Hakuōki

{{Infobox animanga/Video | type = ova | title = Hakuōki Sekkaroku | director = Osamu Yamasaki | producer = Asuka Yamazaki, Kazuhiko Hasegawa, Mitsutoshi Ogura | writer = | music = | studio = Studio DEENTelevision|Sun TV]], AT-X, Tokyo MX TV, TV Aichi

Hakuōki
薄桜鬼 〜新選組奇譚〜
(Hakuōki Shinsengumi Kitan)
Genre Reverse Harem, Otome game, Samurai, Tragedy, Romance
TV anime
Hakuōki Shinsengumi Kitan
Directed by Osamu Yamasaki
Produced by Asuka Yamazaki, Kazuhiko Hasegawa, Mitsutoshi Ogura
Music by Kow Otani
Studio Studio DEEN
Network TV Kanagawa, Chiba TV, TV Saitama, KBS Kyoto, Sun TV, AT-X, Tokyo MX TV, TV Aichi
Original run April 4, 2010 – June 20, 2010
Episodes 12
Original video animation
Hakuōki Summary
Directed by Osamu Yamasaki
Produced by Asuka Yamazaki, Kazuhiko Hasegawa, Mitsutoshi Ogura
Music by Kow Otani
Studio Studio DEEN
Released October 3, 2010
TV anime
Hakuōki Hekketsuroku
Directed by Osamu Yamasaki
Produced by Asuka Yamazaki, Kazuhiko Hasegawa, Mitsutoshi Ogura
Music by Kow Otani
Studio Studio DEEN
Network TV Kanagawa, Chiba TV, TV Saitama, KBS Kyoto, Sun TV, AT-X, Tokyo MX TV, TV Aichi
Original run October 10, 2010 – December 12, 2010
Episodes 10
Anime and Manga Portal

Hakuōki (薄桜鬼 〜新選組奇譚〜 Hakuōki ~Shinsengumi Kitan~?) is a video game series by Idea Factory, first designed for the Playstation 2 and then later ported to Playstation 3, Playstation Portable, and Nintendo DS. A Nintendo 3DS version is soon to be released as well. It has been adapted into two 12/10-episode anime series animated by Studio DEEN; the first began airing in Japan on the TV Kanagawa and UHF stations on April 4, 2010. The second season began airing on October 10, 2010 and ended on December 12, 2010. The series has also been adapted as two different manga series.

Contents

Plot

Chizuru Yukimura heads to Kyoto to search for her father. While there, she witnesses a fight between Rasetsu & members of the Shinsengumi. The Shinsengumi take her into custody &, once learning she is the daughter of the doctor they are searching for, decide to keep her close at hand. Chizuru follows the Shinsengumi in their battles to help the shogunate.

