Aoshi and the Onmitsu Oniwabanshu

Shinomori Aoshi (The "Okashira"/Leader)

The calm and cold-blooded leader of the Oniwabanshu, Aoshi is often taciturn and composed.

In the beginning, he and the Oniwabanshu are hired by Kanryu to be his bodyguards. Aoshi encounters Kenshin in Kanryu's mansion and is eventually defeated. After the death of his henchmen (by Kanryu's gatling gun), Aoshi is possessed by evil and became a shura (fighter). He swore (or is obsessed) to take Kenshin's life in order to avenge his henchmen and to obtain the title of the strongest.

Seiyuu: Yasuhara Yoshito

Makimachi Misao

A female Oniwabanshu ninja who debuts in the beginning of the "Kyoto-arc". Misao is 16 years-old and is often lively and energetic.

Misao fell in love with Aoshi ever since she was a child. She is in search of him and the rest of the Oniwabanshu and meets Kenshin along her journey.

Seiyuu: Sakurai Tomo (Mylene of Macross 7)

"Okina"

The elder of the Oniwabanshu. At one time he was qualified to become the leader of the group, however, he gave up and instead recommended the position to Aoshi because he realized the need of new blood and the potential of the young fighter.

Although he looks like a frivilous old man superficially, he is actually very effective in battles, either in terms of intelligence, endurance, or strength.

Seiyuu:

Beshimi

A short and cunning man. He might not be strong comparing to the rest of the Oniwabanshu, but his loyalty to Aoshi is not any less. Beshimi is very quick and his special move is to throw poisoned darts to his opponents.

Seiyuu:

Hyottoko

The hugest man in the Oniwabanshu. He is able to breathe fire as his weapon, this is even more apparent in the way how his name is written, the first character "hi" means "fire" and "otoko" means "man", collectively known as the fire man.

Seiyuu:

Shikijo

The strongest and most muscular man among the group. He has scars all over his body and they (we're later told) are actually given by Aoshi while Shikijo was still working for the Ishin. Aoshi spared Shikijo's life because he valued his strength. As a result, Shikijo was recruited and served Aoshi ever since.

Seiyuu:

Hannya

A man who constantly wears a "hannya" (female ogre) mask. He is the most powerful in the Oniwabanhu (next to Okina and Aoshi) in terms of strength and special skills. Despite his prowess, Hannya is only a spy, not a fighter. His main task is to collect important infomation for the group.

Hannya admires Aoshi to the utmost and is extremely loyal to him, meaning he can throw away his life for Aoshi at any given time. He fights with Kenshin in Kanryu's mansion and eventually loses because Kenshin is able to see through his "special skill".

Seiyuu: