Saito Hajime

Saito Hajime. One of Japan's famous character based from the Anime, Rurouni Kenshin. In fact, he was a distinctive character from Samurai X before the TV Series of Rurouni Kenshin was even created.

Having fought with Kenshin Himura back when he was Battousai the Slayer, Saito Hajime has proven to be one of his most powerful adversary.

As shown on this video, (English Dubbed)

While I am unable to find the climatic Sword fight scene when He fought with Kenshin back during the Meiji Restoration period, He returns to the TV Series as a Secret Police working for the Meiji Government.


Once they were sworn enemies, now Uneasy Allies, Saito has to prepare Kenshin to face his worst enemy in the TV Series as shown in the next clip.


(My Apologies for the Horrid Latin Sub)
In this scene, Kenshin actually reverts back to his old self of being the Killer Assassin he has tried so hard to shun away from. In fact, this would be the only time, he would be driven so hard by Saito to actually rehash his old ways in the TV Series.


Saito Hajime uses the Gatotsu sword technique. While it is a similar description to his original sword technique that he used as a Shinsengumi, it is purely fictional and not entirely true to real sword fighting.


Gatotsu Technique Ready Stance.



Saito with Dark cloud behind him.



The "Aku Soku Zan" motto he lives by (悪即斬, most literally, "Kill those who are evil immediately,", translated as "Slay Evil Immediately" in the English dub and as "Swift Death to Evil" in the VIZ manga) is most likely fictitious, though it does encompass a common sentiment of the Shinsengumi during the Bakumatsu.


As I have said before about the Samurai X and Rurouni Kenshin Anime, a few characters are based on Historical figures. Saito Hajime was one of them. While there are many dramatization and not all attributes and character traits of the Anime Saito is true to the real person, the show does enlighten on the basic background of Japanese History.


Saito Hajime doesn't really look too hot compared to his anime "Badass" version of himself. However, this picture is only believe to be depicting him and might not be his true identity.

Furthermore, while the anime doesn't really provide a detailed illustration of his life, he did serve in the Shinsengumi. After the Meiji Resotration, he did become a police officer for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) and He fought on the Meiji Government's side during Saigo Takamori's Satsuma rebellion, as a member of the police forces sent to support the Imperial Japanese Army.

It was said that he is a mysterious and introverted man who was not predisposed to make small talk. Perhaps that is definitely one trait that can be associated with Saito Hajime's character in Rurouni Kenshin.

If there was a category for Badassery in this anime. He take the top spot.

Till next time, Cheers