List of Soul Reapers in Bleach

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This is a list of Soul Reaper (死神 shinigami?, literally "death god") characters featured in the anime and manga series Bleach, created by Tite Kubo. Soul Reapers are a fictional race of spirits who govern the flow of souls between the human world and the afterlife.

Soul Reapers are departed human souls that have gained supernatural powers. Their bodies are composed of ectoplasm which mimics normal human anatomy. Soul Reapers can only be seen by other spiritually aware entities, which excludes most humans, but otherwise are solid entities capable of influencing their environment. Additionally, they can be injured and die like regular humans, though it takes considerably greater injuries for the latter to occur than it would in regular humans.

All Soul Reapers possess a zanpakutō (斬魄刀? literally "soul-cutting sword"), a physical manifestation of their soul that takes the form of a regular sword. By learning the name of the sword's spirit and learning to work with it in battle, Soul Reapers can unlock more powerful forms of their zanpakutō. The first form, known as shikai (始解? "initial release"), changes the swords appearance to better facilitate it special abilities. The second form, known as bankai (卍解? "final release"), can only normally be achieved when a Soul Reaper trains with their zanpakutō for decades. Once achieved the Soul Reaper can unlock their zanpakutō's full potential, increasing their power several times over.[1]

Soul Reaper operations are based out of Soul Society, which is the afterlife in Bleach. Travel between the human world and Soul Society is extremely limited and monitored, but some Soul Reapers are stationed in the human world to carry out their duties and therefore must often travel between the two. In addition, it is a crime for a Soul Reaper to remain in the human world longer than directed. A Soul Reaper's duties include leading wholes (ghosts) to Soul Society in a practice called soul burial (konsō), and the cleansing of hollows (evil spirits).[2]

Contents

[edit] Soul Reaper court divisions

The Gotei 13 (護廷十三隊 goteijūsantai?, "13 Division Imperial Guards", or "13 Court Guard Squads" (in the English dubbed version), is the central organization which most Soul Reapers join. It is split into thirteen divisions, hence the name, some of which have certain specializations. The 4th Division, for example, is the medical/supply division, while the 12th Division is the research/scientific division.

Other military-forces exist apart from the Gotei 13 and serve more specialized capacities. The Kidō Corps (鬼道衆 kidōshū?) is a reclusive group that specializes in kidō and is left in charge of the gateway connecting Soul Society to the human world. The Stealth Forces (隠密機動 onmitsukidō?, literally "hidden secret movements organization"), typically led by the captain of the 2nd Division, are tasked with surveillance, covert operations, and imprisoning potentially problematic Soul Reapers. The Zero Division, a secret group composed only of former captains, protects the royal family.

[edit] Captains

The 13 Soul Reaper captains.
The 13 Soul Reaper captains.

Captains (隊長 Taichō?, literally "Unit Commander") are the leaders of the thirteen divisions. Each controls a specific division with the exception of the Commander-General (総隊長 sōtaichō?, "Head-Captain" in the English dub), who acts as both captain of the 1st Division and the leader of the Gotei 13; the implication is that this is an ex officio position.

Captains are the most respected and powerful Soul Reapers in Soul Society. With one exception (Kenpachi Zaraki), all captains are able to perform the bankai of their zanpakutō. Knowing bankai gives Soul Reapers an average of five to ten times the strength of those Soul Reapers who are unable to perform it. They have also extensively trained with their bankai, allowing them to actually use the enormous power effectively in battle.[3] To achieve the position of captain a Soul Reaper must display great expertise with Soul Reaper abilities and battle tactics, and must be approved by either their fellow captains or the members of their division. All of these factors create an extremely large gap in power between captains and lower-ranked officers, even lieutenants.

[edit] Lieutenants

The 13 Soul Reaper lieutenants.
The 13 Soul Reaper lieutenants.

Lieutenants (副隊長 fukutaichō?, literally "Vice-unit Commander") are the adjutants to the captains in each division. In terms of rank, they hold the 2nd Seat in the division. They usually only know the shikai of their zanpakutō, but are still considered the second strongest officer in their division. In the case of a division captain's death, departure, or other circumstances making them unable to perform their duties, the lieutenant acts as the substitute captain until another captain can be assigned.[4]

[edit] Officers

Seated officers (席官 Sekikan?) hold ranks from 3rd Seat to 20th Seat. While the single digit ranks are usually only assigned to a single officer, the lower ranks will often be held by several. Higher digit ranks may also lead secondary teams within the division; for instance, Hanatarō Yamada is the 4th Division's 7th seat and leader of the 14th Advanced Relief Team therein. The bulk of each division is made up of an unspecified number of unseated Soul Reapers, roughly equivalent to enlisted soldiers. Rukia Kuchiki of the 13th Division is one notable example of an unseated Soul Reaper, among other named, but otherwise minor, tertiary characters.

