 |
| Shishio Makoto | |
|---|---|
| Rurouni Kenshin character | |
 Shishio Makoto on the cover of Rurouni Kenshin Kanzenban Volume 14 | |
| First appearance | Rurouni Kenshin Act 61: Man Without Emotion |
| Created by | Nobuhiro Watsuki |
| Portrayed by | Tatsuya Fujiwara |
| Voiced by |
|
| In-universe information | |
| Title | Hitokiri (人斬り) |
| Affiliations | Ishin Shishi (formerly) Juppongatana |
Shishio Makoto (Japanese: 志々雄 真実), known in the English anime in Western order as Makoto Shishio, is a fictional character from the Rurouni Kenshin manga series created by Nobuhiro Watsuki and the main antagonist from the Kyoto Arc, the second arc of the series. Shishio is the successor of the Hitokiri (人斬り), or assassin Himura Kenshin, the protagonist of the series.
After working for Ishin Shishi, the new Meiji government tried killing Shishio by dousing him in oil and burning him alive. However, Shishio manages to survive and recruits an army led by the Juppongatana to get his revenge and take down Japan. With the government's members fearing their deaths, they recruit both Kenshin and the former Shinsengumi Saito Hajime to defeat his forces. Besides the manga, Shishio has appeared in the series' anime adaptation, games, as well as two live-action films. He is also the protagonist of the manga prequel Rurouni Kenshin: Master of Flame, showing the origins of the Juppongatana.
Watsuki was inspired by Shinsengumi Serizawa Kamo in the making of the character while SNK's characters from the fighting games Samurai Shodown served as the main influence for his design. Watsuki aimed to portray Shishio as a ruthless, coldhearted antagonist, making him "evil" due to his actions. In the Japanese anime, Masanori Ikeda voices the character with various members taking the role in multiple English adaptations. Tatsuya Fujiwara portrayed him in the live-action films.
Critical reception of Shishio's character has been positive due to his villain traits and powers he demonstrates across the Kyoto arc. Due to Shishio being so powerful, writers were divided in his downfall being a copout but still appreciated due to how it affects other characters. Fujiwara's acting was the subject of praise.
- ^ 「るろうに剣心」最終話に志々雄真実・瀬田宗次郎ら登場、キャストも明らかに. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. December 15, 2023. Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.