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95-724: This is a list of Soul Reapers ( 死神 , Shinigami , literally, "death gods") featured in the manga and anime series Bleach , created by Tite Kubo . Soul Reapers are a fictional race of spirits who govern the flow of souls between the human world and the afterlife realm called the Soul Society . The series tells of how Ichigo Kurosaki becomes a substitute Soul Reaper in Karakura Town in place of Rukia Kuchiki . He assumes her duties to protect souls and put them to peaceful rest, as well as to fight against dangerous, lost souls unable to find rest, called Hollows . As

190-534: A shinigami enters into people's thoughts, making them think about bad things they have done and want to die. These are, rather than gods, more like yūki (meaning ghosts and yūrei ), or evil spirits . In the San-yūtei Enchō of classical rakugo , there was a programme titled "Shinigami" , but this was something that was not thought of independently in Japan, but rather from adaptions of

285-424: A shinigami possessing one's body. With this background of folk belief, it is also thought that sometimes people would consider the ghosts of the deceased, who have nobody to deify them, to be seeking companions and inviting people to join them. Magic in fiction Magic often serves as a plot device and has long been a component of fiction, since writing was invented . Historically, witches such as

380-596: A Bakkōtō upon him. Under Kumoi's control, Shin'etsu returns to Yamamoto and attacks him, forcing the latter to kill him in self-defense during their fight. Shūsuke discovers his father's dying body and hears his last words: "Beware the Bakkōtō ". He is voiced by Hōchu Otsuka in the Japanese version of the anime and by Joe Ochman in the English dub. Originally led by Yoruichi Shihōin , who combined her group's duties with

475-510: A Ginjōtan ( 銀条反 , lit. "Cloth of Inverted Silver") beforehand or someone to reduct. Suì-Fēng has stated that she can normally only use her bankai once every three days without issue. Using it more than once in a day, while possible, drains considerable amounts of her spirit energy. A second shot would exhaust her to the point where her speed and maneuverability become seriously impaired, an anathema to her fighting style which requires high levels of both. Outside of her weapon, Suì-Fēng utilizes

570-416: A katana which reflects aspects of the user's soul and personality. A zanpakutō has a symbiotic connection with its owner, its spiritual embodiment possessing similar traits to its owner and evolving to reflect its Soul Reaper's power. By learning the name of the sword's spirit, and through training, Soul Reapers can unlock more powerful transformations of their zanpakutō . The first transformation, known as

665-468: A shikai ( 始解 , lit. "initial release") which acts like a binding contract between a Soul Reaper and the sword, changes the zanpakutō' s appearance to so the owner can facilitate its special abilities to its fullest. The second transformation, known as bankai ( 卍解 , lit. "final release") , is an ability normally seen in Soul Reaper captains that requires ten years minimum to master. Once achieved,

760-420: A characteristic common in folklore. In some works, such as fairy tales , magic items either endow the main characters with magical powers or have magical powers themselves. Writers often use them as plot devices or MacGuffins to drive the plot of a story. Wands and staves often feature in fantasy works in the hands of wizards. Italian fairy tales had put wands into the hands of the powerful fairies by

855-413: A combination of hand-to-hand combat and shunpo ( 瞬歩 , flash steps) to engage opponents. She has also reformed the secret art of Shunkō ( 瞬開 , lit. Flash War Cry) , developing a wind-based variation of the technique, a further indicator of her mastery of close combat methods. In the Japanese version of the anime, Suì-Fēng was voiced by Tomoko Kawakami in early episodes then Houko Kuwashima for

950-620: A commander in Aizen's Arrancar army. His initial betrayal of the Soul Society is later revealed to have been a rouse to get close to Aizen, whom he attempts to kill; Gin fails and dies instead. In the series, Gin keeps his eyes perpetually narrowed to slits (a practice since childhood), rarely ever opening them fully, and maintains a smile that gives him the resemblance of a snake. This makes him appear sinister and unsettling to those around him, as it often difficult to decipher his true thoughts,

1045-435: A deadly poison that dissolves and breaks down cells. After stabbing an opponent with it, Gin can turn Kamishini no Yari ' s blade into dust inside their body, leaving a sliver of it within that, upon retreat, triggers cellular degeneration. He is voiced by Kōji Yusa in the Japanese version of the anime and Doug Erholtz in the English dub. Izuru Kira ( 吉良 イヅル , Kira Izuru ) is the lieutenant of Squad Three, formerly

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1140-474: A death god does not exist to begin with. Even though the kijin and onryō of Japanese Buddhist faith have taken humans' lives, there is the opinion that there is no "death god" that merely leads people into the world of the dead. In Postwar Japan , however, the Western notion of a death god entered Japan, and shinigami started to become mentioned as an existence with a human nature. Generally,

