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Bleach: The Original Gotei Captains, Ranked By Design

Published

4 weeks ago

October 27, 2024

Christoph Rediske

Key Takeaways

Table of Contents

Bleach
‘s Thousand-Year Blood War arc has exceeded expectations and brought back the original Gotei 13 Captains, delighting fans.
Tite Kubo, the series creator, released character designs to celebrate the anime’s return, showing his continued love for the franchise.
The original Gotei 13 Captains had unique appearances, from Danjiro Obana’s hidden face to Chika Shihouin’s shaggy white hair.

When Bleach ended, a lot of fans were left disappointed because they believed they would never see the final arc in animated form, but that all changed when news broke that The Thousand-Year Blood War would be adapted. The arc debuted in October, and so far, it has exceeded expectations, and many fans were happy to see Bleach‘s original Gotei 13 Captains in action. The original Captains were on screen for barely two minutes, where they were each seen dispatching Quincies with ease.

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In the manga, the original Gotei 13, with the exception of Yamamoto, were nothing more but silhouettes. Bleach is known for its well-designed characters, and series creator Tite Kubo released the designs for the original Captains to celebrate the anime’s return. Their names and Squad numbers were also released, and it was clear that Kubo still has a ton of love for the franchise despite all the tiffs he had with his editors over the creative vision of his series.

Updated on October 27, 2024 by Rhenn Taguiam: With Bleach having started the third cour of its Thousand-Year Blood War adaptation, fans of the hit shonen series might be wondering just how Ichigo and his friends would fare against Yhwach and his forces. However, the anime’s recent teases into the past of the Gotei 13 might make fans wonder just what the original Gotei 13 Captains were like in combat compared to their predecessors. Although the series didn’t expand much into each OG Captain’s repertoire of skills, their slight showcases may be enough to give fans a glimpse into what they can offer in the heat of battle.

13 Danjiro Obana

Squad 5 Captain

Aizen and Hirako are the Squad 5 Captains that most fans know about, but the original Captain was a real fighter. His name was Danjiro Obana, and not much is known about his full appearance because his face is always either hidden or obscured.

What is known is that he is a tall man with brown eyes and thick eyebrows, and his hair is wavy and shaggy looking. He sports a short ponytail and long sideburns. He wears blue gauntlets on his forearms, which have gold trim. Unfortunately, these gauntlets are his most prominent feature.

Danjiro Obana: Known Abilities, Feats

As the 5th Division is not known to specialize in anything specific, it’s implied that Danjiro Obana is more of a generalist in terms of battle skill. Being able to kill several Lichtreich soldiers with just a single slash demonstrates great skill in the Shinigami swordfighting style of the Zanjutsu. Not much else is known about his battle prowess, but he should possess immense spiritual power to be considered a Captain-rank Shinigami.

12 Kinroku Izuhara

Squad 3 Captain

Kinroku Izuhara The First Captain Of Squad 3 Drawing His Zanpakuto

Squad 3 has been led by the likes of Gin Ichimaru and Rojuro Otoribashi, but the squad’s original Captain looked very different. His name was Kinroku Izuhara, and he preferred to take out his opponents by going for their throats.

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Kinroku looks like an ordinary middle-aged man with fair skin, a thin mouth, a sharp nose, prominent cheekbones, and a pronounced jawline. He also has short grey hair that is parted to the right side. The only thing that makes him stand out is the yellow lenses of his glasses.

Kinroku Izuhara: Known Abilities, Feats

Glasses-donning Kinroku constantly maintains a stern expression regardless of what he does, which makes him all the more terrifying when he’s able to kill members of the Lichtreich without so much as a blink. As the 3rd Division doesn’t have any specialized duties, it’s also safe to assume that Kinroku is a generalist in terms of combat. It should be noted that Kinroku’s dispatching of soldiers in the first Quincy invasion was done specifically via slitting the throat of multiple soldiers at immense speed, implying a keen precision in combat that is also demonstrated by his distant successor, Gin Ichimaru.

