Watsuki describes that version of Hijikata, seen in Moeyo Ken (Burn, O Sword), as "a bundle of raw combat-instinct who keeps fighting until the very death."

Since, according to Watsuki, the addition of the Oniwabanshū occurred during the "last minute," he found difficulty writing with him since he had not resolved a "concrete image" for Aoshi.

As the image of Hijikata grew stronger within Watsuki, the Rurouni Kenshin author added fringes (bangs) to Aoshi's design.

"[5] During the run of the Kyoto arc, Watsuki reported receiving a reader letter that said "I'll bet Aoshi is gonna be another one of those characters who just happens to be around to help Kenshin in times of need."

As a response Watsuki decided to make Aoshi an antagonist in the arc and fight Okina (Kashiwazaki Nenji), his former master.

[7] Born in January 1853 in Tokyo Prefecture,[8] Shinomori Aoshi was raised a ninja of the Oniwabanshū, who worked for the Shogunate government during the Edo period.

At the suggestion of Kashiwazaki Nenji (better known as Okina), Shinomori was given the position of Okashira at the age of fifteen, in time for the Oniwabanshou to defend Edo Castle.

Aoshi's weapon of choice is a kodachi, a sword that is described in the series to act like a shield because its light weight makes it easy to block with.

Among several from his Kodachi nito Ryu, the Kaiten Kenbu Rokuren (回天剣舞・六連（かいてんけんぶ・ろくれん）, "Spinning-Heavenly Sword-Dance Six-Series" or "The Dance Of The Wheeling Sword Six Successions") is the strongest.

Once they reach Tokyo, Aoshi solves Yukishiro Enishi's trick of having orchestrated the fake death of Kamiya Kaoru.

[16] Filmedinether felt that despite changes in regards to Shinomori's story from the original series, his character fits well into the manga and praised his fight scenes.

[18] On the other hand, Anime News Network lamented the screentime the cast in general has in Kyoto Inferno as he and Misao "are shortchanged by the larger demands of the story.