[edit] Soul Reaper characters

When asked which of the 13 Court Guard Squad captains and lieutenants were his favorites, Tite Kubo answered by saying that he liked "all of them" and that he likes to "support" characters "disliked by readers."[5]

[edit] 1st Division

[edit] Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai

Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai (山本元柳斎 重國 Yamamoto-Genryūsai Shigekuni?) is the captain of the 1st Division and the leader of the Gotei 13. He is an old man with a long beard. Despite his old age, he has a very muscular body. There are many scars on his torso and head, suggesting numerous battles in his past. Yamamoto believes that laws must be upheld for the benefit of the community and despises those who break them. He founded the Soul Reaper academy about 2000 years before the main Bleach storyline,[6][7] where he personally instructed Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake. He thinks of the two as his own sons, and was proud of both of them when they achieved their captaincy.

Yamamoto's zanpakutō is Ryūjin Jakka (流刃若火? roughly "flowing flame blade"). It is released with the command "all things in the universe, turn to ashes" (万象一切灰燼と為せ banshō issai kaijin to nase?).[8] When released, the sword, which is normally kept sealed as Yamamoto's staff, consumes him and the surrounding area in flames. It is the most powerful fire-based zanpakutō in Soul Society, and the sheer power of the flame can disintegrate almost anything the sword is waved at. Yamamoto is an exceedingly powerful fighter, able to easily fight two captains with Ryūjin Jakka, and is strong enough to paralyze lieutenant-class Soul Reapers simply by releasing a wave of spiritual pressure.

[edit] Chōjirō Sasakibe

Chōjirō Sasakibe (雀部 長次郎 Sasakibe Chōjirō?) is the lieutenant of the 1st Division. He is the least seen of all the lieutenants, such that he is not named in the manga until long after his first appearance. In the manga, Chōjirō is illustrated without pupils, though in the anime he is depicted with yellow or light brown eyes. His zanpakutō is Gonryōmaru (厳霊丸? roughly "solemn spirit"). When released with the command "bite" (穿て ugate?, "pierce" in Japanese materials), Gonryōmaru transforms into a rapier. Its special abilities, if any, remain unknown.

[edit] 2nd Division

[edit] Yoruichi Shihōin

Yoruichi Shihōin (四楓院 夜一 Shihōin Yoruichi?) is the captain of the 2nd Division during the Turn Back the Pendulum gaiden. She abandons her post when she aids Kisuke Urahara in leaving Soul Society.

[edit] Soi Fon

Soi Fon (砕蜂, pinyin: Sùifēng), born Shaolin Fon (蜂 梢綾, pinyin: Fēng Shaolíng), is the captain of the 2nd Division. She is a hard worker who believes strongly in following orders. She is generally reserved and does not hesitate to strike down her subordinates if they pose a threat to her plans. During her childhood, she served as a bodyguard and eventual protégé of Yoruichi Shihōin, with whom she developed a close relationship. When Yoruichi left Soul Society, Soi Fon was crushed by the fact that Yoruichi did not take her with her. In retaliation she trained to surpass her mentor, replacing Yoruichi in all of her former positions, including captain of 2nd Division. When Yoruichi returns to Soul Society a century later, Soi Fon engages her in battle. After asking the question of why she was left behind, to which Yoruichi's answer is not heard, the two make amends. The two's relationship has become somewhat of a running gag: Soi Fon consistently displays an obsessive, almost romantic, interest in Yoruichi. She likes anything resembling a black cat (a form Yoruichi can assume at will), often suggests that spending time with Yoruichi is the definition of fun, and displays jealousy should Yoruichi be in someone else's company. IGN has commented that Soi Fon and Yoruichi share one of the more interesting histories in the series, though feels more could have been done to flesh it out.[9][10]

Soi Fon's zanpakutō is Suzumebachi (雀蜂? literally "hornet"). When released with the command "sting all enemies to death" (尽敵螫殺 jinteki shakusetsu?),[11] it shrinks into a stinger that is worn on the middle finger of Soifon's right hand. Whenever it cuts an opponent, a butterfly symbol called a hornet's crest (蜂紋華 hōmonka?) spreads from the point of contact. Should Suzumebachi stab the same location again, the opponent dies. During her days training with Yoruichi, the crests could only be maintained for half an hour. Since then, she has improved to the point that the crests can never be removed unless she wills it.

