History Characters / BleachSoulSocietyDwellers

[[Characters/BleachIchigoKurosaki Ichigo Kurosaki]] | [[Characters/BleachIchigosCompanions Ichigo's Companions]] ([[Characters/BleachOrihimeInoue Orihime Inoue]]) | [[Characters/BleachThirteenCourtGuardSquads1To7 Thirteen Court Guard Squads 1 - 7]] | [[Characters/BleachThirteenCourtGuardSquads8To13 Thirteen Court Guard Squads 8 - 13]] | [[Characters/BleachSquadZero Soul King & Squad Zero]] | [[Characters/BleachAizenAndHisCohorts Aizen & His Cohorts]] ([[Characters/BleachSosukeAizen Sōsuke Aizen]]) | [[Characters/BleachVisoredsAndExiledSoulReapers Visoreds & Exiled Soul Reapers]] | [[Characters/BleachHollows Hollows]] | [[Characters/BleachArrancars Arrancars]] ([[Characters/BleachEspadas1To5 Espadas 1 - 5]], [[Characters/BleachEspadas6To10 Espadas 6 - 10]])| [[Characters/BleachKarakuraTownResidents Karakura Town Residents]] | '''Soul Society Dwellers''' | [[Characters/BleachXcution Xcution]] | [[Characters/BleachVandenreich Vandenreich]] ([[Characters/BleachYhwach Yhwach]], [[Characters/BleachSternrittersBM Sternritters B-M]], [[Characters/BleachSternrittersNZ Sternritters N-Z]]) | [[Characters/BleachZanpakuto Zanpakuto]] | [[Characters/{{Bleach Anime}} Anime-Only Characters]] | [[Characters/BleachMovieOnly Movie-Only Characters]] | [[Characters/BleachVideoGame Video Game-Only Characters]] | [[Characters/BleachLightNovels Light Novel-Only Characters]] | [[Characters/BurnTheWitch2018 Burn The Witch Characters]]]]-]]]

%%* BadassArmy
* BadassCrew: The Court Guard Squads as a whole are this with each Captain being a OneManArmy in their own right. They simultaneously fended off [[ManipulativeBastard Sōsuke]] [[GambitRoulette Aizen]]'s invasion of the Living World and helped rescue [[DamselInDistress Orihime Inoue]] from [[SeaOfSand Hueco Mundo]]. After a crushing first defeat they assisted in bringing down the [[PuttingOnThereich Vandenreich]] and its [[ArcherArchetype Quincy]] leader [[GodEmperor Yhwach]].

%%* DarkIsNotEvil: They mostly wear black robes in contrast to their enemies, who primarily wear [[LightIsNotGood white]].
%%* DontFearTheReaper: They and other spiritual beings are just as flawed as humans.
* ForScience: {{Deconstructed}}. The twelfth squad's tendency to pursue innovations at all costs is presumably what led to Soul Society's scientific community mostly having a lack of proper funding.

%%* GoodIsNotNice
* GoodIsNotSoft: Just because they are essentially a peacekeeping force does not mean they are afraid to [[LetsGetDangerous get down and dirty]].
%%* {{Ninja}}: The second squad and Stealth Force utilize stealth-based tactics.

%%* RankScalesWithAsskicking: See first listed trope for details.

%%* {{Shinigami}}: Essentially what they are.
%%* SpacePolice: Or at least the supernatural fantasy equivalent.

* AsskickingLeadsToLeadership / AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: Soul Reapers mostly get to the highest positions by being the strongest and/or most skilled; one's power usually corresponds to their position and rank. It is worth noting that [[ScrewTheRulesIHaveConnections simply using prestige and such]] is not enough to earn respect.
* BadassArmy / BadassCrew: The Court Guard Squads as a whole are this with each Captain being a OneManArmy in their own right. They simultaneously fended off [[ManipulativeBastard Sōsuke]] [[GambitRoulette Aizen]]'s invasion of the Living World and helped rescue [[DamselInDistress Orihime Inoue]] from [[SeaOfSand Hueco Mundo]]. After a crushing first defeat they assisted in bringing down the [[PuttingOnThereich Vandenreich]] and its [[ArcherArchetype Quincy]] leader [[GodEmperor Yhwach]].

* DarkIsNotEvil: They mostly wear black robes in contrast to their enemies, who primarily wear [[LightIsNotGood white]].
* DontFearTheReaper: They and other spiritual beings are just as flawed as humans.

* GoodIsNotNice / GoodIsNotSoft: Just because they are essentially a peacekeeping force does not mean they are afraid to [[LetsGetDangerous get down and dirty]].

* RankScalesWithAsskicking: See first listed trope for details.

