Akon

is the 3rd seat of the 12th Division and a member of it's research institute and the second-best gigai scientist in the Research Institute.

Appearance
Akon's appearance is that of a tall and eyebrow-less man, with a jagged part, and three short horns (and a possible fourth, which is hidden by his hair) on his forehead which he did not have when he was younger, 101 years ago.

Character Outline
Not much is know about Akon except he was the first to realize Rukia Kuchiki's gigai was not normal. He is usually seen along his two partners Rin Tsubokura and Hiyosu. Together they were in charge of monitoring the Human World for any increase in Arrancar activity during the Arrancar arc. In Turn Back The Pendulum, he joined the Science Bureau shortly after its establishment by Kisuke Urahara, 101 years prior to the present day. Curiously, he did not have his horns at this time. In the present, he appears to get along quite well with Mayuri Kurotsuchi, far better than he did with Hiyori Sarugaki.

He is now one of the best researchers of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute under Mayuri Kurotsuchi's charge, and is also chairman of the Shinigami Men's Association.

Soul Society Arc
Akon made a brief appearance along with other members of the Research Institute as they studied the gigai of Rukia Kuchiki, who had just been arrested in the Human World. He noticed that the gigai possessed unusual properties and seemed to realise that it was a creation of "someone working outside the laws of the Soul Society" in his own words, but he is referring to Kisuke Urahara.

Arrancar Arc
Akon was seen in the 12th Division's research Institute detecting any sudden change in Reiatsu in the Living World. He helps gain permission so Rangiku Matsumoto, Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Renji Abarai could release their limiters. Akon later helps warn Hitsugaya's team of the incoming Arrancar, all of which are Espada, during the third invasion. He also sent Rin Tsubokura to give Ikkaku his replacement molars.

Powers and Abilities
Deep Understanding of Scientific Studies: He pays attention to small details, and attempts to read into a lot. He was able to tell immediately that Kisuke Urahara made Rukia's Gigai.

Zanpakutō
Like the other researchers, Akon does not carry his Zanpakutō inside the Research Institute. As he is rarely shown outside the Institute, his Zanpakutō has thus not yet been shown.
 * Shikai: Not yet revealed.

Trivia

 * In volume 36, end of chapter sketches reveal that Akon can be seen in the Nest of Maggots, tinkering with something in the background.
 * At the request of Captain Jūshirō Ukitake, Akon and his staff produced a life size figure of Captain Hitsugaya as a birthday gift. Ukitake also requests one of Byakuya Kuchiki.
 * Akon is shown smoking in omakes.