Isane Kotetsu

Isane Kotetsu (虎徹勇音) is the former lieutenant of the 4th Division, formerly under the late Captain Retsu Unohana.

She is now the Captain of the 4th Division, and her lieutenant is her younger sister, Kiyone Kotetsu, the former 13th Division's 3rd Seat.

Background

Not much about her past is reveal. Not even about her parents or about her early childhood. However she was born on the day of August 2nd.

Personality

Isane Kotetsu is described as being a generally very quiet and observant type of person, with a strong sense of loyalty. She can also be very impatient in the face of an powerful enemy, by rushing in after enemies that she has no chance of defeating, including the seemingly unstoppable Sosuke Aizen. She deeply looks up to Retsu Unohana as a mentor, and mother figure. It is noted by Unohana that Isane suffers from frequent and recurring nightmares at night, in which are often odd or whimsical in their contents. For an example, she once had a nightmare involving kamaboko (a fishcake made of pureed surimi), which she intensely dislikes overall. Also according to Unohana, she never rarely talks in a girly manner. Her favorite food, on the other hand, is porridge, much to the extent that she is capable of eating it as the three main meals on the same day.

When Isane has time off from fighting hollows, she goes to see her little sister Kiyone and vice versa. They are very close sisters who enjoy meeting up and having fun together. Recently, her favorite place to hang out is the Kuchiki estate, in the "secret base of the Shinigami Women's Association". She is a notable memorable member of the latter Association, where her meek nature occasionally gets her in trouble with group activities including getting captured alongside Nemu Kurotsuchi when attempting to take a picture of Byakuya Kuchiki.

Believing that the nutrient level of porridge is very low, Isane started eating porridge when she passed 170 cm in height as she did not want to get any taller. However, she did not stop until reaching 187 cm, as her height while being another source of frustration for her makes her angry. Once, after hearing of how sleeping helps children grow, she decides to not sleep again in order to halt her growth. During a meeting of the Shinigami Women's Association, she propose a Denreishinki sturdy enough to not break if it is dropped from a height of 2 meters, only to be told by Nanao Ise that it is not a common problem for her.

She was deeply saddened by her division mentors death even after reading a letter that was written and given to her by Retsu. After her mentors death, Isane took up the leadership of the Division that she was on and even wore a outfit attire that is a little similar to her late mentor. Showing that she still cares about Retsu and carries on her mentors teachings at heart.

Appearance

Isane Kotetsu is a tall, young looking beautiful woman with gray eyes and short messy silver hair with strands on the right side of her face that are shoulder length, and styled as two thin braids. She has fair skin and two thick eyebrows. She wears a thin dangling red earring on each ear, and a standard Shinigami uniform with her lieutenant badge on her left arm.

Ten years after Yhwach's defeat, Isane's hair is now straight down and smooth, although she retains the two thin braids she had while previously serving under Unohana's service. As captain, Isane wears a typical white captain haori. Underneath, she now also wears a large white cloth belt similar to that of Unohana's.

Abilities

Kido Expert

Isane Kotetsu is shown to be highly proficient in Kido spells, and apparently is excelling in chaining multiple spells together for various effects. While being the second most proficient in healing Kido in the 4th Division, she has good understanding of binding spells as well. She is also shown using Hado #1 Sho and #31 Shakkaho, thus revealing that she is skilled in the use of destructive spells as well.

Expert Healer

As the lieutenant of the 4th Division, Isane excels in healing techniques, being second in the 4th Division only to her captain. She is also known for speedily providing medical attention.

Shunpo Practitioner

Isane is proficient enough in to keep up with her captain.

High Spiritual Power

Being a lieutenant of the Gotei 13, Isane boasts a high level of spiritual energy.

Itegumo

Itegumo aka Frozen Cloud (凍雲) but in the English version "Frozen Snow". In its sealed form, Itegumo takes the form of a katana with a deep blue handle and a pointed round guard, somewhat similar to a snowflake. It is kept sheathed on the left side of Isane's waist.

Shikai

Its Shikai command is "Run" (奔れ). When its Shikai is activated, two smaller blades protrude from Itegumo's hilt at 45° angles.

Shikai Special Ability

Unknown

Bankai

Not Yet Achieved

Bleach (Anime)

Soul Society arc

Isane Kotetsu is mostly seen around Retsu Unohana. She is present when Unohana confirms to Sajin Komamura and Kaname Tosen that Aizen is dead. When Hanataro Yamada went back to the 4th Division after he met with Jushiro Ukitake, he gets in trouble with his Captain. However, when Isane is walking with him afterwards, Hanataro asks if what he had done was wrong, and Isane answers he was brave for what he did.

