Vizard

The Vizards (Vaizard in English pronunciation) are a group of fomer Shinigami who acquired Hollow powers.

While the term Vizard is spelled in the manga using kanji meaning, it is pronounced as the English. In several fan translations of the anime and manga, they are referred to as the "Vizard", an archaic word meaning mask.

Overview
The Vizards are the antithesis to the Arrancar, Shinigami who have obtained Hollow powers. Having begun as Shinigami, the Vizards appear entirely human, and barring those times where they are using their powers are indistinguishable from ordinary Shinigami. To gain access to their Hollow powers, a Vizard dons a Hollow mask. This allows them to augment their Shinigami abilities with Hollow powers, as well as giving them access to some of the generic Hollow abilities. Their spiritual pressure likewise changes into a mix of Hollow and Shinigami. This process of donning one's Hollow mask is referred to as "Hollowification".

It is unclear what the Vizards are after. The current members of the Vizards have been shown to be former Captain or Lieutenant class Shinigami. They are considered criminals by the Soul Society for committing the ultimate taboo of acquiring Hollow powers; their status as former leaders of Soul Society also marks them as traitors. The Vizards are also rejected by Hollows, due to their former status as Shinigami. It is because of this that it can be presumed that the only side the Vizards are on is their own. Regardless, they seem to be valuable allies-to-be in the battle against Sōsuke Aizen's army of Arrancars, as Kisuke Urahara mentioned. The Vizards have not shown any sort of hierarchy, seeming to prefer a loose-knit organization.

Plot Synposis
The existence of Shinigami/Hollow hybrids is first hinted at early in the series. In order to regain his Shinigami powers after being stripped of them, Ichigo Kurosaki has his Chain of Fate severed by Kisuke Urahara in order to force him to regain his lost power before becoming a Hollow. Ichigo is only able to succeed once he begins transforming into a Hollow. Ichigo's transformation happens out of sequence, his mask forming first instead of his body breaking apart and reforming, a sign of his resistance to becoming a Hollow, and he emerges as a Shinigami wearing a Hollow's mask, which he breaks off. After he arrived in Soul Society, the Hollow mask reappears on his person on several occasions, even though he repeatedly discarded it, to block mortal and fatal blows. In his fight against Byakuya Kuchiki, Ichigo's inner Hollow took some control of his body, causing his mask to reform around his face. Ichigo is able to regain control and tear off the mask before the transformation completes.

Ichigo later discovers that there are other Shinigami who have acquired Hollow powers besides himself. Shinji Hirako, a "boy" carrying a Zanpakutō and a Hollow mask, reveals that these renegade Shinigami call themselves the Vizards. Shinji tries to convince Ichigo to join their group, saying that only he can teach Ichigo how to control his Hollow form and keep it from taking over and destroying everything Ichigo cares about. Ichigo initially refuses Shinji's offer, but relents after realizing he can't control his inner Hollow on his own. Ichigo insists that he's merely using them to learn how to control his inner Hollow.

To accomplish this task, Shinji knocks Ichigo unconscious so he can face his inner Hollow on common ground. As this happens, Ichigo's body transforms into a uncontrollable Hollow form, which the Vizards take turns fighting in order to keep it in check. Ichigo eventually manages to overcome and subdue his inner Hollow (in 62 min and 30 sec), and begins training with the Vizards to have better control over his new powers. Ichigo abandons his training when the town is threatened, despite having little control over his new powers compared to the more experienced Vizards. It is later shown that the Vizards are preparing for battle with unknown intentions (They may be preparing to go battle Aizen).

Power & Abilities
Vizard Mask: The Vizard remains in complete control while wearing their masks, unlike Ichigo's early unstable transformations. As suggested by Aizen, the fusion of the two spiritual entities allows these Shinigami to reach levels of power far surpassing that of either Hollow or Shinigami.

The Vizard use their Hollow powers to augment their existing Shinigami abilities, granting them massive increases in speed, stamina, and strength.

