. Chizuru and Genzaburo Inoue (Hideaki Okajima) go to Yodo Castle to request reinforcements, but on the way, his missing father Yukimura Koudou (Hideki Yamazaki) suddenly appears. Chizuru cries at the reunion. Chizuru asks why he has disappeared, but what Koudou tells her is horrifying. Chizuru is shocked, but then Kazama appears and tells her an even crueler truth. When Chizuru is overwhelmed with despair and tries to commit suicide, Hijikata appears... 	The Shinsengumi have decided to withdraw from Fushimi. Chizuru and Genzaburo Inoue (Hideaki Okajima) go to Yodo Castle to request reinforcements, but on the way, his missing father Yukimura Koudou (Hideki Yamazaki) suddenly appears. Chizuru cries at the reunion. Chizuru asks why he has disappeared, but what Koudou tells her is horrifying. Chizuru is shocked, but then Kazama appears and tells her an even crueler truth. When Chizuru is overwhelmed with despair and tries to commit suicide, Hijikata appears...
==Gallery==
Tsubasa Sakiyama as Toshizou Hijikata promo reveal.jpg|Sakiyama Tsubasa as Toshizo Hijikata
Hakuouki 2022 cast reveal promotional.jpg|Okita, Chizuru and Saito cast
Hakuouki_2022_live_action_episode_1.png|Episode 1 preview
Hakuouki_2022_live_action_episode_2.png|Episode 2 preview
Hakuouki_2022_live_action_episode_3.png|Episode 3 preview
Hakuouki_2022_live_action_episode_4.png|Episode 4 preview
Hakuouki_2022_live_action_episode_5.png|Episode 5 preview
Hakuouki_2022_live_action_episode_6.png|Episode 6 preview
Hakuouki_2022_live_action_episode_7.png|Episode 7 preview
Hakuouki_2022_live_action_episode_8.png|Episode 8 preview
Hakuouki_2022_live_action_episode_9.png|Episode 9 preview
Hakuouki_2022_live_action_episode_10.png|Episode 10 preview
==Production==
During its party event in June 2019, Otomate announced that its Hakuōki game franchise was having its first live-action drama adaptation. In March 2020 it was reported that two staff members were injured in an accidental fire during production. In April the following year, the "Dessert de Otomate" fan event debuted a 15-second early teaser trailer (restricted to Japan only) which revealed the series' main staff, its 10-episode run and lead cast member Tsubasa Sakiyama as Hijikata Toshizō. It was revealed three months later that Wakayanagi Kotoko, whom the staff selected from over 200 applicants, would play her first heroine role as the series main character Chizuru Yukimura. Yano Masato and Kanai Sonde were also cast to play Hajime Saito and Okita Soji respectively. It was also announced that the first episode would be available to watch for free on WOWOW's official website. The staff of the series later dropped a series poster later in September as well as revealing seven more cast members:Nagata Takato, Fukuyama Kohei, Tokito Yuki, Saikawa Koji, Imari Yuas, Nakabayashi Taiki and Tanaka Kotaro
==External links==
*Official website
==References==
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Category:Live Action