30 Main Characters from Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku

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Anime expert Eunice Ibama goes over the top characters to know from Hell’s Paradise

Co-authored by Devin McSween

Last Updated: September 1, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Main Characters
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• Criminals
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• Executioners
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• Kotaku Inhabitants
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• Other Characters

|Show more |Show less

Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku follows a diverse cast of characters as they travel to the mystical, monster-infested island of Kotaku in search of the Elixir of Life. If you’re curious who the major players are on the quest, keep reading! We’re going over the main characters of Hell’s Paradise, the death row criminals tasked with finding the Elixir, the executioners assigned to watch over the criminals, and the major creatures living on Kotaku, with help from one of wikiHow’s anime experts!

Important Hell’s Paradise Characters

Anime expert Eunice Ibama says the main characters in Hell’s Paradise are Gabimaru, a ninja who wants to return to his wife after finding the elixir, and Sagiri, a Yamada executioner assigned to watch Gabimaru. Other key characters include:

• Criminals: Yuzuriha, a deadly and selfish ninja; Gantetsusai, a prideful swordsman; and Chobei, a violent bandit.
• Executioners: Toma, an undercover executioner and Chobei’s brother; Shion, a dutiful and caring samurai; and Shugen, a loyal but violent samurai.
• Kotaku inhabitants: Rien, the antagonist and leader of Lord Tensen who rules over Kotaku, and Mei, a former Lord Tensen who allies with Gabimaru.

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Section 1 of 5:

Main Characters

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   Gabimaru Gabimaru is the main protagonist of Hell’s Paradise, says Ibama. He’s a former shinobi (ninja) assassin for the village Iwagakure, where he became known as an extremely strong and ruthless killer. However, the series begins with the Chief of Iwagakure betraying Gabimaru and sentencing him to death…but Gabimaru survives. This captures the attention of the shogun of Japan, who enlists Gabimaru to travel to the island of Kotaku and find the Elixir of Life.

   • Gabimaru accepts the mission because if he finds the elixir, he’ll be fully pardoned and allowed to return to his wife, Yui. Though he’s stoic and seemingly apathetic, he loves Yui deeply.
   • Ibama agrees, noting that Gabimaru is a total lover boy—he’s not only fighting for his life, but also to get back to his wife.
   • Elemental attribute: Fire
   • Introduced in: Season 1, Episode 1 (anime); Chapter 1 (manga)
   • Voice actor: Chiaki Kobayashi (Japanese); Alejandro Saab (English)

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Eunice Ibama is an anime expert with 10+ years of experience in the space. She’s the founder of Black Girls Anime and shares content with a community of over 200k.
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   Sagiri Sagiri is a samurai and the heiress of the Yamada Clan, a samurai clan that serves as executioners and sword masters. The shogun of Japan tasks her with finding a death row convict to search for the Elixir of Life, which is where Sagiri first meets Gabimaru and recruits him to join the mission. So, she essentially becomes his bodyguard as well as the one responsible for killing him at any time should she need to, explains Ibama.

   • Though Sagiri promises to execute Gabimaru if he steps out of line, the two form a deep, platonic bond, which goes to show Sagiri’s complex personality; while she’s serious about her executioner role (especially as a woman), she’s ultimately very caring.
   • Elemental attribute: Wood
   • Introduced in: Season 1, Episode 1 (anime); Chapter 1 (manga)
   • Voice actor: Yumiri Hanamori (Japanese); Ayana Shiramoto (English)
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Section 2 of 5:

Vanguard Party Criminals

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   Yuzuriha Yuzuriha is a deadly shinobi and death row convict who’s recruited to join the Elixir of Life expedition. She appears friendly and carefree, but is actually extremely selfish. She refuses to work with or help others, instead serving her own goals and often using others (and her own beauty) to get what she wants. It’s clear that Yuzuriha has a caring side (deep, deep down), as her refusal to connect with others comes from the trauma of losing her sister, Saya.

