Basilisk Characters
With few exceptions, the characters of Basilisk belong to one of two powerful Clans: the Iga clan or the Kouga clan. Since this is so important, we are listing the characters by clan.
Kouga Clan Members
Iga Clan Members
Others
- Ieyasu Tokugawa - Shogun, gathered at Sunpu Castle for high level meeting and ninja fighting demonstrations
- Hattori Hanzo - head of the Tokugawa Ninja Clan, gathered at Sunpu Castle for high level meeting and ninja fighting demonstrations
- Munenori Yagiyuu - master fencing instructor, gathered at Sunpu Castle for high level meeting and ninja fighting demonstrations
- Hattori Hanzo
Kagarou
An extremely attractive woman as well as an expert combatant (she carries a shikomizue in her walking cane and is highly adept at shurikenjutsu), Kagerou's sensuality is her deadliest weapon as her breath becomes poisonous when she's sexually aroused. According to the Koga, it's an ability shared by all the women in her family. She's deeply and madly in love with her superior and cousin Kouga Gennosuke. But due to Gennosuke's feelings for Oboro and her own technique, she's unable to be with him either emotionally or physically; resulting in a jaded persona filled with envy and bitterness.
Kagerou's favorite target for her frustrations is Oboro and was one of the more vocal opponents of her and Gennosuke's marriage, being quick to belittle and criticize Oboro every chance she could which usually results in her receiving a firm reprimand from Muroga Hyouma. Noticing how extreme Kagerou's conduct was becoming, Gennosuke's grandfather Danjo had discussed with Hyouma before setting out for Sunpu that perhaps it was time to find a man for Kagerou to have a child with. Despite Kisaragi Saemon's doubt of that ever happening, Hyouma revealed that there were actually several men in Koga willing to sacrifice all for one night of pleasure with her.
When the Koga finally learn that the Hattori truce had indeed been absolved, few were happier about the news than Kagerou who saw it as an opportunity to seek revenge on Oboro for taking what Kagerou felt should have rightfully been hers.
Gennosuke, Kouga
Gennosuke is the primary character in the Japanese anime The Kouga Ninja Scrolls. As the grandson of Lord Kouga Danjo, Gennosuke was chosen to be one of ten warriors to represent their clan of Koga Manjidani against the chosen ten of the rival Iga Tsubagakure clan. Upon his grandfather's death, Gennosuke ascends to take leadership of the clan.
In many ways, Gennosuke is as much an oddity among his clan as Oboro is among hers. An idealist and scholar who believes in looking to the future instead of being dominated by the past, Gennosuke views the pursuit of any grudge to be an ultimately pointless and self-destructive practice. His sense of principles remain even after learning of the renewed conflict between Koga and Iga, prompting him to lead the Koga on an expedition to Sunpu to plead with former Shogun Ieyasu and Hattori Hanzo the 4th to reinstigate the treaty before any more senseless bloodshed occurs.
Yet despite being a man of peace, if pushed into a corner Gennosuke is more than capable of killing anyone who threatens him or his clansmen. In addition to his skill with the sword, Gennosuke wields a power called Dojutsu which he learned from his teacher and uncle Muroga Hyouma. A hypnosis technique, Dojutsu reverses the homicidal intent of anyone who meets the stare of its user directly. In other words; if someone expresses hostility toward him, Gennosuke is able to will his enemies into killing themselves instead of him. Even Yakushiji Tenzen thinks twice before challenging Gennosuke directly.
Before the cancellation of the treaty, Gennosuke sought to build a lasting peace between Koga and Iga by marrying Oboro, the Iga Princess whom he loved to a great extent. His feelings for her remain even as the body count among both clans rises, filling him with torment as he struggles to reconcile his personal feelings with the duty demanded of him as his clan's leader. In the anime, Gennosuke carries with him a flute that he often plays for Oboro and which represents their hope of bringing peace to the clans. After learning of the Hattori Truce's absolvement, he leaves the flute behind in Tsubagakure as a farewell present for her.
Kouga Danjo
Lord of the Koga Manjidani ninja clan, Danjo was ordered by retired shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu to lead nine other warriors besides himself against the chosen ten of the rival Iga Tsubagakure clan to determine a successor to the shogunate. Danjo greatly specializes in the use of poisoned throwing needles, which he can spit from his mouth with lethal precision.
