give my regards
to sensei for me.
 Here's where it all began: under the tutelage of a school teacher by the name of 吉田松陽 (Yoshida Shouyou), who is referred to as Shouyou-sensei by his students (and mentioned as sensei by our beloved trio). It is at his school that Takasugi learns the way of the samurai, or what is known as bushido. Takasugi has spent a majority of his life learning under Shouyou-sensei and over time, comes to hold his teacher as someone who is absolutely dear to him. Shouyou-sensei is someone who Takasugi has always put above others in his heart. Takasugi loved his teacher, but in a non-romantic sense; his love was more or less akin to respect and admiration. Shouyou-sensei was his only role model in his life, probably closer to a father figure than his actual father at some point (again, speculation since we do not know anything of his real family). Shouyou-sensei ultimately shaped Takasugi's viewpoints and state of mind; he was his main influence, his source of guidance. It's no wonder that Takasugi was utterly devastated at the loss of this important figure in his life, to the point where his revenge becomes his only focus.
❝ Think about the sword that we hold in our hands... who was the one who taught us how to use it? The path of bushido --who taught us its meaning? Without a doubt... who brought us a world we could live in? All this is due to the teaching of Shouyou-sensei. Yet this world has torn him from our side. If that's the way it is, then I can only pick a fight with this world! I can only smash this corrupted world that has taken him away from us. (Takasugi, chapter 97)
running away from government
officials as usual, I see
 桂小太郎 (Katsura Kotarou) is, like Takasugi, a wanted terrorist. But, unlike Takasugi, he has reformed his ways and is opting for more peaceful acts of terrorism... that more or less involves turning the toilet paper rolls of the Shinsengumi to dispense in the wrong direction. Takasugi's first visit he made while he touch-downed in Edo was the monk. Not only do we learn from Katsura that Takasugi has been on the run since their separation after the war, but also Katsura is still informed and (somewhat) updated with his old comrades. Katsura's shocked (and worried?) expression after learning of Takasugi's plan gives us a notion that he either still cares about his comrade and doesn't want to see him harmed, or he doesn't agree with Takasugi's extreme acts of violence despite being an activist himself. While Katsura's initial methods of overthrowing the Amanto involved violence, he changed his ways after realizing that there are important people to him in Edo. During the Benizakura arc, Katsura attempts to convince Takasugi to reform his ways, but ultimately falls short. Their ideals are so close yet so far, and both are too stubborn to accept the government's present condition as it is, especially Takasugi.
❝ From the past to the present, I have detested you. But even so, I have always seen you as my comrade, from the past to the present. Since when has our path started to part?
(Katsura, chapter 97)
gintoki... have you
become weak?
 Of course, what character shrine is complete without its blurb about the relationship between the character and the main protagonist? (Unless the shrine is dedicated towards the main protagonist... haha.) 坂田銀時 (Sakata Gintoki) is the lovable, lazy and all around good guy in Gintama. Formerly known as Shiroyasha (White Demon), Gintoki is referred to the strongest warrior during the Joui war. Gintoki and Takasugi's relationship is definitely something ridden with tension. When we first see their encounter during the series, it's obvious Takasugi is someone who puts Gintoki on edge: the main character and his villain is established. They're a pair who've known each other for so long, yet their reactions to each other aren't exactly fond. While they looked amiable as kids, as they grew older they also grew apart. It's a close assumption that after their teacher's death, their relationship died a little as well; the only thing that held them together cohesively was their relation to Shouyou-sensei.
❝ Wait. Are they similar? Those two students... to Shouyou...?
❝ Not really. One of them... seeks to protect what Shouyou left behind. And the other... seeks to destroy what he left. However... they were the same... they both had eyes full of sadness. (Oboro, Nobome, chapter 398)
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