Tenjirō Kirinji (麒麟寺 天示郎, Kirinji Tenjirō) is a member of the Royal Guard, holding the title "Hot Spring Demon" (泉湯鬼, Sentōki). He holds the position of First Officer of the Zero Division (零番隊 第一官, Zerobantai Daiichikai), as well as "Divine General of the East" (東方神将, Tōhō Shinshō; Viz "Holy Guardian of the East").
Appearance[]
Kirinji is a lean-built and very tall man with black hair arranged into an outlandishly large pompadour, or "regent" hairstyle, with tapered sideburns. He frequently chews on a small stick. Instead of the standard Shinigami shihakushō, he wears a waist-length white jacket that leaves most of his chest exposed but still bears the Royal Guard emblem on its back, as well as the alternating circle and diamond pattern of a captain's haori along the bottom. His attire is completed by a black hakama, a large yellow sash around his waist and a pair of sandals.
Personality[]
He speaks of the Gotei 13 as if they are no more than children and is at times condescending to many of his fellow Shinigami, even captains. This patronizing attitude frequently results in him being disciplined by the rest of the Royal Guard, usually through physical force, with a strike to the head. He is also confident in his fighting abilities, being the first member of the Royal Guard to confront Yhwach upon his arrival to the Soul King Palace, and proclaiming that he wouldn't confront him if he didn't think victory was a possibility.
History[]
Before joining the Royal Guard, Kirinji was a Shinigami captain in Soul Society. At some time in the past, he taught healing techniques to Retsu Unohana.
Plot[]
The Thousand-Year Blood War arc[]
After the death of Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, he returns to Soul Society with the other members of the Royal Guard, where they are met by most of the surviving Gotei 13 captains and Ichigo Kurosaki. Bearing a flag with the Royal Guard's emblem, he greets the assembled Shinigami before going to talk to Unohana. He asks her about the number of deaths that have occurred and wonders if she is using the healing methods he taught her. Ichibē Hyōsube tells them to catch up later, as they have things to do, annoying him.
When Captain Suì-Fēng berates them about how they did not help in the battle with the Wandenreich, he grabs her and tells her that their job is to protect the Soul King, not Seireitei and that the Gotei 13 did not live up to its name. Hyōsube knocks him to the ground and tells him to talk later. When Unohana objects to Senjumaru Shutara bringing the critically injured Captain Byakuya Kuchiki, as well as Lieutenants Renji Abarai and Rukia Kuchiki to the Royal Palace, he tells her that they cannot fully recover with her abilities and that he can. He then tells her that it is not the time for her to focus on healing.
They later proceed to take Ichigo and some of the injured Shinigami with them to the Royal Palace, but before they leave, they are interrupted by Kisuke Urahara. He listens while Ichigo talks with Urahara before they head to the Royal Palace. Once there, Kirinji brings Ichigo and the wounded Shinigami to his Kirinden where he heals them in a hot spring. After several dunks into the hot springs, Kirinji hits both Ichigo and Renji, declaring them healed from how easily they took his punch. After the two younger Shinigami are sent on ahead, he talks with his underlings, Kazuo and Kazuhiro. Kirinji openly admits to being impressed with Ichigo, particularly his ability to react to his punch fast enough to counter and damage Kirinji's hand, stating it's no wonder why the Soul King has taken an interest in Ichigo.
He later informs Rukia of Byakuya's recovery. Following the call, Kirinji notes that Byakuya stayed in the hot spring longer than any other visitor. He asks if Byakuya's dizzy, but Byakuya says no and decides to get stronger so he can justify the pride he once held. This response causes Kirinji to grin.
Later, as the Wandenreich invades for a second time, Kirinji calls Ichigo over. As he tells Ichigo that he'll be walking down to the Seireitei, Shutara unveils a massive spiraling staircase. Kirinji tells Ichigo it isn't that far, and that by using Shunpo, the journey should only take him a week. Jokingly anticipating a different reaction, Kirinji is surprised when Ichigo replies calmly. Reiterating that the journey might take him a while, Kirinji is stunned by Ichigo's calm demeanor. He is interrupted by the arrival of Ichibē, whose booming laughter hurts Kirinji's ear. Kirinji tells Hikifune, who arrives late, that Ichigo has already left. As she comments on how much Ichigo has grown, Kirinji agrees with her, the two of them watching him leave. When Ichibē corrects her by saying that Ichigo has grown strong, Kirinji flatly states it is the same thing.
Later, when Yhwach, Jugram Haschwalth, and Uryū Ishida arrive at the Soul King Palace, Kirinji notices their presence. When Haschwalth summons several Soldat to invade the palace, Kirinji appears and defeats them all with his sealed Zanpakutō before stating they do not allow uninvited guests. After introducing himself to Yhwach, Kirinji proclaims he believes he can defeat Yhwach and summons the water from his hot springs, which engulfs those present. After explaining the properties of his hot spring water, Kirinji releases his Zanpakutō, Kinpika, and attacks Yhwach.
