Manga creator Yuji Kaku developed the characters of Hell's Paradise, exploring how conflicted human relationships and modern ethics would function in the setting of Japan's Edo period with themes of the supernatural and violence.[1] The central characters were designed with backstories that make them relatable to modern audiences, despite being criminals and executioners, in order to make them feel unique within the historical time frame.[2] The character creation for Hell's Paradise stemmed from a simple, core framework: "several pairs of people whose interests aren't aligned [are] thrown into an enclosed space and forced to work together".[1][3] With that concept in mind, Kaku had thought of multiple ways to implement that idea, such as through having lawyers defend a group of kids in a youth detention center.[3] Ultimately, he settled on having convicts and executioners trapped on an island. Kaku deliberately made Gabimaru a rare married protagonist in shonen manga. The creator explained that he needed a strong, immediate motivation for his hero to fight to survive, making Gabimaru's wife his core driving force.[4]
The strongest ninja from Iwagakure, where he was taken from his parents as a child by the village chief and trained to become a killer. He is known as "Gabimaru the Hollow" (がらんの画眉丸, Garan no Gabimaru) for his lack of emotion during his gruesome work. However, he is very much in love with his wife, the village chief's peace-loving daughter who treats him with kindness. When he wanted to cut ties with the village and live a normal life with his wife, the chief arranged for him to be captured and sentenced to death.
A master swordswoman from the famed Yamada Asaemon family of executioners, where she is one of the only two female executioners in the clan. She recruits Gabimaru for the expedition after seeing his talent and strong will to live. Sagiri is ranked last (12th), in the Yamada Asaemon hierarchy.[8]
Death-row criminals
Criminals that the Shogunate chose to embark on the journey to Shinsenkyo and find the Elixir of Life with an assigned Yamada Asaemon executioner.
A famous master swordsman on death row who is known as "Blade Dragon" (剣龍). Despite being somewhat lecherous and shallow, Gantetsusai's swordsmanship is unparalleled, as he can match many of the Yamada Asaemons in a duel. After the Shinsenkyo expedition, he is pardoned by the Shogunate and opens a kenjutsu dojo/medical clinic, the latter being a tribute to his executioner Fuchi.
The last of the Sanka people[ja]. Nurugai was put on death row after she accidentally lured Shogunate samurai to her village—as the Sanka were a symbol of rebellion against the Shogunate, despite living normally. Due to her physique and behavior, she is often mistaken for a boy.
Rokurota
Voiced by: Hinata Tadokoro[11](Japanese); Ray Hurd[12] (English)
A fearsomely large and strong criminal. Nicknamed "The Giant of Bizen" (備前の巨人, Bizen no Kyojin), Rokurota is a mentally undeveloped man as he possesses the mind of a baby—as he is unable to speak and cry as such when he is hungry. He is feared for his immense strength, having killed many people with his bare hands, often with a single strike, including his parents, several villagers, and Yamada Asaemons Eizen and Genji. Following an intense fight with Gabimaru and Sagiri, Rokurota gets beheaded by the latter.
Yamada Asaemon
The Yamada Asaemon (山田浅ェ門) is a prestigious kenjutsu dojo in Edo. It trains sword testers to become fully-fledged executioners for the Shogunate. Once fully trained, each swordsman has their name preceded by the title "Yamada Asaemon".
The fifth ranked executioner assigned to Yuzuriha. He is studious, chubby, and wears glasses. He originally wanted to be an artist but was forced to train and become a Yamada Asaemon. He hated having to kill people, which is why he turned to the study of religions and he becomes captivated by Yuzuriha's freedom of spirit.
Leader of the second team sent to acquire the elixir after the Shogunate becomes impatient with the first. He is ranked second in the Yamada Asaemon hierarchy.
The third ranked Asaemon who's known to be the laziest of the clan. After the Shinsenkyō expedition, which involved the deaths of Eizen and Shugen, he became the current head of the Yamada Asaemon.
Isuzu
Isuzu is Genji's little sister and an unranked Asaemon in the Yamada clan. She was chosen to join Shugen and Jikka as part of the second team sent to acquire the elixir.
Kiyomaru
Kiyomaru is an unranked Asaemon child, who was chosen to join Shugen and Jikka as part of the second team sent to acquire the elixir.
Shinsenkyo
Shinsenkyo (神仙郷, Shinsenkyō), also known as Kotaku (こたく), is an island located within the southwest seas that is far beyond the Ryukyu Kingdom. The island is inhabited by monsters and had been said to possess the legendary Elixir of Life, which had been sought out by humans for centuries.
The Tensen are powerful beings living in the Horai at the center of the island who have mastered the five levels of Tao, culminating in their ability to use qi to shift between yin and yang, female and male humanoid forms. Through the use of the elixir which they call Tan, their plant-like bodies are able to regenerate themselves, making them virtually immortal. They are served by Doshi, sentient half-human beings who are on the path to mastering Tao, and are a level above the mindless Soshin, who are monsters with the appearance of various deities and attack anyone who arrives on the island. Rien is the leader of the group, while the other members are called Zhu Jin, Mu Dan, Ran, Gui Fa, Tao Fa and Ju Fa.
A mysterious little girl with limited ability to speak who lives on the island. She has the powers of the Tensen but has been used by the yang Doshi as a yin sexual "training partner" against her will for centuries.
Hōko
Voiced by: Chō[11](Japanese); Jim Foronda[12] (English)
Hōko is the last living member of the Hōko, a race of immortals that once inhabited Eishū, the outer layers of the island. Hōko's entire body was made up of tree bark due to the effects of the arborification taking over his former body.
Iwagakure
Iwagakure, meaning Village Hidden in Stones (石隠の里, Iwagakure no Sato) was a well-known shinobi village in Japan until its termination by the shogun.
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