Bleach’s Gotei 13 has had some of the best Captains in the entire series. From former Captain Kisuke Urahara to those who sacrificed their life in battle like Jushiro Ukitake or became villains like Sosuke Aizen, Bleach abounds in Captains with admirable battle skills and popularity within the fandom.
However, despite many Shinigamis having upholded the prestigious position of a Captain, not many chose to continue working in that same line, take for example, Yoruichi Shihoin. Moreover, the Gotei 13 saw a change in the positions due to war and other factors. So, considering that, here are the current Captains of the 13 Divisions in Bleach, ranked based on the votes they earned on MyAnimeList.
Note: This article will contain spoilers from the Bleach character. The following data from MyAnimeList was collected in July 5, 2023.
The Kuchiki siblings and 11 other current Squad Captains in the Bleach-verse
13. Otoribashi Rojuro (9 votes)
Today’s Goth of the day is Rojuro “Rose” Otoribashi from Bleach! His style of choice is romantic goth. pic.twitter.com/GSq12wLwwK
— 🦇 Goth Of The Day 🦇 (@GothOfTheDay) May 6, 2022
Rose, or Otoribashi Rojuro, is the Captain of the 3rd Division, and just like Shinji Hirako, he is also a Visored who got reinstated back to his position following the war with Sosuke Aizen and his Arrancar army. The Captain of the 3rd Division was first seen during the Arrancar arc.
However, he had a major part to play during the battle of Sosuke Aizen’s army, defeating Menos and battling Starrk and Aizen. Although in his fight with Starrk, his victory was assured due to Shunsui’s unexpected arrival, Otoribashi was later Aizen. Later on, he plays a significant role during the Thousand-Year Blood War arc.
12. Tetsuzaemon Iba (23 votes)
Loyal to a fault, Tetzuzaemon Iba is the Captain of the 7th Division. Although he was introduced quite early in Bleach, i.e., during the Soul Society arc, his character didn’t shine much until the Fake Karakura Town arc. Here, he was seen as lieutenant of the 7th Division under Captain Sajin Komamura.
Although this arc didn’t show much of his potential as a Shinigami warrior was seen when he went against a platoon of Soldat along with his Captain. In fact, for the majority of the series, Iba was mostly seen in battles aiding Komamura.
11. Isane Kotetsu (46 votes)
The former lieutenant of 4th Division under Captain Retsu Unohana, Isane was eventually promoted to the role of the Captain sometime after the Thousand-Year Blood War arc of Bleach. Since the 4th Division specializes in medicine and health, the shy and quiet Isane has not been much battle-oriented.
However, she can be short-sighted and impatient while charging towards an enemy, such as when she faced Sosuke Aizen. She was first seen in the Soul Society arc, but gained eventual prominence during the Thousand-Year Blood War arc.
10. Lisa Yadomaru (57 votes)
A Visored and the Captain of the 8th Division, Lisa Yadomaru sports a cool and calm disposition despite being temperamental occasionally. First seen in a school uniform, the Shinigami appeared during Bleach‘s Arrancar arc as she fought with the Hollowed Ichigo alongside other Visoreds.
She is then seen taking an active role in the Arrancar war after Aizen, Gin, and Tosen are released by Hooleer from Yamamoto’s fire prison. Later, in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, she fights Gerard Valkyrie alongside Hiyori, Hachigen, and Love. Sometime after Yhwach’s defeat, she is promoted to the Captain’s position.
9. Kensei Muguruma (127 votes)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AySsBCIye8
Visored Kensei Muguruma is the Captain of the 9th Division, and just like Shinji and Love, he was reinstated to the Captain’s position following the war with the Arrancar. In the upcoming battle against the Quincy in the Bleach: TYBW anime, his contribution to the battle will be seen during Wandereich’s second invasion of the Soul Society when he saved Mashiro against Wonderweiss.
He will be accompanied by Love to take down Mask De Masculine. Although he died during the battle with Sternritter “V” Guanael Lee, he is later resurrected by Sternritter “Z” Giselle Gewelle to attack Mayuri. However, his Precognition Drug helps him regain consciousness and battle the Sternritters.
8. Sui-Feng (869 votes)
Aside from being the Captain of the 2nd Division, Sui-Feng, or Soi Fon, is also the commander-in-chief of Onmitsukido. Although she is relatively small in comparison to other Captains, she sure can fight.
Having been inspired from Yoruichi Shihoin, Sui-Feng eventually became a formidable Shinigami and got promoted to eventually become a Captain. Although she graced the screen for limited time in all the Bleach major arcs, her contribution in each battle has been noteworthy.
7. Mayuri Kurotsuchi (1,087 votes)
Having a peculiar appearance, the Captain of the 12th Division is also the second president of the Shinigami Research Institute. Although Mayuri is perceived as cold, selfish, and calculating, the Shinigami knows where his loyalties lie. During the Soul Society arc, Mayuri went up against Quincy Uryu Ishida in an incredible fight, but he was on the verge of defeat and escaped from the situation.
Later, after learning of Sosuke’s treachery, Mayuri gets the major spotlight during the Hueco Mundo and Thousand-Year Blood War arcs. In the TYBW arc, he went against the Sternritters and proposed an effective plan to take them down, which eventually happened. However, he doesn’t just stop there, fighting against more enemies like Perrida.
