Bleach’s Most Powerful Captains, Ranked

In the fantasy world of Bleach, it’s up to the Shinigami to slow evil spirits and escort the souls of the dead to the waiting Soul Society. However, some Shinigami are much better at this work than others. While the Seireitei has thousands of unranked Shinigami, the elite officers are in a league of their own, most of all the 13 Captains and their Lieutenant assistants. The Captains each command one major Squad of Shinigami, and they often lead with sheer strength.

A variety of Captain-ranked Shinigami have appeared throughout Bleach‘s story, from flashbacks to the main story, but even in this unique rank, not all Shinigami are equal. Some Bleach Captains dropped the ball or had unimpressive powers for their rank, while other Captains are true powerhouses in Bleach‘s world. Even if the Captains aren’t ranked in-universe like the ten Espadas are, it’s still evident which ten Shinigami are the strongest, and why.

Updated on September 25, 2024, by Ajay Aravind: The Bleach anime is nearing the end of its run, with the first episode of Part 3 set to be released on October 5, 2024. Nearly every Shinigami Captain plays a notable role in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, as evidenced by the explosive battles seen in the first two cours. Although other Captains are yet to showcase their true strength in the anime, we have updated this article with five more entries.

15 Rojuro Otoribashi’s Bankai Is Powerful But Has A Glaring Flaw

Captain of Squad 3 (Current)

The weakest Gotei 13 Captain on this list is Rojuro Otoribashi, who was the Captain of Squad 3 a hundred years ago as well as after after the Thousand-Year Blood War arc. As an experienced combatant and Shinigami leader, it’s expected that Rojuro would have a Bankai in addition to his Shikai Kinshara. It only appeared during the TYBW arc and did quite a bit of damage.

When used against Sternritter S: The Superstar, Rojuro’s Kinshara Butodan managed to get the upper hand on the villain. Using a combination of music and illusion, Rojuro made Masc de Masculine feel like he was being drowned and burned, essentially neutralizing him. The reason Rojuro is so low on this list, however, is the glaring flaw in his Bankai. Masc shattered his eardrums and was instantly unaffected by the music, allowing him to nearly kill Rojuro.

14 Kensei Muguruma Can Defeat The Right Kind Of Overpowered Opponent

Captain of Squad 9 (Current)

Like Rojuro, Kensei became the Captain of Squad 9 on two separate occasions. He was also a Visored, although his Hollow mask didn’t really make all that difference given that he was already quite strong. Kensei prefers to fight with his fists, as seen by how he manifests his powers. The only Gotei 13 Captain with an unarmed combat-based Zanpakuto, Kensei Muguruma’s Tachikaze is a form of violent Airbending.

It can control the wind and send air attacks capable of piercing the strongest defenses. Kensei’s Shikai was capable of holding back Ichigo’s Tensa Zangetsu, though it must be admitted that the hero wasn’t at his peak yet. His Bankai appeared strong at first, seemingly defeating Mask de Masculine — until the Sternritter came back stronger than ever. All things considered, Kensei fans believe that he simply wasn’t given a fair shake.

13 Soi Fon Is a Trained Assassin With an Instant-Kill Shikai

Captain of Squad 2 (Current)

Captain Soi Fon of Squad 2 may lack serious physical strength compared to most other Captains, but her assassin skills and Zanpakuto easily make up for it. Like her predecessor Yoruichi Shihoin, Soi Fon is a trained ninja whose exceptional speed, agility, and martial arts give her the edge over most foes. She can also use Shunko, a martial arts/Kido blend that Yoruichi invented.

Soi Fon’s Shikai is actually deadlier than her Bankai, and it’s much quicker and subtler, too. Suzumebachi can sting an opponent to put a butterfly mark on them, and if any of those marks are stung again, the victim dies instantly from ultra-powerful poison. Unfortunately for her, Soi Fon lacks the brute force and clever trickery of the strongest Captains unless she uses her Bankai — and even then victory is not guaranteed.

12 Jushiro Ukitake Can Redirect an Enemy’s Attacks

Captain of Squad 13 (Former)

Captain Jushro Ukitake hid his true power until much later in Bleach‘s story. In the beloved Soul Society arc, for example, he did very little fighting and wasn’t even hostile to Ichigo’s team of ryoka. Then, during the battle against Aizen’s Arrancars, Ukitake toyed with Lilynette before helping Shunsui Kyoraku fight Coyote Starrk, the #1 Espada.

Ukitake’s Sogyo no Kotowari involves two swords bound with a rope, a Shikai that can absorb the enemy’s attack through one blade and discharge it from the other. That’s a highly unusual but effective Shikai for any Bleach Captain to have, and he can back it up with immense spiritual power and swordplay of his own, not relying entirely on redirected attacks to harm his enemy. Despite his death in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, Ukitake will always be remembered for his combat expertise.

