Hijikata Toshizo [APPROVED, 0-4-]

Name: Toshizo Hijikata
Nickname: Toshi
Alias: The Demon Commander
Gender: Male
Age: 320
Appearance Age: Mid 20’s – Early 30’s

Appearance

Height: 6’2”
Weight: 150lbs
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Purple
Overall Appearance:

Alternate Outfit

Spoiler:

When it comes to looks, there is only one word to describe Hijikata’s appearance; and that would be handsome. Seriously, no matter what is said about the man, the one thing that cannot be denied is that he is quite attractive for a man. Of course, unlike many others with such good looks, Hijikata does not have any sign of vanity to his appearance. Then again, because of a natural air of confidence, many people mistake him as a conceited person based on his appearance alone. Still, no matter what assumptions others may make about his personality, the one thing that is clear to all is that Hijikata is attractive. Then again, since this makes him more popular with the ladies, some less successful men often resent Hijikata for his good looks; but that is nothing more than petty jealous.

When it comes to his actual physical attributes, the full nature of Hijikata’s good looks can be uncovered. With smooth skin, black hair that reaches slightly past his shoulders, and deep, penetrating purple eyes, it is no wonder that so many women tend to fall for him based on looks alone. Of course, while this description may sound rather feminine, there is no doubt about this man’s masculinity. Though his skin may be without blemish, his face is without remorse; though his eyes are deep they convey this man’s determination. To be honest, Hijikata is naturally more attractive than many a model or actor, and many people have even suggested that he pursue a future in said careers. However, being a warrior at heart, Hijikata would never be able to give up the sword, and as such many a swooning woman is disappointed that the only glimpses they can catch of him is when he is off duty. Of course, this hasn’t stopped the Shinigami Women’s Association from attempting to catch a sneak picture of Hijikata for their usual means.

Apparel-wise, Hijikata’s clothing is usually a little plainer than the man himself; though it is generally well enough to catch attention. For starters, instead of the normal Shinigami’s uniform, Hijikata usually wears a purple kimono top with white hamaka pants; held up by a white obi. Granted, other than the colors, his normal clothing is pretty much similar to the standard uniform; though the actual quality of his clothing is rather superior. Of course, Hijikata does have two other “usual” outfits; consisting of a more western style get up, and then a sort of “armor” set akin to what the ancient samurai used to wear. Occasionally, Hijikata will wear a light blue haori; though this is a sign of his family and not any position within the Gotei 13. For his hair, Hijikata usually wears it up in a ponytail, though on rare, informal occasions he can be seen with his hair down. It should be noted here that a picture of Hijikata with his hair down is quite a desirable item amongst many of the females of the Gotei 13. Overall, Hijikata’s clothing does help him stand out a bit, but when compared to his natural looks, its role is minor at best.

Personality

Favorite Color: Purple: standing for both a sense of royalty and beauty, as well as a sense of serenity and control.

Personality: When using the phrase “beauty is only skin deep”, most mean it as an insult to call good looking people shallow, but in Hijikata’s case, it is more appropriate to say that his attractiveness is only skin deep because his personality is so much more complex. Generally speaking, Hijikata’s true character cannot be judged by his appearance alone; and while many would wish to write him off as nothing more than another “pretty boy”, Hijikata truly is so much more. For starters, no matter how attractive he may be, Hijikata is a true warrior at heart, and as such, is not the type to merit one of one’s outward appearances. In fact, this goes on well to display that, despite his looks, Hijikata is still a highly intelligent man; able to “outwit” with even the best of them. Of course, it is not just intelligence that this man possesses, but also a rather astute level of cunning. Put simply, Hijikata knows that he is attractive to others, and when it comes to gathering information, he knows how to use this trait to his advantage. This is not to say that he is a deceitful person or uses his looks to get whatever he wants, as Hijikata is most definitely a straight forward type of man. However, when the need arises, he is self aware enough to use all of his assets. Of course, it should be noted that he never uses these techniques for truly devious purposes; such as casually seducing women or leading them on for his own gains. Then again, Hijikata rarely even needs to speak to garner the attention of females, so this point can sometimes be seen as moot.

Of course, this all being said, a much more accurate word to describe Hijikata would be determination; or dedication. The air of confidence emitted by this man is not just some aspect of his appearance, but is a true and telling part of his character. No matter what his endeavor may be, Hijikata’s commitment towards his goals is undeniable. To put it bluntly, Hijikata is most definitely not the type of man to ever yield upon his convictions. It is this dedication, as well as his overarching confidence and strength that have earned Hijikata the title of “The Demon Commander”. No matter what the mission, Hijikata pursues each of his goals with a fierce determination that many a man can only dream of, and when placed in charge, it is all but certain that he will reach them. Of course, because his dedication is so fierce, and he usually is quite relentless to those who oppose him, many mistake Hijikata as violent and ill tempered man. While it may be true that Hijikata can often use rather aggressive means to achieve his goals, he tends to abstain from actual violence until it is the only effective option; at least in regards to individuals. Along with this, no matter how “fired up” he may get, Hijikata is always able to keep a cool head about himself; and never abandons logic in his debates. Essentially, Hijikata is definitely more on the aggressive side, but not in a truly violent or uncontrolled manner; expressed best in his dedication. Of course, when it does come to actual combat, these traits are expressed slightly differently.

