Highlights
- The adaptation of Bleach‘s Thousand-Year Blood War has surpassed fan expectations, featuring the iconic Gotei 13 Captains.
- Tite Kubo, the creator of the series, unveiled character designs to commemorate the anime’s return, reflecting his enduring passion for the series.
- The Gotei 13 Captains each possess distinct looks, such as Danjiro Obana’s concealed face and Chika Shihouin’s unkempt white hair.
When Bleach concluded, many fans felt disheartened, thinking the final arc would never be animated. However, everything changed with the announcement of The Thousand-Year Blood War’s adaptation. Launched in October, it has far surpassed initial expectations, greatly delighting fans to see the original Gotei 13 Captains in action, albeit briefly, as they swiftly dispatched Quincies.
In the manga, the original Gotei 13, except for Yamamoto, were primarily depicted as mere silhouettes. Renowned for its creative character designs, Bleach has seen Tite Kubo share the designs of the original Captains to honor the anime’s revival. Along with their names and Squad designations, it’s evident that Kubo remains deeply attached to the franchise, despite past disagreements with his editors about its direction.
Updated on October 27, 2024 by Rhenn Taguiam: With Bleach now airing the third cour of its Thousand-Year Blood War adaptation, fans are curious about how Ichigo and his companions will fare against Yhwach and his army. Recent insights into the Gotei 13’s history may have viewers wondering how the original Gotei 13 Captains perform in battle compared to their successors. While the series offers only a glimpse into each original Captain’s abilities, these brief moments may hint at what they bring to the battlefield.
13 Danjiro Obana
Captain of Squad 5
While many fans are familiar with Aizen and Hirako as Squad 5 Captains, the original leader was the formidable Danjiro Obana, though much of his appearance remains a mystery due to his concealed features.
What is known is that he stands tall with brown eyes and pronounced eyebrows, and his hair has a wavy, shaggy texture. He wears blue gauntlets embellished with gold that prominently define his look.
Danjiro Obana: Skill Set and Achievements
Although the 5th Division lacks specialization, it suggests that Danjiro Obana embodies a versatile fighting style. His ability to dispatch multiple Lichtreich soldiers with a single cut showcases his expertise in the Shinigami swordfighting arts known as Zanjutsu. While not much more is known about his combat skills, he undoubtedly maintains significant spiritual power to hold the rank of Captain in the Gotei 13.
12 Kinroku Izuhara
Captain of Squad 3
Squad 3, known for its past leaders Gin Ichimaru and Rojuro Otoribashi, originally had a radically different Captain: Kinroku Izuhara, who favored direct confrontations with his foes.
Kinroku presents as an average middle-aged man with fair skin, a thin mouth, and striking features like a sharp nose and prominent cheekbones. He sports short gray hair parted to one side, with his notable accessory being his yellow-tinted glasses.
Kinroku Izuhara: Skill Set and Achievements
With no specific duties designated to the 3rd Division, it’s reasonable to view Kinroku as another generalist in battle. His rapid takedowns of numerous soldiers during the first Quincy invasion were achieved with precision throat slits, showcasing a notable skill in combat reminiscent of his successor, Gin Ichimaru.
11 Chigiri Shijima
Captain of Squad 4
At the inception of the Gotei 13, Squad 4 hadn’t yet been recognized as the Healing Corps. Its first Captain, Chigiri Shijima, was an impressive warrior. He notedly eliminated numerous Quincies with his sealed Zanpakuto during their initial offensive.
Details regarding his appearance remain scarce, chiefly because his long grey hair usually obscures his face. What’s clear is his pale complexion and the pointed features he possesses.
Chigiri Shijima: Skill Set and Achievements
Despite leading a division focused on assistance, Chigiri Shijima proved capable of wreaking havoc during the first Quincy invasion. Following the era of his leadership, Retsu Unohana took the helm. Yet, during his tenure, Shijima performed decapitating strikes against members of the Lichtreich, further highlighting his proficiency in combat.
10 Furuoki Otogawa
Captain of Squad 10
Initial impressions of Furuoki Otogawa led many to believe he was a scion of the Kuchiki clan, assuming he was the Captain of Squad 6. In reality, he proudly held the title of the first Captain of Squad 10. Furuoki appears as a tall, slender man often wearing a neutral expression, eliciting comparisons to Byakuya’s lineage.
His long hair is typically styled with chest-length bangs, and one distinctive trait is his straw rice hat occasionally perched on his head.
