Ryūnosuke Ibuki (井吹龍之介 Ibuki Ryuunosuke) is a major character in the prequel of the story. He appears in the third season of the anime Hakuouki: Reimeiroku and he is also the narrator and playable character in Hakuōki: Reimeiroku video game. He does not have a historical prototype.
Ryuunosuke serves a similar purpose in the plot as Chizuru (who does not appear in the prequel yet) - the Shinsengumi's story is seen through his eyes and interactions with various members, especially one of the former Rōshigumi commanders Serizawa Kamo.
Appearance
He has very long, blue hair that he keeps in a high ponytail, and bright amber eyes. At the end of the Reimeiroku anime series, he cuts his hair short.
He wears traditional clothing that consists of red trousers and white and yellow top over a black long-sleeved vest. He is never shown wearing Shinsengumi's blue haori.
Personality
Ryuunosuke is obstinate and immature. He travels alone and does not seem to realize how dangerous it is due to his lack of swordsmanship skills. However, he has a strong sense of justice as he rushes to help the weak when he sees them in trouble. Although attempting to save others, he often freezes in the face of danger and does not fight for his life which makes Hijikata worried. Even though displeased and constantly complaining, he keeps following Serizawa's orders as to buy some sake or massage his shoulders. Ryuunosuke also acts as a spy for the Shinsengumi and tells them about everything he sees and hears while being near Serizawa.
Story
Third Season
Ryuunosuke found by Serizawa
Ryuunosuke is the 16 year old son of a samurai but holds a hatred for samurai. He was picked up by the Rōshigumi (later Shinsengumi) Head Commander Kamo Serizawa after he got robbed by rouge samurai and left to die on his way to Kyoto. After being rescued, he was welcomed in the Rōshigumi headquarters by Kondou and the trio, despite having an unpleasant encounter with Okita. As he tries to thank Serizawa and leave, he is manipulated with guilt and forced to become Serizawa's 'dog' (servant). Next morning Ryuunosuke is woken up with Serizawa's kick, and the commander informs him that the dog must wake up before his master. He sends Ryuunosuke to buy him saké.
As Ryuunosuke walks into the city, he sees rogue rogue samurai claiming to be imperial nationalists attacking a citizen with a child. He interferes to protect them but gets paralyzed with fear and is about to get attacked when the trio shows up and chases away the rogues. After that Ryuunosuke locks himself in the room reliving the memory of this event and feeling sorry for himself.
As the story progresses, Ryuunosuke is forced to buy saké for Serizawa, massage his shoulders and accompany him to various trips while always being hit or stepped on.
During his first visit to Shimabara, Ryuunosuke meets Kosuzu who is bold enough to tell Serizawa what she thinks. He protects her from his rage (even though she gets hit by a plate on her forehead anyway), while others try to calm down Serizawa. A few moments later, Ryuunosuke catches up with Kosuzu and asks if she is okay to which she apologizes for having him get hit for her sake. Due to his ignorance, Ryuunosuke insults Kosuzu by telling her that a maiko should simply keep quiet and pour the sake. Offended, Kosuzu gives him a speech about being a human being and having the same emotions as men, which leaves Ryuunosuke startled and confused.
As Ryuunosuke attempts to buy an ink stick for Serizawa, the shop owner does not wish to sell him any and claims that everything is sold out for the day. Luckily for Ryuunosuke, Kosuzu enters the shop and helps him out as a way of thanking him for what he did back at Shimabara. However, he speaks badly of her work as a geisha without thinking, and she slaps him on the face running away in tears. Sano brings him to Shimabara and makes him apologize, Kosuzu explains what geishas actually do and forgives Ryuunosuke.
Due to the problem with escaping Rasetsu, Ryuunosuke gets attacked a few times but each time he is protected by the members of the Rōshigumi. Saitou eventually makes him learn to use a sword properly. Ryuunosuke is later seen eating dango with Kosuzu as he promises her to make sure nothing bad happens to geishas in Osaka when Serizawa goes there again.
Ryuunosuke and Yamazaki sharing life stories
After fighting with Yamazaki, Ryuunosuke shares his life story as he was born into a high-class samurai family but his father was broke so he sold the family armor and died leaving a debt. His mother always judged him for being inept as a warrior, but Ryuunosuke tried to work in order to bring some food to the table.
Serizawa's trip to Osaka ends with another drunk scene with cutting off a geisha's hair, and everyone starts avoiding the Rōshigumi including Kosuzu. It hurts Ryuunosuke deeply and he runs to rage at Serizawa but receives some sort of understanding and a lecture.
During the time Ryuunosuke spends with Serizawa, he learns about the good sides of his personality, about the only woman he has ever loved and about the illness that he has been suffering from. He seems to have grown attached to the old man in a twisted way. On the night of Serizawa's death Ryuunosuke tries to save him and, after seeing his master killed, he runs away and gets caught up by Souji on a bridge. Ryuunosuke attempts to flee and stated that he wants to live. He turns his back to the fence on the bridge, just to get pushed off the bridge down the river stream by Okita. He supposedly wakes up on a shore in Edo (because he walks past Chizuru who sets off to go find her father).
Movies
In the second movie, Ryuunosuke is given a letter supposedly from Hijikata that he is to deliver to Chizuru. Later on, he offers Harada and Chizuru to stay at his house. Kosuzu is revealed to be living with Ryuunosuke.