Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto

"Imperturbable and like an unmovable pivot." - Tite Kubo

was the captain of the 1st Division in the Gotei 13 and also the Captain-Commander (Head-Captain in the English Dub) of the whole Gotei 13. His lieutenant was Chōjirō Sasakibe.

Appearance
Yamamoto is the oldest captain in the Gotei 13. He has the appearance of an old man with red eyes, a very long white beard, and long eyebrows. There are many scars on his torso and head, the two most prominent being a pair of long, perpendicular scars above his right eye, left by his battle with his lieutenant. After his brief confrontation with Aizen, Yamamoto lost his left arm. He wears the standard Shinigami uniform, but its size is greatly exaggerated. He also drapes his haori over his back instead of actually wearing it. Despite his old and frail appearance, he has a very muscular body that he only reveals when he goes to battle, something that, Shunsui claims, is not seen too often.

When he was much younger, Yamamoto had black hair on the sides of his head and was bald on top. He had a tuft of hair sticking up at the back of his head in a topknot. He also had thick black eyebrows and a thick, long black mustache. He had a single large scar on his forehead which had earned him the nickname "Eijisai" due to its shape. He also had prominent wrinkles on his forehead and beneath his eyes, as well as shallow checks. He also wore the typical black outfit of a Shinigami.

Personality
As the captain-commander of Gotei 13, Yamamoto is highly respected by most of the Shinigami, most notably Sajin Komamura, who views Yamamoto as a benefactor who saved his life. Also the embodiment of conviction, Yamamoto follows the laws and regulations of Soul Society to the letter, and expects the same of others. He is not a man to tolerate insubordination, and is vocal with those who attempt to act in such a manner. He is quick to anger in the face of possible betrayal, and can be quite aggressive in combat. He has a habit of referring to those he faces in battle as "youngster" and he also refers to a battle as a "beating" or "punishment". When in a state of peace, he carries himself with an air of frailty, even to the point where he has fallen asleep standing while awaiting Shunsui Kyōraku's arrival for a meeting. Due to years of experience, Yamamoto very rarely shows any sign of distress or surprise, usually responding by opening one or both of his eyes, which are partially closed slits for the majority of the time.

Yamamoto is very loyal to Soul Society and takes his duties very seriously, expecting the same from the rest of the Gotei 13. His loyalty is so great that he is willing to sacrifice himself and the Gotei 13 in order to defeat Aizen, believing it to be their duty to lay down their lives for the sake of the Soul Society if necessary. Another example where Yamamoto shows his loyalty, is when he become visibly angry when Shunsui, Byakuya and Kenpachi lose their haoris and show little regret; to him the haori represents their status as captains.

Yamamoto appreciates Eastern cultures and is a master at the Japanese tea ceremony, and dislikes the "Western" traditions preferred by his lieutenant Chōjirō Sasakibe. Yamamoto holds a tea session every month in the 1st Division quarters for every member of his division. He plaits his own beard and arranges its ends once a month. He also likes to be rubbed down with a dry towel while exposed to the sun on his balcony.

History
Around 2,100 years ago, Yamamoto was the "Genryū" Founder and "Genji School" Head Instructor. At some point Yamamoto founded the Gotei 13 as well. Yamamoto was himself a teacher at this academy and personally instructed Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake. He admits to being rather proud of the two. When they became captains, he boasted about them as though they were his sons.

On various occasions, Yamamoto would catch the young Shunsui Kyōraku sneaking into his room. On one particular instance, he scolds the boy for doing so. Shunsui asks about a picture of a dark silhouette within a field of fire. Yamamoto explains that the picture was of a monster that appeared in Soul Society a long time ago. That it had appeared at a time when Soul Society was facing a difficult situation and that the monsters appearance made the situation worse. He then stated the monster won't come back, when Shunsui asked what if the monster comes back. Yamamoto answered that he probably wouldn't return.

During Yamamoto's time as an instructor, Sasakibe routinely visited him, always referring to him as "Eijisai-dono", a reference to the large scar on his forehead, despite knowing that it annoyed him. He insisted that it would be wrong to use Yamamoto's real name. During one of his visits, Sasakibe told Yamamoto that he wished to be his right arm and compensate for anything that Yamamoto could not do. Yamamoto tells him to become his disciple, but he declined. At Yamamoto's behest, Sasakibe tried to defeat him with his Bankai. Though he failed to defeat him, he left a permanent scar on Yamamoto's forehead, crossing his earlier scar. Others began to refer to him by a different name due to the new scar, but Sasakibe refused to do use this new name. As a result, Yamamoto decided to call himself Genryūsai.

At some point, Yamamoto founded the Gotei 13 and approximately one thousand years ago, he became its Captain-Commander. Around the same time, Yamamoto failed to kill Yhwach.

Sometime shortly after Kenpachi Zaraki joined the Gotei 13, Yamamoto forced him to learn Kendō because he hadn't learned any formal swordsmanship training, having bypassed those normally necessary qualifications due to the way he attained his position. However, concerned over the devastation that Zaraki could cause if he were to ever rebel after growing even stronger, Yamamoto stopped the training after just one day.

Turn Back the Pendulum arc
Approximately 110 years ago, Yamamoto was noted as being the oldest captain amongst the Gotei 13, followed by Unohana, Shunsui and Ukitake. It is stated that the four of them have been Captains of the Gotei 13 for at least 100 years at that point. Yamamoto was seen pushing Kisuke Urahara into the First Division headquarters, so that he could start the promotion ceremony. Yamamoto explained that seven days ago, there was an order to promote the 12th Division Captain Kirio Hikifune, which would leave her position open. He then notified the various captains of the opening and asked that they submit nominations for the selection of a new captain. Within a short period of time, he got a recommendation from 2nd Division Captain Yoruichi Shihōin to promote her 3rd Seat, Kisuke Urahara. The following day Yamamoto called Urahara in so that he could take the Captain's Proficiency Test, administered by himself, Retsu Unohana and Ginrei Kuchiki, so that they can confirm that Urahara is qualified to be a captain. Having satisfied his three superiors, the three senior captains appointed Urahara the new Captain of the 12th Division.

