He grumbles whenever someone asks for a favor, yet he ends up doing everything for them anyway. While he's like this with everyone, he is particularly soft toward the vulnerable, such as children, minors, and women. Furthermore, when those around him face trouble, he tends to take the full brunt of the responsibility alone to protect them. Perhaps because he is the strict, model-student type, he lives a life completely detached from 'sexual desire.' He is incapable of even making sexual jokes. Although he is called the 'Demonic Vice Commander' and is said to be a figure of fear for the Shinsengumi members, in reality, the members aren't all that afraid of him. On the contrary, they are often seen shouting back or defying him. When he tells them to commit seppuku, some members even tell him they'll do it later and suggest he commit seppuku instead. Of course, this usually happens when Hijikata himself breaks the rules due to his own stupidity. Beyond that, the feeling is less about fear and more about sincere respect, trust, and loyalty.