11 Chigiri Shijima

Squad 4 Captain

When the Gotei 13 were founded, Squad 4 was not known as the Healing Corps, which came much later. The Squad’s original Captain was named Chigiri Shijima, and he was a legitimate fighter. During the Quincy’s first invasion, he removed the heads of dozens of Quincy with his sealed Zanpakuto.

In terms of appearance, not much is known about his face because it is covered by his long grey hair. He is pale-skinned, though, and he appears to have a pointed nose and eyes that are meant to strike fear.

Chigiri Shijima: Known Abilities, Feats

It’s unsurprising that Chigiri Shijima finds himself in a bloodbath during the first Quincy invasion despite being the Captain of the support-oriented 4th Division. While his position is eventually taken up by Retsu Unohana, Chigiri doesn’t seem to be a slouch himself. Compared to his fellow Captains, his demonstration of killing members of the Lichtreich is less combat and more of a massacre, seeing as he’s decapitated his foes instead of merely cutting them down.

10 Furuoki Otogawa

Squad 10 Captain

Furuoki Otogawa The Original Captain Of Squad 10

When Furuoki Otogawa was revealed, many assumed that he was a member of the Kuchiki Clan and the original Captain of Squad 6, but he was actually the first Captain of Squad 10. He is a tall and thin man with fair skin, and he seems to always have the same passive expression, which is why he seemed like Byakuya’s ancestor.

He has long black hair, which he wore in chest-length bangs. What separates him from the rest of the original Gotei 13 is the straw rice hat that he sometimes wore.

Furuoki Otogawa: Known Abilities, Feats

Save for his stylish straw rice hat, Furuoki doesn’t seem to have any remarkably specific feats during his showcase in the first Quincy invasion. He’s shown to have immense Spiritual Power, and is implied to be skilled in Zanjutsu. As the 10th Division doesn’t have any special duties, it’s safe to assume that Furuoki is likely a traditional swordfighter.

9 Batsunsai Katori

Squad 8 Captain

Most Bleach fans associate Squad 8 with the ever-so-charming Shunsui Kyoraku, but the original Captain was female. At first glance, she appears to be related to Lisa Yadomaru or Nanao Ise, but her actual name is Batsunai Katori.

She had pale skin and large eyes, which explains why she wore large thin-rimmed glasses. Her hair was black, and it was arranged into bangs in the front and a long segmented ponytail that went down her back. Batsunai looks like a nice girl, but she was actually a cold-blooded killer who would cut through enemies with her spear-like Shikai.

Batsunsai Katori: Known Abilities, Feats

Despite her meek appearance, Batsunsai Katori is quite the brutal predecessor to the otherwise chill and laid-back Shunsui Kyoraku. Beneath her braided hair and cutesy pair of glasses is a brutal combatant, possessing immense Spiritual Power and likely expertise in Zanjutsu. Interestingly enough, she’s one of the few original Gotei 13 Captains who revealed their Shikai. Although unnamed, hers takes the form of a double-edged naginata, implying some specialization in long-ranged combat. This is easily demonstrated in the fight against the Lichtreich, where Katori is seen slicing them into pieces.

8 Shigekuni Genryusai Yamamoto

Squad 1 Captain

Younger Yamamoto With His Zanpakuto Drawn

Yamamoto was the oldest of the Gotei 13 Captains when the group was first introduced, which is understandable since he founded the entire organization. He was the strongest Soul Reaper for thousands of years, and his powerful abilities and attacks proved just how strong he was.

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When he was younger, he still looked old, but he was not completely bald, and his hair was still black. He did not have his long beard either, instead, he sported a long mustache, and his eyebrows were much shorter. Yamamoto looked a lot meaner when he was younger, but his overall design made him look too ordinary.

Shigekuni Genryusai Yamamoto: Known Abilities, Feats

Had Yamamoto been in his prime during his fight with Yhwach, he likely would’ve been able to defeat the Quincy. As the strongest among the Gotei 13 Captains, Yamamoto vastly outranks other Captains in different areas: swordsmanship, hand-to-hand Hakuda, incantation-less Kido casting, and faster Shunpo movements. When his Zanpakuto is unleashed, Ryuji Jakka gives Yamamoto control over fire – burning even the skies and the ground with a single slash. Should Yamamoto be pushed to the extreme, his Zanka no Tachi Bankai allows his flaming sword to cut anything out of existence and even resurrect the corpses of those he’s burned to fight for him.

