Name:
Soujiro Seta
Name:
Soujiro Seta
Alias(es): Soujirou the Tenken (Tenken means 'sword of heaven')
Age: 18
Hair: Black
Eyes: Blue
Height: 5'4"
Weight: 112.4 lbs
Blood Type: AB
Family: Orphaned, lived with Uncle and Aunt and cousins but killed them...
Status: Formerly strongest of the Juppongatana and Shishio's right hand man, currently a rurouni (wandering samurai)
Quote:
Anime: Rurouni Kenshin
Voice: (English) Tara Jayne, Lynn Fisher (Japanese) Noriko Hidaka
History and Personality:
Seta Soujiro is Shishio Makoto's right hand man, a teenage assassin trained by Shishio himself. Soujiro is known for his lack of kenki (offensive aura), or, simply, emotion. He possesses no anger, and incites no fear in his enemies, other than with his sword. His constant smiling face and polite manners stem from his tragic past. An illegitimate child, Soujiro's father left him in the care of his family, who badly mistreated him. He was assigned chores such as carrying rice to and from the family warehouse and whenever he faltered, he was beaten by his family. Soujiro built a defense against their lashings; he put on a smiling face and endured the torture. Then, they would get tired of beating Soujiro and leave him alone. One night, he met Shishio, who was on the run from the police. Soujiro had seen Shishio kill some police officers and Shishio was about to kill him for it until he noticed Soujiro smiling and spared him in exchange for food and bandages. Shishio taught Soujiro that only the strong may live. With that mentality, Soujiro slaughtered his entire family, who had tried to murder him for housing Shishio.
Soujiro's apparent lack of emotion, his simple, insensitive mentality, the strong will live and the weak shall die, and his skills make him a formidable foe for Kenshin. He is the one who destroys Kenshin's first Sakabatou in a brief duel at Shingetsu Viliage. As a master swordsman of his own style Tenbu no Sai Niyoru Ken, Soujiro's abilities have earned him the nickname of Tenken or Heavenly Sword (Ten meaning Heaven and Ken meaning Sword). During his duels with Kenshin, he wields the legendary swords Nagasone Kotetsu and Kikuichi-monji. His Shukuchi utilizes such powerful speed that, to an observer, it appears that the distance between the two fighters has shrunk (hence the name Shukuchi "reduced earth"). During his fight with Kenshin, Soujiro continually states he's only moving "three steps below Shukuchi" or "two steps below shukuchi." While moving at this speed, the only thing that could be seen was Soujiro's footsteps ripping through the tatami mat. While performing true Shukuchi, Soujiro completely disappears and cannot be seen, even by Kenshin.
He is also well versed in the Battoujutsu style like Kenshin, as is evidenced when he destroys Kenshin's first Sakabato. Combining the true Shukuchi with the Battoujutsu he has created his only named technique, Shun Ten Satsu (Instant Heaven Murder). It is named this because the speed behind the attack is so swift that the opponent dies instantly. According to Soujiro: "there isn't an instant even to feel the pain". Even though the speed behind the Shun Ten Satsu is slightly faster than Kenshin's Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki, it is slightly weaker than the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu ougi in terms of power.
After he is defeated Soujiro begins wandering. Soujiro wants to find his own truth, and takes his leave of Shishio's group. Based on his observations of both Shishio and Kenshin, he believes that ten years of wandering will lead him to his own truth.
Relationships: Soujiro forms no attachments, as he shows no emotion. However, he is loyal to Shishio until defeated at the hands of Kenshin. It would seem that he holds the typical old Japanese belief that the winner in battle must hold a greater truth than the loser.
Techniques: Battoujutsu, shukuchi, tenbu, tenken (sword of heaven)
Trivia: A variety of characters in the Kenshin series were based on real people. Watsuki has publicly stated that the character design of Soujiro is loosely based upon Okita Souji, Captain of the 1st Squad of the Shinsengumi. It should be noted however that the latter has also been featured in the episodes and movies.
Why we love him: His smile may be eerie, and he may be more than a bit confused, but he has such a tragic past and he's trying so hard! Plus, he's so polite that once he's on the right path he'll be the sweetest thing ever! He already has honor and amazing swordskill going for him (though I'm not sure what swordskill has to do with the right path ^_^U)
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