Takanami Aomaru

**Takanami Aomaru** (青丸 高波, Aomaru Takanami) is the 3rd Seat officer and former 4th Seat officer of the 10th Division of the Gotei 13, serving under Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya.

## Appearance

Takanami is a young man with a slender frame and a somewhat androgynous appearance. He has cyan eyes and wears a short wavy, blue wig over his black hair. Under the standard Shinigami uniform, he's wearing a light blue sweater with a turtleneck. He also has a long pale, yellow scarf around his neck, a small light blue, five-pointed star tattooed on the side of each cheek, four piercings with two on each ear, and shiny stud earrings on both ears. These unique features, along with his wig, give him the look of an idol. During his time at the Shin'ō Academy, his wig and his hair were slightly shorter, the former styled with a thin blue hairlock on the right side.

Seventeen months after Aizen's defeat, Takanami's hair has grown slightly longer and more noticeable underneath his wig. He also wears fingerless cotton gloves with black and blue stripes. His scarf and sweater have been replaced with a black neck collar and a blue-collared shirt.

Ten years after Yhwach's defeat, Takanami's wig is removed and his hair is slightly longer, revealing his slick back hairstyle. Takanami has replaced the customizations to his *shihakushō* with a white cape that extends from his left shoulder to over the entirety of his right arm, and is fastened at the front by a single button.

## Personality

Takanami shows himself to be somewhat vain with an odd superiority complex. He thinks highly of himself as a fighter, and he chooses to look down on those who lack talent or those who show jealously of others without improving their own skills. Despite there being a position for third seat in his Division, Takanami does not take it and instead stays as fourth seat because he thinks that it helps him stand out more as a prodigy. It is stated that he has a bad habit of antagonizing others. This often puts him at odds with 11th Division 5th Seat, Yumichika Ayasegawa, as well as his own lieutenant, Rangiku Matsumoto.

Despite his flamboyant nature, Takanami is very hard-working and extremely loyal to his captain, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, whom he greatly admires for his talents. He also cares deeply about his friendship with 4th Division 4th Seat Jungo Yukimura, whom he casually addresses by her nickname. He detests the idea of being "normal" or "traditional" because he believes that it renders the opportunity for uniqueness. He also deems "ancient" techniques, such as magic, to be outdated and predictable during his battle with Henry Vin Cielo, claiming it to be "drastically different" from Kidō. He is quite crafty in battle against opponents.

Takanami is very self-conscious about his hair and tries very hard to keep a wig over it because he doesn't like his real hair, although he drops his wig every once in a while. This extends to the point where he will usually keep his wig on while sleeping, out of habit. Takanami is a huge fan of the Human World's pop music. He also seems to enjoy singing on a few occasions during his showers. While rarely singing in public, he is noted by June to be an excellent singer. His favorite food is sushi and he does not like scallops.

## History

Takanami Aomaru was born with the first name, **Takimaru** (滝丸, Takimaru), but he doesn't remember his last name. He lived in the Rukongai with his parents. While he resided in one of the more lawful district regions, his parents were very strict with him, forcing him to abide by their rules, and hardly ever giving him any room to grow on his own. He states his mother was much more strict while his father did little to stop her abuse. One day after returning back home, his mother scolded him for being late to dinner and asked him he couldn't just behave like a "normal child." When Takimaru tried to explain himself, she prepared to slap him in the face for not listening to her before his father, who was feeling very hesitant about the situation, stopped her from doing so and said that was enough. His father then told him that she wasn't going to hit him anymore. However, Takimaru was already traumatized. Later that night, he decided to run away from his parents. After that, he made the decision to become a Shinigami, believing that this would give him a chance to start a new life and stand out. For so long, he had forgotten what his family name was, but believed it was better that he forgot it as he took upon a new name for himself: Takanami Aomaru. He also got a blue wig for himself, among other features, in an effort to change his image. He later entered the Shin'ō Academy and passed the entrance exam with ease.

