Yumichika Ayasegawa/Anime Continuity

is the 5th Seat officer in the 11th Division of the Gotei 13, under Captain Kenpachi Zaraki.

Bount arc
When the Bounts begin attacking living humans, Tōshirō Hitsugaya puts together a team of Shinigami consisting of Yumichika, Shūhei Hisagi, Rangiku Matsumoto, and Izuru Kira. Yumichika questions Hitsugaya as to why he was elected for the assignment. Hitsugaya explains that Zaraki told him that Yumichika was the only one "with nothing better to do". Initially, Yumichika is the only one working on his own when the team arrives in Karakura Town, while the other Shinigami sent are assisting Ichigo and his friends who are dealing with the Bounts. Yumichika eventually manages to find the Bounts' main hideout, but decides to wait for the rest of his team.

When the rest of Hitsugaya's team arrives, Yumichika decides to go ahead on his own. He (along with the rest of the group) is defeated by Ugaki's Doll. He is later found by Ichigo and Renji Abarai, who arrive later. They try to reach him, but they are confronted by Ugaki and his Doll in its full form, Gesell. Gesell then picks up Yumichika's body and throws him, but Renji manages to catch him in time. Yumichika then states he cannot go back to Zaraki because of this defeat. Renji decides to fight Gesell on his own, insisting that both Ichigo and Yumichika stay out of the battle. Ichigo shows numerous protests even during the battle, but Yumichika reveals to him that Renji used to belong to the 11th Division; and most members of the 11th Division fight to the death on their own, Renji being no exception (even after he was transferred). After Renji defeats the Doll, he can no longer continue. Yumichika urges Ichigo to continue on, telling him that he would look after Renji, so he wouldn't have to worry about him.

The New Captain Shūsuke Amagai arc
Yumichika is with the other Gotei 13 members when they storm the Kasumiōji Household. Yumichika is among those fighting the assassins wielding Bakkōtōs.

Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc
Yumichika, along with all other Shinigami who had learned their Zanpakutō's name, is called to Sōkyoku Hill under the belief that Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto called them. This is proven to be a trap set up by a rogue Zanpakutō Spirit named Muramasa, who called them and had captured and sealed Yamamoto. To make matters worse, Muramasa somehow "frees" all the Zanpakutō Spirits from their spiritual bond with their Shinigami partners.

Yumichika is among the Shinigami that arrive at the 6th Division Barracks to surround some of the rogue Zanpakutō Spirits and Captain Byakuya Kuchiki. He then lures away his Zanpakutō Spirit, Ruri'iro Kujaku, to a secluded place so that no one sees the true power of Ruri'iro Kujaku. He and Ruri'iro Kujaku talk, with Ruri'iro Kujaku complementing Yumichika on his looks. This annoys Yumichika, who proceeds to provoke Ruri'iro Kujaku by calling him Fuji Kujaku. They prepare to fight each other with Ruri'iro Kujaku swearing to kill Yumichika for calling him Fuji Kujaku.

Yumichika is left in a bad condition by their battle, with a triumphant Ruri'iro Kujaku smirking nearby. After remarking that he is unafraid to use his true power, the Zanpakutō prepares to unleash his Shikai. Yumichika panics, still more afraid to be kicked out of the 11th squad than to die; even after he is caught by the Ruri'iro Kujaku's Shikai, he stubbornly calls his Zanpakutō Fuji Kujaku. As Ruri'iro Kujaku's power continues to drain away Yumichika's energy, he mocks Yumichika by calling him a coward, saying he claims to value his self-perceived vision of beauty and expresses it to all, yet he hides his true power from the others in fear of being ridiculed.

After using some improvised Kidō to escape, Yumichika tricks Ruri'iro Kujaku by playing on his ego to use his powers again, finding an opening to counter and win. Before striking down his Zanpakutō, Yumichika explains that despite his reluctance to show his true powers to others, he chooses to do this not out of fear of ridicule, but because he has true pride as a member of the 11th Division. After winning the fight, Yumichika faints from having lost so much energy from Ruri'iro Kujaku's power. He is later found by the 4th Division and treated. After recovering, Yumichika goes to the Human World with several Shinigami, ready to face Muramasa.

