Hijikata is the famed chain smoking, vice commander of the Shinsengumi so named by his 
subordinates, because of his fearsome demeanor. Purportedly the brains behind the force, he takes his work 
seriously, and is fiercely loyal to his leader, Isao Kondo.

Hijikata has a reputation as a fearsome leader, earning the nickname of "demonic vice-commander". 
He is also hot-tempered and often speaks of seppuku. However, despite his cold exterior, he does 
have a more compassionate side. He also has a tendency to cry after watching movies that are not 
particularly emotional.

Hijikata is obsessed with mayonnaise and thus has the nickname "Mayora". He has been known to smother 
anything he eats under a mountain of mayonnaise, and he carries a number of objects shaped like jars of 
mayonnaise, such as his cigarette lighter. He was popular with girls until they discovered this obsession.

He enjoys fighting and sees Gintoki as a rival in practically everything he does from drinking contests to 
rock, paper, scissors ever since being defeated by him in battle. He is in constant danger of being killed 
by the attempts on his life by Okita. But, despite all this, he sees Okita as one of his close friends, and 
vice versa.

Before joining Shinsengumi, he used to be a trouble-maker ronin. He enjoys fighting/having a good fight and 
says he doesn't care how many Amanto buildings get blown up, he only looks forward to having a big battle 
with the Joui rebels after Shinsengumi has rounded them in 1 fell swoop, in Episode 5.

He also formulated the Kyokuchuu Hatto, the 45 Regulations that form the disciplinary framework for 
Shinsengumi members, and implements them firmly.

The charismatic leader of the "Five Leaves." A mysterious person, he dislikes telling about his 
own past and lives in a local brothel, protecting and flirting with the women working in there. Distinguishable by 
his lightcolored hair and his tanned skin, he is often seen smoking a pipe. At the beginning of the series he is 
calm and carefree, seemingly living life to the fullest and intent on living in only the present, as he says to 
Masanosuke. He even does him a favor by recruiting Masanosuke into the Five Leaves gang at the point 
where he is at his weakest socially (because he is very shy) and financially. His reasons for befriending the 
samurai at first was because he was so naive, but over the course of the series Yaichi has a sort of falling out 
with him because Masanosuke was "annoying. Yaichi eventually becomes the subject of Masanosuke's personal 
investigation of his past, something Yaichi has long repressed.