All Gotei 13 Captains in Bleach (+ Their Powers)

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Anime expert Preston Hargrove explains who the most powerful Gotei 13 captains are

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IN THIS ARTICLE

1 Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto

2 Kenpachi Zaraki

3 Sousuke Aizen

4 Retsu Unohana

5 Kisuke Urahara

6 Shunsui Kyoraku

7 Byakuya Kuchiki

8 Toshiro Hitsugaya

9 Mayuri Kurotsuchi

10 Yoruichi Shihoin

11 Rukia Kuchiki

12 Shinji Hirako

13 Gin Ichimaru

14 Kaname Tosen

15 Kensei Muguruma

16 Jushiro Ukitake

17 Sui-Feng

18 Rojuro Otoribashi

19 Sajin Komamura

20 Love Aikawa

21 Tetsuzaemon Iba

22 Isane Kotetsu

23 Lisa Yadomaru

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Co-authored by Preston Hargrove and Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: August 31, 2026 Fact Checked

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The Gotei 13 is the military defense organization of the Soul Society. It’s comprised of 13 different divisions, each led by a different captain. And while each captain is powerful in their own right, some are definitely stronger than others. We interviewed anime experts to compile a list of all the former and current Gotei 13 captains, ranked from most to least powerful. Keep reading to see where your favorite character lands.

Who are the Gotei 13 captains in Bleach?

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Anime expert Preston Hargrove says Yamamoto is the head captain of the Gotei 13 at the beginning of Bleach. He leads the 1st Division and is in charge of the captains of all the other divisions. There are 13 Divisions, each led by a captain who helps defend both the human and spirit realms from evil spirits.

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1

Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto

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1. 
   At the beginning of the series, “Yamamoto is the head captain of the Gotei 13,” says Hargrove. Each of his abilities is “more powerful than the next,” and he’s incredibly overpowered. He ruled the group for over 1000 years and was the best hand-to-hand fighter and swordsman in the entire Soul Society. Yamamoto died during the Thousand-Year Blood War arc after exhausting his powers and using his ultimate Bankai. He was replaced by Shunsui Kyoraku.

   • Title: Former Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, former 1st Division Captain
   • Zanpakuto Name: Ryujin Jakka
   • Bankai: Zanka no Tachi
   • Strongest Ability: Zanka No Tachi, Kita: Tenchi Kaijin

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Preston Hargrove is an anime expert based in Charlotte, NC. He has over 20 years of experience with anime culture and creates anime content online.

   Mel Mascarenhas is an anime and manga expert based in New Jersey. She has been watching anime for nearly 30 years and reading manga for nearly 10 years. She shares anime recommendations and analyses online as @AniMel.
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2

Kenpachi Zaraki

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1. 
   Kenpachi Zaraki is the current 11th Division Captain and the holder of the Kenpachi title. He’s the strongest Soul Reaper in the Soul Society. He’s so powerful that he actually decreases his strength so he doesn’t defeat his enemies too quickly. He loves the thrill of the fight, and he’s known to be aggressive and violent.

   • Title: 11th Division Captain
   • Zanpakuto Name: Nozarashi
   • Bankai: Unnamed
   • Strongest Ability: Bankai Transformation

3

Sousuke Aizen

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1. 
   Sousuke Aizen is the main antagonist in Bleach, but before he betrayed everyone, he was the 5th Division Captain. Even though his Bankai was never revealed, he was still one of the strongest characters. When the Hogyoku was created, he even briefly became something close to the Soul King. Shinji Hirako replaced him as captain.

   • Title: Former 5th Division Captain
   • Zanpakuto Name: Kyoka Suigetsu
   • Bankai: Not shown
   • Strongest Ability: Kanzen Saimin
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4

Retsu Unohana

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1. 
   Retsu Unohana was the Soul Society’s best healer and one of the most experienced captains in the Gotei 13. She was hand-picked to be the first 11th Division Captain and later served as the 4th Division Captain. Retsu was so powerful that she defeated her enemies quickly, then learned how to heal them just so she could fight them again. She died in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc and was replaced as 4th Division Captain by Isane Kotetsu.

   • Title: Former 4th Division Captain, former 11th Division Captain
   • Zanpakuto Name: Minazuki
   • Bankai: Minazuki
   • Strongest Ability: Minazuki

5

Kisuke Urahara

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1. 
   When viewers first meet Kisuke Urahara, he’s the laid-back owner of a convenience store, which makes his reveal as the former 12th Division Captain even more surprising. Kisuke is highly intelligent. He founded the Soul Society’s Shinigami Research and Development Institute and has mastered both science and spiritual power. He even created a seal that was powerful enough to trap Aizen. After being framed and exiled, he was replaced as captain by Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

   • Title: Former 12th Division Captain
   • Zanpakuto Name:
   • Bankai: Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame
   • Strongest Ability: Benihime
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6

Shunsui Kyoraku

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1. 
   Shunsui Kyoraku was one of Yamamoto’s favorite students. He’s quick, strong, and skilled in combat, and he’s the only Soul Reaper who can use two swords at once. He can defeat opponents without releasing his Zanpakuto. It’s no surprise he took over as Captain of the 1st Division and as Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13.