As one may expect from his normal demeanor, Hijikata’s true nature can only be displayed during the heart of battle. When it comes to combat, it is no surprise that his confidence and determination carry over; but now it can be expressed in a more violent nature. That being said, the violence and intensity of Hijikata’s dedication is never without control; and though it is his power that defines him to his opponent, it is his battle strategy and deduction that define him to his allies. Yes, no matter how strong he may be on his own, Hijikata knows that no war can be won by a single man, and as such is well known for his strategies implemented during combat that help his allies attain victory. Yes, he will always be on the front lines with whichever comrades his is standing beside, but he recognizes the importance of their presence and actions. That being said, Hijikata is still a man with honor; and though a war may depend on the side with the best strategy and “surprises”, he is also a believer in the notion of a fair fight. When it comes to single, powerful opponents, Hijikata does not attempt to “gang up” on them; but will issue a formal challenge and face them mono y mono. This, of course, boils down to him being a true warrior at heart, and though his tactics may be ruthless, he is never without honor. If one is to die on the field of battle, Hijikata believes that they have the undeniable right to die with honor; a belief that he holds towards himself as well. In fact, when the time comes for his own life to end, Hijikata wishes for nothing more than to die on the field of battle with his honor and dignity as a warrior intact.

Of course, every warrior is still a person at the end of the day, and Hijikata’s life is not only defined by his actions on the battlefield. While his confidence and conviction may define his character, Hijikata is able to relax, and though he may never relent on his beliefs, this doesn’t stop him from going out and enjoying some sake with his friends. Actually, on his downtime, Hijikata is a much calmer man than during battle or while on duty. He may still have the same general air about himself, but when not actively portraying it or with friends, Hijikata actually has quite a few “friendly” qualities to his character. In fact, Hijikata has even been known to tell a lighthearted joke every now and then; though some may venture into the territory of “dark humor”. Aside from this, Hijikata is also a student of some of the finer “Japanese Arts”, such as calligraphy and fine teas. Then again, no matter how intense he may be, Hijikata always seems to be a good picture of an “Eastern-style man”. Of course, just as he enjoys some of these more relaxing hobbies, Hijikata still places a high importance on both physical and mental training. Not only does he strive to perfect his swordsmanship, Hijikata also believes that a true warrior should have a mind just as sharp as any blade. As such, he is a very literate man, finding great joy in reading both topics of philosophy and military strategy. When it comes down to it, this learnedness is a very valuable asset in Hijikata’s arsenal, as it allows for him to see a situation on a higher level than just a simple fight.

Finally and perhaps most begrudgingly, comes how Hijikata interacts with members of the opposite sex. As has been made clear earlier, Hijikata is a very attractive man, and that, combined with his strong personality, means that he is often the object of many a woman’s affections. Of course, it should be no surprise that Hijikata generally does not have any issues in dealing with said “swooning women”, but this is because none of them really strike his fancy. Granted, this does not mean that Hijikata is looking for someone who “sees more than just his looks”, though that might help a bit. Honestly, he’s just grown accustomed to women “wanting him”, so it takes more than just that for him to really feel an attraction. Granted, even Hijikata has his preferences when it comes to women, but it is very rare that he ever expresses what these are. Once again, the Shinigami Women’s Association seems to have stepped in here, and apparently there is some kind of reward for anyone who can get any information about what Hijikata’s “ideal woman” is. Granted, this is mostly speculation, and since he really hasn’t found his “ideal woman”, Hijikata just doesn’t feel like talking about it. Of course, should he find such a woman, there would be a few noticeable reactions from Hijikata; mainly a lowering of his guard and being easier to fluster. Then again, when it comes to some of the more… “determined admirers” he has, Hijikata has been known to get a bit of a temper; but in his defense, they really do get in the way of his duties.

Natural Abilities

Swordsmanship/Zanjutsu Expert: Because of the nature of his Zanpakutō, much of Hijikata’s actual combat relies not so much on these “supernatural powers”, but instead upon his own skill with the sword. Because of this, along with just his general personality, Hijikata has become quite the accomplished swordsman; and as such he has access to certain techniques that others would find impossible to pull off. Although some of these sword techniques use his own reiatsu, they are not related to any power of his actual Zanpakutō; instead they are all his natural skills. Because of this, Hijikata is generally well known for his skill with the sword within the Seireitei, and it is rumored that he has enough skill to rival even some of the more powerful Captains. Also, because his swordsmanship relies more upon his actual skill than his Zanpakutō’s abilities, Hijikata actually carries a second sword alongside his Zanpakutō. It is like any other normal blade one might find out in the Rukon districts; and as such does not usually register as a threat to most opponents. Of course, because of his skill, Hijikata is able to use this normal katana at a level that can match most sealed Zanpakutō. Because of this, Hijikata will often start off a battle with his secondary sword and not his Zanpakutō; only relying upon it if pushed by an opponent. Although Hijikata may be one of the few people to use these techniques, they do technically fall under the Zanjutsu category of the Shinigami techniques, and as such, with enough training and dedication any Shinigami is capable to learn these at some level. Still, because these techniques take the focus of battle away from the powers of the wielder’s Zanpakutō, it is generally only those who could fight without their actual Shikai and Bankai powers who can truly master these techniques.

