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Kensei Muguruma (六車 拳西, Muguruma Kensei) is the captain of the 9th Division in the Gotei 13. His lieutenants are Shūhei Hisagi and Mashiro Kuna. He is a Visored. He was also a captain over 100 years ago prior to his exile, and was reinstated to his old post some time after the battle against Sōsuke Aizen.

Appearance[]

Kensei is a tall, muscular man with sharp features, short light-gray/silver hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo of the number "69" on his chest; the "6" represents his last name, "Muguruma," which uses the kanji for "6" in it, while the "9" represents the 9th Division, which he currently leads. He wears a dark purple A-shirt with a white trim, in addition to green cargo pants, black combat boots, and a pair of orange fingerless gloves. He also has a series of piercings, with one on his left eyebrow and three on his left ear.

During his initial time as a captain, Kensei had longer front bangs, which hung over his face. He wore a sleeveless shihakushō that was open on the front, exposing his chest and tattoo, and tied it with a rope belt. He also wore a sleeveless haori and a pair of fingerless black gloves that covered most of his forearms. Seventeen months after Aizen's defeat, he returns to wearing this look, albeit with a less open shihakushō, a new metallic belt and mussed up hair.[2]

Personality[]

Kensei is a serious and decisive individual, though he is easily annoyed and is rather temperamental, often to a fault. He is greatly annoyed by immaturity, evident when Orihime infiltrates the Visored's hideout and jokingly asks where the bathroom is; Kensei is noticeably annoyed, only calming down when Lisa Yadōmaru and Love Aikawa remind him that it was only a joke.[3] He is most frequently irritated by Mashiro's childish behavior, once noting that she has the uncanny ability to aggravate him even when she is asleep. His aggressive behavior is particularly noticeable in combat. At one point, he confesses that he is not mature enough to hold back, even against a child. Despite this, Kensei is at times a caring individual, though his attempts at being kind are often offset by his aggression, such as when he tries to cheer up a young, tearful Hisagi in a manner reminiscent of a military drill sergeant.[4]

History[]

Kensei 69

Kensei during his time as a captain displaying his "69" tattoo.

Approximately 110 years ago, Kensei was the captain of the 9th Division, with Mashiro Kuna serving as his lieutenant. He attended the promotion ceremony of the 2nd Division's 3rd Seat Kisuke Urahara to 12th Division captain.[5]

9 years later, Kensei, Mashiro, and his division’s 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th seats were sent to investigate the mysterious disappearances in the Rukongai. Mashiro constantly complained about the fact that they had to investigate something when they did not even know what to investigate, noting that a vanguard of 10 others had already been sent prior to their arrival. Her incessant whining irritated Kensei, to the point to which he needed his other subordinates to restrain him from attacking her. Kensei told her that she was not even asked to come along, and that she should just go home. She responds that she was his lieutenant, so she had to follow him, and then fell down to the ground and went into a temper tantrum, screaming about how hungry she was. However, Kensei decided to ignore her. Soon after, Kensei was alerted by a nearby Hollow attack.[6]

Kensei Smiles

Kensei's scary smile as he tries to cheer up Hisagi.

Kensei and his men immediately proceeded to attack the large Hollow to protect the citizens of the Rukongai. Using his Shikai, he promptly destroyed the Hollow. After the battle, he noticed a crying boy on the ground nearby and attempted to cheer him up, though in a commanding and somewhat hostile way, before asking for his name. Kensei then addressed Mashiro, who had been absent from the battle. During the battle, she had found 10 empty shihakushō close to where the Hollow had attacked them.[7]

Kensei pondered on what could have happened to the men that wore the shihakushō, noting that the clothing was arranged as though it was still being worn, and could not have been simply taken off. He then ordered his men to contact central command to request a researcher from the 12th Division, and to set up a camp for the night. Kensei resolved that if there were someone or something attacking the Shinigami, they would eventually go after the Seireitei and that whoever or whatever it may be must be stopped before then. When his 5th Seat, Kaname Tōsen, asked what he should do, Kensei told him to accompany him to search the area.[8]

Ep209KenseiStabbed

Kensei is stabbed.

Later that night, while resting with his 3rd Seat, Heizō Kasaki, Kensei observed that Mashiro was sleeping soundly, much to his annoyance. Kensei stated that he could not fathom how she could sleep during such tension. When Kensei tried to fix her shirt so that her chest would not be exposed, in her sleep she called him a pervert; Kensei noted that she was even annoying when she was asleep. Suddenly, he and Kasaki heard a scream, and ran out of the tent to assess the situation. He saw all of his men lying on the ground except for his 6th Seat, Izaemon Tōdō, and immediately assumed that he was the one responsible. However, Tōdō fell to the ground as well, already dead. In response, Kensei ordered Kasaki to watch his back, and shouted for Mashiro to wake up, but before he could even react, Kasaki was killed as well. Kensei was then enveloped by a black sphere, and was impaled from behind. He then turned his head, and recognized his assailant.[9]

Ep210KenseiAttacksLove

Kensei attacks Love.

