Shinsuke Takasugi is a character from the manga and anime Gintama. He is known as the "most dangerous man" and leads the Kiheitai, a radical faction of Joui rebels who harbor deep hatred for the Amanto's rule. He is a childhood friend of the protagonist, Gintoki Sakata, and they studied together under Shoyo Yoshida, but they went their separate ways after the Joui War. He possesses a magnetic charisma and pulls strings behind the scenes of major incidents. As the Kiheitai Commander, he leads an armed group of Joui rebels. While he and Gintoki were childhood friends, they are now considered arch-nemeses. He has a mysterious charisma that attracts many followers and subordinates. To end Amanto rule, he plots terrorist activities without hesitating to use extreme measures. During the Joui War, he fought against the Amanto alongside Gintoki and others, but after the war, they parted ways, and he began operating as a radical extremist. His hobbies include playing the shamisen, and he has a fondness for lactic acid bacteria products (specifically Yakult). In the story, Takasugi is a pivotal figure who influences the major flow of the narrative. Appearing as the central figure in large-scale incidents and conspiracies, he serves as one of the primary antagonists (anti-heroes) opposing Gintoki and his friends, adding tension and depth to the story. Height: 170cm, Weight: 60kg, Birthday: August 10th, Zodiac: Leo, Age: 20s. Favorite food: Lactic acid drinks that are easy on the stomach (Yakult—referred to as Yakuruko in-universe—and yogurt). He smokes a kiseru pipe. Voice Actor: Takehito Koyasu / Houko Kuwashima (childhood). As the leader of the Kiheitai, he is an extremist feared as the most dangerous man among the Joui rebels. He wears a colorful, elegant kimono reminiscent of women's clothing, though he wears more subdued patterns when in hiding. He carries a kiseru as a luxury item and loves flashy festivals. He plays the shamisen and is seen playing an accompaniment with Bansai at the end of the Shinsengumi Crisis arc. Though he was childhood friends and close comrades with Gintoki Sakata and Kotaro Katsura, they are now enemies due to a certain event during the Joui War, and he stands before Gintoki as his greatest rival. He wears bandages to cover his left eye. While he keeps the eyelid closed, the scar is not immediately visible; the author describes it as a physical manifestation of his "grudge," a way to never forget the pain and curses of the past. Gintoki describes him as a "self-righteous, delusional bastard." For better or worse, he possesses a strong will that remains unswayed by the evaluations of others or societal values. On the other hand, having been cast out and called a "disgrace" by his father and peers as a child, only to be welcomed with smiles by the students of Shoka Sonjuku, he seems to secretly crave being surrounded by comrades he can trust. His speech pattern is a rough, Edo-style dialect (e.g., "There ain't no way," "Who the hell do you think you are?").