** {{Ninja}}: In contrast, the second squad and Stealth Force utilize stealth-based tactics.
* {{Shinigami}}: Essentially what they are.
* SpacePolice: Or at least the supernatural fantasy equivalent.

* AristocratsAreEvil: {{Zigzagged}}; there are certainly more corrupt members of high Soul Society.

* BoardToDeath: One Central 46 iteration's fate at the hands of Aizen and his lackeys.

* ObstructiveBureaucrat: {{Downplayed}} in the early manga until near the end, PlayedStraight in the anime.
* NotSoOmniscientCouncilOfBickering / TheOmniscientCouncilOfVagueness: {{Zigzagged}} on Central 46.
* PuppetState: Became this through Aizen's [[MasterOfIllusion creative deceptions]] sometime around [[BroughtDownToBadass Rukia Kuchiki]]'s forced return to Soul Society.

* PluckyGirl: A grown up and very tomboyish version.

* AristocratsAreEvil: {{Zigzagged}}. There are certainly more corrupt politicians among Soul Society.

* BadassBureaucrat: Some members of Soul Society's upper echelons are actually quite capable of kicking ass and taking names.
* TheBeautifulElite: {{Deconstructed}}. With a few exceptions Soul Society's elites have a tendency to flaunt themselves over all others, which leads to them being viewed as somewhat untrustworthy.

* EveryoneHasStandards: Cnetral 46 forbade [[OldMaster Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto]] from teaching [[AxCrazy Kenpachi Zaraki]] anything beyond basic and complex fighting skills [[ProperlyParanoid out of fear he would be unstoppable]] if he pulled a HeelFaceTurn on them.

* NotSoOmniscientCouncilOfBickering / OmniscientCouncilOfVagueness: {{Zigzagged}} on Central 46.

* EveryoneHasStandards: Cnetral 46 forbade [[OldMaster Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto]] from teaching [[AxCrazy Kenpachi Zaraki]] anything beyond basic and complex fighting skills [[ProperlyParanoid out of fear he would be unstoppable]] if he pulled a HeelFaceTurn.

* {{BFS}} / CoolSword: Their [[EmpathicWeapon Zanpakuto]] through which they channel their powers and in some cases their [[NextTierPowerup Shikai]] and [[SuperMode Bankai]].

* BadassArmy / BadassCrew: The Court Guard Squads as a whole are this with each Captain being a OneManArmy in their own right. They simultaneously fended off [[ManipulativeBastard Sōsuke]] [[GambitRoulette Aizen]]'s invasion of the Living World and helped rescue [[DamselInDistress Orihime Inoue]] from [[SeaOfSand Hueco Mundo]]. After a crushing first defeat they took down the [[PuttingOnThereich Vandenreich]] and its [[ArcherArchetype Quincy]] leader [[GodEmperor Yhwach]].

[[folder:Soul Reapers & Central 46]]
!!Thirteen Court Guard Squads & Squad Zero

* AsskickingLeadsToLeadership / AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: Soul Reapers mostly get to the highest positions by being the strongest and/or most skilled; one's power usually corresponds to their position and rank. It is worth noting that [[ScrewTheRulesIHaveConnections simply using prestige]] is not enough to earn other Soul Reapers' respect.
* {{BFS}}/CoolSword: Their [[EmpathicWeapon Zanpakuto]] through which they channel their powers and in some cases their [[SuperMode Shikai and Bankai]].

* BadassCrew: The Court Guard Squads as a whole are this with each Captain being a OneManArmy in their own right. They simultaneously fended off [[ManipulativeBastard Sōsuke Aizen]]'s invasion of the Living World and helped rescue [[DamselInDistress Orihime Inoue]] from [[SeaOfSand Hueco Mundo]]. After a crushing first defeat they took down the [[ArcherArchetype Quincy]] [[PuttingOnThereich Vandenreich]] and its leader [[GodEmperor Yhwach]].

* {{Psychopomp}}: Their purpose is to find the dead and help them pass on.

* {{Samurai}}: Their main theme and motif considering they primarily wield swords and many of them abide by admittedly arbitrary codes of honor.
** {{Ninja}}: In contrast, the second squad utilizes stealth-based tactics.

!!Central 46
The true ruling authority of Soul Society, so named for the forty judges and six sages who serve on it.