Two months later, Takanami introduced himself to fellow student Jungo Yukimura, who had just transferred to his accelerated class. Apologizing for not greeting her sooner, he congratulated Jungo on handling the "sitaution" with her previous class's field mission. When Jungo dismissed it as nothing special and suggested that her stay away from her, Takanami deduced that even though she doesn't act like it, she is clearly worried about the other students' opinions of her. When she denied this, he told her to forget about them, claiming that they're just jealous of her skills. He went on saying that people without talent always show jealously towards others who stand out with talent, but never bother improving themselves. Jungo then stated that she doesn't like that feeling because she sees herself as an "outcast." Takanami then told her that he is going to be her friend, so she won't feel like an outcast anymore. He also declared that they're working together to graduate and become Shinigami, to which June agreed. She then gave him her full name, prompting Takanami to respond that the middle name was not needed in her introduction and proceeded to ask her what she would prefer being called. She then noted that her brother gave her the nickname "June" because of her birthday. Takanami then asked if he can call her by her nickname, to which she nods in response.

Takanami, alongside June, managed to graduate from the academy in just three years, with both being considered prodigies. He joined the 10th Division under Captain Isshin Shiba and worked his way up to 4th seat. He normally worked alongside Hitsugaya, who was 10th Division's 3rd Seat at the time, to finish paperwork whenever both their superiors neglected doing it. When Hitsugaya reported on events happening in Naruki City, Isshin decided to go investigate the situation by himself. Rangiku stated that they should report to Yamamoto first, but Hitsugaya and Takanami both state that they would just be in the way of their captain. Later, he listened to Rangiku angrily ranting on about their captain skipping work. When Hitsugaya reminded her about her own attitude, Takanami added to this by saying that if she has time to complain about paperwork not being done, she could always take some time to do it herself. Even after Hitsugaya became the new captain of their squad, Takanami chose to remain 4th seat so he could continue standing out as a prodigy.

## Plot

### Soul Society Arc

Takanami firsts appears at the 10th Division barracks, awaiting the return of both his captain, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, and his lieutenant, Rangiku Matsumoto. When Hitsugaya relays the message about 5th Division captain Sōsuke Aizen's death, Takanami states that he just received about the incident two hours ago.

Hitsugaya notes his suspicions about 3rd Division captain, Gin Ichimaru, of foul play as the events surrounding the coming execution of Rukia Kuchiki become more complicated. He decides that he's going back out to investigate and says that he'll contact Takanami if he needs assistance, to which Takanami complies.

(I'm gonna change this above)

Jungo Yukimura........

When Captain Hitsugaya and Lieutenant Matsumoto return after the former arrests lieutenants Momo Hinamori and Izuru Kira, Takanami states that he just heard the news about Aizen's death. Hitsugaya then lets them both know that he'll be going out later to investigate something and that he'll contact them for assistance if needed, to which they both comply.

The morning of Rukia's execution day, Takanami heads to the 4th Division to check up on 4th seat Jungo Yukimura, having heard about her and 7th seat Hanatarō Yamada's arrest. However, to his surprise, the jail cell is found empty, realizing that someone had busted them out already. A short while after delivering her message to her team about the situation in the sewers, June is imprisoned, along with Hanatarō, by her Captain Unohana for having aided the Ryoka. Sometime later, Rikichi Yuki breaks them both out of the 4th Division cell so that they could heal the lieutenant of the 6th Division, Renji Abarai. After they finish healing him, 10th Division 4th Seat **Takanami Aomaru** reveals that he was looking for her after he heard that she had been locked up, but saw that she was already gone when he arrived at her barracks. He then proceeds to tell everyone present that there has been fraud surrounding Rukia's execution, stating that according to his captain, someone has staged her death sentence. When Renji, asking who his captain is, then rhetorically asks what information the "child genius" has found out, Takanami answers that Captain Hitsugaya believes 3rd Division Captain Gin Ichimaru has something to do with it. He then says that he'll be going to the 3rd Division barracks to investigate and asks if June is available to help him. June says yes, stating that this being a staged execution makes things much more unbearable for her to ignore.