As a young man, Danjou fell in love with the Iga chieftess Ogen whom he planned to marry so that peace could be established between their clans. Unfotunately, fate conspired against them in the form of a surprise attack on Tsubagakure by the forces of Oda Nobunaga with the assistance of the Koga. Despite the fact the attack had occurred without his knowledge or consent, the crushed Ogen was unable to forgive Danjo for his clan's actions and their hopes for peace and happiness with each other were lost forever.
Although denied his chance with Ogen, Danjo never gave up his desire of one day bringing peace between Koga and Iga and years later, permitted his grandson Gennosuke to become engaged to Ogen's granddaughter Oboro until Ieyasu's decree forced him to bring a decisive end to the longstanding feud by any means necessary.
Kazamachi Shogen a character featured in the Japanese anime Basilisk Kouga Ninpou Chou (known in English as the Kouga Ninja Scrolls). Shogen was chosen to be one of ten warriors to represent the Kouga Manjidani clan in their duel against the chosen ten of the rival Iga Tsubagakure clan. Shogen has perhaps the most unusual appearance of all the characters in Basilisk. A bulbous hunchback, oversized hands and feet, and long gangly limbs grant him the agility and dexterity of a spider. He also possesses a long prehensile tongue that secretes a sticky glue-like substance which Shogen can fling as pellets, spray as a stream, or even weave into a net similar to a spider's web. As such, Shogen is one of the few members of the Koga ten who specializes in combat rather than stealth and assassination. His personality is sadistic and he enjoys toying with his enemies before killing them. Shogen's unusual physique seems to be a trait common in his family as during the Iga's surprise raid on Manjidani, Koushiro was attacked by someone who bore a striking similarity to Shogen. Shogen VS Yashamaru (episode 1): The first battle to take place during the Basilisk series. Summoned to Sunpu Castle by retired Shogun Ieyasu, Shogen and Yashamaru were brought by their respective leaders Kouga Danjo and Ogen to demonstrate their clan's skill. After being tied to a rock by Yashamaru's wires and narrowly escaping being sliced into pieces, Shogen sprayed Yashamaru's hands with glue; neutralizing the wires around his arms and sticking them to Yashamaru's head. Leaping onto his opponent's back, Shogen seized Yashamaru around the neck and crotch and asked him to struggle, only to leap off when the wires around Yasamaru's legs attempted to skewer him. As Yashamaru sliced off the glue (along with most of his hair), Shogen led his opponent to the top of Sunpu castle where their techniques destroyed a good section of the roof before Ieyasu ordered them to be called off. Following the fight and Ieyasu's decree for the two clans to renew their conflict, Shogen was then charged by Danjo to take the Kouga's copy of the battle scroll to Manjidani. Shogen VS Rousai/Nenki/Hotarubi/Koshiro (episode 3): While on his way to Manjidani with the Koga's copy of the battle scroll, Shogen was attacked by four members of the Iga ten. After spraying Koshirou's mouth with his glue, Shogen barely avoided Nenki and Rousai's strikes as he leaped onto a tree to better weave his glue into a net and ended up catching all his attackers except for Hotarubi. Intending to finishing them off at his leisure, Shogen found himself overwhelmed when Hotarubi summoned her butterflies to swarm over him and his net, distracting him enough for Hotarubi to throw one of Koushiro's hand scythes to Nenki who caught it with his hair and then flung it straight into Shogen's forehead. Shogen tossed the scroll to his comrade Jimushi Jubei, and the Iga group save for Hotarubi ran to catch him. Alive but paralyzed, Shogen was unable to defend as Hotarubi held a knife to his throat and demanded to know whether Yashamaru was still alive. In a final act of defiance, Shogen spit his glue onto her cheek and an enraged Hotarubi furiously stabbed him to death. Jimushi Jubei Jubei was chosen to be one of ten elite shinobi warriors chosen by Kouga Danjo to represent the Kouga Manjidani clan in their war against the chosen ten of the rival Iga Tsubagakure clan. A "living torso," Jubei lacks both arms and legs but is able to slither across the ground like a snake at high speed by flexing his chest muscles to manipulate the armor plates sewn onto the front of his tunic. In place of hands, he's trained his tongue to extend out of his mouth to act as a grasping tool as well as use it to draw and attack with the short sword he keeps sheathed inside his throat. Jubei is also skilled in the art of astrology which he uses to predict the Koga's future with surprising accuracy. In the flashback of episode 16, it's hinted during his conversation with Muroga Hyouma that Jubei had foreseen