Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-44061-20130227173419

So there has been talk about what was Isshin's division in the Gotei 13. That is up in the air at this point but I wanted to touch on some points that are known for a fact.

1. - 110 yrs ago its stated that Hikifune had been promoted to the Royal Guard. Urahara was being promoted to be the 12th Division Captain. The 3rd Division Captain had retired and just been replaced the previous year by Rose. The 10th Division Captain was killed. The only captains having been there for the past 100 yrs at that time where Yama, Unohana, Shunsui and Ukitake.

2. - Isshin was a captain at least 20 yrs before the start of the series, at which time he lost his powers. Apparently around that time he met a young (presumably teenage), Masaki Kurosaki who saved him from a hollow.

Here is the essential problem we run into though. The primary amount of people believe that Isshin is probably the former 10th division captain. Thats probably a valid point to make but, here is some points to make for this concept.

1. - Isshin purposely didnt go with Urahara to Soul Society to plead on Ichigo behalf for the return of Ichigo's Shinigami powers as he would be recognized and had to do some explaining.

2. - While Aizen new Ichigo background supposedly, he had no recollection of Isshin as someone he has seen before or remotely was aware of.

This would lead one to believe that certain captains would recognize him but also that Isshin was likely not a Captain in the time that Aizen was a member of the Gotei 13, otherwise he would have knew who he was. Which would mean that he predates Aizen. Then it also appears Isshin took Masaki's last name (presumably from what it was originally, Shiba). But even still wouldnt the first name be noticed. Isshin has been careful to deal with only Urahara, Yoruichi, and Rukia and noticeably staying scare from any other Shinigami in the series. 