Izuru Kira
Encyclopedia : I : IZ : IZU : Izuru Kira
is a character from the anime and manga series, Bleach. He is the lieutenant of the Gotei 13's 3rd Division, formerly under Captain Gin Ichimaru.
Character outline
Kira has blond hair, worn such that it covers half of his face. It also extends into two 'horns', although this is something relatively recent. Otherwise, his appearance is fairly ordinary compared to other shinigami.Kira is dedicated to both his friends and his duties, perhaps to the point of fault. Despite the close friendship he shares with Momo Hinamori, Kira has shown that his loyalty shows no boundaries as he fought Hinamori in the defence of his captain. Despite this, he calls himself a 'monster' for raising his sword against Hinamori in the jail cell. The sheer stress of the events of the Soul Society arc combined with Kira's difficult position (whether to side with his captain, or with his friends) drove him to near-insanity.
History
Like many characters, Kira's past is not explored extensively. It is known that his parents were dead before he entered the shinigami academy, and that his family was one of at least minor nobility. This is also hinted at when Renji comments on how only the rich use a handshake as a greeting, when Kira does just that.
While at the Shinigami Academy, Kira met and befriended Hinamori and Renji Abarai. The three of them were the top of their class, with Shūhei Hisagi as their upperclassman. Having seen their potential, they were later placed in the 5th Division by Sōsuke Aizen. Renji's rebellious nature and skill with the sword led to his move to the 11th Division, while Kira and Hinamori remained in the 5th Division with Captain Aizen and his then-lieutenant, Gin Ichimaru. Kira was later promoted to the 3rd Division as its lieutenant, under Ichimaru, now captain of the 3rd Division.
Synopsis
Kira first makes a notable appearance when he finds Renji Abarai nearly dead at the stairs to the Shrine of Penitence. He and Momo Hinamori try to heal Renji, but are interrupted by Byakuya Kuchiki, who wants Renji arrested for his actions. Hinamori protests but Kira obeys, showing that Kira believes that obeying orders is more important than one's emotions.As an expression of this, Kira confronts his friend Hinamori because the latter tries to attack Kira's captain, Gin Ichimaru, even though Ichimaru is a prime suspect in the (apparent) murder of Sōsuke Aizen.
Kira's loyalty to his captain has not wavered since he was introduced to the series. Ichimaru helps him escape from jail, and Kira stands by his captain when the 10th Division Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya fights Ichimaru.
When the two executive officers of the 10th Division come to appeal to the judicial chamber of Soul Society, Kira (under Ichimaru's orders) leads Hitsugaya away from the Chamber of 46, but mentions to Hitsugaya that he needs to protect Hinamori. Kira takes on Hitsugaya's lieutenant and Ichimaru's close friend, Rangiku Matsumoto, while Hitsugaya enters the city where the Chamber of 46 live.
Understandably, Kira is shocked to discover his captain truly was a traitor, conspiring with Aizen (the true mastermind behind the conspiracy involving Rukia Kuchiki's execution). He is also horrified to learn that Aizen stabbed Hinamori, as he was told that she wouldn't be hurt. When Ichimaru leaves Soul Society, Kira drinks himself silly, possibly out of depression or guilt, although he does not show it.
Anime (Bount arc)
Kira, among others, is assigned by Tōshirō Hitsugaya to defeat the Bount in the human world. He helps Ichigo defeat Dalk, Koga Gowa's doll, although Koga Gowa decides to end the fight and walk away before Kira can seriously engage him.Wabisuke
Kira's zanpakutō is Wabisuke (侘助, lit. miserable man, also translated as apology, miserable/sorrowful assistant, etc). Its initial release command is "Omote o agero!" (面を上げろ, "Show your face!" or alternatively "Raise your head!"). The blade will bend itself in a hook with two right angles.Its ability is fairly simple: it doubles the weight of whatever it hits. While the ability seems ridiculous at first, the effect is cumulative - a second hit from Wabisuke will double the target's weight again, to four times normal, and so on. The ability affects both objects and living beings. After enough attacks from Wabisuke, Kira's opponents are often forced by their own weight into a kneeling posture with their heads bent down, as if in misery or apology, thus the origin of the name of Kira's zanpakutō.
Before his fight with Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto, Kira comments that only two others who know the true ability of his zanpakutō: Renji Abarai and Momo Hinamori.
Trivia
- In omake chapters Hisagi, Renji, and Kira usually spend time together.
From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Original article here. Support Wikipedia by contributing or donating.
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License See Wikipedia Copyrights for details.