Unohana & Isane

Shinigami are the spiritual guardians of the Three Worlds who protect and guide Souls going through the cycle of transmigration between the World of the Living and Soul Society. Shinigami are fundamentally supernatural beings that reside in an afterworld with different logic than the World of the Living. Their anatomy is composed entirely of pure Reishi with their bodies possessing a high Reiryoku capacity and are normally invisible to living beings without spiritual awareness The Shihakushō is composed of a white shitagi, a black kosode, a black hakama, a white hakama-himo, white tabi , and waraji . The black kosode has its owner's division insignia emblazoned on the inside. Lieutenants of the Gotei 13 sometimes wear an armband which carries their division symbol and its number, usually on their left arm. They are required to do this when they are summoned to a meeting, but apart from this, it is rarely compulsory.

Captains additionally wear a white haori over the usual black Shinigami clothes, with the number of their division on the back inside the Gotei 13 symbol (a rhombus). Some captain haori have long sleeves, while others do not. The color of the underside is division — or at least captain — specific, for every captain has a different color of it. The haori is meant to signify a captain's status When Souls with exceptional spiritual energy train their bodies, they reach the level of Shinigami. The majority of these potential Shinigami candidates are often found among the residents of the Seireitei, but in rare cases some are born in the Rukongai.The most talented of them become affiliated with various organizations like the divisions of the Gotei 13, the Onmitsukidō, the Shinigami Research and Development Institute, or the Kidō Corps. Much like laborers in the Human World, Shinigami are entitled to receive salaries and wages, and also earn bounties for defeating Hollows. Retirement from further military duties can occur, though this is rare.

Shinigami can live for far longer and likewise age much slower than Humans While Shinigami can be injured and killed like regular Humans, it takes considerably more attack power and greater injuries to kill a Shinigami than it would to kill Humans. Some Shinigami have sustained multiple slash and stab wounds, completely ignored dismemberment, and even survived horizontal bifurcation with treatment. Decapitation is the only guaranteed method of outright killing a Shinigami. Reiryoku: Shinigami naturally possess high levels of Spiritual Power, which varies greatly in magnitude with the strength of a Shinigami. The more power a Shinigami has, the sharper their movements will be. A consequence of having Spiritual Power is that unlike powerless spirits, Shinigami need to eat. Reiatsu: Reiatsu is the pressure exerted from a Shinigami's Reiryoku. The Reiatsu of a Shinigami will continue to flow for as long as the heart is still beating; if the heart beats, it is impossible for the Reiatsu to cease. Due to this, prisoners, such as Aizen, who cannot have their heart stopped by any executioner in Soul Society are kept in Muken.

Zanpakutō: A Shinigami weapon invented by Ōetsu Nimaiya, its shape is typically similar to a Japanese katana. Low ranking officers are issued an Asauchi sword, but high-ranking officers can evolve their Zanpakutō into different transformations based on the imprint of their own souls. A Zanpakutō is a physical manifestation of this force concentrated into a blade. All Shinigami have a Zanpakutō, but not all of them carry one with them. Its shape differs depending on its owner

Hollows are a race of masked spiritual creatures which are born from human souls who, for various reasons, do not cross over to Soul Society after their deaths and stay in the Human World for too long. They are corrupt spirits with supernatural powers which devour the souls of both living and deceased humans. Hollows settle in Hueco Mundo, but can cross over to the Human World and Soul Society. Hollows are the opposite of humans. A Hollow that has removed its mask is referred to as an Arrancar. Hueco Mundo is an alternate world in which Hollows and Arrancars usually reside. It lies in between the Human World and Soul Society, being one of the three planes of existence collectively referred to as the Three Worlds.