* AssholeVictim: After learning the roles a previous iteration played, it's hard to feel sorry when those members end up being slain; {{filler}} materials [[AdaptationExpansion help expand upon]] the problems with Soul Society's government.
* BoardToDeath: One iteration's fate at the hands of [[GambitRoulette Sōsuke Aizen]] and his lackeys.
* CelestialBureaucracy: They make decisions that are supposed to final, undisputed and unable to be challenged by anyone else, even leaders of the Soul Reaper squads.
* EverybodysDeadDave: Their bodies are suddenly discovered in their underground headquarters by [[OnlySaneMan Tōshirō Hitsugaya]] and [[HardDrinkingPartyGirl Rangiku Matsumoto]].
* EveryoneHasStandards: They forbade [[OldMaster Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto]] from teaching [[AxCrazy Kenpachi Zaraki]] anything beyond the skills of a MasterSwordsman [[ProperlyParanoid out of fear he would be unstoppable]] if he pulled a HeelFaceTurn.

* NotSoOmniscientCouncilOfBickering / OmniscientCouncilOfVagueness: {{Zigzagged}} between the two.
* PuppetState: Became this through [[ManipulativeBastard Aizen]]'s [[MasterOfIllusion creative deceptions]] before [[BroughtDownToBadass Rukia Kuchiki]]'s forced return to Soul Society.

[[folder:Soul Reapers & Central 46]]
!!Thirteen Court Guard Squads & Squad Zero

See [[Characters/BleachThirteenCourtGuardSquads1To7 Thirteen Court Guard Squads 1 - 7]]

See [[Characters/BleachThirteenCourtGuardSquads8To13 Thirteen Court Guard Squads 8 - 13]]

See [[Characters/BleachSquadZero Soul King & Squad Zero]]

* AsskickingLeadsToLeadership / AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: Soul Reapers mostly get to the highest positions by being the strongest and/or most skilled; one's power usually corresponds to their position and rank. It is worth noting that [[ScrewTheRulesIHaveConnections simply using prestige]] is not enough to earn other Soul Reapers' respect.
* {{BFS}}/CoolSword: Their [[EmpathicWeapon Zanpakuto]] through which they channel their powers and in some cases their [[SuperMode Shikai and Bankai]].
* BloodKnight: [[PlayedWith Some more so than others]]; the eleventh squad in particular is noted to have a high number of aggressive members.
* BadassCrew: The Court Guard Squads as a whole are this with each Captain being a OneManArmy in their own right. They simultaneously fended off [[ManipulativeBastard Sōsuke Aizen]]'s invasion of the Living World and helped rescue [[DamselInDistress Orihime Inoue]] from [[SeaOfSand Hueco Mundo]]. After a crushing first defeat they took down the [[ArcherArchetype Quincy]] [[PuttingOnThereich Vandenreich]] and its leader [[GodEmperor Yhwach]].

* {{Psychopomp}}: Their purpose is to find the dead and help them pass on.

** {{Ninja}}: In contrast, the second squad utilizes stealth-based tactics.
* {{Shinigami}}: Essentially what they are.

!!Central 46
The true ruling authority of Soul Society, so named for the forty judges and six sages who serve on it.

* AssholeVictim: After learning the roles a previous iteration played, it's hard to feel sorry when those members end up being slain; {{filler}} materials [[AdaptationExpansion help expand upon]] the problems with Soul Society's government.
* BoardToDeath: One iteration's fate at the hands of [[GambitRoulette Sōsuke Aizen]] and his lackeys.
* CelestialBureaucracy: They make decisions that are supposed to final, undisputed and unable to be challenged by anyone else, even leaders of the Soul Reaper squads.
* EverybodysDeadDave: Their bodies are suddenly discovered in their underground headquarters by [[OnlySaneMan Tōshirō Hitsugaya]] and [[HardDrinkingPartyGirl Rangiku Matsumoto]].
* EveryoneHasStandards: They forbade [[OldMaster Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto]] from teaching [[AxCrazy Kenpachi Zaraki]] anything beyond the skills of a MasterSwordsman [[ProperlyParanoid out of fear he would be unstoppable]] if he pulled a HeelFaceTurn.
* MeaningfulName: There are forty-six members in total, hence the name.
* ObstructiveBureaucrat: {{Downplayed}} in the early manga until near the end, PlayedStraight in the anime.
* NotSoOmniscientCouncilOfBickering / OmniscientCouncilOfVagueness: {{Zigzagged}} between the two.
* PuppetState: Became this through [[ManipulativeBastard Aizen]]'s [[MasterOfIllusion creative deceptions]] before [[BroughtDownToBadass Rukia Kuchiki]]'s forced return to Soul Society.

