“Bleach” is among the greatest animes ever made. The show is filled with constant battle, so if you fancy a lot of action, this is for you.
Due to this, “Bleach” has a roster of powerful beings, each carrying objectives and goals in the story. Aside from the main character, Ichigo Kurosaki, other fighters are shaping the plot of this show, such as the Gotei 13 captains.
The Gotei 13 is the primary military branch of Soul Society and the principal military group where most Shinigami (guardians of the souls going through the circle of transmigration) join after graduating from the Shin’ō Academy.
This piece will rank the Gotei 13 captains according to their strength. Let’s begin.
1. Genryusai Yamamoto: Captain-Commander
Of course, you can expect that the strongest of the Gotei 13 captains will be the Captain-Commander himself, Genryusai Yamamoto. Aside from being a former Captain-Commander of the entire Gotei 13, he also gained the epithet of “Founder of the Gotei” after he was cast to Hell.
Being Gotei 13’s former Captain-Commander, he is highly respected by most of the Shinigami, particularly Sajin Komamura, who looks at him as a benefactor who saved his life. The epitome of conviction, Yamamoto follows the rules of the Soul Society to the letter and expects that others will do the same.
2. Kenpachi Zaraki: 11th Division
Ranking at number two in the strongest Gotei 13 captains is Kenpachi Zaraki. Zaraki is the incumbent captain of Gotei 13’s 11th Division. He is also the 11th Kenpachi to hold this position. Yachiru Kusajishi is his first lieutenant, while Ikkaku Madarame is his current lieutenant.
Though Zaraki is known for his violence, fighting for his own interests, you will realize his actions are for the best. He lives for battle and enjoys a good fight more than anything.
3. Retsu Unohana: Fourth Division
Then, we have Retsu Unohana, the first female on this list. Formerly referred to as Yachiru Unohana, she was the former captain of Gotei 13’s Fourth Division.
Unohana was one of the oldest and most experienced captains. She was also the best healer of Soul Society. After being cast into Hell, she gained the epithet of “Death Sword.”
4. Shunsui Kyoraku: First Division
Next on the list is Shunsui Kyoraku. He is the captain of the First Division and the current Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13. Interestingly, Kyoraku still ranks at number four despite being the Captain-Commander, with Yamamoto, a former Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, clinching the top spot.
Kyoraku is a tall and light-skinned Shinigami also known for his high cheekbones and grey-colored eyes, as well as his long, wavy brown hair. He usually ties his hair in a long ponytail and has long bangs framing the left side of his face.
5. Byakuya Kuchiki: Sixth Division
Aside from being the captain of Gotei 13’s Sixth Division, Byakuya Kuchiki is also the 28th head of the Kuchiki Clan, which is one of Soul Society’s four great noble clans.
Being the Kuchiki Clan’s 28th Head, he often acts aristocratic, which is quite compelling. Frequently, other people consider him serene and apathetic, even while actually deeply conflicted. During battles, he is notably calm.
6. Toshiro Hitsugaya: 10th Division
With Rangiku Matsumoto as his lieutenant, Toshiro Hitsugaya is the captain of the 10th Division of Gotei 13. He also formerly served as the Third Seat of the 10th Division under Isshin Shiba.
Very different from his lieutenant, who is known for her free-spirited nature, Hitsugaya is generally serious and mature. But, despite the differences in their personalities, Hitsugaya and Rangiku are very close to each other. The latter is willing to follow the former’s orders when out on the field.
7. Mayuri Kurotsuchi: 12th Division
On the other hand, Mayuri Kurotsuchi is the incumbent captain of the Gotei 13’s 12th Division and the second president of the Shinigami Research Institute. Nemu Kurotsuchi is his former lieutenant, who is also his artificially created daughter. Akon is his current lieutenant. In the past, Mayuri served as the Third Seat of the 12th Division under Kisuke Urahara.
How he looks is quite unique compared to the other characters in the show. His appearance has a skeletal look with a skull-like visage. His face is entirely painted white, with its inner portion painted black, except for his nose. His eyes are gold in color, and he is always fond of baring his teeth, giving him the appearance of constantly smiling.
