Shunsui Kyōraku/Expanded Universe

is the captain of the 1st Division and Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13. His lieutenants are his niece, Nanao Ise, and Genshirō Okikiba. He is the former captain of the 8th Division.

History
When Shunsui had secretly hidden away the Ise Clan's sacred weapon, Shinken Hakkyōken, the Tsunayashiro Clan had suspected that Shunsui was responsible for this illegal act, but could not act upon it as Ginrei Kuchiki had already spoken out in Shunsui's favor.

After the Shinigam Noble Tokinada Tsunayashiro had murdered his wife, Kakyō, he would have initially been cleared of the charges thanks to his family's influence. However, Shunsui, being a minor noble himself, managed to make the crime public, thus forcing Tokinada to be discharged from the Gotei 13.

Bleach: Can't Fear Your Own World
Shortly after Yhwach's final defeat at the hands of Ichigo Kurosaki, Shunsui joins Ichibē Hyōsube at the former Soul King's shrine. The two Shinigami have a cryptic conversation about the state of the current Soul King, and Shunsui confronts is Ichibē about the latter's decision to potentially sacrifice Ichigo to become the new Soul King. While Shunsui makes it clear that such a decision would have weighed heavily on him, as well as Ichigo's companions, Ichibē nonchalantly says that he would merely have missed talking to the young boy.

When Shunsui voices his relief that Ichigo did not have to be cut down, Ichibē responds that it was mere luck, as he never expected Ichigo to defeat or even survive against Yhwach. However Yhwach's decision to absorb the former Soul King's powers was an unexpected fortune. When Shunsui tries to steer the conversation towards the Five Noble Families, the two are interrupted by the arrival of Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck, and Tier Harribel. Ichibē assures the Espada that they are free to leave, or even be escorted, back to Hueco Mundo. After some words with Ichibē and Shunsui, the three Arrancar depart peacefully.

A few days after the end of the war with the Wandenreich, basck in the Seireitei, Shunsui asks Sōsuke Aizen if he has any last words before he is re-incarcerated in the Muken. While awaiting Aizen's words, Shunsui contemplates the massive losses of life the Gotei 13 experienced at the hands of the Quincy soldiers. Aizen eventually says that there is nobody present worthy of hearing what he has to say, only mentioning that he would like to talk to Ichigo. Shunsui dodges the issue, and Aizen taunts him by wondering if the improved seals created by Kisuke Urahara will be able to hold him. Shunsui's only reply is that he hopes Aizen will repent after he has finished his sentence. But Aizen counters that Soul Society may not even exist anymore then. Aizen asks if Shunsui saw Soul Society's "Original Sin" in the palace. When Shunsui refuses to respond further, Aizen taunts him more by wondering if his words will cause more renegades like Kaname Tōsen to appear.

Zanpakutō

 * His Zanpakutō is unique in that it exists as a daisho sword pair, consisting of a tachi and a wakizashi. This is due to Katen Kyōkotsu previously splitting herself in two to hide Shinken Hakkyōken. The swords' cross guards are rectangles, with the corners cut off, decorated by a pattern of cherry petals and lines, and each sports a dark-blue handle. He usually keeps them sheathed through his waist tie at his left side; however, during battle, the swords have been placed on both sides of his sash. Like other Zanpakutō, Katen Kyōkotsu has a personality of her own. However, unlike other Zanpakutō, this personality shines through in battle and prevents Shunsui from fighting at full power until Katen Kyōkotsu is in the mood for it. Because of this, Shunsui does not like to "play" with "her".


 * Shikai: Its Shikai command is . Kyōraku sets the two blades against each other in a cross, and then pulls after uttering the poem-like command. When the flash clears, Katen Kyōkotsu has become a pair of huge, black, heavily curved Chinese scimitars with silver edges. The hilt and tsuba of each are still the same as they were in Katen Kyōkotsu's sealed-form, but they now sport long red tassels dangling from the end.


 * Shikai Special Ability: The power of Katen Kyōkotsu is to "make children's games real". The Zanpakutō makes the rules, and anyone who steps within the boundaries of its spiritual pressure is forced to play by those rules, including Shunsui himself.''"


 * The rule of this game is that whoever gets their shadow stepped on "loses". The game itself allows competitors to manipulate shadows to their advantage. For example, Shunsui has demonstrated the ability to hide himself in shadows when using this technique, and he can also control the shadows, using them to attack an opponent by attacking the shadow they are currently standing upon. In addition, Shunsui can make multiple shadow clones of himself that can attack his opponent from multiple angles.


 * The rules of this game force the affected individuals to always tell the truth. Should any participant lie in any way, they will first lose control of their fingers, then their entire body will be paralyzed, and with the third lie, experience excruciating pain. This technique is based on the Japanese version of the pinky swear.

Quotes

 * ''"My Bankai isn't that easily usable. I suppose you could say it has a corresponding recoil for how strong the ability is. It has a flaw: It doesn't distinguish between friend or foe within the range the ability reaches. You'll find them occasionally, users of Bankai that involve anyone surrounding them regardless of whether they're an ally or enemy. As for those you’re aware of, Captain Kurotsuchi's Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo is one of them. It's a brutal Bankai that scatters poison in its scope. Well, someone like Captain Kurotsuchi could probably modify it to distinguish between friends and enemies.