Techniques:
Increase Strength: A rather simple and self explanatory technique, this is one of the few Zanjutsu techniques that can be used by any Shinigami. There is no verbal command to use this technique; instead, all the user must do is allow for additional reiatsu to flow into their Zanpakutō or desired weapon. By doing this, the actual striking force of their weapon is increased by an amount equal to the amount of reiatsu added to the weapon. By doing this, the user may be able to both cause and defend against damage of Shikai level opponents at the lower end, and Bankai level opponents at the higher end without even having to release their Zanpakutō. Of course, because the user must provide the additional reiatsu from their body, they become more vulnerable to any other attacks that they are not focused upon: such as counterattacks. Not only this, but when on the defensive, this ability can only help the user block against an actual sword strike or other physical attack, and is unable to stop any of the other effects of a Shikai or Bankai released opponent. Simply put, this technique is only useful against other sword-based opponents, but the boost it provides can easily help the user catch the opponent by surprise.

Extended Cut: Another one of the simpler Zanjutsu techniques, the usage of this one takes a bit more practice. As with many of the other techniques, this one focuses on supplying additional reiatsu into the user’s weapon, and is not activated by any verbal command. Once the user has channeled the desired amount of reiatsu into their blade, they are able to use this technique simple by slashing their sword. Upon usage, the actual slash will actually extend further than the blade itself is able to physically reach; the amount of said extension depending upon how much reiatsu the user channeled into their blade. This technique’s main purpose is to either catch an opponent off guard by slashing further than they believe the user is able to, or to give an attack that last-minute few centimeters to reach an opponent who is just barely dodging the users slash. Although there aren’t many drawbacks to this technique due to its simplicity, it is only able to increase the reach of the user’s slash by an amount equal to the reach of a normal slash from their blade.

二回ヒットする Ni-kai hitto suru (lit. To Hit Twice): One of the more advanced Zanjutsu techniques, Ni-kai hitto suru takes a bit more practice and finesse to pull off than most of the other techniques. Unlike the other techniques, this one; while it does still use the channeling of reiatsu to the user’s blade, is instead more dependent on the user’s skill and control of their own sword. That being said, to activate this ability, the user must still channel some of their reiatsu into their blade, and the “action” for using it is still an attack. However, after the reiatsu is channeled, the actual effectiveness of this technique hinges solely on the user’s skill with their sword. Essentially, as the name suggests, this technique consists of two actual hits; an initial, weaker strike, and then a second, more powerful strike. What makes this technique unique is that each strike happens in less than a millisecond of the other. Basically, the initial strike is more like a diversion; it is only half the strength of the actual attack used to initiate the technique and is generally used to catch the opponent’s attention. The second strike, however, is much stronger, being twice the strength of the actual attack, and takes place so quickly after the first strike that this entire technique appears to only be on attack. Not only that, but the second strike will be aimed above, below, or to the side of the initial attack. Because of this, the technique relies on the opponent blocking the weaker, initial strike because it is the one they see coming, and because of that they are unable to block or even perceive the second strike. Because of the level of mastery over the sword that this technique demands, only those well trained in the arts of Zanjutsu are able to flawlessly pull off this technique. As such, it should be noted that any Shinigami who is able to use any of the higher Zanjutsu techniques will be much more skilled at this technique then those who can only reach this one. Finally, there are two main ways to “defeat” this attack; both being rather simple in concept. The first is to simply be able to dodge the attack altogether, though to do so the opponent would most likely have to be an evasion-based fighter. The second method is to actually let the initial strike that you can perceive hit you so that your actual block can be focused on the stronger second strike. Though this method may sound simple, most opponents are unable to exploit it because most warriors fight based off of instinct; and instinct tells them to block incoming attacks, meaning they would defend against the attack they can actually see. Hijikata is known to be one of the most experienced users of this technique.

完全なストライキ Kanzen'na sutoraiki (lit. Full Strike): One of the strongest attacks available through the Zanjutsu arts, Kanzen'na sutoraiki is in reality has one of the simplest effects. Distilled versions of this ability have been used by many notable Shinigami, and though it is one of the highest Zenkai techniques, it seems that every Shinigami and Vizard is able to perform this technique at some level. For starters, instead of just channeling their reiatsu to their blade, the user of this technique must literally pour all of their available reiatsu into this attack for it to even be used. As implied by the name, once the user has collected all of their available reiatsu into their blade, they will then strike against their opponent with the full force of their being in this one strike. Of course, because of the costs to use this technique, it is primarily a “finishing attack”, and can only be used once per battle. Not only that, but to be able to even use this technique to its full potential, all abilities of the user’s Zanpakutō must be inactive; including all attack, area, defensive, and passive abilities. Basically, the amount of energy required to use this final attack is so high that the user will not be able to maintain any of their other abilities while using it; no matter how much reiatsu they possess. That being said, the actual forms of Shikai and Bankai can still be active during this technique; just not any of their abilities, and because of the energy cost, they will almost always revert to their sealed state when the attack is over. Because of the amount of energy concentrated into the users Zanpakutō, even so much as a slash from this technique is able to cause a large explosion of raw, destructive energy, and the damage it can cause is truly devastating. Of course, because of this concentration and volatility, the user is only able to attack once with this ability; giving their attack all of their power. For many of the more advanced users of this technique, when attacking, some sort of symbol of their energy or soul may be displayed through the release of the collected energy; an example being the skull-like visage displayed by the full force of Kenpachi Zaraki’s final attack against Ichigo in the “Soul Society Arc”.

