List of Peacemaker Kurogane characters

This page lists the primary and secondary characters from the manga series Peacemaker Kurogane, written and illustrated by Nanae Chrono. The original manga was serialized in the magazine Monthly Shōnen Gangan from 1999 to 2001, with a sequel series, Peacemaker Kurogane, beginning in Mag Blade in 2001. The series is a historical fiction set in 19th-century Japan during the Bakumatsu period, a tumultuous time preceding the Meiji Restoration.

The story features fictionalized versions of historical figures from the Shinsengumi, a controversial special police force loyal to the Tokugawa shogunate. It is told primarily from the perspective of its protagonist, the young and impetuous Tetsunosuke Ichimura, who joins the group to seek strength. A 24-episode anime adaptation by the studio Gonzo aired in Japan in 2003, further popularizing the characters.

In an interview for the Peacemaker Kurogane Official Guidebook, creator Nanae Chrono stated her long-standing interest in the Shinsengumi, not as heroic figures, but as a tragic group of men who fought for a cause that was ultimately doomed. She chose to tell the story through the eyes of a naive outsider, Tetsunosuke, to provide a relatable entry point into their complex and often brutal world.^[1]

Chrono also discussed the design of specific characters. Sōji Okita, for example, was intentionally given a soft, almost feminine appearance to create a stark contrast with his reputation as a master swordsman and killer. This duality, she explained, was central to exploring the themes of the series. For the vice-commander, Toshizō Hijikata, she aimed to capture his historical reputation as a ruthlessly pragmatic leader while hinting at a deeper, more conflicted persona beneath the "demon" facade.^[1]

The characters of Peacemaker Kurogane have been a central focus of critical analysis. The protagonist, Tetsunosuke, has elicited a divided response. Maria Lin of Animefringe.com found his characterization fit a common trope, calling him "an annoying brat that cries and moans when he doesn't get what he wants".^[2] However, other reviewers argued that his emotional volatility was a realistic portrayal of a traumatized teenager, making his journey more compelling. A review from Anime UK News noted his arc as an effective, if sometimes "infuriating," exploration of lost innocence.^[3]

The supporting cast is frequently praised for its depth. Chrono's interpretation of historical figures like Hijikata and Okita is often cited as a major strength. A review on DVD Talk highlighted the series' ability to blend moments of lighthearted comedy with sudden, brutal violence, stating that this contrast makes the characters more sympathetic and the story's tragic turns more impactful.^[4] The English voice cast for the anime adaptation has also been noted, with Luci Christian's performance as the hot-headed Tetsu often singled out for praise.^[5]

The Shinsengumi are the central military and political group in the series.

• Tetsunosuke Ichimura (市村 鉄之助 (Ichimura Tetsunosuke))

  Voiced by: Yumiko Kobayashi (child anime), Yūki Kaji (adolescent drama CD) (Japanese); Luci Christian (English) (English)

  The series protagonist. Based on a real, minor member of the Shinsengumi, 15-year-old Tetsu is depicted as passionate and reckless. Haunted by the murder of his parents, he joins the Shinsengumi as a page for Vice-Commander Hijikata, believing the group can give him the power to seek revenge. His story is a bildungsroman that explores the moral cost of violence and the struggle to maintain one's humanity in a brutal world.^[3]

• Sōji Okita (沖田 総司 (Okita Sōji))

  Voiced by: Mitsuki Saiga (Japanese); Braden Hunt (English) (English)

  The captain of the First Unit. Portrayed as one of the Shinsengumi's most gifted swordsmen, Okita is known for his cheerful, kind, and almost childlike disposition, especially his love for children. This persona conceals a deadly "killer" mode that emerges in battle. His thematic role highlights the duality of human nature. His eventual diagnosis with tuberculosis, a historically accurate detail, serves as a major source of tragedy in the narrative.

• Toshizō Hijikata (土方 歳三 (Hijikata Toshizō))

  Voiced by: Jouji Nakata (Japanese); Mike MacRae (English) (English)

  The feared vice-commander of the Shinsengumi, known as "The Demon" for his strict discipline and ruthless battlefield strategies. He serves as a narrative foil to Tetsu's idealism, representing the pragmatic and harsh reality of the Shinsengumi's mission.^[4] He takes Tetsu on as his page but forbids him from wielding a sword, creating a central point of conflict between them.

• Tatsunosuke Ichimura (市村 辰之助 (Ichimura Tatsunosuke))

  Voiced by: Yuji Ueda (Japanese); Vic Mignogna (English) (English)

  Tetsu's older brother. Traumatized by the same event that fuels his brother's rage, Tatsu chooses pacifism and joins the Shinsengumi as a bookkeeper to protect Tetsu from the inside. He represents the path of non-violence and constantly tries to pull his brother away from the cycle of revenge.

• Hajime Saitō (斎藤 一 (Saitō Hajime))

  Voiced by: Takashi Matsuyama (Japanese); Rob Mungle (English) (English)

  The quiet and mysterious captain of the Third Unit. Saitō is depicted as having a supernatural ability to perceive ghosts and auras, making him an unsettling presence for his comrades. He is a man of few words but is considered Okita's equal in swordsmanship.

• Keisuke Yamanami (山南 敬助 (Yamanami Keisuke))

  Voiced by: Norihiro Inoue (Japanese); Christopher Ayres (English) (English)

  The other vice-commander of the Shinsengumi. In direct contrast to Hijikata, Yamanami is gentle, intellectual, and kind. He serves as a source of warmth within the group and acts as another voice of caution against Tetsu becoming a killer. His secret romance with the courtesan Akesato is a key subplot.

• Susumu Yamazaki (山崎 烝 (Yamazaki Susumu))

  Voiced by: Takahiro Sakurai (Japanese); Chris Patton (English) (English)

  An elite spy (or shinobi) who works directly under Hijikata. He is a master of disguise and information gathering, often cross-dressing to infiltrate enemy territory. He is cold, efficient, and fiercely loyal to Hijikata.

• Suzu Kitamura (北村 鈴 (Kitamura Suzu))

  Voiced by: Yuka Imai (Japanese); Kevin Corn (English) (English)

  A fictional character created for the series. Suzu is the page of a prominent Chōshū leader. After his master is killed by the Shinsengumi, he dedicates his life to avenging him, becoming a dark mirror to Tetsu's own quest for vengeance. Their parallel journeys form a core theme of the story.

• Saya (沙夜 (Saya))

  Voiced by: Mikako Takahashi (Japanese); Monica Rial (English) (English)

  A fictional character. Saya is a young, mute girl who befriends Tetsu. Her parents were also murdered, creating a silent, powerful bond between them. She represents a possible future for Tetsu, one of peace and healing away from the world of violence.