Shinigami are guardians of the souls who are going through the circle of transmigration. In ancient times, they were known as Balancers. They purify Hollows who do evil in the World of the Living and ensure the safe crossing of souls - the Pluses who have lost their way after death - by giving them a soul burial.

Shinigami are unearthly beings living in a world ruled by a different logic than the World of the Living. They possess high Reiryoku and a body of Reishi. They are invisible to those without spiritual powers.

When souls with exceptional spiritual energy train their bodies, they reach the level of Shinigami. The most talented of them become affiliated with various organizations like the Gotei 6. Sometimes, a potential Shinigami is born among the residents of the Rukongai, and in some rare cases from Seireitei.

Shinigami receive salaries, like workers in the Human World and also earn bounties for defeating Hollows.

Shinigami do not visibly age at the same rate as Humans and tend to maintain a youthful appearance for centuries. Shinigami can live for much longer than Humans, with some Shinigami over thousands of years old.  While Shinigami can be injured and killed like regular Humans, it takes considerably greater injuries to kill a Shinigami than it would to kill Humans. Decapitation is the only guaranteed method of killing a Shinigami.

The process by which a Shinigami sends wandering Pluses in the Human World to Soul Society if they are good in life or Hell if their life was full of evil acts (such as murders, theft, etc.) is named Konso. Konsō is performed by using the hilt of the Shinigami's Zanpakutō, tapping the soul on their forehead and transporting them to the afterlife

When a Shinigami slays a Hollow with their Zanpakutō, they cleanse their sins. Once this takes place, a Hollow will return to its former state as a Plus and is led into Soul Society. This is called sublimation. Souls that live in Soul Society are reborn again into the Human World. Not all Hollows are sent to the Soul Society. Since Zanpakutō are only capable of cleansing sins committed after becoming a Hollow, Hollows that committed serious crimes when they were still Human are sent to Hell when they are slain.

Shinigami are responsible for governing the flow of spirits between the Human World and Soul Society. This is commonly carried out by balancing the total number of souls by moving and managing them in the Human world. All of the soul-related jobs are under their authority.

The Zanpakutō of low-ranking Shinigami are called Asauchi and do not have names, but the Zanpakutō of Shinigami of rank have names. In its sealed state, a Zanpakutō has the form of a Japanese sword. Such weapons are unique swords generated from their owner's souls. Its shape differs depending on its owner.

Zanpakutō are the trademark weapons of the Shinigami. Capable of cutting spiritual bodies, they are among the few weapons which can be used to combat Hollows. Each Shinigami carries a Zanpakutō, and each Zanpakutō is unique: the swords are reflections of a Shinigami's power and soul, and sentient beings unto themselves. The Zanpakutō's name is the name of the living spirit which empowers the sword and lends its strength to the Shinigami who wields it. These beings can vary greatly in appearance, and have their own distinct personalities, which match their owner's.

A Zanpakutō's shape and abilities are based on their Shinigami's soul. Once a Shinigami learns his/her sword's name, they can communicate with one another and grow stronger together. Zanpakutō are born with their Shinigami, and they die along with their Shinigami. Shinigami use them in battle as a reflection of their heart. When released, they can display a vibrant power. They are one with the Shinigami, and they share a Shinigami's conviction. Because they are part of their owner's soul, a Zanpakutō cannot be replaced, though it will slowly regenerate if it is broken.

Depending upon the Shinigami's ability to communicate with and control their Zanpakutō's spirit, a Zanpakutō can manifest itself in two additional forms and revert to a sealed state. These two forms, known as Shikai and Bankai, are akin to upgrades for the Zanpakutō, giving it abilities far beyond those of its simple use as a sword. Shinigami usually carry their Zanpakutō in its sealed state, and activate the released forms as necessary.

Shinigami can also use the art of Kidō,a form of Shinigami combat based on advanced spells. These spells are produced with strong Reiryoku and fall into two categories: Hadō for direct attacks, and Bakudō for battle support. Kidō spells are triggered by an incantation. Experienced users can trigger them without an incantation, though the effectiveness of the spell will be diminished.

Shinigami rely primarily on Zanjutsu, the name given to their skill with the sword, and Kido to fight. After unlocking their Shikai a Shinigami enters a whole new level of power and can finally start making a name for themselves, exemplified further if they ever unlock the power of their Bankai. Shinigami use a myriad of abilities and techniques, the most out of any race, to take down their targets and arguably take the most time to mature to full strength.

The ranks of the Shinigami go as such and are detailed below.

All abilities can be found in the Shinigami Library. Higher ranks can purchase any ability that is listed as purchasable by a lower rank. Don't forget to add the Zanpakuto item into your item list after approval.


The lowest rank of Shinigami, those still working their way through the Shinigami Academy- and the fresh graduates, of course. All Shinigami at this rank are issued an Asauchi, a Zanpakuto with no true name yet and no special powers to employ. No characters at this rank belong to any of the remaining Court Guard Squads and are still working on making a name for themselves in the world. Shinigami at this rank are also not allowed to leave the Soul Society for any reason.

Unlocked at Academy Student:
Kido Spell: Sai
Kido Spell: Sho

Available for purchase at Academy Student:
Rank Up to Rank 2
Rank 1 Kido


The first rank of the Shinigami that can put up a good enough fight, Unseated Class are those that are barely trickling into a Squad and focus mainly on continually improving their own skills. Shinigami at this rank can begin to discover the true name of their Zanpakuto; gaining their Shikai, that is, at the price of the written Experience cost and 1,000 words in a topic explaining how exactly they managed to commune with their Zanpakuto Spirit and unlock this ability.

