Wakame Ambassador

The, alternatively known as the Seaweed Ambassador (wakame is a type of seaweed), is a creation of Captain Byakuya Kuchiki of the Sixth Division.

Character Outline
It was first introduced in the Colorful Bleach story arc concerning the Jump Fiesta when Byakuya proposed that the 6th Division's entry for the fiesta be taiyaki in the shape of the Wakame Ambassador. Since then, the ambassador has appeared in the a number of omake chapters both in the manga and the anime. Among other appearances, it was Byakuya's entry in the sand sculpture competition during the Bleach On The Beach chapter.

In the anime, Byakuya has offered a Wakame Ambassador-shaped snack to Yachiru, which causes Yachiru to state it's weird and she doesn't want it, and she runs off. Also in the anime, Renji Abarai has forced Ichigo Kurosaki to eat a taiyaki shaped like the Wakame Ambassador. Ichigo enjoyed the taste but commented that because of the look, the taiyaki would never sell, which indeed appears to be the 6th Division's problem. During the Zanpakutō Unknown Tales filler arc, Hanatarō also mistakes a large figurine of the Wakame Ambassador as an injured person while searching the Kuchiki manor for injured people.

Rukia Kuchiki appears to be the only other person who likes the Wakame Ambassador, staring in awe at it during the sand sculpture competition. Rikichi has commented that he thinks the shape suits Byakuya.

Appearances in Other Media
The Wakame Ambassador appears in Bleach: Soul Carnival 2 as a mini boss and later as a support character. There is one man-sized Wakame Ambassador (the boss) and many little ones, a little one being the support character. The only word they speak is "Wakame", the large one having a deeper voice and the little ones a high-pitched voice.

Trivia

 * In Episode 287, which commemorated the 10th anniversary of Bleach, Byakuya initially appeared dressed as the Wakame Ambassador much to Ichigo's surprise but to Rukia's delight.