Above, Seireitei, the home of the Soul Reapers in Soul Society.

Kisuke Urahara (Urahara Kisuke) is the owner of the Urahara Shop. He wears traditional Japanese wooden sandals and a bucket hat, which has earned him the nickname "Mr. Hat-and-Clogs" (geta-bōshi). Urahara is usually quite laid-back and has a jovial if not comical attitude, tendencies that tend to drive away customers. He will similarly leave his store unattended for long periods of time while he trains series protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends in the store's cave-like basement. Despite his odd work ethic and personality, Urahara can be very serious when the situation calls for it. When first introduced Urahara is largely shrouded in mystery, being knowledgeable of all spiritual-related subjects and a guide for Ichigo that works in the background. As the series progresses he is revealed to have been the captain of the 12th Division, before which he was a 3rd seat in the 2nd Division, under Yoruichi, a century before the start of the series. He caught Sōsuke Aizen in the act of converting his fellow Soul Reapers into visoreds. Before Urahara had time to save them and turn them back into Soul Reapers, Aizen had framed him for the crimes and he was banished to the human world.

Urahara is a keen analyst, able to discern an opponent's weaknesses and attack patterns with ease, a quality he passes on to Ichigo Kurosaki during their training together. He is also an avid inventor, and while still a Soul Reaper created a number of items that went against Soul Society's conventions. Most prominent of these is the Hōgyoku (Hōgyoku "breakdown sphere"), a device that mixes Soul Reapers with hollows. Fearing the potential power it could give someone, Urahara tried and failed to destroy it, allowing it to fall into Aizen's possession midway through the series. Urahara's zanpakutō is a shikomizue named Benihime (Benihime "crimson princess"). When released, Benihime's blade becomes wider than that of his sealed zanpakutō and the hilt curves. In this form it has two known special abilities activated: it can create a polygonal "blood mist shield" capable of blocking most attacks and can fire a crimson-colored energy blast which is similar to a cero. Benihime's bankai has yet to be revealed, but Urahara, when asked to use his bankai to help train Sado, states that his bankai is not fit for such a purpose.

Soul Reapers are departed human souls that have gained supernatural powers. Soul Reapers can only be seen by other spiritually aware entities, which excludes most humans. Additionally, they can be injured and die like regular humans, though it takes considerably greater injuries for the latter to occur than it would in regular humans.

All Soul Reapers possess a zanpakutō (zanpakutō literally "soul-cutting sword"), a sword that has a spirit created by their powers. By learning the name of the sword's spirit, Soul Reapers can unlock more powerful forms of their zanpakutō. The first form, known as shikai (shikai "initial release"), changes the sword's appearance to better facilitate its special abilities. The second form, known as bankai (bankai "final release"), can only normally be achieved when a Soul Reaper trains with their zanpakutō for decades. Once achieved, the Soul Reaper can unlock their zanpakutō's full potential, increasing their own power several times over.

Many Soul Reapers are able to use kidō (kidō literally "way of the demon"), a form of magic that can be performed by reciting a specific incantation. Most of the kidō spells seen in the series have been used as attacks, defensive measures, or to bind others, though they can also serve more specialized needs such as healing wounds or communication over long distances. Spells are ranked on a scale of 1 to 99, indicating their complexity and overall power.

Soul Reaper operations are based out of Soul Society, which is an afterlife in Bleach. Travel between the human world and Soul Society is extremely limited and monitored, but some Soul Reapers are stationed in the human world to carry out their duties. In addition, it is a crime for a Soul Reaper to remain in the human world longer than directed. A Soul Reaper's duties include leading wholes (ghosts) to Soul Society in a practice called soul burial (konsō), and the cleansing of hollows (evil spirits).

The Gotei 13 (goteijūsantai, "13 Division Imperial Guards", or "13 Court Guard Squads" (in the English dubbed version), is the central organization which most Soul Reapers join. It is split into thirteen divisions, some of which have certain specializations. The 4th Division, for example, is the medical/supply division, while the 12th Division is the research/scientific division. Other military-forces exist apart from the Gotei 13 and serve more specialized capacities. The Kidō Corps (kidōshū) is a reclusive group that specializes in kidō and is left in charge of the gateway connecting Soul Society to the human world. The Stealth Forces (onmitsukidō, literally "hidden secret movements organization"), typically led by the captain of the 2nd Division, are tasked with surveillance, covert operations, and imprisoning potentially problematic Soul Reapers. The Zero Division, a secret group composed only of former captains, protects the royal family.

The Captains - shown below -  (Taichō, literally "Unit Commander") are the leaders of the thirteen divisions. Each controls a specific division with the exception of the Commander-General (sōtaichō, "Head-Captain" in the English dub), who acts as both captain of the 1st Division and the leader of the Gotei 13; the implication is that this is an ex officio position. With one exception (Kenpachi Zaraki), all captains are able to perform the bankai of their zanpakutō. To achieve the position of captain a Soul Reaper must display great expertise with Soul Reaper abilities and battle tactics, and must be approved by either their fellow captains or the members of their division.