The only known side effects to the Vizard are the specific time limits, though this can be overcome through training and every time the mask is used, the Vizard's voices echo horribly as a consequence of both their normal voice and their inner hollow's voice speaking at the same time.


 * Enhanced Speed


 * Enhanced Stamina


 * Enhanced Strength


 * Enhanced Spiritual Power


 * Efficiency: Hollow absorb spiritual Power (Reiryoku) from their surroundings, or ingest it from spiritual biengs, while shinigami produce their own natural spiritual Power, some of which is then wasted, or leaked out. By combining these two properties the Vizard can reabsorb the spiritual Power that they themselves give off, making their techniques much more efficient. They can also take it in from other sources, further boosting thier power.


 * Cero: They also gain access to some Hollow abilities, such as the Cero blast, although currently only Shinji has been seen using it.


 * Mask Shielding: Bodily harm can seemingly be ignored while wearing their masks, as demonstrated by Ichigo's Hollow during his unwilling transformations. The Hollow mask can only be maintained for a certain period before its effects wear off: Ichigo can only hold his transformation for short periods (eleven seconds at first), while the other Vizard have seemingly no limit to how long they can last..


 * Power Augmentation: with the acquisition of the mask via the subjugation of ones inner Hollow. A Vizard gains access to a additional and separate source of power, in addition to the Shinigami powers one already possesses. The accumulation of both powers together greatly augments the powers of the Vizard beyond what a Shinigami and/or Hollow alone would be capable of.

The Vizard's Zanpakutō function in the same manner as those of standard Shinigami; however, none of them have explicitly used their releases in combat yet, excluding Ichigo and Kensei. The Vizard seem to prefer their Hollow-like powers to their Shinigami abilities.

Let it be noted that vizards most likely have other powers that make them even closer to hollows other than from doning their masks, but Ichigo left them to defend against the Arrancar, so all the powers of a vizard besides the basics he had to learn quickly on his own. It could be possible that Ichigo's latest transformation is vizard related, but will remain uncertain for now.

Creation Process
While Ichigo gained his current Vizard status due to his soul chains erosion while trying to gain access to his own shinigami powers, while under Urahara's tutelage. It is unclear how the other Vizards gained their current status. What is known is that Sōsuke Aizen was instrumental in the hollowfication process (though whether he knew of the full potential results is left to question). This process used seems to spread a some form of possible airborne infection that has the desired effects on high-level powered shinigami as compared to low-level powered ones. Causing those infected great sickness and fatigue until they vomit up a white liquid that forms the beginnings of their hollow mask, which then proceeds to take over their bodies and minds. Other then that all that is known is that the process is accelerated by aggressive emotions.

Aside from the dangerous method used by Urahara on Ichigo, the Hōgyoku could allow a Shinigami to use Hollow powers (presumably in relation to the vizard creation), but it has only been shown doing the opposite (creating the arrancar).

It also appears that Urahara's Hōgyoku played a vital part in the process of making the Vizard currently what they are, as he tried to use it to return them to their previous state. But according to Urahara, what his device did was not what he had intended (turning them into a stable form of complete hybrids) and he considers the solution a failure on his part. Though they didn't become complete hollows due to his intervention and did eventually gain control over their new power.

When Ichigo's hollow powers started to increasingly manifest while not under his control. Shinji explains that Ichigo's conflict with his inner Hollow is a common symptom, other Vizard had to deal with it at one point or another in order to master their abilities.

Turn back the Pendulum Arc
Around 110 years before the current time, people in the Soul Society started to disappear, but more then simple death, there were no bodies found; only the victims clothes remained. The situation caused a great uproar in the Gotei 13 as investigations groups where sent out and not heard from again. Due to this, the 9th Division's command structure took it upon themselves to investigate the situation. Kensei Muguruma, then-captain of the Ninth Division, Mashiro Kuna, his then-lieutenant and their subordinates comprising the 3rd to 6th Seats. They were all mysteriously cut down by a then-unknown assailant that succeeded in taking them all by surprise using some unknown method. When much like the previous disappearance their reisastu disappeared the Gotei 13 became worried and sent out a new investigation team personally hand picked by Capatin-Commander Yamamoto to see what has happened. Captains Shinji Hirako of the 5th Division, Love Aikawa of the 7th Division and Rose of the 3rd Division, along with Vice-Captain of the Kido Corps' Hachigen Ushōda, and Kyouraku's Vice-Captain Lisa Yadōmaru all set out to find out where they disappeared to. Urahara's lieutenant, Hiyori Sarugaki was already on her way to collect samples of the disappearance sight per Urahara's request.

