Sosuke Aizen

Name: Sosuke Aizen Age: unknown, 300+ Aizen is immortal Gender: Male Height: 6'1 Weight: 74 kg

[Appearance: When he was a member of the Gotei 13, Aizen appeared as a mild-featured man with brown scholarly hair enhanced by square glasses, along with soft brown eyes. He wore the standard Shinigami shihakushō with a captain's haori. During his ascent to Hueco Mundo, he removed his glasses and swept his hand through his hair, revealing menacing eyes and a very different hairstyle; his hair is now swept back, with a strand hanging down his face. In Hueco Mundo, Aizen initially wears Arrancar style-clothes over his shihakushō.]

[Personality: Aizen is a polite, soft-spoken intellectual, often addressing his subordinates by their given names. He rarely shows any sign of alarm or distress, and often has entire situations planned out well in advance. Whenever confronted, Aizen is casual and uncaring, attempting to draw out a conversation and make small talk, which often infuriates those he is talking to. Aizen initially appeared to be a very kind, well-respected captain and was looked up to by many, especially his lieutenant, Momo Hinamori. However, this was just a mask to disguise his dangerously manipulative nature. In truth, he cares very little for his underlings, and is willing to use almost everyone around him as pawns to achieve his goals. He is willing to stop at nothing to further his ambitions, including manipulating or killing anyone if he deems it necessary. He frequently toys with his underlings for amusement. During his time as a captain, Aizen liked tofu, but he disliked boiled eggs. In his free time, he often read, and he gave a special lecture of calligraphy at the Shin'ō Academy because he excelled in this branch of arts. This optional course was immensely popular among the Shinigami students, and many of them felt great sorrow at Aizen's sudden departure. As the commander of his army of Arrancar, Aizen controls his minions through acquired respect or fear. Ulquiorra Cifer revealed to Orihime Inoue that they are all there to further Aizen's ambitions. Aizen keeps more rowdy individuals like Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez in line through intimidation and mind games. The Arrancar Aisslinger Wernarr claims the Arrancar follow him because he has no fear, something which beings born from fear and despair find inspiring. Gin Ichimaru has some sense of Aizen's emotions and feelings, correctly pointing out Aizen was enjoying the invasion by Ichigo and his friends and their successes within Las Noches, which Aizen himself confirmed, and noting Aizen was surprised by the arrival of Momo during the battle of Fake Karakura Town. In contrast, Kaname Tōsen has shown no such understanding, and has fallen victim to one of Aizen's more minor mind games when Aizen subtly manipulated him into punishing Grimmjow for him while Aizen himself kept up his appearance of benevolence. Aizen's true objective was to overthrow the king of Soul Society. As he and his fellow traitor captains were departing from the Soul Society, he told 13th Division Captain Jūshirō Ukitake "no one has stood on the top of the world", not even the gods, but he aspires to "stand on the heavens and end the unbearable vacancy on the world's throne".]