11 Mayuri Kurotsuchi Uses Cutting-Edge Science to Win

Captain of Squad 12 (Current)

Mayuri Kurotsuchi isn’t too proud to admit that he is a below-average swordsman, since he’s a scientist who would rather use his inventions and special drugs to subdue his enemies than use brute force. Mayuri heavily modified his body and Zanpakuto with deadly new tricks, including an ever-changing poison gas that his massive, living Bankai can exhale. He can also paralyze his foes with strikes of his three-pronged Shikai.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi’s true strength lies in his ability to analyze and counter anything his opponent does, even if he’s fighting a fellow scientist like Szayelaporro Grantz — who claimed to be a perfect being. Later, Mayuri used his modified Zanpakuto and a unique drug to neutralize the zombified Toshiro Hitsugaya, a fine way to fight the deceptively powerful Giselle Gewelle.

10 Sajin Komamura Grew Much Stronger After His Final Sacrifice

Captain of Squad 7 (Former)

Sajin Komamura is an anthropomorphic canine with a complex history. While the Thousand-Year Blood War arc reveals his interactions with his so-called great-grandfather, his clan remains as mysterious as ever. That said, the Humanization Technique transformed Komamura into a literal weapon of war. After losing to Bambietta Basternine, Komamura sacrificed his heart to gain massive reserves of power.

Although his Bankai had been a giant wearing samurai armor before, the Humanization Technique gave him access to a modified version known as Kokujo Tengen Myo’o: Dangai Joue. In this form, Komamura was unbeatable — he proceeded to use Dangai Joue against Bambietta, leaving her mortally wounded. Given his various limitations, however, Komamura cannot be ranked any higher on this list.

9 Hirako Shinji’s Bankai Is Banned Within Soul Society

Captain of Squad 5 (Current)

Hirako Shinji was first introduced as a new student at Ichigo’s school, but it quickly became clear that he was something more. Shinji had Hollow powers just like Ichigo, explaining why the protagonist went to meet with the Visoreds. As the leader of the Visoreds, Shinji boasts remarkable power and he has the abilities to match. Very few swordsmen in Bleach are as talented as the current Squad 5 Captain, as demonstrated by his effortless victory over Grimmjow Jaequerjacquez.

Shinji’s Zanpakuto Sakanade is similar to Aizen’s in that it affects the senses, but the results are quite different. If opponents smell the pink fog that emanates from Sakanade, they are bound to an optical illusion where everything becomes reversed. According to Shinji, it’s hard for trained combatants to resist their reflexes, allowing him to secure the upper hand. His Bankai, meanwhile, is capable of causing far more damage.

8 Byakuya Kuchiki Has Numerous Powers At His Disposal

Captain of Squad 6 (Current)

Captain Byakuya Kuchiki was the first Shinigami of his rank to appear in Bleach, visiting Karakura Town to detain his foster sister Rukia. Byakuya is a highly skilled Captain in every department, from his impressive flash step to his excellent swordsmanship and his generous use of Kido spells. His Kido may not be on Sosuke Aizen’s level, but it’s still impressive as he can perform numerous spells with ease.

Most of all, Byakuya has absolutely mastered his Zanpakuto, Senbonzakura. Its Shikai can shred an enemy with a small cloud of petal-like blades, and the Bankai, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, is a much larger and deadlier version of that. Byakuya can even trap his opponent in an arena of swords with him, and his ultimate move, Shukei: Hakuteiken, focuses entirely on offense while granting Byakuya wings.

7 Yoruichi Shihoin Would Be Overpowered If She Used Bankai

Captain of Squad 2 (Former)

Renowned as the Goddess of Flash, Yoruichi Shihoin is likely the fastest character in all of Bleach. That being said, speed is just one of the vast array of abilities in her arsenal, even though it’s capable of disorienting the likes of Byakuya. Largely relying on Hakuda or unarmed combat, Yoruichi uses a combination of deft strikes and rapid movement to finish off low-level enemies.

For stronger opponents like Soi Fon, Yoruichi resorts to Shunko, a unique technique based on electricity. She can also access a higher level of Shunko, although she does so unwillingly. Despite having a Zanpakuto, Yoruichi has never been seen employing it in battle. Fans don’t even know her Shikai and Bankai releases, and she’s still on the same level as the strongest fighters in Soul Society. Fans can only imagine Yoruichi’s strength if she ever brought her Bankai out.

6 Toshiro Hitsugaya Has Immense Raw Talent

Captain of Squad 10 (Current)

Despite his youth, Toshiro Hitsugaya became the respected Captain of Squad 10 about 20-25 years before the main events of Bleach. He was born with immense natural talent, embodied by a huge ice dragon that later became his Zanpakuto Spirit. As other Shinigami have commented, Toshiro is steadily getting stronger and more skilled, and he might surpass his much older peers before long.