[edit] Marechiyo Ōmaeda

  • Voiced by: Shōto Kashii (Japanese), Lex Lang (English)

Marechiyo Ōmaeda (大前田 希千代 Ōmaeda Marechiyo?) is the lieutenant of the 2nd Division. He is a large man with an equally large mouth who comes across as arrogant and dull. In an omake he is shown to come from a rich family, where he is revealed to have a comically long name: Marechiyo Yoshiayamenosuke Nikkōtarōemon Ōmaeda (大前田 日光太郎右衛門 美菖蒲介 希千代 Ōmaeda Nikkōtarōemon Yoshiayamenosuke Marechiyo?). He looks very similar to all of his family members except for his sister who, though considered normal-looking and sweet by most characters, Marechiyo considers ugly.[12] Other characters suspect that he received his position as a lieutenant because of his family's influence, as he is usually seen eating or picking his nose. Marechiyo's zanpakutō is Gegetsuburi (五形頭? roughly "five heads"). When released with the command "crush" (打っ潰せ buttsubuse?), it transforms into an oversized spiked ball and chain. Its special abilities, if any, are unknown, as Ichigo shattered it almost instantly.

[edit] 3rd Division

[edit] Rōjūrō Otoribashi

Rōjūrō "Rose" Otoribashi (鳳橋 楼十郎 Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō?) is the captain of the 3rd Division during the Turn Back the Pendulum gaiden. He leaves Soul Society after becoming a visored.

[edit] Gin Ichimaru

Gin Ichimaru (市丸 ギン Ichimaru Gin?) is the captain of the 3rd Division at the start of the series. He joins Sōsuke Aizen, for whom he was once a lieutenant in the 5th Division, in defecting from the Soul Reapers at the conclusion of the Soul Society arc.

[edit] Izuru Kira

Izuru Kira (吉良 イヅル Kira Izuru?, romanized as "Iduru" in Bleach Official Character Book SOULs and other Japanese sources) is the lieutenant of the 3rd Division. He is a friend of Momo Hinamori and Renji Abarai from their days in the Soul Reaper academy, and the three often spend their free time together. Though Kira is loyal to his friends, he often places his duties as a lieutenant above them. He defends his captain, Gin Ichimaru, from a grief-stricken Hinamori, and later calls himself a "monster" for raising his sword against her. He subsequently comes to regret helping Gin to defect from Soul Society, and develops more of a depressed, dull and pessimistic attitude. These feelings are only intensified when Gin's name is mentioned, such that when Abirama Redder mocks him for being manipulated by Gin, Kira mercilessly kills him.

Kira's zanpakutō is Wabisuke (侘助? roughly "miserable man", translated in the English manga as "the penitent one"). Its release command is "raise your head" (面を上げろ omote o agero?). When released, Wabisuke doubles the weight of whatever it strikes. The effect is cumulative, so each following hit exponentially increases the weight of the target. Thus, after seven or eight blocked attacks, his opponents are unable to lift their own swords. Once Wabisuke's effect becomes noticeable, Kira's opponents often fall to their knees with their heads bent down, as if in apology, thus the name of his zanpakutō. At this point Wabisuke's released form, a blade bent into a squared hook, comes into play, being used to decapitate the kneeling opponent.[13]

[edit] Syūsuke Amagai

Syūsuke Amagai (天貝 繍助 Amagai Syūsuke?) is introduced as the captain of the 3rd Division during season nine of the anime. He does not appear in the manga. He has an unkempt appearance and is usually bright, lively, and unpretentious. Because Amagai spent most of his Soul Reaper career away from Soul Society as part of a patrol group, the members of the 3rd Division are mistrustful of him when first meeting him. As such, he spends the episodes following his introduction trying to prove himself to them and the rest of the Soul Reapers by promoting teamwork between all the divisions. As the anime progresses Amagai is quickly revealed to have ulterior motives, with his friendly attitude only being a means to further his plans. He joined the Gotei 13 in order to exact revenge upon Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai for killing his father to keep the bakkōtō a secret. After his various accomplices are slain in Soul Society, Amagai takes the nuclei of their bakkōtō and engages Yamamoto in battle.

Amagai's zanpakutō is Raika (雷火? roughly "fire started by lightning"). When released by the command "sever" (たちきれ tachikire?), it takes the form of a white longsword with a hook at the end and curved pipes that form the hilt. The pipes emit fire, heating the blade and causing it to take on a more fiery color. He can focus fireballs into the crux of the hook and, by slamming it into the ground, create large fissures of flame to attack enemies with. Raika's bankai, Raika Gōen Kaku (雷火豪炎殻? literally "lightning flash flame shell"), enlarges the blade and creates a giant conch-shaped guard worn across Amagai's arm, with the handle of the blade hidden inside it. This form gives him greater control of his fire attacks, his most powerful technique creating giant dragons of fire to encircle and crush his foe. His bakkōtō, a twin-bladed tuning fork-shaped weapon, creates black-plated armor across Amagai's right arm and a green energy sword emitting from the weapon when activated. It negates any other active Soul Reaper abilities, forcing opponents to rely on other powers.