10 years later, Yamamoto called an emergency meeting of the captains of the Gotei 13, where he gave an intelligence report on the unknown disappearances of 9th Division captain Kensei Muguruma and lieutenant Mashiro Kuna. Captain Muguruma and Lieutenant Kuna had previously been sent out to investigate the disappearance of other 9th Division members. He then stated he would choose 5 captains to form an investigation team. A very winded and frantic Kisuke Urahara showed up to ask that he be allowed to go with the investigation team, as he had previously seen his lieutenant Hiyori Sarugaki go to the sight of the disappearances. He was told not to by Captain-Commander Yamamoto, and when Urahara protested he was chastised by Yoruichi. Yamamoto continued with the meeting and selected 3rd Division Captain Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi, 5th Division Captain Shinji Hirako, and 7th Division Captain Love Aikawa. Yamamoto told them to head to the campground. He ordered Yoruichi to stand by, while the remaining captains present were to stay behind and guard the Seireitei.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto then ordered Captain Unohana of the 4th Division to prepare her relief stations for casualties. When Unohana insisted that she should tend to the wounded at the site of the disappearances, Yamamoto stated that he could not send healers without knowing the full extent of the situation. Upon the arrival of the Captain of the Kidō Corps Tessai Tsukabishi and his Lieutenant Hachigen Ushōda, Yamamoto asked Tessai if he had heard the news of the disappearances, telling him that he wanted the two of them to head to the campground as well. Shunsui interrupted and asked if it was a good idea to send both the Captain and Lieutenant of the Kidō Corps when they had no idea of what was going on, prompting Yamamoto to ask what he would suggest. Shunsui told Yamamoto that they should send his Lieutenant Lisa Yadōmaru. With the squad formed, Yamamoto sent them out to investigate the disappearances.

Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc (anime only)
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

Soul Society arc
Yamamoto is first seen during a meeting between captains over their fellow captain Gin Ichimaru's failure to kill Ichigo Kurosaki. Upon arrival, Gin gets into an argument with 11th Division Captain Kenpachi Zaraki and 12th Division Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi. Yamamoto tells them to stand down and then asks Gin if he had been informed about the reason he has been summoned. He then details that Gin acted without permission and failed to capture or kill the target, which he feels is unusual for a captain. He then asks for an explanation.

Gin plainly states he has nothing to say, which confuses Yamamoto. Gin goes on to say that he has no excuse and that he made a mistake and he won't try to justify his carelessness. Yamamoto then decides that Gin will have to be punished, but an intruder alert goes off. Shortly after Zaraki leaves, Yamamoto dismisses the meeting, stating that Gin's punishment will be handled later. He orders the captains to return to their defense stations. Later, following Renji's defeat, Yamamoto drops Gin's punishment and authorizes all Shinigami up to the captain level to carry their Zanpakutō and use Bankai if necessary. At Rukia Kuchiki's execution Yamamoto asks her if she has any last words. When Rukia requests that Ichigo and his friends be allowed to return to the Human World unharmed, Yamamoto grants her request, though in truth, he has no intention of allowing them to live. Upon the activation of the Sōkyoku, Yamamoto explains that the Phoenix produced by it, called Kikōō, is the true form of the spearhead of the Sōkyoku and the executioner of the grand penalty. After it pierces through the criminal's body, the grand penalty ends.

Yamamoto watches as Ichigo appears and saves Rukia by deflecting the Kikōō. He sends his lieutenant Chōjirō Sasakibe to stop Ichigo while he confronts Shunsui and Jūshirō after they destroyed the Sōkyoku. Yamamoto orders them to not move. While he says that the person who made off with Rukia was a replaceable lieutenant and is a matter that can be easily dealt with, he states that he cannot forgive them for what they have done. He notes the severity of their crimes as captain-rank Shinigami, but before they can be dealt with, they escape down the side of the cliff. After they get some considerable distance away, they stop, but Yamamoto, who is already there waiting for them, and states that it is not often that he has to chase after young children. Yamamoto then releases his spiritual pressure, causing Nanao Ise to collapse, forcing Shunsui to take her far away from the battle.

Upon Shunsui's return, he takes note of the Shunsui and Ukitake's history as they are like sons to him and how powerful they are. He then plainly tells them it is too late for words and to take out their swords. Shunsui and Jūshirō draw their Zanpakutō as they dodge his attack. Yamamoto asks if they intend on fighting him without releasing their Zanpakutō, causing Shunsui to ask if there was any other way than fighting. Yamamoto silences him, stating that he has taught them that there is no mercy for those who obstruct justice. Shunsui then counters that Yamamoto also has said to follow through with your own sense of justice. Ukitake finishes, stating that they have to protect justice with everything they have. Yamamoto dismisses the notion of individual justice as it cannot override global justice. Tired of talking, Yamamoto removes his haori and top, telling them to prepare themselves for battle as he releases his Shikai.

As Yamamoto stands prepared for battle, he asks them what they are waiting for, telling them that they should release their Zanpakutō unless they plan on burning to ashes without any resistance. Ukitake and Shunsui then decided to release their Zanpakutō. Upon their release, Yamamoto notes that they are the only dual Zanpakutō in Soul Society. They then charge at each other, causing a large explosion of spiritual power. After a while, the battle suddenly is forced to stop with the announcement of Isane Kotetsu about the true intentions of Sōsuke Aizen, who is responsible for all of the chaos in Soul Society.

