Name: Aoshi Shinomori
Alias: Leader
Age: 26 years (at start of series)
Hair: Black
Eyes: Blue
Height: about 6'2"
Weight: 159 lbs
Status: Leader of the Oniwaban group
Anime: Rurouni Kenshin
Voice: (English) Terrence Stone, (Japanese) Yasuhara Yoshito
History and Personality: Aoshi is the Okashira, or leader, of the Oniwabanshu in the anime and manga series Rurouni Kenshin. He attained this status at the age of fifteen. He is 26 years old with black hair and ice-blue eyes. Stern, concise and cold, he is a genius spy. The kanji of his name roughly means "Four's forest Blue purple"
Shinomori Aoshi was raised a ninja of the Oniwabanshu, who worked for the Shogunate government during the Edo period. A kindhearted person, he helped to raise Misao from childhood as a member of the Oniwabanshu. At the suggestion of Kashiwazaki Nenji (Okina), Shinomori was given the position of Okashira at the age of fifteen (by East Asian age reckoning), in time for the Oniwabanshu to defend Edo Castle.
After the revolution, since a few members of the Oniwabanshu were unable to adapt to life in the Meiji era, Aoshi and these members worked for the corrupt, power-hungry business man, Takeda Kanryu instead.
Tokyo Arc - While working with Kanryu as 'muscle' in his opium manufacturing operation, Aoshi came face to face with Kenshin, who was trying to rescue Megumi. Their battle ends with Aoshi's defeat. Kanryu betrays Aoshi and kills his four subordinates while they protected Aoshi. To honor their deaths by proving that the Oniwabanshu were the strongest warriors, Aoshi vows to fight against Kenshin and win. After the deaths of his comrades, Aoshi hides in the mountains where he buried his friends' heads (in the manga, at least) and he stays there to train until he heads to Tokyo to find and kill Kenshin.
Kyoto Arc - Shortly after burying his comrades, Aoshi returns to Tokyo only to discover Kenshin has left for Kyoto. Determined to achieve his goal, Aoshi follows him and joins Shishio in hopes of fighting Kenshin. He lets no one stand in his way, going as far as fighting and severely injuring Okina (who describes Aoshi as "chaos incarnate") to try and learn the Kenshin's whereabouts (but fails to get the location). Towards the end of the Kyoto Arc, the much-anticipated battle arrives and Kenshin fights Aoshi. Kenshin saves Aoshi from his own madness, as he realizes that death is not the answer to his situation. To put an end to the feud and see who is truly the strongest, both decide to use their strongest attacks (their succession attacks, or "Ōugi") and Kenshin's Amakakeru Ryo no Hirameki defeats Aoshi.
He later appears to fight against Shishio to buy time for Kenshin and later stands at the sidelines, analytically commenting on the battle before him. In fact, Aoshi practically breaks down the steps of Kenshin's ougi, after being hit with it himself, and after seeing Kenshin use the second step on Shishio. After Shishio dies, Aoshi says some enlightening words about why Shishio lost, and how the events in the past that led up to this moment made Kenshin the victor.
Aoshi spends his time meditating in a temple at the end of the Kyoto Arc, needing time to sort through what he's done and been through. He seems to feel extremely guilty for betraying the Oniwabanshu through his actions. He speaks very little, and seems to avoid everyone by staying at the temple and then staying in his room altogether. Before Kenshin leaves Kyoto, he asks if Aoshi would like to share a drink (of sake) with him; Aoshi refuses the offer, but goes on to say he would be willing to have tea with him when they meet again.
Fillers and OVA - Aoshi makes a relatively short appearance in one episode of the Shimabara Arc. He is shown meditating while a political official is behind him pleading Aoshi to help be his bodyguard after he received a "death letter". Aoshi refuses, saying he does not intend to pick up his sword for any reason at the moment, gets up, and leaves.
Misao decides to go and stop the murderer herself. Aoshi later realizes Misao's intentions and comes in time as Misao falls from the attack of the assassin. Aoshi decides to enlist Kenshin for help, and there is a conversation in which Aoshi believes that the assassin was even faster than Kenshin, much to Sanosuke's anger.
Aoshi shows up for one more episode much later in the anime, where he, Omasu and Ochika (Okon in the manga), come to bring Misao back to Kyoto, as she was helping Kenshin in Tokyo. This episode included Aoshi and Kenshin's promised tea, and was supposedly created for romance between Aoshi and Misao, which is ironic, because they spend nearly the whole day away from each other.
In the Memorial Special Episode, Aoshi is briefly mentioned in a conversation between Kenshin and Kaoru.
Aoshi, while not referred to by name, is briefly present in the second OVA, Seisohen (Reflection), in which he can be seen during a brief montage of scenes from the Kyoto arc.
Jincho Arc - In the Jincho Arc (manga only), Aoshi returns to Tokyo with Misao in order to deliver the diary of Tomoe to Kaoru. They arrive to discover Kaoru is dead, though Aoshi is quick to realize the circumstances surrounding her death are inconsistant. He soon solves the mystery and reveals that the body buried of Kaoru was actually a doll and defeats the puppet master, Gein, who created the doll in the first place. Subsequently, he joins Kenshin and his friends as they travel to Enishi's island to rescue Kaoru.
In Kenshin Kaden, Aoshi and Misao show up to the picnic and Aoshi seems much more comfortable with the rest of the Kenshin-gumi.