[edit] Makoto Kibune

Makoto Kibune (貴船 理 Kibune Makoto?) is added to the 3rd Division as the 3rd Seat during season nine of the anime. He has brown hair and purple-rimmed glasses. While he outwardly appears friendly towards his subordinates, he is highly intolerant towards failure, calling those who fall in battle "trash". When in training at the Soul Reaper academy, Kibune stood out as a highly gifted student, but his inability to function in a team prevented him from attaining rank in the Gotei 13, leading Kibune to join the patrol squads under Shūsuke Amagai instead. Around this time, he became a servant of Gyōkaku Kumoi and gained a bakkōtō. Though it gives him the necessary power to wreck havoc on Soul Society, he eventually loses control of the bakkōtō and is killed by Izuru Kira. Kibune's zanpakutō is Reppū (烈風? literally "gale"). When released with the command "rage violently" (荒れ狂え are kurue?), it takes the form of a large, two-bladed weapon. When combined with his bakkōtō, Makoto can telekinetically control the sword, allowing him to attack enemies from any direction and spin the blade like a saw blade.

[edit] 4th Division

[edit] Retsu Unohana

Retsu Unohana (卯ノ花 烈 Unohana Retsu?) is the captain of the 4th Division. She is a soft-spoken woman who has never displayed distress and uses honorifics when addressing everyone, including her subordinates. Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake treat her as their senior, implying she may have been involved in Soul Society longer than either of them. As the head of the 4th Division, Unohana is usually tasked with healing others, commonly treating the most severe injuries. Though she is always polite to her patients, her presence will scare her charges into submission if they try to leave her care before they are fully healed.

Unohana's zanpakutō is Minazuki (肉雫唼? roughly "purify the flesh"), When in its sealed form it resembles a curved tachi. Unohana carries her zanpakutō over her shoulder or lets Isane Kotetsu carry it for her. When unsealed, the entire sword transforms into a gigantic, flying, one-eyed creature resembling a manta ray. It has the ability to heal people by swallowing them. When Unohana reseals Minazuki, it dissolves into green mist and reforms into the sheath of her zanpakutō. Though the series never shows her performing the actual release, Bleach Advance: Kurenai ni Somaru Soul Society labels this form as Unohana's shikai.

[edit] Isane Kotetsu

Isane Kotetsu (虎徹 勇音 Kotetsu Isane?) is the lieutenant of the 4th Division. She is the older sister of Kiyone Kotetsu. Unlike Kiyone, Isane is generally quiet and observant, though she shares her sister's sense of loyalty to her captain. Unohana notes that Isane suffers from frequent and recurring nightmares. This is sometimes used as material for jokes, as Isane's nightmares are often odd or whimsical in their contents. For example, she once had a nightmare involving fish paste.[14] Isane's zanpakutō is Itegumo (凍雲? literally "frozen cloud", translated in the English manga as "frozen snow"). The guard is shaped like a snowflake. When released with the command "run" (奔れ hashire?), two smaller blades protrude from Itegumo's hilt at 45° angles. Its special abilities, if any, remain unknown, as Ichigo defeated her instantly.

[edit] Hanatarō Yamada

Hanatarō Yamada (山田 花太郎 Yamada Hanatarō?) is the 7th Seat of the 4th Division and the leader of its 14th Relief Squad. Hanatarō is very timid and nervous, and he tends to be clumsy and easily duped. Despite this, he is shown to be very bold at times, as he risks his standing as a Soul Reaper to help Rukia Kuchiki escape execution. Instead of his zanpakutō, Hanatarō usually carries around a 4th Division medical pack on his back that he uses to heal others in the field. Though he does possess a zanpakutō, named Hisagomaru (瓠丸? "gourd"), he tends to misplace it as he rarely needs to use it. When it strikes an opponent, Hisagomaru heals their wounds rather than causing them damage. A red gauge on the blade then fills depending on the severity of the healed wound. Once the gauge is filled and it is released witht he command "fulfill" (満たせ mitase?), Hisagomaru transforms into a scalpel and changes its name to Akeiro Hisagomaru (朱色瓠丸? "crimson gourd"). In this state, Hisagomaru unleashes a blast proportionate in strength to the severity and amount of wounds healed. Subsequent attacks are able to cause harm, though its size in its released form makes doing so fairly difficult.

[edit] 5th Division

[edit] Shinji Hirako

Shinji Hirako (平子 真子 Hirako Shinji?) is the captain of the 5th Division during the Turn Back the Pendulum gaiden. He leaves Soul Society after becoming a visored.

