Shunsui Kyōraku/Anime Continuity

is the Captain of the 8th Division in the Gotei 13. His lieutenant is Nanao Ise.

Appearance
Shunsui Kyōraku is a tall, light-skinned Shinigami with high cheekbones, grey eyes and long wavy brown hair. His hair is tied in a long ponytail and has long bangs that frame the left side of his face. He also has a noticeable amount of body hair on his chest, feet, and arms. He wears a Sugegasa straw hat and a pink, flowered lady's kimono, which he drapes across his shoulders and over his captain's uniform. Although his haori and obi sash are cheap, his pin-wheel hairpins are very expensive. He does not wear tabi with his sandals. He has thin facial hair around his mouth and on his cheeks. Over a hundred years before Sōsuke Aizen's defection, Shunsui only had facial hair on his upper mouth.

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

He, along with Ukitake, appear to be the captains outside the 12th Division who are interested in finding out more knowledge about the history of the Bounts and Ran'Tao. Shunsui expresses suspicions about Mayuri's behavior. Later, he informs Yamamoto that Ukitake is too ill to attend the meetings that have been called, when in fact, Ukitake is searching through the books in the Central Library for information. Shunsui offers to help before he realizes how many books this involves, but continues to search, despite his lazy nature showing.

He is later present at a captains meeting where Captain Suì-Fēng is being debriefed on the situation by Captain-Commander Yamamoto. When an argument breaks out between Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi of the 12th Division and Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya of the 10th Division, with the former trying to transfer the blame onto the latter, Shunsui joins in the defense of Captain Hitsugaya, noting that the problem of the Bount getting into Soul Society was something caused by the 12th Division.

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

Shunshui is present at the promotion ceremony of the new captain of the 3rd Division, Shūsuke Amagai. Komamura asks Shunsui who he thinks observed his captain's proficiency exam. Shunsui plainly states it doesn't really matter, as they should be happy that they have one less position open. Suì-Fēng interjects, saying despite that he will have to prove himself. Shortly after, he personally greets Amagai and they got out for a drink, requesting their own room to have a personal talk, where Shunsui and Ukitake both realize that Amagai can't handle his liquor, as he got drunk just by smelling the fumes.

While Shunsui and Ukitake discuss how Ichigo seems to be followed by trouble a lot of the time, Ukitake reveals that he is uneasy over the current state of affairs where noble families in Soul Society are concerned.

When the Kasumiōji Clan is found guilty of treason, Shunsui storms the Kasumiōji household with Jūshirō. They shut down the experiments concerning the Bakkōtō and later discuss events with the other captains. They soon learn of Shūsuke Amagai's deception and go to the site where he intends to kill Yamamoto.

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

Shunsui and Nanao spectate alongside 6th Division members as they watch a sparring match between Captain Byakuya Kuchiki and Lieutenant Renji Abarai. After the match concludes, he congratulates them both on a good match. Byakuya's mood seems to change and he leaves abruptly, causing Kyōraku and Ukitake to wonder what is wrong. Later that night, he and all the other higher ranked officers of the Gotei 13 are summoned to Sōkyoku Hill by order of Captain-Commander Yamamoto. Unsure of what is going on, Shunsui asks Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa the whereabouts of Captain Zaraki, to which they explain that he is not around, so they are required to come in his place. While waiting, they witness the arrival of the 1st Division lieutenant, Chōjirō Sasakibe, who collapses. As everyone readies themselves for a possible attack, a man appears, who reveals that the Captain-Commander would be unable to come. Upon hearing this, Shunsui witnesses Captain Komamura releases his Bankai. Komamura questions the strange man on what he has done with Yamamoto, but receives no reply back. As Komamura moves to attack, his Bankai turns on him, much to everyone's surprise. Shunsui notes that such a thing is impossible. Upon a release of Reiatsu, a large being appears before Komamura and fights with him, easily dispatching him as all in attendance look on in complete shock. They then learn from the mysterious man that their Zanpakutō are no longer under their control, as he has freed them from their grasp when they all tried to release their Zanpakutō. He then summons the Zanpakutō Spirits to him.

