Kōga Kuchiki

is a Shinigami introduced in the anime-exclusive Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc. He is a former Seated officer Shinigami of the 6th Division who once revolted against the Seireitei. He was also a member of the Kuchiki noble family, having married into it.

Appearance
Kōga is a tall and lean-built Shinigami with black hair that hangs on the right side of his face to frame it. Back during his days as a Shinigami of the 6th Division, in addition to a standard Shinigami attire, Kōga also wears a long red scarf, light purple obi sash, and a beaded-necklace along with an intricate white headpiece called kenseikan on the left side of his head to symbolize his nobility with red tufts of hair running through it. After several hundred years sealed away, his physical form has been reduced to a withered-old version of his former self.

Personality
In the past, Kōga was a man with a true sense of duty and a commitment to making his family proud. He always tried to remain humble and serious to situations at hand. On the inside however, Kōga was a man who deeply desired to be acknowledged for his abilities and hard work.

History
Several hundred years before the main storyline, Kōga was welcomed into the Kuchiki family as the son-in-law of the Ginrei Kuchiki. He soon gain much respect through Soul Society. Unfortunately, the one person Kōga wanted to be acknowledged by, his father-in-law Ginrei, always looked at him with indifference and put him through tests. The only person to ever comfort Kōga at all was his Zanpakutō Muramasa. Kōga later became a powerful ally in a civil war. When it became clear that he may very well be the key to winning the war, the enemies, which included three elites, came up with a plan to frame him as a traitor. He was later freed by Muramasa and soon revolted against the Seireitei. The Shinigami were eventually able to seal Kōga away. Kōga's revolt was never recorded in the Soul Society's history.

Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc (anime only)
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

Kōga was sealed away, but his Zanpakutō Muramasa eventually resurfaces and begins to initiate a Zanpakutō rebellion. When Ichigo Kurosaki encounters Muramasa, he states that he already killed his master. However, after Muramasa gains control over Ryūjin Jakka, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto reveals that Muramasa is planning to break Kōga's seal. He also states that Muramasa is heading to Karakura Town, where Kōga was sealed.

Muramasa eventually arrives at the location where Kōga was sealed, but comes into conflict with Orihime Inoue, Uryū Ishida, Yasutora Sado, and Rukia Kuchiki. He ultimately succeeds in breaking Kōga's seal. As Ichigo arrives to stop him, Kōga begins to awaken. Though Muramasa is ecstatic that his master is finally free, Kōga immediately stabs him in anger, leaving a shocked Muramasa to ask him why.

Powers & Abilities
Master Swordsmanship Specialist: Even with his sealed Zanpakutō, Kōga was an immensely powerful combatant. Even back when he was only a seated officer under 3rd seat, he was able to easily take down a large group of enemies attacking him at once.

Immense Spiritual Energy: While not a noble by blood nor of considerable age, Kōga possessed great power even at his young age. Ginrei, the former captain of the 6th Division, states Kōga's power vastly surpasses his own. He displays a massive reiatsu, even after being sealed away for several centuries.

Zanpakutō

 * Kōga's Zanpakutō takes the form of a wakizashi with a dull red sheath, purple hilt-wrapping and a guard in a shape similar to the Kidō Corps' emblem, consisting of a circle with a pentagon-like shape in the center and three points protruding from the edges evenly spaced apart.


 * Shikai: The release command is "Whisper" (囁く, sasayaku). Muramasa shines with bright purple light to engulf a considerable radius, affecting any and all targets within it.
 * Shikai Special Ability: Muramasa can break into the inner world of targets and forces them to bend to the user's will. It can cause a Zanpakutō's spirit to abandon its master and attack them. The ability causes the Zanpakutō's of the wielders in the general vicinity to seemingly take control of the wielders sword arm causing him/her to unwillingly attack their comrades or turn the blade on themselves.


 * Yūkōjōchū Muramasa: Kōga summons his Zanpakutō spirit who has the ability to cause other Zanpakutō to manifest by controlling their true instincts. When this takes place, the Zanpakutō of other wielders glow with a purple light. Their Zanpakutō spirits then manifest, typically as tangible shadowy figures from weaker Shinigami and with greater individuality and power from stronger Shinigami. Muramasa himself has the ability to manifest in his true form and even can manifest himself at a distance from his master, able to hear his call from wherever he is.


 * Bankai: Not Yet Achieved.