Kenshiki Ikei - Tomawogi's Character [READY FOR FEEDBACK]

*Updated for 8th Division Captain seat – Heavily edited Zanpakuto and History. Now includes Bankai*

Basic Information

Name: Kenshiki Ikei (That’s the Japanese way, first name = Ikei)

Age: 223 appearing as 23

Gender: Male

Division: 8th Division

Seat: Captain

Looks: Ikei is exactly 6’0 tall with a lean, toned physique. He has long white, silvery hair that points out and down in all directions with a couple of little flicks on the top. His eyes are such a dark brown that they almost seem black and his forehead is creased with several deep frown lines that not only make him look angry most of the time but also make him look older than his appearance age actually is. The lower half of his face looks much younger with a child like grin and a single dimple on his chin. His youthful skin is hidden under permanent 5 o’clock shadow of stubble. He has a tattoo at the base of his neck of a flying Red Kite and another on his chest of a black circle that looks like a hollows chest hole.

He wears the standard uniform of the Shinigami Captains, the white overcoat is tatty and stained around the bottom with its freighted edges dangling just above the floor. The main difference is that the arms of all layers of his uniform are different lengths as a sign of remembrance for a fallen comrade (see History Arc 3, Part 1). His right arm sleeve is cut at the shoulder and has been left to fray like his white Captains coat, in effect making it sleeveless, and his left drops over his hand and drops below his belt, covering his Zanpakuto and hiding it from plain sight.


Personality: As a living human Ikei was a normal live and live kind of guy but through his transition to Soul Society and becoming a Shinigami he suffered a personality split similar in nature to bipolar disorder. He can either appear short tempered, aggressive and ill mannered or friendly, laid back and polite but he is always either in the ‘good’ mood or the ‘bad’. Nobody really understands him in Soul Society especially when he appears to be mean and hard on his allies but pleasant and kind to his enemies. In his early days he was accused of being a sympathiser with the enemy and his comrades found it difficult to trust him but in the rare moments when he is genuinely himself it is clear to those around him that he is a Shinigami through and through.

While most would consider a personality disorder such as his a disadvantage, Ikei sees it as one of his greatest strengths as he works in 9th Division. He is constantly faced with enemies and spies trying to escape his grasp and being apparently friendly often enables him to get closer to them or makes them lower their guard.

He is somewhat of a loner but has never tried to distance himself from the crowd, it is just that his disorder makes people stay away, after all not many people are willing to be friends with someone who would insult them at first glance or conversely jump up at them like a puppy wanting attention. As a result Ikei has gotten used to a solitary life but his skills on the battlefield mean that those in his Division appreciate what he can do.

His promotion to Vice Captain of 9th Division tempered the drastic swings in personality and there are times when he speaks to people, particularly Captains and fellow Vice-Captains that he sounds like the well balanced, easy going active guy he once was. As a Captain he is much more at ease with his disorder but still feels his rapid mood swings can be disconcerting for those around him.

Not all of his personality has developed through his disorder and the time he has spent in Soul Society. One of the most important aspects for him personally is his activeness in the politics of Shinigami culture. As a young human man he had been deeply interested in governments and politics, this has crossed over into his Shinigami life and his self perceived need to influence those around him which gave him the passion and drive to become Vice-Captain and eventually Captain of his division.

Stats

Strength: 10

Speed: 20

Accuracy: 25

Stamina: 15

Zanpakuto Information

(I know, on first reading you will all say it is too like Renji’s Zabimaru but read through the descriptions and you will see the differences.)

Zanpakuto Name: Akakaito (Red Kite)

Zanpakuto Description: Akakaito looks like a standard Zanpakuto and is approx 1m in length. There is no hilt on the sword other than a gold ring where it should be. The handle is wrapped in red material.



Zanpakuto Release Phrase: “Paint the world in all the colours of darkness, Akakaito.”

