Yoruichi Shihōin/Anime Continuity

is the former captain of the 2nd Division of the Gotei 13, as well as the former commander of the Onmitsukidō. Her Lieutenant was Marenoshin Ōmaeda. Having abandoned her command of both positions, she works with Kisuke Urahara and Tessai Tsukabishi, based in the Urahara Shop out in the Human World.

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

While in her feline form, Yoruichi, alongside Suì-Fēng, investigates Human disappearances in the Human World. Noting that the culprit is moving fast and attacking at an alarming rate, Suì-Fēng sends her findings to Captain Ukitake in Soul Society. Yoruichi and Suì-Fēng make their way to the train station in time to see a Bount attempting to feast on the soul of a train conductor. Yoruichi, transforming back into her true form, proceeds to attack the Bount to stop her from feeding on the helpless man. The Bount gets away, and Suì-Fēng asks Yoruichi whether she knows the person, to which Yoruichi replies that she does, but not in the current form she is in. She tells Suì-Fēng to go back to Soul Society and give them her report of what is taking place.

Later, she begins to actively pursue the Bount once they learn of the Bount's plan to invade Soul Society, and saves Ichigo when he is unable to defeat Jin Kariya. Later, after the defeat of Kariya and the other Bount, Yoruichi rescues the redeemed Bount Gō Koga and takes him to the home of Ran'Tao, the Bount's creator, where he is nursed back to health.

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

Yoruichi briefly aids Ichigo in his fight against Hanza Nukui, freeing him from the special ability of Saiga. She tells the would-be assassin his cohorts have all been defeated. Upon realization of this, Hanza makes his retreat.

Later, while in Soul Society, Yoruichi helps Suì-Fēng in understanding what was truly going on with the Kasumiōji Clan. She shows Suì-Fēng a technique taught to her by Kisuke Urahara, allowing Suì-Fēng to break through a barrier placed around the Kasumiōji foundry by royal blood, supposedly making the shield impenetrable. Yoruichi later shows up to explain to the vengeful Shūsuke Amagai that he was misguided, and the truth of the matter is documented in her family's historical records.

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

Yoruichi is sent on a recon mission into Soul Society to survey what has happened in the wake of the recent Zanpakutō rebellion. Returning to Urahara's Shop, she confirms everyone in the Seireitei is okay, and explains what she witnessed. Since the Seireitei looked as if it had been through a war and the buildings were in ruin, she, naturally assuming the worst, went to go look for the 4th Division to get a better understanding of the possible casualties. Yoruichi meets with Captain Retsu Unohana of the 4th Division and Captain Ukitake. They tell her the tale of the fight, which has taken over Soul Society, and the damage done. Before leaving, Yoruichi assures them she will talk to Urahara and see if he knows anything of use to help the situation. Before she goes, Unohana asks that if all else fails on her end, she could enlist Ichigo's help in the matter, to which Yoruichi agrees. After she is finished telling her story, Rukia asks if Yoruichi knows of the status of her brother, but Byakuya Kuchiki is nowhere to be found. The next day, when Rukia turns up missing, Ichigo and Yoruichi set out to Soul Society to search for her.

Later, Yoruichi carries an exhausted Suì-Fēng to the others after her former protégé defeats her Zanpakutō. Upon finding the others, Yoruichi reveals she has discovered the location of Yamamoto. She brings them to a network of caves, which the Zanpakutō have been using, from which Yamamoto's Reiatsu can be sensed. When the captains enter the cave to find the Captain-Commander, Yoruichi takes Ichigo to another entrance. As they leap from one stalagmite to another in the flooded cave, Yoruichi tells Ichigo she does not know what Byakuya's motives are, but that he likely has a plan. When she is attacked by Tobiume and Haineko, she, quickly over-powering them, tells Ichigo to go on ahead. Yoruichi effortlessly fights the two Zanpakutō spirits, using a combination of Hakuda and Shunpo, before realizing they aren't trying to defeat her, but rather keep her from advancing forward. To test her theory, she allows them to attack her directly as she sneaks off past them, but they quickly realize her ploy and refuse to let her escape. Yoruichi counters their attack by using Hadō #31. Shakkahō, but Yoruichi ends up trapped when Tobiume's fireball caves in her escape route. She, confronting Tobiume and Haineko about their plan to keep her there fighting them, decides she can no longer allow them to hold her back. Yoruichi uses Hadō #58. Tenran to destroy the obstruction of rocks, and binds both Zanpakutō spirits to the wall with Bakudō #30. Shitotsu Sansen.