Captain Hitsugaya uses fairly straightforward ice-based attacks with his Shikai and Bankai, using ice formations to either trap or crush his foes with a variety of moves. He is also a gifted swordsman even by Captain standards, though he rarely relies on his bare blade to fight. Toshiro is also capable of resourceful thinking, like when he blends his Hyorinmaru with Rangiku’s Shikai to fight Bazz-B. Hitsugya will evolve even further during his final fight in the TYBW arc.

5 Shunsui Kyoraku Remains One of the Gotei 13’s Best

Captain of Squad 1 & Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 (Current)

Many centuries ago, Shunsui Kyoraku became one of Yamamoto’s first students at the Shin’o Academy for Shinigami, and he has been a highly respected Shinigami officer ever since. Outwardly, Captain Kyoraku is easygoing and goofy — if he gets serious, however, he can defeat practically anyone with his vast power and skills.

Shunsui boasts enormous spiritual power, elite swordplay, and most of all, a multi-faceted Zanpakuto. His two-bladed Shikai can force his enemy to play a deadly version of children’s games with him, and even the most powerful Espada had to be careful when playing them. Shunsui was also chosen to succeed Yamamoto as Squad 1’s commander, a high honor. His Bankai is particularly formidable, but wouldn’t last against the strongest four fighters in Bleach.

4 Retsu Unohana Was Feared as the First Kenpachi

Captain of Squad 4 (Former)

Captain Unohana was one of the original Gotei 13 Captains, a squad of brutal criminals who used unrestrained force to defeat Yhwach’s Quincy army 1,000 years ago. Then known as Yachiru Unohana, the first Captain of Squad 11 was an ultra-powerful swordswoman and a feared criminal in the Soul Society. She became famous as the first Kenpachi, a title that remained with her until her death.

Over time, Captain Unohana took the name Retsu and adopted a gentle, motherly aura as Squad 4’s Captain, but her true power was never lost. When Unohana reverted to her Yachiru self to fight Kenpachi Zaraki, she pushed him to the absolute limit while using her terrifying Bankai and self-healing. By her own admission, Unohana was weaker than the current Kenpachi, explaining why she lost to him.

3 Kenpachi Zaraki Fears No Enemy in Mortal Combat

Captain of Squad 11 (Current)

The current wielder of the title Kenpachi, the brutal Captain Kenpachi Zaraki, came from humble origins in the Rukongai’s poorest, roughest neighborhood. He stole a Shinigami’s Zanpakuto for his own use, but even after becoming a Captain, he didn’t learn that Zanpakuto’s name. Instead, Kenpachi Zaraki relied on his overwhelming strength and toughness to win fights.

Kenpachi held back in most of his battles, but after fighting Yachiru Unohana to the death, he changed his ways. He gained his Shikai, Nozarashi, and used a large fraction of his power to defeat Sternritter V, Gremmy Thoumeaux in an incredible clash in the Thousand-Year Blood War story arc. Even with no Kido or special tricks, Kenpachi is an extremely strong Shinigami, especially when his mysterious and monstrously overpowered Bankai is taken into consideration.

2 Aizen Fooled Soul Society With His Shikai Alone

Captain of Squad 5 (Former)

Captain Sosuke Aizen spent many years presenting himself as a cultured and kind officer, hiding his true nature as a brilliant schemer. He used his Zanpakuto to create perfect illusions that fooled everyone in the Soul Society, even Central 46’s members. Aizen’s illusions could last for years without interruption, a downright unfair power for a villain like him to have.

In battle, Sosuke Aizen can use Kyoka Suigetsu’s illusions to avoid enemy attacks or lure his enemies into attacking each other, but there’s more. In terms of offense, Aizen is a peerless swordsman who can casually fend off multiple Captains and Visoreds on his own. He can also use powerful Kido spells without needing their incantations. Aizen gets even stronger through the Hogyoku, and can only be brought down by Ichigo’s ultimate attack: Mugetsu.

1 Yamamoto Was the Strongest Shinigami For a Millennium

Captain of Squad 1 & Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 (Former)

Captain Yamamoto was the one who founded the Gotei 13 many centuries ago — for 1,000 years, he was the Gotei 13’s leader and #1 strongest Captain on this list. In his own words, nobody with superior power had been born in all that time, though he doesn’t always take pride in that fact. Deep down, Yamamoto is ashamed of his apocalyptic power, viewing himself as a monster for the crimes he committed in the past.

Yamamoto’s Shikai creates devastating flames that can defeat almost any enemy, and his Bankai, Zanka no Tachi, is a ragged blade that can utterly obliterate any foe or summon the charred remains of its former victims. Even without Ryujin Jakka’s mythical power, Yamamoto is still a fearsome fighter with bare-handed combat, able to deliver awesome blows with just his knuckles. Even Sosuke Aizen underestimated what Yamamoto was capable of with his Shikai sealed.