The Visored are a group of Shinigami that have acquired Hollow powers

An Arrancar, is a type of Hollow that has removed its mask, gaining Shinigami-like powers in the process. Arrancars are distinguished from typical Hollows by their humanoid form (though they retain Hollow holes) and superior intellect, and the ability to wield Zanpakutō. However, an Arrancar's Zanpakutō differs significantly from a Shinigami's in that it not only channels Hollow power, but also integrates their original Hollow abilities into their humanoid form. Unlike Shinigami, whose Zanpakutō have two main forms (Shikai and Bankai), Arrancars manifest a Resurrección , which functions similarly to a Shinigami's Bankai.

Shikai form available to a Zanpakutō. To activate it, the Shinigami must know their Zanpakutō's name, as well as be able to communicate and harmonize with their Zanpakutō effectively, which requires being able to speak to the spirit within its inner world. Gaining access to one's Shikai and releasing it for the first time is known as manifestation; it changes shape and gains special abilities by chanting a Kaigō or release incantation. Uttering the Kaigō, followed by the name of the Zanpakutō, activates Shikai. It is crucial to memorize each phrase, as every Zanpakutō has a different incantation.

Bankai is the second and final upgraded form of a Zanpakutō, and when a Shinigami achieved it, they would possess an Evolved Zanpakutō. To achieve Bankai, one must be able to materialize and subjugate their Zanpakutō spirit. Materialization means the opposite of getting dragged into the Zanpakutō's inner world: the wielder needs to summon the Zanpakutō's spirit into the physical world. It usually takes 10 years or more to achieve, plus the experience needed to master it. Despite the Zanpakutō Spirit being subjugated for their Shinigami to learn Bankai, the Zanpakutō also becomes stronger. The Gotei 13 "13 Division Imperial Guards" "Thirteen Court Guard Companies" is the primary military branch of Soul Society and the main military organization most Shinigami join after graduating from the Shin'ō Academy.

Shin'ō Academy, sometimes called the Shinigami Academy, is an institution founded by Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. Located in the Seireitei, the academy trains Souls with spiritual powers for each of the three military arms of Soul Society.

The Soul Society is one of the spiritual afterworlds where deceased humans go to posthumously. This is also where the Shinigami live and operate from, and where most souls dwell until they are reincarnated into the Human World. Alongside the World of the Living and Hueco Mundo, Soul Society counts as one of the Three Worlds.

Seireitei is a large city in the center of Soul Society and serves as the home of the Shinigami and the Noble Houses.

Rukongai, is the largest portion of Soul Society and the most populated. Rukongai is divided into 320 districts (80 districts in each cardinal quadrant), each numbered in descending order based on how far they are from the center; this results in the higher-numbered (and farther) districts decaying into slums. Thus, while District 1 is peaceful and lawful, much like the antiseptic lifestyle of early-Edo Era Kyoto, District 80 is a hardscrabble, violent, crime-infested area that more depicts Heian era Kyoto. The duties of the Gotei 13 Divisions include defending allocated districts of Rukongai. However, which Division is responsible for which district has not been stated. The living standards in Rukongai decline sharply beyond the fiftieth district, with an increase in people wearing rags and no footwear. According to statistics from the last 550 years, no Rukongai resident wears sandals beyond District 59.

A Lieutenant is the 2nd seated officer in a division.Lieutenants function as executive officers for their division, taking care of or supervising day-to-day operations. Along with their captains, they are not assigned to one specific squad. They generally only know the Shikai of their Zanpakutō but they are still the second strongest in their division. In the case of a division captain's death, departure, or other circumstances making them unable to perform their duties, the lieutenant acts as the "substitute captain" until another can be assigned.

The authority to appoint or dismiss a lieutenant lies solely with the captain of the respective division, a privilege which was granted to them with the support of the Central 46 Chambers. Captains reserve the right to appoint multiple lieutenants at a single time, though this is rarely done due to it being both considered highly unorthodox and heavily frowned upon by the Central 46 Chambers. Though rarely exercised, any potential candidate retains the right to decline the nomination Seated officers are the remainder of the officers in the Gotei 13, who hold ranks at or below 3rd Seat. Captains and lieutenants have the ranks of 1st and 2nd Seats, respectively. The 3rd Seat of a division is also referred to as Adjutant Lieutenant "Assistant Adjutant"; also translatable as Vice-Captain's Assistant, serving directly under the lieutenant as the third-highest rank holder.