The mysterious man talks briefly with Ukitake before Shunsui interrupts, stating the he is taking this whole thing seriously, but is more concerned on Captain-Commander Yamamoto's whereabouts. The mysterious man exclaims that Yamamoto has been sealed away as his Zanpakutō Ryūjin Jakka was unwilling to join forces with them. He then states that he had Minazuki, Katen Kyōkotsu, and Sōgyo no Kotowari seal him with their Reiatsu. With this realization, a battle breaks out between the Shinigami and the Zanpakutō spirits. The battle ends with great damage to Seireitei and many casualties. Shunsui, Unohana, and Ukitake then set up base at the Fourth Division barracks, following the manifestation of the Zanpakutō and their subsequent attack on their Shinigami counterparts the day before. They discuss the situation with Yoruichi, who tells them she will return to the Real World and inform Urahara of the situation.

Ukitake returns to the temporary HQ, where Shunsui explains that he still has not found out the whereabouts of Yamamoto. Ukitake then explains the ongoing plan of sending Captain Suì-Fēng's forces as well as the other divisions out to track down and subdue the Zanpakutō. He and Shunsui then discuss the turn of events surrounding Byakuya, who has disappeared. Unohana arrives and details that while severely injured, Rukia is stable, but still unconscious. She then explains to them that the 12th Division has asked for test subjects and she has just returned from assisting Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi. The two captains are quite surprised that she went to see him personally. They are shocked by what Unohana has learned from Captain Kurotsuchi. As she confirms their worst fears, noting the Zanpakutō spirits are completely independent from their former masters, if they are not careful in how they deal with them, they could end up destroying their Zanpakutō.

Sometime later they discuss the possibility that defeating the Zanpakutō spirits will destroy the Zanpakutō themselves. It is decided that they will have to quickly get used to combat without their release or else it could be costly for the Gotei 13 forces. Shunsui, Unohana, and Ukitake debrief Ichigo Kurosaki about his fight with Muramasa. Ichigo details that Muramasa doesn't use brainwashing to control the Zanpakutō spirits, and that he is just amplifying the frustration they feel on the regular basis to turn them. He makes note that the only way to obtain them back is for the wielder to face their Zanpakutō spirit and force it to submit to them. Ukitake is happy that they have found a way to finally get their Zanpakutō back, but Shunsui notes that it is going to take a while for everyone to track down their own Zanpakutō and beat them in battle, since their opponents are not going to simply wait for them. They are then interrupted as Renji and Zabimaru arrive so they can be questioned for any other information that they can use to address the situation. Zabimaru unfortunately doesn't remember anything about being controlled and can't help. Shunsui later appears alongside Ukitake, Suì-Fēng and her Stealth Corps as they arrive to surround Hōzukimaru, but he uses his Bankai to get away. However, they manage to obtain Gegetsuburi.

The Shinigami discuss Byakuya's betrayal, and the discovery that if a Zanpakutō is killed by anyone other than its owner, it will be unusable.

Shunsui arrives after the battle in the 6th Division barracks along with Ukitake. They apologize for being late. Soon after, Yoruichi arrives and tells them she has news of Yamamoto's whereabouts. Kyōraku decides to join Ukitake, Kenpachi, Yachiru, Ichigo, and Yoruichi on a mission to find and rescue Yamamoto. The party finds the cave by tracing Yamamoto's Reiatsu. The party splits up; Shunsui accompanies Ukitake to a distant corner of the cave, where they encounter the spirits of their Zanpakutō. Shunsui tries to use his charm to persuade Katen Kyōkotsu to come back to him, though she is not easily swayed, stating they both are tired of having to deal with such a decadent man. Shunsui notes that she has said "we", realizing that the Reiatsu that he felt since the start of the rebellion was that of her counterpart. Just as he makes the realization, the other half of Katen Kyōkotsu appears behind and raises her blade.