Released Zanpakuto Description: Akakaito’s released form is not too dissimilar from its usual form, a tail fan like bladed hilt appears but the overall length does not change. The trick of Akakaito’s Shikai is that wherever it moves creates a trail or deep, ink like darkness that light cannot penetrate. For a limited time (literally just a second or two) the trail has a solid composition. In the little diagram below it shows how spinning Akakaito can creat a circle of solid black darkness that can be used as a temporary shield. If swiped horizontally it can form a platform to jump off or it can be held out in front of Ikei as he runs so as to disguise his movements. After a couple of seconds, or less depending on how much Spirit Energy Ikei releases the trail loses its solid composition and dissipates into the air and vanishes like steam.


Zanpakuto Spirit: The spirit of Akakaito, as the name suggests, is a Red Kite. He is an annoying spirit, constantly badgering for attention. He is well spoken with a strong ‘Queens English’ accent. In his realm he is extremely fast and constantly watching out over events.



Zanpakuto Realm: His realm is lush with plants and trees across rolling hills. There is a river running through it with a small lake. This is where Kaito resides, in the highest tree on the tallest hill looking out over his realm. It is always day time, at around early afternoon with a high sun and high, light fluffy clouds.


Bankai Information

Bankai Description: Akakaito’s Bankai uses mystery, intimidation and harassment of the enemy to its advantage. The Bankai form has three elements known as the flock, sword and cloak. Each has their own roles as explained below:
The Flock: This is actually a large flock of thousands of red kite silhouettes. Like with the Shikai form of the sword, each bird leaves a trail of darkness in its wake that it temporarily solid but soon fades away to a black steam the passes into the atmosphere. This creates an overcast appearance to the area. The direction and flow of the birds is directed with the sword, i.e. point left, fly left. Swipe horizontally, the birds swoop down and fly across the opponent. This allows the user to fight a close range battle whilst maintaining a safe distance. The speed and accuracy of the birds means they can quickly convert from an offensive force to a defensive force. The only command Ikei can give them without using the sword to direct the flock is to nod at the target, at which point the birds will spiral over their head and dive down to harass the enemy. The birds will be destroyed if hit/cut directly but they will disappear into the atmosphere above. When enough have been destroyed the hovering inky mist will form clouds that turn into new birds. There is a limit on this however. It takes 3 ‘dead’ birds to make one ‘living’ bird return to action so Ikei’s combat effectiveness drains with time
The Sword: This is just the physical representation of the Zanpakuto, it has a different appearance to the Shikai form, with the end turned up and is used to direct the flow of the thousands of red kites. Other than this it is a regular sword
The Cloak: This is not actually a cloak but forms a kind of armour for Ikei. His long sleeved left arm is covered by a black wing of darkness that can be hardened as a defence when necessary. It can’t be used for flying but is an effective shield. The wing tips combined with the temporary hardening factor of said darkness mean that it can be swiped like a large but slow offensive weapon if need be, though its primary function is defence. The right arm is covered by what looks like a red kite’s head, the curved beak extending over Ikei’s sword wielding hand. Again this has no physical form unless Ikei need to harden it for defence. Finally, the long fan like tail on his back, really just his torn kimono (see below) simply creates a trail behind him.

Bankai Appearance and Alterations: As in the description above Akakaito’s Bankai form is best described in three parts; the flock, sword and cloak. On release Akakaito’s blade explodes in a blaze pure darkness that engulfs the area, temporarily blocking out all light making it seem as if Ikei has sent those around him to another dimension and that he himself has been consumed by the darkness. Light begins to return to the area and a spinning black tornado covers Ikei on all sides that reaches 20ft into the air from the ground. As the Bankai settles after release the true form of the various aspects are revealed.

The Flock: The flock is made up of thousands of birds (red kites, who’d have thought!) which the tornado dissipates and they take to the sky. They have a solid form but appear only as eerie silhouettes so distinguishing their true form at any angle is near impossible. (See the picture of Ikei’s tattoo above for an idea of how they appear.)

