Bleach: All 12 Noble Houses & Most Notable Members Explained
Soul Society is a truly special place. It looks a lot like samurai Japan, but it is a place that combines modern technology with a traditional lifestyle. This combination has a lot of influence on the social stratification of the souls living in Soul Society, especially its central part, the Seireitei. Throughout the series, Tite Kubo has provided us with a lot of information about life in Soul Society and the nobility, i.e., the noble houses are one aspect of that lore.
In this article, we will dig deeper into the lore of Kubo’s Bleach as we are about to explain the structure of the Soul Society’s nobility. We are going to tell you about each of the main noble houses, about the lower nobility, as well as about the former noble houses. This is going to be an extensive guide to the nobility of Bleach, and you will be able to find all the information you’re looking for here.
The Nobility of Bleach: An Overview
In this section, we will give you a quick guide to the overall structure of the nobility in Bleach. The Soul Society currently has four great noble families, three of which have been identified (the Shihoin, Kuchiki, and Tsunayashiro families; the latter was revealed in the Can’t Fear Your Own World light novel), while the final remaining ones remain a mystery; the Soul Society initially had a fifth noble family, the Shiba family, but the Shiba lost their status after Kaien’s death.
These families have enormous political influence in Soul Society and are out of the jurisdiction of the Gotei 13. The anime also mentions the Ryōdoji, a former noble family that lost their position 1,000 years ago and is now known as The Dark Ones.
Aside from the four great noble families, there are also many other lower noble houses, some of which have been identified: the Fon family, the Kyoraku family, the Ukitake family, the Omaeda family, and the Kira family. As you can see, these are all well-known names, but we don’t know how much influence they have on the politics in Soul Society. The anime has also revealed that the Kasumiōji and Kannogi families are lower nobility.
The Ise family is also important in the series, but they don’t seem to be nobility in Bleach. Now that you know the structure, we can proceed with the details.
Noble families
Shihoin family
The Shihōin family is one of Soul Society’s four noblest shinigami families. The only known members so far are the 22nd generation head of the family and the first female person to hold the office, Yoruichi Shihōin, and her successor, her younger brother Yūshirō Shihōin, and their ancestor, the first Captain of the 2nd Division of the Gotei 13, Chika Shihōin.
The Shihōin family used to be the captains of the secret troops, and even before Yoruichi took over this position, the title of head of the secret troops merged with that of the Captain of the 2nd Division. However, the exile of Yoruichi broke this monopoly and the assumption of office by Soifon. The Shihōin noble family holds several ancient, powerful artifacts in their possession, including the Shihoin shield, the Tenkoten, and the Heavenly Armor.
Members identified so far include:
| Shihōin Clan | |||
| Name | Title | Relation | Status |
| Chika Shihōin | Unknown | N/A | Deceased |
| Yoruichi Shihōin | 22nd Head of the Shihōin Clan | older sister of Yūshirō | Alive |
| Yūshirō Shihōin | 23rd Head of the Shihōin Clan | younger brother of Yoruichi | Alive |
Kuchiki famly
The Kuchiki family is a Shinigami family from Seireitei in Soul Society. It is one of Soul Society’s four noble families. Not much is known about the history of the Kuchiki family, but it is known that they reside in Kuchiki Manor and that they are charged with keeping the history of the Soul Society.
The head of the family also has a contingent of ninjas at their disposal. Several members of the family have been revealed so far. The Kenseikan and the family scarf are the relics of the Kuchiki family; the Can’t Fear Your Own World light novel reveals that the clan also has an ancestral Zanpakuto named Muramasa, which connects the canon to the anime-only Zanpakuto: Alternative Tales arc.
Members identified so far include:
| Kuchiki Clan | |||
| Name | Title | Relation | Status |
| Byakuya Kuchiki | 28th Head of the Kuchiki Clan | son of Sōjun Kuchiki grandson of Ginrei Kuchiki | Alive |
| Rukia Kuchiki | Noblewoman | adopted sister of Byakuya Kuchiki sister of Hisana Kuchiki | Alive |
| Former Members | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ginrei Kuchiki | 27th Head of the Kuchiki Clan | father of Sōjun Kuchiki grandfather of Byakuya Kuchiki | Unknown |
| Sōjun Kuchiki | Nobleman | father of Byakuya Kuchiki son of Ginrei Kuchiki | Deceased† |
| Unnamed Kuchiki | Noblewoman | mother of Byakuya Kuchiki wife of Sōjun Kuchiki | Deceased† |
| Hisana Kuchiki | Lady of the Kuchiki Clan | wife of Byakuya Kuchiki sister of Rukia Kuchiki | Deceased† |
| Former Members (Anime-Only) | |||
| Kōga Kuchiki | Nobleman | adopted son-in-law of Ginrei Kuchiki | Deceased† |
| Unnamed Kuchiki | Noblewoman | daughter of Ginrei Kuchiki aunt of Byakuya Kuchiki | Unknown |
Tsunayashiro family
The Tsunayashiro family is one of the four noble families of Soul Society; they were introduced and confirmed to be part of the story in the Can’t Fear Your Own World light novel.