[[folder:Kukaku Shiba]]
!!Kukaku Shiba
[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kukaku_1601.png]]
->'''Species:''' Soul
-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/AkikoHiramatsu (JP), Creator/CindyRobinson (ENG), Erica Edwards (Latin-American Spanish)

Ganju's older sister and owner of a house [[{{Bizarrchitecture}} with statues of arms]] on the outside. She owns a large cannon that she lets Ichigo and friends use to get past the barrier of the Seireitei. She's quick to anger and acquainted with Yoruichi.
-----
* ActionGirl: Mainly in the video games, but in canon she's perfectly willing to jump into the fray against ''Aizen.''
* AngstWhatAngst: {{Invoked}}. Unlike Ganju, she never was angry at Rukia for Kaien's death, mainly because she knew the full story from Ukitake. She even punches Rukia when for repeatedly apologizing and tells her it's all right.
* AnArmAndALeg: She's missing her right arm. The anime depicts her [[ArtificialLimbs with a prosthetic]] [[BambooTechnology wooden one]].
* BeautyIsNeverTarnished: Downplayed. She lacks an arm. In the anime she replaces it with a prosthetic one; in the manga she has only her stump. She is still a good-looking woman who acts as a MsFanservice.
* {{Bokukko}}: She uses the extremely masculine ''ore'' pronoun.
* CoolBigSis: She's Ganju's spunky and badass older sister, and she also acts as a helpful older sister figure to Ichigo's gang. A more tomboyish example, so this is especially evident when she's calm and relaxed.
* HandicappedBadass: [[AnArmAndALeg Losing her right arm]] don't hinder her in the slightest.
* HardDrinkingPartyGirl: After Rukia apologizes to her and Ganju over the deal with their older brother, Kukaku throws a party for Rukia on the night before Ichigo and his gang left the Soul Society.
* HumanCannonball: She has a cannon specifically designed for this effect. She sent Ichigo and co. to the Sereitei this way way back in the Soul Society arc, and it's recently revealed to be the only way to get to [[spoiler:the Soul King's palace.]]
* TheLadette: She's something of an abrasive, short-tempered drill sergeant, but even she can show a softer side, rare as it is.
* MegatonPunch: Sends Ichigo and Ganju flying with a punch after they break her kiseru while fighting.
* MsFanservice: From the large boobs and the full legs, to the exposed back and the PantyShot, to all the camera shots of her bare feet, she's certainly one of the poster women of EatingTheEyeCandy for ''Bleach''.
* PluckyGirl: A grown up and very tomboyish version.
* SamusIsAGirl: Ichigo, Orihime, Ishida and Sado were all surprised to learn that the one bearing the name "Kukaku" is ''female''.
* SexyBacklessOutfit: Her back isn't covered by her clothes.
* {{Tsundere}}: In the end she really loves her brother, but don't expect to hear that out loud anytime soon.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Ganju Shiba]]
!!Ganju Shiba
[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ganju_1502.png]]
->'''Species:''' Soul
-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/WataruTakagi (JP), Creator/KyleHebert (ENG), Bardo Miranda (Latin-American Spanish)

A member of the established Shiba clan. He helps Ichigo and his friends get into the Seireitei with his sister's help. Usually gets into fights with Ichigo. He is also a master of fireworks and can change the ground into sand if he wants. He grew up hating Soul Reapers and his attitude only became worse after his older brother was killed by one. He decides to accompany Ichigo because he wants to understand why his brother loved Soul Reapers so much, and eventually warms up to several of them.
-----
* BigOlEyebrows: He has thick, imposing eyebrows.
* BoisterousBruiser: He's loud, aggressive and on the crude side.
* CombatPragmatist: What do you do when you know you're vastly outclassed by your opponent? Keep [[RunOrDie running away]] and [[ObfuscatingStupidity playing the fool]] until they drop their guard, then throw a [[ImprovisedWeapon firework]] at [[TheDandy his hair]] and [[SoLongSuckers get the hell out of Dodge]].
* DemotedToExtra: While he served as a major ally during the Soul Society arc, once that concluded, he all but vanished from the story for ''seven years'' in real time. He wouldn't show up at all outside of anime {{filler}} until [[BackForTheFinale the final arc]], upon which he becomes one of Ichigo's allies in fighting the Wandenreich.
* DishingOutDirt: His Seppa spell allows him to turn stone into sand.
* OddFriendship: He's tough and manly while Hanataro is girly, weak and feminine. The two nevertheless develop a close friendship over the Soul Society arc and are happy to reunite in the Bount arc.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Yūshirō Sakimune Shihōin]]
!!Yūshirō Sakimune Shihōin
[[quoteright:195:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/yushiro_7.png]]
->'''Species:''' Soul Reaper
->'''Zanpakutou:''' Unknown

