GAMEZINED - Giving You The Best in Anime!

Bleach 220 is out!

noreply@blogger.com (RJ Javier) — Fri, 22 May 2009 02:08:00 +0000

The episode starts with Poww continuing the brutal beat down on Ikkaku. It’s pretty obvious that the Shinigami is no match against Poww’s raw strength. Just before Poww breaks Ikkaku into two, an unlikely character makes a timely save. 7th Division Captain Komamura steps in and delivers a crushing right fist to Poww’s face, sending the Arrancar flying. Iba then comes into the scene using several rods to stop the teleportation of the real Karakura town from Soul Society (because the pillar was destroyed).

Poww manages to pick himself up and retaliates, punching Komamura hard, sending the Captain crashing into several buildings. The Arrancar then decides to take the fight to the next level. He brings out his sword… which looks like a Toothpick and unleashes his true form - Calderon (Pilot Whale). Poww grows into a towering deformed giant with Popeye forearms. He begins to chase down Ikkaku and Iba. Before he manages to squish the two Shinigami, Komamura makes the save again, catching his punch and doing the unthinkable. He throws the gigantic Arrancar to the ground. While watching this part, I really felt awed and excited because Komamura was never really given enough screen time in the previous seasons of Bleach. Now we finally get to see the “beast” in action.

Komamura doesn’t hold back, and releases his Zanpaktou’s Bankai: Kokujuou Tengen Myou-ou (Enlightened King’s Heavenly Punishment). Komamura’s Bankai summons a massive oni-samurai wearing black plate armor and wielding a gigantic blade. Komamura’s Bankai deflects the Cero blast of Poww, and the two giants start to tear up the town. In desperation, Poww locks down Komamura’s arms and tries to deliver a point-blank Cero. Komamura’s Bankai takes the full force of the blast, but it barely even scratches the armor of the Oni Samurai. Komamura forces the blast into Poww’s mouth which is simply a raw display of brutish strength. Komamura finishes Poww off with an overhead cleave.

The next part is a bit emo. Iba scolds Ikkaku because he didn’t use his Bankai, therefore losing the battle. Because of Ikkaku’s pride, the pillar was destroyed. I loved how Iba says that if you want to be proud, then become stronger. All that matters is the win. I now have new found respect for this weird mustached shinigami. Episode ends with Barragan getting really annoyed that his Fraccion lost against the Shinigami.

Watch Bleach Episode 220 now!

Bleach Encyclopedia

noreply@blogger.com (RJ Javier) — Thu, 21 May 2009 05:56:00 +0000

» A Asauchi: Nameless zanpakutou carried by shinigami who can not gain entrance into the Gotei 13.

» B Bankai ("Final Release"): The second possible stage of release of a zanpakutou. Attaining bankai requires the materialization of the zanpakutou's avatar, and forcing it into submission, which usually takes at least 10 years, even for skilled shinigami. When bankai is achieved, the wielder often gains a 5 to 10 fold increase in fighting strength. Even after attaining bankai, 10 additional years of training are required to master the zanpakutou.

Baron: The name Rukia called Ichigo after she drew a Kaiser mustache on his face.

» C Cero: The beam Menos Grande fire by concentrating their reiatsu.

Chappy: One of the characters that enters the body when a gikongan (soul candy) is taken. There is a large demand for the duck and dog variety, but the most popular is Chappy the rabbit.

» D Dangai: The area between the living world and soul society

Denreishinki: The cell phone-like device used by shinigami to receive orders from Soul Society.

» E Enraku: The name of Orihime's stuffed bear. The name is thought to come from the person who serves the "shouten's" chairman.

» F Fugaiku (lit. district outside the wall): The place in Soul Society located on the outer edge of Seireitei. Many souls reside in fugaiku. The more common name for it is Rukongai.

» G Gentei ("Limit"): When captains and vice-captains come to the living world, in order to prevent unnecessary influence, their power is reduced by 80%, and is symbolized by a patch bearing their squad number.

Getaboushi: Ichigo's nickname for Urahara because of the wooden sandals and striped hat he always wears.

Gigai: The temporary physical body given to shinigami. It was designed by the Shinigami Research Institute (12th squad)

Gikongan: A pill that forces a soul out of its body. It was originally used on souls that had died, but refused to leave their body, but then was applied to help shinigami separate from their gigai. When it is taken, a temporary soul enters the body. Three years ago, it was renamed "Soul Candy" by the Shinigami Women's Association, led by chairwoman Kusajishi Yachiru. The three most popular varieties are Chappy (rabbit), Yuki (duck), and Pebbles (dog). Other kinds available are Diana (snake), Alfred (skeleton), Claudia (bird), Ginnosuke (cat), Gringo (panda), Bruce (monkey), Kaneshiro (frog), and Staina (seal?).

Gokontekkou: The glove Rukia uses to change Ichigo into shinigami form.

» H Hakuda (lit. white strike): Technique used in hand-to-hand combat. This type of combat often involves great danger because the shinigami is fighting unarmed. This technique plays a role in the supreme battle technique known as shunkou, which is executed by compressing a high concentration of kidou into any part of the shinigami's body.

Hakudou ("Soul Movement"): The movement and fluctuation of spirit power.

Hakusuitosaketsu ("Soul Sleep and Chain Link"): Vital parts of a soul. When they are shattered, the soul will die. The soul sleep is the source of spirit power, and the chain link boosts the power of the soul sleep.

Hohou (lit. walking method): If a shinigami is attacking using hakuda, this technique is necessary to assist their movement. It is not a direct offensive technique, however, it can be used to gain the upper hand in a zanpakutou battle. If this technique is mastered, the shinigami will be able to make high speed movements that can't be traced by the eye, called shunpo.

Hueco Mundo: The place where hollows reside.

» I Ichinii: Karin's nickname for Ichigo. It means older brother Ichigo.

Inganokusari ("Chain of Fate"): The chain that connects the soul to the physical body. While it is connected, the soul itself can not die. When the chain is cut, the chain begins to erode from the severed end. If it reaches the chest, a hole will form in the body, and the soul will become a hollow.

Inoshishi Genjin ("Primitive Boar Man"): Ichigo's nickname for Ganju when they first meet.

» J Jigoku (Hell): Hollows that have committed grave sins before their death will be sent to Hell. When the hollow is slain, the Gates of Hell appear and swallow the hollow.

Jigokuchou (Hell butterflies): Only shinigami can control them. If you possess one, you can safely pass through the Senkaimon ("World Piercing Gates")

Jyuureichi ("The Spiritual Gathering Grounds"): The spiritual gathering place in the living world. It is easiest for those who have become spirits to gather there because it is spiritually heterogeneous. The location of this place changes with time, but as of now, is located in Karakura city.

» K Karakura Town Minami Elementary School: The Elementary School Yuzu and Karin attend.

Karate Style Killer Ape: The name Midoriko gave to one of Tatsuki's attacks. When translated into Japanese, it means "The homicidal monkey that does karate"

Kenekikyoku: System blocking those who try to enter from outside the Court of Pure Souls.

Kenseikan: The white hairpiece Kuchiki Byakuya wears. It is only to be worn by nobility.

Kidou ("Demon Arts"): A noble magic that can only be used by shinigami. There are two types of spells: bakudou ("binding spell") and hadou ("blast spell"). Bakudou are mainly used to restrain a target, however, there are some auxiliary spells that can be used for defense or communication. Hadou are mainly used for direct attacks on an opponent. The spells are numbered 1 through 99, and increase in power and difficulty of casting, as the number increases. Some of the higher order bakudou not only bind the target, but are also capable of attacking offensively. These spells are classified as fuusatsugata ("deadly binding type"). When a shinigami masters kidou, they are able to cast spells hastily by bypassing the incantation for the spell. To gain this high level of power, a shinigami must go through intense training. A list of known kidou can be found here.

Kikanshinki: A type of kiokuchikan used on humans who have seen a shinigami or hollow. The cheapest fuel for it is rated "D" It inputs a random, false memory into the human's mind.

Kiokuchikan ("Memory Substitute"): Instrument used by shinigami to manipulate the memory of humans.

Kishi: The substance that makes up all things in the living world.

Konpaku: A soul. The good souls are called "pluses" and the bad sould are called "hollows"

Konsou ("Soul Burial"): The process by which a soul is sent to Soul Society by a shinigami.

Koutotsu: The cleaner that monitors the "dangai" (the area between the living world and Soul Society) In order to remove intruders, it forms a high density "koutotsu"

Kuukanyouketsu ("Space freeze"): The measure that is taken to protect souls when shinigami battle in the human world.

Kuumon ("Sky Gate"): When Menos Grande appeared in the living world, the sky gates caused distortion in the living world. It is believed that their convergence signals the emergence of a Menos.

Kyoumon ("Mirror Gate"): A high class barrier that reflects attacks from the outside.

» L

» M Maki Maki: Yachiru's nickname for the 10th seat of 11th squad, Aramaki Makizou.

» N Negation: The light Menos Grande use when helping those of the same family. When it is used, interference from outside the light becomes impossible, and the space inside becomes completely segregated from the outside world.

» O Onigoto: Tag. This is an obsolete word and is probably used because Yoruichi is so old. It means the same as the word "onigokko" meaning "pretend demons" where the "it" person is a demon and tries to tag another person.

» P Pachinko Dama ("Pachinko Ball"): The insult Yachiru spits at Ikkaku when she sees his skinhead.

» Q Quincy: A race of humans who gained spiritual awareness and the ability to attack with spirit energy by using destructive arts. These arts are used to form arrows that are created by gathering spirit particles in the air. These arrows kill hollows, rather than cleansing them, which caused an unbalance in the flow of souls between Soul Society and the Human World. Because of this inbalance, the shinigami were forced to eradicate the Quincy. Two hundred years after this incident, there are only two remaining Quincy.