sorrow and loss in both Gennosuke's future and that of the Koga if he pursued his intention to marry Oboro but was unable to discern what the final end result would be. Jubei also knew nothing could be done to change Gennosuke's mind and adamantly refused to reveal to his clansmen what he had prophesied; resigning himself to letting fate play out as it would. Udono Josuke one of Koga Manjidani's strongest fighters, he was selected by Lord Kouga Danjo as one ten elite ninja to fight against the chosen ten of the rival Iga Tsubagakure clan. Good-humored, a little dumb, and extremely fat; Jousuke hardly fits the traditional concept of the ninja. And as he proved with his interactions with Akeginu; he's also a bit of a lecher. Despite his boorish demeanor, Jousuke is more perceptive than he lets on and during his stay with Gennosuke in Tsubagakure, he was the first to realize the Iga were planning something suspicious before they silenced him. Additionally, while his corpulent physique suggests otherwise, Jousuke possesses remarkable speed and agility for a man of his size as he was able to easily avoid the attacks of both Rousai and Akeginu, two of the Iga's strongest fighters. His obesity is also the secret to his technique as it grants his body the consistency of rubber; allowing him to bounce like a ball, roll over enemies like a living boulder, deflect physical attacks with ease, squeeze through openings impossible even for someone a quarter of his girth, or even float into the sky by rapidly inhaling air to blow himself up like a balloon. Muroga Hyoma chosen as one of ten ninja to represent the Koga Manjidani clan in their duel against the chosen ten of the rival Iga Tsubagakure clan. As the second in command to Lord Kouga Danjo, Hyouma was assigned to be the sensei of Danjou's grandson Gennosuke, who was also his nephew since Gennosuke's deceased mother was Hyoma's older sister. Over the years, Hyouma successfully taught his pupil to call upon the Dojutsu technique in their bloodline as well as how to rely on other senses besides sight. Unlike Gennosuke, Hyouma's Dojutsu is always in effect so he must keep his eyes shut or else risk accidentally killing the wrong person at the wrong time. To compensate, Hyouma develops an almost radar-like sense of hearing that makes it impossible for him to be snuck up on. Hyouma's most important lesson however was when he revealed to Gennosuke the truth of the world; that despite whatever differences may exist between people, they are still humans who live, feel, and die the same way. It was due to Hyouma's teachings that Gennosuke was able to see past his clan's hatred for the Iga and seek a harmonious coexistence until the blood shed following the dissolval of the Hattori truce called for a decisive end to the conflict by one way or another. Hyouma is cautious and intuitive, and following a surprise attack on Manjidani is the first member of the Koga ten to realize that the Hattori truce may have been absolved. Although he distrusts the Iga, Hyouma admires Gennosuke's efforts to establish peace between the two clans and supports him whole heartedly regardless of what personal cost he may endure. Kisaragi Saemon Saemon was chosen by Kouga Danjo to be one of ten shinobi to represent their clan of Kouga Manjidani against the chosen ten of the rival Iga Tsubagakure clan. Saemon is perhaps Basilisk's most complex character. Cool and aloof, he conducts himself in both war and peace with an almost professional sense of detachment. The only person he shows emotion to is his younger sister Okoi with whom he shares a deep bond. Following Okoi's brutal capture, interrogation, and terrifying death at the Iga's hands; Saemon throws himself whole-heartedly into the war between Koga and Iga, viewing victory for his clan and revenge for his sister as one and the same. To that end, Saemon will use any method necessary to physically and mentally break the remaining Iga ten. But after the fight is over and his enemy is dead, Saemon will always apologize to his slain opponents with the hope that in death they might know the peace they were denied in life. Along with Kasumi Gyoubu, Saemon specializes in stealth and infiltration. By pressing another's face into a raised mound of mud or soft clay, Saemon can form a mold with which he can insert his own face into, taking their form and appearance for himself. This, along with his talent for impersonating voices, makes Saemon a master of disguise. His technique however is only effective cosmetically. It doesn't bestow him with any of a person's memories or abilities and anything with senses superior to a human's (as Hotarubi's snake proved) are able to see through it. Saemon is also one of the Kouga's more capable fighters, at one point successfully defending himself against multiple Iga ninjas at once. Okoi chosen to be one of ten ninja to