Chōjirō Tadaoki Sasakibe

"Man of little words, always standing by the Overall Captain's side in waiting is Lieutenant, Sasakibe Chōjirō. While they are a famous combination that is easily distinguishable, the only difference between them that cannot be reconciled seems to be their food preference..." - Tite Kubo

is the lieutenant of the 1st Division, under the command of Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. He has kept this post for at least 110 years.

Appearance
Chōjirō is a man who appears to be in his late 40's he has pupil-less eyes and short silver-gray hair, a small black handlebar mustache with lightly tanned skin. He wears a white jinbaori over a standard Shinigami uniform with long white arm guards. He wears a white turtle-neck under his uniform and has his lieutenant armband on his left arm.

Personality
It is revealed that English society, which he saw during missions in the real world, has had a big impact on him. As such he has a habit of making tea with his own personally grown black tea leaves, sometimes with drastic results, such as blowing up a tower by trying to turn on a boiling machine. His adoration of Western culture is to such degree that he only likes Western cuisine and dislikes Japanese cuisine, this is a noticeable difference between him and his captain, (Though, surprisingly, he represents the Tea Ceremony Club on occasion, which more reflects following his captain's command than his own Western style.) His jinbaori, which he made himself, is also meant to give him a more Western look. He passes his free time by endeavoring to adopt more aspects of Western culture.

Soul Society arc
Initially seen attending the lieutenant meeting as Ichigo Kurosaki's group are launched into the Seireitei by Kūkaku Shiba, Chōjirō accompanies Captain Yamamoto everywhere he goes, including Rukia's execution on Sōkyoku Hill.

He is directly ordered by Yamamoto to stop Renji Abarai, (along with Isane Kotetsu and Marechiyo Ōmaeda), after he runs off with Rukia Kuchiki. However, shortly after the three of them give chase, Ichigo Kurosaki gets in their way. Chōjirō, like his fellow lieutenants, releases his Zanpakutō, but is defeated bare-handed by the Ryoka -- not held back like Isane or crushed with his weapon like Ōmaeda, but rather getting punched in the jaw. Out of the three, he was the only one fast enough to react and attack, though Ichigo easily dodged.

Arrancar arc
Chōjirō is seen twice in this arc: first behind Yamamoto after calling an assembly due to the appearance of the Grand Fisher Arrancar in Karakura Town, then again assisting his captain in restraining Momo Hinamori after she goes off course on saving Sōsuke Aizen in a conversation with Tōshirō Hitsugaya.

Hueco Mundo arc
Initially seen during the arrival of the Shinigami, he subsequently disappeared once the battles started.

The New Captain Shūsuke Amagai arc (anime only)
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

Shortly after Shūsuke Amagai is appointed captain of the third division, he is seen talking with Yamamoto about the need to fill the vacant captain positions. He is seen briefly when trying to stop Renji Abarai from going into the captain-commander's room, however Renji just walks past him.

Fake Karakura Town arc
When the Visoreds arrived, Shinji explains that they found Chōjirō outside of the barrier around the Fake Karakura Town and that it was him who had let them through. Chōjirō apologizes to Yamamoto for allowing the Visoreds to enter, saying that he thought it was necessary given the circumstances, but is forgiven before he could finish. Later, after Aizen's defeat, Chōjirō rushed to the injured Visoreds and Retsu Unohana to warn them that Mayuri Kurotsuchi was about to switch back Karakura Town and its fake counterpart and that they had limited time to get away or else they could be seriously hurt by the transfer.

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

Chōjirō is seen being sent to check the nature of the disturbances outside of the Captain-Commander's office. What happens next is unknown. However, he is later seen arriving on the Sōkyoku Hill where he falls unconscious in front of all the gathered officers. Captain Unohana diagnoses him with a cardiac arrest and orders immediate treatment measures. He is later shown recovering with the other wounded.

Powers & Abilities
Kidō Expert: Chōjirō is shown to be experienced enough in Kidō to open and close large powerful barriers, like the one around the fake Karakura Town.

Shunpo: Chōjirō is proficient enough in flash steps, appearing behind Shinji Hirako as he talks about the barrier that the Gotei 13 placed in the Fake Karakura.

High Spiritual Power: Being a lieutenant of the Gotei 13, Chōjirō boasts a high spiritual energy.

Zanpakutō
Gonryōmaru redirects here. For the manifested spirit that appears in the Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc see Gonryōmaru (spirit).


 * an average katana with a ornate double-fanned hand guard and a yellowish-green handle


 * Shikai: Its Shikai command is . In its Shikai, Gonryōmaru transforms into a rapier.


 * Shikai Special Ability: Unknown


 * Bankai: Not Yet Achieved

Trivia
In the anime, Chōjirō has golden colored pupils, in contrast to his pupil-less eyes in the manga.

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