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List of all Strongest Captains in Bleach (Weakest to Strongest Top 24) | 2023

Last updated on January 4th, 2023 at 12:30 am

 Bleach is considered one of the big three anime, and for a good reason. It has extensive world-building, impressive fight scenes, and character development that sets it in a league of its own. There are captains who head various divisions and are a few of the most skilled warriors in the entire series.

In this post, we will rank all the captains in Bleach from weakest to strongest (dead or alive) so if you are interested in knowing the top 24 strongest captains in Bleach, stay tuned with us.

24) Isane Kotetsu

Isane

Isane is the captain of the 4th Division and was the ofter lieutenant under Urohara. She is quite unique due to her ability to perform Kido spells in rapid succession and being able to use high-level spells like Kakushitsuijaku and Tenteikūra. He spiritual energy is powerful, and she is also a skilled shunpo user.

Isane has broad shoulders and silver hair, which is styled in the form of braids. She is usually shy, however, grows impatient in battle leading to silly errors. Despite her battle prowess, she lacks the tactical ability that places her in the twenty-fourth spot.


23) Lisa Yadomaru

LIsa

Lisa rose from being a lieutenant under Shunsui to becoming the captain of the 8th Division. She has immense spiritual energy, which is also backed by her expert swordsmanship and proficiency in shunpo usage. She is collected during combat, and her Zanpakuto looks like a nōdachi.

Lisa can also achieve Hollowfication, and when not in her hollow form, she wears glasses and has black hair. She ties her hair in a shoulder-length ponytail and wears the standard captain robes, taking the twenty-third spot on this list.


22) Kaname Tosen

Kaname

Kaname features on this list and not with the special mentions despite being stripped of his powers and privileges after betraying the soul society is because he is one of the few that showed genuine regret at his defection to the other side. As a former 4th seat of the council and an exceptional fighter in his own right.

He is a skilled swordsman, a master hakuda combatant, a great shunpo controller, and with an even more powerful spiritual energy. Further, he can also use the descorrer, which is used at the arracar level, showing why he takes the twenty-third spot in this list of strongest captains in Bleach.


21) Sajin Komamura

Sajin

It is rare for an anthropomorphic wolf to rise to the level of a captain, but again, given this is a world of spirits and hollows, it must not come as too much of a surprise. He is the ex-captain of the 7th Division and has quite a unique method of transformation.

Sajin Komamura is a haduka master with tremendous spiritual energy and is also an expert swordsman. He is the tallest member of the Gotei 13 and also has excessive endurance. In his human form, he retains fur over his hands and wolf ears. Nevertheless, he takes the twenty-second spot.


20) Love Aikawa

Love

Love is probably the most laid back of all captains in the Gotei 13, however, do not underestimate him because of this. He is one of the most skilled swordsmen and was able to take down several high-level hollows at the same time.

He is also a shunpno expert and has excellent combat experience. Apart from his battle prowess, he is also an expert strategist and is able to deftly manipulate the outcome of the battle through psychological manipulation. However, since he does not have great endurability, Love takes the 20st spot on this list.


19) Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi

Rojuro

Rojuro is one of those special cases who was first stripped of his powers and privileges as a captain and, later on, reinstated after the defeat of Aizen. This speaks volumes of his ability as one of the strongest captains in Bleach and he is currently the captain of 3rd Division squad.

He is an expert swordsman, as is expected, but also has arracar level spiritual energy and is a formidable foe when he sets his mind to something. He has several tricks up his belt with Zanpukto morphosis and can also manipulate Sikai. With his flowing golden locks, he strolls in and comfortably takes up the 19th spot.


18) Iba Tetsuzaemon

Iba

Iba gives off the street punk vibes, but if you take him by his appearance, you will not survive to tell the tale. He is highly competent as a captain, heading the 7th Division and being deadly with his Zanpukto, and can easily take on several arracar level hollows and emerge victorious. Iba knows the onus riding on him and never takes any battle lightly.

Apart from his cool punk looks, he is also a Hakuda expert, a master-level swordsman known to regularly spar with the legendary Ikkaku Madarame, and a great strategist. He takes the 18th spot on this list.


17) Kensei Muguruma

Kensei

Kensei falls into the same category as Rojuro, a captain who was reinstated as the head of the 9th Division after the battle against Aizen. Kensei’s selling point is physical combat; he is an extremely perceptive warrior who knows how to make proper calls in the heat of the battle. As a member of the Gotei 13, he is known to possess extreme physical powers.

