Nanao Ise is the co-lieutenant of the 1st Division in the Gotei 13, serving under her uncle, Captain Shunsui Kyōraku. She is also the Vice President of the Shinigami Women's Association. Nanao is known for her severe and pragmatic demeanor and exceptional skills in Kidō.

As Shunsui's lieutenant, Nanao is responsible for handling the administrative duties of the division, often putting up with her captain's more carefree tendencies. Despite this, she highly regards her captain and follows his instructions without hesitation. Nanao's role usually involves moderating the Shinigami Women's Association meetings, where she clashes with the more impulsive President, Yachiru Kusajishi.

Personality and Appearance

Credits: Studio Pierrot 

Nanao is a slim, youthful-looking woman with long black hair, which she usually keeps pinned back, and light blue eyes with a violet tint. She wears the standard Shinigami shihakushō and glasses with a slightly oval shape.

Nanao is a very serious and pragmatic person. She often serves as the voice of reason when dealing with her captain's more whimsical behavior. She is highly respectful of Shunsui and the chain of command. Nanao is also known for her love of reading and her skills as a calculator, which comes in handy for the division's paperwork.

Powers and Abilities

Nanao's primary strengths lie in her Kidō expertise:

• Kidō Expert: As a graduate of the Shin'ō Academy who specialized in Kidō, Nanao is highly skilled in performing low to mid-level spells, often without incantation. She has demonstrated the ability to create intricate and advanced Kidō barriers.
• Shunpo Expert: While not a master, Nanao is proficient enough in Shunpo to keep up with lieutenant-level Shinigami, and she has improved her speed over time.
• High Spiritual Power: As a lieutenant, Nanao possesses a high level of spiritual energy.

Weaknesses:

• Inexperienced Swordsman: Nanao lacks expertise in close-range combat, finding it challenging to fight physically.

Trivia

• Nanao resembles her late mother, who was also a Shinigami.
• She writes a popular serialized article in the Seireitei Communication called "Please Don't Get Carried Away."
• Nanao's glasses suspension ranked 64th in the first Zanpakutō poll.
• Before its reveal, Nanao's Zanpakutō was shown in an art book as either a wakizashi or tantō.
• She was voted the 22nd most popular character in the third Bleach character popularity poll.
• Nanao's theme song, chosen by Tite Kubo, is "Sumire" by Chiaki Seike.