A wandering swordsman with a gentle aura. His true identity is the Bakumatsu patriot feared as "Hitokiri Battousai," a master of the god-speed killing style "Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu." He is characterized by his red hair and the cross-shaped scar on his cheek, and he carries a "Sakabato" (reverse-blade sword) where the edge and spine are swapped.

A young woman who serves as the acting master of the Kamiya Dojo. She has a bright, caring personality and takes in Kenshin, who has nowhere else to go. She struggles to protect the dojo left by her late father and the "Kamiya Kasshin-ryu" style, which teaches the sword that gives life.

A boy born into a Tokyo samurai family. After losing his parents and becoming orphaned, he was forced to work as a pickpocket by thugs, but he regains his pride after meeting Kenshin. He becomes a student at the Kamiya Dojo to become a strong swordsman.

A man who makes a living as a hired fighter, well-known in the underworld. Known by the alias "Zanza," he takes on fights for hire but is always looking for an opponent who is fun to battle. He is characterized by his extraordinary strength, durability, and the character for "Evil" written on his back.

A mysterious woman well-versed in Western medicine. While she has a dignified personality, she is also quite mischievous and enjoys teasing Kaoru and Sanosuke.

A genius ninja who became the leader of the "Oniwabanshu," the Shogun's personal intelligence agency, at the age of fifteen. For certain reasons, he currently leads his subordinates while employed by a businessman named Takeda Kanryu.

Kenshin's arch-rival since the Bakumatsu era. He was formerly the captain of the third unit of the Shinsengumi, the group that protected Kyoto on behalf of the Shogunate.