Character Profile - Seta Soujirou (Addendum) 

- He is quite a popular character, but he gave me lots of headaches. As I wrote before, his 
motif is Okita Soushi from Shiba Ryoutarou's "Shinsengumi Keppuuroku", but I realised how
difficult was the portrayal of his personality. To add insult to injury, this story was written
in the end of the year, the busiest period, so I wasn't able to chew the cud. (It looks like the 
person in charge ("Tantou") of Ruroken understood Soujirou better than I...)

(note from Serizawa: "Tantou" is the person from the publisher (Shuueisha, in this case) that
is responsible for a manga series (e.g., Ruroken). The "Tantou" has to interact a lot with the
series' author, discussing the pros and againsts of the series, scanning the author's work so
that there's nothing strange or not appropriate.) 

  Lots of fans were worried that, as Okita Soushi died very young, Soujirou would also die young,
but I had decided quite early about his survival. Even though he has his harsh background, 
Soujirou, who left everything to Shishio and gave up from thinking, was not meant to escape
atonement through death, but rather he should live to atone for his deeds. This may sound as 
a bit cruel philosophy, but I believe this is the choice worthy of a man. (the relationship
between Shishio and Soujirou could be that of a religious sect leader and his believer, who 
looks like a brainless man, eagerly accepting every word of the leader without a doubt)
  
  I believe strongly that, no matter how hard life can become, be it due to family or social
problems, a man who deserves to be called as such can never stop thinking by himself. 


- So, even after all those babbling, I guess Soujirou will carry a carefree and a smiling life
from now on, given his character. Like Anji, there are some aspects of Soujirou I wasn't able
to show, so I want to feature him again later in the story, although honestly I don't know
if it will be possible.