Stein Grau

**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. He formerly served as the lieutenant of the 5th Division under Shinji Hirako. After waging war against Soul Society with an army of Arrancar, Aizen was defeated by Ichigo Kurosaki and sealed away by Kisuke Urahara, and then imprisoned for his crimes.

## Background

At an unknown point in the past, Aizen became part of the 5th Division under Captain Shinji Hirako. He invested himself in the research and creation of the Hōgyoku even before Kisuke Urahara. To this end, he sacrificed hundreds of Shinigami and hundreds of Rukongai citizens who bore Shinigami talents to his own Hōgyoku, but it was not satisfied with this. At one point, a young Gin Ichimaru watched Aizen meet with three other Shinigami who were kneeling before him. One of the Shinigami handed Aizen the Hōgyoku, prompting Aizen to put the orb in a glass and hand it back to the Shinigami. Aizen and his subordinates left an unconscious Rangiku Matsumoto a short distance away. Aizen eventually caught Shinji's attention, and was promoted to a lieutenant in order for Shinji to watch over him closely, but Shinji's action only helped further the realization of his plans.

110 years ago, Aizen made his way to the 5th Division living quarters of his captain. He and Shinji discussed style and trends before they made their way to the promotion ceremony being held at the 1st Division headquarters. As they got there, he witnessed 12th Division Lieutenant Hiyori Sarugaki attack his captain, and watched as the two got into a childish argument. He followed behind while the other captains congregated and had a brief discussion on the status of the Gotei 13. Overhearing 8th Division Captain Shunsui Kyōraku mention that the previous captain of the 12th Division was promoted, Aizen interrupted and asked Shunsui what he meant by this. When Aizen initially conjectured that the promotion was to Central 46, Shunsui explained it had nothing to do with the Central 46 and revealed the previous 12th Division captain, Kirio Hikifune, had been accepted into the Royal Guard, shocking Aizen.

The following night, after Urahara's appointment as the new captain of the 12th Division, Shinji had a short talk with him about his new role as captain. While leaving, Shinji revealed Aizen, who had been concealed behind camouflage. Complimenting his captain, Aizen asked Shinji when he sensed him there. Stating he had known ever since Aizen was in his mother's womb, Shinji ordered Aizen to follow. Noting his disapproval, Aizen commented on how scary a person Shinji was, prompting Shinji to say that Aizen was the scary one.

The next night, Aizen saw Gin killing the 3rd Seat of their division. Informing Gin he was impressed by his skill, Aizen asked him how he found the fight, prompting Gin to state he found it pathetic.

9 years later, Shinji and Aizen were walking around the Seireitei when they came across Urahara, Hiyori, and 12th Division 3rd Seat Mayuri Kurotsuchi. While Shinji once again engaged in a childish fight and argument with Hiyori, Aizen asked Urahara if he had heard the news. When Urahara told Aizen he had not, Shinji told Urahara about the series of strange deaths which had taken place in Rukongai and informed him the 9th Division had been sent to handle the investigation.

With the disappearance of the 9th Division, Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto called an emergency meeting and assembled a team to investigate. After coming into contact with Hollowfied 9th Division members, the investigation team was dispatched by an unseen assailant. While the investigation team was still out searching, Shunsui and some other Shinigami on guard saw someone whom they believed to be Aizen.

It was later revealed 9th Division 5th Seat Kaname Tōsen was behind the betrayal of the 9th Division, having stabbed Kensei Muguruma in the back and killed Heizō Kasaki, Shinobu Eishima, and Tōdō Izaemon, who had accompanied Kensei. He subsequently subdued the team sent to locate the missing 9th Division members using his Bankai. When an injured Shinji asked Tōsen why he betrayed his captain, he was surprised to be answered by Aizen, who stated Tōsen did not betray anyone and faithfully followed his orders.

