Yagyu Kyuubei

Next head of the Yagyu family and a cross-dressing female swordsman

Next head of the Yagyu family, a woman who excels in swordsmanship while disguised as a man. Raised as a boy from childhood, she boasts high-level sword techniques and god-speed sword strikes. She is childhood friends with Otae and has a deep connection with her.

Quotes

  • “I will protect Otae-neesan”
  • “No matter how painful, I can't abandon my sword”
  • “I was raised as a boy, but I want to find the real me”
  • “Otae is my everything”
  • “Man or woman doesn't matter, my sword is straight”

Trivia

  • Her left eye was injured while protecting Otae from debt collectors.
  • Raised as a boy in childhood, she struggles with gender identity.
  • Ponytail hairstyle is her trademark.
  • Extremely dislikes being touched by men.
  • She has strong feelings for Otae, with an overprotective and sometimes runaway side.
  • Actually a beautiful girl, highly praised by the Smile managers when dressed as a woman.

Alternate names

Kyuubei Yagyuu 柳生次期当主 柳生家の男装剣士

Tags

Gintama Swordsman Cross-dressing Yagyu Family Female Character Childhood Friend Swordsmanship Samurai Gag

Profile

Species
Human
Gender
Female

Appearance

Overall appearance
Petite and one-eyed. Her bangs cover her left eye, and her right eye is visible. She usually dresses in swordsman's formal attire as a man, with a ponytail hairstyle. Despite being a flawless beautiful girl, she hides her gender.
Distinguishing features
  • Left eye is one-eyed
  • Cross-dressing
  • Ponytail
  • Petite
Iconic items
  • Yagyu family sword
  • Eyepatch
  • Swordsman's formal attire
  • Ponytail hairstyle

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Sincere
Detailed personality
She had an arrogant and self-righteous side in her childhood, but through her interactions with Otae, she shows a straightforward and gentle side. She is earnest and single-minded about swordsmanship, confronting her identity as a woman and struggling with it while living strongly. She also has an overprotective and jealous side.
Keywords
  • Sincere
  • Self-righteous
  • Devoted to swordsmanship
  • Cross-dressing
  • Jealous
  • Straightforward
  • Overprotective
  • Caring for childhood friend
Talents
  • God-speed sword techniques
  • Swordsman's talent
  • Cross-dressing skills
  • Combat insight
Skills
  • Yagyu Chen'in-ryu swordsmanship school
  • Endurance
  • Negotiation skills (family mediation)
Motivation
While aware of her role as the head of the Yagyu family, she cherishes her bonds with Otae and Shinpachi, aiming to master the way of the sword and live true to herself.
Habits
She sometimes goes overboard with Otae. She hates being touched by men and mercilessly throws anyone who touches her.
Favorite foods
Food made by Otae, Japanese sweets
Favorite places
Yagyu family home, Smile
Disliked situations
Being touched by men, Lies or prejudices about her own gender

History

Backstory
She lost her mother in childhood and was raised as a boy by her father and grandfather. As the next head of the Yagyu family, she bears the responsibilities of the successor and hones her sword skills daily. Her deep connections with her childhood friends Otae and Shinpachi serve as her mental support. Her left eye was injured in childhood while trying to protect Otae. Due to being raised as a boy, she struggles with gender identity and harbors aspirations for a more feminine way of life.
Debut date
circa 2003
Work title
Gintama
Media type
Manga

First appearance in the Yagyu arc

Significant event
First appearance in the Yagyu arc
Description
She appears as a cross-dressing beautiful girl swordsman, overly protective towards Otae, and clashes with Shinpachi.

Reconciliation with Yorozuya

Significant event
Reconciliation with Yorozuya
Description
After conflicts with Yorozuya, she forms a friendly relationship with Otae and others, building a normal friendship as a girl.

Participation in Silver Soul arc

Significant event
Participation in Silver Soul arc
Description
During the Altair Liberation Army's invasion of Earth, she recruits volunteers and fights alongside the protagonists.

Arranged marriage declaration

Significant event
Arranged marriage declaration
Description
As the head of the Yagyu family, she announces that she will have an arranged marriage with Binbokusai.

Struggles with love and gender

Significant event
Struggles with love and gender
Description
Her growth is depicted as she grapples with her own gender identity and relationships with those around her.

Relationships

Yagyu Koshinori

Father

Her father and current head of the Yagyu family. He raised Kyuubei as a boy to protect the family and traditions, but inwardly struggles with her gender.

Yagyu Binbokusai

Grandparent

Her grandfather and former head. He is Kyuubei's sword master, with a noticeable cheapskate vibe but high skill.

Shimura Tae

Best friend

Childhood friends who have built a deep friendship and trust. She loves and protects Otae excessively.

Shimura Shinpachi

Friend

They knew each other since childhood, and now they are friendly with reduced excessive wariness towards Shinpachi.

Sakata Gintoki

Ally

She has a cooperative relationship with Gintoki, the head of Yorozuya, and sometimes fights alongside him with swords.

Yagyu Family

Yagyu Family: leader

Media appearances

Gintama

Manga / Supporting

Serialization started in 2003

Gintama (Anime)

Anime / Supporting

Broadcast started in 2006

Voice cast and creators

Fumiko Orikasa

Voice actor
Fumiko Orikasa
Language
Japanese
Version or series
TV Anime version

Related goods

Yagyu Kyuubei Figure

Item name
Yagyu Kyuubei Figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

Yagyu Kyuubei Illustration Collection

Item name
Yagyu Kyuubei Illustration Collection
Category
Stationery
Availability
Regular