Yoruichi's younger brother, and the 23rd head of the Shihōin household.
-----
* AmbiguouslyBrown: Yuushirou has very dark skin, but standard features for a manga character (large eyes, small nose, slim build). As a result, the reason for the dark skin is impossible to visually figure out and the ethnicity of the Shihouin family is never discussed.
* BadassAdorable: He took over as the head of House Shihōin after Yoruichi disappeared. He's emotional, sensitive and very affectionate, especially towards his older sister whom he idolises. However, he mastered Shunkou in a very short space of time and his physical strength is so great he can take on Sternritter-level opponents. A single punch was enough to make Askin take him seriously.
-->'''Askin Naak Le Vaar:''' "W...Wait... This is insanity! You can't be this strong!"
* BigSisterWorship: He deeply admires Yoruichi. He expresses great sadness when Yoruichi goes ahead of him in his first appearance, and later expresses great joy when he reunites with her. He abandons the group of Soul Reapers he's with to rush to her side and is willing to fight the Sternritter just for insulting her.
* DudeLooksLikeALady: He is small and slight of build with very feminine facial appearance and hair bound into a pony tail. He looks like a young version of his older sister, Yoruichi. When Askin first sees him, he mistakes Yuushirou for a girl, much to Yuushirou's indignation.
* HavingABlast: His Shunkou is fire-based. Whenever he uses it, it causes huge explosions akin to a fire bomb.
* InstantExpert: It took both Yoruichi and Soifon years to master Shunkou. However, Yoruichi only recently taught Yūshirō Shunkou, so she's startled to see he's mastered it so quickly.
* {{Keet}}: He's very talkative and hyperactive, and rushes thoughtlessly around the place whenever he wants to try and catch up to Yoruichi (which is often). He is eager to please and highly emotional, becoming tearful when Yoruichi leaves him behind or extremely excited whenever he sees her or feels he's done something to please her.
* SarcasmBlind: When Yoruichi sarcastically responds to his latest blubbering by observing how much stronger he's become, he's thrilled she's noticed it. She kicks herself at that, having forgotten that he's so naïve he's incapable of recognising sarcasm.
* UncannyFamilyResemblance: He and his older sister look damn near identical, despite their difference in age and gender. When Yoruichi was younger, [[http://s634.photobucket.com/user/Ezone525/media/manga-rainbleach-ch130-10.png.html she]] was virtually identical to [[http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/scale_small/6/67663/4356520-3904695840-80559.jpg him.]]

[[folder:Jidanbo Ikkanzaka]]
!!Yūshirō Jidanbo Ikkanzaka
[[quoteright:195:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/jidanbo.png]]
->'''Species:''' Soul Reaper
->'''Zanpakutou:''' Unknown
-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/TakashiNagasako (JP), Peter Lurie (ENG, Episodes 21-62), Creator/JBBlanc (ENG, Episodes 97-99), Creator/MiguelAngelGhigliazza (Latin-American Spanish

The guard to the Seireitei's western gate, a large giant. He's the older brother of Ikkanzaka Jirobo, fourth seat of Squad 7.

* AnArmAndALeg: His arm got ripped off by Gin. (The anime tones down to a small gash)
* BrainwashedAndCrazy: [[spoiler:During their assault on Soul Society, Pepe of the Vandenreich manages to put Jidanbo under his control, after which he is made to attack Squad 12.]]
* DualWielding: He wields two massive cleavers.
* DumbMuscle: When counting a 10-hit combo he clearly shows little knowledge of numbers or counting, especially since it ends up becoming a ''13''-hit combo.
--> '''Jidanbo''': One! Two! Three! Four! Five! Six! Seven! Seven! Six! Eight! Um... Six! Eight! Time to finish up... Ten!!!
* GentleGiant: It turns out he's actually a pretty nice guy and very popular among the people despite being a gatekeeper for the Soul Reapers.
%% * {{Gonk}}: Much like his younger brother, Jidanbo has some pretty bizarre facial features.
* HonorBeforeReason: He thinks all fights should be honorable one-on-one duels, and believes that he has to open the gate if he loses. It's treated as KickTheDog when Gin points out it's his job to keep people out, not let them in.
* UncertainDoom: During the first Quincy invasion he gets zombified by Giselle and then mind controlled by Pepe. The last we see of him, is him attacking Sqaud 12. While Mayuri later develops a counter against Giselle's zombification, that was several days after the initial invasion. Jidanbo is notably the only Shinigami absent in the post-war novels; even when Hitsugaya visits the western gate he protects, Jidanbo is not present.

[[folder:Hisana Kuchiki]]
!!Hisana Kuchiki
[[quoteright:195:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/hisana.png]]

--> Voiced by Creator/FumikoOrikasa (JP), Debi Mae West (ENG), Norma Iturbe (Latin-American Spanish)

Byakuya Kuchiki's late beloved wife. Originally a Rukongai resident who arrived with her baby sister Rukia upon their deaths in the living world to District 78 of Southern Rukongai. She was forced to abandon said sister in order to survive, and could never forgive herself for that.

