Oniwabanshū

The Oniwabanshū (御庭番衆) are an elite cadre of onmitsu who were established at Edo Castle by the 8th Tokugawa shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune, in the early 18th century. Rumored to have been quartered in the garden of Edo Castle (hence the name), Yoshimune had tasked the Oniwabanshū with covertly gathering information on various daimyō and statesmen of the bakufu, as well as providing security for the castle itself.

After the bakumatsu (during which the Oniwabanshū were ordered to guard Edo Castle instead of participate in the fighting in Kyōto), the organization has dwindled in the absence of the bakufu and, headed by the genius Okashira Shinomori Aoshi, the remaining onmitsu have split into two groups--one maintaining an intelligence headquarters in Kyoto and the other acting as mercenaries in Tokyo.

At the time of their first appearance in the Rurouni Kenshin series, Aoshi and four of his combat-oriented subordinates are acting as bodyguards and enforcers under the employ of Tokyo entrepreneur Takeda Kanryū.

History

Tokyo Arc

The Oniwabanshū are first introduced in the Tokyo Arc as a gang of highly skilled mercenaries, each with a particular set of specialized skills. They are hired by Takeda Kanryū to secure his opium trade, they eventually become involved with Kenshin's group after they try to infiltrate Kanryū's mansion. The Oniwabanshū prove to be a even match for the group, though ending up in defeat. They eventually give their lives in a suicide march to protect their leader Aoshi from Kanryū's Gattling gun and disable it, allowing for Kenshin to defeat Kanryū.

Sadly this ends with Aoshi swearing to defeat Kenshin in order to prove that the Oniwabanshū are the strongest, so he can give that title to his dead comrades.

Kyōto Arc

During Kenshin's travel to Kyōto, he meets Misao who later reveals he is a member of the Kyōto Oniwabanshū. When they arrive at Kyōto the rest of the Kyōto Oniwabanshū are introduced. They assist Kenshin with intel, and they fight to protect the city from Shishio's plan to recreate the Grand Kyōto Fire.

Later Kenshin and Aoshi have a rematch, where Kenshin manages to snap Aoshi out of his path of violence and get him to come back to his senses.

When Shishio orders some members of the Jūppongatana to attack the Aoiya, the Kyōto Oniwabanshū (alongside Kaoru and Yahiko) fight at the Battle of Aoiya and defeat the Jūppongatana. Sadly, the Aoiya is dably damaged, so all of the members of the Oniwabanshū have to stay for a couple of months at the Shirobeko (Akabeko's twin restaurant in Kyōto) while the Aoiya is being reconstructed.

Jinchū Arc

When Yukishiro Enishi appears as a threat to Kenshin and Kaoru, she sends a letter to the Oniwabanshū, asking them to bring to Tokyo Tomoe's diary (for Enishi to read it and understand his sister's true feelings). Aoshi and Misao travel to Tokyo with said diary, but they don't arrive on time to stop Enishi's revenge plot. After the (alleged) death of Kaoru, Aoshi uncovers Gein's secret plan and ultimately defeats him. Finally Misao and Aoshi help Kenshin to defeat Yukishiro Enishi and his comrades. During this arc, Aoshi sometimes dons the standard shinobi outfit.

Members

Tokyo Oniwabanshū

• Shinomori Aoshi- The prodigious leader of the Oniwabanshū during the Meiji restoration, having attained this pinnacle at age 15. A master kenpoist and even stronger swordsman that excels in offense and defense.
• Han'nya- Mutilated his face purposefully in order to take on any disguise, he wears a mask and uses steel claws to assist him in hand-to-hand combat, using optical illusions to confuse his opponents.
• Shikijō- Enhanced through the usage of performance-enhancing drugs, he serves as the group's strong man. Said to be Aoshi's second in command.
• Hyottoko- A human flamethrower, his teeth are replaced with flint in order to ignite a spray of oil from a bag in his stomach.
• Beshimi- A man of short stature, he is a specialist in poison darts.

Kyōto Oniwabanshū

• Makimachi Misao- The young granddaughter of the late leader who was Aoshi's master, a fairly skilled kenpoist and the adopted granddaughter of Okina.
• Kashiwazaki Nenji- Usually known to his subordinates as Okina, known to be the only member who could fight the former leader of the group evenly. He passes up the offer of succeeding his adversary to make way for the genius youngster Aoshi, who greatly surpasses his skills later.
• Kurojō- Nicknamed Kuro, he helps run the Aoiya, assists Okina, and serves as Misao's caretaker.
• Shirojō- Nicknamed Shiro, he helps run the Aoiya, assists Okina, and serves as Misao's caretaker.
• Masukami- Nicknamed Omasu, she helps run the Aoiya, assists Okina, and serves as Misao's caretaker. She wields two discs that she uses as a weapon or a shield.
• Ōmime- Nicknamed Ochika/Okon, she helps run the Aoiya, assists Okina, and serves as Misao's caretaker. She wields a boomerang-type shuriken.

Other

• Kuroko (Restoration only) - an ex-onmitsu of the Oniwabanshū during the Edo period, Kuroko left the Oniwabanshū some time after the start of the Meiji period, becoming the masked mercenary Gein.

Development and Reception

After Watsuki first discussed the "Megumi arc" with the editor, the editor replied with the opinion that, in Watsuki's words, "having a swordsman of Kenshin's caliber fighting a group of punk-thugs still coming into their first facial hair mi-i-ight not make for the most epic of manga." To solve this, Watsuki modified the Oniwabanshū to make them onmitsu (ninja; Watsuki does not like using the word "ninja" as he feels that using it "like that" is "cheesy" ), and added details as publication progressed. Watsuki created various shapes and temperaments for the various Oniwabanshū characters. Watsuki describes the addition of the Oniwabanshū as a "last minute" choice.

In Live Action Film

The Kyōto Oniwabanshū (alongside Aoshi Shinomori) appear in the movies Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno, Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends and Rurouni Kenshin: The Final.

Trivia

• It is thought that the actual members of the Oniwabanshū were ninjas of the famous Iga school of ninjutsu.
• Rumor has it that members of the Oniwabanshū were sent overseas to the United States as spies during the bakumatsu.

Gallery

The Tokyo Oniwabanshū, led by Aoshi

The Kyōto Oniwabanshū, led by Misao