Gotei 13: all captains, squads and their goals
Short answer: Gotei 13 is the main military organization of the Soul Society, consisting of 13 Shinigami divisions. It was founded by Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto and is currently led by Shunsui Kyoraku. Each division has its own specialization, emblem, and color, and its captain is one of the strongest Shinigami. The article contains a full list of divisions, their captains and lieutenants, ways to obtain the rank of captain, and interesting facts.
What is Gotei 13
Gotei 13 (Japanese: 護廷十三隊, Goteijūsantai, literally "13 squads of the imperial guard") is the main military force of the Soul Society and the organization of the shinigami. Almost all shinigami, after graduating from the Spiritual Arts Academy, join one of these squads.
The headquarters of Gotei 13 is located in Seireitei, the center of the Soul Society. The organization's mission is to protect Seireitei, fight Hollows, send souls to the afterlife, and maintain the balance between worlds.
History of creation: from brutal killers to protectors
Gotei 13 was founded by Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto over 1000 years ago. The first generation of 13 captains, according to Yhwach, was a "band of the most brutal killers of the Seireitei" who kept order exclusively by brute force. Yamamoto himself was then a pragmatic leader who did not spare even his subordinates.
It was the first generation that took part in the extermination of the Quincy race, whose actions against the Hollows threatened the balance of life and death. After this war, Gotei 13 changed greatly: having gained a sense of justice and realizing that there was something to protect, the organization became less cruel and more noble.
Modern Gotei 13 is an army called upon to protect not only the Seireitei, but the entire world of the living.
Mission and general operating principles
Main responsibilities of Gotei 13:
Protection of the Seireitei — the center of the Soul Society.
Deployment of combat squads into enemy territory.
Deployment of task forces in the world of the living to fight Hollows.
Conducting the souls of the deceased to the Soul Society.
Gotei 13 usually does not act as a single unit. Each division is independent, and its captain manages it at his own discretion, can change the division's specialization and even create separate subdivisions (for example, the 12th Division under Mayuri Kurotsuchi is closely connected with the Shinigami Research and Development Institute).
A general assembly of all divisions occurs only by order of the captain-commander or the Central 46 Council. Captains may not see each other for months if there is no common threat.
Structure and ranks
Gotei 13 has a hierarchy of 20 officer ranks. The lower the number, the higher the rank. The system is based solely on merit, not on seniority.
*Captain-Commander (總隊長, Sōtaichō)*
The supreme leader of the Gotei 13, who also oversees Onmitsukidō and the Kidō Corps, when all of Soul Society is under threat. Only he knows the true nature of the Ōken (the key to the royal palace). He is appointed by the Central 46.
Founder and first Captain-Commander: Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto (held the post for 1000 years, died in battle with Yhwach).
Current Captain-Commander: Shunsui Kyoraku.
Captain (隊長, Taichō)
Leader of one of the 13 squads. Captains are the strongest shinigami of the Soul Society, and all (with the rarest of exceptions) wield bankai — the final stage of their zanpakutō. Bankai increases a shinigami's power by 5–10 times.
Captains have absolute power within their squad: they determine its policy, can change its specialization, and may punish only their own subordinates.
Three ways to become a captain:
Professional aptitude exam (taishu) — you must demonstrate bankai before at least three captains, including the captain-commander. The most common path.
Personal recommendation — recommendations from six captains and approval from three of the remaining seven are required.
Combat — defeat the current captain in a duel before 200 witnesses. The rarest and most condemned method; exception — the 11th Division, where every captain earned the rank exactly this way (by killing their predecessor).
Lieutenant (副隊長, Fukutaichō)
The second officer of the squad, the captain's deputy. Usually only wields the shikai. If the captain dies or leaves, the lieutenant temporarily performs his duties. The captain himself appoints the lieutenant (sometimes several), but this is rare.
*Senior officers (席官, sekikan)*
The remaining officers from 3rd to 20th place. The third officer is sometimes called the "lieutenant's adjutant." A squad may have several third places (for example, the 13th squad has two).
Salaries (according to the manga): captain — 2,000,000 yen per month, lieutenant — 700,000, rank-and-file shinigami — 200,000.
All 13 squads of Gotei 13
Below is the current roster at the end of the manga (after the Thousand-Year Blood War). For each squad, the captain, lieutenant(s), symbol, its meaning, and color are given.
