Anime- Game
Keisuke Ōtori (大鳥 圭介, Ootori Keisuke) is a support character in Hakuouki: Hekketsuroku. He is a military commander assigned to lead the newly reformed Bakufu forces.
His character is based on the historical Japanese military leader Ōtori Keisuke.
Story
Ootori appears only in the second season of the anime as a support character. He is cheerful and laid-back, fairly informal even though very polite, which is especially noticeable during his interactions with Hijikata.
Ootori is initially part of the Infantry Magistrate when he comes to greet Hijikata for the first time trying to give him a handshake, which Hijikata does not understand. He appoints Hijikata the commander of vanguard due to his outstanding reputation.
Later in the season, Ootori is seen scolding Hijikata for being reckless during a castle siege, and he is confused when he witnesses the amiable relationship between Hijikata and the former Shinsengumi commander Shinpachi Nagakura.
It is hard for Ootori to understand the ways of the Aizu warriors, which seem unnecessarily serious for him when it comes to their duty. He cannot comprehend how they did not let him in without a direct order even though he is a general.
During the battle at the Bonari Pass, Ootori is the head of the remaining Bakufu forces which includes the Shinsengumi. They suffer a loss and are forced to retreat. Ootori is the one to come up with the plan to pull all the way back to Sendai which aggravates Hijikata. He also mentions that the former Bakufu navy, which centers around Enomoto, has fled Edo and is sailing northbound. He considers it to be the best strategy and claims that these are Lord Katamori's wishes, too, even though it means abandoning the Aizu Domain. When Hijikata proceeds to argue, Keisuke is forced to issue this as an order from the governor general.
Later on, Ootori sails for Ezo along with Enomoto's troops and the Shinsengumi. When two of the most important ships sink, Ootori reassures Enomoto, who takes the blame for it, that it was possible to retrieve most of the supplies and artillery. Upon knowing that Hijikata is unwell, he visits him and enquires about his health advising him to relax more since the stress is getting to him.
A month later Ootori organizes for Chizuru to become Hijikata's personal attendant by sending her a secret letter.
While Ootori and Hijikata discuss their plan to abordage the Imperial Army's ship in more details in Hijikata's office, Chizuru comes in bringing tea. Ootori jokes about her being very formal with him and then teases Hijikata asking him where he caught such a great attendant. Hijikata takes it seriously and tells Ootori to ask whoever invited her and made arrangements for her to get there. Ootori compliments Chizuru more, and Hijikata bluntly adds that as long as she is willing to stay by his side he does not need another one. Ootori seems slightly shocked by Hijikata's honesty and mentions wishing to have such a wife, to which Hijikata replies even more directly that Ootori has to look elsewhere because "she is mine and I cannot let her go". Ootori laughs and leaves the room.
Gallery
