Took me awhile, but I finally got my idea put down onto 'paper'. Hope it looks good enough for you guys.
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Name: Ryota Takahiro
Class: Shinigami
Age: 75, though he appears in his late 20's
Physical Stats:
Height: 6'1
Weight: 210 lb
Hair: Dark Green with black highlights, which he prefers to keep spiked back
Eyes: Blue
Facial features: A pair of round, wire rim glasses are the only things on his face (aside from his hair) that really stick out. They have a small chip in the right lens, but he prefers not to do anything about it.
Other: He has three long marks along his back, very much looking like something had clawed into him rather roughly. Of course, he prefers to keep that to himself.
Personality: He's a friendly and fairly amiable fellow, but becomes rather quiet around people he dosen't know all that well. When he finally does warm up to you, it'll be hard to find someone that is as willing to watch your back as Ryota is. You also find out he has a staunch stubborn streak, and can be downright bullheaded at times.
Abilities:
Hado/Kido: Unfortunately, his skill in the Kido arts is lacking, knowing about the first 10 to 15 of them, though those last five are rather spotty in terms of the incantation.
Hohou: You won't see him winning any running contests any time soon.
Hakuda: It's about average, much to his irritation, but he endeavors to improve.
Zanjutsu: He is a capable swordsman, considering how recently he has graduated from the Academy. He has a natural knack with the blade, which he does his best to keep honed.
Zanpakuto: Shioryoushi (Tide Hunter)
Its unreleased state has the same shape as a normal zanpakuto, though the hilt is circular with lines along the tsuba that spiraled around and lead to the center.
Shikai: "Stalk the current, Shioryoushi!"
This is the released form of his zanpakuto, though the blade is actually 3 ft in length and the hook portion is jutting out a wider angle then the pic shows. The ability of this sword allows him to create bursts of water around himself or within a 15 ft radius. He usually uses this ability in a defensive manner, making it difficult to see him while he moves to take advantage of his enemies blindness, but can also use those waves to crash down on his opponent.
The problem with this powerful water-type sword is that he can't control it as well as he wants to. The waves are either small or unnecessarily large, which can hurt allies along with the enemy. Thus lots of practice with his weapon in that regard.
Bankai: "Unshakable lord of the ocean; Shioryoushi!"
He hasn't reached this level by any means, so details of this Bankai aren't available at this time.
Zanpakut Personality: While most zanpakut take the form of humans, Shioryoshi much prefers the shape of a 20+ ft long shark with a white underbelly and dark blue skin. What stands out even more about this creature are the steel gray bull-like horns that jut from its head.
It's a smug and proud sword, trying to goad his wielder into digging deeper and reaching farther in order for them to crush whatever's in their way. Afterall, he won't let anyone but the strongest have the honor of wielding a sword like him.
Biography: Unlike others, he dosen't recall the life he lived before his death. What he does know is growing up in the 20th district, slowly working his way out of the rural village with eyes on the Seireitei. Old ambitions drive him, along with promises he made to those he loved.
Who were such people? That's not for you to worry about.
What happened to them? Enough for him to realize that he needed strength in order to change anything.
So he trained for several years, learning how to use a sword before entering the Academy. And now that he's managed to graduate, he intends to use his skill to keep growing to be as strong as he possibly can.