Jshir Ukitake

Jshir Ukitake

Race Birthday Gender Height Weight

Shinigami December 21[1] Male 187 cm (6'1")[1] 72 kg (158 lbs.)[1] Professional Status Gotei 13, Soul Society, Ukitake Family Captain of the 13th Division 13th Division Rukia Kuchiki Shunsui Kyraku Kiyone Kotetsu and Sentar Kotsubaki Kaien Shiba 13th Division HQ, Seireitei, Soul Society Personal Status 5 Unnamed Brothers 2 Unnamed Sisters Shin' Academy Zanpakut

Affiliation Position Division Partner Previous Partner Base of Operations

Relatives Education

Shikai Bankai

Sgyo no Kotowari Unknown

"Friendship that embraces all." - Tite Kubo[1] Jshir Ukitake ( , Ukitake Jshir) is the captain of the 13th Division in the Gotei 13. His lieutenant is Rukia Kuchiki.

Appearance
Ukitake is a tall man with a somewhat emaciated appearance, caused by an illness which occasionally causes him to cough up blood. Because of his illness, he often spends his time recuperating at Ugend, his family's estate. During one of his attacks when he was much younger, his hair turned white over a three-day period. This is why his eyebrows are black, the color his hair used to be.[1] 110 years ago, he wore his hair in a long ponytail. Currently his hair is worn long, almost reaching his waist. He wears it parted on the left side with one long piece that tends to fall over his right eye. He has green eyes.[2] Ukitake wears the common Shinigami uniform with a long sleeved captain's haori, and a crimson lining. He wears a narrow white obi, in which he secures his Zanpakut.

Personality
Ukitake's favorite food is ohagi. In his free time he feeds the carp in the lake of Ugend's garden and also trims the bonsaithere, despite lacking the artistic sense necessary for the latter. He also writes a novel series in the Seireitei Communication titled "Rejection of the Twin Fishes!" (Sgy no Okotowari!), in which the lead character, Sgyo, fights evil and saves innocent villagers. Sgyo's catchphrase is "I refuse that!" (, Soitsu wa Okotowari da!) and is hugely popular

among the children in Seireitei. The serial is frequently on hiatus, but when it is in the magazine, it ranks in the top three features.[3] Ukitake is well-respected and highly honorable, and always treats those around him with respect, even those who are weaker or not as highly ranked as he is. As a result, he can be easily approached by other members of Soul Society who seek favors or advice from the captain. Due to his high moral code, Ukitake will never let any harm come to either his underlings or those who attempt to protect them.[4] He refuses to give up when he believes something is wrong and will break a rule to do what is right.[5] He is also quite perceptive, as seen when he analyzes the various disturbances caused in Soul Society,[6]and has the ability to correctly judge people's character, as noted by Yamamoto, and knows when they are lonely. He observes that, before meeting Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends, Rukia often had trouble opening up about certain things and was very lonely, but sees a difference in her when she spends time training with Orihime. Ukitake has on occasion given people strange or unwanted gifts for no apparent reason, particularly Tshir Hitsugaya because of their similar sounding names and hair color.[7] Due to his long-standing position with the Gotei 13, Ukitake is one of the most proficient combatants in Soul Society and always maintains a level of honor and integrity when engaging in battle, much like his best friend Shunsui. He refuses to fight with a child or even in the presence of a child, even if that child is an Arrancar.[8] He always maintains a semblance of respect for his opponent and is polite in combat situations. He also has a high measure of mercy, never taking the chance to kill Lilynette, but rather actually try to teach her how to be a better fighter, even though she was an enemy.[9]

History
Jshir is the eldest son from the low-class aristocratic Ukitake family. He has five brothers and two sisters, whom he essentially supports by himself. He, along with Shunsui Kyraku, were one of the first graduates of Captain Yamamoto'sShin' Academy and they were the first graduates to become captains. Furthermore, he was personally trained by Yamamoto himself.[10] He and Kyraku are the oldest captains among the Gotei 13, with the exception of Retsu Unohana and Yamamoto himself. It is stated that the four of them have been Captains of the Gotei 13 for at least 100 years as of 110 years ago before the current time.[11] Approximately 110 years ago, Ukitake was first seen arriving at the 1st Division Headquarters with Captain Shunsui Kyrakuand Lieutenant Lisa Yadmaru of the 8th Division. He first asked about the whereabouts of the 12th Division captain. As Shunsui and Captains Love Aikawaand Shinji Hirako started a conversation about the status of the Gotei 13, he reminded Shunsui not to forget Captain Unohana as one of the captains from 100 years ago.[12] He was again seen waiting for the promotion ceremony to begin at the 1st Division Headquarters along with the rest of the assembled captains. He witnessed the arrival of the newly-appointed Captain of the 12th Division, Kisuke Urahara.[13] The following day, he tried to persuade a then-reluctant Kaien Shiba into becoming his lieutenant. The two conversed about the current happenings in Soul Society, including a young Gin Ichimaru, who happened to be a child prodigy surpassing the previous record set by Kaien himself. Kaien shrugged off any attempt Jshir makes at him being any type of prodigy.

While visiting the Shiba residence, Jshir was shown to be quite popular with the servants, with Kaien noting that Jshir was still very charming and that he had a smile that made his servants blush. Jshir dismisses the compliment as he tries to remain humble about his notable quality.[14] 9 years later, Ukitake was present at an emergency meeting called by Captain-Commander Yamamoto, where he decided to create an investigation team to locate the missing 9th Division squad members. When he gave out orders, Yamamoto ordered him to guard the Seireitei.[15] Jshir was seemingly stunned by Kyraku sending Lisa to investigate the disappearance of the 9th Division captain and lieutenant.[16] Jshir, due to his illness, was rarely able to fulfill his role as captain on a regular basis, instead having Kaien fill the role under his guidance.[17] Sometime later, when a then-unknown Hollow killed a squad being lead by Kaien's wife, Miyako Shiba, Kaien became enraged and wanted revenge. Despite this, Jshir tried to reason with him that nothing was known of this new Hollow. Kaien did not relent, so Jshir gave him the only information they did have, the lair of the creature. The following night, Jshir, Kaien, and Rukia Kuchiki traveled to the Hollow's lair, and when they arrived, Kaien asked for permission to fight the creature alone, which Jshir allowed. Kaien fought the creature evenly until it used its unique technique and destroyed his Zanpakut. However Kaien continued to fight the creature with his bare hands. Eventually, the battle started to turn against Kaien, causing Rukia to try and assist him. Jshir stopped Rukia from assisting, explaining that Kaien was fighting for his honor. The Hollow's abilities allowed it to possess Kaien and Jshir began to fight it, but his illness got in the way and allowed the Hollow to attack Rukia. But at that moment, to both Jshir and Rukia's horror, Kaien took control and

impaled himself upon Rukia's sword, thanking the captain for understanding the value of his honor and that of his wife's.[18] Sometime in the past, Ukitake gave Kgo Ginj a badge that allowed him the recognition of being the first ever Substitute Shinigami.[19]

Powers and Abilities

Master Swordsman: While hating the concept of having to engage in a fight, Ukitake is presumably one of the most proficient swordsmen in all of the Soul Society, as he is able to hold his own against Yamamoto.[100] The unique shape of his sword's Shikai and its corresponding abilities make his form of fighting unconventional among Shinigami, but show his skill in this art.[101] Kid Master: As a captain, Ukitake is shown to have above-average knowledge of Kid, as shown when he assists in the resealing of the Jkaish.[102] He also aids in the opening of the Senkaimon. He is able to perform fairly high-level spells without incantation,[103] and he can easily use Kid in battle, such as when he used Seki against Lilynette Gingerbuck.[104] Shunpo Master: As a captain, Ukitake is exceptional in the art of Shunpo. He is able to gain sufficient ground while trying to put distance between himself and Captain-Commander Yamamoto during their chase through Soul Society.[105] Immense Spiritual Power: As one of the oldest and strongest Captains in the Gotei 13, Ukitake possesses tremendous spiritual power. He, alongside his best friend Shunsui Kyraku, are said to possesses Reiatsu unmatched by their peers or predecessors.[106][107] During his fight against the

Captain-Commander, he is not overwhelmed by the spiritual pressure of Yamamoto, though most people would be such a situation.[108] Enhanced Durability: Ukitake has shown himself to be very durable, even by Shinigami standards. He was able to withstand the devastating attacks of Captain-Commander Yamamoto, whose Zanpakut is the most devastating in all of Soul Society in terms of destructive power. [109] He was also able to effortlessly block Lilynette's Cero with his bare hand, though he himself admitted it was not even of Gillian-level power.[110]

Zanpakut
Sgyo no Kotowari redirects here. For the manifested spirit that appears in the Zanpakut Unknown Tales arc see Sgyo no Kotowari (spirit).

Sgyo no Kotowari (, Truth of Pisces; Viz "Law of the Twin Fish"): Ukitake's Zanpakut resembles an average katana, with a rectangular bronze cross guard and dark red handle.

Shikai: Its Shikai command is "All Waves, Rise now and Become my Shield, Lightning, Strike now and Become my Blade" (, nami kotogotoku waga tate to nare, ikazuchi kotogotoku waga yaiba to nare; Viz "Waves, Become my Shield, Lightning, Become my Blade"). Once he completes the incantation, he grasps the single blade with two hands. The blade then transforms slowly, and begins to form two blades. As the blades peel apart, a large red rope-like chain at the base of the hilt lengthens, and silver metal square charms attached to the chain begin to fall, until all five present themselves. The blade is now somewhat thinner than the sealed Zanpakut, and the tsuba now extends a little bit up the blade. About half way along the length of the Zanpakut, a second blade juts out from the inside of the main blade and extends back towards the hilt, running parallel to the main blade.

The cutting edge of the second blade faces inward instead of outward.[111]

Shikai Special Ability: Sgyo no Kotowari is able to absorb an opponent's energy attacks through the left sword and direct the attack through the connecting rope, where the five charms on the rope strengthen and accelerate the attack faster than it was originally fired, and reverse its original course by firing the same attack from the right sword, making it much more difficult for the opponent to dodge. The entire process occurs so fast that the attack looks as if it originally came from Sgyo no Kotowari.[112]

Bankai: Not Yet Revealed.

Trivia

His Zanpakut and Shunsui Kyraku's Zanpakut have the longest release commands as of yet. Word-for-word, Ukitake's is the longer of the two, although the translation in the English manga drastically shortens it and lengthens Kyraku's.

In the latest popularity poll, Ukitake came 19th (in the previous one he was 14th), while his Zanpakut, Sgyo no Kotowari, came 17th. In the first popularity poll, before his name and face were revealed, Ukitake came 70th with just one vote, but was labeled as "the Shinigami that appeared in Rukia's memories".

The Shinigami Women's Association published a Photo Collection showcasing Ukitake called Sickbed which is now sold out. [113]

In the manga his eyes are green, but in the anime they are brown.

Quotes

(To Rukia Kuchiki) "There are two types of fights. Whenever we are in battle, we must be one of the two. The fight for life orthe fight for pride! Right nowHe is fighting for his pride! His wifes pridehis men's prideMost importantlyhis own personal pride. Dismiss this as his stubbornnessand let him fight alone like this"[114]

(To Ssuke Aizen) "To sink all the way to the level of allying with the Menos. What are you trying to do?"[115] (To Shhei Hisagi) "Friends are a good thing, even if they tread a different path."[116] (To Lilynette Gingerbuck) "I know that, but what's wrong is wrong! To me you're a kid, and what's more a girl. I can't fight you. But if you insist on being spoiled and talking about fighting, then I will take you home by force! Now go home and play with your ball."[117]

Retsu Unohana
Retsu Unohana

Race Birthday Gender Height Weight Affiliation Previous Position Previous Division Previous Partner Base of Operations Relatives Shikai Bankai

Shinigami April 21[1] Female 159 cm (5'2")[1] 45 kg (99 lbs)[1] Professional Status Gotei 13, Soul Society Captain of the 4th Division Captain of the 11th Division 4th Division 11th Division Isane Kotetsu, Seinosuke Yamada 4th Division HQ, Seireitei, Soul Society Personal Status N/A Zanpakut Minazuki Minazuki

"Genuine elegance." - Tite Kubo[1] Retsu Unohana ( , Unohana Retsu), formerly known as Yachiru Unohana (, Unohana Yachiru), was the captain of the Fourth Division in the Gotei 13. She was one of the oldest and most experienced captains, and was the Soul Society's best healer. Her lieutenant was Isane Kotetsu.

Appearance
Unohana has the appearance of a slender and very youthful woman with blue eyes and black hair. She wears the standard Shinigami captain uniform apart from using an obi instead of the normal sash. Her hair is long and is always worn as a large braid in front. Over 100 years ago, she did not have the large braid, instead styling in front of her as a loose ponytail. During her battle with Kenpachi Zaraki, she wears her hair down for the first time and is revealed to have been covering a notable scar in-between her collarbone, inflicted by Kenpachi Zaraki when the latter was young.[2] Unlike most Shinigami who carry their Zanpakut in their sash, Unohana has a large string attached to the sheath of her Zanpakut and carries it over her shoulder, or has her lieutenant, Isane Kotetsu, carry it for her, whenever they are together on the battlefield.[3]

Personality
Unohana has a gentle and warm personality that augments her appearance. Unohana is a soft-spoken, polite, and caring woman who uses honorifics when addressing everyone, including her subordinates and the enemy. She rarely shows any signs of panic or distress, and has a great sense of duty, shown in the times that she orders Hanatar Yamadas imprisonment and Isane Kotetsus chasing of Renji Abarai when he runs away with Rukia Kuchiki. Despite her sense of duty, she will also heal

almost anybody around her, including Renji after he was defeated by his captain, Gantenbainne Mosquedawhen she arrived in Hueco Mundo, and the Visored, referring to them as allies despite Shinji's reluctance to do so. With her grace and kind manners, she lets others know quietly that while she may be soft, she is not to be taken lightly. Despite her gentle nature, several members of the Eleventh Division[4] and even her fellow Captains fear her.[5] However, after the revelation of her past as the first Kenpachi and Shunsui Kyraku calling on her to draw on her experience from then, Unohana's personality has taken a much darker turn. Remaining ominously silent during the meeting with the Central 46, it isn't until her fight with the current Kenpachi that she shows her original violent and bloodthirsty nature, commenting how the scar left on her chest was causing her pain just from the sound of the latter's voice.[6]Unohana herself says that she is infatuated with crossing blades.[7] Unohana likes strong flavored food, preferring it to bland tasting dishes. In her free time, she climbs mountains throughout Rukongai, during these excursions, she collects medicinal herbs. Once a month, she holds an ikebana class for the members of her division.[8] Unohana is also the President of the Ikebana Club(Flower Arranging Society.)

History
. Some point in the past, she named herself Yachiru Unohana[9] and was known as the most diabolical criminal to ever exist in Soul Society.[10]. Genrysai Shigekuni Yamamoto sought her out and she joined him, becoming one of the founding members of the Gotei 13. Unohana laid the foundations of what would be known as the 11th Division and became

its first captain as well as the first Kenpachi. At some point in the past, Unohana was taught medical techniques byTenjir Kirinji as a way of prolonging fights. [11] Some time after becoming a captain, she undertook a mission to eliminate the warriors on the edges of Rukongai. Having lost interest in fighting, Unohana wandered from place to place in search of something that would please her sword, and came across a youngKenpachi Zaraki. Attacking her on sight, the boy was able to injure her, causing the woman to once again enjoy fighting. However, despite being the one left standing at the conclusion of their battle, she realized he was stronger and was better suited to become Kenpachi.[12][13] Some time after this fight, Unohana left the 11th division and became captain of the 4th Division. She has been one the Gotei 13's longest tenured captains alongside fellow captains Yamamoto, Jshir Ukitake and Shunsui Kyraku. Ukitake also refers to her as "Senpai" denoting her seniority to both him and Shunsui.[5] Approximately 110 years ago Unohana was present for a promotion ceremony, that took place at the 1st Division Headquarters, along with the rest of the assembled captains. She witnessed the arrival of the newly appointed Captain of the 12th Division, Kisuke Urahara. Her lieutenant at this time was Seinosuke Yamada.[14] 9 years later, Unohana was present at a emergency meeting called by Captain-Commander Yamamoto where he decided to create a investigation team to locate the missing 9th Division members. When he gave out orders, Yamamoto ordered Unohana to prepare the relief stations for casualties, but she interrupted him and asked if it wouldn't be better for her

to tend to the wounded there. Yamamoto plainly told her that he couldn't send healers out without knowing what the situation was like.[15] Unohana was present when Isshin Shiba made his report about the mysterious hollow. [16]

Equipment

Daggers: Aside from her Zanpakut, Unohana also carries with her a set of dagger-like blades, which she can use against her unsuspecting opponent during combat.[71]

Powers & Abilities

Master Healer: She learned the healing techniques that she currently uses from the Royal Guard Tenjir Kirinji.[73] Though she originally learned healing Kid as a way to prolong her fights, Unohana has become the most knowledgeable on health related matters in all of Soul Society.[74] She is known to be highly proficient in conventional healing techniques and herbal healing. Her knowledge of anatomy is great enough that upon examination of Aizen's "dead body", she concluded it was not Aizen or even real.[75] She is also able to heal more than just Shinigami, as shown when she heals Yasutora Sado, a Human, as well asGantenbainne Mosqueda, an Arrancar.[76] Kid Master: As one of the oldest and most experienced captains, Unohana has advanced knowledge of kid and the flow of spiritual energy. Her knowledge and mastery of healing Kid are unrivaled within Soul Society. Unohana is well-versed in a variety of Kid, highly masterful in healing kid and is able to easily use high-level Had and Bakud spells without incantation.[49]

Immense Spiritual Power: As one of the oldest Captains in the Gotei 13 and one of its most powerful combatants, Unohana has a tremendous amount of spiritual power. Master Swordsman: Unohana's personal specialty is sword fighting, particularly her mastery in the art of kend.[1] She is said to know all 8,000 of the worlds schools of swordsmanship, as well as all the swords, hence the meaning behind her previous name, "Yachiru".[77]Her skill level in Swordsmanship is far superior to even the combat oriented 11th Division Captain Kenpachi Zarakias she is able to easily best him for a considerable amount of their fight after centuries of not engaging in melee combat. She also has a combat philosophy that allows her to use any means necessary even tricks to gain the upper hand in a fight.[78][79] Shunpo Expert: Unohana is proficient enough in this skill to be as fast as the average captain. Hakuda Combatant: During her fight to the death against Zaraki Kenpachi, she was proficient enough in Hakuda to deflect his sword swing using the back of her free hand to create openings for attacks, and could also use her leg to block Zaraki's sword hand mid-swing to prevent it hitting her and leave him exposed at the same time.[80] Keen Intellect: Along with her general skill of healing, she is able to detect the smallest details in her patients. This aids her in her healing. She can detect anomalies and problems lesser healers would not. She can tell by a simple look what type of medical attention, if any, is needed.[81] She is also a keen analyst with great attention to detail, able to quickly determine how to counteract any ailments a person may have.[40] Her powers of perception were great to deduce that Aizen's elaborate illusion of a corpse doll wasn't real, and that Aizen was perpetuating a much larger scheme.[82]

Zanpakut
Minazuki redirects here. For the manifested spirit that appears in the Zanpakut Unknown Tales arc see Minazuki (spirit).

Minazuki (, "Flesh-Drops' Gorge"): In sealed form, Minazuki is slightly longer than an ordinary katana, and resembles a nodachi. The tsuba has an oval shape, and the handle is red. Instead of tying it to her obi, Unohana carries her Zanpakut over her shoulder by a rope strap, or lets Isane carry it for her.

Shikai: Its release command is unknown. When released in Shikai form, Minazuki will start to morph, turning into a green, gas-like substance before taking the solid shape of a giant, green, one eyed manta ray-like creature with the ability to fly. Minazuki can be used for transportation, and will change back into the green gas substance before returning to its sword form when its duty has been fulfilled.[83] Shikai Special Ability: It is large enough to transport many people on its back (at least a dozen, based on its size when compared to those riding it). It seems to act on verbal orders, and when landing it has the ability to somehow create a pair of bird like legs. Minazuki's main aspect is its ability to heal. When the wounded are placed within Minazuki's mouth, they are swallowed and stored inside its stomach. Minazuki's stomach acids are strong healing medicines and ointments which gradually soak over the wounded, curing their injuries. Currently, it has shown the ability to carry at least six people within its stomach. When Unohana gives the word, Minazuki will regurgitate the people back out of its mouth.[84][1] Bankai: Minazuki (, "All Things' End"): When released the blade of Unohana's Zanpakut exudes a thick, dark substance that entirely covers the blade and flows from it with ease.[85]

Trivia

Though now known by this name, Retsu, which means "violent" or "fierce", Unohana used to be called Yachiru, during the time she was the First Kenpachi. Yachiru means "Eight thousand/many flows" or "Eight thousand/many exiles".

Unohana has a column in the Seireitei Communication titled 'Tis the Season and another column titled Every Nook And Cranny.[86] She also publishes recommendations for sweet shops.[87]

Quotes

(To two 11th Division Shinigami) "While it is good to be energetic, please remain quiet inside the hospital. As long as you are still inside this building, your lives are in our hands. Please do not forget that."[88]

(To Shinji Hirako) "The act of saving a comrade in need should require no thanks."[89] (Thinking about Kenpachi Zaraki) "I'm strong. Stronger than anyone but you. That's why... I will kill you. A hundred, a thousand times. That's why... I will heal you. Over and over again. Until you return to be your old self. And... Surpass me... To go higher and higher... Come."[90]

Kisuke Urahara
Kisuke Urahara

Race Birthday Gender Height Weight Affiliation Previous Affiliation Position

Shinigami December 31[1] Male 183 cm (6'0")[1] 69 kg (152 lbs)[1] Professional Status Urahara Shop, Soul Society Gotei 13 Owner of the Urahara Shop Captain of the 12th Division Founder & 1st President of the Shinigami Research & Development Institute 3rd Seat of the 2nd Division Corps Commander of the Onmitsukid's Detention Unit. None 12th Division Shinigami Research and Development Institute 2nd Division Onmitsukid Tessai Tsukabishi, Jinta

Previous Position

Division

Previous Division

Partner

Hanakari,Ururu Tsumugiya, & Yoruichi Shihin Previous Partner Base of Operations Relatives Education Shikai Bankai Hiyori Sarugaki, Mayuri Kurotsuchi Urahara Shop, Karakura Town, Human World Personal Status N/A Shin' Academy Zanpakut Benihime Unknown

Kisuke Urahara ( , Urahara Kisuke) is the former captain of the 12th Division, as well as the founder and 1st President of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute. He currently lives in the Human World after being exiled, where he owns small convenience store, "Urahara Shop", which doubles in selling Shinigami items. The shop is maintained by Urahara himself, as well as his employees Tessai Tsukabishi,Jinta Hanakari, and Ururu Tsumugiya.

Appearance
Kisuke is a tall, lean-built man with light skin and gray eyes. His hair is messy and light-blond (almost pale), with strands framing the sides of the face and hanging between his eyes, and he has chin stubble. He wears a black coat, which sports a white diamond pattern along its bottom half, with a dark green shirt and pants underneath. His coat's design is reminiscent of an inverted captain's haori (white with black diamonds). Urahara carries a fan, which he occasionally uses to hide his face. He usually wears traditional Japanese wooden sandals (geta) and a striped dark green and white bucket hat (which usually shadows his eyes), which has earned him

the nickname "sandal-hat" (, geta-bshi; "Mr. Hat-and-Clogs" in the English dub). During his earlier years in Soul Society, he had a clean face and wore the standard Shinigami uniform. In his more casual events, he usually wore his geta. He later wore a long-sleeved captain's haori after his promotion to the rank of captain.

Personality
Though usually a laid-back, jovial, humble and eccentric man, Urahara shows a deceptively cunning and serious side when the situation warrants it. He commonly uses idle conversation and outward concern to distract his opponents.[2] Despite his care-free attitude, he always speaks politely, but is sometimes sarcastic. Yoruichi Shihin notes he tends to go over the top with whatever he becomes passionate about. He has described himself as a "mere honest, handsome, perverted businessman." Approximately 110 years ago, Urahara's personality was the direct opposite of what it is in the present. During his earlier years as a captain, he was viewed as a nervous, flustered, and quiet person. He was somewhat unsure of himself, and lacked confidence in his ability to be a good leader. In addition, he was occasionally confused with how to deal with his division. Despite being uncomfortable in his role, he seemed relatively at ease in his previous position at the 2nd Division Detention Unit. However, he eventually hardened his resolve to take on his role as captain by becoming more serious and determined. Urahara can usually be found near the scene of an important event, but he rarely intervenes in situations, preferring to stay on the sidelines. He often knows more information than he lets on, and despite being a major player, he acts only as a catalyst, having others do the work for him. He likes building large secret underground training spaces.

History
Urahara grew up at the Shihin Mansion in Seireitei with his childhood friends Yoruichi Shihin and Tessai Tsukabishi.[3] He joined the Gotei 13 around the same time Yoruichi joined theOnmitsukid,[4] and eventually became the 3rd Seat of the 2nd Division, which was intertwined with the Onmitsukid. As part of his duties as one of the top five Seated Officers, Urahara became head of the Onmitsukid's Detention Unit.[5]Approximately 110 years ago, the 12th Division captain, Kirio Hikifune, was promoted to the Royal Guard,[6] and Yoruichi recommended Urahara as her replacement.[7] Urahara was told of this by Yoruichi after a sparring session. Urahara spent the day wandering around Soul Society, interacting with the citizens as he sought information on Shinigami defectors. Returning to the 2nd Division Headquarters, as he was talking with Yoruichi, Su-Fng arrived and reported negatively on Urahara's activities. They were interrupted by the arrival of a division member, who reported the people Urahara had been looking for had been found. Yoruichi told Urahara to hurry off to his duties, and sent Su-Fng to help prepare for his captain's proficiency test. Urahara and his men proceeded to the remote area where the defectors were hiding. Urahara, telling his men to wait, entered the building by himself and single-handedly defeated all the defectors with Hakuda before moving on to his test.[8] After successfully passing his exam, he became the captain of the 12th Division[9] and gained Hikifune's lieutenant, Hiyori Sarugaki, as his own. Later that day, Urahara formally introduced himself to the 12th Division. He

encountered some resistance from Hiyori, who, refusing to accept him, cited her displeasure with Captain Hikifune's sudden departure and his status as a former 2nd Division member. Urahara, laughing it off, told her he had already been made the captain of the 12th Division, and he had decided this was the role he would play from then on. He was no longer a member of the 2nd Division, and if she had a problem, it was hers to change. Hiyori proceeded to kick him in his crotch, which did not affect him at all.[10] The following night, Captain Shinji Hirako, approaching Urahara, told him why Hiyori was giving him problems, and gave him advice on how to best go about being a captain. He stated he could tell Urahara was not the type who does what other people tell him. Shinji explained that he felt Urahara was a type just like him, so he should just meddle in his own business.[11] At a division meeting, Urahara explained that he had decided to change the policy of the 12th Division, but had yet to determine what course of action he thought would be a good role for them. Hiyori, becoming increasingly angry upon hearing he was still thinking about it, attacked him. She challenged him to a fight, which he accepted on the condition that they fight unarmed. Hiyori tried to kick him in the face, but Urahara showed her he could evade the attack. However, he allowed her to hit him so as not to embarrass her in front of the other division members.[12] The following morning, Hiyori, arriving at the captain's chamber, became enraged at how Urahara had changed the room from its former state. As he tried to calm her down, Hiyori attacked him again. Brushing it aside, he asked her to accompany him to the Nest of Maggots.[13] On the way to the Nest of Maggots, Urahara explained to her about the Detention Unit, what happens to those under its jurisdiction, and the

function of the Nest of Maggots. Inside the facility, Urahara told her those detained within could not leave, but they are still free within the facility. He warned her to be careful, as the inmates can become violent. Urahara explained that though the people in the facility are possibly dangerous, he had always felt, given a suitable outlet, they could channel their power into something more productive. When one of the inmates tried to attack Hiyori, Urahara stopped him bare-handed, noting that in the facility, they are not allowed to carry weapons.[14] This prompted the other inmates to attack, but Urahara, easily took out all his attackers.[15] The pair went to the cell of Mayuri Kurotsuchi, whom Urahara asked if he wanted to leave the Nest of Maggots.[16]Urahara explained that in his capacity as the captain of the 12th Division, he had decided to make an organization, the Shinigami Research and Development Institute, and he wanted him to be its VicePresident.[17] Nine years later, Urahara was told by Shinji and Lieutenant Ssuke Aizen about a series of strange disappearances, which had taken place in Rukongai, and that the 9th Division was investigating.[18] Urahara later set about making a new type of Gigai to stabilize the disappearing souls. When explaining this to Hiyori, they were interrupted by the arrival of Td Izaemon, who relayed Captain Kensei Muguruma's requests that a researcher be sent to the investigation site. Urahara persuaded a reluctant Hiyori to carry out the task.[19] Later, when he hears theReiatsu of the investigation team had disappeared, Urahara, hurrying into the lab, asked a researcher where Hiyori was. When she said Hiyori had already left, he rushed back out and arrived late at an emergency captains meeting. Fearing for her safety, Urahara requested to go to the site himself, but was denied by Captain-Commander Yamamoto.[20] Urahara later decided to go

anyway, using a Reiatsu-concealing cloak to hide himself. Urahara was spotted by Tessai Tsukabishi, who joined him in the search.[21] They arrived just in time to stop Aizen from killing Captain Hirako.[22] Urahara questioned Aizen about what he was doing there, rejecting his initial explanation. Urahara noted there were no injuries on the victims, and that they were infected with "Hollowfication". When Aizen tried to leave with his henchmen, Tessai used a high-level Kid spell against them, forcing Urahara to duck out of the way. However, they managed to escape.[23] The duo tend to Shinji and the rest of the victims, who were deep in process of Hollowfication. After Urahara said he could possibly help them at his lab, Tessai used forbidden Kid to transport them there. In his lab, Urahara tried to reverse the process using an item he had created, the "Hgyoku". However, it did not have the effect Urahara expected.[24][25] The following morning, Urahara and Tessai were arrested and brought before theCentral 46. They were swiftly tried, with little opportunity to defend themselves. Urahara was sentenced to be stripped of his Shinigami powers and exiled to the Human World. However, before the sentence could be carried out, he and Tessai were rescued by Yoruichi, who brought them to a secret underground area. There, she berated him for keeping her out of the loop, and explained that she had brought the eight Hollowfied Shinigami and the prototype Gigai Urahara was working on. Urahara resolved to make Reiatsu-concealing Gigai to help him, Tessai, and the eight victims escape to the Human World, where they unsuccessfully tried to find a way to undo the Hollowfication process.[26] At some point, Urahara established hisstore in the Human World, and became acquainted with Kkaku Shiba.[27]

One day during his time in the Human World, Kisuke walked by Masaki Kurosakias she starts to feel faint on her way home from school, to which he noticed [28]Later, Kisuke appeared before Isshin Shiba, captain of the 10th Division and the Quincy Ryken Ishida, who were arguing about the condition of the unconscious Masaki, who hads developed a Hollow-like hole after being injured by one in a recent fight. He stopped their quarreling by telling them he can help save Masaki.[29] At his shop, Urahara introduced himself and identified Masaki's condition to beHollowfication. He explained that it is irreversible, and the only way to stabilize it is to insert a part of the soul from something opposite of the species at hand, and it worked for all of the othervictims of this condition he tested this method with. After Ryken accused him of lying, he stated that this wasn't Ryken's choice. He then said that to save Masaki, Isshin must enter a Gigai that would attached his soul to Masaki's. In doing so, Isshin will be unable to return to his Shinigami form so long as Masaki is alive. Isshin agreed to this solution, which surprised Urahara. After listening to his resolve, Urahara began working on the solution.[30] Ultimately, the operation was a success. Later, Kisuke helped Isshin establish his new life in the Human World.[31]

Inventions
Having founded the research institute in Soul Society, Kisuke Urahara has developed a number of unique items. The notable ones are below:

Hgyoku (, Crumbling Orb, Viz: "Breakdown Sphere") also referred as The Orb of Distortion: A small orb which was initially believed to only be capable of dissolving the boundary between a Shinigami and a Hollow and vice-versa.[140] However, according to

Aizen, its true ability is materializing the inner desires of the people

around it.[141] Gigai Technology: a Gigai (, faux body) is an artificial body created to help broken souls to stabilize and restore their energy[142] as well as enable Shinigami stationed in Human World to interact with Humans. Having experimented with Gigai at length, Urahara has created its many variations designed for various purposes.

Energy-sucking Gigai: An untraceable Gigai which drains the user's spiritual power instead of restoring it, effectively making them Human if used long enough. It was developed for the purpose of hiding Hgyoku forever and given to Rukia.[143] Akon noted that this Gigai was so advanced that nobody in the current SRDI was able to create it.

Portable Gigai: An inflatable variation used as a decoy in combat.[144] With an adequate level of skill and right timing the user can fool even a high-level combatant like Aizen.[145]

Human Shell Gigai: a Gigai created for the purpose of helping Hollowfied Quincy souls. If a Shinigami enters this Gigai he becomes a Human-Shinigami hybird and, with the help a special reishi string which bounds the souls, he can enter Quincy's Inner World to protect them from the Hollow inside. The side-effects are inability to leave the Gigai and use Shinigami powers at all. There's also a huge risk of losing Shinigami powers entirely.[146]

Soul-Object Integration: Urahara has developed the technique to bury matter within a soul. The matter can be removed by disintegrating the soul around the object or by breaking down the soul's cohesion, allowing the object to be removed without any damage to the soul. He used this technique to hide the Hgyoku in Rukia's body, and the latter technique allowed Aizen to remove it from there without killing her.[147]

Reiatsu Concealing Cloak: Urahara has created a cloak which hides his spiritual pressure, which he used to sneak up on Aizen during the Hollowfication of the soon-to-be Visored[148] and to sneak up on Ichigo after he lost his Fullbring.[149] It also allows him to freely and safely move about in the Dangai.[150] As demonstrated by Aizen, by incorporating Kid into the cloak, it allows the wearer to blend in with the air around him, almost completely concealed from sight.[151] Tenshintai (, lit. "Change [Death] God Body", Viz: "Divine Transfer Body"): An artifact belonging to the Onmitsukid, but invented and tested by Urahara. It is a vaguely Human-shaped, man-sized doll which forcibly materializes the spirit of a Zanpakut into the Real World when stabbed by the Zanpakut. In doing so, it facilitates the user in subjugating the spirit and attaining the Bankai of their Zanpakut. The materialization can last for about three days, after which the spirit reverts into the doll which spawned it. Without this invention, achieving Bankai takes at least ten years, plus the many years of combat experience needed. This method, however, is very dangerous, due to the fact that it forcibly materializes the Zanpakut's spirit. Urahara deemed it dangerous to use for more than three days.[152][153] Tenkai Kecchu (, World-Shifting Binding-Posts): A device which creates an enormous, one spiritual unit of area radius Senkaimon bound by four linked points. When activated, the device swaps something that it encircles with something else in Soul Society.[154]

Karakura-Raizer Transformation Watch: A watch given to Kon aid him in protecting Karakura Town during Ichigo's absence. The watch has the following features:[88]

Transformation: The watch's main function. It covers Kon in a puff of smoke as it gives him a superhero outfit designed by

Ury. Despite its flashy appearance, the suit has little to offer; it gives the user no increases in strength or speed, nor does it give the wearer the ability to fly.[88]

Raizer Beam: The only effective weapon in the suit. After Kon spells out Raizer with his body, he slaps his hands together, firing a beam strong enough to kill a large Hollow. However, this attack takes up a lot of energy and can only be used once per transformation.[88]

Communicator: The watch serves as a communicator between Kon and Urahara.[88] Electrocute: Urahara can have the watch shock Kon if he disobeys his orders.[88]

Anti-Hierro Armor: A protective armor, designed especially to engage in direct battle, with enough durability to smash through an Arrancar's Hierro. It is also rather effective defensively, able to protect the wearer's said body part from damage, even if the armor itself is destroyed in the process.[155]

Two-Way Holographic Communicator: A special system which allows Urahara to communicate between Soul Society and Hueco Mundo through a holographic display. He installed it in Kon's plushy body. When using it, the top of Kon's head emits the display. The eyes are switches for it, and he can prevent the communication from being shut off by forcing the eyes shut.[156]

Restoration Hot Springs: Having studied and analyzed the properties of the "Blood Hell Pond" and "White Bone Pond" in the domain of Tenjir Kirinji, Urahara replicated them in his own personal hot springs in Yoruichi Shihin's underground training grounds in Soul Society. This hot spring is able to drastically speed up one's healing process by soothing away the wounds and blood in one's Reiatsu.[157] Minor cuts and such heal almost instantly.[158]

Anti-Hollowfication Vaccine: A medicine created from combining the Quincies' Heilig Pfeil and some Human souls. If injected into a soul of a hollowfied Shinigami it stabilizes the conflict of souls and stops the "Soul Suicide" side-effect. This is the only means of saving a hollowfied Shinigami from dying and enabling him to conquer an Inner Hollow.[159]

Equipment
Computer: When he enters Hueco Mundo, Kisuke utilizes a holographic computer interface generated from a small, black, three-legged device which has long, slender, black arms on both sides of it. The device projects a keyboard on to a surface in front of it and a display above its arms. He can use this projected computer interface to aid in analysis.[160]

Powers & Abilities

Master Swordsman: Urahara is an extremely skilled swordsman, possessing powerful strikes with equally impressive speed behind them. He can perform attacks with perfect precision and stop them in an instant.[161] His abilities are considered highly dangerous by Ulquiorra Cifer, the 4th Espada, who opted to avoid fighting Urahara.[162] While Urahara's preferred fighting style seems to be swordsmanship, he is highly proficient in combining it with his other skills and instantly switching between any of them. His usual methods in battle are striking from various angles to confuse and catch his opponents off-guard for sneak attacks.[163][164] He kept Ichigo constantly pressured during their training despite Ichigo's much larger blade. He rarely relies on more than Shikai, as seen against Yammy, the 10th Arrancar.[165] He achieved Bankai within a short time through a process he devised, relying on sheer skill against the blade's spirit.

Shitonegaeshi (, "Cushion Return")[166]: A pinning technique which subdues an opponent and immobilizes them on the ground using coercion alone, with Urahara suspending the tip of his cane just millimeters from their face after he has struck them down.[167] Hzuri (, "Cheek Stroke")[166]: A simple but precise slash technique which is meant only to lightly graze and cause superficial wounds.[168]

Hakuda Master: As a former commander of the Detention Unit of the Onmitsukid, Urahara was not allowed to use weapons in the Nest of Maggots, so he became highly proficient in unarmed combat.[169] His skills are great enough to force Yoruichi at her peak to fight seriously during their regular sparring sessions. During his days as a Shinigami, even when only a third seat officer, he effortlessly took down several Shinigami deserters unarmed, and emerged unscathed afterwards.[15] Shunpo Master: As a former Onmitsukid unit commander, Urahara has exceptional skill in Shunpo and is well-versed in its various techniques. He is so fast, an opponent does not notice when he replaces himself with a portable Gigai for misdirection; this is further demonstrated when he uses this tactic effectively against Aizen.[170]The fact that he could always keep up with Yoruichi's speed during sparring sessions is further proof of his mastery of this skill.[8] Kid Master: As the former head of the SRDI, Urahara has immense knowledge and understanding of the flow, application, and consistency of spiritual energy.[171] He knows how to break barriers of the spiritually superior noble clans, a feat which even captains cannot achieve.[172] He can silently, and without warning, use low and mid-level Kid to great effect.[173][174][175] He can rapidly use a single high-level Kid repeatedly, or multiple ones in quick succession, by name alone, without incantation or

calling the type and level, while retaining considerable power and control.[176][117] He is highly proficient in healing Kid.[177] He can use level 99 Kid,[115] but has more difficulty with Kid above level 88 without incantation,[116] as he had to use the incantation to ensure enough power for a level 91 Kid. He can use multiple Kid in conjunction for various combination and diversion tactics, and have them remain undetected until sprung in sync in a chain reaction. Urahara can create his own unique highlevel Kid.[178] Aizen admitted that if not for the Hgyoku, Urahara's prowess would have surely defeated him.[179] Keikaigi (, "World-Tying Rite"):[180] This technique connects the space tying two worlds together to produce a Garganta. The opening is generated between two large wooden posts jutting out from two large rock formations.[181] He is later able to open the portal silently and whenever he chooses.[182] Immense Spiritual Power: As a former captain of the 12th Division, Urahara boasts great amounts of spiritual energy. His energy is intense enough to make opponents with high levels of energy sweat in fear.[163] When releasing his spiritual pressure, it can create a shockwave strong enough to affect a considerable area and launch back weaker individuals.[8] He has demonstrated noticeably great reserves of energy, launching multiple high-level Kid and Shikai attacks in a single battle without tiring.[183] He is quite skilled in hiding his spiritual energy, able to remain unnoticed by both allies and enemies.[184] His Reiatsu is red.[185] Genius Intellect: Urahara has proven himself to be the most intelligent being both within and outside of Soul Society. Much of his intellect is seen in scientific inventions, deduction of situations, and combat tactics. Aizen himself acknowledges Urahara's intelligence surpasses his own immense intellect.[186] He is very insightful of other people, allowing him to seemingly predict anything well in advance. After Orihime inadvertently revealed her

powers to Ulquiorra, Urahara correctly deduced Aizen would try to capture Orihime to use her against Soul Society, and had already prepared to send Ichigo to Hueco Mundo before he even had a chance to ask.[187] Kisuke is a highly capable teacher. In only five days of unorthodox training, he conditioned Ichigo into an experienced fighter on par with lieutenant-level Shinigami.[188] His knowledge has led him to an innate understanding of the abilities of others and what happens when independent variables are entered into an equation.

Master Scientist & Inventor: As the founder and former head of the SRDI, Urahara is a talented inventor and scientist, having created a number of devices and techniques to aid him in battle or otherwise. His intellect in this field is evident, having created the most amazing things in Soul Society's history. As he has been inventing and creating things before becoming a seated officer in the 2nd Division, he can create his inventions in rather short amounts of time.[87] He modified a simple plushy doll into a two-way monitor to speak between dimensions, greatly intriguing Kurotsuchi.[189] Urahara figured out how to restore Ichigo's Shinigami powers seventeen months after losing them.[190] He is a highly adept chemist, having recreated the unique healing properties of both the "White Bone Pond" and "Blood Hell Pond" in his own hot spring.[191] Urahara also has highly capable medical skills, regularly healing Ichigo and his friends when battleworn.[192] He also has a very detailed understanding of the Hollowfication process and has determined how to stabilize a victim of it, as seen with the Visored.[193]

Master Strategist & Tactician: Despite his aloof and unkempt appearance, Urahara is a very insightful and cunning man. He possesses great intuition, quickly becoming aware of any incoming danger and reacting to it in time.[194] Urahara has an undeniable talent for thinking things through well in advance, making decisive and

accurate decisions quickly in battle, and seemingly perceiving any situation at hand. He is a crafty tactician, easily deceiving both allies and enemies. In battle, he regularly uses cunning and deception to catch his opponents off-guard.[195] He is a very analytical man, quickly seeing through an opponent's power and attack patterns to ultimately make them useless against him. He easily outmaneuvered and tricked Aizen repeatedly in his fight with him.[196] Enhanced Strength: As a former member of the Onmitsukid, he received considerable physical conditioning. During his time as commander of the Detention Unit, he effortlessly stopped a punch from a giant man with a single hand.[169] He stopped a kick from the immensely strong Ururu, blocking most of the impact which would have otherwise killed Ichigo.[197] During his training with Ichigo, his strikes possessed enough power to create large craters and launch the younger fighter several meters through solid rock.[198] Enhanced Speed: Kisuke has demonstrated tremendous speed and reflexes in battle. Even when caught by surprise from an enemy's attack, he can react in time to skillfully dodge or counter the assault.[199] Offensively, he can keep up a quick and rapid assault which forces most opponents on the defense, as he leaves no openings in his attacks.[163] Enhanced Agility: While normally laid-back, Kisuke is an immensely agile fighter. In battle, he can effectively use the battlefield to his advantage, flipping and jumping from wall to wall to keep his opponents unsure of his attack patterns. Offensively, his agility grants him great balance and dexterity in battle, attacking his opponent from various angles with great accuracy and force.[163] Enhanced Durability: While not the most imposing in appearance, Kisuke has received considerable physical training from his days in the

Onmitsukid, and is well-conditioned for battle. He can take large amounts of punishment. During his time as a captain, he would regularly be assaulted by his then-lieutenant Hiyori Sarugaki. Each time, he would take the assaults indifferently, if not laugh about it, with little to no adverse effect on himself. His durability caused Hiyori to be more careful about how she would hit him if she did not want to hurt herself instead.[200] Master Assassin: As a former high-ranking member of the Onmitsukid, Kisuke possesses considerable mastery in the art of stealth combat. He has repeatedly shown impressive skill in staying hidden and unseen while maneuvering towards his target. He can completely hide his presence, remaining undetected until he intentionally reveals himself.[201] During his battle against Yammy, he repeatedly caught his opponent completely off guard and effectively took advantage of it.[202] Even the perceptive and intuitive Aizen was caught by surprise.[203]

Zanpakut
Benihime (, Crimson Princess; "Red Princess" in the English dub): A blade described by Urahara as "not nice", it is one of the few known Zanpakut with a female spirit owned by a male. When sealed, Benihime is a beige-coloredshikomizue (a blade hidden inside a cane) with a curved handle and silver base. As the blade resides in a cane, the cane's handle is still the hilt and the shaft is the sheath, allowing it to still operate like other Zanpakut.[204] The shaft's base bears a skull and blue flame mark on the bottom, which can separate souls from bodies by pressing the mark to it.[205] Back when Urahara was still in the Gotei 13, Benihime was sealed in an average-sized katana form, with a black sheath worn under Urahara's sash. It had an oval-shaped tsuba, with a snowflake-design embossed in it, and a black hilt-wrapping.[4][206] It is unknown if Benihime can return to this katana form.

Shikai: Benihime' Shikai command is "Awaken" (, okiro). Its Shikai takes the form of a sleek, medium-sized sword. The hilt's grip, which has a gentle black-decorative wrapping, bends forward at the end, with a pommel shaped overlap three times, and a crimson tassel dangling from its base. Instead of a tsuba, there is a U-shape guard covering three inches of blade, with a flower petal design. At the base of the guard is a red string wrapped thrice around the hilt, with a threeloop bow on the back side and a folded paper decoration on the front side. The blade is black with a silver edge, and is somewhat thicker than the cane-sealed state. It remains straight and slim with a somewhat short size, with the tip ending in a slanted razor-like edge instead of tapering to a point.[207][208] Shikai Special Ability: Benihime is capable of performing a variety of crimson-colored energy techniques. Urahara can use these techniques of Benihime's with a variety of verbal commands that corresponds to its different abilities.[209][210][211] Nake, Benihime (, Sing, Crimson Princess; "Scream" in the English dub): This technique fires particularly strong and destructive crimson-colored energy blasts. The energy flows out of the blade and fires in the arc of the sword's swing.[212] The technique is capable of taking on a point-blank Cero from an Espada-level Arrancar by dissipating it with a blast of equal power.[213] He can charge up this technique to deal considerably

more damage.[163] Chikasumi no Tate (, Blood Mist Shield): This technique forms a hexagon-shaped crimson barrier in front of the blade for defensive purposes. The barrier is called out with the same command as the "Nake" technique. The barrier can easily block a direct punch from the immensely strong Yammy Llargo without any damage or repercussions to

Urahara,[214] and block Ichigo's first use of his "Getsuga Tensh" while only slightly eroding, after which Urahara states

he would have lost an arm were it not for the shield.[215] Kamisori, Benihime (, "Razor, Crimson Princess"):[180] A technique which fires an energy arc capable of cutting through materials and substances with relative ease. This arc moves towards the target and can instantly change direction. It cut through a Hierro-protected tentacle of Luppi Antenor.[216] Tsuppane, Benihime (, "Spurning, Crimson Princess"):[180] After analyzing a technique's Reishi composition and the subject's muscle movements when they use the technique, by simply drawing a circle of energy with the edge of Benihime and timing it right, this technique can cancel out the enemy's attack at the point of contact.[217] Shibari, Benihime (, Crimson Princess of Binding): This technique launches condensed energy in the form of a tangible blood red net, generated from the blade length, and simply throws it over the intended target (typically from above) with a simple slashing motion from Benihime. The net further binds and restricts an opponents movements by constricting to its form. This net appears elongated and somewhat narrow.[218] Hiasobi, Benihime, Juzutsunagi ( , Crimson Princess That Plays with Fire, Strung Together like Rosary Beads): After using the Shibari technique, Urahara stabs the net with the tip of Benihime, creating orbs of fire along the outside length of the net, which explode like linked land-mines in a domino formation, leading toward the target bound under the net. When the orbs come into direct contact with the intended target, they create a tremendously large and devastating explosion.[219]

Bankai: Not yet revealed, but has been vaguely commented upon. Yoruichi comments that Urahara learned Bankai in three days using a method he created.[220] When Yasutora Sado comes to Urahara for training, he instead gives the task to Renji Abarai, stating Chad needs to face the strength of a Bankai to improve. When Renji asks why Urahara, who also possesses Bankai, does not train Chad himself, he states his Bankai is not fit for training or helping others.[221]

Trivia

Kisuke Urahara was inspired by Snufkin, a character which appears in Tove Jansson's Moominvalleynovels.[222] Urahara has been highly popular with fans base. In the first popularity poll he placed 7th, 4th in the second, 8th in the third, but in the 4th poll he dropped out of the top 10, placing 20th.

In the Zanpakut poll, his Zanpakut, Benihime, placed 12th. His command for his Nake, Benihime technique differs between episodes in the English dub. Its release command is "Scream" in Episode 114 and "Cry" in Episode 214.

Quotes

(To Yasutora Sado and Orihime Inoue) "Your transformation is not a disease. You were just given the key to the door in front of you. There's no need to know the cause. No need for sorrow or sadness. What comes next is up to you. You can use your keys to open the door...or lock it tight. And if you do choose to open it...you can still decide not to pass through."[223]

(Urahara writes a message in blood) "Urgent, meet us outside the Urahara Shop immediately. P.S: If you're thinking that this message is

like some written in the victim's own blood clich from some TV

show...then you obviously have no sense of humor!"[224] (To Ichigo Kurosaki) "There is nothing but fear reflected in your sword. When you dodge, you're afraid of getting killed. When you attack, you're afraid of killing someone. Even when you try to protect someone, you're afraid of letting them die. Yes, your sword speaks to me only of absurd fear. What's necessary in a fight isn't fear. Nothing can be born of that. When you dodge, "I won't let them cut me." If you protect someone, "I won't let them die." If you attack, "I will kill them." Well, can't you see the resolve to kill you in my sword?"[225]

(To Renji Abarai) "Puh-Lease! I'm just a lowly-but-handsome merchant. How could I possibly perform Bankai?"'[226] (To Orihime Inoue) "A warrior who has lost his strength will only get in the way."[227] (To Yammy Llargo) "I won't get hit by any more of those. I've analyzed that technique's spirit particle composition and even the patterns in your muscle movements when you fire. If I know those two things, I can dodge it or by timing it right, I can cancel it out. But that's difficult in its own right."[228]

(To Hiyori Sarugaki) "I made up my mind before I got out of my futon this morning that, once I leave this futon, I am part of the 12th Division, and that from now on, I'll get angry whenever anyone badmouths the 12th Division. Changing what you get mad about and what you don't get mad about, I think that's what one would call "changing your feelings", don't you?"[229]

(To Ssuke Aizen) "I was unable to gain total control over it. That was indeed the case back in those days, anyway."[230] (To Ssuke Aizen) "You're making too much of me. All I am these days, is the poor owner of a small time candy store."[231]

Genrysai Shigekuni Yamamoto

Genrysai Shigekuni Yamamoto

Race Birthday Gender Height Weight Affiliation Previous Position Division Partner Base of Operations Shikai Bankai Manga Debut Anime Debut Video Game Debut

Shinigami January 21[1] Male 168 cm (5'6")[1] 52 kg (115 lbs)[1] Professional Status Gotei 13, Soul Society Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 Captain of the 1st Division 1st Division Chjir Sasakibe 1st Division HQ, Seireitei, Soul Society Zanpakut Ryjin Jakka Zanka no Tachi First Appearance Volume 10, Chapter 81 Episode 24 Bleach GC: Tasogare ni Mamieru Shinigami

"Imperturbable and like an unmovable pivot." - Tite Kubo[1] Genrysai Shigekuni Yamamoto ( ,Yamamoto Genrysai Shigekuni) was the captain of the 1st Division in the Gotei 13 and also the Captain-Commander (Head-Captain in the English Dub) of the whole Gotei 13. His lieutenant was Chjir Sasakibe.

Appearance
Yamamoto is the oldest captain in the Gotei 13. He has the appearance of an old man with red eyes[2], a very long white beard, and long eyebrows[2]. There are many scars on his torso and head, the two most prominent being a pair of long, perpendicular scars above his right eye, left by his battle with his lieutenant.[3] After his brief confrontation with Aizen, Yamamoto lost his left arm[4]. He wears the standard Shinigamiuniform, but its size is greatly exaggerated. He also drapes hishaori over his back instead of actually wearing it. Despite his old and frail appearance, he has a very muscular body that he only reveals when he goes to battle, something which Shunsui Kyraku claims is not seen too often. When he was much younger, Yamamoto had black hair on the sides of his head and was bald on top. He had a tuft of hair sticking up at the back of his head in a topknot. He also had thick black eyebrows and a thick, long black mustache. He had a single large scar on his forehead which had earned him the nickname "Eijisai" due to its shape. He also had prominent wrinkles on his forehead and beneath his eyes, as well as shallow checks. He also wore the typical black outfit of a Shinigami.[5]

Personality

As the captain-commander of Gotei 13, Yamamoto is highly respected by most of the Shinigami, most notablySajin Komamura, who views Yamamoto as a benefactor who saved his life. Also the embodiment of conviction, Yamamoto follows the laws and regulations of Soul Society to the letter, and expects the same of others. He is not a man to tolerate insubordination, and is vocal with those who attempt to act in such a manner. He is quick to anger in the face of possible betrayal, and can be quite aggressive in combat. He has a habit of referring to those he faces in battle as "youngster"[6]and he also refers to a battle as a "beating" or "punishment". When in a state of peace, he carries himself with an air of frailty, even to the point where he has fallen asleep standing while awaiting Shunsui Kyraku's arrival for a meeting. Due to years of experience, Yamamoto very rarely shows any sign of distress or surprise, usually responding by opening one or both of his eyes, which are partially closed slits for the majority of the time. Yamamoto is very loyal to Soul Society and takes his duties very seriously, expecting the same from the rest of the Gotei 13. His loyalty is so great that he is willing to sacrifice himself and the Gotei 13 in order to defeat Aizen, believing it to be their duty to lay down their lives for the sake of the Soul Society if necessary.[7] Another example where Yamamoto shows his loyalty, is when he become visibly angry when Shunsui, Byakuya and Kenpachi lose their haoris and show little regret; to him the haori represents their status as captains.[4] Yamamoto appreciates Eastern cultures and is a master at the Japanese tea ceremony, and dislikes the "Western" traditions preferred by his lieutenant Chjir Sasakibe. Yamamoto holds a tea session every month in the 1st Division quarters for every member of his division. He plaits his own beard and arranges its ends once a month. He also likes to be rubbed down with a dry towel while exposed to the sun on his balcony.[8]

History
Around 2,100 years ago, Yamamoto was the "Genry" Founder and "Genji School" Head Instructor.[9][10] At some point Yamamoto founded the Gotei 13 as well.[11] Yamamoto was himself a teacher at this academy and personally instructed Shunsui Kyraku and Jshir Ukitake. He admits to being rather proud of the two. When they became captains, he boasted about them as though they were his sons.[12] On various occasions, Yamamoto would catch the young Shunsui Kyraku sneaking into his room. On one particular instance, he scolds the boy for doing so. Shunsui asks about a picture of a dark silhouette within a field of fire. Yamamoto explains that the picture was of a monster that appeared in Soul Society a long time ago. He also mentions that it had appeared at a time when Soul Society was facing a difficult situation and that the monster's appearance made the situation worse. After Shunsui asked a question about the monster's return, Yamamoto answered that he probably wouldn't.[13] During Yamamoto's time as an instructor, Sasakibe routinely visited him, always referring to him as "Eijisai-dono", a reference to the large scar on his forehead, despite knowing that it annoyed him. He insisted that it would be wrong to use Yamamoto's real name. During one of his visits, Sasakibe told Yamamoto that he wished to be his right arm and compensate for anything that Yamamoto could not do. Yamamoto tells him to become his disciple, but he declined. At Yamamoto's behest, Sasakibe tried to defeat him with his Bankai. Though he failed to defeat him, he left a permanent scar on Yamamoto's forehead, crossing his earlier scar. Others began to refer to him by a different name due to the new scar, but Sasakibe refused

to do use this new name. As a result, Yamamoto decided to call himself Genrysai.[14] At some point, Yamamoto founded the Gotei 13[15] and approximately one thousand years ago, he became its Captain-Commander.[16] Around the same time, Yamamoto failed to kill Yhwach.[17] Sometime shortly after Kenpachi Zaraki joined the Gotei 13, Yamamoto forced him to learn Kend because he hadn't learned any formal swordsmanship training, having bypassed those normally necessary qualifications due to the way he attained his position.[18] However, concerned over the devastation that Zaraki could cause if he were to ever rebel after growing even stronger, Yamamoto stopped the training after just one day.[19]

Turn Back the Pendulum arc

Approximately 110 years ago, Yamamoto was noted as being the oldest captain amongst the Gotei 13, followed by Unohana, Shunsui and Ukitake. It is stated that the four of them have been Captains of the Gotei 13 for at least 100 years at that point.[20] Yamamoto was seen pushing Kisuke Urahara into the First Division headquarters, so that he could start the promotion ceremony. Yamamoto explained that seven days ago, there was an order to promote the 12th Division Captain Kirio Hikifune, which would leave her position open. He then notified the various captains of the opening and asked that they submit nominations for the selection of a new captain. Within a short period of time, he got a recommendation from 2nd Division Captain Yoruichi Shihin to promote her 3rd Seat, Kisuke Urahara. The following day Yamamoto called Urahara in so that he could take the Captain's Proficiency Test, administered by himself, Retsu Unohana and Ginrei Kuchiki, so that they can confirm that Urahara is

qualified to be a captain. Having satisfied his three superiors, the three senior captains appointed Urahara the new Captain of the 12th Division.[21] 10 years later, Yamamoto called an emergency meeting of the captains of the Gotei 13, where he gave an intelligence report on the unknown disappearances of 9th Division captain Kensei Muguruma and lieutenant Mashiro Kuna. Captain Muguruma and Lieutenant Kuna had previously been sent out to investigate the disappearance of other 9th Division members. He then stated he would choose 5 captains to form an investigation team. A very winded and frantic Kisuke Urahara showed up to ask that he be allowed to go with the investigation team, as he had previously seen his lieutenant Hiyori Sarugaki go to the sight of the disappearances. He was told not to by Captain-Commander Yamamoto, and when Urahara protested he was chastised by Yoruichi. Yamamoto continued with the meeting and selected 3rd Division Captain Rjr toribashi, 5th Division Captain Shinji Hirako, and 7th DivisionCaptain Love Aikawa. Yamamoto told them to head to the campground. He ordered Yoruichi to stand by, while the remaining captains present were to stay behind and guard the Seireitei. Captain-Commander Yamamoto then ordered Captain Unohana of the 4th Divisionto prepare her relief stations for casualties. When Unohana insisted that she should tend to the wounded at the site of the disappearances, Yamamoto stated that he could not send healers without knowing the full extent of the situation. Upon the arrival of the Captain of the Kid Corps Tessai Tsukabishi and his Lieutenant Hachigen Ushda, Yamamoto asked Tessai if he had heard the news of the disappearances, telling him that he wanted the two of them to head to the campground as well. Shunsui interrupted and asked if it was a good idea to send both the Captain and Lieutenant of the Kid Corps when they had no idea of what was going on,

prompting Yamamoto to ask what he would suggest. Shunsui told Yamamoto that they should send his Lieutenant Lisa Yadmaru. With the squad formed, Yamamoto sent them out to investigate the disappearances.[22] After Isshin Shiba fought White, he reported back to the Captain Commander. Yamamoto pointed out that he had taken action without permission, but also pointed out his quick actions kept casualties low and damage to a minimum, and therefore he would not punish Isshin. As Isshin turned to leave, however, Yamamoto suspected that Isshin is leaving out information, and asked if there was something else worth mentioning, which Isshin denied.[23]

Zanpakut Unknown Tales arc (anime only)

Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

POWER AND ABILITIES

Master Swordsman: As the founder of the Shin Academy, along with possessing over two millennia of combat experience, Yamamoto is the most powerful combatant in Soul Society.[110] Few would hope to come out alive from a fight with him. He is capable of fighting two captain-level Shinigami simultaneously with a single hand.[111][77] His skill in swordsmanship is great enough to take down his opponent with a single precise strike.[112][113] Hitotsume: Nadegiri (, "The First: Killing Stroke"): This basic technique allows for a precision cut of extreme force and speed, which can easily slice through large, multi-story high opponents. The opponent is killed with one swift slash so precise, they aren't even aware of until after it has taken place.[112]

Onibi (, "Oni Fire"):[114] A technique where Yamamoto takes his Zanpakuto in its sealed cane form and thrusts it at his opponent, creating a large hole in their body. This technique was effective against a multiple story-high opponent like Ayon.[115]

Shunpo Master: He is highly skilled and experienced in the art of Shunpo, being able to outrace Shunsui and Jshir during a chase across Seireitei. He is able to easily overtake both captains, and arrives at their destination first without even being noticed by them.[36] Master Strategist & Tactician: With his years of experience as a teacher and warrior, along with being the commander of the entire Gotei 13, Yamamoto is a very intelligent man. He is capable of quickly adjusting to new developments and making quick decisions accordingly. He has great tactical acumen, as shown from his preparations for the battle in Karakura Town. As noted by Aizen, Yamamoto is very cunning, setting up a trap to kill him while Aizen was focused on the Visored and the rest of the Gotei 13.[116] He is a very perceptive man, demonstrated by how easily he could tell Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi was hiding knowledge on the Bounts. His skill at battle tactics is undeniable; as general, he commonly sends the captains and divisions out to engage in battle, be it to relatively small or large threats, and has done so for a number of centuries. Immense Spiritual Power: Being one of the oldest members of Soul Society, Yamamoto possesses an exceedingly powerful Reiryoku. Its sheer strength is great enough to easily break free from four overlapping and high-level Bakud spells restraining him.[83] Even Aizen openly acknowledges Yamamoto's power is superior to his own spiritual power.[110] Yamamoto states that the reason he has served as the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 for over 1,000 years is because there hasn't been a Shinigami stronger than him born in all that time.[117]

Masterful Reiatsu-Control: Yamamoto can exert his Reiatsu to cause fear in captain-level combatants and can further physically paralyze combatants of lieutenant-level and lower simply by gazing in their direction.[118]Yamamoto's spiritual pressure has the same effect as his Zanpakut, as it is the elemental representative of fire. He tends to glow with a fiery aura, which has the potential to burn and set his surroundings on fire without the use of his Zanpakut. It is the formidable pressure of his Reiatsu that makes the Reiatsu itself look like flames.[119] When enraged, Yamamoto's Reiatsu is powerful enough to be felt all around Seireitei and with tremendous force.[120]

Immense Strength: In addition to his surprising physique for his age, Yamamoto has shown tremendous physical strength. He easily and swiftly put a large hole into the chest of the monster Ayon without much effort at all, using only the blunt end of his cane. With a single hand, he effortlessly stopped one of Ayon's strikes and overpowered it, despite it having enlarged its arm and increased its strength several folds.[113] Yamamoto's strength is so immense that one punch was able to put a large hole through the chest of Wonderweiss while he was in Resurreccin, as well as sends him flying back several city blocks.[121] He is also shown tearing off Wonderweiss' arms, with his bare hands, with little to no effort.[122][123] With a single double-fisted strike, he effortlessly shattered Wonderweiss' entire body into pieces.[124] Immense Endurance: Despite his old age, Yamamoto is capable of fighting for long periods of time, even when outnumbered, with no visible signs of exhaustion. He fought against two of Soul Society's strongest captains, Shunsui Kyraku and Jshir Ukitake, and emerged without any sign of injury. He is able to take direct attacks from others unfazed. He can endure being impaled on a sword without so much as flinching from the

perceived damage, even when the blow is dealt by the likes of Aizen.[51][125] Immense Durability: In addition to his resilience, Yamamoto has shown remarkable durability. He took an onslaught of punches from Wonderweiss's multiple arms twice, and came out completely unfazed by the assault, with no more than simple scratches.[126] He was able to sustain an explosion of flames that had the power to incinerate all of Karakura Town and a great area around it.[127] In his younger years, he challenged Sasakibe to defeat him with his newly achieved Bankai, and in the end only suffered a light scar on his forehead. [128] He would 2000 years later take on a barrage of powerful lightning strikes from Sasakibe's fully mastered Bankai and only be singed by its power, though he stated that it had become weaker.[129] He can easily deflect a giant Hellig Plief from a Stern Ritter with one hand without any noticeable damage done to his being.[130] Hakuda Master: While it is unknown how much his ability has declined from old age, Yamamoto remains a highly skilled and dangerous combatant even without his Zanpakut. As with his skill in swordsmanship, he is also a master in hand-to-hand combat. He effortlessly caught a strike from the deceptively fast Ayon. Yamamoto can deliver powerful blows that can smash through Espada-level Hierro, and block the majority of multiple punches from a multi-armed opponent.[131] [132][133][134] Ikkotsu (, "Single Bone"): A powerful punch used by Yamamoto against Wonderweiss. Using this technique, Yamamoto was able to destroy much of Wonderweiss' abdomen and send him flying along a city street and into a building, destroying it.[135]

Skotsu (, "Double Bone"): Stronger than Ikkotsu, it is a powerful two-fisted punch used by Yamamoto against Wonderweiss.[136] The attack can completely destroy an opponent with a single blow.[124]

Kid Master: Yamamoto's knowledge of Kid is so great that he can perform them without calling out their names while retaining their great potential power, whereas most users require a name to do so, if not a full incantation. He is able to produce immensely powerful barriers to protect him from all but the strongest of attacks.[71] Yamamoto is capable of casting a level 96 Had without incantation and still using it to great effect.[137]

Zanpakut
For the manifested spirit that appears in the Zanpakut Unknown Tales arc see Ryjin Jakka (spirit).

Ryjin Jakka (, Flowing Blade-like Flame): His Zanpakut is the oldest and the most powerful fire-type Zanpakut, and has greater attack power than all other Zanpakut in Soul Society.[138] In its sealed form, Ryjin Jakka usually takes the appearance of a harmless wooden staff, which can be used like a spear. At any time, Yamamoto can instantly remove that disguise by peeling off the wood, revealing its true form of a standard katana, with a dark purple handle and a circular hand guard. Its power is so great, even the strongest of Shinigami are afraid of it, even in its sealed form.

Shikai: Its Shikai command is "Reduce All Creation to Ash" (, bansh issai kaijin to nase; "All things in the universe turn to ashes" in the English Dub).[139] The release of his Zanpakut comes with an extreme release of spiritual pressure affecting all in the area, and can be felt for miles upon miles across all of Seireitei.[140]

Shikai Special Ability: When released, Ryjin Jakka's blade is engulfed in fire.[141] The aura of this weapon disintegrates everything and anything that Yamamoto waves the sword at, changing it into nothing more than ash, and engulfs the surrounding landscape in a blazing firestorm, the heat of which is intense enough to scorch the sky.[138] Only powerful fighters such as Kyraku and Ukitake can resist it, but even then only indirectly. Even in its Shikai, Ryjin Jakka's power is enough to fight against the Shikai of two other captains simultaneously, both of whom had the reputation of being the strongest Captains in Soul Society while together.[142] Unlike other Zanpakut shown so far, resealing Ryjin Jakka does not deactivate any ability already used against an opponent, as seen when Yamamoto imprisons Aizen, Gin, and Kaname.[143] Jkaku Enj (, Fortress Blaze): This technique creates an immense wall of flame, which surrounds the target and forms a huge contained sphere of flame in which to imprison enemies. It is immensely powerful, as it was capable of imprisoning three Captain-level Shinigami (namely Aizen, Gin and Kaname) for a

significant amount of time.[143] Taimatsu (, Torch):[114] This technique allows Yamamoto to create a great inferno with a simple wave of Ryjin Jakka. The fire generated by the attack completely consumes whatever is caught within it, until nothing remains but ashes.[144] The flames created by Ryjin Jakka can be controlled, with great precision, by Yamamoto to attack only the targets he chooses, and he has power over the intensity of the flames.[145] Ennetsu Jigoku (, Flames of Hell): This ability creates seven or more immense pillars of flame that surround an area. The intent of this technique is to trap the opponent in the caged

inferno and destroy them. The power of this technique can destroy everyone caught in its vicinity, even Yamamoto himself.[146] These flames are capable of incinerating an area greater than that of Karakura Town.[147] Bankai: Zanka no Tachi (, "Longsword of the Remnant Flame"): In its Bankai, the blade takes the form of an ancient and worn katana, severely scorched by fire.[148] Bankai Special Ability: Upon activation, any flames previously produced by Ryjin Jakka are absorbed into the blade.[149] Zanka no Tachi incorporates the full power of Yamamoto's flames into the blade. The flames within the blade burn anything it cuts out of existence. Zanka no Tachi has the side-effect of depleting the moisture in an entire area (at least the size of the Seireitei) causing the air and the water to dry up. Over a significant period, even Soul Society can fall victim to its power and be destroyed. Even Tshir Hitsugaya's bankai, Daiguren Hyrinmaru, cannot be used, as its ice melts due to the intense heat of Zanka no Tachi. Over the course of 1000 years, the power of Zanka no Tachi has greatly increased, changing from having once set ablaze anything it cuts, to now incinerating anything it cuts out of existence. No flames are visible as it cuts.[150] Yamamoto claims that releasing his Bankai clads both his blade and his body in the flames of the sun.[151] Yamamoto states that prolonged use of his Bankai can destroy his opponent, Soul Society and even himself.[152] Zanka no Tachi, Higashi: Kyokujitsujin ( "": , Longsword of the Remnant Flame, East: Rising Sun Edge): Automatically activated at release, this ability concentrates the intense flames of the sword along the edge of the blade. It neither burns nor erupts, but anything it touches is

eradicated to nothingness. Even the defensive power of the Vandenreich's Blut Vene is not capable of standing up against

this technique.[153] Zanka no Tachi, Nishi: Zanjitsu Gokui ( "": , Longsword of the Remnant Flame, West: Remnant Sun Prison Garb): Automatically activated at release, this ability is unseen by the eyes of anyone else unless Yamamoto wills it to be seen. It engulfs his body in heat that reaches a temperature upwards of 15,000,000 degrees. Thusly, it becomes impossible to even touch him while he is using his Bankai.[154] The level of heat produced by this technique is such that it wouldn't actually appear in the form of flames.[155]

Zanka no Tachi, Minami: Kaka Jmanokushi Daisjin ( "": ,Longsword of the Remnant Flame, South: Great Burial Ranks of the Ten Trillion Fire Dead): Yamamoto impales the tip of his sword into the ground, and calls upon the corpses and ashes of the dead who were killed by his flames to come forth and fight on his behalf.[156] They emerge from a rupture in the ground that comes with enough force to decimate the Kirchenlied: Sankt Zwinger defensive ability.[157] Using the heat of his sword on their ashes, he can rouse all the people he has killed, allowing the corpses to become his limbs and attack whomever he deems as his enemy until they become dust.[158] He can bring forth any specific corpse that he wishes, allowing him to inflict psychological damage upon those with connections to those he has slain.[159] Zanka no Tachi, Kita: Tenchi Kaijin ( "": , Longsword of the Remnant Flame, North: Heaven and

Earth End in Ashes): A slash of concentrated fire and heat that incinerates whatever it touches out of existence.[160]

Trivia

Though Shigekuni is his first name (meaning heavy or important country), Yamamoto is generally known by his title of "Genrysai" (meaning something like "Original willow's purity") which he adopted approximately 2000 years ago.

Yamamoto has never made it in the top 50 in the popularity polls but his Zanpakut, Ryjin Jakka, came 32nd in the Zanpakut poll. He is author of Got a minute? in the Seireitei Communication.[161] The Shinigami Women's Association published a Photo Collection of Captain Yamamoto named Skeletonwhich was scrapped.[162]

Quotes

(To Shunsui Kyraku and Jshir Ukitake) "My quarry never escapes. Come, you rascals. But you won't get off without a thrashing this time..."[163]

(To Nanao Ise) "Listen well! Be gone from here! I don't have time nor the patience to teach a mere infant like you how to breathe."[164] (To Shunsui Kyraku and Jshir Ukitake) "I was proud of you as if you were my own sons. I believed that, even if the character is different, it is fine if they took the same paths."[165]

(To Shunsui Kyraku and Jshir Ukitake) "As I taught you before, there is no mercy for he who obstructs justice."[166] (To Shunsui Kyraku and Jshir Ukitake) "There is no individual sense of justice that can overrule the justice of the world."[167] (To the Gotei 13) "Get ready. Put the entirety of your spirit on the line and crush them here! Even if your flesh is torn asunder, be as a steel

wall down to your last shard of bone! You must not let them take even a single step into Soul Society."[168]

(To Izuru Kira) "My, my. Making the Captain-Commander come out. What a pitiful bunch of division members."[169] (To Ayon) "You are a beast that can think of nothing but killing people. How pathetic."[170] (To Ssuke Aizen) "You and I will die here in this burning hell."[116] (To Ssuke Aizen) "Dying to exterminate great evil. Know that this is the spirit of the Gotei 13."[171] (To Ssuke Aizen) "You think that you can strike me down if you suppress Ryjin Jakka? How naive. How dizzyingly naive. Why do you think that I held the position of Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 for a thousand years? It is because, in a thousand years, no Shinigami stronger than myself has been born.[117] (To Wonderweiss Margela) "At the very least I am glad you no longer have the form of a child. I can beat you to death without remorse."[133] (To Byakuya Kuchiki, Kenpachi Zaraki, and Shunsui Kyraku) "Listen up!! Victory isn't all that matters in battle!! Just what do you all think your Captain Haori are anyway?!"[172]

(To the Gotei 13, about restoring Ichigo Kurosaki's powers) "Regardless of the circumstances, we were saved by Ichigo Kurosaki in our time of need. It is now time that we returned the favor. Even if that should require violating our own statutes, to allow such a debt to go unpaid would bring eternal shame upon the entire Gotei 13."[173]

Kenpachi Zaraki
Kenpachi Zaraki
Pre Timeskip - Post Timeskip

Race Birthday Gender Height Weight Affiliation Position Division Partner Base of Operations

Shinigami November 19[1] Male 202 cm (6'7")[2] 90 kg (198 lbs)[2] Professional Status Gotei 13, Soul Society Captain of the 11th Division 11th Division Yachiru Kusajishi 11th Division HQ, Seireitei, Soul Society Personal Status Yachiru Kusajishi (unofficial adoptive daughter) Zanpakut Unknown None

Relatives

Shikai Bankai

"Consume everything, demon of the blood-thirsty sword." - Tite Kubo[1]

Kenpachi Zaraki ( , Zaraki Kenpachi) is the current captain of the 11th Division in the Gotei 13. He is the eleventh Kenpachi to hold the position.[3] His lieutenant is Yachiru Kusajishi.

Appearance

Edit

Kenpachi is a tall, muscular Shinigami with a wild and aggressive appearance, which fits his personality. He has a long face with pronounced cheekbones, and pronounced, hairless eyebrow ridges. He has green eyes and long, stringy black hair.[4] A noticeable trait in his appearance is a long, thin scar running down the left side of his face, which he gained before finding his future lieutenant, Yachiru Kusajishi; it is later revealed to have been inflicted by Retsu Unohana. He is one of the tallest Shinigami, towering at 202 centimeters (approximately 6 feet 6 inches), making him almost double the height of his lieutenant. He wears a sleeveless captain's haori (which belonged to the previous captain and was taken after his defeat), which has a ragged look to it.[5] He styles his hair into stiff strands during his baths, attaching small bells at its tips, and wears a special eyepatch on his right eye. During his first fight with Ichigo, the eyepatch is more elegant, having a gold-like lining and a chain as one of the straps. It later becomes a normal black eyepatch with normal straps. 17 months after Aizen's defeat, Kenpachi's hair has grown out past his shoulders. He no longer has the bells in his hair. His eyepatch's design has changed again, as it is now, but a single piece covering his right eye.[6] The eyepatch is black with a grey outline.[7]

Personality

Edit

Although he is known to be a violent fighter, Kenpachi's actions tend to be for the best. He has a very poor sense of direction, at times asking Yachiru

for help (even though her sense of direction is just as bad). Kenpachi lives for battle, and enjoys a good fight more than anything. He even holds back in an effort to make any fight last longer. He claims injury and death are nothing but the price one pays for a good fight. Despite his division being the most blood-thirsty squad of the Gotei 13, the 11th Division has its own code of ethics, which is different from the rules and regulation of Soul Society. Despite his tendency to be brutal, Kenpachi usually stops a fight if his opponent is too injured to fight back, claiming he is not interested in fighting "weaklings who can't fight anymore", and he does not feel obligated to deal a death blow to anyone who cannot fight any longer. However, he will unhesitatingly kill his opponent if they refuse to end their fight, as seen during his battles with Kaname Tsen and Nnoitra Gilga.[8][9] On multiple occasions, Kenpachi has shown to greatly respect those who can defeat him in a fight and those who can push him to his limit. Ever since Ichigo handed him his first known loss (though Ichigo considers their fight a loss for him), Kenpachi has considered the latter a member of his Division. He expresses his willingness to engage him in a rematch every time they meet, only to be turned down, as Ichigo already considers themselves as friends. Nevertheless, Kenpachi still challenges him to a duel, as evidenced when he aided Ichigo in his fight against theBount (where he gave "his blessing," stating doing so would make Ichigo stronger for "their anticipated fight"). Kenpachi sometimes contradicts his own logic in fighting. On the one hand, Kenpachi wishes to increase his own personal power. On the other hand, he conceals his strength to enjoy a fight for as long as possible. Although he thrives for battle, Kenpachi does have emotions. Kenpachi and his lieutenant, Yachiru, have been close ever since they met, and have a father-daughter-like relationship, making Yachiru one of the few people he cares for, along with 11th Division 3rd Seat Ikkaku Madarame and 11th

Division 5th Seat Yumichika Ayasegawa. However, he has stated if his subordinates interfere in his fights, he will "cut them up first". Aside from Yachiru, Kenpachi deeply gives meaning to his name. Following his fight with Ichigo Kurosaki, Kenpachi talks about the pain of not having a name, as he lived his early years without one. This causes him to feel guilty his sword is not acknowledged by its own name.[10] Since then, he has strived to learn its identity.[11][12] Kenpachi strongly believes fun comes before working. In every battle, he tries to get as much enjoyment out of it as possible. One example is when Kenpachi sends his 5th seated officer, Yumichika, to fend off the Bount in Karakura Town, as he is the only high-ranking officer who is not busy, or rather, busy having fun, as Yachiru was snacking and Ikkaku was napping. During his free time, Kenpachi always takes his afternoon nap. He does not have a particularly favorite dish, but he particularly hates natt.[2] Kenpachi's unique hairstyle is partly due to his habit of taking a bath everyday before going to sleep, which is a necessity to him due to his strong perspiration. During these baths, he usually washes his hair with soap, making it stiff. He enjoys doing so because it is easy for him to set his hair to his preferred style. He once tried a hair treatment recommended by 1st Division Lieutenant Chjir Sasakibe, but his hair became too silky and was impossible to set for a while. Since then, Kenpachi has greatly disliked the lieutenant.[2] Kenpachi is once shown attaching the bells to his hair, which apparently takes a while to accomplish. The highest bell in particular takes him several hours to attach, as the tip of his hair is just beyond his reach. Occasionally, 11th Division 5th SeatYumichika Ayasegawa offers to do it for him, only to be turned down by Kenpachi, who thinks it is weird for someone else to style his hair.[13]

History

Edit

Kenpachi's surname came from the district he once resided in, Zaraki, which was District 80 of the North Alley of Rukongai. District 80 was the worst, most lawless region of Rukongai, full of thieves and murderers (whereas area #1 was the most orderly and law-abiding). While residing in District 80, Kenpachi was nameless. As a young boy living in the streets of the Rukongai, Kenpachi, coming upon the dead body of a Shinigami, took his Asauchi, later imprinting his soul upon it to make his own Zanpakut.[14] During that time, he eventually became proficient in swordsmanship, and killed numerous opponents. Sometime during this, he, coming upon Yachiru Unohana, fought with her. The fight was the first time he felt fear, and subsequently the first fight he ever enjoyed, having been bored slashing anything else. He unconsciously sealed his power to allow them to fight and lost to her. After their fight, he, beginning to admire her, wanted to fight like her.[15] Sometime later, as a young man, Kenpachi, coming upon a young girl, named her Yachiru, in remembrance of the only person he ever admired, after she showed no fear of his sword. Yachiru came from area 79. Kusajishi, where her parents were murdered, seemingly not too long before Kenpachi arrived. On that day, he took on a name: Kenpachi, the title bestowed upon the strongest Shinigami in every generation, the one who has slain the most enemies and won the most battles.[16][17] Later, he had an encounter with Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawabefore they entered Seireitei. Yachiru warned Ikkaku messing with Kenpachi while he was in a good mood was a bad idea, though Ikkaku did not take the warning seriously. When Kenpachi and Ikkaku meet face to face, the latter immediately became alarmed by the former's Reiatsu, but

was happy to finally have a real challenge. Kenpachi attacked with enough force to create a crater in the ground under Ikkaku, which somewhat alarmed Yumichika. Due to Kenpachi's strength, Ikkaku was forced on the defensive, holding off Kenpachi's relentless strikes. As the two continued to fight, Ikkaku tried to overwhelm Kenpachi, though he failed in doing so, only succeeding in increasing his own wounds while his opponent remaining untouched by his blade. While Kenpachi mentioned he was having fun, he decided to finish Ikkaku with one quick strike, resulting in his loss of the fight.[18]Ikkaku became mad Kenpachi would just walk away without finishing him off. Kenpachi, plainly telling him he had no interest in weaklings who could not fight, noted he did not have any obligation to finish Ikkaku off. Ikkaku, thinking he was toying with him, demanded Kenpachi kill him. Kenpachi, losing his patience, grabbed hold of Ikkaku and asked why he was screaming for death if he loved to fight so much. Kenpachi explained to him a philosophy to follow for people like them: "Don't admit defeat and seek death. Die first, then admit defeat. When you lose, but don't die, it just means you were lucky. At those times, think only about survival. Survive, and think only about killing the guy who failed to kill you". Kenpachi, smiling at him, stated it was not like he went easy on him; he was just lucky to escape death. He said Ikkaku should live, come back, and try to kill him again. As Kenpachi went to leave, Ikkaku, asking him his name, is told he is Kenpachi from Zaraki.[19] Some time later, Kenpachi killed Kenpachi Kiganj, the captain of the 11th Division, in a single blow in front of over two hundred members of the Division. As per the 3rd Captain Qualification Trial, Kenpachi became the new captain of that division.[18] By killing Kenpachi Kiganj, he became the official and uncontested holder of the title, Kenpachi, as well as becoming the 11th person to hold the title.[3]

The following day, during Kenpachi's first addressing of his division, he was greeted by Ikakku and Yumichika, who had already become Shinigami and joined the division. Ikkaku told Kenpachi he had come back just as he suggested, causing Kenpachi to smile. Later, they were present at the battle of the division against a caterpillar Hollow. While initially the division lost, Ikkaku showed up to fight it, but was stopped by Kenpachi, who decided to kill it himself. After the Hollow was dispatched, more came, prompting Ikkaku and Yumichika to join in the fight. Though at first he was against it, Kenpachi was persuaded upon realizing the two had similar fighting traits, and, as such, would like to fight by his side. After this, Kenpachi allowed them to participate in his fights.[18] Shortly after joining the Gotei 13, Kenpachi was forced by Genrysai Shigekuni Yamamoto to learn kend because he had not learned any formal swordsmanship training, having bypassed those normally necessary qualifications due to the way he attained his position. Kenpachi hated using kend because his battles would end too quickly with it, so he only used it if his own life was in danger.[20]

Powers & Abilities

Edit

: Physical Strength (100). Total: 390/600.[2] Kenpachi did not attend the Shin' Academy, does not know the name of hisZanpakut (and thus cannot use Bankai), and has no apparent skill (or interest) in Kid and Shunpo. However, he more than makes up for his faults with his sheer power and endurance, easily making him one of the strongest Shinigami in Soul Society.[1] Master Swordsman: Due to the lawlessness of the Zaraki district, Kenpachi's skill with his sword has been honed to a masterful level, letting him strike multiple times with changes of attack type (from slash to pierce)

without any difficulty. While still a child, his prowess was great enough to produce a huge pile of adult corpses single-handedly and wound Retsu Unohana, the 1st Kenpachi, in battle.[118] His unpolished skills, but immense might with his sword allow him to always fight with one hand free, only using both hands when facing opponents he feels will beat him otherwise, as shown with Nnoitra and momentarily Ichigo.[119]As the captain of the 11th Division, which specializes in sword fighting, he is among the most, if not the most, proficient swordsmen in all of Soul Society.

Kend: Kenpachi possesses considerable knowledge and skill in Kend, which Yamamoto forced him to learn before officially joining the Gotei 13, though the training only lasted a day out of fear that Zaraki would become too powerful.[120] However, Kenpachi, who despises using skills and techniques learned from another source, only uses Kend as a last resort. Rydan (, "Bisection"): A technique which Kenpachi uses when he is gripping his sword with two hands. It allows one to split an opponent down the middle.[121][122][123]

Hakuda Expert: While preferring to use his blade in battle, Kenpachi has proven several times to be very dangerous while barehanded. He can easily catch an opponent's attack with a single hand, perform powerful kicks, and easily subdue opponents with throws and take-downs. Vast Spiritual Power: Even by a captain's standards, his Reiryoku is absolutely monstrous. Kenpachi has fought on par with two other captainlevel opponents without using his full power, with him wearing his energysealing eye patch and his opponents releasing their Zanpakut's Bankai. His spiritual energy can affect entire areas to the point of disrupting energy attacks from enemies, and cause others from seemingly miles away to enter a state of paralysis and confusion.[124] Similar to Ichigo, when

unleashing a strong enough surge of energy, it becomes visible and yellow in color, sometimes with the appearance of a skull.[125] Retsu Unohana, one of the most powerful captains of the Gotei 13, has stated herself to be weaker than him even while he was still a child, which speaks volumes about his power.[126]

Damage Resistance: He can use it as a sort of armor, making it impossible for him to be harmed by anyone not at his level of power. This is first demonstrated when Ichigo tries to cut Kenpachi at the start of their fight. Kenpachi allows Ichigo to strike him, yet not only does he fail to cut him, but Ichigo's hands start to bleed because of it.[127] This can be compared to an Arrancar's Hierro.

Shock Wave: He possesses enough control to focus and unleash his spiritual pressure in the form of a powerful shock wave. When using both hands, his shock wave can have a huge radius of destruction.

Highly Perceptive Combatant: Despite his seeming disregard for any strategy in his fights and his self-admitted aversion to thinking during battle, Kenpachi is a very insightful man, regularly showing more understanding than one would expect. Even Byakuya was impressed by Kenpachi's ability to understand things he has no personal experience with. He is very adept at finding and exploiting weaknesses in his opponents' techniques, such as in his battle with Kaname Tsen, where he subdued the latter's Bankai while armed only with a Zanpakut and the one sense left accessible by Tsen's Bankai at the time - touch. He is adept at adjusting to his opponent's attack patterns and battle methods to better counter them. While he admits to having no sanity or common sense, Kenpachi is very perceptive, noticing traits in people others would not notice, and seeing what drives a person's actions. He correctly singles out Kaname Tsen and Gin Ichimaru as the only captains who are afraid to die.[128][129] He

possesses sharp intuition towards incoming danger, as shown by his ability to repeatedly dodge Tsen's assault while still affected by his Bankai. Immense Strength: Perhaps due to years of combat experience and time on the battlefield, Kenpachi has a very large degree of physical strength, most commonly displayed by his ability to fight back his opponent's attacks with a single arm. He has repeatedly displayed his strength with acts like kicking Tsen through a building and slamming Komamura over his shoulder with one hand during their battle, as well as when he grabbed Ichigo's giant sword barehanded and reeled both him and the sword in for an attack. While fighting Ichigo Kurosaki, he rammed his sword through a building. With just his bare hand, Kenpachi deflected the Cero of the fifth Espada, Nnoitra Gilga. His sword attacks can cut through Yammy Llargo's released state Hierro, removing his limbs in a single strike and knocking the giant Arrancar off his feet. He can fend off an opponent's gigantic sword with a single hand.[130] His extreme cutting strength is evident in his ability to easily cut through an Espada's Hierro, which is harder than steel, as well as slice apart a skyscraper with a mere flick of his wrist.[131][132][133][134] Immense Speed: While he possesses no known skill in Shunpo, Kenpachi is deceptively fast for his size and build. Thanks to his tremendous raw power, Kenpachi's leg strength allows him to more than make up for his lack of Shunpo, allowing him to move fast enough to instantly close a huge gap of space between him and his opponent, and even seemingly disappear from sight. In battle, he can strike with incredible speed in rapid succession, making it highly difficult for his opponents to find an opening and counterattack. Immense Endurance: His physical strength and speed is matched by his resilience. Kenpachi often ignores most of the injuries he sustains in battle (much like a berserker), not suffering any debilitation despite having

multiple slash wounds in his body. He allowed himself to be stabbed during his fight with Tsen just to grab Tsen's blade to dispel his Bankai's effect. During his battle with Nnoitra, he suffered numerous slash wounds and was even impaled and almost beheaded with no visual impairment of his fighting abilities, Nnoitra noting most people would have already been dead by then.[135][136] Even after receiving grievous injuries which left him in a comatose state, he recovered only days later, well enough to resume training.[137] Immense Durability: As resilient as Kenpachi is, he is just as hard to damage. During his battle against Yammy, while Kenpachi was focusing his attention on Ichigo, Yammy delivered a powerful blow with his massive fist, launching Kenpachi several meters and smashing him into a large pillar. Despite the impact, Kenpachi quickly emerged unfazed, claiming it was only a "decent punch" and Yammy needed to "put some effort in it".[138]

Zanpakut
Kenpachi does not know the name of his Zanpakut, and is the only captain of the Gotei 13 who cannot perform Bankai. After his fight with Ichigo, Kenpachi wishes to learn more about his Zanpakut because he wants to become stronger, and can identify with the pain of not having a name to be called by. However, he cannot yet communicate with his Zanpakut, and it is implied he continually tries to learn from it just so he can achieve a new level of power. Zangetsu notes Kenpachi's disharmony with his sword causes the two to damage each other's powers. Consequently, he cannot hear the cry of his sword. Later, upon defeatingRetsu Unohana in battle and awakening his true strength, Kenpachi finally was able to hear his Zankaput's voice call out to him.[139]

Shikai: Despite not knowing its name, Kenpachi's Zanpakut is constantly in its released state, much like Ichigo's Zangetsu. He obtained this state while still a child.[140] The blade is much longer than a standard Zanpakut's, roughly the size of a nodachi, with a guard which extends inward from its center, similar to a shinai. The hilt is white, though most of it is wrapped in bandages, as is his sword's sheath. Its released states comes from Kenpachi's overwhelming Reiatsu forcing the release, rather than from knowing his blade's name. Despite constantly being in Shikai, Kenpachis Zanpakut does not grant him any additional abilities, due to their lack of communication.[141][142] Their disharmony leaves his Zanpakut with little spiritual energy and lets it become easier to damage, ironically making its appearance a reflection of Kenpachi's own practice of weakening himself to fight others on an even level; it is a chipped and seemingly worn-down blade. Despite its appearance, it can easily cut through most objects: with it, Kenpachi stabs straight through Ichigo's Zanpakut, and later slices a building in half with no apparent effort after releasing his full power. Shikai Special Ability: Unknown

Bankai: Not Yet Achieved.

Trivia

Edit

His theme song, as chosen by Tite Kubo, is Massive Attack's "Superpredators." In the latest popularity poll, Kenpachi came 15th (in previous ones he came 27th and 9th), and in the Zanpakut poll, his unnamed Zanpakut came 29th.

In the Bleach best bout poll, Kenpachi's fight with Nnoitra came in tenth place.[143]

Quotes

Edit

(To Ichigo Kurosaki) "You want a reason...for fighting? Why don't you just accept it already, Ichigo?! You seek out fights. You desire power. Isn't that right, Ichigo? Everyone who searches for power, without exception, searches for battle! Do you fight in order to become more powerful? Or do you want more power so you can fight? I can't tell you that. The only thing I know for sure is guys like us were born this way! We were born to fight, Ichigo! Your instincts will keep leading you toward new battles. It's the only way you have. The only way to become stronger. Fight, Ichigo! If you want the power to control your enemy, take that sword in your hand and cut him down! That's your only option! That's the road that continues in front of you and remains behind you, Ichigo!"[144]

"This reiatsu... Even though I don't know who it's from, they seem to be deep in the heat of battle. Not bad. It sure makes your blood boil, doesn't it?"[145]

(To Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa) "So you want to fight too? Fine, you can have them, but fight elsewhere. If you get in my way, I'll chop you up first."[146]

(To Sajin Komamura and Kaname Tsen) "You are shameless to sneak around like that, guys. Cowardly hiding spiritual pressure and stalking others isn't something that captains should do."[147]

(To Sajin Komamura, Kaname Tsen, Tetsuzaemon Iba, and Shhei Hisagi) "Blah blah blah! You're noisy! Just come on and fight already. It's best if all four of you come together. If you four surround me and attack at once, maybe one of you will actually wound me."[148]

(To Kaname Tsen) "Sanity? Worthless things like that, I never had them for as long as I can remember!"[149]

(To his sword) "It's been so long that I forgot the pain of not having a name. Everyone had a name that friends use to call them, but I didn't. That pain."[150]

(To Yachiru Kusajishi) "I named you Yachiru, in memory of the only person I ever admired."[151] "I want to get stronger. I've finally found a worthy opponent. I can get stronger. I want to fight. I want to get stronger. It sure has been a while. To feel this desire again. I want to get stronger."[152]

(To Ikkaku Madarame) "Never admit defeat and ask for a quick death! Die first, then admit defeat! If you are defeated but didn't die, it just means you were lucky! At those times, think only about survival! Survive and think only about killing the one who failed to kill you!"[153]

(To Ikkaku Madarame) "Sorry but I'm not interested in weaklings who can't fight any more. Besides, I don't have any obligation to finish you off."[154]

(To Maki Ichinose) "Loyalty to someone is different from depending on them. It isn't even interesting fighting against someone who doesn't have his own goals."[50]

(To Maki Ichinose) "If you really wanted to help that Kariya reach his goals, then you would have taken care of Ichigo first. But you chose to come after me. Wasn't that a display of your own will? The power that you have gained was all in order to defeat me. That power comes from your own grudge! Why not try giving all your strength to that end?"[50]

(To Retsu Unohana) "Not criminals? That's rich, coming from you. You know damn well that if we weren't so damn powerful petty criminals is all the both of us would be!"[155]

Gin Ichimaru
Gin Ichimaru

Race Birthday Gender Height Weight Affiliation Previous Affiliation Position

Shinigami September 10[1] Male 185 cm (6'1")[1] 69 kg (152 lbs)[1] Professional Status None Ssuke Aizen, Gotei 13, Soul Society None

Commander of Aizen's Arrancar Army Previous Position Captain of the 3rd Division Lieutenant of the 5th Division, 3rd Seat of the 5th Division Division Previous Division Partner Previous Partner Base of Operations None 3rd Division 5th Division None Izuru Kira, Kaname Tsen, Ssuke Aizen Las Noches, Hueco Mundo Personal Status

Education Shikai Bankai

Shin' Academy Zanpakut Shins Kamishini no Yari

".....grinning, an act of intimidation." - Tite Kubo[1] Gin Ichimaru ( , Ichimaru Gin) was the Captain of the3rd Division of the Gotei 13 until he betrayed Soul Society, alongside Ssuke Aizen and Kaname Tsen. His lieutenant was Izuru Kira.

Appearance
Gin is fairly ordinary in terms of clothing, and he doesn't wear any unique items. His overall appearance, however, is not as normal. He keeps his eyes constantly narrowed to slits, rarely ever opening his eyes enough to reveal their bright sky blue-color.[2]Although he appears to be an early to mid twenty-year-old person, he is unusually thin and tall with very sharp features, giving him a skeletal appearance. He bears unusual silver hair (his name refers to his hair color; gin [] is Japanese for silver).[2] He also keeps his face set in a wide mocking smile, which he only wipes off on rare occasions of annoyance, surprise, confusion, or even sadness. In Hueco Mundo, his outfit, like Aizen and Tsen's, has been modified since the three abandoned Soul Society. He now wears a long, white robe over his normal Shinigami hakama. The hilt of his Zanpakut is visible sticking out from under the robe through the opening down to his waist. Later, Gin is seen wearing a white hakama like the Arrancar, instead of the black ones he was last seen in. Gin wears his robe open in a narrow 'V' down to his waist, closed to below the hips, and then open again to the hem, which falls about to mid-calf. His robe has long bell sleeves, into which he hides his hands like some do with kimono sleeves. The lining of

the robe and edges or layers of the under-robe(s) appear to be black. From other examples, it is likely he is also wearing black tabi with white waraji. HisZanpakut is not visible with this outfit.

Personality
Gin is one of the most mysterious Shinigami in the series, since his almost constant smile and slitted eyes, combined with his heavy use of sarcasm and mocking politeness, make it very difficult to discern his thoughts. Many find his demeanor and appearance rather unsettling and there are very few who were willing to trust him even before he was revealed as a traitor. Gin seems to be fully aware of the effect he has on others and more than once has been seen toying with people's emotional states for his own amusement. Both Rukia Kuchikiand Wonderweiss Margela have shown to be rather frightened of him; Rukia noted to herself that she felt like she was being strangled by snakes whenever he spoke, even if he was not speaking to her directly. Gin speaks with a distinct Kyoto dialect, which is polite but indirect. Ever since he was a child, dried persimmons had been his favorite food. Planting and raising many persimmon trees around the Third Division offices, Gin would make the dried persimmons himself before distributing them to other divisions. Due to mistaking a dried sweet potato for a dried persimmon he developed a dislike for the former. During his free time, while still a captain, Gin would often go out for walks around Seireitei. Despite his hobby supposedly being people-watching, it would seem as though he also enjoyed hunting around and searching for an opportunity to create mischief with some poor victim.[3]

History
While living in Rukongai as a child, Gin found Rangiku Matsumoto, a child herself, collapsed on the ground. He offered her some dried persimmon,

which he was carrying at the time, telling her that if she could collapse due to hunger, she must have spiritual energy. Rangiku recognized that he must have spiritual energy as well. Following, Gin introduced himself to Rangiku, Rangiku commented on the strangeness of his first name.[4] Gin and Rangiku's shared love of dried persimmon can be traced to that day.[5] Following their meeting, Gin and Rangiku started to live together and it was during their time together that Gin asked Rangiku when her birthday was and she replied she didn't know, as she never really counted the days until she met him. Gin then told her that from then on, the day they met would be her birthday.[6] Gin also encountered Aizen while he and Rangiku still lived in Rukongai. While gathering firewood in a forest, he spotted Aizen and three other Shinigami (who were kneeling on the ground before him), through a clearing in the brush. Spying on them, he saw Aizen take a ball of pink energy from one of the Shinigami's hands and put it in a glass that contained the Hgyoku.[7] It was then revealed that earlier, Gin had seen those three Shinigami leaving the area where Rangiku was collapsed, carrying said ball of pink energy that he saw earlier.[8] Realizing that Aizen must be the leader, Gin resolved to kill him.[9] Gin had a habit of leaving Rangiku most of the time and not telling her where he was going.[10] During one such incident, Rangiku found Gin draped in a Shinigami's Shihakush with blood on his face. When Rangiku asked him what he was up to, he replied that he had decided to become a Shinigami and change things so they would end without Rangiku having to cry.[11] Gin and Rangiku joined the Shin' Academy together.[5] Since then, Rangiku has been one of the few people Gin seems to truly care for.[12] Approximately 110 years ago, Gin graduated from the Academy after just one year, and was given a seated position in the 5th Division. One night,

Aizen found Gin after the latter had killed the 3rd Seat of the 5th Division. Aizen praised Gin's efforts and asked his opinion of the 3rd Seat, to which Gin replied that the 3rd Seat was worthless. Aizen immediately gave Gin the now vacant 3rd seat of the 5th Division and covered-up the fact that Gin had killed the 3rd Seat.[13] 9 years later, Gin is shown to be involved in Aizen's plot and assisting him in theHollowfication of high ranking Shinigami.[14] He is present at the Hollowfication of the investigation team sent by Captain-Commander Yamamoto. He watched the conversation between Shinji Hirako and Aizen. He didn't seem surprised at the arrival of captains Kisuke Urahara and Tessai Tsukabishi.[15] Aizen proceeded to leave the scene of the crime with his henchmen, stating that "there's nothing more to do there". To stop them from retreating, Tessai performed Had #88, Hirygekizokushintenraih against them, only to be countered by Aizen using Bakud #81.,Dank, enabling their escape.[16] Some time after this, after Aizen became Captain of the 5th, Aizen told Gin the secret to avoiding Kyka Suigetsu's complete hypnosis. Gin was still a child at the time when he was told about it.[17] Sometime later, Gin served as the lieutenant of the 5th Division under CaptainSsuke Aizen. Aizen and Gin saved the surviving young recruits of the Shinigami Academy Momo Hinamori, Izuru Kira, and Renji Abarai, who were out on a field exercise, from a group of huge Hollows.[18] Kira would later become the Lieutenant of the 3rd Division under Gin.[19] Gin eventually became the captain of the 3rd Division around the same time thatByakuya Kuchiki became captain of the 6th Division (less than 49 years ago). Gin however, even as a captain of his own division, was still a loyal subordinate to Aizen.[20]

At some point during their captaincy, Aizen, Gin and Tsen secretly visited Baraggan Louisenbairn, the King ofHueco Mundo and Lord of Las Noches. Aizen and Baraggan engaged in a light conversation as Gin and Tsen watched. Aizen then released his Shikai and showed Baraggan the decimation of his army by the two other captains.[21] Some time when both he and Isshin Kurosaki were captains, Gin, along with Tsen and Aizen, continued to conduct Hollowfication experiments whilst attempting to locate Shinji Hirako's group. Asked about their current progress, he told Aizen they had made none.[22] Observing an ensuing fight between Isshin and a Hollow creature on a monitor, Gin noted that the captain left without permission, remarking that this could mean trouble. Dismissing his concern, Aizen requested a closer look. Later, arriving at the scene of the battle with the others, all three wearing reiatsu-concealing cloaks, Gin watched as Aizen cut down Isshin.[23] Afterwards, Gin notes that Isshin realized the Hollowwasn't the one who cut him, and asks Aizen if it was okay to leave while Isshin was still alive and suspicious of what happened.[24]

Equipment

Reiatsu Concealing Cloak: A cloak created by Urahara which hides the wearer's spiritual pressure.[86] By incorporating Kid into the cloak, Aizen states it allows the wearer to blend in with the air around them, almost completely concealing them from sight. Gin used this cloak to accompany Aizen when he struck Isshin Kurosaki down.[87]

Powers & Abilities

Genius Intellect: When Gin was younger, he was hailed as a child genius. He was highly proficient in his classes at the Shinigami Academy, and he graduated in one year. His skill was already evident at a young age when he gained a seated position in the 5th Division shortly after graduating, ultimately surpassing the previous child prodigy Kaien Shiba, who was already an adult and had taken five years to become a seated officer.[88] Gin has shown himself to be highly manipulative and deceptive. He comes out unscathed due to the calm confusion he plays at, which is a testament to his overall strategy. In his battle with Tshir Hitsugaya, Gin was able to manipulate the positions of three people so Hitsugaya would have to choose between saving his own life or Hinamori's without any visible effort. He is capable of simple deception by having his opponent focus on one thing while hiding the true threat.[89] Master Swordsman: Gin is a highly proficient combatant. In combat, he doesn't seem the least bit taken back by the abilities of his opponent, even when they seemingly have an advantage. He fights with seemingly no effort behind his attacks, as he always wields his sword with one hand. His combat skills were evident even when he was a child. He easily defeated and killed the former third seat of the 5th Division, who by rank and age should have been more powerful and skilled than him. Gin was able to effortlessly keep the upper hand against Tshir Hitsugaya, a Shinigami known for his intellect and skill in Zanjutsu, during their battle. He is commonly seen using his Zanpakut's special ability, which is capable of killing multiple targets in one shot, allowing him to be quite deadly at a distance.[90][91] He is able to mix extreme speed with a calm composure and precise attacks.[92] Great Spiritual Power: Gin possesses captain-level Reiryoku. Gin, without any visible effort, easily incapacitated Chad, Orihime, Ury, Makiz, and Ganju with his Reiatsu just by facing their general direction.[93]

Shunpo Expert: Though never actually shown using this in combat, after his battle with Tshir Hitsugaya, Gin used an impressive Flash Step to retreat.[94] He was also able to fight on even grounds and keep up with Ichigo while the latter was using his Bankai.[95] Enhanced Durability: Gin is durable enough to withstand a direct hit from Ichigo Kurosaki's Bankai-enhanced Getsuga Tensh, only suffering a light wound to his forehead as a result.[96] Kid Practitioner: Gin's actual skill level in Kid is unknown, but he was able to teleport himself and Aizen a considerable distance using "Sentan Hakuja".[97] He was also able to cast "Hakufuku" on Rangiku Matsumoto, preventing Ssuke Aizen from perceiving her Reiatsu.[98]

Zanpakut
Shins (, God Spear; Viz "Sacred Spear"): It looks like an ordinary wakizashi. The hilt is light-blue with a tsubamade of two slim swirls of metal looping around the blade to make an open oval, resembling an "S".

Shikai: It is triggered by the phrase "Shoot to kill" (, Ikorose). In the English Dub, however, he uses a command related to piercing/stabbing and ends the phrase with a personal pronoun (him, her, it) defining who he wants to hit.[99][100][101] Shikai Special Ability: In its Shikai, Shins's blade glows white and extends at high speed to impale Gin's opponents from a distance. The blade also carries tremendous force when extending, as seen when Gin pushes both Ichigo Kurosaki and the giant Jidanb out from under the Seireitei gate, despite the latter being firmly braced under it. In addition, Gin can maintain the extension and swing the activated Shins in wide arcs, attacking multiple targets quickly and simultaneously.[91][102] Shins's maximum length is equivalent to one hundred times its original length, earning it the

nickname Hyapponzashi (, Hundred-span) when Gin was younger.[103]

Bankai: Kamishini no Yari (, God-Killing Spear): In its Bankai form, Gin's Zanpakut does not change in appearance at all, retaining its smallwakizashi form. Bankai Special Ability: Gin's Bankai's abilities are essentially the same as his Shikai's, but its force, cutting power, length and speed are vastly amplified to the point where Gin is capable of swiftly cutting an entire town in half with a single slash while standing a great distance away.[104] AsKamishini no Yari, Gin claims that his sword can extend itself up to 13 km (8.1 miles) at 500 times the speed of sound: exactly 171,500 meters per second in order to arrive at its full length in under 0.08 seconds, which makes it not the longest Zanpakut, but the fastest. The blade can also retract to its normal size at the same rate.[105][106] Because the blade's extension and contraction speed is a highly dangerous ability, Gin tends to downplay its speed whenever he talks about his Zanpakut, and instead focuses on the length and power of the blade in order to gain a psychological advantage over his opponent.[107]However, Gin has also stated that his Bankai is not as fast or as long as he originally claimed, but he hasn't elaborated on this statement further to determine what he is specifically referring to.[108] Korose, Kamishini no Yari (, , Kill, God-Killing Spear): Kamishini no Yari's true ability, as well as its deadliest aspect, is not based on its length or speed, but rather its ability to turn into dust for just a second when it expands and contracts. There is a deadly poison inside the blade that dissolves and

breaks down cells. He can leave a sliver of his Zanpakut in an opponent when he retracts Kamishini no Yari, allowing him to kill an opponent at any time he chooses to. He does so by uttering the technique name while placing his hand up to the target, which causes the target to completely break down and dissolve

at the cellular level from the inside out.[109] But (, No/Null Step)[110]: By adopting a stance where he firmly grips Kamishini no Yari with both hands and places the Zanpakut's hilt squarely on the center of his chest, Gin is able to utilize the tremendous extension and contraction properties of his Bankai to an even more terrifying extent than its normal state. This occurs in the form of a piercing maneuver where the extension and contraction of the blade becomes almost completely unseen to even the most diligent of observers.[111] But: Renjin (, No/Null Step: Serial Blade)[110]: This ability repeats the action of extending and subsequently contracting Kamishini no Yari, as observed within the technique But, multiple times in rapid succession. The entirety of this process is completed in a mere moment, resulting in the individual steps involved in this technique becoming virtually indistinguishable from each other, generating an apparent mass of blades that leave little opportunity for the intended victim to evade successfully.[112]

Trivia

The color of Gin's eyes has varied throughout the series' medium. They are shown as blue on the cover of Volume 20 and Episode 270 onwards. However, early episodes of the anime depicts them as red, and Bleach: Dark Souls and Bleach: Blade of Fate has them colored yellow.

Although only heard in two episodes (22 and 52-53), Gin's "bye bye" has become very popular with the fans and even became the sound of one of Gin's "fast move attack" in Bleach Heat the Soul 5.

While it remains the same in the original Japanese version, Shins's release command varies in the English dub of the anime ("Impale him," "Slay them," "Pierce his flesh," "Shoot to kill,"), as well as in Bleach: Shattered Blade and the DS series ("Shoot 'em dead").

Gin was among the four Bleach characters to make the top 100 list in Newtype Japan's 2007 list of the most popular anime characters. Tite Kubo remarked in a 2004 Shnen Jump character commentary that Gin's popularity, especially among women, was a great surprise to him, as he had attempted to make Gin creepy and off-putting in appearance.

Gin's Shins came 8th in the Zanpakut poll. In the Bleach best bout poll Ichimaru's fight with Hitsugaya came in fifth place.[114] The Shinigami Women's Association published a Photo Collection showcasing Gin named White Snake but it was cancelled. [115] Gin was author of the now suspended column That's Absurd for the Seireitei Communication. [116] Gin's theme song, as chosen by Tite Kubo, is "Snake Tongued Beast" by Saybia.[117] According to the Official Bootleg, Gin possessed incredible skill at needle threading.[3]

Quotes

(To Jidanb Ikkanzaka) "What idiotic rules are you talking about? You misunderstood. Even when the guardian loses, the guardian may still

not open the door. If the guardian lost, then that would mean... he

must be executed."[118] (To Rangiku Matsumoto) "It would have been nice if my capture lasted a little longer. Farewell, Rangiku. Sorry."[119] (To Rukia Kuchiki) "I was just taking a walk and I dropped by to tease you."[120] (To Rukia Kuchiki) "Would you like me to save you?... Just kidding."[121] "I'm not too fond of sad stories."[123] (To Ichigo Kurosaki) "Y'know it's useless now. I've been with Aizensan for a long time an' this is the first time I've seen something like this. Well, I suppose that's a given since he went and absorbed the Hgyoku while we weren't paying attention. You get it, right? There ain't nothin' more to be done. You an' all them folks are gonna get killed and that'll be all she wrote."[125]

(To Ssuke Aizen) "Emotions? Nope, I've got nothin' like that. I told you when we first met, didn't I? I'm a snake. With cold skin, no emotions, that slithers around searching for prey with its tongue, swallowing down whatever looks tasty."[126]

(As a child, to Rangiku Matsumoto) "I've decided. I'm going to become a Shinigami. Become a Shinigami and change things. So that they'll end...without Rangiku having to cry."[127]

(To Rangiku, in his dying thoughts) "If you were to turn into a snake tomorrow and begin devouring humans, and from the same mouth you started devouring humans, you cried out to me 'I love you,' would I still be able to say 'I love you' the same way I do today?" [128]

VISORED/ MASKED ARMY SOUL REAPER

Shinji Hirako

Shinji Hirako
Pre Timeskip - Post Timeskip Race Birthday Gender Height Weight Affiliation Position Division Partner Previous Partner Base of Operations Visored May 10[1] Male 176 cm (5'9")[1] 60 kg (132 lbs.)[1] Professional Status Visored, Gotei 13, Soul Society Captain of the 5th Division 5th Division Momo Hinamori Ssuke Aizen 5th Division HQ, Seireitei, Soul Society; formerly Visored Warehouse, Karakura Town, Human World Personal Status Education Shikai Bankai N/A Zanpakut Sakanade Unknown

Shinji redirects here. For the anime-exclusive character from episode 133, see Shinji (filler)

Shinji Hirako ( , Hirako Shinji) is the captain of the5th Division in the Gotei 13. His lieutenant is Momo Hinamori. He also served as a recruiter and the de facto leader of theVisored.

Appearance
Shinji has brown eyes and jaw-length blonde hair with a straight cut and many of his facial expressions reveal his upper teeth. He wears a standard Karakura school uniform, though he usually wears a gray long-coat, shirt and tie, a newsboy cap (though he commonly forgoes wearing the coat and cap). Shinji appears to have a pierced round ring in the middle of his tongue. During his first stint as a captain, before he left the Soul Society, his hair was very long, reaching down to the lower part of his back. He wore the standard Shinigami robes with a standard, long-sleeved, captain's haori. Seventeen months after Aizen's defeat, Shinji returns to this attire with the addition of wearing his tie tucked under his robes. His hair which he kept in a short, straight-line cut after becoming a Visored has remained basically the same as well, with the exception of the bang now having a more asymmetrical cut with the left side being longer than the right.[2] Sometime before the Vandenreich's Invasion of Soul Society, Shinji adds a further white robe between his haori and uniform, which is fastened at the front. His tie is also replaced by a broader cravat that is tucked under his new robe and is clasped using a small, silver slide.[3]

Personality
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. She, in turn, shows him absolutely no respect and frequently insults and attacks him; his behavior towards her is no better, frequently making faces or quick insults at her expense. He also has a history of referring to cute girls he meets as his 'first love', complete with a deadpan look on his face, despite the obvious lie (though he never did this with Hiyori, further annoying her). He also enjoys listening to jazz music, as he had a phonograph that played his vinyl records in his days as a Captain. Underneath this, though, he is quite perceptive in terms of regarding other people, and during his time as a captain, was one of the few people who appeared suspicious of his then-lieutenant Ssuke Aizen, and could apparently sense or see through some of his illusions. He also quickly notes parts of Urahara's personality. Aizen even admitted to being somewhat intimidated by him. Whenever angered or in combat, Shinji is fairly calm, serious, and level-headed.

History
Approximately 110 years ago, Shinji, in his capacity as the 5th Division captain, was seen getting ready to attend a captain's promotion ceremony and greeting his lieutenant, Ssuke Aizen, upon his arrival. Shinji questioned Aizen's sense of fashion upon seeing that he was only wearing his standard Shinigami robes, prompting the two to start a debate of the necessity of wearing different clothes considering the event. When Aizen commented on the music Shinji was listening to, Shinji explained that it was jazz and it was all the rage in the world of the living at the time. The two made their way to the First Division Headquarters to attend the promotion ceremony.

Upon the doors opening Shinji was ambushed by Lieutenant Hiyori Sarugaki of the 12th Division, though she was soon reprimanded by Captain Love Aikawa of the 7th Division. When Shinji finally gathered himself, he began to taunt Hiyori enraging her even further. As the group proceeded inside, Shinji asked Love what the head count was looking like for the ceremony, to which Love responded that almost everyone was already there. Shinji stated that he saw that no one from the 11th Division had shown up. Love explained that was the Eleventh Division's Captain's way, as he did what he wanted. Shinji replied by saying just because he was the 10th 'Kenpachi', no one had the guts to keep him in check. He went on to say that he could not understand why they let such a loose cannon like him become captain. Love tried to ease him explaining that there was no use getting upset over it, as the chosen 'Kenpachi' had always held the position of the 11th Division captain, as it was a sort of legacy and it would not change any time soon. Love went on to say that if Shinji wanted to complain about anything, then he should complain about the fact that the previous Kenpachi's ineptitude made it possible. The two captain's conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the 8th Division captain, Shunsui Kyraku, being accompanied by his lieutenant, Lisa Yadmaru, and 13th Division captain, Jshir Ukitake. Shunsui accused the two of gossiping behind other people's backs. Shinji then bore witness to the conversation between Shunsui and Ukitake about who had been captain the longest and what had happened to the previous 12th Division captain, Kirio Hikifune. He made note that they were going through captains quicker than toilet paper.[4] Shinji was later seen waiting in line with the other captains as the newly appointed 12th Division CaptainKisuke Urahara arrived to the meeting. He was noticeably

unimpressed at the demeanor and first impression Urahara made at his promotion ceremony.[5] Later the following night, he approached Urahara and told him why Hiyori was giving him problems: she had looked up at her previous Captain as a mentor and a mother-figure. Shinji continued by giving him advice on how best to go about being a captain. He then remarked to Urahara that he could tell he wasn't the type who did what other people told him anyway, so it didn't matter what he said. Either way Shinji explained that he felt Urahara was the same kind of man as like him, so he should just meddle in his own business. While leaving Shinji asked, "How long do you plan on watching us from over there". Using his hand, Shinji revealed Aizen concealed behind some form of camouflage, Aizen complimented his captain and asked him when did he realize he was there, to which Shinji replied "When you were still in your momma's womb"[6]; he then ordered Aizen to follow him. Aizen then commented on how scary a person Shinji was, to which Shinji replies that he was the scary one.[7] Nine years later, Shinji and Aizen were walking around the Seireitei when they came across Urahara, Hiyori and 3rd Seat Mayuri Kurotsuchi. While Shinji once again engaged in a childish fight and argument with Hiyori, Aizen asked Urahara if he had heard the news to which Urahara tells him he hadn't. Shinji proceeded to take up the tale and told Urahara about the series of strange deaths that had taken place in Rukongai. Shinji also informed him that the 9th Division had been sent to handle the investigation.[8] Later that night, Shinji was dispatched with Love Aikawa, Rjr toribashi, Hachigen Ushda, and Lisa Yadmaru to investigate the

disappearance of Rukongai residents, Captain Kensei Mugurumaand the members of his division by Captain-Commander Genrysai Shigekuni Yamamoto.[9] Upon arrival at the investigation sight, Shinji fended off what appeared to be a Hollowfied Kensei from attacking Hiyori, who had been sent there to collect samples by request of the 9th Division.[10] With the arrival of the rest of the investigation squad, they pondered whether the creature was actually Kensei with Shinji stating that he didn't know if it was Kensei, but that if they didn't draw their swords they would be as good as dead. After Kensei let out a loud roar, Shinji picked up Hiyori and backed up, he then watched as Love proceeded to engage Kensei in battle.[11] When Hiyori pleaded with them to stop fighting because it was Kensei, she began to cough. Shinji told her to be quiet as they had to stop him especially if it was Kensei[12] When a Hollowfied Mashiro Kuna appeared behind Rose and attacked him, Shinji called out to her so that her attention would be directed at him. Mashiro proceeded towards Shinji and attacked him, but he blocked her. He was assisted by the timely arrival of Hachi who used Bakud #75. "Gochtekkan" to subdue her. Hachi commented on how fast the others were in getting there. Hachi noticed Love having a hard time fighting a Hollowfied Kensei and used Bakud #63. "Saj Sabaku" to restrain him as well. He then asked Shinji what was going on and what had happened to Mashiro and Kensei, but they were interrupted by Kensei breaking free.[13] As Kensei proceeded to attack the others Hachi used Bakud #99. "Kin" to finally bring Kensei down. Shinji commented to Hachi that he was impressed that he used a level 99 binding spell without the incantation. Shinji then asked Hachi if he could fix Kensei and Mashiro with Kid, but Hachi plainly told him that he couldn't if he didn't know what the problem

was. Suddenly, Hiyori began to cough uncontrollably, Shinji asked if she was alright and told Hachi to start with her first, but he was interrupted by Hiyori who began to choke out that she wanted him to let her go. Hiyori then Hollowfied and attacked Shinji with a slash across his chest much to everyone's disbelief. It was then that a darkness falls around the rescue squad and they were attacked by an unseen assailant. Shinji was the only one conscious after this and upon the darkness lifting, he saw the assailant to beKaname Tsen, Muguruma's 5th seat. Shinji asked him how could he betray his captain, it was then that Shinji's attention was caught by the arrival of Aizen andGin Ichimaru. Aizen explains that he had not betrayed anyone and that he was very faithful and he had just faithfully followed his orders.[14] Shinji admitted he wasn't as surprised as he let on and Aizen asked if he suspected him and stated that he had expected that much from his captain. Shinji then explained how he knew something was dangerous about Aizen, and that he couldn't be trusted. It was for those reasons that Shinji chose him to be his lieutenant: so that he could keep an eye on him. Aizen then told him that he was grateful, as due to his deep seated doubts he didn't suspect a thing. When Shinji stated that he already made it known that he had suspected him, Aizen elaborated stating that he didn't realize that the whole past month, it wasn't Aizen walking behind him. Aizen proceeded to explain the power of his Zanpakut, Kyka Suigetsu. Aizen informed Shinji that if he was as close to Aizen as other captains were to their lieutenants, then he would have been able to see through it by picking up on subtle differences between Aizen and the man acting as Aizen's double.

It was his lack of trust that kept them from getting close and as such, allowed Aizen to fool Shinji. He also explained that he could have always refused to be Shinji's lieutenant, but decided against that action because Shinji's suspicious nature made the position ideal to carry out his plans. Aizen thus laid the blame for Shinji and his comrades' current predicament at the feet of Shinji. Shinji was provoked by this statement and that triggered a speed-up in the Hollowfication process. Aizen thanked him for being so easily provoked and makes a note of the observed connection between the speed Hollowfication and agitated emotions.[15] Shinji asked Aizen what Hollowfication is, but Aizen refused to speak on it any further. He then ordered Tsen to finish them and after Hiyori was attacked, Shinji faced off against Tsen. Shinji stated that he did not know what was going on, but he assumed that nothing had gone exactly as planned just yet. He then remembered that Aizen said agitation speeds up the process, so he resolved to remain calm and level-headed. He began to battle Tsen beating the traitor back. Shinji continued to battle and soon gained the upper hand sending Tsen crashing into the ground. But before Shinji could continue the fight, the Hollowfication process advanced further and incapacitated him.[16] Just as Aizen was about to finish off Shinji, Captain Kisuke Urahara and Kid Captain Tessai Tsukabishi of the Kid Corps, appeared and saved him from destruction. Aizen, Gin, and Tsen made their escape and Tessai used Forbidden Kid to preserve and transport the rescue squad to the 12th Division barracks. In his lab, Urahara tried to reverse the process using his created item, the Hgyoku.[17] Unfortunately, it ended up as a failure, not having the desired effect Urahara expected.[18]

The next day, Urahara and Tessai were arrested under the orders of the Central 46. The Hollowfied Shinigami were sentenced to execution as Hollows. However, before any of their sentences could be executed, both were rescued by Yoruichi Shihin, who brought them to a secret underground area.[19] In the secluded area, she had also brought Shinji and the other Hollowfied Shinigami, along with the prototype for the new Gigai that Urahara was working on. With that epiphany, Urahara resolved to make ten Reiatsu-blocking Gigai to aid him, Tessai, and the eight victims escape to the Real World, where they hoped to find a way to undo the Hollowfication process.[20]

Powers & Abilities

Master Swordsman: Shinji is implied to be a powerful combatant, being a Shinigami captain and the unofficial leader among the Visored. At one point, when Shinji begins to fight against Ichigo Kurosaki, the other Visored mention that Ichigo is foolish to battle Shinji, proven by the fact that Shinji is not taking the battle seriously (albeit Ichigo was also holding back, because he was trying to suppress his inner Hollow).[78][79] Shinji is also able to hold off Mashiro Kuna during her Hollowfication without releasing his sword, though it took some effort.[80] He was also able to fend off Kaname Tsen while also trying to resist his Hollowfication.[81] Shinji takes on the 6th Espada, maintaining his calm in the face of the destruction Grimmjow brought to the battle and pushing the Espada back with little effort, using only his Hollow mask and his swordsmanship skill.[82][83] Shunpo Expert: Shinji excels in Shunpo. His skill is great enough to easily outmaneuver Grimmjow, the sixth Espada.[83] As a captain, even before he became a Visored, he was the first to arrive to save Hiyori, even when Lisa had a head-start and all the other captains left later at the same

time.[84] Shinji is also very quick at close-range. During his assault on Aizen, he is able to perceive and dodge Tsen's sneak attack while sustaining only a small scratch above his left eye.[85] Keen Intellect: Despite his childish attitude at times, Shinji has shown himself to be a very insightful and perceptive man. During his initial stint as captain of the 5th Division, he was able to see through Aizen's deceptions and some of his illusions. Aizen himself admitted to be intimidated by Shinji's cunning. Immense Spiritual Power: As a captain, he has an enormous amount of spiritual pressure. Being a Visored, Shinji possesses a dual-type spiritual energy, part Shinigami and part Hollow. His spiritual pressure is said to be monstrous.[86] Kid Practitioner: While never used in battle, Shinji has shown enough proficiency in this skill to, without warning, put Ichigo into a dream state[87] and break Aizen's illusions.[6]

Zanpakut
Sakanade (, Counter Stroke): In its sealed form, it resembles a normal katana. The hilt and sheath are red, and its guard is shaped like an hourglass. Shikai: The release command is "Collapse" (, taorero).[88] In its Shikai state, the pommel becomes a large ring that allows Sakanade to rotate around Shinji's hand without him actually gripping any part of the Zanpakut. This movement relates to his sword's special ability. The first few inches of the blade are covered by an extension of the cross-guard. Sakanade's blade is straight and slim, with the tip ending in a slanted razor-like edge instead of being tapered to a point. There are five holes along the sword's length.[89]

Shikai Special Ability: Sakanade's Shikai ability creates an Sakasama no Sekai (, Inverted World). When spun, the sword creates a pink mist. Those who smell its pleasant aroma fall subject to an optical illusion. Shinji describes the release technique as something like a trump card. Up and down, left and right as well as forward and backward are reversed. However, it is not just the sense of direction that is changed; the opponent's eyesight, direction of incoming attacks, and injury locations are also inverted. Shinji claims that countering the damage from the inverted directions simply by processing it all within the mind is not possible. No matter how powerful the opponent, even if one is accustomed to fighting in that particular way, their body will not adapt, and will continue to fight by reflex, which causes it to continuously succumb to the power's effect.[90] The effect of the inverted world can be targeted at or neglected from specific opponents, making it ideal for use in group fighting.[91]

Bankai: Not Yet Revealed.

Hollowfication
Hollow Mask: Shinji's Hollow mask strongly resembles a pharaoh's mask, with a short, flowing hood hanging down the back of his neck. When donning his Hollow mask, Shinji's sclera turn completely black, and his irises become grey.[92] Power Augmentation: While wearing the mask, Shinji's Hollow powers supplement his Shinigami powers, giving him a vast increase in both strength and speed.

Cero: Shinji gathers energy that is displayed in a horizontal line at his fist. He then releases a crimson Cero with an extremely wide arc and devastating force. The Cero from a distance is powerful enough to cause grievous injury to an Espada of at least rank six, even at minimal power.[93][83]

Enhanced Strength: While wearing his Hollow mask, Shinji has shown that he gains greater strength, which he uses to physically overwhelm Tsen and Grimmjow.[81][83]

Enhanced Speed: While wearing his Hollow mask, Shinji is able to move much faster, which he uses to overwhelm Tsen and Grimmjow on separate occasions.[81][83]

Enhanced Endurance: With his Hollow mask, Shinji becomes much more resilient to pain. He even states that when he first underwent Hollowfication that "wearing the mask feels like being in control of someone else's body".[81]

Trivia

An early drawing of Shinji can be seen in the art of the first chapter. This early design of Shinji ranked #103 with three votes in the second Bleachpopularity poll.

Quotes

(To newly-appointed Captain Urahara) "I don't like to go around talkin' like I know everything, but take this as the opinion of someone who's done this captain job before. Even if you sympathize with your subordinates you can't go around tryin' ta please them all the time.

You should do things the way you want to do them, and if nobody

follows you, it just means you weren't cut out for this job."[94] (To Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez) "I swear. I really don't like gettin' involved in Shinigami fights. Oh well. When you hear the sound of fighting so close by you can't just ignore it."[95] (To Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez) "Can't ya hold back a little while you're fighting? If I dodge an attack and the city gets destroyed bit by bit instead, then I can't just ignore it and keep dodging."[96] (Before leaving to fight in the war) "... Kisuke said it. "There were no miscalculations and that's the biggest miscalculation". Everything unfolded in the worst way just as predicted. Kisuke really took good care of us. And so did Aizen. Let's go" [97]

(To Yamamoto) "If there were something to be upset about, I suppose it would be the fact that you all were fighting behind this stupidly strong barrier!"[98]

(To Yamamoto, after being asked if the Visored were on the Shinigami's side) "The answer to that is obvious. Absolutely not. We are not your allies. We are enemies of Aizen. And allies of Ichigo."[99]

(To Komamura) "Are you sure it's alright to be helping out a strange lot like us? Although as far as appearance go, you're plenty strange yourself."[100]

(To Misato Ochi) "Pretty good, huh? Doing things in reverse is my speciality."[101] (To Ssuke Aizen) "Can you fight when up and down, left and right, front and back, and the direction you take damage from are all mixed up inside your head? No, you can't. Nobody can. The stronger you are the more used you are to combat, the more likely your body is to react only to what you see!!"[102]

Hiyori Sarugaki
Hiyori Sarugaki

Race Birthday Gender Height Weight Affiliation Previous Affiliation Previous Position Previous Division Partner Previous Partner Base of Operations Relatives Education Shikai

Visored August 1[1] Female 133 cm (4'4")[1] 26 kg (57 lbs.)[1] Professional Status Visored Gotei 13, Soul Society Lieutenant of the 12th Division, Head Researcher of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute[2] 12th Division None Kirio Hikifune, Kisuke Urahara Visored Warehouse, Karakura Town,Human World Personal Status N/A Shin' Academy[3] Zanpakut Kubikiri Orochi

Bankai

None

Hiyori Sarugaki (

, Sarugaki Hiyori) is the former Lieutenant of the 12th Division under Captains Kirio Hikifuneand Kisuke Urahara, and currently a Visored.

Appearance
Hiyori is a very short, brown eyed, blonde-haired girl who wears her short hair in spiky pigtails with her bangs clipped together by three clips. She wears a white shirt and a red jogging suit, the latter with white lines running down from the shoulders and decorated with the first kanji of her name, as well as yellow flip flops. Hiyori carries her Zanpakut over her back. On each cheek, under each of her eyes, she has three freckles.[4] She has an overly long fang protruding from the upper left side of her mouth. This physical characteristic has caused both Ichigo and Shinji to call her "snaggletooth". She appears more haggard and not as sharp as she did during her days in Soul Society, with tired lines under her eyes. During her time in Soul Society, she wore a standard Shinigami uniform with her lieutenant's armband on her left arm. During this time, her pigtails were fairly long and hung down, and she did not wear her hair clips.

Personality
Despite her small size, Hiyori is an aggressive and short-tempered girl with rather violent tendencies, her most common victim being Shinji Hirako, whom she frequently abuses, usually by smacking him with one of her sandals or kicking and punching him in the face. She has made it a reflex to use him as a human shield when necessary, and shows him an obvious lack of respect, a gesture which he seems to return. This behavior dates back to her time as a lieutenant, despite Shinji outranking her back then.

She has highly aggressive tendencies, often make her lash out at other people even under normal circumstances. She shows very little respect to the majority of people around her, easily losing her temper and getting into fights. Having viewed her former captain Kirio Hikifune as a motherly figure, Hiyori was quite hurt by her departure, and initially refused to accept Urahara as her replacement, even treating him with her trademark violence and disrespect, despite his attempts to be her friend. When Kirio Hikifune was in charge of her, Hiyori was very respectful to her old captain as a sign of respect and trust, but still smacked everyone else around. Hiyori seems to harbor a hatred of both Shinigami and Humans. As a result of her thorny disposition and possible insecurities, Hiyori never displays much emotion besides anger, and always appears to be frowning. During her time training, she never succeeded in making Ichigo call her "Hiyori-san" (Miss Hiyori), though she calls Ichigo and Shinji "dumbass" among other names.

History
Approximately 110 years ago, Hiyori was the lieutenant of the 12th Division under captain Kirio Hikifune until the latter's promotion. When Captain Shinji Hirako of the 5th Division arrived at the 1st Division headquarters for the promotion ceremony ofKisuke Urahara, Hiyori, opening the door, attacked him. She got knocked on the head by Captain Love Aikawa, who stated she should apologize, which only prompted Hiyori to question his authority in disciplining her. Love stated since her captain was not present, someone had to keep her in line.

Regardless of Love's attempts to get her under control, Hiyori insisted she would not apologize.[5]

Later, Hiyori waited with the other captains as the newly appointed 12th Division captain, Kisuke Urahara, arrived to the meeting. Hiyori, looking on, was unimpressed upon his arrival.[6] Later that day, when Urahara formally introduced himself to the 12th Division and Hiyori, she, flat out telling him she would not accept him as her captain, slapped away Urahara's hand, which shocked him. Stating she already could not stand that Captain Hikifune left without a moment's notice and now they had to deal with a 2nd Division member as their captain, she noted he was from the Onmitsukid, so he was most likely a sneaky murderer. When the other 12th Division members tried to tell her she was going too far, Hiyori stated she was only saying what they were all thinking, though the other 12th Division members refused to side with her opinion. When she confronted Urahara, trying to get a rise out of him, he, laughing it off, told her he has already been made the captain of the 12th Division. He explained he had already decided the role he would play would be their captain, and no longer a member of the 2nd Division. Urahara told Hiyori if she had a problem, it was hers to change. Hiyori, kicking him in his crotch, ran off, only succeeding in injuring her foot.[7]

While walking around the 12th Division barracks, Hiyori, becoming irate when she found the division moving Urahara's vast amount of personal items, got into another confrontation with him when he tried to be of aid to her. The following day, at a division meeting, Urahara revealed he had

decided to change the policy of the 12th Division, but had yet to determine what course of action he thought would be a good role for them. Becoming increasing angry upon hearing he was still thinking about it, Hiyori attacked him. Later, she was walking around the 12th Division barracks when she was confronted by Shinji. They got into a small argument, and Hiyori attacked him for saying something Urahara commonly said which she could not stand. Confronting Urahara, she challenged him to a fight, which he accepted, but asked that they fight hand-to hand. As they prepared to fight, Urahara told her to attack him from any angle. Hiyori, running at him, kicked him square in the face.

Hiyori ran off, and at the entrance to the division headquarters, she realized Urahara, seeing through her attack, moved out the way and back in place so she would hit him. She became confused as to what drove this action.[8] The following morning, she arrived at the captain's chamber. As Hiyori became enraged at how Urahara had changed the room from its former state, he, trying to calm her down, told her in getting to know him, he would get to know her. Undeterred, Hiyori attacked him, but he, brushing it aside, asked her to accompany him to the Nest of Maggots.[9] Hiyori accompanied Urahara onto the 2nd Division grounds, where he proceeded to explain to her the purpose of the detention unit and what truly happened to those found under their jurisdiction. He further explained what the Nest of Maggots was and what function it entailed. Upon entering the facility, Urahara, telling her the inmates were not permitted to leave, but they were still free within the facility, warned her to be careful, as the inmates could become violent. When Hiyori asked what they did, Urahara told her "nothing", causing Hiyori to question the methods, but Urahara

explained to her the dangers these inmates could bring and why they were imprisoned, making note of the true dealings of what happened to those who withdrew from service in the Gotei 13. Urahara explained though the people in the facility were possibly dangerous, he had always felt that, given a suitable outlet, they could channel their power into something more productive. When one of the inmates tried to attack Hiyori, she realized she could not fight, as she had left her Zanpakut behind. Easily stopping the inmate, Urahara apologized, as he had noticed she had left her Zanpakut behind and had chosen to say nothing. He made note that in the facility, they were not allowed to carry weapons, so hand-to-hand combat mastery was the key.[10] When this prompted the other inmates to attack, Urahara, easily defending himself, took out all his attackers, much to Hiyori's surprise. Eventually, one of the inmates, trying to take Hiyori hostage, was quickly overwhelmed by her as she demonstrated her own capabilities in hand-tohand combat.[3] Urahara told Hiyori they were going to meet the only inmate who was so dangerous he required his own cell, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, whom Urahara asked if he wanted to leave the Nest of Maggots.[11] After Mayuri and Hiyori got into a small argument, Urahara, explaining she was his lieutenant, asked Mayuri for an answer to his proposition. He revealed that in his capacity as the captain of the 12th Division, he had decided to make an organization; the Shinigami Research and Development Institute. Hiyori was surprised and further amazed he would put such a dangerous criminal in the line to a position of power.[12]

9 years later, Hiyori was with Urahara and now 12th Division 3rd Seat & Vice-President of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute, Mayuri Kurotsuchi. The trio were greeted by Captain Shinji Hirako and Lieutenant Ssuke Aizen. Beginning to inform Urahara of current events, Shinji was attacked by Hiyori, who claimed he did not say "Hi" to her. The two got into a fight which left Aizen to explain to Urahara the 9th Division had been sent on a special investigation to find out what was happening with the disappearances in Rukongai.[13] During her time as a member of the Institute, Hiyori served as a lab manager while clashing with then 3rd Seat & Vice-President of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute Mayuri Kurotsuchi over who had more authority under the captain. The two got into an ongoing argument about who was in charge, prompting Hiyori to call in Urahara. He explained to her that, with the disappearances occurring, he had created a new type of Gigai. Before Hiyori could respond, they were interrupted by the arrival of Td, the 6th Seat of the 9th Division. Agreeing to send a researcher over to the investigation site as per the request of Captain Kensei Muguruma of the 9th Division, Urahara elected Hiyori to go to the site. When she, becoming irate, asked why he could not send someone less important, referring to lab assistant Akon, he asked if she should continue being a lieutenant, prompting Hiyori to attack him, though he simply dodged her. Though reluctant, Hiyori gave in once Urahara explained she was the only one he could trust with the task.[14] Some time later, Hiyori was running for her life from a shadowed creature, which was revealed to be a Hollowfied Kensei. Just when he was about to deal her a devastating blow, his attack was deflected by the arrival of Shinji Hirako.[15]Moments later, a team of various captains and lieutenants who

were sent to investigate the disappearance of Kensei's Division arrived. They began to attack Kensei and a Hollowfied Mashiro Kuna, lieutenant of the 9th Division. In the midst of this, Shinji, picking up Hiyori, pulled her out of harm's way.[16] Gathering after the fight, the investigation team talked about the situation. Starting to cough, Hiyori became Hollowfied herself. A darkness fell around the rescue squad, and they were attacked by an unseen assailant.[17] The assailant was found to be Kaname Tsen, Kensei's 5th seat, who was acting under the orders of Ssuke Aizen, who was the one behind the disappearances and Hollowfication experiments.[18] Just as Aizen gave the order to kill the Hollowfied Shinigami, Captain Kisuke Urahara and Captain Tessai Tsukabishi, arriving, saved them from destruction. Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Tsen made their escape, and Tessai used Forbidden Kid to preserve and transport them to the 12th Division barracks. In his lab, Urahara tried to reverse the process using his creation, the Hgyoku,[19] which ended up as a failed process, not having the effect Urahara expected.[20] The next day, Urahara and Tessai were arrested under the orders of the Central 46. The Hollowfied Shinigami were sentenced to execution as Hollows. Before any of their sentences could be executed, both were rescued by 2nd Division Captain Yoruichi Shihin, who brought them to a secret underground area.[21] In this secluded area, she had brought Hiyori and the other Hollowfied Shinigami, along with the prototype for the new Gigai which Urahara was working on. With this epiphany, Urahara resolved to make ten Reiatsu-blocking Gigai to help him, Tessai, and the eight victims escape to the Human World, where they would find a way to undo the Hollowfication process.[22]

Powers & Abilities

Hakuda Expert: Hiyori is a very capable hand-to-hand fighter, who commonly use various kicks in combination with her Zanpakut to take out opponents. She effortlessly overwhelmed a dangerous inmate from the Maggot's Nest who had taken her hostage.[54][55] Gatling Mad-Stomping (, Gatoringu Jidanda)[56]: Hiyori performs multiple foot stomps on an opponent's face. The technique is powerful enough to send Ichigo flying and completely

shatter his Hollow mask.[57] Super Harisen Slipper (, Sp Harisen Surippa)[58]: Hiyori smacks her opponent with her sandal. This technique, while simple, possesses enough force to send Shinji Hirako flying through a nearby wall and Hachi's barrier.[59]

Expert Swordsman: Hiyori's skills in swordsmanship are considerable, having spent time as a lieutenant in theGotei 13. Her fighting style is aggressive and unpredictable, as she channels a lot of her attitude and anger into her attacks. She has fought off numerous Menos Grande, held her own against an experienced fighter like Ichigo Kurosaki, and held her own against the 3rd Espada, Tier Harribel (while fighting alongside Lisa Yadmaru andTshir Hitsugaya).[60][61] Suikawari (, "Watermelon Splitting")[56]: Hiyori comes down with her sword upon an opponent. She used this technique to cleanly cut down through the head and mask of a Gillian with ease.[62] Enhanced Strength: She has brutally beaten up Shinji and Ichigo using her enhanced strength and her hand-to-hand combat.[63][64] Enhanced Speed: Her speed is considerable, and she regularly uses it to supplement her fighting skill, surprising those she attacks.[65] While training Ichigo, she uses what appeared to be Shunpo.[66]

High Spiritual Power: Hiyori possesses lieutenant-level Reiryoku. Being a Visored, Hiyori possesses a dual-type spiritual energy, part Shinigami and part Hollow. Her spiritual energy is pink.[67] With her mask on, she can focus considerable amounts of energy into a blast to knock targets away.

Zanpakut
Kubikiri Orochi (, Beheading Serpent): Hiyori's Zanpakut is a standard katana, though its tsuba (decorated sword guard) is decorated in small hearts. During her days as a lieutenant, she would wear it by her belt, but as a Visored, she normally carries her sword over her right shoulder on her back.

Shikai: Its Shikai command is Chop Cleanly (, buttegire;Butcher them in the English Dub). Hiyori's katana becomes a large cleaver with a serrated saw-like blade.[68] Shikai Special Ability: Unknown

Bankai: Not Yet Achieved

Hollowfication
Hollow Mask: Skeletal in appearance, her Hollow mask sports a prominent horn centered on the forehead and a row of diamond-shaped markings over the eyebrows. Upon donning her Hollow mask, the sclera of her eyes turn black, though her irises remain brown.[69][70] She took the longest to defeat her inner Hollow out of all the current Visored (excluding Ichigo, who took about the same amount of time) at 69 minutes and 2 seconds. When angered or provoked in some way, the mask's power increases due to her emotions ruling her.

Power Augmentation: While wearing the mask, Hiyori's Hollow powers supplement her Shinigami powers, giving her a vast increase in both strength and speed.

Cero: Hiyori can fire a red Cero from the open mouth of her Hollow Mask. The powerful blast is sustainable, and can be used as a sweeping beam which can take out more than one target in one pass.[71]

Quotes

(To Yasutora Sado and Orihime Inoue) "A princess and a tiger, huh? Such excessive names! Our names mean 'monkey' and 'lewd!' I'm so jealous!"[74]

(To Shinji Hirako) "I really, really hate humans. I really hate Shinigami too."[75] (To Tshir Hitsugaya) "I don't want to be helping you out Shinigami!! But this isn't the time for that!!" [76] (To Shinji Hirako) "I'm...sorry...Shinji......I...was impatient..."[77]

Lisa Yadmaru
Lisa Yadmaru

Race Birthday Gender Height Weight Affiliation Previous Affiliation

Visored February 3[1] Female 162 cm (5'4")[1] 52 kg (114 lbs.)[1] Professional Status Visored Gotei 13, Soul Society

Previous Position Lieutenant of the 8th Division Previous Division Partner Base of Operations Relatives Education Shikai 8th Division None Visored Warehouse, Karakura Town,Human World Personal Status N/A N/A Zanpakut Haguro Tonbo

Previous Partner Shunsui Kyraku

Bankai

None

Lisa Yadmaru ( , Yadmaru Risa), sometimes romanized as Risa Yadmaru,[1] is a Visored and the former Lieutenant of the 8th Division under Captain Shunsui Kyraku.

Appearance
Lisa's appearance is of a young adult woman with turquoise eyes, red oval glasses and long black hair. Her hair has bangs in the front and she keeps the back in a braided ponytail. She dresses in a long sleevedsailor fuku, with a teal green/blue collar and matching pleated miniskirt that ends at her stomach, completed with a pink neckerchief. (In contrast to the Westernstyle uniforms worn by the students of Karakura High School). During her time in Soul Society she wore a variation of the standard Shinigami robes. She wore a shortenedhakama resembling a skirt. Her hair was in two braided pigtails though slightly shorter and was much more well kept with straight bangs. She also wore red squared glasses as opposed the oval ones she currently wears. Seventeen months after the war against Aizen, Lisa's hairstyle is changed, now tied back into a high, shoulder-length ponytail with chin-length bangs on either side of her face.[2]

Personality
In comparison to her comrades, Lisa is one of the calmer, more sensible members of the Visored, showing a quite stern, detached and secretive demeanor at most points, although she is somewhat temperamental and easily irritable. Her hobbies include reading erotic manga (specifically, josei genre) or swimsuit magazines, which she often lends to her fellow Visored, including Love and Ichigo (who denies it). She is also very curious, and had a habit of spying on the captain's meetings during

her time in Soul Society. Despite her rather distant personality, she appears to care about her fellow Visored, as shown when she warned Kensei about an attack from a Hollowfied Ichigo. She has shown to have a playful side similar to her former captain Shunsui Kyraku, as the two were close and shared in mutual advances toward each other.

History
. Approximately 110 years ago, Lisa was the Lieutenant of the 8th Division under then Captain Shunsui Kyraku. Lisa was first seen arriving at the 1st Division Headquarters with her Captain Kyraku and Captain Jshir Ukitake of the 13th Division. When Kyraku entered into a conversation about promptness with Captain Love Aikawa of the 7th Division, Lisa interrupted them stating how they were prompt because she groped him to wake him up, to which Kyraku tried to shush her because it would be inappropriate to address such things in public. She then silently followed her captain as he and the other captains commented on the status of the Gotei 13. She then bore witness to Kyraku explaining to 5th Division Lieutenant Ssuke Aizen the existence of the Royal Guard.[3] Ten years later, she was known to engage in reading to the youngest female member of the 8th Division, Nanao Ise, the future lieutenant of the 8th Division, during the first day of each month. During one of these days, an emergency meeting was called by General Yamamoto to address the disappearance of the members of the 9th Division investigation team who themselves were sent to find victims of mysterious disappearances in Rukongai.[4][5] The General then decided to send both the Kid Captain Tessai Tsukabishi and Kid Lieutenant Hachigen Ushda of the Kid Corps to the disappearance sight as part of an investigation team.

He is interrupted by Captain Kyraku, who suggested that it would be unwise to send both of them into an unknown situation. He suggested instead to send Lisa and called for her, with her revealing that she was eavesdropping on the meeting the entire time. When Kyraku plainly scolded her and reminded her that he had previously said not to listen in on captains' meetings, she plainly stated that it was Human nature to be curious about secrets. Lisa agreed to go along with the investigation team formed of Captain Rjr toribashi of the 3rd Division, Captain Shinji Hirako of the 5th Division, Love, and Hachi.[6] Lisa was right behind Love as they showed up at the site of the disappearances after Shinji, she then noticed a HollowfiedKensei Muguruma and was greatly surprised at his current state. She watched in amazement as Kensei let out a large scream. Shinji stated that he didn't know if it was Kensei, but that if they didn't draw their swords they were as good as dead. Lisa watched as Love went to attack the Hollowfied Kensei and saw that Love was outmatched and attacked. Lisa took out her Zanpakut and resolved to attack Kensei alongside Rose without killing him. Lisa noted that there was more than one way to stop him without killing him as she resolved to cut his tendons. As the two moved to attack Kensei, Lisa was surprised, but was too late to warn Rose as he was brutally attacked from behind by a Hollowfied Mashiro Kuna.[7] . Lisa eventually ended up fighting Kensei and was noticeably losing the fight, but before he could land a devastating punch, he was attacked from behind by Rose who fired a Kid blast at him. Rose told him to stop as he didn't use to be the sort of weakling who would attack a woman. Kensei

proceeded toward him, but Rose was saved by the intervention of Hachi who used Bakud #99: "Kin". Lisa and the others began discussing what to do next when Hiyori attacked Shinji and revealed herself to be Hollowfied as well. Before anyone could act, a darkness fell around the rescue squad and they were attacked by an unseen assailant.[8] The assailant is then found to be Kaname Tsen, Mugurama's 6th seat, who was acting under the orders of Aizen, the one behind the disappearances and Hollowfication experiments.[9] Aizen explains his motivations and plans to Shinji, and that he actually chose to be his Lieutenant because his suspicious attitude towards Aizen were perfect for his plans. Aizen suggests that Shinji apologize to those lying around him. Angry, Shinji moves to attack his Lieutenant only to begin Hollowfying himself. All around him, the injured Shinigami begin developing masks and Hollowfying as well. Just as Aizen gave the order to kill the Hollowfied Shinigami, Captain Kisuke Urahara of the 12th Division and Tessai, showed up and saved them from destruction.[10] Aizen, Gin, and Tsen made their escape and Tessai used a Forbidden Kid to preserve and transport the rescue squad to the 12th Division barracks. In his lab, Urahara tried to reverse the process using his created item, the Hgyoku.[11] Unfortunately, it ended up as a failed process, not having the desired effect Urahara expected.[12] The next day, Urahara and Tessai were arrested under the orders of the Central 46. The Hollowfied Shinigami were sentenced to execution as Hollows. But before any of their sentences could be executed, however, both were rescued byYoruichi Shihin, who brought them to a secret underground area.[13] In the secluded area, she had also brought Hachi

and the other Hollowfied Shinigami, along with the prototype for the new Gigai that Urahara was working on. With that epiphany, Urahara resolved to make ten Reiatsu-blocking Gigai to aid him, Tessai, and the eight victims escaped to the Real World, where they would find a way to undo the Hollowfication process.[14]

Powers & Abilities

Expert Swordsman: She appears to be ambidextrous, initially wielding her Zanpakut with her left hand and then switching to her right during her fight withIchigo Kurosaki. She also is shown using a style that employs a lot of agility, by frequently jumping, somersaulting, and flipping.[44] Her skill in swordsmanship alone allowed her to take on a Hollowfied captain-level combatant with only her sealed Zanpakut.[45][46][47] Senmaioroshi (, "Thousand-Page Wholesale"):[48] a technique where multiple blade movements take place so fast that they can literally shred a target into pieces.[49] Hakuda Expert: She is quite agile and flexible in combat and was willing to fight Ichigo as a Hollow with a combination of hand-to-hand combat and swordsmanship, which suggests she has good hand-to-hand combat skills.[50][51] Panty-Flash Tornado (, Panchira Torundo):[48] a technique where Lisa does an upside rotating straddle split, similar to a tornado, this has the effect of delivering a multiple kick attack at opponent that is near her.[52] Shunpo Expert: Lisa is fast enough to have arrived at the site of the investigation when leaders of the 9th Division went missing around the same time as the captains that were sent to investigate.[53] Enhanced Speed: Her speed is considerable and she regularly uses it to supplement her swordsmanship skill.[54]

High Spiritual Power: Lisa possesses lieutenant-class Reiryoku. Being a Visored, Lisa possesses a dual-type spiritual energy, part Shinigami and part Hollow.

Zanpakut
Haguro Tonbo (, Iron Drink Dragonfly): Lisa's Zanpakut is considerably longer than most; resembling andachi with a dark blue hilt wrapping and a square tsuba with two rectangular attachments on two ends. Shikai: Its Shikai command is Smash (, tsubuse). Lisa first slams the hilt of her Zanpakut into the mouth of its scabbard before twirling it over her head with both of her hands. As she then twirls it around her body, the Shikai command prompts it to quickly lengthen into an exceptionally long pole arm outfitted with a blade reminiscent of that of a Monk's spade on one end, and a heavy ball on its other end. This allows the bladed end to be used much like an axe, and the weighted end to be used as a smashing implement.[55] Shikai Special Ability: Unknown

Bankai: Not Yet Achieved

Hollowfication
Hollow Mask: Her Hollow mask is lozenge-shaped with a cross-shaped opening, instead of a mouth and eye slits. However, the horizontal opening allows her to see in front of her.[56] Power Augmentation: While wearing the mask, Lisa's Hollow powers supplement her Shinigami powers, giving her a vast increase in both strength and speed.

Enhanced Strength: While wearing her Hollow mask, Lisa has shown that she can cut through a Menos Grande using her sword with only one hand.[57]

Trivia

Both Lisa and her former captain, Shunsui Kyraku, are ambidextrous. In the anime version of Turn Back the Pendulum, she is incorrectly titled the "Vice-Captain of the 9th Division."

Quotes

(To Shunsui Kyraku) "I can't help it. The more hidden something is, the more you want to see it. That's Human nature!"[58] (To Shunsui) "Stay there and rest! I'm going to show you just how strong I've become!"[59] "The enemy of my enemy is my friend! That should be a good enough reason to fight together."[60]

Kensei Muguruma
Kensei Muguruma
Pre Timeskip - Post Timeskip

Race Birthday Gender Height Weight Affiliation Position Division Partner Base of Operations

Visored July 30[1] Male 179 cm (5'10")[1] 75 kg (165 lbs.)[1] Professional Status Visored, Gotei 13, Soul Society Captain of the 9th Division 9th Division Shhei Hisagi, Mashiro Kuna 9th Division HQ, Seireitei, Soul Society; formerly Visored Warehouse, Karakura Town, Human World Personal Status N/A Zanpakut Tachikaze Tekken Tachikaze

Education Shikai Bankai

Kensei Muguruma ( , Muguruma Kensei) is the captain of the 9th Division in the Gotei 13. He is also a Visored.

Appearance
Kensei is a tall, muscular man with sharp features, short light-gray/silver hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo of the number "69" on his chest; the "6" represents his last name, "Muguruma," which uses the kanji for "6" in it, while the "9" represents the 9th Division, which he currently leads. He wears a dark purple A-shirt with a white trim, in addition to green cargo pants, black combat boots, and a pair of orange fingerless gloves. He also has a series of piercings, with one on his left eyebrow and three on his left ear. During his initial time as a captain, Kensei had longer front bangs, which hung over his face. He wore a sleeveless Shihakush that was open on the front, exposing his chest and tattoo, and tied it with a rope belt. He also wore a sleevelesshaori and a pair of fingerless black gloves that covered most of his forearms. Seventeen months after Aizen's defeat, he returns to wearing this look, albeit with a less open Shihakush, a new metallic belt and mussed up hair.[2]

Personality
Kensei is a serious and decisive individual, though he is easily annoyed and is rather temperamental, often to a fault. He is greatly annoyed by immaturity, evident when Orihime infiltrates the Visored's hideout and jokingly asks where the bathroom is; Kensei is noticeably annoyed, only calming down when Lisa Yadmaru and Love Aikawa remind him that it was only a joke.[3] He is most frequently irritated by Mashiro's childish behavior, once noting that she has the uncanny ability to aggravate him even when she is asleep. His aggressive behavior is particularly noticeable in combat. At one point, he confesses that he is not mature enough to hold back, even against a child. Despite this, Kensei is at times a caring

individual, though his attempts at being kind are often offset by his aggression. This is displayed when he tries to cheer up a young, tearful Hisagi, albeit in a manner reminiscent of a military drill sergeant.

History
Approximately 110 years ago, Kensei was the captain of the 9th Division, with Mashiro Kuna serving as his lieutenant. He attended the promotion ceremony of the2nd Division's 3rd SeatKisuke Urahara to 12th Division Captain.[4] 9 years later, Kensei, Mashiro, and his divisions 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th seats were sent to investigate the mysterious disappearances in the Rukongai. Mashiro constantly complained about the fact that they had to investigate something when they did not even know what to investigate, noting that a vanguard of 10 others had already been sent prior to their arrival. Her incessant whining irritated Kensei, to the point to which he needed his other subordinates to restrain him from attacking her. Kensei told her that she was not even asked to come along, and that she should just go home. She responds that she was his lieutenant, so she had to follow him, and then fell down to the ground and went into a temper tantrum, screaming about how hungry she was. However, Kensei decided to ignore her. Soon after, Kensei was alerted by a nearby Hollow attack.[5] Kensei and his men immediately proceeded to attack the large Hollow to protect the citizens of the Rukongai. Using his Shikai, he promptly destroyed the Hollow. After the battle, he noticed a crying boy on the ground nearby and attempted to cheer him up, though in a commanding and somewhat hostile way, before asking for his name.

Kensei then addressed Mashiro, who had been absent from the battle. During the battle, she had found 10 empty Shihakush close to where the Hollow had attacked them.[6] Kensei pondered on what could have happened to the men that wore the Shihakush, noting that the clothing was arranged as though it was still being worn, and could not have been simply taken off. He then ordered his men to contact central command to request a researcher from the 12th Division, and to set up a camp for the night. Kensei resolved that if there were someone or something attacking the Shinigami, they would eventually go after the Seireitei and that whoever or whatever it may be must be stopped before then. When his 5th seat, Kaname Tsen, asked what he should do, Kensei told him to accompany him to search the area.[7] Later that night, while resting with his 3rd Seat, Kasaki, Kensei observed that Mashiro was sleeping soundly, much to his annoyance. Kensei stated that he could not fathom how she could sleep during such tension. When Kensei tried to fix her shirt so that her chest would not be exposed, in her sleep she called him a pervert; Kensei noted that she was even annoying when she was asleep. Suddenly, he and Kasaki heard a scream, and ran out of the tent to assess the situation. He saw all of his men lying on the ground except for his 6th Seat, Todo, and immediately assumed that he was the one responsible. However, Todo fell to the ground as well, already dead. In response, Kensei ordered Kasaki to watch his back, and shouted for Mashiro to wake up, but before he could even react, Kasaki was killed as well. Kensei was then enveloped by a black sphere, and was impaled from behind. He then turned his head, and recognized his assailant.[8]

Sometime later, a team of various captains and lieutenants were sent to investigate the disappearance of Kensei's squad. Kensei was revealed to be the Hollowfied creature trying to attack 12th Division lieutenant, Hiyori Sarugaki. Just when he was about to deal her a devastating blow his attack was deflected by the arrival of Shinji Hirako.[9] Upon the arrival of Love Aikawa, Rjr toribashi, andLisa Yadomaru a battle began. Love went to attack the Hollowfied Kensei, but was caught off guard by his speed as he easily appeared behind him. Kensei hit him with a powerful energized punch that produced a lot of smoke in its wake, which attracted the attention of Rose and Lisa, though when Kensei went for a second attack, Love blocked it with his sword. As the smoke cleared, Love had managed to withstand the attack despite a significant part of his garments being destroyed and him suffering some burns. Love calmly admitted that he was strong therefore it was obviously Kensei.[10] Lisa went to attack Kensei alongside Rose, but Rose was quickly taken out from behind by a Hollowfied Mashiro.[11] While Kensei continued to fight Love, the Kid Lieutenant Hachigen Ushda of the Kid Corps arrived and used Bakud #63. "Saj Sabaku" to restrain him as well. To Hachi's surprise, Kensei used the incredible strength of his new form to rip out of the ropes.[12] Kensei then proceeded to attack Lisa totally overwhelming her until he was attacked by Rose with a Kid blast, stating that the Kensei he knew was not the sort of 'weakling' who would attack a woman. Before Kensei could go to attack Rose, Hachi stopped him by using Bakud #99. "Kin". The investigation team gathered after the fight and talked about the situation. It was within that moment Hiyori started coughing and became Hollowfied

herself. It was then that a darkness fell around the rescue squad and they were attacked by an unseen assailant.[13] The assailant was then found to be Tsen, Kensei's 5th seat, who was acting under the orders of Ssuke Aizen, who was the one behind the disappearances and Hollowfication experiments.[14] Just as Aizen gave the order to kill the Hollowfied Shinigami 12th Division Captain Kisuke Urahara and Kid Captain Tessai Tsukabishi showed up and saved them from destruction. Aizen, Ichimaru, and Tsen made their escape and Tessai used Forbidden Kid to preserve and transport them to the 12th Division barracks. In his lab, Urahara tried to reverse the process using his created item, the "Hgyoku".[15] Unfortunately, it ended up as a failed process, not having the desired effect Urahara had expected.[16] The next day, Urahara and Tessai were arrested under the orders of the Central 46. The Hollowfied Shinigami were sentenced to execution as Hollows. But before any of their sentences could be executed, both were rescued by 2nd DivisionCaptain Yoruichi Shihin, who brought them to a secret underground area.[17] In the secluded area, she had also brought Kensei and the other Hollowfied Shinigami, along with the prototype for the new Gigai that Urahara was working on. With that epiphany, Urahara resolved to make ten Reiatsu-blocking Gigai to aid him, Tessai, and the eight victims to escape to the Human World, where they would find a way to undo the Hollowfication process.[18]

Powers & Abilities

Master Swordsman: Despite its small size, Kensei is able to effectively use Tachikazes Shikai to inflict lethal strikes even in close quarters

combat, as shown by his ability to hold off Ichigo's Hollowfied form while it was using its Bankai.[27] [52] Hakuda Master: Kensei often prefers to utilize his hand-to-hand capabilities, despite his impressive swordsmanship skills. He has, however, shown himself able to effectively use both skills in unison.[52] During Ichigo's transformation into a Hollow, Kensei is able to knock him a good distance away with just an elbow strike.[53] He was then able to dodge all of Hollowfied Ichigos attacks, despite the latter's use of Tensa Zangetsu, and manages to kick him. While fighting a large group of Gillian-class Menos, he destroys several of them with his fists alone.[54][55] Sandbag Beat (, Sandobaggu Bto):[56] A technique where Kensei delivers multiple strikes at an extremely fast rate, causing aggravated damage to a target. The technique is powerful enough to not only shatter a Menos Grande's mask, but utterly destroy its body as well.[57] Enhanced Strength: It is implied that he possesses great strength, even before his Hollowfication.[58] During his fight with Wonderweiss, Kensei is able to block the Arrancar's powerful punch and hurl him a great distance with considerable force, achieving both feats with only a single hand.[59] Highly Perceptive Combatant: Despite his short-tempered nature, Kensei is a very perceptive fighter. He is knowledgeable of the abilities that Hollows possess, and knows how to counter them to gain the upper hand.[60] Great Spiritual Power: Being a captain, Kensei possesses a great amount of spiritual power. As a Visored, Kensei has a dual spiritual pressure of part-Shinigami, part-Hollow. Shunpo Expert: As a captain of the Gotei 13, Kensei is proficient in Shunpo. During the Fake Karakura Town battle, Kensei is able to reach Mashiro in time to save her from Wonderweiss.[61]

Zanpakut
Tachikaze (, Earth-Severing Wind): When sealed, it takes the form of a wakizashi, with an H-shaped tsuba, white weaving around its hilt, and a black sheath.

Shikai: Kensei's Shikai is triggered by the command Blow it Away (, futtobase; Viz "Blast Away"). When released, air currents swirl around Kensei, and then around Tachikaze. It then transforms into a combat knife with a bronze guard, light purple hiltwrapping in the center of the hilt, a gray leather grip, and a small ring on the guard's blunt side.[62]As a Shinigami, he wore it at his waist in its sealed form. As a Visored, he commonly keeps it in this released form and stores it in one of his pants pockets.[53] Shikai Special Ability: In this form, Kensei has demonstrated the ability to manipulate wind and energy.[63]

Air Blades: By slashing at the air, Kensei can release transparent blades of wind which cut enemies from a distance. They appear to be extremely powerful, easily killing a giant Hollow by cutting it into pieces.[64][65](Unnamed) Bakudantsuki (, "Bomb Thrust"):[56] Kensei charges Tachikaze, which begins to glow with spiritual energy, until it takes the shape of a glowing orb. He then fires it as an energy blast with extreme force. This blast is quite devastating, as it was able to blow off the arm of Ichigo's Hollow form, and in another case, the heads of Gillian-class Menos.[66] He later uses it to destroy a Menos Grande simply by using the ability while impaling the mask of the Hollow with the blade of Tachikaze. The effect is the same, completely blowing up the head of the

Hollow.[67] Bankai: Tekken Tachikaze (, Iron Fist Severing Wind): When released, an explosion of wind erupts around Kensei, and when

it disperses, Tachikaze transforms from a single combat knife into a pair of large knuckle blades that Kensei holds in each hand. Both blades have a curved silver edge, which tapers off to an outward point on either side. Segmented purple bands wraps around the entirety of his arms, much like armor, while a thicker purple band arches behind him, over his head, with its ends protruding from under his shoulders.[68] Bankai Special Ability: It appears to greatly augment his strength, as he is able to create a large explosion upon attacking Wonderweiss.[69]

Hollowfication
Hollow Mask: His Hollow mask resembles a flat hockey face guard, with six slitted eye holes arranged in two columns. It has three extensions on either side which cover the sides and back of his head.[70] Power Augmentation: While wearing the mask, Kensei's Hollow powers supplement his Shinigami powers, giving him a vast increase in strength, durability and speed.

Enhanced Strength: With his mask on, Kensei's strength is greatly enhanced, as he was able to easily smash a Menos' mask using only his fists.[54]

Enhanced Speed: With his mask on, Kensei's speed increases greatly, as he is able to deliver a rapid barrage of punches to a Menos Grande, effectively killing it.[54]

Hollowfied Form: When transformed into a Hollow, he is a large, muscular and bulky humanoid with armored hands and skeletal feet, with a number

of thick cylindrical protrusions on his back and forearms. The cylinders on his back seem to make him hunch over.[71]

Enhanced Strength: In terms of physical might, Kensei's Hollow form possessed vast strength, evident from his ability to effortlessly punch massive craters into the ground.[72][73] He was able to break out of a level 63 Bakud using brute strength alone, a feat that is supposed to be impossible.[74]

Enhanced Speed: His speed was drastically increased, to the point of him being able to take his fellow captains by surprise when he attacked them.[75][73]

Enhanced Durability: He was able to block a sword blow from Love in this form with only one arm.[76][73] Energized Punches: He is able to sheath his fists with spiritual energy, increasing the amount of damage that his punches inflict.[77][73]

Trivia

During Ichigo's Hollow training, Tachikaze has a black hilt. Later in the Fake Karakura Town arc, the hilt is light gray and purple.

Quotes

(To a young Shhei Hisagi) "You're alive, be happy! Smile!"[78] (To Wonderweiss Margela) "Sorry, but I'm not mature enough to show restraint when it comes to kids...!"[79]

Hachigen Ushda
Hachigen Ushda

Race Birthday Gender Height Weight Affiliation Previous Affiliation Previous Position Previous Division Partner Previous Partner Base of Operations Relatives Education Shikai

Visored September 8[1] Male 257 cm (8'5")[1] 377 kg (829 lbs.)[1] Professional Status Visored Kid Corps, Soul Society Vice-Kid Chief of the Kid Corps Kid Corps None Tessai Tsukabishi Visored Warehouse, Karakura Town,Human World Personal Status N/A N/A Zanpakut Unknown

Bankai

None

Hachigen Ushda ( , Ushda Hachigen) is aVisored, formerly the lieutenant of the Kid Corps under Tessai Tsukabishi. He is usually referred to as Hacchi (; sometimes translated as "Hutch").

Appearance
Hachi is a very large and rotund man. He wears an olive-green tuxedo with a yellow bow tie. He has golden eyes, a pink mustache and pink hair with a black cross-bone design in the center. During his time in Soul Society, he wore a long purple mantle over standard Shinigami robes. His hair was styled into two small horns with black tips and he has the emblem of theKid Corps in the center.

Personality
Despite his unusual size, Hachi is actually a very kind and gentle man, quite subservient to the more authoritative members of the Visored and quite often obeys their commands, though with some quiet complaints. He enjoys the company of the equally kind-hearted Orihime Inoue, and is shown to be a very polite person, referring to Su-Fng as "Captain SuFng", though he had no need to address her as such, as he is neither her subordinate, nor a member of the Gotei 13.[2] Hachi is also shown to be very intellectual and observant during his battles, such as his fight with the Segunda Espada Baraggan Louisenbairn, where he uses Baraggan's aging powers against him.

History
Approximately 100 years ago, Hachi was the Kid Lieutenant of the Kid Corps under then Kid CaptainTessai Tsukabishi and was summoned by General Yamamoto to a meeting about the recent disappearances of high

levelGotei 13 members.[3] He was sent by the General to help the squad formed to discover what happened to the 9th Division investigation team.[4] Hachi shows up just in time to stop a Hollowfied Mashiro Kunafrom attacking Shinji Hirako by using Bakud #75. "Gochtekkan" to restrain her. He then comments on how fast the others are getting there. Hachi notices Love having a hard time fighting a Hollowfied Kensei Muguruma and uses Bakud #63. "Saj Sabaku" to restrain him as well. He asks Shinji what is going on and what has happened to Mashiro and Kensei, but then is noticeably surprised to see Kensei break out of his restraints. Hachi then states that he has never seen a level 63 Bakud broken by physical strength alone.[5] Shortly after Kensei escapes, he goes to attack Lisa Yadmaru, but Hachi stops him by using Bakud #99. "Kin". Shinji compliments Hachi on using such a high level spell, to which Hachi responds that he may have overdid it a little. Shinji asks Hachi if he thinks he can fix it with Kid; Hachi plainly states that he can not fix it if he doesn't know what the problem is. It is within that moment Hiyori starts coughing and becomes Hollowfied herself. A darkness falls around the rescue squad and they are attacked by an unseen assailant.[6] The assailant is then found to be Tsen, Kensei's 5th seat, who is acting under the orders of Ssuke Aizen who is the one behind the disappearances and Hollowfication experiments.[7] Just as Aizen gives the order to kill the Hollowfied Shinigami, Captain Kisuke Urahara and Tessai show up and save them from destruction. Aizen, Ichimaru, and Tsen make their escape and Tessai uses Forbidden Kid to preserve and transport them to the 12th Division barracks. In his lab, Urahara tried to

reverse the Hollowfication process using his created item, the "Hgyoku".[8] Unfortunately, it ended up as a failed experiment, not having the desired effect Urahara expected.[9] The next day, Urahara and Tessai were arrested under the orders of the Central 46. The Hollowfied Shinigami are sentenced to execution as Hollows. But before any of their sentences could be executed, they were all rescued by Yoruichi Shihin, who brought them to a secret underground area.[10] In the secluded area, she had also brought the prototype for the new Gigai that Urahara was working on. With that epiphany, Urahara resolved to make ten Reiatsu-blocking Gigai to aid him, Tessai, and the eight victims escape to the Real World, where they would find a way to undo the Hollowfication process.[11]

Powers & Abilities

Kid Master: As the former Lieutenant of the Kid corps, Hachigen is a powerful Kid master. He has shown his mastery particularly in Binding spells up to #99, fully controlling it without an incantation though it seems to tire him out when he exerts such high level spiritual energy.[50][51]

Unique Kid: After being exiled from Soul Society, Hachigen refined his Kid skills further to create new spells including alternate types of spells unknown to any other Shinigami. He is frequently tasked with creating various barriers and binding spells that not only conceal, but are capable of hiding Reiatsu. One example of these hybrid spells he has invented is "Hachigy Sgai". His barriers are unique, original, and of his own design and cannot be dispelled by standard Shinigami Kid.[52] By his own admission, his new powers are very similar to those of Orihime Inoue's and he likes her company because of this. He is also highly skilled in a form of Kid-based healing that he calls

"time-space regression", reminiscent of Orihime's healing ability "Sten Kisshun", he used this skill to restore the completely destroyed Tsubaki, where even Orihime had failed.[53] He is also capable of using barriers as offensive weapons to devastating effect.[54]One example of this is the ability to transfer an object directly into matter using a barrier as a catalyst. In his battle with Baraggan, Hachigen stopped the decay of his right arm with his barrier and transferred it into the Espada's stomach.[55]Although his power has great destructive potential, Hachigen maintains that his abilities are not meant for combat.[56] Swordsman: While a pacifist at heart and preferring Kid as his primary combat style, Hachi does indeed engage in sword combat when the moment arises. Being a former Lieutenant in a formalized military, he was trained in swordsmanship though has not shown any skill in it as yet. Lisa has pointed out during their sparring match with Ichigo's body, placing him in a position to engage in sword combat is akin to not actually fighting. Hachi is also noticeably uncomfortable at the prospect of having to engage in sword play.[57] Shunpo: While possessing the ability to use flash steps, unfortunately for him, Hachi is not as fast as the other Visored. He becomes noticeably winded, just by trying to keep up with them.[58] Great Spiritual Power: Hachi excels in Kid which requires considerable reserves of spiritual power as well as control over that power in order to properly cast spells. Being a Visored, Hachi possesses a dual type spiritual energy, part Shinigami and part Hollow. His Reiatsu is orange.[59] Highly Intellectual Observant: Hachi has been shown to be very observant of his opponents' abilities and powers, even going as far as to use it against them.

Zanpakut

His Zanpakut has a broad blade and a square shaped hilt. Hachigen has demonstrated that he can summon it via Kid.[60]

Shikai: Not Yet Revealed Bankai: Not Yet Achieved

Hollowfication
Hollow Mask: His mask was first seen as a plain one with goggle eyes, though it was not fully formed yet. It was later fully revealed when the Visored came to fight Aizen. It strongly resembles a traditional Balinese demon mask, with tusks and protrusions from the top. A row of feather-like spikes also stick out from the top of the mask, similar to a Native American headdress.[61].

Quotes

"You don't need a special reason... for two groups of strangers to join forces."[63] (To Baraggan) "I have seen your ability and that is exactly why I came here. As long as one does not touch them, all abilities are equal and not deserving of fear."[64]

(As Baraggan's body disintegrates) "In Soul Society, there is no being with "God" in its name other than the Shinigami. That is why we cannot understand the significance of your words... Please forgive our impiety, oh God of Hueco Mundo."[65]

Whats important is not how it should be," but rather how you want it to be."[66]

Love Aikawa
Love Aikawa

Race Birthday Gender Height Weight Affiliation Previous Affiliation Previous Position Previous Division Previous Partner Base of Operations Relatives Education Shikai Bankai

Visored October 10[1] Male 189 cm (6'2")[1] 86 kg (189 lbs.)[1] Professional Status Visored Gotei 13, Soul Society Captain of the 7th Division 7th Division Jin'emon Kotsubaki Rjr toribashi Visored Warehouse, Karakura Town,Human World Personal Status N/A N/A Zanpakut Tengumaru Unknown

Love Aikawa ( or , Aikawa Rabu) (nicknamed Ravu) is a Visored and the former captain of the 7th Division.

Appearance
Love is a tall Visored with brown eyes and a thick black spiked afro which adds further to his above average height. Love sports a green jogging suit and wears mirrored sunglasses at all times. When he was a captain, 110 years ago, his hair was in a classic, rounded afro style with long sideburns. He wore a standard Shinigami uniform with a sleeveless captain's haori and a pair of dark-lensed sunglasses.

Personality
Love is a laid-back and easy-going man, usually readingShnen Jump or some of Lisa's erotic manga in his spare time, more often than not, spoiling a piece of the story by quoting lines and explaining what the character meant by it in a dramatic, tough-guy demeanor, almost as if he was an actor rehearsing movie lines. As with most Visored, Love's attitude switches from serious to carefree within a moment's notice. During his time as a captain, Love believed in respect and maintaining the peace, quick to uphold those standards when no one else will.[2] He also appears to have little love for posturing, as indicated when he slaps the back of Rjr's head, for talking about former enemies, banding together in times of war, in order to fight a common foe, just before they're about to fight Coyote Starrk. True to his more carefree side, right before starting his battle against Starrk, Love makes a manga reference in response to Starrk questioning what happened when Loves' mask dissipated.[3] Despite his comparatively friendly attitude, Love is a rather brutal and merciless fighter, not letting his opponents make a move against

him and using his Shikai's special ability mixed with his mask right at the start of his battle with Starrk.

History
Approximately 110 years ago, Love was the captain of the 7th Division of the Gotei 13. He was first seen knockingHiyori Sarugaki on her head for attacking Shinji Hirako, telling her to act her age and to apologize. Love asked her why she had to be so difficult. Hiyori yelled at him and asked him who he thought he was, smacking law abiding lieutenants who didn't fall under his jurisdiction. Love calmly replied that seeing as her captain was not there someone had to keep her under control otherwise she would just run amuck.[4]

After the incident Shinji asked Love who had shown up for the meeting the captains had been called to, to which Love replied that almost everyone was already there. Shinji stated that he saw no one from the 11th Division show up. Love explained that was his way, as he did what he wanted. Shinji said just because he was the 10th 'Kenpachi' no one had the guts to keep him in check. He went on to say that he couldn't understand why they let such a loose cannon like him become captain. Love tried to ease him explaining that there was no use getting upset over it, as the chosen 'Kenpachi' had always held the position of the 11th Division captain, as it was a sort of legacy and it wouldn't change anytime soon. Love went on to say that if Shinji wanted to complain about anything then he should complain about the fact that the previous Kenpachi's ineptitude made it possible.

The two captains were interrupted by the arrival of the 8th Division CaptainShunsui Kyraku being accompanied by his lieutenant Lisa Yadmaru and 13th Division Captain Jshir Ukitake. Shunsui accused the two of gossiping behind others backs. Love was noticeably surprised stating that hell must have frozen over if Shunsui was on time. Shunsui stated that he had no idea what Love was talking about as he was always on time. Love then bore witness to the conversation between Shunsui and Ukitake about who had been captain the longest and what had happened to the previous 12th Division captain, Kirio Hikifune.[5] Love was later waiting in line with the other captains as the newly appointed 12th Division Captain Kisuke Urahara arrived to the meeting.[6] Nine years later, Love was dispatched with a group of other Shinigami to investigate the disappearance of Kensei Muguruma and the members of his division.[7] Love was the second to show up at the site of the disappearances after Shinji, immediately asking if Hiyori was alright, he then noticed a Hollowfied Kensei and was greatly surprised at his current state. He immediately asked what was going on, to which Rose denoted that while the Reiatsu was clearly similar to Kensei's he had a Hollow mask and he wondered if he was a Hollow. Shinji stated that he didn't know if it was Kensei, but that if they didn't draw their swords they were as good as dead. Love went to attack the Hollowfied Kensei, but was caught off guard by his speed as he easily appeared behind him. Kensei hit him with a powerful punch that produced a lot of smoke in its wake, which attracted the attention of Rose and Lisa. Though Kensei went for a second attack, Love blocked it with his sword. As the smoke cleared Love had managed to withstand the attack despite a significant part of his garment being destroyed and him suffering some burns. Love calmly

admitted that he was strong therefore it was obviously Kensei.[8] After Kensei and Mashiro Kuna were subdued thanks to the intervention of Hachigen Ushda, Love and the others began discussing what to do next when Hiyori attacked Shinji and revealed herself to be Hollowfied as well. Love asked what was going on, but before he could act a darkness fell around the rescue squad and they were attacked by an unseen assailant.[9] The assailant was then found to be Tsen, Mugurama's 6th seat, who was acting under the orders of Ssuke Aizen who was the one behind the disappearances and Hollowfication experiments.[10] Just as Aizen gave the order to kill the Hollowfied Shinigami Kisuke Urahara and Tessai showed up and saved them from destruction. Aizen, Gin and Tsen made their escape and Tessai used Forbidden Kid to preserve and transport them to the 12th Division barracks. In his lab, Urahara tried to reverse the process using his created item, the "Hgyoku".[11]Unfortunately, it ended up as a failed process, not having the desired effect Urahara expected.[12] The next day, Urahara and Tessai were arrested under the orders of the Central 46. The Hollowfied Shinigami were sentenced to execution as Hollows. But before any of their sentences could be executed, both were rescued by Yoruichi Shihin, who brought them to a secret underground area.[13] In the secluded area, she had also brought Hachi and the other Hollowfied Shinigami, along with the prototype for the new Gigai that Urahara was working on. With that epiphany, Urahara resolved to make ten Reiatsu-blocking Gigai to aid him, Tessai, and the eight victims escape to the Real World, where they would find a way to undo theHollowfication process.[14]

Powers & Abilities

Master Swordsman: As a former captain, Love is no doubt quite skilled in swordsmanship. He faces off against a Hollowfied Kensei one on one, without releasing his Zanpakut. He even managed to block a spiritually charged attack from Kensei with his unreleased blade.[52] Shunpo Expert: His Shunpo is fast enough to keep up with the other captains when they were rushing to the scene of the conflict, albeit he seems slower than Shinji.[53] Enhanced Durability: When Love was brutally attacked by a Hollowfied Kensei, with a spiritually charged attack at point blank range, Love sustained only minor injuries and kept on fighting with no signs of faltering.[54] Great Spiritual Power: As a former captain, he possessed a great-level of spiritual power. Being a Visored Love possesses a dual type spiritual energy, part Shinigami and part Hollow.[55] Highly-Perceptive Combatant: During his fight with Coyote Starrk the 1st Espada, Love has shown to be very intuitive and can predict the actions an opponent may make and how to counter them.

Zanpakut
Tengumaru (, Long-Nosed Goblin): In its sealed form, Tengumaru is an average katana with a white hilt-wrapping and heart-shaped tsuba (befitting his name). As a Shinigami, he wore it at his waist, but after becoming a Visored, he carries it by a tju over his shoulder.

Shikai: His release command is "'Crush Down" (, uchikudake; Viz: "Slam"). Tengumaru transforms into a large black kanab, more than twice the height of Love himself. It is covered with bladed protrusions in a way resembling a cactus, and the handle itself is almost taller than Love. It is also very sturdy, as shown

when it blocks, and even appears to dispel, Starrk's Cero blasts with ease.[56] Shikai Special Ability: Tengumaru possesses the ability to manipulate fire. Hifuki no Koduchi (, Fire-Blowing Gavel): Love swings Tengumaru up and it ignites itself in flames. He then points it downwards and a huge fireball fires from the tip where upon making contact with the target the fire explodes outwards a great distance with the resulting blast being strong enough to cave in buildings near the center of impact. At the site of impact a huge column of burning flames forms further incinerating anything in the area.[57]

Bankai: Not Yet Revealed

Hollowfication
Hollow Mask: His Hollow mask takes the form of a traditional Japanese Oni mask.[58] Power Augmentation: While wearing the mask, Love's Hollow powers supplement his Shinigami powers, giving him a vast increase in both strength and durability.

Enhanced Strength: Love has displayed that usage of his mask grants him brutal physical strength. Kagamibiraki (, "Mirror Opening"):[59] a technique of pure, raw strength that allowed Love to rip a Menos Grande in half by sticking his bare hands through its head and pulling it apart.[60]

Enhanced Durability: Love naturally possesses considerable durability, but it appears he must still Hollowfy to effectively

counter an attack like a Cero.[61] According to Love, his and Rose's mask time limit is 3 minutes, which he jokingly says is because they are 'superheroes'.[62]

Trivia

Love appears to have an Oni-theme to his abilities. His Shikai is a kanab, a traditional mythological weapon for Oni in Japanese myths, and his Hollow mask bears resemblance to a typical Oni's face.

Because Love wears bright gray colored sunglasses, his eyes are usually never seen because of the light reflects on the lenses. However, the lenses have been shown to be transparent when he wears his Hollow mask, as well as when it starts to disappear after being used.

At one point, Love quotes from a manga "you're already dead...haven't you noticed you're a walking dead-man..." Love refers to this as "deep shit" as the character informs someone else of their own death in the middle of combat when they didn't know it themselves.[63] This is cruel irony, as Ssuke Aizen later says something to the same effect to the Visored to provoke them.[64]

Quotes

(To Starrk, referring to the Visored and their masks) "It only lasts for three minutes 'cause I'm a hero, y'know."[65] (To Rose, about Starrk) "After they lose one of their buddies, it becomes a battle of revenge."[67] (Regarding Starrk's non-avenging personality) "He's scary because he doesn't seem like the type. There isn't anyone that doesn't feel something when their buddy goes down. If they get demoralized, then you exploit that. If they get enraged then you beat them before they can go crazy. Either way... victory comes to those that strike first!"[68]

Rjr toribashi
Rjr toribashi

Race Birthday Gender Height Weight Affiliation Position Division Partner Previous Partner Base of Operations

Visored March 17[1] Male 187 cm (6'1")[1] 73 kg (161 lbs.)[1] Professional Status Visored, Gotei 13, Soul Society Captain of the 3rd Division 3rd Division Love Aikawa Izuru Kira Chikane Iba[1] 3rd Division HQ, Seireitei, Soul Society; formerly Visored Warehouse, Karakura Town, Human World Personal Status N/A N/A Zanpakut Kinshara

Relatives Education Shikai

Bankai

Unknown

Rjr toribashi ( , toribashi Rjr), more commonly referred to as Rose (, Rzu), is the captain of the 3rd Division in the Gotei 13 and is a Visored.

Appearance
Rose has purple eyes, long, wavy, blond hair and a perpetually bored expression. Rose wears a black suit with a thigh length black jacket. He also wears a white frilled shirt with frilled cuffs (or large cuffs) and high collar, which he commonly keeps untucked. During his initial time as captain, he kept his hair somewhat straighter with a small black ribbon tied near the end. He wore the standard Shinigami robes and a sleeveless captain's haori, but with a frilled collared shirt under it. Seventeen months after Aizen's defeat, Rose returns to his original Shinigami attire with shorter, slicked-back hair with the addition of a single lock falling into his face.[2]

Personality
A seemingly foppish man with a disinterested air, Rose is one of the more laid-back members of the group. He is frequently seen tuning his guitar and chatting with Love rather than paying attention to what is going on around him. He's interested in music and often discusses whatever singles have recently come out, such as the then-latest Prince of Darkness album.[3]He also enjoys reading manga, a pastime shared with Love and Lisa, although he becomes irritated if anyone spoils a story-line for him.[4] Despite the disinterested behavior he exhibits, he seems to care for his fellow Visored; he smiles happily when he realizes that Hachi is happy to have met Orihime, due to the notable similarities regarding their healing

abilities. He also states that "the family is growing", due to Ichigo and Orihime coming to stay with them, even claiming that the aforementioned humans' designated partner/counterpart, Hiyori and Hachi, were similarly happy. Rose seems to pay close attention to dramatic effect while in battle, as seen with his starting a speech on the Human nature to band together against a common enemy and his attempt to dramatically rise from the rubble of a building he was hurled into, leading to an unimpressed Love smacking him in response at both occasions.

History
Approximately 112 years ago, Rose was promoted to Captain of the 3rd Division. Two years later, Rose arrives at the 1st Division barracks to attend the meeting to introduce the new captain of the 12th Division.[5] Rose was later seen waiting in line with the other captain's as the newly appointed 12th Division Captain Kisuke Urahara arrives to the meeting.[6] 9 years later, Rose was dispatched with Love Aikawa, Shinji Hirako, Hachigen Ushda, and Lisa Yadmaru to investigate the disappearance of Rukongai residents and Kensei Muguruma and the members of his division.[7] Rose followed right behind Love as they showed up at the site of the disappearances after Shinji. He then noticed a Hollowfied Kensei and was greatly surprised at his current state. He immediately asked if the creature before them was Kensei. Shinji stated that he didn't know if it was Kensei, but that if they didn't draw their swords, they were as good as dead. Rose watched as Love went to attack the Hollowfied Kensei and saw Love outmatched and attacked. Rose took out

his Zanpakut and resolved to attack Kensei alongside Lisa. After attacking Kensei several times, the Hollowfied captain forced him backwards. Before Rose could attack again, he was brutally attacked from behind by a Hollowfied Mashiro Kuna, causing him to crash down into the ground below.[8]Kensei was attacking Lisa and about to land a devastating blow, but was stopped by a Kid blast in the back from Rose who has just climbed out of the large crater made by him crashing into the ground from Mashiro's previous attack. Rose told him to stop as he didn't use to be the sort of weakling who would attack a woman. Kensei proceeded toward him, but Rose was saved by the intervention of Hachi who uses "Kin" Bakud #99. Rose and the others began discussing what to do next when Hiyori attacked Shinji and revealed herself to be Hollowfied as well. Before anyone could act a darkness fell around the rescue squad and they were attacked by an unseen assailant.[9] The assailant was then found to be Kaname Tsen, Mugurama's 5th Seat, who was acting under the orders of Ssuke Aizen, the person behind the disappearances and Hollowfication experiments.[10] Just as Aizen gave the order to kill the Hollowfied Shinigami, 12th Division Captain Kisuke Urahara and Tessai Tsukabishi, Captain of the Kid Corps showed up and saved them from destruction. Aizen, Gin, and Tsen made their escape and Tessai used Forbidden Kid to preserve and transport them to the 12th Division barracks. In his lab, Urahara tried to reverse the process using his created item, theHgyoku.[11] Unfortunately, it ended up as a failed process, not having the desired effect Urahara expected.[12] The next day, Urahara and Tessai were arrested under the orders of the Central 46. The Hollowfied Shinigami were sentenced to execution as Hollows. But before any of their sentences could be executed, however,

both were rescued by Yoruichi Shihin, who brought them to a secret underground area.[13] In the secluded area, she had also brought Hachi and the other Hollowfied Shinigami, along with the prototype for the new Gigai that Urahara was working on. With that epiphany, Urahara resolved to make ten Reiatsublocking Gigai to aid him, Tessai, and the eight victims escape to the Real World, where they would find a way to undo theHollowfication process.[14]

Powers & Abilities

Master Swordsman: Rose views himself as a capable swordsman, as he was certain that he could deal with Kensei in their battle without releasing.[47]

Whip Mastery: Due to having a Shikai like Renji Abarai, Rose is shown to be quite masterful with a whip-like weapon. He is able to move Kinshara's Shikai form with little effort, able to control the direction of the attack with great ease to better confuse the enemy, as revealed in his fight against Coyote Starrk.[48] He is also capable of wielding the released Kinshara in both his right and left hands.[49][50]

Kid Expert: Rose is proficient in Kid, and can perform it without chants, although the level of the Kid used wasn't shown.[51][52] Shunpo Expert: His skill Shunpo is high enough for him to keep up with the other Visored, barring Shinji.[53] Great Spiritual Power: As a captain, he possesses a great amount of spiritual power. Being a Visored, Rose possesses a dual type spiritual energy, part Shinigami and part Hollow.[54]

Zanpakut
Kinshara (, Golden Sal Tree): In its sealed form, the hilt-guard of Rose's Zanpakut is shaped like a diamond, with curved concave edges, and has an orange handle.

Arpeggio (, Arupejio): Rose levitates his Zanpakut and scabbard in a cross shape in front of him. Rose moves his fingers as if playing a piano, which is accompanied by the sound of piano keys being played. A wire appears, and wraps around his intended target. His hand glows with a yellow light, and with simple hand movements he plays different notes, causing the target to become further constricted by the wire until it is eviscerated by the wire's crushing

force.[55][56] Shikai: Rose's release command is Play (, kanadero).[57] Upon release, Kinshara's blade becomes a gold whip, tipped off with a flower from its namesake, while the hilt stays the same. The whip is extendable, much like Renji Abarai's Shikai, and can also be used as a long-range weapon, as shown when Rose attacked Starrk's wolves with it from a considerable distance.[58] Rose commonly attacks with it in long sweeps, and can make it instantly change directions with a simple, fluid motion. He can retract it back to him with ease. When he uses the whip, it makes a sound similar to the light playing of piano keys.[59] Shikai Special Ability:

Kinshara Skyoku Dai Jichiban - Izayoi Bara (, Golden Sal Tree Sonata Number Eleven - Sixteen Day-Old Moon Rose): When the flower at the end of Rose's whip attaches itself to the enemy, Rose taps on the whip with his fingers, causing it to glow and make the sound of a strummed guitar string. This sound travels up the length of the whip to the flower tip, and creates a vortex of reverberating sound that acts as a shockwave, destroying everything within a considerable area of the blast. Love comments on how it's similar to magic, but Rose considers it art. The name itself implies that there are at least ten other

techniques that precede this one, but they have yet to be revealed.[60]

Bankai: Not Yet Revealed.

Hollowfication
Hollow Mask: Rose's Hollow mask is unique in that unlike the other Visored, who have flat masks, his mask sprouts outward in a way that resembles a bird beak. The mask resembles that of a medieval plague doctor.[61] Power Augmentation: While wearing the mask, Rose's Hollow powers supplement his Shinigami powers.

Quotes

(About Hachigen Ushda and Orihime Inoue) "I bet he's happy, because we hardly meet anybody with powers similar to ours. I feel like our family is growing."[62]

(To a Gillian) "Come here. Yeah, come on... Right this way... Come closer... just like that and become a prisoner of my melody" [63] "They say that uniting before a common enemy is one of humanity's evil traits. But that's not true. It's not an evil trait; it's the survival instinct of a living creature. As a matter of fact, it's those times when the "spiritual union" is at its most-" (he is then interrupted by Love)[64]

(After Love grabs him by his hair) "I'm gonna lose my hair! There's an art to emerging from rubble, you know!"[65] (To NaNaNa Najahkoop)"Watching over Izuru always provides me with the most remarkable inspiration. Just by holding a guitar in his presence, I find the melodies well up like tears unbidden. If Izuru were to be gone, my Flying V too will mourn."[66]