The Gotei 13 protects the Soul Society and organizes the Shinigami into an army.
Each division is led by a captain. All of them are formidable on the battlefield.
Let’s get to know these Gotei captains.
The Gotei 13 has the responsibility of protecting the Human World and Soul Society from Hollows and similar threats.
This requires great leadership, and only the most powerful Shinigami can do it.
13th Division
Current: Rukia Kuchiki
Rukia is a modest and graceful loner who has difficulty opening her heart up.
She has had difficulty making friends and is clueless about the modern ways of the human world.
She has quite the skills as an actor to the point where she convinced the Kurosaki family to let her stay with them!
Former: Jushiro Ukitake
Jushiro Ukitake, although a sickly man is a strong one.
His morality is strong and he will always protect others around him.
His Zanpakuto can absorb energy and fire it back at his enemies.
12th Division
Current: Mayuri Kurotsuchi
Mad scientist Mayuri Kurotsuchi heads the 12th Division.
Kurotsuchi is cruel and sadistic, but he would never do anything for science.
Former: Kisuke Urahara
After being accused of 100-years ago for another’s crimes, Kisuke Urahara fled.
After being blamed for someone else’s crimes 100 years ago, he opened a shop in Human World that sells Soul Society items.
11th Division
Current: Kenpachi Zaraki
Kenpachi Zaraki, the 11th holder, and captain of the 11th Division are Kenpachi Zaraki.
Zaraki is a warrior who lives in battle.
He fights like a Berserker and inflicts maximum damage on his opponents. Zaraki has no regard for his safety.
Zaraki is the strongest Shinigami in terms of raw power.
Former: Yachiru(Retsu) Unohana
During her time in Kenpachi, Retsu Unohana commanded the 11th Division (see above).
10th Division
Current: Toushirou Hitsugaya
Toshiro Hitsugaya, the youngest captain, often finds himself in a position that he does not want to do because he is young.
He is a dragon made from ice and tries to prove his worth to his seniors.
Former: Isshin Kurosaki
Before becoming exiled in the Human World, Isshin Kurosaki commanded the 10th Division.
9th Division
Current: Kensei Muguruma
Kensei Mguruma, another person who was framed and lost his post, later regaining his captaincy.
His Zanpakuto was able to make powerful air blades that would explode upon impact.
Kaname Tousen
Kaname Tousen was born blind. His abilities exploit this and manipulate the sight of others to disadvantage him.
He believes in “taking the path with least bloodshed” but is willing to shed as little blood as possible.
8th Division
Current: Lisa Yadomaru
A more calm and collected member of the bunch, Lisa is quite strict and often keeps secrets.
Despite behaving in a detached way, Lisa cares about her fellow captains.
She is also known to share a playful side with her former captain.
Former: Shunsui Kyoraku
Lisa was the former lieutenant in the 8th Division.
After Kyoraku became the Captain-Commander, she took over Kyoraku’s place.
7th Division
Current: Sajin Komamura
Sajin Komamura, the powerful and canine-headed leader for the 7th Division, is a formidable force.
His Zanpakuto can create a huge suit of armor with an equally large sword that follows every movement.
Komamura is very kind and always willing to forgive.
Former: Love Aikawa
Love Aikawa was one of the captains who were convicted of crimes that he didn’t commit.
His Zanpakuto is a spiked, giant club that can ignite itself and shoot fire.
6th Division
Current: Byakuya Kuchiki
As one of the most dangerous fighters in Soul Society, Byakuya Kuchiki is the leader of the 6th Division.
Byakuya is a child prodigy and a very serious person.
His Zanpakuto can be split into thousands upon thousands of small blades which he can control at will to cut his enemies to ribbons.
Former: Ginrei Kuchiki
Ginrei Kuchiki was Byakuya’s grandfather at one point in history. However, little is known about his career.
5th Division
Current: Shinji Hirako
Shinji Hirako, one of many Shinigami accused of crimes 100 years before the series started, was also framed.
He was able to resume his previous position as captain after the suspect was arrested.
His Zanpakuto, which is known as Inverted World, makes it impossible for the opponent to see things in reverse (up is down and left is right),
Former: Sousuke Aizen
Sousuke Aizen, a genius-level person, is calm and collected.
He rarely displays anything but a cool demeanor.
Aizen is also very dedicated and will do anything to reach his goals.
Fourth Division
Former: Retsu Unohana
Retsu Unohana was the leader of the 4th division.
This division specializes in healing.
Her Zanpakuto is a manta-ray-like creature that breathes healing mist and can be used to transport.
Third Division
Current: Rojuro Otoribashi
Rojuuro Otoribashi was nicknamed “Rose” and was the captain of the 3rd Division 100 years before the series began.
After being framed for a crime, he lost his position but was able to regain it over 100 years later when the real culprit was exposed.
His Zanpakuto is capable of creating shockwaves by manipulating sound.
Former: Gin Ichimaru
Gin Ichimaru is a strange character. He smiles for no apparent reason and is always smiling.
His Zanpakuto can travel great distances at high speeds and cut almost any target in an instant.
Anime-only: Shusuke Amagai
After learning how to use the Bankai of Zanpakuto to control flames, Shuusuke Amagai took Gin’s place.
Amagai, the only anime captain, appears in a filler episode.
2nd Division
Current: Soi Fon
Soi Fon is the captain of the 2nd Division. She is also an expert at assassination.
The Zanpakuto, which can kill an enemy in just two strikes and doubles as an artillery gunnon, can also kill them all.
She is also a skilled fighter in hand-to-hand and Kido combat, as well as the combination of both, known as Shunko.
Former: Yoruichi Shihouin
Yoruichi Shihoin, the 2nd Division’s previous captain, was Soi Fon’s mentor.
She is a fun-loving personality who rarely takes any seriousness outside of battle.
She is unmatched in hand-to-hand combat skills.
1st Division
Current: Shunsui Kyoraku
Shunsui Kyoraku, an ex-captain of the 8th Division took over the role of Captain-Commander Yamamoto.
Shunsui is the Captain-Commander of the 1st Division and the entire Gotei 13.
His Zanpakuto can make children’s games come alive and have lethal consequences for rule-breakers.
Former: Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryusai
Genryusai Shigekuni Yomoto, the oldest member of Gotei 13, was their Captain-Commander for over 1000 years.
He is a strategist of unsurpassed ability and is almost unmatched in both hand-to-hand combat and swordplay.
These Captains protect their homes with their lives, and the world “Bleach” would not be the same without them.
