Zaraki Kenpachi is the current captain of the 11th Division in the Gotei 13. He is the eleventh Kenpachi to hold the position. His first lieutenant was Yachiru Kusajishi and his current lieutenant is Ikkaku Madarame.
Appearance: Zaraki is a very tall, muscular Shinigami with a wild and aggressive appearance with height at 202 cm (6'7.5") and weighing in at 90 kg (198 lbs). He has a long face with pronounced cheekbones, and pronounced, hairless brow ridges. He has green eyes and long, stringy black hair. A noticeable trait in his appearance is a long, thin scar running down the left side of his face and across his left eye, inflicted on him by Retsu Unohana while he was still a child.
In addition to the standard Shinigami shihakushō, he wears white bandages across his midsection and a sleeveless captain's haori (which belonged to the previous captain and was taken after his defeat), which has a ragged look to it. He styles his hair into stiff strands during his baths, attaching small bells at its tips, and wears a special black eyepatch over his right eye. During his first battle with Ichigo, the eyepatch is more elegant, having a gold-like lining and a chain as one of the straps. He also wore a black choker necklace. Later, he removed the choker and gave his eyepatch normal straps.
Personality: Although he is known to be a violent fighter, Zaraki's actions tend to be for the best. Zaraki lives for battle, and enjoys a good fight more than anything. He even holds back in an effort to make any fight last longer. He claims injury and death are nothing but the price one pays for a good fight. Despite his tendency to be brutal, Zaraki usually stops a fight if his opponent is too injured to fight back, not interested in fighting "weaklings who can't fight anymore", and he does not feel obligated to deal a death blow to anyone who cannot fight any longer. However, he will unhesitatingly kill his opponent if they refuse to stop fighting, such as during his battles with Kaname Tōsen and Nnoitra Gilga. He also takes his title as Kenpachi seriously, telling Gremmy Thoumeaux that there is nothing the latter can create that he cannot cut because the power his title implies is not to be taken lightly.
Zaraki strongly believes fun comes before working. One example is when Zaraki sends his 5th seated officer, Yumichika, to fend off the Bount in Karakura Town, as he is the only high-ranking officer who is not busy, or rather, busy having fun, as Yachiru was snacking and Ikkaku was napping. During his free time, Zaraki always takes his afternoon nap. He does not have a particularly favorite dish, but he particularly hates nattō.
Zaraki regularly shows great respect to those who can push his limits or even defeat him. Ever since Ichigo Kurosaki handed him his first known loss since against Retsu Unohana, Zaraki has considered Ichigo a member of his Division. Despite Ichigo's refusal to engage in a rematch with Zaraki as he considers him an ally, Zaraki constantly expresses his desire for it every time they meet. He also aided Ichigo in his fight against the Bount, doing so as it would make Ichigo stronger for "their anticipated fight". Zaraki also holds great respect for Unohana, the only person he ever admired, as she was the first person to make him experience the thrill of battle, eadily acknowledging they are very much alike, and is brought to tears at the thought of being unable to beat her before he dies. pon inadvertently killing Unohana, Zaraki was reduced to screaming and begging for her to not die.
Zaraki sometimes contradicts his own logic in fighting. While wishing to grow stronger, he use various methods to restrain his might to make the fight longer and tougher, including fighting with only one hand. Although he thrives for battle, Zaraki is capable of showing complex emotions. Zaraki and his lieutenant, Yachiru, have been close ever since they met, and have a father-daughter-like relationship, making Yachiru one of the few people he cares for. However, he has stated if his subordinates interfere in his fights, he will "cut them up first". Aside from Yachiru, Zaraki deeply gives meaning to his name. Following his fight with Ichigo, Zaraki talks about the pain of not having a name, as he lived his early years without one. This causes him to feel guilty his sword is not acknowledged by its own name. Since then, he has strived to learn its identity.
Equipment: Eyepatch Power Seal: While unneeded, Zaraki wears an eyepatch he requested the Shinigami Research and Development Institute to create. In addition to reducing his depth perception and range of vision, it also seals the bulk of his Reiryoku. He wears this because he loves fighting so much that he cannot fight most opponents at full strength and enjoy it, as he would defeat them too quickly, to which he is still at least on par with most opponents while wearing it.
Reiatsu Bells: In order to further give the enemy an advantage, Zaraki wears bells on each spike of his hair. These bells can only be heard by enemies whose Reiatsu is concentrated to the point where it can actually defeat Zaraki. Sometime after Aizen's defeat, Zaraki stopped wearing them.
Powers and Abilities: Specialized Combatant, Highly Perceptive Combatant, Master Swordsman, Expert Hand-to-Hand Combatant, Immeasurable Spiritual Power, Immense Strength, Immense Speed, Immense Endurance, Immense Durability.
Zanpakutō- Nozarashi (Weather-Beaten One): Zaraki was able to imprint onto his Zanpakutō while still an untrained child. The blade is much longer than a standard Zanpakutō's, roughly the size of a nodachi, with a relatively narrow, but long tsuba shaped like a serrated, eliptical bicone. The hilt and braid are both white, though they are mostly wrapped in white bandages, as is his sword's saya. Originally, Zaraki was the only person in the history of the Gotei 13 who did not know the name of his Zanpakutō before becoming a captain, nor could he perform either of his blade's released states. Zangetsu noted Zaraki's disharmony with his sword caused the two to damage each other's powers; consequently, Zaraki could not hear the cry of his sword. Their disharmony left it with little spiritual energy and became easier to damage; the blade is chipped and seemingly worn-down upon its edge. Despite its appearance, Nozarashi can easily cut through most objects: with it, Zaraki stabs straight through Ichigo's Zanpakutō, and later slices a building in half with no apparent effort after releasing his full power. After his fight with Ichigo, Zaraki wished to learn more about his Zanpakutō because he wanted to become stronger and could identify with the pain of not having a name. Later, upon defeating Retsu Unohana in battle and awakening his true strength, Zaraki finally was able to hear his Zanpakutō's voice.
Powered up.
Shikai: Before Zaraki knew its name, it was believed by Soul Society that Zaraki's overwhelming Reiatsu was forcing Nozarashi into a constantly released state due to its more elaborate design. Its release command is Drink. Upon release, Nozarashi takes on the form of a great axe/war cleaver hybrid with a long, cloth-wrapped handle. The top of the blade has a brass cover with a green tassel attached to the backside.
Shikai Special Ability: In its released state, Nozarashi possesses tremendous additional attack power, easily destroying a huge meteorite with a single attack. Its cutting power is also greatly enhanced, allowing Zaraki to effortlessly cut through the bodies of his opponents and even through space itself.
Bankai: Unnamed: Upon activation, Zaraki's Bankai releases a huge wave of energy powerful enough to level nearby buildings. In this form, Zaraki's skin turns red, and he gains multiple black markings across his face and horns on his forehead, causing him to resemble an oni. His blade becomes an altered version of its Shikai state, with a shorter, more jagged blade resembling a rough cleaver.
Bankai Special Ability: Zaraki's Bankai grants him a tremendous increase in physical strength and cutting power, allowing him to effortlessly topple a gigantic Gerard Valkyrie with a single blow, rip off his arm in a single motion, and cut him completely in half from a considerable distance.