Lieutenants - shown below - (fukutaichō, literally "Vice-unit Commander") are the adjutants to the captains in each division. In terms of rank, they hold the 2nd Seat in the 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 captain can be assigned. The Seated officers (Sekikan) hold ranks from 3rd Seat to 20th Seat. While the single digit ranks are usually only assigned to a single officer, the lower ranks will often be held by several. Higher digit ranks may also lead secondary teams within the division; for instance, Hanatarō Yamada is the 4th Division's 7th seat and leader of the 14th Advanced Relief Team therein.

1st Division

Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai (Yamamoto-Genryūsai Shigekuni) is the captain of the 1st Division and the leader of the Gotei 13. He is an old man with a very muscular body. There are many scars on his torso and head, suggesting numerous battles in his past. Yamamoto believes that laws must be upheld for the benefit of the community and despises those who break them. He founded the Soul Reaper academy about 2000 years before the main Bleach storyline, where he personally instructed Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake who he treats as if they were his sons. Yamamoto's zanpakutō is Ryūjin Jakka (Ryūjin Jakka roughly "flowing blade like fire", Viz "flowing flame blade"). When released, the sword consumes him and the surrounding area in flames. It is the most powerful fire-based zanpakutō in Soul Society, and the sheer power of the flame can disintegrate almost anything the sword is waved at. Yamamoto is an exceedingly powerful fighter, able to easily fight two captains with Ryūjin Jakka's shikai, as well as effortlessly defeat an arrancar that five lieutenants are almost killed by.

Chōjirō Sasakibe (Sasakibe Chōjirō) is the lieutenant of the 1st Division. He is the least seen of all the lieutenants, not being named in the manga until long after his first appearance. His zanpakutō is Gonryōmaru (Gonryōmaru roughly "solemn spirit"), which transforms into a rapier. Its special abilities, if any, remain unknown.

Soi Fon (pinyin: Sùifēng), born Shaolin Fon (pinyin: Fēng Shaolíng), is the captain of the 2nd Division. She is a hard worker who believes strongly in following orders. She is also outwardly antagonistic to her underlings, as she believes this keeps them on their toes. During her childhood, she served as a bodyguard and eventual protégé of Yoruichi Shihōin, with whom she developed a close relationship. When Yoruichi left Soul Society, Soi Fon was crushed by the fact that Yoruichi did not take her with her. When Yoruichi returns to Soul Society a century later, Soi Fon engages her in battle. After asking the question of why she was left behind, to which Yoruichi's answer is not heard, the two make amends.The two's relationship has become somewhat of a running gag: Soi Fon consistently displays an obsessive, almost romantic, interest in Yoruichi. She likes anything resembling a black cat (a form Yoruichi can assume at will), and displays jealousy should Yoruichi be in someone else's company. Soi Fon's zanpakutō is Suzumebachi (Suzumebachi literally "hornet"). It shrinks into a stinger that is worn on the middle finger of Soi Fon's right hand. Whenever it cuts an opponent, a butterfly symbol called a hornet's crest (hōmonka) spreads from the point of contact. Should Suzumebachi stab the same location again, the opponent dies. This also holds true if an internal organ is pierced in the same location, regardless of the point of entry into the body.

Marechiyo Ōmaeda (Ōmaeda Marechiyo) is the lieutenant of the 2nd Division and Captain of the Special Forces Patrol Corps. He is a large man with an equally large mouth who comes across as arrogant and dull. In an omake he is shown to come from a rich family, where he is revealed to have a ridiculously long name: Marechiyo Yoshiayamenosuke Nikkōtarōemon Ōmaeda (Ōmaeda Nikkōtarōemon Yoshiayamenosuke Marechiyo) Other characters suspect that he received his position as a lieutenant because of his family's influence. Despite his dense and foolish attitude, he's a skilled tactician, is not above putting himself in danger for his duty, feigning weakness and stupidity to lull his opponents into underestimating him, using this to aid in his defeat of one of Aizen's arrancar. Marechiyo's zanpakutō is Gegetsuburi (Gegetsuburi roughly "five heads"). It transforms into an oversized spiked ball and chain that can be thrown to inflict great physical damage to foes.

3rd Division

Rōjūrō "Rose" Otoribashi (Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō) was the captain of the 3rd Division during the Turn Back the Pendulum gaiden. He leaves Soul Society after becoming a visored.

Gin Ichimaru (Ichimaru Gin) is the captain of the 3rd Division at the start of the series. He joins Sōsuke Aizen, for whom he was once a lieutenant in the 5th Division, in defecting from the Soul Reapers at the conclusion of the Soul Society arc.