Characters

Chizuru Yukimura (雪村千鶴 Yukimura Chidzuru?)
Voiced by: Kuwashima Houko
Chizuru is the heroine of the series. She comes to Kyoto in search of her missing father, Kodou Yukimura (雪村綱道 Yukimura Kodou?), a practioner of Western medicine. Unknown to Chizuru, her father under orders from the Shogunate develops the "ochimizu", an elixir that increases the drinker's healing abilities, speed, and strength but which also turns the drinker into a vampire-like monster called a Rasetsu. At the beginning of the series, she is seen being chased by two men, who were suddenly attacked by a Rasetsu. She witnesses Hajime Saitou kill off the Rasetsu and is then taken to the Shinsengumi headquarters by Toshizo Hijikata, where they allow her to stay, because they too were in search of her father.
Chizuru has a secret unknown to herself: she is in fact a pureblood member of the Oni Ichizoku (the Demon Clan), and the head of the Oni of the East is of Yukimura descent. Because Oni have scattered and declined in numbers over the centuries, Chikage Kazama seeks her out to create a lineage of pureblooded Oni. She is the wielder of a short sword which is a mate to with Kaoru's katana. They are part of the Yukimura Family's heirloom.
Toshizo Hijikata (土方歳三 Hijikata Toshizo?)
Voiced by: Miki Shinichiro
Hijikata is the Vice-commander of the Shinsengumi and makes most of the Shinsengumi's decisions. He is called oni-fukuchou (Demon Vice-commander) and is both feared and respected by his men. He is also often referred to as "Toshi" by Kondou. Hijikata is the one who brought Chizuru back to the Shinsengumi headquarters the night she witnessed a Rasetsu on the loose that attacked two men chasing her. He is responsible for her welfare, and even though he acts as if this were to his dismay, he cares for Chizuru's safety, and is often shown protecting her during battles. He is based on the historical Hijikata Toshizō.
Hijikata drinks the Ochimizu and becomes a Rasetsu in order to defeat Chikage, fueled by rage after seeing fellow Shinsengumi warrior Genzaburo Inoue dead. Even though Inoue had been killed by Satchō warriors (Satsuma-Chōshū alliance), Hijikata takes it out on Chikage, starting a duel as Chikage goads him.
Souji Okita (沖田総司 Okita Souji?)
Voiced by: Morikubo Showtaro
Okita is the First Division Captain and a peerless swordsman. He suffers from tuberculosis, and is later visited by Nagumo Kaoru who gives him a bottle of Ochimizu as a cure for his tuberculosis. Driven by guilt at being incapacitated by his illness, Okita drinks the elixir. Although he becomes a Rasetsu, the Shinsengumi discover that he does not benefit from accelerated healing when wounded by silver weapons, thus discovering the weakness of Rasetsu. He is based on the historical Okita Sōji.
Isami Kondou (近藤勇 Kondou Isami?)
Voiced by: Tōru Ōkawa
Kondou is the Commander of the Shinsengumi. He is very emotional, but despite this, he has the trust, respect, and loyalty of his men. He is based on the historical Isami Kondō.
Keisuke Yamanami (山南敬助 Yamanami Keisuke?)
Voiced by: Tobita Nobuo
Usually called "Sannan-san" (based on an alternate reading of his surname), he is Vice-commander of the Shinsengumi, along with Hijikata. Both a scholar and a ruthless tactician, he is kind and caring, albeit a bit reserved. After an injury which resulted in him being unable to use his left arm and thus wield a katana, he becomes cold and distant; he proceeds to research and improve on the Ochimizu in secret in order to overcome its side effects, eventually consuming the Ochamizu and becoming a Rasetsu, in charge of the Shinsengumi's Rasetsu. He is based on the historical Yamanami Keisuke.
Shinpachi Nagakura (永倉 新八 Nagakura Shinpachi?)
Voiced by: Tsuboi Tomohiro
Shinpachi is the Second Division captain of the Shinsengumi. He is usually very cheerful, especially when he is with his comrades. Shinpachi is especially close to Harada and together they often pick on Heisuke. He is very skilled with the sword, but he is also a borderline alcoholic and womanizer, as he is seen breaking the curfew one night to be out drinking. He is based on the historical Nagakura Shinpachi.
Sanosuke Harada (原田左之助 Harada Sanosuke?)
Voiced by: Yusa Kōji
Harada is the Tenth Division Captain and prefers the spear to the sword, but he is seen carrying both. In the anime he has a fierce rivalry with Kyō Shiranui, pitting his spear against Shiranui's pistol. He is based on the historical Harada Sanosuke.
Heisuke Todo (藤堂 平助 Toudou Heisuke?)
Voiced by: Hiroyuki Yoshino
Heisuke is a young member of the Shinsengumi. He is around the same age as Chizuru. He leaves the Shinsengumi, following Itou along with Hajime Saitou, but later returns. He too has taken Ochimizu to recover from injuries. He is based on the historical Tōdō Heisuke.
Hajime Saito (斎藤 一 Saitou Hajime?)
Voiced by: Toriumi Kōsuke