» R Reiatsu ("Spirit pressure"): The energy in a soul that can be used to attack. The amount of reiatsu a soul has is linked with the soul's spiritual awareness, and the strength of its resolve. As long as the reiatsu and reiryoku of a soul remain strong, the soul will have a constant wave of strength. Reiatsu can become a shield to deflect attacks from the enemy if the defender's reiatsu is much larger than the attacker's.

Reihou ("Spirit Laws"): The laws which shinigami must obey.

Reiraku ("Spirit Threads"): The visualization of spiritual auras. They are created by compressing spiritual auras in the atmosphere into visible "threads" Only high ranked shinigami are able to see or touch them, and it has been shown that Quincy can also obtain this ability. The reiraku of shinigami are colored crimson, while normal souls' are colored white.

Reiryoku ("Spirit Power"): The power obtained when you become a spirit. It is possible to be born with reiryoku.

Reishi: The main substance that comprises a soul.

» S Sakana Tsura ("Fish Mask"): The name Ichigo says when he sees the hollow Fishbone D (The first hollow Ichigo fights)

Senkaimon ("World Piercing Gate"): The gate that connects Soul Society and the living world. A zanpakutou has the ability to unlock the gate. By piling reishihenkanki (spirit exchangers) on top of the senkaimon, kishi can be converted to reishi, allowing entrance to soul society without being in soul form.

Shihakushou: The shinigami's uniform.

Shikai ("Initial Release"): The first possible stage of release of a zanpakutou. To attain it, one must achieve interaction and synchronization with their zanpakutou.

Shinigami ("Death God" or "Souls Reaper"): The souls responsible for maintaining a balance between Soul Society and the human world. They exterminate and purify hollows, and lead souls to Soul Society through konsou. They can change the embodiment of their zanpakutou through their reiryoku. The four basic battle techniques of shinigami are collectively called zankensouki. They names of the individual techniques are: hakuda, hohou, kidou, and zanjutsu. Each of these four combat techniques has a limit. Once a shinigami has reached the limit in four techniques, they will have reached the limit of their spiritual body, and will not be able to escalate their strength any further.

Shinketsu ("Pure blood"): Parents of shinigami. Their abilities are higher than those of an ordinary shinigami.

Shutsugekiryou ("Combat Mission Charge"): A charge for destroying buildings or other property on a mission.

Souma Fixer: Solution used to help shinigami align with their gigai. If overused, it makes it difficult for the shinigami to exit the gigai.

» T Tentouken ("Heavenly Gliding Figure"): An overcoat-like instrument Yoruichi gives to Ichigo. The wearer gains the ability to fly.

Tokumori (lit. special prospering, translated as "extra large" by most groups): The word Kon uses when he refers to Orihime's breasts.

Touchan's Great Whistle: The whistle Ichigo's dad uses when he calls a family meeting.

Tsuikakyuukin (Hollow Bounty): When a dangerous hollow is cleansed, a reward may be given to the shinigami. The reward for Shrieker (the hollow controlling the boy trapped in the parakeet) was 5000 kan. However, Fishbone D (first hollow fought), Hexspodus (second hollow in the park), and Acid Wire (Inoue's brother) were not worth anything.

Tsukitsukinomai ("The Lucky Lucky Dance"): The dance Ikkaku does when he is excited about getting to fight.

» U Ugendou: The name of the 13th squad captain's office. When Ukitake's health is poor, he often receives medical treatment here.

» V

» W

» X

» Y Yakka ("Baseball-Soccer"): The new sport that Orihime created. It combines soccer and baseball. It is basically one-on-one, creating a big disadvantage for the defensive side.

Yaochou ("The Super 800"): The fruit and vegetable merchant in Karakura city. The shopkeeper is Kenjii-san.

Yumisawajidoukouen ("Yumisawa Childrens' Park"): The park in Karakura City where the hollow Hexspodus appeared. It is the place where Ichigo finally resolved to help Rukia with her shinigami work.

» Z Zanjutsu (lit. cutting technique): Combat using a zanpakutou.

Zankensouki: The name for the 4 basic combat techniques of the shinigami. The names of the techniques are: hakuda, hohou, kidou, and zanjutsu.

Zanpakutou ("Soul Slayer"): Used by shinigami to kill hollows. It washes away sins committed by the soul after it became a hollow so that it can enter Soul Society through a "soul burial." All zanpakutou have two possible stages of release. The first is called shikai (initial release) and The second is called bankai. The training from shikai to bankai usually exceeds 10 years, even for talented shinigami. After achieving bankai, at least 10 additional years of training are required to completely master the zanpakutou. The lower class shinigami that do not gain entrance into the Gotei 13 carry nameless zanpakutou called "asauchi"

Bleach Factoids

noreply@blogger.com (RJ Javier) — Thu, 21 May 2009 05:53:00 +0000

Do you have the same birthday as a Bleach character? Find out!

January
01: Shihouin Yoruichi
08: Ikkanzaka Jiroubou
10: Ikkanzaka Jidanbou
14: Kuchiki Rukia
21: Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni
31: Kuchiki Byakuya

February
11: Soi Fong
12: Kusajishi Yachiru
29: Yasochika Iemura

March
03: Ogawa Michiru
14: Ishida Ryuuken
22: Ishida Souken
23: Don Kanonji
27: Kira Izuru
30: Kurotsuchi Mayuri
30: Kurotsuchi Nemu

April
01: Asano Keigo
01: Yamada Hanatarou
04: Hanakari Jinta
07: Sado Yasutora
13: Honshou Chizuru
14: Ogidou Harunobu
21: Unohana Retsu

May
05: Oomaeda Marechiyo
05: Toono Midoriko
06: Kurosaki Karin
06: Kurosaki Yuzu
12: Tsukabishi Tessai
18: Kunieda Ryou
23: Kojima Mizuiro
29: Aizen Sousuke

June
03: Hinamori Momo
09: Kurosaki Masaki
25: Kurumadani Zennosuke

July
07: Ise Nanao
08: Enjouji Tatsufusa
11: Kyouraku Shunsui
15: Kurosaki Ichigo
17: Arisawa Tatsuki
18: Iba Tetsuzaemon

August
02: Kotetsu Isane
07: Natsui Mahana
14: Hisagi Shuuhei
23: Komamura Sajin
31: Abarai Renji

September
03: Inoue Orihime
09: Tsumugiya Ururu
10: Ichimaru Gin
13: Ochi Misato
19: Ayasegawa Yumichika
22: Kotsubaki Sentarou
22: Kotetsu Kiyone
29: Matsumoto Rangiku

October
01: Shiba Kuukaku
15: Shiba Ganju
27: Shiba Kaien

November
04: Sasakibe Choujirou
06: Ishida Uryuu
09: Madarame Ikkaku
13: Tousen Kaname
19: Zaraki Kenpachi

December
10: Kurosaki Isshin
20: Hitsugaya Toushirou
21: Ukitake Juushirou
30: Kon
31: Urahara Kisuke

Bleach Locations

noreply@blogger.com (RJ Javier) — Thu, 21 May 2009 05:49:00 +0000

Soul Society vs. Earth:

Soul Society is the place where spirits live, only souls can enter it: it is an afterlife world. Spirits don't have a material body, that's why it is impossible for humans to access it. Humans' and souls' worlds are separated by the Dangai. Except hollows, if one enters it, it is impossible to get out of it. It is a tunnel, and if you're caught inside, you won't be able to move anymore.

Soul Society consists of two main parts, the Seireitei in the center, where the shinigami live and the Rukongai where all the other spirits dwell, the latter can't enter the Seireitei which have 4 gates, protected by the elite shinigami. In addition to that, it is also protected by a sphere shaped barrier that blocks any spiritual energy. It is a very vast world, thus, it is very hard for two souls who knew each other in their human lives to find each other.

Like the Earth, Soul Society has laws, institutes, a government; however, their rules are made in order to protect human spirits, whether they are on Earth or in Soul Society. Souls, like humans, need to eat, especially if they hold spiritual powers. However, the appearance they have is the one they had the moment they died as humans, thus, it is hard to know who is older than who: a child could be older than an adult if he died before the adult. The length of days and night, the time, is the same in each world.

Earth in Bleach is our modern days world, it has TV, computers, etc. However, even if the system is similar in Soul Society, they don't have the same technology. Souls' world could be compared to our world during the Middle Ages. The lifestyle of ordinary souls in the Rukongai could be compared to a peasant's life, but it's sure not as tough, they live peacefully. They do not forget their human lives, thus, souls know humans' world whereas very few humans know the existence of Soul Society, there are only references to it as "Heaven". No human really knows nor believe it until he dies. A lot of humans live in fear of death, but souls, being already dead, don't have to fear anything of this kind. They enter Soul Society accompagnied by a shinigami, they cannot leave it unless they want to reincarnate.

An average soul living peacefully in Soul Society feels light, don't age and don't die. According to Rukia, "Soul Society is 9 times out of 10 better than Earth." Even if they're different and separated, they're actually strongly bound: there must be a balance between the number of souls in each world, else it would create a chaos and provoke the end of everything.

Bleach Spell Guide

noreply@blogger.com (RJ Javier) — Thu, 21 May 2009 05:42:00 +0000

Demon Arts

Demon arts are spells used by shinigami to do various things such as binding, attacking, and healing. Only upper level shinigami can use them after sufficient training. There are two types of Demon Arts: Bakudou ("binding spell") and Hadou ("blast spell"). Demon Arts are classified by power and difficulty of casting in a numbering scheme from 1 through 99, with power and difficulty increasing with the number. If a shinigami masters demon arts, they will gain the ability to bypass the incantation while casting spells.

