Sōsuke Aizen

Sōsuke Aizen is a former captain of the Gotei 13 that seeks to use the Hogyoku to take over the Soul Society and formely the main villain of Bleach.

Past
Aizen took part in the research on the Hogyoku even before Kisuke Urahara did. He sacrificed countless Shinigami and Rukongai citizens with Shinigami abilities to create his own Hogyoku. At one point, Aizen endangered Rangiku Matsumoto in the development of his Hogyoku, which caught the attention of Gin Ichimaru. 110 years in the past, Aizen was the lieutenant of the 5th Division and one day, was heading to a promotion ceremony at the 1st Division barracks with his captain, Shinji Hirako. Upon arriving, Aizen saw Hiyori Sarugaki assault his captain and get in a childish argument. He later listened in on a discussion the captains were having and heard captain Shunsui Kyoraku mention that the previous 12th Division captain had just been promoted. Aizen asked what he meant, thinking that he must have been promoted to Central 46. However Shunsui explained that the previous captain had been promoted to the Zero Division, also called the Royal Guard, much to Aizen’s surprise. The next night, after Urahara had been made the new captain of the 12th Division, Shinji talked with him, but then asked Aizen, who was hidden nearby, how long he was planning on watching. Aizen complimented his captain on noticing him, asking when he sensed him and Shinji replied he’d sensed him ever since he was conceived, before ordering Aizen to follow him. Aizen noted that Shinji was rather scary, but his captain told him he was the scary one. The next night, Aizen watched Gin kill the 3rd seat of the 5th Division and told the boy he was impressed by his abilities. The lieutenant asked Gin what he thought of the 3rd seat and he replied that he was pathetic. 9 years later, Aizen and Shinji ran into Uarahara, Hiyori, and the 12th Division’s 3rd seat, Mayuri Kurotsuchi. Shinji again got in a childish fight with Hyiori while Aizen asked Urahara if he’d heard what was going on. Shinji cut in, telling him there had been a strange string of deaths in the Rukongai and the 9th Division was sent in to investigate. Later, the 9th Division members disappeared and another team was assembled, who was also taken out by Kaname Tōsen, the person responsible for taking out the 9th Division. Shinji asked him why he’d turned on the Gotei 13, but Aizen arrived on the scene, saying that Tōsen didn’t betray them and he was faithfully following orders. Shinji admitted that he wasn’t too surprised and Aizen replied that he expected that much from his captain. Shinji explained that he chose Aizen as his lieutenant, because he had known that he couldn’t be trusted, thus he could keep an eye on him. Aizen said that he was grateful, since his deep-seated doubts kept him from suspecting anything. Shinji said that he’d made it known that he suspected something was up with Aizen, who said that he didn’t realize it for the past month, since it hadn’t been him following Shinji around. Aizen then explained that his Zanpakuto, Kyoka Suigetsu, had the power of complete hypnosis and he’d used it to create a double of himself. Aizen said that if Shinji had as close a relationship with him as the other captains had with their lieutenants, then he would’ve been able to figure out the subtle differences between Aizen and his clone. It was Shinji’s lack of trust that allowed Aizen to trick him. He went on to explain that he could have refused to be Shinji’s lieutenant, but the fact that Shinji was so suspicious made carrying out his plans easy. Aizen then said the situation Shinji and his comrades were in was solely Shinji’s fault. The captain became angry, causing him to suddenly begin Hollowfying and Aizen thanked him for getting provoked so easily, noting that Hollowfication was sped up by anger. Aizen prepared to kill Shinji and his comrades, who were also Hollowfying, but Urahara and Tessai Tsukabishi arrived. Aizen at first acted innocent, but Urahara pointed out that Shinji and the others were going through Hollowfication, Aizen congratulated him for figuring things out, revealing that he was responsible for the disappearances in the Rukongai and he’d been experimenting in Shinigami/Hollow hybrids. However Aizen refused to go into the details of how he’d turned Shinji and the others into Visoreds. The traitorous lieutenant proceeded to leave with Tōsen and Gin and Tessai tried to stop them with a powerful Hado spell, but Aizen countered with a Bakudo spell. Soon after the incident, Aizen became captain of the 5th Division with Gin as his lieutenant, continuing his Hollows experimentation. While he was testing a new breed of Menos Hollow able to hide their spiritual energy, a group of Shinigami Academy first-years caught Aizen’s attention, Momo Hinamori, Izuru Kira, and Renji Abarai. He saw great potential in them and had them all put in his division. Eventually Momo and Izuru became Aizen and Gin’s lieutenants, while Renji was too rebellious and ended up in the 11th Division, eventually transferring to the 6th. Gin and Tōsen eventually became captains in the 3rd and 9th Divisions, but they continued to be Aizen’s minions. At one point, Aizen, Gin, and Tōsen went to Hueco Mundo to meet Baraggan Louisenbairn. The 5th Division captain asked the Hollow to look at his Zanpakuto, before asking if he was satisfied with his current position. Aizen then asked Baraggan to join him in a new world where he would have even greater power. However the Hollow replied that there was no power greater than his, only for Aizen to demonstrate the power of his Zanpakuto, showing Baraggan that his army of Hollows was wiped out. The former God King of Hueco Mundo became Aizen’s servant. 15 years in the past, Aizen learned of Ichigo Kurosaki’s birth, deciding to use him in his plans. Thus he had Rukia Kuchiki assigned to Karakura Town and continually sent obstacles against Ichigo to make him develop.

