Shunsui Kyōraku
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Shunsui Kyōraku (京楽 春水, sometimes spelt 京樂 春水 Kyōraku Shunsui) is a character in the anime and manga series Bleach. He is the captain of the 8th Division in Gotei 13. His lieutenant is Nanao Ise.
Character outline
Kyōraku is a flamboyant man who is lazy and does not enjoy violence. A generally peaceful and laidback sort, he will always try to talk his way out of a fight, but does not wish to insult opponents by not fighting. As a captain, he is an extremely powerful fighter with numerous abilities. As he trained under General Yamamoto himself, it is likely that Kyōraku is somewhat on the stronger side as far as captains go.He wears a straw hat and a gaudy pink haori over his captain's uniform. He likes to chase after women and often flirts with his lieutenant, calling her 'my Nanao-chan' (i.e. my little Nanao). He is fond of drinking sake. He is close friends with Jūshirō Ukitake.
History
Although not much is known about Kyōraku's history, it is implied that, along with Jūshirō Ukitake, he is the oldest captain in the Gotei 13, with the exception of General Yamamoto.It is known that he, along with Ukitake, was the first to become captain as a result of training in Yamamoto's academy. This is thought to be the same shinigami academy that Renji Abarai and Rukia Kuchiki went to, but this is not certain.
Katen Kyōkotsu
Kyōraku's zanpakutō is Katen Kyōkotsu (花天狂骨, lit. Flower Heaven, Crazy Bone).In its shikai form, Katen Kyōkotsu exists as two katanas. It is one of the two known zanpakutō that have two blades. Ukitake's Sōgyo no Kotowari splits into two (though the two are joined by a cord) when in shikai form, but Katen Kyōkotsu exists as two completely separate katanas even in sealed form. In the third opening credits of the anime, it appears as if Shunsui's two swords are a daisho pair, i.e. a katana-wakizashi pair. In shikai form, Katen Kyōkotsu resembles large scimitars or falchions. The difference between Katen Kyōkotsu and Sōgyo no Kotowari may be indicative of a strength difference, but this is mere speculation.
Katen Kyōkotsu's initial release command is Hana Kaze Midarete, Kashin Naki, Tenpū Midarete, Tenma Warau (花風紊れて花神啼き天風紊れて天魔嗤う, Flowers are disturbed, God of Flower weeps, Winds of Heaven are disturbed, Demon of Heaven laughs).
Kyōraku's final release (bankai) is officially still unknown, however, according to the popular Nintendo DS game, [[Bleach DS: Souten ni Kakeru Unmei]] (which is only available via import outside of Japan) it is likely that Katen Kyōkotsu's power in it's initial release state is to attack it's opponent from a distance by striking them using the very wind itself (much like a mythical Japanese phenomenon known as kamaitachi). However, this is merely speculation, as it's unknown whether Katen Kyōkotsu actually uses kamaitachi-like powers, or is merely just a result of Kyōraku's high level of skill (though no one else has yet to display technique like Kyōraku in this area of skill).
Trivia
- Kyōraku is the only character who dispenses with the honorifics when addressing General Yamamoto-Genryūsai, calling him old Yama or old Mountain (Yama-jī). Even Ukitake, who was also taught by Yamamoto, does not do this.
- The last name Kyōraku is a homonym for the Japanese word kyōraku (享楽), meaning pleasure. This could possibly refer to his laid-back attitude.
- Bleach creator Tite Kubo assigned several characters theme songs which are used to give insight to characters that might not normally appear in the run of the manga or anime. Kyōraku's theme is Por Una Cabeza by Carlos Gardel
- Kyōraku's seiyū in the anime is Akio Ohtsuka, well known for his role as both Solid Snake (MGS, MGS2, MGS4) and Naked Snake (MGS3), in the highly popular videogame franchise, Metal Gear Solid
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