[History: At an unknown point in the past, Aizen became part of the 5th Division under Captain Shinji Hirako. He invested himself in the research and creation of the Hōgyoku even before Kisuke Urahara. To this end, he sacrificed hundreds of Shinigami and hundreds of Rukongai citizens who bore Shinigami talents to his own Hōgyoku, but it was not satisfied with this. At one point, a young Gin Ichimaru watched Aizen meet with three other Shinigami who were kneeling before him. One of the Shinigami handed Aizen the Hōgyoku, prompting Aizen to put the orb in a glass and hand it back to the Shinigami. Aizen and his subordinates left an unconscious Rangiku Matsumoto a short distance away. Aizen eventually caught Shinji's attention, and was promoted to a lieutenant in order for Shinji to watch over him closely, but Shinji's action only helped further the realization of his plans. 110 years ago, Aizen made his way to the 5th Division living quarters of his captain. He and Shinji discussed style and trends before they made their way to the promotion ceremony being held at the 1st Division headquarters. As they got there, he witnessed 12th Division Lieutenant Hiyori Sarugaki attack his captain, and watched as the two got into a childish argument. He followed behind while the other captains congregated and had a brief discussion on the status of the Gotei 13. Overhearing 8th Division Captain Shunsui Kyōraku mention that the previous captain of the 12th Division was promoted, Aizen interrupted and asked Shunsui what he meant by this. When Aizen initially conjectured that the promotion was to Central 46, Shunsui explained it had nothing to do with the Central 46 and revealed the previous 12th Division captain, Kirio Hikifune, had been accepted into the Royal Guard, shocking Aizen. The following night, after Urahara's appointment as the new captain of the 12th Division, Shinji had a short talk with him about his new role as captain. While leaving, Shinji revealed Aizen, who had been concealed behind camouflage. Complimenting his captain, Aizen asked Shinji when he sensed him there. Stating he had known ever since Aizen was in his mother's womb, Shinji ordered Aizen to follow. Noting his disapproval, Aizen commented on how scary a person Shinji was, prompting Shinji to say that Aizen was the scary one. The next night, Aizen saw Gin killing the 3rd Seat of their division. Informing Gin he was impressed by his skill, Aizen asked him how he found the fight, prompting Gin to state he found it pathetic. 9 years later, Shinji and Aizen were walking around the Seireitei when they came across Urahara, Hiyori, and 12th Division 3rd Seat Mayuri Kurotsuchi. While Shinji once again engaged in a childish fight and argument with Hiyori, Aizen asked Urahara if he had heard the news. When Urahara told Aizen he had not, Shinji told Urahara about the series of strange deaths which had taken place in Rukongai and informed him the 9th Division had been sent to handle the investigation. With the disappearance of the 9th Division, Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto called an emergency meeting and assembled a team to investigate. After coming into contact with Hollowfied 9th Division members, the investigation team was dispatched by an unseen assailant. While the investigation team was still out searching, Shunsui and some other Shinigami on guard saw someone whom they believed to be Aizen. It was later revealed 9th Division 5th Seat Kaname Tōsen was behind the betrayal of the 9th Division, having stabbed Kensei Muguruma in the back and killed Heizō Kasaki, Shinobu Eishima, and Tōdō Izaemon, who had accompanied Kensei. He subsequently subdued the team sent to locate the missing 9th Division members using his Bankai. When an injured Shinji asked Tōsen why he betrayed his captain, he was surprised to be answered by Aizen, who stated Tōsen did not betray anyone and faithfully followed his orders. When Shinji admitted he was not as surprised as he seemed to be, Aizen asked Shinji if he suspected him and stated that he had expected this much from his captain. Explaining how he had known something was dangerous about Aizen and he could not be trusted, Shinji said he chose Aizen to be his lieutenant so he could keep an eye on him, prompting Aizen to state that he was grateful because Shinji did not suspect a thing due to his deep-seated doubts. When Shinji said he already made it known he had suspected him, Aizen reveals Shinji did not realize Aizen was not the one walking behind him for the past month. Explaining the power of his Zanpakutō, Kyōka Suigetsu, Aizen informed Shinji he would have been able to see through Aizen's deception by picking up on subtle differences between Aizen himself and Aizen's double if he was as close to Aizen as other captains were to their lieutenants, but it was his lack of trust which kept them from getting close and allowed Aizen