represent her clan of Koga Manjidani against the chosen ten of the rival Iga Tsubagakure clan. Tomboyish and energetic with a well endowed frame, Okoi (in a manner similar to Rurouni Kenshin's Makimachi Misao, Naruto's Sakura Haruno and Soul Calibur's Taki) represents the popular concept of the kunoichi while Akeginu and Kagerou both embody the more historically traditional version. She shares a deep bond with her older brother Kisaragi Saemon and is one of the few people who can make him smile. In the anime, Okoi also has a strong friendship with the normally unapproachable Kasumi Gyoubu whom she often goes with to hunt wild boar in the forests surrounding Manjidani. Although a capable fighter, Okoi is not opposed to using her ample assets to lure men into a state of false security if she has to. For once they make the mistake of forming physical contact, Okoi is able to adhere her skin onto her opponent's and then absorb their blood into herself; leaving her enemies as dried up husks. Upon completion, Okoi must then vomit out the excess blood before she can use the technique again. As more contact equals faster blood drain she is dressed in a more revealing manner than the other kunoichi with a hip length sleeveless kimono and shortened hakama that resemble Daisy Dukes. Kisaragi Saemon one of ten shinobi to represent their clan of Kouga Manjidani against the chosen ten of the rival Iga Tsubagakure clan. Saemon is perhaps Basilisk's most complex character. Cool and aloof, he conducts himself in both war and peace with an almost professional sense of detachment. The only person he shows emotion to is his younger sister Okoi with whom he shares a deep bond. Following Okoi's brutal capture, interrogation, and terrifying death at the Iga's hands; Saemon throws himself whole-heartedly into the war between Koga and Iga, viewing victory for his clan and revenge for his sister as one and the same. To that end, Saemon will use any method necessary to physically and mentally break the remaining Iga ten. But after the fight is over and his enemy is dead, Saemon will always apologize to his slain opponents with the hope that in death they might know the peace they were denied in life. Along with Kasumi Gyoubu, Saemon specializes in stealth and infiltration. By pressing another's face into a raised mound of mud or soft clay, Saemon can form a mold with which he can insert his own face into, taking their form and appearance for himself. This, along with his talent for impersonating voices, makes Saemon a master of disguise. His technique however is only effective cosmetically. It doesn't bestow him with any of a person's memories or abilities and anything with senses superior to a human's (as Hotarubi's snake proved) are able to see through it. Saemon is also one of the Kouga's more capable fighters, at one point successfully defending himself against multiple Iga ninjas at once. Kasumi Gyoubu one of ten ninja chosen to represent the Kouga Manjidani clan in their duel against the chosen ten of the rival Iga Tsubagakure clan. Tall, bald and powerfully muscled, Gyoubu is strong enough to break an enemy in half with nothing more than his bare hands. Despite his massive size though, Gyoubu's specialty is stealth. By merging with the surface of an object, Gyoubu is able to move and attack in complete secrecy as well as manipulate any object in physical contact with the surface. There are limits to his abilities however: • The surface area of an object apparently must be at least equal to his own in order to merge or move on and it must have physical contact with a surface of similar dimensions in order for him traverse from one to the other; • Only his body can merge so he must strip naked as well as drop any weapon he carries in order to use his technique. • Merging offers him no defensive benefits, as any attacks to the surface of the object transfer to him as well. Like most of the Koga, Gyoubu bears an overwhelming hatred for the Iga. Although in the anime Gyoubu's rage is more of a personal vendetta. Years ago, Gyoubu's father Renbu was murdered by an Iga squad and Gyoubu vowed to one day take revenge, since his father's last words were to never pity any ninja. Unfortunately, the Hattori truce was imposed on both clans shortly afterward and Gyoubu shaved his head as a statement of his unsatisfied fury. A portion of his rage seems to be reserved for himself as he confided to Muroga Hyouma in episode 11 that if he hadn't been so weak as a child he would've been able to better protect his father, which explains why Gyoubu trained his body to become a mountain of raw physical power. In the anime, Gyoubu shares an uncle/niece bond with the tomboyish Okoi whom he frequently takes with him to go hunt wild boar in the forests surrounding Manjidani. Yakushiji Tenzen the series' primary villain. As the second in command to Lady