Shinji Hirako

Shinji Hirako is a major character of the Bleach franchise. He served as a recruiter and the de facto leader of the Visored. He was also Captain of the 5th Division in the Gotei 13 over 100 years ago prior to his exile and was reinstated to his old post sometime after the battle against Sōsuke Aizen.
He is voiced by by Masaya Onosaka in the Japanese version of the anime, and by Roger Craig Smith in the English version.
== History ==
=== Past ===
During this time, Shinji Hirako served as the captain of the 5th division, while a younger and seemingly innocent Aizen served as his lieutenant. Though he is a captain, Shinji would often show behavior traits that were childish and immature for a man of his age and ranking. This was especially seen during his confrontations with the 12th division lieutenant Hiyori Sarugaki. Shinji was often being attacked by her in random and numerous situations, and though his own lieutenant believed his captain should be more responsible than he ever was. Though Aizen was his subordinate, Shinji did not like, nor did he trust Aizen. He was not fooled by his seemingly innocent facade, and knew there was more to Aizen than meets the eye. At this time Shinji would also build somewhat of friendship with Kisuke Urahara who had just been promoted. At times giving advice that showed the wisdom worthy of a captain.
It was during this time, that Aizen first began experimenting with hollowfication. Which led to a number of mysterious disappearances around soul society. Though Aizen would never be caught for the act until 100 years later. These mysterious disappearances were being investigated by the 9th division including future vizards. Kensei Muguruma and Mashiro Kuna. Whom were the captain and lieutenant of the 9th division at the time. It was later learned that the 9th division themselves had mysteriously disappeared. The act forced Yamamoto to act quickly and efficiently and so he decided to send out a group to investigate. Shinji was one of those along with the captains and lieutenants who would become the vizards. Shinji arrives just in time to save Hiyori, but immediately is forced into battle with the others against Kensei and Mashiro, who became hollows as a result. The fight was incredibly tough, especially against a friend but eventually Kensei is subdued. Though it seems everything was okay, Hiyori transformed and attacked Shinji. Before the others could react they were attacked by Kaname Tosen, who was revealed to have betrayed Kensei.
It was then that Aizen appeared along with Ichimaru Gin, and finally revealed himself to his captain as the mastermind behind all the disappearances and experiments. Though Shinji himself had always suspected Aizen. Though it was right and smart of Shinji to choose Aizen and keep him under watch, he made some fatal errors which allowed Aizen to deceive Shinji. Not once did he attempt to get close to his lieutenant, so he did not get to know the man and his characteristics. It was because of this that Shinji had failed to realize that following for the past month was someone else. Agitated and angry at Aizen. Shinji undergoes his own hollow transformation. Aizen then decides to attack and kill Shinji but he is saved with the sudden appearance of Kisuke and Tessai who fend Aizen and his subordinates away. Along with the others, Shinji tried to have the process reversed but the damage was done. So instead Kisuke gave them all untraceable gigai, so they could hide in the human world, as staying in soul society would have led to their execution.
=== Arrancar Invasion ===
Shinji Hirako is now the current leader of the Vizard. He was originally the Captain of the 5th Division but became a Vizard under unknown circumstances. He first appeared when Ichigo returned home from Soul Society. He came to persuade Ichigo to join the Vizard but Ichigo turned him down. Eventually, Ichigo came back and asked him to train him. To accomplish this task, Shinji knocks Ichigo unconscious so he can face his inner hollow out to battle on common ground. After awakening his powers Ichigo left because the Arrancar were attacking Karakura Town. Ichigo was about to be defeated by Grimmjow until Shinji came and saved Ichigo. Shinji was almost about to finish him but Ulquiorra Schiffer stopped their fight and told Grimmjow to return to Heuco Mondo.
=== Vizard vs Espada ===
When things look grim for the shinigami, Shinji arrives with the Vizards to save the day. While his allies are busy saving Toshiro, Soifon, and others. Shinji briefly chats with Captain Yamamoto before turning his full attention to Aizen. Before leaving Shinji reveals caring only to help Ichigo and not the Shinigami. Shinji goes to cut Aizen down but Tosen intervenes. The two spare for a moment when Komamura steps in. Komamura takes it upon himself to ally the shinigami with the vizards.
=== After the War ===
After Aizen was defeated by Ichigo he was and the other Visoreds were healed by Retsu Unohana. He, alongside Rose and Kensei, became captains of there former divisions during the 17 month timeskip.