Izuru Kira (Kira Izuru, romanized as "Iduru" in Bleach Official Character Book SOULs and other Japanese sources) is the lieutenant of the 3rd Division. He is also formerly a member of the 4th Division. He is a friend of Momo Hinamori and Renji Abarai from their days in the Soul Reaper academy, and the three often spend their free time together. Though Kira is loyal to his friends, he often places his duties as a lieutenant above them. He defends his captain, Gin Ichimaru, from a grief-stricken Hinamori, and later calls himself a "monster" for raising his sword against her. He subsequently comes to regret helping Gin to defect from Soul Society, and develops more of a depressed, dull and pessimistic attitude.

Kira's zanpakutō is Wabisuke (Wabisuke roughly "miserable man", translated in the English manga as "the penitent one"). When released, Wabisuke doubles the weight of whatever it strikes. The effect is cumulative, so each following hit exponentially increases the weight of the target. Thus, after seven or eight blocked attacks, his opponents are unable to lift their own swords. At this point Wabisuke's released form, a blade bent into a squared hook, comes into play, being used to decapitate the kneeling opponent. 

4th Division

Retsu Unohana (Unohana Retsu) is the captain of the 4th Division. She is a soft-spoken woman who has never displayed distress and uses honorifics when addressing everyone, including her subordinates. Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake treat her as their senior, implying she may have been involved in Soul Society longer than either of them. As the head of the 4th Division, Unohana is usually tasked with healing others, commonly treating the most severe injuries. Though she is always polite to her patients, her presence will scare her charges into submission if they try to leave her care before they are fully healed. Unohana's zanpakutō is Minazuki (Minazuki roughly "purify the flesh"), When in its sealed form it resembles a curved tachi. When unsealed, the entire sword transforms into a gigantic, flying, one-eyed creature resembling a manta ray. It has the ability to heal people by swallowing them. When Unohana reseals Minazuki, it dissolves into green mist and reforms into the sheath of her zanpakutō.

Isane Kotetsu (Kotetsu Isane) is the lieutenant of the 4th Division. She is the older sister of Kiyone Kotetsu. Unlike Kiyone, Isane is generally quiet and observant, though she shares her sister's sense of loyalty to her captain. Unohana notes that Isane suffers from frequent and recurring nightmares. This is sometimes used as material for jokes, as Isane's nightmares are often odd or whimsical in their contents. For example, she once had a nightmare involving fish paste. Isane's zanpakutō is Itegumo (Itegumo literally "frozen cloud", translated in the English manga as "frozen snow"). When released, two smaller blades protrude from Itegumo's hilt at 45° angles. Its special abilities, if any, remain unknown.

Hanatarō Yamada (Yamada Hanatarō) is the 7th Seat of the 4th Division and the leader of its 14th Relief Squad. Hanatarō is very timid and nervous, and he tends to be clumsy and easily duped. Despite this, he is shown to be very bold at times, as he risks his standing as a Soul Reaper to help Rukia Kuchiki escape execution. Instead of his zanpakutō, Hanatarō usually carries around a 4th Division medical pack on his back that he uses to heal others in the field. Though he does possess a zanpakutō, named Hisagomaru (Hisagomaru "gourd"), he tends to misplace it as he rarely needs to use it. When it strikes an opponent, Hisagomaru heals their wounds rather than causing them damage. A red gauge on the blade then fills depending on the severity of the healed wound. Once the gauge is filled and it is released, Hisagomaru transforms into a scalpel and changes its name to Akeiro Hisagomaru (Akeiro Hisagomaru "crimson gourd"). In this state, Hisagomaru unleashes a blast proportionate in strength to the severity and amount of wounds healed.

5th Division

Shinji Hirako (Hirako Shinji) is the captain of the 5th Division during the Turn Back the Pendulum gaiden. He leaves Soul Society after becoming a visored.

Sōsuke Aizen (Aizen Sōsuke) is the captain of the 5th Division at the start of the series. He defects from the Soul Reapers at the conclusion of the Soul Society arc, fleeing to Hueco Mundo. In the past he was the lieutenant of the 5th Division under Shinji Hirako, who he replaced sometime after converting Shinji into a visored. 