Isane attends the execution of Rukia Kuchiki with her captain on the Sokyoku Hill as well as her rescue by Ichigo Kurosaki. She appears upset by Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's false promise to allow Rukia's would-be rescuers to leave safely after her execution, but Unohana tells her that he said it so she could die in peace. After Rukia is handed off to Renji Abarai to get away, Isane hesitantly joins with Chojiro Sasakibe and Marechiyo Omaeda after them. She releases her Zanpakutō to fight against Ichigo, but is taken down, albeit much lighter than the other two. After her defeat, her little sister Kiyone runs over to aid her, but Sui-Feng intercepts her and knocks her to the ground. If not for the fast action of Yoruichi Shihoin, Kiyone would have been killed.

Unohana picks up Isane, and when she starts to apologize for failing to defeat Ichigo, Unohana tells her to calm down. After dropping the wounded off, Isane and Unohana quickly head to Central 46. They arrive at the scene in time to see Aizen defeat Toshiro Hitsugaya. Captain Unohana announces her presence to the traitors while citing her own suspicions surrounding Aizen's staged death.

She also goes on to claim that the Offices of Central 46 Chambers was the only place he could hide and mentions the use of an elaborate corpse doll on his part. Aizen then points out the mistakes in her analysis, while also commending her for seeing through his deception. Isane learns of Sosuke Aizen's betrayal, and reveals that she and the other lieutenants thought Kyoka Suigetsu was a running water-type Zanpakuto, not one with the ability of perfect hypnosis.

Isane prepares to attack Aizen, but he and Gin Ichimaru quickly get away before she can get near them. Unohana then instructs Isane to use her Kido skills, both in tracking down Aizen and communicating with the remainder of the Soul Society, as well as the Ryoka, on the emergent schemes of the traitorous captain.

After the end of the incident, Isane assists the rest of her squad in healing the wounded. In the middle of the night, she wakes up while having a nightmare about fish paste. She wanders out to get some air while trying to decide what to do, only to be discovered by her Captain, who gently tells her to get some sleep.

Bounts arc

Isane makes several minor appearances in the Bount arc, most notably along with her Captain and 3rd Seat Yasochika Iemura by healing wounded soldiers and later informing Toshiro Hitsugaya of updates during Jin Kariya's invasion of the Seireitei. At the same time, when she tries some of Rangiku's cooking, which judging from a disgusted sound Isane makes, tastes revolting.

Zanpakuto Unknown Tales arc

Isane appears with Momo Hinamori at the 10th Division office, being surprised to find Rangiku's Zanpakuto sticking out of the ground. When Rangiku tells her that she is trying to communicate with her Zanpakuto, Isane tells her that her own Zanpakuto, Itegumo hasn't been responsive lately, something that has never happened with her before. Later on, she is summoned along with most of the other high-ranking Shinigami to the Sokyoku Hill as Muramasa and the other manifested Zanpakuto Spirits appear before their former masters, and is ordered to treat Lieutenant Chojiro Sasakibe after he is injured by the Zanpakuto. She and her captain are later visited by Nemu with a request by Mayuri Kurotsuchi that Unohana come to the 12th Division barracks. After Rukia is injured by Sode no Shirayuki, Isane is seen treating her as she wakes up. When Rukia asks about Ichigo's condition, Isane mentions that his location is unknown and no one can go looking for him with the current situation. However, Ichigo eventually returns on his own after subduing Zangetsu. She appears with Unohana later as she goes to tend the wounded. Though she tries to say something to her captain, she decides not to and leaves.

Later, she is out in the Seireitei, informing Lieutenant Tetsuzaemon Iba that Sui-Feng and the Onmitsukido have closed in on the Zanpakuto Spirits in the 6th Division's barracks. As they both decide assist them, they are confronted by Ashisogi Jizo. It tries to attack them with a blast of poison gas, but she uses a Sho Kido spell to knock it away, and Tetsuzaemon uses his sword to cut down a building and trap it underneath the rubble. They try to leave to inform Mayuri about the situation, but are confronted by Haineko and Tobiume before they are able to leave. Ashisogi Jizo recovers as well. Isane tries to hit it with a Shakkaho Kido spell, but it manages to avoid it and attacks her with several blades bursting through its front.

