Okita Souji

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Okita Sōji was a prodigy of the Tennen Rishin-ryū, becoming Head Coach at the Shieikan in 1861. He changed his name to Okita Sōji Fujiwara no Kaneyoshi before departing with the Rōshigumi to Kyoto on March 26, 1863. After the Rōshigumi disbanded, he helped form the Mibu Rōshigumi, later renamed the Shinsengumi on August 18, 1863. He became a Fukuchō Jokin and was involved in the Serizawa Kamo and Uchiyama Hikojiro assassinations in 1863. In 1865, he became captain of the first unit and a kenjutsu instructor, later appointed by Kondo Isami as the fifth master of the Tennen Rishin-ryū. His signature technique, the Sandanzuki, could attack one's neck, left shoulder, and right shoulder with one strike. He owned a set of Kaga Kiyomitsu katana and wakizashi. His tuberculosis was first publicly conceived to be discovered when he fainted during the Ikedaya incident, though some sources say he contracted it after; researchers now believe he may have collapsed from anemia or heat stroke. He died on July 19, 1868, and was buried at Senshō-ji Temple in Azabu, Edo.

In Their Own Story

The training grounds were quiet under the moonlight. Souji stood alone, his hand resting on the hilt of his Kaga Kiyomitsu katana. A cough betrayed his frailty, but his eyes remained sharp. He was not fighting for glory here, but to prove that even a fading flower could protect those he loved. The steel hummed in response to his intent, ready to dance one last time should the need arise.

Reader's Guide

Okita Sōji serves as a versatile frontline fighter within Chaldea's roster, often functioning as a high-damage dealer capable of finishing battles swiftly. His combat style emphasizes precision and speed, utilizing techniques derived from the Tennen Rishin-ryū, which he mastered by age eighteen. While physically weakened by tuberculosis in lore—he died four years after the Ikedaya incident—his magical energy compensates for this deficit during battles, allowing him to perform feats beyond human limits. He often displays a calm demeanor that masks deep devotion to his comrades, particularly those sharing his Shinsengumi heritage. Key moments involve his interactions with other historical figures from the Bakumatsu period, highlighting themes of loyalty and sacrifice in the face of changing times. His Noble Phantasm unleashes the full power of his sword techniques, dealing significant damage while embodying the fleeting nature of youth. In team compositions, he is valued for both offensive output and specific utility skills that enhance allies or debuff opponents. Despite his tragic backstory, he finds purpose in protecting humanity alongside other Servants summoned to Chaldea.

Did You Know?

• Okita Sōji attained the Menkyo Kaiden scroll (license of total transmission) in the Tennen Rishin-ryū at the age of eighteen or so.
• His signature technique, the Sandanzuki, could attack one's neck, left shoulder, and right shoulder with one strike.
• He died from tuberculosis on July 19, 1868, and was buried at Senshō-ji Temple in Azabu, Edo, under his birth name.
• The claim that Okita died when he was 25 is based on the theory that he was born in 1844 and therefore was 25 by East Asian age reckoning when he died in 1868.
• Yamanami Keisuke's seppuku in 1865, with Okita as his second, was an extremely painful incident in Okita's short life.