Katsura is Gintoki's former comrade during the Joi war. Even after the Amanto take-over of Japan, Katsura continues to resist the Amanto, and has amassed a band of followers.
He is a wanted man due to his involvement in terrorist activities against the Bakufu, and is constantly on the run from the Shinsengumi. Although his initial methods were originally more violent in nature (for instance, sending a bomb to an Amanto embassy), Katsura has gradually grown to believe that there are people important to him in Edo, and decides that he no longer wants to destroy the country, but believes there should be a way to change it without causing sacrifices. Katsura seems to be highly respected by his followers, and has even been called the "Daybreak of the Joui Faction" by some.
When people believed that Katsura had died during the Benizakura arc, even other terrorist groups tried to avenge his death. Since he is a wanted man, Katsura is often seen wearing disguises, although his identity is often still easily found out.
Katsura seems to possess a rather outdated sense of humour, and sometimes refers to things from a past era, such as when he tried to buy a Famicon when people were queuing up to buy the OwEe (a parody of the Wii). He also seems to have a tendency to make up dramatic stories, which moves others to tears when they hear them (except Gintoki). Katsura sometimes works odd jobs to raise money for his terrorist activities. He claims that his heart has started to be moved by Ikumatsu and held his subsequent interview in her ramen restaurant.
His name is based on the historical Katsura Kogoro.