* BarefootPoverty: Before her marriage to Byakuya, she was so overwhelmingly poor that not having a pair of simple straw sandals were literally the ''least'' of her worries.
* TheLostLenore: Without her, the Soul Society arc would never have unfolded the way it did as she was the root cause of the two conflicting vows that forced Byakuya to be Ichigo's main antagonist.
* MyGreatestFailure: Due to having abandoned Rukia as a baby, Hisana considers herself unworthy of being Rukia's sister and insists to Byakuya that he [[LockedOutOfTheLoop never reveal]] the blood relationship to Rukia if he ever manages to find her.
* PlotTriggeringDeath: One of four characters[[labelnote:*]] Along with Masaki, Souken and Kaien[[/labelnote]] whose deaths combine to shape the first arcs of the story. Hisana's death was the reason Byakuya made a solemn oath to find and protect Rukia. The interaction of this promise with his earlier promise to always uphold the rule of law (prompted by the upheaval caused by his marriage to a commoner) results in Byakuya being the main antagonist for most of the Soul Society arc and his undying loyalty to Ichigo ever since.
* PosthumousCharacter: She died over fifty years before the series begins.
* RagsToRoyalty: Went from a poor peasant who couldn't even afford ''sandals'' to the wife of a noble from one of the four most powerful and highly ranked noble houses in Soul Society, as well as 6th Squad Captain of the Gotei 13.
* StrongFamilyResemblance: Rukia was told she was adopted because of her strong resemblance to Hisana. It's only later she learns this resemblance is because she and Hisana are sisters.

[[folder:Great Old One]]
!!Great Old One
[[quoteright:195:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/oldone.png]]
->'''Species:''' Soul (Werewolf)
-->'''Voiced by:''' Jin Urayama (JP), Creator/AaronLaPlante (ENG)

Komamura's great-grandfather, who eventually teaches him the clan's secrets.
-----
* CanisMajor: He is a giant dog that even dwarfs a character as large as Komamura.
* HateSink: In addition to laughing off Komamura's request to learn his clan's secret arts, he flat out admits he doesn't care what happens to Soul Society. Later, it's revealed that he knew that the Human Transformation Technique would turn Komamura into an ordinary powerless wolf after it wears off. Not only is he not upset about it, he's thrilled at Komamura succumbing to his clans roots of revenge the prospect that his grandson's life is ruined and his Soul Reaper days are over. There's nothing redeeming about him and he's very clearly written that way because he's lampshaded in-universe as an example of the Buddhist "sin" of ignorance, and only seemingly exists to kick Komamura out of the plot.
* {{Jerkass}}: The first time he ever takes great pride in Komamura is after he falls into the state of a mindless beast fuelled only by the thirst for revenge that has consumed the clan.
* MonstrousCannibalism: After Komamura rips out his heart, his grandfather thanks him for the gift of his hatred and then eats it.
* OurWerewolvesAreDifferent: He is the patriarch of a clan of werewolf-like beings from the Animal Realm of {{UsefulNotes/Buddhism}}.
* SavageWolves: He's proud of Komamura when he becomes a bloodthirsty monster.

[[folder:Former Residents]]
See [[Characters/BleachVisoredsAndExiledSoulReapers Visoreds & Exiled Soul Reapers]]

See [[Characters/BleachAizenAndHisCohorts Aizen & His Cohorts]]

* {{BFS}}: Their [[EmpathicWeapon Zanpakuto]] through which they channel their powers and in some cases their [[SuperMode Shikai and Bankai]].

Characters that appeared in Tite Kubo's ''Manga/{{Bleach}}''. The various residents of '''Soul Society''' from the '''[[FantasticGhetto Rukongai]]''' to the '''[[ShiningCity Seireitei]]'''.

* AsskickingLeadsToLeadership / AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: Soul Reapers mostly get to the highest positions by being the strongest and/or most skilled; one's power usually corresponds to their position and rank.

* ObstructiveBureaucrat: {{Downplayed}} in the early manga, PlayedStraight in the anime.

* DoesNotLikeShoes: In the video games, she is always depicted as a barefooter, a trait that is carried over to the novels.

Characters that appeared in Tite Kubo's ''Manga/{{Bleach}}''. The various residents of '''Soul Society''' from the '''Rukongai districts''' to the '''Seireitei'''.

* {{BFS}}: Their [[EmpathicWeapon zanpakuto]] through which they channel their powers, and in some cases their [[SuperMode shikai and bankai]].

* BunnyEarsLawyer: While they possess various oddities, they're all capable of performing their duties well.

