Shūsuke Amagai

Shūsuke Amagai is the new Captain of the 3rd Division, (anime only).

Character Outline
Shūsuke Amagai Is the new Captain of the 3rd Division, taking over after Gin Ichimaru's defection from Soul Society. He became a Captain by way of taking the Captain proficiency test (隊首試験, taishushiken), but it unknown as to who were the other two Captains that oversaw his testing session. Prior to his promotion to Captain he served as a member of the Patrol Corps (警邏隊, keiratai) something, that acording to Sajin Komamura has never happened before. He is also shown to be weak to alcohol, collapsing even after eating sake-flavored pickles, and acting irrational after smelling the scent of sake in the air. Although he was intially looked down upon by his fellow division members, Captain Amagai's methods have since earned their respect. He also seems to favor teamwork and coordination between individual fighters, as he used these methods in the Patrol Corps, and teaches these methods when training his squad.

Synopsis
During an official Captains meeting Shūsuke is introduced to his new peers as the new Captain of the 3rd Division. Once the meeting is over he heads over to meet his newly gained subordinates and introduces Makoto Kifune to whom he appoints as the new 3rd seat. Most of his Divsion members do not readily accept him as the Captain due to the fact he is someone they never meet before, Shūsuke sympathizes with them he tells them that as long as he is their Captain he will always protect them. Later during a welcome party thrown by Izuru Kira, Shūsuke makes a toast, but immediately becomes drunk from one drink. Meanwhile, the rest of the 3rd Division goes to take care of some Menos Grande, but are put in a dangerous situation when they encounter a cleaner. However, Shūsuke turns up to rescue his division, and from this feat, he earns their respect.

Realizing that the 3rd Division was too dependent on Gin Ichimaru, Captain Amagai begins to train the members of the squad to work together as a team under him. Inspired by the success of his training methods, Shūsuke makes a request to Commander General Yamamoto to start mulitple squad training sessions so that they can better coordinate their abilities. The idea is intially turned down by the other captains, particularly Kenpachi Zaraki and Mayuri Kurotsuchi, both of which did not believe that they should have to be concerned with the problems of the other divisions. Although the idea was intially turned down, Yamamoto tests Captain Amagai's coordination skills by releasing some fake Menos Grande into the Seireitei, so that he can assess the reactions of the new captain and the different divisions. Shūsuke responds by accordingly by effectively getting the seperate squads to work together, resulting in the approval of his inital proposal.

He proposed the third division to capture Ichigo because he was newly appointed so he does not have any connection with him, they might have some difficulties to fight him. Rukia said it was worst for them because if it had been any other captain they knew they'll have been able to talk. Amagai initiated fight with Ichigo but they were stopped by Shuu when he came between the two. Finaly he accepted to hear their story and eventually to help Ichigo, Rukia, and Shuu.

Zanpakutō


Raika (Lightning Flash): It's seal form resembles a small sword such a kodachi, or a wakizachi


 * Shikai: Captain Amagai's shikai is activated with the command "Sever." His zanpakutō gains a hook at its end which is shown to be capable of controlling fire as seen during his brief fight with Ichigo Kurosaki.  Small pipes also extend from the guard which expel fire whenever Amagai needs more power as shown when he deflected the Getsuga Tenshou attack of Ichigo.

He also uses a tuning fork like weapon activated by hitting it, capable of emmiting energy in a sword-like shape. This weapon has been shown to be powerful enough to destroy one of the dimensional cleaners in the dangai.