True Swordsmanship - Tennen Rishin Ryu/Shinsengumi-Kenjutsu Expert: Although he is one of the few Shinigami experts of the Zanjutsu arts, those are only “techniques”; not his true swordsmanship. For his true skill and fighting, Hijikata uses a sword fighting style known as Tennen Rishin Ryu, and further refined into his own, personal style Shinsengumi-Kenjutsu. Like other Koryū, or Japanese schools of martial arts that predate the Meiji era, Tennen Rishin Ryu teaches kenjutsu, bōjutsu, and jūjutsu. Unlike many other styles, Tennen Rishin Ryu is known for being more brutal than its counterparts, as well as focusing on fighting groups of opponents by oneself: though it is just as effective against single opponents as well. Of course, Kenjutst is a main component of essentially ever sword style, meaning quite literally “the method of the sword”, so it is the inclusion of jūjutsu, or grappling, techniques that help set Tennen Rishin Ryu apart. Basically, while fighting with your sword (or staff/spear if the user practices bōjutsu instead of Kenjutsu), this style teaches its users to use hand to hand attacks and grappling techniques to break the opponents guard and essentially kill them. Though some who practice styles that focus only on Kenjutsu may call this style underhanded, it is much more effective in actual combat. Examples of this would be, after the user or their opponent blocks an attack, the user would then reach to the side of their locked blades with their off hand to either strike the opponent or grab them and place them in a vulnerable position. Of course, being a sword style, Tennen Rishin Ryu focuses mainly on fighting with an actual sword. However, even though its basis is in Kenjutsu, actual fighting with this style is just as different in how the sword is used as it is because of its inclusion of jūjutsu. As fighting multiple opponents is this style’s specialty, those who use it are taught strength, speed, and above all else; versatility. Many of this style’s attacks focus on the strength with which the user is able to swing their sword, as well as keeping a positional advantage after each of their attacks. Because when fighting multiple opponents there is no room for mistakes, those who have mastered this style are able to set up each successive attack before their first slash has even been made. Of course, because battles are chaotic and unpredictable, users of this style must have a higher level of intelligence and be able to change or adjust their attacks on the fly. When fighting a single opponent of course, users of this style actually maintain a slight advantage through the positional advantage the style teaches. Because of its strong attacks, another usage of this style to break an opponent’s guard by force; literally knocking their blade away. Finally, this style teaches many different ways to quickly kill opponents, setting the user up to attack vital points on the opponent’s body. When fighting multiple opponents this allows for the user to focus on the next target as soon as possible, and when fighting only a single, skilled opponent it simply makes each of the users attacks that much more lethal.

Medical Knowledge: Although definitely not on the level of a member of squad 4, because of his family's background with medicine Hijikata does have a higher level of medical knowledge than the average Shinigami. Along with this, he always carries around at least one dosage of his family's Ishida Sanyaku medicine at all times.

Zanpakutō

Zanpakutō Name: たかる Takaru (lit. bum; mooch)

Zanpakutō Spirit:

Compared to the relationship between most Shinigami and their Zanpakutō, the relationship between Hijikata and Takaru is anything but ideal. As suggested by its name, Takaru is a very lazy, unmotivated, and generally unprofessional spirit; the perfect image of a bum. In contrast, Hijikata is a very serious, motivated, and determined, an almost polar opposite of his Zanpakutō’s Spirit. To be honest, the only thing that they seem to have in common is a mutual hatred for the other’s way of doing things; well, that, and just how loud and angry each can get. Often times, Hijikata will refer to his Zanpakutō as either bum or moocher; refusing to use its actual name until he needs to activate his Shikai. The distance between these two is further displayed by the fact that Hijikata always carries and uses a secondary sword separate from his Zanpakutō for combat. Granted, because of his nature and how Hijikata treats him, Takaru will often deny Hijikata’s attempts to activate Shikai too early in a battle; and can even take a post or two before Hijikata is able to use just Takaru’s sealed state to its full power. Of course, despite their differences, Hijikata and Takaru are able to cooperate when it comes to any actually serious battle. In the end, although their personalities may differ greatly, Takaru’s power really is perfect for Hijikata; as it essentially forces the opponent to fight him in swordplay, his strongest field. It is also because they do not get along that Hijikata has trained so extensively in the arts of Zanjutsu, so that he does not have to rely on Takaru’s power to win a fight.

Inner World: Oddly enough, Hijikata’s inner world is slightly more elaborate than one might expect given the name of his Zanpakutō; though this elaboration is more in an ephemeral sense. For starters, the main area of Hijikata’s inner world is made up of a vast grassland constantly covered by a rather thick, perpetual fog. Of course, the grass of this world is rather odd, as it takes on more of a pale, almost yellow-greenish hue, as if it hasn’t had water in quite a few weeks. Even odder is the fact that the grass is all covered in dew as if it had just rained, so there is no actual reason for the grass to be the color that it is. Furthermore, almost as if floating above the ground are odd white shapes which appear to be some sort of traditional seals. Upon closer inspection, these white shapes are actually gray and are not any form of seal, but instead are hundreds of rags draped over a very thin, almost invisible line. These lines are held up by large posts at the outer limits of the area, and all lead to one central structure. In the center of the inner world lies an old, seemingly run down sort of traditional Shinto temple. Actually, the description of being a temple is a little much for this small structure, made up of nothing more than 4 thin, wooden walls and a roof that has quite a few holes in it. In front of the “temple” is a small offering box with a sign upon it. On the sign is written the Japanese characters “慈善”, meaning charity. Usually, whenever Hijikata enters his inner world, Takaru is either sitting against the small temple in the center, or lying in a patch of grass that, for some reason, is the only dry patch of the world; needless to say most often asleep.