When Aizen's true colors are revealed, most of the remaining captains quickly close in on his position and completely surround him. When the Menos Grande come to his, Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen's rescue, Yamamoto warns the other Shinigami about the Negación attack the Menos Grande perform to rescue their fellow Hollows.

Bount arc (anime only)
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

Arrancar arc
Yamamoto is seen when he calls all of the captains for an emergency. Later, Yamamoto has a small video conversation with Tōshirō Hitsugaya over the Arrancar invasion of Ichigo's home town, and allows Momo Hinamori to speak with Hitsugaya. Once the conversation begins to revolve around Aizen,and how Momo believes he's innocent, Yamamoto cuts their conversation short by knocking Momo unconscious with a Kidō, noting it is too to let her speak.

After Orihime Inoue is kidnapped, Yamamoto orders Tōshirō's task force to retreat back to Soul Society in preparation for the war against Aizen, and firmly disapproves of the idea of Ichigo and the others going to her rescue, seeing it as a suicide mission, and believing that Orihime willingly betrayed them.

Hueco Mundo arc
Yamamoto, along with Byakuya Kuchiki and Jūshirō Ukitake, is told that Rukia Kuchiki and Renji Abarai have disappeared and that the Second Division is looking for them all throughout Seireitei.

After Coyote Starrk recaptures Orihime Inoue and takes her back to Aizen, it is explained that Yamamoto ordered the creation of a replacement Karakura Town so that the captains can fight at full strength without damaging the city. He is then seen with several other captains and lieutenants waiting as Aizen and his forces arrive in Karakura Town.

The New Captain Shūsuke Amagai arc (anime only)
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

Fake Karakura Town arc
Yamamoto then unleashes his Shikai to trap the three opposing ex-captains, Aizen, Gin and Kaname, so as to concentrate on the Espada and their Fracción.

It is revealed that Yamamoto has set up four pillars around the fake town that if destroyed will lure the real Karakura town out of Soul Society. Baraggan Louisenbairn quickly realizes this and sends out his Fracción to obliterate the towers. This plan however, is quickly halted by Yamamoto's four soldiers, Izuru Kira, Yumichika Ayasegawa, Ikkaku Madarame and Shūhei Hisagi, who have been placed at the pillars to protect them. After the pillars are successfully defended and four of Baraggan's Fracción are killed, the Espada and remaining Fracción pair up against a Shinigami and begin to battle. Yamamoto announces that the real fights have begun.

When several of the lieutenants are critically injured against the "pet" of Tier Harribel's Fracción, Ayon, Yamamoto steps in and makes a large hole on the left side of Ayon's chest. Enraged, Ayon then swells to gigantic proportions, only to be cut in half by Yamamoto's Nadegiri, and when Ayon's left half returns, he effortlessly incinerates him with his Shikai. Even after Yamamoto kills Ayon, he tells Izuru not to let down the barrier. Just then, Apacci, Mila Rose, and Sung-Sun launch a desperate attack from behind, even though they are each left with just one arm. However, Yamamoto takes them down effortlessly by swinging his Shikai and, in respect to their dedication to fight, "lightly toasts" all three of them, which fatally injures them. He later notices that Harribel has set her sights on him to avenge her fallen subordinates, but before they can engage each other, Tōshirō Hitsugaya intervenes.

Along with the rest of the captains and lieutenants, Yamamoto takes notice of the huge Hollow creature and Wonderweiss joining the battle. When Ukitake and Shunsui are attacked by both Starrk and Wonderweiss, he calls out to them as they fall to the town below.

Yamamoto appears somewhat surprised at the arrival of the Visored, having not seen them for 100 years. Shinji then approaches Yamamoto to greet him, to which the captain-commander asks if he has come for revenge. Shinji plainly tells him that if it was against Aizen, then yes. As for the Gotei 13, he couldn't care less. He then explains that if he was mad at the Gotei 13, it would be for making the barrier around the Fake Karakura Town so hard to get through. Shinji then explains if he hadn't found Lieutenant Sasakibe outside the barrier, they still would be on the outside of it. Sasakibe apologizes to the Captain-Commander for allowing them in, saying he thought it was necessary, given the circumstances, but before he can finish, Yamamoto forgives his actions. Yamamoto then asks Shinji if he is right to assume they are allies, to which Shinji tells him it's obvious they aren't. He states that the Visored are not on the Gotei 13's side, but they are against Aizen and they are Ichigo Kurosaki's allies. Yamamoto muses to himself about the statement of the Visored being Ichigo's allies.

After the last combatants are defeated by Aizen, Yamamoto makes his presence known by drawing Aizen's attention with a huge pillar of fire. Aizen states that although he has finally shown himself, he is too late, as of now he is the only one left to be counted as manpower. Aizen notes that if he falls, the Gotei 13 will crumble, pointing to the idea that Yamamoto has lost his chance. Yamamoto asks Aizen if he really thinks he can cut him down with that much power. Aizen responds that he doesn't have to cut him down, as he already has. Yamamoto becomes enraged, but before he can react, Aizen appears behind him. As the captain-commander turns to face him, Aizen stabs him through his stomach with his Zanpakutō. Yamamoto grabs Aizen's arm, pulling him in closer and exclaims that he has caught him. When Aizen tries to trick him into questioning whether or not he has caught the real Aizen, the captain-commander calls his bluff and states that if he only relied on his eyes or skin then he would say yes, but he instead only needs to rely on sensing the reiatsu of Aizen's Zanpakutō that is impaled into his stomach. Yamamoto then reveals that he has laid a trap for Aizen, and initiates his Ennetsu Jigoku technique, detailing how the entire fight up to this point was to trap him in this technique. Aizen questions that he would use his subordinates to set such a trap, admiring the captain-commander for his cunning. Yamamoto states that he plans to die with Aizen in the flames. He then screams to Ichigo to get back, as he is not part of the Gotei 13 and he should not have to endure their fate. When Aizen asks if he would really risk killing the other combatants to try and destroy him, Yamamoto states they are all prepared to die to destroy evil and that is the true spirit of the Gotei 13. A released Wonderweiss Margela then appears behind Yamamoto, who senses his presence and attacks only to have his blade caught by Wonderweiss, who then throws him, sending the captain-commander crashing into the cityscape below. Yamamoto then becomes confused as the flames of Ryūjin Jakka disappear without warning. Aizen then explains that he knows full well that Ryūjin Jakka is the strongest Zanpakutō and that in a one-on-one battle, Yamamoto's strength far outweighs his own. He then details that Wonderweiss is the only modified Arrancar in existence and that his Resurrección, Extinguir, is built solely for the purpose of stopping his Ryūjin Jakka.