Sometime later, a team of various captains and lieutenants were sent to investigate the disappearance of Kensei's squad. Kensei was revealed to be the Hollowfied creature trying to attack 12th Division lieutenant, Hiyori Sarugaki. Just when he was about to deal her a devastating blow his attack was deflected by the arrival of Shinji Hirako.[10] Upon the arrival of Love Aikawa, Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi, and Lisa Yadōmaru a battle began. Love went to attack the Hollowfied Kensei, but was caught off guard by his speed as he easily appeared behind him. Kensei hit him with a powerful energized punch that produced a lot of smoke in its wake, which attracted the attention of Rose and Lisa, though when Kensei went for a second attack, Love blocked it with his sword. As the smoke cleared, Love had managed to withstand the attack despite a significant part of his garments being destroyed and him suffering some burns. Love calmly admitted that he was strong therefore it was obviously Kensei.[11] Lisa went to attack Kensei alongside Rose, but Rose was quickly taken out from behind by a Hollowfied Mashiro.[12]

Episode211LisaLosing

Kensei overwhelms Lisa.

While Kensei continued to fight Love, the Kidō Lieutenant Hachigen Ushōda of the Kidō Corps arrived and used "Bakudō #63. Sajō Sabaku" to restrain him as well. To Hachi's surprise, Kensei used the incredible strength of his new form to rip out of the ropes.[13] Kensei then proceeded to attack Lisa totally overwhelming her until he was attacked by Rose with a Kidō blast, stating that the Kensei he knew was not the sort of 'weakling' who would attack a woman. Before Kensei could go to attack Rose, Hachi stopped him by using "Bakudō #99. Kin". The investigation team gathered after the fight and talked about the situation. It was within that moment Hiyori started coughing and became Hollowfied herself. It was then that a darkness fell around the rescue squad and they were attacked by an unseen assailant.[14]

The assailant was then found to be Tōsen, Kensei's 5th seat, who was acting under the orders of Sōsuke Aizen, who was the one behind the disappearances and Hollowfication experiments.[15] Just as Aizen gave the order to kill the Hollowfied Shinigami, Captain Kisuke Urahara and Kidō Captain Tessai Tsukabishi showed up and saved them from destruction. Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Tōsen made their escape and Tessai used Forbidden Kidō to preserve and transport them to the 12th Division barracks. In his lab, Urahara tried to reverse the process using his created item, the "Hōgyoku".[16] Unfortunately, it ended up as a failed process, not having the desired effect Urahara had expected.[17]

Ep212VisoredGathered

Aizen's victims in the underground chamber.

The next day, Urahara and Tessai were arrested under the orders of the Central 46. The Hollowfied Shinigami were sentenced to execution as Hollows. But before any of their sentences could be executed, both were rescued by 2nd Division captain, Yoruichi Shihōin, who brought them to a secret underground area.[18] In the secluded area, she had also brought Kensei and the other Hollowfied Shinigami, along with the prototype for the new Gigai that Urahara was working on. With that epiphany, Urahara resolved to make ten Reiatsu-blocking Gigai to aid him, Tessai, and the eight victims to escape to the Human World, where they would find a way to undo the Hollowfication process.[19]


Plot[]

Arrancar arc[]

Ep123VisoredPinZangetsu

The Visored restrain Ichigo before he can kill Hiyori.

Kensei is present when Ichigo Kurosaki arrives at the Visored's warehouse, planning to “use” them to help him control his inner Hollow.[20] When Ichigo and Shinji begin to fight, Love mentions that the former is afraid, causing Mashiro to ask what he is scared of. In response, Kensei explains that Ichigo is afraid of his inner Hollow. He then notes that fighting in a bad situation without calling on one’s inner Hollow is a bad idea, calling Ichigo a punk for being so weak.[21]

Shortly after, when Hiyori jumps into a fight with Ichigo, Kensei stands around, watching its progress.[22] However, he is alerted when Ichigo's inner Hollow takes over and attacks Hiyori.[23] When Ichigo's inner Hollow nearly chokes Hiyori to death, Kensei and the other Visored quickly restrain him before he can kill her.[24]

While Ichigo is training on his own, the other Visored sit around. Kensei asks Lisa if she is on guard duty, and if she can make sure to watch Ichigo. Lisa tells him that she is keeping an eye on him, even though she is more concerned with reading her manga, and tells Kensei to leave her alone. Kensei simply states that he knows that she isn't paying attention because she is more concerned with reading her porn magazine.[25]

Ep124KenseiElbowsZangetsu

Kensei attacking a Hollowfied Ichigo.