[edit] Sōsuke Aizen

Sōsuke Aizen (藍染 惣右介 Aizen Sōsuke?) is the captain of the 5th Division at the start of the series. He defects from the Soul Reapers at the conclusion of the Soul Society arc, fleeing to Hueco Mundo. In the past he was the lieutenant of the 5th Division under Shinji Hirako, who he replaced sometime after converting Shinji into a visored.

[edit] Momo Hinamori

Momo Hinamori (雛森 桃 Hinamori Momo?) is the lieutenant of the 5th Division. She is an upbeat and easy-going girl who is generally quite trusting, if not naïve. She is a childhood friend of Tōshirō Hitsugaya, who called her "bed-wetter Momo" in retaliation whenever she called him "Shiro-chan" ("Lil' Shiro" in the English dub). She befriended Izuru Kira and Renji Abarai when she joined the Soul Reaper academy, and the three later joined the 5th Division under Sōsuke Aizen. Being the only one of them to have stayed with the division, Hinamori greatly admires Aizen. She still believes he is a good person even after he tries to kill her and subsequently betrays Soul Society, suggesting that Gin Ichimaru is controlling him somehow. Hinamori's zanpakutō is Tobiume (飛梅? literally "flying plum tree"). When released with the command "snap" (弾け hajike?), Tobiume's blade straightens and produces several jitte-like prongs along its length. In this form, Tobiume acts as a focus for Hinamori's spiritual power, concentrating it into energy bursts capable of cratering floors and breaching walls. She can also compress her power into massive energy balls and toss them from the blade's tip. Hinamori is very talented with kidō.

[edit] 6th Division

[edit] Ginrei Kuchiki

Ginrei Kuchiki (朽木 銀嶺 Kuchiki Ginrei?) is the captain of the 6th Division and the head of the Kuchiki family during the Turn Back the Pendulum gaiden. His grandson, Byakuya Kuchiki, eventually replaces him in both positions.

[edit] Byakuya Kuchiki

Byakuya Kuchiki (朽木 白哉 Kuchiki Byakuya?) becomes captain of the 6th Division sometime after his grandfather, Ginrei Kuchiki, vacates its captaincy.

[edit] Renji Abarai

Renji Abarai (阿散井 恋次 Abarai Renji?) begins his Soul Reaper career in the 5th Division, but is transferred into the 11th Division and eventually moves to the 6th to become Byakuya Kuchiki's lieutenant.

[edit] 7th Division

[edit] Love Aikawa

Love Aikawa (愛川 羅武（ラブ） Aikawa Rabu?) is the captain of the 7th Division during the Turn Back the Pendulum gaiden. He leaves Soul Society after becoming a visored.

[edit] Sajin Komamura

Sajin Komamura (狛村 左陣 Komamura Sajin?) is the captain of the 7th Division. He is an anthropomorphic canine who is very self-conscious about his appearance, and so wears large helmet that conceals his entire head when he is first introduced. After his fight with Kenpachi Zaraki (during which his helmet is destroyed), he gains enough confidence to go without the helmet. His canine appearance is often the source of jokes; for example, when his lieutenant asks where to find a bathroom, he appears to direct him to a fire hydrant, though he is in fact pointing at a bathroom just around the corner. Komamura has a close friendship with Kaname Tōsen, and is shocked when the latter defects from Soul Society, feeling that his friend has abandoned his morals. Komamura resolves to awaken Tōsen with his own hands. Komamura is immensely strong, as demonstrated by his ability to hurl the arrancar Po's massive released state over his head and onto the ground.

Komamura's zanpakutō is Tenken (天譴? literally "divine punishment", translated in the English manga as "sword of heavenly retribution"). It is released with the command "roar" (轟け todoroke?). Once released, Tenken creates various body parts of a giant to copy whatever body part Komamura moves; for example, should Komamura swing his sword, a gigantic disembodied arm wielding a sword appears and does the same thing. Tenken's bankai, Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō (黒縄天譴明王? roughly "king of black-roped divine punishment", translated in the English manga as "divine retribution, black ropes of ruination") brings forth the entire giant, which also copies Komamura's movements.

[edit] Tetsuzaemon Iba

Tetsuzaemon Iba (射場 鉄左衛門 Iba Tetsuzaemon?) is the lieutenant of the 7th Division. He is originally from the 11th Division, having transferred once determining he would never be promoted to lieutenant had he stayed. His former compatriots look down upon him because of this, though Iba still enjoys a good fight and usually spends his free time with 11th Division members. He and Ikkaku Madarame have a custom of dueling with each other, drinking sake, then dueling again to see who has to get more. Iba has a distinctive hair cut and wears black sunglasses with his standard Soul Reaper uniform. He also smokes, thus somewhat resembling a typical yakuza gangster. Iba is well-rounded in both swordsmanship and kidō, only because it made becoming a lieutenant easier. The name and abilities of Iba's zanpakutō are unknown, as well as its release command. In its released state, Iba's zanpakutō extends into a falchion or a large bladed scimitar with a pick-like protrusion a short distance below the tip of the sword.