Betraying the Soul Society
After Rukia Kuchiki was arrested by the Gotei 13 and brought back with the Hogyoku in her body, Aizen then began his master plan. He first killed all the members of the Central 46, allowing him to move up Rukia’s execution date. Aizen began sowing suspicion throughout the Gotei 13, particularly against Gin. He then used his Zanpakuto’s power to make everyone believe he was dead with Gin being the prime suspect as his murderer. Aizen also lead Momo to believe that captain Toshiro Hitsugaya, her childhood friend, was his murderer to remove her from the picture. As things were getting more and more suspicious, the Gotei 13 began splitting into factions and fighting amongst themselves while Gin continued with Aizen’s plan. Aizen hid in the SRDI watched Ichigo possessed by Hollow Ichigo battling Byakuya with use of a camera disguised as a fly. Gin approached him, asking if Ichigo had undergone Hollowfication, but Ichigo regained control of his body, much to Gin’s disappointment. Aizen just told him there was nothing to worry about and everything was going according to plan. Aizen then revealed himself as a traitor, almost killing Momo and taking down Hitsugaya. However captain Retsu Unohana and her lieutenant, Isane Koetsu, showed up, having figured out that there was something off about Aizen’s “corpse”. He revealed the true abilities of his Zanpakuto, as well as that Tōsen was working with him as well. Aizen and Gin then teleported to Sokyoku Hill, where Tōsen had Renji and Rukia waiting. Aizen told Renji to give up Rukia, but he refused and the captain noted how stubborn he was, saying that he could hold on to Rukia, but he’d have to leave his arms behind. Aizen then attacked Renji, but he managed to dodge, though his right arm was wounded. The rogue captain said he was pleased by Renji’s improved skills since he used to be in his division. Aizen then told the lieutenant that he didn’t want things to get more difficult, since he found it hard to hold back his full power and he didn’t want to see a former subordinate die. Renji then asked Aizen why he mortally wounded Momo, but he replied that he’d done so out of compassion, since she’d been trained to be unable to live without him. Renji said that Aizen was not the captain he’d known, but the rogue captain said that no one had known who he really was. The lieutenant attacked with his Zanpakuto’s Shikai, only for Aizen to block it easily and slash it apart with his sword, badly wounded Renji at the same time. The lieutenant still refused to let him take Rukia so Aizen tried to finish him off, but Ichigo intervened. Ichigo and Renji tried to work together to take down Aizen, but he easily stopped them and practically cut Ichigo in two. He began taking Rukia away, telling Ichigo his plans, but captain Sajin Komamura arrived on the scene and tried to stop him. However Aizen used a powerful Kido spell to severely wound Komamura, before taking the Hogyoku out of Rukia’s body. She managed to survive, much to Aizen’s surprise and he told Gin to kill her as he made to leave. However Byakuya Kuchiki shielded her from the attack and Aizen prepared to kill her himself. But Yoruichi Shihoin and Sui-Feng arrived with Sui-Feng threatening to kill him if he moved at all. Aizen said that it was nostalgic to see Yoruichi again, but three of the Seireitei’s gatekeepers arrived, having joined Aizen, and the rogue captain said that not even her and Sui-Feng could pursue him while they were fighting the gatekeepers. However Kukaku Shiba and Jidanbo Ikkanzaka arrived to help fight and Gin was restrained by Rangiku. Every capable captain and lieutenant arrived on the scene, surrounding Aizen and his cohorts. However Aizen smiled, saying it was time, and Yoruichi and Sui-Feng quickly moved away. A large beam of light suddenly surrounded Aizen, Gin, and Tōsen as a pack of Gillian Hollows appeared in a hole in the sky. Captain-Commander Yamamoto called off the others, explaining that the light around the trio was a Negación, a separate world created by Gillians to rescue one of their number and bring them back to Hueco Mundo. Aizen, after removing his glasses and changing his hair, declared that he was going to stand atop the world as a god, before saying goodbye to his former comrades and telling Ichigo that for a human, he was rather interesting.