Momo Hinamori (Hinamori Momo) is the lieutenant of the 5th Division. She is an upbeat and easy-going girl who is generally quite trusting, if not naïve. She is a childhood friend of Tōshirō Hitsugaya, who called her "bed-wetter Momo" in retaliation whenever she called him "Shiro-chan" ("Lil' Shiro" in the English dub). She befriended Izuru Kira and Renji Abarai when she joined the Soul Reaper academy, and the three later joined the 5th Division under Sōsuke Aizen. Being the only one of them to have stayed with the division, Hinamori greatly admires Aizen. She still believes he is a good person even after he tries to kill her and subsequently betrays Soul Society, suggesting that Gin Ichimaru is controlling him somehow. She later joins the rest of Soul Society in fighting against Aizen after a long period of recuperation, though makes the mistake of still referring to him as her captain. Hinamori's zanpakutō is Tobiume (Tobiume literally "flying plum tree"). When released, Tobiume's blade straightens and produces several jitte-like prongs along its length. In this form, Tobiume acts as a focus for Hinamori's spiritual power, concentrating it into energy bursts capable of cratering floors and breaching walls. She can also compress her power into massive energy balls and toss them from the blade's tip. To complement her kidō-based zanpakutō, Hinamori is noted to be talented with kidō spells as well, able to combine kidō abilities with her own zanpakutō to easily deal with three powerful Arrancar at once.

6th Division

Ginrei Kuchiki (Kuchiki Ginrei) is the captain of the 6th Division and the head of the Kuchiki family during the Turn Back the Pendulum gaiden. His grandson, Byakuya Kuchiki, eventually replaces him in both positions.

Byakuya Kuchiki (Kuchiki Byakuya) becomes captain of the 6th Division sometime after his grandfather, Ginrei Kuchiki, vacates its captaincy.

Renji Abarai (Abarai Renji) begins his Soul Reaper career in the 5th Division, but is transferred into the 11th Division and eventually moves to the 6th to become Byakuya Kuchiki's lieutenant. He and Rukia spent their childhood among the poor streets as orphans in Rukongai. He is a strong and dedicated man who draws a blade on his own captain, Byakuya Kuchiki (Rukia's brother by marriage), over Rukia's impending execution when Byakuya makes no effort to stop the execution. 

7th Division

Love Aikawa (Aikawa Rabu) is the captain of the 7th Division during the Turn Back the Pendulum gaiden. He leaves Soul Society after becoming a visored. 

Sajin Komamura (Komamura Sajin) is the captain of the 7th Division. He is an anthropomorphic canine who is very self-conscious about his appearance, and so wears a large helmet that conceals his entire head when he is first introduced. After his fight with Kenpachi Zaraki (during which his helmet is destroyed), he gains enough confidence to go without the helmet. His canine appearance is often the source of jokes; for example, when his lieutenant asks where to find a bathroom, he appears to direct him to a fire hydrant, though he is in fact pointing at a bathroom just around the corner. Komamura has a close friendship with Kaname Tōsen, and is shocked when the latter defects from Soul Society, feeling that his friend has abandoned his morals. Komamura resolves to awaken Tōsen with his own hands. Komamura is immensely strong, as demonstrated by his ability to hurl the arrancar Po's massive released state over his head and onto the ground.

Komamura's zanpakutō is Tenken (Tenken literally "divine punishment", translated in the English manga as "sword of heavenly retribution"). Once released, Tenken creates various body parts of a giant to copy whatever body part Komamura moves; for example, should Komamura swing his sword, a gigantic disembodied arm wielding a sword appears and does the same thing. Tenken's bankai, Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō (Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō roughly "vidyarāja of black-roped divine punishment", translated in the English manga as "divine retribution, black ropes of ruination") brings forth the entire giant, which also copies Komamura's movements.

Tetsuzaemon Iba (Iba Tetsuzaemon) is the lieutenant of the 7th Division. He is originally from the 11th Division, having transferred once determining he would never be promoted to lieutenant had he stayed. His former compatriots look down upon him because of this, though Iba still enjoys a good fight and usually spends his free time with 11th Division members. He and Ikkaku Madarame have a custom of dueling with each other, drinking sake, then dueling again to see who has to get more. Iba has a distinctive hair cut and wears black sunglasses with his standard Soul Reaper uniform. Iba is well-rounded in both swordsmanship and kidō, only because it made becoming a lieutenant easier. The name and abilities of Iba's zanpakutō are unknown. In its released state, Iba's zanpakutō extends into a falchion or a large bladed scimitar with a pick-like protrusion a short distance below the tip of the sword.

8th Division

Shunsui Kyōraku (Kyōraku Shunsui) is the captain of the 8th Division. He is a laid back and flamboyant man, evident in his style of dress: he wears a straw hat and a woman's pink flowered kimono over his captain's uniform. In his off time, he can be seen drinking sake and napping. Other times, he likes to chase after women, particularly his lieutenant. Kyōraku tends to use a more familiar speech style than most other characters in Bleach; he generally refers to his fellow captains and Soul Reapers by their first name followed by an honorific. Kyōraku is a peace-loving man who will always try to find a nonviolent solution, though he does not wish to insult opponents by refusing to fight. He and his friend Jūshirō Ukitake are two of the oldest captains in the Gotei 13. They both trained under General Yamamoto, who Kyōraku calls Old-man Yama (Yama-jii).