When Quincies invaded Soul Society he didn't appeared in any battle but was seen with Momo going to face with Quincies right after Yamamoto uses his Bankai saying that they can't let the old man have all the fun.
==Appearance==
Shinji has a rather peculiar appearance, with brown eyes, straight, jaw-length blonde hair, and his most distinctive feature, a wide mouth with exposed upper teeth, regardless of what expression he has on his face.
When in Karakura Town, he was dressed in the local standard school uniform, often complemented by a newsboy cap and long coat.
As the captain of the Gotei 13, before he left Soul Society, his hair was much longer, reaching down to his lower back, and he wore a standard Shinigami shihakushō with a typical long-sleeved captain's haori.
When he returned as the captain of the Gotei 13, seventeen months after Aizen's defeat, Shinji reverted to the standard captain's attire with the new addition of a tie tucked under his robes and a new hairstyle with more asymmetrical bangs.
== Powers & Abilities ==
Master Swordsman: As a captain, Shinji is a highly skilled swordsman. At one point, when he begins to fight against Ichigo Kurosaki, the other Visored mention that Ichigo is foolish to battle Shinji, proven by the fact that Shinji is not taking the battle seriously (albeit Ichigo was also holding back, because he was trying to suppress his inner Hollow). Shinji is also able to hold off Mashiro Kuna during her Hollowfication without releasing his sword, though it took some effort. He was also able to fend off Kaname Tōsen while also trying to resist his Hollowfication. Shinji took on Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, the 6th Espada, maintaining his calm in the face of the destruction Grimmjow brought to the battle and pushing the Espada back with little effort, using only his Hollow mask and his swordsmanship skill.
Shunpo Expert: Shinji excels in Shunpo, easily outmaneuvering Grimmjow, the sixth Espada and a master of Sonído, during their clash. As a captain, even before he became a Visored, he was the first to arrive to save Hiyori during the Hollowfication Incident, even when Lisa had a head-start and all the other captains left later at the same time. Shinji is also extremely quick at close range; during his assault on Aizen, he perceived and dodged Tōsen's sneak attack while sustaining only a small scratch above his left eye.
Kidō Practitioner: While he has never used Kidō in battle, Shinji possesses enough proficiency to, without warning, put Ichigo into a dream state and dispel Aizen's illusions. As a prelude to his battle against Grimmjow, Shinji fired a powerful blast of energy that did visible damage to the former's arm.
Immense Spiritual Power: As a captain of the Gotei 13 and the unofficial leader among the Visored, Shinji possesses a tremendous amount of spiritual power which is said to be monstrous. Being a Visored, he has a dual-type spiritual energy, part Shinigami and part Hollow.
Keen Intellect: Despite his childish attitude at times, Shinji has proven to be a very insightful and perceptive man. During his initial tenure as captain of the 5th Division, he was able to see through Aizen's deceptions and some of his illusions. He hid the Shikai of his Zanpakutō from Aizen, out of mistrust and when battling him decades later, he used it to land a blow on him. Aizen himself admitted to being intimidated by Shinji's cunning.
Enhanced Strength: Shinji has incredible physical strength, being able to block an attack from a hollowfied Mashiro while carrying an individual.
==Personality==
Shinji is quite a comical and laid-back character most of the time, adding a touch of lightness when the atmosphere seems to be extremely tense. In addition, he has a rather nonchalant and direct nature, they like to tease and argue with Hiyori, who usually (due to her constant aggression) repays him by hitting him with her own flap right in the face. In such situations, Shinji pays no heed to her, making silly faces and throwing insults at her. Usually, when Shinji gets annoyed or angry, he is able to remain calm and composed.
He seems to like jazz very much, as when he was the captain of the Gotei 13, his then-lieutenant Aizen noticed a gramophone in his room that played his vinyl records.
However, despite his nonchalance and coolness, Shinji can be perceptive and quick-witted, as shown when he saw through the illusions he created several times. From the very beginning, Shinji also seemed highly suspicious of Aizen, which later turned out to be definitely the right attitude.
==Trivia==
*An early drawing of Shinji can be seen in the art of the first chapter of manga.
*Shinji cannot activate his Bankai without permission from Central 46. As it switches the perception of ally and enemies, unlike the Shikai simply reverting physical perceptions.
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