General Yamamoto

[edit] 1st Division Captain: Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai (山本元柳斎 重國, Yamamoto-Genryūsai Shigekuni?) — Voiced by: Masaaki Tsukada (Japanese), Michael Sorich (English), Bob Johnson (Bleach: Shattered Blade and Bleach: The Blade of Fate) Captain of the 1st Division and leader of the Gotei 13, Yamamoto is considered to be the strongest captain in Soul Society. He is an old man with a long beard, and in keeping with this is very short-tempered. There are many scars on his torso and head, suggesting numerous battles in his past. He wears the standard shinigami captain uniform, but its size is greatly exaggerated. He also drapes his haori over his back instead of actually wearing it. Despite his old age, he has a very muscular body. As the leader of Gotei 13, Yamamoto is highly respected by many shinigami, most notably Sajin Komamura, who views Yamamoto as a benefactor who saved his life. Like fellow captains Byakuya Kuchiki and Soifon, he believes that laws must be upheld for the benefit of the community and despises those who break them. General Yamamoto founded the shinigami academy about 2000 years before the main Bleach storyline. Yamamoto was himself a teacher at this academy, and personally instructed Kyōraku and Ukitake. He admits to being rather proud of Ukitake and Kyōraku. When they became captains, the first to do so from his academy, he "boasted about them as though they were his own sons."

Yamamoto's zanpakutō is Ryūjin Jakka (流刃若火, lit. Flowing Blade like Flame, Viz: Flowing Flame Blade). It is the oldest and most powerful fire-based zanpakutō, and has greater attack power than all other zanpakutō in Soul Society. In sealed form, it is disguised as Yamamoto's staff, which disintegrates into a sword on command. Its shikai command is "reduce the whole of creation to smoldering ashes" (万象一切灰燼と為せ, banshō issai kaijin to nase?, Viz: "all things of this world, turn to ashes", English TV: "all things in the universe, turn to ashes").[4] When released, Ryūjin Jakka and the area around Yamamoto are consumed in flame. The sheer power of the flame can disintegrate almost anything the sword is waved at. Only powerful fighters such as Kyōraku and Ukitake can resist it. Even in its shikai, Ryūjin Jakka's power is enough to fight against two other captains' shikai simultaneously. His abilities as a shinigami are no doubt powerful, as he was able to bring 8th Division Lieutenant Nanao Ise to her knees and immobilize her simply by looking at her and releasing his spiritual pressure. He was also able to fight on par with two of the most powerful captains, Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake, for a decent period of time without any sign of injury, while they both came away with minor wounds.

Lieutenant: Chōjirō Sasakibe (雀部 長次郎, Sasakibe Chōjirō?) — Voiced by: Taro Yamaguchi Chōjirō Sasakibe (雀部 長次郎, Sasakibe Chōjirō?) is the lieutenant of the 1st Division. He wears a white jinbaori over his uniform and arm guards. In the manga, Chōjirō is illustrated without pupils and is often assumed by fans to be blind. However, in the anime, he is animated with yellow or light brown eyes. Chōjirō's name was not revealed for quite some time after his initial appearance in the manga.

Chōjirō's zanpakutō is Gonryōmaru (厳霊丸, lit. Stern Spirit, Viz: Solemn Spirit). Its shikai command is "pierce" (穿て, ugate?, English "bite"). In its shikai, Gonryōmaru transforms into a rapier, fitting with Chōjirō's appearance. Its abilities remain unknown, as Ichigo Kurosaki quickly dispatches Chōjirō the single time Chōjirō releases his zanpakutō