When Shinji admitted he was not as surprised as he seemed to be, Aizen asked Shinji if he suspected him and stated that he had expected this much from his captain. Explaining how he had known something was dangerous about Aizen and he could not be trusted, Shinji said he chose Aizen to be his lieutenant so he could keep an eye on him, prompting Aizen to state that he was grateful because Shinji did not suspect a thing due to his deep-seated doubts. When Shinji said he already made it known he had suspected him, Aizen reveals Shinji did not realize Aizen was not the one walking behind him for the past month. Explaining the power of his Zanpakutō, **Kyōka Suigetsu**, Aizen informed Shinji he would have been able to see through Aizen's deception by picking up on subtle differences between Aizen himself and Aizen's double if he was as close to Aizen as other captains were to their lieutenants, but it was his lack of trust which kept them from getting close and allowed Aizen to fool Shinji. Stating he could have always refused to be Shinji's lieutenant, Aizen revealed he decided against this action because his captain's skepticism made the position ideal to carry out his plans. When Aizen stated Shinji was to blame for his current predicament and his comrades' plight, Shinji was provoked by this, triggering a speed-up in the Hollowfication process. Thanking Shinji for being so easily provoked, Aizen noted the observed connection between Hollowfication and agitated emotions. Ordering Tōsen to cut down 12th Division Lieutenant Hiyori Sarugaki, Aizen thanked Shinji for helping him and raised his blade overhead in preparation to cut Shinji down, only to be attacked by Urahara, who cut Aizen's lieutenant badge off.

Aizen and Urahara had a brief discussion about what was transpiring, with Aizen acting innocent at first until Urahara noted the investigation team did not have simple injuries, but were in fact undergoing Hollowfication. Commending Urahara on his deduction, Aizen revealed himself to be behind the disappearances in the Rukongai. Leaving the scene of the crime with Gin and Tōsen, Aizen said that there was nothing more to do there. When Tessai fired **Hadō #88. Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō** at them, Aizen blocked it with **Bakudō #81. Dankū**, allowing them to escape.

At some point after the Hollowfication incident, Aizen became captain of the 5th Division, and eventually revealed to Gin the secret to avoiding the complete hypnosis of **Kyōka Suigetsu**. He later made Gin his lieutenant. Continuing to experiment on Hollows to transform them into Shinigami, Aizen created Hollows which were close to Shinigami, such as Metastacia, and Menos capable of concealing their Reiatsu. While testing out this breed of Menos, Aizen and Gin saved the then first year academy students Momo Hinamori, Izuru Kira, and Renji Abarai from them. With his interest piqued by them, Aizen realized their potential and took them all into his division. While the obedient and loyal Izuru and Momo became 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, later transferring to the 6th Division to become its 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 Momo was his lieutenant, he always thought of Gin as his subordinate.

At some point during their captaincy, Aizen, Gin, and Tōsen secretly visited Baraggan Louisenbairn, King of Hueco Mundo and Lord of Las Noches. He and Baraggan engaged in a light conversation, with Aizen asking Baraggan to look at his Zanpakutō. When Aizen asked Baraggan if he was happy in his position and if he would join him in a new world where he would be granted more power, Baraggan dismissed this notion and stated there was no power higher than his. Releasing his Shikai, Aizen showed Baraggan the decimation of his army, thus subjugating him in turn. This created great enmity between Aizen and Baraggan, who promised to seek Aizen's destruction for all eternity.

Sometime after the Hollowfication Incident and during his and Isshin Shiba's time as captains, he, Gin, and Tōsen were still working on their Hollowfication experiments and attempting to locate Shinji's group. He told his co-conspirators to remain patient and reassured them everything would go as planned.