   • Elemental attribute: Earth
   • Introduced in: Season 1, Episode 2 (anime); Chapter 2 (manga)
   • Voice actor: Rie Takahashi (Japanese); Jill Harris (English)
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   Tamiya Gantetsusai Gantetsusai is a skilled swordsman known as the Blade Dragon. He ends up on death row after angrily destroying a daimyo’s gate after the daimyo insulted him. So, it’s no surprise that Gantetsusai is a prideful man. He loves fighting and seeks out battles, as he wants to be known as a legendary warrior. However, he’s actually very honorable, loyal, and compassionate.

   • Elemental attribute: Fire
   • Introduced in: Season 1, Episode 2 (anime); Chapter 2 (manga)
   • Voice actor: Tetsu Inada (Japanese); Phil Parsons (English)
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   Aza Chobei Chobei is known as the bandit king and a butcher, who goes through a lot during the series, says Ibama He became a criminal after his parents died and left him and his brother, Toma, defenseless. He’s merciless, violent, and sadistic, which earned him a death row conviction and ultimately, a spot on the Elixir of Life expedition.

   • Chobei’s overseer is actually Toma, who told him about the job as a way to save him. Though Chobei is barbaric, he loves his brother and is very protective over him.
   • Elemental attribute: Metal
   • Introduced in: Season 1, Episode 2 (anime); Chapter 2 (manga)
   • Voice actor: Ryohei Kimura (Japanese); Nazeeh Tarsha (English)
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   Nurugai Unlike her criminal companions, Nurugai is an innocent person who’s never killed anyone. She’s only on death row because her tribe, the Sanka, were declared rebels by the shogunate because they refused to bow down to the shogun. So, samurai attacked her village and massacred her people, leaving her the only one left. Still, Nurugai is a helpful and generous person who cares deeply for others.

   • Elemental attribute: Water
   • Introduced in: Season 1, Episode 2 (anime); Chapter 2 (manga)
   • Voice actor: Makoto Koichi (Japanese); Cassie Ewulu (English)
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   Rokurota Rokurota is a violent and brutal criminal known for going on savage rampages, which is how he ends up on death row and later, on the search for the Elixir of Life. The unfortunate part is that he’s not completely to blame: he’s a literal giant, so hurting people is easy for him, and he has the brain of a child who just wants to eat and play.

   • Elemental attribute: Wood
   • Introduced in: Season 1, Episode 2 (anime); Chapter 2 (manga)
   • Voice actor: Hinata Tadokoro (Japanese); Ray Hurd (English)
   • Curious about which Hell’s Paradise character you are? Take our quiz to find out!
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Section 3 of 5:

Yamada Asaemon Executioners

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   Aza Toma Toma is Chobei’s brother and literal partner in crime. When Chobei got arrested for his bandit deeds, Toma decided to infiltrate the Yamada Clan and become an executioner so he could have a chance to reunite with Chobei. He just so happened to learn about the Elixir of Life expedition and successfully recruited Chobei to the mission as his overseer. Toma is extremely loyal to and protective over Chobei, though he doesn’t have much of an identity outside of his brother.

   • Elemental attribute: Earth
   • Introduced in: Season 1 Episode 2 (anime); Chapter 2 (manga)
   • Voice actor: Kensho Ono (Japanese); Matt Shipman (English)
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   Fuchi Fuchi is a proud Yamada clan executioner who’s assigned to oversee Gantetsusai. He has a scientist’s mind: he’s logical, no-nonsense, and likes to gather information before taking action. And as it just so happens, he’s interested in anatomy and wants to improve the medical world. While Fuchi is a bit obsessed with dissection, he’s a selfless guy who just wants to help.

   • Elemental attribute: Metal
   • Introduced in: Season 1 Episode 2 (anime); Chapter 2 (manga)
   • Voice actor: Aoi Ichikawa (Japanese); Justin Briner (English)
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   Shion Shion is a high-ranking executioner despite being born blind. Instead, he uses tao (life force energy) to sense the world around him. While he’s a serious and dutiful rule follower, he’s also very kind and nurturing. In fact, Ibama notes that Shion has a heart of gold and is beloved by fans. He takes in Tenza and later Nurugai, and is responsible for teaching others how to use tao.