The Gotei 13 is made up of thirteen divisions, with several divisions having certain specializations. The Gotei 13 is led by the Captain-Commander, who has the statutory authority to conduct all the affairs of the Gotei 13 while deferring to the authority of the Central 46 Chambers in civil and legislative matters involving the Soul Society.

As with any army, the Gotei 13 has ranks. There are 20 ranks for officers, but no ranks for non-officers. The lower the number is, the higher the rank. The ranks and their descriptions are below, from highest to lowest in terms of strength. The Gotei 13 is an organization with a merit-based hierarchy based on demonstrations of skill, experience, and power, and has disposed of the system of rank based on seniority. Abilities and efficacy to obtain results are the only criteria used to determine one's rank. The captains congregate in the main hall of the First Division Headquarters to discuss important issues involving their specific divisions and matters which affect Soul Society. This council is highly formal, with the captain-commander leading its proceedings. All captains are considered equal (with the exception of the captain-commander), and determine the course of their individual division unless dictated otherwise by the captain-commander. Votes are carried out via a unanimous consensus. The Captain-Commander ; Captain-Commander, Head-Captain in the English dub) is the supreme leader of the Gotei 13. The position requires the Captain-Commander to oversee the overall operations of the Gotei 13, Onmitsukidō and Kidō Corps when the well-being of Seireitei and Soul Society is at stake. During wartime, the Captain-Commander has the authority to grant Captain-Class and Lieutenant-Class Shinigami to wield their Zanpakutō openly in Seireitei. The only power the Captain-Commander answers to is the Central 46 Chambers, who elect the successor of the current Captain-Commander in the event of their death. The former and inaugural holder of this title is Captain Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto of the 1st Division, who had held this post for the last 1000 years. A Captain is the leader of one of the thirteen divisions (with the special case of the Captain-Commander).

Captains are generally the most respected and powerful Shinigami within the Soul Society, with the leaders of the Kidō Corps and Onmitsukidō possibly being of equal status. Initially with one exception, all captains are able to utilize the final stage of their Zanpakutō, and are far more powerful than even their lieutenants. Knowing Bankai gives captains an average of five-to-ten times the strength of Shinigami who are unable to perform it. They have extensively trained, if not mastered, their Bankai, allowing them to use its enormous power effectively in battle. Most captains are skilled in the use of Shunpo and Kidō, and generally have extensive knowledge of Shinigami history and battle tactics. All of these factors create a vast power gap between captains and lower-ranked officers. The Central 46 "Council of 46" is an organization that serves as the judicial authority of the Soul Society. Operating under a mandate from the Soul King, the influence of the Central 46 goes well beyond the boundaries of a judiciary authority and into those of legislative and operative authorities Adnyeus, more commonly known by his title of Soul King, is the supposed ruler of Soul Society, who resides in the Soul King Palace and is protected by the Royal Guard.

In reality, Adnyeus is a mere figurehead — a vegetative godlike entity that has been sealed away by the Shinigami eons ago and whose existence is tied to the cosmic balance of the Three Worlds, serving as the linchpin that keeps the realms from merging back into the original world. The Royal Guard, also known as the Zero Division, is a Shinigami organization that is dedicated to the protection of the Soul King and the Soul King Palace.