1235-458: A fact he is aware of and occasionally uses to toy with others for his amusement. Gin's zanpakutō is Shinso ( 神鎗 , Divine Spear ) . When released with the command "Shoot to kill", Shinso ' s blade glows with white light and extends forward at incredible speeds. Gin can expand its length up to 100 times its original size, while increasing its force proportionally; accordingly, he calls it Hyapponzashi ( hundred swords ) . His bankai

1330-542: A green energy sword when activated. It negates any other active Soul Reaper zanpakutō abilities, forcing his opponents to rely on other powers. Shinigami Shinigami ( Japanese : 死神 , lit.   ' kami of death') are kami that invite humans toward death in certain aspects of Japanese religion and culture . Shinigami have been described as monsters, helpers, and creatures of darkness . Shinigami are used for tales and religions in Japanese culture. In Buddhism , there

1425-410: A lieutenant because of his family's influence. Despite his dense and foolish attitude, he is a skilled tactician, not above putting himself in danger for his duty, and only feigns weakness and stupidity to lull his opponents into underestimating him, using this to aid in his near victory over one of Sōsuke Aizen 's Arrancar . Marechiyo's zanpakutō is Gegetsuburi ( 五形頭 , roughly "Five heads") , and

1520-475: A member of squads Five and Four. He is a friend of Momo Hinamori and Renji Abarai from their days in the Soul Reaper academy, and the three often spend their free time together. Though loyal to his friends, Kira often places his duties as a lieutenant above them. He defends his captain-turned-traitor Gin from a grief-stricken Hinamori, and later calls himself a "monster" for having raised his sword against her. He subsequently comes to regret helping Gin defect from

1615-692: A more familiar speech style than most other characters in Bleach , generally referring to his fellow captains and Soul Reapers by their first name, usually followed by an honorific. He is a peace-loving man, always seeking a nonviolent solution first, but will not refuse to fight as he does not wish to insult his opponents. An adept fighter, he defeats the Number One Espada, Coyote Starrk , using only his shikai . Unlike other Soul Reapers, Shunsui possesses paired zanpakutō called Katen Kyōkotsu ( 花天狂骨 , lit. "Bones of Heavenly Blooming Madness") . While

1710-497: A new captain is assigned. The seated officers ( 席官 , sekikan ) hold ranks from third seat to twentieth. While single digit ranks are usually assigned to a single officer, the lower ranks are often held by several officers. Higher ranks may also lead secondary teams within a squad; for example, Hanatarō Yamada is the Seventh Seat Officer of Squad Four and leader of Advanced Relief Team Fourteen therein. Outside of

1805-453: A safe distance from himself. When released, it covers a large area around him in an aura that affects others perception of the surrounding environment, causing them to see it as darkened, bleak, and gloomy, and feel varying levels of melancholy and despair. While it maintains its shikai form, its bankai allows Shunsui to manifest various stories, which can kill an opponent easily; damage is meted out in four separate Acts . It also manifests

1900-517: A scale from 1 to 99, indicating their complexity and overall power. Low-level spells can, however, be very effective when performed by a skilled kidō user, such as Byakuya Kuchiki . Soul Reaper operations are based out of the Soul Society , which is an afterlife realm in Bleach maintained by a being known as the Soul King. Travel between the human world and the Soul Society is extremely limited and monitored, but some Soul Reapers are stationed in

1995-535: A special kidō , Hakudan Keppeki , capable of blocking the Wandenreich during their second invasion of the Soul Society, Nanao eventually convinces Shunsui to give Shinken Hakkyōken to her. Nanao's zanpakutō is Shinken Hakkyōken ( 神剣八鏡剣 , lit. "Holy Sword Eight-Mirror Sword") , a family heirloom used in the Ise clan's rites and rituals. Unlike other Soul Reapers, members of the Ise clan lack zanpakutō and only

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2090-404: A variety of techniques to limit the magic in their stories, such as limiting the number of spells a character has or may cast before needing rest, restricting a character's magic to the use of a specific object, limiting magic to the use of certain rare materials, or restricting the magic a character can use through its negative consequences. Some works feature magic that is performed through

2185-413: A work of fantasy, magic can help to advance the plot , often providing power to heroes or to their opponents. The use of magic frequently manifests itself in a transformation of a character, if not the transformation of the fictional world. For magic to carry out its functions, it often comes at a price equal to its value. Fictional magic may or may not include a detailed magic system , but it

2280-421: Is Kamishini no Yari ( God-Killing Spear ) . Unlike other zanpakutō , Gin's does not change in appearance when his bankai is activated, but maintains its unreleased wakizashi form instead. Kamishini no Yari possesses the same abilities as its shikai , albeit to a much more powerful degree. It can extend itself up to 13 km in length and move 500 times faster than the speed of sound . It also contains

2375-400: Is Kōkō Gonryō Rikyū ( 黄煌厳霊離宮 , lit. "Stern Spirit's Yellow-Glittering Detached Palace") , which produces a bolt of lightning from its blade that extends and transforms into a dome of lightning, stationed far above one's head, that is fastened to the ground by a large number of lightning pillars. These pillars can be controlled at will to shock an opponent. He is voiced by Taro Yamaguchi in

