Episode 2 of Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku introduced the remainder of the main cast of characters who will be on the island of Shinsenkyō along with Gabimaru, as well as some of the Yamada Asaemon who will be accompanying them on the perilous journey to paradise.
The second episode also gives us a taste of some of the royal rumble-esque combat one can expect from an all-out deathmatch of countless individuals. Violent, bloody and ruthless, here's a quick rundown of the Vanguard Party, the group of criminals and samurai condemned to paradise in Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku
Background
In order to select the individuals who will be sent on the mission to retrieve the Elixir of Life, the shogunate rounded up several dangerous criminals from various walks of life; individuals who had been condemned to death and were hence cast away by society. The Shogun told the criminals that a number of them could get the chance to earn their freedom, but first, they would need to prove their skill through an all-out deathmatch.
This was merely a sadistic ploy from the Shōgun, who wanted to marvel at a fight to the death, lamenting their scarcity in the current age. Despite telling the criminals to kill each other to decide who'd be going to Shinsenkyō, the Shōgunate had already had their eye on a select few – ten special grade criminals who have special skills so exceptional that they may as well be considered superpowers. The selected will be accompanied by a Yamada Asaemon samurai, elite masters of the blade who will swiftly decapitate anybody who attempts to escape.
Criminals
- Gabimaru The Hollow
The protagonist of Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku, the legendary ninja from the village of Iwagakure notorious for his efficiency when it comes to killing and his apparent lack of emotion when performing brutal acts of murder. Motivated by his desire to live peacefully with his wife Yui, Gabimaru will obediently go to Shinsenkyō to retrieve the Elixir of Life. Sagiri Yamada Asaemon is his attendant.
- Chōbei Aza, The Bandit King
Known for leading a group of bandits despite his youth, Aza later established a powerful village of bandits in the mountains of Iyo Province. He has no problems with killing people, is incredibly violent and easy to provoke. He is charged with several counts of murder, robbery, extortion, assault and more. His samurai attendant is Tōma Yamada Asaemon.
- Yuzuriha, The Kunoichi
A year prior to the events of Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku, the kunoichi known infamously as "Yuzuriha of Keishu" was involved in the invasion of Sagiwa Castle, a siege in which she was responsible for subduing every last retainer. Her assigned executioner is Senta Yamada Asaemon.
- Gantetsusai Tamiya, The Sword Dragon
The Shogun's advisor described Gantetsusai as a master swordsman who is also known by the monikers "Blade Dragon" or "Unparalleled in Eight Provinces". His samurai executioner is Fuchi Yamada Asaemon.
- Nurugai, The Sanka
The last surviving member of the Sanka people, a group that did not pledge allegiance to the Shōgunate and was subsequently massacred. Nurugai was placed on death row after accidentally leading the Shōgunate to the location of the Sanka village. Nurugai's attendant is Tenza Yamada Asaemon.
- Warped Keiun, The Hunter of One Hundred
A warrior monk who became obsessed with weaponry, the bloodthirsty Keiun has stolen over a hundred weapons from various martial artists, slaughtering even some of the most well-known martial artists in order to add their weapons to his collection. His attendant is Kishō Yamada Asaemon.
- Akaginu, The Cannibal Courtesan
Seductive and sultry due to those traits being important tools of her trade, the Oiran Akaginu is a well-known murderer who has a taste for human flesh, specifically that of men who have succumbed to their sexual desires. Her attendant on the island of Shinsenkyo is Shion Yamada Asaemon.
- Hōrubō, The Killing Buddha
Arrested on various counts of murder, Hōrubō is an incredibly sadistic old man who dresses much like a Buddhist priest. He possesses strange limbs capable of stretching. His attendant is Jikka Yamada Asaemon.
- Rokurota, The Giant of Bizen
Known as the Giant of Bizen, Rokurota is a very large man whose strength and toughness are far superior to the average man. He is also known to be impervious to all weaponry. Mentally; however, the giant has not developed beyond the stage of infancy, making any encounter with the juggernaut almost always fatal because he is impossible to reason with, nor does he have the capacity for restraint, control nor empathy. His attendant is Eizen Yamada Asaemon.
- Makiya Moro, The Apostate
The ambitious Moro was arrested and put on death row for convincing scores of people to join his fabricated religion, one that he established in order to overthrow the Shōgunate. His attendant is Genji Yamada Asaemon.
The upcoming episodes of Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku will develop these characters that have been introduced as the main story arc begins, and more on the Yamada Asaemon clan members accompanying the criminals to Shinsenkyō will be introduced and given screen time. Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku broadcasts on Saturdays and is available on Crunchyroll on the same day as the Japanese release.