Mayuri Kurotsuchi/Anime Continuity (2024)

Mayuri Kurotsuchi (涅 マユリ, Kurotsuchi Mayuri) is the captain of the 12th Division in the Gotei 13 and 2nd president of the Shinigami Research Institute. His previous lieutenant is Nemu Kurotsuchi, his artificially-created "daughter". He formerly served as the 3rd Seat of the 12th Division under Kisuke Urahara.

Personality[]

Despite being a Captain of the Gotei 13, Mayuri withheld vital information about the Bounts from the other Shinigami in order to capture one as a research subject for himself.^[2]

Plot[]

Bount arc (anime only)[]

Mayuri appears again during the Bount Invasion of Karakura Town, he is in his office when he is approached by 8th Division Captain Shunsui Kyōraku in reference to having any information on the Bounts. Mayuri flat out refuses to share any information with the inquisitive captain. Not long after Kyōraku leaves, Mayuri finds that all his files on the subject have been erased.^[2] Mayuri later calls a meeting of the captains and informs them that there is a traitor among them whom has erased the information from his database, not realizing it was former 11th Division member Maki Ichinose.^[3] Mayuri explains to the captains the history of the Bounts. Telling a story about a war between the Quincy and the Bounts, which ended in a Bount defeat. The biggest incident to come out of this defeat is the Bounts consuming living souls to increase their power. Mayuri then deduces that the number of people will increase as the Bounts become more active.^[4]

Mayuri finds the information on the Bounts and wanting a Bount test subject, he sends Nemu to give Uryū an artifact that will temporarily restore his Quincy powers in exchange for helping the Bount to reach Soul Society (which he assumes will occur).^[4] Meanwhile General Yamamoto begins suspect Mayuri of treason and send Byakuya to search in his families archives for information on the Bounts.^[5]

When the Bounts attack Soul Society, Mayuri decides to prove his loyalty by defeating one of the Bount, Sawatari. Sawatari attacks Mayuri with his doll, Baura, and manages to rip Mayuri's left arm off. Mayuri regenerates his arm with his medicine, and uses his Zanpakutō to paralyze Sawatari's doll, Baura. Mayuri then stabs Sawatari in the right arm. Baura then manages to overcome the paralysis to retreat with Sawatari into another dimension. Sawatari surfaces in another location in Seireitei, and Mayuri appears, revealing that he made a scanner to track the Bount. Sawatari attacks Mayuri with the power of other Shinigami that Baura absorbed in previous battles. Mayuri is forced to use his Bankai, and kills Sawatari. The confrontation leaves him severely injured afterwards, largely due to his persistence in trying to capture the Bount alive at first.^[6]

The New Captain Shūsuke Amagai arc (anime only)[]

Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc (anime only)[]

Captain Kurotsuchi is in attendance on Sōkyoku Hill when an emergency meeting of many ranking Shinigami is called. However, he openly complains about the Captain-Commander ordering the meeting at such a late hour. When Muramasa makes himself known to the Shinigami, he announces that Captain Yamamoto is no longer there. Captain Sajin Komamura is disturbed by this news and attacks Muramasa, only to see his own Bankai go rogue and attack him instead. Witnessing this turn of events, many captains and lieutenants attempt to release their own Zanpakutō, but fail. Upon inspecting his own katana, Kurotsuchi notes that he can no longer feel its Reiatsu. As President of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute, he is intrigued by Muramasa's powers and eagerly asks what he has done to accomplish such a feat. Muramasa flatly explains that he has cast a spell which "freed" the Zanpakutō Spirits from their "prisons." Shortly thereafter, Ashisogi ji*zō materializes out of thin air in front of a dumbfounded Mayuri. But after a brief inspection of the spirit, the captain appeared relaxes, wearing a contented smile, a feeling not shared by any of the others present.^[9]