Ogen, Tenzen was chosen to be one of ten fighters to represent his clan of Iga Tsubagakure against the chosen ten of the rival Koga Manjidani clan. Due to Princess Oboro's hesitance to fight, Tenzen is able to completely usurp her authority following Ogen's death to become Iga's de facto leader. But although his initial impression is of a pragmatic fighter concerned solely for the honor and future of his clan, Tenzen is actually a sadistic and mendacious individual who revels in conflict and bloodshed. He fights with a brutal, ruthless tenacity and won't hesitate to involve innocent bystanders to guarantee a victory. He also lusts after Oboro and desires to take her for his wife in order to become the true lord of Tsubagakure. Even if he has to rape her to do it - which he attempts at least twice over the course of the series. Similar to Himura Genma of Ninja Scroll, Tenzen's power is one of regeneration and immortality. He was born sharing his body with a demonic symbiote that usually conceals its presence so that only its closed eyes are visible as a wart/growth on each of Tenzen's ears. The creature reveals itself whenever Tenzen has been wounded or killed, moving through his body to regenerate Tenzen by 'eating' his wounds and restoring whatever ravages of time or battle Tenzen might experience. Thanks to his powers, by the time of Basilisk's beginning Tenzen was already over 200 years old though he looks no older than 30; granting him a lifetime of martial and tactical abilities that surpass any of his clansmen. Even when decapitated, Tenzen can still regenerate if his head is placed back onto his body with his twin sealing the cut. Reviving from death however seems to be even more painful for Tenzen than dying itself and has greatly contributed to the deterioration of his sanity. Azuki Rosai one of ten Ninja that were assigned by his leader Ogen to represent their clan of Iga Tsubagakure against the chosen ten of the rival Kouga Manjidani clan. The oldest member of the Iga ten after Tenzen, Rousai is short statured with an even shorter temper and a massive gourd-shaped head, which in the anime he claims is swollen with hatred for the Koga from the day they launched their raid alongside Nobunaga's assault. Despite his frail and antiquated appearance, Rousai is a highly skilled martial artist whose punches and kicks are capable of felling trees and crushing stone with one blow. Additionally, his ninja technique enables him to stretch and contort his arms and legs in fantastic ways similar to Dragon Ball's Piccolo, Street Fighter's Dhalsim or One Piece's Monkey D. Luffy. As such, he's one of Basilisk's few characters that utilizes unarmed combat. Mino Nenki one of ten ninja selected by his leader Ogen to represent their clan of Iga Tsubagakure against the chosen ten of the rival Koga Manjidani clan. Nenki's simian features, excessive body hair, and use of a bo staff in combat cause him to bear a strong resemblance to Sun Wukong, the monkey king of Chinese Mythology. His personality is prideful which often makes him underestimate his opponents and leads him to act carelessly in battle. While he defers to the command of Yakushiji Tenzen over that of Princess Oboro, Nenki is comparatively more patient with Oboro's indecision than the majority of the Iga; viewing her infatuation for Gennosuke as a childish phase born out of her sheltered view of the world and believes that as time goes by she'll eventually grow out of it. Although lethally proficient with his staff, Nenki's greatest weapon is the control he exercises over his own hair. Draping down his back in a tangled mat, Nenki is able to straighten his hair and manipulate it as a grasping tool. His hair is also strong enough to swing him from tree to tree (leaving his hands free for combat) or even to wrap around an enemy and crush them like a Boa Constrictor. Beneath his robes, his body is covered in coarse fur that can be stiffened into needles to skewer any opponent that gets too close and also provides protection from certain techniques. In the manga, Nenki's hair reflects his moods; writhing wildly whenever he becomes enraged or excited. Hotarubi A petite and slender young woman with straight dark hair that drapes to just below her shoulders; Hotarubi is reminiscent of the traditional Japanese beauty whereas Oboro is the large-eyed innocent, Okoi the sassy tomboy, and Akeginu and Kagerou (and even Ogen during her youth) representing the concept of the sensual femme-fatale. Although she shares her clan's hatred for the Kouga, Hotarubi's prime concern is for her lover Yashamaru, another member of the Iga ten. Her devotion to him is so great that even the suggestion that he's come to harm is enough to send her into a feral rage. After learning of Yashamaru's murder, Hotarubi devotes herself to the war between Iga and Kouga completely, seeking the chance