Known Demon Arts:

Bakudou:
Bakudou #1 - Sai ("Obstruction") This spell is used to paralyze the target. Rukia uses this on Ichigo upon their first meeting.
Bakudou #9 - Geki ("Conquer") Surrounds the target in a red light that restricts movement.
Incantation: Disintegrate, black dog of Rondaniini. Look upon your burning soul and sever your throat.
Bakudou #58 - Kakushitsuijaku ("Call forth the tracing sparrow") Traces the location of a target soul.
Incantation: Heart of the south, eye of the north, fingertip of the west, heel of the east, gather by wind, and scatter by rain.
Bakudou #61 - Rikujoukourou ("Six staves of binding light") Movement of the opponent is bound by six bands of light.
Bakudou #75 - Gochuutekkan ("Five pillar iron brace") An iron chain is fastened, then five pillars seal the target's whole body.
Incantation: Wall of iron sand, pagoda of priestly form, shimmering fireflies of iron, fill until the silent end.
Bakudou #77 - Tenteikuura ("Heavenly rickshaw of the silky sky") Directly relays a message to any number of target souls.
Incantation: Net of black and white, 22 bridges, 66 peerless domains, footprints, distant thunder, crest of the mountains, volatile earth, enshroud by night, sea of clouds, blue formations, rise into the towering circle and charge across the heavens.
Bakudou #99 - Kin ("Seal") Partly immobilizes the target's body.
Bakudou #99 Second Style - Bankin ("Complete seal") The first song called shiryuu ("halting wrap") constricts the target with a bandage-like cloth. The second song called hyakurensan ("100 joined locks") pierces the target the timber. The final song called bankin taihou ("final prohibition, immense seal") drops an immense boulder over the target.

Hadou:
Hadou #4 - Byakurai ("White lightning") Fires a bolt of lightning from the caster's finger.
Hadou #31 - Shakkahou ("Red Flame Gun") Attacks the target with a red blast of fire.
Incantation: Oh ruler, mask of flesh and blood, all creations of the universe, fluttering of the wings, ye who bears the name of man! Scorching heat and disorder, evolve the transposition of the southern sea barrier.
Hadou #33 - Soukatsui ("Blue Fireball") Fires blue fire blasts at the target.
Incantation: Oh ruler, mask of flesh and blood, all creations of the universe, fluttering of the wings, ye who bears the name of man! Truth and temperance, strike but slightly your claw upon this wall which feigns ignorance of sin!
Hadou #54 - Haien ("Incinerating Flame") Completely detroys a target by burning it to ash.
Hadou #63 - Raikouhou ("Roaring Thunder Burn") Calls forth a wave of thunder that seeks the target.
Incantation: Bone of a straggling beast, spire, crimson crystal, disc of steel, when the wind shifts, and the emptiness ceases, let the clash of lances resonate through the relinquished castle.
Hadou #90 - Kurohitsugi ("Black Coffin") Summons a black coffin, which surrounds, then severly damages the target.

Other classes of Demon Arts:
Hakufuku ("White Prostration"): Causes a target to lose consciousness.
Kyoumon ("Mirror Gate"): A high class barrier that reflects attacks from the outside. However, it is easy to break from the inside.

Connection to the Shiba Family:
Kakaku Shahou Niban Kagizaki ("Crane Flower Archery 2nd style: Adhereing Blossom"): A two-part incantation spell. The initial spell controls the launch and its direction, then continuation spell is used to adjust the acceleration and axial position.
Initial Spell Incantation: Yonder, brown avarice covet control of the 36 directions. 72 pairs of illusions, 13 pairs of hunting horns, the right hand of a monkey grasps the star. Embraced by the sun of 25 rings, the cradle of the sand gives forth blood.
Continuation Spell Incantation: Fate of the three sparrows, bond of the four dragons, obstructing the five directions, return to the six villages. Heavenly wind, orangutan, spoon, cane of elm, a thousand ashes, a thousand wisdoms, the measure of white clouds, tread not on the scarlet light that embraces the moon...

Destructive Arts

Destructive Arts are to Quincy, as Demon Arts are to Shinigami, the difference being that Destructive Arts are as they say, they destroy the hollows/targets.

Known Destructive Arts:
Destructive Art #4 - A spell that uses spiritons to form an arrow shot out, for the bow of a Quincy.

Uses:
(Ishida, Uryuu) uses it quite often whenever he uses his bow.

Jigoku Chos (Butterflies From Hell)

Quite Simply; captures and kills the designated target/person.

Shyunpa

A high level shinigami art that allows the user/shinigami to "warp" one's self (entire body) to another place. It requires long training and to be quite powerful to use easily.

Shyunshin Yoruichi (God of Shyunpo)

A very high level shyunpa. Allows user/shinigami to "warp" themselves much further than that of just a basic Shyunpa spell/technique. This requires the user to train much harder and longer, as well as be much more powerful than if he was just able to use the basic Shyunpa spell(s).

Bleach Weapons Lists

noreply@blogger.com (RJ Javier) — Thu, 21 May 2009 05:06:00 +0000

Cane (Urahara's)

Owned by Urahara, a former Shinigami turned store owner, this special cane has 3 known uses. 1. To be used as a regular walking cane. 2. To house a his Soul Slayer, Benihime (which symbolizes that Urahara was once a shinigami). and 3. To separate souls from a body, similar to the way [Rukia's skull glove] does.

Demon Arts

Demon arts are spells used by shinigami to do various things such as binding, attacking, and healing. Only upper level shinigami can use them after sufficient training. There are two types of Demon Arts: Bakudou ("binding spell") and Hadou ("blast spell"). Demon Arts are classified by power and difficulty of casting in a numbering scheme from 1 through 99, with power and difficulty increasing with the number. If a shinigami masters demon arts, they will gain the ability to bypass the incantation while casting spells.

Known Demon Arts: (current as of 06/24/06)

Bakudou:
Bakudou #1 - Sai ("Obstruction") This spell is used to paralyze the target. Rukia uses this on Ichigo upon their first meeting.
Bakudou #9 - Geki ("Conquer") Surrounds the target in a red light that restricts movement.
Incantation: Disintegrate, black dog of Rondaniini. Look upon your burning soul and sever your throat.
Bakudou #58 - Kakushitsuijaku ("Call forth the tracing sparrow") Traces the location of a target soul.
Incantation: Heart of the south, eye of the north, fingertip of the west, heel of the east, gather by wind, and scatter by rain.
Bakudou #61 - Rikujoukourou ("Six staves of binding light") Movement of the opponent is bound by six bands of light.
Bakudou #75 - Gochuutekkan ("Five pillar iron brace") An iron chain is fastened, then five pillars seal the target's whole body.
Incantation: Wall of iron sand, pagoda of priestly form, shimmering fireflies of iron, fill until the silent end.
Bakudou #77 - Tenteikuura ("Heavenly rickshaw of the silky sky") Directly relays a message to any number of target souls.
Incantation: Net of black and white, 22 bridges, 66 peerless domains, footprints, distant thunder, crest of the mountains, volatile earth, enshroud by night, sea of clouds, blue formations, rise into the towering circle and charge across the heavens.
Bakudou #99 - Kin ("Seal") Partly immobilizes the target's body.
Bakudou #99 Second Style - Bankin ("Complete seal") The first song called shiryuu ("halting wrap") constricts the target with a bandage-like cloth. The second song called hyakurensan ("100 joined locks") pierces the target the timber. The final song called bankin taihou ("final prohibition, immense seal") drops an immense boulder over the target.

Hadou:
Hadou #4 - Byakurai ("White lightning") Fires a bolt of lightning from the caster's finger.
Hadou #31 - Shakkahou ("Red Flame Gun") Attacks the target with a red blast of fire.
Incantation: Oh ruler, mask of flesh and blood, all creations of the universe, fluttering of the wings, ye who bears the name of man! Scorching heat and disorder, evolve the transposition of the southern sea barrier.
Hadou #33 - Soukatsui ("Blue Fireball") Fires blue fire blasts at the target.
Incantation: Oh ruler, mask of flesh and blood, all creations of the universe, fluttering of the wings, ye who bears the name of man! Truth and temperance, strike but slightly your claw upon this wall which feigns ignorance of sin!
Hadou #54 - Haien ("Incinerating Flame") Completely detroys a target by burning it to ash.
Hadou #63 - Raikouhou ("Roaring Thunder Burn") Calls forth a wave of thunder that seeks the target.
Incantation: Bone of a straggling beast, spire, crimson crystal, disc of steel, when the wind shifts, and the emptiness ceases, let the clash of lances resonate through the relinquished castle.
Hadou #90 - Kurohitsugi ("Black Coffin") Summons a black coffin, which surrounds, then severly damages the target.

Other classes of Demon Arts:
Hakufuku ("White Prostration"): Causes a target to lose consciousness.
Kyoumon ("Mirror Gate"): A high class barrier that reflects attacks from the outside. However, it is easy to break from the inside.

Connection to the Shiba Family:
Kakaku Shahou Niban Kagizaki ("Crane Flower Archery 2nd style: Adhereing Blossom"): A two-part incantation spell. The initial spell controls the launch and its direction, then continuation spell is used to adjust the acceleration and axial position.
Initial Spell Incantation: Yonder, brown avarice covet control of the 36 directions. 72 pairs of illusions, 13 pairs of hunting horns, the right hand of a monkey grasps the star. Embraced by the sun of 25 rings, the cradle of the sand gives forth blood.
Continuation Spell Incantation: Fate of the three sparrows, bond of the four dragons, obstructing the five directions, return to the six villages. Heavenly wind, orangutan, spoon, cane of elm, a thousand ashes, a thousand wisdoms, the measure of white clouds, tread not on the scarlet light that embraces the moon...

Leech Bombs

Leech bombs, used by the [hollow] Shrieker, are bombs that consist in the little mini-hollow's that follow him around. They are quite useful in battle, as they mini-hollows attack the opponent and as they get killed, there body sends out these little "leeches", of which attach themselves directly to the opponent. When there are a desired number attached, Shrieker sticks out his tongue and uses it as an instrument to make the certain noise that will make the leeches explode on the target/opponent.

