A brief introduction: What in the world anime?

Japanese animation – first as "anime", now widely – from archipelago nation in East Asia to North America has been called, has become quite popular. (Pronounced 'ah-nee-may "is derived from its original Japanese pronunciation.) This form cartoon, for those who are unfamiliar with it, has led some of the well-known anime series in North American culture. For some to callSeries like Pokemon, Digimon and Sailor Moon has won the North America by storm. Card games, the children wanted to buy the subsidiaries mentioned above, as well as equipment and toys exhibition. (I can vouch for this – once I was the proud owner of a Pokedex.)

In the anime, some of the recurring themes magic school girls, boy aesthetically beautiful, and ridiculously large fighting robot. However, considering the origin of Japanese anime, as often tiepart of their culture of origin in it. Greater importance to native Japanese theme is the samurai – the warrior class famous medieval Japan. It would honestly take years before the mass for the amount of samurai anime series out and analyze in depth, their image of the samurai, so I decided to go specifically to a famous group of warriors: The focus of the Shinsengumi.

Historical background of the Shinsengumi: What did they do?

To betterAnalysis of the Shinsengumi in anime, I think it is necessary to give a brief historical background of the group of samurai.

When the bakufu – the military government, 1600 was ruled until 1868 – more powerful than the emperor himself with the arrival of foreigners and the signing of unequal treaties with them, began to Japanese citizens who question l ' authority of the bakufu. And while all this was the samurai, increasingly dissatisfiedBeing Tokugawa, mainly because they were the lowest social stratum. As a result of this dissatisfaction, designed to protect the bakufu rent is required to fight fire with fire, masterless samurai (ronin more precisely) to the current leader Shogun: Rōshigumi were called.

Originally, that never before mentioned, the purpose of forming the shogun Tokugawa Bakufu Rōshigumi has been the leader in place for protection. Later, however, this has been changed to follow the mottosleep by Joi – "revere the emperor, expel the foreigners." The members of the group of samurai who opposes the amendment and to protect the bakufu and they were adamant that their main purpose remains. The Rōshigumi then reinforced by a few newcomers, has changed its name to the group Rōshigumi Mibu, as established in the small village near Kyoto Mibu. Along with the name change and a change of use has been made: instead of protecting the Shogun, the members of Rōshigumi Mibuwould patrol the streets of the Kyoto Protocol and to act as a police force, strengthening the rule of law in the name of the bakufu. On August 18, 1863, since this change was the last samurai, then the police, as we know it today, renamed: Shinsengumi, which "translates body just selected."

Commodore Matthew Perry, U.S. Navy, brought with him a peace treaty for Japan to sign – even though it was an unequal treaty – safeguards for the United States more advantages than Japan. This contractforced the archipelago of East Asia to open its doors to more foreigners. Other western countries have seen the success of this contract and immediately followed suite, with Japan to sign similar treaties with Britain, France, Holland and Russia. This caused an uproar in the samurai class, since they were completely against the idea of the West with a pollution "of their country. The signing of the Treaty was seen as lazy people to believe that the government was forced to openThe doors of Japan to the foreigners.

Japan was then in two camps: the Kyoto Imperial Loyalists, a group of military rebellion against the ideology of the Tokugawa were, and the Tokugawa shogunate in Split Edo (now Tokyo). Group, even if the killing marked the clash of these two governments, one of the rebels manage samurai of the Tokugawa shogunate The General – this event at the end of the Tokugawa government.

One of the most famous events of the story is the Shinsengumi Ikedaya AffairAccident in 1864. In short, a samurai radical plan to kidnap the Emperor, Kyoto burn to the ground and kill Matsudaira Katsumori (an important member of government). Shinsengumi where such plans and attacked Ikedaya Affair Inn during the festival in Kyoto on 8 July 1864. Two hours after the battle ended with a couple of deaths and serious injuries on both sides of the samurai.

Key members of the Shinsengumi: who are they?

Hundreds ofStates that are part of the Shinsengumi, some are longer than others – even the most well known members tend to be seen in the Shinsengumi-oriented souls more often than others. What follows is a brief overview of the important contribution of police famous samurai.

Kondo Isami, the commander – and founder – of the Shinsengumi. He was born into a farming family and has studied art of the sword. Kondo was originally part of Rōshigumi, and was also one of the membersThe change towards the goal and stayed in Kyoto, the Samurai, finally, establishing the police, as it is known today.