Reluctant to fight his Zanpakutō, Shunsui is quickly forced to use his Shikai. During the battle, Shunsui deduces from his Zanpakutō spirits' battle tactics that they are in a defensive stance that makes it impossible for him to go all out on them. He then realizes that this is merely a ploy that allows them to stall for time. After realizing that Muramasa wishes to use Ichigo's power for something, Shunsui manages to get past the spirits and attempts to stop Ichigo from being used. Upon sensing a huge explosion originating from Ichigo's power, Ukitake rushes to the location to find Yamamoto freed, but greatly troubled. It is then revealed that Yamamoto was not imprisoned as Muramasa claimed, but rather Yamamoto produced the barrier to protect himself from Muramasa's plans to use Ryūjin Jakka. When Muramasa says that he has no need for the other Zanpakutō Spirits any more, Katen Kyōkotsu and Sōgyo no Kotowari attack him, but end up having their physical forms destroyed by Ryūjin Jakka. Muramasa makes his escape, while Yamamoto reveals to the others that Muramasa intends to destroy the Gotei 13 with it.

Ichigo, Yoruichi, Ukitake, Shunsui, and Yamamoto are surrounded by a wall of flames created by Ryūjin Jakka. Yoruichi escapes underground through a fissure she opens using Shunkō, but Tobiume uses her fireball to cave it in behind Yoruichi, preventing the others from following. Ichigo attempts to escape by jumping over the wall of flames, but is unsuccessful. Yamamoto reveals that Muramasa's plan is to destroy Karakura Town in order to free his owner, Kōga Kuchiki, who has been sealed there. Ichigo makes a final attempt at jumping over the wall of flames and just before he is defeated and completely enveloped in fire, Hyōrinmaru and Hitsugaya arrive to save him. Hitsugaya and Hyōrinmaru both activate their Bankai and together, to help get Ichigo out of the flames so that he can head to Karakura Town to stop Muramasa, while Yamamoto, Ukitake, Shunsui, Hitsugaya, and Hyōrinmaru stay back to defeat Ryūjin Jakka together.

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

Captains Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake are playing a card game. Kyōraku wonders how many Tōjū are present in Seireitei, as Ukitake speculates that there should be numbers equating the casualties lost in battle. Ukitake states that they incorrectly assumed that their Zanpakutō would return back to their swords, as Sōgyo no Kotowari and Katen Kyōkotsu play next to them. Ukitake says that they cannot ignore the Tōjū as a serious threat, as Katen Kyōkotsu claims victory in the game.

As the game concludes, Sōgyo no Kotowari orders Ukitake to draw for them. As they continually ask him to draw, Katen Kyōkotsu starts painting Kyōraku's face. They both come to the conclusion that their Zanpakutō are better suited to their swords, much to the annoyance of the spirits, who proceed to attack them.

Kyōraku discusses the attacks by Tōjū with Ukitake, Rukia, Sode no Shirayuki, and Senbonzakura, while the restored Zanpakutō Spirit, Sōgyo no Kotowari, plays near the group. Later, while losing a game of cards to Katen Kyōkotsu and being forced to have his face painted, Kyōraku asks Nanao to go to Kurotsuchi in hopes that he can put an end to the Tōjū problem, also suggesting that she bring sweets to put the scientist in a good mood.

Later, Kyōraku lazily asks Nanao to take the masked half of Katen Kyōkotsu with her to defeat the Tōjū that ran away from them earlier. Later, however, he ends up saving them from the Tōjū, killing him with a single strike and saying "Sorry, but my kids want to go home and play with me."

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

Kyōraku waits outside the 1st Division barracks with Ukitake, greeting Captain Hitsugaya upon his arrival. Hitsugaya tells him that he finished the report upon Karakura Town's return to the Human World. Kyōraku explains that Nanao told him it would be finished on the day, much to Hitsugaya's surprise. Hitsugaya complains about Rangiku's lax nature, as it was the 10th Division's responsibility.