to fool Shinji. Stating he could have always refused to be Shinji's lieutenant, Aizen revealed he decided against this action because his captain's skepticism made the position ideal to carry out his plans. When Aizen stated Shinji was to blame for his current predicament and his comrades' plight, Shinji was provoked by this, triggering a speed-up in the Hollowfication process. Thanking Shinji for being so easily provoked, Aizen noted the observed connection between Hollowfication and agitated emotions. Ordering Tōsen to cut down 12th Division Lieutenant Hiyori Sarugaki, Aizen thanked Shinji for helping him and raised his blade overhead in preparation to cut Shinji down, only to be attacked by Urahara, who cut Aizen's lieutenant badge off. Aizen and Urahara had a brief discussion about what was transpiring, with Aizen acting innocent at first until Urahara noted the investigation team did not have simple injuries, but were in fact undergoing Hollowfication. Commending Urahara on his deduction, Aizen revealed himself to be behind the disappearances in the Rukongai. Leaving the scene of the crime with Gin and Tōsen, Aizen said that there was nothing more to do there. When Tessai fired Hadō #88. Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō at them, Aizen blocked it with Bakudō #81. Dankū, allowing them to escape. At some point after the Hollowfication incident, Aizen became captain of the 5th Division, and eventually revealed to Gin the secret to avoiding the complete hypnosis of Kyōka Suigetsu. He later made Gin his lieutenant. Continuing to experiment on Hollows to transform them into Shinigami, Aizen created Hollows which were close to Shinigami, such as Metastacia, and Menos capable of concealing their Reiatsu. While testing out this breed of Menos, Aizen and Gin saved the then first year academy students Momo Hinamori, Izuru Kira, and Renji Abarai from them. With his interest piqued by them, Aizen realized their potential and took them all into his division. While the obedient and loyal Izuru and Momo became the lieutenants of the 3rd and 5th Divisions under Gin and Aizen, respectively, Renji proved to be too rebellious and was transferred to the 11th Division, later transferring to the 6th Division to become its lieutenant. Gin and Tōsen later became captains of the 3rd and 9th Divisions, respectively, but remained loyal only to Aizen. According to Aizen, even when Momo was his lieutenant, he always thought of Gin as his subordinate. At some point during their captaincy, Aizen, Gin, and Tōsen secretly visited Baraggan Louisenbairn, King of Hueco Mundo and Lord of Las Noches. He and Baraggan engaged in a light conversation, with Aizen asking Baraggan to look at his Zanpakutō. When Aizen asked Baraggan if he was happy in his position and if he would join him in a new world where he would be granted more power, Baraggan dismissed this notion and stated there was no power higher than his. Releasing his Shikai, Aizen showed Baraggan the decimation of his army, thus subjugating him in turn. This created great enmity between Aizen and Baraggan, who promised to seek Aizen's destruction for all eternity. Sometime after the Hollowfication Incident and during his and Isshin Shiba's time as captains, he, Gin, and Tōsen were still working on their Hollowfication experiments and attempting to locate Shinji's group. He told his co-conspirators to remain patient and reassured them everything would go as planned. Soon after this, Aizen and his two comrades watched the fight between Isshin and one of their Hollow creations on a monitor, with Aizen wondering why Isshin was present in Naruki City. When Tōsen stated Isshin did not report that he was going and Gin said this could cause them immense trouble, Aizen, intrigued by this interesting turn of events, referred to Isshin's arrival as an unexpected harvest and asked if it was possible for him to watch the battle at a closer distance. Later, when he arrives at the scene of the battle with Gin and Tōsen, the three of them wearing Reiatsu-concealing cloaks, Aizen cut down Isshin from behind. Commenting on the quality of Urahara's cloak and how simply kneading Kidō into it will let the wearer blend into the air, Aizen prepared to leave, stating that Isshin would not be able to use Bankai in his current state and that the Hollow experiment was a failure if a captain could take it out using only their Shikai. After Tōsen expressed his desire to call the sample "White" because this was their first experiment based on a Shinigami's soul, Aizen said it was ironic to call the Hollow "White" because of its inner whiteness while its outside was completely encased in black. After observing the fight for a time, Aizen and his cohorts noticed the involvement of a Quincy in the fight, which surprised the three of them. When Tōsen decided to eliminate her, Aizen stopped him from killing her and eagerly