Isane barely manages to block the blow, but is knocked backwards. While she tries to recover, she realizes that she can't move her legs. Tobiume explains that when Ashisogi strikes a limb, it becomes immobile, and that since Isane can't move her legs, Ashisogi Jizō's attack must have struck both of her legs. Despite her immobility, she tries to fight back against Tobiume, but the Zanpakutō Spirit avoids her attack and tries to retaliate. However, Momo Hinamori arrives to block the blow. Rangiku Matsumoto arrives as well and attempts to fight Haineko, but Ashisogi Jizo confronts them and spews a large cloud of poison at all four of the lieutenants. Tetsuzaemon and Rangiku then help an injured Isane to run away along with Hinamori, but Ashisogi Jizo assumes its Bankai form and pursues. Even though they manage to escape, the four lieutenants collapse, affected by the Zanpakuto's enhanced poison. Isane is later seen in the 4th Division Headquarters, receiving treatment.

Beast Swords arc

Isane comes into Nanao Ise's temporary office and offers her a box of cookies that Momo Hinamori made. It when she is about to make tea for the two that she notices that the tea leaves have vanished. She and Nanao then report this piece of information to the rest of the captains.

Hueco Mundo arc

Isane arrives in Hueco Mundo with her Captain, Hanatro, Byakuya Kuchiki, Kenpachi Zaraki, Yachiro Kusajishi, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, and Nemu Kurotsuchi. When Isane and Unohana arrive, they are met by Rudbornn Chelute and the Exequias, who flee after hearing Retsu Unohana is a Captain. Isane prepares to chase after them, but Unohana stops her. She and Unohana proceed to heal Yasutora "Chad" Sado and Ganetenbainne Mosequeda. She later tracks down Byakuya's location and does not appear until after his battle with the 7th Espada Zommari Rureaux. She then proceeds to heal Hanataro and Rukia.

Fake Karakura Town arc

After Mayuri Kurotsuchi announces that he can get Ichigo Kurosaki back to the Human World with a Garganta, Unohana offers to accompany Ichigo back to Karakura Town. Before they leave, she orders Isane to assist Byakuya and the remaining forces in Las Noches. After Aizen is defeated by Ichigo, Isane returns to the Soul Society via Garganta along with Hanataro, Byakuya and Zaraki.

Gotei 13 Invasion army arc

Having been locked away by Kageroza Inaba. Isane is freed by Yoruichi Shihoin, and carries an injured Akon to the confrontation with Inaba. She later joins the other lieutenants in fighting the Reigai with the captains. Despite evening out the numbers, Isane and the other Shinigami are still pressured by the Reigai. With Byakuya injured, Reigai-Yumichika attacks her and keeps her occupied so that she is unable to heal him.

The 10 Thousand Year Blood War arc

After the release of Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto's Bankai during his battle with Yhwach, Isane notes that her skin had suddenly become dry, to which Unohana remarks that she had said something really girly, greatly embarrassing Isane. Isane stays within the 4th Division's building with Unohana throughout the Wandenreich incursion. After the enemy departs, the rattled Isane begins to question if staying inside was the right thing to when so many people were dying. Gently berating her, Unohana tells Isane to not act based on her emotions. Breaking into tears, Isane is then reminded that it was the Captain-Commander's last order for them to remain inside. Later, she stands looking out the window, clutching onto a note left to her by Unohana before bursting into tears.

Later Isane bears witness to the swift, and complete invasion of the Soul Society by the Wandenreich.

The next day, Rukia Kuchiki brings the grievously injured Captain Rojuro Ōtoribashi and Captain Kensei Muguruma to her for urgent medical care and Isane sets about healing them. While Isane is healing, Yachiru Kusajishi, who she had enlisted to help her, comes and brings her beds to lay the wounded on. Telling Yachiru to be quieter so they aren't noticed, Isane apologizes for giving her such a dangerous job. When Isane thinks it's a miracle Yachiru hasn't been found considering how loud she is, she is surprised by a voice coming seemingly from nowhere which correctly deduces her thoughts. Trying to locate the voice's origin, Isane is asked where she is looking as Sternritter V, Guenael Lee, appears behind her and grabs her. The Sternritter is punched away by Yachiru, making him disappear. When Yachiru is hit by the Sternritter, Isane runs over to her. She then listens to Guenael introducing himself and his power.

