Shinji Hirako

Shinji Hirako (平子 真子, Hirako Shinji) is a recruiter and semi leader of the Vizard and the previous captain of the 5th division in the Gotei 13.

Personality
Shinji's character is somewhat comical, adding a bit of levity to situations that are otherwise serious. He has a flippant attitude under normal circumstances and seems to like annoying his associate, Hiyori Sarugaki, which usually earns him a slap from one of her sandals. She in turn shows him absolutely no respect and frequently insults and attacks him; although he is no better, frequently making faces or glib insults at her expense. He also appears to have a history of referring to cute girls he meets as his 'first love', complete with a deadpan look on his face despite the obvious lie (he apparently never did this with Hiyori, further annoying her).

Underneath this though he is quite perceptive regarding people and during his time as a captain was one of the few people who appeared suspicious of his lieutenant Aizen Sousuke and could apparently sense or see through some of his illusionary capabilities. Aizen even admitted to being somewhat intimidated by him. He is very serious in combat or when angry. He also appears to be one of the older captains since his captain's haori had overlong sleeves (a trend shared by Ukitake, Kyōraku, Unohana and Yamamoto) and during a conversation with Ukitake implied he had been a captain for a long time.

Appearance
Shinji has jaw length blond hair with a straight cut and many of his facial expressions reveal his upper teeth, a trait also seen in Nnoitra Jiruga. In the past Shinji wore normal captain robes and had considerably longer hair. As a Vizard Shinji has been seen in standard Karakura school uniform though he usually wears a long brown coat, shirt and tie, and some form of hat.

History
Shinji was the captain of the 5th division approximately 100 years before the main storyline. He appears to have a knowledge of Aizen's zanpakutō and possibly his intentions. He had Sōsuke Aizen as his lieutenant but for his own reasons. The night Kensei Muguruma and some members of his division went to go to investigate the disappearance of the souls, they were ambushed by an unknown enemy. The 13 squad Captains made a decision and decided to send Captains Love Aigawa, Shinji Hirako, Rose, and Lieutenant Lisa Yadōmaru to the site. Hiyori Sarugaki already heading there, Kisuke Urahara began to feel worried for his lieutenant and volunteered to go also. Instead, Kidō Corps Captain, Tessai Tsukabishi, suggested his lieutenant Hachigen Ushōda should go. The five of them headed of to the site, but still worried, Urahara decided to cloak himself and follow. Tessai Tsukabishi confronted him before his leave and they agreed to go together. Once Shinji and the other captains reach the site, they find Hiyori already in a battle with a mysterious figure. Shinji strikes the stranger away just before it reaches Hiyori. Out of the fog, they are astonished to see Kensei in the form of a Hollow. The Shinigami undergo a battle with the hollow, where Hachigen resorts to using "Bakudo 99" on Kensei. They have managed to hold Kensei down, but Hiyori undergoes her own "Hollowfication". Unaware, Shinji is struck across the chest by Hiyori. The Shinigami, now alarmed, prepare for battle once again but are interrupted by a masked Kaname Tōsen, one of the Squad 9 members sent out to investigate the disapearences, after cutting Love from behind. After, both Aizen and Ichimaru Gin appear before the group. Shinji states the he has already suspected Aizen since he "was in his mother's womb." He goes on explaining that is why he choose Aizen as his lieutenant. Aizen goes and thanks Captain Hirako, because of his suspicions he didn't suspect a thing. Shinji confused, listens as Aizen elaborates. Aizen continues stating that the past whole month wasn't in fact Aizen by Captain Hirako's side, but a decoy. He explains the he used his Kyoka Suigetsu's "Absolute Hypnosis" to make it seem that he was still there. Aizen goes on saying that those suspicions Shinji had distanced him and Aizen, that unlike the other Captains and their lieutenants, they had no relationship. That's the reason Shinji couldn't see the tiny flaws in the decoy. Continuing, Aizen states that is was not Shinji that choose Aizen, but the other way around. Aizen could have said "No", but because of Shinji's suspicions and vigilance, he accepted. Shinji, now enraged, prepares to attack but stops and undergoes his own "Hollowfication", as so does all the other Shinigami's that accompanied him. Hiyori gets back up on her feet, but is cut down by Tousen. Aizen draws out his sword as he says his good-byes and thank you's but is attacked from behind by Urahara Kisuke accompanied by Tessai Tsukabishi.

Synopsis
One hundred years after Shinji was captain of the 5th division, Shinji appears before Ichigo Kurosaki in an attempt to recruit him to become a Vizard. While his initial attempts fail, he promises that no matter what his decision, Ichigo would eventually need to contain his inner-hollow to prevent it from devouring his own soul. Shinji then departs for the time being, receiving some physical abuse from Hiyori when he tells her that Ichigo refused to join them. Hoping to learn how to contain his inner-hollow, Ichigo eventually comes to Shinji and the other Vizards. While he initially attempts to get the information out of them by force, Shinji halfheartedly battles Ichigo. The other Vizards watch the display, noting that Shinji wasn't even taking him seriously. After Ichigo leaves to go fight Grimmjow, Shinji follows behind him and saves both Rukia and Ichigo from Grimmjow's cero attack. He engages Grimmjow and nearly defeats him with his cero, but Ulquiorra comes and retrieves Grimmjow before he can be killed. Shinji's current standing with the winter war is unknown as is the standing of the rest of the Vizards. He seems quite angry as he realizes Ichigo has left to Hueco Mundo leaving to them only a word : "thanks". Ichigo calls him "Hirako".

Abilities


Shinji is implied to be a powerful combatant, being the unofficial leader among the group and a former shinigami captain. At one point, when Shinji begins to fight with Ichigo Kurosaki, the other vizard mention that Ichigo is foolish to battle Shinji and that Shinji is not taking the battle seriously.

Shinji's hollow mask strongly resembles a pharoh's mask with a short flowing hood down the back of his neck. Shinji is quite skilled with his hollow powers, using he increased speed and strength to overwhelm Grimmjow Jeagerjaques in short order before almost catching him in a powerful cero blast. The video games also depict him being able to split the cero blast into multiple smaller beams.

Not much has been revealed about Shinji's zanpakutō, as he rarely uses or even visibly wears it. The hilt and sheath are red. None of his release states have been shown, and the times that he does seriously fight he seems to rely more on his hollow mask.

Trivia

 * One of Shinji's previous acclaimed crushes was Lisa Yadōmaru, a fellow vizard, and his current is Orihime Inoue.
 * During several points in the anime, Shinji's outfit is depicted to look like Lupin the III, likely as a homage on the part of the animators.