stated they should see what happens next. Following White's defeat and destruction, Tōsen expressed his shock and frustration at the events, calling it a failure. Calming him down, Aizen said that the results were interesting and expressed curiosity on how events would further unfold. Staying true to his curiosity, Aizen kept a close eye on Isshin and Masaki and by extension, learned of Ichigo when he was born. Curious about Ichigo being a special case due to his mixed heritage, Aizen decided to aid Ichigo's development for his plans. To this end, he had Rukia Kuchiki stationed in Karakura Town. Aizen also put into place obstacles which would force Ichigo to grow stronger, including the Hollow which attacked his family and the Menos Grande which appeared when Uryū Ishida used the Hollow bait. When Rukia Kuchiki is brought back to Soul Society with the Hōgyoku concealed within her body, Aizen manipulates everyone into an elaborate conspiracy by killing all the members of Central 46 and beginning to move Rukia's execution date up. He begins to plant suspicion within Soul Society, initially speaking of the possibility of a conspiracy with 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai, and tries to use Gin Ichimaru's intrusion in repelling Ichigo Kurosaki and the Ryoka to orchestrate suspicion among the gathered captains, particularly 10th Division Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya, who witnesses a conversation between the two personally. Later, Aizen uses his Zanpakutō's ability to trick everyone into believing he has been killed, and has Gin lead everyone to believe that Gin himself is the murderer. Aizen sets up his lieutenant, Momo Hinamori, to believe he was killed by Hitsugaya, her childhood friend, to get her out of the way. Because of the nature of Rukia's sentence and execution method, the Gotei 13 splits into factions and the captains begin to fight among themselves. During the turmoil, Gin executes the overt aspects of the plan, which begins to be revealed when 4th Division Captain Retsu Unohana begins to suspect there is something wrong with Aizen's supposedly dead body. Using a camera fly, Aizen watches a Hollowfied Ichigo fighting 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki from the Shinigami Research and Development Institute. At this moment, Gin approaches Aizen and wonders if Ichigo has already undergone Hollowfication. When Ichigo regains control over his body, Gin becomes disappointed, but Aizen tells him there is nothing to worry about. Stating everything is going according to his plan, Aizen says it all begins now. Inside the Central 46 Compound Aizen reveals himself to be alive to his lieutenant, and apologizes for how heartbroken she must have felt as he caresses her head. Aizen hugs Hinamori and claims to have no idea how badly he had hurt her. As Aizen explains that it had to be her and that he had to stay hidden to do something, which is why he faked his death and had her receive his letter, Hinamori assures him that it is alright and that knowing he is alive is enough for her. Aizen tells Hinamori that their time together was a joy to him and thanks her, only to bid her farewell as he shoves his Zanpakutō through her chest. Left speechless by this, Hinamori looks up at Aizen, who merely stares coldly at her and pulls his Zanpakutō out, leaving Hinamori to collapse, before departing alongside Gin. As Aizen and Gin prepare to leave, Hitsugaya arrives and is shocked to see Aizen standing alongside Gin. Aizen assures Hitsugaya that he is here in the flesh before noting to Gin that Hitsugaya is back sooner than expected. With Gin apologizing and assuming that his lieutenant, Izuru Kira, must have failed, a confused Hitsugaya wonders what they are talking about, which leads Aizen to reveal that he is referring to the tactic of dividing and conquering, the most basic way of weakening an enemy. Hitsugaya then demands to know where Hinamori is, and as Aizen points out that he should already know, Hitsugaya angrily rushes past him and Gin to the dark room, where he discovers Hinamori lying on the ground. Aizen expresses embarrassment at Hitsugaya having found her and apologizes for him finding out like this before suggesting that he should have chopped up Hinamori and hidden the pieces. When a stunned Hitsugaya asks Aizen and Gin how long they have been conspiring together, Aizen answers that they have done so from the beginning, clarifying that he has never considered anyone but Gin to be his lieutenant ever since he became a captain. With Hitsugaya accusing him of having deceived Hinamori and the other Shinigami this whole time, Aizen claims that he never thought of it like this and that he perceived it as none of the other Shinigami recognizing his true identity. Demanding to know how Aizen could be so cruel, Hitsugaya reminds him that Hinamori joined the Gotei 13 and worked hard just to be at his side, only for Aizen to acknowledge this as making her very easy to manipulate and pointing to this as the reason he requested her to join his division. As Hitsugaya stares at him in astonishment, Aizen instructs him to remember that admiration is the state furthest from understanding. As Hitsugaya declares that he is going to kill Aizen, the latter simply admonishes Hitsugaya for making rash threats because it makes him seem weak and slashes Hitsugaya across the chest, leaving him to collapse in shock while bleeding heavily as Daiguren Hyōrinmaru breaks apart.