H I S T O R Y
Saitoh Hajime is one of three
Rurouni Kenshin characters modeled after a real person of
the same name. Since I've had someone ask before - the other two characters modeled after
real people were Okita (Leader of the First Shinsengumi Squad) and Captain Souzou Sagara (Leader
of the Sekihoutai). However, since this is an anime site only, and not about the real life person,
please be advised that the information below is for the anime only.
In the anime, Saitoh was the Leader of the Third Squad of the Shinsengumi
during the Mejii Revolution. His motto, Aku Soku Zen, was the motto of the entire
Shinsengumi, and Saitoh continues to live by it even during the Mejii Era ten years after the
war.
He was one of the strongest enemies Himura Kenshin had to face, and the only one who could not
be defeated by Battousai, nor in turn defeat Battousai. Their fight eventually ends in a draw
and is never fully settled in the anime or the manga.
Saitoh's sword style in the anime, the Gatotsu, was created by Watsuki and is not a real sword
style. However, it was patterned after the sword style used by the real Shinsengumi. The
Gatotsu is a left-handed thrust and has four levels; the first, the regular Gatotsu, is simply a
thrusting technique. The second is a diagonal strike from above. The third is used in arial
strikes. The fourth style of Gatotsu is called "Zero Stance", and uses the springs in the upper
body to attack at extreme close range.
After the Revolution, Saitoh began to work for the government as a special police officer and
assassin. Ten years later, he meets with Himura Kenshin once more, this time as an ally against
Shishio Makato. He accompanies Kenshin to Kyoto to battle against their new rival together in
hopes of maintaining peace in Japan.
Saitoh later reappears in the Revenge Arc manga as well, working still as a police officer, who
ends up taking on the Kamiya case alongside Shinomori Aoshi against Enishi.
