Isane Kotetsu

Origin

Isane Kotetsu is the lieutenant of the 4th Division of Gotei 13. She is the older sister of Kiyone Kotetsu, who's an officer of the 13th Division.

Creation

BLEACH Vol. 13 JPN (Jun 2004)

The character of Isane Kotetsu is a supporting character of the BLEACH series that was created by Tite Kubo, It first began serialization Weekly Shonen Jump in August 2001. She was first introduced during the Soul Society: The Sneak Entry story arc story arc that began in Volume 9.

She first appeared in BLEACH Volume 13, CH. 109 "Like a Tiger Treading on the Flowers", and her first anime appearance was in BLEACH - Episode 46 "Authentic Records! School Of Shinigami". Her character in the Japanese series is voiced by Yukana Nogami, and the U.S. dub produced by VIZ Media is done by Stephanie Sheh.

Isane's favorite food is porridge and could eat it for all three meals of the day. On the other hand, she hates kamaboko (fishcake).

Character Evolution

" .........Kamaboko?! "

Isane Kotetsu "BLEACH"

Isane Kotetsu is a tall young woman with a reserved personality. She has short silver hair in a sloppy chop cut and four thin-long braids, two on her right side and two on her left. Unlike her younger sister, Isane is generally quiet and observant, though she does share her sister's sense of loyalty to her captain. She looks to Captain Retsu Unohana as a mentor and mother figure. She's close to her sister, and the two visit each other frequently when off duty. She is rather sensitive about her height. When she heard that growth in children helps them sleep, she tried to avoid sleeping. She does suffer from frequent nightmares.

Birthday: August 2

Hair: Silver

Eyes: Gray

Height: 187 cm (6'1½")

Weight: 70 kg (154 lbs)

Major Story Arcs

Soul Society: The Rescue Arc

During the invasion of the Seireitei by four humans and a resident of the Soul Society, Captain Sosuke Aizen had been found murdered, and the body had been brought to Captain Retsu Unohana to investigate. Isane was present when one of her 4th Division members, Hanatarō Yamada, was brought to Captain Unohana for disciple for helping some of the enemy. Has she was walking with Hanataro, she encouraged him that what he did was courageous.

Isane and Sasakibe defeated by Ichigo Kurosaki

Later at the Sōkyoku Hill for Rukia Kuchiki's execution, Isane thought it was cruel for Chief-Commander Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryusai to lie to Rukia about honoring her last request to let the humans leave who were trying to rescue her. Captain Unohana said he was trying to be kind so Rukia wouldn't die with regret. Though, Rukia was saved when one of the invaders, Ichigo Kurosake, stopped the Sōkyoku and freed Rukia. She was tossed to Renji Abarai, and Captain Soi Fon ordered all Lieutenants to pursue her. Unohana reluctantly agreed for Isane to join the chase. They didn't get far when Ichigo stood in their path and defeated all three with his bare hands. Isane though was only hit hard enough to lose consciousness.

Isane and Unohana discover Aizen alive

Unohana had gathered all the wounded from Sōkyoku Hill using her Shikai. Isane woke up part way to the 4th Division base to drop off the more seriously wounded, and she joined Unohana to the Central 46 headquarters. They found the Central 46 broken into and it's members had been dead for weeks. Further in the living quarters, they discovered that Sousuke Aizen was alive and fighting Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya. Unohana realized that Aizen had been hiding out in the Central 46's living quarters. He teleported away with Gin Ichimaru, and Unohana had Isane spread the word of Aizen's treachery. Aizen was able to escape to Hueco Mundo with Gin and Kaname Tousen with the Hogyoku that was hidden inside Rukia's Gigai form. The invaders were now accepted as allies, and Isane helped in tending to all the wounded.

Heuco Mundo Arc

Isane and Hanataro joined Captain Unohana as her escort to assist the retaliation attack in Hueco Mundo. Shortly after their arrival, Unohana and Isane were approached by the Arrancar, Rudobon; and his Exequias forces. They ran after hearing Unohana's name. They treat the sound of Sado Yasutora and Gantenbainne Mosqueda, an Arrancar. Unohana then asked Isane to check on Hanataro, who had gone after Captain Byakuya Kuchiki and Rukia. There she treats the wounds of both Hantaro and Rukia.

Fake Karakura Town Arc

The need to get Ichigo Kurosaki back to Karakura Town in the Human World was a priority to stop Aizen. Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi and Nemu opened the gate, and Unohana escorted Ichigo through the Garganta. Before leaving, Unohana gave Isane orders to tend to the injuries of their forces at Las Noches. Ichigo mangaed to defeat Aizen, but at the cost of his Soul Reaper powers.

Powers & Abilities

Isane possesses exceptional skill and power as a lieutenant in the Gotei 13 and graduated from the Shino Academy. As a member of the 4th Division, she more specializes in healing techniques, but has shown talents in using some offensive attacks.

• Master Healer: Isane is a medical expert with no known rival when it comes to healing and medicine. She is the second most proficient in use of healing techniques in the 4th Division.
• Kido: Kido is a form of Demon Magic used by Soul Reapers and each is educated in it's use at the academy. One of Isane's more remarkable talents is shown in how she can combine spells. She has shown skill in uing Hadō #1 Sho and #31 and Shakkahō, an offensive technique.
• Flash Step: Flash Step (Shunpo) is a technique that allows the Soul Reaper to moves at incredible speed that is hard to see.

Zanpakutō

Itegumo's sealed form

The Zanpakuto of Isane Kotesu is named the Iteumo (凍雲), which translates as "Frozen Cloud". It looks to be a regular katana, but transforms when released. The particles move through the air as a blade and will cut as she directs with the handle. She has not been shown to of reached Bankai level of release. Though it's unknown if she has attempted the training.

Itegumo Forms

Sealed Form

The sealed for is the first stage of the Itegumo. In this form it merely appears as an elegantly crafted katana with a long blade. The guard is a six-pointed snowflake pattern with a short spike at each point. The handle is wrapped in blue cloth.

Shikai

Itegumo in Shikai form

The Shikai is the first released stage of the zanpakuto. Similar to many other swords of the Soul Reapers, the handle nor the guard of Haineko change. The most drastic change is seen in the blade itself. When released, two smaller blades protrude from Itegumo's hilt at 45° angles. Its special abilities, if any, remain unknown.

Other Media

Isane Kotetsu is a character in BLEACH and has made numerous appearances in the different products based on Tite Kubo's original manga. These include the anime, animated movies, and video games.

Anime

In the original anime that aired in Japan of Tite Kubo's BLEACH series, Isane is a popular character that's made brief appearances in even filler arcs. In the Shinigami Cup omake's, she is shown to be a member of the Shinigami Women's Association.

Movies

Games