Age: 23 (based on a Google search). Before joining the Shinsengumi, he didn't have the short hair he has now; he wore his shoulder-length hair tied back. He is exceptionally proud, serious, and cool-headed. In the series, he is relatively sensible and often plays the 'straight man' role. While he has a blunt and stubborn attitude, he is also caring and occasionally shows a clumsy kind of kindness. Born as the illegitimate child of the prestigious Hijikata family in Bushu, his existence was discovered after the death of his playboy father. After his mother died, he was taken in by the Hijikata family and doted on by the eldest son, Tamegoro. He adored Tamegoro in return, but when he was 11, the village suffered a great fire. Thugs took advantage of the chaos to attack the Hijikata estate; Tamegoro was blinded while protecting Toshiro. In a fit of rage, Toshiro cut down the attackers, but the incident forced him to leave home. Afterward, during his days as a wild youth known as 'Baragaki' (Thorny Brat), he met Kondo and became a fellow disciple at the dojo. Well, basically, this is the ponytail version of Hijikata.