4TH DIVISION

Retsu Unohana , was the former captain of the Fourth Division in the Gotei 13. She was one of the oldest and most experienced captains, and was Soul Society's best healer. Her lieutenant was Isane Kotetsu. She also formerly served as the first Captain of the Eleventh Division,[3] where she was the first person to wield the name "Kenpachi"

Unohana has the appearance of a slender and very youthful woman with blue eyes and black hair. She wears the standard Shinigami captain shihakushō apart from using an obi instead of the normal sash, which hides her well-endowed bosom. Her hair is long and is always worn as a large braid down the front of her bodyl. While maintaining a kind and gentle look at most times,Unlike most Shinigami who carry their Zanpakutō in their sash, Unohana has a large string attached to the sheath of her Zanpakutō and carries it over her shoulder, or has her lieutenant, Isane Kotetsu, carry it for her whenever they are together on the battlefield

Unohana has a gentle and warm personality that augments her appearance. Unohana is a soft-spoken, polite, and caring woman who uses honorifics when addressing everyone, including her subordinates and the enemy. She rarely shows any signs of panic or distress, and has a great sense of duty

ZANPAKUTO

Minazuki In sealed form, Minazuki is slightly longer than an ordinary katana, and resembles a nodachi. The tsuba has an oval shape, and the handle is red. Instead of tying it to her obi, Unohana carries her Zanpakutō over her shoulder by a rope strap in "Tachi style", or lets Isane carry it for her.

Shikai: Its release command and the process of its transformation is unknown. In its Shikai form, Minazuki becomes a giant, green, one-eyed manta ray-like creature that can be used for transportation, with the ability to fly and sprout a pair of legs to land upon. When Unohana decides to seal it, Minazuki melts into a slurry of flesh that enters her scabbard before returning to its sealed state. Shikai Special Ability: Minazuki possesses the ability to heal; when wounded individuals are placed within its mouth, they are swallowed and stored inside its stomach. The stomach acids of Minazuki are strong healing medicines and ointments which gradually soak over the wounded, curing their injuries. It can carry at least six people within its stomach. At Unohana's command, Minazuki will regurgitate the people out of its mouth onto the ground.Minazuki is also able to alter its size, becoming as small as a puppy at minimum.

Bankai: Minazuki: When initiating her Bankai's release, Unohana draws her left hand along Minazuki's edge, causing the blade to liquify into a thick, viscous, dark-red substance resembling blood. The same blood-like substance pours down from above Unohana, in copious enough amounts to form a massive pool and completely cover the battlefield. Minazuki's blade then re-coagulates into a solid state, albeit with the red liquid still covering and continuously seeping off it, and can consequently be used to clash against another Zanpakutō without losing its form. If Unohana suffers a lethal blow, the blood-like liquid quickly disperses into nothing, leaving no trace. creates a slashing wave of liquid.

Bankai Special Ability: The blood-like liquid unleashed by Minazuki can be manipulated for potent offensive and defensive maneuvers. By swinging her sword, Unohana can send forth slashing waves of liquid to attack her enemy at range, even in rapid succession, and can seamlessly switch between such long-ranged and direct melee attacks. By rapidly swinging her sword in all directions, Unohana can create a loose sphere of small liquid blades around herself to fend off enemy attacks. Additionally, Unohana can use Minazuki to rapidly heal any injuries she sustains without requiring Kaidō, the blood-like liquid seemingly serving as a catalyst for such healing effect

Isane Kotetsu is the lieutenant under Captain Retsu Unohana.

Isane is a tall and well-endowed young-looking woman with gray eyes and short messy silver hair with strands on the right side of her face that are shoulder-length and styled as two thin braids, with two more on the back of her head. She wears a thin dangling red earring on each ear and a standard Shinigami shihakushō with her lieutenant badge on her left arm

Isane is generally quiet, shy, and observant, with a strong sense of loyalty. She can be impatient in the face of an enemy, rushing after enemies she has no chance of defeating. She looks to Unohana as a mentor and mother figure. It is noted by Unohana that Isane suffers from frequent and recurring nightmares, which are often odd or whimsical in their contents. For example, she once had a nightmare involving kamaboko (a fishcake made of pureed surimi), which she intensely dislikes. Also, according to Unohana, she rarely talks in a girly manner. Her favorite food, on the other hand, is porridge, to the extent that she is capable of eating it as the three main meals on the same day.