* {{Samurai}}: Their main theme and motif, considering they primarily wield swords and many of them abide by admittedly arbitrary codes of honor.

* {{Shinigami}}: What they are.

* BoardToDeath: One iteration's fate at the hands of [[GambitRoulette Sosuke Aizen]] and his lackeys.

* EverybodysDeadDave: Their bodies are suddenly discovered in their underground headquarters by [[OnlySaneMan Toshiro Hitsugaya]] and [[HardDrinkingPartyGirl Rangiku Matsumoto]].
* EveryoneHasStandards: They forbade [[OldMaster Genryūsai Yamamoto]] from teaching [[AxCrazy Kenpachi Zaraki]] anything beyond the skills of a MasterSwordsman [[ProperlyParanoid out of fear he would be unstoppable]] if he pulled a HeelFaceTurn.

-->'''Voiced by:''' Jin Urayama (JP), Aaron [=LaPlante=] (ENG)

* AssholeVictim: After learning the roles a previous iteration played, it's hard to feel sorry when those members end up being slain; {{filler}} materials [[AdaptationExpansion help expand upon]] TheCorruption of Soul Society's government.

* EveryoneHasStandards: They forbade [[OldMaster Genryūsai Yamamoto]] from teaching [[AxCrazy Kenpachi Zaraki]] anything beyond the skills of a MasterSwordsman [[ProperlyParanoid out of fear he would be unstoppable if he pulled a]] HeelFaceTurn.

[[folder:Soul Reapers]]

* AsskickingEqualsAuthority / AsskickingLeadsToLeadership: Soul Reapers mostly get to the highest positions by being the strongest and/or most skilled.
** AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: A Soul Reaper's power usually corresponds to their position and rank.
* BFS: Their [[EmpathicWeapon Zanpakuto]] through which they channel their powers, and in some cases their [[SuperMode shikai and bankai]].

* DarkIsNotEvil: They mostly wear black robes in contrast to their enemies, who primarily wear white.
* DontFearTheReaper:

* OurGhostsAreDifferent / OurSoulsAreDifferent:
* RankScalesWithAsskicking:
* {{Samurai}}: Their main theme and motif considering many of them abide by an admittedly arbitrary code of honor.
** {{Ninja}}: In contrast, the second squad utilizes more stealth-based tactics.
* {{Shinigami}} / TheGrimReaper:

[[/folder]]

[[folder:Central 46]]

* CelestialBureaucracy: They make decisions that are supposed to final, undisputed and unable to be challenged by anyone else, even the leaders of the Soul Reaper squads.

** AsskickingEqualsAuthority: A Soul Reaper's power usually corresponds to their position and rank.

* AssholeVictim: After learning the roles a previous iteration played, it's hard to feel sorry when those members end up being slain; {{filler}} arcs [[AdaptationExpansion expand upon]] TheCorruption of Soul Society's government.

* EveryoneHasStandards: They forbade [[OldMaster Genryūsai Yamamoto]] from teaching [[AxCrazy Kenpachi Zaraki]] anything beyond the skills of a MasterSwordsman out of fear he would be unstoppable if he pulled a HeelFaceTurn.

* ObstructiveBureaucrat: {{Downplayed}} in the manga, PlayedStraight in the anime.
* OmniscientCouncilOfVagueness / NotSoOmniscientCouncilOfBickering: {{Zigzagged}} between the two.
* PuppetKing / PuppetState: Became both of these through [[ManipulativeBastard Aizen]]'s [[MasterOfIllusion creative deceptions]] before [[ActionGirl Rukia Kuchiki]]'s forced return to Soul Society.

[[/folder]]

The true ruling authority of Soul Society, named for the forty judges and six sages who serve on it.

* AssholeVictim: After learning what a previous iteration that ended up slain was involved in with other officials, it's hard to feel sorry for them; the {{filler}} arcs in particular [[AdaptationExpansion further expand]] on TheCorruption of Soul Society's government.
* BoardToDeath: One iteration's fate at the hands of [[GambitRoulette Aizen]] and his lackeys.

* EverybodysDeadDave: Their bodies are suddenly discovered in their underground headquarters by [[OnlySaneMan Hitsugaya]] and [[HardDrinkingPartyGirl Rangiku]].

* AssholeVictim: More prominently after learning what a previous iteration was involved in with other Soul Society officials; the {{filler}} arcs expand on this.

Characters that appeared in Tite Kubo's ''Manga/{{Bleach}}''. The various residents of '''Soul Society''', from the '''Rukongai districts to the Seireitei'''.