[edit] 8th Division

[edit] Shunsui Kyōraku

Shunsui Kyōraku (京楽 春水 Kyōraku Shunsui?) is the captain of the 8th Division. He is a laid back and flamboyant man, evident in his style of dress: he wears a straw hat and a pink flowered haori over his captain's uniform. In his off time, he can be seen drinking sake and napping. Other times, he likes to chase after women, particularly his lieutenant. Kyōraku tends to use a more familiar speech style than most other characters in Bleach; he generally refers to his fellow captains and Soul Reapers by their first name followed by an honorific. Kyōraku is a peace-loving man who will always try to find a nonviolent solution, though he doesn't wish to insult opponents by refusing to fight. He and his friend Jūshirō Ukitake are two of the oldest captains in the Gotei 13. They both trained under General Yamamoto, who Kyōraku calls Old-man Yama (山じい Yama-jī?).

Kyōraku's zanpakutō is Katen Kyōkotsu (花天狂骨? roughly "flower-heaven bone of madness"). His zanpakutō is unique in that it exists as two completely separate swords, being as a daisho sword pair. It is released with the command "Flower wind rage and flower god roar. Heavenly wind rage and heavenly demon sneer" (花風紊れて花神啼き天風紊れて天魔嗤う hana kaze midarete, kashin naki, tenpū midarete, tenma warau?). In Katen Kyōkotsu's released state, the daisho sword pair transforms into two large scimitars or falchions. While the anime and manga have yet to depict what special abilities Katen Kyōkotsu possesses, some Bleach video games portray it as having wind manipulation abilities.

[edit] Lisa Yadōmaru

Lisa Yadōmaru (矢胴丸 リサ Yadōmaru Risa?) is the lieutenant of the 8th Division under Shunsui Kyōraku during the Turn Back the Pendulum gaiden. She leaves Soul Society after becoming a visored.

[edit] Nanao Ise

Nanao Ise (伊勢 七緒 Ise Nanao?) is the lieutenant of the 8th Division. She first joined the division when she was a little girl, and enjoyed being read to by former lieutenant Lisa Yadōmaru. Nanao is a very serious and pragmatic person, which is at odds with her captain's silly antics. Despite this, she is extremely respectful of her captain and follows his instructions without hesitation. Nanao is often accosted by her captain, whose teasing takes various forms. Her usual reaction is to scold him or hit him with something, usually a fan. When she is particularly annoyed she takes off her glasses. Though her face has never been seen while doing so, this act is apparently quite frightening, as most characters who see it are reduced to gibbering wrecks just by witnessing it. Nanao is rarely seen with her zanpakutō during the series. An illustration in the art book "All Color but the Black" reveals that her zanpakutō takes the form of what appears to be either a wakizashi or tantō, which she seems to conceal within her sleeve.

[edit] 9th Division

[edit] Kensei Muguruma

Kensei Muguruma (六車 拳西 Muguruma Kensei?) is the captain of the 9th Division during the Turn Back the Pendulum gaiden. He leaves Soul Society after becoming a visored.

[edit] Mashiro Kuna

Mashiro Kuna (久南 白 Kuna Mashiro?) is the lieutenant of the 9th Division under Kensei Muguruma during the Turn Back the Pendulum gaiden. She leaves Soul Society after becoming a visored.

[edit] Kaname Tōsen

Kaname Tōsen (東仙 要 Tōsen Kaname?) is the captain of the 9th Division at the start of the series. He has been blind since birth, but is capable of using his spiritual sense to "see". Tōsen is an extremely calm and serious pacifist, though he will not restrain from fighting for what he believes in or preserving justice. These philosophies were adopted from a peaceful friend he had before becoming a Soul Reaper. When her husband killed her for nagging him, Tōsen became disillusioned that such a righteous person could be killed for such an insignificant reason. After that his creed in life became to "take the path with the least bloodshed". It is for this reason that he feels it necessary to join Sōsuke Aizen in defecting from the Soul Reapers at the conclusion of the Soul Society arc. In the past he helped Aizen convert the then 9th Division captain Kensei Muguruma into a visored, in the process eliminating many of the 9th Division's other higher-ranked members.