The Sword: The normally shape of his Shikai has been replaced with a new form, the end is turned up and the sword is slightly longer and broader than before:


The Cloak: The part of the Bankai that is attached to Ikei changes his personal appearance. Around his right arm is a black silhouette of a Red Kite’s head, the sharp curved beak an extension of his hand opens and closes with Ikei’s grip, making it appear as though the beak is holding the sword. The left arm is covered from his shoulder blade to well past his hand with the silhouette of Red Kite’s wing. His white hair is covered with spiked black crown. The lower half of his Kimono is torn across the front, leaving the back to fan out like a Red Kite’s tail that stretches out from his belt.

Kido Information

Name: White Lightning (白雷, byakurai?)
Type:Hadou
Number:4
Element: Lightning
Incantation: No incantation used.
Description: Fires a concentrated bolt of white lightning from the caster's forefinger.

Name:Shot of Red Fire (赤火砲, shakkahō?, Red Flame Cannon in the English dub)
Type:Hadou
Number:31
Element: Fire
Incantation: "Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south!"
Description: Fires a ball of red fire at a target.

Name:Abolishing Flames (廃炎, haien?)
Type:Hadou
Number:54
Element:Fire
Incantation: No incantation used.
Description: Fires a blast of purple fire that will incinerate a target completely when it makes contact.

Name: Blazing Fireworks
Type: Hadou – Destruction
Number: 32
Element: Fire
Incantation: “Lights from Heaven, rumble of thunder, eternal darkness clouds the beauty of the wilted rose.”
Description: After uttering the incantation small white flames are ignited on each of the Shinigami’s 10 fingers. The fingers are then aimed at or near the target and when the Shinigami chooses one or all of the flames is shot towards the enemy like a firework leaving a spiral trail of white smoke. The flames then explode when they come in contact or close range (within 1 meter) of the contact. This initial explosion causes no damage but if set off in front of them enemies face will cause disorientation. As the flames explode in various different colours of smaller flames any that land on the target will catch and grow across the surface of the target causing sever burns if not put out soon. The flames can but put out by patting them down or putting them out with water.

Name: Slicing Pain of Eternity
Type: Hadou – Destruction
Number: 77
Element: Light
Incantation: “Crows stare at the dunes below, wind rises and the sun bares down on the desert, the endless struggle is near.”
Description: An aura of shining light grows from behind the Shinigami as they speak the incantation. As it is finished the light jumps down their main arm, left or right, and is directed towards the hole in the hollows chest. It then expands to fill the holes before breaking apart into many slicing blades revolving light that cut through the enemy. This is a fairly powerful Kido but it has issues. It requires fast movement and accuracy to place the technique correctly and even if those attributes are possessed the target will generally be too fast or aware thus a binding spell is needed in preparation.

Name:Name: Restrain (塞, sai?)
Type:Bakudo
Number:1
Element: N/A
Incantation: No incantation used.
Description: Locks a target's arms in place behind their back.

Name:Crawling Rope (這縄, hainawa?)
Type:Bakudo
Number:4
Element: N/A
Incantation:No incantation used.
Description: An energy rope entangles a target's arms.

Name:Strike (撃, geki?)
Type:Bakudo
Number:9
Element: N/A
Incantation: "Disintegrate, you black dog of Rondanini! Look upon yourself with horror and then claw out your own throat!"
Description: Engulfs a target in red light, completely paralyzing them.

Name: Suspension of Disbelief
Type: Bakudo-Binding
Number: 23
Element: Wind
Incantation: “Mimicry under the stars gives way to a dawn of despair.”
Description: This Kido creates a spinning wind around the target and is directed with a wave of the hand, like a horizontal slap with the back of the hand. It spins rather fast at first which can give it away, especially if it picks up debris from the surroundings, but it will gradually die down. As it slows it will become denser and thus slow the movements of the target. It can’t make the freeze in position and any attack on an enemy caught in the binding technique will dispel it as it disrupts the created air flow.

Name:Arc Shield (円閘扇, enkosen?)
Type:Bakudo
Number:39
Element: N/A
Incantation:No incantation used.
Description: Summons a shield of energy to block opponents' attacks.