Shinigami are the spiritual guardians of the Three Worlds who protect and guide Souls going through the cycle of transmigration between the World of the Living and Soul Society. Shinigami are fundamentally supernatural beings that reside in an afterworld with different logic than the World of the Living. Their anatomy is composed entirely of pure Reishi with their bodies possessing a high Reiryoku capacity and are normally invisible to living beings without spiritual awareness The Shihakushō is composed of a white shitagi, a black kosode, a black hakama, a white hakama-himo, white tabi , and waraji . The black kosode has its owner's division insignia emblazoned on the inside. Lieutenants of the Gotei 13 sometimes wear an armband which carries their division symbol and its number, usually on their left arm. They are required to do this when they are summoned to a meeting, but apart from this, it is rarely compulsory.

Captains additionally wear a white haori over the usual black Shinigami clothes, with the number of their division on the back inside the Gotei 13 symbol (a rhombus). Some captain haori have long sleeves, while others do not. The color of the underside is division — or at least captain — specific, for every captain has a different color of it. The haori is meant to signify a captain's status When Souls with exceptional spiritual energy train their bodies, they reach the level of Shinigami. The majority of these potential Shinigami candidates are often found among the residents of the Seireitei, but in rare cases some are born in the Rukongai.The most talented of them become affiliated with various organizations like the divisions of the Gotei 13, the Onmitsukidō, the Shinigami Research and Development Institute, or the Kidō Corps. Much like laborers in the Human World, Shinigami are entitled to receive salaries and wages, and also earn bounties for defeating Hollows. Retirement from further military duties can occur, though this is rare.

Shinigami can live for far longer and likewise age much slower than Humans While Shinigami can be injured and killed like regular Humans, it takes considerably more attack power and greater injuries to kill a Shinigami than it would to kill Humans. Some Shinigami have sustained multiple slash and stab wounds, completely ignored dismemberment, and even survived horizontal bifurcation with treatment. Decapitation is the only guaranteed method of outright killing a Shinigami. Reiryoku: Shinigami naturally possess high levels of Spiritual Power, which varies greatly in magnitude with the strength of a Shinigami. The more power a Shinigami has, the sharper their movements will be. A consequence of having Spiritual Power is that unlike powerless spirits, Shinigami need to eat. Reiatsu: Reiatsu is the pressure exerted from a Shinigami's Reiryoku. The Reiatsu of a Shinigami will continue to flow for as long as the heart is still beating; if the heart beats, it is impossible for the Reiatsu to cease. Due to this, prisoners, such as Aizen, who cannot have their heart stopped by any executioner in Soul Society are kept in Muken.

Zanpakutō: A Shinigami weapon invented by Ōetsu Nimaiya, its shape is typically similar to a Japanese katana. Low ranking officers are issued an Asauchi sword, but high-ranking officers can evolve their Zanpakutō into different transformations based on the imprint of their own souls. A Zanpakutō is a physical manifestation of this force concentrated into a blade. All Shinigami have a Zanpakutō, but not all of them carry one with them. Its shape differs depending on its owner

Hollows are a race of masked spiritual creatures which are born from human souls who, for various reasons, do not cross over to Soul Society after their deaths and stay in the Human World for too long. They are corrupt spirits with supernatural powers which devour the souls of both living and deceased humans. Hollows settle in Hueco Mundo, but can cross over to the Human World and Soul Society. Hollows are the opposite of humans. A Hollow that has removed its mask is referred to as an Arrancar. Hueco Mundo is an alternate world in which Hollows and Arrancars usually reside. It lies in between the Human World and Soul Society, being one of the three planes of existence collectively referred to as the Three Worlds.

