NAKAJIMA SOUTA
SHINIGAMI
4th Seat, 3rd Division
Personnel File
Age: 62
Birthday: July 10th, 1300
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Japanese
Physical Specifications
Height: 173 Cm | ~5’8”
Weight: 63 Kgs | ~139 Lbs
Eyes: Blue
Hair: White
General Appearance: Souta is, for all intents and purposes, not much to look at. Slightly taller than average, he lacks much in the way of muscle mass, and comes across as rather slim and sickly. His demeanor does a little alleviate this, as he can usually be found with a slight smile on his face, though it rarely reaches his eyes, and is almost never genuine. He typically wears his Shihakusho a tad loose, allowing the billowing fabric to hide his frame, but otherwise appears to be a model Shinigami, at least in how he dresses.
His hair is usually kept short and somewhat messy, as he rarely bothers to comb or style it, preferring to simply rake a hand through it when it becomes too unruly for him to read or see. When not on duty, he tends to wear more relaxed outfits in cool, bold colors, particular blues and whites. He keeps his Zanpakuto on his left hip, blade side up, as he was taught to do in the Academy.
Psychological Profile
Manipulative and conniving, Souta is an amoral and ruthless man whose sole desire in life seems to be to advance his position within the Gotei. Despite the friendly, laidback nature he puts on, there are few who can match his drive to improve, as he is constantly pouring his free time into developing what talents he has, no matter the cost to those around him. A man dedicated to his craft, he isn’t keen on making friends, preferring to keep others at a healthy distance from his true self, which has led him to hold a rather loose set of morals, one that focuses on himself and his wants rather than anything resembling justice or order.
Deceptive by default, Souta is a natural social chameleon, blending into whatever group he happens to join as easily as breathing, though he rarely manages to stand out as anyone of particular import. Rather, he is always the trusted outsider, the one people seem willing to turn to when they feel unable to speak to anyone else- a fact that he has used more than once to ruin a potential rival's career, without anyone ever knowing for certain. When it comes to dealing with problems, he prefers to work around issues rather than against them, circumventing and subverting whenever and wherever possible, though if pushed into a corner he can and will use his talent with Kido to beat an enemy down.
While he was trained in how to use a blade, Souta prefers to rely on Hado and Bakudo in a scrap, as he finds them to be far more elegant than swinging his weapon about, a sentiment many of his fellows in the Kido Corps share.
Zanpakutō File
Zanpakutō Spirit: Tatemae (建前; Lit. “Built up,” Fig. “Facade”) is, in many ways, the light to Souta’s shadow: bright, bubbly, and almost saccharine-sweet in her seeming childishness, she takes the form of a tall, regal-looking woman with jet-black hair and amber-gold eyes. Clad in the finest of Imperial Regalia, all white, Tatemae appears at first glance to be exactly what her apparel implies- a queen, an Empress who presides over the unwashed masses with all the aloof dignity befitting her station.
The illusion is shattered, however, the moment she opens her mouth: at once both childishly mischievous and deceptively cruel, Tatemae is a spirit who revels in lying, misdirection, and subterfuge, not for some grand purpose, but simply because she can. Her every action is layered in meaning, and oftentimes she will play tricks on Souta (such as when they first met and she pretended to be a mangy dog), trying to get him to believe something that isn’t true- or, if he sees through the deception, teach him some lesson she finds important.
Tatemae embodies both the childishness of Souta’s desires (which he resolutely denies) and his inherent tendency for deception, both towards himself and others. She lives in a perpetual paradox of wanton, reckless abandon and an ever more tangled web of lies and facades that ought to be impossible to keep up with, yet aren’t. This is not to say there are no similarities between wielder and spirit, as they both share an intense well of passion, and when pressed Tatemae has confessed she agrees with Souta’s quest for Captainship- but whereas Souta seems to drift between manic highs and crushingly depressive lows, Tatemae never fails to find enjoyment in what she does, even if she finds it distasteful.
Inner World
Souta’s Inner World manifests as a sprawling, labyrinthine palace of solid marble whose corridors twist around upon themselves in impossible ways, creating a maze of walls and rooms that is all but impossible to navigate. At times unbearably hot and bone-shatteringly cold, sometimes from one step to the next, the Palace is light by a series of floating orbs that emit light only when a person is present- however, that light is often twisted by Tatemae, presenting him with a puzzle or challenge to overcome before he can meet with the spirit.
Sealed Zanpakutō
Souta’s sealed Zanpakuto manifests as a simple but functional katana, 102 Cm from kisaki to koshira, which is kept in immaculate condition, as he has it cleaned and polished regularly, to the point that it all but shine even in the dimmest of lights.
The blade is stored in a blue saya decorated with swirling splotches of red and gold, and is lacquered to an almost reflective sheen. The tsuba matches, forming an iron-black circle of lines that spiral out from the center, while its menuki shows signs of ornateness, being cast from gold in the form of a coiled, winged serpent. The blade has a small tsuka-ito of blue silk, interwoven with black, and is capped by flat kashira of polished iron.