Yoruichi arrives just in time to see Ichigo use his Getsuga Tenshō at its most powerful (enhanced via his Bankai and Hollow mask), creating a large explosion. When the dust settles, she, Ukitake, and Shunsui make their way to Ichigo, and is surprised to find the barrier Yamamoto was in now shattered. They all realize they were wrong in the theory Muramasa had placed the barrier around the captain-commander, realizing too late that Yamamoto himself put the barrier up so Muramasa couldn't take control of his Zanpakutō spirit as he did with the others. Muramasa confirms their realization, stating that by placing himself in a barrier and going unconscious, he had no way into the Captain-Commander's mind, so he brought out the Zanpakutō spirits of the other Shinigami and staged the Zanpakutō Rebellion to gain access to Yamamoto. Yoruichi and the others, surprised at the turn of events, witness the enraged Katen Kyōkotsu and Sōgyo no Kotowari attack Muramasa for manipulating and betraying them. They are all surprised when a large wall of flames incinerate the two pairs, and realize Muramasa now has control of Ryūjin Jakka. Trapped inside Ryūjin Jakka's flames, Yoruichi blasts a hole through a collapsed exit. However, she is attacked by Tobiume, who causes the newly opened path to collapse again, separating Yoruichi from the others. She, finding Tobiume and Haineko, prepares to fight them again.

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

Yoruichi travels to Soul Society with the intention of returning almost immediately. However, three days elapse and she does not return. Later, when Ichigo and Rukia fight Renji and Ikkaku, Yoruichi intervenes, using the Tozanshō spell to seal the two Shinigami, and tells Ichigo and Rukia to follow her. They stop at a nearby cave, where Ichigo thanks her for saving them.

Yoruichi tells them they cannot stay there for long. When Ichigo tells her there was something wrong with Renji and Ikkaku, Yoruichi tells them those two weren't the real Renji and Ikkaku. Ichigo and Rukia are surprised at this, and Yoruichi asks them whether they noticed or not during their fight, telling them they were very well made. She explains the concept of a Reigai to them, outlining that she doesn't know how many of them have infiltrated the Gotei 13. Since the development and experimentation of Reigai are limited to the Shinigami Research and Development Institute, Yoruichi speculates the mastermind works in the 12th Division. Ichigo disappears, and when Rukia asks Yoruichi where he went, Yoruichi says he has probably gone to the 12th Division. She tells Rukia to follow him, and that she will find a way to throw off the security.

As Rukia and Ichigo discuss what to do, Yoruichi appears, saying not to worry. Rukia asks what happened to her pursuers, and Yoruichi says they could not keep up. Ichigo praises her, but Rukia states she does not think the Reigai will stop guarding the Senkaimon. Yoruichi says she does not believe they will either, and says that is why they will charge head on. Rukia expresses concern, but Yoruichi says they will charge because the Reigai are fakes. The three head to the roof and charge at the Reigai. The Reigai, taking notice, attack, putting Ichigo and Rukia on the defensive. As the Reigai go on the offensive, Ichigo and Rukia pop, revealing themselves to be portable Gigai, and the real ones head to the Senkaimon, where Yoruichi tells them to go while she holds off the Reigai. Ichigo protests, but they leave. Yoruichi, activating her Shunkō, defeats most of the Reigai. She faces off against Reigai-Byakuya Kuchiki, telling him the Reigai are nearly perfect, but overly aggressive, and that is why their tactic worked. Reigai-Byakuya, saying he will eliminate her, raises his Reiatsu. She comments that they may be copies, but their powers are impressive. Later, as Tōshirō Hitsugaya faces the two Reigai of Momo Hinamori, Yoruichi, showing up, kicks the Reigai into a wall with her Shunkō, defeating them. Yoruichi tells Hitsugaya he is naive before the two split up, saying they have business to take care of.