Saito is the leader of the Third Division and a master of the left hand sword technique. He is silent and taciturn but also very loyal, polite, and wise. He often analyzes the situation before attacking to figure out which actions are necessary to complete the mission. Saito left the Shinsengumi apparently to join Itou's group, but later it turns out that he was commanded by Hijikata to infiltrate Itou's group for information concerning Itou's plans. In the anime he is seen making a final charge against the enemy as his comrades are all slain. He is based on the historical Saitō Hajime.
Kaoru Nagumo (南雲薫 Nagumo Kaoru?)
Voiced by: Hasumi Itō
First seen as a lovely dressed young woman who is prettier than Chizuru, Kaoru is actually Chizuru's twin brother who was separated from her during childhood. He's made to dress as a woman but is seen as a boy near the end of the first season of the anime. He is one of the strongest Oni. He wants to make Chizuru suffer because when they were separated, he was taken in by the Nagumo family who treated him harshly for not being a female. He also hates that Chizuru forgot about him and about her even having a twin brother at all. Because of this, he wants Chizuru to feel the pain he felt.
Later on, though, he admits that he truly loves Chizuru and that everything he had done was to meet Chizuru again. In addition, he asks Chizuru to go with him, because he is the only one who has the power to protect her. Chizuru refuses to go, since she had promised to the Shinsengumi that she would protect Kondou, and Kaoru decides that if things had come to that, his only option would be killing her. Right after they start fighting, though, Chizuru is cornered and saved by Chikage, who kills Kaoru.
Kaoru is the wielder of the long sword that with Chizuru's short sword form a set, both of which are the Yukimura clan's heirlooms.
Chikage Kazama (風間千景 Kazama Chikage?)
Voiced by: Kenjirō Tsuda
Member of the Bakumatsu, enemies of the Shinsengumi. He is the strongest Oni of the West and is after Chizuru, so that they can mate and create stronger Oni. His reasons for this are unknown, but his attempts to take Chizuru have so far been thwarted by the interference of the Shinsengumi. Despite being arrogant and cynical, he is not entirely cold-blooded, as he later saves Chizuru, although this might have been for his own purposes. Kazama is usually followed by his two demon companions Amagiri and Shiranui, and it is implied that he might be of royal blood, like Sen-hime. In his Oni form, he grows white horns and his hair fades to match. His eyes also become yellow.
Amagiri Kyūju | Kyuujyu Amagiri
Voiced by: Ryū Yamaguchi
Kyūju Amagiri is a very strong red-haired Oni, who prefers to fight with his fists instead of a sword. He's usually seen by Kazama Chikage's side, since he works for him. Strangely, Amagiri seems to dislike fighting needlessly and often tells his opponents not to fight him, in a polite manner. He is rather respectful of his enemies, not even taunting them when in battle. He is also a member of the Satsuma Clan.
In the second season of the anime adaptation, Kazama, Amagiri, and Shiranui unite against Koudou and his army of Rasetsu, which he manages to improve and now can fight efforlessly in broad daylight. Moreover, Amagiri reveals to Saito that, since the source of the Rasetsu's power is not of divine origin unlike the power of true Oni, the superhuman strength, reflexes and regenerative abilities of Rasetsu are fueled from life energy. Therefore, Rasetsu are simply using in advance energy that was originally meant to be expended over the decades of an ordinary human life, and their lifespans are shortened every time they use their powers.
Kyō Shiranui
Voiced by: Hiroaki Yoshida
Kyō Shiranui is a cocky, arrogant Oni who prefers guns to swords. He has long, purple wavy hair which he wears in a ponytail. Initially, he fights alongside Kazama Chikage and Amagiri Kyuuju against the Shinsengumi (and particularly, Harada), in order to abduct Chizuru under Kazama Chikage's orders. Later on, Harada and Shiranui call it a truce and join forces to defeat Koudou's newly created Rasetsu, after Koudou's betrayal. Shiranui serves as a rearguard so that the Shinsengumi can escape the battlefield, opening a path for them. Afterwards, he informs Harada that Koudou is willing to start a war only to get blood to feed his Rasetsu army.
Sen-hime (千姫 Sen-hime?)
Voiced by: Ayano Ishikawa
She is a pretty young girl around Chizuru's age, with long brown hair. She is a pureblood Oni, but because of Kimigiku, her bodyguard, Kazama Chikage doesn't chase after her, going after Chizuru instead. Sen is first introduced when she protects a child and is threatened by a group of men. Chizuru jumps in, forgetting that she cannot fight very well, and Saito Hajime steps in, knocking the men out with the blunt side of his blade. She later reveals Chizuru's real heritage, even offering twice for Chizuru to come with her and Kimigiku to be better protected.