2470-473: Is Raika ( 雷火 , roughly "Lightning Flash") . The shikai command of his zanpakutō is "sever" ( 断ち切れ , tachikire ) . When released, it takes the form of a white hook sword with curved pipes that form the hilt. He can focus fireballs into the crux of the hook and create large fissures of flame to attack his opponents with by slamming it into the ground. Raika ' s bankai , Raika Gōen Kaku ( 雷火豪炎殻 , literally "Lightning Flash Flame Shell") , enlarges

2565-451: Is "raise your head" ( 面を上げろ , omote o agero ) . When released, Wabisuke straightens and its blade forms a three-sided square, becoming an angular hook. It has the ability to double the weight of whatever it strikes. The effect is cumulative, so each successive hit exponentially increases the weight of the target. After seven or eight blocked attacks, his opponents are unable to lift their own swords or even move their body, leaving them on

2660-445: Is an anime-exclusive character introduced as the new captain of Squad Three, following Gin's defection, during season nine . He has an unkempt appearance, is usually bright, lively, and unpretentious, and can become drunk on a single drink of alcohol . Because Shūsuke spent most of his Soul Reaper career away from the Soul Society as part of a patrol group, the members of Squad Three are mistrustful of him when he first arrives. He spends

2755-490: Is called Daruma-san ga Koronda ( だぁるまさん が こぁろんだ , The Dharma Doll Fell Down) . The sixth and final game, Kageokuri ( 影送り , Silhouette Sending) , is one where if a person stares hard enough at another person's shadow, then their opponent creates afterimages of themselves. Katen Kyōkotsu ' s bankai is called Katen Kyōkotsu: Karamatsu Shinjū ( 花天狂骨枯松心中 , "Heavenly Bloom Madness Bone: Withered Pine Lovers' Suicide") , which Shunsui uses only when his allies are at

2850-456: Is crushed by her apparent abandonment. When Yoruichi returns to the Soul Society a century later, Suì-Fēng engages her in battle, but does not manage to defeat her. After questioning Yoruichi as to why she was left behind—Yoruichi's response is not heard—the two make amends. Their relationship becomes somewhat of a running gag : Suì-Fēng likes anything resembling a black cat (a form Yoruichi can assume at will) and displays jealousy whenever Yoruichi

2945-437: Is declared the loser. The fourth game is known as Iro-Oni ( 艶鬼 , Colored Demon) , where players call out a color then slice their opponent wherever that color is displayed. However, if the color is not on the body of the person who called it out then the damage given is minimal; the more prevalent the declared color is on the declarer's body, the more damage the attack commits. A fifth game, similar to " Red Light, Green Light ",

List of Soul Reapers in Bleach - Misplaced Pages Continue

3040-410: Is great variation in how spontaneously magic occurs, how difficult it is to wield, and how the guidelines to the magic are implemented, there are a handful of methods for introducing magic found in many fictional works. In many fantasy works, writers depict magic as an innate talent, equivalent for example to perfect pitch . Magic may also be gained through a pact with a devil or with other spirits,

3135-430: Is in someone else's company. Suì-Fēng's zanpakutō is Suzumebachi ( 雀蜂 , literally translated as " Hornet ") . When released by the command "Sting all Enemies to Death" ( 尽敵螫殺 , Jinteki Shakusetsu ) , it shrinks into a black and gold stinger that is worn on the middle finger of her right hand. When it stabs an opponent, a butterfly-like symbol called a hornet's crest ( 蜂紋華 , hōmonka ) appears on their body at

3230-573: Is not uncommon for authors to omit details or explanations of certain limitations, ostensibly for pacing or other purposes; in these cases, it is possible that magic serves more as a convenience to the author rather than as a device for the character. In nearly any given fantasy magical system, magical ability is limited. Limitations can add conflict to the story and prevent characters from becoming all-powerful with magic, although characters with unlimited power (such as deities or transcendental beings) are not unheard of in fiction. Fantasy writers use

3325-482: Is often accosted by Shunsui, whose teasing takes various forms, and removes her glasses when she is particularly annoyed with him. Though her face has never been shown while doing so, this act is apparently quite frightening as most characters who witness it are reduced to gibbering wrecks afterwards. When Shunsui becomes the new Head Captain, Nanao becomes his lieutenant in Squad One alongside Okikiba. While she creates

3420-801: Is released by the command "Crush" ( 打っ潰せ , buttsubuse ) . It transforms into an oversized flail that can be thrown to inflict great physical damage upon his opponents. He is yet to obtain his bankai . He is voiced by Shōto Kashii in the Japanese version of the anime and Lex Lang in the English dub. Squad Three was originally led by Rōjūrō "Rose" Otoribashi until he was forced to forfeit his post after Aizen put him through Hollowification. Gin Ichimaru, formerly Aizen's lieutenant in Squad Five, takes over Rose's position after Aizen reveals his true intentions and defects. Following Gin's subsequent defection, Lieutenant Kira briefly assumes captain duties. In

