Enishi Yukishiro
A man forged in tragedy who swore to bring jinchū to the man who killed his sister.
Yukishiro Enishi (Japanese: 雪代 縁) is a fictional character from the Rurouni Kenshin universe created by Nobuhiro Watsuki. He is the main antagonist of the Jinchū Arc, the final arc of the series. As a young boy during the pre-Meiji period in a fictional version of Japan, Enishi learned of the (accidental) killing of his older sister, Yukishiro Tomoe, by her then-husband, Himura Kenshin, and later saw her body. Filled with grief and anger, he swore to bring jinchū (人誅; lit. "judgment from man") to the man who killed his only sister. Ten years later, during his introduction in the series, a now-adult Enishi encounters Kenshin once again, ready to complete the jinchū. Enishi also forms "The Six Comrades", a group of six men (himself included), to assist him in his revenge against Kenshin.
- Role
- Primary Antagonist
- Affiliation
- The Six Comrades
- Fighting Style
- Watōjutsu
- Key Motivation
- Revenge against Himura Kenshin
Lore & Background
Watsuki created Enishi using the concept of revenge with a level of stylish changing the more he fights the protagonist. His appearance was based on Kamijō Atsushi's character as well as one the Western Gambit of X-Men Age of Apocalypse comics. Watsuki used "revenge" as Enishi's "model or concept." Since Watsuki created Shishio Makoto as a "manic-type" "going higher and higher and higher," the Rurouni Kenshin author wished to paint Yukishiro Enishi as a "depressive type" "falling deeper and deeper and deeper." Watsuki added that Enishi became "sort of wishy-washy" as Shishio's influence remained. Watsuki said that he could see the "obsession" within Enishi; therefore it fits the "Terminator-like" character that Watsuki intended to depict. The author wrote that Enishi's admiration for his sister, obsession, and hatred for Kenshin reflects "Watsuki's dark side"; the author added that he has no older sister and no people that he feels a need to take revenge on. Since Shishio has aspects within Watsuki that the author considers to be positive, Enishi has Watsuki aspects that the author feels are negative. During the series' climax, Watsuki kept listening to the song "Hurry Go Round" by the late musician hide which he felt suited the relationship between Enishi and Kenshin's darker Hitokiri Battōsai persona. Watsuki said that he "fell into bouts of self-disgust" while drawing Enishi. The author added that he felt attachment towards Enishi and that he would someday like to use Enishi in a future work.
In Their Own Story
Raised by his older sister, Tomoe, due to their mother dying. When Tomoe became engaged to Kiyosato Akira, Kiyosato is killed by Hitokiri Battōsai (Himura Kenshin). Tomoe left her brother behind to seek revenge, working with the Yaminobu to do so. When he was about ten, he discovered the location of Tomoe through the Yaminobu and appeared before her, revealing that he was the contact sent to Tomoe. Enishi gains a deep hatred for Kenshin and swore vengeance against him for mistakenly killing his sister. He disappears to China, where he was taken in by a kind and wealthy family after suffering months of hardship in the wilderness. Enishi's hair was originally black but after witnessing Kenshin's accidental killing of his sister, Tomoe, his hair turned snow white from the stress and grief of losing her. In order to reach his goal, Enishi learns the Watōjutsu, a sword style that he taught himself. It is composed of the speed and slashing style of kenjutsu and the strength and flexibility of the typical Chinese sword art used in conjunction with the Watō, a Chinese-made Japanese tachi. In addition, Enishi believes that Tomoe wants revenge as well and constantly sees the image of his sister smiling on him. The purpose of Enishi's Jinchū is not to kill Kenshin, but to plunge him into a living hell by taking away the person he cares for the most, just like Kenshin did to him. In the attack on Kamiya Dojo, Enishi fights and defeats Kenshin shortly before delivering Jinchu. Enishi accomplishes his goal by leaving a life-size doll of Kamiya Kaoru, made by the corpse-artist Gein, to appear as though Enishi drove his sword through her heart, effectively driving Kenshin into despair. Enishi takes Kaoru back with him to an isolated island until Kenshin dies from his state of "living hell". He leaves his organization in the hands of his subordinate, Woo Heishin, a man who cares more about profits than anything. Enishi