Preparing his Army
Aizen began using the Hogyoku to create his own army of Arrancar. At one point, he came across Coyote Starrk and Lilynette Gingerbuck, who were sitting in front of a huge pile of dead Hollows. Aizen asked the two if they killed the Hollows, but Starrk said they just died. The former captain then asked Starrk and Lilynette to join him and Starrk agreed, deciding that he was strong enough to be around him. Aizen later sent Grand Fisher and two pseudo-Arrancar to the human world, which were killed by Isshin Kurosaki and Ryuken Ishida. Isshin and Urahara speculated that they had been sent by Aizen to get information on Ichigo. Eventually, Aizen sent Ulquiorra Cifer and Yammy Llargo to get him a report on how strong Ichigo had become. They returned to a meeting of Aizen and numerous other Arrancar, where Ulquiorra crushed his left eye, showing his master and comrades what he’d seen. Aizen looked on as Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez questioned leaving Ichigo alive and Ulquiorra explained that Ichigo wasn’t a threat, Aizen was only concerned with his growth rate. Grimmjow and his Fracción invaded Karakura Town to kill Ichigo and his friends, but Tōsen went and brought the 6th Espada back. Aizen decided not to punish Grimmjow, saying he’d dismiss this as an overzealous display of loyalty. However Tōsen took action himself, cutting off the 6th Espada’s arm and incinerating it with a Kido spell. Later, Aizen, having analyzed Orihime Inoue’s powers, ordered Ulquiorra to organize another invasion of Karakura Town, though he insisted that Grimmjow go along. While Grimmjow, Yammy, Luppi Antenor, and Wonderweiss Margela kept Ichigo and the Shinigami occupied, Ulquoirra succeeded in making Orihime join them. He brought her to Aizen, who had her demonstrate her powers by regenerating Grimmjow’s arm. Aizen explained to his Arrancar that Orihime’s power allowed her to reject any kind of phenomena