Skull Glove (Rukia's)

Owned by Rukia (a shinigami), this special glove is only worn and used for separating souls from their respective bodies. To use, the shinigami/user would put the glove on, and push/hit/shove the target/body, and the soul is "pushed" out of the body. This is similar in use as [Urahara's Cane]'s 3rd listed use.

Soul Cutters

Soul Cutters - Soul Cutters are the swords of the shinigami. They are used to cleanse or destroy hollows. soul cutters have three forms: normal, initial (name) release, and ban release. Lower level to some middle class shinigami do not know the names of their soul cutters and therefore cannot release them. To release a soul cutter you must shout its name. You can only learn the swords name by talking to it and trusting it.

List of known soul cutters and their masters:

Kurosaki Ichigo - Kitsuki (Zangetsu)
Ichigo's soul cutter Kitsuki is always on name release and never transforms back to normal mode.

- - - - -

Urahara Kisuke - Kurenaihime
Can form a shield and has an explosion attack.

- - - - -

Ichimaru Gin - Shinsou
Can use a "shooting" technique in which his soul cutter greatly expands in length thus shooting out toward his opponent.

- - - - -

Ikkaku Madarame - Hoozukimaru
Transforms into a spear that can break into many sections forming a sansetsukon or a 3 piece nunchuck.

- - - - -

Yumichika - Fuzikuzyaku
Can split into 3 blades. Other abilities unknown.

- - - - -

Kamaitachi Ziroubou - Tsunzakigarasu
Splits into many small airborne shuriken-like objects which attck opponents by quickly flying at them.

- - - - -

Abari Renji - Zambimaru
Splits into an endlessly segmented sword with great strength. Takes the form of a baboon with a snake as its tail.

- - - - -

Hinamori - Tobiume
Can release spheres of energy that explode on contact. Also has a close range explosion technique.

- - - - -

Kiba - Wabasuke
Abilities unknown.

- - - - -

Kuchiki Byakuya - Senbonzakura
Scatters into cherry blossom petals and slices the target of the attack multiple times.

- - - - -

Kurotsuchi Mayuri - Ashisogi Jizou
The technique Ashisogizisou severs the nerves of the targets body making him or her immobile. After Ban release Mayuri can preform the Golden Ashisogizisou technique which takes the users blood and turns it into deadly poisonous fog which is spread in a 100 km radius. Everyone in this radius will be killed with the exception of the user.

- - - - -

TV Tokyo Information

noreply@blogger.com (RJ Javier) — Thu, 21 May 2009 05:03:00 +0000

TV Tokyo, also known as “Teleto,” is the current channel that the popular Bleach anime series runs on. Set in Tokyo, the corporation is the smallest branch of the Tokyo TV company, and it is known for it’s specialization for it’s anime shows, with such other programs as Beet the Vandel Buster, Hikaru No Go, and Naruto, just to name a few. The company is the key program of the TXN network, which is a television staion in Japan. It has sold the right to anime shows around the word, and seems to be centerpiece for anime on TV in Japan. Although primarily an anime network, it also has many news and popular drama shows other than anime on it’s network.

TV Tokyo was founded back in 1968 by the Japan Science Promotion Foundation. It is currently on the rise in Japan, as it just hit the list of the First Section in the Tokyo Stock Exchange. It has sold the world rights to Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh!, and has sold North America Love Hina, Saiyuki, and .hack//SIGN. A comprehensive list of the companies list of licensed animes and shows that it has sold the rights to can be found on its English home page

The official Bleach TV Tokyo website in original Japanese is here: http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/bleach/

Author of Bleach Manga: Kubo Tite

noreply@blogger.com (RJ Javier) — Thu, 21 May 2009 04:59:00 +0000

Author of Bleach Manga: Kubo Tite

Also known as: Kubo Taito
Family name (in kanji): 久保
Given name (in kanji): 帯人
Real name: Noriaki (宣章) Kubo (久保)

Date of birth: 1977-06-26
Hometown: Hiroshima prefecture, Japan

Biography:

Kubo was born in Hiroshima, Japan on June 26, 1977 as Noriaki Kubo. Though his birth name was Noriaki Kubo, he is known by Kubo Tite, Kubo Taito, Kubotite, as well as Taito Kubo. Though not much information is given about his family background, we do know he has a younger sister named Hiromi and a younger brother whose name is unknown at the moment. Kubo began creating manga during high school (in his school anime club) where he made his first series "Zombie Powder" during his third year. He submitted Zombie Powder to The Weekly Shonen Jump (Shonen Jump) but it was rejected. He was later contacted by Shonen Jump editors and managed to improve the series and got Zombie Powder published in Shonen Jump in 1999. But unfortunately for Kubo, it was stopped after 4 books due to unpopularity and high sexual content. He did manage to make some short stories as well which are featured in the back of the Zombie Powder volumes. The titles are: Ultra Unholy Hearted Machine, Rune Master Urara, and Bad Shield United.

Kubo later began working on the series Bleach in hopes that he would finally get one of his own manga accepted by Shonen Jump, but it was sadly rejected as well. This was due to its similarities to the series Yu Yu Hakusho by Yoshihiro Togashi. Times got very depressing for Kubo at this point until he receive a letter of encouragement from Akira Toriyama, the creator of the hit series Dragon Ball. It was then that Kubo found renewed hope and in 2002 Bleach was finally published and began serialization in Shonen Jump. The manga has risen to the tops of the charts and is now known worldwide. This led to the production of the anime series, which is now over 90 episodes long! Kubo says he will not release a live action version of Bleach because it was meant to be manga and anime, and nothing more. Surprisingly, he draws all of the character designs for the anime series instead of letting his editors and workers do the job. Bleach's popularity has been skyrocketing, and shows no signs of slowing down.

Newest Bleach Wallpapers

noreply@blogger.com (RJ Javier) — Mon, 18 May 2009 03:20:00 +0000

Check out the newest and latest Bleach Wallpapers right now! Be sure to check this out! Grab your wallpapers here!
If you like what your reading, please subscribe to my RSS feeds or subscribe via e-mail. Feel free to send me an e-mail for your suggestions or request!

Bleach Info!

noreply@blogger.com (RJ Javier) — Mon, 18 May 2009 03:04:00 +0000

Bleach (ブリーチ ,Burīchi?, romanized as BLEACH in Japan) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tite Kubo. Bleach follows the adventures of Ichigo Kurosaki after he accidentally obtains the power of a shinigami—a Japanese death personification similar to the Grim Reaper—from Rukia Kuchiki. Gaining these abilities forces him to take on the duties of defending humans from evil spirits and guiding departed souls to the afterlife.

Bleach has been continuously serialized in the Japanese manga anthology Weekly Shōnen Jump since August 2001 and has been collected in 38 tankōbon volumes as of April 2009. Since its publication, Bleach has spawned a substantial media franchise. The manga has been adapted into an animated television series produced by Studio Pierrot which is still ongoing in Japan as it adapts the story from the manga. The series has also spawned two original video animations (OVAs), three animated feature films, seven rock musicals, and numerous video games, as well as prompted the release of many types of Bleach-related merchandise.

Viz Media licensed the manga for English-language publication in the United States and Canada and has released 26 volumes as of April 2009. In addition, it has been publishing the chapters in Shonen Jump since November 2007. On March 15, 2006, Viz obtained foreign television and home video distribution rights to the Bleach anime. Cartoon Network began airing Bleach as part of its Adult Swim block on September 9, 2006 in the United States. The first film, Bleach: Memories of Nobody was released in North America on Region 1 DVD by Viz on October 14,
2008.

Compilation volumes of the manga have sold over 50 million copies in Japan and reached the top of manga sales charts in the United States. The anime adaptation has been similarly received, rating as the 7th most popular anime television series in Japan in 2006, and in the top ten anime for America from 2006 to 2008. The series received the Shogakukan Manga Award for the shōnen demographic in 2005, and is among the best-selling manga properties in both Japan and America.

The story opens with the sudden appearance of Soul Reaper Rukia Kuchiki in Ichigo Kurosaki's bedroom. She is surprised at his ability to see her, but their conversation is interrupted by the appearance of a "hollow", an evil spirit. After Rukia is severely wounded while trying to protect Ichigo, she attempts to transfer half her powers to Ichigo in order to let him face the hollow on equal footing. Ichigo instead unintentionally absorbs almost all her energy, allowing him to defeat the hollow with ease. The next day Rukia appears in Ichigo's classroom as a seemingly normal human, and informs Ichigo that his absorption of her powers has left her stranded in the human world until she recovers her strength. In the meantime Ichigo shelters Rukia in his home and takes over her job as a Soul Reaper, battling hollows and guiding lost souls to the afterlife realm known as Soul Society.

After a few months of this arrangement, in the sixth volume of the series, Rukia's Soul Reaper superiors find out about her giving her powers away (which is illegal in Soul Society) and send a detachment to arrest her, and sentence her to death. Ichigo is unable to stop Rukia's capture, but with the help of several of his classmates who also possess spiritual abilities and ex-Soul Reaper Captain Kisuke Urahara, he sets off for the Soul Reaper base, located in Soul Society. Once there, Ichigo and company battle against the elites of the Soul Reaper military, and are ultimately successful in halting Rukia's execution.

It is then revealed that Rukia's execution and Ichigo's rescue attempt were both manipulated by Sōsuke Aizen, a high ranking Soul Reaper previously believed to be murdered, as part of a far-reaching plot to take control of Soul Society. Aizen betrays his fellow Soul Reapers and allies himself with the hollows, becoming the main antagonist of the series, and Ichigo teams up with his former enemies in Soul Society after learning that the next step in Aizen's plan involves the destruction of his hometown. At this point, Bleach chronicles the war between Aizen and the Soul Society, a plotline which has not yet been resolved. According to Tite Kubo, the ending of the series is not yet planned out or written.