A short while after delivering her message to her team about the situation in the sewers, June is imprisoned, along with Hanatarō, by her Captain Unohana for having aided the Ryoka. Sometime later, Rikichi Yuki breaks them both out of the 4th Division cell so that they could heal the lieutenant of the 6th Division, Renji Abarai. After they finish healing him, 10th Division 4th Seat **Takanami Aomaru** reveals that he was looking for her after he heard that she had been locked up, but saw that she was already gone when he arrived at her barracks. (Change the sentences above) He then proceeds to tell everyone present that there has been fraud surrounding Rukia's execution, stating that according to his captain, someone has staged her death sentence. When Renji, asking who his captain is, then rhetorically asks what information the "child genius" has found out, Takanami answers that Captain Hitsugaya believes 3rd Division Captain Gin Ichimaru has something to do with it. He then says that he'll be going to the 3rd Division barracks to investigate and asks if June is available to help him. June says yes, stating that this being a staged execution makes things much more unbearable for her to ignore. On the way there, Takanami claims that Lieutenant Izuru Kira must be involved in this fraud, prompting June to deny that Izuru could be helping his captain. Takanami then states that June would say something like that and she has always been this way as they recall their first meeting at the academy.

At the 3rd Division barracks, Takanami asks two of the officers if they've seen their captain or lieutenant. When they refuse to answer his question, he proceeds to pull out his zanpakutō and attack them, only for June to tell him that threatening them is only going to make things more difficult. Takanami states that the situation is getting more difficult anyway and that one more incident is not going to make much of a difference. Calling the seated officers "trash" and considering them unworthy of their positions as members of the Gotei 13. 3rd Division's 4th Seat, "Sarano Sōko", then shows up and prepares to stop Takanami from getting closer. As June simply looks on, Takanami prepares to battle Sarano. However, Takanami eventually gains the upper hand and prepares to finish Sarano off before June intervenes to stop the former's attack from killing the latter tells him to stop. June then states that she'll take over before one of the other officers relays a message that Lieutenant Kira has now engaged in battle with Lieutenant Matsumoto, but he does not know the whereabouts of their captain.

Soon afterwards, Takanami hears the message from Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu about the traitorous actions of 5th Division captain, Sōsuke Aizen, along with Ichimaru and 9th Division captain, Kaname Tōsen. In the aftermath of their retreat to Hueco Mundo, Takanami..................

In the aftermath of Aizen's retreat to Hueco Mundo, Takanami, aware of Rangiku's personal troubles, decides to do some of her work for her while she and Kira struggle to get over Gin's betrayal. However, after taking a shower later that day, he notices that the two of them, along with Hisagi, have been drinking and noticing Rangiku isn't knocked out yet.

### Bount arc (anime only)

When the Bounts begin attacking living humans, Hitsugaya puts together a team of Shinigami consisting of Takanami, Yumichika Ayasegawa, Shūhei Hisagi, Rangiku Matsumoto, and Izuru Kira. Takanami then laughs at Yumichika's predicament of being assigned.

### The New Captain Shūsuke Amagai arc (anime only)

Takanami is seen confronting 4th Seat Sayoku Tsujimoto for believing there is some reason behind Ichigo and Rukia's rebellious actions.

### Fake Karakura Town arc

When Aizen and the top three Espada invade the fake Karakura Town, he along with seven other Shinigami, are left to protect the pillars that hold the real Karakura Town in Soul Society. He is partnered up with 11th Division 5th Seat, Yumichika Ayasegawa. He briefly argues with Yumichika over

He uses his signature technique (which he initially tried to use on Sarano) and kills the wizard arrancar.

Takanami decides to assist his captain against Harribel.