Unlocked at Unseated Class:
Shunpo 1

Available for purchase at Unseated Class:
Rank Up to Rank 3
Shikai [500 EXP cost, 1,000 words]
Rank 2 Kido


This is the point when the Shinigami stop becoming fodder and start becoming forces to be reckoned with. Shinigami at this rank are finally able to travel to the World of the Living for Missions, as well as making up the main brunt of serious attacking parties. They take higher seats in the Squads as well, and it's generally considered mandatory to be put in them whether they'd like to or not outside of special circumstances and Shinigami that go rogue.

Unlocked at Fifth Seat Class:
Shunpo 2

Available for purchase at Fifth Seat Class:
Rank Up to Rank 4
Shikai Slot MAX [800 EXP cost]
Rank 3 Kido


Third Seat Class Shinigami are the above-average; you're looked to for guidance among your peers and make up some of the strongest positions in the Gotei 6- hence your name, filling in the seats that don't qualify as Lieutenant or Captain slots. There's not much to say about this point in growth past you're really starting to be known among the Shinigami and have reached a milestone of power.

Unlocked at Third Seat Class:
Shunpo 3

Available for purchase at Third Seat Class:
Rank Up to Rank 5
Rank 4 Kido


The second strongest of all Shinigami and ones to be feared- you don't want to face off against a Lieutenant Class Shinigami could you avoid it. While they don't always necessarily take Lieutenant positions in the Gotei 6 they are arguably the most qualified to do so, and some Shinigami in this class could even make it as Captains. The main marker of a Rank 5 Shinigami is the fact that you can now, with 3,000 words in a topic detailing how, unlock your Bankai- the second and strongest stage of your Zanpakuto. The power of Bankai is rare, few and far between ever coming to learn or rarer still master this ability.

No abilities naturally unlocked at Lieutenant Class.

Available for purchase at Lieutenant Class:
Rank Up to Rank 6
Bankai [1000 EXP cost, 3000 words]
Rank 5 Kido
Kido Mastery
Hakuda Mastery
Zanjutsu Mastery


The strongest of all Shinigami and what really causes the race to be feared- Captain Class Shinigami have all the bark and all the bite to do literally whatever they want. All of the Gotei 6's current 5 literal Captains are made up of Shinigami from this Rank and are a showcase to how scary this power can get. A very few number of Shinigami ever reach Captain Class in power. Captain Class Shinigami rarely, if ever, leave the Seireitei due to being the strongest force of protection the area could have, and the fact that their sheer presence can cause stirs in the spiritual balance of the World of the Living.

No abilities naturally unlocked at Captain Class.

Available for purchase at Captain Class:
Bankai Slot 2 [800 EXP cost]
Bankai Slot MAX [1000 EXP cost]
Shunpo Mastery
Shunkō
Kendo
Rank 6 Kido

All abilities can be found in the Shinigami and Hollow Guidelines. You will be expected to update your Zanpakuto abilities section with a quick description of your Hollow mask upon a successful transformation to a Visored. Visored can learn any ability learnable by Rank 6 and lower Shinigami.


The Visored is a group of Shinigami that have acquired Hollow powers. They are the antithesis to the Arrancar as Shinigami who have obtained Hollow powers.

Having begun as Shinigami, the Visored appear entirely Human and, barring those times where they are using their powers, are indistinguishable from ordinary Shinigami. To gain access to their Hollow powers, a Visored dons a Hollow mask. This allows them to augment their Shinigami abilities with Hollow powers, as well as giving them access to some of the more generic Hollow abilities. Their spiritual pressure likewise changes into a mix of Hollow and Shinigami. This process of donning one's Hollow mask is referred to as Hollowfication.

Visored have been shown to be former captain and lieutenant level Shinigami. They are considered criminals by the Soul Society for committing the ultimate taboo of acquiring Hollow powers; their status as former leaders of Soul Society also marks them as traitors.

During their introduction, they are viewed as reclusive and are thought to have loyalty only to themselves. The Visored haven't shown any sort of hierarchy, preferring a loose-knit organization.

With the acquisition of the mask through the subjugation of one's inner Hollow, Visored gain access to an additional and separate source of power - aside from the Shinigami powers they already possess - Hollow powers. The accumulation of both powers greatly augments their powers beyond what a Shinigami and/or Hollow alone would be capable of. Members of the Visored drastically increase their combat abilities by donning their masks and Hollowfying. The length of time they can remain Hollowfied varies with each person.

In the story of Bleach HD, Hollowfication into a Visored is a natural, terrifying and mysterious process that happens to a very, very small number of Shinigami under rare and unknown circumstances. Characters that decide to pursue the path of becoming a Visored face the chance of death at 50% and must fight off the sudden Hollowfication trying to take over their body in a topic comprising of at least 1,000 words.

Visored that recently gain their powers cannot control the application of their mask without proper training, where it will only appear during times of mortal crisis and near death to save them. Wearing their Hollow Mask either willingly or not increases the Visored speed, strength and overall ability to fight as well as allows them access to the Cero ability exclusive to Hollow.

* All Visored are considered Rank 6 upon transformation disregarding whether they transformed at Rank 5 or Rank 6 originally. *

Abilities unlocked at Visored:
Cero
Hollowfication

Abilities purchasable at Visored:
Perfect Hollowfication [Able to hold it for 3 posts]
Hollowfication lengthening [+1 posts per 1,000 words put into training.] [No EXP cost]