Saito Hajime
The iron-willed enforcer who trades mercy for the cold certainty of justice.
Saitō Hajime, known as the "Mibu no Okami" (Wolf of Mibu), is a fictional character from the Rurouni Kenshin manga and anime series created by Nobuhiro Watsuki. He is the former third squad captain of the Shinsengumi, a pro-shogunate force, and is based on the real-life Shinsengumi member of the same name. In the series, Saitō is initially introduced as an antagonist who duels Himura Kenshin, but is later revealed to be a spy agent working for the Meiji Government, becoming one of the main protagonists. He lives by the code "Aku Soku Zan" (Swift Death to Evil) and frequently fights using the Gatotsu, a special left-handed stab variant of the Hirazuki technique.
- Fighting Style
- Gatotsu (left-handed stab variant of Hirazuki)
Lore & Background
Saitō Hajime, known as the "Mibu no Okami" (Wolf of Mibu), is the former captain of the third squad of the Shinsengumi, a loyalist force of the Tokugawa shogunate. A powerful and ruthless swordsman, Saitō lives by the code "Aku Soku Zan" (Swift Death to Evil), and frequently fights using the Gatotsu, a special left-handed stab variant of the Hirazuki technique of the Shinsengumi, and its different stances. During his time in the Shinsengumi, he was a close associate of fellow Shinsengumi member and first squad captain Okita Sōji, and also developed a rivalry with the pro-Imperialist Himura Kenshin. Kenshin said that he and Saito, and Okita, and Shinpachi, had fought with each other 3 times, but none had ever finished. At the end of the Bakumatsu, the pro-shogunate forces were ultimately defeated and Saitō was forced to go into hiding. He later changed his name to Fujita Gorō and started working for the Meiji Government as a spy agent. Saitō is also married to a woman named Tokio, who appears in the manga's Jinchū arc and in some adaptations.
In Their Own Story
In his introduction to the series, Saitō attacks and injures Sagara Sanosuke. Saitō has been hired by Shibumi, a corrupt politician, to kill Kenshin; thus, his attack on Sanosuke serves as a warning to Kenshin. While Kenshin is dueling Shibumi's assassin Akamatsu Arundo, Saitō appears at the Kamiya dojo, using his alias "Fujita Gorō", and poses as a police officer who urgently needs to speak with Kenshin. When Kenshin returns, upon recognizing Saitō, he reveals Saitō's true identity as the former Shinsengumi third squad captain. They fight, and just as they are about to kill each other, Ōkubo Toshimichi appears and stops the duel, revealing that Saitō was only testing Kenshin's abilities to see if he was skilled enough to face Shishio Makoto. Having revealed his true allegiance with Ōkubo, Saitō postpones the duel, and leaves to kill Shibumi and Arundo. Saitō then travels to Kyoto to fight Shishio under government orders. Along with Kenshin and Sanosuke, he assaults Shishio's battleship, the Purgatory. Accepting Shishio's challenge to fight on Mount Hiei, Saitō kills Uonuma Usui, one of the Juppongatana, and later ambushes Shishio, almost, but failing to kill him as Shishio had been wearing a hachigane (iron headband).
Reader's Guide
Saitō Hajime serves as a narrative bridge between the chaotic Bakumatsu period and the structured Meiji era, embodying the transition from revolutionary violence to state-sanctioned order. His character explores the philosophical tension between absolute pacifism and necessary force; while Kenshin seeks redemption by refusing to kill, Saitō accepts that some evils can only be stopped through lethal means. Nobuhiro Watsuki created Saitō as an anti-heroic foil to Himura Kenshin, the main character of the story, and planned for Saitō to be a "dirty" hero who maintains his "Swift Death to Evil" policy and does not become friendly with Kenshin's group, being rather aloof to them. Watsuki considers Saitō as the "curse" of the villains in the series since he defeats the enemies who consider themselves the strongest. Watsuki came up with the idea of the Gatotsu sword technique from the fact that the historical figure's favorite move was the "left single-handed thrust," or hirazuki. In the anime adaptation, Saitō was voiced by Hirotaka Suzuoki, who also voiced Saitō in the original video animations and Rurouni Kenshin: The Motion Picture. Due to Suzuoki's death in 2006, he was replaced by Ken Narita as the new voice actor for Saitō in the two-part Rurouni Kenshin: New Kyoto Arc movies.
Did You Know?
- Saitō's Gatotsu technique is based on the historical figure's favorite move, the 'left single-handed thrust' or hirazuki.
- Saitō was voiced by Hirotaka Suzuoki in the anime, OVAs, and the motion picture; after Suzuoki's death in 2006, Ken Narita took over for the New Kyoto Arc movies.
- In the Rurouni Kenshin popularity polls, Saitō ranked third in the last two Weekly Shōnen Jump character polls.
- Saitō's design initially received negative feedback from Shinsengumi fans who believed he should have a more handsome face.
- In the Hokkaido Arc, Saitō is severely wounded by Itekura Byakuya and calls for help from former Shinsengumi ally Nagakura Shinpachi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Saito Hajime in Rurouni Kenshin?
Saito Hajime is the former captain of the Shinsengumi who later becomes a Special Class Inspector for the Meiji Police. He is known as a ruthless enforcer who prioritizes duty and law above personal morality or mercy.
What are Saito's fighting abilities and weapons?
He wields Kotetsu, an unbreakable iron sword capable of withstanding any blade, alongside the forbidden techniques of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu style. His combat prowess is unmatched due to his mastery of these lethal forms combined with his heavy weapon.
How does Saito Hajime's story conclude?
Saito remains alive and continues serving as a high-ranking police inspector dedicated to maintaining order in the new era. He eventually accepts a role as a reluctant protector, ensuring justice is served even if it requires violence.
Why is Saito considered important to the series' legacy?
He represents the harsh transition from the Bakumatsu to the Meiji period, embodying the belief that true justice demands the willingness to kill. His complex evolution from a villainous antagonist to a necessary guardian adds depth to the show's themes of redemption.
What is Saito's relationship with Kenshin?
Saito views Kenshin as both a worthy rival and an ideological opposite, often clashing over their differing interpretations of justice. Despite their conflicts, they share a deep mutual respect born from their shared mastery of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu.