Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi

, more commonly referred to as, is the captain of the 3rd Division in the Gotei 13 and a Visored.

Appearance
Rose has purple eyes, long, wavy, blond hair and a perpetually bored expression. Rose wears a black suit with a thigh length black jacket. He also wears a white frilled shirt with frilled cuffs (or large cuffs) and high collar, which he commonly keeps untucked. During his initial time as captain, he kept his hair somewhat straighter with a small black ribbon tied near the end. He wore the standard Shinigami robes and a sleeveless captain's haori, but with a frilled collared shirt under it.

Seventeen months after Aizen's defeat, Rose returns to his original Shinigami attire with shorter, slicked-back hair with the addition of a single lock falling into his face.

Personality
A seemingly foppish man with a disinterested air, Rose is one of the more laid-back members of the group. He is frequently seen tuning his guitar and chatting with Love rather than paying attention to what is going on around him. He's interested in music and often discusses whatever singles have recently come out, such as the then-latest Prince of Darkness album. He also enjoys reading manga, a pastime shared with Love and Lisa, although he becomes irritated if anyone spoils a story-line for him.

Despite the disinterested behavior he exhibits, he seems to care for his fellow Visored; he smiles happily when he realizes that Hachi is happy to have met Orihime, due to the notable similarities regarding their healing abilities. He also states that "the family is growing", due to Ichigo and Orihime coming to stay with them, even claiming that the aforementioned humans' designated partner/counterpart, Hiyori and Hachi, were similarly happy. Rose seems to pay close attention to dramatic effect while in battle, as seen with his starting a speech on the Human nature to band together against a common enemy and his attempt to dramatically rise from the rubble of a building he was hurled into, leading to an unimpressed Love smacking him in response at both occasions.

History
Approximately 112 years ago, Rose was promoted to captain of the 3rd Division. Two years later, Rose arrives at the 1st Division barracks to attend the meeting to introduce the new captain of the 12th Division. Rose was later seen waiting in line with the other captains as the newly appointed 12th Division captain, Kisuke Urahara arrives to the meeting.

9 years later, Rose was dispatched with Love Aikawa, Shinji Hirako, Hachigen Ushōda, and Lisa Yadōmaru to investigate the disappearance of Rukongai residents and Kensei Muguruma and the members of his division. Rose followed right behind Love as they showed up at the site of the disappearances after Shinji. He then noticed a Hollowfied Kensei and was greatly surprised at his current state. He immediately asked if the creature before them was Kensei. Shinji stated that he didn't know if it was Kensei, but that if they didn't draw their swords, they were as good as dead. Rose watched as Love went to attack the Hollowfied Kensei and saw Love outmatched and attacked. Rose took out his Zanpakutō and resolved to attack Kensei alongside Lisa. After attacking Kensei several times, the Hollowfied captain forced him backwards.

Before Rose could attack again, he was brutally attacked from behind by a Hollowfied Mashiro Kuna, causing him to crash down into the ground below. Kensei was attacking Lisa and about to land a devastating blow, but was stopped by a Kidō blast in the back from Rose who has just climbed out of the large crater made by him crashing into the ground from Mashiro's previous attack. Rose told him to stop as he didn't use to be the sort of weakling who would attack a woman. Kensei proceeded toward him, but Rose was saved by the intervention of Hachi who uses "Kin" Bakudō #99. Rose and the others began discussing what to do next when Hiyori attacked Shinji and revealed herself to be Hollowfied as well. Before anyone could act a darkness fell around the rescue squad and they were attacked by an unseen assailant.

The assailant was then found to be Kaname Tōsen, Mugurama's 5th Seat, who was acting under the orders of Sōsuke Aizen, the person behind the disappearances and Hollowfication experiments. Just as Aizen gave the order to kill the Hollowfied Shinigami, Captain Kisuke Urahara and Tessai Tsukabishi, captain of the Kidō Corps showed up and saved them from destruction. Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Tōsen made their escape and Tessai used Forbidden Kidō to preserve and transport them to the 12th Division barracks. In his lab, Urahara tried to reverse the process using his created item, the Hōgyoku. Unfortunately, it ended up as a failed process, not having the desired effect Urahara expected.

The next day, Urahara and Tessai were arrested under the orders of the Central 46. The Hollowfied Shinigami were sentenced to execution as Hollows. But before any of their sentences could be executed, however, both were rescued by Yoruichi Shihōin, who brought them to a secret underground area.

In the secluded area, she had also brought Hachi and the other Hollowfied Shinigami, along with the prototype for the new Gigai that Urahara was working on. With that epiphany, Urahara resolved to make ten Reiatsu-blocking Gigai to aid him, Tessai, and the eight victims escape to the Real World, where they would find a way to undo the Hollowfication process.

Arrancar arc
Rose first appears when Ichigo Kurosaki arrives at the Visored's warehouse, planning to "use" them to help him control his inner Hollow. Rose is standing around as Ichigo and Hiyori fight. He is alerted when Ichigo's inner Hollow takes over and attacks Hiyori. When he witnesses Ichigo's inner Hollow nearly choking Hiyori to death, he, as well as the other Visoreds, quickly restrain Ichigo before he can kill her.

While Ichigo is training on his own, the other Visored are sitting around. Rose asks Love if he has heard the new 'Prince of Darkness' CD that has just came out, to which Love asks Rose if he has read this week's new Shonen Jump. Rose responds that Love always has his copy, so how can he.

Rose later goes with the other Visored down into his underground training area. Rose looks on when Ichigo defeats his inner Hollow and gains back control over his body.

When Hachi is alerted of someone inside his barrier, the other Visored are surprised at the possibility. Orihime Inoue shows up and is revealed to Hachi and the other Visored to be the culprit, they are shown to be quite shocked to see that a simple Human could perform such a feat. When Orihime leaves, the other Visored talk about who she could have been, with Rose mentioning that she seemed to be a friend of Ichigo. When Shinji tells them who she is and how she is the love of his life, Lisa comments on how he says that about all the cute girls and how he used to say the same thing about her, causing Rose to whisper under his breath if Lisa is trying to imply that she is cute. While Ichigo continues to train, Rose is sitting, listening to Love talk while reading manga when he came across a great line. Rose tells him the line is not all that great and asks Love not to spoil the manga he just bought before he has even read it.

Rose is later seen leaving the warehouse with the other Visored to fight in the upcoming conflict.

Fake Karakura Town arc
He is then seen with the rest of the Visored arriving at the Fake Karakura Town, intercepting Aizen, Gin, and Tōsen's release from Yamamoto's fire prison. When Shinji asks his fellow Visored if they have anyone in the Gotei 13 whom they want to speak to, Rose states that he doesn't. When Shinji returns from speaking to Captain-Commander Yamamoto, the huge Hollow creature spews forth a large horde of Gillian-class Menos from its mouth. Rose is among the Visored when they put on their masks to prepare for battle.

Rose stands ready for battle as the other Visored draw their Zanpakutō and attack the Gillian. Rose display a unique ability that allows him to make a 'melody' that entices a Menos and then causes its destruction.

Rose starts to go on about how the spiritual bond between those coming together to fight against a common enemy is not a bad habit but one based on instinct possessed by all living creatures. But before he can finish his speech Love smacks him in the back of the head, and he asks why Love did that. Love responds that the discussion is over and that Rose should quit posturing and concentrate on what is going on.

They both stand and look at Coyote Starrk with Love commenting on how he looks strong. Starrk then asks if they are sure that they want to take off their masks. To which Love smirks and says that they are Superheroes, so they only last 3 minutes. Whether or not this is true, there does not, so far, appear to be a limit upon whether they can use their masks again, given that Love activated his once more after their battle commenced. During this time, Rose appears to be an initial bystander in the battle, after comically getting crushed by rubble from some other battle.

Following Starrk releasing the wolf pack, Rose releases his Shikai and proceeds to fight the wolves along with Love. However, his whip goes through the wolves, prompting Love to comment that the "wolves were like flames". Rose proceeds to use his Zanpakutō's special ability, but to no avail. Both he and Love are then caught in a close combat explosion and he is last seen on his knees trying to recover his breath and looking shocked at the unexpected stabbing of Starrk from the shadows by Shunsui. Following the defeat of Starrk, Rose approaches Shunsui along with Love, but simply listens to Love and Shunsui's conversation. Rose is then seen reacting to Aizen's taunts, but was told by Shinji not to be provoked.

Rose is next seen with the several unoccupied Shinigami and Visored planning to protect Ichigo Kurosaki from Aizen and his Shikai. After Shinji explains that protecting Ichigo is important and that the battle is all of theirs, Rose charges at Aizen with Shinji, Lisa, and Love. When Komamura is defeated by Aizen, Rose swings Kinshara at him. Aizen easily catches it and pulls Kinshara down along with Rose. A stream of blood is launched into the air. However, Rose survives and is later seen with his injuries patched up waiting to see if Hiyori will survive. He is also shocked that Unohana would still refer to the Visored as her allies despite their exile and such.

The Lost Shinigami Substitute arc
Sometime after Aizen's defeat, Rose is allowed to return to Soul Society, after which he regains his former captain status. Along with all the other captains, except Mayuri Kurotsuchi and Jūshirō Ukitake, he is present when Ichigo visits Soul Society to ask for Kūgo Ginjō's body.

The Thousand-Year Blood War arc
Rose attends a captain meeting where he is informed about Wandenreich's infiltration, and is ordered to prepare for war alongside other captains. Rose encounters the Quincy, NaNaNa Najahkoop after receiving news about casualties in the Third Division and mourns Kira's fall. The two talk briefly before Rose unsheathes his sword, threatening to kill NaNaNa. He subsequently receives word from Rangiku Matsumoto that the enemy has the ability to steal Bankai. Some point afterwards, Rose and several other members of the Gotei 13 are surprised to sense Yamamoto enter the front lines as their Captain-Commander's Reiatsu resonates throughout Seireitei.

After the Wandenreich retreat, Rose and the other surviving captains mourn the death of Yamamoto. Rose along with the other captains are silent when Ukitake informs them that they couldn't find the Captain-Commander's body because it was likely destroyed by the enemy. He is silent when some of his fellow captains bicker after Suì-Fēng breaks down with the grim news on Captains Kenpachi Zaraki and Byakuya Kuchiki's status. The infighting is quickly stopped by Captain Shunsui Kyōraku who reminds them all of the Gotei 13's purpose. Rose and the other captains later gather outside Seireitei to witness the arrival of the Royal Guard.

Much later, Rose bears witness to the swift and complete invasion of Soul Society by the Wandenreich. Later, Rose and Kensei confront the Sternritter Mask De Masculine, with Rose standing back and watching Kensei beat Mask while noting he is not going to play a role in this battle. Expressing surprise when Shūhei Hisagi wakes up and warns the captains to take out Mask's lackey first, Rose is knocked away by a revitalized Mask.

After Mask defeats Kensei, Rose bifurcates James and notes he cannot waste this opening before activating his Bankai, Kinshara Butōdan. Rose uses his Sea Drift and Prometheus techniques. Explaining how his Bankai allows him to control music in order to trick his opponent into thinking they have been injured, Rose prepares to use Ein Heldenleben, only to stop when Mask bursts his own eardrums. Rose is then hit by Mask's Star Flash, which leaves him with a star-shaped wound in his chest. As Rose collapses, Mask attempts to use Star Flash on him again, but Rose is saved by the arrival of 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai. Renji asks Rukia Kuchiki to look after Rose and Kensei. She begins to bandage Rose's wound and takes him away.

Powers & Abilities
Master Swordsman: Rose views himself as a capable swordsman, as he was certain that he could deal with Kensei in their battle without releasing.
 * Whip Mastery: Rose is quite masterful with a whip-like weapon. He is able to move Kinshara's Shikai form with little effort, able to control the direction of the attack with great ease to better confuse the enemy, as revealed in his fight against Coyote Starrk. He is also capable of wielding the released Kinshara in both his right and left hands.

Kidō Expert: Rose is proficient in Kidō, and can perform it without chants, although the level of the Kidō used wasn't shown.

Shunpo Expert: His skill in Shunpo is high enough for him to keep up with the other Visored, barring Shinji.

Great Spiritual Power: As a captain, he possesses a great amount of spiritual power. Being a Visored, Rose possesses a dual type spiritual energy, part Shinigami and part Hollow.

Zanpakutō

 * In its sealed form, the hilt-guard of Rose's Zanpakutō is shaped like a diamond, with curved concave edges, and has an orange handle.


 * Rose levitates his Zanpakutō and scabbard in a cross shape in front of him. Rose moves his fingers as if playing a piano, which is accompanied by the sound of piano keys being played. A wire appears, and wraps around his intended target. His hand glows with a yellow light, and with simple hand movements he plays different notes, causing the target to become further constricted by the wire until it is eviscerated by the wire's crushing force.


 * Shikai: Rose's release command is . Upon release, Kinshara's blade becomes a gold whip, tipped off with a flower from its namesake, while the hilt stays the same. The whip is extendable, much like Renji Abarai's Shikai, and can also be used as a long-range weapon, as shown when Rose attacked Starrk's wolves with it from a considerable distance. Rose commonly attacks with it in long sweeps, and can make it instantly change directions with a simple, fluid motion. He can retract it back to him with ease. When he uses the whip, it makes a sound similar to the light playing of piano keys. The whip's tip can be used to impale, and can effortlessly rip a living being apart with a simple flick.


 * Shikai Special Ability:
 * When the flower at the end of Rose's whip attaches itself to the enemy, Rose taps on the whip with his fingers, causing it to glow and make the sound of a strummed guitar string. This sound travels up the length of the whip to the flower tip, and creates a vortex of reverberating sound that acts as a shockwave, destroying everything within a considerable area of the blast.


 * Bankai: : Upon activation, Kinshara Butōdan forms a large pair of floating hands, with one holding a large conducting baton, and several large beings with petal-shaped protrusions on their faces before Rose. Rose describes the figures as the "Dancers of Death".


 * Bankai Special Ability: Kinshara Butōdan allows Rose to use music to create physical illusions. Rose states his music gives him power over his target's heart: as long as the target's heart is deceived, the illusions are realistic and powerful enough to physically damage the target and affect surroundings as if they were real. The various attacks which the illusions use lay in the various dances which the "Dancers" perform: Rose further controls these dances by conducting them with a conducting baton as a music conductor would. The weak point of this Bankai is that it requires the victims to hear the music for the illusion to take place, so if the victims were to negate their hearing, they become completely immune to Kinshara Butōdan's effects.


 * Rose has the figures surround his opponent and spin around until they create a whirlpool of surging water.


 * Rose has the figures generate fire in their hands before engulfing his target in flames.


 * Due to Mask preventing Kinshara Butōdan from working on him any longer by crushing his eardrums, this technique remains unseen.

Hollowfication
Hollow Mask: Rose's Hollow mask is unique in that unlike the other Visored, who have flat masks, his mask sprouts outward in a way that resembles a bird beak. The mask resembles that of a medieval plague doctor.


 * Power Augmentation: While wearing the mask, Rose's Hollow powers supplement his Shinigami powers.

Appearance in other media
Rose first appears in Bleach: Heat the Soul 6, his attacks are mainly lightning based, which differ from his Shikai. His Shikai, as well as his Hollow Mask, first appear in Bleach: Heat the Soul 7 as one of his special attacks.

Quotes

 * (About Hachigen Ushōda and Orihime Inoue) "I bet he's happy, because we hardly meet anybody with powers similar to ours. I feel like our family is growing."


 * (To a Gillian) "Come along. That's right... right this way. Slowly does it... closer and closer... until you are captive to my melody."


 * "Banding together to face a common enemy is sometimes referred to as a dark trait of humanity, but that's not quite right. It is no 'dark trait', but rather a basic animal survival instinct. Frankly, it is at times such as these that human emotional connection is at its most-" (he is then interrupted by Love)


 * (After Love grabs him by his hair) "My hair! There is such a thing as aesthetics, you know, even when escaping from a pile of rubble!"


 * (To NaNaNa Najahkoop)"Watching over Izuru always provides me with the most remarkable inspiration. Just by holding a guitar in his presence, I find the melodies well up like tears unbidden. If Izuru were to be gone, my Flying V too will mourn."


 * (To NaNaNa Najahkoop)"What manner of guitar could fail to cry when faced with the deaths of so many men? My guitar is already crying. I hope you don't expect to leave this place alive... Quincy."


 * (To Mask De Masculine) "Kinshara Butōdan is a dance troupe of death. The payment for their performance is your life."


 * (To Mask De Masculine) "My techniques are indeed tricks. However, it is always trickery that captures the hearts of the public. I'll tell you what my Zanpakutō controls - 'music'. Its deceptive melodies resound in your ears and give me power over your very heart. If my deceptions capture your heart, they can burn your body, and even stop your breath. Now. Let us finish with a dance I'm sure will suit you wonderfully."

Navigation
Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi