Shinji is somewhat comical, adding a bit of levity to situations that are otherwise serious. He has a flippant attitude under normal circumstances and seems to like annoying his associate, Hiyori Sarugaki, which usually earns him a slap from one of her sandals. Underneath this, though, he is quite perceptive in terms of regarding other people. Whenever angered or in combat, Shinji is fairly calm, serious, and level-headed. His shikai has the power is an optical illusion which is caused by the scent the sword gives off upon its release. It inverts an opponent's sense of direction.