New characters include head of 1 of 4 noble families

Shueisha revealed on Monday that Bleach manga author Tite Kubo has drawn the character designs for two new characters who appear in Ryohgo Narita's (Baccano!, Durarara!) new Bleach: Can't Fear Your Own World novel series.

The new characters are Hikone (pictured left) and Tokinada Tsunayashiro (right). Hikone is a child with beautiful androgynous features who follows Tokinada. Hikone has extremely good battle skills, but the child's true character is as-yet unknown. Tokinada is the new head of the Tsunayashiro family, one of the four noble families. He is the husband of Kaname Tōsen's close friend Kakyō, whom he also killed. He is planning something in regards to the Soul King.

The novel series launched on both the Shonen Jump+ app and the official Bleach app on April 28. The apps update with new content for the novel every other week.

The first volume of the novel will ship on August 4.

Bleach: Can't Fear Your Own World centers on Shūhei Hisagi. Shūhei must throw himself into a new fight as the mystery that Kaname Tōsen left behind resurfaces. The story reveals more details about the four noble families, the Soul King, Arrancar, and Fullbringers.

Narita previously wrote the two-volume Bleach: Spirits Are Forever With You novel series, which Shueisha published in 2012.