Kyōraku's zanpakutō is Katen Kyōkotsu (Katen Kyōkotsu roughly "flower-heaven bone of madness"). His zanpakutō is unique in that it exists as two completely separate swords, being as a daisho sword pair. In Katen Kyōkotsu's released state, the daisho sword pair transforms into two large scimitars or falchions. While the anime and manga have yet to depict what special abilities Katen Kyōkotsu possesses, some Bleach video games portray it as having wind manipulation abilities.

Lisa Yadōmaru (Yadōmaru Risa) is the lieutenant of the 8th Division under Shunsui Kyōraku during the Turn Back the Pendulum gaiden. She leaves Soul Society after becoming a visored.

Nanao Ise (Ise Nanao) is the lieutenant of the 8th Division. She first joined the division when she was a little girl, and enjoyed being read to by former lieutenant Lisa Yadōmaru. Nanao is a very serious and pragmatic person, which is at odds with her captain's silly antics. Despite this, she is extremely respectful of her captain and follows his instructions without hesitation. Nanao is often accosted by her captain, whose teasing takes various forms. When she is particularly annoyed she takes off her glasses. Though her face has never been seen while doing so, this act is apparently quite frightening, as most characters who see it are reduced to gibbering wrecks just by witnessing it. Nanao is rarely seen with her zanpakutō during the series. An illustration in the art book "All Color but the Black" reveals that her zanpakutō takes the form of what appears to be either a wakizashi or tantō, which she seems to conceal within her sleeve.

9th Division

Kensei Muguruma (Muguruma Kensei) is the captain of the 9th Division during the Turn Back the Pendulum gaiden. He leaves Soul Society after becoming a visored.

Mashiro Kuna (Kuna Mashiro) is the lieutenant of the 9th Division under Kensei Muguruma during the Turn Back the Pendulum gaiden. She leaves Soul Society after becoming a visored.

Kaname Tōsen (Tōsen Kaname) is the captain of the 9th Division at the start of the series. He has been blind since birth, but is capable of using his spiritual sense to "see". Tōsen is an extremely calm and serious pacifist, though he will not restrain from fighting for what he believes in or preserving justice. These philosophies were adopted from a peaceful friend he had before becoming a Soul Reaper. When her husband killed her for nagging him, Tōsen became disillusioned that such a righteous person could be killed for such an insignificant reason. After that his creed in life became to "take the path with the least bloodshed". It is for this reason that he feels it necessary to join Sōsuke Aizen in defecting from the Soul Reapers at the conclusion of the Soul Society arc.

Tōsen's zanpakutō is Suzumushi (Suzumushi literally "pure insects", but read as "cricket"; translated in the English manga as "bell bug"). In its sealed form, Suzumushi looks like a regular katana; its crossguard shaped like a tear drop, with several teardrop-shaped holes at the wide part of the teardrop. Unlike most zanpakutō, Suzumushi has two shikai commands, each producing a unique automatic effect. With one Suzumushi projects a high-pitched tone over a wide area, overloading the hearing of anyone in range and knocking them unconscious. When the second release command is used Suzumushi changes into Suzumushi Nishiki: Benihikō (Suzumushi Nishiki: Benihikō literally "Suzumushi, second style: crimson grasshopper"), which creates a trail when swung that turns into hundreds of blades that rain down on his opponents. Suzumushi's bankai, named Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Kōrogi (Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Kōrogi literally "Suzumushi, final style: Enma cricket") creates a large, black dome centered at Tōsen's location and anchored to the ground with ten rings. Anyone within the dome loses the ability to sense anything around them but retains the sensation of touch. The weakness of this technique is that whoever is touching Suzumushi's hilt is immune to the dome's effects, so anyone able to grab Suzumushi recovers their senses.

Shūhei Hisagi (Hisagi Shūhei) is the lieutenant of the 9th Division. As a child he was saved by the then 9th Division captain, Kensei Muguruma. In later years Shūhei got a 69 tattoo on the left side of his face, matching the one Kensei has on his stomach. While acting as an instructor at the Soul Reaper academy, Shūhei's class was attacked by a hollow, and in fighting it he received a distinctive scar across his face. Shūhei is an extremely mature and calm individual, causing him to get along well with his captain, Kaname Tōsen. After Tōsen defects from Soul Society, Shūhei assumes the duties of his captain as an acting replacement. According to series creator Tite Kubo, Hisagi became fairly popular with fans long before his backstory and personality were really explored, an abnormality among Bleach characters. Shūhei's zanpakutō is Kazeshini (Kazeshini literally "death of the wind"). When released, it takes the form of a Kusarigama-like weapon, with two blades curving both directions, connected by a long chain. Although he dislikes the shape of his weapon because it's "shaped like something meant to take life," he is extremely proficient at wielding it, capable of using the blades as both hand-to-hand weapons and projectiles, using the chain to make the weapons' paths unpredictable.