Soon after this, Aizen and his two comrades watched the fight between Isshin and one of their Hollow creations on a monitor, with Aizen wondering why Isshin was present in Naruki City. When Tōsen stated Isshin did not report that he was going and Gin said this could cause them immense trouble, Aizen, intrigued by this interesting turn of events, referred to Isshin's arrival as an unexpected harvest and asked if it was possible for him to watch the battle at a closer distance. Later, when he arrives at the scene of the battle with Gin and Tōsen, the three of them wearing Reiatsu-concealing cloaks, Aizen cut down Isshin from behind. Commenting on the quality of Urahara's cloak and how simply kneading Kidō into it will let the wearer blend into the air, Aizen prepared to leave, stating that Isshin would not be able to use Bankai in his current state and that the Hollow experiment was a failure if a captain could take it out using only their Shikai. After Tōsen expressed his desire to call the sample "White" because this was their first experiment based on a Shinigami's soul, Aizen said it was ironic to call the Hollow "White" because of its inner whiteness while its outside was completely encased in black. After observing the fight for a time, Aizen and his cohorts noticed the involvement of a Quincy in the fight, which surprised the three of them. When Tōsen decided to eliminate her, Aizen stopped him from killing her and eagerly stated they should see what happens next.

Following White's defeat and destruction, Tōsen expressed his shock and frustration at the events, calling it a failure. Calming him down, Aizen said that the results were interesting and expressed curiosity on how events would further unfold.

Aizen became aware of the existence of Ichigo Kurosaki when he was born. Understanding the significance of his birth, Aizen decided to aid Ichigo's development for his plans. To this end, he had Rukia Kuchiki stationed in Karakura Town. Aizen also put into place obstacles which would force Ichigo to grow stronger, including the Hollow which attacked his family and the Menos Grande which appeared when Uryū Ishida used the Hollow bait.

## Personality

Aizen is a polite, soft-spoken intellectual, often addressing his subordinates by their given names. He rarely shows any sign of alarm or distress, and often has entire situations planned out well in advance. Whenever confronted, Aizen is casual and uncaring, attempting to draw out a conversation and make small talk, which often infuriates those he is talking to.

Aizen initially appeared to be a very kind, well-respected captain and was looked up to by many, especially his lieutenant, Momo Hinamori. However, this was just a mask to disguise his manipulative, and very dangerous, nature. In truth, he cares very little for his underlings, and is willing to use almost everyone around him as pawns to achieve his goals. He is willing to stop at nothing to further his ambitions, including manipulating or killing anyone if he deems it to be necessary. He frequently toys with his underlings for amusement.

During his time as a captain, Aizen liked *tofu*, but he disliked boiled eggs. In his free time, he often read, and he gave a special lecture of calligraphy at the Shin'ō Academy because he excelled in this branch of arts. This optional course was immensely popular among the Shinigami students, and many of them felt great sorrow at Aizen's sudden departure.

As the commander of his army of Arrancar, Aizen controls his minions through acquired respect or fear. Ulquiorra Cifer revealed to Orihime Inoue that they are all there to further Aizen's ambitions. Aizen keeps more rowdy individuals like Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez in line through intimidation and mind games. The Arrancar Aisslinger Wernarr claims the Arrancar follow him because he has no fear, something which beings born from fear and despair find inspiring.

Gin Ichimaru has some sense of Aizen's emotions and feelings, correctly pointing out Aizen was enjoying the invasion by Ichigo and his friends and their successes within Las Noches, which Aizen himself confirmed, and noting Aizen was surprised by the arrival of Momo during the battle of Fake Karakura Town. In contrast, Kaname Tōsen has shown no such understanding, and has fallen victim to one of Aizen's more minor mind games when Aizen subtly manipulated him into punishing Grimmjow for him while Aizen himself kept up his appearance of benevolence.

Aizen's true objective was to overthrow the king of Soul Society. As he and his fellow traitor captains were departing from the Soul Society, he told 13th Division Captain Jūshirō Ukitake "*no one has stood on the top of the world*", not even the gods, but he aspires to "*stand on the heavens and end the unbearable vacancy on the world's throne*".

According to Kisuke Urahara, since mastering the Hōgyoku, Aizen has become less cautious in battle, for Aizen would not have allowed Urahara to use level 90 Kidō before he subdued the Hōgyoku. Aizen admits his new powers allow him to let his guard down. Due to this newfound power, Aizen has developed an arrogant and overconfident attitude, often not even thinking his attacks or defense through any longer like he used to, or even bothering to find out the effects of his opponents' and his own attacks. In his newest form, he has developed a severe superiority complex, believing he is now above both Shinigami and Hollows. Because of his superior attitude and high intelligence, Aizen is easily enraged when facing something or someone which he does not understand; for example, when witnessing Ichigo Kurosaki use **Saigo no Getsuga Tenshō**, Aizen becomes furious because he is unable to comprehend how a Human has surpassed him.

By the time he is released from **Muken**, he has reverted to his calm, casual personality, brushing aside Shunsui Kyōraku's praise regarding his current abilities, and somewhat undergoes a change of heart, even being willing to fight against Yhwach and assist Ichigo before returning to **Muken**. He disagrees with Yhwach's philosophy about combining all three planes of existence to eliminate the fear of death and believes that people would never have the courage to move forward against such a threat in Yhwach's world.

## Appearance

When he was a member of the Gotei 13, Aizen appeared as a mild-featured man with brown scholarly hair enhanced by square glasses, along with soft brown eyes. He wore the standard Shinigami uniform with a captain's haori. During his ascent to Hueco Mundo, he removed his glasses and swept his hand through his hair, revealing menacing eyes and a very different hairstyle; his hair is now swept back, with a strand hanging down his face.

In Hueco Mundo, Aizen initially wears Arrancar style-clothes over his *shihakushō*. After Orihime Inoue is taken to Las Noches, Aizen wears full clothing similar in style to the Arrancar, complete with a pink sash around the waist.

Upon his defeat by Ichigo Kurosaki, Aizen loses all of the physical changes made by his transformation and returns to the physical form he had prior to transforming. While imprisoned in Muken, he wears an almost entirely black outfit with white trimming, a large black eyepatch over his right eye and black boots. A tattered white rag is wrapped around his shoulders.

## Skills and Equipment

* **Hōgyoku** (崩玉, *Crumbling Orb*; *Viz* "**Breakdown Sphere**"): Aizen has stated he arrived at the conclusion of the Hōgyoku before Kisuke Urahara, though it ended in failure. In order to finalize the Hōgyoku, the souls of hundreds upon hundreds of Shinigami and hundreds and hundreds of Rukongai citizens who bore Shinigami potential needed to be sacrificed to it, but it still was not satisfied. According to the experimental data, Urahara's Hōgyoku was also incomplete, so Aizen decided to steal this Hōgyoku and present it to his own. Produced as a result of Aizen's Hollowfication research, this Hōgyoku is what gave the Visored their Hollow powers. This process seems to spread as some form of infection through wounds, which only has the desired effects on souls with high amounts of Reiryoku and not souls with low amounts of Reiryoku. Those infected experience great sickness and fatigue until they vomit up a white liquid, which forms the beginnings of their Hollow mask before proceeding to transform their bodies and warp their minds. Other than this, all which is known is the process is accelerated by aggressive emotions. The conclusive result turns a Shinigami into a primarily Hollow-like humanoid, which is a highly unstable transformation causing mindlessness and aggression.

* **Caja Negación** (反膜の匪 (カハ・ネガシオン), *kaha negashion*; Spanish for "*Negation Box*", Japanese for "*Anti-Membrane of Negation*"): This cube traps a subject in an alternate dimension from which there is no escape; however, this assumes it is being used as intended; it was meant to punish weaker Arrancar for disobeying the Espada commanding them. More powerful Arrancar, namely the Espada themselves, can escape, given enough time.

