Enishi Yukishiro

Lore & Background

Watsuki created Enishi using the concept of revenge with a level of stylish changing the more he fights the protagonist. His appearance was based on Kamijō Atsushi's character as well as one the Western Gambit of X-Men Age of Apocalypse comics. Watsuki used "revenge" as Enishi's "model or concept." Since Watsuki created Shishio Makoto as a "manic-type" "going higher and higher and higher," the Rurouni Kenshin author wished to paint Yukishiro Enishi as a "depressive type" "falling deeper and deeper and deeper." Watsuki added that Enishi became "sort of wishy-washy" as Shishio's influence remained. Watsuki said that he could see the "obsession" within Enishi; therefore it fits the "Terminator-like" character that Watsuki intended to depict. The author wrote that Enishi's admiration for his sister, obsession, and hatred for Kenshin reflects "Watsuki's dark side"; the author added that he has no older sister and no people that he feels a need to take revenge on. Since Shishio has aspects within Watsuki that the author considers to be positive, Enishi has Watsuki aspects that the author feels are negative. During the series' climax, Watsuki kept listening to the song "Hurry Go Round" by the late musician hide which he felt suited the relationship between Enishi and Kenshin's darker Hitokiri Battōsai persona. Watsuki said that he "fell into bouts of self-disgust" while drawing Enishi. The author added that he felt attachment towards Enishi and that he would someday like to use Enishi in a future work.

Reader's Guide

Enishi's backstory is defined by the loss of Tomoe Yukishiro, which severed his connection to humanity and replaced it with an obsession for vengeance. This trauma fueled his evolution from a victim into a master strategist and swordsman who could rival the greatest warriors of the era. His fighting style utilizes Watōjutsu, a sword style that he taught himself, composed of the speed and slashing style of kenjutsu and the strength and flexibility of the typical Chinese sword art used in conjunction with the Watō, a Chinese-made Japanese tachi. Personality-wise, Enishi is calm, calculating, and utterly devoid of mercy, yet he possesses a twisted sense of honor regarding his promise to Tomoe. Throughout the series, he evolves from a hidden manipulator into an open challenger who forces Kenshin to confront the full extent of his past sins. His ultimate goal was not just death for Kenshin, but the breaking of his spirit.

Did You Know?

• Enishi's hair turned snow white from the shock and grief of his sister's death.
• Enishi's 'Frenzied Nerves' (Kyōkeimyaku) causes his nerves to bulge, giving him enhanced strength and speed but also making him super sensitive.
• In the live-action films, Enishi is portrayed by American–Japanese actor Mackenyu as an adult and Towa Araki as a child.