Kensei has silver hair, and his physical prowess is supplemented by his enhanced strength and durability, which makes him a force to be reckoned with. He takes the 17th spot on this list.


16) Suì-Fēng

Sui Feng

Suì-Fēng or Soi Fon is not only the captain of the 2nd Division but also the commander in chief of Onmitsukidō. She is one of the most powerful shunpo users in the entire series, even able to hold her mentor at bay in combat.

Suì-Fēng has long dark hair and is and is an expert swordsman. She is immensely fast to the point that she can create speed clones and is a master of deception and psychological warfare. She strikes her enemies when it’s least expected, taking the 16th spot on this list.


15) Mayuri Kurotsuchi

Mayuri

Mayuri has a list of credentials to aid him. He is both an intellectual and a warrior, holding the position of captain of the 12th Division and also being the second president of the Shinigami Research Institute. Not to forget, he is also a member of the Gotei 13 and also, under Kikure Urahara, served as the 3rd seat of the 12th Division.

This makes Mayuri one of the strongest captains in Bleach, being simultaneously able to manipulate poison as well as become an expert swordsman and shunpo user. Notwithstanding, his tasks take the 15th spot on this list.


14) Rukia Kuchiki

Rukia

Well, the entire series would not have been made had Rukia not given her powers to Ichigo. However, she is more than just a glorified side character. After the battle against Yhwach, in the ten years time skip, she rises to become the captain of the 13th Division.

Rukia is obviously an expert kido, along with being a top-notch swordsman. She obviously has enhanced speed, durability, and strength and has a keep nature willing to learn and absorb all information. No wonder she takes the 14th spot on this list.


13) Byakuya Kuchiki

Byakuya

Byakuya is one of the strongest captains in Bleach, so long as powers and abilities go. He is a master Shunpo user, using complicated techniques like senka and utsusemi, while also being an expert at Kido and having immensely high spiritual energy.

Byakuya is the head of one of the four noble families in the soul society- the Kuchiki family. He is also the captain of the 6th Division and is a quite severe bout following rules and orders. As one of the most accomplished captains in the Gotei 13, Byakuya takes the 13th spot on this list.


12) Toshiro Hitsugaya

Toshiro

Toshiro is a child prodigy; there are no two ways about it. He is the youngest captain ever in the history of the Gotei 13: heading the 10th Division. Along with that, he is an expert strategist and ruthless soldier when it comes to combat, willing to sacrifice his troops to secure the goal and also complete his mission at all costs.

Toshiro has silvery-white hair and a look of maturity that is well beyond his years. He is already a master swordsman, along with having immense spiritual energy and being a kido master and also having mastery over shunpo. No reason, therefore, why he should not take the 12th spot on this list.


11) Shinji Hirako

Shinji

Shinji was a captain of the 5th Division over 100 years ago who was stripped of his powers and privileges. However, he was reinstated after the battle against Aizen. Apart from being the captain of the 5th Division, Shinji was also the person in charge of recruiting the visored.

Shinji is an expert swordsman and one of the few captains who can control their hollowfication and hollow forms in a proper manner. He is obviously a master shunpo user and also a competent fighter in his own right. Very often, he holds back in a fight to prevent excessive damage. Shinji takes the 11th spot on this list.


10) Sosuke Aizen

Aizen

Had Aizen not left the soul society, he would have turned out to be one of the most powerful captains in the entire series. His powers are so extensive that he cannot be defeated but only sealed away, and his one of the few who dared to o against the soul society.

As the former captain of the 5th Division, Aizen is already a deadly force, being the strongest swordsman and one of the greatest military strategists while also being a constant threat. No wonder Aizen takes the 10th spot on this list.


9) Kurosaki Isshin

Issin

Isshin knows when to pull back, and this is what makes him so dangerous. He is the former captain of the 10th division ad also an exclusive member of the Gotei 13.

Isshin has enhanced durability and speed in combat, which supplements his swordsmanship. Unlike most of the other captains, he has a kind face and is more inclined towards his family. However, to simply dismiss him would be a fatal mistake for any opponent. As one of the most formidable captains, Isshin takes the 9th spot.


8) Yoruichi Shihōin

Yoruichi

As the former captain of the 2nd Division and Gotei 13, Yoruichi is already considered one of the strongest captains in Bleach, having headed the Onmitsukidō. She is one of the most proficient shunko users out there and can really turn the tide of the battle if she wishes.