Tōsen's zanpakutō is Suzumushi (清虫? literally "pure insect", but read as "cricket"; translated in the English manga as "bell bug"). In its sealed form, Suzumushi looks like a regular katana; its crossguard shaped like a tear drop, with several teardrop-shaped holes at the wide part of the teardrop. Unlike most zanpakutō, Suzumushi has two shikai commands, each producing a unique automatic effect. When released with the command "cry" (鳴け nake?), Suzumushi projects a high-pitched tone over a wide area, overloading the hearing of anyone in range and knocking them unconscious. When the second release command, "smash his limbs" (四肢を潰すよ shishi o tsubusu yo?), is used Suzumushi changes into Suzumushi Nishiki: Benihikō (清虫式紅飛蝗? literally "Suzumushi, second style: crimson grasshopper"), which creates a trail when swung that turns into hundreds of blades that rain down on his opponents. Suzumushi's bankai, named Enma Kōrogi (閻魔蟋蟀? named for a type of field cricket, the Japanese name for which translates to "Enma cricket") creates a large, black dome centered at Tōsen's location and anchored to the ground with ten rings. Anyone within the dome loses the ability to sense anything around them. The only sense they retain is that of touch. The weakness of this technique is that whoever is touching Suzumushi's hilt is immune to the dome's effects, so anyone able to grab Suzumushi recovers their senses.

[edit] Shūhei Hisagi

Shūhei Hisagi (檜佐木 修兵 Hisagi Shūhei?) is the lieutenant of the 9th Division. He is usually seen wearing what appears to be a choker around his throat with matching armbands on both his arms. As a child he was saved by the then 9th Division captain, Kensei Muguruma. In later years Shūhei got a 69 tattoo on the left side of his face, matching the one Kensei has on his stomach. Once entering the Soul Reaper academy, his prodigious talents allowed him to join the Gotei 13 without completing his education. While acting as an instructor at the academy, Shūhei's class was attacked by a hollow, and in fighting it he received a distinctive scar across his face. Shūhei is an extremely mature and calm individual, causing him to get along well with his captain, Kaname Tōsen. After Tōsen defects from Soul Society, Shūhei assumes the duties of his captain as an acting replacement. Tōsen's betrayal greatly surprises him, as he had a non-violent ideology similar to his captain. He even quotes Tōsen after the betrayal, showing how much of an influence Tōsen has been on him.

Shūhei's zanpakutō is Kazeshini (風死? lit: wind of death). When released with the command "reap" (刈れ karire?), it takes the form of two kama-like weapons, each with two blades curving both directions, connected by a long chain. Although he dislikes the shape of his weapon because it's "shaped like something meant to take life,"[15] he is extremely proficient at wielding it, capable of using the blades as both hand-to-hand weapons and projectiles, using the chain to make the weapons' paths unpredictable.

[edit] 10th Division

[edit] Tōshirō Hitsugaya

Tōshirō Hitsugaya (日番谷 冬獅郎 Hitsugaya Tōshirō?) is the captain of the 10th Division, and the youngest captain in the history of Soul Society.

[edit] Rangiku Matsumoto

Rangiku Matsumoto (松本 乱菊 Matsumoto Rangiku?) is the lieutenant of the 10th Division. She has strawberry-blonde hair and large breasts. She makes no effort to conceal the latter, wearing loose-fitting robes that expose much of her cleavage, using them to try to win over male characters, and using them as a topic in casual conversation. She is very carefree and lazy, usually avoiding the jobs of a lieutenant so that she can sleep or go drinking. Despite her avoiding her responsibilities, Matsumoto can be serious when need be, and often gives important and useful advice. Matsumoto has known Gin Ichimaru since they were children, and spent much of their childhood living together and looking out for each other. They remain close after joining the Soul Reapers, though she is surprised when he later betrays Soul Society. She recruited her captain, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, into the Soul Reapers and the two have grown close ever since. She has an unwavering loyalty and devotion for him and frequently tries to get him to lighten up and have some fun.

Matsumoto's zanpakutō is Haineko (灰猫? literally "ash cat"). Its guard is in the shape of a cat's head. When released with the command "growl" (唸れ unare?), it dissolves into ash, which Matsumoto can then control to cut through objects as easily as a sword would. Because Haineko is just as lazy as herself, Matsumoto has had difficulty achieving bankai.

[edit] 11th Division

[edit] Kenpachi Zaraki

Kenpachi Zaraki (更木 剣八 Zaraki Kenpachi?) is the most recent captain of the 11th Division. Like all of his predecessors, he has earned the title of "Kenpachi"; the best warrior among all of the Soul Reapers.