Invasion of Hueco Mundo
After Ichigo, along with Uryu Ishida and Yasutora “Chad” Sado arrived in Hueco Mundo to rescue Orihime, Aizen called a meeting of the Espada. After giving everyone a cup of tea, he told them about the trio’s arrival. The Espada were quick to dismiss them as no threat, but Aizen warned them that Ichigo and his friends were not to be underestimated, telling them how they’d taken on the entire Gotei 13. Grimmjow got up to leave, saying he was going to go wipe the three out. However Aizen told him to stop and finally used his spiritual energy to subdue Grimmjow. He then told the Espada to wait in their quarters and while they shouldn’t be overconfident, there was no need to be afraid of Ichigo and his friends. Aizen then said that together, they were unstoppable. Later, Aizen had Loly Aivirrne and Menoly Mallia bring Orihime to his throne room, where he showed her the Hogyoku. He told her that this act was supposed to show that he trusted her and asked her to heal some slight deterioration the Hogyoku suffered due to its constant use. After Ichigo and his friends managed to reach Las Noches, a messenger told Aizen that Dordoni Alessandro Del Socaccio was dead, which didn’t surprise him. However he noted that the fact that Ichigo had struggled against him did. Aizen went on to say that the messenger had failed to mention that the Exequias had finished off Dordoni and demanded to know who sent them after the Privaron Espada. Szayel Aporro Granz appeared, revealing that it was him, and begged for Aizen to forgive him The former captain told him he didn’t mind, telling Szayel to make more thorough reports, before asking him if the information he got from Dordoni would really help his research. Szayel said it would, before leaving and Gin asked Aizen if he was enjoying himself despite his forces getting beaten. The former captain admitted that he was feeling an emotion much like enjoyment. After half of the Espada were killed fighting Ichigo, his friends, and the newly arrived Shinigami captains, Aizen had Starrk bring Orihime to him. He told her to wait there while he and his comrades went to destroy Karakura Town, so as to create the Oken, a key needed to reach the Spirit King and requiring 100,000 souls to create. Aizen had Tōsen cast the Tenteikura spell, allowing him to reveal to Ichigo and the others the real reason he’d captured Orihime. By taking her to Las Noches, Ichigo and his friends would’ve gone to her rescue, thus losing the Soul Society a strong ally. Now Aizen and his forces could attack Karakura Town easily and he left for Karakura Town with Gin, Tōsen, Starrk, Lilynette Baraggan, Tier Harribel, and their Fracción, sealing the portals there so Ichigo and his comrades could not follow.