Media

Video Game

The Hakuoki series of Otome games were released for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS by Idea Factory.

Manga

There are two manga adaptations of Hakuoki: Shinsengumi Kitan. The first, entitled Hakuouki Junrenka, is serialized in the shōjo manga magazine Dengeki Comic SYLPH, and is an anthology of the different endings available in the video games. Another adaptation is currently serialized in Comic B's Log Kyun!!.

Anime

The following is a list of episodes of the Hakuoki: Shinsengumi Kitan and Hakuouki: Hekketsuroku (the second season) anime. The series uses four pieces of theme music, one opening and ending per season. The first season's opening theme was Izayoi Namida by Yoshioka Aika and ending was Kimi no Kioku by Mao. The second season's opening is Maikaze by Yoshioka Aika and its ending theme is Akane Sora ni Negau by Mao.

List of Episodes

Hakuouki: Shinsengumi Kitan
# Title Original airdate
01 "Snowflake Capital"
"sekka no miyako" (雪華の都) 		 April 4, 2010
Chizuru Yukimura is a young woman who, disguised as a boy, traveled to Kyoto to search for her missing father. One night, however, she gets chased by ronin, and tries to hide. Just as she about to be found, the ronin are attacked by demons. As the demons close in on Chizuru, Shinsengumi members appear and dispatch the demons. At the Shinsengumi headquarters, Chizuru explains who she is and why she is in Kyoto. The Shinsengumi allow her to live at their headquarters, as they are looking for her father as well. 
02 "Seeds of Upheaval"
"dōran no hibuta" (動乱の火蓋) 		 April 11, 2010
Chizuru starts to work her way into the Shinsengumi's society, motivated by the desire to be useful and her concern over the injured Sannan. She gains permission to leave headquarters in the company of the regular patrols, in order to continue the search for her father. Following a lead, she runs headlong into the Shinsengumi's enemies, and in the subsequent fight, the Shinsengumi learn of a Choushuu plot against Kyoto and the Emperor. 
03 "Twilight Blossom"
"yoiyami ni saku hana" (宵闇に咲く華) 		 April 18, 2010
The smaller squad of Shinsengumi prepare to apprehend the Choushuu conspirators at Ikedaya. Chizuru is sent with Yamazaki to request reinforcements from the other soldiers surveilling at Shikokuya, but is forced to run the message herself as Yamazaki fights off attackers. Back at Ikedaya, Okita and Heisuke engage with two mysterious and very powerful strangers on the upper floor. The Ikedaya Incident leads to a request for the Shinsengumi to fight on the front lines - the beginning of the Kinmon no Hen Incident. 
04 "Those Who Come From the Darkness"
"yami yori kuru mono" (闇より来る者) 		 April 25, 2010
A mysterious princess is introduced, speaking of a "storm" arising. Meanwhile, the Shisengumi have marched to the front lines, and leaped into the battle of their own accord. Cleaning up after an enemy sortie, Saitou finds one of the mystery men from Ikedaya (Amagiri Kyuuju) defending Satsuma Clan soldiers; Harada encounters a third powerful stranger (Shiranui Kyou) wielding a Western-style handgun; and Hijikata and Chizuru are confronted by the blond stranger (Chikage Kazama) as they race to Mt. Tennozan. 
05 "Conflicting Swords"
"sōkoku seshi yaiba" (相克せし刃) 		 May 2, 2010
After several months, Chizuru's service to the Shinsegumi has become a regular part of their everyday lives. Itou Kashitarou allies with the corps as an advisor, but not all the soldiers are happy with his presence. The Shinsengumi make plans to move to a larger headquarters. Meanwhile, Sannan, discontented with his ability to contribute, continues research on "that medicine" in a dangerous way. 
06 "The Demon's Lifeline"
"oni no meimyaku" (鬼の命脈) 		 May 9, 2010
The Shinsegumi wait to see if Sannan-san recovers from his violent reaction to "that medicine" - and work to keep Itou from noticing. Chizuru has a fuller truth revealed to her because of the incident. While on patrol, she and the soldiers rescue a young woman who looks almost exactly like Chizuru, who has still been dressing as a boy. Later, as the Shinsengumi take up guard duty for the Shōgun's visit, the three strangers - calling themselves "Oni" - try to kidnap Chizuru. 