* **Hollow Research and Development**: During his tenure as a Shinigami and after his defection, Aizen spent much time researching Shinigami and Hollows in order to break down the boundaries between them. Because of this, he was able to create Hollows with Shinigami-like abilities. He created Hollows with the ability to hide their Reiatsu like the ones who attacked Renji Abarai, Izuru Kira, and Momo Hinamori during their training, Hollows, like Metastacia, with the ability to shatter a Shinigami's Zanpakutō and fuse with them, and even a Hollow using a Shinigami's soul as a base. However, according to Aizen, all of these ended in failures. After his defection, he began using the Hōgyoku to create Arrancar who were far more powerful than naturally occurring Arrancar. Aizen gave Hollow powers to a Shinigami, namely Kaname Tōsen, who gained both a Hollow's mask and a Resurrección

* **Reiatsu Concealing Cloak**: A cloak created by Urahara which hides the wearer's Reiatsu. Aizen used this cloak to sneak up and attack Isshin Shiba. Aizen states it allows the wearer to blend in with the air around them by incorporating Kidō into the cloak, almost completely concealing them from sight.

**Genius Intellect**: Arguably, the most fearsome trait of Aizen is his tremendous intellect. He is well-versed in the history, strategy, and tactics of Soul Society, and is privy to knowledge unknown to many, such as the existence of the **Ōken** and its method of creation. He has created several Hollows and Arrancar while avoiding any suspicion from the majority of Soul Society. For over 110 years, he had been engaging in experiments involving unique and highly dangerous manipulations of Reiryoku and Reishi, including experiments involving the Hollowfication of Shinigami, something which had never been done before. He has an innate knowledge of the Hōgyoku, rivaling that of its creator, Kisuke Urahara, even knowing how to destroy it. He figured out the true nature of Shinji Hirako's Shikai, allowing him to counter its effect. He effectively deduces the true nature of the Hōgyoku via trial and error of the situations which revolve around it.

* **Master Manipulator**: Aizen has proven himself very crafty and a cunning man since his public betrayal of Soul Society. He can deceive and manipulate others around him in different ways for a variety of purposes. For years, he convinced everyone around him he was a kind-hearted man with the best intentions for Soul Society while performing horrific actions. He has a great talent for analyzing and observing everything in his presence, allowing him to understand a person's pattern of thinking and better manipulate them. He can formulate well thought out plans several steps ahead of others, some of which have a long term in mind. His most well-known plan spans over 110 years, a great accomplishment which involved moving people around like pieces on a chessboard and making sure they played the role he had planned out for them. He is masterful at plans within plans, such as kidnapping Orihime, allowing him to use her abilities to extend the shelf life of the Hōgyoku and lure many of his enemies into Hueco Mundo to trap them, making it easier for him to accomplish the goal invading the Royal Palace.

* **Master Strategist & Tactician**: Aizen has proven himself to be a masterful and flexible tactician, adjusting seamlessly to any given combat situation, if not planning out events well in advance. He understands the strengths, weaknesses and mannerisms of his enemies, and creates strategies to achieve victory; this includes modifying an Arrancar for the sole purpose of defeating Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, a Shinigami whose abilities surpass his own. Despite viewing his power as worlds beyond others, Aizen is highly cautious in battle, placing special protections on himself so as to leave no blind spots.

**Kidō Master**: Aizen has immense proficiency in using Kidō spells. He is well-versed in a variety of Kidō types and skilled enough to use even high-level Kidō without the use of their incantation, such as Hadō #90 to disable 7th Division Captain Sajin Komamura, albeit only at a third of its power. Even during his time as a lieutenant, he could block high-level Hadō spells such as Hadō #88 from the likes of Tessai Tsukabishi, captain of the Kidō Corps and the most proficient Kidō master in Soul Society at the time, with Bakudō #81. He can also produce powerful protection spells while in battle. After his imprisonment in **Muken**, Aizen is able to cast the strongest Kidō at full power effortlessly, including using Hadō #90 while he was still restrained to a Reiatsu-suppressing chair, and Hadō #99, the highest-level offensive spell of all.

**Shunpo Master**: Aizen is so fast, opponents commonly cannot discern even being attacked by him until after it has taken place. Aizen can easily outmaneuver Ichigo's Bankai and Hollow mask-enhanced speed, to the point where he could casually lay a hand on Ichigo's chest and still dodge a point-blank attack. Aizen can dodge simultaneous attacks at close-range and evade Bankai-level techniques, and even when being attacked from behind.