When the group finally arrives they find Hiyori and then themselves under attack by a hollowfied Kensei and Machiro while even working as a team the they were overpowered by the brutal attacks from the former fellow shinigami. With the timely arrival of Hachi, Machiro is bound using kido and then after more fighting from Kensei he is bound as well. Hiyori now being held by Shinji begins to sucuumb to the hollowfication process and attacks Shinji without warning. Then the others are surrounded with a pitch black darkness unable to sense each other and are systematically cut down. After the darkness is lifted Shinji is the only one still conscious see that it was all Kaname Tōsen, Kensei's 6th Seat, using his Bankai against them. After trying to question Tousen's betrayal of his captain, while he and the others are going through various stages of hollowfication. Aizen, Shinji's Vice-Captain, shows up with Gin Ichimaru, Shinji's 3rd Seat. in tow, explaining that he was following his orders. Then Aizen begins to explain how he was behind it all and that he had been manipulating Shinji from the start using his zanpakuto's special ability. He then gives Tousen permission to get rid of Hiyori whom he attacks and then Shinji, who refuses to go down without a fight, in which Shinji gains the upper hand due to the increase in his power, but then he succumbs to the hollowfication process even more and is about to be attacked by Aizen. But the timely arrival of the cloaked 12th Division Captain Kisuke Urahara and Kido Captain Tessai Tsukabishi stopped him.

Characters
There are eight known Vizards aside from Ichigo Kurosaki. Five of these are men and the other three are women. Three Vizards speak kansai-ben, a dialect spoken in Osaka and Kyoto. All Vizards are former Shinigami Captains or Lieutenants from approximately 100 years before the main storyline.

Shinji Hirako
is the former Captain of the 5th Division, preceding his Lieutenant Sōsuke Aizen, and the de facto leader of the Vizards. While he initially appears trying to recruit Ichigo into their ranks, he is shown giving orders once Ichigo decides to accept the offer. An early design of Shinji can be seen in the first chapter's cover art, making it clear he was planned well before his introduction. Shinji's character is somewhat comical, adding a bit of levity to situations that are otherwise serious. He seems to like annoying his associate, Hiyori Sarugaki, which usually earns him a slap from one of her sandals. He also appears to have a history of referring to cute girls he meets as his 'first love', complete with a deadpan look on his face despite the obvious lie (he apparently never did this with Hiyori, further annoying her). One of his previous acclaimed crushes was Lisa Yadōmaru, a fellow Vizard, and his current is Orihime Inoue. During several points in the anime, Shinji's outfit is depicted to look like Lupin the III, likely as a homage on the part of the animators.

Shinji's Hollow mask resembles a pharaoh's mask. Shinji is very skilled with his Hollow powers, using Cero blasts to easily deal with Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez. The video games also depict him being able to split the Cero blasts into a pyramid shaped attack. Not much has been revealed about Shinji's Zanpakutō, as he rarely uses or even visibly wears it. The hilt and sheath are red. None of his release states have been shown, and the times that he does seriously fight he seems to rely more on his Hollow mask.

Love Aikawa
, former Captain of the 7th Division, is a tall man sporting sunglasses, a spiked afro, and a jogging suit. He seems to be very laid back, usually reading Shōnen Jump or some of Lisa's erotic manga in his spare time. He and Rose seem to be close friends. His Zanpakutōs hilt is in the shape of a heart, and he carries its sheath on a tōju hanging from his shoulder like a messenger bag. His zanpakuto's name has not been revealed nor it's abilities.