The Visored are a group of Shinigami that have acquired Hollow powers

An Arrancar, is a type of Hollow that has removed its mask, gaining Shinigami-like powers in the process. Arrancars are distinguished from typical Hollows by their humanoid form (though they retain Hollow holes) and superior intellect, and the ability to wield Zanpakutō. However, an Arrancar's Zanpakutō differs significantly from a Shinigami's in that it not only channels Hollow power, but also integrates their original Hollow abilities into their humanoid form. Unlike Shinigami, whose Zanpakutō have two main forms (Shikai and Bankai), Arrancars manifest a Resurrección , which functions similarly to a Shinigami's Bankai.

Shikai form available to a Zanpakutō. To activate it, the Shinigami must know their Zanpakutō's name, as well as be able to communicate and harmonize with their Zanpakutō effectively, which requires being able to speak to the spirit within its inner world. Gaining access to one's Shikai and releasing it for the first time is known as manifestation; it changes shape and gains special abilities by chanting a Kaigō or release incantation. Uttering the Kaigō, followed by the name of the Zanpakutō, activates Shikai. It is crucial to memorize each phrase, as every Zanpakutō has a different incantation.

Bankai is the second and final upgraded form of a Zanpakutō, and when a Shinigami achieved it, they would possess an Evolved Zanpakutō. To achieve Bankai, one must be able to materialize and subjugate their Zanpakutō spirit. Materialization means the opposite of getting dragged into the Zanpakutō's inner world: the wielder needs to summon the Zanpakutō's spirit into the physical world. It usually takes 10 years or more to achieve, plus the experience needed to master it. Despite the Zanpakutō Spirit being subjugated for their Shinigami to learn Bankai, the Zanpakutō also becomes stronger. The Gotei 13 "13 Division Imperial Guards" "Thirteen Court Guard Companies" is the primary military branch of Soul Society and the main military organization most Shinigami join after graduating from the Shin'ō Academy.

Shin'ō Academy, sometimes called the Shinigami Academy, is an institution founded by Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. Located in the Seireitei, the academy trains Souls with spiritual powers for each of the three military arms of Soul Society.

The Soul Society is one of the spiritual afterworlds where deceased humans go to posthumously. This is also where the Shinigami live and operate from, and where most souls dwell until they are reincarnated into the Human World. Alongside the World of the Living and Hueco Mundo, Soul Society counts as one of the Three Worlds.

Seireitei is a large city in the center of Soul Society and serves as the home of the Shinigami and the Noble Houses.

Rukongai, is the largest portion of Soul Society and the most populated. Rukongai is divided into 320 districts (80 districts in each cardinal quadrant), each numbered in descending order based on how far they are from the center; this results in the higher-numbered (and farther) districts decaying into slums. Thus, while District 1 is peaceful and lawful, much like the antiseptic lifestyle of early-Edo Era Kyoto, District 80 is a hardscrabble, violent, crime-infested area that more depicts Heian era Kyoto. The duties of the Gotei 13 Divisions include defending allocated districts of Rukongai. However, which Division is responsible for which district has not been stated. The living standards in Rukongai decline sharply beyond the fiftieth district, with an increase in people wearing rags and no footwear. According to statistics from the last 550 years, no Rukongai resident wears sandals beyond District 59.

A Lieutenant is the 2nd seated officer in a division.Lieutenants function as executive officers for their division, taking care of or supervising day-to-day operations. Along with their captains, they are not assigned to one specific squad. They generally only know the Shikai of their Zanpakutō but they are still the second strongest in their division. In the case of a division captain's death, departure, or other circumstances making them unable to perform their duties, the lieutenant acts as the "substitute captain" until another can be assigned.

The authority to appoint or dismiss a lieutenant lies solely with the captain of the respective division, a privilege which was granted to them with the support of the Central 46 Chambers. Captains reserve the right to appoint multiple lieutenants at a single time, though this is rarely done due to it being both considered highly unorthodox and heavily frowned upon by the Central 46 Chambers. Though rarely exercised, any potential candidate retains the right to decline the nomination Seated officers are the remainder of the officers in the Gotei 13, who hold ranks at or below 3rd Seat. Captains and lieutenants have the ranks of 1st and 2nd Seats, respectively. The 3rd Seat of a division is also referred to as Adjutant Lieutenant "Assistant Adjutant"; also translatable as Vice-Captain's Assistant, serving directly under the lieutenant as the third-highest rank holder.

