About “Golden Kamuy” in a few words:

Golden Kamuy is a manga and anime series that takes place in the early 20th century in Hokkaido, Japan. The story follows a former soldier named Saichi Sugimoto, who sets out to find a treasure hidden by the Ainu people with the help of an Ainu girl named Asirpa. Along the way, they encounter a variety of dangerous and eccentric characters, each with their own reasons for seeking the treasure. The series is known for its thrilling action, complex characters, and detailed depiction of Ainu culture and history.

Meet the characters from Golden Kamuy

Tokushirou Tsurumi

Oh man, Tsurumi is that delightfully terrifying mastermind who smiles like he knows three steps ahead of everyone else — one-eyed, impeccably polite, and absolutely sinister in a way that makes you cheer and cringe at once. He talks like a professor one minute and plays puppetmaster the next, which is so messed up but also kind of mesmerizing? He’s ruthless, strategic, and obsessed with his own grand designs, yet somehow he collects tiny trinkets (pocket watches? badges?) and hums to himself when he’s plotting, which I find endearing and blasphemous at the same time. Don’t trust the smile. Seriously, don’t.

Yoshitake Shiraishi

Shiraishi is the classic “Escape King” — slippery, goofy, borderline pervy, and somehow the most useful person in a tight spot because he can wiggle out of literally anything. He’s cowardly and brave in weird cycles: will scream like a child when threatened, then pull off some ridiculous Houdini move to save everyone, which you can’t help but love. He flirts, obsesses over women a little too much, and also keeps an odd little scrapbook? (I swear he has one, even if he’s unreliable.) He’s comic relief with a surprising heart and the nerve to survive by sheer annoying persistence.

Toshizou Hijikata

Hijikata is the stoic, legendary ex-Shinsengumi bad-ass who walks like doom and carries history in his eyes — all steel and discipline, basically the poster child for “I keep my promises even if I grumble.” He’s cold and formal, but every so often he’ll do something unexpectedly tender, like fussing over a wound or — bizarrely — sneaking a sweet snack, which feels against his entire vibe but also kind of perfect. Deadly with a blade, immovable with principles, and terrifyingly principled (in that strict, stare-you-down way). If you meet him on a bad day, expect an assassination attempt, if you meet him on a good day, expect a scowl and maybe a grudging compliment.

Hajime Tsukishima

Hajime is quiet but sharp, the kind of guy who watches everything and says little until his fists do the talking; precise, loyal, and with a weirdly efficient kindness. He’s intensely practical — a survivor who can sharpen a stick into a chess piece and make you dinner with one hand, but then he’ll lose his temper over something tiny like spilled tea, so go figure. Stoic outwardly, but he carries this simmering protectiveness that occasionally bursts out into brutal competence in a fight. He’s the dependable type who pretends not to care, which is how you know he cares a lot.

Saichi Sugimoto

Sugimoto is pure stubborn hero energy — “Immortal” legend for a reason, scars and all, half-grinning through chaos while refusing to die or give up on people he cares about. He’s blunt, man-of-honor material: shoots straight, fights hard, cries sometimes (like a lot), and eats like he’s trying to replace the moon with rice crackers. There’s a simple warmth to him beneath that war-hardened exterior — very loyal, annoyingly optimistic, and occasionally hilariously oblivious about subtlety. He’s the guy you want beside you when things go sideways, even if he’ll insist on rescuing you in the loudest possible fashion.

Hyakunosuke Ogata

Ogata is the cold, terrifyingly calm sniper who gives off “I ate a spreadsheet for breakfast” vibes — inscrutable, precise, and with motives that shift like quicksilver. He’s calculated and inscrutable, speaks little, smiles less, but then there are tiny weird moments where he seems almost bored or oddly whimsical (a chess piece moved for fun? a casual insult?) which makes him unpredictable in the best/worst way. He’ll take the perfect shot and then hum a tune like it’s theater, and you’ll never guess whether he’s loyal, treacherous, or bored. Dangerous, efficient, and oddly artistically cruel.

Genjirou Tanigaki

Tanigaki bursts in like a big, loud, hungry bear — loud jokes, louder appetite, and a surprisingly soft center if you get past the bluster. He’s brash and proud, sometimes foolishly optimistic, but also fiercely loyal and kind of stubbornly honorable; he’ll argue with you about politics and then feed you half his rations. He’s rough around the edges, loves to bicker, and collects grudges like souvenirs, yet somehow manages to be the sort of person you’d want at your table in a blizzard. A chaotic, hearty presence — comforting and infuriating in equal measure.