Yoruichi frees Suì-Fēng and the others who Inaba had sealed. She arrives at Inaba's lair at the same time as the Gotei 13 captains, stating she went through a lot of trouble. She tells him it was hard work, freeing everyone without him noticing, and he apologizes, saying it was all necessary to bring everything under his control. She taunts him by asking if he could really do that. Yoruichi and the captains engage Inaba and his Reigai in battle. During the fight, Yoruichi and Suì-Fēng use their Shunkō, but are blocked by Inaba's portals. Kenpachi tells them Inaba can copy whatever they do. Yoruichi and Suì-Fēng use Hankisosai to counter this, creating an opening for Kenpachi and Hitsugaya to successfully strike Inaba. Yoruichi asks the Reigai why they continue to fight when their master is defeated. However, Inaba's body dissipates and he reappears. He immediately attacks, injuring all four of them, before being stabbed by Mayuri.

As Mayuri talks and fights with Inaba, Yoruichi and the others listen. Inaba releases the full power of the Reigai, and more of the Reigai appear. Yoruichi is shocked when Reigai-Byakuya sends Hitsugaya hurtling past her with his Shikai. She calls out to Suì-Fēng when she is sent crashing into the ground, before being cut across the torso by Reigai-Unohana. Eventually, Yoruichi and the other captains are forced to retreat. Later, they return in time to help Ichigo and Kisuke against their Reigai pursuers, with Yoruichi mocking Kisuke for his attempt at self-sacrifice. After Yoruichi explains how they escaped the Reigai during their last encounter, she and the captains engage the Reigai, with Yoruichi initially fighting Reigai-Ukitake. Later, she joins Suì-Fēng in fighting Reigai-Unohana. However, even with their combined attacks, the Reigai effortlessly blocks their attacks with a barrier. Yoruichi surmises the Reigai have been enhanced even further since their last battle.

Later, the lieutenants arrive, aiding the captains against the Reigai. As the battle continues, Yoruichi notes the Reigai becoming increasingly more violent, attacking whoever appears most vulnerable. While distracted, Reigai-Shunsui surprises her and strikes, only for Byakuya to block the attack. Soon, the Reigai pressure the Shinigami into a corner. Byakuya realizes the truth behind the Reigai's fighting style: they value self-preservation the most, and won't attack first in fear of being outnumbered. Yoruichi realizes Byakuya let himself be attacked to test that theory.

Later, the resurrected Ōko Yushima begins his endgame, using his Renzan: Hajokuri technique to begin destroying Soul Society. Before the Shinigami can act, the Reigai step forward, saying 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. The Reigai destroy the technique at the cost of their own lives.

Powers & Abilities
Shunpo Master:Considered to be the most proficient Hohō master ever in all of Soul Society, Yoruichi is immensely skilled in the use of Shunpo. She can still perform Shunpo while in her cat form, however, she is not as fast as she is in her true form.

Hakuda Master: As former Commander-in-Chief of the Onmitsukidō, Yoruichi is one of the most accomplished hand-to-hand combatants in Soul Society. She fought three Shinigami captains and four lieutenant-level and above opponents at the same time with Hakuda without receiving any notable damage.

Expert Swordsman: While preferring to fight her opponents barehanded, during her days as a captain, Yoruichi showed herself to be a highly capable swords-woman, taking down a huge Hollow with a single strike of her sealed Zanpakutō.

Quotes

 * (To Tobiume) "Having a little trouble? Girls these days are all talk and no muscle."