SAKAMOTO Ryouma 坂本龍馬
First appearance: Ep 1. Sort of.
A visionary pioneer and statesman, and Akizuki's mentor. Has some unknown link to the Head. Now dead.
Voiced by YAMADERA Kouichi.
An inspiring and important man.
Sakamoto Ryouma is probably one of the most famous persons in recent Japanese history.
He is credited as one of the people who helped bring about some of the biggest changes in the Bakumatsu era: the resignation of the Shogun, the development of a modern navy force, and the ultimate fall of the Shogunate due to his incredible unification of the Satsuma and Choshu clans.
This was all despite him not coming from a prestigious, influential background.
He was a charismatic, truly revolutionary man who did what he truly believed in, and did not stick to mere traditions and conventions just for the sake of doing so.
In the anime, his historical role and actions have been kept intact; he is depicted carrying out negotiations to bring about the above in the show itself. The anime also makes a reference to the commonly-held theory that Ryouma attempted to kill Katsu Kaishuu at first, later becoming his protege, even helping him start a naval school. He also started what was Japan's first shipping company, the Kameyama Shachu, and was very interested in utilizing and adopting foreign technology.
He had once escaped an attempt at his life in the well-known Teradaya Affair, where he famously wielded a Smith and Wesson pistol. His future wife, Oryou, had apparently run out naked while having a bath so she could alert him to the intruders.
Because of his importance and influence - and perhaps some unknown connection to Soutetsu? - Kakunojou's troupe stages a play about him in episodes 1 and 2, with Shiranui playing Ryouma and Kakunojou playing Oryou. The pistol and his company are also referred to in this play.
Relations with Akizuki and the Head
Sakamoto Ryouma's history weaves into the show's plot as such: two months before his assassination in November 1867 (December 10th by our calendar), our main character Akizuki Youjirou burst into the room where he was having dinner with Oryou, since Akizuki's sword had detected something, and its response led to Ryouma. Evidently, Ryouma has some connection to the Head. Furthermore, Shouten-sama describes him as the one person who never fell under the Head's evil influence.
Instead of killing Ryouma, though, Akizuki ended up as his bodyguard. Ryouma's open, charismatic nature moved and inspired Akizuki. Unfortunately, Akizuki could not prevent the assassination of Ryouma which, ironically, happened on his birthday.
By the beginning of the anime proper in episode 1, it has been three months since his assassination.
Return to Characters page.
First appearance: Ep 1. Sort of.
A visionary pioneer and statesman, and Akizuki's mentor. Has some unknown link to the Head. Now dead.
Voiced by YAMADERA Kouichi.
An inspiring and important man.
Sakamoto Ryouma is probably one of the most famous persons in recent Japanese history.
He is credited as one of the people who helped bring about some of the biggest changes in the Bakumatsu era: the resignation of the Shogun, the development of a modern navy force, and the ultimate fall of the Shogunate due to his incredible unification of the Satsuma and Choshu clans.
This was all despite him not coming from a prestigious, influential background.
He was a charismatic, truly revolutionary man who did what he truly believed in, and did not stick to mere traditions and conventions just for the sake of doing so.
In the anime, his historical role and actions have been kept intact; he is depicted carrying out negotiations to bring about the above in the show itself. The anime also makes a reference to the commonly-held theory that Ryouma attempted to kill Katsu Kaishuu at first, later becoming his protege, even helping him start a naval school. He also started what was Japan's first shipping company, the Kameyama Shachu, and was very interested in utilizing and adopting foreign technology.
He had once escaped an attempt at his life in the well-known Teradaya Affair, where he famously wielded a Smith and Wesson pistol. His future wife, Oryou, had apparently run out naked while having a bath so she could alert him to the intruders.
Because of his importance and influence - and perhaps some unknown connection to Soutetsu? - Kakunojou's troupe stages a play about him in episodes 1 and 2, with Shiranui playing Ryouma and Kakunojou playing Oryou. The pistol and his company are also referred to in this play.
Relations with Akizuki and the Head
Sakamoto Ryouma's history weaves into the show's plot as such: two months before his assassination in November 1867 (December 10th by our calendar), our main character Akizuki Youjirou burst into the room where he was having dinner with Oryou, since Akizuki's sword had detected something, and its response led to Ryouma. Evidently, Ryouma has some connection to the Head. Furthermore, Shouten-sama describes him as the one person who never fell under the Head's evil influence.
Instead of killing Ryouma, though, Akizuki ended up as his bodyguard. Ryouma's open, charismatic nature moved and inspired Akizuki. Unfortunately, Akizuki could not prevent the assassination of Ryouma which, ironically, happened on his birthday.
By the beginning of the anime proper in episode 1, it has been three months since his assassination.
Return to Characters page.
