• DIVISION 13
Although it is not known what duties and role Division Thirteen plays in the Soul Society, it is quite probable that it has something to do with the elimination of Hollows and the sending of wandering souls because those were the types of things Rukia constantly had Ichigo do when she had passed her powers onto him. Kaien’s wife was also dealing with hollows, and Ukitake’s mention of assembling an attack squad to eliminate the Hollow which killed Kaien’s wife and her squad. Ukitake being the captain who gave Ichigo the Acting Shinigami Fighting Permit, which gives him powers similar to the glove Rukia had whenever she wanted him in Shinigami form, also may have something to do with the Thirteenth Division. In addition, it is also in Ukitake’s nature to want to save people, so it would be natural for him to be captain of a division whose role is to protect others.

In each division, every vice-captain distinguishes themselve between the regular shinigami by the insignia they usually wear on the left arm. The insignia has the division number which the vice-captain belongs to and an image of a flower directly under. The flower on the insignia are all different. In the Thirteenth Division, it is in form of a three petal flower. The flowers on each insignia serves as a division creast. Similar to the way samurai had used them in Japan, but not as extensively. They would have their family crests on things such as banners and clothing so that people would recognize who they were.

All division offices are located in specific places in the Soul Society. The Division Thirteen's Office was first introduced in Chapter 116 of the manga. Although the location of the office is unknown, it appears to be built over water. The name of Division Thirteen office is ‘ugendou’ (雨乾堂) meaning ‘the hall of dried rain’ and it also appears to be Ukitake’s residence.

Division Member Ranks
» Vice Captain - Shiba Kaien
Shiba Kaien was the vice captain of Division Thirteen when Rukia first joined. Since Ukitake was usually sick, Kaien would unofficially assume the role as captain, so he didn’t mind if people called him ‘Captain Kaien’ instead of ‘Vice-Captain Kaien’. A possible reasoning why Ukitake would have chosen Kaien to be vice captain is probably because of Kaien’s way of thinking. He was the type who would do extreme things to save those around him. One may recall in chapter 134, his vow to Rukia, “Remember that… as long as you are in my division, I will stand by you even if I die”, is probably something Ukitake looks for in someone when choosing a a vice captain.

» 3rd Seat - Kaien's Wife
Other than she being Kaien’s wife and she along with her squad being decimated by a hollow, nothing else is known about her.



» Kotsubaki Sentarou (I) & Kotetsu Kiyone (II)
Sentarou and Kiyone are the two shinigami who were probably promoted to third rank when Kaien’s wife had passed away. They both talk obnoxiously loud, and are extremely focused on idolizing Ukitake while figuring out which one of the two Ukitake seems to like best. Although they are quite focused on the work Ukitake gives them, it is probably because of their obsession with Ukitake and the rivalry they have with each other that they were not promoted any further. Additional information: Sentarou, the guy, like Rukia, also came from the slums. However, it is unknown where Kiyone, the girl, came from, but her sister, Koketsu Isane, is the vice captain for the Fourth Division.

» Unknown - Kuchiki Rukia
After being adopted by Byakuya, Rukia was automatically graduated from the shinigami academy and was put in the Thirteen Division. When Rukia entered Division 13, for the first time in a long time, she was treated the way she wanted to be: like everyone else instead of being singled out or given special treatment because of her noble status. In the begining of the series, Rukia was the shinigami who was assigned to take care of Karakura, the area Ichigo lives in in the human world, but was replaced by Kurumaya Zenosuke after the Aizen ordeal.

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