Shikai Appearance
"Blind, Tatemae"
Tatemae’s Shikai does not create any outward change in the blade’s form- however, it is accompanied by a glow along the length of the weapon, as if the light around it is being twisted and shaped by some unknown force. This glow shifts and folds in on itself constantly, granting the blade a cloudy, almost tempestuous appearance not unlike a miniature tornado (albeit one that changes color repeatedly).
Shikai Abilities: Tatemae’s ability is deceptively simple: once released, Souta has the ability to craft “hard” illusions that are made of light bent and twisted around itself, then given a solid form by his Reiryoku. These illusions, while three-dimensional and possessing a physical form, are not capable of causing harm, as the slightest touch will cause them to blur and distort, and can easily be scattered if one simply waves an arm through one a few times.
Bankai Appearance
"Your release phrase"
If applicable, describe how your character's appearance and Zanpakutō change when entering Bankai. Otherwise, remove this section.
Bankai Abilities: If applicable, describe your character's power while in Bankai and how it relates to your character. Otherwise, remove this section.
Documented History
Prologue
Souta was born the fifth son of two wealthy but otherwise unassuming merchants in the 21st District of the Rukon. Despite living in relative comfort and ease, Souta felt a distinct distaste with his lot in life, as he had little chance of ever moving beyond his social station, and no real prospects for advancement beyond becoming a clerk in one his father’s shops. So it was, at the age of just twenty-two, with no real hope or goal in mind, Souta took the entrance exam for the Academy- and passed.
Given the opportunity to become a Shinigami, the young man took it, and soon found himself blessed by the choice; though his physical abilities were lacking, he showed a distinct aptitude for Kido, excelling in both the theory and practice of both Hado and Bakudo (though he only ever vaguely understood the theory behind Kaido). With a great deal of hard work, he was able to graduate in the upper half of his class, joining the 3rd Division.
Relevant Background
Though lacking in raw power, Souta’s skill and creativity allowed him to rise through the ranks rather quickly, catching the attention of the 3rd Division’s 3rd Seat, Ameyuki Ichika, who took him under her wing and began to teach him (in her roundabout way) the ins and outs of being both a Shinigami and a member of the Kido Corps in particular.
With Ichika’s assistance and his own scheming, Souta was eventually able to rise to his current position, which he hopes to use as a springboard to the higher ranks.
SHINIGAMI
4th Seat, 3rd Division
Personnel File
Age: 62
Birthday: July 10th, 1300
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Japanese
Physical Specifications
Height: 173 Cm | ~5’8”
Weight: 63 Kgs | ~139 Lbs
Eyes: Blue
Hair: White
General Appearance: Souta is, for all intents and purposes, not much to look at. Slightly taller than average, he lacks much in the way of muscle mass, and comes across as rather slim and sickly. His demeanor does a little alleviate this, as he can usually be found with a slight smile on his face, though it rarely reaches his eyes, and is almost never genuine. He typically wears his Shihakusho a tad loose, allowing the billowing fabric to hide his frame, but otherwise appears to be a model Shinigami, at least in how he dresses.
His hair is usually kept short and somewhat messy, as he rarely bothers to comb or style it, preferring to simply rake a hand through it when it becomes too unruly for him to read or see. When not on duty, he tends to wear more relaxed outfits in cool, bold colors, particular blues and whites. He keeps his Zanpakuto on his left hip, blade side up, as he was taught to do in the Academy.
Psychological Profile
Manipulative and conniving, Souta is an amoral and ruthless man whose sole desire in life seems to be to advance his position within the Gotei. Despite the friendly, laidback nature he puts on, there are few who can match his drive to improve, as he is constantly pouring his free time into developing what talents he has, no matter the cost to those around him. A man dedicated to his craft, he isn’t keen on making friends, preferring to keep others at a healthy distance from his true self, which has led him to hold a rather loose set of morals, one that focuses on himself and his wants rather than anything resembling justice or order.
Deceptive by default, Souta is a natural social chameleon, blending into whatever group he happens to join as easily as breathing, though he rarely manages to stand out as anyone of particular import. Rather, he is always the trusted outsider, the one people seem willing to turn to when they feel unable to speak to anyone else- a fact that he has used more than once to ruin a potential rival's career, without anyone ever knowing for certain. When it comes to dealing with problems, he prefers to work around issues rather than against them, circumventing and subverting whenever and wherever possible, though if pushed into a corner he can and will use his talent with Kido to beat an enemy down.
While he was trained in how to use a blade, Souta prefers to rely on Hado and Bakudo in a scrap, as he finds them to be far more elegant than swinging his weapon about, a sentiment many of his fellows in the Kido Corps share.
