Critical response to Shishio has been generally positive. In an early part of the Kyoto arc, Megan Lavey of "Mania Entertainment" enjoyed Shishio's display of his power on his own subordinate Hoji by grabbing his head with and displaying the burns his body possesses in order to state that how the Meiji Government made him realize that they are living in "hell" after being betrayed by them. Lavey compared Shishio with Oda Nobunaga based on their similar philospies and actions. "Anime News Network" acclaimed both Shishio's characterization in regards to what he represents to Kenshin's past: "a merciless killer who believes his sword to be the only justice in the land." Similarly, Chris Beveridge "Mania Entertainment" praised the build up the anime's Kyoto arc has had as after fighting so much build up, Shishio fights and delivers skills that would amaze viewers despite suffering major wounds in the process. Beveridge reflected that while Shishio's death caused by his old wounds rather than an attack by Kenshin, the series' protagonist was also pushed down to his limits in the story arc due to fighting Sojiro and Shinomori before Shishio. Nevertheless, the writer concluded that it was still way paid off despite assumptions that Shishio's death might initially come across as a copout. Bamboo Dong from Anime News Network referred to him as everyone's favorite mummy man" but found disgust in how the OVA's stuff showed him having a sexual relationship despite his poor body's form as a result of suffering major burns. Dong also criticized the lack of delivery of good fight scenes despite all the build up Shishio has in order to conquer Japan through his forces.