Kensei later accompanies the other Visored down to their underground training area.[26] While Lisa is fighting a Hollowfied Ichigo inside a barrier erected by Hachi, Kensei counts down the minutes till his turn, and then asks Hachi to open the barrier. As Lisa finishes up her time fighting against the Hollowfied Ichigo, before he can attack her, Kensei steps in and attacks him, telling Lisa that it is time for them to switch. When Ichigo gets up to attack again, Kensei takes out Tachikaze, already in Shikai, and introduces himself to Ichigo, telling him that he is going to kill him.[27]

Ep124KenseiSlashesZangetsu

Kensei stabs Hollowfying Ichigo in the shoulder

Kensei stabs Ichigo in the left shoulder, inflicting a large wound, but notices that it heals, realizing that it is High-Speed Regeneration. In anticipation of further attacks, Kensei uses Tachikaze's special ability, blasting Ichigo away, detaching his left arm from the rest of his body in the process. Kensei is surprised when a Hollow-like entity explodes out of the wound and proceeds to attack him, putting him on the defensive. Kensei uses another energy blast to destroy the creature, but a fully Hollowfied Ichigo emerges from the blast unharmed. Kensei tells him that his Hollowfication was faster than he expected.[28]

When it is Love’s turn to fight the possessed Ichigo, Lisa asks the other Visored what the longest time any of them have ever taken to win their inner Hollow subjugation battles. Kensei answers that Hiyori took 69 minutes and 2 seconds and that Ichigo is up to 68 minutes and 44 seconds. Kensei watches on with the others as the Hollowfied Ichigo prepares to fire a Cero at Love. However, before the battle can go on further, Ichigo defeats his inner Hollow, causing his Hollow form to rupture. Kensei looks on as Ichigo regains control and passes out.[29]

Ep125KenseiTimesIchigo

Kensei times Ichigo during his training.

Later on, while Ichigo is training with Hiyori, Kensei times how long he can maintain his Hollow Mask. Mashiro asks why Ichigo has to do this; Kensei explains that he has to practice in order to maintain his Hollow mask for a longer period, telling her that she had to do it too. Mashiro replies that she didn't have to, irritating Kensei, though Shinji tells him that it is true. Since Mashiro could maintain her Hollow mask for 15 hours right from the start, she alone has never had to undergo the Hollow retention training. Kensei admits he had forgotten all about it. Mashiro starts to make fun of him, enraging him even more, prompting Hachi to calm him down.[30]

When Hachi detects that someone has slipped into his barrier, Kensei and the other Visored are surprised.[31] Orihime Inoue shows up, revealing herself as the culprit. All of them are shocked to see that a simple Human could perform such a feat. When Orihime makes a small joke, Kensei is irritated, causing Lisa to ask him not to kill her.[32] Mashiro has a temper tantrum because Hachi is helping Orihime fix her powers, complaining that she is so annoying. This irritates Kensei yet again, but they are both calmed down by Rose, who states that it is very rare to come across others with powers similar to theirs and that he feels as though their family is growing.[33]

Shortly after Orihime leaves, Kensei asks whom Orihime was, with Rose and Lisa making their guesses. Kensei is annoyed when Shinji reveals that he knows who she is.[34] Kensei later cooks dinner and tells the other Visored that it's time to eat.[35]

Kensei is later seen leaving the warehouse with the other Visored to fight in the upcoming conflict.[36]


Fake Karakura Town arc[]

Ep279MasksOn

Kensei and the other Visored put on their Hollow masks.

Kensei arrives at the Fake Karakura Town with the rest of the Visored, intercepting Aizen, Gin, and Tōsen's release from Yamamoto's fire prison.[37] When Shinji asks his fellow Visored if they have anyone in the Gotei 13 that they would like to speak to, Kensei states that he doesn't care.[38] When Shinji returns from his talk with Captain-Commander Yamamoto, the huge Hollow creature spews a large horde of Gillian-class Menos from its mouth. Kensei is among the Visored when they put on their masks to prepare for battle.[39]

Ep279Kensei stabs a Gillian

Kensei stabs a Gillian.

