Saitou vs Saitou

[Umeko]

Meiji era RK Saitou chain-smokes, has a bad-ass cop attitude and lives by the code of Aku Soku Zan. When he drinks sake, he feels an urge to kill, according to the man himself. As a Shinsengumi captain, he is not much different with regards to his outlook on life. However, he appears less stern around his fellow captain, Okita. Even looking out for his health...

PMK Saitou has cool psychic abilities & loves his soba. The man philosophizes loads. He has the knack of going unnoticed by everyone & blends into the background all the time. He appears to be Hijikata's close associate & was entrusted with the very important secret mission of spying on Itou on behalf of the Shinsengumi.

Who's your favorite?

I can't decide! They're both so cool!

[Mibbie.]

^^ I like the PMK Saitou, cuz the RK one is just too...hoow should I say this...creepy? I'm serious, he scares the crap outta me at times...But the PMk Saitou, he's cool. Plus he's a monk and a swordsman so its all good! ;D

[Umeko]

A bit on the historical Saitou's work in the Shinsengumi:

He was an assassin & spy for the leadership (Kondo & Hijikata). He was involved in the assassinations of various defectors & would-be defectors. The Itou incident was probably the most famous of all.

In the Itou case, Saitou left with Itou to spy on him. Then on Hijikata's orders, he killed Itou on the way back from a secret meeting with Kondou that didn't go too well. Saitou & his fellow assassins dragged the corpse to the crossroads where they set up an ambush for Itou's followers when they came to collect. Toudou was among the followers killed in that ambush.

When the 5th Capt Takeda tried forming an alliance with the Satsuma, he got killed by persons unknown. Saitou was rumored to be implicated.

Sakamoto's assasination is historically credited to the Shinsengumi's counterpart, the Mimawarigumi. However, Kondo got the blame & was executed.

[Gentatsu]

I must say that RK Saito brought me into this Shinsengumi world. Eventhough I like PMK's Saito more for his spirituality and philosophy I must go with RK for introducing me into the world of Shinsengumi.