Shitan is a tall, handsome man with an almost-androgynous look, which likely makes him appealing to women. He has straight, shoulder-length dark-purple hair (originally magenta), with his hair partially covering the left side of his face. His purple eyes and eyebrows (originally brown) further complement his striking appearance.

Shitan is often seen wearing a purple haori, which he drapes over his shoulders like a cape or blanket, adding to his distinctive and elegant style. His overall look combines both strength and grace, contributing to his calm and composed presence.

Prior to meeting Fena Houtman and joining her crew, Shitan wore a light purple blanket and a purple haori with a floral design. He also had a brown scarf wrapped around his neck and black pants, completing his look by going barefoot, like the other members of the samurai ninja group he traveled with. His original attire conveyed a more traditional, yet simple, appearance.

Upon joining Fena’s crew alongside his six samurai ninja companions, Shitan’s outfit evolved into a more functional and tactical design. He now sports a black ninja outfit consisting of dark indigo leather armor on his chest, sode shoulder armor, and kote arm guards. He wears a leather archery glove on his right hand, paired with dark purple-black pants that reach his ankles, and a purple-black bow tied around his waistline, accented by purple leg guards and black boots.

Shitan’s samurai helmet is black and features a single long horn on one side, while the other horn appears to be removed for an unknown reason. He also wears a black men-yoroi (menpo) facial armor with a blackened mustache piece, which obscures his face while wearing the helmet, adding to his intimidating, mysterious appearance.

As an archer, Shitan’s primary weapons include a bow and a set of arrows stored in a quiver. In his final design, he also wields a short ninja sword as an additional weapon, completing his arsenal and enhancing his versatility in combat.

Shitan’s final design maintains much of the essence of his original appearance, with some key changes that give him a more refined and distinct look. His magenta hair is now a solid purple, and his armor has been simplified for a more streamlined appearance. Instead of the leather arming garments, Shitan now wears a dark purple ninja top with long sleeves, featuring a vine imprinted design, with the shirt now covering his stomach area. The bow tied around his waistline has changed from purple-black to a bright red, a color shared by his fellow samurai (excluding Karin). His leg guards are now a darker purple, and his pants are now solid black. His boots remain unchanged from his original design, maintaining consistency in his overall look.

In his casual apparel, Shitan’s haori has also seen a change, now colored indigo rather than purple. The haori features a vine imprint that trails down to a flower imprint at the bottom. Underneath the haori, he wears a purple buttoned shirt, and a purple-grey ribbon now wraps around his waistline. His pants, which were once black, are now grey, and he dons flip-flop zori sandals on his bare feet, a style shared with his comrade Yukimaru Sanada. Makaba and Tsubaki also wear similar sandals, though Tsubaki adds a touch of detail by wearing white tabi socks with his sandals in his casual attire.

Shitan is often portrayed as an aloof yet easygoing individual, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor. Despite his seemingly distant attitude, he has a strong sense of loyalty and devotion to his friends. This is evident in his decision to join Fena Houtman’s crew, standing alongside his comrades in their pursuit of her goals.

Though Shitan appears laid-back, he is also a man of principle, adhering to a strict code. Initially, he considers abandoning Fena and his friends out of a sense of duty to his heritage, as a descendant of the Japanese expedition that once searched for the Sword of Kusanagi. However, after being persuaded by his comrades, he ultimately chooses to betray his nationalist ties and commit treason to aid Fena in her rescue mission. This act underscores Shitan’s deep loyalty to his friends, demonstrating that his bonds with them outweigh his initial sense of obligation to his family’s legacy.

In an interview with his voice actor on the official Japanese website, it was revealed that Shitan’s humanity is reflected in his strength and attractiveness, which is enhanced by his androgynous appearance. This aspect of his personality, both physically and emotionally, allows him to connect with others in a unique way, making him a compelling and multifaceted character.

The name “Shitan” is derived from the kanji 紫 (shi), meaning “purple,” and 檀 (tan), meaning “rosewood.” Rosewood is a fragrant, close-grained tropical timber known for its distinctive fragrance and is often used in the crafting of furniture and musical instruments. The name likely reflects qualities of strength, elegance, and durability, much like the wood it refers to, as well as a sense of refined beauty, aligning with Shitan’s poised and composed personality.