Full name: Gintoki Sakata. The leader of Yorozuya, a jack-of-all-trades who does anything for money. He's a massive sweet-tooth who gets irritable if he doesn't get his sugar fix regularly. Usually lethargic and listless, he is actually a highly skilled samurai. Once a legendary rebel known and feared as the "White Demon," he now only carries a wooden sword.

Full name: Shinpachi Shimura. The son of a sword dojo owner whose legacy was ruined by the ban on swords and his father's passing. After Gintoki saved his sister from debt collectors, he began working at Yorozuya to learn Gintoki's "soul." He is the series' premier straight man and designated heckler.

A girl from the Yato Clan, the strongest combat race in the universe. She traveled all the way to Earth thinking she could strike it rich in Edo, but ended up being forced into work as a mob enforcer. She met Gintoki while running away from that life. Despite her cute face, she is gluttonous, violent, and foul-mouthed. She used to have a pet dung beetle named Sadaharu No. 28, but since it died, she's in the forest looking for a new beetle.

Full name: IsaoKondo. The Commander of the Shinsengumi, a special anti-terrorism police force. He is the man who built the Shinsengumi into a cohesive organization and enjoys the deep trust of his men. However, he is hopelessly in love with Shinpachi's sister, Otae, and frequently stalks her. His current strategy involves covering his entire body in honey to lure beetles.

Full name: Toshiro Hijikata. The cool-headed Vice-Commander of the Shinsengumi. He established the Kyokuchu Hatto (Code of Conduct) and is feared by terrorists and his own men alike as the "Demon Vice-Commander" once he draws his blade. He is a heavy smoker and a severe mayonnaise addict. His strategy involves slathering mayonnaise all over the trees to lure beetles.

Full name: Sougo Okita. The best swordsman in the Shinsengumi. Contrary to his refreshing appearance, he has a dark, sadistic interior. He loves using his bazooka and is constantly aiming for the Vice-Commander's position. He looks for any excuse to slack off on duty. He is a total sadist. He has a pet beetle named Sadomaru No. 21. His strategy involves wearing a full-body beetle costume to lure others out.