Later, while experimenting on himself, Mayuri discovers that the Zanpakutō have become completely different entities from the Shinigami. After experimenting on the captured Zanpakutō Spirit, Gegetsuburi, he discovers that if a Shinigami defeats or kills their respective Zanpakutō, the Zanpakutō will return to them, but if it is defeated by somebody else, it will not. If it's killed by someone else, it will revert to Shikai form, break in half. After the Zanpakutō Spirits and Captain Byakuya Kuchiki attack the Sixth Division's headquarters, Kurotsuchi arrives and detonates Ashisogi ji*zō as it is restrained by Kenpachi, effectively subduing his Zanpakutō. As Kurotsuchi attempts to "treat" Ichigo of Ashisogi ji*zō's poison, Unohana appears to take over from the fellow captain. He explains that he will use the broken Zanpakutō to learn about how Muramasa's brain-washing technique works.^[10] Later, Kurotsuchi completes his analysis of Muramasa's powers and begins undoing the brainwashing of the Zanpakutō Spirits, allowing the freed ones to rejoin their Shinigami partners in the Real World to fight Muramasa.^[11]

Beast Swords arc (anime only)[]

During everyone's rest and partying from the recent chaos, strange beings appear at the Kuchiki Manor and cause much destruction. After killing one of them, Byakuya and Rukia go to Kurotsuchi for answers. Mayuri reveals that he never stated that the Zanpakutō Spirits would be returned to their original state. He calls out a restored Ashisogi ji*zō to show that they can still be summoned. He explains that several of the spirits that Muramasa manifested were not recaptured and were able to kill their masters. Kurotsuchi goes on to say that rather than dying with their partners, they changed into new creatures he deemed "Tōjū". After warning them that these rogue spirits can access their full power, equal to a Bankai, at any time, he asks them with great delight to bring back one, alive, for him to analyze. Later, Rukia succeeds in capturing one and has it sent to Kurotsuchi, who responds with great glee.^[12] Despite his joy in analyzing them, he holds no interest in actually reversing the process from Tōjū to Zanpakutō, until he feels obligating by accepting various sweets as a bribe from Lieutenant Nanao Ise. As he begins his research, he notices something about the broken Tōjū sword that catches his interest.^[13] Mayuri later accompanies the staff of the SDRI on field research. Upon their return, they discover that the SDRI's buildings have been ruined by Senbonzakura and Zabimaru, greatly annoying Mayuri.^[14]

Gotei 13 Invading Army arc (anime only)[]

Mayuri is called to Yamamoto's office, where the Captain-Commander asks for his opinion on the missing lieutenants. He then explains that they have to be in the Human World, as there is no record of them returning via the Dangai. Mayuri becomes infuriated when Hitsugaya implies that the 12th Division's S.R.D.I. missed something. When Lieutenants Nanao Ise and Rangiku Matsumoto are confirmed to have returned, in which they believe that only three hours have passed since their disappearance, he realizes that Hitsugaya is correct.^[15]

Captain-Commander Yamamoto then calls an emergency captains meeting, where Mayuri Kurotsuchi explains that there is a gradually expanding time-gap between the Human World and Soul Society. Mayuri then requests for a study to be made in this new phenomena to identify its cause, which is concerning him. Yamamoto places Mayuri in charge, whilst 11th Division Captain Kenpachi Zaraki is assigned for security. In the Dangai, Mayuri berates Akon on the lateness of the connection, explaining that the cause of the disturbance is indeed man-made. Mayuri shouts at Yachiru and Kenpachi to be quiet. As Nemu's survey equipment starts fluctuating, as a bright light erupts from the Dangai wall, enveloping Mayuri and the other Shinigami.^[15]

Mayuri later appears with other members of the Gotei 13 after they escape from the Dangai. He tells Inaba that for an underling, he pulled off a pretty big stunt. Inaba smiles and gets excited that he is there. Mayuri then says that he will make Inaba pay a million times over.^[16] After Inaba flees, Mayuri joins other members of the Gotei 13 in Ichigo's room for a meeting. Mayuri states that Inaba is the 7th seat of his division and the head of Dangai research in the S.R.D.I. He then explains that Inaba manipulated the Kōtotsu so that it would intercept them as they entered the Dangai in order to confine them while he replaced them with Reigai. He outlines the danger Inaba presents to the integrity of the Gotei 13, as Ichigo speculates why Inaba tried so desperately to capture Nozomi. Mayuri presents the conclusion that he may have placed something inside her body, akin to the Hōgyoku previously sealed inside Rukia's Gigai.^[17]