Sealed Zanpakutō: Takaru’s sealed state is very standard for most Zanpakutō: taking the shape of a standard katana with a black sheath. The only real differences between it and the standard Zanpakutō is that its hilt is black and gold instead of black and white, and that the guard is not circular or rectangular, but a sort of hybrid; rectangular with curved indentions where the corners would be. Aside from this, the only thing that distinguishes Takaru as unique is a blue, cloth ribbon that is usually haphazardly wrapped around the sheath. Although it is unknown if this is Hijikata’s personal addition or an actual part of Takaru, the fact that even if he loses the ribbon during combat it will be back on the sheath when done supports the later. Finally, although it is not actually a part of his Zanpakutō’s form, Hijikata does carry a secondary sword; one that looks almost identical to Takaru. In fact, aside from being only a centimeter or two shorter, the only difference between Takaru and this secondary sword is the absence of the ribbon.

Release Phrase: “Retaliate, Takaru!”

Shikai Appearance:
Takaru is a very rare case among Zanpakutō, in that its Shikai state does not change a single factor of its appearance. Yes, not even the blade’s length is changed in Shikai, so it can often be hard for an opponent to recognize that Hijikata is even using his Shikai. Of course, this is a clear reflection of Takaru’s name and how Hijikata treats it; as a lazy bum. That being said, it is because its form does not change any that Hijikata has become so skilled at using the Zanjutsu techniques even in his Shikai and Bankai; as well as its actual power. Despite what Hijikata might say about his Zanpakutō, both its form and power really fit him to a tee.

Shikai Ability: ”Reversal”
Essentially, Takaru’s main ability, “Reversal” is not that difficult of a concept, though it is applied in a slightly different way. Pretty much, this ability allows Hijikata to “absorb and then reverse” any attack from an opponent that relies on anything other than their natural skills; so long as the blade makes contact with said attack. Using this ability, Hijikata is able to absorb and then reverse any attack using the powers of any form or “special weapon” (such as a Zanpakutō abilities), and many attacks that convert energy (such as Kidō and Sugiura magic). That being said, there are quite a few restrictions placed upon the “Reversal” when in Shikai. For starters, after absorbing an attack, Hijikata is only able to reverse the energy at 50% of its original strength; though he is not harmed so long as it contacts his Zanpakutō first. Second, this ability, at least in Shikai, cannot absorb PURELY defensive or passive skills. An example of this would be, if Hijikata attacks an opponent and they use some form of barrier that only blocks his attack and nothing else, then this ability would not activate. That being said, if it encounters any sort of “counter” techniques where the attack would be repelled upon Hijikata himself, then his Zanpakutō will absorb that entire ability and reverse it back at the opponent. When it comes to area effects, this ability can be used in a few ways. For area abilities or abilities that in and of themselves do not attack Hijikata, this ability will have no effect. However, should that area ability cause any harm to Hijikata, then he will be able to absorb and reverse the entire area ability. Of course, for unique cases such as Gilgamesh’s Gate of Babylon, Hijikata’s ability would have no effect on his “gate” or ability to summon his treasures; however, it would be able to absorb and reverse each individual attack or “special weapon” from the gate, so long as his Zanpakutō makes direct contact with each weapon individually. Basically, for area and “passive” abilities, it all depends on how it attacks Hijikata; if the entire area or field can harm Hijikata then he can reverse the entire field or area, but if it is only a secondary ability or summoned from the area or field, then Hijikata can only reverse the singular attacks. When it comes to wide-range attacks, such as explosions, Hijikata is only able to absorb and reverse them with his Zanpakutō so long as he is actively “defending” against them. Basically, if you catch Hijikata off guard with an explosion and he does not bring his sword up to defend himself, you will stall harm him; but if he can bring his sword up to defend himself in time, then he will absorb and reverse the attack. Also, there is no real “power” limit when it comes to form or weapon powers for what Hijikata can reverse, as 50% of the attacks actual energy goes is used in the process of reversing the attack; so the stronger the attack, the more energy there is to reverse it. Although this may seem like a vast ability, it really isn’t, and has quite the glaring weakness; the power can only be used so long as the opponent uses their own powers. Yeah, that means that if an opponent figures out Hijikata and simply stops using attack powers against him, then this power becomes completely pointless. Of course, this means that the only “successful” way to fight against Hijikata is to use only your own, natural skills in combat. This does not mean just any physical attack, because if the physical attack is still tied to your actual form or weapon power, then Hijikata will be able to absorb and reverse the energy; though this does not apply to the simple strength, speed, and defense increases of using a form or weapon. When it comes to Kidō and other “magic” used by the different races, Hijikata is only able to reverse most of the attack “spells”, binding “spells” that would cause him physical damage, and none of the defensive spells, save for other “reflection” defensive spells. Also, fighting styles such as his own Zanjutsu techniques would still be able to harm Hijikata, as those still fall under natural skill. In the end, this power really epitomizes Takaru, as it is 100% dependant on the opponent’s actions. As Hijikata states it, “This Zanpakutō is such a lazy moocher; it can’t even attack without the charity of its opponent.”