Beast Swords arc
Yumichika arrives to support Ruri'iro Kujaku in his battle alongside the other Zanpakutō Spirits against the Tōjū, Kirikaze. Yumichika is there to claim his sword when Ruri'iro Kujaku finally loses its physical form due to the dissipation of the Muramasa's spiritual energy.

Gotei 13 Invading Army arc
Yumichika arrives with other members of the Gotei 13 in the Human World to fend off Kagerōza Inaba after escaping from the Dangai. After fending off Inaba and forcing him to retreat, Yumichika joins other members of the Gotei 13 as they hold a meeting in Ichigo's room. Yumichika later arrives alongside other Shinigami to battle his Reigai, commenting that he will not be able to fight against himself. The Reigai pins him against a tree and starts to choke him, but they are interrupted by Ikkaku and his Reigai. The two Reigai then retreat after the arrival of Uryū Ishida, leaving Yumichika wounded. Later, he arrives when his Reigai attacks Ichigo and Nozomi Kujō.

After Ichigo defeats a Hollow, Yumichika asks him how Nozomi is doing. Ichigo tells him that she seemed a bit tired and Rukia asks why he is interested, but he does not reply. At Ichigo's house, Yumichika, Renji and Ikkaku tell Ichigo that they wish to question her. Ichigo asks them if it is not enough that he protects her. Yumichika tells Ichigo that the Gotei 13 captains were defeated by Inaba's invasion force and Ikkaku says that they will now have to face that army in Karakura Town. Yumichika remarks that it is ironic that the Modified Souls were meant to reduce Shinigami casualties, but now many Shinigami have been injured protecting Nozomi. Ichigo tells them that as long as someone is born into the world, they have a right to continue existing.

Yumichika participates in a meeting with the Shinigami and Ichigo's friends where they are updated about the situation. Nozomi states that her Zanpakutō can counter Inaba's abilities, but Yumichika notes that she does not sound certain. He asks her what power she has. Later, while Nozomi is training, Yumichika arrives and thanks Ikkaku for waiting. He asks him if something is wrong and if he is interested in joining Nozomi's training. Ikkaku denies this, saying that he is worried about when the Reigai will arrive. When the Reigai of Zaraki arrives in the Human World and begins to fight Ikkaku, Yumichika warns the others not to waste time, as Ikkaku is delaying the enemy for them. Yumichika asks them how much longer they will fight like that, suggesting that he hit her with a much stronger amount of Reiatsu. Yumichika tells Ichigo that they are both unintentionally holding back and instructs him to attack her with real power, filled with killing intent. After his suggested proves correct, allowing Nozomi to awaken her Shikai, Yumichika goes off to find Ikkaku. He finds Ikkaku defeated saved by Nozomi, having used the accumulated energy in her "Arazome Shigure" to blast the Reigai away. Yumichika comments at what dangerous power Nozomi has for an opponent and compliments Ikkaku's effort. However, Reigai-Zaraki emerges unharmed. Yumichika then engages the Reigai so Ikkaku can be taken away to be healed. He is quickly driven back to join his allies and ultimately struck down by Reigai-Zaraki. With the arrival of Captain Unohana, Yumichika and the others are taken to the Shinigami's temporary base where she treats them. However, she states Yumichika's condition is very uncertain.

Later, Yumichika makes a full recovery and joins the other healed Shinigami in returning to Soul Society. There, he joins Ikkaku in aiding Zaraki against his Reigai counterpart. Zaraki however tells them to just worry about the "small fries" as they are getting in his way. Soon, the Reigai corner the Shinigami. Byakuya then realizes that based off Inaba's own personal nature, the Reigai share the same trait of self-preservation and will not attack first in fear of being outnumbered. Hearing this, Ikkaku and Yumichika join Zaraki, having resolved long ago to die by his side regardless.

Later, the resurrected Ōko Yushima begins his endgame, using his Renzan Hajokuri 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.

Powers & Abilities
Kidō Expert: Yumichika has demonstrated capable skill in Kidō techniques, able to sue a low-level Bakudō spell without incantation.

Quotes

 * (To Ruri'iro Kujaku) "I never regret anything. That's just the way that I do battle."


 * (To Ruri'iro Kujaku) "I would rather die right now than have your Shikai seen by others, Ruri'iro Kujaku. But that's not all there is to it. If I don't use Ruri'iro Kujaku, then I will use whatever it takes to win, and that is my aesthetic."