   • Shion is assigned to oversee the cannibal criminal Akaginu. However, he’s forced to execute her soon after they land on Kotaku.
   • As another plus for Shion, he’s also quite funny (he loves to make puns about his eyesight) and is a romantic at heart.
   • Elemental attribute: Wood
   • Introduced in: Season 1, Episode 2 (anime); Chapter 2 (manga)
   • Voice actor: Chikahiro Kobayashi (Japanese); Reagan Murdock (English)
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   Senta Senta is the top 5-ranked executioner of the Yamada clan, though his real dream is to be an artist. He’s assigned to watch over Yuzuriha on the Elixir of Life expedition, and grows to admire her sense of self and authenticity. While he appears nervous on the outside, he’s actually a brave and selfless guy who wants to help others.

   • Elemental attribute: Water
   • Introduced in: Season 1, Episode 2 (anime); Chapter 2 (manga)
   • Voice actor: Daiki Yamashita (Japanese); Jordan Dash Cruz (English)
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   Tenza Tenza is an eager and determined swordsman for the Yamada clan who looks up to his mentor, Shion. While he might not be the smartest, which is likely due to him being neglected as a child, he’s kind, fair, and righteous. Even though he’s supposed to look down upon his criminal charge, Nurugai, he recognizes that she’s innocent and decides to help her, instead.

   • Elemental attribute: Fire
   • Introduced in: Season 1, Episode 2 (anime); Chapter 2 (manga)
   • Voice actor: Yusuke Kobayashi (Japanese); Ben Balmaceda (English)
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   Eizen Eizen is the highest-ranking swordsman in the Yamada clan who’s assigned to watch over Rokurota. He has a deep bond with his mentee, Shugen, helping him become a gifted swordsman like himself. Eizen is competent, persevering, and dignified, though he can be prone to recklessness.

   • Elemental attribute: Wood
   • Introduced in: Season 1, Episode 2 (anime); Chapter 2 (manga)
   • Voice actor: Makoto Furukawa (Japanese); Cody Savoie (English)
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   Genji Genji is a serious and principled samurai who’s devoted to its rules and customs. He’s assigned to oversee the criminal Moro Makiya on the expedition, but Makiya is quickly killed by Yuzuriha upon landing on the island. While Genji should have gone back, he decides to stick around because he’s got a weakness for beautiful women and wants to watch over Yuzuriha instead.

   • Elemental attribute: Water
   • Introduced in: Season 1, Episode 2 (anime); Chapter 2 (manga)
   • Voice actor: Volcano Ota (Japanese); Gabe Kunda (English)
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   KishoKisho is a talented samurai but apathetic about the Elixir of Life expedition. He’s assigned to oversee the criminal Warped Keiun, but doesn’t even bother keeping the violent man restrained. So, he couldn’t care less when Keiun attacks Gabimaru after landing on the island…and is quickly killed by him.

   • Elemental attribute: Earth
   • Introduced in: Season 1, Episode 2 (anime); Chapter 2 (manga)
   • Voice actor: Shun’ichi Toki (Japanese); Bradley Gareth (English)
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   Shugen Shugen is the second-highest-ranking swordsman and executioner from the Yamada clan who’s renowned for his skills. In fact, the shogun personally calls on Shugen to lead a second expedition to Kotaku to search for the elixir after not hearing anything from the first team. Shugen is a dedicated executioner who believes in law and order and thinks all criminals are irredeemable. Due to his deep compassion for his clan members, he takes a violent and destructive turn when he arrives on Kotaku and learns how they’ve been treated.

   • Elemental attribute: Water
   • Introduced in: Season 1, Episode 13 (anime); Chapter 36 (manga)
   • Voice actor: Ryota Suzuki (Japanese); Landon McDonald (English)
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    Jikka Jikka is the number 3 swordsman of the Yamada clan. He was a part of the first expedition to Kotaku, but his criminal charge was killed on the way there, so he was sent back. However, he’s forced to join Shugen on the second mission to find the elixir. Jikka doesn’t have a great reputation despite his skills, as he doesn’t care about his job and has been known to show up intoxicated. He’s also opportunistic, disloyal, and doesn’t care about anyone but himself.

