Soujirou Seta from “Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan

Personality

Soujirou Seta, also known as Tenken or Sou-kun, is a character from the anime series “Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan”. Soujirou is Shishio Makoto’s right-hand man and a highly skilled teenage assassin. One of Soujirou’s defining characteristics is his lack of emotion, commonly referred to as kenki. He shows no anger or fear toward his enemies, making him an enigmatic and formidable opponent. Despite his emotionless exterior, Soujirou is often seen smiling and maintaining polite manners. He addresses others with Japanese suffixes and has a sarcastic nature, hiding his true feelings behind his cheerful demeanor.

Background

Soujirou Seta’s tragic past greatly influences his personality. He was born illegitimately in Kanagawa Prefecture during the first year of Bunkyuu (1861). Soujirou’s father left him in the care of his family, where he was severely mistreated. He endured physical abuse, including beatings whenever he failed to perform his assigned chores. To protect himself, Soujirou developed a defense mechanism of wearing a constant smile and enduring the torture until his family tired of beating him.
One fateful night, Soujirou meets Shishio, who is on the run from the police. Soujirou’s life takes a dramatic turn when he witnesses Shishio kill a policeman. Despite being a potential witness, Shishio is fascinated by Soujirou’s constant smile and spares his life in exchange for food and bandages. Shishio imparts a new mentality to Soujirou, emphasizing that only the strong can survive and blaming his own weakness for his predicament. Soujirou’s defense mechanism becomes intertwined with his association with Shishio, leading him to kill his abusive family members at the age of eight.

Appearance

Soujirou Seta is often seen wearing a blue kimono with white hand guards. His physical appearance is that of a teenage boy. He has short, dark hair and bright, piercing eyes. Soujirou’s general demeanor is calm and composed, reflecting his unemotional nature and the discipline instilled in him by Shishio.

Abilities

Soujirou Seta is known for his exceptional martial arts skills, which have earned him the nickname “Heaven’s Sword” or Tenken. He is a master swordsman who has mastered his own unique style of swordsmanship. Soujirou’s speed is his greatest asset, and his Shukuchi technique gives him incredible agility and the ability to close the distance between himself and his opponents in an instant.
During fights, Soujirou displays extraordinary speed, often moving “three steps below Shukuchi” or “two steps below Shukuchi. His footsteps tear through the tatami mats, leaving only a blur of movement visible to observers. When fully utilizing shukuchi, Soujirou becomes completely invisible, making it nearly impossible for even the most skilled Kenshin to see or track his movements. Soujirou’s speed allows him to dodge powerful attacks, such as Kenshin’s Kuzu-ryūsen, and unleash devastating omni-directional strikes.
In addition, Soujirou has expertise in the Battōjutsu style, similar to Kenshin. He can employ a stance reminiscent of Kenshin’s and has demonstrated the ability to destroy Kenshin’s sakabatō. Combining the speed of Shukuchi with Battōjutsu, Soujirou has created his signature technique, Shuntensatsu. This technique delivers swift and deadly blows, resulting in the instant death of his opponents.

Origin

Soujirou Seta is a fictional character created for the manga and anime series “Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan” by Nobuhiro Watsuki. The series is set during the Meiji Era in Japan and follows the story of Himura Kenshin, a former assassin turned wanderer in search of redemption. Soujirou serves as one of the main antagonists in the series and plays a significant role in Kenshin’s journey.
Throughout the series, Soujirou’s background, personality, and abilities are explored, providing insight into his complex character and his interactions with other key characters in the story. His emotional detachment and formidable fighting skills make him a memorable and intriguing character in the Rurouni Kenshin universe.

Soujirou Seta – FAQ

FAQ about Soujirou Seta from “Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan”.

Who is Soujirou Seta?
Soujirou Seta is a fictional character from the manga and anime series “Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan” created by Nobuhiro Watsuki. He is one of the main antagonists of the series.
What is Soujirou Seta’s role in the story?
Soujirou Seta serves as the main antagonist during the Kyoto arc of the “Rurouni Kenshin” series. He is a member of the Juppongatana, a group of elite assassins led by Shishio Makoto, who oppose the protagonist, Kenshin Himura.
What are Soujirou Seta’s abilities and fighting style?
Soujirou Seta is known for his exceptional speed, agility, and mastery of the Shukuchi technique, which allows him to move with incredible speed and deliver quick, precise strikes. He is also skilled in the use of a kodachi, a short sword.
What is Soujirou Seta’s personality like?
Soujirou Seta initially appears to be a polite, cheerful, and seemingly innocent young man, earning him the nickname “Smiling Soujirou”. However, beneath his pleasant exterior lies a deeply troubled individual with a distorted sense of emotion and a lack of empathy.
What is Soujirou Seta’s backstory?
Soujirou Seta’s tragic backstory reveals that he endured a traumatic childhood, leading to the development of a false personality that smiles constantly to hide his pain. He was taken in and trained by Shishio Makoto, who turned him into a skilled and ruthless assassin.
What is Soujirou Seta’s role in Kenshin’s story?
Soujirou Seta serves as a major antagonist to Kenshin Himura, the series’ protagonist. Their encounters provide an exploration of Kenshin’s own inner struggles and his quest for justice without resorting to killing.