Maki Ichinose

is an antagonist in the anime-exclusive Bount arc and is a former member of the 11th Division, under the former captain Kenpachi Kiganjō that Kenpachi Zaraki killed and replaced.

Appearance
Maki is a tall and lean-built man with brown eyes and short raven black hair that is not parted; a large portion of it hangs in the middle of his face. He wears a Shinigami uniform that he later modified to have no sleeves, similar to most members of the 9th Division, and a hooded shirt underneath. Back when he was still a member of the 11th Division, he did wear a uniform with sleeves.

Personality
Ichinose is a man with a strong sense of duty and justice, believing strongly that those with great power should use it for more noble causes than just self-satisfaction. It was because of this trait that he could not embrace the current Kenpachi as his captain, as the barbaric captain viewed combat as only a means of entertainment. When he meets Jin Kariya, who inspires Ichinose in a way similar to his previous captain, Ichinose decides to serve under him and without question follow his orders. Despite convincing himself that he has moved on from his past, his anger towards Kenpachi still remains, as shown from his arduous training to grow stronger and when breaking his vow to Kariya to fight Kenpachi instead of stopping Ichigo and his friends as he was expected to.

Ironically, it is the man he hates the most who helps Ichinose see that he has lost himself to his anger and is no longer the man he claimed to be, convincing Ichinose to find true justice again.

History
Ichinose was originally part of the 11th Division, serving under Captain Kenpachi Kiganjō. However, his captain was challenged by Kenpachi Zaraki in front of 200 Shinigami in an attempt to become new captain of the 11th Division. During the battle, he and Kaname Tōsen could not stop the fight, and Tōsen commented on how he felt that Zaraki was dangerous. After the battle, Kiganjō was killed and Zaraki became the new captain. When Ichinose confronted Zaraki later, he challenged Zaraki to a duel. Zaraki refused, but said that he might consider battling if Ichinose managed to injure him. Ichinose took the initiative, but just as he prepared to use Nijigasumi, Zaraki knocked the sword out of his hands. Zaraki then advised Ichinose to stand for himself. Later, Ichinose told Zaraki and Lieutenant Yachiru Kusajishi that he was leaving the Soul Society. After leaving, Ichinose wandered about until he came across a village under attack by a Hollow. He saved a little boy, but the Hollow proved to be too powerful for him to handle. However, he was saved by the appearance of Jin Kariya and Gō Koga. Kariya allowed Ichinose to finish off the Hollow, and then recruited him. Ever since then, Ichinose became completely loyal to Kariya.

Bount arc (anime only)
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

Ichinose is shown sitting down and reading a book in the Bount Mansion. The Bount Gō Koga suddenly enters the room and tells Ichinose that it's too dark, but Ichinose informs him that he can read just fine. Koga simply calls him stubborn, and Ichinose tells him that he should have some tea. Koga declines, and then asks if he knows where the others are, but Ichinose tells him that he's the first one to show up. Later, Ichinose and the rest of the Bount are shown together. Kariya enters the room and Ichinose welcomes him back. Kariya informs the group that he has located a Quincy and then asks for their help in capturing the Quincy for him. Later, Ichinose is shown walking outside the mansion and Ryō walks up to him. He asks for his opinion on what Kariya's true objective might be, but Ichinose states that it's not his place to question him. Ryō tells Ichinose that he must have an easy time not thinking for himself, and Ichinose asks Ryō what he's thinking right now. Ryō simply tells him that he'll let him know when he figures it out himself.

Later when Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends infiltrate the Bount mansion, Ichinose is ordered to guard the prisoners Uryū Ishida and Yoshino Sōma. He soon confronts Rukia Kuchiki and the mod-souls, and after revealing himself to originally be part of the 11th Division, he takes care of the mod-souls. Rukia then uses Kidō to attack but her blows are easily deflected. Rukia then asks Ichinose why he's with the Bount and Ichinose explains that when Kenpachi became captain of the 11th Division by killing his former captain, everything his former captain fought for was lost. He states that because of this he lost his reason to live, but Kariya has given him new reason and that's why he'll serve under him. He then prepares to fight Rukia, but he suddenly senses Kariya in trouble and heads to his location.

Upon reaching his destination, he finds Ryō betraying Kariya and trying to become leader of the Bount. Ichinose simply releases his Zanpakutō and kills the traitorous Bount. Ichinose then notices Ichigo and prepares to fight him as well. The two begin battling each other but before their battle can be decided Kariya stops them and states that he's become interested in Ichigo. Kariya easily takes care of Ichigo and prepares to leave, but Ichigo gets back up to fight. Ichinose decides to finish Ichigo off, but the mansion is suddenly attacked by Ururu, Jinta, and Yorucihi. Ichigo and the others end up escaping, along with Uryū and Yoshino. Later at night Ichinose and the other Bount watch as the mansion burns down in flames.