Yamamoto still questions what happened, prompting Aizen to state that for the power to seal away Ryūjin Jakka's power, Wonderweiss traded his ability to speak, knowledge, memory and reason. He then bids farewell to the captain-commander. Wonderweiss then moves to attack Yamamoto, who swiftly lands a devastating punch with a force so great that it creates a large hole in Wonderweiss' chest and sends the Arrancar flying several city blocks, before crashing into a building. Yamamoto then asks Aizen if he actually thought that by sealing his Zanpakutō he would be able to strike him down. He tells Aizen that he is naive and asks him if he ever stopped to think how he served 1,000 years as the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13. He states that there has not been a Shinigami stronger than him born in the past thousand years. He then uses Shunpo and appears in front of Aizen and moves to punch him in the face, but the blow is intercepted by Wonderweiss, who takes the impact instead. Yamamoto remarks to the Arrancar that he wasn't planning on leaving anything to chance and that he has some remarkable features. He then resolves that if he can't break one bone he will result to tactics that bring more pain, as he removes his top.

Wonderweiss goes to attack but Yamamoto quickly dodges out of the way. He then questions Wonderweiss if he is unable to adapt and learn or if all he is capable of is regeneration. An arm then extends itself from out of the back of Wonderweiss' shoulder and tries to attack the captain-commander, who promptly grabs it and tears it off. Wonderweiss screams as other arms appear from his shoulders and attack Yamamoto with an onslaught of punches. He then grabs Yamamoto's arms as the top of his shoulders explode revealing a multitude of arms, using them to pummel the captain-commander with an even greater magnitude of blows. Once he has stopped, Yamamoto, seemingly unaffected, asks him if that is all he has got, as he then rips off Wonderweiss arms that were holding him. Yamamoto then tells him if that was all, he is glad that the Arrancar is no longer in child form as he is not going to hold back, and will blast him to death. As he uses a hand-to-hand technique, Sōkotsu, against Wonderweiss.

The blow utterly destroys Wonderweiss as the Arrancar screams and shatters into pieces. The captain-commander laments Wonderweiss' existence as pathetic and inhuman. Aizen questions in his words and makes note that the very nature of being a Hollow means that they, as creatures, serve no purpose and only exist to devour souls and that he in fact gave them a purpose. He then tells Yamamoto that the only one inhuman is him as he just crushed a soul with purpose. Yamamoto states he has no intention of entering into a pointless argument with the likes of him, as it will all soon be over. Aizen tells him that he makes light of his words and then explains that captain-commander should remember his previous words. Wonderweiss' Resurrección, Extinguir, was created for the sole purpose of sealing Ryūjin Jakka. Sealing the blade makes it impossible for it create new flames, but Aizen asks what happens to flames already produced, as Yamamoto had flames already in effect before Wonderweiss showed up. He then asks the captain-commander where those flames were sealed. Yamamoto immediately realizes that those flames are sealed in Wonderweiss' body and now that he is dead, they will explode. Yamamoto jumps on the body as it erupts in a large area, destroying buildings around it. Aizen approaches as the flames subside to the captain-commander, who has been injured by the explosion. Aizen states that, seeing as Yamamoto was able to reduce the damage of an explosion of that size, he is truly worthy of the title captain-commander. Had he not suppressed the explosion with his body, the flames would have vaporized the barrier around the fake Karakura Town and even an area greater than the size of the town would have been turned to ashes. He then thanks Yamamoto for protecting his world. He then moves close to the prone captain-commander and unsheathes his Zanpakutō, telling him that he shouldn't think that he would say something like "I won't kill you". Yamamoto is the history of Soul Society, so at the very least he must finish him off with his own blade. Yamamoto then grabs Aizen by the ankle and tells him not to make him say it again, as he calls Aizen naive. Yamamoto takes advantage of the damage inflicted by Wonderweiss' explosion to use his own charred body as a catalyst for the sacrificial spell, "Ittō Kasō", his arm cracking as he casts it and becomes greatly damaged.

Ten days after Aizen's defeat and subsequent capture, Yamamoto returns to Soul Society, where his injuries are healed, save for his lost left arm. He is furious to learn that not only did Captains Shunsui, Byakuya, and Kenpachi lose their respective captain haori, but that they care very little about it. He proceeds to scold the three for their lack of care for the symbol of their station.

Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc (anime only)
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

Gotei 13 Invading Army Arc (anime only)
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

The Lost Substitute Shinigami arc
During a meeting with the captains in the 1st Division offices, Urahara asks for help with restoring Ichigo's powers. Yamamoto tells Urahara to give him the special sword he would be using for that purpose, prompting Unohana to ask if he intends to help. He replies that they were saved by Ichigo and it is now their turn to save him, regardless if the action going against customs, as it would be shameful if they did not help somebody they owed so much to. He orders all the captains and lieutenants to place their reiatsu into the sword.

