Aizen Sōsuke/藍染 惣右介

Sōsuke Aizen

Sōsuke Aizen (藍染 惣右介, Aizen Sōsuke) is the former captain of the 5th Division in the Gotei 13, he later leaves Soul Society with his followers, Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen. His Lieutenant was Momo Hinamori.

During his service he secretly conducted research together with his two accomplices on achieving new heights of power by combining the powers of Shinigami and Hollows. When Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends invade Seireitei to rescue Rukia Kuchiki from execution, he manages to lay hands on the Hōgyoku with an elaborate plan involving Rukia’s execution and the attempts to rescue her, manipulating most of the other captains of Soul Society according to his will. After obtaining the Hōgyoku, he declares his intentions openly.

The principal antagonist of the series, he resides in Hueco Mundo together with Ichimaru and Tōsen, commanding an army of Arrancar and Hollows, his ultimate goal being to overthrow Soul Society along with the Soul King and take his place as god of the world. Currently,the three are at war in Karakura Town.

Appearance

Aizen currently wears clothing similar in style to the Arrancar; he is also seated on a throne, implying that he has some level of political power.

Prior to his departure from Soul Society he appeared as a mild-featured man with brown scholarly hair enhanced by square glasses. He wears the standard Shinigami uniform with a captain’s haori. However, during his ascent to Hueco Mundo, he removes his glasses and swept a hand through his hair, revealing menacing eyes and a very different hairstyle (swept back hair with a strand hanging in his face). As he had previously revealed to Renji Abarai the Aizen they all knew never existed, this would seem to be a visual representation of that claim.

History

Approximately 110 years ago Aizen is seen making his way to the 5th Division living quarters of his captain, Shinji Hirako. He and Shinji have a discussion about style and trends before they make their way to the promotion ceremony being held at the 1st Division headquarters. As they get there he witnesses Hiyori Sarugaki attack his captain and the two get into a childish argument. He wanders behind while the other captains congregate and have a brief discussion on the status of the Gotei 13. Aizen interrupts and then apologizes for it, before asking captain Shunsui Kyōraku about what he meant by promotion, when mentioning that the previous captain of the 12th Division had been promoted. Shunsui forgives him and tells him to speak his mind, Aizen asks what would be a higher position then captain and refers to the possibility of being awarded a place in the Central 46, stating he wasn’t aware of there being any such promotion. Shunsui explains that is has nothing to do with the Central 46 and that the previous 12th Division captain Hikifune has being accepted into the the Zero Division also known as the the Royal Guard, Aizen is left surprised at the revelation.

The following night after Kisuke Urahara’s appointment as the new captain of the 12th Division, Shinji has a short talk with him about how to fall into his new role. While leaving Shinji asks how long do you plan on watching us from over there. Using his hand Shinji reveals Aizen concealed behind some from of camouflage, Aizen tells him he expected nothing less from his captain and asks him when did he realize to which Shinji replies ever since Aizen was in his mothers womb and then tells him to come on.

later the next night Aizen witness Gin Ichimaru killing the 3rd seat of their division and informs him that he is impressed at his skill. Aizen then asks him how did he find the fight to which Gin states he found it pathetic. Aizen notes that wont do at all, giving him the position.

9 years later Shinji and Aizen are walking around the Seireitei when they come across Urahara, Hiyori and 3rd Seat Mayuri Kurotsuchi. While Shinji once again engages in a childish fight and argument with Hiyori, Aizen ask Urahara if he has heard the news to which Urahara tells him he hasn’t. Aizen then informs him about the series of strange deaths having taken place in Rukongai. Shinji stops fighting and fills Urahara in on the details of the situation and how the 9th Division has been sent to handle the investigation.

