The Untold Secrets of Kisuke Urahara: A Fascinating Journey Revealed

Highlights

Kisuke Urahara, proprietor of a shop in the Human World, is a powerful Shinigami with a troubled past and a hidden nature.

Urahara formerly held the position of Captain in the Gotei 13 and was the esteemed creator of the Shinigami Research And Development Institute. Following his unjust expulsion due to Aizen's manipulation, Urahara courageously undertook a daring technique involving a Human soul to restore the wellbeing of Masaki Kurosaki.

Kisuke Urahara has always been a mysterious character in Bleach, never directly involved in significant events yet ever-present. As the owner of a small shop selling Shinigami items in the Human World, Urahara mentored Ichigo Kurosaki in his early days as a Shinigami, teaching him swordsmanship to achieve his Bankai. Although Urahara's outward persona is generally playful, somewhat immature, and occasionally sarcastic, his true nature conceals a troubled past that has shaped his current circumstances.

Urahara is a formidable Shinigami in his own right, employing a calculated approach to his words and expertly manipulating others to serve his own interests, establishing himself as a formidable presence. Previously a Captain of the Gotei 13, Urahara founded and led the Shinigami Research and Development Institute (S.R.D.I.), showcasing his brilliance in Soul Society. With his inventions, including unique Gigai and his own version of the Hogyoku, Urahara earned immense respect until a series of tragic events resulted in his banishment to the Human World and the stripping of his title.

Early Years In The Gotei 13

Kisuke Urahara, along with Yoruichi Shihoin and Tessai Tsukabishi, grew up at the Shihoin Mansion in the Seireitei. Both Urahara and Yoruichi joined the Gotei 13, with Urahara becoming the 3rd Seat of the 2nd Division and the head of the Detention Unit under Yoruichi's leadership in the Onmitsukido. A century before the series began, Captain Kirio Hikifune was promoted to the Royal Guard, leaving a vacancy in the 12th Division.

Urahara was recommended by Yoruichi to fill Hikifune's position, and he successfully passed the Captain's ability test, which was overseen by Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Genri Kuchiki, and Retsu Unohana. He was then promoted to become the Captain of the 12th Division. Additionally, he had to appoint Hiyori Sarugaki as his lieutenant, taking over the role she previously held when Hikifune was Captain.

Although feeling flustered and out of his depth initially, Urahara resolved to meet the challenges of his new role as Captain. Despite a mixed reception to his promotion, particularly from Hiyori who strongly resisted his leadership and the changes he wanted to implement in the 12th Division, he quickly proved his worth. Urahara established the Shinigami Research and Development Institute, becoming its inaugural President, with Mayuri Kurotsuchi serving as Vice-President.

A Scapegoat For Aizen's Crimes

Shortly after becoming a Captain, Urahara took on the task of investigating a series of disappearances in the Rukongai area of Soul Society. Captain Shinji Hirako and Lieutenant Sosuke Aizen alerted him to the situation. Captain Kensei Muguruma requested a researcher to be sent, and Urahara suggested Hiyori, despite her initial hesitation. As Urahara worked on creating a new type of Gigai to stabilize the disappearing souls, he suddenly received news that the investigating team's Reiatsu had vanished. This news sent him into a state of panic.

During an emergency Captain's meeting, Urahara made a request to investigate, but Commander Yamamoto denied his request. Despite this, Urahara decided to defy orders and embarked on the investigation, accompanied by Tessai Tsukabishi, the Captain of the Kido Corps. Upon arriving at the scene, they discovered Aizen and his followers, who were on the verge of killing Captain Shinji Hirako. Urahara questioned Aizen about his motives and received a lackluster response, which led him to realize that Aizen was the mastermind behind the disappearances.

Tsukabishi attempted to use a powerful Kido against them, but it proved ineffective as Aizen and his cronies managed to escape. After assessing the condition of the victims, Urahara concluded that they had undergone Hollowfication. He transported them to his laboratory in an attempt to reverse the process using his version of the Hogyoku. Unfortunately, his efforts were unsuccessful. The next day, Urahara and Tsukabishi were captured, brought before Central 46, hastily convicted, and sentenced to have their powers stripped away and be exiled to the Human World. Fortunately, Yoruichi, in disguise, intervened and rescued them, taking them to a clandestine underground arena. With solid evidence of Aizen's deception, Urahara began creating a Reiatsu-concealing Gigai, enabling him and the Hollowfied Shinigami to escape to the Human World, where he established the Urahara Shop.

Helping Isshin And Masaki Kurosaki

Urahara came across Isshin Shiba, the Captain of the 10th Division, and Ryuken Ishida, a Quincy, engaged in a heated argument. The dispute centered around how to assist Masaki Kurosaki, who had fallen victim to a mysterious ailment caused by a Hollow attack, resulting in a hole in her chest. Urahara recognized this as a consequence of Hollowfication and informed Isshin and Ryuken that it was irreversible. However, he assured them that he had a solution and explained that stabilizing her condition required the insertion of a fragment of a Human soul, which was the opposite of a Hollow.

To accomplish this, Isshin would need to enter a Gigai, a human-like body, and merge his soul with Masaki's, relinquishing his Shinigami powers. Without hesitation, Isshin agreed, and the procedure was a success, ultimately saving Masaki's life. Urahara then helped Isshin adjust to his new life in the Human World and spent the remainder of his days at the Urahara Shop. However, his peace was disrupted with the arrival of Isshin's son, Ichigo Kurosaki, which reignited his conflict with Soul Society.

BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 – The Separation is available to stream on Hulu and Disney+.