Yamamoto orders Renji to bring back Kūgo Ginjō's body when he is dead. Later, a messenger reports to Yamamoto that Ichigo has arrived in Soul Society. When Ichigo arrives at the First Division, he meets with Yamamoto and most of the other captains. Yamamoto starts to say that Ichigo had fought an arduous battle, but Ichigo states that that he came to take back Kūgo's body so that he can bury it. After Ichigo explains his reasons to Captain Hirako, Yamamoto states that he believes Ichigo thought carefully about it before making his request. He eventually approves his request, and Ichigo tells him to inform other Shinigami about his Substitute Shinigami licence since he will resume his former position.

The Thousand-Year Blood War arc
Yamamoto is seen in his office as he receives reports about the investigations carried out by the Eleventh Division and Ninth Division regarding the disappearances in the Rukongai. As his messenger begins to report about the Tenth Division, he is struck down before he can finish his sentence. Yamamoto turns to find that the culprits are seven masked individuals. When he demands who they are, one greets him and informs him that they are there to declare war on the Gotei 13. When one of the group of strangers questions the level of security in the Captain-Commander's chamber, Yamamoto tells him that he himself is the best security there is. When Lieutenant Sasakibe is propelled across the room with a large arrow through his body, the stranger tells him to praise the lieutenant for showing him what his fate would be and states that after fighting and sacrificing everything, Soul Society will be destroyed in five days by the "Vandenreich".

Yamamoto frees Sasakibe and looks at the masked men. One of the masked men informs him that he can tell that Yamamoto wants to ask who they are and that they would never answer although it is easy to figure out who they really are. They say farewell to Yamamoto and leaves by using a shadow but Yamamoto tries to make them stay and releases his Ryūjin Jakka and burns a large area before realizing that the men had already left. He notices that their Reiatsu has already disappeared from the Seireitei, meaning that they are not affected by the Shakonmaku. Sasakibe wakes up and tells Yamamoto something about the masked men and Bankai before dying. Some time later, Yamamoto solemnly watches on at Sasakibe's cremation, giving the order to light the fire.

At a Captain's meeting, Yamamoto listens to Akon's report on the recent rebels who have declared war on Soul Society. Captain Kurotsuchi informs them that their enemies are Quincy, but he doesn't know how they were able to infiltrate the Sereitei. Yamamoto decides that they have heard enough and now just wants to know where their headquarters are. Kurotsuchi asserts that they do not know so Yamamoto laments that they cannot invade them, but still requests that all captains present prepare for war, so that they will not be unprepared for an attack the next time. Mayuri confirms that he ordered his Division to kill 28,000 Rukongai citizens to correct the balance of souls. Yamamoto asks why he did not attain permission, noting that given the seriousness of the situation, he would have attained it. Mayuri responds that he would have had to take responsibility if things got worse. Yamamoto states that the situation would not have been so bad if the SRDI had reported the problem sooner. This prompts Mayuri to remind Yamamoto that he had dismissed Mayuri's warning when Uryū Ishida entered Soul Society and states that the Captain-Commander is responsible for the current events as he failed to kill "that man" a thousand years ago.

Some time later, the Stern Ritter and the Vandenreich Leader invade Soul Society and Yamamoto looks on from his office. He tells Genshirō Okikiba to stay and protect the office and then leaves. Later on, he arrives just in time to deflect an attack from the Stern Ritter Driscoll Berci who becomes elated at his presence. Driscoll reveals that he possesses Sasakibe's stolen Bankai and threatens to kill the Captain-Commander with it. Yamamoto is struck by the Bankai, but says that it is weaker than when his lieutenant used it. He then proceeds to kill and incinerate the Stern Ritter with his Shikai. Yamamoto then tells Hisagi that he will kill all the Vandenreich members and heads off to fight on the front lines. He soon confronts Yhwach, stating that has come to annihilate him.

Yamamoto is immediately attacked from above by Stern Ritter members Äs Nödt‎‎, NaNaNa Najahkoop and another Sternritter, with the intention of killing him as they believed him foolish to approach their leader by himself. Yamamoto then effortlessly incinerates them all with Ryūjin Jakka. Yhwach calls them stupid fools as it's their own fault for interfering in his battle, to whichYamamoto simply gives a disappointed look. Yhwach asks what's on Yamamoto's mind to which the captain-commander attacks though the Vandenreich leader blocks it, though still sustains injury to his forearm. Yamamoto tells him that he has not changed and that the wicked way that he looks down on his own subordinates will end here today. Yhwach states that Yamamoto has gotten old, but the way he allows his anger to get the best of him reminds him of when he was younger. Yamamoto tells him to be silent and attacks, Yhwach evades and generates his reishi sword. The captain-commander acknowledges the weapon, to which the Quincy state he acts as though he was waiting for him to bring the sword out, Yamamoto acknowledges he in fact was waiting for it, so that he may destroy Yhwach entirely. Yamamoto then releases his Bankai: Zanka no Tachi.

While Haschwalth questions the look of what is apparently Yamamoto's Bankai, Yhwach tells him that he should not underestimate the sword and further details its power: that it's a sword with a tremendous flame. Yamamoto confirms the Quincy's explanation making note that Yhwach has already seen this Bankai, some 1,000 years ago and questions him on if he thinks facing it again will be the same as it was then. Yamamoto then tells the Vandenreich Emperor that he can try Zanka no Tachi's blade on his own body and determine for himself if it's the same as 1,000 years ago or not. Yamamoto attacks, but Yhwach evades and notes that the point of the blade is the real danger after watching a piece of rubble it touches creates an effortless gash. Yamamoto then releases a technique and explains it ability. He remarks that not even the Quincy's Blut Vene can defend against it. Yhwach notes that the technique is boring and states that he simply has to cut him without touching his sword. He goes to attack the Shinigami and soon finds that his own sword his been incinerated, much to his surprise. Yamamoto tells him he is too confident and that he should listen when people talk. He then reveals another technique and explains its powers to the Quincy. He explains he cannot be touched while he is using Bankai, surprising the Vandenreich leader.