10th Division

Tōshirō Hitsugaya (Hitsugaya Tōshirō) is the captain of the 10th Division, and the youngest captain in the history of Soul Society. He appears as an early teen, and takes his captaincy very seriously, and is often shown to be reminding others of his rank.

Rangiku Matsumoto (Matsumoto Rangiku) is the lieutenant of the 10th Division. She has strawberry-blonde hair and large breasts. She makes no effort to conceal the latter, wearing loose-fitting robes that expose much of her cleavage, using them to try to win over male characters, and using them as a topic in casual conversation. She is very carefree and lazy, usually avoiding the jobs of a lieutenant so that she can sleep or go drinking. Despite her avoiding her responsibilities, Matsumoto can be serious when need be, and often gives important and useful advice. Matsumoto has known Gin Ichimaru since they were children, and spent much of their childhood living together and looking out for each other. They remain close after joining the Soul Reapers, though she is surprised when he later betrays Soul Society. She recruited her captain, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, into the Soul Reapers and the two have grown close ever since. She has an unwavering loyalty and devotion for him and frequently tries to get him to lighten up and have some fun. Matsumoto's zanpakutō is Haineko (Haineko literally "ash cat"). Its guard is in the shape of a cat's head. When released, the blade dissolves into ash. In combat, Matsumoto can control the movement of the ash, and cut anything it lands on by moving the hilt. The ash is also solid enough to be used as a shield to block enemy attacks. Series creator Tite Kubo identifies Rangiku as one of his two favorite female characters in the series, citing that he "has a lot of fun drawing her and creating stories with her."

11th Division

Kenpachi Zaraki (Zaraki Kenpachi) is the most recent captain of the 11th Division. Like all of his predecessors, he has earned the title of "Kenpachi"; the best warrior among all of the Soul Reapers.

Yachiru Kusajishi (Kusajishi Yachiru) is the lieutenant of the 11th Division. She is child-like in most respects, as she is small, cheerful, and carefree most of the time. She was found as an infant by Kenpachi Zaraki who, despite being drenched in blood, did not frighten her. He named her "Yachiru" in memory of the only person he ever admired. Since that day she has spent much of her time clinging to his back for transport. Like Zaraki, she has no sense of direction, even though he relies on her to find his way. Yachiru resents being criticized in any way and will often attack the perpetrator in comical fashion. Further reflecting her child-like nature, Yachiru likes to give people nicknames; for example, she calls her captain Ken-chan ("Kenny" in the English version). Various Bleach omakes show that Yachiru has a love for candy, which is often used by other characters to make her leave them alone. Despite her child-like appearance, Yachiru is apparently quite strong, being capable of lifting Kenpachi and leaping between buildings while carrying him. She is also very fast for her size. She can emit a large amount of spiritual power when angry, which forms into a large, pink, angry cat face. The name and ability of Yachiru's zanpakutō are both unknown. In it's sealed state Yachiru's zanpakuto takes the form of a small, pink wakizashi which she drags around on a string. A wheel attached to the bottom of the sheath facilitates this.

Ikkaku Madarame (Madarame Ikkaku) is the 3rd Seat of the 11th Division. He is a bald, battle-loving man. He fought and was defeated by Kenpachi Zaraki sometime in the past, though was strong enough to survive the battle. Once Zaraki became captain of the 11th Division, Ikkaku and his friend Yumichika Ayasegawa joined the Soul Reapers so that they could fight and die under Zaraki's command. He shares a number of similarities with his captain such as seeking enjoyment in battles by risking his life. He is purportedly the second strongest man in the division. Though strong enough to take a position as a captain, Ikkaku insists his one mission in life is to die under the command of Zaraki.

Ikkaku's zanpakutō is Hōzukimaru (referring to the Japanese name for "demon light"). Though ordinary in appearance, he stores a blood-clotting ointment in its hilt. When released, it transforms into a yari with a wax wood shaft. While he usually treats it as such, he can also turn its shaft into a three section staff to surprise the opponent. Ikkaku has achieved bankai, though he keeps this a secret to most characters so that he is not pressured to become a captain. Hōzukimaru's bankai, named Ryūmon Hōzukimaru (Ryūmon Hōzukimaru literally "dragon-crest demon light"), takes the form of three oversized weapons connected by a thick chain: two blades in each of his hands and a fan-shaped blade, adorned with a carving of a Chinese dragon, which floats behind him. Aside from the increase in power, his bankai offers no special abilities, and is noted to be unusual for a bankai in this respect. As a fight progresses, the dragon crest will slowly begin to glow crimson, increasing its power as it does so.

