With Bleach returning for the Howl from the Jaws of Hell Arc its time to revisit one of the most interesting questions brought up by the previous arc, the Thousand-Year Blood War Arc. Who were the original Captains of the Gotei 13? According to Yhwach, the original Gotei 13 “were defenders in name only, comprising nothing less than a brutal mob of killers, but it was for this very reason they were a force to be feared, especially because Yamamoto was a ruthlessly pragmatic leader whom would hold even his subordinates as expendable.”
While the history of the Gotei 13 remains largely unknown, we know the organization was founded by Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto over 1000 years ago. He has also been Captain-Commander of the group since its establishment. We also know the first generation of the Gotei 13 consisted of Yamamoto, Yachiru Unohana and 11 other captains, considered by some to be the strongest version of the Gotei 13. After the apparent extermination of the Quincy, the Gotei 13 underwent intense changes, mellowing out in the consequent peace. In the One Shot for the upcoming arc we find out that any Captain level Shinigami is cast into Hell after death, due to their reishi being too dense to be absorbed back into Soul Society. Most likely some of these original Captains met their demise during or after the war with the Quincy 1000 years ago and will appear during this new arc. With a little bit of research and a lot of guesswork we can identify most of the original Gotei 13 and their respective divisions.
Genryūsai
Shigekuni Yamamoto
(1st Division)
This one is obvious as Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto founded the Gotei 13 over 1000 years ago and has also been Captain-Commander of the group since its establishment. In his youth Yamamoto was a monster in terms of power. Using any means necessary to defeat his enemies, and treated his own allies as expendable pawns. While not the first Shinigami to master his Zanpakutō, it is the oldest and most powerful fire-type Zanpakutō in Soul Society. Not a lot of research was needed here.
Shikai: Ryūjin Jaka
Bankai: Zanka no Tachi
Head of the Shihōin Clan
(2nd Division)
The Shihōin Clan is one of the original Five Great Noble families of Soul Society. By tradition, the head of the Shihōin family leads the Onmitsukidō. If they manage to attain a Captain seat in the Gotei 13 they are assigned to the 2nd Division. Most likely this family tradition started with the progenitor of the Shihōin Clan and ended with Yoruichi Shihōin. We know this Shinigami was a male since Yoruichi was the first female in her clan to hold the position.
Shikai: Unkown
Bankai: Unknown
Ōetsu Nimaiya
(3rd Division)
Ōetsu Nimaiya is a member of the Royal Guard, holding the title “God of the Sword.” He holds the position of Third Officer of the Zero Division as well as “Divine General of the West.” As a member of the Royal Guard, Nimaiya is immortal and cannot die. All members of the Royal Guard were once Captains of the Gotei 13. Nimaiya is an exceptionally talented swordsmith, having created the Asauchi, the base templates for what will eventually become a Shinigami’s unique Zanpakutō. He has the greatest understanding of the Zanpakutō and is the only individual capable of reforging a broken Zanpakutō.
Shikai: Sayafushi
Bankai: Unknown
Tenjirō Kirinji
(4th Division)
Tenjirō Kirinji is a member of the Royal Guard, holding the title “Hot Spring Demon.” He holds the position of First Officer of the Zero Division as well as “Divine General of the East.” As a member of the Royal Guard, Kirinji is immortal and cannot die. All members of the Royal Guard were once Captains of the Gotei 13. Kirinji is an exceptionally talented healer, having taught Captain Retsu Unohana, who is regarded as the greatest healer in Soul Society, many of her techniques. Seeing as the 4th Division is the medical division, responsible for treating the injured, it makes sense that Kirinji was its original Captain.
Shikai: Kinpika
Bankai: Unknown
Senjumaru Shutara
(5th Division)
Senjumaru Shutara is a member of the Royal Guard, holding the title “Great Weave Guard.” She holds the position of Fourth Officer of the Zero Division as well as “Divine General of the North.” At some point, Senjumaru created the Shihakushō that all Shinigami wear, prompting her promotion to the Royal Guard. As a member of the Royal Guard, Shutara is immortal and cannot die. All members of the Royal Guard were once Captains of the Gotei 13. Senjumaru has masterful skill and proficiency when it comes to sewing. She created the Ōken Clothing, special clothing designed to let the wearer safely return to the Seireitei from the Soul King Palace. Using her needle she can alter an entire outfit within a matter of seconds without her enemy being aware that she did anything at all. Her Zanpakutō is most likely her giant sewing needle.