The Gotei 13 is made up of thirteen divisions, with several divisions having certain specializations. The Gotei 13 is led by the Captain-Commander, who has the statutory authority to conduct all the affairs of the Gotei 13 while deferring to the authority of the Central 46 Chambers in civil and legislative matters involving the Soul Society.

As with any army, the Gotei 13 has ranks. There are 20 ranks for officers, but no ranks for non-officers. The lower the number is, the higher the rank. The ranks and their descriptions are below, from highest to lowest in terms of strength. The Gotei 13 is an organization with a merit-based hierarchy based on demonstrations of skill, experience, and power, and has disposed of the system of rank based on seniority. Abilities and efficacy to obtain results are the only criteria used to determine one's rank. The captains congregate in the main hall of the First Division Headquarters to discuss important issues involving their specific divisions and matters which affect Soul Society. This council is highly formal, with the captain-commander leading its proceedings. All captains are considered equal (with the exception of the captain-commander), and determine the course of their individual division unless dictated otherwise by the captain-commander. Votes are carried out via a unanimous consensus. The Captain-Commander ; Captain-Commander, Head-Captain in the English dub) is the supreme leader of the Gotei 13. The position requires the Captain-Commander to oversee the overall operations of the Gotei 13, Onmitsukidō and Kidō Corps when the well-being of Seireitei and Soul Society is at stake. During wartime, the Captain-Commander has the authority to grant Captain-Class and Lieutenant-Class Shinigami to wield their Zanpakutō openly in Seireitei. The only power the Captain-Commander answers to is the Central 46 Chambers, who elect the successor of the current Captain-Commander in the event of their death. The former and inaugural holder of this title is Captain Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto of the 1st Division, who had held this post for the last 1000 years. A Captain is the leader of one of the thirteen divisions (with the special case of the Captain-Commander).

Captains are generally the most respected and powerful Shinigami within the Soul Society, with the leaders of the Kidō Corps and Onmitsukidō possibly being of equal status. Initially with one exception, all captains are able to utilize the final stage of their Zanpakutō, and are far more powerful than even their lieutenants. Knowing Bankai gives captains an average of five-to-ten times the strength of Shinigami who are unable to perform it. They have extensively trained, if not mastered, their Bankai, allowing them to use its enormous power effectively in battle. Most captains are skilled in the use of Shunpo and Kidō, and generally have extensive knowledge of Shinigami history and battle tactics. All of these factors create a vast power gap between captains and lower-ranked officers. The Central 46 "Council of 46" is an organization that serves as the judicial authority of the Soul Society. Operating under a mandate from the Soul King, the influence of the Central 46 goes well beyond the boundaries of a judiciary authority and into those of legislative and operative authorities Adnyeus, more commonly known by his title of Soul King, is the supposed ruler of Soul Society, who resides in the Soul King Palace and is protected by the Royal Guard.

In reality, Adnyeus is a mere figurehead — a vegetative godlike entity that has been sealed away by the Shinigami eons ago and whose existence is tied to the cosmic balance of the Three Worlds, serving as the linchpin that keeps the realms from merging back into the original world. The Royal Guard, also known as the Zero Division, is a Shinigami organization that is dedicated to the protection of the Soul King and the Soul King Palace.