sees Tomoe again but is shocked to discover that his sister is no longer smiling at him. In a moment of madness, he attempts to strangle Kaoru, only to experience severe convulsions, which cause him to fall to the floor vomiting. After Kenshin recovers and arrives at Enishi's Island hideout, the two fight a final duel in which Enishi believes killing Kenshin will make Tomoe smile again. Enishi's rage awakens his "Frenzied Nerves" (狂経脈, Kyōkeimyaku; "Nerves of Insanity") which causes his nerves throughout to bulge, imbuing him with greatly enhanced strength and speed while also causing him to be super sensitive to everything around him. However, Kenshin defeats Enishi by taking advantage of the Frenzied Nerves's weak point as well as using his new will to fight which paralyses him. Shortly afterwards, he and Kaoru are attacked by Heishin. Enishi protects her by punching Heishin. Heishin is badly injured, resulting Kenshin to stop Enishi, reasoning that he does not want anymore death, and by doing that Enishi would 'lose Tomoe's smile forever'. Kenshin thanks Enishi for saving Kaoru which causes him to grief Tomoe's death again. Upon Enishi's being arrested, Kaoru hands him Tomoe's diary. He manages to escape along the way, and ends up in the fallen village that Kenshin had been in during his depression, where he sees his father. His father tells Enishi that for the time being, he should simply rest.
Reader's Guide
Enishi's backstory is defined by the loss of Tomoe Yukishiro, which severed his connection to humanity and replaced it with an obsession for vengeance. This trauma fueled his evolution from a victim into a master strategist and swordsman who could rival the greatest warriors of the era. His fighting style utilizes Watōjutsu, a sword style that he taught himself, composed of the speed and slashing style of kenjutsu and the strength and flexibility of the typical Chinese sword art used in conjunction with the Watō, a Chinese-made Japanese tachi. Personality-wise, Enishi is calm, calculating, and utterly devoid of mercy, yet he possesses a twisted sense of honor regarding his promise to Tomoe. Throughout the series, he evolves from a hidden manipulator into an open challenger who forces Kenshin to confront the full extent of his past sins. His ultimate goal was not just death for Kenshin, but the breaking of his spirit.
Did You Know?
- Enishi's hair turned snow white from the shock and grief of his sister's death.
- Watsuki based Enishi's appearance on Kamijō Atsushi's character and Gambit from X-Men Age of Apocalypse.
- Enishi's 'Frenzied Nerves' (Kyōkeimyaku) causes his nerves to bulge, giving him enhanced strength and speed but also making him super sensitive.
- Watsuki kept listening to the song 'Hurry Go Round' by hide while drawing the series' climax, feeling it suited Enishi and Kenshin's Hitokiri Battōsai persona.
- In the live-action films, Enishi is portrayed by American–Japanese actor Mackenyu as an adult and Towa Araki as a child.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Enishi Yukishiro?
Enishi Yukishiro serves as the primary antagonist during the final Jinchu Arc of the series. Originally a gentle childhood friend of Tomoe, he transforms into a ruthless leader driven by vengeance against Himura Kenshin for her death.
What fighting style does Enishi use?
As a master swordsman, Enishi wields the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu style and uniquely possesses knowledge of its forbidden techniques. His combat prowess rivals Kenshin's own, making him one of the few capable of challenging the former Hitokiri Battousai directly.
Why does Enishi seek revenge on Kenshin?
His hatred stems from the Bakumatsu era when Himura Kenshin, as the Hitokiri Battousai, was responsible for killing Tomoe Yukishiro. Enishi believes that destroying Kenshin's current peaceful life is the only way to make him feel the same despair he has suffered for decades.
How does Enishi Yukishiro's story end?
In his final confrontation with Kenshin, Enishi is ultimately defeated and succumbs to his injuries shortly afterward. Before dying, he finds a twisted sense of relief in seeing the pain on Kenshin's face during their battle.
Why is Enishi Yukishiro important to the plot?
Enishi represents the dark reflection of Kenshin’s violent past and serves as the ultimate test of his vow never to kill again. His existence forces the protagonist to confront the true weight of his actions during the Bakumatsu period without resorting to lethal force.