3515-437: Is revealed that he had achieved his bankai before Yamamoto's pupils Shunsui and Jūshirō did, though due to his loyalty to Yamamoto he never used it or offered to be a captain. His zanpakutō is Gonryōmaru ( 厳霊丸 , lit. "Stern Spirit", translated in other ways) . When released with the command "Bite" ( 穿て , Ugate ) , it transforms into a rapier . Its shikai special abilities remain unknown. Gonryōmaru ' s bankai

3610-507: Is selected by Shunsui to be his lieutenant along with Nanao. Shin'etsu Kisaragi ( 如月 信越 , Kisaragi Shin'etsu ) was a member of Squad One and the father of Shūsuke Amagai. After Central 46 denies Yamamoto's request to officially investigate the Kasumiōji Clan Compound regarding the clan's manufacturing of Bakkōtō , he sends Shin'etsu to secretly infiltrate the compound. Shin'etsu is caught by Gyōkaku Kumoi's men and Kumoi forces

3705-679: Is the Mara that is concerned with death, the Mrtyu-mara. It is a demon that makes humans want to die, and it is said that upon being possessed by it, in a shock, one should suddenly want to die by suicide, so it is sometimes explained to be a "shinigami" . Also, in the Yogacarabhumi-sastra , a writing on Yogacara , a demon decided the time of people's deaths. Yama , the king of the Underworld , as well as oni such as

3800-538: Is the captain of Squad Two and the current Commander in Chief of the Stealth Force. She is a hard worker who believes strongly in following orders. She is also outwardly antagonistic to her underlings as she believes this keeps them on their toes. During her childhood, she serves as a bodyguard and eventual protégé of Yoruichi, with whom she develops a close relationship. When Yoruichi leaves the Soul Society, Suì-Fēng

3895-602: Is the mother of the current lieutenant of Squad Seven, Tetsuzaemon Iba . Gin Ichimaru ( 市丸 ギン , Ichimaru Gin ) is the former captain of Squad Three. He previously served as the Third Seat of Squad Five under Captain Shinji Hirako , then as lieutenant under Captain Aizen, before becoming captain of Squad Three. He eventually defects from the Gotei Thirteen alongside Aizen and Kaname Tousen , and becomes

List of Soul Reapers in Bleach - Misplaced Pages Continue

3990-430: The Bakkōtō a secret. After his various accomplices are slain in the Soul Society, Shūsuke takes the nuclei of their Bakkōtō and engages Yamamoto in battle. He ends up fighting Ichigo, while Rukia and the others rescue Princess Rurichiyo Kasumioji (whom he abducted after killing Kumoi), and is defeated. Upon learning the truth about his father's death, he takes his own life to atone for his misdeeds. Shūsuke's zanpakutō

4085-460: The Ox-Head and Horse-Face are also considered a type of shinigami . In Shinto and Japanese mythology , Izanami gave humans death, so she is sometimes seen as a shinigami . However, Izanami and Yama are also thought to be different from the death gods in Western mythology. Some forms of Buddhism do not involve believing in any deities, so it is sometimes thought that the concept of

4180-670: The Weird Sisters in William Shakespeare 's Macbeth , wizards such as Prospero in The Tempest or characters like Doctor Faustus in Christopher Marlowe 's play of the same name were widely considered to be real. Contemporary authors tend to treat magic as an imaginary idea, opting to build their worlds with a blank slate where the laws of reality do not carry as much weight. Within

4275-454: The Black , appearing as either a wakizashi or a tantō . She is voiced by Hitomi Nabatame in the Japanese version of the anime and by Kate Higgins in the English dub. Genshirō Okikiba ( 沖牙 源志郎 , Okikiba Genshirō ) was originally the Third Seat in Squad One, ordered by Yamamoto to guard their barracks during the Wandenreich's attack on the Soul Society. After Yamamoto's death, he

4370-532: The English adaptations) in a kimono , which formed the basis for the design of the Soul Reapers. Before deciding on the use of kimono, Kubo thought of giving black suits to male Soul Reapers and any forms to female Soul Reapers, but thought that it was too generic and changed it to a kimono. Several characteristics from them, such as the kidō spells and the zanpakutō swords are also based on Japanese literature. Instead of using zanpakutō , Kubo wanted to give

4465-407: The English dub, he is voiced by Neil Kaplan . Chōjirō Tadaoki Sasakibe ( 雀部 長次郎 忠息 , Sasakibe Chōjirō Tadaoki ) , was Yamamoto's lieutenant, often present during meetings between the captains. He was the only Soul Reaper at the battle for Karakura Town that did not fight, instead guarding the fake version of the town on his own with a large Reiatsu barrier. In an omake , due to a mission in