Shikai: Unknown
Bankai: Unknown
Ginrei Kuchiki
(6th Division)
The Kuchiki Clan is one of the original Five Great Noble families of Soul Society. Over 100 years ago, Ginrei was the captain of the 6th Division and the 27th Head of the Kuchiki Clan until being succeeded by Byakuya in both positions. He looks around the same age as Yamamoto meaning he could have easily been a member of the original Gotei 13.
Shikai: Unknown
Bankai: Unknown
Komamura Clan Elder
(7th Division)
This giant white wolf is the great-grandfather of Captain Sajin Komamura. He is not fond of Soul Society and believes his kind should not be concerned with their affairs. He has a prominent scar on the top of his head, approaching his partially missing left ear. Wounds most likely gained during the battle with the Quincy 1000 years ago. This could also be around the same time he used their family’s secret Humanification technique after which he would have lost the ability to remain a Captain.
Shikai: Unknown
Bankai: Unknown
Unknown
(8th Division)
While it is nearly impossible to figure out every member of the original Gotei 13. A few unknown members are visible standing with Yamamoto and Unohana in Yhwach’s flashback from the battle over 1000 years. These Captains are visibly male, probably deceased, and will be featured in the upcoming Howl from the Jaws of Hell Arc.
Shikai: Unknown
Bankai: Unknown
Ichibē Hyōsube
(9th Division)
Ichibē Hyōsube is the leader of the Royal Guard, holding the title “Monk Who Calls the Real Name.” As a member of the Royal Guard, Hyōsube is immortal and cannot die. All members of the Royal Guard were once Captains of the Gotei 13. Ichibē was the person who first chose the names for everything in Soul Society, including Zanpakutō, Shikai, and Bankai. Due to this unique skill, Ichibē also knows the names of every Zanpakutō from the time they are handed to a Shinigami as Asauchi. At some point in the past, Ichibē became the first Shinigami whose Zanpakutō gained an evolved form, which was known as Shin’uchi. Traditionally, the 9th Division has overseen arts and culture which fit well with Ichibē’s artistic Zanpakutō.
Shikai: Ichimonji
Shin’uchi: Shirafude Ichimonji
Head of the Shiba Clan
(10th Division)
The Shiba Clan is one of the original Five Great Noble families of Soul Society. The Shiba Clan fell from its high status after the death of its most prominent member, the former lieutenant of the 13th Division, Kaien Shiba Another prominent member of the Shiba Clan, Isshin Shiba was the former captain of the 10th Division.
Shikai: Unknown
Bankai: Unknown
Yachiru Unohana
(11th Division)
At some point, Yamamoto sought out Yachiru Unohana, the most diabolical criminal of Soul Society and a master swordswoman, to join the Gotei 13 as one of the founding captains. Unohana laid the foundations of the 11th Division and became its first captain, making her the first Kenpachi. At some point in the past, Unohana was taught medical techniques by Tenjirō Kirinji and later became Captain of the 4th Division after Kirinji was promoted to the Royal Guard.
Shikai: Minazuki
Bankai: Minazuki
Kirio Hikifune
(12th Division)
Kirio Hikifune is a member of the Royal Guard, holding the title “Ruler of Grain.” She holds the position of Second Officer of the Zero Division as well as “Divine General of the South.” At some point, Kirio invented the Artificial soul, prompting her promotion to the Royal Guard. As a member of the Royal Guard, Hikifune is immortal and cannot die. All members of the Royal Guard were once Captains of the Gotei 13 with Hikifune hailing from the 12th Division. Kirio is also a master chef augmenting any food she makes which then empowers anyone who eats it. Her Zanpakutō is most likely her giant Wok Chuan.
Shikai: Unknown
Bankai: Unknown
Unknown
(13th Division)
While it is nearly impossible to figure out every member of the original Gotei 13. A few unknown members are visible standing with Yamamoto and Unohana in Yhwach’s flashback from the battle over 1000 years. These Captains are visibly male, probably deceased, and will be featured in the upcoming Howl from the Jaws of Hell Arc.
Shikai: Unknown
Bankai: Unknown
There you have it! Hopefully, I am mostly right with my choices here as Kubo hasn’t given much information on the original Gotei 13. It would be great to get more information on this group along with a proper ending to Bleach with the upcoming Howl from the Jaws of Hell Arc and maybe some connections to the spin-off Burn the Witch!
Are you excited for the upcoming Howl from the Jaws of Hell Arc? What do you think of my list? Do you think we will see the former Captains escape Hell? Leave your comments below!