[edit] Yachiru Kusajishi

Yachiru Kusajishi (草鹿 やちる Kusajishi Yachiru?) is the lieutenant of the 11th Division. She is child-like in most respects, as she is small, cheerful, and carefree most of the time. She was found as an infant by Kenpachi Zaraki who, despite being drenched in blood, did not frighten her. He named her "Yachiru" in memory of the only person he ever admired. Since that day she has spent much of her time clinging to his back for transport. Like Zaraki, she has no sense of direction, even though he relies on her to find his way. Yachiru resents being criticized in any way and will often attack the perpetrator in comical fashion. Further reflecting her child-like nature, Yachiru likes to give people nicknames; for example, she calls her captain Ken-chan ("Kenny" in the English version). She also tends to give others random placeholder names. Various Bleach omakes show that Yachiru has a love for candy, which is often used by other characters to make her leave them alone.

Despite her child-like appearance, Yachiru is apparently quite strong, being capable of lifting Kenpachi and leaping between buildings while carrying him. She is also very fast for her size. She can emit a large amount of spiritual power when angry, which forms into a large, pink, angry cat face. The name and ability of Yachiru's zanpakutō are both unknown. She carries her zanpakutō around with a loose cord, rather than at the sash of her uniform. Her zanpakutō's scabbard is also unusual in that it has a pair of wheels for transport (installed by Ikkaku Madarame after continued pestering). Her guard appears to be in the shape of a flower. [16]

[edit] Ikkaku Madarame

Ikkaku Madarame (斑目 一角 Madarame Ikkaku?) is the 3rd Seat of the 11th Division. He is a bald, battle-loving man. He fought and was defeated by Kenpachi Zaraki sometime in the past, though was strong enough to survive the battle. Once Zaraki became captain of the 11th Division, Ikkaku and his friend Yumichika Ayasegawa joined the Soul Reapers so that they could fight and die under Zaraki's command. He shares a number of similarities with his captain; he feels insecure if he doesn't have a sword, prolongs battles so that he can get as much enjoyment from them as possible, and smiles near-constantly when fighting for his life. He is purportedly the second strongest man in the division.[17] Though strong enough to take a position as a captain, Ikkaku insists his one mission in life is to die under the command of Zaraki.

Ikkaku's zanpakutō is Hōzukimaru (鬼灯丸? referring to the Japanese name for the winter cherry, which translates to "demon light"). Though ordinary in appearance, he stores a blood-clotting ointment in its hilt. When released with the command "extend" (延びろ nobiro?), it transforms into a naginata with a wax wood shaft.[18] While he usually treats it as such, he can also turn it's shaft into a three section staff to surprise the opponent. Ikkaku has achieved bankai, though he keeps this a secret to most characters so that he isn't pressured to become a captain. Hōzukimaru's bankai, named Ryūmon Hōzukimaru (龍紋鬼灯丸? literally "dragon-crest demon light"), takes the form of three oversized weapons connected by a thick chain: two blades in each of his hands and a fan-shaped blade, adorned with a carving of a Chinese dragon, which floats behind him. Aside from the increase in power, his bankai offers no special abilities, and is noted to be unusual for a bankai in this respect. As a fight progresses, the dragon crest will slowly begin to glow crimson, increasing its power as it does so. Ikkaku states that this is because Hōzukimaru, unlike his wielder, is a "lazy bum" and must be woken up in battle before it can reach full power.

[edit] Yumichika Ayasegawa

Yumichika Ayasegawa (綾瀬川 弓親 Ayasegawa Yumichika?) is a lifelong friend of Ikkaku Madarame. He values Ikkaku's opinion very highly and tends to follow him everywhere. The two joined the Soul Reapers so that they could serve under Kenpachi Zaraki. Yumichika wanted to become the 3rd Seat, as he thought three (三, san) was the most beautiful kanji. Since Ikkaku took that position, Yumichika settled for 5th Seat, thinking that five (五, go) looks almost like a three and that the kanji for four (四, yon) looks ugly. He has colorful feathers on his eyelashes and eyebrow, and shiny skin and hair, giving him a rather womanly appearance in the early manga. Narcissistic and vain, Yumichika judges everyone and everything by beauty. He goes so far as to try to forget things he deems "ugly" after seeing them, and even tries fighting ugly opponents with his eyes closed.

Yumichika's zanpakutō is Ruriiro Kujaku (瑠璃色孔雀? literally "azure peacock"), a kidō-type zanpakutō. However, since the 11th Division has an unspoken rule that zanpakutō are only to be used for direct attack, Yumichika keeps this fact secret. According to himself, he would risk dying to conceal his zanpakuto's true power. To conceal it, he releases it using the command "bloom" (咲け sake?) and the name Fuji Kujaku (藤孔雀? literally "wisteria peacock"), which annoys his sword and causes it to take up a weakened form consisting of a sickle-shaped blade which can split into four identica