4560-542: The Gotei Thirteen for her knowledge in kidō . During her early days in Squad Eight, she develops a friendship with then-lieutenant Lisa Yadōmaru , and realizes her family's zanpakutō is in Shunsui's possession. Nanao is a very serious and pragmatic person, which often puts her at odds with her captain's silly antics. Despite this, she is extremely respectful of him and follows his instructions without hesitation. Nanao

4655-459: The Gotei Thirteen, other military forces exist and serve in specialized capacities. The Kidō Corps ( 鬼道衆 , Kidōshū ) , for example, is a reclusive group that specializes in kidō and is in charge of the gateway connecting the Soul Society and the human world. Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto ( 山本元柳斎 重國 , Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni ) was the captain of Squad One and Head Captain of the Gotei Thirteen. He believed that laws must be upheld for

4750-586: The Italian opera the Crispino e la comare and the Grimm Fairy Tale " Godfather Death ". Shinigami are also spoken about in folk religion after the war. According to the mores of Miyajima, Kumamoto Prefecture , those who go out and return to attend to someone through the night must drink tea or eat a bowl of rice before sleeping, and it is said that a shinigami would visit if this

4845-657: The Japanese version of the anime. In the English dub, he is voiced by Michael McConnohie when he first speaks in Episode 54 then by Dan Woren in later appearances. Shunsui Sōzōsuke Jirō Kyōraku ( 京楽 次郎 総蔵佐 春水 , Kyōraku no Jirō Sōzōsuke Shunsui ) was originally the captain of Squad Eight for most of the series. One of the oldest captains in the Soul Society, alongside his friend Jūshirō, Shunsui trained under Head Captain Yamamoto, whom he calls "Old-man Yama" ( 山じい , Yama-jii ) . After Yamamoto's death, Shunsui becomes

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4940-489: The Soul Reaper can unlock the full potential of their zanpakutō , increasing their own power several times over. Though rare, it is possible for two people to manifest the same zanpakutō and spirit. This is considered the ultimate taboo of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and the individuals who manifest the spirit are forced to fight to the death to determine the zanpakutō ' s true master, as in

5035-479: The Soul Reapers guns, with the exception of Rukia Kuchiki , who would use a scythe. Seeing that guns are not suitable for kimono, he changed them to swords. When asked which of the Court Guard Squad captains and assistant captains were his favorites, Kubo answered by saying that he liked "all of them" and that he likes to "support" characters "disliked by readers." Early plans for the story did not include

5130-463: The Soul Society by giving a Konso ( 魂葬 (こんそう) , konsō , "soul funeral") to souls yet to become hollows and defeat those who have. High-level Soul Reapers and similarly powerful beings are able to levitate by standing on the spiritual energy in the air. The No Breathes From Hell one shot explains that Soul Reaper captains are given a last rites ritual as their Reishi is transferred to another realm due to being too dense to properly diffuse in

5225-572: The Soul Society, and develops more of a depressed and pessimistic demeanor. During the Wandenreich invasion, Kira is mortally wounded by the Stern Ritter Bazz-B. However, he is revealed to have survived the attack and is later healed by Mayuri Kurotsuchi , allowing him to battle the multiple weakened bird cloned copies of Lille Barro's Vollständig. Kira's zanpakutō is Wabisuke ( 侘助 , lit. "Apology helper", translated in other medias "the penitent one" "Apologizer") . The shikai command

5320-420: The Soul Society. The ritual is revealed to actually send the deceased Soul Reaper captains to Hell instead, rather than ease their passing. The Gotei Thirteen ( 護廷十三隊 , Goteijūsantai , "Thirteen Court Guard Squads" in the English dubbed version) is the central organization, and main military power, of the Soul Society that most Soul Reapers join. Initially created to enforce law and order and composed of

5415-556: The Stealth Force ( 隠密機動 , Onmitsukidō , lit. "Special Forces") , Squad Two's duties include assassination and covert operations. After Yoruichi is forced to leave her post for aiding Urahara's escape when he was accused of the Hollowification of the Vizards , Suì-Fēng becomes the new captain of Squad Two. Marenoshin Ōmaeda ( 大前田 希ノ進 , Ōmaeda Marenoshin ) is the former lieutenant of Squad Two (under Yoruichi) as well as

5510-579: The anime, Shūsuke Amagai is eventually assigned as captain in Gin's place, retaining the role until his death some time afterwards. Rose is allowed to resume his duties after Aizen's defeat. Chikane Iba ( 射場 千鉄 , Iba Chikane ) is the former lieutenant of Squad Three under Rōjūrō, appearing in the Turn Back the Pendulum gaiden . She eventually retired from her position and was succeeded by Izuru. Chikane

5605-399: The bandaged zanpakutō to Nanao as a last resort, which she accepts despite being skeptical of it. In its shikai state, Shinken Hakkyōken takes the form of an ornate, medium-sized, flat-ended bladeless sword with the ability to take the power of a god into itself and disperse that power into the eight directions. The weapon is seen in its basic unwrapped form in the art book All Colour but