for revenge at any cost. Like most of the Iga, Hotarubi considers Oboro to be completely useless despite her position as the clan's next leader, and defers to Yakushiji Tenzen's orders. In the anime, this may be tied to slight jealousy, since Yashamaru once teased her for not being sweet and feminine like Oboro and Hotarubi almost threw a childish tantrum at him. In combat, Hotarubi summons swarms of glowing pink butterflies that overwhelm and distract her opponents, allowing her to either strike a lethal blow through their dropped defenses with her tanto or escape to safety. She also maintains a spiritual link with her pet viper who acts as her bodyguard and scout. In the anime, Hotarubi summons and controls her butterflies through a barely audible chant that varies depending on the situation. Yashamaru chosen to be one of the ten ninja to represent his clan of Iga Tsubagakure against the chosen ten of the rival Kouga Manjidani clan. A brash and cocky young man, Yashamaru's favored weapon are dozens of strands of garotte wires called Kokujou (black rope, or black binding) which are woven from the hair of young women and alchemically treated with natural oils havested from wild animals, turning them as hard as steel. Yashamaru controls the Kokujou as though they are an extension of his own body, and can use them to tie an opponent up, slice them to pieces, flay them, or even stiffen the wires so they can pierce like needles. The wires are usually kept wrapped around Yashamaru's forearms, but extra wires are tied around his calves in the event his hands and/or upper body becomes immobilized. He also carries a cleaver in a sheathe on his back although his opponents rarely get close enough that he's required to draw it. Unlike most of the Iga clan, Yashamaru had begun to consider the Hattori truce beneficial as it allowed him a chance to live a peaceful and quiet life with his lover and comrade Hotarubi, whom he planned to marry before the treaty's cancellation resulted in all out war between the clans. Akeginu chosen to be one of ten ninja to represent the Iga Tsubagakure clan against the chosen ten of the rival Kouga Manjidani clan. The kanji forming her name translates to 'red silk' which matches her technique and her manner of dress. As the bodyguard and confidant of Princess Oboro, Akeginu is more forgiving of Oboro's lack of ninja skills than the rest of their clan, caring for her almost as an older sister. Regardless, her first loyalty is to the whole of Iga. So when word of the Hattori truce's cancellation reaches her, Akeginu holds no reservations about deceiving Oboro while aiding her comrades in their attempt to assassinate the Koga ten - including Oboro's lover Gennosuke. In light of her obligations, Akeginu does feel sympathy for Oboro's predicament and is the only member of the Iga ten besides Koshirou who doesn't ostracize Oboro after she makes the decision to seal her eyes. She even keeps safe from the other Iga the flute Gennosuke left in Tsubagakure so that Oboro would have a memento of her lover after the war ended. A highly attractive woman, Akeginu (like Kagerou, her counterpart in the Koga ten) is representative of the traditional concept of the Kunoichi in her ability to use her sex appeal against members of the opposite sex. In battle, her technique grants her control over her blood; secreting it out of her pores and allowing her to squirt it into an opponent's face to distract them or create a fine mist to grant her the cover to move and attack in near complete stealth. Additionally, her technique can be used to "tag" any opponent who specializes in covert movement (as evidenced by her aide in Yakushiji Tenzen's fight with Kasumi Gyoubu). She's also in love with Tenzen's student Chikuma Koshirou, whom she had wished to marry in the future. Chikuma Koshiro Although his standing within the Iga's hierarchy was that of a mere gennin (a ninja foot soldier), Koshirou's prodigious talent was enough for his leader Ogen to include him among the ten elite warriors chosen to represent their clan of Iga Tsubagakure against the elite ten of the rival Kouga Manjidani clan. Koshirou's technique enables him to create miniature tornadoes with his breath which suck his enemies in and then shreds them to pieces. He also wields a pair of kama hand scythes which Koshirou is able to use either in close combat or even throw like boomerangs. After being blinded by Kouga Gennosuke his other senses adapt to compensate although he's nowhere near as capable with his blindness as Muroga Hyouma. Koshirou and Oboro grew up together and despite the difference in their stations she sees him almost as an older brother. Koshirou himself is completely devoted to Oboro and may even hold romantic feelings for her. On the other hand, as Yakushiji Tenzen's apprentice he's obligated to follow his sensei's orders regardless of