Sentarō Kotsubaki

is the co-3rd seat of the Thirteenth Division of the Gotei 13 under Captain Jūshirō Ukitake. he shares the position with Kiyone Kotetsu.

Appearance
Sentarō has dark hair and a short goatee. wears a customized version of the standard Shinigami shihakushō, wearing a thin white headband and white straps around his shoulders, which are tied in a circle at his back.

Personality
Sentarō, like Kiyone Kotetsu, holds his captain in high regard and tries to impress him in any way possible. Both he and Kiyone frequently get in arguments and fights over their competition to impress their captain. He often speaks in a very loud voice or shouts.

History
Shortly after Rukia Kuchiki joined the 13th Division, a drunken Kiyone and Santarō eavesdropped on a conversation between her and Kaien Shiba. They applaudded Kaien on his words before he asked if they were drunk again. Sentarō told Rukia that he is from Rukongai as well and people talked behind his back about him. Kaien then ordered them back to their posts. Some time after Miyako Shiba's death, Sentarō and Kiyone became the 13th Division's 3rd Seat officers.

Soul Society arc
After Ichigo, Ganju and Hanatarō's attempt to rescue Rukia is foiled, Ukitake calls for Sentarō and Kiyone. The pair appear and Ukitake asks why they followed him there when he told them not to come as it was too dangerous. Sentarō comments that it was scary and says that because he respects Ukitake so much, he cannot help following him. Kiyone is annoyed by this, calling it a cheap shot and says that she respects Ukitake more. The pair argue until Ukitake tells Kiyone to contact the Fourth Division so that Ganju's injuries can be treated. The captain tells Sentarō to carry the unconscious Rukia back inside the prison. Sentarō orders Hanatarō to move aside, but he refuses. Sentarō angrily asks if he thinks that he wants to put Rukia in prison and takes Rukia inside, telling her that he is sorry and that he and Ukitake will get her out of prison. Kiyone hears this and complains, saying that she is more concerned about Rukia and that she and Ukitake will get her out. As the two squabble again, Sentarō tells her to contact the Fourth Division, but she insists that she was on her way there anyway.

Later, Sentarō very loudly reads Captain Retsu Unohana a message from Ukitake which asks for clemency in punishing Hanatarō. They listen as Unohana points out that because of his help, the Ryoka did more damage than they would have done alone.

On the morning of Rukia's execution, Sentarō notices the beginning of the release of the Sōkyoku. He states that this is bad and asks Kiyone if the captain is ready. She tells him not to yell for no reason, before yelling for Ukitake. Sentarō criticizes her for shouting, but she ignores him and informs the captain of the news. Ukitake emerges from behind a door, stating that it took him longer than anticipated to remove the seal from the Shihōin Shield. He then tells them that since the Central 46 ruled against stopping Rukia's execution, they have to destroy the Sōkyoku. They pair acknowledge his order. The three of them rush towards the Sōkyoku Hill. They arrive as the Sōkyoku is preparing to make a second attempt at killing Rukia. They witness Ichigo Kurosaki destroy the Sōgyoku's scaffold.

After Renji Abarai escapes with Rukia, and after Ichigo Kurosaki begins battling Byakuya, Kiyone tries to help her sister, and Sentarō tries to stop her, but he is knocked unconscious by Suì-Fēng, who also begins to kill Kiyone after Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto leaves to follow a fleeing Ukitake and Kyōraku (who stated it was better to fight elsewhere, so the others wouldn't get caught in the crossfire). They are ultimately saved by Yoruichi Shihōin, who drags Suì-Fēng away to do battle elsewhere.

After the danger around them is passed, Unohana takes Sentarō and everyone else wounded at Sōkyoku Hill (except for those who are still fighting) to the 4th Division to be treated. Later, while Sentarō is in recovery, he receives Isane Kotetsu's message elaborating on Aizen's betrayal.

Bount Arc (anime only)
Sentarō is present when Ukitake announces to the members of the Division that all communication between Soul Society and the Human World is to be stopped temporarily and that the Senkaimon is to be closed. In the SRDI, Ukitake summons Sentarō and tells him that the survey is complete. He instructs Sentarō to report this news to the necessary people and Sentarō leaves. When the Bount invade Soul Society, Sentarō and Kiyone lead a group of Shinigami to Rukongai's 43rd district to aid Rukia.

Kiyone and Sentarō hear via Hell Butterfly about that Bount's objective is a number of devices called Jōkaishō. They are told that the Hell Butterflies will aid them in searching for the devices. Acting on Ukitake's order, Sentarō breaks open a floor to reveal one of the Jōkaishō. Kiyone and Sentarō then begin sealing it up.

Fake Karakura Town arc
After Aizen is captured, Sentarō, Kiyone and Ukitake eavesdrop on Yamamoto scolding Shunsui, Byakuya and Kenpachi for losing their respective captain haori. Ukitake notes that 10 days have past since the battle, Yamamoto has lost his left arm but it looks like his stamina has returned, which is a relief as Soul Society still has yet to see a being capable of replacing the man.

Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc (anime only)
Sentarō is alongside his captain Jūshirō Ukitake when the renegade Zanpakutō spirit, Muramasa, declares war against the Shinigami. He scrambles away from the area as the Shinigami are attacked by renegade Zanpakutō spirit.

Gotei 13 Invading Army arc (anime only)
When Ichigo arrives in Soul Society, Sentarō assists in his arrest, along with other senior Shinigami.

Powers & Abilities
Shunpo: While not seen often, Sentarō showed enough skill in Shunpo to appear immediately to not keep his captain waiting.

Zanpakutō

 * Shikai: Not Yet Revealed
 * Bankai: Not Yet Achieved

Quotes

 * (To Jūshirō Ukitake) "I'm very, very sorry, but I respect captain too much and I couldn't help but follow captain anywhere he goes."

Navigation
Sentarō Kotsubaki Sentarō Kotsubaki