07 "Fate of a Fetter"
"shikkoku no unmei" (桎梏の運命) 		 May 16, 2010
The Oni are foiled and vanish again. Chizuru makes friends with Sen, whom she rescues again from thugs. The Shinsengumi members undergo medical exams - and the doctor giving the physicals is a friend of Chizuru's father. His prescription: Clean the HQ! Chizuru finds out a terrible secret about Okita. Dr. Matsumoto also fills Chizuru in on some more details about the ochimizu ("that medicine") and Rasetsu (the ddemons). Kazama gets into the headquarters to confront Chizuru again, and is later reproved by Amagiri for his interference with humans. 
08 "Fleeting Dreams"
"asaki yumemishi" (あさきゆめみし) 		 May 23, 2010
Chizuru has been depressed thinking about what Kazama said before he was chased off; her friends set up an afternoon with the charming Osen-chan to cheer her up. Hijikata and Shinpachi have a confrontation. The Shinsengumi get bad news from the Bakufu, and during a related assignment, they get an unpleasant and unsettling surprise. With the reward money for the successful assignment, however, they finally get Chizuru dressed up like a girl during a rowdy celebratory night out. Sen-hime gets a report. 
09 "The Trails of Carnage"
"shura no wadachi" (修羅の轍) 		 May 30, 2010
Itou seeks to subvert and split the Shinsengumi, especially after he finds out Sannan is still alive. Chizuru is still hides her ability to heal a wound quickly when she is injured by an ochimizu-maddened soldier. Sen-hime and her kunoichi Kimigiku come to collect Chizuru from the Shinsengumi headquarters for her own safety; Sen-hime claims she is from an ancient oni bloodline, and forces Chizuru to admit her own oni status. The Rasetsu Squad are activated when Kazama attempts yet again to kidnap Chizuru from the headquarters. 
10 "Where the Bonds Lead"
"kizuna no yukue" (絆のゆくえ) 		 June 6, 2010
The Shinsengumi learn of Itou's plot to assassinate Commander Kondou. The Shinsengumi is dispatched to Itou's compound, in spite of concerns over Heisuke's safety. After Itou is assassinated, Saito and Chizuru confront Heisuke directly, and persuade him to fight alongside them against Itou's men. Meanwhile, Souji, severely weakened by his tuberculosis, is approached by Kaoru, who reveals his true identity and offers him a vial of the "medicine" that would heal him and make him a Rasetsu. Back at Itou's compound, the Shinsengumi forces are surrounded by Itou's men, Shiranui, and Amagiri. Heisuke engages Amagiri in battle, and is brutally attacked. 
11 "Fallen Ones"
"koboreochiru mono" (零れ落ちるもの) 		 June 13, 2010
After his brutal defeat, Heisuke drinks Ochimizu and becomes a Rasetsu. An attempted assassination leaves Commander Kondou in critical condition. In order to avenge Kondou, Okita drinks the Ochimizu that Kaoru gave him, also becoming a Rasetsu. Kaoru appears, and reveals that the Ochimizu will not heal his tuberculosis. He also reveals the reason he hates Chizuru. In an ensuing battle, Okita manages to kill Kondou's attackers, but is also heavily wounded by gunfire. With both Okita and Kondou close to death, Hijikata sends them to Osaka Castle to be treated by Doctor Matsumoto. 
12 "On Opposite Sides of Arms"
"kengeki no kanata" (剣戟の彼方) 		 June 20, 2010
The conflict between the Shinsengumi and imperialist forces breaks out into the Boshin War. During the Battle of Toba-Fushimi, Inoue is brutally murdered in front of Chizuru. Kazama appears and kills Inoue's murderers. Hijikata engages Kazama in battle, believing that he killed Inoue. During the fight, Hijikata drinks Ochimizu and becomes a Rasetsu to better his odds of victory. Yamazaki steps in knowing that Hijikata has no chance of winning and is grievously wounded when trying to stop Hijikata. The fierce battle ends abruptly when Amagiri comes to collect Kazama. In the aftermath, the Shinsengumi bury Inoue before departing by ship for Edo. En route, Yamazaki succumbs to his wounds and is buried at sea. 
Hakuouki Hekketsuroku