how he personally feels. He's also the love interest of Oboro's bodyguard and confidant Akeginu although he's more or less oblivious to it otherwise. In the anime, Koushiro is an expert woodcarver and after being blinded, learns to carve with equal skill using his sense of touch alone. Ogen ordered by retired Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu to lead nine other warriors in a duel against the chosen ten of the rival Kouga Manjidani clan to determine a successor to the shogunate. As the elderly chieftess of the Iga Tsubagakure ninja clan, Ogen was ordered by retired Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu to lead nine other warriors in a duel against the chosen ten of the rival Kouga Manjidani clan to determine a successor to the shogunate. She shares a spiritual connection to her hawk which serves as her messenger and servant although it is unknown if she possesses any other abilities. When she was younger, she was very much in love with Kouga Danjo and the two sought peace between the warring clans through their marriage. But following a surprise attack by the combined forces of Oda Nobunaga and the Koga in which her grandfather was murdered, she lost all faith in Danjo. Despite the Koga's betrayal, Ogen was in her twilight years willing to make her granddaughter Oboro the bride of Danjo's grandson Gennosuke in the hopes that the two of them could bring a definite peace and also find the happiness that she could not. In the manga, Ogen's first candidate was her subordinate Yakushiji Tenzen, yet in the end she preferred Gennosuke as Oboro's future husband. Amayo Jingoro one of ten ninja to represent their clan of Iga Tsubagakure against the chosen ten of the rival Koga Manjidani clan. Loathsome and cowardly at heart, Jingoro is one of the few members of the Iga ten who specializes in assassination rather than combat, preferring to sneak up on an enemy and being quick to flee when he suffers a disadvantage. By rubbing his body with salt, Jingoro is able to dissolve into a viscous semi-liquid form enabling him to slither through the tightest of passages, ooze his way up vertical surfaces, and silently creep onto his target to deliver the killing stroke. Maintaining this form for any extended period of time however results in Jingoro suffering extreme dehydration as his body gradually dries out and shrivels away. The only way to completely restore his strength and human form upon changing is for Jingoro to immerse himself in water. Jingoro also suffers from an intense fear of the sea as the high salt content in the ocean would keep him in a constant fluid state, leaving him to be dissolved completely instead of solidifying. Like most of the Iga, Jingoro views Oboro as an incompetent leader and defers to Yakushiji Tenzen's orders. At one point, Jingoro bluntly refers to Oboro as being unworthy to be Ogen's successor even though he knew she was within range of his voice. Oboro As the beautiful young princess of Iga Tsubagakure, Oboro was selected to be one of ten ninja to represent her clan against the ten chosen fighters of the rival Koga Manjidani clan. Born with 'Mystic Eyes,' Oboro has the power to neutralize the techniques of any ninja that meets her gaze directly. After the death of her grandmother Ogen, Oboro ascends to take leadership of the clan, but due to her passive demeanor soon finds her authority usurped by Yakushiji Tenzen. Among the Iga, Princess Oboro is something of an oddity. Sweet natured with a gentle disposition, Oboro lacks any real talent for either martial arts or ninjutsu and is also a bit of a klutz. This, along with her love for Gennosuke of the rival Koga clan has caused most of Iga to view Oboro as something of a black sheep, a fact she is painfully aware of. When the Hattori truce is lifted, the other Iga ten are quick to take advantage of Oboro's feelings for Gennosuke, tricking her into inviting him and Udono Jousuke into their compound where the Iga can keep them under surveillance. Although hurt and betrayed by their actions, Oboro remains loyal to her clan and is greatly torn between her duty and her feelings when the truth of the renewed conflict is finally revealed to her. Ultimately, she makes the decision to temporarily seal her eyes shut with a potion given to her by Ogen called the Seven Days of Darkness, knowing that if she saw any of her clansmen attacking Gennosuke, she might be tempted to use her powers against them instead. Prior to the lifting of the Hattori truce, Oboro was engaged to Kouga Gennosuke in an attempt to bring a lasting peace between both clans. The two had known each other since childhood and were anxious to spend their lives with each other. In the anime, Oboro would frequently meet with Gennosuke along their clan's borders to practice a Japanese fan dance which they planned to perform for the guests at their wedding.