Techniques: As one might expect, Takaru’s Shikai actually doesn’t have any techniques; “Reversal” being its only power. That being said, there are two distinct ways in which Takaru can reverse the energy it absorbs from attacks. The first method is simply through releasing the energy directly in a destructive, forward blast. Although the blast can be at least a few yards in area, its actual strength depends completely on the attack Hijikata absorbed; and because it is only at 50% power, any potential damage of the original is cut in half. The second method for releasing this energy is to quickly concentrate it into a wave or blade like form, and then fire that off at the opponent. Because they are more compressed, these waves/blades can cause more damage to specific target areas, but as a “long-range” attack, their effectiveness really only extends slightly past mid-range. Once again, the actual strength of each wave/blade is completely dependent on the attack Hijikata absorbed. Finally, Hijikata is unable to actually store any of this energy. As implied by the term “reversal”, this ability is an instantaneous occurrence, and every attack absorbed by Hijikata is almost instantly reversed. Basically, this really limits any tactical planning of how to use the energy for “Reversal”, and instead forces each move to be instantaneous. It is because of this that Hijikata does not really get along with Takaru, but in reality it is this ability that allows Hijikata to fight to his full potential as all of his tactical focus is on his swordsmanship. Finally, and probably the most beneficial effect of his ability, is that Hijikata is not harmed at all by any attack he is able to reverse.

Bankai Name: 怠けているたかる Namakete iru Takaru (lit. Lazy Bum/Mooch)

Bankai Appearance: Although the form (or lack thereof) that Takaru takes in its Shikai already makes it rather unique, it is the form that Namakete iru Takaru takes in its Bankai that truly makes this Zanpakutō unique. Any Shinigami can claim that their Bankai is unique or original or that its form truly sets it apart from others; but none can truly match just how different Hijikata’s Bankai is from every other. Of course, with all this buildup, one might expect Namakete iru Takaru to take some grand, extravagant form, but it is in that expectation that Takaru truly sets itself apart. So, it is with all of this hype that anyone might be surprised that Hijikata’s Zanpakutō does not change its physical appearance at all for its Bankai. Yes, that is correct; no matter which stage Takaru is in its form and physical appearance are the exact same with no physical changes at all. Because of the exact nature of Zanpakutō, Hijikata’s Takaru is probably an even rarer occurrence than dual/twin Zanpakutō. Of course, this lack of change truly does fit this Zanpakutō’s name and concept; the lazy moocher. Needless to say, it is the fact that Takaru’s Bankai is so lackluster, a seeming absence of even an honest attempt, that truly makes Hijikata and Takaru argue so much. In fact, when he first achieved Bankai, the first thing Hijikata did was get into the biggest and most violent argument with Takaru; and for a week afterwards Takaru refused to even manifest its sealed state. However, despite how much Hijikata may despise it, both Takaru’s ability and form for Bankai truly do fit him perfectly. It is not a representation of some hidden lazy side to him, but rather a symbol that Hijikata is truly able to stand on his own and beat his opponents through sheer skill alone. In fact, it is because Takaru maintains the form of a simple katana throughout all of its stages that Hijikata has been able to master the Zanjutsu techniques so proficiently, and why his skill with the sword is on a nearly unmatchable level; because his Zanpakutō’s spirit forces him to realize and unleash his true, full potential. In the end, this has been Takaru’s own unique way of teaching Hijikata, allowing his wielder to stand on his own two feet; and honestly, when the situation calls for it, the two can and will truly stand together.

Bankai Ability: ”Full Reversal”
As with its form, Namakete iru Takaru’s ability does not truly “change” much from its Shikai, but instead evolves the ability of “Reversal” to its final conclusion: “Full Reversal”. Essentially, while the ability remains the same, how it is executed, as well as its parameters and limitations are modified. For starters, once in Bankai, the opponent’s attacks that rely upon anything but pure, natural skill no longer has to make contact with Hijikata’s Zanpakutō to be reversed; but instead can be “absorbed and reversed” simply by making any form of contact with Hijikata’s body or Zanpakutō. Of course, because of this change in execution, the parameters of this ability have also been enhanced; broadening its range of effectiveness. First and foremost, the strength of all of Hijikata’s reversed attacks is now 85% of the original; making the “Reversals” almost as strong as the opponent’s actual attack, albeit without any special effects. Namakete iru Takaru is mainly able to do this because its form is kept so simple, meaning that it has so much more of its own energy to utilize in reversing any attack. Second, because his entire body is now used to reverse the powers/abilities/techniques, so long as it involves any form of contact with Hijikata; be it physical, spiritual, or mental, he is able to reverse it. That being said, this ability still cannot be used to reverse purely defensive abilities and passive abilities that only affect the opponent; unless said skill either reflects damage or can actually affect Hijikata in any way. A good example of this would be some of the Sugiura’s “Mystic Eye” abilities. Say Hijikata faced an opponent who was able to paralyze anyone who gazed into their eyes. While he could not affect the ability outright, if he were to look into their eyes which activated the effect, then the “power” used for said ability would be reversed back at the opponent; leaving Hijikata unaffected. That being said, because the energy required to use such abilities is so miniscule, the reversed attack would be miniscule and barely cause any damage. Moving along, Hijikata’s ability to reverse each races converted energy abilities, or their “magic/spells” (once again, such as Kidō) is also enhanced. In Bankai, Namakete iru Takaru allows Hijikata to reverse all attack “spells”, all binding “spells”, but still none of the purely defensive “spells”; unless said defensive “spell” has a “counter” effect, in which he will be able to reverse the entire “spell”. Essentially, Namakete iru Takaru’s ability is the closest there is to a “perfect” counter/reversal power; and that is because it is the ONLY ability it focuses on. Of course, no matter how “powerful” or potent this ability may be, it still has the exact same weakness/exploitability as it did in Shikai. So long as you refrain from using any of your abilities/powers when fighting against Hijikata, then the only thing his Bankai does is increase his speed and strength. In the end, Namakete iru Takaru’s ability is only lethal to those who rely too heavily upon their “supernatural” powers; so long as you can face Hijikata on your own merit then you negate any advantage of his Zanpakutō.