Kensei stands ready for battle as the other Visored draw their Zanpakutō and attack the Gillians.[40] Kensei demonstrates his increased power when he uses a flurry of punches to smash a Gillian's mask, causing the Hollow to explode. When another Gillian attempts to attack him from behind, he stabs its mask with Tachikaze and uses its special ability to blow off its head.[41]

Kensei brings down several more of the Gillians with his hand-to-hand combat skills. When he kills the last one, Mashiro complains that she had wanted to kill it. Kensei tells her to stop whining, saying that she can have the big one so that she would stop complaining.[42]

While Mashiro is distracted, Wonderweiss recovers from his fight with her. Kensei yells at her, trying to warn her, but Mashiro responds that she is already aware before kicking Wonderweiss’ face, sending him flying blocks into various buildings. Kensei warns her that fighting an opponent of Wonderweiss’ level will quickly exhaust her, and that she should take off her mask before her time limit expires. However, Mashiro tells Kensei that he is dumb, reminding him that she can keep her mask on for 15 hours straight, and that she could keep it on all night. She continues her fight with Wonderweiss, but quickly loses the upper hand when her Hollow mask shatters.

Ep285Kensei saves mashiro

Kensei saves Mashiro.

Wonderweiss takes this opportunity to land several punches to her face, but before he can continue, Kensei stops his hand, having grabbed Mashiro. He apologizes to Wonderweiss for not being the sort of adult who goes easy on kids.[43] He then throws him down into the buildings below. Kensei lands on a nearby building and lays down Mashiro, who weakly asks if he is going to avenge her as she smiles. He looks down at her and asks her what she is smiling at, noting that she is a dumbass for ending up the way she is, and that she could have avoided it if she had listened to his warnings.

He then takes Tachikaze’s Shikai out of his pants pocket and states that he is going to give Wonderweiss a taste of his fists, not to avenge Mashiro, but because the brat got above himself. As Wonderweiss approaches him, Kensei releases his Bankai and the two clash, causing a huge explosion.[44]

Wonderweiss later intervenes in Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's fight with Sōsuke Aizen, having finished his battle with Kensei, leaving his fate unknown.[45]

The Lost Substitute Shinigami arc[]

At some point after Aizen's defeat, Kensei returns to Soul Society, where he regains his position as captain of the Ninth Division. He greets Ichigo on his way into the captains' meeting place, and Ichigo is surprised to see him as a captain. Kensei tells him to shut up and orders him to enter the room, telling the Substitute Shinigami he wasn't just there to chat.[2]

The Thousand-Year Blood War arc[]

Kensei attends a captain meeting where he is informed about Wandenreich's infiltration and is ordered to prepare for war alongside other captains.[46] After the Wandenreich invade Seireitei, Kensei receives word from Rangiku Matsumoto that the enemy has the ability to steal Bankai.[47] Some point afterwards, Kensei and several other members of the Gotei 13 are surprised to sense Yamamoto enter the front lines as their Captain-Commander's Reiatsu resonates throughout Seireitei.[48] Kensei and other members of the Gotei 13 are then further surprised to sense Ichigo Kurosaki finally enter Soul Society.[49]

515Yamamoto's funeral

Kensei mourning the death of the Captain-Commander.

Soon after the Wandenreich leave Soul Society, Kensei meets with several other captains and listens as Ukitake states that they could not find the Captain-Commander's body. As Suì-Fēng angrily reacts to more bad news, Kensei berates her for her attitude, to which she states he's only calm because he disliked Yamamoto, angering him until the situation is calmed down by Shunsui.[50] Kensei and the other captains later gather outside Seireitei to witness the arrival of the Royal Guard.[51]

Some time after the Wandenreich attack, Kensei takes his lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi out into the forest outside the Seireitei. Telling him he wants Hisagi to use his Bankai, Kensei states this time his Bankai was not stolen, but no one knows what will happen next time, and the Gotei 13 needs more Bankai users. As Co-Lieutenant Mashiro Kuna jumps down from the trees in front of Hisagi, Kensei, commanding her to Hollowfy, warns Hisagi to be careful, for Mashiro is strong when she is wearing a mask, and unless he wants to die, he had better use a Bankai. As Hisagi, protesting, states he cannot just suddenly become capable of using Bankai, Mashiro, ignoring him, punches him in the chest, stating the lieutenant should not disobey the "super" lieutenant, showing off her badge of her superior lieutenant ranking. Telling Hisagi he told him to be careful, Kensei asks him if he thinks he will not kill him, seeing as he is not as gentle as Kaname Tōsen. Asking his captain to wait, Hisagi explains he has always looked up to him and respected him, but he has no right to badmouth his former Captain Tōsen, prompting Kensei to glare at him in surprise.[52]

560Kensei vs

Kensei battles Mask.

