Gasuke

Portrayed by: Kaoru Sakuraji (stage play), Takuma Samejima (film adaptation)

Gasuke is a yakuza member affiliated with the Kanto Shuei-gumi, who is feared as “Gasuke the Manslayer.” Within the organization, he holds the position of senior member and is addressed as “san” by his subordinates. He was responsible for collecting the tribute money that Yahiko Myoujin stole as a pickpocket, but after Yahiko refused and declared he would no longer pickpocket, Gasuke became enraged and insulted Yahiko’s parents and their circumstances. As a result, after being bitten in the groin by Yahiko, he is defeated when Kenshin Himura storms the gang’s headquarters to rescue Yahiko; Gasuke is pinned under a door and then sent flying with a sword, ending up with his head stuck in the ceiling.

In the first anime adaptation, Gasuke’s violence is toned down in favor of emphasizing his cunning. When Kaoru Kamiya enters the manor to rescue Yahiko, Gasuke tries to keep her subdued with a rigged gambling game, but this plan is foiled by Yahiko’s defection. Gasuke reveals that he has kept Yahiko, now an orphan, working as a pickpocket by chaining him to the gang with a false debt. In his fight against Kaoru, Gasuke overwhelms her with superior strength, but in their next confrontation, he is defeated by Kenshin Himura, just as in the original manga.