Bleach is a shonen anime that focuses on a different tale of life in the afterlife, the battle between soul reapers and hollows. Soul reapers are trained and commanded by the Gotei 13 Captains who protect the Soul Society and maintain the balance of life and death. Here’s the ranking of the strongest Gotei 13 current and former captains in the Soul Society.
1. Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto - Commander Captain of Gotei 13
Captain Commander Yamaji is the stronger leader among the Gotei 13 squad in the Soul Society and a former captain of the 1st division. He has ruled over the leaders of Gotei 13 for over 1000 years, showing his ability and power in Bleach.
His Zanpakuto, “Ryujin Jakka” and bankai “Zanka no Tachi” are the strongest powers among the soul reapers. Even Yhwach fears his power and claims he was the biggest hindrance in acquiring power over soul society and soul society for several decades. Not only was he the strongest, but he also created many of the strongest pupils to protect the Soul Society. His fight with Espadas was the little showdown of his powers to the viewers where he splits Ayon and sets up a fake town with his “Jokaku Enjo” to trap the traitors of Soul Society- Aizen, Gin, and Tosen.
Zanpakuto Name – Ryujin Jakka
Bankai – Zanka no Tachi
Squad – 1st division
Lieutenant – Chojiro Sasakibe
Force – General Oversight
2. Kenpachi Zaraki
Zaraki holds the title of “Kenpachi” currently after defeating Unohana in a daring battle. He is the strongest Gotei 13 captain even without using his bankai and loves to fight with the strongest, without the fear of death.
His strongest will to fight was shown in several battles of bleach with Tosen and Komamura, Ichigo, Espada, and Quincy soldiers in Bleach Thousand Year Blood War.
Zanpakuto Name – Nozarashi
Bankai – Unnamed
Squad – 11th division
Lieutenant – Yachiru Kusajishi
Force – Combat with Swordsmanship
3. Aizen Sosuke
Aizen’s character reveal was the best-written betrayal storyline that no one expected, he was shown as a calm captain and revealed to be a deadly traitor to Soul Society. Ichigo fighting with Aizen in the rescue arc is the prime revelation of Aizen’s power.
With his delusional powers of Kyokosuigetsu, he faked the soul of society and did everything according to his plans. Aizen easily defeated the King of Hueco Mundo, Barragan, and his hollow minion and captured Las Noches. The extreme showoff of his power is revealed when Yhwach, the Quincy King asks the help of Aizen for destroying Soul Society.
Zanpakuto Name – Kyoka Suigetsu
Bankai – Unnamed
Squad – 5th division
Lieutenant – Momo Hinamori
Force – Defense force
4. Retsu Unohana
Known as Yachiru Unohana in her earlier days, she was the most violent and cold-hearted serial killer who ever existed in the Soul Society. Captain Yamamoto made her the co-founder of Gotei 13 as she had brutal strength, and everyone feared her as she was the first ‘Kenpachi.’
She was the only member alive of the original Gotei 13 leaders under Yamamoto who Yhwach even feared as they were the deadly killers in the past story of Bleach. Retsu Unohana after changing her position served as the leader of the Medical team as she had great ways to heal others.
Zanpakuto Name – Minazuki
Bankai – Minazuki
Squad – 4th division
Lieutenant – Isane Kotetsu
Force – Medical
5. Shunsui Kyoraku
Kyoraku was trained by the Commander of Gotei 13, Yamamoto, and he was his favorite pupil as they both shared the bond of a chaotic father and son. He is the strongest swordsman currently in Soul Society with the capability of fighting with two swords.
His battle with Espada shows his true strength, however, the exciting fact is that he never fought with his full strength and used his bankai still. His Bankai and full strength have the power to destroy everyone and everything surrounding the area he fights. After the death of Yamamaji, no one ever thought of another captain commander other than Kyoraku.
Zanpakuto Name – Katen Kyokotsu
Bankai – Katen Kyokotsu – Karamatsu Shinju
Squad – Former 8th division, 2nd Captain Commander and 1st division captain
Lieutenant – Nanao Ise, Lisa Yadomaru
6. Kuchiki Byakuya
Byakuya comes from the most powerful clan, Kuchiki in the history of Soul Society and he is currently the 28th clan leader of Kuchiki Clan. Yoruichi Shihoin trained him for his speed and swordsmanship. He was one of the strongest captains of Soul Society, feared by everyone and looked upon by Ichigo. Byakuya’s bankai is the most beautiful in the soul society.
