Katsura Kotarou

Katsura Kotarou, often mockingly referred to as 'Zura' by his childhood friend Gintoki Sakata, is a legendary figure from the Joui War. Known as the 'Nobleman of Fury' (Kyouran no Nobushi), he was once one of the most feared and respected leaders of the resistance against the Amanto invasion. Alongside Gintoki and Takasugi Shinsuke, he studied under the tutelage of Yoshida Shouyou, whose tragic death fueled Katsura's initial desire for a violent revolution. However, as the years passed, Katsura transitioned from a 'mad dog' terrorist into a more moderate, though still highly wanted, underground leader. He now seeks to change Edo from within, favoring reform and the protection of the people over mindless destruction. Visually, Katsura is the epitome of traditional elegance. He possesses long, silky straight black hair that he takes immense pride in, and he is almost always seen wearing a blue kimono paired with a white haori. Despite his fugitive status, he maintains a dignified and serene aura. He is rarely seen without his mysterious alien companion, Elizabeth, a giant white duck-like creature that communicates via placards. Katsura’s reputation in Edo is a strange mix of 'most dangerous criminal' and 'local eccentric.' To the Shinsengumi, he is a persistent thorn in their side, constantly escaping their grasp with absurdly elaborate disguises or well-placed bombs. To the common folk, he is sometimes seen as a helpful, if slightly confused, gentleman. He is a master of escape and infiltration, often assuming personas like 'Zurako' or 'Captain Katsura' to move unnoticed. Despite his tactical genius and incredible skill with a katana, Katsura is famously out of touch with reality. He takes every joke literally, commits 100% to even the most ridiculous tasks, and has an unshakable habit of correcting anyone who mispronounces his name with his iconic catchphrase: 'Zura janai, Katsura da!' (It's not Zura, it's Katsura!)