User blog comment:Toshiroichigo/Lack of strong personalities among vice captains./@comment-26420452-20131102221411

I see that you've used their relationships with their captains as proof to whether they've got a strong character or not. You should've noted while reading/watching the Soul Society arc that captains are considered as gods in the Gotei 13 in terms of prestige. Even their lieutenants, who follow them around all day, cannot manage to get past this idolizing, to the contrary by being so close to them they develop a sort of "crush" and get into an even more submissive role than they have to. That's why they may seem to have a weak personality, but in fact don't. Take for example Rukia who's recently been promoted to lieutenant. It's undeniable she's one of the strongest characters in Bleach, yet I doubt she'd ever dare to go against any of Ukitake's orders.