Bankai Techniques: As with its Shikai, Namakete iru Takaru reverses the attacks/powers/abilities in the same way; a forward blast for close range and a wave/blade for mid to long range. Of course, because Hijikata can now reverse 85% of the original attack’s “power/energy”, the strength of each of his reversed attacks is stronger. Not only that, but strength of each reversed attack is more compressed, so each one causes proportionally much more damage than in Shikai. Next, while in Bankai, Hijikata gains a third way to attack with “Reversal”, and that is to fire off the reversal omnidirectional from his body; essentially able to hit any opponent within a certain range of himself. Although this method is generally harder to successfully pull off than the other two because it is only effective against direct, physical power/ability attacks, it is extremely effective if it hits; as the opponent is harmed and staggered, but not thrown back any which allows for Hijikata to follow up the reverse directly with his own attack. It is also very effective for clearing any sort of ability that can surround him but does not actually make any contact or to damage multiple attacking opponents. Along with all of this, it should be no surprise that both Hijikata’s strength and speed are greatly enhanced while he is in Bankai; even more so than the other final stages of his opponents because of the extreme simplicity of his Bankai’s form and because its ability relies completely upon the opponent’s forms/powers/abilities. Finally, unlike its Shikai, Namakete iru Takaru does gain one actual effect that can be considered a “technique”.

閉鎖空間の破壊 Heisa Kūkan no Hakai (lit. Destruction of the Closed Space): The one and only actual “technique” granted to Hijikata through any of his Zanpakutō’s stages, Heisa Kūkan no Hakai is pretty much the only way Hijikata’s ability is able to technically “help” any allies. Meaning the “Destruction of the Closed Space”, this technique is the greatest way in which Hijikata can use Takaru’s ability against area, bounded field, target/range-specific, and “permanent” powers/abilities/techniques of an opponent. First of all, to even use this Technique, Hijikata must be in Bankai, and must be able to make direct, physical contact with some form, creation, or construct of said power/ability/technique. Once this step has been accomplished, all Hijikata has to do is allow for Namakete iru Takaru’s ability to take effect. Essentially, this technique allows Hijikata to use his Zanpakutō’s ability to literally “reverse a field’s FULL ability against itself to break it down”. Yes, when using this ability only, Hijikata is able to reverse 100% of a power/ability/technique against itself; but only against these “field” abilities and because it will not actually cause the opponent any damage. Also, any power/ability/technique destroyed or “broken” by this technique cannot be used again by the opponent for the rest of the thread. Of course, this ability is not without its drawbacks. As stated above, Hijikata must be able to make some form of physical contact with the actual “field” or its construct, but also, Hijikata is only able to use this technique once per thread; so it can only destroy one of these powers/abilities/techniques from one opponent. Additionally, there are two other sort of “nicknames” for this ability given to it by the few people who have seen its effect; they are “Bounded Field’s Destruction” and “The Bane of Reality Marbles”. These two “nicknames” have been given because, well; so long as the conditions are met, this technique allows Hijikata to break most any Bounded Field or Reality Marble which can then not be used again for the rest of the battle. Of course, this technique can be used against any and all of the stated types of powers/abilities/techniques; it is simply given those two “nicknames” because it is one of the few effective ways of dealing with those two types of powers.

Past

History: Born to a lesser noble family in the first district of the Rukongai, Hijikata’s life was quite different than most of the Rukongai denizens. Because of its status as a lesser noble family, Hijikata’s family was allowed access to the Seireitei, however they resided within the Junrinan district of the Rukongai officially. This is due both to their status as one of the least of the noble families, as well as the fact that they created and sold a medicine known as Ishida Sanyaku that was most popular within the Rukongai. Of course, because the medicine was so effective for minor wounds, bruises, and broken bones the family did occasionally sell its medicine to the 4th division and other Shinigami and nobles; the main reason they could travel to the Seireitei. While Hijikata himself did learn how to produce this medicine and helped his family in selling it, he had much bigger ambitions.