After the flames in the mansion burn out, Kariya examines the rubble and eventually finds an old clock. Ichinose asks Kariya if it still works and Kariya remarks that he'll need a certain tool to get it fixed. Ichinose states that he'll find it, but Kariya tells him that he'll find it himself. The next day, as Kariya tries to fix the clock, Ichinose informs him that he sent the other Bount to the rendezvous point. A bit later Kariya begins fighting Yoshino as part of his plan to create the bitto, and Ichigo and Renji arrive. However, Ichinose and Koga appear and they hold off the two of them for a while. Kariya eventually kills Yoshino and is successful in his ceromony for creating the Bount. With his job done, Ichinose stops fighting and watches the bitto form from a distance. Later Ichinose and the other Bount head into a cave that they have frequented many times, and Kariya shows them how the bitto can increase the strength of the Bount by taking out a vial from one of the bitto and drinking the contents inside it. Mabashi is the sole Bount that goes against this, so Kariya hurts him for his defiance. A bit later, Kariya tries to convince Mabashi again and Ichinose asks if he can heal his injuries first. However, Kariya tells him that his injuries will be healed soon enough and he forcibly uses the bitto to increase Mabashi's strength.

Maki was responsible for deleting the information from the Department of Research and Development in the Soul Society. As a result, Mayuri Kurotsuchi was enraged and began investigating the Bounts. Little did he know however, much of the information was still in the public library, a fact discovered by Jūshirō Ukitake.

Maki is once again supposed to stop Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends from following Kariya. He releases his Zanpakutō and begins to attack the Shinigami, only to be stopped by Kenpachi Zaraki. Kenpachi goads him into a fight, and helps Ichigo to escape. Maki nearly defeats Kenpachi with Nijigasumi, but Kenpachi takes off his eye patch to save himself. Furious that all his efforts to beat Kenpachi have failed, he charges the mighty captain with blind rage, voicing his disdain for Kenpachi, who counters with a critical hit. Kenpachi, taking pity on how much Maki has fallen, makes Maki realize that, ever since he left the Soul Society, he has been desperately clinging to Kariya and following his dreams because he lost faith in his own path. Realizing that Kenpachi is right, Maki is determined to finish the fight for his own sake, only to be struck down in the final clash.

Later, a still injured Maki intervenes in a fight between Ichigo and Kariya. Surprising both men, Maki points his blade at Kariya, insisting that he use the power of the crest to change the Soul Society for the better rather than pointlessly destroy it. Annoyed, Kariya impales Maki and kills him. His Zanpakutō is left behind, which acts as a lightning rod, saving Ichigo from a lethal attack.

Powers & Abilities
Expert Swordsmanship Specialist: Due to constant training, Maki is capable of holding his own against Ichigo Kurosaki, Tōshirō Hitsugaya , and Kenpachi Zaraki for a short while.

Highly Perceptive Combatant: Unlike most fighters from the 11th division, Maki first gauges his opponent's abilities and strength level before going all out. He is also a capable analyst, able to understand the basics behind his opponent's techniques.

Shunpo Expert: Ichinose has considerable speed, as shown when he is able to fight on equal footing with Ichigo while using Shunpo.

Kidō Expert: While it is unknown how well-versed in this art Maki is, he is able to use this skill to create a passage for the Bount to safely enter the Soul Society (albiet it still required Quincy powers for it to be complete).

Great Spiritual Power: Appearing to be a unique multicolored, Maki's spiritual energy is great enough to not be overwhelmed by Kenpachi's (though Kenpachi keeps his eyepatch on throughout most of their fight). Using Saigyoku Nijigasumi, this is heightened.

Zanpakutō

 * an average katana with a simple rectangular handguard with a circle around the blade and two inward curved lines stretching to each corner the long way and greyish-blue hilt.


 * Shikai: It is activated by the command..


 * Shikai Special Ability: When Nijigasumi is drenched with his spiritual energy, it is able to create limitless amounts of light. When Nijigasumi shines, it melds with all other light. When he releases it, he can use that light to take control of shadows and attack his opponent with them. Nijigasumi's ability also allows it to manipulate light for other various effects, such as:


 * Invisibility: Ability to make Maki invisible to the naked eye, by surrounding him with light.


 * Blinding Light: Ability to create a large area of light around opponents, disrupting their visual perceptions, causing confusion, and decreasing their chance to fight back against attack.


 * Illusions: The light released from Nijigasumi reigns over the dimensions that surround the opponent and alters them, thus creating this alternate dimension of light. His ability is to use this light to alter another's perceptions, allowing him to make his opponent see what he wants him to see.


 * Blade of Light: Dissolves his actual blade and replaces it with a blade made of pure light. If the blade is broken, it can completely cover it to allow the battle to continue. He can also create blades of light seperate from his Zanpakuto, using them as projectiles to fire at his enemies.


 * Causes a multitude of twinkling lights to appear, which then form together around an opponent, creating a huge sphere which engulfs everything within a significant radius. Anyone within that radius will potentially get caught in it. Immediately following that, the sphere collapses in on itself, using the compressed light to crush everything within it. Only a strong enough spiritual pressure can push back and destroy this power.


 * Bankai: Not Achieved

Navigation
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