Bleach 219 already out!

noreply@blogger.com (RJ Javier) — Fri, 15 May 2009 01:49:00 +0000

The first 6 minutes of the episode is a total waste of time. There flashback to what happened in the previous ep just took too long and it almost bored me to death. However, things pick up when we see Hisagi take on Findor. At first, Findor literally wipes the floor with the Shinigami Vice-Captain. It looks like Hisagi is outmatched, and Findor manages to score several hits with his blade. The Arrancar constantly mocks Hisagi and pushes him back, repelling all of Hisagi’s attacks while connecting with almost all of his.

Findor then does his Arrancar Resurrection… and he looks like a gigantic crab, LOL. He continues to pummel Hisagi, using highly pressurized water as range attacks. Just when Hisagi is almost about to get killed, he finally releases his Zanpaktou which resembles two gigantic sickles connected by a chain.

Here the tide of battle turns in favor of the Shinigami Vice-Captain. Findor has a hard time reading the attacks and is sliced multiple times by the deadly blades of Hisagi. At this point, you can clearly see that Findor is outclassed and is simply out of his league. By the way, I like it how Hisagi combines his attacks with his Zanpaktou with Kidou really well. Reminds me of how Kira faced Aguila.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, Hisagi cleaves off the upper half of Findor’s pincer, and then goes on to lecture him about learning how to fear your own strength and that of your enemy’s. Apparently this is a lesson that Hisagi’s former captain, Tousen, taught him. The battle comes to a grinding halt when Hisagi slices through Findor’s last Cero and connects with one last attack.

Watch Episode 219 now!

Bleach 218 finally out!

noreply@blogger.com (RJ Javier) — Sun, 10 May 2009 04:17:00 +0000

Bleach Episode 218 starts off with Yumichika having his last conversation with Charlotte. He explains that the reason why he only used that technique at that point in time because he was ashamed of Kidou-based attacks. The 11th Squad looks down on techniques like that and he would rather die than be seen in public using it. When Charlotte used the Rose Bush that hid both of them from everyone else, he unknowingly gave Yumichika the chance to use Ruri Iro Kujaku.

The focus of the episode is on Kira and the Arrancar that looks like a red Big Bird from Sesame Street. Initially, Kira has a hard time fighting against him since he’s air based. Aguila uses his wings to attack with steel-like feathers. Kira resorts to several tactics - from hiding, running away, to Kidou attacks but most of them don’t work. Tired of seeing Kira run away and evade his attacks, Aguila reveals two more wings, which enhances his speed dramatically. He goes close range with Kira and at this point, just like in the Yumichika-Charlotte fight, the Arrancar gives up the advantage and falls prey to the Shinigami.

While in melee range, Kira releases his Zanpaktou and strikes Aguila’s wings several times. The ability of Kira’s Wabisuke is that it doubles the weight of whatever it strikes. Aguila falls to the ground and Kira goes on and gives a lecture on why he believes his sword really embodies the values of the 11th Squad. Aguila is not done yet though as he manages to launch one final attack, which is again countered by Kira. Kira strikes the wings again and finishes the fight off by decapitating Aguila.

Watch it now!!!!!

Character Profile: Jushiro Ukitake

noreply@blogger.com (RJ Javier) — Tue, 05 May 2009 02:18:00 +0000

Jushiro Ukitake is a sickly looking man with long white hair. He suffers from tuberculosis, which caused his hair to turn white, and acts as an inhibition for him throughout the series; if he fights for too long, or even becomes too agitated, the illness flares up. He is forced to leave most of his duties as a captain to his subordinates so that he can rest. Despite this, Ukitake is respected by many Shinigamis for his honesty, loyalty, and personal sense of justice. He and his friend Shunsui Kyouraku are two of the oldest captains in the Gotei 13, both having trained under General Yamamoto thousands of years before the current Bleach storyline.

Ukitake’s zanpakutou is Sougyo no Kotowari. His zanpakutu is, along with that of Shunsui Kyouraku’s, one of only two zanpakutu in Soul Society to exist as a pair. Where it differs from Kyouraku’s is that it only becomes a pair after its shikai release, while Kyoraku’s is a daisho sword pair even in its sealed form. It is released with the command “every wave be my shield, every thunder become my blade”. In Sougyo no Kotowari’s released state, it splits into two thin blades resembling fishing javelins with reverse jitte prongs on the dull side of the blade, that are connected by a cord lined with several small charms. While the anime and manga have yet to depict what special abilities it possesses, some Bleach video games portray it as having the ability to manipulate water and electricity.

Character Profile: Zaraki Kenpachi

noreply@blogger.com (RJ Javier) — Tue, 05 May 2009 02:15:00 +0000

Zaraki Kenpachi is the captain of the Gotei 13’s 11th Division. He is one of the many Bleach characters with a very unique appearance. His hair is spiked with tiny bells at the tip of each spike. His huge size and height (he is taller than Sado Yasutora) together with the deep scar on his face makes him look extremely aggressive and wild. And unlike Sado who is gentle and contrary to his appearance, Zaraki is indeed a violent man who has deep passion for fighting. Zaraki lives for combat. Injury, pain and death are nothing but necessities in order for him to enjoy a good fight.

Although aggressive, Zaraki’s compassion can be seen from his concern for his young lieutenant, Kusajishi Yachiru. Ever since Zaraki found her, they’ve built a strong father-daughter kind of relationship. And Zaraki’s other lieutenant has shown great respect for him, which hints that Zaraki is in no way a monster that knows only bloodsheds.

Before Zaraki became captain, he was a wandering swordsman from Rukongai who is very proficient in sword-fighting. When he found his way to the Court of Pure Souls, he defeated and killed the previous 11th Division captain and took over his position.

Zaraki Kenpachi’s Zanpakuto

Zaraki is the only captain of the Gotei 13 that is unable to perform both his zanpakuto’s Shikai (Initial release) and Bankai (Final release). The reason is due to Zaraki not knowing his zanpakuto’s real name. He has always depended on his own strength, power and sword-fighting skills to defeat his enemies, therefore he has never understood the need to know his zanpakuto’s name.

However, since his fight with Kurosaki Ichigo, Zaraki has begun to realize the pain of not having a name. Being able to relate to his zanpakuto’s pain, he has decided to learn his zanpakuto’s name. This is partly due to his interest in growing even stronger to defeat Ichigo in another fight.

Character Profile: Ichimaru Gin

noreply@blogger.com (RJ Javier) — Tue, 05 May 2009 02:12:00 +0000

Gin Ichimaru (市丸ギン ,Ichimaru Gin) is a fictional character and a major antagonist in the anime and manga series Bleach created by Tite Kubo. He is the captain of the 3rd Division in the Gotei 13 until he betrays Soul Society, and after that he becomes a commander in Sōsuke Aizen’s arrancar army. His lieutenant was Izuru Kira.

Gin’s most distinguishing characteristic is his expression; with his slitted eyes and ever-present grin, his face looks like that of a fox. Ichigo derisively nicknames him “fox-face” in their first meeting because of this (in the English dub, he instead replies with a more generalized insult). He also has unusual silver hair, which has a purple tint to it in the anime; his name refers to his hair color, gin (銀, “silver”). Gin rarely removes his smile or opens his eyes; his eyes open when he is significantly annoyed or angry. There are only a few times when he opens his eyes: once in a flashback when he and Aizen rescued Momo Hinamori and other students from hollows, and the other during a battle with 10th Division Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya. His eyes are alternately portrayed as light green/blue, blood red, and yellow. In contrast, there are far more moments when he stops smiling, those usually being lesser degrees of annoyance, genuinely apologetic moments, or in deep contemplation over a sudden epiphany.

Gin’s constant happy façade tends to have the opposite effect on those he meets, making them instantly distrust him. His use of sarcasm only further encourages this, especially in those who have known him for a long time. Rukia comments on how she felt like snakes were wrapping around her neck whenever Gin spoke, despite the fact that he was speaking to her brother at the time. Kaname Tōsen notes that Gin has a similar effect on just about everyone when explaining Wonderweiss Margera’s frightened reaction to Gin. In the anime, Gin speaks with a distinct Osaka dialect, which is indirect and polite. His English dubbed voice is also formal and polite, but with a rather mocking and facetious undertone.

After betraying Soul Society, Gin switches his captain’s attire for a similar but unmarked garment. He now wears a long, white robe over his normal Soul Reaper hakama. The hilt of his zanpakutōzanpakutō is not visible with this outfit. visible protrudes from under the robe through the opening down to his waist. Later, Ichimaru is seen wearing a white hakama like the arrancar, instead of the black one he first appears in. Gin wears his robe open in a narrow ‘V’ down to his waist, closed to below the hips, then open again to the hem, which falls about mid-calf. His robe has long bell sleeves where he hides his hands as is done with kimono sleeves. The lining of the robe and edges or layers of the under-robe(s) appear black. From other examples, it is likely he is also wearing black tabi with white waraji. His

Gin saved Rangiku Matsumoto from starvation when they were children, and the two have been good friends since then. Rangiku is the only person Gin seems to truly care about, although he seems to “disappear” often, as Rangiku puts it. He also never tells her where he’s going. Gin was considered a child prodigy since he graduated from the academy within a year and was assigned to a seated position in the 5th Division. Gin killed the 3rd seat of the division with ease, which aroused Aizen’s interest in him. Before he became captain of the 3rd Division, he served under Captain Sōsuke Aizen as the lieutenant of 5th Division. A lesser point is his constant talks with Byakuya Kuchiki, which Rukia believes he did specifically to unsettle her since she was afraid of him.