Yamamoto questions why Yhwach is just standing around and encourages him to run if nothing else. The Vandenreich leader fires a Heilig Pfeil, but it is effortlessly destroyed, to which the captain-commander remarks that it would make sense that now that his sword is broken, arrows are all he has left. He moves to attack but Yhwach calls on a technique "Kirchenlied: Sankt Zwinger", a protection spell. Yamamoto, undeterred, activates his own technique "Zanka no Taichi, Minami: Kaka Jūmanokushi Daisōjin", which calls forth an undead army.

The Quincy is surprised by the the ability and questions what's happening, to which Yamamoto explains the ability. Yhwach laughs at the ability, finding it funny that the leader of the Gotei 13 can call the dead. He states that Yamamoto is a disgrace to think such an attack can stop him. He moves to attack, but is blocked by a wall of skeletons. The captain-commander tells him to stop talking and look closer. The Quincy looks closer at the undead skeletons and is shocked to see the faces of his former subordinates. Yamamoto proceeds to leave prompting the Vandenreich leader to ask where he is going. Yamamoto states that he is making some distance and that if he wants to kill him, then he should kill his former subordinates and then come and do so. Yamamoto asks Yhwach if he regrets not taking his Bankai from the start, but then claims he knows why he couldn't take it in the first place. He then states that it has come to the end of their battle and releases another technique, Zanka no Tachi, Kita: Tenchi Kaijin, incinerating a large section of the Vandenreich leader's torso and arm. Yhwach falls to the ground as Yamamoto deactivates his Bankai. The Quincy quietly states that his power wasn't enough and that he is sorry to the great Yhwach.

Yamamoto questions if he caused the war, then why would the Quincy would apologize for losing. He turns around and is surprised to find that the opponent he fought against was not Yhwach but the imitating Sternritter, Royd Lloyd. He then hears a large explosion and sees the 1st Division HQ burning. He screams out to his 3rd Seat, who he had left in charge, just as the true Yhwach appears behind Yamamoto and thanks Royd for his service, before incinerating his body with a Quincy technique. Yamamoto asks him what has he been up to this entire time, to which the Vandenreich leader answers by asking what's underneath the First Division HQ. Further stating he went to the central underground to speak to Sōsuke Aizen, to ask him to join his army as a special war potential, though he refused the offer. He then asks Yamamoto if he used his power to fight his decoy. Yamamoto begins to initiate Bankai, but Yhwach steals his Bankai with a medallion. He explains that it's not that they couldn't take his Bankai, but it's that his power is too enormous for anyone but Yhwach himself to handle. This is the reason why he ordered Royd not to do anything until he returns. He then goads the captain-commander by asking him if he should use his Bankai and call forth dead Shinigami to attack him. Yhwach waves his sword and a large sword made of spiritual energy falls from the sky. Yhwach then tells Yamamoto farewell and attacks him.

Yamamoto is bisected from his shoulder to his waist and falls down, dying. Yhwach berates him and attempts to walk away but in his last attempt, Yamamoto grabs ahold of him, prompting the Quincy to cut off his arm. He calls the captain-commander foolish and explains why he never listed him as one of the war potentials, stating that he had gotten weak over time and the time he was truly a threat was 1,000 years ago. He then remarks that Soul Society will die soon, but what Yamamoto never understood was that the Gotei 13 died 1,000 years ago along with the Quincy. The Vandenreich leader then unleashes an onslaught of reishi blasts on Yamamoto, incinerating Yamamoto's body entirely.

Powers & Abilities


Master Swordsman: As the founder of the Shinō Academy, along with possessing over two millennia of combat experience, Yamamoto is the most powerful combatant in Soul Society. Few would hope to come out alive from a fight with him. He is capable of fighting two captain-level Shinigami simultaneously with a single hand. His skill in swordsmanship is great enough to take down his opponent with a single precise strike.


 * This basic technique allows for a precision cut of extreme force and speed, which can easily slice through large, multi-story high opponents. The opponent is killed with one swift slash so precise, they aren't even aware of until after it has taken place.


 * A technique where Yamamoto takes his Zanpakuto in its sealed cane form and thrusts it at his opponent, creating a large hole in their body. This technique was effective against a multiple story-high opponent like Ayon.

Shunpo Master: He is highly skilled and experienced in the art of Shunpo, being able to outrace Shunsui and Jūshirō during a chase across Seireitei. He is able to easily overtake both captains, and arrives at their destination first without even being noticed by them.

Master Strategist & Tactician: With his years of experience as a teacher and warrior, along with being the commander of the entire Gotei 13, Yamamoto is a very intelligent man. He is capable of quickly adjusting to new developments and making quick decisions accordingly. He has great tactical acumen, as shown from his preparations for the battle in Karakura Town. As noted by Aizen, Yamamoto is very cunning, setting up a trap to kill him while Aizen was focused on the Visored and the rest of the Gotei 13. He is a very perceptive man, demonstrated by how easily he could tell Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi was hiding knowledge on the Bounts. His skill at battle tactics is undeniable; as general, he commonly sends the captains and divisions out to engage in battle, be it to relatively small or large threats, and has done so for a number of centuries.

Immense Spiritual Power: Being one of the oldest members of Soul Society, Yamamoto possesses an exceedingly powerful Reiryoku. Its sheer strength is great enough to easily break free from four overlapping and high-level Bakudō spells restraining him. Even Aizen openly acknowledges Yamamoto's power is superior to his own spiritual power. Yamamoto states that the reason he has served as the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 for over 1,000 years is because there hasn't been a Shinigami stronger than him born in all that time.