Name:Summoning of the Tracking Sparrows (摑趾追雀, kakushitsuijaku?)
Type: Bakudo
Number: 58
Element: N/A
Incantation: "Heart of the south, eye of the north, finger of the west, foot of the east, arrive with the wind and depart with the rain."
Description: Tracks and locates any spiritual force the user focuses on. To activate it, the user must draw a circle on the ground, cut into four parts with a specific character in each. The incantation animates the circle, causing various numbers to appear within until the specific set is found. The number set seems to be a variation on longitude and latitude.

History: (Your characters past, describe your life before becoming a Shinigami, how you became one, and a little about your life as one)
Arc 1: Life Before Death
Kenshiki Ikei was born the first boy in the Kenshiki family after they had three girls. As he grew up he became used to having others take priority, his father spent most of his time looking after his older sisters, giving them whatever they wanted. He always had his mother to look after him though and became very close with her. He took after her in many ways, from the colour of his hair to his laid back attitude to life. He carried this attitude through school and later college, achieving average grades and all the usual achievements but never really bothering to excel at anything in particular. That is until he was at University and met the girl of his dreams. They got on well, did all the things a young dating couple do and shared new experiences. The most profound for Ikei being the introduction of politics into his life. He was an art student and always thought of politics as something for business, law and well, politics students. Now his girlfriend, a history major, was introducing him to a world that he had always seen as dark, dingy and full of liars. It was actually full of young, idealistic students. Naivity was another of Ikei’s character traits. His new found politics friends seemed to find his laid back way of influencing other people to do things an intriguing prospect. After University Ikei was rushed into the politics scene. He hob knobbed with the best, met the most important people in the country and was starting to make a name for himself. Then he saw his girlfriend stabbed to death, and seconds later was watching the same bloody sword slide its way through his own body. He didn’t know why, he didn’t care. This was the end.

Arc 2: Life After Death
Ikei had no idea how much time had passed when he suddenly realised the queue he was standing in was not a queue he would normally frequent. This was his entrance into Soul Society and he was processed in the usual way, being filtered in to the randomly selected area and then being left to fend for himself. Something felt different in him though and as he tried to settle in to his new home and listened to people explain where he was he began to piece together all the things that were happening to him. The most important thing to him, his girlfriend, had not been sent to the same place. He hoped she had survived the car crash but part of him knew she hadn’t. Over time, as he tried to continue this new life he had been given he tried to reconcile his feelings of betrayal that the Shinigami had split them up. While he tried to be friendly to those around him he increasingly snapped at them, his patient demeanour was slipping away from him. After several long years he decided it was time to try and be a Shinigami, that was where the power lay in Soul Society, and he wanted the power to change things.

Arc 3: Life In Death. Part 1 – Shinigami Ways
It was time for Kenshiki Ikei to start working his way up the ladder. As with his school days he passed through the early levels of Academy training with casual ease and as the difficulty increased he became more and more determined that he was going to be a captain some day. On the odd occasion that he got to meet a captain he was always respectful and it felt to him that these were some of the few times that he was able to truly control his split personality. Outside of meetings with captains and Vice-Captains his split personality was causing trouble with his fellow trainees. When it came to be presented with a Zanpakuto all of the others were showing off their fancy hilts and for the first time in Soul Society Ikei felt self conscious that his Zanpakuto didn’t have a hilt at all. Just a measly gold band. That was until another Shinigami pointed something out to him that he had not even realised, unlike most Shinigami’s Zanpakuto, his had a red ribbon wrapped around the handle. The one who pointed this out was to become something of a new sister for Ikei, her name was Gachi and the two became solid friends. Unlike most she understood his personality disorder and tried to find ways to help him. In the end the best way she found was to mimic his mood. If he shouted at her, she hit him, if he made a joke, she laughed and told a funnier one. There was little point in trying to figure out why Ikei was the way he was and she was the first Shinigami to realise this.

