Shibata

This character appears only in the anime adaptation and is a former samurai from the fallen Satsuma Domain. In the anime, he is unable to find opportunities to fight and is persecuted by the new government. He uses hidden funds as military capital and forms an organization called “Beniaoi” with the aim of restoring the shogunate with Tokugawa Yoshinobu as leader. Misled by false information that Kaishuu Katsu is using the hidden funds for personal gain, he targets Kaishuu Katsu’s life. He is described by Kenshin Himura as being “without a single opening” in skill, showing considerable ability. However, he is eventually defeated by Kenshin Himura, captured, and detained at the Azabu Police Station. He is later released on bail through the arrangements of Kaishuu Katsu. In the novel version, it is revealed that the true leader of “Beniaoi” is actually Someya, a high-ranking official in the Meiji government.