Hanza Nukui

is introduced during The Captain Amagai arc as the leader of the assassination squad under Gyōkaku Kumoi, Ichigo's first Kasumiōji rival, and was the main antagonist during the first half of the Captain Amagai arc.

Appearance
Perhaps Hanza's most notable features are his light purple hair and the scar across his face. He wears red armor on his left shoulder and his right arm is actually his Bakkoto, Saiga.

Personality
Hanza was formerly part of a clan that served the Kasumiōji, but agreed to assassinate Princess Rurichiyo Kasumiōji because he believes that she is not strong enough to lead the clan. During his fights with Ichigo, he efficently measured his opponents power and matched it using his Bakkoto. Even though he and Kumoi were in it for different reasons, the two got along well.

Synopsis
After Rurichiyo Kasumiōji came back to her family compound, Kumoi ordered Hanza to kill her. However, Ichigo and Kenpachi Zaraki were already protecting her. In retaliation, Kumoi sent Hanza and a few others to capture the princess in the Human World. Hanza fights Ichigo using a familiar Bakkōtō, and Ichigo thinks he has the upper hand. However, revealing Saiga's second ability, Hanza paralyzes Ichigo. But Yoruichi Shihōin saves him and Hanza retreats.

During their second battle, Ichigo shatters Saiga's mirror, only to be caught in a mirror dimension. The shards of the Bakkoto reflect Ichigo's guilt for not saving his mother, but he breaks free of the illusions. With Ichigo now in his hollow form, Hanza feeds more of his Spiritual Energy into the Bakkoto. However, once he realizes that he cannot defeat the Vizard, Hanza allows his Bakkoto to completely consume him.

Bakkōtō
Hanza primarily wields the Bakkōtō Saiga, which evolves by devouring the spiritual power of its user. It has the ability to momentarily paralyze opponents by reflecting moonlight into their eyes and can create an alternate dimension in which the opponent is left conscious but unable to move. If he channels more reiatsu into the weapon, he can create illusions based on the targets' memories, trapping them until their souls are crushed. At full power, it is able to shoot energy bolts similar to Getsuga Tenshō blasts.

