Character Profile: Isane Kotetsu

Isane Kotetsu is the Lieutenant and older sister of Kiyone Kotetsu. Unlike Kiyone, Isane is generally quiet and observant, though she shares her sister's sense of loyalty. She looks to her Captain, Retsu Unohana, as a mentor and mother figure. It is noted by Unohana that Isane suffers from frequent and recurring nightmares. This is sometimes used as material for jokes, as Isane's nightmares are often odd and whimsical in their contents. For example, she once had a nightmare involving fishpaste.

Isane's zanpakto's name is Itegumo. The guard is shaped like a snowflake. It is released with the command "sprint". When released, two smaller blades protrude from Itegumo's hilt at 45 degree angles. Its special abilities, if any, remain unknown. The first time she ever releases her zanpakto in the anime, she is immediately knocked out by Ichigo.

In episode 61, Isane arrives in Central 46 to rescue Toshiro and Momo from death by former Captain of squad 5, Sosuke Aizen and former Captain of squad 3, Gin Ichimaru. When Aizen and Gin leave, Isane performs a kido to locate where they went. She the performs another kido to explain to all Captains, Lieutenants, Seated officers, as well as Ichigo and his friends, what Aizen, Gin, and Kaname have done.