5700-482: The benefit of the community and despised those who broke them, but made an exception regarding Ichigo Kurosaki due to a debt owed to the former after he saves the Soul Society. Yamamoto founded the Soul Reaper Academy 1,000 years before the main Bleach storyline, where he personally instructed Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake whom he treated like sons. Yamamoto claimed that no Soul Reaper born in

5795-437: The blade and creates a giant conch-shaped guard worn across Shūsuke's arm, with the handle of the blade hidden inside it. This form gives him greater control of his fire attacks, his most powerful technique creating giant dragons of fire to encircle and crush his foe. Shūsuke's Bakkōtō (獏爻刀, roughly " tapir crossing blade") is a twin-bladed tuning fork -shaped weapon that creates black-plated armor across his right arm and emits

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5890-458: The blades are normally two daisho swords, their shikai state resembles dao or falchions . When released with the command "Flower Wind Rage and Flower God Roar, Heavenly Wind Rage and Heavenly Demon Sneer" ( 花風紊れて花神啼き 天風紊れて天魔嗤う , Hana Kaze Midarete Kashin Naki, Tenpū Midarete Tenma Warau ) , Katen Kyōkotsu gains the ability to turn children's games into a deadly reality and anyone caught in

5985-472: The dead to come next. Also, it is ordinary to visit graves for the sake of Higan during noon or when the sun sets, but in the Okayama Prefecture , visiting the grave for Higan during sunrise without a previous time would result in being possessed by a shinigami . However, once one has visited the grave in sunset, then it would become necessary to visit the grave again during sunrise, to avoid

6080-412: The deadliest killers in all of the Soul Society, the Gotei Thirteen became more peace-oriented in nature over time. It is split into thirteen squads, each symbolized by a flower whose floriography is indicative of the squad's designation or special responsibilities. The Captains ( 隊長 , taichō , literally, "unit commander") are the leaders of the thirteen squads. Each controls a specific squad with

6175-400: The episodes following his introduction trying to prove himself to them and the rest of the Soul Reapers by promoting teamwork between all the divisions. As the anime progresses, Shūsuke is quickly revealed to have ulterior motives, with his friendly attitude only being a means to further his plans. He joined the Gotei Thirteen in order to exact revenge upon Yamamoto for killing his father to keep

6270-525: The exception of the Head Captain ( 総隊長 , Sōtaichō , literally "Commander-General") , who is both the captain of Squad One and leader of the Gotei Thirteen; the implication is that this is an ex officio position. All captains are able to perform the bankai of their zanpakutō . To achieve the position of captain, a Soul Reaper must display great expertise with Soul Reaper abilities and battle tactics, and be approved by either their fellow captains or

6365-636: The existence of a shinigami . In the classical literature of the Edo period , shinigami that would possess humans are mentioned. In the Ehon Hyaku Monogatari from Tenpō 12 (1841), there was a story titled "Shinigami" . In this one, however, the shinigami was the spirit of a deceased person and had bad intent. Acting jointly with the malicious intent already within people who were living, those people were led on bad paths, which caused repeat incidents to occur at places where there

6460-410: The family head can inherit Shinken Hakkyōken . Nanao is rarely seen with the weapon for most of the story until Shunsui's battle with Lille Barro —he sealed the zanpakutō inside Kyōkotsu to honor his sister-in-law's wish to hide the apparent source of the Ise clan's curse from Nanao in the hopes that it would end with her generation. As Shinken Hakkyōken is able to harm divine beings, Shunsui gives

6555-405: The form of an extremely long, armored missile launcher that encases Suì-Fēng's right arm and extends all the way up past her shoulder, with a sighting device shaped like a mask shielding the right side of her face. While holding this bankai , its large size—it is bigger than Suì-Fēng herself—makes it difficult for her to move. The thunderous recoil after its cannon is fired may require the use of

6650-688: The former Captain of the Special Forces Patrol Corps, appearing in the Turn Back the Pendulum gaiden . When he retires his positions, both are assumed by his son Marechiyo, the division's current lieutenant, with whom he shares a close resemblance. Like his son, Marenoshin enjoys downgrading poorer members of the Gotei Thirteen, such as Izuru Kira and Shūhei Hisagi . Suì-Fēng ( 砕 （ ソイ ） 蜂 （ フォン ） , Soifon , pinyin : Suì Fēng ) , born Fon Shaolin ( 蜂梢 （ フォンシャオ ） 綾 （ リン ） , Fon Shaorin , pinyin : Fēng Shāolíng ) ,

6745-408: The ground with their head bowed as though asking forgiveness. At this point Wabisuke ' s released form, a blade bent into a squared hook, comes into play, as it is used to decapitate the kneeling opponent, thus denying them forgiveness. He is voiced by Takahiro Sakurai in the Japanese version of the anime and by Grant George in the English dub. Shūsuke Amagai ( 天貝 繍助 , Amagai Shūsuke )

