Kaede Ko

Kaede Ko is the third officer of the Third Division commanded by Shizuka Akane.

Information
He appears for the first time during the crisis in Soul Society, when the Zanpakutō begin to materialize. He is a new Shinigami who barely graduated from the academy, but immediately receives the high position of third officer due to his strong reiatsu. The captain was originally very skeptical about the decision, but later changed her mind.

Personality
Kaede is a quiet type who tries to do everything peacefully. He loves to joke and abuse alcohol, which he can do thanks to his strong head. He loves beautiful women, and likes to surround himself with them and gain compliments from them, but he does not want anything permanent. He hides his pain, which is revealed only in solitude. He is a great actor, and people see him as what he wants to be - totally carefree and without any problems.

Appearance
Kaede is a man of medium height with short, prematurely gray hair and gray eyes. His Shinigami outfit has a covering and a blue coat.

Powers and Abilities
He is great with Kidō, though his sword skills are somewhat lacking, as he focuses mainly on ranged attacks.

Zanpakutō
Tenshi no Koe (天使の声, Voice of an Angel) in its sealed form, it looks like a standard katana.
 * Shikai: Its release command is "sing" (歌う, Utau). In this form, it is a long, needle-like blade.
 * Shikai Special Ability: When Kaede makes a sacrifice of his blood (by cutting himself with the blade), his reiatsu creates a stream that looks like a long thread, which he can guide in many ways.


 * Tenshi no Utagoe (天使の歌声, Angelic Singing) - Zanpakutō blade emits loud sound waves.
 * Tenshi no Urashi (天使の嵐, Angelic Storm) - Creates a huge wind directed at the enemy. The air is so fast that it has the effect of fast-inflicted blows.
 * Tenshi no Hane (天使の羽, Angel Wings) - Offensive technique which surrounds the user in a great wind, which repulses enemy attacks.
 * Bankai: Not achieved.

Trivia

 * His first name, "Kaede", means "maple", and his last name, "Ko", means "light".