Battle of Fake Karakura Town
Upon arriving however, Aizen found the other captains and lieutenants of the Gotei 13 waiting for him and Karakura Town swapped with a copy. Aizen just said that he’d have go to the Soul Society to destroy the real Karakura Town after he and his forces dealt with the Gotei 13. But before Aizen could do anything, he was trapped in a fire prison by Yamamoto along with Gin and Tōsen. He was undeterred, saying that his Espada would be able to deal with the Shinigami. As the battle went on, Momo eventually arrived to help Renagiku and Aizen was intrigued when he sensed her, having believed that he’d succeeded in killing her. Gin asked him something was wrong, but Aizen said her presence wouldn’t change anything. Eventually Wonderweiss arrived with the creature, Fūrā, which used its breath to dispel the fire prison around Aizen and his cohorts. This quickly caught the attention of the Soul Society and Izuru Kira even feared that the Soul Society was going to lose. However the Visored arrived to help and Aizen was confronted by Shinji, who tried to slash at him, but Tōsen took him on instead. As the battle continued, Baraggan, about to die from his Respira being turned against him, threw his Gran Caida axe at Aizen in an attempt to kill him for usurping him in the past. However the Respira dissolved the axe before it could reach Aizen and the same quickly happened to Baraggan himself. Aizen continued to watch the fight as Starrk was struck down and Harribel fought Hiyori, Lisa Yadomaru, and Hitsugaya. Finally he stepped between Gin and Shinji’s fight, saying it was time to end the fight. Aizen suddenly slashed Harribel across the torso, telling her that she didn’t’ seem strong enough to fight for him, and told Gin and Tōsen it was to time to leave. Aizen then told Harribel that despite all the trouble he went through to gather the Espada, he was more powerful than all of them. The 3rd Espada stabbed Aizen, but he didn’t react and said that it was such a pain to deal with her. Harribel realized that she’d attacked an illusion as Aizen stabbed her in the back. He said that he’d never again let her raise her blade against him and let her fall to the ground. Aizen told the Gotei 13 and Visored to all come at him and Shinji warned the other Visored not to attack him recklessly. However Aizen taunted them by saying that they’d died 100 years ago so they shouldn’t be afraid. This managed to make Hiyori angrily charge at him, only to get slashed in half by Gin Ichimaru. Shinji went to her side and stared angrily at Aizen, who noted that there was finally some life in his eyes. He then told his former captain to come and face him and Shinji engaged Aizen, telling the others to stay back and wait for Ichigo. Aizen asked why he had so much faith in Ichigo and Shinji said that he didn’t expect him to understand since he had no faith in his servants. Aizen said only the weak relied on others and Shinji asked how he cold that with all the minions under his command, since he must have asked them to trust him. Aizen replied that he never did, he told them to not trust anyone, even him, but there weren’t many people with the strength to do so. Aizen said that all creatures wanted to believe in something bigger than them, unable to live without bling obedience. To escape the pressure of that trust, they look for someone higher than themselves, so they look for someone stronger than them. That was how kings and gods were born. Aizen went on to say that all served him and they would now witness the power of the god his followers believed in. Shinji drew his sword and asked Aizen if he was scared, but he said nothing and Shinji said there was no point in ignoring him. He repeated what Aizen said about Shinji not being open when he betrayed him. The Visored went on to say that because of that, Aizen didn’t have any idea what abilities his Zanpakuto had. Shinji went on to tell his former lieutenant that if he thought his Zanpakuto was the only one able to control people’s senses he was wrong and released his Zanpakuto. Aizen noted that his Zanpakuto’s Shikai had an interesting shape and Shinji activated the ability of his Zanpakuto, creating a world where all of Aizen’s senses were reversed. Shinji managed to land an attack on him, but his former lieutenant managed to figure out how the ability worked and slashed Shinji across the back, calling his power child’s play. However Ichigo arrived on the scene, moving right in to attack Aizen, but he managed to block with a barrier. Aizen taunted Ichigo, avoiding his attacks, and making him lose his resolve. However Komamura told Ichigo not to be disheartened and he, along with the other Shinigami and Visored, helped Ichigo fight Aizen while making sure he didn’t fall under the influence of Kyoka Suigetsu. Hitsugaya engaged him, but couldn’t land a single attack on Aizen, who continued to enrage him. The former captain was suddenly attacked by Komamura and Love Aikawa, but managed to protect himself. Komamura released his Bankai, only for Aizen to cut off its arm, doing the same to Komamura. Rojuro “Rose” Otoribashi tried to attack next, only for Aizen to grab his Zanpakuto, allowing him to pull the Visored in and cut him down. He proceeded to take down all the other Visored, calling them “Pseudo Arrancar”. Aizen continued to fight off the captains, until Hitsugaya managed to stab him through the chest with help from Shinji’s Zanpakuto power. However the Aizen he stabbed was an illusion and he’d swapped places with Momo, ending up on the ground next to Kira and Tetsuzaemon Iba. Ichigo, able to see through the hypnosis, helped the captains realize what happened and Kira and Tetsuzaemon tried to stop Aizen, only to get cut down. Shinji demanded to know when he created the illusion, but Aizen asked when they thought he wasn’t using the power of his Zanpakuto. Hitsugaya charged at Aizen in rage, despite Shunsui warning him not to, and the former captain noted that all of them were completely open, cutting down Hitsugaya, Shunsui, Sui-Feng, and Shinji. Yamamoto attacked Aizen, who said that the Gotei 13 would fall with him and managed to stab him in the chest. However Yamamoto, knowing that this was the real Aizen, grabbed him and pulled him in so as to use is Ennetsu Jigoku technique, which would incinerate everything in the area. However Wonderweiss showed up in Reusrrección form and attacked Yamamoto, absorbing all the fire of his Zanpakuto. Aizen explained that he knew he couldn’t beat Yamamoto alone and Wonderweiss had been designed solely to negate the powers of his Zanpakuto, Ryujin Jakka. However Yamamoto easily changed to hand-to-hand combat and destroyed Wonderweiss. But Aizen revealed that Ryujin Jakka’s flames had been stored inside the Arrancar and Yamamoto leapt onto his body to contain them as the flames exploded out of Wonderweiss’ remains. However as Aizen approached Yamamoto, he used a Kido spell, Itto Kaso, that badly damaged his arm and Ichigo attacked him, managing to knock him into a building.