4TH DIVISION

Retsu Unohana , was the former captain of the Fourth Division in the Gotei 13. She was one of the oldest and most experienced captains, and was Soul Society's best healer. Her lieutenant was Isane Kotetsu. She also formerly served as the first Captain of the Eleventh Division,[3] where she was the first person to wield the name "Kenpachi"

Unohana has the appearance of a slender and very youthful woman with blue eyes and black hair. She wears the standard Shinigami captain shihakushō apart from using an obi instead of the normal sash, which hides her well-endowed bosom. Her hair is long and is always worn as a large braid down the front of her bodyl. While maintaining a kind and gentle look at most times,Unlike most Shinigami who carry their Zanpakutō in their sash, Unohana has a large string attached to the sheath of her Zanpakutō and carries it over her shoulder, or has her lieutenant, Isane Kotetsu, carry it for her whenever they are together on the battlefield

Unohana has a gentle and warm personality that augments her appearance. Unohana is a soft-spoken, polite, and caring woman who uses honorifics when addressing everyone, including her subordinates and the enemy. She rarely shows any signs of panic or distress, and has a great sense of duty

ZANPAKUTO

Minazuki In sealed form, Minazuki is slightly longer than an ordinary katana, and resembles a nodachi. The tsuba has an oval shape, and the handle is red. Instead of tying it to her obi, Unohana carries her Zanpakutō over her shoulder by a rope strap in "Tachi style", or lets Isane carry it for her.

Shikai: Its release command and the process of its transformation is unknown. In its Shikai form, Minazuki becomes a giant, green, one-eyed manta ray-like creature that can be used for transportation, with the ability to fly and sprout a pair of legs to land upon. When Unohana decides to seal it, Minazuki melts into a slurry of flesh that enters her scabbard before returning to its sealed state. Shikai Special Ability: Minazuki possesses the ability to heal; when wounded individuals are placed within its mouth, they are swallowed and stored inside its stomach. The stomach acids of Minazuki are strong healing medicines and ointments which gradually soak over the wounded, curing their injuries. It can carry at least six people within its stomach. At Unohana's command, Minazuki will regurgitate the people out of its mouth onto the ground.Minazuki is also able to alter its size, becoming as small as a puppy at minimum.

Bankai: Minazuki: When initiating her Bankai's release, Unohana draws her left hand along Minazuki's edge, causing the blade to liquify into a thick, viscous, dark-red substance resembling blood. The same blood-like substance pours down from above Unohana, in copious enough amounts to form a massive pool and completely cover the battlefield. Minazuki's blade then re-coagulates into a solid state, albeit with the red liquid still covering and continuously seeping off it, and can consequently be used to clash against another Zanpakutō without losing its form. If Unohana suffers a lethal blow, the blood-like liquid quickly disperses into nothing, leaving no trace. creates a slashing wave of liquid.

Bankai Special Ability: The blood-like liquid unleashed by Minazuki can be manipulated for potent offensive and defensive maneuvers. By swinging her sword, Unohana can send forth slashing waves of liquid to attack her enemy at range, even in rapid succession, and can seamlessly switch between such long-ranged and direct melee attacks. By rapidly swinging her sword in all directions, Unohana can create a loose sphere of small liquid blades around herself to fend off enemy attacks. Additionally, Unohana can use Minazuki to rapidly heal any injuries she sustains without requiring Kaidō, the blood-like liquid seemingly serving as a catalyst for such healing effect

Isane Kotetsu is the lieutenant under Captain Retsu Unohana.

Isane is a tall and well-endowed young-looking woman with gray eyes and short messy silver hair with strands on the right side of her face that are shoulder-length and styled as two thin braids, with two more on the back of her head. She wears a thin dangling red earring on each ear and a standard Shinigami shihakushō with her lieutenant badge on her left arm

Isane is generally quiet, shy, and observant, with a strong sense of loyalty. She can be impatient in the face of an enemy, rushing after enemies she has no chance of defeating. She looks to Unohana as a mentor and mother figure. It is noted by Unohana that Isane suffers from frequent and recurring nightmares, which are often odd or whimsical in their contents. For example, she once had a nightmare involving kamaboko (a fishcake made of pureed surimi), which she intensely dislikes. Also, according to Unohana, she rarely talks in a girly manner. Her favorite food, on the other hand, is porridge, to the extent that she is capable of eating it as the three main meals on the same day.