   • Title: Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, 1st Division Captain, former 8th Division Captain.
   • Zanpakuto Name: Katen Kyokotsu
   • Bankai: Katen Kyokotsu: Karamatsu Shinju
   • Strongest Ability: Shime No Dan: Itokiribasami Chizome No Nodobue

7

Byakuya Kuchiki

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1. 
   The 6th Division Captain, Byakuya Kuchiki, comes from a long line of Soul Reapers. He was trained by Yoruichi Shihouin in swordsmanship and shunpo, making him a tough opponent to beat. Anime and manga expert Mel Mascarenhas explains that when he enters his Shikai or Bankai mode, his sword turns into sakura petals, which in turn become mini swords he can control at will. He’s a fearsome member of the Gotei 13, and his Zanpakuto only makes him more powerful.

   • Title: 6th Division Captain
   • Zanpakuto Name: Senbonzakura
   • Bankai: Senbonzakura Kageyoshi
   • Strongest Ability: Shukei: Hakuteiken
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8

Toshiro Hitsugaya

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1. 
   Toshiro Hitsugaya is the youngest captain in the Gotei 13, but that doesn’t mean he’s the weakest. He constantly trains to improve his skills, and he can hold his own against the other captains without using his Zanpakuto, which is one of the strongest in the Soul Society. Mascarenhas adds that Toshiro’s Bankai allows him to age up and become stronger, but he intentionally keeps himself young.

   • Title: 10th Division Captain
   • Zanpakuto Name: Hyorinmaru
   • Bankai: Daiguren Hyorinmaru
   • Strongest Ability: Shikai Hyoketsu

9

Mayuri Kurotsuchi

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1. 
   Mascarenhas says that Mayuri is the captain of the 12th Division and a bit of a mad scientist: “His Bankai is really powerful because he can experiment on it to do a multitude of things.” Much of his strength lies in his intelligence. He also has a powerful Zanpakuto, but he doesn’t participate in combat often. The rest of the Gotei 13 fear him because of the terrifying experiments he does on his opponents. He replaced Kisuke Urahara as captain.

   • Title: 12th Division Captain
   • Zanpakuto Name: Ashisogi Jizo
   • Bankai: Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo
   • Strongest Ability: Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo: Matai Fukuin Shota
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10

Yoruichi Shihoin

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1. 
   Yoruichi Shihoin was once the captain of the 2nd Division and the head of the Stealth Force, who left it all behind to live in the world of humans. While she isn’t physically powerful compared to the other captains, she’s incredibly clever and a master of hand-to-hand combat. Her Zanpakuto and Bankai were never revealed, but her Shunko allows her to wrap her body in lightning. She was later replaced as captain by Sui-Feng.

   • Title: Former 2nd Division Captain
   • Zanpakuto Name: Unknown
   • Bankai: Not shown
   • Strongest Ability: Shunko

11

Rukia Kuchiki

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1. 
   Rukia may seem like a damsel in distress at first, but her skills drastically improve throughout the series. Her Bankai is so powerful that she must concentrate properly or she’ll succumb to its effects. By the time the series ends, it’s clear why she was chosen to replace Jushiro Ukitake as 13th Division Captain.

   • Title: 13th Division Captain
   • Zanpakuto Name: Sode no Shirayuki
   • Bankai: Hakka No Togame
   • Strongest Ability: Hakka No Togame
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12

Shinji Hirako

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1. 
   Shinji Hirako was reinstated as 5th Division Captain following his exile. While Shinji isn’t known for being physically strong, he’s an exceptionally skilled swordsman. He’s also intelligent and capable of outwitting his opponents; his Zanpakuto also allows him to confuse his enemies’ sense of direction. As a Vizored, he’s more powerful than many captains, but is still far from the strongest. He’s pretty easy-going and loves annoying his peers.

   • Title: 5th Division Captain
   • Zanpakuto Name: Sakanade
   • Bankai: Sakashima Yokoshima Happofusagari
   • Strongest Ability: Sakashima Yokoshima Happofusagari

13

Gin Ichimaru

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1. 
   Gin Ichimaru was always smiling, but don’t let his happy-go-lucky exterior fool you—he was actually extremely powerful. Gin was believed to be one of Aizen’s top lieutenants, but he was later revealed to be a double agent who planned on killing him. His believable manipulation skills were what made him so dangerous. He died in the Fake Karakura Town arc and was replaced as captain by Rojuro Otoribashi.

   • Title: Former 3rd Division Captain
   • Zanpakuto Name: Shinso
   • Bankai: Kamishini No Yari
   • Strongest Ability: Kamishini No Yari
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14

Kaname Tosen

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1. 
   Kaname Tosen was a major antagonist and the former 9th Division captain. He was a pacifist who wanted to avoid conflict as much as possible, and yet he chose to follow Aizen, who killed thousands of people for his experiments. But despite his pacifist views, Kaname was skilled in swordfighting and hand-to-hand combat. He could also use Kido Spells without incantations. He was replaced as captain by Kensei Muguruma and died during the Fake Karakura Town arc.