Fighting with the Hogyoku
Ichigo managed to injure Aizen, but the wound quickly closed and Aizen revealed that the Hogyoku had been implanted in his torso, thus it had healed him. The former captain also noted that Ichigo had grown well, exactly according to his plans. He explained that Ichigo was the perfect test subject for his research and all the times when he had grown greatly in power had been just as Aizen desired. Ichigo said he had to be lying, given what he had said back in the Soul Society, but Aizen said that was when he was lying. However Isshin, Ichigo’s father, arrived on the scene, saying that Aizen had said too much, before he sent Ichigo into the distance. Aizen noted that was a smart decision, before asking Gin how long he’d been just watching, though Gin replied that he hadn’t seen an opportunity to join in. Isshin engaged Aizen and eventually he noticed that Aizen was starting to tire. The former captain said that he’d reach the limits of his Shinigami abilities and the Hogyoku was beginning to understand his desires. Aizen explained the Hogyoku had its own will, which he found out only after taking it as his own. He said that the Hogyoku’s true power was not its ability to remove the boundary between Shinigami and Hollows, it could capture and materialize the hearts of those around it. Aizen stated that it had brought about the miracles around Ichigo, Rukia, and Urahara and said that Urahara misunderstood the Hogyoku’s nature, because he had wanted to break down the barrier between Shinigami and Hollows. Aizen said Ichigo, Chad, and Orihime gained their powers thanks to the Hogyoku and was about to continue explaining when Gin smashed Ichigo into a building. While Ichigo talked with Isshin, Gin asked Aizen if he interrupted his speech, but his master said he’d finished as the Hogyoku began enveloping his body, saying that it deserved its name. However Urahara suddenly attacked him from behind and Aizen welcomed him to the fight. Urahara said that it had been a long time since they last saw each other and noted that Aizen had taken quite the interesting form. He replied that the midpoint of evolution was never pleasant looking, but Urahara pointed out that no one had called his form ugly. He noted that Aizen had fused with the Hogyoku, but he said that he had subjugated the Hogyoku, the thing Urahara failed to do. Urahara said that it was true he hadn’t mastered it in the past and Aizen said he must be unwilling to accept defeat. He proceeded to stab what he thought was Urahara, saying he’d forever the lost the chance to control the Hogyoku, but the Urahara he stabbed burst and the real Urahara appeared, binding him with a Kido spell. Aizen said he remembered the former captain’s Gigai trick from Yammy’s report and admitted that he had let his guard down, thinking Urahara would never use such a petty tactic. Aizen asked him what he was going to do now that he was constricted with a “meager” spell. Urahara asked what it would take to make the spell more than “meager” and used a barrage of binding spells on Aizen. Urahara then used another offensive Kido spell against Aizen, generating a large explosion. He said that Aizen truly had lowered his guard thanks to his new power and Aizen began attacking him, saying the Hogyoku made him unstoppable, so he didn’t need to avoid attacks. Urahara said he wasn’t taking about avoiding the Kido spells, he meant that previously, Aizen would never come in contact with him twice without any plan. Handcuffs made of spiritual energy suddenly appeared on Aizen’s arms and Urahara explained that it was a seal that would incinerate his spiritual energy from the inside out, while Aizen was surrounded by a pillar of light. However he emerged from the resulting explosion, unscathed with the Hogyoku having transformed him. Urahara, Isshin, and Yoruichi all engaged Aizen, managing to crack his new form, but he also managed to destroy some of Yoruichi’s armor. He asked if that was all they could throw at him and noted that Yoruichi’s armor must have been special if she had survived his attack, thus he was going to destroy that first. Aizen succeeded in destroying more of Yoruichi’s armor and watched as she and Urahara argued. Urahara said Aizen was showing interest again and he explained that he still found him interesting, since he was the only person in the Soul Society that was more intelligent than him. Urahara, Yoruichi, and Isshin attacked Aizen again, but only succeeded in cracking his form again and he finally struck them all down. He left with Gin for the Soul Society as his chrysalis form fell away to reveal his transformed face.