note: The second season continues the numbering from season one; therefore, episode 1 of the second season is episode 13. Similarly, there was a recap episode of the first season aired the week before episode 13, called episode 00.

# Title Original airdate
0 "Memories In Kyoto"
(京都回想録) 		 October 3, 2010
A recap of the first season, aired before the actual second season began. 
1 "Like a Flame"
"homura no gotoku" (焔の如く) 		 October 10, 2010
The Shinsengumi have established their new headquarters in Edo. Hijikata has been working nonstop since their arrival as the temporary leader of the Shinsengumi in Kondo's absence, causing Chizuru and the squad a great deal of concern. In addition to working all night for several consecutive days, Hijikata is also struggling to control the urges to drink blood caused by his new Rasetsu powers. Kondo returns to the Shinsengumi headquarters and informs the squad that they are being renamed the Kouyou Chinbutai. Acting under the orders of the emperor, they will be attempting to defend Koufu Castle from pro-imperialist factions. The Shinsengumi captains aren’t happy with how the Tokugawa shogunate appears to be yielding to the Imperial faction and Nagakura is very upset and distrusting of Kondou’s daimyo aspirations. 
2 "The Hallway of Setbacks"
"satetsu no kairō" (蹉跌の回廊) 		 October 11, 2010
Okita's tuberculosis is getting worse, and Hijikata refuses to let him accompany the rest, telling him to get better first. The troops leave Kondou in Hino, and proceed on. Nagakura shows disagreement with Kondou's actions, and Saito asks Hijikata if he think that they can win the battle. Hijikata replies that in their current state, they cannot match the enemy. Later, Chizuru has a nightmare and follows Saito outside the camp, where he tells her about his past and his opinions. They meet up a messenger, who tells them that the enemy has already entered Koufu Castle. Kondou refuses to let the army retreat, and Hijikata leaves to find more troops. Before he leaves, he makes a "Chiming Metal" oath with Chizuru, making her promise to stay alive and protect Kondou. Meanwhile, Kaoru talks to a mysterious man. The war starts just a few hours after Hijikata leaves, and Kondou agrees to forfeit after seeing the many men he let die in vain. Nagakura and Harada run into the Oni from before, and battle a strange group of Rasetsu. It is revealed that the creator of the Rasetsu is Chizuru's father, Koudou. 
3 "Distant Shadow"
"tooki omokage" (遠き面影) 		 October 18, 2010
Shiranui, Harada, and Nagakura fight the Rasetsu, but there are too many of them. Shiranui uses his last bullet to blow up a cart of explosive material, allowing the Shinsengumi to escape. Kondou and Chizuru escape into the forest, but are confronted by Kaoru, who reveals his relationship to Chizuru. Chizuru refuses his offer to leave with him, and draws her sword against him which shocks Kaoru. She is almost killed by Kaoru but Okita interrupts him. He tries to defeat Kaoru, but fails. Kazama appears and kills Kaoru. The Shinsengumi moves into residences at Hatamoto, and Harada takes Chizuru out to eat dango, and they bring some back for Okita. Hijikata comes back to Edo with new troops, and Harada and Nagakura leave the Shinsengumi to fight the Satsuma and Choushuu in their own way. 
4 "Undying Sincerity"
"seishin wa towa ni" (誠心は永遠に) 		 October 25, 2010