Asking Yachiru what happened to her, Isane is shocked when Guenael appears behind them. Asking if he is a Sternritter, she listens as he confirms this and notes he has already said it before. When Guenael cuts Yachiru, Isane, having forgotten the Quincy, asks why she was suddenly wounded. Guenael proceeds to toy with them, with Yachiru continuously trying to hit him while he vanishes and she forgets all about him between every punch. Isane asks why she keeps punching someone she can't be sure is an enemy and receives a very illogical answer. She then watches as Yachiru draws her sword.

Watching Yachiru playing with the creatures manifested by her Shikai, Isane thinks about how unusual the Shikai is. She then sees Guenael rising again and is very surprised when he is cut through the shoulder. She is shocked by the appearance of another Sternritter within the force field she set up to heal the wounded captains. She is confused by Gremmy's claim he created Guenael through his imagination. After watching Guenael's demise at the hands of Gremmy, she demands the Quincy to move away from the wounded, causing him to reveal he's already killed them. She runs to check and discovers the Sternritter's claim to be true.

When Kenpachi Zaraki arrives, Isane asks where Unohana is. She is saddened when she learns of Unohana's death, but is relieved to know that Kenpachi Zaraki has fully inherited her title. She is shocked when Gremmy elevates the ground they stand on. She warns Kenpachi to be careful as she leaves, taking the bodies of Rose and Kensei to safety.

Later, Isane goes to Urahara's laboratory, where she assists in the healing of the wounded 11th Division members. When Ukitake claims it was all thanks to her and Hanatarō's work, Isane states that they could not have done it without Ukitake's guidance. After Kenpachi agrees to leave the search for his lieutenant to the rest of the 11th Division, Urahara gives Isane a sphere to charge with her Reiatsu. When the Shinigami reach Wahrwelt, Isane runs through the city alongside several other Shinigami as Lille Barro begins picking off the stragglers.

Ten years after the defeat of Yhwach, Isane has become the 4th Division's captain, with her little sister Kiyone serving as her lieutenant. As they attend the promotion ceremony of Rukia Kuchiki to captain of the 13th Division, Isane attempts to take the steam out of a confrontation between Kenpachi Zaraki and Suì-Fēng, prompting Kiyone to tell her not to be subservient to others.

Echoing Jaws of Hell arc

Twelve years after the defeat of Yhwach, Mayuri Kurotsuchi uses various holograms to inform the Gotei 13 officers about former 13th Division Captain Jūshirō Ukitake's Konsō Reisai. Startled, Isane and her third seat, Hanatarō Yamada, apologize to the hologram of Mayuri, though Kiyone chastises them by pointing out that neither of them have done anything wrong here.[43] Isane later accompanies the other captains to Ukitake's grave to perform the Konsō Reisai, where she and the others learn that the ritual serves to send the deceased captains' souls to Hell.

Video Games

Isane Kotetsu is a playable character in the following video games:

Bleach: Blade Battlers
Bleach: Blade Battlers 2nd
Bleach: Soul Carnival
Bleach: Soul Carnival 2
Bleach: The 3rd Phantom
Bleach: Flame Bringer
Bleach: Heat the Soul
Bleach: Heat the Soul 2
Bleach: Heat the Soul 3
Bleach: Heat the Soul 4
Bleach: Heat the Soul 5
Bleach: Heat the Soul 6
Bleach: Heat the Soul 7
Bleach: The Shattered Blade
Bleach: The Blade of Fate
Bleach: Dark Souls
Bleach GC: Tasogare ni Mamieru Shinigami
Bleach: Versus Crusade
Bleach: Hanatareshi Yabou
Bleach Advance: Kurenai ni Somaru Soul Society
Bleach: Erabareshi Tamashii
Bleach: Brave Souls
Bleach: Paradise Lost

Quotes

Relationships

Retsu Unohana

Yachiru Kusajishi

Knownable Relatives

Unnamed Mother
Unnamed Father
Kiyone Kotetsu (Little Sister)

Trivia

Her birthday is August 2.
Her star sign is a Leo.
Her favorite food is porridge.
Her theme song, as chosen by Tite Kubo, is "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None The Richer.
She shares the same Japanese voice actress as Lalamon from Digimon Data Squad.
She shares the same name as Kotetsu Hagane from Naruto.

Voice Actresses

Japanese : Yukana Nogami (2005 – Present)
English : Stephanie Sheh (2007 – Present)

all information on Isane Kotetsu came from http://bleach.wikia.com/wiki/Isane_Kotetsu