Final Battle
As they headed through the Dangai, Aizen noticed the Kototsu coming towards them and Gin warned him to avoid it, since spiritual energy could do nothing to it, because it was instead a being of reason, not spiritual energy. However Aizen easily destroyed the Kototsu and asked Gin what he was afraid of, saying that reason existed only for those who couldn’t live without it. As they exited the Dangai, Aizen said that they would go on to the edge of reason and realized they were not in Karakura Town. They headed there with Aizen completely destroying a man just by walking past and finally arrived. They found Tatsuki Arisawa and Keigo Asano and as Aizen moved in on them, Don Kanonji suddenly appeared, hitting him with a small energy blast. However it did absolutely nothing to Aizen and Rangiku arrived on the scene. Gin said he’d take of her, leading her away from Aizen, who remarked that Gin was an interesting one. As the former captain moved in on Ichigo’s friends, Zennosuke Kurumadani arrive and used his Zanpakuto’s Shikai to bury him in rubble. However this did little to deter Aizen, but Ichigo’s friends ran away as Gin returned to the former captain’s side. He asked his minion what he did with Rangiku and Gin said that he’d killed her, which Aizen noted that he found surprising, since he though Gin had feelings for her. He replied that he was like a snake, he had no feelings and Aizen prepared to finish off Ichigo’ s friends, but Gin casually placed his hand on his master’s blade, asking that he be allowed to deal with them. However Gin revealed his Bankai, Kamishini no Yari, hidden in his sleeve and impaled Aizen through the chest. Gin reminded Aizen that he’d told him how to avoid being affected by his Zanpakuto, touching its blade while it was unreleased. Aizen said that he always knew Gin would turn on him and his former servant revealed that his Bankai’s true strength was its power to generate a powerful poison, able to erode the cells of those infected by it. Gin revealed that his blade extended and retracted by dissolving into dust for an instant and he’d left a shard of it in Aizen’s chest. Gin then gave his Bankai the command, “Kill”, causing his former master’s chest to dissolve, leaving a hole with the Hogyoku floating in it. Gin grabbed the Hogyoku as Aizen’s body dissolved and he ran for it, but Aizen let out an angry yell, causing a pillar of light to surround him. The pillar split in half as Aizen emerged in a new winged form and the Hogyoku rejoined him. He explained the Hogyoku was under his command whether or not it was in his body. Aizen proceeded to cut Gin down as he remembered his failure to create his own Hogyoku, before he threw his former servant through a building. Rangiku soon arrived, rushing to Gin’s side and Aizen moved in on them, but Ichigo suddenly arrived. The former captian said he was disappointed that Ichigo hadn’t grown in power, but Ichigo said that he wanted to fight away from his friends. Aizen refused, thinking that he couldn’t do a thing, but Ichigo grabbed him and dragged him out of Karakura Town to fight in a more open area, saying he would finish the fight in one moment. Aizen and Ichigo began fighting with Aizen saying they had both evolved to their maximum potential and that he understood that his own evolution was different from Ichigo’s. Aizen said he if wished to, he could crush his sword with one strike and attacked, but Ichigo caught his attack. Aizen told him not to get excited and used a full power Kurohitsugi Kido spell, proudly gloating about how powerful his Kido was. However Ichigo destroyed the spell, saying he was stronger at the moment and continued to attack Aizen, repeating some of the former captain’s taunts. Aizen, enraged, transformed again and fired a powerful energy blast at Ichigo, but he managed to block it. Aizen went at his enemy again, eventually managing to grab him and say that Ichigo and had lost his power and would now fall. But Ichigo slashed him across the chest, making Aizen release him, and said he would defeat the former captain with the Final Getsuga Tensho. Aizen watched in awe as Ichigo took on a new form and the Shinigami explained that he’d taken on the form of the “Getsuga” itself, but using it cost him all his Shinigami powers. Aizen was shocked that despite Ichigo’s transformation, he still couldn’t feel any spiritual energy from him, deducing that Ichigo had surpassed him. Enraged at such a concept, Aizen screamed that was impossible, but Ichigo ignored him and unleashed his Mugetsu attack, firing a huge wave of black energy at Aizen, badly wounding him. He fell to the ground defeated and Ichigo tried to finish him, but his powers began disappearing. Aizen tried to kill Ichigo, but Urahra arrived on the scene, activating a Kido he’d planted in Aizen earlier and making spikes of energy emerge from his chest. Aizen declared that he hated Urahara and asked why someone with his intellect let himself be controlled by the spirit King. He replied that the Spirit King’s existence kept the Soul Society going. Aizen said that victors had to speak of the way the world should be, not the way it was, but before he could continue, Urahara sealed him away. 10 days later, Aizen was brought before Central 46 for trial, severely bound. They sentenced him 18,800 years in the lowest level of the underground prison and Aizen said he found it funny that they judged him. One of the judges silenced him, saying he shouldn’t get cocky just because he was immortal, and ordered that Aizen’s eye and mouth be bound and that his sentence be increased to 20,000 years.