Zanpakuto Name – Senbonzakura
Bankai – Senbonzakura Kageyoshi
Squad – 6th division captain
Lieutenant – Abarai Renji
7. Jushiro Ukitake
Ukitake is another pupil trained by Yamaji and like a sworn brother to Kyoraku. Ukitake is the most respected captain in the Soul Society for his calm and well-mannered approach. Even after being ill he always looked after his squad and trained Rukia to be strong. Unlike Kyoraku, Jushiro is also a swordsman who can use two swords to fight his enemies.
Zanpakuto Name – Sogyo No Kotowari
Bankai – Not revealed
Squad – 13th division captain (Former)
Lieutenant – Kaien Shiba, Kiyone Kotetsu, Sentaro Kotsubaki, Rukia Kuchiki
8. Hirako Shinji
Shinji used to be captain of the 5th division of soul reapers until he was involved in Aizen’s operation and joined himself under Vizoreds, who have the power of hollows and a way to control. Hirako joined hands with Soul Society in the battle against Aizen and Esapadas, and his great contribution in this battle brought him the chance to become the Gotei 13 captain again.
Shinji’s bankai is so powerful that it is banned in the soul society, as his bankai let kill each other through manipulation without mercy, which was shown in the Bleach Thousand Year Blood War arc.
Zanpakuto Name – Sakanade
Bankai – Sakashima Yokoshima Happofusagiri
Squad – 5th division captain
Lieutenant – Aizen Sosuke, Momo Hinamori
9. Toshiro Hitsugaya
Hitsugaya is the youngest captain of Gotei 13 and the one to attain Bankai at such a young age. His Zanpakuto Hyorinmaru was considered as a form of god and his bankai is the strongest one that can counter with Yamamoto’s Ryujin Jakka. He has great ability in Kido and Shunpo that makes him to stand against most strongest attacks.
Zanpakuto Name – Hyorinmaru
Bankai – Daiguren Hyorinmaru
Squad – 10th division captain
Lieutenant – Rangiku Matsumoto
10. Mayuri Kurotsuchi
Mayuri is often seen as the not-so-strong captain of Gotei 13 but he has the strongest ability to fight with his scientific knowledge. His abilities were identified by Urahara who later became the head of the scientific research department. He is feared for his dangerous experiments and he uses dead and powerful people for his research.
Zanpakuto Name – Ashisogi Jizo
Bankai – Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo
Squad – 12th division captain
Lieutenant – Nemu
11. Rukia Kuchiki
Being introduced as a pivotal character, she was shown as weak in the early episodes of Bleach but turned into the strongest figure in the Soul Society and became the Captain of Gotei 13. Her Zanpakuto is the most beautiful sword ever and her Bankai is a dangerous one for the enemies and the user as it kills her if she doesn’t focus on her sword’s move.
Zanpakuto Name – Sode no Shirayuki
Bankai – Hakka no Togame
Squad – 13th division captain
12. Sui Feng
After Yoruichi leaves the Soul Society, Sui Feng takes over as the captain of the 2nd division and becomes the head of the stealth force that controls every squad division. More than combat skills, she is known for her speed and the lack of patience in the battle makes her move effectless. Her bankai is also considered dangerous but once used after the strongest opponent the effect will be reduced the next time.
Zanpakuto Name – Suzumebachi
Bankai – Jakuho Raikoben
Squad – 2nd division captain
Lieutenant – Marechiyo Omaeda
13. Rojuro Otaribashi
Famously known as “Rose” he was also affected by Aizen’s experiment and exiled from Soul Society and joined under Shinji as “Visored.” His fight with Aizen regained him the Gotei 13 Captain title. His fighting skills are unique as he uses music to create illusions and kill people.
Zanpakuto Name – Kinshara
Bankai – Kinshara Butodan
Squad – 3rd division captain
Lieutenant – Izuru Kiba
14. Sajin Komamura
Komamura appears to be a man who covers his face as he looks like a wolf. Humiliated by many people for his appearance Sajin greatly admired Yamaji and devoted his life to him till his death. In TYBW, he transforms into a human by pulling his heart out of his chest. He delivers his strongest ability in his battle with Quincy soldiers.
Zanpakuto Name – Tenken
Bankai – Kokujo Tengen Myo
Squad – 7th division captain
Lieutenant – Tetsuzaemon Iba
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