7 Saizou Sakahone

Squad 13 Captain

Saizou Sakahone, The Original Captain Of Squad 13 Drawing His Zanpakuto

Most Bleach fans would agree that Jushiro Ukitake was a handsome individual, but the same cannot be said about his Squad 13 predecessor. Saizou Sakahone was the oldest of the original Gotei 13, and it showed, as he was a gaunt man with tanned and heavily wrinkled skin.

He had a big nose, no hair, and sunken eyes, which made him look like he was already dead. He had a hunched back as well. Despite his age, Saizou was feared, and he took out a large number of Quincy during their original invasion of Soul Society.

Saizou Sakahone: Known Abilities, Feats

Despite his olden appearance, Saizou Sakahone is skilled enough to be a Captain among the Gotei 13 – this means he has great Spiritual Power and likely specializes in Zanjutsu. As 13th Division doesn’t have any specialization, it’s also implied that he’s an all-around fighter. He doesn’t have any demonstrated feats in his appearances, except only that he killed a Lichtreich soldier by stabbing his throat while surrounded by wall of flames.

6 Entetsu Kumoi

Squad 9 Captain

Entetsu Kumoi- Original Captain Of Squad 9

Squad 9’s Captains are not known for looking scary, but the original Captain looks as though he belongs in a horror movie. His name was Entetsu Kumoi, and he was a fairly large man with no hair and olive-colored skin.

He had a scar running down his left eye, but he wore thick glasses which hid his eyes. Entetsu’s most striking feature is his golden teeth, which are on full display since he does not seem to have any lips. His Shikai also looks menacing because it takes the form of a black rod that looks eerily like a spinal cord.

Entetsu Kumoi: Known Abilities, Feats

Prior to Kaname Tosen and his eventual defection, Entetsu Kumoi held the title of Captain of the 9th Division. As a member of the 9th Division – technically Soul Society’s security force – it’s implied that Kumoi possesses vast Spiritual Power and a skillset tailored towards protecting the realm. Such a feat is demonstrated when he’s able to crush Lichtreich soldiers with his weapon, a feat that requires great strength. He’s among the few Captains of the original Gotei 13 to ever reveal their Shikai, this time in the form of a kanabo or metal club.

5 Yachiru Unohana

Squad 11 Captain

Bleach's Unohana As the First Captain Of Squad 11

Since she was first introduced, Unohana has been the Captain of Squad 4. She leads the healing core, and she has always appeared to be a calm, polite, and caring individual, but she is actually one of the most ruthless characters in Bleach.

Her real name is Yachiru Unohana, and she was the original Captain of Squad 11. She is considered to be the worst criminal in Soul Society’s history. Originally, she wore her hair down instead of her traditional front ponytail, and she possessed a menacing and bloodthirsty look.

Yachiru Unohana: Known Abilities, Feats

Despite Unohana being known for her incredible healing prowess as the Captain of the 4th Division, her original assignment was that of being the Captian of the 11th Division – a group known for swords-only combat and their pursuit of dominating fights. The combat-oriented focus of the 11th Division makes it the strongest among the teams, with Unohana’s status as a Kenpachi revealing her own unbridled bloodlust when pushed to the edge. Alongside her Spiritual Power and skill with the sword, Unohana’s Minazuki can become a giant manta ray with a stomach acid that can heal others. Unleashing the Bankai, however, transforms the sword into liquid blood that can be reshaped into various attacks – all the while being able to heal Unohana.

4 Uhin Zenjoji

Squad 12 Captain

Zenjou Jiuhin The First 12th Captain Laughing With His Zanpakuto

Kisuke Urahara and Mayuri Kurotsuchi are two of the smartest characters in Bleach, and they were both Captain of the 12th Squad. In the beginning, though, Squad 12 was all about fighting, not science, and Uhin Zenjoji was a violent melee fighter.

