Hongjiang

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Hongjiang (宏江)
Alias(es)	Diezuka Hiroe; Ao
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Squad 1; Star-Extermination Force
Occupation/Role	Soul Reaper; Kidō specialist; commander during the assault on Sternritter Fortress
First Appearance	2

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Spiritual power Level 6	6	Enters Shino Academy already at the highest measured level and already possesses a Zanpakutō.
Shikai — Jiagui	8	Transforms his Asauchi into Jiagui, a direct-attack Zanpakutō with a black Hannya-mask gauntlet form.
Jiagui Fourth Form — Thrust	22	Uses the fourth documented Shikai form against fleeing Hollows.
Bankai	43	Activates Bankai during the Sternritter Fortress operation to overwhelm attacking Quincy.
Mastered Bankai	46	States that he has mastered Bankai.

Background / History

Hongjiang trained in swordsmanship under Yamamoto Genryūsai before enrolling at Shino Academy. At fifteen, Yoruichi Shihōin and Kisuke Urahara were his only close friends in Seireitei; the three established a secret base beneath Sōkyoku Hill. 2

At the academy, he was identified as a Level 6 spiritual-power student and quickly achieved Shikai with Jiagui, drawing both admiration and resentment from fellow students. 6 8 His spiritual power later stagnated at “Level 6 point,” making him the target of Kāo Susumu’s mockery. 16

His qualification to challenge for a Gotei 13 seat was revoked, and he was sent to Rukongai for 150 years. Though publicly framed as punishment, the order was implied to be a protective arrangement between him and Yamamoto. 18 During this period, he trained and fought in the Plain of Slaughter, drove Kenpachi Zaraki away, and gained a reputation strong enough for Squad 11 to attempt to recruit him. 21

After being accused of killing Soul Reapers, Hongjiang became a fugitive. Central 46 escalated his warrant from capture alive to dead or alive, while Yamamoto, the Shihōin family, and the Urahara family came under suspicion of aiding him. He remained unaccounted for 143 years, then resurrected the seven people whose deaths had been attributed to him. 30

Using the identity of Ao, supposedly Yamamoto’s reclusive Rukongai friend, Hongjiang exposed Azashiro Kōzō’s involvement in the conspiracy against him. He subsequently provided evidence of a concealed Quincy city, Sternritter Fortress, and helped secure the Five Great Noble Families’ support for war preparations. 31 32 34

During the Sternritter Fortress campaign, he led the Star-Extermination Force through the Spirit-Nullifying Membrane, organized the containment operation, defended the Senkaimon, and directed the final sweep of the fortress. 38 40 44

Appearance

Hongjiang is a young-looking Soul Reaper whose appearance changes noticeably over time, particularly after years in Rukongai.

• Wore tattered white clothing and kept long, disheveled black hair while operating in Zaraki District. 30
• Used a scarred-man disguise while concealing his identity at Huaixiang Pavilion. 31
• Later appeared in colorful clothing with his hair tied into a ponytail. 30
• His Shikai manifests as black, insect-chitin-like armor bearing Hannya-mask reliefs. 8 12

Personality

Hongjiang is cautious, pragmatic, and highly self-assured. He dislikes unnecessary fighting and initially rejects Yamagata’s invitation to spar, yet he accepts that defeat in the Plain of Slaughter is one’s own responsibility rather than an excuse to condemn an enemy’s methods. 21

He is sharp-tongued and easily irritated by teasing, especially from Yoruichi and Urahara. His hostility toward certain Soul Reapers remains intense after his framing, leading him to reject reconciliation attempts and publicly humiliate Tsukikage. 27

In combat and political maneuvering, Hongjiang is patient and calculating. He manipulates Kōzō into exposing himself, withholds attacks until he can eliminate multiple Quincy at once, and plans operations around incomplete intelligence rather than acting recklessly. 34 41 43 Despite his cynicism, he rescues allies, orders medical treatment for captured Quincy, and takes responsibility for restoring the seven people he had supposedly killed. 25 30 44

Abilities & Skills

Kidō

Hongjiang is an exceptional Kidō practitioner whose precise spiritual-power control is his defining specialty. He was skilled at developing Kidō from childhood and is among the few Soul Reapers capable of casting Kidō above level 90 without incantation. 38 47

• Creates a safe passage through the five-centimeter Spirit-Nullifying Membrane without alerting the Quincy. 38
• Co-casts the large-scale sealing Kidō Three Locks Sealing Three Gates with Hachigen Ushōda and Kidōmaru. 39
• Uses Bell Prison to protect the Senkaimon. 40
• Uses Binding Way #12, Crawling Fire, to track incoming Reishi arrows. 40
• Uses Destructive Way #8, Twin Roar White Lightning, and #12, Earth Piercing Sting, for aerial and ground defense. 40
• Uses Binding Art #30, Beak-Piercing Triple Flash, against Fuzi. 41
• Uses Kurohitsugi and Senju Kōten Taihō against Quincy forces. 44
• Can levitate through spiritual-power control. 39

Flash Step

Hongjiang possesses advanced Flash Step that even experienced Squad 11 members struggle to perceive.

• Rescues Kamisawa from a Gillian and transports him out of a Hollow encirclement. 25
• Moves with a range and speed that Kamisawa considers comparable to only three people he had seen in Squad 11. 25
• Uses Flash Step to close distance against sword-wielding opponents and move through Hollow swarms. 19 25

Hakuda

His Hakuda complements Jiagui’s close-range transformations, though he privately considers his pure hand-to-hand skill mediocre when deprived of the Zanpakutō’s flexibility. 12 19

• Shatters rocks with Jiagui’s boot form. 12
• Uses fists, palms, elbows, knees, and kicks fluidly while fighting groups of Hollows. 25
• Defeats Hollows with unarmed strikes and destroys a Gillian’s teeth from inside its mouth. 22 26

Strategy and Command

Hongjiang combines reconnaissance, deception, and careful force allocation.

• Identifies the Sternritter Fortress and explains the Quincy-created spiritless perimeter that lures Hollows toward intruders. 32
• Plans the “Casting the Cage” and “Star-Extermination” phases of the fortress assault. 38
• Directs vanguard, main-force, and Senkaimon-defense assignments. 38 44
• Exploits Kōzō’s desire to prove his innocence to expose him as the traitor. 34

Zanpakutō

*Jiagui*

Jiagui is Hongjiang’s direct-attack Zanpakutō. Its sealed form is a short blade; its spirit manifests as a Hannya mask with a hoarse voice. 8 12

• Release command: “Seize him, Jiagui!” 8
• Gauntlet form: Black hooked-finger gauntlets and forearm armor; durable but without Kidō enhancement. 8 12
• Boot form — “Trample”: Lightweight black armored boots reaching the knees, with Hannya-mask reliefs and elongated fangs. 12
• Spike Armor: A third form mentioned but not fully demonstrated. 12
• Fourth Form — “Thrust”: Used against fleeing Hollows. 22
• Instant release: Its transformations operate through reflex and subconscious intent, effectively eliminating normal release delay. 12
• Combat advantage: Allows abrupt shifts between short-blade range and zero-distance Hakuda combat. 12 19
• Limit: Only one form can exist at a time. Switching from defense to offense removes protection during the transition, making Jiagui vulnerable to opponents willing to trade life for life or maintain relentless close pressure. 19

Other Zanpakutō

Yamamoto maintains a second Zanpakutō under the Ao identity and entrusts it to Hongjiang for emergencies, warning him not to release it unless absolutely necessary. Its name and abilities are not disclosed. 34

Relationships

• Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni — Teacher and protector. Hongjiang trained under him; Yamamoto arranged his Rukongai assignment, supported his Quincy claims, and entrusted him with a second Zanpakutō. 2 18 32 34
• Shihōin Yoruichi — Close friend and frequent sparring partner. Their relationship is combative but supportive; Hongjiang encourages her Hakuda path and later agrees to help her pursue Shunkō training under Ao. 2 14 47 48
• Urahara Kisuke — Close friend and fellow genius. Urahara recognizes the tactical value of Jiagui and shares a serious discussion with Hongjiang about Bankai and fate. 2 12 46
• Nodt Futz — Quincy leader and friend. Futz repeatedly tries to reconcile Hongjiang with other Soul Reapers, though Hongjiang’s grudges strain their interactions. 27 28
• Kamisawa — Squad 11 Soul Reaper whom Hongjiang rescues from a Gillian; Kamisawa is impressed by his Flash Step and combat ability. 21 25 26
• Azashiro Kōzō — Political adversary exposed by Hongjiang’s plan, which drives Kōzō to attempt suicide. 34
• Tsukikage — Soul Reaper with whom Hongjiang has a hostile relationship rooted in past events and Tsukikage’s perceived inaction. 27
• Kāo Susumu — Academy rival who envies Hongjiang’s talent and mocks his spiritual-power stagnation. 8 16

Story Role / Major Arcs

Shino Academy

• Studies under Yamamoto’s guidance and enters Shino Academy alongside Yoruichi and Urahara. 2 4
• Achieves Level 6 spiritual power and reveals Jiagui’s Shikai. 6 8
• Explains Jiagui’s rapid-release, Hakuda-oriented combat style to his friends. 12

Rukongai Exile

• Is dispatched to Rukongai for 150 years after losing his qualification to challenge for a Gotei 13 seat. 18
• Fights in the Plain of Slaughter, clashes with a battle-obsessed swordsman, and earns a reputation after driving away Kenpachi Zaraki. 19 21
• Rescues Kamisawa and kills a Gillian with support from Quincy archers. 25 26

Fugitive and Conspiracy

• Becomes wanted throughout Soul Society after being accused of killing Soul Reapers. 30
• Resurrects seven alleged victims and uses their preserved memories as part of his effort to clear his name. 30 34
• Reveals the Quincy conspiracy, exposes Kōzō, and helps initiate preparations for war against the Sternritter Fortress. 31 32 34

Sternritter Fortress Assault

• Leads the Star-Extermination Force through the Spirit-Nullifying Membrane. 38
• Helps seal the fortress, defends the Senkaimon, and battles Quincy forces while coordinating with Yoruichi. 39 40 41
• Uses Bankai and high-level Kidō to defeat and capture Quincy combatants. 43 44
• Orders a complete search of the fortress and medical treatment for wounded enemies. 44

Trivia

• Hongjiang’s combat style inspired Yoruichi’s concept for combining Hakuda and Kidō into Shunkō. 47
• He rejects the concept of fate despite having mastered Bankai. 46
• Yoruichi becomes so enamored with Jiagui that she wishes it were her own Zanpakutō. 12