The next day, Kyōraku accompanies Hitsugaya to the S.R.D.I. as he inquires of the whereabouts of his lieutenant. They receive a report of traffic flow through the Dangai from Kagerōza Inaba, who explains that there is no record of them ever passing through a Senkaimon, suggesting that they are still in the Dangai. Kyōraku later attends a meeting in Yamamoto's office, listening to Mayuri's explanation that the S.R.D.I. monitors the Dangai 24 hours a day. Hitsugaya implies that he must have missed something, angering Mayuri, which prompts Kyōraku to intervene, saying nothing is known as of yet. Nanao and Rangiku are then brought before them. Despite being unaccounted for since the previous evening, the pair claim that only three hours have passed since they were ordered to return to Soul Society. Kyōraku then attends an emergency captains meeting, where Mayuri explains the presence of a time gap between the Soul Society and the Human World, which is gradually expanding.

Kyōraku, Ukitake, Yamamoto, and Unohana are the remaining Gotei 13 captains that have not yet been replaced by a Reigai. Ukitake and Kyōraku continue to be suspicious of the situation, and they meet up in secret. Their concerns center around how everything seems "too perfect", with too many captains agreeing that Ichigo should be arrested immediately. Ukitake still doesn't believe Ichigo is responsible, but cannot figure out why all the evidence is pointing towards him. Kyōraku then suggests that they may need to go take another look at this incident from the beginning. As they discuss this troubling issue, they both notice that several of the Reigai are on the move as the Senkaimon opens.

The two of them head to the Shinigami Research and Development Institute in order to have another look at the records of passages through the Dangai World. Kyōraku makes up a lie at Ukitake's expense in order to see the restricted files. They discover that somebody from the 12th Division must have altered the records, but before they can search any more, Suì-Fēng's Reigai shows up with the Onmitsukidō to arrest Kyōraku on suspicion of being the culprit.

Kyōraku later appears alongside Jūshirō Ukitake, when Kagerōza Inaba is surrounded by the other Gotei 13 captains. Kyōraku charges at Inaba alongside the Shinigami, as several Reigai emerge from above them. He and Ukitake proceed to fight against Reigai-Retsu Unohana, who proceeds to move back, allowing her lieutenant to strike with Hadō #58 Tenran. Kyōraku demands that Inaba tell them who he truly is, as they will find out eventually. He reveals to them that he was a part of Project Spearhead. He then uses his Zanpakutō to destroy the limiter bracelets on the Reigai, as Ukitake tells Kyōraku to prepare for battle. Eventually, Kyōraku and the other captains are forced to retreat. Later, they return in time to help Ichigo and Kisuke against their Reigai pursuers. Kyōraku and Ukitake dodge a blow from Kyōraku's Reigai and then quickly team up against Reigai-Sajin.

Soon, the Reigai begin increasing in numbers and devastation, attacking whoever they can. As Kyōraku and Ukitake find themselves pressured by Reigai-Ikkaku and Reigai-Shūhei, the lieutenant Shinigami return and aid their respective captains. Despite this assistance, the Reigai still pressure the Shinigami. Byakuya Kuchiki then realizes the truth behind the Reigai's battle style: they value self-preservation the most and won't attack first in fear of being outnumbered. Pleased at some good news, Shunsui suggests a battle of wills.

Later, the resurrected Ōko Yushima begins his endgame, using his Renzan: Hajō Kūri technique to begin destroying the Soul Society. Before the Shinigami can act, the Reigai step forward, saying that they will stop their fellow Mod-Soul's chaotic plan, as their goal has always been to protect the Soul Society in their own way. Reigai then destroy the technique at the cost of their own lives.

Quotes

 * (To Katen Kyōkotsu) "It goes against my nature to get rough with women. I happen to be a gentleman."