Saito follows Sannan out at night, but loses him when he sees Amagiri killing a Rasetsu. In return for helping him kill the Rasetsu, Amagiri tells him a shocking secret about the Rasetsu. Saito relays this information to the Shinsengumi, and Hijikata orders Sannan to stop all experimentation on the Rasetsu Unit. They also decide to move to Aizu. Chizuru witnesses Hijikata having a vampiric impulse, but Hijikata refuses to let her give him some of her blood. Later, after the Shinsengumi make camp in Aizu, the enemy decides to attack the headquarters when all of the troops are out for training. Kondou orders Hijikata and the rest to escape while he stays behind. As they escape, they run into enemy soldiers. Despite Chizuru's plea, Hijikata uses his Rasetsu powers and kills them all. Kondou peacefully surrenders to the enemy, and Hijikata angrily laments his choice to leave Kondou behind. 
5 "Fleeting Dream"
"tamayura no yume" (玉響の夢) 		 November 1, 2010
The Shinsengumi join up with the old Bakufu army and head for Aizu. Hijikata desperately petitions to spare Kondou's life, but his pleas fall on deaf ears. Back in Edo, Harada meets up with Shiranui, and decides to repay his debt to him. Ootori Keisuke, the commander-in-chief, introduces himself to Hijikata and asks him to become the adviser for the vanguard. Hijikata has another vampiric impulse, and drinks Chizuru's blood. The Old Bakufu army attack Utsunomiya Castle, and Hijikata faces Kazama once more, transforming into his Rasetsu form. But he is wounded by Kazama's demon-slaying sword and stays behind Nikkou to receive medical treatment. Ootori tells him that his performance as an adviser was a failure, and Hijikata recalls Yamazaki's words before he died. Nagakura comes to visit them before he leaves for Aizu. 
6 "Shining Light of the Dawn"
"kagayakeru gyōkō" (輝ける暁光) 		 November 8, 2010
Okita gets angry at Hijikata, who failed to rescue Kondou before he was beheaded. Saito forces Hijikata to stay behind and rest while he takes the front line. The New Government Army attacks the Shougitai, and Harada and Shiranui run into Koudou and a group of Rasetsu coming to seek blood. The two of them manage to kill all of the Rasetsu with silver bullets, but Harada is mortally wounded. Just as Koudou is about to kill Shiranui with a bomb, Harada throws his spear at him, making the bomb backfire on Koudou. Harada and Shiranui are never seen again by the Shinsengumi. Okita overhears some men planning to assassinate Hijikata, and uses his Rasetsu powers to kill them all. Hijikata hears rumor of a white-haired man fighting dozens of men, and he and Chizuru run to the place where Okita is fighting. By the time they reach there, the only thing left is Okita's sword, Okita himself having used up all of his lifespan and disintegrated. 
7 "Blade of the Sun"
"tendō no yaiba" (天道の刃) 		 November 15, 2010
Saito leads the Shinsengumi into the Battle in Aizu. He is sent to command Masaki, a young Aizu Clan soldier, and his men. Masaki refuses to obey his orders, believing that Saito is not a warrior since he wears his swords and clothes differently. The Shinsengumi and Masaki's army attack at Shirakawa-guchi, but are forced to retreat. Later, Masaki acknowledges Saito's status as a warrior. Hijikata recovers enough to return to the Shinsengumi. They decide to attack at Bonari Pass, and again they are completely outnumbered. Masaki sacrifices himself so Saito and the Shinsengumi can retreat. The lord of the Aizu orders them to retreat to Sendai to get reinforcements while he stays behind. Saito decides to stay with the Aizu Clan and fly the Shinsengumi's banner. 