Even at a young age, Hijikata knew that he was born to be a warrior; his love for the sword apparent for as long as he can remember. Even before learning of the family’s medicine Hijikata began to train with a sword, and even when he began to sell said medicine did he continue to train his self-taught Kenjutsu. Ironically, because of how intensely Hijikata trained himself, he would often be left with many cuts, bruises, and sometimes even broken bones; meaning that he would often have to use his family’s own medicine. After a while, Hijikata’s talent was recognized by the master of a local dojo in the Rukongai, and without hesitation Hijikata enrolled. Needless to say, it was at this dojo that Hijikata was introduced to the sword style known as Tennen Rishin Ryu, as well as many of the ideas that he would carry with him later in life. Although he was still quite young at the time of his enrollment, Hijikata soon became one of the star pupils of the dojo, and by the time he left was considered to be one of the few true experts of Tennen Rishin Ryu. Of course, Hijikata would not remain at the dojo forever; as a dojo is but a school for practice, and Hijikata wanted to be a true warrior.

Around his 100th year of life, Hijikata left the Tennen Rishin Ryu dojo after making many friends and becoming an officially listed master of the style. Of course, his departure was definitely not the end of his swordsmanship career; instead being more of a beginning. As he had learned all that he could from the dojo, Hijikata soon set his sights on the Shinō Academy and Gotei 13. Having seen many a Shinigami since birth due to his family’s access to the Seireitei, Hijikata knew that he wanted to become a Shinigami soon after he knew he wanted to be a warrior. Of course, because of his time at the Tennen Rishin Ryu dojo, his already renown skill with a sword, and (although it was not much) his family’s status as a lesser noble family; entrance into the Shinō Academy was all but guaranteed for Hijikata. In fact, that he had to take the entrance exam was nothing more than a formality for Hijikata; and needless to say he achieved the highest score on the exam of that year. Because of his already extensive knowledge/learning in swordsmanship, however, Hijikata was placed in an advanced class.

Hijikata’s years at the academy, well… to be honest, were definitely not the most exciting. Yes, he did excel in most all of his classes, especially in the areas of Zanjutsu (in which he soon became a master), Hoho, and to a slightly lesser extent Hakuda. Yes, he was quite popular with the ladies because of his good looks which also made some of the males dislike him. Yes, he did display a high level of competence in communicating with his Zanpakutō (prior to unlocking Shikai and meeting its spirit for the first time) as well as using it in battle. However, despite all of these “seemingly interesting” occurrences, Hijikata’s time in the academy was simply too short for it to have been of much importance to his life; his time at the dojo being more important. Well, ok, it was important that he attended the academy, and although he did form a few relationships while attending it, most of these accomplishments could have been achieved without actually attending. Still, it was a requirement, and so after only 3 years (half of the normal enrollment) Hijikata had graduated from the academy and was quickly assigned to a squad. Because of his natural talent and achievements, he easily obtained a seated position in one of the squads.

Soon after graduation, Hijikata unlocked his Shikai and first met his Zanpakutō Spirit Takaru. Of course, given their conflicting natures, this first meeting was anything but normal. It all began in the standard manner; Hijikata meditating after much practice until he was finally deemed strong enough and thus forth allowed access to his inner world. Initially Hijikata was actually impressed a bit by his inner world; it was not really complex, but it had an overall “eastern” quality to it that made it look like a scene from Japanese artwork. After taking time for an initial assessment, Hijikata soon made his way towards the small shrine at the center; the logical place for the spirit to be. However, as he drew close enough to the shrine, Hijikata soon began to realize that there was going to be some trouble. In fact, once he actually stood in front of the spirit and shrine, Hijikata soon saw that his Zanpakutō Spirit was actually sleeping. Needless to say, this really pissed Hijikata off, and after yelling at the spirit to “get its lazy ass up”, their first meeting truly began.

Of course, Hijikata quickly realized that his Zanpakutō’s Spirit had a personality almost exactly opposite his own. Even the way it spoke was quite different than himself; not to mention the fact that the spirit remained lying for a good portion of the conversation. After a brief attempt at civility, this “conversation” between the two soon turned rather hostile as Hijikata began to argue with the spirit. In fact, Hijikata really only discovered the name of his Zanpakutō on accident, as one of his insults was “How the hell can you be so lazy? Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if your name were something like Takaru”. Yes, Hijikata quite literally just guessed at the name of his Zanpakutō, and with a laugh, Takaru told him that he was correct. Leaving his inner world soon after, Hijikata remained pissed for the rest of that day, not even attempting to discover his Shikai’s power. Of course, the following day, upon learning Takaru’s one and only power, Hijikata became even angrier.

Despite the fact that he did not get along well with his Zanpakutō Spirit, Hijikata continued to push himself to become an even greater warrior; almost in spite of the spirit. Because of this determination, as well as his natural abilities and leadership potential, Hijikata quickly advanced through the ranks of his squad over the years. After many more years, Hijikata even attempted to learn his Zanpakutō’s Bankai; hoping that it was at least better than his Shikai. Needless to say, after achieving Bankai, Hijikata was less than impressed, and because of their argument that followed, Takaru refused to manifest as even its sealed state for the next week. Still, despite his issues with his Zanpakutō, Hijikata has continuously proven himself as a skilled warrior, and through the missions he has been placed in charge of, has definitely earned his alias as “The Demon Commander”.

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