   • Title: Former 9th Division Captain
   • Zanpakuto Name: Suzumushi
   • Bankai: Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Korogi
   • Strongest Ability: Suzumushi

15

Kensei Muguruma

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1. 
   Kensei was exiled after being tricked by Aizen Sosuke, but was reinstated as 9th Division Captain following the final battle against Sosuke. He’s physically strong, which makes him an excellent close-combat fighter. His Shikai allows him to shoot blades of air at his enemies. Kensei is very serious and therefore easily annoyed by his peers’ immaturity.

   • Title: 9th Division Captain
   • Zanpakuto Name: Tachikaze
   • Bankai: Tekken Tachikaze
   • Strongest Ability: Hollowfication and Tekken Tachikaze
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16

Jushiro Ukitake

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1. 
   Jushiro Ukitake was a highly respected, kind-hearted captain. He trained under Captain Commander, so he was an incredibly skilled swordsman. However, he was also ill, which made him weaker than the other captains. He died during the Thousand-Year Blood War arc and was replaced as captain by Rukia Kuchiki.

   • Title: Former 13th Division Captain
   • Zanpakuto Name: Sogyo no Kotowari
   • Bankai: Not shown
   • Strongest Ability: Shikai Techniques

17

Sui-Feng

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1. 
   In addition to being the 2nd Division Captain, Sui-Feng is also the leader of the Stealth Force, having replaced Yoruichi. She’s one of the fastest captains and is a skilled fighter, but she’s impatient and often lets her emotions get the better of her, leading her to make mistakes in combat. Her Zanpakuto allows her to mark opponents so that if they’re struck in the same place twice, they’ll die. Sui-Feng is incredibly loyal and firm in her beliefs.

   • Title: 2nd Division Captain
   • Zanpakuto Name: Suzumebachi
   • Bankai: Jakuho Raikoben
   • Strongest Ability: Mukyu Shunko and Jakuho Raikoben
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18

Rojuro Otoribashi

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1. 
   Rojuro was exiled after being tricked by Aizen Sosuke, but he was later reinstated as captain of the 3rd Division. He’s an incredibly strong and graceful fighter, but he hates combat and tries to avoid it. He loves music and can create illusions from it, allowing him to trap and hurt enemies.

   • Title: 3rd Division Captain
   • Zanpakuto Name: Kinshara
   • Bankai: Kinshara Butodan
   • Strongest Ability: Prometheus

19

Sajin Komamura

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1. 
   Sajin Komamura is an anthropomorphic wolf who hides behind a bamboo helmet. He’s pretty mysterious, and not much is known about him. While he’s a capable captain, he’s not as physically strong as many of the other captains, and his Zanpakuto, which creates phantasmal strikes that copy his moves, was defeated throughout the series. While he looks imposing, he has a heart of gold. Komamura replaced Love Aikawa as 7th Division Captain, and when he stepped down, Tetsuzaemon Iba took over.

   • Title: Former 7th Division Captain
   • Zanpakuto Name: Tenken
   • Bankai: Kokujo Tengen Myo
   • Strongest Ability: Humanization Technique
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20

Love Aikawa

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1. 
   Love Aikawa was 7th Division Captain until he was Hollowfied due to Aizen’s experiments. While he was powerful enough to become captain, he didn’t display any notable combat skills throughout the series, at least compared to the other captains. He was replaced by Sajin Komamura as captain.

   • Title: Former 7th Division Captain
   • Zanpakuto Name: Tengumaru
   • Bankai: Not shown
   • Strongest Ability: Hifuki No Kozuchi

21

Tetsuzaemon Iba

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1. 
   After Sajin Komamura permanently transformed into a wolf, Tetsuzaemon Iba took over as 7th Division Captain. While Iba is a skilled fighter, the series treated him as an afterthought—his Bankai was never even revealed. Because of that, little is known about his abilities.

   • Title: 7th Division Captain
   • Zanpakuto Name: Unknown
   • Bankai: Not shown
   • Strongest Ability: Shikai Command
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22

Isane Kotetsu

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1. 
   Isane Kotetsu took over as 4th Division captain after Retsu Unohana, which means she has big shoes to fill. Isane possesses great leadership skills, but she hasn’t really proven herself in battle. She is, however, a powerful healer, making her an important asset to the team. Her Zanpakuto allows her to release two small blades from her sword’s guard, which allows her to catch opponents’ swords.

   • Title: 4th Division Captain
   • Zanpakuto Name: Itegumo
   • Bankai: Not shown
   • Strongest Ability: Itegumo

23

Lisa Yadomaru

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1. 
   Lisa Yadomaru became the 8th Division Captain after the main story of Bleach ended, so while she is not definitively the weakest captain, there’s little known about her abilities as captain. Her Bankai is never shown, and she has few on-screen solo victories compared to other captains. Still, there’s a reason she became captain after Shunsui Kyoraku—she’s incredibly quick and skilled in both swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat. She’s also one of the few Soul Reapers who are ambidextrous.

   • Title: 8th Division Captain
   • Zanpakuto Name: Haguro Tonbo
   • Bankai: Not shown
   • Strongest Ability: Niju Ichijo Tonbokudari and Hollowfication
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