Furuoki Otogawa: Skill Set and Achievements
Apart from his unique hat, Furuoki’s feats during the original Quincy invasion seem relatively unremarkable. However, it’s clear he possesses extraordinary Spiritual Power and is presumably experienced in traditional swordsmanship, typical of a Captain in a division without specific responsibilities.
9. Batsunsai Katori
Captain of Squad 8
While Shunsui Kyoraku is closely associated with Squad 8, its first Captain was a woman named Batsunai Katori. At first glance, she may seem to share similarities with Lisa Yadomaru and Nanao Ise, but her true fighting nature was quite ferocious.
With pale skin and large, expressive eyes accentuated by thin glasses, Batsunai’s striking black hair is styled with bangs and a long segmented ponytail. Donning an innocent appearance, she was, in fact, a formidable combatant wielding a spear-like Shikai.
Batsunsai Katori: Skill Set and Achievements
Despite her gentle demeanor, Batsunsai Katori served as a fierce predecessor to Shunsui Kyoraku. Beneath her amiable looks lies a savagery honed through combat. She possessed formidable Spiritual Power and expertise in Zanjutsu. Significantly, she is among the few original Gotei 13 Captains to showcase their Shikai—typically in the form of a double-edged naginata—suggesting proficiency in ranged attack strategies, as evidenced in her battles against the Lichtreich.
8 Shigekuni Genryusai Yamamoto
Captain of Squad 1
As the founder and oldest member of the Gotei 13, Yamamoto holds a crucial position in this alliance. For millennia, he served as the strongest Soul Reaper, a claim evidenced by his incredible powers and techniques.
In his youth, Yamamoto retained an elderly visage but displayed more hair than when he was older, lacking the extensive beard typical of his later years. Instead, he bore a long mustache and shorter eyebrows, creating a sharper feeling in his younger appearance.
Shigekuni Genryusai Yamamoto: Skill Set and Achievements
In his prime, had Yamamoto confronted Yhwach, it is speculated that he would have triumphed over the Quincy. As the most powerful of the Gotei 13 Captains, he excels in every category: swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, incantation-less Kido casting, and super-speed Shunpo techniques. His Zanpakuto, Ryuji Jakka, allows him dominion over flames, capable of incinerating anything within its reach. When pushed to his limits, his Bankai, Zanka no Tachi, transforms his flame-wielding sword into a tool of annihilation, even resurrecting the dead he has consumed through fire.
7 Saizou Sakahone
Captain of Squad 13
While Jushiro Ukitake was traditionally seen as the charismatic Captain of Squad 13, his original counterpart, Saizou Sakahone, presented a markedly different portrait. Not only was he the oldest among the original Gotei 13, but he also exhibited features of foreboding appearance with his gaunt, weathered skin.
Boasting a large nose, sparse hair, and deeply sunken eyes, Saizou emitted an aura of intimidation. Despite his age, he was a formidable opponent, famously defeating numerous Quincies during their initial strikes against the Soul Society.
Saizou Sakahone: Skill Set and Achievements
Evincing remarkable skill worthy of his Captaincy, Saizou Sakahone is presumed to possess immense Spiritual Power and a broad combat expertise. Though lacking any spectacular showings in battle, he notably killed a Lichtreich soldier by stabbing while enveloped in flames, illustrating his proficiency in Zanjutsu.
6. Entetsu Kumoi
Captain of Squad 9
The original Captain of Squad 9 diverged from the traditional Captain archetype with a terrifying ambiance. Entetsu Kumoi, a robust man with hair, sported unique features that seemed more at home in a horror setting.
Afflicted with a scar across his left eye and unable to hide his striking golden teeth due to his lack of lips, his combat weaponry further accentuated this menacing look, taking the form of a dark rod resembling a spinal column.
Entetsu Kumoi: Skill Set and Achievements
Before the era of Kaname Tosen, Entetsu Kumoi commanded the 9th Division, which operates as Soul Society’s security. This entails possessing a considerable amount of Spiritual Power and capabilities crucial for a safeguard role. His strength was evident in his ability to crush Lichtreich soldiers with his black rod, reflecting immense physical prowess. Kumoi is among the select few from the original Gotei 13 who displayed their Shikai, forming it into a kanabo, or spiked club.
5 Yachiru Unohana
Captain of Squad 11
Initially a pivotal figure in the Healing Corps as the Captain of Squad 4, Unohana has always exuded an aura of calm. However, her true nature embodies a different persona within the narrative of Bleach.