    • Elemental attribute: Earth
    • Introduced in: Season 1, Episode 2 (anime); Chapter 36 (manga)
    • Voice actor: Koji Yusa (Japanese); SungWon Cho (English)
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    Isuzu Isuzu is an unranked Yamada clan member and Genji’s sister, who joins Shugen on the second mission to find the Elixir of Life. She’s his loyal follower, sharing his views that criminals don’t deserve mercy. She’s also very respectful and can be quite timid, though she’s fierce with her sword when she needs to use it.

    • Elemental attribute: Water
    • Introduced in: Season 2, Episode 1 (anime); Chapter 46 (manga)
    • Voice actor: Sayaka Ohara (Japanese); Kara Edwards (English)
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    Kiyomaru Kiyomaru is another unranked samurai who’s very young and, as such, very immature. He’s loyal to Shugen, who he joins on the second expedition, but that’s about it. Kiyomaru is arrogant and disrespectful, constantly talking rudely to his superiors.

    • Elemental attribute: Metal
    • Introduced in: Season 2, Episode 1 (anime); Chapter 36 (manga)
    • Voice actor: Maaya Uchida (Japanese); Elizabeth Hohman (English)
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Section 4 of 5:

Kotaku Inhabitants

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   Rien Rien is the leader of Lord Tensen, the beings who rule over Kotaku where the Elixir of Life supposedly resides, and the series’ main antagonist. As a tensen, they can change their body between male and female forms and possess incredible tao skills. They landed on Kotaku over 1,000 years ago with their husband, Jofuku. When he passed, Rien made it their mission to revive him, which ultimately led them to sacrifice humans to achieve their goals. So, while they’re driven by love, they’re sociopathic and cruel, and view humans as nothing.

   • Ibama adds that Rien is the creator of the other antagonists and that they’re all split-up versions of them.
   • Elemental attribute: Earth
   • Introduced in: Season 1, Episode 9 (anime); Chapter 53 (manga)
   • Voice actor: Yuko Kaida and Junichi Suwabe (Japanese); Michelle Rojas and Ian Sinclair (English)
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   Mei Mei is an ancient tensen who appears as a young, pink-haired girl. While she was born 1,000 years ago and faithfully served Rien, she started to question her leader. This caused Rien to punish her and revert her body to a child’s. Mei escaped and lived happily with Hoko until she eventually came across Gabimaru and his crew. Despite her status as a tensen, Mei proves to be an ally: she’s so kind and helpful, even Gabimaru can’t help but have a soft spot for her.

   • Elemental attribute: Water
   • Introduced in: Season 1 Episode 7 (anime); Chapter 16 (manga)
   • Voice actor: Konomi Kohara (Japanese); Macy Anne Johnson (English)
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   Hoko Hoko is a hoko-being, an immortal race of human-like creatures. However, 1,000 years ago, the hoko contracted a disease called arborification, where they started to resemble trees. After Hoko’s wife and children succumbed to the disease, he left his village, which is where he ran into the recently escaped Mei. He took her in and raised her as his daughter, and the two were still living together when they came across Gabimaru and his crew. He’s peaceful, kind, and helpful, though he puts Mei above everyone else.

   • Elemental attribute: Metal
   • Introduced in: Season 1, Episode 7 (anime); Chapter 17 (manga)
   • Voice actor: Cho (Japanese); Jim Foronda (English)
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   Ju Fa Ju Fa is a member of Lord Tensen and Tao Fa’s partner and other half, who usually stays in their male form. They’re hot-headed and aggressive, and would do anything to protect Tao Fa. While they’re currently hostile towards humans, 1,000 years ago, they felt uneasy about Rien’s harsh behavior and attitude towards other creatures. Ju Fa retained his humanity and sanity the longest, but ultimately chose to give in so he could stick by Tao Fa’s side.