**Master Swordsman**: Aizen is a highly skilled swordsman, with his skill supplemented by his immense strength. He can perform tremendously powerful and precise strikes and cut through very sturdy targets, such as Renji's Shikai and Komamura's Bankai. He cut down four captains (two of which used their Bankai) and four Visored (with three being former captains of Gotei 13) with ease, and easily overpowered a Hollow mask-enhanced Ichigo Kurosaki.

**Hakuda Master**: While preferring to finish his fights quickly with his Zanpakutō or Kidō, Aizen is a highly capable unarmed fighter. Repeatedly, Aizen has caught his opponent's weapons with a single bare hand. While fighting offensively, he exhibits tremendous agility and dexterity, combining both sword and barehanded skills to simultaneously strike with his sword and kick opponents with great force.

**Immeasurable Spiritual Power**: Even by captain standards, Aizen possesses a tremendous amount of Reiryoku. When Aizen noted that the Hōgyoku in its half-awakened state can be fully activated when temporarily fusing with someone with at least twice as much spiritual power as an average captain-level Shinigami, he calmly proved able to do so himself. He claims he is more powerful than all of the Espada. Even after spending a year and a half sealed away in **Muken** and losing most of the powers granted to him by the Hōgyoku, Aizen's Reiatsu increased to the point where restraining him to a Reiatsu-suppressing chair after his release was necessary to keep it in check, and Urahara claims he has become even stronger than when he fought Ichigo. His Reiatsu is violet. His immense Reiatsu is the reason why Aizen was chosen as one of the **5 Special War Powers** by the Wandenreich.

* **Masterful Reiatsu Control**: 2nd Division Lieutenant Marechiyo Ōmaeda stated Aizen's mere presence is monstrously overwhelming. The force of Aizen's Reiatsu is great enough to, without any effort, bring Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, the 6th Espada, to his knees. He has stated it takes a lot for him *not* to "*crush an ant*" (referring to Renji, the Sixth Division lieutenant) in his path. Aizen's Reiatsu is powerful enough to nullify abilities such as Suì-Fēng's **Nigeki Kessatsu**, and allow him to remain conscious under the effects of NaNaNa Najahkoop's **The Underbelly**. After being released from **Muken**, Aizen displays the ability to use his Reiatsu as a shield that can vaporize living beings that come too close to him, similar to his previous forms when fused with the Hōgyoku. He can focus his Reiatsu to break through dense barriers that are permeated with Reishi.

**Immense Strength**: Aizen is strong enough to stop the blade of Ichigo's Bankai with just one index finger (albeit Ichigo was already battle-worn from fighting Byakuya Kuchiki) and almost cut him in half with a single sword strike. He can stop the Shikai of both Renji Abarai and Sajin Komamura with just one hand and destroy the former's with a single swing, proving his strength is more than enough to combat a captain-level opponent. Aizen further displays his strength by cutting through the sword and wrist of Komamura's Bankai. Immediately after Shunsui Kyōraku used one key to remove the seal on Aizen's mouth in **Muken**, Aizen was able to move freely from his bindings without any further intervention from Shunsui.

**Immortality**: Due to his interaction and subsequent fusion with the Hōgyoku, he has gained some degree of immortality, allowing him to regenerate from the damage caused by Ichigo's **Mugetsu** (albeit at the cost of his new Hōgyoku powers) and live past his 20,000 year sentence in **Muken**. He took no damage from using Hadō #90 on himself in an attempt to free himself from the Reiatsu-suppressing chair he was restrained to, despite the technique having destroyed all of Yhwach's remaining eyeball creatures and most of his surroundings. Later, he remained unfazed after being dismembered and impaled by a Soul King-empowered Yhwach, and survived being engulfed by his immense and chaotic Reiatsu.

### Zanpakutō

**Kyōka Suigetsu** (鏡花水月, *Mirror Flower, Water Moon*): In its sealed form, it resembles a normal *katana*. The only decoration is the *tsuba*, which is a hexagon. The two sides parallel to the blade are long, whereas the four sides above and below the blade are shortened, making it into almost a diamond or prism-like shape. It has a green handle.

