Shiba, Ganju

志波岩鷲

Ganju cuts a flamboyant figure, sporting a vest, scarf, bandana, and a pair of goggles. He is frequently seen with his gang, who all ride large boars. Ganju's own boar is named Bonnie (affectionately called Bonnie-chan). An omake sketch following episode 114 suggests that Bonnie was accidentally cooked into a stew by Retsu Unohana during a friendly cookout attended by her, Ganju, and several others from the 4th Division. While similar sketches have appeared in the series, Bonnie is consistently shown alive and well in the subsequent episode. Ganju harbors a deep hatred for shinigami, possesses a hot temper, and has a strong ego. Although he always acts tough, he has revealed a softer side, being easily cowed by his older sister Kūkaku, and later develops an understanding with Ichigo Kurosaki, forming a relationship similar to that between Ichigo and Renji Abarai. His lack of attractiveness is a running joke in the series; rather than denying it, he tends to talk around the subject, particularly when Yumichika Ayasegawa points it out.
Ganju holds a grudge against all shinigami due to his brother Kaien Shiba's death at the hands of Rukia Kuchiki when Ganju was still young. This grudge dissipates slowly even after he learns the truth about the incident. It is implied that following the deaths of Kaien and his wife Miyako, the Shiba clan lost its status as one of the Noble Clans (which include the Kuchiki and Shihouin clans). Only four Noble Clans remain now, as the Shiba had been the fifth. Upon Ganju's introduction, he and Kūkaku are the only remaining members of the clan.
Although Ganju is not a member of the shinigami forces, he belongs to the Shiba clan and can fight at a level above that of an average shinigami, though lower than that of higher-ranking seated officers. He wields a zanpakutō that resembles a meat cleaver or a Chinese Dadao, although he never demonstrates the ability to use its initial release. Ganju's sword skills are limited, so he relies primarily on his arsenal of fireworks, his agility, and his earth magic. Ganju's earth magic does not seem to operate on the same principle as standard shinigami kidō. The one technique he uses, Stone Wave (seppa?), does not require an incantation to work and is unnumbered. The spell can reduce whatever it is aimed at to sand or quicksand. He can even perform it with his feet. This ability proved useful for making holes through walls when running away from Yumichika.