   • Elemental attribute: Fire
   • Introduced in: Season 1, Episode 6 (anime); Chapter 16 (manga)
   • Voice actor: Yuko Kaida and Junichi Suwabe (Japanese); Michelle Rojas and Ian Sinclair (English)
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   Tao Fa Tao Fa is a friendly and upbeat Lord Tensen member and Ju Fa’s partner who prefers staying in their female form. While they once felt sorry for the creatures Rien used to bring back Jofuku, they’ve become hardened and unsympathetic over the years—a fact that they recognize and that they know stems from the trauma they’ve endured.

   • Elemental attribute: Wood
   • Introduced in: Season 1, Episode 6 (anime); Chapter 16 (manga)
   • Voice actor: Yuko Kaida and Junichi Suwabe (Japanese); Michelle Rojas and Ian Sinclair (English)
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   Zhu Jin Zhu Jin is a member of Lord Tensen. And despite loyally serving Rien and sharing a disdain for humans, they’re very lazy and unenthusiastic. They don’t like actually having to do their job and would rather ask people to go than outright fight them.

   • Elemental attribute: Water
   • Introduced in: Season 1, Episode 8 (anime); Chapter 19 (manga)
   • Voice actor: Yuko Kaida and Junichi Suwabe (Japanese); Michelle Rojas and Ian Sinclair (English)
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   Mu Dan Mu Dan is another Lord Tensen member who prefers their male form. They have an easygoing and peaceful demeanor, but that’s just a facade for their sadism and disdain for humans. They love to play with people and have a “fun” game of turning humans into servants that obey their every command.

   • Elemental attribute: Earth
   • Introduced in: Season 1, Episode 9 (anime); Chapter 26 (manga)
   • Voice actor: Yuko Kaida and Junichi Suwabe (Japanese); Michelle Rojas and Ian Sinclair (English)
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   RanRan is a part of Lord Tensen and typically favors their male form. They’re loyal to Lord Tensen and genuinely believe they’re a family. So, Ran is the only one who truly cared that Mei was gone. When they run into her later, they’re overjoyed and beg for her to come back. That said, like the rest of Lord Tensen, Ran looks down upon humans and is happy to use them as Rien instructs.

   • Elemental attribute: Water
   • Introduced in: Season 1, Episode 9 (anime); Chapter 26 (manga)
   • Voice actor: Yuko Kaida and Junichi Suwabe (Japanese); Michelle Rojas and Ian Sinclair (English)
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   Gui FaGui Fa is the last Lord Tensen member, who maintains a form split between their male and female forms. They’re incredibly shy and avoid making eye contact with others, instead hiding their face behind a book. And while they’re unsympathetic to humans and only view them as something to use, they’re not violent.

   • Elemental attribute: Metal
   • Introduced in: Season 1, Episode 9 (anime); Chapter 26 (manga)
   • Voice actor: Yuko Kaida (Japanese); Michelle Rojas (English)
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Section 5 of 5:

Other Characters

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   Yui Yui is the daughter of the Chief of Iwagakure and Gabimaru’s wife. After Gabimaru became a renowned shinobi in the village, Yui’s father forced her to marry him so Yui would produce more talented assassins. However, Yui is a kind and gentle soul, and wasn’t scared of Gabimaru, despite his reputation. She sees and brings out the emotion within him, and the two grow to love each other. Gabimaru becomes so devoted to her that he asks the chief to relieve him of his duties so he could lead a peaceful life with her…which is ultimately why he ends up on death row.

   • Elemental attribute: Wood
   • Introduced in: Season 1, Episode 1 (anime); Chapter 1 (manga)
   • Voice actor: Mamiko Noto (Japanese); Skyler McIntosh (English)
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   Nariyoshi TokugawaTokugawa is the current shogun of Japan who’s responsible for kicking off Hell’s Paradise. He learns about an Elixir of Life that supposedly resides on the mystical island of Kotaku and grants its drinker immortality. So, he enlists teams of samurai and vicious criminals to find it for him. So, it’s no surprise that he’s a greedy, selfish, and quite sadistic man.

   • Elemental attribute: Earth
   • Introduced in: Season 1, Episode 1 (anime); Chapter 1 (manga)
   • Voice actor: Chafuurin (Japanese); Barry Yandell (English)
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