Gin’s first major appearance is at the gates leading into the Seireitei, following Jidanbō’s defeat by Ichigo Kurosaki. He easily repels the two without killing them, simultaneously closing the gate which Jidanbō was holding open (it is later revealed by Aizen that he ordered Gin to do so). The other captains question his failure to kill opponents whom he should have had no trouble killing, but a second intrusion by Ichigo’s group, followed by the supposed death of Aizen, leaves them with bigger concerns. Aizen, having faked his death, has Gin deliberately cast suspicion on himself, thereby drawing attention away from Aizen’s activities. After Aizen’s plot is revealed and they retreat to Hueco Mundo, Gin bids Rangiku Matsumoto farewell and apologizes to her in one of the rare moments in which he doesn’t smile.

In Hueco Mundo, Gin jokingly chides Aizen over his habit of playing around with his subordinates. When Ichigo’s group breaks into Las Noches, he observes them, even altering the position of the halls when no one is around. When Ulquiorra Schiffer catches him in the act, Gin denies changing anything, saying that he wouldn’t do that to “those kids” and that he does not like “sad stories”. He later appears alongside Aizen and Tosen in Karakura Town, commenting on Kira’s sudden change in emotion to Tōsen and remarks that Kira is ‘doing well’.

Gin Ichimaru’s zanpakutō is Shinsō (神鎗 , literally “Divine spear”). It takes the form of a wakizashi when sealed. The guard is shaped like an ‘S’. Shinsō’s shikai is triggered by the phrase “shoot to kill” (射殺せ ,ikorose); in the anime, this was slightly changed to the declarative ikorosu. In the English translation of the series, the phrase is inconsistent between uses, but mostly describes stabbing (slay, impale, pierce). Another trigger phrase, used in the first Soul Society arc, was “Shoot ‘em dead”. Its first rendering in the Viz translation was “skewer that punk”.

In its shikai, Shinsō’s blade glows white and extends at high speed to impale Gin’s opponents. In addition to making it a deadly long-range weapon, the extending blade also carries tremendous force without affecting Gin, making it useful for dislodging heavy objects, as seen when Gin pushes both Ichigo Kurosaki and the giant Jidanbō out from under the Seireitei gate, despite Jidanbō being firmly braced under it. Once extended, Gin can maintain the blade’s length and swing Shinsō in wide arcs, simultaneously attacking multiple targets with speed and ease.

Character Profile: Matsumoto Rangiku

noreply@blogger.com (RJ Javier) — Tue, 05 May 2009 02:11:00 +0000

Rangiku Matsumoto is a blonde woman renowned for her large breasts. She makes no efforts to hide them, wearing loose-fitting robes that expose much of her cleavage, using them to try to win over other male characters, and using them as a topic in casual conversation. She is very carefree and lazy, usually avoiding the jobs of a lieutenant so that she can sleep or go drinking. Despite her avoiding her responsibilities, Matsumoto can be serious when need be, and often gives important and useful advice. She tends to many equal- or lower-ranking individuals in the familiar, referring to Ichigo, Orihime, and several fellow lieutenants by first name. Matsumoto has known ToushirouIchimaru Gin since they were children, and spent much of their childhood living together and looking out for each other. They remain close after joining the Soul Society, though she is surprised when he later betrays Soul Society. She recruited her captain, Hitsugaya, into the Soul Society and has grown quite close to him. She has an unwavering loyalty for him and frequently tries to get him to lighten up and have some fun. Matsumoto’s zanpakutou is Haineko. Its guard is in the shape of a cat’s head. When released with the command “growl”, it dissolves into ash, which Matsumoto can then control to cut through objects as easily as a sword would. Because Haineko is just as lazy as herself, Matsumoto has had difficulty achieving bankai.

Character Profile: Hitsugaya Toushirou

noreply@blogger.com (RJ Javier) — Tue, 05 May 2009 02:08:00 +0000

Hitsugaya Toushirou is the captain of the Gotei 13’s 10th Division. Perhaps the most notable aspect of Hitsugaya in the anime is his youth. He is the youngest Shinigami to have become of captain rank since many generations, earning him the nickname of “boy genius” and “child prodigy”. Being very young, he is also much shorter compared to the other captains. Although young, Hitsugaya is portrayed to be very mature and serious in his tasks. He is also extremely sharp, being able to notice Ichimaru Gin’s evil intentions. This makes Hitsugaya appear to be a wise old man in the body of a boy. Hitsugaya came from Junrinan, District 1 of Rukongai. Little is known about his past except the fact that he used to live with Hinamori Momo. As a sister to him, Hitsugaya is fiercely loyal to her, always feeling the need to protect her from harm. Especially after Hinamori entered the Shinigami institute and Hitsugaya followed soon after. Despite his age, he has been very successful due to his talent and soon became captain of the 10th Division.

Hitsugaya Toushiro’s Zanpakuto

Hitsugaya’s zanpakuto, named Hyorinmaru (Frozen Ring), is a sword with a hilt that is shaped like a four-point shuriken. In its Shikai (initial release) form, the sword gains a long chain that has a crescent moon blade attached its end. And with the command, “Soten ni Zase” (Sit Upon the Frozen Heavens), Hitsugaya summons forth a giant Chinese dragon that is made of water and ice. Any opponents that happen to come in contact with the dragon will find themselves freezing and trapped in a blocks of ice.

Hyorinmaru’s Bankai (Final release) form, named Daiguren, Hyorinmaru (Giant Crimson Lotus, Frozen Ring), is in the shape of a pair of wings and tail that embraces Hitsugaya. In addition, three purple objects resembling four-point shurikens floats above and behind him, which usages are yet to be known. As witnessed in Hitsugaya’s short fight with Aizen Sousuke, a pierce from Hyorinmaru will coat his enemy in a thick block of frozen ice, effectively trapping him inside.

Character Profile: Byakuya Kuchiki

noreply@blogger.com (RJ Javier) — Tue, 05 May 2009 02:05:00 +0000

Kuchiki Byakuya is the captain of the Gotei 13’s 6th Division. At the same time, he is also the 28th head of the noble Kuchiki family. Holding such a superior position makes him appears stern and unemotional most of the time. And being possibly the strongest person in the Kuchiki family’s history, it makes it even more unsurprising of his apathetic attitude. Byakuya wears a standard captain uniform except for his unique headgear and his white scarf. His headgear was later shattered by Kurosaki Ichigo’s inner Hollow during their fight in Soul Society. Byakuya was married to a lady named Hisana, who was a commoner. According to the family rules, this is in fact forbidden. When Hisana died, she requested Byakuya as her last wish to find and adopt her sister, Kuchiki Rukia, as his own. Adopting Rukia became the second time Byakuya broke the family rules since marrying Hisana, and he has since sworn before his parents’ graves that he would never again break the rules. This was also the reason why Byakuya would not do anything to attempt to save Rukia from her execution.

It seems that Byakuya was never forced to follow strictly to the rules, but instead it was his strong sense of responsibility that made him do so. It was during his fight with Ichigo that he mentioned that if even someone like him from one of the Four Great Noble Families did not obey the rules, who else will? He feels strongly that he has to set a proper example to every Shinigami in Soul Society.

Kuchiki Byakuya’s Zanpakuto

Senbonzakura (Thousands of Cherry Blossoms) is the name of Kuchiki Byakuya’s zanpakuto. It looks like a normal sword in its unreleased form. However, by Byakuya’s command of “Chire (Scatter), Senbonzakura”, the blade goes into Shikai (Initial release) form, dissolving and scattering into thousands of tiny cherry blossoms that are actually blades. These petals spin and cut in unpredictable angles, flowing in streams towards the enemy and cutting him from every possible direction.

Senbonzakura’s Bankai (Final release) form is named Senbonzakura Kageyoshi (Vibrant Display of Thousands of Cherry Blossoms), where Byakuya would drop the sword vertically, sinking it into the ground, and two rows of giant blades start rising up from the ground, and finally scattering into millions of tiny cherry blossom blades. These petals are much more deadly than the Shikai form, having drastically higher numbers, and able to be used both offensively and defensively. In addition, by using his hands to control the petals, Byakuya could effectively double the speed of them.

With Bankai activated, Byakuya is able to use a powerful technique named Senkei Senbonzakura Kageyoshi (Scene of Massacre - Vibrant Display of Thousands of Cherry Blossoms). The technique envelopes Byakuya and his enemy and surrounds them with rows of thousands of pink swords that Byakuya could use individually or even simultaneously. Each blade is a highly condensed form of the previous scattered blades, greatly increasing the ability for them to create fatal blows.

Senbonzakura’s final and most powerful technique is the Shuukei, Hakureiken (Final View, White Imperial Sword). Summoning this technique causes a large pair of white spiritual wings and a halo-like circle to form behind Byakuya. It compresses the power of the thousands of the swords into one single blade, allowing Byakuya to deal a single most powerful blow at his enemy.

Kuchiki Byakuya’s Powers

Other than his talent with his zanpakuto, Byakuya also excels in Shunpo (Flash step) and Kidou (Demon arts). His Shunpo is considered one of the fastest, and there’s probably only one person who is better than him at it, and that is Shihouin Yoruichi.

Character Profile: Abarai Renji

noreply@blogger.com (RJ Javier) — Tue, 05 May 2009 02:01:00 +0000

Abarai Renji is the lieutenant of the Gotei 13’s 6th Division, serving under the command of Captain Kuchiki Byakuya. Renji keeps his light crimson hair tied up in a high ponytail most of the time, and multiple tribal tattoos mark his body.

Personality-wise, Renji is arrogant and cocky most of the time, especially towards Kurosaki Ichigo. However, Renji can be just as emotional and melancholic. And he shows himself to be a very determined fighter and one who would go all out to protect the people important to him.

