Taigen is kind of a mess. Honestly, when we first meet him in the Shindo Dojo, he’s exactly the type of guy you want to see get punched in the face. He’s loud. He’s arrogant. He treats his fiancée, Akemi, like a trophy he won at a fair rather than a human being. And then there is the bullying. The way he treated Mizu when they were kids was genuinely stomach-turning.
But then something happens. Mizu beats him.
It wasn’t just a loss. It was a total dismantling of his identity. In the world of Blue Eye Samurai, Taigen is "The Undefeated." Until he isn't. Watching his descent from a top-tier warrior to a shamed, wandering ronin is one of the most compelling arcs in recent animation. He doesn't just go away and mope. He obsesses. He chases honor like a dog chasing a car, only to realize he doesn't actually know what to do with it once he catches it.
The Myth of the "Great Man"
Mizu says something really specific about him. She says Taigen isn't a good man, but he has the "makings of a great one." That’s a heavy distinction.
Being "great" in Edo-period Japan usually meant status, power, and a sharp sword. Taigen had all of that. He worked for it, too. We find out his father was a fisherman—an abusive alcoholic who made Taigen feel worthless. Becoming a samurai wasn't just a career move; it was an escape from a life of smelling like salt and failure. He fought his way out of the mud.
But "goodness" is different. Goodness requires empathy, and Taigen spent most of his life suffocating his empathy so he could be a better killer.
Why he didn't kill Mizu
People always ask why he didn't just end it during their first duel. In episode one, he has the blade to her neck. He walks away. Why?
It was ego. Pure and simple.
He wanted to savor the win. He wanted to show everyone that he was so much better than this "dog" that he didn't even need to finish the job quickly. He was gloating. If he had been a "good" samurai, he would have followed through. If he had been a "bad" person, he would have been more efficient. Instead, he was just an arrogant kid who didn't realize he was in a story where the protagonist has blue eyes and a very long memory.
The Chemistry Problem
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the tension between Taigen and Mizu.
By the time they are hiding out from Fowler’s men, the vibe shifts. It’s not just two guys who hate each other anymore. It’s something weirder. There’s that scene where they’re wrestling on the ground, and Taigen... well, he has a physical reaction.
The internet has gone wild over this. Is he bisexual? Is his body recognizing her as a woman even if his brain hasn't caught up yet?
Co-creator Michael Green has compared their dynamic to the movie Yentl. It’s about two people who connect over a shared obsession—in this case, the sword. They are mirrors of each other. Taigen respects strength. He respects skill. He sees Mizu as his only true peer, and in the rigid, lonely world of a warrior, that kind of connection feels a lot like love. Even if it starts with a punch to the gut.
What happens next for Taigen?
At the end of Season 1, Taigen is in a weird spot.
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Akemi has basically dumped him for a shot at real political power. She’s done being the "pretty bird" in his cage. She wants to be great, while Taigen—for the first time in his life—just wants to be happy.
- He’s no longer at the Shindo Dojo.
- He’s lost his status.
- His fiancée is the Shogun's new power player.
- Mizu is on a boat to London.
There are a lot of theories about Season 2. Some people think he’ll follow Mizu to Europe. Others think he’ll stay in Japan and become a monk or a protector for the people. Honestly, him becoming a monk would be the ultimate irony. The man who lived for his hair and his pride shaving his head to serve others? That’s a redemption arc worth watching.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you’re trying to understand Taigen’s role in the larger narrative, keep an eye on his hands. Early in the show, they are always on his hilt, ready to strike. By the end, he’s using them to help Mizu, to carry Ringo, and to reach out to Akemi.
Watch for these three things in Season 2: 1. The Reveal: How will he react when he officially finds out Mizu is a woman? It’s going to be a mess.
2. The Rivalry: Will he still insist on a duel to the death, or has he moved past the need for "honor"?
3. The Status: Does he try to claw his way back into the Shogunate, or does he embrace the life of a ronin?
Taigen is the character who proves that change is possible, even for the biggest jerks. He’s failing upward, learning how to be a person instead of just a weapon. It’s messy, it’s loud, and it’s exactly why we keep watching.
To get a better sense of Taigen's fighting style compared to Mizu's, you should re-watch the Episode 1 duel and pay attention to how his form breaks down the moment he gets frustrated. It tells you everything you need to know about his mental state.