List of Soul Reapers in Bleach - Soul Reaper Court Divisions

Soul Reaper Court Divisions

The Gotei Thirteen (護廷十三隊, Goteijūsantai?, "Thirteen Court Guard Squads" in the English dubbed version) is the central organization in the Soul Society that most Soul Reapers join. It is split into thirteen divisions (some of which have certain specializations):

• First Division - The First Division is the highest rank of the Gotei Thirteen. They always deal with any emergency swiftly with quick decisions and quick actions.
• Second Division - The Second Division is associated with the Stealth Force.
• Third Division - The Third Division has no special duties.
• Fourth Division - The Fourth Division is known for its medical work.
• Fifth Division - The Fifth Division has no special duties. They are highly-trained by their captain.
• Sixth Division - The Sixth Division has no special duties, but are seen as a model division by the other Shinigami and is known for its strict adherence to the rules.
• Seventh Division - The Seventh Division has no special duties and is made up of sincere, unpretentious people who live life with gusto.
• Eighth Division - The Eighth Division has no special duties.
• Ninth Division - The Ninth Division is always on stand-by as it is the security force of the Gotei 13. The Ninth Division also oversees art and culture.
• Tenth Division - The Tenth Division has no special duties.
• Eleventh Division - The Eleventh Division is well known for its brute military force with a specialization of sword-only combat.
• Twelfth Division - The Twelfth Division is the scientific research division and its been the home of the S.R.D.I. for 110 years. It has been directly linked to the Shinigami Research and Development Institute over 100 years ago by former Captain Kisuke Urahara.
• Thirteenth Division - The Thirteenth Division has no special duties.

Other military forces exist apart from the Gotei Thirteen and serve more specialized capacities:

• The Kidō Corps (鬼道衆, Kidōshū?) is a reclusive group that specializes in kidō and is in charge of the gateway connecting the Soul Society and the human world.
• The Stealth Forces (隠密機動, Onmitsukidō?, literally, "Hidden Secret Movements Organization"), typically led by the captain of the Second Division, is tasked with surveillance, covert operations, imprisoning potentially problematic Soul Reapers, and assassinations.
• The Royal Guards (王属特務, Ōzokutokumu?) are a secret group composed of only former captains who protect the Soul King and his family. They are also known as the Zero Division. Anyone who is a member of the Royal Guards has created something for the Soul Society and were acknowledged by the Soul King as significant people who played a part in making history.

The Captains (隊長, taichō?, literally, "unit commander") are the leaders of the thirteen squads. Each controls a specific squad with the exception of the Commander-General (総隊長, Sōtaichō?, "Head-Captain" in the English dub), who acts as both captain of the First Squad and the leader of the Gotei Thirteen; the implication is that this is an ex officio position. Other than Kenpachi Zaraki, all captains are able to perform the bankai of their zanpakutō. To achieve the position of captain, a Soul Reaper must display great expertise with Soul Reaper abilities and battle tactics, and must be approved by either their fellow captains or the members of their own squad. There are three ways a Soul Reaper can become a captain.

1. To take the captain proficiency test which requires the ability to perform bankai. Presumably, most Soul Reapers become captains using this method. At least three existing captains, including the Commander-General, have to witness the test.
2. To have personal recommendations from at least six captains and approval from at least three of the remaining seven.
3. To defeat a captain one-on-one with at least 200 witnesses from the captain's division. Kenpachi Zaraki and Kenpachi Kiganjō are the only 2 known captains to have achieved his rank using this method.

Lieutenants (副隊長, fukutaichō?, literally, "vice-unit commander") are the adjutants to the captains in each squad. In terms of rank, they hold the second seat in the squad. In the case of a squad captain's death, departure, or other circumstances making them unable to perform their duties, the lieutenant acts as the acting captain until another captain can be assigned. The seated officers (席官, sekikan?) hold ranks from third seat to twentieth. While single digit ranks are usually assigned to a single officer, the lower ranks are often held by several. Higher ranks may also lead secondary teams within the division; for instance, Hanatarō Yamada is the Fourth Squad's seventh seat and leader of the Fourteenth Advanced Relief Team therein.