8 "Scattering Cherry Blossoms"
"chizuru ōka" (散ずる桜花) 		 November 22, 2010
Hijikata meets up with an admiral in Sendai, who mentions that murders have been happening frequently outside the castle. He believes that maybe they have a strange unit, which Hijikata and Chizuru suspect to be the Rasetsu Unit. Shortly afterward, Heisuke shows up and reveals that Sannan has most likely joined Koudou, who is still alive. However, Koudou shows up with his Rasetsu unit and kidnaps Chizuru, leaving Heisuke fighting alone in the broad daylight. Koudou attempts to persuade Chizuru to lead the Rasetsu in order to rebuild the Yukimura Clan, but she refuses, saying that human and Oni lives are equal. Just as Heisuke and Hijikata appear, Sannan claims that he indeed was working with Koudou to build an empire that Rasetsu and Oni could live peacefully. But he reveals that he was actually spying on Koudou. Hijikata, Heisuke, and Sannan fight the Rasetsu, and Koudou is killed protecting Chizuru. Heisuke and Sannan crumble to dust after they have used all of their lifespan. The Shinsengumi makes plans to move to Ezo, and Hijikata orders that Chizuru stays behind in Sendai while he goes to fight. 
9 "The Blooming Hepatica"
"yukiwarisō no hanasakite" (雪割草の花咲きて) 		 November 29, 2010
Hijikata and his army manage to capture the city the Matsumae Clan is guarded by. However, they lose their battleship, The Kaiyo Maru. During a meeting, Hijikata experiences blood thirst, and has a hallucination of Chizuru. Back in Sendai, Chizuru visits Koudou's grave on a daily basis, but finds Kazama Chikage there one day. Chizuru believes that he has stopped going after Hijikata, but Kazama swears not to go back on his promise to fight Hijikata once more. The Republic of Ezo is found, and Hijikata is elected as the Vice Commissioner, putting him under more pressure. Ootori secretly sends for Chizuru to work as Hijikata's attendant. The Republic of Ezo attempts to attack the enemy once more at sea, but they only have one ship, having lost the others in the bad weather. They are forced to retreat, and Hijikata tries to get Chizuru to leave. She refuses and promises to stay with him to the end. 
10 "The Pale, Dreamlike Sakura"
"mugen no haku sakura" (夢幻の薄桜) 		 December 6, 2010
Hijikata's army has a few victories in Futamata-guchi, but Ootori's army falls in Matsumae-guchi. Hijikata and his army is forced to retreat before the enemies arrive. When another blood thirst strikes, he realizes that his body cannot hold out much longer. In Benten Daiba, Hijikata meets up with Shimada and Ootori, who blames himself for the loss at Matsumae-guchi. Hijikata tells him that it wasn't his fault and shakes his hand in the end. Later when they are alone, Hijikata ends up confessing to Chizuru and kissing her. When the New Government Army attacks Benten Daiba, Hijikata is shot while on horseback. Refusing to let him die, Chizuru gives him some of her blood. While attempting to go back to Goryoukaku, Kazama Chikage appears under a beautiful cherry blossom tree. Kazama declares Hijikata not a Rasetsu, but an Oni. He gives Hijikata an Oni name--"Hakuouki". They fight and Hijikata kills Kazama. Hijikata's time is then up and he dies in the arms of Chizuru. She starts to cry and the Shinsengumi flag appears in the sky with all the dead Shinsengumi. She then hallucinates that Hijikata wiped away her tears and whispered her name for the final time. 

Hakuoki Sekkaroku OVA

Opening: Yume no Ukifune By Aika Yoshioka

External links

References