Akihiro Shimazu

Akihiro Shimazu (, Shimazu Akihiro) is an heir of the Shimazu Bushi, which is part of the Uesugi Alliance. He is the leader of the platoon, in which Musashi was put.

Appearance
Akihiro is a tall, lean-muscled young man. He has a slightly wavy, orange colored short hair with an undercut and stern-looking eyes. Like his clan members, he has piercings, a spiral piercing on his lip. His attire consists of a light-colored shirt and a dark, undivided hakama. He wears shin guards, made of iron plates attached to the cloth, and has his Kitetsu Swords fixed on his platformed sandals. When he served under the Uesugi Alliance, he wore the uniform of White Corps, a white cape with the Uesugi mon on the back.

History
Akihiro is one of the seven heir candidates to the Shimazu Clan. He and his siblings were sent to Awaji Island on the promise that they would succeed as leader of the clan if one of them break the horn of Orochi. Akihiro's father was aware of the sever danger of the mission on Awaji Island, but sent Akihiro and siblings there anyway. Akihiro explains to Kuroko that such coldness and cruelty is accepted in the Shimazu Clan.

Kitetsu Sword
Tenrō Tekkyaku (, Sirius Iron Kick): Akihiro’s Kitetsu Sword is a two-piece weapon worn on his legs. It consists of two pivoted black blades, an inner and an outer blade, folding in and out of his sandals. Since Akihiro wears his Kitetsu Sword on his legs, his fighting style involves a lot of kicks. Musashi described his fighting style as resembling a rampaging beast.

Abilities
Red Sword Color: Akihiro has a red sword color

Etymology

 * The name Akihiro means "autumn" (秋) (aki) and "vast, broad, wide" (弘) (hiro).
 * Akihiro's surname Shimazu means "island" (島) (shima) and "haven, port, harbor, ferry" (津) (tsu/zu).

Trivia

 * Akihiro's character was probably inspired by the real life samurai, Shimazu Yoshihiro.
 * Akihiro ranked 14th place in the manga's 1st Character Popularity Poll.