Known by her real name, Yachiru Unohana, the original Captain of Squad 11 was infamous for her brutal tactics. Earlier in her career, she wore her hair flowing freely as opposed to her recognizable ponytail today, embodying a bloodthirsty warrior’s look.
Yachiru Unohana: Skill Set and Achievements
While Unohana is lauded for her healing capabilities as the head of the 4th Division, her original role was as the intimidating leader of the combat-focused 11th Division. Renowned for its emphasis on swordplay, her association brings forth the legacy of bloodshed, revealing a side of her that revels in battle. With immense Spiritual Power, Unohana wields her Zanpakuto, Minazuki, which can transform into a giant manta ray to heal allies, and her Bankai converts it to liquid blood used for reshaping various forms and even heal her during combat.
4 Zenjoji Waves
Captain of Squad 12
Characterized by intelligence, Kisuke Urahara and Mayuri Kurotsuchi emerged as the most brilliant figures within Bleach, yet their humble beginnings can be traced back to the original Captain of Squad 12, Uhin Zenjoji, who was much more inclined toward melee combat than scientific endeavors.
Uhin, a substantial man with a manic grin, featured a distinctive U-shaped mark across his face paired with small gray eyes. He sports a unique hairstyle, shaved down the center, leaving a pair of shorter braids at the sides.
Uhin Zenjoji: Skill Set and Achievements
As the first leader of Squad 12, often known for its research and experiments, Uhin was expected to exhibit considerable Spiritual Power alongside proficiency in Zanjutsu. In a manner consistent with his successors, he is displayed as savage nature; during the first Quincy invasion, his opponents were eliminated not with graceful swordplay, but rather brute force, shown by his fierce grip on invading soldiers as he crushed them.
3 Chika Shihouin
Captain of Squad 2
Yoruichi Shihouin, chief within Squad 2 whose leadership later combined with the Stealth Force, follows the legacy of her family that initially led the Squad as its first Captain, Chika Shihouin.
Chika appears youthful with olive skin and brilliant golden eyes, contrasting with Yoruichi’s style by wearing short, shaggy white locks and donning orange scarves with tribal designs.
Chika Shihouin: Skill Set and Achievements
As the Shihouin clan maintained their grip on the 2nd Division and the stealth unit, Chika Shihouin shows a remarkable blend of strength and skill. Renowned for his distinctive golden eyes and earrings, he gracefully wields potent Spiritual Power alongside remarkable fighting techniques, favoring Hakuda (hand-to-hand combat). During confrontations with his foes, he frequently delivered lethal kicks and punches, seldom resorting to his katana.
2. No Bus
Captain of Squad 7
Distinguished by his canine-like features, Captain Komamura’s original predecessor exemplified a different kind of intimidation. Busuna No Shigyou was an elongated, emaciated figure with pale skin, contorted features, and sunken attributes.
He flaunted a pointed mustache and goatee along with spiky black hair, wrapped in dark fabric, alongside wearing stylish gloves and a dark furry stoat draped around his shoulders.
Busuna No Shigyou: Skill Set and Achievements
Though the 7th Division lacks specialized duties, the demeanor exhibited by Komamura and Iba is reminiscent of their ancestor, Nobutsuna Shigyou, displaying a similarly unyielding attitude synonymous with the Division’s traits. Little is known about his capabilities beyond the possibility of immense Spiritual Power and proficiencies in Zanjutsu.
1. Furoufushi Saitou
Captain of Squad 6
Rather than being a Kuchiki, the first captain of Squad 6 was a fierce young woman named Furoufushi Saitou, who was the youngest amongst the original captains and exhibited a bloodlust fervor during the Quincy War.
With dark pink hair styled into hip-length pigtails, she obscured one side of her face with bangs and was often seen wearing an eyepatch and a white headcloth, which contrasted with her violet eyes. Even at a young age, Furoufushi was undoubtedly one of the most powerful women within Bleach.
Furoufushi Saitou: Skill Set and Achievements
The current Squadron led by Captains Byakuya Kuchiki and Renji Abarai reflects a different ethos compared to the original Captain. Furoufushi Saitou is known for her wild ways, described as Renji-like, with a tangled blend of savagery detailed through her experiences with the Lichtreich, relishing in the chaotic slaughter that characterized the first Quincy invasion.
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