№ | Squad | Captain | Lieutenant(s) | Symbol | Symbol meaning | Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | First | Shunsui Kyoraku | Nanao Ise, Genshiro Okikiba | Chrysanthemum | Truth and innocence | Dark purple |
2 | Second | Soi-Fon | Marechiyo Omaeda | Pasqueflower (sleep-grass) | Seek nothing | Dark orange |
3 | Third | Rojuro Otoribashi | Izuru Kira | Marigolds | Despair | Light green |
4 | Fourth | Isane Kotetsu | Kiyone Kotetsu | Bluebell | Those who mourn are loved | Dark pink |
5 | Fifth | Momo Hinamori | Lily of the valley | Sacrifice, danger, pure love | Pale turquoise | |
6 | Sixth | Byakuya Kuchiki | Renji Abarai | Camellia | Noble mind | Cobalt blue |
7 | Seventh | Tetsuzaemon Iba | Atau Rindo | Iris | Courage | Dark yellow-brown |
8 | Eighth | Lisa Yadomaru | Yuyu Yayahara | Strelitzia (bird of paradise) | Everything is achievable | Crimson pink |
9 | Ninth | Kensei Muguruma | Shuhei Hisagi, Mashiro Kuna | White poppy | Oblivion | Dark orange-brown |
10 | Tenth | Toshiro Hitsugaya | Rangiku Matsumoto | Daffodil | Mystery, selfishness | Dark green |
11 | Eleventh | Kenpachi Zaraki | Ikkaku Madarame | Yarrow | Battle | Lavender |
12 | Twelfth | Mayuri Kurotsuchi | Akon | Thistle | Revenge, strictness, independence | Olive green |
13 | Thirteenth | Sentaro Kotsubaki | Snowdrop | Hope | Burgundy |
Current captains: strength and features
Shunsui Kyoraku (1st Division)
Captain-Commander, former captain of the 8th Division. Master of sword and kido, his zanpakuto Katen Kyokotsu turns children's games into deadly rules. Became head of the Gotei 13 after Yamamoto's death.
Soi-Fon (2nd Division)
Head of Onmitsukido (covert operations). Her zanpakuto Suzumebachi is deadly poisonous: two strikes to the same spot guarantee death. Master of hand-to-hand combat and shunpo.
Rojuro Otoribashi (3rd Division)
Former vizard. His zanpakuto Kinsara uses sound waves and illusions through music.
Isane Kotetsu (4th Division)
Medical division. Former lieutenant of Yachiru Unohana, became captain after her mentor's death. Her zanpakuto Minazuki is an ice sword.
**Shinji Hirako** (5th Division)
Former vizard. His zanpakuto Sakanade inverts the opponent's perception (up/down, right/left, etc.), which makes him incredibly dangerous in battle.
Byakuya Kuchiki (6th Division)
Head of the noble Kuchiki clan. His zanpakuto Senbonzakura scatters into thousands of blade-petals. Bankai Senbonzakura Kageyoshi creates a sea of blades. One of the strongest captains.
Tetsuzaemon Iba (7th Division)
Former lieutenant of the 7th Division, became captain after Sajin Komamura's departure. Master of close combat, his zanpakuto Tenken (received from the previous captain) is a giant sword.
Lisa Yadomaru (8th Division)
Former lieutenant of Shunsui Kyoraku, a Vizard. Her zanpakutō Haguro Tonbo is a large spear-sword.
Kensei Muguruma (9th Division)
Former Vizard. His zanpakutō Tachikaze is a wind sword; the bankai Tekken Tachikaze creates whirlwinds and amplifies the power of his strikes.
Toshiro Hitsugaya (10th Division)
A young genius, the youngest captain in history. His zanpakutō Hyōrinmaru is the strongest ice sword, controlling weather and ice.
Kenpachi Zaraki (11th Division)
The 11th Division is a combat division, specializing in direct battle. Zaraki holds the title of "Kenpachi," meaning the strongest swordsman. His zanpakutō Nozarashi is a huge cleaver, and his bankai turns him into a berserker.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi (12th Division)
A mad scientist, head of the Research and Development Institute. His zanpakutō Ashizogi Jizō is a poisonous baby sword, and his bankai Konjiki Ashizogi Jizō is a giant poisonous monster. He can modify his body and zanpakutō.
Rukia Kuchiki (13th Division)
A former lieutenant of the 13th Division, she became captain after the death of Jushiro Ukitake. Her zanpakutō Sode no Shirayuki is an ice sword with elegant techniques. Her bankai Hakka no Togame freezes everything around her to absolute zero.
Form and symbolism
Each division has its own symbol (flower), which is embroidered on the inside of the black kosode. Lieutenants wear an armband with the division's symbol. Captains wear a white haori over the black shikakusho with the division number inside the Gotei 13 diamond on the back. The color of the haori lining is unique to each captain (or division).
Interesting facts
In the English dub, Gotei 13 is called "13 Court Guard Squads".
Before the founding of Gotei 13, scattered groups of warriors existed in the Soul Society, but it was Yamamoto who united them into a single structure.
Families of fallen captains receive lifelong financial support.
The 11th Division is the only one where the captain always obtains the rank by killing the predecessor (the Kenpachi tradition).
After the extermination of the Quincy, Gotei 13 became softer, gaining a sense of justice and a desire to protect.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
**How many divisions are in Gotei 13?
**Who founded Gotei 13?
**Who is the current captain-commander?
**Who is the strongest captain?
**What are the ways to become a captain?
**Is it mandatory for a captain to have a bankai?