6840-404: The hierarchical structure of the Soul Society, but did include Ichigo's Soul Reaper heritage. Soul Reapers can only be seen by other spiritually aware beings, which excludes most humans. They age at a much slower rate than humans and can be injured and die, yet are able to resist most injuries unless considerably great. All Soul Reapers possess a zanpakutō ( 斬魄刀 , lit. "soul-cutting sword") ,

6935-499: The human world to carry out their duties. If this Soul Reaper is an assistant captain or a captain then they will have a Gentei Reiin , or a Spirit Restriction Seal, on some area of their body. This seal will limit their spiritual powers to one-fifth of their full power and it can only be released in a state of emergency. In addition to these laws, it is a crime for a Soul Reaper to remain in the human world for longer than directed. A Soul Reaper's duties include leading wandering spirits to

7030-563: The last one thousand years is stronger than him, but he is eventually killed by Yhwach . His zanpakutō is Ryūjin Jakka ( 流刃若火 , lit. "Flame of the Flowing Blade") , and it displays control over flame . The most powerful zanpakutō in Soul Society, the sheer power of its flame can disintegrate almost anything it is waved at. Its release command is "Reduce All Creation to Ash" (万象一切灰燼と為せ, Banshō issai kaijin to nase or "All things in

7125-514: The later Edo Period, the essay "Shōzan Chomon Kishū" in Kaei 3 (1850) by the essayist Miyoshi Shōzan, the one titled "upon possession by a shinigami, it becomes difficult to speak, or easier to tell lies" was a story where a prostitute possessed by a shinigami invites a man to commit double suicide, and in the kabuki Mekuranagaya Umega Kagatobi by Kawatake Mokuami in Meiji 19 (1886),

7220-441: The members of their own squad. There are three ways a Soul Reaper can become a captain: The Lieutenants ( 副隊長 , fukutaichō , literally, "vice-unit commander") are the adjutants to the captains in each squad. In terms of rank, they hold the second seat in the squad. In the case of a squad captain's death, departure, or other circumstances making them unable to perform their duties, the lieutenant serves as acting captain until

7315-497: The moisture in Soul Society. The Squad Ten captain, Tōshirō Hitsugaya , cannot release his sword—an ice-type zanpakutō —due to the heat radiated from Yamamoto's bankai . Its power is so great that it can destroy all of Soul Society and Yamamoto himself should it remain active for too long. He is voiced by Masaaki Tsukada in the original Japanese anime series and Binbin Takaoka in its direct sequel Thousand Year Blood War . In

7410-412: The new Head Captain of the Gotei Thirteen and the leader of Squad One. He appoints Genshirō Okikiba and Nanao as his lieutenants. A laid-back and flamboyant man, as seen by his attire, Shunsui wears a straw hat and a pink flowered haori over his captain's uniform. In his off time, he can be found drinking sake , napping, or chasing after women, particularly his lieutenant Nanao Ise. Shunsui tends to use

7505-463: The plot of Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion (2007). Many Soul Reapers manage to use kidō ( 鬼道 , lit. "way of the demon", also "demon arts") , a form of magic that can be performed by reciting a specific incantation. Most of the kidō spells seen in the series are used as attacks, defensive measures, or to bind others, though they can also serve more specialized needs such as healing wounds or communication over long distances. Spells are ranked on

7600-465: The point of contact. The crest bears four wings because a hornet has two sets of full-size wings located on its thorax. Due to Suì-Fēng's training, this mark can be kept there for as long as she desires. If Suzumebachi stabs the same location a second time, the opponent dies. This technique is called " Nigeki Kessatsu (弐撃決殺, Death in Two Steps)". This also holds true if an internal organ is pierced in

7695-459: The range of Shunsui's spiritual power is forced to play. One such game, Bushō Goma ( 不精独楽 , Lazy Spinning Top) , involves spinning wind around like a top. Another, Takaoni ( 嶄鬼 , Mountain Demon) , declares that whoever is the highest is the winner. A third technique, Kageoni ( 影鬼 , Shadow Demon) , forces the players to alter their own shadows; whoever steps on a shadow, even if it is their own,

7790-576: The real world, Sasakibe is shown to have enjoyed growing tea leaves and making his own tea. He was killed by the Stern Ritter "O" Driscoll Berci during the Wandenreich 's first invasion of the Soul Society, alongside 106 other Soul Reapers. Driscoll later attempts to also kill Yamamoto using Sasakibe's stolen bankai , but is obliterated by the enraged captain for using his deceased lieutenant's bankai so shamefully. During Sasakibe's funeral, it

7885-552: The rest of the series. She is voiced by Karen Strassman in the English dub. Marechiyo Ōmaeda ( 大前田 希千代 , Ōmaeda Marechiyo ) is the lieutenant of Squad Two and Captain of the Special Forces Patrol Corps. He comes across as arrogant and dull. In an omake, he is shown to have come from a rich family, where he is revealed to have a ridiculously long name: Marechiyo Yoshiayamenosuke Nikkōtarōemon Ōmaeda ( 大前田 日光太郎右衛門 美菖蒲介 希千代 , Ōmaeda Nikkōtarōemon Yoshiayamenosuke Marechiyo ) . Other characters suspect that he received his position as