6. Shinji Hirako (1,588 votes)
The eccentric and aloof Captain of the 5th Division has one of the most terrifying Bankai in Bleach, which will be seen in the upcoming cour of TYBW arc. Originally a Visored Shinigami, Shinji first appeared during the Arrancar arc, disguising himself as a student at Ichigo’s school and helping out the Bleach protagonist with his Hollow powers. Aside from Kisuke Urahara, Yoruichi Shihoin, and Zangetsu, Shinji plays a primary role in mentoring Ichigo.
One of his fantastic battles in Bleach has to be with Espada Grimjow Jaegerjaquez, where the latter suffers a defeat at the hands of the blond Shinigami. He is also seen going up against Sosuke Aizen, but doesn’t face much luck there. In the upcoming season though, when the battle with Yhwach rages, Shinji will release his Bankai. Aside from that, he will be seen going against several renowned Sternritters.
5. Shunsui Kyoraku (2,766 votes)
The Captain of the 1st Division, Shunsui Kyoraku is one of the most powerful, if not the strongest l, Captains as of now. While he is not a big fan of showing off his powers like Kenpachi or Byakuya, the laid-back Shunsui is often seen in flamboyant clothing, drinking sake, or napping.
During the Soul Society arc, he is seen battling Yasutora Sado, who he battles easily without even batting an eyelash. However, he also spares his life. In the Arrancar arc, he is seen fighting Coyote Starrk, but the fight is cut short by Ukitake. In the upcoming cour of Bleach: TYBW, the Captain of the 1st Division will be battling Robert Accutrone – a battle that is sure to impress fans.
4. Byakuya Kuchiki (6,421 votes)
"The Kuchiki clan is one of the four noble houses. We must set the standard for all shinigami. If we do not abide by the code…then who will uphold it?"
— Byakuya Kuchiki#BLEACH #BLEACHTYBW pic.twitter.com/pZ23xENYZ3
— Kii♱25•卍解•『 The 𝕬𝖑𝖒𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙𝖞 』 (@mark_zehra) July 4, 2023
Cool as a cucumber and proud as a peacock, the noble Byakuya Kuchiki is the Captain of the 6th Division. Among all the Gotei 13 members, Byakuya was the first one to be introduced during the Agent of the Shinigami arc, when he injures Ichigo and takes Rukia back to the Soul Society. Even though he talks in favor of his foster sister to receive capital punishment, after Ichigo saves her, he repents his actions, explains the reasons, and even apologises.
Like every other Captain on this list, he contributed significantly during the war with Sosuke Aizen and his Arrancar army. Although his appearance slightly changed during The Lost Substitute Shinigami arc, he retains his aristocratic gait and impressive swordsmanship skills that extends to the events of Thousand-Year Blood War, where he aids his fellow colleagues and defeats several Sternritters.
3. Rukia Kuchiki (8,189 votes)
The current Captain of 13th Division, Rukia has been one of the major plot points to advance Ichigo’s life. Humble and with a fun attitude, Rukia is an admirable figure who has climbed up the hierarchical structure of Soul Society to earn the prestigious title of the Captain.
Moreover, since she is one of the main protagonists, she has been a constant support to Ichigo life throughout all the significant Bleach. As for her contribution in Bleach: TYBW Part 2, The Separation, Rukia and Renji will be seen working together for the majority of the cour in their battle against Yhwach’s Strernritter army. Following the defeat of Quincy, she becomes the Captain of the 13th Division and starts a family with her childhood friend, Renji Abarai.
2. Toshiro Hitsugaya (9,315 votes)
Hitsugaya toshiro pic.twitter.com/KkoA0gKFZV
— Andrew | Bleach ❄️ (@Andrew_Toshiro) July 2, 2023
Although he may look like a kid, Toshiro is one of the most able and powerful Captains of Gotei 13. Often seen as the image of calm, mature, and serious, Toshiro was introduced during the Soul Society arc. Following the defection of Sosuke Aizen, the Captain of the 10th Division fights against Gin Ichimaru and almost defeats him. He also tries to attack, but a critical blow from him puts him in a dangerous situation.
Aside from playing an active role defeating members of the Arrancar army, such as Tier Harribel, Toshiro has a significant part in the battle against the Sternritters. After his victory in some of the battles, his greatest setback comes in the form of Giselle Gewelle, who turns her into one of her zombies. Thankfully, he gets revived back to his original Shinigami state.
1. Kenpachi Zaraki (13,300 votes)
The revered and bloodthirsty Captain of Gotei 13, Kenpachi Zaraki is an odd character who makes it easier for his opponents to battle him by putting bells on his hair strand (which he later removes) and suppressing his spiritual power. Despite the voluntary leeways he provides for his enemiee, the legendary Captain of the 11th Division is not one to be taken lightly. The first battle against Ichigo Kurosaki is proof of that.
Later, his battle with Nnoitra Gilga and Retsu Unohana, former Captain of the 4th Division, shows his greatest spectacle of swordsmanship. During the TYBW arc, he single-handedly defeats three Sternritters and Jugran Haschwaith, but the invincible Shinigami eventually comes down in the hands of Yhwach.
Following his assassination of Unohana, he once again returns to the battlefield to take on Gremmy Thoumeaux, Candice Catnip, Pernida Parnkgjas, and finally, Gerard Valkyrie. Fortunately, he makes it out alive with the help of his companions even though all parties suffer massive physical damages.