Renji grew up together with Kuchiki Rukia and the rest of their childhood friends. Throughout the series, Renji appears to be extremely worried about Rukia, and always very excited to see her. This hints that Renji is actually secretly in love with Rukia, probably a feeling that grew during the many years that they spent together.

Before Renji joined the 6th Division, he was under the wings of Aizen Sosuke and Ichimaru Gin. And because of Renji’s rebellious nature, Aizen moved him away to 11th Division under Zaraki Kenpachi, and finally to 6th Division at a later time.

Abarai Renji’s Zanpakuto

Zabimaru is the name of Abarai Renji’s zanpakuto. In its materialized form, Zabimaru appears to be a baboon with a snake tail. With the command “Howl, Zabimaru!”, Zabimaru goes into its Shikai (Initial release) form, which is a mean-looking sword-whip hybrid weapon with multiple segments of blades with pick-like teeth. When using Zabimaru like a whip, Renji is limited to three consecutive attacks before having to bring the segments back together for recovery.

Zabimaru’s Bankai (Final release) form is a giant skeletal snake that is named Hihio Zabimaru (Baboon King Zabimaru). Like its Shikai form, it is made up of multiple segments, and each segment is held together with the next by Renji’s reiatsu (spirit power). Hence, it is possible for Renji to break Zabimaru up into individual segments at will if the situation calls for it, and also making Zabimaru difficult to damage or destroy.

The advantage of Renji’s Bankai lies in its impressive size and power, making it is capable of massive damage. However, this results in difficulty for Renji to control, unless he spends another 14 years of special training as commented by Byakuya.

Character Profile: Ikkaku Madarame

noreply@blogger.com (RJ Javier) — Tue, 05 May 2009 02:00:00 +0000

Ikkaku Madarame is a bald, battle-loving man. His lack of hair is often the source of jokes for other characters, who confuse the sheen of his head with the light of the moon. He fought and was defeated by Zaraki Kenpachi sometime in the past, though was strong enough to survive the battle. Once Zaraki became captain of the 11th Division, Ikkaku and his friend Yumichika Ayasegawa joined the Soul Society so that they could fight and die under Zaraki’s command. He shares a number of similarities with his captain; he feels insecure if he doesn’t have a sword, prolongs battles so that he can get as much enjoyment from them as possible, and smiles near-constantly when fighting for his life. He is purportedly the second strongest person in the division, and although occasionally being offered a position as a captain he insists on serving Zaraki for the rest of his life. Perhaps because of this, Ikkaku is not afraid to question his lieutenant, Yachiru Kusajishi, even knowing that doing so earn her wrath.

Ikkaku’s zanpakutou is Houzukimaru. Though ordinary in appearance, he stores a blood-clotting ointment in its hilt. When released with the command “grow”, it transforms into a naginata with a wax wood shaft. While he usually treats it as such, he can also turn it into a three section staff witht he command “split”, surprising the opponent. Ikkaku has achieved bankai, though he keeps this a secret to most characters so that he isn’t pressured to become a captain. Houzukimaru’s bankai, named Ryoumon Houzukimaru, takes the form of three oversized weapons (two Monk’s spade standard Guan dao) that Ikkaku can wield with ease. Aside from the increase in power, his bankai offers no special abilities. As a fight progresses a dragon crest will slowly fill with crimson dye, increasing its power as it does so. Ikkaku states that this is because Houzukimaru is asleep, and must be woken up in battle before it can reach full power.

Character Profile: Aizen Sousuke

noreply@blogger.com (RJ Javier) — Tue, 05 May 2009 01:53:00 +0000

Sōsuke Aizen (藍染惣右介 ,Aizen Sōsuke) is a fictional character and major figure in the anime and manga series Bleach created by Tite Kubo. He is the captain of the 5th Division when first introduced, but then he betrays Soul Society and becomes the main antagonist of the series. His former lieutenant is Momo Hinamori.

Aizen spent much of his career in the 5th Division, eventually becoming its lieutenant under the former captain, Shinji Hirako. Shinji kept Aizen under his view during this time because he felt there was something dangerous about him. 100 years ago, Aizen’s experiments on Soul Reaper/hollow hybrids involved using an unknown method to cause spirits to transform into hollows, eventually culminating in the creation of the Visoreds. He framed Urahara for the hollowfication process and forced him to leave Soul Society.

During that time, Aizen met Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen, and lured them to his side. Aizen became captain of the 5th Division later on, and Ichimaru became his lieutenant and right hand man. Ichimaru and Tōsen later became captains of the 3rd and 9th Divisions, respectively, but remained loyal only to Aizen. According to Aizen, even when Hinamori was his lieutenant, he thought of no one but Gin as his subordinate.

At some point, he also saw the potential of Momo Hinamori, Izuru Kira, and Renji Abarai, and took them all into his division. While Kira and Hinamori were obedient and loyal, becoming the lieutenants of the 3rd and 5th Divisions under Ichimaru and Aizen, respectively, Renji proved to be too rebellious and was transferred to the 11th Division (and later to the 6th, where he too became a lieutenant).

Aizen is a soft-spoken intellectual, accented by glasses during his time as a Soul Reaper captain. While he appears to be very kind to his subordinates, he cares very little for them in truth. According to Aizen himself, he is not bound by morals and will therefore stop at nothing to further his ambitions, including manipulating or killing anyone if he deems it necessary. Tite Kubo stated in an interview that “part of Aizen’s appeal is that he’s mysterious,” and for this reason he didn’t think it’s a good idea to go too much in-depth with the character.

Aizen controls his new minions either through acquired respect, as revealed through Ulquiorra Schiffer’s conversation with Orihime Inoue where he tells her that they are all here to further Aizen’s ambition, or through fear, such as when he threatened to kill Grimmjow Jeagerjaques if he attacked Kaname Tōsen. It was also stated by the arrancar Iceringer that they follow Aizen because he has no fear, which beings born from fear and despair find inspiring. Other arrancar occasionally have reasons for following Aizen unique to themselves, such as Szayel Aporro Granz, who follows Aizen with the hopes that he eradicates the world of all non-hollows.

It has been conjectured that Aizen’s true objective is to overthrow the king of Soul Society. To do this, he needs the royal key (王鍵 ,ōken), a tri-pronged golden key that opens a portal to the dimension that the king resides in. While the location of the key is known only to General Yamamoto, Aizen knows how the original was created and how to manufacture another. In order to create the key, Aizen needs to gather 100,000 souls in Karakura Town, which has an unusually large concentration of spirit particles. Aside from killing the many souls used in its creation, creating the key will also vaporize most of Karakura Town.

During their ascent to Hueco Mundo, Aizen removes his glasses and sweeps a hand through his hair, revealing menacing eyes and a very different hairstyle. As he had previously revealed to Toshiro Hitsugaya that the Aizen they all knew never existed, this would seem to be a visual representation of that claim. Before he leaves, he tells Jūshirō Ukitake that no one had started out in heaven, not even God. He then says that he will be the one to stand in the heavens and end the unbearable vacancy on the world’s throne. Aizen is later shown in Hueco Mundo wearing clothing similar in style to the arrancar he has been creating; he is also seated on a throne, implying that he has some level of political power.

Aizen is an extremely potent combatant, well above most captain-level Soul Reapers. He goes on to state that the only way for him to advance beyond that would be to gain and master hollow powers. His mastery of the regular skills are such that he is able to stop fully released zanpakutō, including Ichigo Kurosaki’s bankai, with one finger, and he can defeat several captain-level opponents at once. A hint to his actual level of spirit power is given when he turns Wonderweiss Margera into an arrancar. When preparing to activate the Hōgyoku, he states that despite its half-awakened state, it can be fully activated when temporarily fusing with someone with twice as much spirit power as a captain-level Soul Reaper, referring to himself. The force of Aizen’s spiritual pressure is also great enough to bring the 6th Espada, Grimmjow Jeagerjaques, to his knees without any visible effort from Aizen himself.

Aizen’s zanpakutō is Kyōka Suigetsu (鏡花水月 , literally “mirror flower water moon”). In its sealed form, it looks like a normal katana. Its shikai is both activated and deactivated with the command “shatter” (砕けろ ,kudakero). The phrase kyōka suigetsu suggests its illusory properties; the moon reflected in water and a flower in a mirror are things that can be seen but not held. It is a Chinese idiom for seeing and desiring something that is a dream that cannot be easily grasped in hand, teaching people about temptations.

Kyōka Suigetsu’s shikai has the ability to place anyone who sees it under a state of “Perfect Hypnosis” (完全催眠 ,kanzen saimin), after which Aizen can make them see, hear, and feel whatever he wants. According to Aizen, the hypnosis is unbreakable, even if the target is aware that they are hypnotized. The only way to avoid the effect is to not see Kyōka Suigetsu’s shikai, making the blind Kaname Tōsen immune to its effects. The effect seems to be permanent, or at the very least long-lasting, as Aizen uses it on nearly all of the lieutenants and captains in the Gotei 13 during a ceremonial release of his zanpakutō years before faking his own death. While the illusions Kyōka Suigetsu creates are quite powerful, they are not 100% accurate; Captain Retsu Unohana was able to realize that something was amiss with Aizen’s fake corpse, even though she did not realize what until seeing Aizen alive.

Kyōka Suigetsu’s hypnotic abilities make it a useful tool in combat as well, as Aizen can quickly create simple illusions to deceive opponents. By creating a decoy of himself, Aizen can hide his own movements and attack with impunity; his opponent, meanwhile, will remain focused on the illusion until it’s too late to react. The most prominent example of this is his brief fight against Sajin Komamura, where an illusionary copy of Aizen is seen melting away after the real Aizen has moved close enough to use the devastating Black Coffin kido.

