Sakamoto Ryōma was a prominent Japanese samurai and political leader during the late Edo period. Born in 1836, he played a crucial role in the movement to overthrow the Tokugawa shogunate and modernize Japan. Ryōma was instrumental in forming the Sonnō jōi movement, which advocated for the restoration of imperial rule. Ryōma is best known for his efforts in uniting various factions to support the Meiji Restoration. He envisioned a new Japan that embraced Western technology and ideas while preserving its cultural identity. Tragically, he was assassinated in 1867, just before the restoration took place, but his legacy continues to influence Japanese history.