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He had a Zanpakuto, but he preferred to use his hands in combat. He is a large and overweight individual with a wicked and almost insane-looking smile. He had a U-shaped mark on his face, as well as small grey eyes. His hair was shaved down the middle, but he had a pair of short braids on both sides of his head.

Uhin Zenjoji: Known Abilities, Feats

As the 12th Division is known for Kisuke Urahara’s Shinigami Research and Development Institute as well as Mayuri Kurotsuchi having absolute control with his scientific experiments, it’s no surprise that its first Captain – Uhin Zenjoji – is implied to be just as eccentric as them. Known for the U-shaped mark that ran around his head, Zenjoji as a Captain is implied to have immense Spiritual Power and skill in Zanjutsu. Like his successor Mayuri, Zenjoji is just as brutal – in the first Quincy invasion, he’s seen eliminating Lichtreich soldiers not by slashing them but by grabbing them by the heads and crushing them.

3 Chika Shihouin

Squad 2 Captain

Chika Shihouin, Posing With His Zanpakuto

Yoruichi Shihouin was the Captain of Squad 2, and she is the reason why the Squad merged with the Stealth Force. It turns out that her family led Squad 2 for most of its existence, as its original Captain was Chika Shihouin.

Chika was a youthful man with olive skin and golden eyes, but unlike Yoruichi, he had short and shaggy white hair. He wore a pair of gold rectangular earrings, and he had a gold-trimmed orange scarf with spiral patterns wrapped around his neck.

Chika Shihouin: Known Abilities, Feats

The Shihouin Clan leading the 2nd Division and the Onmitsukido/Stealth Force means their first Captain, Chika Shihouin, needs no explanation. Recognizable for his golden eyes and golden earrings, Chika Shihouin already impresses not just with his immense Spiritual Power but his sheer skill. Despite possessing a katana (and therefore skill in Zanjutsu), Chika’s prowess lies in his skill with Hakuda or hand-to-hand combat. He’s seen killing Lichtreich soldiers with powerful kicks and punches, barely having to touch his sword.

2 Busuna No Shigyou

Squad 7 Captain

Komamura stood out because of his dog-like appearance, and the original Captain of Squad 7 looked like a beast as well, but for different reasons. Busuna No Shigyou was a tall, lanky, and pale man with sunken and twisted skin, particularly around his arms, chest, and eyes.

He had a long and pointed mustache and a long goatee. He also had spiky black hair, which he kept wrapped in black fabric. He wore black gloves and a dark brown fur stoat around his neck and shoulders. Busuna looks like a real killer, so it is safe to assume that he was a very dangerous Soul Reaper.

Busuna No Shigyou: Known Abilities, Feats

Although the 7th Division doesn’t have special duties, the “no-nonsense” attitude demonstrated by Captains Komamura and Iba seems to have originated from Nobutsuna Shigyou, possessing a similar devil-may-care attitude that befits the Division’s general theme. He’s known for wearing a fur coat over his Captain haori. Not much is known about his abilities, except for the fact that he likely possesses massive Spiritual Power and skill in Zanjutsu.

1 Furoufushi Saitou

Squad 6 Captain

Furoufushi Saitou The Original Captain Of Squad 6

The original Captain of Squad 6 was not a Kuchiki, it was actually a young woman named Furoufushi Saitou. She was the youngest of the original Captains, and she appeared to be quite bloodthirsty as she reveled in combat during the original Quincy War.

She possesses dark pink hair, which she wears as a pair of hip-length pigtails, and she covers the right side of her face with bangs. She has violet eyes, but one of them is covered by an eyepatch, and she wears a white cloth around her head. As young as she is, Furoufushi is undoubtedly one of the strongest women in Bleach.

Furoufushi Saitou: Known Abilities, Feats

Despite its current leadership under Captains Byakuya Kuchiki and Renji Abarai, the generalist 6th Division’s first Captain is more Renji than Byakuya – with a splash of brutality mixed in between. Saitou’s playful pigtails and eyepatch hides a brutal personality, as her fights with Lichtreich during the first Quincy invasion involve the joyful massacre of Lichtreich forces – a trait not necessarily shared by her successors.