 * Masterful Reiatsu-Control: Yamamoto can exert his reiatsu to cause fear in captain-level combatants and can further physically paralyze combatants of lieutenant-level and lower simply by gazing in their direction. Yamamoto's spiritual pressure has the same effect as his Zanpakutō, as it is the elemental representative of fire. He tends to glow with a fiery aura, which has the potential to burn and set his surroundings on fire without the use of his Zanpakutō. It is the formidable pressure of his reiatsu that makes the reiatsu itself look like flames. When enraged, Yamamoto's reiatsu is powerful enough to be felt all around Seireitei and with tremendous force.

Immense Strength: In addition to his surprising physique for his age, Yamamoto has shown tremendous physical strength. He easily and swiftly put a large hole into the chest of the monster Ayon without much effort at all, using only the blunt end of his cane. With a single hand, he effortlessly stopped one of Ayon's strikes and overpowered it, despite it having enlarged its arm and increased its strength several folds. Yamamoto's strength is so immense that one punch was able to put a large hole through the chest of Wonderweiss while he was in Resurrección, as well as sends him flying back several city blocks. He is also shown tearing off Wonderweiss' arms, with his bare hands, with little to no effort. With a single double-fisted strike, he effortlessly shattered Wonderweiss' entire body into pieces.

Immense Endurance: Despite his old age, Yamamoto is capable of fighting for long periods of time, even when outnumbered, with no visible signs of exhaustion. He fought against two of Soul Society's strongest captains, Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake, and emerged without any sign of injury. He is able to take direct attacks from others unfazed. He can endure being impaled on a sword without so much as flinching from the perceived damage, even when the blow is dealt by the likes of Aizen.

Immense Durability: In addition to his resilience, Yamamoto has shown remarkable durability. He took an onslaught of punches from Wonderweiss's multiple arms twice, and came out completely unfazed by the assault, with no more than simple scratches. He was able to sustain an explosion of flames that had the power to incinerate all of Karakura Town and a great area around it. In his younger years, he challenged Sasakibe to defeat him with his newly achieved Bankai, and in the end only suffered a light scar on his forehead. He would 2000 years later take on a barrage of powerful lightning strikes from Sasakibe's fully mastered Bankai and only be singed by its power, though he stated that it had become weaker. He can easily deflect a giant Hellig Plief from a Stern Ritter with one hand without any noticeable damage done to his being.

Hakuda Master: While it is unknown how much his ability has declined from old age, Yamamoto remains a highly skilled and dangerous combatant even without his Zanpakutō. As with his skill in swordsmanship, he is also a master in hand-to-hand combat. He effortlessly caught a strike from the deceptively fast Ayon. Yamamoto can deliver powerful blows that can smash through Espada-level Hierro, and block the majority of multiple punches from a multi-armed opponent.


 * A powerful punch used by Yamamoto against Wonderweiss. Using this technique, Yamamoto was able to destroy much of Wonderweiss' abdomen and send him flying along a city street and into a building, destroying it.


 * Stronger than Ikkotsu, it is a powerful two-fisted punch used by Yamamoto against Wonderweiss. The attack can completely destroy an opponent with a single blow.

Kidō Master: Yamamoto's knowledge of Kidō is so great that he can perform them without calling out their names while retaining their great potential power, whereas most users require a name to do so, if not a full incantation. He is able to produce immensely powerful barriers to protect him from all but the strongest of attacks. Yamamoto is capable of casting level 96 Hadō without incantation and still using it to great effect.

Zanpakutō
For the manifested spirit that appears in the Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc see Ryūjin Jakka (spirit).


 * His Zanpakutō is the oldest and the most powerful fire-type Zanpakutō, and has greater attack power than all other Zanpakutō in Soul Society. In its sealed form, Ryūjin Jakka usually takes the appearance of a harmless wooden staff, which can be used like a spear. At any time, Yamamoto can instantly remove that disguise by peeling off the wood, revealing its true form of a standard katana, with a dark purple handle and a circular hand guard. Its power is so great, even the strongest of Shinigami are afraid of it, even in its sealed form.


 * Shikai: Its Shikai command is . The release of his Zanpakutō comes with an extreme release of spiritual pressure affecting all in the area, and can be felt for miles upon miles across all of Seireitei.


 * Shikai Special Ability: When released, Ryūjin Jakka's blade is engulfed in fire. The aura of this weapon disintegrates everything and anything that Yamamoto waves the sword at, changing it into nothing more than ash, and engulfs the surrounding landscape in a blazing firestorm, the heat of which is intense enough to scorch the sky. Only powerful fighters such as Kyōraku and Ukitake can resist it, but even then only indirectly. Even in its Shikai, Ryūjin Jakka's power is enough to fight against the Shikai of two other captains simultaneously, both of whom had the reputation of being the strongest Captains in Soul Society while together. Unlike other Zanpakutō shown so far, resealing Ryūjin Jakka does not deactivate any ability already used against an opponent, as seen when Yamamoto imprisons Aizen, Gin, and Kaname.


 * This technique creates an immense wall of flame, which surrounds the target and forms a huge contained sphere of flame in which to imprison enemies. It is immensely powerful, as it was capable of imprisoning three Captain-level Shinigami (namely Aizen, Gin and Kaname) for a significant amount of time.


 * This technique allows Yamamoto to create a great inferno with a simple wave of Ryūjin Jakka. The fire generated by the attack completely consumes whatever is caught within it, until nothing remains but ashes. The flames created by Ryūjin Jakka can be controlled, with great precision, by Yamamoto to attack only the targets he chooses, and he has power over the intensity of the flames.


 * This ability creates seven or more immense pillars of flame that surround an area. The intent of this technique is to trap the opponent in the caged inferno and destroy them. The power of this technique can destroy everyone caught in its vicinity, even Yamamoto himself. These flames are capable of incinerating an area greater than that of Karakura Town.


 * Bankai: : In its Bankai, the blade takes the form of an ancient and worn katana, severely scorched by fire.