7980-402: The same location, regardless of the point of entry into the body. Furthermore, if Suì-Fēng is infected with a foreign poison, she can stab herself with her zanpakutō to counteract the new poison with her own, neutralizing it. Suzumebachi ' s bankai is Jakuhō Raikōben ( 雀蜂雷公鞭 , lit. "Hornet Thunder Whip", 雷公 means thunder) . A gold artillery -type weapon with black markings, it takes

8075-487: The series progresses, Rukia is captured by the Soul Society's Soul Reaper military for giving her powers to Ichigo and sentenced to death. Ichigo and his friends journey to the Soul Society to save her and are forced to fight against many of the Court Guard Squads. Sōsuke Aizen , Gin Ichimaru , and Kaname Tōsen —the captains of squads Five, Three, and Nine respectively—eventually defect from the Soul Society at

8170-401: The series, serving under her uncle, Shunsui. Nanao's family is primarily composed of women with a Shinto priesthood lineage and a reputation that men who marry into the family, like Shunsui's brother, eventually die due to a family curse . As a child, living with elderly relatives after her mother is executed for discarding Shinken Hakkyōken in the aftermath of her father's death, Nanao joins

8265-411: The spirit of Shunsui's zanpakutō : a Feudal Japan -style mistress referred to as Katen, who creates a kunoichi offshoot named Kyōkotsu to hold Shinken Hakkyōken until Nanao eventually asks for it. He is voiced by Akio Otsuka in the Japanese version of the anime and by Steve Kramer in the English dub. Nanao Ise ( 伊勢 七緒 , Ise Nanao ) was originally the lieutenant of Squad Eight for most of

8360-530: The time of Rukia's rescue, effectively interrupting Ichigo's battles, and enact a plan to gain greater power with the Arrancar . Aizen is brought into focus as the story's main antagonist . However, in the series' final arc, the real antagonist is revealed to be Yhwach , the son of the Soul King and father of the Quincy . Bleach was first conceived from Tite Kubo's desire to draw Shinigami ("Soul Reaper" in

8455-612: The universe, Turn to ashes" in the English Dub). Ryūjin Jakka ' s bankai is Zanka no Tachi ( 残火の太刀 , lit. "Longsword of the Remnant Flame") . Upon release, all of the flames produced by Yamamoto become concentrated at the edge of the blade, which takes on the appearance of an ancient, scorched sword. Zanka no Tachi ' s heat reaches temperatures of 15,000,000 degrees, creating flame-like reiatsu around him and rendering him untouchable. Merely activating it drains all

8550-435: The use of certain words or incantations to cast spells. While many works use this method without offering an explanation for it, others do offer an explanation. Hard magic is a magic system with specific rules and regulations; a soft magic system is usually much more vague and undefined with a mysterious aspect to it. Authors introduce magic into their stories, and to their characters, in varying ways. Although there

8645-529: The word "shinigami" does not appear to be used in Japanese classical literature, and there are not many writings about them; however, going into the Edo period , the word 'shinigami' can be seen in Chikamatsu Monzaemon 's works of ningyō jōruri and classical literature that had themes on double suicides. In Hōei 3 (1706), in a performance of "Shinchuu Nimai Soushi" , concerning men and women who were invited towards death, it

8740-499: The word "shinigami" is an expression for the fleetingness of life. Other than that, in Kyōhō 5 (1720), in a performance of The Love Suicides at Amijima , there was the expression, "of one possessed by a god of death". Since the character was seller of paper, the character who confronted death wrote "paper" ( 紙 , kami ) as "god" ( 神 , kami ) , but there are also interpretations that Chikamatsu himself did not think about

8835-470: Was ignored. In the Hamamatsu area, Shizuoka Prefecture , a shinigami would possess people and lead them to mountains, seas, and railroads where people have died. In those places, the dead would have a "death turn" ( shiniban ), and as long as there is nobody to die there next, they shall never ascend even if they were given a service, and it was said that people who were alive would be invited by

8930-602: Was previously a murder incident (for example by causing the same suicide at places where people have hanged themselves before), and thus these shinigami are somewhat like a possession that would cause people to want to die. Similar to this, according to the essay of the Bakumatsu period titled "Hogo no Uragaki" , there were the itsuki that made people want to commit suicide through various means, namely hanging, as well as things told through folk religion such as gaki-tsuki and shichinin misaki . In

9025-534: Was written "the road the god of death leads towards", and in Hōei 6 (1709), in "Shinchuuha ha Koori no Sakujitsu" , a woman who was about to commit double suicide with a man said, "the fleetingness of a life lured by a god of death". It never became clear whether the man and woman came to commit double suicide due to the existence of a shinigami , or if a shinigami was given as an example for their situation of double suicide, and there are also interpretations that

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