Division 5

Captain: Shinji Hirako. Lieutenant: Gijouhei Shintaku.

Quote: "The World of the Living would be unprotected if it weren't for the 5th Division. They're the real guardians of wayward souls."

Role: The 5th Division has the responsibility of coordinating all teams of Shinigami who visit the human world. The Grand Senkaimon—the largest and most well-protected entrance to Soul Society—is located right next to their division’s headquarters. While the 13th Division operates the Kidō-based function of the gate, which is large enough to send an army of Shinigami through, the 5th Division organizes its use and maintains contact with all individuals and squads that pass through. They coordinate ground teams in the human world and make sure that all sectors are adequately protected. Although all Shinigami are expected to visit the human world and pacify souls during their career, more 5th Division members are assigned to this task than any other group. The vast majority of their forces are away from Soul Society at any given time.

5th Division Shinigami are generally accepted based on their performance in the World of the Living during their time in the Shinō Academy. Whether or not one is a master of Zanjutsu matters little to their selection process; they are more interested in that individual's drive to protect the human race from Hollow, the sacred duty of the Shinigami. Those who put themselves in the way of danger in order to save a Plus are almost always requested by the division. Many are also transferred for their skill in organization. It takes a certain kind of mind to keep track of which division sent troops to which sector of the human world. It becomes far harder during wartime, when bureaucracy is thrown into chaos. These individuals are tasked with remaining calm and doing their job.