Personality - Aoshi is a very quiet, intellectual individual. He never speaks when unnecessary and he always thinks before he acts. He seems to be unemotional most of the time, earning him the nickname of "that gloomy jerk" from Yahiko. Aoshi only smiles once in the manga (excluding the weird smirk when he sees Kenshin cut a lamp post in two) and around eight times in the anime. He doesn't show it, but he has a soft spot reserved for his friends and Misao.
Aoshi appears to be very cool and level headed when we first see him, although we see glimpses of his obsession to defeat Kenshin in a few scenes. After Hannya, Shikijo, Beshimi, Hyottoko die, and during the time Aoshi escapes from Kanryu's man, he seems to be in a shock, and his eyes have a shaded look (which is a common manga trick that portrays depression, possession, or daydreaming). His intelligence and analytical skills are also well-honed evidenced from his display of narrowing the location of a mine below the water to a tenth of a degree and meter.
Aoshi was based on Hijikata Toshizou, the vice-commander of the Shinsengumi. There are two ways Hijikata is portrayed in books and fiction; Aoshi grew out of the Hijikata who killed his gentler feelings and buried his human weakness. However, the official description of Aoshi says that those who know him would describe him as kind and dedicated, very responsible with a strong sense or right and wrong.
Relationships: While Aoshi would probably never admit to having "friends" he does have comrades. He is very loyal to these people and devotes himself to protecting them. Even though he could easily have fit in to the new world of the Meji era he chose to remain with those of his group who could not. He was trying to take care of them. We see this same tendency in his attitude toward Misao.
Many fans speculate that Aoshi has deep feelings for Misao (romance) though it is never mentioned overtly in the series. It is obvious Misao is in love with him, and he cares for her very much. However, Aoshi isn't willing to open up and share with anyone, not even Misao. It is important to note that he does "put up" with her more than he does anyone else. He does allow her to be near him even when he wants to be alone.
Aoshi and Kenshin have a rather interesting relationship. They begin as enemies simply because Aoshi is being paid to fight against Kenshin. When Aoshi's employer betrays him he works with Kenshin to defeat the man. But afterwards he seems to make defeating Kenshin his sole goal in life. The reason for this is that he admires Kenshin as a fighter and therefore wants to defeat him and become a stronger warrior. Fortunately by the end of the second season Kenshin has opened his eyes to the fact that killing never makes one a better person. Though Aoshi agrees with Kenshin and respects him he wants to find his own way. By the time they meet again in the third season of the anime Aoshi seems fairly comfortable around Kenshin and would most likely refer to him as a comrade.
Techniques: Aoshi's weapon of choice is called a kodachi. He originally used only one of these short swords, but later used the nito-ryu style, employing a pair of the swords. When in their saya, they appear to be part of a single sheathed sword, one blade appearing to be the hilt, while the second blade is stationed opposite the first and blends in with the saya itself, giving it the impression of being a nodachi. A dangerous opponent, he uses his speed together with a mix of sword and hand-to-hand combat moves called Kenpo.
Goko Joji - (Give-Vast Cross) Aoshi crosses the two kodachi and moves the outwards in a scissor-like cut.
Jissen Kenbu - (Actual-Battle Sword-Dance) Combo attack using "Ryusui no Ugoki" to flow around the enemy, confusing them. Aoshi will then strike from various points, slashing them with his kodachi, before deciding to end it with "Kaiten Kenbu". Before deciding to use a two kodachi style of fighting, this was Shinomori's final attack.
Kaiten Kenbu - (Spinning-Heavenly Sword-Dance or The Dance Of The Wheeling Sword) Aoshi claims to have used this attack to defeat "all who 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. Aoshi usually uses this attack after disorienting the opponent with Ryusui no Ugoki.
Kaiten Kenbu Rokuren - (Spinning-Heavenly Sword-Dance Six-Series or The Dance Of The Wheeling Sword Six Successions) 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 relies on confusing the opponent on the direction from which each subsequent strike is going to come). It's basically Kaiten Kenbu but done with two kodachi. It's the move he used to defeat Okina and later in the Revenge-manga arc cuts through a large tree while fighting Gein. Shishio was able to interrupt the technique after Aoshi executed it too slowly, a consequence of being stricken with Kenshin's ougi earlier.
Onmyo Hasshi - (Yin-Yang Bridge) 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 him/her in their line of sight.
Onmyo Kosa - (Yin-Yang Cross) Aoshi blocks an enemies striking weapon with one kodachi, then strikes it with the second kodachi, thrusting the first one through. This attack was used against Okina's metal tonfa (kempo attack stick, similar to a modern day police baton) cutting through them.
Ryosui no Ugoki - (Flowing-Water Movement) This is moving technique where Aoshi moves around fast and silently. Confusing the opponent due to the fluid motion & continiously changing speed. He used this to attack Kenshin and tried to use it against Okina, though because of Okina's background as a fellow ninja, he was familiarized with the attack.
Why we love him: Yes he may be a poor conversationalist, and for a while he gets a little lost in the desire to be the best, but for the most part Aoshi is a good guy. He'd do anything for his friends, and he's trying to figure life out. Plus there's just something attractive about a broody guy with a heart of gold hidden under there. He has depth. Plus, tall with black hair, blue eyes, and a deep voice, who can kick any other guy's butt if he has to? There's a reason they titled his introductory episode "Aoshi Shinomori, a Man so b=Beautiful it's Frightening."
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