During the Wandenreich's second invasion of Seireitei, Kensei appears with Rose just in time to stop Mask De Masculine from stomping on a heavily injured Hisagi's head. He voices his disappointment in Hisagi for not showing the results of his training, before introducing himself to Mask. Stating that he does not want to waste Mask's time, he immediately activates his Bankai, Tekken Tachikaze. Using its special ability, he effortlessly defeats Mask, knocking him into a nearby building. When Mask's bell-ringer, James, starts begging the Sternritter not to lose, Kensei remarks that he is so pathetic that he is making him feel like the bad guy. However, when Hisagi regains consciousness and warns him that James needs to be defeated first, Mask abruptly recovers and knocks him into another nearby building.[53]

Getting up, Kensei scoffs before leaping toward Mask, who appears before him in midair and hits Kensei in the chest with Star Eagle Kick. When Mask headbutts him with Star Headbutt, Kensei tells him to not be so cocky and transforms his brass knuckles into spiked knuckles before punching Mask. As the smoke clears to reveal him holding Kensei's fist, Mask proclaims this will not work before slamming Kensei into the ground below with an elbow slam. The impact breaks Kensei's right arm. After slamming into Kensei with his knee, Mask notes he will not need to count to ten.[54] Rukia Kuchiki later arrives and takes Kensei away from the battle site.[55]

594Zombies arrive

A zombified Kensei, Rose and Rangiku appear behind Mayuri.

Kensei and Rose are later taken to Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu by Rukia. Isane erects a Kidō barrier around them while she heals them.[56] They are in the same room during the battle between Lieutenant Yachiru Kusajishi and Sternritter "V" Guenael Lee. Both he and Rose are killed while incapacitated by Gremmy Thoumeaux before Isane becomes aware of his presence.[57] Isane soon moves his dead body away from the battlefield.[58] Sternritter "Z" Giselle Gewelle later turns his corpse into a zombie and uses him to attack Mayuri Kurotsuchi and fight the resurrected Arrancar.[59] Eventually, Kensei and Rose succumb to the effects of Mayuri's Precognition Drug, having been exposed to it via the blood of the Arrancar. After they collapse, Mayuri injects them with a drug, causing Kensei to scream in agony. Mayuri reveals that he has devised a way to take control of Giselle's zombies using blood samples of Gotei 13 members as Kensei and Rose stand up behind him. As Mayuri bids Giselle farewell, Kensei stabs her through the heart.[60]

595Kensei and Rose arrive

Kensei and Rose confront PePe.

Soon afterward, Kensei and Rose confront PePe Waccabrada with strange markings on their faces.[61] When Hisagi attempts an attack from above, Kensei intercepts his attack before slamming him into the ground, knocking him out in the process. He then picks Senbonzakura off the ground and hands it to Byakuya Kuchiki. After Byakuya and Mayuri finish talking, PePe returns and attempts to take control of Kensei, who simply punches him in the face, sending him flying, before using Sandbag Beat, which greatly injures PePe and sends him crashing into a nearby building.[62]

Ten years later, having been restored to his normal self, Kensei heads to the promotion ceremony for Rukia Kuchiki, the new 13th Division captain. Along the way, he joins in Rangiku's teasing of Hisagi, denying that the lieutenant actually has a Bankai.[63]

Echoing Jaws of Hell arc[]

NBFHCaptains notice

Kensei and the other captains notice Jigoku no Rinki around Ukitake's grave.

Three hours before Jūshirō Ukitake's Konsō Reisai, 12th Division Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi informs the lieutenants that they are to assemble in the Human World and perform the Jogimen Reibaku ceremony. When Hisagi picks up on him being self-conscious about his hologram communication method being made as a reaction to Urahara's recent technological advancements, Mayuri fires laser beams at his feet, prompting an incredulous Hisagi to complain to an unfazed Kensei about this being possible. Later, after gathering at Ukitake's grave with the other captains, Kensei is confused to see Jigoku no Rinki floating through the air and is further shocked when Shunsui reveals that the true purpose of the Konsō Reisai is to send deceased captains to Hell.[64]

Powers & Abilities[]

Master Swordsman: Despite the small size of his Shikai, Kensei can effectively use Tachikaze to inflict lethal strikes even in close quarters combat, proven when he holds off Ichigo Kurosaki's Bankai-wielding Hollowfied form.[28][65]

Shunpo Expert: As a captain of the Gotei 13, Kensei is very proficient in Shunpo. During the battle in Fake Karakura Town, Kensei reached Mashiro in time to save her from Wonderweiss Margela.[66] He appeared instantaneously beside Mask De Masculine when the latter was about to attack Shūhei Hisagi again.[67]

Hakuda Master: Kensei prefers to utilize his hand-to-hand capabilities. At the same time, he can effectively used it in unison with his swordsmanship.[65] During Ichigo's transformation into a Hollow, Kensei knocked him a good distance away with just an elbow strike.[68] He dodged all of the Hollowfied Ichigo's attacks, despite the latter's use of Tensa Zangetsu, and managed to kick him. While fighting a large group of Gillians, Kensei destroyed several of them with his fists alone.[69][70]

  • Sandbag Beat (サンドバッグ・ビート, Sandobaggu Bīto):[71] Kensei delivers multiple strikes in extremely rapid succession, causing aggravated damage to a target. The technique is powerful enough to not only shatter a Gillian's mask, but utterly destroy its body as well.[72]

Great Spiritual Power: As a captain, Kensei possesses a large amount of Reiryoku. As a Visored, Kensei has a dual Reiatsu of part-Shinigami, part-Hollow.

