Genryūsai Yamamoto

Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Leader of the Soul Society

Yamamoto is a fair-skinned man of average height. The oldest captain in the Gotei 13, he has aged into a elderly man with a bald head, deep wrinkles, hooked nose, and pronounced cheekbones. He has red eyes, long eyebrows, long mustache, and a hip-length white beard secured by a purple band crossing down it. He has many scars on his body, with the two most prominent being a pair of long scars crossing above his right eye, one of which was left by his battle with his lieutenant. In addition to the standard black shihakushō, he wears a captain's long-sleeved haori draped over his back instead of actually wearing it, with its size being greatly exaggerated. Despite his old and frail demeanor, often standing in a slouch, he in fact has a very muscular and well-defined built, which he only reveals when serious for battle.

As the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Yamamoto is highly respected by most of the Shinigami. The embodiment of conviction, Yamamoto follows the laws and regulations of Soul Society to the letter, and expects the same of others. He is not a man to tolerate insubordination, and is vocal with those who attempt to act in such a manner. He is quick to anger in the face of possible betrayal and can be quite aggressive in combat. He has a habit of referring to those he faces in battle as "youngster", and he refers to a battle as a "beating" or "punishment". When in a state of peace, he carries himself with an air of frailty, to the point where he can fall asleep standing. Due to years of experience, Yamamoto rarely shows any distress, keeping deadly calm. Yamamoto is very loyal to Soul Society, and takes his duties very seriously, expecting the same from the rest of the Gotei 13. Despite his stern and steadfast personality, it is not to say he has no compassion and admiration, even for his enemies.

Around 2,100 years ago, Yamamoto was the "Genryū" Founder and "Genji School" Head Instructor. Yamamoto was himself a teacher at this academy, and personally instructed Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake. He admits to being rather proud of the two. When they became captains, he boasted about them as though they were his sons. During Yamamoto's time as an instructor, Chōjirō Sasakibe routinely visited him, always referring to him as "Eijisai-dono", a reference to the large scar on his forehead, despite knowing it annoyed him. During one of his visits, Chōjirō told Yamamoto he wished to be his right arm and compensate for anything which Yamamoto could not do. When Yamamoto told him to become his disciple, he declined. At Yamamoto's behest, Chōjirō tried to defeat him with his Bankai. Though he failed to defeat him, he left a permanent scar on Yamamoto's forehead, crossing his earlier scar. Approximately 1,000 years ago, Yamamoto founded the Gotei 13, and also became the first Captain-Commander.During which, he sought out Yachiru Unohana, the most diabolical criminal of Soul Society and a master swordswoman, to join the group as one of the founding captains. Around the same time, he battled Yhwach alongside the original captains and Chōjirō, killing several of Yhwach's Quincy subordinates. He managed to defeat Yhwach, but failed to kill him which would result in war 1000 years later. At some point, Yamamoto came across Sajin Komamura and gave him the opportunity to join the Gotei 13, despite him not being a Human soul. 100 years later Yamamoto leads the Gotei 13 through Aizen's betrayal, facing against him and his Arrancar army in Karakura Town and losing his left arm in the process.