Hiko Seijuurou is the thirteenth master of Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryuu and best known for rescuing a young orphan named Shinta from bandits, then raising him and renaming him Kenshin—a name he felt suited a swordsman far better. When Kenshin eventually abandoned his training to join the anti-Tokugawa rebellion, Hiko felt genuinely betrayed. He retreated from the world entirely, settling into a quiet life as a potter near Kyoto's forests. By the time of Seisouhen, he's grown reflective about whether his ancient sword style even matters anymore in a modernizing Japan—a sentiment he's expressed to his reluctant new student Yahiko.
Most fans consider Hiko the single strongest swordsman in the series, even surpassing Kenshin himself. While they're evenly matched in pure speed, Hiko's combat instincts are sharper and his physical strength is something else entirely—hidden beneath that iconic heavy cloak and only fully unleashed when he fights seriously. After fifteen years of separation, he and Kenshin finally cross paths again, and Hiko makes it clear that completing his old student's training depends entirely on whether Kenshin can survive his master's towering ego.
That distinctive cloak isn't just for show. It's woven from materials weighing around 37.5 kilograms and fitted with pressure springs, turning it into constant resistance training. Hiko stays in peak condition simply by wearing it every day, even in peacetime. Creator Norihiro Watsuki has mentioned basing the cape's design on Todd McFarlane's Spawn, though the anime toned down the collar size somewhat.
Content compiled by AnimeList.moe from publicly available sources.
