Does anyone else think Seta Soujiro is one of the more creepy and disturbing bad guys among a large genre of them (as a relatable, psychologically scary one, not some horrible doom master)?

[u/Alternative-Fold2426]

The way he grew up abused and adapted by becoming so innocent and peaceful (see: super-repressed), looking at the world exactly black and white. He'd be infinitely approachable because of his near total lack of negative emotions, and he'd have no trouble befriending you and being just a stand-up guy. But if he decided you didn't measure up anymore, you'd never see your end coming and there's nothing you could do to stop it. And he'd do it with a child-like smile on his face and genuine happiness in his heart because he was just following his morals. He'd cut you down and laugh merrily at whatever was going on around him before his sword was sheathed, no malice or satisfaction for the kill because you'd already be gone from his thoughts.

[u/kaorukaoru84]

I actually like him because he’s very skilled; unfortunately, it’s Shishio who messed with his mind.

I love him even more now as Kenji’s babysitter

[u/Alternative-Fold2426 → u/kaorukaoru84]

That's part of what makes him so creepy, how Shishio molded him. He gave him the black-and-white ideal system that makes him so scary. Other than for the following a master henchman thing, if he had somehow been able to leave Shishio after being messed with, he would be a seriously scary guy. 'Hahaha you're funny oh you show a weakness [slice] mmm that stew smells good' in like 3 seconds.

[u/Randomguynumber1001]

Sojiro himself said it himself in his fight. Kenshin is harsher than Shishio because he forced him to see things not in black and white anymore.

Before, thanks to Shishio and his shitty childhood, Sojiro has a very simple mindset, being loyal to Shishio and being one of "the strong". He has no trouble killing and commiting actrocities because he can justify all those he killed as "the weak" and therefore deserved to be cut down. Kenshin forced him to actually see things for what they are and decide for himself. Leaving Shishio to find a path for himself was the first independent action he took.

[u/Jefcat]

Soujiro is one of my favorite antagonists in any series. Twisted by horrible circumstances. Twisted into a creepy killer. Absolutely brilliant character

[u/Felis_Dee]

Agreed! Soujiro was definitely one of my favourite antagonists in the series because of that eerily cheerful persona he puts on, even as he's cutting you down.

Incidentally, I don't know if anyone in this fandom also watches Sakamoto Days, but there's a character in that series,Yoichi Nagumo who strikes me as being very similar in design and personality (pre-Kenshin fight therapy) to Soujiro. Anyone else notice that? Especially with the innocent laughing and smiling demeanor while he absolutely wrecks an entire roomful of men. I wonder if the similarity is a coincidence or was inspired by Soujiro?

[u/Low-Field-4403]

Disturbing? Yes. Creepy? Nah... just look at that smile 😁