However, Tenjirō is unable to land any blows against Yhwach. As he wonders why he is unable to hit Yhwach despite the Wandenreich's leader not attempting to dodge his attacks, Yhwach notes that there is a stalemate and asks the Shinigami to let him pass. Tenjirō tries to strike him once again, but his attack misses once again. He then stands by as Senjumaru Shutara moves to take on Yhwach. After Nianzol Weizol reveals himself, Kirinji listens as the Sternritter explains how he used his ability to prevent Kirinji's attacks from hitting Yhwach. Later, Kirinji uses his hot spring water to replace all of the blood in Ōetsu Nimaiya's body after his blood is made lethal to him by Askin Nakk Le Vaar's The Deathdealing.
Shortly afterward, Kirio Hikifune and Tenjirō both attempt to block Lille Barro's attack against Nimaiya, but he is shocked to see that he was hit anyway, and is further shocked as Lille explains his power. Soon after, Kirinji is defeated by the Sternritter.
Inventions[]
- White Bone Hell (白骨地獄, Hakkotsu Jigoku): A clear hot spring surrounded by a number of small waterfalls and featuring a giant sōzu. By submerging the injured beneath the waters of this spring, any damaged Reiatsu within their body is slowly driven out along with their blood; however, due to the high-speed healing and intense properties of the water, it can cause the bodies of the afflicted to erode and rupture if they are not durable enough, which requires special protective suits made from super spiritual threads to reduce any injuries sustained to mere burns, with even the garments bursting into flames from the damage sustained once discarded. Kirinji can manipulate the water's temperatures and movement, using it offensively to burn opponents.
- Blood Pond Hell (血の池地獄, Chi no Ike Jigoku): A steaming hot spring that looks to be filled by a pool of boiling blood. Its purpose is to replenish the blood of those who have already undergone treatment in the White Bone Hell. The water can be used during battle to replenish a comrade's lost blood.
Powers & Abilities[]
Master Healer: Kirinji is an incredibly proficient healer, having taught 4th Division Captain Retsu Unohana, who is regarded as the greatest healer in Soul Society, many of her techniques and having created Kaidō itself prior to that, which cemented his promotion to the Royal Guard. Furthermore, he was adamant he could heal the grievous injuries of several Shinigami whom Unohana herself was unable to treat. His unique healing method involves a peculiar form of balneotherapy, using two special hot springs he created which are housed in his Kirinden, for cleansing bodies and replenished blood.
Immense Spiritual Power: As a captain-class combatant and current member of the Royal Guard, Kirinji has an immense amount of spiritual power.
Shunpo Master: Kirinji's prowess in Shunpo greatly exceeds 2nd Division Captain Suì-Fēng, the fastest Shunpo user in the Gotei 13. Despite being directly in front of her, he effortlessly maneuvered behind her and pinned her down before she even noticed. During his time in Soul Society, he was known as "Lightning-Fast Tenjirō" (雷迅の天示郎, Raijin no Tenjirō) for his skill in Shunpo.
Enhanced Strength: Kirinji possesses a great deal of strength, effortlessly picking up and throwing a grown man several meters away from himself. He can punch with enough force to send someone of Ichigo Kurosaki's stature flying a considerable distance away and send several Soldat flying with a single swing of his sealed Zanpakutō.
Enhanced Durability: Kirinji is durable enough to endure the unique healing properties of his hot springs for an extended period of time, unprotected, without rotting.
Ōken: As one of the Royal Guards, Kirinji has the Ōken imparted in his bones, which grants him the ability to travel into and out of the Soul King Palace, as well as grant permission to others simply by willing it.
Hot Spring Water Manipulation: Kirinji can call forth the water of his specialized hot springs and manipulate its movement and temperature as he desires. The White Bone Hell water envelops the enemy and burns away their bodies with its temperature and special properties, while the Blood Pond Hell water instantly replenishes or replaces any blood his comrades have lost.
Zanpakutō[]
Kinpika (金毘迦, Gilded Splendor): Its sealed form takes the form of a small blade with a curved tip attached to a long wooden pole. The blade is covered by a wooden sheath with "Kirinji" (きりんじ) written on it. When sheathed, Kinpika resembles an Eku.
- Shikai: Its release command is "Flash from Illuminating Heavens" (天照一閃, Tenshō Issen; Viz "Heavenly Flash"). Upon release, the blade of Kinpika glows brightly.
- Shikai Special Ability: Unknown.
- Bankai: Not Revealed
Quotes[]
- (To Suì-Fēng) "The Royal Guard's duty is to protect the Soul King Palace, and the Gotei 13 is to protect Soul Society. As someone who bears the name of Gotei, don't go crying to us about how help didn't come just because you couldn't do anything. It's already bad enough you're a disgrace to that title!"
Trivia[]
- Kirinji was voted the 37th most popular Shinigami character in the fifth character popularity poll.
- Kirinji's pompadour can support 120 kg of weight.
- The release command for Kirinji's Zanpakutō, Kinpika, was originally "Sparkle" (煌け, kirameke) prior to the release of volume 65.
Screenshots[]