8. Shinji Hirako: Fifth Division
We’ve reached the halfway mark there, and joining this list of the strongest Gotei 13 captains in “Bleach” is Shinji Hirako.
Hirako is the captain of the Gotei 13’s Fifth Division, with his lieutenant being Momo Hinamori. He also served as a recruiter and the de facto leader of the Visored, a group of Shinigami that have acquired Hollow (a race of creatures with supernatural abilities) powers. Aside from those, Hirako was also a captain over a century ago before his exile and was reinstated to his old post sometime following the battle versus Sōsuke Aizen, the former captain of the Gotei 13’s Fifth Division.
9. Kensei Muguruma: Ninth Division
Also on the list of the strongest Gotei 13 captains is Kensei Muguruma. Although Muguruma comes in on the latter portion of this ranking, he still has something to be proud of.
He is currently serving as a captain of the Ninth Division of Gotei 13. Aside from being a Visored too, like Hirako, he was also a captain over 100 years before his exile, reinstated to his old post sometime after the bout against Aizen.
10. Jushiro Ukitake: 13th Division
Jushiro Ukitake was the Gotei 13’s 13th Division captain. Now his character is fascinating because he hosted Mimihagi in his body for most of his life. Mimihagi is a fallen deity who is the Right Arm of the Soul King. After getting cast into Hell, Ukitake obtains the epithet of “Kamikake.”
He is highly respected and highly honorable. Unlike others, he always treats the people around him with respect, even those who are weaker or do not rank as high as him. Because of that, other members of the Soul Society treat him as a great person to seek advice from.
11. Sui-Feng: Second Division
Aside from being the captain of Gotei 13’s Second Division, Sui-Feng is also the commander-in-chief of the Onmitsukidō.
Sui-Feng is a petite lady with gray eyes and black hair she likes wearing short with two long braids bound in white-colored clothing, each ending in an enormous golden ring.
12. Rojuro Otoribashi: Third Division
Also referred to as Rose, Rojuro Otoribashi is not only the captain of Gotei 13’s Third Division but also a Visored.
Like Hirako and Muguruma, Otoribashi was also a captain more than a century ago prior to being exiled and was reinstated to his old post after the battle against Aizen.
13. Sajin Komamura: Seventh Division
Coming in at number 13 in this list of the strongest Gotei 13 captains is Sajin Komamura. He is the former captain of Gotei 13’s Seventh Division.
Now his appearance is quite different as he is an anthropomorphic wolf. He is also the tallest captain of the Gotei 13.
14. Love Aikawa: Seventh Division
Love Aikawa, also called Rabu Aikawa, is a Visored and the former captain of the Gotel 13’s Seventh Division.
He is known for his laid-back and easygoing personalities, and in the story, he is often seen reading his favorite mangas. Oftentimes, he quotes lines from characters in the pieces of literature he is reading.
15. Tetsuzaemon Iba: Seventh Division
Another captain of the Gotei 13’s Seventh Division who has earned a spot on this list, albeit being in the lower ranking, is Tetsuzaemon Iba. It is also interesting that he was formerly a lieutenant in the Seventh Division under Captain Sajin Komamura.
Aside from his unique haircut, Iba also likes wearing black sunglasses with his standard Shinigami uniform. Did you know that he also collects sunglasses?
16. Isane Kotetsu: Fourth Division
Lastly, we have Isane Kotetsu. Kotetsu is the Gotei 13’s Fourth Division captain and was a former lieutenant under Captain Retsu Unohana. Right now, it is interesting to note that her lieutenant is actually her younger sister, Kiyone Kotetsu, who is also the former 13th Division’s Third Seat.
Quiet, shy, and observant but with a strong sense of loyalty, Kotetsu can be a little impatient when faced with enemies, rushing after them even if she has no chance of defeating them.
There you have it, every Gotei 13 captain in “Bleach,” ranked. Arming yourself with guides like this as you watch the anime will help you appreciate its characters better as you go more in-depth about who they are.