They were both assigned to the 8th Division, Defence Support Company, 2nd Battalion. Ikei felt insulted by the decision having always shown his true skills to lay in offence. By this time Ikei was nearing 100 years old, Gachi was 120 and they were tasked with all kinds of adventurous support missions and worked with nearly all the different divisions. Ikei felt he was making progress but it wasn’t fast enough. He became increasingly reckless and Gachi, who felt bad for the havoc he was capable of causing while helping in defensive positions tried to keep him under control. Another day came and with it another mission as the two of them were placed under the direct command of the 9th Division Vice-Captain. This was particularly strange because as it was normal for them to work with another division they usually remained under the command of one of their own seated officers. It turned out the Vice-Captain was carrying an important message from 12th Division that couldn’t even be trusted in the hands of the normal intelligence division. Therefore they needed additional escorts hence 8th division was brought in to supply a few extra swords for security. Ikei always suspected there was more than just a regular message as he found them all walking freely around the streets of a human town, each disguised so as not to arouse suspicion. There were five Shinigami, the Vice-Captain, the 9th Division 10th seat, a random 9th Division Shinigami, plus Ikei and Gachi. Their pleasant stroll was disrupted however when Hollows attacked the group. A fierce battle broke out, there were ten hollows and the two 9th Division Shinigami had been killed. Standing back to back with the 9th Division Vice-Captain Gachi suggested retreat but the Vice-Captain refused, saying the message must be delivered to a Rogue Shinigami that lived in the area. Ikei saw it as an opportunity to make a name for himself and jumped in to fight the remaining three hollows on his own. It was a big mistake and he was soon out matched. He was lucky to only get a gash across his chest. His idea had worked though and as he lay on the floor he could see the Vice-Captain running from the area to complete his mission. He looked up at the slobbering jaws of the hollow but couldn’t reach his Zanpakuto; it was game over for him. Staring the Hollow in the face he was determined not to flinch as it finished him but to his surprise the mask was shattered by a Zanpakuto stabbing straight through the forehead. His eyes followed the blade to the hilt; he recognised it straight away as Gachi-chan. His eyes trailed back further to say thank you to her but to his devastation he saw her right arm and leg were completely missing; she was leaning on the sword, blood gushing from her fatal wounds and soaking the ground, he could already feel it soaking through his clothers. Ikei couldn’t speak; he just stared into the clouded blank eyes of his closest friend feeling sick with guilt and sadness. He didn’t understand how she got those wounds or why she was even in the fight rather than accompanying the 9th Division Vice-Captain. Not that it mattered at the moment, he passed out.

Arc 4: Life In Death. Part 2 – Shinigami Warrior
When he woke up he wasn’t entirely sure what was happening or where he was. He didn’t feel in pain but he felt a huge sense of guilt, what for he couldn’t tell. There was a bright white light shining down into his face. This was the start of several years of anguish for him as he was forced to face the fact that he had been the reason Gachi had returned to the fight with the hollows and it wasn’t an operational decision. As a sign of respect and remembrance every time he dressed with new uniform robes he would rip his right sleeve off as Gachi’s arm had been. Some good came from it however as the 9th Division Vice-Captain had completed his mission, whatever it had really been. The Vice-Captain, who only now introduced himself by name to Ikei was Tasuku and he had recommended Ikei for a seated position. At the time the only one available was that of the dead 9th Division, 10th Seat who had died in the same battle as Gachi. Ikei was told he could have the seat on the condition that he released his Zanpakuto. He managed this after a long period of training with Vice-Captain Tasuku and discovered his Zanpakuto’s name was Akakaito and whenever he moved the blade it left a trail of darkness in its wake that was temporarily hardened before vanishing. Ikei had taken another step towards attaining the power he would need to influence everyone in Soul Society. He rose quickly through the seats of 9th Division and his natural laid back attitude meant he could turn his hand to whatever task was laid out for him and he had headed teams in several counter intelligence missions but in his heart he always knew that he belonged to the 8th Division. Only by returning to it would he be able to heal the pain Gachi-chan’s death caused him.