 * Bankai Special Ability: Upon activation, any flames produced by Ryūjin Jakka are absorbed into the blade. Zanka no Tachi incorporates the full power of Yamamoto's flames into the blade. The flames within the blade burn anything it cuts out of existence. Zanka no Tachi has the side-effect of depleting the moisture in an entire area (at least the size of the Seireitei) causing the air and the water to dry up. Over a significant period, even Soul Society can fall victim to its power and be destroyed. Even Tōshirō Hitsugaya's Zanpakutō, Hyōrinmaru, cannot be used, as its ice melts due to the intense heat of Zanka no Tachi. Over the course of 1000 years, the power of Zanka no Tachi has greatly increased, changing from having once set ablaze anything it cuts, to now incinerating anything it cuts out of existence. No flames are visible as it cuts. Yamamoto claims that releasing his Bankai clads both his blade and his body in the flames of the sun. Yamamoto states that prolonged use of his Bankai can destroy his opponent, Soul Society and even himself.


 * Automatically activated at release, this ability concentrates the intense flames of the sword along the edge of the blade. It neither burns nor erupts, but anything it touches is eradicated to nothingness. Even the defensive power of the Vandenreich's Blut Vene is not capable of standing up against this technique.


 * Automatically activated at release, this ability is unseen by the eyes of anyone else unless Yamamoto wills it to be seen. It engulfs his body in heat that reaches a temperature upwards of 15,000,000 degrees. Thusly, it becomes impossible to even touch him while he is using his Bankai. The level of heat produced by this technique is such that it wouldn't actually appear in the form of flames.


 * Yamamoto impales the tip of his sword into the ground, and calls upon the corpses and ashes of the dead who were killed by his flames to come forth and fight on his behalf. They emerge from a rupture in the ground that comes with enough force to decimate the Kirchenlied: Sankt Zwinger defensive ability. Using the heat of his sword on their ashes, he can rouse all the people he has killed, allowing the corpses to become his limbs and attack whomever he deems as his enemy until they become dust. He can bring forth any specific corpse that he wishes, allowing him to inflict psychological damage upon those with connections to those he has slain.


 * A slash of concentrated fire and heat that incinerates whatever it touches out of existence.

Appearance in other media
Yamamoto is a playable character in most of the Bleach video games. He fights with his Shikai and has a variety of attacks; however he is shown using Jōkaku Enjou as a Special and Nadegiri in Soul Carnival 2. He appears in all four movies, but plays very little role in them. In the Nintendo DS video games, Bleach: The Blade of Fate and Bleach: Dark Souls, he is capable of performing Ama no Murakumo and Yazuhomura no Orochi in those games, the former named after the Ama no Murakumo no Tsurugi which is later known as the "Kusanagi no Tsurugi", which is one of the Three Imperial Regalia of Japan, while the latter made an appearance in Bleach: The 3rd Phantom. When he performs Yazuhomura no Orochi, his strongest attack in those games, he shoots a giant pillar of fire upwards, which falls on the foe and the surrounding area. In Bleach: The 3rd Phantom, instead of the former, it creates a flaming area that burns the opponents. Also in Bleach: The 3rd Phantom, he is capable of using offensive spells, such as Shakkahō and Sōkatsui.

Trivia

 * Though Shigekuni is his first name (meaning heavy or important country), Yamamoto is generally known by his title of "Genryūsai" (meaning something like "Original willow's purity") which he adopted approximately 2000 years ago.
 * Yamamoto has never made it in the top 50 in the popularity polls but his Zanpakutō, Ryūjin Jakka, came 32nd in the Zanpakutō poll.
 * He is author of Got a minute? in the Seireitei Communication.
 * The Shinigami Women's Association published a Photo Collection of Captain Yamamoto named Skeleton which was scrapped.

Quotes

 * (To Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake) "My quarry never escapes. Come, you rascals. But you won't get off without a thrashing this time..."


 * (To Nanao Ise) "Listen well! Be gone from here! I don't have time nor the patience to teach a mere infant like you how to breathe."


 * (To Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake) "I was proud of you as if you were my own sons. I believed that, even if the character is different, it is fine if they took the same paths."


 * (To Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake) "As I taught you before, there is no mercy for he who obstructs justice."


 * (To Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake) "There is no individual sense of justice that can overrule the justice of the world."


 * (To the Gotei 13) "Get ready. Put the entirety of your spirit on the line and crush them here! Even if your flesh is torn asunder, be as a steel wall down to your last shard of bone! You must not let them take even a single step into Soul Society."


 * (To Izuru Kira) "My, my. Making the Captain-Commander come out. What a pitiful bunch of division members."


 * (To Ayon) "You are a beast that can think of nothing but killing people. How pathetic."


 * (To Sōsuke Aizen) "You and I will die here in this burning hell."


 * (To Sōsuke Aizen) "Dying to exterminate great evil. Know that this is the spirit of the Gotei 13."


 * (To Sōsuke Aizen) "You think that you can strike me down if you suppress Ryūjin Jakka? How naive. How dizzyingly naive. Why do you think that I held the position of Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 for a thousand years? It is because, in a thousand years, no Shinigami stronger than myself has been born.


 * (To Wonderweiss Margela) "At the very least I am glad you no longer have the form of a child. I can beat you to death without remorse."


 * (To Byakuya Kuchiki, Kenpachi Zaraki, and Shunsui Kyōraku) "Listen up!! Victory isn't all that matters in battle!! Just what do you all think your Captain Haori are anyway?!"


 * (To the Gotei 13, about restoring Ichigo Kurosaki's powers) "Regardless of the circumstances, we were saved by Ichigo Kurosaki in our time of need. It is now time that we returned the favor. Even if that should require violating our own statutes, to allow such a debt to go unpaid would bring eternal shame upon the entire Gotei 13."

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