History :: The history and story of the shinsengumi Ranks :: The ranks and structure of the Shinsengumi Anime :: The Fictionalized World of the Shinsengumi Links :: Link out to other Shinsengumi/Tokugawa Japan related sites Extra :: Other information that could not have its own section

Anime / Game

Despite the neglect the Shinsengumi receive from the History books, the Shinsengumi receive much recognition in Anime as well as Games. My first introduction to the Shinsengumi was not from Rurouni Kenshin, but from the game (for Dreamcast) The Last Blade 2: Heart of the Samurai... there were two Shinsengumi characters in the game, Washizuka and Kojiroh. The game tore from fact though, and included much fiction... not much history was put behind the Shinsengumi compared the first game, The Last Blade, which was all about the main character Washizuka. 

Anime on the other hand, usually has these characters as loners (as well as in some games too), characters that stick strictly to their honor (which is very cool, but usually don't have a big fan base also compared to other characters), they usually also  have them taunt other characters and try to bring out the inner demon for a challenge, or they might mock the other characters. It depends though on how the character is portrayed (if the character is based upon a real person or if brought up from imagination).  

Many Anime characters, especially in Rurouni Kenshin, have their personalities, looks, or fighting styles based off of members of the Shinsengumi. I would like to list the members of the Shinsengumi who were used for characters of Rurouni Kenshin.

Serizawa Kamo - Shishio
Hijikata Toshizo - Aoshi
Saitou Hajime - Himself
Okita Souji - Soujirou
Takeda Kanryuusai - Takeda
Harada Sanosuke - Sanosuke
Okita Souji - Himself/Soujirou

Many of the characters in Rurouni Kenshin were closely related character wise to their counterparts (models). Not look wise, but in personality, fighting style, historical, etc.

ie: Okita Souji was the youngest Shinsengumi member and was also a very talented swordsman. In Rurouni Kenshin, his anime counterpart is also a very young, but very skilled, swordsman.

There recently was a Japanese Drama made this year telling the story of the Shinsengumi, focusing on Isami Koudo and original 13 members. It is a planned one year special (that means its not going to be your average Dorama). A lot of famous people star in this series like Katori Shingo (Member of the boyband SMAP) as Isami Koudo and Fujiwara Tatsuya (Battle Royal's Shuya) as Okita Souji.

You can go to the official website (if you want to take your stab at Japanese) here.