(After Hitsugaya stated that there was no need for Takanami to continue due to the assistance of the Visoreds, Takanami insisted that he still fight. However, this causes June to knock him out with an anesthetic agent, stating that his manners are poor for him to be acting in an irrational way towards his own captain.)

## Powers & Abilities

**Expert Swordsman**: Takanami excels highly in the wielding of his Zanpakutō. He can hold his own in a battle against an Arrancar like Henry, and briefly assist his captain against one of the top four Espada. He is capable of manipulating the size of his sword's Shikai in order to confuse his opponents and adjust it accordingly to a battle.

**Kidō Expert**: He is well-versed enough in Kidō to perform at least mid-level Kidō spells in battle, with this being only second to his swordsmanship. He is more than capable of performing Hadō #50 without an incantation.

**Highly Perceptive Combatant**: While he tends to be self-centered, Takanami is a highly perceptive man. He was able to deduce that Sayoku Tsujimoto was hiding something from himself and June when he went to fight one of the Quincy on his own. In addition, he was able to decude the mechanism behind "Mistress Aviadon's" abilities and counter them with his own techniques.

**Shunpo Practitioner**: Takanami admits that he is not particularly skilled in Shunpo, as it took him a while to make his way over to the 3rd Division. However, he is shown to be proficient enough in Shunpo that he can keep up with fighters at Arrancar-level.

**High Spiritual Power**: Despite being a 3rd Seat, he has a considerable amount of spiritual pressure that matches up with a lieutenant. His Reiatsu is cyan.

**Enhanced Endurance**: Takanami is a very resilient fighter. During his fight with Henry Vin Cielo, he was overwhelmed by the Arrancar's magic and received two scars on his left leg. Despite this, he continued on in his battle.

**Enhanced Durability**: Takanami has a very high level of durability. While assisting his captain against Tier Harribel, he was able to take direct attacks from the Espada while countering with his own water abilities. During his fight against "Mistress Aviadon", he was repeatedly whipped by the Quincy in her **Vollständig** form, with only minor slashes on his face.

## Zanpakutō:

**Kachūmaru** (渦中丸, Whirlpool; Viz "**Vortex**"): When sealed, Kachūmaru looks like a normal katana with a round tsuba, four small five-pointed stars that are evenly spaced out around the guard, and a light blue handle.

• **Shikai**: Kachūmaru's shikai command is **"Swirl"** (渦巻き, *uzumaki*).

***Shikai Special Ability***: When released, the blade glows light blue and takes the form of a whirlpool, hence its namesake, while hovering above the handle. It constantly stays in this form, though it can revert back into its blade, and sometimes change its size, at will. Kachūmaru allows Takanami to control water. With the whirlpool that is formed, he can create anything in the form of water while it remains constantly spinning in the air.

* **"Suikyū"** (水球, *Water Ball*): Takanami can create a ball of water of any size from the whirlpool. After this ball is formed, it rises upwards from the top of the whirlpool until it is a short distance away. Then, he can launch this ball towards his opponents. The moment it makes contact with the opponent, they are immediately consumed by the water ball and they remained trapped until the opponent drowns inside.
* **"Kaiyō Keimusho"** (海洋刑務所, *Marine Prison*): The whirlpool can create a large hand from its core and trap its opponents, bringing them into the whirlpool. Takanami states that this is a dangerous technique for him to use because the opponent's Reiatsu is "drained out" as a result and usually kills them, (given the target has weak enough spiritual pressure). In other cases, the whirlpool will simply move in on its own to surround the opponent.
* **"Zansui Ningyō"** (残水人形, *Lingering Water Puppet/Doll*): A technique inspired by his captain. Takanami is able to create and shape a large amount of water into his exact likeness. It is very like-life, as it appears to bleed even while it turns back to water. While he can use this multiple times, he states that it may only work once or twice before the opponent sees through it.
* **Shield of Water Wind**: Takanami is capable of protecting himself from attacks by surrounding himself with a smaller version of his Shikai. (Unnamed)