* **Shikai**: The release command is **"Shatter"** (砕けろ, *kudakero*) and is used to both activate and deactivate it.

**Shikai Special Ability**: The special ability of **Kyōka Suigetsu** is **Kanzen Saimin** (完全催眠, *Complete Hypnosis*). It controls the five senses to the point where it can make the target misinterpret another person's form, shape, mass, feel, and smell to be an enemy's. The initiation condition for the hypnosis is for the enemy to see **Kyōka Suigetsu** at the exact moment it is released. After seeing it just once, this person will completely succumb to the hypnosis every time it is released, regardless of how long ago they saw it, as the Visored remain affected even after 110 years. When Aizen turns off the hypnosis by force of will, the image shown melts away or shatters. The complete hypnosis of **Kyōka Suigetsu** is absolutely flawless; even if the target is aware of being under the hypnosis, they cannot resist its influence. The hypnotic abilities of **Kyōka Suigetsu** make it a highly useful tool in combat, for Aizen can create simple or complex illusions to deceive his opponents. For example, by creating a decoy of himself, or other illusions to distract his opponents, Aizen can hide his own movements and attack with impunity. His opponent will remain focused on the illusion until it is too late to react. After the Hōgyoku disintegrates his Zanpakutō, Aizen is still able to use its illusionary powers, even against Yhwach's **The Almighty**; however, unlike previous usage of the "Complete Hypnosis" granted by his Shikai, Aizen implies that he isn't aware of what Yhwach is perceiving at the time, and would have no control over **Kyōka Suigetsu'**s influence on Ichigo had he been exposed to its release. Additionally, the hypnosis only lasted until Yhwach revived himself.
* **Bankai**: Not Revealed.

## Trivia

* + *"A gaze of a sunny spot."* - Tite Kubo
	+ Aizen's theme songs, as chosen by Tite Kubo, are "Stand Ablaze" by In Flames and "Allegro non troppo", the fourth movement of *Symphony No. 5 in D Minor* by the composer Dmitri Shostakovich.
	+ Aizen was ranked the 13th most popular character in the second character popularity poll, 18th in the third (which also featured his glasses being ranked 47th with 134 votes), 23rd in the fourth, and 11th in the fifth.
	+ **Kyōka Suigetsu** was ranked 18th in the first Zanpakutō poll and 7th in the second.
	+ In the second best bout poll, Aizen's fight with Gin Ichimaru ranked 4th, his fight with Shinji Hirako and his later fight against the Gotei 13 and the Visored both ranked 22nd, his fight against Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi Shihōin in addition to Isshin Kurosaki ranked 38th, his fights with Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto both ranked 41st, his fight with Renji Abarai ranked 58th, and his fight with Zennosuke Kurumadani ranked 83rd.
	+ Aizen had a column in the Seireitei Communication titled *The Yin of the Pine Needle*, which is now suspended.
	+ The Shinigami Women's Association published a Photo Collection showcasing Aizen named *The Smile of the Sun*, but it was cancelled.
	+ The name of Aizen's Zanpakutō, **Kyōka Suigetsu**, hints at its illusionary properties; the moon reflected in water and a flower in a mirror are things which can be seen, but not held. It is a Chinese saying for seeing and desiring something which is a dream which cannot be easily grasped in hand, teaching people about temptations.
	+ In the manga Aizen cut down Hitsugaya before the latter attacked him. In the anime however, Aizen's brief battle with Hitsugaya was extended. Hitsugaya charges at Aizen and impales him with **Daigūren Hyorinmaru**, only to realize he was caught in an illusion cast by **Kyōka Suigetsu**, before being cut down by Aizen.
	+ In the anime, the three guardians Aizen has summoned to Sōkyoku hill weren't shown. Instead, Kūkaku Shiba arrived with Jidanbō Ikkanzaka and used **Raikōhō** to attack Aizen before he was subdued by Yoruichi and Suì-Fēng.