He was a classmate of Shūhei Hisagi. As such, he was a senpai to Momo Hinamori, Renji Abarai and Izuru Kira. Along with Hisagi and Kanisawa, he helped lead a group of academy students on a training mission to the material world to practice performing soul burials, though the anime changed this to practicing konsō.[1]
When Hisagi was about to end the day's training, Kanisawa was killed by a Huge Hollow. Aoga immediately tried to avenge her, but he was killed by the same Hollow before he could attack it.[1]