Creator: Nanae Kurono (or Chrono. I've seen it both ways.)

Publishers: GanGan Comics, Mag Comics do the Manga. I think Gonzo and ADVFilms do the Anime, but don't quote me. 

Anime Info: 24 Episodes + special OVA (or is it OAV?) from October 7, 2003 to March 24, 2004. 

Director: Hirata Tomohiro

Animation Director/Character Design: Hayashi Akimi   

Script: Hasegawa Naoko, Yamaguchi Hiroshi

Manga Info: 4 Manga Volumes (ongoing) of Peacemaker Kurogane, I *think* Shinsengumi Imon Peacemaker manga has 6. (SIM came before PMK, and the show is a mix of both.)

Set during the chaotic first year of the Genji Era, a young man, Ichimura Tetsunosuke, demands to be allowed to join the Shinsengumi- the Miburo, protectors of Kyoto- to avenge the death of his parents. He is allowed to join on the condition he can win against the legendary swordsman, Captain of the first unit, Okita Souji.

He does not win, but all are impressed with his fierce determination, and he is allowed to join...as Hijikata's page.

The series (both Manga and Anime) follows the journey of the young man known as Tetsu as Okita teaches him that, to join the Shinsengumi, he must abandon his humanity and become a demon.

The show is definitely interesting. It is a mix of drama, comedy,and angst. (it also appeals to Science Fiction/Fantasy nuts such as myself, as you will see in later episodes, particularly Episode 4 and the introduction of Saito). What I find most interesting is that Nanae-san tried her best to make it historically accurate- the Shinsengumi really did exist! People who want more information on the Shinsengumi can go to http://www.shinsengumihq.com

My cousins and I agree-the first episode is slightly dumb. But don't judge it by that! It gets so much better as it goes along!