Bleach: 10 Strongest Vice Captains

Bleach is a popular Japanese manga and anime series created by Tite Kubu. The anime follows the story of Ichigo Kurosaki, a high school student who gains the powers of a Soul Reaper. Set in a world where spiritual beings like Hollows and Soul Reapers exist, the series delves into these formidable warriors’ duties and responsibilities.

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Vice captains (lieutenants) serve as the second-in-command within each division of the Soul Reaper’s organization, the Gotei 13. Their primary responsibilities include assisting their captains in managing their divisions, overseeing daily operations, and leading lower-ranked members in combat. They possess exceptional strength, agility, and leadership qualities, all of which are vital to protect Soul Society and the human world.

1 Sentarō Kotsubaki

Sentarō Kotsubaki is the vice captain of the 13th Division in the Gotei 13, working alongside Captain Rukia Kuchiki. Sentarō is a tall, lean man with a distinctive pompadour hairstyle and a confident, competitive personality. His Zanpakutō’s name and abilities are not revealed in the series.

However, as a high-ranking officer in the 13th Division, it can be assumed that he possesses considerable skill and strength. Sentarō has impressive levels of spiritual energy and demonstrates proficiency in Shunpo (Flash Step), enabling him to appear instantly when called upon by the captain. He’s quite an enigma and has rather limited screentime, but is a formidable foe regardless.

2 Marechiyo Ōmaeda

Marechiyo Ōmaeda is the vice captain of the 2nd Division in the Gotei 13, directly under the leadership of Captain Soi Fon. He is an intimidating man with short black hair. Marechiyo often comes across as boastful, clumsy, and somewhat cowardly.

Despite his outward appearance and behavior, though, Ōmaeda is a skilled combatant. He is proficient in swordsmanship and Shunpo, a high-speed movement technique used by Soul Reapers. His Zanpakutō, Gegetsuburi, transforms into a large, spiked ball attached to a chain when released in its Shikai form.

3 Momo Hinamori

Momo Hinamori is the vice captain of the 5th Division in the Gotei 13, initially working under the leadership of Captain Sōsuke Aizen and later with Captain Shinji Hirako. Momo is a young woman with short black hair and a gentle, compassionate personality.

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Momo is proficient in swordsmanship and is especially skilled in the use of Kido spells, which are used for both offense and defense. Her Zanpakutō, Tobiume, has a fire-based ability when released in its Shikai form. Tobiume can also transform into a multi-pronged, fireball-launching weapon. Though not the strongest of the vice captains, she boasts unique abilities.

4 Tetsuzaemon Iba

Tetsuzaemon Iba is the vice captain of the 7th Division in the Gotei 13, and reports to Captain Sajin Komamura. He is a tall, muscular man with black hair and a distinctive goatee. Iba is usually seen wearing sunglasses and has a tattoo of a sword on his left arm.

Iba is known for his strict adherence to the principles of bushido, the samurai code of conduct. His Zanpakutō, known as Nanaboshi, releases a Shikai form that appears as a short sword with a curved, serrated edge. An honorable warrior, he fits the bill for a vice captain well, though little beyond that is known about him.

5 Izuru Kira

Izuru Kira serves as the vice captain of the 3rd Division in the Gotei 13, first under the leadership of Captain Gin Ichimaru and later under Captain Rōjūrō “Rose” Ōtoribashi. Izuru is a young man with wavy, light-colored hair and a melancholic demeanor.

His Zanpakutō, Wabisuke, has a unique ability when released in its Shikai form. The blade takes on the appearance of a squared-off hook, and every time it strikes an opponent’s weapon or body, the weight of the target doubles. This makes Wabisuke an effective weapon for incapacitating enemies. Though some captains and vice captain wield stronger weapons, this is among the most unique.

6 Nanao Ise

Nanao Ise is the vice captain of the 8th Division in the Gotei 13, which is under the leadership of Captain Shunsui Kyōraku. Nanao is a young woman with black hair, glasses, and a serious, intellectual demeanor.

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She is known for her strict adherence to the rules and regulations of her duties as a Soul Reaper. Her Zanpakutō, Shinken Hakkyōken, is a powerful weapon inherited from her family. Hakkyōken is designed to counter the abilities of divine beings by reflecting their power back at them. This makes her abilities potentially more potent than those vice captains seen before, albeit a little situational.

7 Rangiku Matsumoto

Rangiku Matsumoto is from North Rukongai and is the vice captain of the 10th Division in the Gotei 13, headed by Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya. Rangiku is known for her long, wavy blonde hair, and carefree, playful personality.

She is a skilled combatant, proficient in swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat. Her Zanpakutō, Haineko, has the unique ability to transform its blade into ash when released in its Shikai form. This ash can be manipulated to attack her opponents, cutting and slicing as if it were a solid blade. Her unique combat style is sure to keep a variety of foes on their toes, though she may not wield the pure physical power of some of the very strongest vice captains.

8 Ikkaku Madarame

Ikkaku Madarame is a prominent vice captain of the 11th Division in the Gotei 13, under the leadership of Captain Kenpachi Zaraki. The 11th Division is known for its focus on melee combat and its members’ love for battle, and Ikkaku, with his formidable appearance, certainly embodies that fierce spirit very well.

His Zanpakutō, Hōzukimaru, is a unique weapon that can transform into a three-sectioned staff with a blade at each end, connected by a chain. This versatile weapon allows Ikkaku to engage in both short and long-range combat. This means that, regardless of the foe, he is capable of engaging from anywhere on the battlefield.

9 Shūhei Hisagi

Shūhei Hisagi serves as the co-vice captain of the 9th Division in the Gotei 13, under Captain Kaname Tōsen and later Captain Kensei Muguruma. Hisagi is known for his calm and collected demeanor, and his distinct appearance includes a silver-haired streak and a tattoo of the number 69 on his left cheek.

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As a child, Hisagi survived a traumatic Hollow attack. He is a skilled combatant, proficient in swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, and using Kido. His Zanpakutō, Kazeshini, transforms into a pair of kusarigama-like weapons with sharp, curved blades connected by a long chain. A more versatile fighter than even Ikkaku Madarame, he’s capable of cleaving through enemies, fueled by the tragedy of his past. Only one vice captain really beats him in terms of power.

10 Renji Abarai

Renji Abarai is a true anime powerhouse, vice captain of the 6th Division. Renji has distinctive red hair, which he usually keeps in a high ponytail, and has a series of tattoos on his forehead and body.

He grew up in the Rukongai district of the Soul Society with Rukia Kuchiki. Renji is a skilled fighter known for his expertise in swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat. His Zanpakutō, Zabimaru, is a unique weapon that transforms into a segmented, bladed whip.

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