When Aizen hears that Rukia Kuchiki has been spotted in the real world after months of being missing, he kills all the members of the Central 46 Chambers. Aizen quickly manipulates everyone into an elaborate conspiracy. Using the abilities of his zanpakuto, he creates an illusion that Central 46 is still working as usual and controls all the decisions that they are supposedly making. With this, he immediately orders that Rukia be brought back to Soul Society to be executed. She is brought back to Soul Society with the Hōgyoku concealed within her body, and Aizen begins moving Rukia’s execution date up, while he does research in the Central 46 Chambers.

He later uses his zanpakutō’s ability to trick everyone into believing that he has been killed and has Gin leading everyone to believe Gin himself is the murderer. He also sets up his lieutenant, Momo Hinamori, to believe that he was likely killed by Captain Hitsugaya, her childhood friend, to get her out of the way. Because of the nature of Rukia’s sentence and execution method, the Gotei 13 splits into factions and the captains begin to fight amongst themselves. During the turmoil, Gin executes the overt aspects of the plan, which begins to be revealed when 4th Division Captain Retsu Unohana begins to suspect that there is something wrong with Aizen’s supposedly dead body. Aizen reveals himself by nearly killing his lieutenant and easily defeating several Soul Reapers. Afterwards, he removes the Hōgyoku from Rukia’s body by using information researched by Kisuke Urahara, but does not kill her. Aizen is then brought to Hueco Mundo by several Menos Grande, along with Gin and Tōsen.

From there, Aizen begins to make several arrancar, and begins sending them one by one to the material world to gain information on Ichigo and, later, to capture Orihime Inoue, who Aizen takes an interest in due to her healing abilities, which can save the powers of the deteriorating Hōgyoku. However, this is revealed to be a ruse on his part. By kidnapping her, he inspires Ichigo and his friends to attempt a rescue, thereby depriving Soul Society of a valuable military asset. Furthermore, when four captains assist in her rescue, adding to the three that have already defected, Soul Society is left at half its regular strength. As he leaves to destroy Karakura Town, he seals the portals the intruders used to access Hueco Mundo, effectively stranding them there until Aizen returns. Though Soul Society is able to substitute the town for an abandoned facsimile, Aizen only muses that he will have to travel to Soul Society to destroy the real town after he and his forces defeat the remaining captains. Aizen is not concerned when he is trapped in Yamamoto’s fire prison following his arrival, for he claims the Espada will suffice to defeat the shinigami.

Character Profile: Soifon

noreply@blogger.com (RJ Javier) — Tue, 05 May 2009 01:50:00 +0000

Soifon is the leader of the special forces and the captain of the 2nd Division in the Gotei 13. She is a hard worker and takes a strong moral stand - she particularly believes in following orders. Underneath her standard shinigami captain uniform, Soifon wears the special forces leader’s uniform, which has no sleeves or covering for the back. Her hair is worn short with two long braids covered in cloth. Soifon, like most female shinigami, is a member of the Shinigami Women’s Association.

Soifon was born as Fon Shaolin into the Fon house, one of the lower noble houses affiliated with the Shihouin noble house. The Fon house traditionally serves the Shihouin house by joining the special forces. Any member who doesn’t pass the test to get into the special forces is immediately exiled from the family. Because of this, Soifon has felt a lot of pressure to succeed since her youth. Though Soifon and her five older brothers all got into the special forces, her first two brothers died on their first missions, her next two brothers died on their second missions, and her last brother died on his third mission. Upon her joining the special forces, she adopted her grandmother’s codename: Soifon. In the anime, she did not adopt the name voluntarily, a family member gave her the name.

Soifon worked hard and was eventually promoted to become the head of the guard for the leader of the special forces at the time, Shihouin Yoruichi. Yoruichi took the young Soifon under her wing as her protector and they developed a close relationship. When Yoruichi eventually left Soul Society in disgrace to help her exiled friend Urahara Kisuke, she was stripped of all her titles. Soifon felt betrayed by Yoruichi’s abandonment and the circumstances surrounding them. As a result, she trained herself in order to beat Yoruichi and take the titles she lost.

Soifon was promoted to the captaincy roughly 100 years prior to the start of the Bleach storyline, shortly after Yoruichi’s departure from Soul Society.

Soifon’s Zanpakuto

Soifon’s Zanpakuto is named Suzumebachi (Hornet). In its sealed form, it resembles a wakizashi with a yellow hilt reminiscent of a Chinese dao. Unlike most shinigami, she wears it horizontally on her lower back.

Suzumebachi’s Shikai (Initial release) is triggered by the command “Sting all enemies to death!” It shrinks into a stinger that is worn on the middle finger of Soifon’s right hand. When Soifon stabs someone with Suzumebachi, a butterfly symbol called a hornet’s crest spreads from the point of contact, its abdomen acting as the center. If Soifon stabs the same location again, her opponent dies, regardless of how powerful they may be. The crests are maintained by Soifon’s will and are impossible to remove unless she wills it.

Character Profile: Shigekuni Yamamoto Genryusai

noreply@blogger.com (RJ Javier) — Tue, 05 May 2009 01:48:00 +0000

Shigekuni Yamamoto Genryusai is the general of the Gotei 13 and the captain of the 1st Division. Despite being old, he is one of the strongest shinigami in Soul Society, and is highly-respected among all shinigami. By merely staring with spiritual pressure, he was able to immobilize the 8th Division Vice-Captain, Nanao Ise. He was also able to take on two captains simultaneously, Kyoraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jushiro.

The shinigami academy was founded by Yamamoto himself, about 2,000 years before the main Bleach storyline. He was also a teacher back then, who cultivated his students into great shinigamis such as Shunsui and Uktitake.

Shigekuni Yamamoto Genryusai’s Zanpakuto

Named the Ryujin Jakka, it is the oldest and the most powerful fire-based Zanpakuto ever known. It is an attack-oriented Zanpakuto, probably making it the Zanpakuto with the greatest attack power in all of Soul Society.

In its sealed form, Ryujin Jakka appears to be a harmless walking staff. When released, it turns into a katana with a dark red handle and a circular handguard.

Upon the command of “Bansho issai kaijin to nase” (All things of this world, turn to ashes), Ryujin Jakka goes into Shikai (Initial Release). Yamamoto himself and the surrounding area immediately gets engulfs in strong flames. With a wave of the Zanpakuto, intense fire burns whatever is in its way.

Yamamoto’s Bankai (Final Release) is unknown at this time.

Character Profile: Shihouin Yoruichi

noreply@blogger.com (RJ Javier) — Tue, 05 May 2009 01:44:00 +0000

Shihouin Yoruichi is a very skilled dark-skinned woman who is capable of transforming into a black cat at will. She is intelligent, knowledgeable, and has been playing a role akin to a teacher and instructor for Kurosaki Ichigo and his friends. Most of the time, Yoruichi is shown to be very serious, although she does enjoy teasing Ichigo by transforming to her naked human form without warning.

Before Yoruichi left Soul Society, she was the Commander of the Covert Ops (also known as Special Ops and Secret Mobile Unit/Corps). And she was also from one of the Four Noble Families, making her a highly respected woman back then. But ever since helping Urahara Kisuke escape from Soul Society, she has lost her noble status and had to leave Soul Society as well.

Shihouin Yoruichi’s Powers

Perhaps the most notable technique that Yoruichi possess is the ability to transform into a black cat. It allows her to disguise herself and move to places where her human form might’ve caused difficulties. Her cat form also changes her voice to one that is deep and sounding like a male’s.

The other technique that Yoruichi was most often seen used is the Shunpo (Flash Step). The technique allows her to teleport short distances with every step she takes, resulting in very fast movements. While many high-level Shinigami such as Kuchiki Byakuya can perform Shunpo as well, Yoruichi is the best at it. Her Shunpo is so good that she is given the title of Shunshin (Goddess of Flash).

Yoruichi is also a master of hakuda (hand-to-hand combat) and kidou (demon arts). And combining the two, she has mastered an extremely powerful technique named Shunko (Flash Release) which she is yet being able to control well. The technique allows the user to concentrate high amount of energy in their body and blast it at opponents. This is also the reason why Soi Fon’s (previously Yoruichi’s) military uniform has no back and sleeves, as they get shredded to bits when kidou pressure builds up on the user’s back and shoulders.

Character Profile: Urahara Kisuke

noreply@blogger.com (RJ Javier) — Mon, 04 May 2009 04:58:00 +0000

Urahara Kisuke is the owner of the Urahara Shoten (Urahara Shop), and it is ran by Urahara himself together with Ururu Tsumugiya, Jinta Hanakari and Tessai Tsukabishi. Most of the time, Urahara is very cheerful and appears to be a very laid-back person, although he can get serious whenever the situation warrants it. He also gives the feeling of mystery and elusiveness. Throughout the series, he is a very “behind-the-scene” character, popping in only when necessary, and never intervened directly. And hence the series has yet to show him fighting someone for real.

The reason why Urahara seems to be so knowledgeable is due the fact that he was the former captain of the Gotei 13’s 12th Division, and was also creator and head of the Shinigami Research Institute. After being sentenced to exile for creating an untraceable gigai (faux body), his positions were taken over by Mayuri Kurotsuchi. And ever since then, he has stayed in the real world, tending to his Urahara Shoten. Urahara also seem to enjoy fanning himself a lot with his white-colored paper fan.

Urahara’s Zanpakuto

Urahara’s zanpakuto is named Benihime (Crimson Princess), and is one of the very few female zanpakuto. When sheathed, Benihime appears as a thin cane. She has a seal on the end of the sheath which allows Urahara to forcefully make Kurosaki Ichigo go into his Shinigami form - which is something Ichigo hates because it hurts.

When unsheathed, the round part of the cane becomes the sword’s hilt. And when Benihime goes into Shikai form (Initial release), she no longer resembles a cane. Her hilt becomes elaborately designed with a golden chain and a red tassel.

Benihime’s Bankai (Final release) form has yet to be revealed.