Enhanced Durability: Kensei possesses considerable durability, getting up mostly unharmed after being thrown into a building[73] and shrugging off a direct hit from an empowered Mask.[74]

Highly Perceptive Combatant: Despite his short-tempered nature, Kensei is a highly perceptive fighter. He is knowledgeable of the abilities that Hollows possess, and knows how to counter them to gain the upper hand.[75]

Enhanced Strength: Kensei possesses incredible physical strength, even before his Hollowfication.[76] During his fight with Wonderweiss, Kensei blocked the Arrancar's powerful punch and hurled him a great distance with considerable force, achieving both feats with only a single hand.[66] He stopped Mask De Masculine's kick with his foot from a position with no leverage.[67]

Zanpakutō[]

Tachikaze (断風, Earth-Severing Wind): When sealed, it takes the form of a wakizashi, with an H-shaped tsuba, white weaving around its hilt, and a black sheath.[77]

Ep285KenseiShikaiTachikaze

Tachikaze in its Shikai form.

  • Shikai: Kensei's Shikai is triggered by the command Blow it Away (吹っ飛ばせ, futtobase; Viz "Blast Away"). When Tachikaze is released, air currents swirl around Kensei before enveloping Tachikaze, which transforms into a combat knife with a bronze guard, light purple hilt-wrapping in the center of the hilt, a gray leather grip, and a small ring on the guard's blunt side.[78] As a Shinigami, Kensei wore it at his waist in its sealed form. As a Visored, he commonly keeps it in this released form and stores it in one of his pants pockets.[68]
Shikai Special Ability: Kensei can use Tachikaze to manipulate wind and energy.[79] The true power of Tachikaze lies in its ability to cause the path of its slashes to explode.[80]
Ep209AirBlades

Air Blades.

  • Air Blades: By slashing at the air, Kensei can release multiple blades of wind which cut enemies from a distance before exploding and causing devastating damage. They are extremely powerful, easily killing a giant Hollow by cutting it into pieces.[79][81] (Unnamed)
  • Bakudantsuki (爆弾突き, Bomb Thrust):[71] Kensei charges Tachikaze with Reiryoku until it takes the shape of a glowing orb, which he fires as an energy blast with extreme force. This blast is quite devastating, blowing off the arm of Ichigo's Hollowfied form.[82] He later uses it to destroy a Gillian simply by using the ability while impaling the mask of the Hollow with the blade of Tachikaze, which caused the head of the Gillian to blow up.[83]
Ep285KenseiBankaiTekkenTachikaze

Tekken Tachikaze.

  • Bankai: Tekken Tachikaze (鐵拳断風, Iron Fist Severing Wind; Viz "Iron Fist Earth-Severing Wind"): Upon activation, an explosion of wind erupts around Kensei, and when it disperses, Tachikaze transforms from a single combat knife into a pair of large knuckle blades which Kensei holds in each hand. Both blades have a curved silver edge, which tapers off to an outward point on either side. Segmented purple bands wrap around the entirety of his arms, much like armor, while a thicker purple band arches behind him, over his head, with its ends protruding from under his shoulders.[84]


TekkenTachikazeBrassKnuckles

Tekken Tachikaze emitting exposive force upon contact.

Bankai Special Ability: Tekken Tachikaze focuses all of its Shikai form's destructive power into its knuckle blades. As a result, Kensei's punches release immense explosive force on impact.[85] This explosive power continues to assault his opponent endlessly as long as his fist remains in contact with his opponent.[86] When using this ability, Kensei can change its knuckle blades into brass knuckles, as well as spiked gauntlets.[87][88]


Hollowfication[]

Ep279Kensei Hollow Mask

Kensei's Hollow Mask.

Hollow Mask: His Hollow mask resembles a flat hockey face guard, with six slitted eye holes arranged in two columns. It has three extensions on either side which cover the sides and back of his head, as well as his ears.[89]

Power Augmentation: While wearing the mask, Kensei's Hollow powers supplement his Shinigami powers, giving him a vast increase in strength, durability and speed.
  • Enhanced Strength: With his mask on, Kensei possesses even greater physical strength, allowing him to smash a Gillian's mask using only his fists.[69]
  • Enhanced Speed: With his mask on, Kensei possesses even greater speed, allowing him to deliver a barrage of punches to a Gillian in an incredibly rapid rate.[69]
Kensei TBtP Hollow Form

Kensei's Hollowfied form.

