Don Kanonji

is a popular spirit medium who hosts a television show called Ghost Bust that, at the time of his introduction, was watched by a staggering 25% of Japan's population.

Personality
Don Kanonji's true name is. He is well meaning and genuinely tries to be the hero, refusing to run away because, as he explains to Ichigo, that he cannot run away because of his fame, because 1 in every 4 people watch his show, and little children learn lessons of courage. He is deeply mortified when he learns that the method he used to rid ghosts, thinking he was sending spirits to heaven, actually caused those spirits to become Hollows.

His trademark pose is to cross both arms over his chest and laugh "BOHAHAHAHA!!" boisterously and deeply, as does his fans. His catch phrase is "Smells like bad spirits!" He also uses other phrases, "Spirits are always with you!!" and the like. He also introduces himself as "The New Century's Premier Spiritualist". His knowledge of Hollow and Shinigami has been steadily increasing following his encounter with Ichigo.

Agent of the Shinigami Arc
As part of a live filming of his episode, Don Kanonji comes to Karakura Town and a burnt-out hospital for a special exorcism. The hospital contains a Demi-Hollow, which Don Kanonji attempts to exorcise by plunging his "Super Spirit Stick" into the demi-hollow's chest hole, causing him severe pain and widening the hollow-hole on its chest. This accelerates his transformation into a Hollow, which otherwise would not have happened, according to Rukia, for another four months. Ichigo, who was accompanying his family to the shooting, attempts to stop him but Kanonji's security intervenes. Urahara assists Ichigo by ejecting his shinigami form from his human body. However, Ichigo is too late to stop Kanonji and the Demi-Hollow disappears. Neither the crowd, nor Kanonji realises what has actually happened and the former cheers a successful exorcism. However, the Demi-Hollow reappears on the roof of the hospital as a full fledged Hollow. Realising that the fight is not yet finished, Kanonji attempts to continue the battle.

Kanonji pushes Ichigo out of the way, proclaiming that he will fend off the dangerous spirit, whom he thinks is the "boss" of the spirit he defeated and has come to seek revenge. Ichigo interferes and they both insist that the other run away. Even as Ichigo does the bulk of the fighting, Kanonji explains that he cannot run away because little children learn lessons of courage from him and he cannot let them down. Ichigo accepts Kanonji's reasoning and they both continue to fight the Hollow together. Eventually, the fight moves to the roof. During the roof-top battle, Ichigo finds himself incapacitated by the Hollow's goo like excretion that fuses his sword and arm to his body. It is then that Kanonji reveals that he is not without powers of his own and, after momentarily distracting the Hollow by prying its jaws open with his spirit stick, summons his "Kanonji-ryuu Final Super Attack: Kanon ball!!!". After a somewhat impressive show of light, a tiny ball of energy slowly approaches the dubious Ichigo, which then lands on the green goo and explodes, freeing Ichigo. However, the Hollow had by that stage recovered and turns on Kanonji, batting him aside, but the recovered Ichigo makes short work of the Hollow.

Kanonji is largely unscathed and recovers quickly, following the Hollow's defeat. At first Kanonji dances in joy but then notices that the Hollow exterior crumbles away to reveal the earth-bound ghost that Kanonji had thought he expelled from earlier. Ichigo explains what had actually happened and how Kanonji was responsible for accelerating the Demi-Hollow's transformation into a Hollow. Don Kanonji is grieved by a lifetime of failures, because he had not understood what he had been doing. Ichigo tells him to go back to his earnest crowd and continue being the hero that he had prided himself on being. Don Kanonji thanks him for everything, for inspiring him with his strength, wit and bravery. The two shake hands and Kanonji promises to make Ichigo his number one pupil, an offer which Ichigo notes is a demotion as earlier Kanonji had regarded him as his partner.

Following the shooting, Kanonji tracks Ichigo down by bribing Rukia. However, Ichigo evades him and uses the appearance of a Hollow to quickly escape. Kanonji then meets Yuzu and Isshin, both of whom are fans of his. Isshin get's along specially well with Kanonji due to both of them having a taste for flashy cloths.

Sensing that Ichigo was not around, Kanonji comes to Karakura Town to defend it while Ichigo is away. He quickly recruits Karin, Jinta and Ururu to form the Karakura Superheroes. Using the children's powers, he is able to defeat a number of Hollows and is efficient enough to get to the Hollows before Zennosuke Kurumadani, the Shinigami who replaced Rukia as the resident protector Shinigami of Karakura Town.

Hueco Mundo Arc
Kanonji is recruited by Urahara Kisuke to project Karakura Town while Ichigo is in Heuco Mundo as Karakura-Raizer Spirit. Kanonji appears in the nick of time to rescue Kon, aka Karakura-Raizer, when the latter was being tormented by a flock of flying-Hollows. He then assists Kon to assualt the Giant Hollow Fortress by staying behind with Ururu to take on the numerous Hollows outside the fortress as the others assaulted the fortress interior. Following their victory, Urahara puts Kanonji to sleep along with the other humans of Karakura Town.

Fake Karakura Town Arc
Don Kanonji makes his appearance after a long while as Tatsuki is being threatened by Sōsuke Aizen and Gin Ichimaru. He blasts Aizen with one of his Kan'onballs and reveals himself with one of his catchphrases, "Spirits are always with you!!", much to the surprise of Ichimaru and Tatsuki. The blast, however, has little effect on Aizen, who questions his identity. Kanonji is about to explain who he is when he is interrupted by Tatsuki, who asks him why he is here. As the two argue, Kanonji is hit with the overwhelming reiatsu of Aizen. Kanonji tells Tatsuki to run while she tells him that there is nothing he can do against Aizen. Kanonji refuses to run away, as he says that heroes who run away from battle would not be called heroes by children. With his Super Spirit Stick in hand, he charges Aizen. Aizen causally tells him that if he were to touch him, he would cease to exist. Before Kanonji's attack reaches Aizen, he is stopped by Rangiku Matsumoto.

Powers and Abilities
Spiritual Power: He first appeared to have little spirit energy. However, when fighting a Hollow with Ichigo, Ichigo stated that the Hollow was going after people with high spirit energy like Kan'onji and himself.

Don Kan'onji Ultimate Attack: Don Kan'onji's special attack, consisting of a tiny ball of golden (or sky-blue) light that moves slowly before exploding with a surprising amount of power. He calls it the Golden Kan'onball.


 * Later on, in various filler episodes, this technique appears to have expanded in size, and perhaps in explosive power, but has yet to increase its speed in any noticeable way.

Super Spirit Stick: Don Kan'onji's special melee attack. He shocks the enemy with a golden stick infused with spiritual energy and can completely destroy a lesser Hollow with it.

Appearance in Other Media
In the video game Bleach: Dark Souls, Don Kanonji is an unlockable character. His speed and attacks make him one of the stronger characters. He has a ratings gauge that affects his special attacks and damage, as well as taunts that can raise ratings. His Karakura Super Attack is the strongest in the game, being able to defeat weaker characters like Ririn in only a single blow.

He also appears on the game Bleach: The 3rd Phantom as a guest, and playable character. He is technique type and unlike in Bleach: Dark Souls, is considerably weak. His Sp. Attack consist of attacks from the Karakura Superheroes. He also makes Fujimaru or Matsuri his Number Two pupil, similarly to Ichigo. He also helps in the twins' Bankai training. In one of the sessions, Fujimaru/Matsuri is drastically weakened, making Don Kanonji and Kon seemingly more powerful. Urahara asks him/her to defeat them in that state, and also (indirectly) to figure out how his medicine worked so it became possible to defeat them.

Trivia

 * His theme song, as chosen by Tite Kubo, is "L'Arlesienne Suite #2" by George Bizet.
 * In Chapter 411, he breaks the fourth wall by stating, "Sorry to have kept you waiting, faithful readers! Indeed, 'tis I, your Don Kanonji! My Don Kanonji! Everyone's Don Kanonji has returned, once and for all!"

Quotes

 * (To Ichigo Kurosaki) "Every week, when it is time, they stick to the TV. They watch my actions in the comfort of their families after dinner. Children watch my actions and their hearts leap. They see me stand up to evil spirits and... they know what courage is...! Do you understand, boy? With them watching, I can't run away from the enemy...!"
 * (To Ichigo Kurosaki) "I have abilities... I can understand the difference between myself and the enemy. However, boy... your ideas made an impression on me! The way of fighting where one thinks people's safety first indiscriminately... your way of fighting is befitting of a hero! Allow me to call you battle buddy."
 * (To Tatsuki Arisawa) "...Run? Are you really suggesting that to this hero? Foolish girl. Allow me to educate you. Heroes who run from battle are not called heroes by children."

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Don Kan'onji