Toshizo Hijikata: the vice-commander of the Shinsengumi. Born into a wealthy farming family, he studied swordsmanship Hijikata. He met Kondo, finally, what a place like a student of the Shinsengumi mainstream-sword fighting style. They say that Hijikata was the creator of the regulations Shinsengumi, a set of strict rulesbeen adopted by every member of the police to make a samurai line. Those who have gone against the rules would be forced to commit ritual suicide, seppuku fact – many members of the Shinsengumi died because of this. Hijikata is often characterized as a demon, especially because he is the founder of this authoritarian governments.

Okita: one of the many masters of the Shinsengumi, and a great warrior. There was born as a samurai of low class. He is seen as a significantNon-Profit for the Shinsengumi. To emphasize this, Ikedaya Affair during the incident, is said to Okita fought for two hours, mostly on her own and claimed the second floor of the inn, as his personal battle. On the contrary, since he was a good soldier, the other members of the Shinsengumi has argued that it was not always a killing machine, and it was a warm person. He died of tuberculosis, unfortunately, until the end of the Tokugawa period.

Hajime Saito: other masters of the Shinsengumi's. He lived beforewas a spy for the samurai-corp, after learning of a plot to assassinate its leader, Kondo Isami, but later became a captain in one of many teams.

Susumu Yamazaki: a spy for the Shinsengumi of many. In fact, it was not a samurai, a ninja. It is said that he is a valuable asset, while the incident was Ikedaya Affair.

Three specific anime series: they are exactly the Shinsengumi?

As I mentioned, there are too many samurai anime-orientedSeries is to go, and comprehensively analyzed. However, because I always had an interest in the Shinsengumi, I chose three series that they: include Rurouni Kenshin (aka Samurai X), Peacemaker Kurogane, and Gintama. With these three, I will try to determine whether the Shinsengumi is accurately represented in the individual.

Nobuhiro Watsuki Kenshin and the Shinsengumi

If you think that the school "popular" old "samurai anime", you think, Kenshin. Thesouls, it was in 1996, and was directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi. Originally follows a manga (Japanese comics), series of Rurouni Kenshin, the story of Kenshin Himura, a wandering samurai during the Meiji era, which has qualified for the attackers Government Bakumatsu.

In view of the author of the original manga series, Nobuhiro Watsuki, is a fan of the Shinsengumi and the like, this series manages to integrate some Japanese historical figures. Although not allShinsengumi are available, including Watsuki Saito Hajime in history, making him an old rival from the early days Tokugawa Kenshin. Watsuki's "Hajime", unfortunately, has been disapproved by the Shinsengumi fans, like they said they do not describe the real Saito Hajime. In this series, since, after the Tokugawa period is set, the captain of the Shinsengumi portrayed as sadistic person. Watsuki built his "Hajime", very different from what it was like the real Saito Hajime. WithThat said, I think it's fair to say that while Kenshin is a series great and wonderful, is not able to show dutifully captain of the Shinsengumi Saito Hajime.

Nanae Chrono's Peacemaker Kurogane, and the Shinsengumi
The next tier is a bit 'younger, since the year 2003. Peacemaker Kurogane is a Shinsengumi-oriented anime series, directed by Tomohiro Hirata. Set during the Tokugawa period, is a fictional story follows IchimuraTetsunosuke, fifteen-year-old boy was desperate to join the Shinsengumi to avenge the death of his parents. Fortunately, for this to make many of the members of the above Shinsengumi one aspect of this series.

The first, which makes its appearance as captain Okita … and immediately in a row, looks like a woman (and is also expressed by a woman in the Japanese dub!). I believe that, as discussed above, since the dual personality-a Soji's''Demon warrior in battle and a good natured man outside of battle – and also because of his young age, he is often portrayed as effeminate. But I suspect that he is not really as effeminate, as depict in Peacemaker Kurogane. In the series, apparently has a sufficiently close relationship with Kondo Isami, as Soji is extremely good Shinsengumi Warrior by his personality, his Happy-Go-Lucky personality. I believe that the interpretation of Chrono souji goes a little 'beyondhigh, but it could be a critique of the real Shinsengumi captain.