[[folder:Kukaku Shiba]]
!!Kukaku Shiba
[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kukaku_1601.png]]
->'''Species:''' Soul
-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/AkikoHiramatsu (JP), Creator/CindyRobinson (ENG), Erica Edwards (Latin-American Spanish)

* ActionGirl: Mainly in the video games, but in canon, she's perfectly willing to jump into the fray against ''Aizen.''
* AngstWhatAngst: Unlike Ganju, she never was angry at Rukia for Kaien's death, mainly because she knew the full story from Ukitake. She even punches Rukia when she keeps apologizing and tells her it's all right. [[invoked]]

* BeautyIsNeverTarnished: Downplayed. She lacks an arm. In the anime, she replaces it with a prosthetic one; in the manga, she has only her stump. She is still a good-looking woman who acts as a MsFanservice.

* CoolBigSis: She's Ganju's spunky and badss older sister, and she also acts as a helpful older sister figure to Ichigo's gang. A more tomboyish example, so this is especially evident when she's calm and relaxed.

* HumanCannonball: She has a cannon specifically designed for this effect. She sent Ichigo and co. to the Sereitei this way way back in the Soul Society arc, and it's recently revealed to be the only way to get to [[spoiler:the Spirit King's palace.]]

* MegatonPunch: Sends Ichigo and Ganju flying with a punch after they breal her kiseru while fighting.
* MsFanservice: From the large boobs and the full legs, to the exposed back and the PantyShot, to all the camera shots of her bare feet, she's certainly one of the poster women of eye candy for Bleach.

* SamusIsAGirl: Ichigo, Orihime, Ishida and Sado were all surprised to learn that the one bearing the name "Kuukaku" is ''female''.

* {{Tsundere}}: In the end, she really loves her brother, but don't expect to hear that out loud anytime soon.

* HonorBeforeReason: He thinks all fights should be honorable one-on-one duels, and believes that he has to open the gate if he loses. It's treated as a KickTheDog when Gin points out it's his job to keep people out, not let them in.

* TheLostLenore: Without her, the Soul Society arc would never have unfolded the way it did as she was the root cause of the two conflicting vows that forced Byakuya to be Ichigo's main antagonist during that arc.

* PlotTriggeringDeath: One of four characters[[labelnote:*]] Along with Masaki, Souken, and Kaien[[/labelnote]] whose deaths combine to shape the first two arcs of the story. Hisana's death was the reason Byakuya made a solemn oath to find and protect Rukia. The interaction of this promise with his earlier promise to always uphold the rule of law (prompted by the upheaval caused by his marriage to a commoner) results in Byakuya being the main antagonist for most of the Soul Society Arc and his undying loyalty to Ichigo ever since.

* OurWerewolvesAreDifferent: He is the patriarch of a clan of werewolf-like beings from the Animal Realm of Buddhist cosmology.

[[Characters/BleachIchigoKurosaki Ichigo Kurosaki]] | [[Characters/BleachIchigosCompanions Ichigo's Companions]] ([[Characters/BleachOrihimeInoue Orihime Inoue]]) | [[Characters/BleachThirteenCourtGuardSquads1To7 Thirteen Court Guard Squads 1 - 7]] | [[Characters/BleachThirteenCourtGuardSquads8To13 Thirteen Court Guard Squads 8 - 13]] | [[Characters/BleachSquadZero Soul King & Squad Zero]] | [[Characters/BleachAizenAndHisCohorts Aizen & His Cohorts]] ([[Characters/BleachSosukeAizen Sōsuke Aizen]]) | [[Characters/BleachVisoredsAndExiledSoulReapers Visoreds & Exiled Soul Reapers]] | [[Characters/BleachHollows Hollows]] | [[Characters/BleachArrancars Arrancars]] ([[Characters/BleachEspadas1To5 Espadas 1 - 5]], [[Characters/BleachEspadas6To10 Espadas 6 - 10]])| [[Characters/BleachKarakuraTownResidents Karakura Town Residents]] | '''Soul Society Dwellers''' | [[Characters/BleachXcution Xcution]] | [[Characters/BleachVandenreich Vandenreich]] ([[Characters/BleachYhwach Yhwach]], [[Characters/BleachSternrittersBM Sternritters B-M]], [[Characters/BleachSternrittersNZ Sternritters N-Z]]) | [[Characters/BleachZanpakuto Zanpakuto]] | [[Characters/{{Bleach Anime}} Anime-Only Characters]] | [[Characters/BleachMovieOnly Movie-Only Characters]] | [[Characters/BleachVideoGame Video Game-Only Characters]] | [[Characters/BleachLightNovels Light Novel-Only Characters]]]]-]]]

-->'''Voiced by:''' Jin Urayama (JP)

* BuxomIsBetter: Her rack is impressively large, and [[CleavageWindow her clothes sport very wide opening]] that gives a nice view of her bust.