The Tsunayashiro family is thought to be the most influential of the four great families, primarily because they have a “survival of the fittest” mentality that constantly pushes them forward. Their primary goal is to oversee the Visuals Department surveillance to ensure that every part of the Soul Society’s history is written down. The family is in charge of keeping the special Zanpakuto, Enrakyōten, which is powerful but also cursed as it permanently reduces the user’s lifespan.
Members identified so far include:
| Tsunayashiro Clan | |||
| Name | Title | Relation | Status |
| Tokinada Tsunayashiro | Temporary Head of the Tsunayashiro Clan | promoted member of branch family | Deceased† |
| Kakyō Tsunayashiro | Noblewoman | wife of Tokinada Tsunayashiro | Deceased† |
Unknown
And while Kubo has revealed or at least provided us with some hints about a person or a character from the series. Some details have been revealed in the manga, while others have been revealed in other works, and rarely, we don’t actually know anything about a certain subject.
But, while most information about the noble families has been revealed, the fourth noble family is still a complete mystery as we actually don’t know absolutely anything about it.
Lower noble houses
Fon family
The Fon family is a lower noble family in Bleach. They are actually connected to the Shihoin family, as they serve them by becoming members of the Onmitsukidō; if a member of the Fon family fails to enter the Onmitsukidō, they are exiled from the family. They generally work as assassins.
Members identified so far include:
| Fēng Family | |||
| Name | Title | Relation | Status |
| Soifon | 9th Head of the Fēng Family | granddaughter of Soifon | Alive |
| Former Members | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Soifon | Noblewoman | Soifon’s Grandmother | Deceased† |
| Unnamed Father | Nobleman/Assassin | Soifon’s Father | Deceased† |
| Unnamed Mother | Noblewoman/Assassin | Soifon’s Mother | Deceased† |
| Unnamed Brother | Nobleman/Assassin | Soifon’s Brother | Deceased† |
| Unnamed Brother | Nobleman/Assassin | Soifon’s Brother | Deceased† |
| Unnamed Brother | Nobleman/Assassin | Soifon’s Brother | Deceased† |
| Unnamed Brother | Nobleman/Assassin | Soifon’s Brother | Deceased† |
| Unnamed Brother | Nobleman/Assassin | Soifon’s Brother | Deceased† |
Kyoraku family
The Kyoraku family is a lower noble family in Bleach, the family from which Captain Kyoraku comes. They are an old family and enjoy a lot of respect in the Seireiti. Nothing else is known about them.
Members identified so far include:
| Kyōraku Family | |||
| Name | Title | Relation | Status |
| Unnamed Father | Head of the Kyōraku Family | father of the Kyōraku Family | Alive |
| Unnamed Mother | Lady of the Kyōraku Family | mother of the Kyōraku Family | Alive |
| Shunsui Kyōraku | Nobleman | 2nd son of the Kyōraku Family | Alive |
| Former Members | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed Brother | Nobleman | 1st son of the Kyōraku Family father of Nanao Ise | Deceased† |
Ukitake family
The Ukitake family is a lower noble family from Bleach, a family from which Captain Ukitake comes from. Not much is known about them, but they seem to be very religious and seemingly have a close bond with Mimihagi, who saved Captain Ukitake’s life when he was a boy.
Members identified so far include:
| Ukitake Family | |||
| Name | Title | Relation | Status |
| Unnamed Brother | Nobleman | unnamed younger brother of Jūshirō | Alive |
| Unnamed Brother | Nobleman | unnamed younger brother of Jūshirō | Alive |
| Unnamed Brother | Nobleman | unnamed younger brother of Jūshirō | Alive |
| Unnamed Brother | Nobleman | unnamed younger brother of Jūshirō | Alive |
| Unnamed Brother | Nobleman | unnamed younger brother of Jūshirō | Alive |
| Unnamed Sister | Noblewoman | unnamed younger sister of Jūshirō | Alive |
| Unnamed Sister | Noblewoman | unnamed younger sister of Jūshirō | Alive |
| Former Members | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Jūshirō Ukitake | Former Head of the Ukitake Family | oldest brother of the Ukitake Siblings | Deceased† |
Omaeda family
The Ōmaeda family is the wealthy family of 2nd Divison Lieutenant Marechiyo Ōmaeda from Rukongai. Most of the known members, save for Marechiyo and his siblings, appear in a Bleach omake where the family celebrates Marechiyo’s birthday. Almost all family members, male or female, look similar to Marechiyo, who is not particularly attractive (although he does not think so).
