Izuru Kira

is the Lieutenant of the 3rd Division in the Gotei 13, under Captain Shūsuke Amagai (anime only).

History
Izuru Kira was born to a family of lesser nobility, his parents having been dead since he was young. While in the shinigami academy, Kira befriended Momo Hinamori, Renji Abarai, and Shūhei Hisagi, and they are often seen spending time together. After graduation, Kira, along with Renji and Momo, was sent to the 5th Division, where he stayed until Gin Ichimaru became captain of the 3rd Division. Kira is loyal to both his friends and his duties, perhaps to a fault. Despite the close friendship he shares with Momo Hinamori, Kira shows that his loyalty knows no boundaries when he defends his captain while she is in a grief-induced rage from her own captain's apparent death. Despite this, he calls himself a 'monster' afterwards for raising his sword against her.

Personality
Kira is a gloomy and introspective person, not easily given to socializing with others. He generally appears weak and diffident, leading many to believe he lacks ability as a leader. As an officer, he does not tend to inspire confidence or boost morale the way other lieutenants do. However, in combat he shows ruthless determination.

His personality flaws are also assets: his introspection coupled with his tendency to worry makes him indecisive, but it also makes him sensitive to unusual behavior. His loyalty to his comrades inspires him to great efforts in their defense, as seen when Momo Hinamori attacks Gin Ichimaru and again in the anime when Makoto Kifune's attacks endanger other members of the 3rd Division.

In the manga, it is revealed that Kira considers the essence of war to be despair, as exemplified by the marigold.

Soul Society Arc
Kira is first seen attempting to find Renji, who leaves a lieutenant meeting to fight Ichigo Kurosaki. During Sōsuke Aizen's plot against Soul Society, Kira plays a role as a significant, yet clueless, puppet. His loyalty and dedication to following orders are used against him by Gin. Later on, Kira battles and loses to 10th Division lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto, his weight-affecting zanpakutō rendered useless by her zanpakutō's ability to dissolve into ash. During the anime's Bount arc, Kira rescues Ichigo from the Bount Koga Gō, and later helps Ichigo fight his way into the Bount hideout. He is left to guard the entrance to the Seireitei following the successful infiltration by the Bount.

Fake Karakura Town Arc
When Aizen along with his three top Espada attack fake Karakura Town, he along with Yumichika Shūhei Hisagi and Ikkaku Madarame are left to protect the four pillars that keep the real Karakura Town in Soul Society. He begins a battle with one of Barragan's Fracción, Avirama Redder.

Avarima originally had the upper hand in battle due to his flying ability and being able to fight at a distance while Kira's attacks only work on close combat. He was eventually defeated however and was beheaded by Kira.

Powers and Abilities

 * Kido Practitioner

Zanpakutō
Wabisuke (Apologizer, Viz: The Penitent One):


 * Shikai: Its shikai command is "Raise your Head". When activated, Wabisuke's shikai bends the blade into a square hook.


 * Shikai Special Ability: In this form, Wabisuke doubles the weight of whatever it strikes. The ability affects both inanimate objects and living beings. Though a seemingly pointless ability in sword combat, the effect is cumulative. Each subsequent hit from Wabisuke continues to double the weight.  Thus, after seven or eight strikes, his opponents are unable to lift their own swords (or their own bodies, as seen in the Bount arc.)  Once Wabisuke's effect becomes noticeable, Kira's opponents often fall to their knees with their heads bent down, as if in apology, thus the name of Kira's zanpakutō. He then uses the unique square hook shape of his zanpakutō to behead his opponents, like a type of upwards guillotine.


 * Bankai: Not Yet Achieved