Although she is generally more laid back and loves to have fun, it would not be advisable to cross paths with Yoruichi when she is angry, given that she is also a master swordsman, kido user, and has immense spiritual energy. Notwithstanding, she takes the 8th spot on this list.


7) Tessai Tsukabishi

Tessai

Nobody would guess that a convenient store employee could be one of the most feared captains in the history of soul society. But Tessai manages to do precisely that. He was forced into exile over 100 years ago by Aizen and was compelled to hide in the human world.

Tessai obviously gives off the rough demeanor of a military man and is one of the strongest swordsmen and military strategists in the entire series. It should not come as a wonder, therefore, that Tessai claims the 7th spot on the list.


6) Jūshirō Ukitake

Jushiro

Jushiro, with his flowing silver hair, gives off the appearance of calmness and serenity. However, do not be tricked by his appearance; he is quite the deadly force when he decides to get on headfirst into the battle.

Jushiro was the former captain of the 13th Division and was also the host of the right hand of the soul ling: Mimihagi. Already an accomplished warrior and a master swordsman, Jushiro had mastered kido to such a level that it immensely supplemented his enhanced speed and durability. He claims the 6th spot on this list.


5) Retsu Unohana

Retsu

In a world where there is constant conflict and war, it is important that someone tries to heal and repair all of the damage. Unohana served that purpose and is by far the best healer that soul society had to offer. She was the former captain of the 4th Division and one of the prominent members of the Gotei 13.

Restu is the most experienced of all captains and gains the title of Shiken or Death Sword after she is cast in hell. While she smiles pretty often, she is as good at inflicting damage as she is at healing them, being a master swordman and kido user, which makes her one of the strongest captains in Bleach.


4) Kisuke Urahara

Kisuke

Whatever Mayuri can do, Kisuke can do it ten times better. Kisuke was the former captain of the 12th Division, as well as the first president of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute. He is a Haduka master and can also use deadly techniques like the Shitonegaeshi and Hozuri.

In the human world, Kisuke runs a small store where he sells shinigami souvenirs and lives a calm and peaceful life. However, when called to battle, he is deadlier than most, which laces him at the 4th spot on this list.


3) Kenpachi Zaraki

Kempachi

Kenpachi has quite a unique way of achieving results on the battlefield, where he follows the primitive instincts of survival of the fittest. His 11th Division is the most unruly and hardly wishes to listen to individuals from the outside.

Kenpachi knows the secret of the Shinigami Zanzutsu and is, therefore, able to manifest the forbidden complex technique ryodan. On his own admission, he has Unruly Retsu Control, where he has not fully mastered his Retsu. He is also a master combatant and likes to charge head-on into battle, placing him in the 3rd position.


2) Shunsui Sakuranosuke Jirō Kyōraku-

Shinsui

Shunsui is the complete combatant ever. He was the former captain of the 8th Division and the present captain of the 1st Division, along with being the commander in chief and the captain of the Gotei 13, making him probably the only living strongest captain in Bleach.

Add his master swordsmanship, kido usage, retsu control, enhanced speed, and endurance to this equation, and Shunsui is near impossible to defeat in combat. Not to mention, he is an expert strategist and, therefore, easily takes the second spot.


1) Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto

Yamamoto

Yamamoto served as the head of the 1st Division for over 1000 years precisely because there was no shinigami stronger than him. When Yamamoto was thrown into hell, he gained the title of Founder of the Gotei, and is quite literally one of the strongest characters.

Despite his age, he gained all the skills of a master swordsman and hakuda user, restu manipulation, and enhanced durability, making him a legendary being and the strongest captain in Bleach ever.


Special Mention: Division 0

Division 0

Division 0 is also known as the Royal Guards and a tasked with Soul KIng’s protection. Its primary members include Ichibē Hyōsube, Kirio Hikifune, Senjumaru Shutara, Tenjirō Kirinji, and Ōetsu Nimaiya, all of which are the best that soul society has to offer. These five members together can be more than a match for any opponent and are the most decorated in the history of Soul Society, cumulatively claiming the top spot.

So there it is a complete list of all the strongest captains in Bleach. With the new 1000 years Blood War Arc coming out, this might be a good time to catch up on all the Bleach action. The manga is available on Viz, and the anime is available on Crunchyroll, so go check them out. And for such exclusive Bleach content, keep following us.


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