In the world of Tite Kubo's hit anime Bleach, the Soul Society (heaven) is guarded by Soul Reapers, who are led by the thirteen powerful Captains. Each Captain has a different fighting style and personality, from the healing hands of Retsu Unohana to the petal blades of Byakuya Kuchiki and the mad science of Mayuri Kutotsuchi.
Meanwhile, squad 9 is led by the one and only Kaname Tosen. Though blind, Kaname is a formidable fighter who can sense the presence of others, giving him an edge (especially when his Bankai is activated). Later, Kaname and Gin Ichimaru joined Sosuke Aizen on the quest to rule all of creation, and he even gained hollow powers! What else should we know about Captain Tosen and his life?
10 He thinks in absolute terms
Captain Tosen isn't one to think in shades of gray or make exceptions to the rules. Rather, he is quite strict about his philosophies of right and wrong, crime and justice, bloodshed and peace. You're one, or the other!
Kaname was even ready to execute the rebellious Grimmjow for charging into the world of the living without permission, though Aizen talked him down. So, as a compromise, Kaname sliced off Grimmjow's arm and vaporized it with a Kido spell!
9 He bears his burdens with dignity
Being a Soul Reaper officer means doing paperwork, and this is the less glamorous part of the job. Not to mention how you're responsible for an entire squad (really a company) of Soul Reapers. Rangiku, for one, complains nonstop about the workload.
Not Kaname, though. When he defects from the Gotei 13, his Lieutenant, Shuhei Hisagi, comments on how Kaname never complained or asked for help with all of his responsibilities. Shuhei was horrified by Kaname's betrayal but still impressed by his former Captain's work ethic.
8 He dresses up
Bleach author Tite Kubo is known for his love of fashion, and he often reflects this in official bonus art, where he shows the main characters wearing all kinds of cool outfits and accessories. It looks like an urban style catalog.
The thirteen Captains often add personal touches to their outfits, and Kaname takes full advantage of this liberty. He swaps out socks and straw sandals for slick white boots, he wears fingerless gloves, and he even has a cool orange rope necktie and his trademark visor. Also, his sash is a blueish-purple color rather than plain white.
7 He prefers kido and special abilities over melee fighting
No Captain is without some serious sword fighting skills, and we're 100% sure that Kaname Tosen is a master at sword dueling. But he isn't often seen fighting like this.
Instead, Kaname has a real affinity for Kido spells, such as when he vaporized Grimmjow's severed arm, and the support Kido spells he uses for Aizen's benefit. He's also quick to use both his Shikai and Bankai against Kenpachi during the Soul Society invasion arc. Think of him is the wizard in your adventure party.
6 He has a paternal side
Kaname Tosen is rather aloof, but he does make a friend during his time in Las Noches with Aizen and Gin. A particular Arrancar named Wonderweiss Margela takes a liking to Kaname, and follows him around.
Gin quickly noticed this partnership, and Kaname claimed that "pure soul" like them are drawn to each other. Or maybe Wonderweiss just thinks that Kaname is Hueco Mundo's Best Dad and won't let go!
5 He has his conceited side
Now for a less savory part of Kaname's personality. Normally, he's a borderline pacifist, and won't fight or shed blood unless he really must. He also claims to represent justice, and so far, this sounds great on paper.
Not so fast. During the final battle, Kaname gains vision with his hollow form, and he claims that Sajin Komamura, his former friend, is unspeakably ugly. He boasts of his newfound vision and power, but ultimately, he was defeated. Don't get a big head, Kaname. It'll be your downfall.
4 He's bitter about the world
This is another unsavory part of Kaname Tosen's personality, though we don't often see it. In the past, Kaname was good friends with an optimistic woman who loved the world and aspired to become a Soul Reaper in order to enforce peace.
But she was murdered, and Kaname was stricken with grief. Worse yet, he grew bitter at the world that would kill such a lovely woman and allow her killer to go free. As far as he's concerned, this world can burn.
3 He switched topics in the newspaper
On a lighter note, Kaname is not only a fighter, but a journalist, and his squad is in charge of the Seireitei's newspaper. He and other Captains write all kinds of columns in it, some of which are more popular than ever.
While Kaname's main article is unpopular, he added another column that involves cooking ideas and recipes, and it proved a hit. The ladies liked it in particular, so at last, Kaname is seeing some serious readership!
2 He has an insect theme
Kaname Tosen likes crickets, it seems, since his Zanpakuto and his hollow form (pictured) both involve these insects. His Zanpakuto can be translated as "cricket" or "bell bug," and his Bankai means "cricket final form: devil cricket."
On top of that, his Ressureccion is called Grillar Grillo, Spanish for "crazed cricket," and he indeed assumed the form of a giant insect with four arms and two legs. He also gains some scary abilities in this form, such as sonic attacks and fast regeneration.
1 His changing eyes
The manga and anime portray Kaname's eyes differently, and the anime is known for changing many small details like this. In the comics, Kaname's eyes are sometimes seen without the visor, and they are blank.
In the anime, Kaname keeps his eyes closed, except for the final scene shown here, when he regrets what he is done and dies on the battlefield. Here, they are colored a light lavender shade, and like in the manga, they are blank.