With the disappearance of the 9th Division, captain-commander Yamamoto calls an emergency meeting and assembles a team to investigate. After coming into contact with hollowfied 9th division members the investigation team is dispatched by an unseen assailant.Aizen is seen wandering around at night by captain Shunsui Kyōraku and some other Shinigami on guard, while the investigation team is still out searching. It is later revealed that 9th Division 5th seat, Kaname Tōsen, was behind the betrayal of the 9th Division having stabbed Kensei Muguruma in the back and killed Kasaki, Shinobu Eishima and Todō Gizaeimon, who were accompanying Kensei. He subsequently subdued the team sent to locate the missing 9th Division members using his Bankai. When captain Shinji Hirako of the 5th Division, asks him why did he betray his captain. He surprised to be answered by his own lieutenant Aizen, who states the Tōsen didn’t betray anyone, because he is very faithful, and he just faithfully followed his orders.

Shinji admits he isn’t as surprised as he lets on and Aizen asks if he suspected him and state that he had expected that much from his captain. Shinji then explains how he knew something was dangerous about Aizen and that he couldn’t be trusted. It was those reasons that Shinji choose him to be his lieutenant so he can keep an eye on him. Aizen tells him that he is grateful as due to his deep seated doubts he didn’t suspect a thing. When Shinji states that he already made it know that he had suspected, Aizen elaborates stating that he didn’t realize that the whole past month, it wasn’t him walking behind him. Aizen then explains the power of his Zanpakutō, Kyōka Suigetsu. He explains to Shinji that perhaps if he was as close to him as other captains are to their lieutenants he may have been able to see through it but he didn’t do that. It was his lack of trust that kept them from getting close and he further explains why he was able to fool Shinji. He also explains that he could have always refused to be Shinji’s lieutenant but decided against that action because his suspicions made the position ideal to carry out his plans. He then goes to personally attack Shinji.

Kisuke Urahara and Tessai Tsukabishi arrive to stop Aizen from dispatching his captain. Aizen and Urahara have a brief discussion about what is transpiring, with Aizen acting innocent at first until Urahara notes that the investigation team doesn’t have simple injuries, but are in fact going through Hollowfication. Aizen commends Urahara on his deduction and reveals himself to be behind the disappearances in the Rukongai. As Aizen has been engaging in early experiments on Shinigami/Hollow hybrids which involved using an unknown device to cause spirits to transform into Hollows. He is responsible for turning his former captain Shinji and seven other Shinigami into Vizards in the first place. Though Aizen refuses to go into any of those details.

Aizen proceeded to leave the scene of the crime with his henchmen, stating that “there’s nothing more to do there”. To stop them from retreating, Tessai performs Hadō #88. “Hiryugekizokushintenraiho” spell against them, only to be countered by Aizen using Bakudō #81. “Danku”, allowing them to escape.

Captain Aizen and Lieutenant Ichimaru.

Some time after Aizen became Captain of the 5th Division and Gin eventually became his lieutenant and right hand man. He and Gin save the surviving young recruits of Shinigami Academy who were out on a field exercise from a group of hollows. From that time he seems to have seen potential in those recruits, Momo Hinamori, Izuru Kira, and Renji Abarai, and took them all into his division. While Kira and Hinamori were obedient and loyal, becoming the Lieutenants of the 3rd and 5th Divisions under Gin and Aizen, respectively, Renji proved to be too rebellious and was transferred to the 11th Division (and later to the 6th, where he too became a Lieutenant).

Gin and Tōsen later became Captains of the 3rd and 9th Divisions, respectively, but remained loyal only to Aizen. According to Aizen, even when Hinamori was his lieutenant, he thought of no one but Gin as his subordinate.

At some point during their captaincy Aizen, Gin and Tōsen, secretly visit Barragan Luisenbarn, King of Hueco Mundo and Lord of Los Noches. He and Barragan engage in a light conversation and he asks Barragan to look at his Zanpakutō, he then asks Barragan if he is happy in his position and if he would join him in a new world where he will be granted more power. Barragan dismisses this notion stating that there is no power higher then his. Aizen then releases his shikai and shows Barragan the decimation of his army and subjugating him in turn. Barragan promises to seek Aizen destruction for all eternity.

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