Kensei Muguruma
is a Vizard and a previous Captain of the Gotei 13. He served as the 9th division Captain with his Lieutenant Mashiro Kuna.

Mashiro Kuna
is the former Lieutenant of the 9th Division under Kensei. A somewhat ditzy girl who wears a white bodysuit and goggles in her green hair. Her overall style of dress is reminiscent of the costumes worn by the tokusatsu superheroes of late 1950s Japanese television, perhaps meant as a contrast between her age and childish appearance. She was able to maintain her Hollow mask for fifteen hours on her first attempt to control her Hollow, which means she did not need to train like the other Vaizard. She often calls Ichigo Berry-tan, a play on Ichigo's name. She seems to be good friends with Hachigen Ushōda, taking an instant disliking to Orihime Inoue when Hachi befriends her.

Rose
was the former Captain of the 3rd Division. He became Captain approximately one year before Kisuke Urahara. He is an effeminate man with long, wavy, blond hair and a frilly shirt. He seems to be interested in music, as he speaks to Love about an artist's new single and has been seen playing or tuning a guitar on several occasions. Rose appears to be one of the calmer and perhaps wiser ones amongst the group, though he becomes irritated whenever Love spoils a manga's story for him. His Zanpakutōs hilt is in the shape of a diamond with curved edges, and its sheath is encrusted with diamonds.

Hiyori Sarugaki
was the former 12th Division Lieutenant under Captains Kirio Hikifune and Kisuke Urahara. She is a tiny, blonde-haired girl with a fierce temper and violent tendencies. Her hair is worn in pigtails and she wears a red jogging outfit (which is decorated with the first kanji of her name). She also has a tiny fang on the left side of her mouth. Hiyori often abuses Shinji Hirako, usually by slapping him with one of her sandals. She also has even made it a reflex to use him as a human shield when necessary. This behavior dates back to her time as a Lieutenant, despite the fact that Shinji outranked her then. She viewed Hikifune as a mother figure, and thus refused to accept Urahara as her replacement.

Hiyori took the longest to defeat her inner Hollow out of all the current Vizard (excluding Ichigo, who took about the same amount of time), at 69 minutes and 2 seconds. Hiyori's Zanpakutō is standard in appearance with her tsuba decorated in small hearts, a contrast to her not-so-girlish personality. She normally wears her sword from her right shoulder, like Ichigo. Her Hollow mask is rhinoceros-like in appearance, sporting a prominent horn centered near the forehead.

Hachigen Ushōda
is the physically largest Vizard. He was formerly the Lieutenant of the Kidō Corps under Tessai Tsukabishi. He wears a tuxedo and has a black crossbone design in his pink hair. He is usually referred to as Hachi (ハッチ, sometimes translated as 'Hutch'), but his actual name is Hachigen. He seems to be a binding spells expert, since he is always tasked with making barriers and such for the Vizard use. By his own admission, his powers are similar to those of Orihime Inoue's. Despite his unusual size, Hachi is actually very kind and gentle and seems to enjoy Orihime's company.

Lisa Yadōmaru
was the former Lieutenant of the 8th Division under Captain Shunsui Kyoraku. She is a girl with glasses and long, braided, dark hair, who dresses in a sailor fuku, as opposed to the more Western-style uniforms worn by the students of Karakura High School. In consistency with her current appearance, her Shinigami uniform during her time in the Gotei 13 had a shortened hakama resembling a skirt. She seems easily irritated and apparently likes to read erotic manga (specifically, Josei manga). Her Zanpakutō is considerably longer than most, making it appear like a nōdachi. She appears to be ambidextrous, initially wielding her Zanpakutō with her left hand and then switching to her right during her fight with Ichigo.

Trivia

 * Kensei and Mashiro are the only Captain-Lieutenant pair to become Vizard.


 * Rose, Shinji, Love, and Kensei are the only Captain-level Shinigami, when not using their masks.


 * Lisa, Mashiro, Hiyori, and Hachi are the only Lieutenant-level Shinigami, when not using their masks.


 * Hachi is the only Vizard to not be a member of an official squad of the Gotei 13.