The next step is Kondo Isami, the police chief famous samurai. He is portrayed as an old man, and as a person something random. If Tetsunosuke seen at the headquarters of the Shinsengumi and asks to become a member, Kondo give them permission to test, without thinking about two seconds. Could this criticism, as Kondo may have been too lenient with the Shinsengumi?

And then, weto the next character introduced Shinsengumi, Hijikata Toshizo. This character is far from being effeminate or even as a good person. E 'introduced briefly in a row, but still leaves the impression – large, unpleasant and serious, that exudes "demon fighter." But it was really like Hijikata? The fact that he was the creator of the possible regulations Shinsengumi, could not be further from the truth. The only person who seems comfortable, butIsami Kondo, indicating a strong link between the two figures.

To transfer from Watsuki Hajime Saito comparison in his series of Kenshin, Hajime shown in Peacemaker Kurogane is almost the same image. In this series, is not sadistic at all, is rather, as shown a laid-back person, with a Monaco Buddhist, and dealing with the supernatural. Perhaps this radical change from version Watsuki is critical Hajime true personality – Peace Maker Kurogane'sRepresentation of it could help to correct the earlier version Watsuki's the captain of the Shinsengumi.

And although many other members of the Shinsengumi made their appearance, I would draw attention to the signs Yamazaki Susumu too. Historically, as I said, was a spy for the Shinsengumi, and often shown in anime or manga. In this special series, is often seen in spy missions – and during missions, it is often seen, cross-dressing.Disguise, as well as others, the tactic less "honorable" is one of the oldest tricks in the book – both samurai and ninja like. It 'was a known fact that the warriors who would go the extra mile, even if it meant to infiltrate the body of a woman to the enemy base. With that being said, Yamazaki Cross-dressing is historically correct.

Sorachi and Hideaki Gintama Shinsengumi

And now for something completely different: Gintama is not your regularold-fashioned Shinsengumi anime-oriented. Yes, it is set in the Edo period in Japan … But the trick? Aliens have invaded the small archipelago, which prohibits the exercise of their samurai swords in public. (Is it just me or is there an obvious parallel between the alien invaders in this series and the foreigners who come to Japan during the Tokugawa period?)

The author of the original series Gintama manga originally planned to turn the work around the Shinsengumi. InFinal product, however, was not the center of the Shinsengumi, but play a role in this series.

Well, unlike the two previous series Gintama is certainly not the focus of historical accuracy. Despite this fact, I think, the rest (and funny) presentation of the Shinsengumi in this series is remarkable.

Because of the sci-fi twist, the Shinsengumi even wear the blue uniforms haori iconic and famous – but they wear modern, Western-ResearchUniforms, which could be a sign of "assimilation foreigners." Right result, the viewer on a number of "imported knock-off versions of the current shareholders Shinsengumi.

Among the first to appear are, Hijikata Toshiro (on Toshizo Hijikata base) and Sogo Okita (based on Okita). Both maintain their normal representations: Hijikata is the vice-captain and the "brain" of the police and samurai Okita, a master swordsman and the "largestNation. "And as women, trying to surrender in Peacemaker Kurogane Okita, Okita Gintama is still not the most masculine looking character of the group. With Hijikata, the author plays with his knowledge of the historical figure, and his deputy to the commander "demonic," and seppuku speak very often. This last fact could focus her writing regulations Shinsengumi.

The other main character Shinsengumi Kondo Isao knock-off is obviouslybased on the actual Commander Isami Kondo. He once again gave the Shinsengumi their swords, even if the sword is put in place a ban on foreigners – that is why the members of the samurai police are loyal to him. It also appears that point his attitude to be rather weak, if it is on the evaluation of individuals.

A final wrap-up: What can you say about the Shinsengumi in anime?

Each anime show, is his main aim is to entertain. Although, as we saw earlier with theSeries above, you can take historic elements in a fictional story, not too far from conclusion, and yet its purpose of entertainment.

In all three series, which I chose, it is clear that the authors have tried to be with the historical facts to show the original members of the Shinsengumi. However, since all three stories are fictional, not every small detail is taken into account, and some elements are slightly more suitable for the transformedHistory.

All in all, I believe that with the anime series, like this (), despite its historical inaccuracies, the awareness of the Shinsengumi – always the first time I heard from them was back to my days in Kenshin. We hope that this series, the fans want to study the history of the samurai police, just like me.