They also appear almost all plump. The only exception of the family in all these respects is the youngest daughter Mareyo, who is seen by others as pretty and kind but seen as ugly and mistreated by her brother. It should also be noted that all family members have the syllable Mare- in the first place in their first names.
Members identified so far include:
| Ōmaeda Family | |||
| Name | Title | Relation | Status |
| Marenoshin Ōmaeda | Head of the Ōmaeda Family | father of the Ōmaeda Family | Alive |
| Mareka Ōmaeda | Lady of the Ōmaeda Family | mother of the Ōmaeda Family | Alive |
| Marechiyo Ōmaeda | Nobleman | 1st son of the Ōmaeda Family | Alive |
| Maremi Ōmaeda | Noblewoman | 1st daughter of the Ōmaeda Family | Alive |
| Marejirōsaburō Ōmaeda | Nobleman | 2nd son of the Ōmaeda Family | Alive |
| Mareyo Ōmaeda | Noblewoman | 2nd daughter of the Ōmaeda Family | Alive |
Kira family
The Kira family is a low noble family in Bleach. Save for this fact, almost nothing is known about them.
Members identified so far include:
| Kira Family | |||
| Name | Title | Relation | Status |
| Izuru Kira | Nobleman | son of the Kira Family | Alive |
| Former Members | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Kagekiyo Kira | Nobleman | father of Izuru Kira | Deceased† |
| Shizuka Kira | Noblewoman | mother of Izuru Kira | Deceased† |
Kasumiōji family
The Kasumiōji family is a powerful noble family, as only Soul Society’s four noblest shinigami families stand above them. The tradition of the family is that a woman is always the head, as was Rurichiyo Kasumiōji’s mother, the previous head of the family.
The Kasumiōji family has an old and long tradition of blacksmithing, which is why there is also a forge on their land. Gyōkaku Kumoi, a member of this family, used blacksmithing to create an illegal weapon called Bakkōtō, so he also used the family’s forge, which was surrounded by a strong barrier set up by the royal family.
The family has also been served for several generations by a clan of assassins led by Hanza Nukui. Mainly these assassins used the Bakkōtō, except for two Shinigami named Makoto Kifune and Shūsuke Amagai, who had an agreement with Kumoi and thus acquired the bakkōtō. The current leader is Rurichiyo Kasumiōji. Since she is very young, she is supported by her two bodyguards and her fiancé.
Members identified so far include:
| Kasumiōji Family | |||
| Name | Relation | Status | |
| Rurichiyo Kasumiōji | head and true heir of the Kasumiōji throne | Alive | |
Kannogi Family
The Kannogi family is also a lower noble family in Bleach, most often connected to the Kasumiōji family, which appeared in the anime-only arc about Captain Amagai.
Members identified so far include:
| Kannogi Family | |||
| Name | Relation | Status | |
| Shū Kannogi | Rurichiyo Kasumiōji’s fiancé | Alive | |
Former noble houses
Shiba family
The Shiba family is one of the noble families in Soul Society. The former head of the family was Isshin Shiba until he retired to the human world to start his own family. The family was once well respected in Soul Society, but after the death of Kaien Shiba, they lost their position for an unknown reason and are not considered to be nobility anymore, despite being among the five great noble families. The family specializes in fireworks.
Members identified so far include:
| Shiba Clan | |||
| Name | Title | Relation | Status |
| Kūkaku Shiba | Head of the Shiba Clan | sister of Kaien & Ganju | Alive |
| Ganju Shiba | Former Nobleman | brother of Kaien & Kūkaku | Alive |
| Former Members | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaien Shiba | Former Head of the Shiba Clan | older brother of Kūkaku & Ganju | Deceased† |
| Miyako Shiba | Former Lady of the Shiba Clan | wife of Kaien | Deceased† |
| Isshin Shiba | Former Head of a Branch of the Shiba Clan | uncle of Kaien, Kūkaku, & Ganju | Alive |
Ryōdoji family
The Ryōdoji family is a former noble family in Bleach, which was introduced in the Memories of Nobody movie. About a millennium ago, the Ryōdoji family was well respected in Soul Society, but for an unknown reason, they lost their status as a noble family and were exiled from the Seireitei forever, being known as the “Fallen” since then.
The Dark Ones, as they were named later, sought to use the power of the Blanks from the Valley of Screams to destroy the Seireitei as an act of revenge.
Members identified so far include:
| Ryōdoji Family | |||
| Name | Relation | Status | |
| Ganryū | head of the Ryōdoji Family and leader of the Dark Ones. | Deceased† | |
| Riyan | member of The Dark Ones and Ganryū’s second in command | Deceased† | |
| Jai | Member of The Dark Ones. | Deceased† | |
| Benin | Member of The Dark Ones. | Deceased† | |
| Bau | Member of The Dark Ones. | Deceased† | |
| Mue | Member of The Dark Ones. | Deceased† | |
