Makimachi Misao

Makimachi Misao
Rurouni Kenshin character
Makimachi Misao on the cover of Rurouni Kenshin Kanzenban Volume 7
First appearance	Rurouni Kenshin Act 62: On the East Sea Road
Created by	Nobuhiro Watsuki
Voiced by	Japanese Tomo Sakurai (anime) English Melodee Spevack (Samurai X version) Philece Sampler (anime) Meg Bauman-Shideler (New Kyoto Arc) Brittney Karbowski (Live-action film trilogy)
Portrayed by	Tao Tsuchiya
Profile
Nickname(s)	Weasel girl
Affiliations	Oniwabanshū

Makimachi Misao (巻町 操^?), known in Western order as Misao Makimachi in the Media Blasters dub, is a character from the fictional Rurouni Kenshin universe created by Nobuhiro Watsuki.

Misao is a 16-year-old woman and the youngest member of the ninja group called Oniwabanshuu. She leaves her home to find her missing leader, Shinomori Aoshi but instead encounters Himura Kenshin during his journey to Kyoto alone. She soon proves herself a valuable ally and temporarily made it to the status of leader. Although she is a bit young, she develops a strong romantic feelings for Aoshi.

Misao is a fairly skilled kunoichi (female ninja) from the Oniwabanshū clan of onmitsu (spies/ninja) previously based in Edo. Her weapons of choice are the kunai. She is about sixteen years old when she is first introduced. In the work, Misao is often compared to a weasel.

Misao was introduced because Watsuki felt that the Kyoto arc needed an extra heroine character to interact with Kenshin since Kenshin and Kaoru were separate. He created Misao to be as "bright" as possible since the story was scheduled to be "in a dark direction." Watsuki added that "It's though Yahiko + Kaoru / 2 = Misao." The author of Rurouni Kenshin gave her an association with the Oniwabanshū, stemming from the reader suggestion of an Oniwabanshū kunoichi. To prevent additional complications in the storyline, Watsuki wanted Misao as a character who would not develop romantic feelings for Kenshin. Her design originates from Nakoruru in Samurai Shodown (Samurai Spirits); according to Watsuki he received criticism for this. Watsuki believes that she is closer to Mai Shiranui and Yuri Sakazaki from another SNK "battle-game." According to Watsuki the setup of the physical design occurred very quickly as he "fussed" with an Oniwabanshū ninja outfit "a bit." Watsuki intended for Misao's face and body to resemble that of a young man. While Misao is 16, Watsuki wanted her to appear like a 13-year-old. Watsuki argued with his editors about the inclusion of Misao's braid. Ultimately it was kept since it added emphasis to Misao's movements. Watsuki said that he added the cloak "just for fun." The creator of Rurouni Kenshin intended for her to have a "painful" encounter with Aoshi in the future, but that Misao would "keep going strong." Watsuki said that he enjoyed drawing Misao. Her family name originates from a place where Watsuki lived in Niigata.