Hollowfied Form: When transformed into a Hollow, Kensei is a large, muscular and bulky humanoid with armored hands and skeletal feet, with a number of thick cylindrical protrusions on his back and forearms. Kensei eyes become pure red with no visible pupils. The cylinders on his back seem to make him hunch over.[90][91]

  • Enhanced Strength: Kensei's Hollowfied form possessed vast strength, evident from his ability to effortlessly punch massive craters into the ground.[92][93] He broke out of Bakudō #63. Sajō Sabaku using his sheer strength alone, a feat which Hachigen Ushōda claimed was impossible.[94]
  • Enhanced Speed: Kensei's speed was drastically increased, allowing him to take his fellow captains by surprise when he attacked them.[95][93]
  • Enhanced Durability: Kensei's durability was considerably enhanced, allowing him to block a sword blow from Love Aikawa with only one arm.[96][93]
  • Energized Punches: Kensei could cover his fists with spiritual energy, increasing the amount of damage that his punches inflicted.[97][93]


Weakness[]

Hollowfication[]

Time Limit: Kensei can only maintain his Hollow mask for three minutes at a time.[98]

Appearances in Other Media[]

Video Game Appearances
Blade Battlers
Blade Battlers 2nd
The Blade of Fate
Dark Souls
The 3rd Phantom
Flame Bringer
Tasogare ni Mamieru Shinigami
Shattered Blade
Versus Crusade
Heat the Soul
Heat the Soul 2
Heat the Soul 3
Heat the Soul 4
Heat the Soul 5
Heat the Soul 6
Heat the Soul 7
Soul Carnival
Soul Carnival 2
Hanatareshi Yabou
Bleach Advance: Kurenai ni Somaru Soul Society
Erabareshi Tamashii
Soul Resurrección
J-Stars Victory Vs
Brave Souls
Paradise Lost
Jump Force
Novel Appearances
Letters From The Other Side
The Honey Dish Rhapsody
Spirits Are Forever With You
The Death Save The Strawberry
WE DO knot ALWAYS LOVE YOU
Can't Fear Your Own World


  • In Heat the Soul 6, Kensei can use an energy sphere as a tag-team attack for him and his lieutenant, Mashiro, in which he blasts the opponent with it while trying to stop Mashiro from annoying him.[99]
  • In Heat the Soul 7, he utilizes his Bankai, Tekken Tachikaze, as one of his attacks, in which he uppercuts his opponent with one of his knuckle blades, and it creates an explosion upon impact.[100]
  • Kensei features in the third volume of Bleach "B" Station's second season.

Trivia[]

Ep124KenseiShikaiTachikaze

Tachikaze's original Shikai appearance.


Censorship[]

  • In the anime, Kensei slashes a hollowfied Ichigo[104],rather than stabbing him in the shoulder, as shown in the manga.[105]