[81] Commenting on how nice it is to see ice at this time of year, Aizen is stopped by Unohana, who has figured out something is wrong with his corpse doll, only for Aizen to bring out his corpse doll and disclose to Unohana and her lieutenant, Isane Kotetsu, the true abilities of his Zanpakutō. This allows Unohana to deduce the ritual for being affected by the hypnosis, after which Aizen reveals Kaname Tōsen has always been his subordinate because he cannot see. Aizen has Gin bring the two of them to Sōkyoku Hill, where Tōsen had brought Renji and Rukia to him. When Aizen asks Renji to put Rukia down, Renji refuses. Commenting on Renji's stubbornness, Aizen says that it is acceptable if Renji wishes to hold on to Rukia, but he will have to leave the arms he is holding her with behind. Drawing his sword, Aizen attacks Renji, but Renji is able to draw his sword in time to dodge Aizen's attack, leaving only his right arm damaged. Applauding his ability to dodge, Aizen expresses happiness with the improvements in Renji's skill because he was one of Aizen's subordinates. Telling Renji he does not want things to be harder because while he finds it difficult to hold back his strength, Aizen states he finds it unbearable for a subordinate to die. Challenging this assertion, Renji asks Aizen why he killed Momo. When Aizen states it was an act of compassion because he has trained Momo so she could not live without him, Renji says Aizen is not the captain he knew, prompting Aizen to state he was the same man, but neither Renji nor anyone else had realized what he was. When Renji attacks Aizen with his Shikai, Aizen blocks it with his bare hand and easily cuts the segments of the blade apart while also cutting up Renji. When Renji refuses to give up Rukia, Aizen prepares to kill him, only to be stopped by Ichigo. Ichigo teams up with Renji, but even after using Renji's strongest attack with his Shikai to create an opening for Ichigo, the attack fails. Displaying his power by blocking Ichigo's blade with a single finger and nearly cutting him in half, Aizen cuts down Renji and approaches Rukia.[85] Beginning to drag Rukia off, Aizen explains his plans to the critically injured but still conscious Ichigo, only for 7th Division Captain Sajin Komamura to appear and attack him.[86] Critically injuring Komamura with Hadō #90. Kurohitsugi, Aizen removes the Hōgyoku from Rukia's body using information obtained from Kisuke Urahara's research hidden in the chambers of Central 46. Surprised the procedure did not kill Rukia and having no further use for her, Aizen orders Gin to kill Rukia as he prepares to leave, only for 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki to save Rukia by taking the blow himself. Turning around, Aizen prepares to draw his Zanpakutō in order to finish Rukia himself, but is stopped by Yoruichi Shihōin. When he is threatened with death from 2nd Division Captain Suì-Fēng's Zanpakutō if he moves, Aizen calls Yoruichi a nostalgic face and notes how not even Yoruichi and Suì-Fēng will be able to come after him while fighting the hypnotized Gatekeepers. As Kūkaku Shiba and Jidanbō Ikkanzaka arrive to assist them, Gin is restrained by 10th Division Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto and apologizes for being unable to help Aizen. As they are surrounded by every captain and lieutenant of the Gotei 13 still capable of moving, Aizen smiles[88] and says it is time. Realizing something is wrong, Yoruichi runs away and tells Suì-Fēng to get away. When Aizen, Gin, and Tōsen are bathed in light, Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto calls the others off and reveals Aizen, Tōsen, and Gin became completely untouchable the moment they were covered in this light, called a Negación, a separate world created by Menos Grande when rescuing one of their own which transports them to Hueco Mundo. While leaving, Aizen removes his glasses and changes his hairstyle by combing a hand through it. As his glasses evaporate into dust, Aizen announces his goal to stand atop of the world in the heavens and take the place of the absent gods, something no one has ever done before. Before finally ascending into the portal created by the Menos' arrival, he bids farewell to all of the Shinigami present and tells Ichigo he was very interesting for a Human.]