Eventually the day came when he took his place as the 9th Division, Vice Captain, he was 195 years old. It was a proud moment for him but he still felt he was lacking something. He trained for the next 10 years to attain Bankai. It was hard and gruelling and between his training and duties as Vice-Captain he had very little time to himself. When he was finally able to achieve Bankai he began trying to work out how to return to 8th Division. He knew the only way he could do so is to take the Vice Captaincy or Captaincy of the Division. Neither seat was open and he knew a same rank transfer to another Division would be frowned upon by his superiors. Days later he suffered terrible injuries at the hands of an Espada, it was the first time he had faced on without support. At the time he had requested reinforcements from 8th Division but the Captain had refused. If the 9th Division Captain hadn’t heard about the situation and rescued Ikei himself the Vice-Captain would have been killed for sure. After Ikei was healed he had a Hollow’s chest hole tattooed on his chest for no other reason than he felt like he had been treated as one. Along with his Captain they took their concerns about how 8th Division was being run directly to their opposite seats in 8th Division. The discussion turned to debate, debate to argument and argument to battle so that by the time the dust had settled Ikei was the last one standing. There was outrage among the Council of 46 that such a conflict would breakout but with a lack of suitable candidates Ikei was offered the Captaincy of 9th Division. He refused, instead requesting to take command of 8th Division. Begrudgingly his request was accepted.

He was 221 when he became 8th Division Captain. Since then his personality disorder has steadied itself, though he still has dramatic mood swings at times that can take his fellow Captains by surprise. His main aim over the last year was to establish himself as a strong leader for his Division and his previous experience served him well. He soon gained the trust and respect of his subordinates but as always in Soul Society there were those that did not trust, especially those who knew how it was he became Captain as this remains a guarded secret due to fears of a civil war escalating from the dispute. Little of what others though bothered Ikei however, instead he was happy to have more influence and power than he had ever had and now he was ready to start preparing for the next level.

RP Sample:

It was dusk in Karakura Town as Ikei, his friend and fighting partner Gachi from 11th Division and a couple of other Shinigami from 9th Division accompanied the 9th Division Vice-Captain through the quiet streets. Ikei had not been told much about his mission other than he and Gachi were to be under the command of 9th Division and were only expected to provide additional man power on an escort mission. Ikei was at the back of the group and looking at the horizon when he heard everybody’s cell phones bleep. Instinctively each of them reached for the small radar like devices that indicated where the hollows had been detected. ”They’re all around us!” He said, staring at the numerous dots around him. ”It must be an ambush, get ready.” He drew his Zanpakuto and cursed himself for not realising the danger they were in, but why a Vice-Captain hadn’t smelled the danger in the air gave him cause for concern. As he saw the dark shadowy silhouettes of the Hollows descend on them; the orange hue of light from the sun shone through the holes in their chests. Every time Ikei faced a hollow he feared one would turn out to be his old girlfriend from all of those years ago. He spun his Zanpakuto in circles with his fingers like he always did. Only Gachi ever figured out this is what he did when he was nervous.

”Fight through! We have to complete this mission, just keep them off me until we reach our destination!” The order came from 9th Division’s Vice-Captain. Ikei obeyed and ran forward, joining sides with Gachi. He raised his left hand towards one of the smaller hollows and called out, ” Disintegrate, you black dog of Rondanini! Look upon yourself with horror and then claw out your own throat! Bakudo Number 9, Strike!” A red light shone all around the Hollow. Ikei jumped up, still spinning the Zanpakuto in his right hand he pointed it downwards, gripped it with both hands and prayed the Binding Kido had worked as he aimed the tip of the sword straight down at the Hollow’s mask, using the full force of his arms to jam it down as hard as he could and his knees pulled high as if he were crouching.

A blue light shot past him and his robes flapped in the wind the accompanied it as another Shinigami, probably Gachi, used a more powerful Kido to smash into the line of Hollows. Ikei gritted his teeth and his eyes flashed with aggression as he watched to see if his blow had struck. If not he would have to fall back and prepare to defend. If it had it was time to find his next target. So many hollows, I hope our destination is close.