"This whole thing about killing, living and dying, do you think you really need to have a reason?"

This story is located in the historical period known as "The Boshin War" (戊辰戦争, Boshin Sensō, "War of the Year of the Dragon"), or Restoration, during the years 1868 and 1869. This civil war had as actors main, on the one hand, to the defenders of the Shogunate Takegawa or Bakufu, and on the other to the Ishin-shishi, who wished to restore the authority of the Emperor, who had subordinated himself to the Shogun since the battle of Sekigahara, in the year 1600.

The Shogun was supported by many Samurai groups, the most famous being the Shinsengumi, originally created to ensure safety within the city of Kyoto.

This story revolves around Okita Soji, member of the Shinsengumi; One of the most famous swordsmen in Japan. The historical facts that are mentioned in this manga are real.