Yumichika Ayasegawa (Ayasegawa Yumichika) is a lifelong friend of Ikkaku Madarame. He values Ikkaku's opinion very highly and tends to follow him everywhere. The two joined the Soul Reapers so that they could serve under Kenpachi Zaraki. Since Ikkaku took the 3rd seat position, Yumichika settled for 5th Seat, thinking that five (go) looks almost like a three (san). He has colorful feathers on his eyelashes and eyebrow, and shiny skin and hair, giving him a rather womanly appearance. Narcissistic and vain, Yumichika judges everyone and everything by beauty. He goes so far as to try to forget things he deems "ugly" after seeing them, and even tries fighting ugly opponents with his eyes closed.

Yumichika's zanpakutō is Ruriiro Kujaku (Ruriiro Kujaku literally "azure peacock"), a kidō-type zanpakutō. However, since the 11th Division has an unspoken rule that zanpakutō are only to be used for direct attack, Yumichika keeps this fact secret. According to himself, he would risk dying to conceal his zanpakuto's true power. To conceal it, he releases with the name Fuji Kujaku (Fuji Kujaku literally "wisteria peacock"), which annoys his sword and causes it to take up a weakened form consisting of a sickle-shaped blade which can split into four identical blades. When confident he will be able to keep it a secret, he uses its real name. Doing so causes the blades to split into vines which bind the opponent and feed on their spiritual pressure, leaving them incapable of fighting.

Maki Ichinose (Ichinose Maki), introduced during the anime's Bount arc, left the 11th Division after Kenpachi Zaraki killed the previous captain. He traveled the human world, but one day, while in a weakened state in a desert, he fell upon a hollow that almost killed him; the hollow was subdued by Jin Kariya, who allowed Maki to kill it. Maki swore his loyalty to Jin after that, only breaking the vow once to fight Zaraki. He helps the Bount infiltrate Soul Society, though is killed by Kariya once his purpose is fulfilled. His zanpakutō later helps in Kariya's defeat, acting as a lightning rod for Kariya's attacks. Maki's zanpakutō is called Nijigasumi (Nijigasumi literally "rainbow mist"). When released, Nijigasumi glows with rainbow colors and has the ability to control light for various purposes. It can make Maki turn invisible or douse the area in light, playing havoc with opponents' counterattacks. It can also use light offensively, creating blades of light to cut or crush opponents.

12th Division

Kirio Hikifune (Hikifune Kirio) left the 12th Division soon before the start of the Turn Back the Pendulum gaiden under the guise of retirement. In actuality, she was transferred to the Zero Division. Her lieutenant, Hiyori Sarugaki, thought of her as a mother-figure. She was succeeded by Kisuke Urahara.

Hiyori Sarugaki (Sarugaki Hiyori) is the lieutenant of the 12th Division under Kisuke Urahara during the Turn Back the Pendulum gaiden. She was also the lieutenant of Urahara's predecessor, Kirio Hikifune. She leaves Soul Society after becoming a visored.

Kisuke Urahara (Urahara Kisuke), once the 3rd Seat of the 2nd Divisio, replaces Kirio Hikifune as the captain of the 12th Division during the Turn Back the Pendulum gaiden. His experiments to cure his fellow soul reapers of their hollowfication and a ploy formed by Sōsuke Aizen caused him to be exiled to the human world a century before the start of the series.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi (Kurotsuchi Mayuri) is the captain of the 12th Division. He personifies the stereotype of the mad scientist, viewing everyone as objects to be dissected in the lab. He takes great pride in his experiments and the things he has created (such as his daughter Nemu) and condemns the concept of perfection. He has made extensive modifications to his body: his left arm can extend like a grappling hook and by pulling out his ears he can form a scythe. Mayuri has little regard for life or allegiances, readily turning his own subordinates into human bombs on one occasion. In the past this potential danger he posed to Soul Society led to his imprisonment when he joined the Soul Reapers. Kisuke Urahara, upon becoming captain of the 12th Division, recognized his potential as a scientist and released Mayuri to help him with his research.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi's zanpakutō is Ashisogi Jizō (Ashisogi Jizō roughly "leg-cutting Jizō"). When released, Ashisogi Jizō's transforms into a deformed trident. When it stabs an opponent it emits a poison that cuts off the nerve signals that control limb movement, effectively causing paralysis while allowing the victim to still feel pain. Ashisogi Jizō's bankai, named Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō (Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō literally "golden leg-cutting Jizō", translated in the English manga as "divine leg-cutting Jizō"), takes the form of a giant caterpillar with a baby's head and a silver halo. The creature breathes a poisonous derivative of Mayuri's blood which is lethal to anyone who breathes it, aside from Mayuri and Nemu. Mayuri has physically modified his bankai so that it will self-destruct and return to its sealed state if it attacks him. As a final defensive measure, Mayuri can reduce himself to liquid form for three days by stabbing himself with his zanpakutō. This leaves him unable to attack or be attacked, making it an effective escape tool.