As Inaba calls forth his Reigai to protect him, Mayuri, disguised as his Reigai arrives. After Inaba backs off, Mayuri stabs him in the back, revealing himself to his subordinate and taunting him.^[18] Mayuri later reveals that when the Reigai lieutenants enter the Human World, Mayuri hides in the Dangai and defeats his Reigai counterpart with a surprise attack. He then posed as the Reigai through the use of contact lenses and a Reigai bracelet, infiltrating Soul Society. As he stabs Inaba, a though process interrupting drug is injected into his system. Mayuri uses his extendable arm to grab his neck and tie him up. Inaba manages to free himself from Mayuri's arm, prompting Mayuri to praise his combat ability. Mayuri reveals that he was stalling for time and offers to keep his eyes closed as he walks towards Inaba so that the later may attack him. Inaba does not attack and Mayuri stabs him once he is close enough. He explains about the drug to Inaba, who is confused about how he can move his body, but yet was unable to avoid Mayuri's simple attack.^[19]

As Mayuri torments Inaba, Suì-Fēng demands that he hurry up and finish him off. The Reigai of Isane Kotetsu comes to Inaba's aid, forcing Mayuri back. However, Inaba attacks and defeats the Reigai, prompting Mayuri to comment that his emotions have gotten the better of him now that he cannot think clearly. Inaba grabs the Mod-Soul pill from the remains of the dead Reigai, surprising Mayuri. Hitsugaya asks if it is a Gikon, but Mayuri reveals that it is a Modified Soul. Inaba swallows the pill and is ejected from his body, which he reveals to be a Reigai. Mayuri theorizes that he forced the Modified Soul he swallowed to take the effects of the drug. He forces Mayuri back and the Reigai return to his side. Inaba claims that he was the one who developed the Mod-Souls, which Mayuri dismisses as a lie. Inaba angrily decries this and reveals how advanced the research into Modified Souls was. He destroys the Reigai Reiatsu-limiters, prompting them to release their full power as several Reigai that had already been defeated appear. Mayuri explains that as long as their core form, the pill, is preserved, their bodies can be replaced. Inaba tells Mayuri that not even he could create Reigai that could withstand such Reiatsu. The Reigai engage in a grand melee with the captains. Mayuri is then intercepted by the Shikai of Reigai-Sajin Komamura.^[19] Eventually, Mayuri and the other captains are forced to retreat. Later, they return in time to help Ichigo and Kisuke against their Reigai pursuers.^[20]

While the other captains engage the enemy, Mayuri stays on the sideline, hoping that the Reigai won't be damaged too much so he can study them later. Reigai-Unohana soon insults him for not joining the fight. This prompts Mayuri to have an "active test" on her, as he always disliked the real Unohana. He is intercepted by Retsu-Unohana's Shikai and then captured by a "Sajō Sabaku" spell, only for him to cut off his arm and start regrowing it. While Mayuri laughs at Reigai-Unohana's failed attempt, Reigai-Kenpachi attacks from behind and slices off his other arm, causing Mayuri to collapse in shock.^[21] Later, it is revealed that Mayuri faked his death and liquefied himself to escape the battle. He then goes to join Kisuke and helps him defeat the Reigai-Kisuke.^[22]

Inventions[]

• Bount Sensor: Mayuri has created a simple Bount sensor. Though not as powerful as Urahara's equivalent mod soul versions, it is far more effective once properly calibrated.^[23]

• Thought Inhibitor Drug: Mayuri concocts a special drug which can stop thought processes from occurring within the brain. Stored in a purple vial, it can be injected into an individual via Mayuri's Zanpakutō. This drug restricts the individual's control over all motor functions, as is the case when Kagerōza Inaba is rendered unable to evade a simple attack from Mayuri. It also can cause the individual's emotions to go out of control. This drug causes the affected individual's eyes to glow with a purple tint.^[19]

References[]