Quotes[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Bleach Official Character Book MASKED, page 206
  2. 2.0 2.1 Bleach manga; Chapter 479, page 10
  3. Bleach manga; Chapter 225, page 13
  4. Bleach manga; Chapter -104, pages 17-18
  5. Bleach manga; Chapter -107, page 3
  6. Bleach manga; Chapter -104, pages 9-11
  7. Bleach manga; Chapter -104, pages 12-19
  8. Bleach manga; Chapter -103, pages 1-6
  9. Bleach manga; Chapter -103, pages 15-19
  10. Bleach manga; Chapter -102, pages 15-19
  11. Bleach manga; Chapter -101, pages 1-7
  12. Bleach manga; Chapter -101, pages 9-11
  13. Bleach manga; Chapter -101, pages 15-17
  14. Bleach manga; Chapter -100, pages 8-15
  15. Bleach manga; Chapter -100, pages 16-19
  16. Bleach manga; Chapter -98
  17. Bleach manga; Chapter -98, page 3
  18. Bleach manga; Chapter -97, pages 4-14
  19. Bleach manga; Chapter -97, pages 15-18
  20. Bleach manga; Chapter 215, pages 7-9
  21. Bleach manga; Chapter 215, pages 10-18
  22. Bleach manga; Chapter 216, page 6
  23. Bleach manga; Chapter 216, pages 12-13
  24. Bleach manga; Chapter 216, pages 16-17
  25. Bleach manga; Chapter 217, page 7
  26. Bleach manga; Chapter 218, page 5
  27. Bleach manga; Chapter 219, pages 14-16
  28. 28.0 28.1 Bleach manga; Chapter 220, pages 2-6
  29. Bleach manga; Chapter 222, pages 3-11
  30. Bleach manga; Chapter 225, page 9
  31. Bleach manga; Chapter 225, pages 10-11
  32. Bleach manga; Chapter 225, pages 12-13
  33. Bleach manga; Chapter 228, page 12
  34. Bleach manga; Chapter 226, page 1
  35. Bleach manga; Chapter 229, page 8
  36. Bleach manga; Chapter -97, page 19
  37. Bleach manga; Chapter 364, pages 19-20
  38. Bleach manga; Chapter 365, pages 5-6
  39. Bleach manga; Chapter 365, pages 16-19
  40. Bleach manga; Chapter 366, pages 2-3
  41. Bleach manga; Chapter 366, pages 7-9
  42. Bleach manga; Chapter 367, pages 10-11
  43. Bleach manga; Chapter 376, pages 10-19
  44. Bleach manga; Chapter 377, pages 2-5
  45. Bleach manga; Chapter 393, page 16
  46. Bleach manga; Chapter 488, pages 10-14
  47. Bleach manga; Chapter 497, page 6
  48. Bleach manga; Chapter 505, page 7
  49. Bleach manga; Chapter 512, page 5
  50. Bleach manga; Chapter 515, pages 12-17
  51. Bleach manga; Chapter 516, page 12
  52. Bleach manga; Chapter 538, pages 11-14
  53. Bleach manga; Chapter 560, pages 4-17
  54. Bleach manga; Chapter 561, pages 1-7
  55. Bleach manga; Chapter 562, pages 1-3
  56. Bleach manga; Chapter 566, pages 6-7
  57. Bleach manga; Chapter 572, pages 8-9
  58. Bleach manga; Chapter 573, page 9
  59. Bleach manga; Chapter 594, pages 5-6
  60. Bleach manga; Chapter 596, pages 6-11
  61. Bleach manga; Chapter 595, pages 16-17
  62. Bleach manga; Chapter 596, pages 1-5 and 12-17
  63. Bleach manga; Chapter 685, page 14
  64. Bleach manga; NO BREATHES FROM HELL, pages 29 & 60-64
  65. 65.0 65.1 Bleach anime; Episode 124
  66. 66.0 66.1 Bleach anime; Episode 285
  67. 67.0 67.1 Bleach manga; Chapter 560, page 6
  68. 68.0 68.1 Bleach manga; Chapter 219, page 15
  69. 69.0 69.1 69.2 Bleach manga; Chapter 366, page 7
  70. Bleach manga; Chapter 367, page 10
  71. 71.0 71.1 Bleach Official Character Book UNMASKED, page 152
  72. Bleach manga; Chapter 366, pages 7-8
  73. Bleach manga; Chapter 561, page 1
  74. Bleach manga; Chapter 561, page 3
  75. Bleach manga; Chapters 219-220
  76. Bleach manga; Chapter -101, page 7
  77. Bleach manga; Chapter -104, page 14
  78. Bleach manga; Chapter -104, page 15
  79. 79.0 79.1 Bleach anime; Episode 209
  80. Bleach manga; Chapter 560, page 12
  81. Bleach manga; Chapter -104, pages 15-16
  82. Bleach manga; Chapter 220, pages 3-5
  83. Bleach manga; Chapter 366, pages 8-9
  84. Bleach manga; Chapter 377, pages 4-5
  85. Bleach manga; Chapter 377, page 5
  86. Bleach manga; Chapter 560, pages 13-16
  87. Bleach manga; Chapter 560, page 11
  88. Bleach manga; Chapter 561, pages 3-4
  89. Bleach manga; Chapter 365, page 19
  90. Bleach manga; Chapter -102, page 19
  91. Bleach anime; Episode 210
  92. Bleach manga; Chapter -102, page 16
  93. 93.0 93.1 93.2 93.3 Bleach anime; Episode 210
  94. Bleach manga; Chapter -101, pages 16-17
  95. Bleach manga; Chapter -101, page 5
  96. Bleach manga; Chapter -101, pages 6-7
  97. Bleach manga; Chapter -101, page 6
  98. Bleach manga; Chapter 367, page 13
  99. Bleach video game; Bleach: Heat the Soul 6
  100. Bleach video game; Bleach: Heat the Soul 7
  101. 13 BLADEs., page 253
  102. 13 BLADEs., page 254
  103. 13 BLADEs., page 255
  104. Bleach anime; Episode 124
  105. Bleach manga; Chapter 220, page 2
  106. Bleach manga; Chapter -104, page 17
  107. Bleach manga; Chapter 376, page 19

Titles[]

Preceded by
Entetsu Kumoi
Captain of the 9th Division
? - 1900 A.D.
Succeeded by
Eventually Kaname Tōsen
Preceded by
Kaname Tōsen
Captain of the 9th Division
2001 or 2002 A.D. - Current
Succeeded by
Incumbent


Navigation[]

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