Nemu Kurotsuchi (Kurotsuchi Nemu) is the lieutenant of the 12th Division. She is the artificially created daughter of Mayuri Kurotsuchi, a combination of his research in artificial bodies (gigai) and artificial souls (gikon). This past has driven her to become rather introverted and melancholic, preferring to stay silent in her captain's presence. Their relationship is far from the average father-daughter one, as Mayuri does not seem to care much for Nemu's well-being (even using her as bait in combat). Unlike her father, however, she seems to have compassion for others, saving Uryū Ishida's life as thanks when he does not kill Mayuri.

Nemu's body was designed to withstand fatal wounds, though she still suffers the pain brought on by her injuries. Nemu is also immune to Mayuri's many poisons. Despite this, she carries around a variety of antidotes to be used as she sees fit. She also holds various poisons and potions derived from Mayuri's research in her own body, making her highly dangerous to those that attack her internally. Nemu does not normally carry a zanpakutō, but she is shown to have one in an illustration in the artbook "All Color but the Black". Her zanpakutō takes the form of what appears to be a thin katana.

13th Division

Jūshirō Ukitake (Ukitake Jūshirō) is the captain of the 13th Division. He suffers from tuberculosis, and so has a sickly appearance. His illness acts as an inhibition for him throughout the series; if he fights for too long, or even becomes too agitated, the illness flares up. He is forced to leave most of his duties as a captain to his subordinates so that he can rest. Despite this, Jūshirō is respected by many Soul Reapers for his honesty, loyalty, and personal sense of justice. He and his friend Shunsui Kyōraku are two of the oldest captains in the Gotei 13, both having trained under General Yamamoto thousands of years before the current Bleach storyline.

Jūshirō's zanpakutō is Sōgyo no Kotowari (Sōgyo no Kotowari literally "law of the twin fish). In Sōgyo no Kotowari's released state, it splits into two thin blades resembling fishing javelins, making it one of the only two zanpakutō in Soul Society to exist as a pair. While the anime and manga have yet to depict what special abilities it possesses, some Bleach video games portray it as having the ability to manipulate water and electricity.

Kaien Shiba (Shiba Kaien) was the lieutenant of the 13th Division under Jūshirō Ukitake and was considered something of a prodigy. He closely resembled Ichigo Kurosaki in both appearance and personality, something that is brought up multiple times in the series. Though he had a good relationship with all of his subordinates, he was particularly close with Rukia Kuchiki. Unlike other Soul Reapers, Kaien treated Rukia like any other, not judging her by the name Kuchiki, which in turn helped her to gain some self-confidence. After his wife was killed by a hollow, Kaien went out to kill the hollow to seek revenge. He was possessed by the hollow in the process and attacked Rukia, who killed him in self-defense. Though he thanked her for doing so and apologized for his actions, Rukia forever feels guilty about her role in his death.

The hollow that possessed Kaien was designed to return to Hueco Mundo when killed. Still merged with the hollow at the time, the two were sent back as one entity. The hollow was eventually consumed by Aaroniero Arruruerie, who was able to use Kaien's appearance and abilities, namely his zanpakutō, Nejibana (Nejibana Japanese name for the Spiranthes, translated in the English manga as "twisted flower"). When released, Nejibana transforms into a crystalline cross between a trident and a ji. In this form it has the ability to manipulate water and can create shockwaves to split the enemy in two.

Kiyone Kotetsu (Kotetsu Kiyone) and Sentarō Kotsubaki (Kotsubaki Sentarō) are both the 3rd Seat of the 13th Division. They share the duties of the lieutenant, though neither appear suited for the actual position. They squabble quite often, each believing that they are more respectful of their captain than the other is. They both mean well, but are highly competitive and constantly critical of the other (to further their rivalry, they also happen to share the same birthday, September 22). Kiyone is the younger sister of Isane Kotetsu.

Rukia Kuchiki (Kuchiki Rukia), though talented enough for a position as a seated officer, has been made ineligible by order of her older brother, Byakuya Kuchiki, out of concern for her safety. However, this is not revealed until after the Soul Society Arc when the Arrancar and Espada first appear.

Kidō Corps

Tessai Tsukabishi (Tsukabishi Tessai) is the Kidō Corps Chief (Kidōshū Sōshi) and Grand Kidō Captain (Dai Kidōchō) during the Turn Back the Pendulum gaiden. He has since left Soul Society and now works at the Urahara Shop.

Hachigen Ushōda (Ushōda Hachigen) is the Vice Kidō Captain (Fuku Kidōchō) under Tessai Tsukabishi during the Turn Back the Pendulum gaiden. He leaves Soul Society after becoming a visored.

-- from Wikipedia