Personality
Aizen is completely calm and cold, having a very polite and knowledgeable manner about him and rarely showing an signs of alarm. He often tries to make small talk with his enemies so as to anger them. Aizen has an extremely cruel, corrupt, focused, calculating, cunning, brutal and dangerously manipulative nature, caring little to nothing for any of his subordinates and to him, they are all just pawns for him to use. He states that he doesn’t have any morals, saying they just restrict his capabilities. Aizen will stop at nothing to complete his plans and thinks of long and complex (as well as somewhat convoluted) plans. He often toys with his subordinates and controls his forces through respect, intimidation, fear, and mind games with only Gin being able to figure out Aizen’s emotions. Aizen’s objective is to overthrow the Spirit King and states that he seeks to “stand in the heavens and end the unbearable vacancy on the world’s throne”. After mastering the Hogyoku, Aizen seems to have become less cautious in battle and has more of a severe superiority complex. He doesn’t think through his moves as much and believes that he is above Shinigami and Hollows. His intelligence and attitude make Aizen easily angered when he’s fighting something he doesn’t understand.

Powers
Aizen possesses immense spiritual power, even for a captain-level Shinigami. He possesses incredible intellect, having knowledge on many things and high craftiness and cunning. Aizen is extremely skilled at manipulating others and always thinks a few steps ahead of his opponent and thinking out incredibly detailed plans with many steps. Aizen is able to adjust to any kind of situation in battle and has a great understanding of his foes, thus he can prepare to deal with them. Aizen is a master of Kido spells, able to use many powerful spells without incantation, swordsmanship, and Shunpo, a Shingami technique that allows the user to move at incredible speed. Aizen also has great physical strength and while he doesn’t do it often, he is quite skilled at fighting with barehanded. Like all Shinigami, his primary weapon is his Zanpakuto, Kyoka Suigetsu, and he can activate and deactivate its Shikai ability with the release command, “Shatter”. Its ability is the power to completely hypnotize the opponent, controlling their senses so Aizen can create a variety of illusions to trick them. To hypnotize the person, they have to see the release of Kyoka Suigetsu and from then on, the person will be completely under the hypnosis’ power. The influence of Kyoka Suigetsu can last for years as seen with the Visoreds, who were first hypnotized 110 years ago. The hypnosis can even affect the person if they are aware that they are being manipulated by it. However those with great power and ability can notice slight differences in the illusions, even if they can’t determine what they are. The only way to avoid being controlled by Kyoka Suigetsu is to touch the blade before its hypnosis power is activated. It is presumed that since Aizen is a captain, he can release the Bankai form of Kyoka Suigetsu, but he has never been seen using it. With the Hogyoku planted in his chest, it regenerates all of Aizen’s wounds and increases his strength and durability. After his first transformation by the Hogyoku, Aizen is in his “chrysalis” stage, possessing higher spiritual power, and increased strength, durability, and speed. After finishing his “chrysalis” stage, Aizen was even harder to harm, destroying the Kototsu by just having it collide with him, and even higher spiritual power, able to destroy souls just by being around them. In his third form, Aizen had greater strength and could teleport by breaking into shards, then reforming elsewhere. After transforming for the last time, he has a much more Hollow-like appearance and can fire powerful energy spheres from the skulls on his wings, as well as surround his opponent with an energy ring to destroy them.

Trivia

 * Aizen came in 13th, 18th, and 23rd on the second, third, and fourth Bleach character popularity polls. His Zanpakuto came in 18th in the Zanpakuto popularity poll.


 * The name of Aizen’s Zanpakuto is Japanese for “Mirror Flower, Water Moon”, which are a reference to its power. The moon reflected in water and a flower reflected in a mirror is a Chinese saying for seeing and desiring something that cannot be grasped in the hand.


 * Tite Kubo has said that Aizen’s theme song is “Stand Ablaze” by In Flames.


 * Aizen originally wrote a column called “The Yin of the Pine Needle” in the Seireitei communication that is currently suspended.


 * Aizen was the subject of a photo collection called “The Smile of the Sun”, which was cancelled.