Zanpakutō File
Zanpakutō Spirit: Tatemae (建前; Lit. “Built up,” Fig. “Facade”) is, in many ways, the light to Souta’s shadow: bright, bubbly, and almost saccharine-sweet in her seeming childishness, she takes the form of a tall, regal-looking woman with jet-black hair and amber-gold eyes. Clad in the finest of Imperial Regalia, all white, Tatemae appears at first glance to be exactly what her apparel implies- a queen, an Empress who presides over the unwashed masses with all the aloof dignity befitting her station.
The illusion is shattered, however, the moment she opens her mouth: at once both childishly mischievous and deceptively cruel, Tatemae is a spirit who revels in lying, misdirection, and subterfuge, not for some grand purpose, but simply because she can. Her every action is layered in meaning, and oftentimes she will play tricks on Souta (such as when they first met and she pretended to be a mangy dog), trying to get him to believe something that isn’t true- or, if he sees through the deception, teach him some lesson she finds important.
Tatemae embodies both the childishness of Souta’s desires (which he resolutely denies) and his inherent tendency for deception, both towards himself and others. She lives in a perpetual paradox of wanton, reckless abandon and an ever more tangled web of lies and facades that ought to be impossible to keep up with, yet aren’t. This is not to say there are no similarities between wielder and spirit, as they both share an intense well of passion, and when pressed Tatemae has confessed she agrees with Souta’s quest for Captainship- but whereas Souta seems to drift between manic highs and crushingly depressive lows, Tatemae never fails to find enjoyment in what she does, even if she finds it distasteful.
Inner World
Souta’s Inner World manifests as a sprawling, labyrinthine palace of solid marble whose corridors twist around upon themselves in impossible ways, creating a maze of walls and rooms that is all but impossible to navigate. At times unbearably hot and bone-shatteringly cold, sometimes from one step to the next, the Palace is light by a series of floating orbs that emit light only when a person is present- however, that light is often twisted by Tatemae, presenting him with a puzzle or challenge to overcome before he can meet with the spirit.
Sealed Zanpakutō
Souta’s sealed Zanpakuto manifests as a simple but functional katana, 102 Cm from kisaki to koshira, which is kept in immaculate condition, as he has it cleaned and polished regularly, to the point that it all but shine even in the dimmest of lights.
The blade is stored in a blue saya decorated with swirling splotches of red and gold, and is lacquered to an almost reflective sheen. The tsuba matches, forming an iron-black circle of lines that spiral out from the center, while its menuki shows signs of ornateness, being cast from gold in the form of a coiled, winged serpent. The blade has a small tsuka-ito of blue silk, interwoven with black, and is capped by flat kashira of polished iron.
Shikai Appearance
"Blind, Tatemae"
Tatemae’s Shikai does not create any outward change in the blade’s form- however, it is accompanied by a glow along the length of the weapon, as if the light around it is being twisted and shaped by some unknown force. This glow shifts and folds in on itself constantly, granting the blade a cloudy, almost tempestuous appearance not unlike a miniature tornado (albeit one that changes color repeatedly).
Shikai Abilities: Tatemae’s ability is deceptively simple: once released, Souta has the ability to craft “hard” illusions that are made of light bent and twisted around itself, then given a solid form by his Reiryoku. These illusions, while three-dimensional and possessing a physical form, are not capable of causing harm, as the slightest touch will cause them to blur and distort, and can easily be scattered if one simply waves an arm through one a few times.
"Your release phrase"
If applicable, describe how your character's appearance and Zanpakutō change when entering Bankai. Otherwise, remove this section.
Bankai Abilities: If applicable, describe your character's power while in Bankai and how it relates to your character. Otherwise, remove this section.
Documented History
Prologue
Souta was born the fifth son of two wealthy but otherwise unassuming merchants in the 21st District of the Rukon. Despite living in relative comfort and ease, Souta felt a distinct distaste with his lot in life, as he had little chance of ever moving beyond his social station, and no real prospects for advancement beyond becoming a clerk in one his father’s shops. So it was, at the age of just twenty-two, with no real hope or goal in mind, Souta took the entrance exam for the Academy- and passed.
Given the opportunity to become a Shinigami, the young man took it, and soon found himself blessed by the choice; though his physical abilities were lacking, he showed a distinct aptitude for Kido, excelling in both the theory and practice of both Hado and Bakudo (though he only ever vaguely understood the theory behind Kaido). With a great deal of hard work, he was able to graduate in the upper half of his class, joining the 3rd Division.
Relevant Background
Though lacking in raw power, Souta’s skill and creativity allowed him to rise through the ranks rather quickly, catching the attention of the 3rd Division’s 3rd Seat, Ameyuki Ichika, who took him under her wing and began to teach him (in her roundabout way) the ins and outs of being both a Shinigami and a member of the Kido Corps in particular.
With Ichika’s assistance and his own scheming, Souta was eventually able to rise to his current position, which he hopes to use as a springboard to the higher ranks.
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