Takasugi Faction

Lore & Background

The source does not provide information about the Takasugi Faction being a splinter group within the Shinsengumi, nor does it mention Shouma Takasugi, Captain Shinpachi's former classmate, or the Shogun Assassination Arc. The source describes Shinsuke Takasugi as the leader of the Kiheitai, a Joi terrorist group. He is a former ally of Gintoki and Katsura. The Kiheitai includes core members Matako Kijima (the gunslinger), Henpeita Takechi (the strategist), and Bansai Kawakami. They attack Kotaro Katsura and mass-produce the Benizakura as a bioweapon. Takasugi reveals his intentions to destroy the Bakufu and the world that took their master, Shoyo Yoshida. He allies with the amanto Harusame space pirates, promising them Gintoki and Katsura's heads.

In Their Own Story

The source does not provide a narrative scene with rain, a warehouse, or a whispered conversation between Takasugi and Gintoki. The source describes events from the film: Takasugi slashes at Elizabeth, only to be attacked by Katsura who has been hiding in the ship disguised as another Elizabeth. During the chaos, Katsura blows up the factory and destroys all remaining Benizakura save for the one Nizo holds. Later, Takasugi reveals his intentions to destroy the Bakufu along with the rest of the world that took his, Katsura's, and Gintoki's master, Shoyo Yoshida, from them. To gain power, Takasugi—along with Bansai Kawakami—allied with the amanto Harusame space pirates, promising them Gintoki and Katsura's heads. Gintoki's group reunites with Katsura's and escape from the ship before declaring Takasugi as an enemy, that the next time they meet they will show no mercy regardless of their past.

Reader's Guide

The Takasugi Faction, led by Shinsuke Takasugi, is the Kiheitai, a Joi terrorist group. They are antagonists in the Benizakura story arc. Their core members include Matako Kijima (the gunslinger), Henpeita Takechi (the strategist), and Bansai Kawakami. They attack Kotaro Katsura and mass-produce the cursed sword Benizakura as a bioweapon. Takasugi's goal is to destroy the Bakufu and the world that took their master, Shoyo Yoshida. He allies with the amanto Harusame space pirates, promising them Gintoki and Katsura's heads. In the film, Katsura blows up the factory and destroys all remaining Benizakura save for the one Nizo holds. Gintoki's group eventually declares Takasugi as an enemy, stating that the next time they meet they will show no mercy regardless of their past.

Did You Know?

• The Takasugi Faction is led by Shinsuke Takasugi, a former ally of Gintoki Sakata and Kotaro Katsura.
• The Kiheitai mass-produced the cursed sword Benizakura as a bioweapon.
• Takasugi allied with the amanto Harusame space pirates, promising them Gintoki and Katsura's heads.
• Kotaro Katsura blew up the factory to destroy all remaining Benizakura save for the one Nizo held.
• Gintoki's group declared Takasugi an enemy, stating that the next time they meet they will show no mercy regardless of their past.