Bansai Kawakami

Bansai Kawakami stands 179 cm tall and weighs 67 kg.

He always wears sunglasses (the design changes later in the series), headphones over his ears, and a long coat—usually black in the manga and blue-green in the anime.

He carries a shamisen on his back. The shamisen hides a sword and has ultra-strong strings he uses as traps.

In the Rakuyou Decisive Battle Arc, Bansai’s face is shown without sunglasses for the first time.

In Gintama High School parody stories, he wears a short-sleeved blue shirt and pants with chains.

Bansai mixes seriousness and humor, easily switching between the two.

He is loyal but independent. He calls Shinsuke Takasugi by his first name, showing intimacy and respect. Even so, he doesn’t always follow Takasugi's orders and acts on his own beliefs.

Bansai can be witty, joking in New Year’s cards, and sometimes takes jokes by Gintoki Sakata seriously.

He is very devoted to music. He often listens to Tsu Terakado's songs, barely listening to what people say around him.

He cares deeply about the “sound” of music and is moved by the right “vibes.”

Bansai Kawakami is a top swordsman in the Kiheitai, led by Shinsuke Takasugi.

He is nicknamed “Hitokiri Bansai” because he is famous for his skills in assassination.

He is the only Kiheitai member who calls Takasugi “Shinsuke,” hinting at a close relationship.

Other members like Matako Kijima call him “senpai.”

Besides fighting, Bansai also works as the music producer “Tunpo,” creating songs for Tsu Terakado. Strangely, while he is credited with teaching her entertainment skills, it is later revealed that they have never met directly.

He is an adept at both serious moments and jokes, making him respected in the Kiheitai.

Bansai is an expert swordsman who fights using a shamisen with hidden blades.

He uses the shamisen strings as weapons, wrapping them around foes. These strings are as tough as steel and can even cut through bodies if someone tries to move against them.

He is also involved in music production, especially as “Tunpo.”

Bansai can stay calm under pressure, making plans and acting quickly in battle.

Shinsuke Takasugi

Bansai has a close connection to Takasugi, calling him “Shinsuke” and often working by his side. He sees Takasugi as both a hero and a real, flawed human.

Kiheitai

Bansai is the true number two in the Kiheitai. He is respected by others, and is a mentor figure to members like Matako Kijima.

Gintoki Sakata

He has fought Gintoki Sakata, showing his high combat skills.

• “Pretty... rock ‘n’ roll group, you are.”

• “I was playing the shamisen, and a guy with natural curly hair smashed me into a helicopter with a wooden sword! I got jammed into the helicopter, crashed to the ground, and got a sprained finger. Wait for me until next year—then I’ll get serious.”

• “Don’t look back!! Shinsuke!! Face forward!!”

• “This world still needs a hero. I can’t let you be lost.”

• “Chasing your back is what Kiheitai does. No matter where you go, we’ll catch up someday!”

The Early Days – Becoming Hitokiri Bansai

Bansai joins the Kiheitai, quickly earning fame as “Hitokiri Bansai.” He stands out for calling Shinsuke Takasugi by his first name and becomes known as a reliable and serious part of the group.

He also develops his music producer persona, “Tunpo,” writing songs for Tsu Terakado.

Shinsengumi Crisis Arc

Bansai discovers Sagaru Yamazaki’s betrayal and assassinates him. Then, he pursues Kondo Isao and the others but is defeated by Gintoki Sakata. This shows his skills but also his limits.

Rakuyou Decisive Battle

After the Kiheitai is nearly destroyed, Tatsuma Sakamoto’s Kaientai rescues Bansai and others. They join Gintoki Sakata and Kotarou Katsura for a new mission.

After facing a deadly Sun Rain attack, Bansai sacrifices himself to buy time for Shinpachi Shimura. At the last moment, Shinsuke Takasugi saves him.

Silver Soul Arc

Bansai leads the charge into the heart of the Hinokagutsuchi weapon to save his friends.

Knowing the world needs a hero, he does everything he can so that Takasugi can go forward. He fights off tons of enemies and even when he is dying, he gets a last push from the spirit of Nizou Okada.

Using his last strength, Bansai stands—tying himself upright with his shamisen strings even while mortally wounded. Smiling softly, he detonates the explosives on his body, taking out the enemy soldiers and ensuring his friends have a chance.

Bansai dies heroically, protecting his captain’s path.

Gintama Parody Stories

In “3-Z Class Ginpachi-Sensei,” Bansai is part of a bad-boy group at school. He tries to form the “Kiheitai” band, but Takasugi refuses. He loves singing the school song, much to Matako Kijima’s annoyance.

In the short anime “Heartless Cool Takasugi,” Bansai appears as a sniper, taking on assassination jobs.

• Bansai’s name is based on a real historical assassin, Bansai Kawakami. His speech and use of “sessha” as his pronoun come from this historical figure.

• His music producer name “Tunpo” comes from the real-life music producer “Tsunku.”

• In polls, Bansai is usually the 2nd most popular Kiheitai member, right after Takasugi.

• The anime first introduced Bansai in an episode before his manga debut, under his “Tunpo” identity.

• Many people get his name wrong, calling him “Mansai” or “Manzai,” but it’s “Bansai.”

• Birthday: May 20

• Height: 179 cm

• Weight: 67 kg

• First-person pronoun: "sessha" (an old-fashioned way for samurai to say “I”)

Bansai Kawakami lived his life chasing Takasugi’s back, never giving up, and remained a hero until the very end. His story adds both deep emotion and rock ‘n’ roll style to the world of Gintama!