Ailin

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Ailin (艾林)
Species/Race	Shinigami; reincarnated salaryman
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Gotei 13; Eleventh Division; formerly Second and Sixth Divisions; Kuchiki Clan by marriage
Occupation/Role	Captain of the Eleventh Division; former Vice-Captain of the Second Division and Captain of the Sixth Division
Status	Active
First Appearance	Bleach's Infinite Blade Works, Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Fifth Rank Reiatsu	1	Awakens and names his Zanpakutō, Unlimited Blade Works; its gestation raises his Reiatsu by one level.
Vice-Captain level	6	Forging Kisaragi Taiho's Bankai-capable Zanpakutō raises him from near the fourth tier to the third tier.
Second Division Vice-Captain	16	Defeats Marechiyo Ōmaeda and is appointed Vice-Captain; forging Yoruichi, Urahara, and Ōmaeda's Zanpakutō further amplifies his Reiatsu.
Captain-level Reiatsu and Bankai	36 42	Completes Bankai training and later possesses Captain-level Reiatsu.
Sixth Division Captain	43	Transfers to the Sixth Division as Vice-Captain, then succeeds Ginrei Kuchiki after his retirement.
Eleventh Division Captain	96	Returns to captaincy as the Eleventh Division's captain, shifting from the Sixth Division's “order” to the Eleventh's “battle.”
Hollowfication—first stage completed	421	Hollow Lin's third Hōgyoku fusion allows its Reiatsu to penetrate Ailin's, completing the first stage of Ailin's Hollowfication training.

Background / History

Ailin initially entered the Second Division through Furuta Aoki, who recruited him after he failed to qualify for the Gotei 13 upon graduating from the True Zero Spirit Arts Academy. Aoki continued protecting and supporting him through roughly thirty years of service, even arranging potential posts for him should his challenge against Marechiyo Ōmaeda fail. 10 9

After twenty-four years of waiting, Ailin awakened Unlimited Blade Works. He immediately recognized that forging identical Zanpakutō was forbidden and concealed the true nature of his ability. Each forged sword provided its owner's accumulated combat experience and increased his Reiatsu, rapidly improving his Zanjutsu, Shunpo, Kidō, and Hakuda. 1

His forging of Kisaragi Taiho's Zanpakutō elevated him to Vice-Captain level. Seeking access to stronger weapons and greater influence, Ailin challenged Ōmaeda, defeated him, and became the Second Division's Vice-Captain. 6 16

Ailin later accepted Ginrei Kuchiki's arrangement to join the Sixth Division, became engaged to Haruko Kuchiki, and eventually succeeded Ginrei as captain. After leaving the Sixth Division, he became Captain of the Eleventh Division, where he emphasized battle and trained his subordinates to keep pace with his Shunpo. 43 96

Appearance

Ailin wears a captain's haori while serving as a division captain. During his return as Eleventh Division Captain, the “Six” of his former Sixth Division haori had been replaced by “Eleven.” 96

• Previously wore two Star-tethering hairpins and an expensive red Flower-wind-sara around his neck; both were absent by the time he returned as Eleventh Division Captain. 96
• His Reikaku manifested in golden armor after discarding its Shinigami uniform and captain's haori. 254

Personality

Ailin is ambitious, methodical, and intensely devoted to self-improvement. He treats strength as the surest protection for both himself and those close to him, while deliberately seeking encounters with powerful figures to expand Unlimited Blade Works. 6 42

He is protective of Haruko Kuchiki and prioritizes her above his relationship with the Kuchiki Clan. When Ginrei's actions endangered her, Ailin severed his ties with the clan and left Soul Society to find her. 83

Despite his power, he is capable of empathy and mentorship. He heals defeated opponents, safeguards civilians and wounded allies, and trains younger Shinigami without demanding that they live according to his wishes. 16 263 297

Abilities & Skills

Unlimited Blade Works

Ailin's Zanpakutō and inner world allows him to forge known Zanpakutō, gain their owners' combat experience, and increase his Reiatsu through completed creations. 1

• Can forge copies of Zanpakutō and reproduce their abilities. 1
• Forged weapons can provide decades or centuries of their owners' combat experience. 1
• The stronger the forged Zanpakutō, the greater the Reiatsu feedback. 1 6
• Can create a sword-filled inner world and freely manipulate Reishi within it. 330
• Requires Ailin to construct and personally accept an imagined growth history for difficult-to-forge weapons with limited source knowledge. 88

Analysis, Projection, and Enhancement

Unlimited Blade Works grants Ailin the ability to analyze objects, project replicas, and temporarily enhance projections to the strength of the original. 263

• Projection is not limited solely to weapons, though projected non-sword items are one level below their originals. 263
• Projections dissipate into Reishi after their spiritual power is exhausted. 263
• Enhancement temporarily raises a projection to the genuine article's level. 263
• Used analysis of the Anti-Membrane to create Avalon. 102

Zanpakutō Arsenal

Ailin can wield a vast range of forged Zanpakutō and has demonstrated multiple Bankai-level weapons. 83 256

• Tetsusaiga — an incomplete early release that multiplies his Reiatsu and produces wind slashes; its scabbard can deploy a barrier. 13 17
• Heaven-Piercing Sword — Bankai used to counter Hibiki Hoshino's illusions. 39
• Heaven's Chain — captures multiple targets at once; used against the Death Warriors attacking the Shiba family. 239
• Sacred Banner — forms protection around Karakura Town to contain collateral damage from his battle with Aizen. 256
• Piercing Death-Scythe Spear — Bankai attack that forced Aizen to defend with several Dankū barriers. 256
• Treasure of the King — projects over a hundred Zanpakutō simultaneously and can use released weapons for greater force. 133
• Shadow Blade — creates a clone from a severed limb; the resulting clone has weaker Reiatsu than Ailin. 184

Shinigami Four Skills

Ailin is a master of Zanjutsu, Shunpo, Hakuda, and Kidō. 57

• Zanjutsu — can cut through several hills with a single strike; his swordsmanship later reaches A++ rank as a Servant. 57 431
• Shunpo — surpasses Yoruichi's according to Yoruichi and Urahara; employs the Shunpo-Zanjutsu technique Flash Blossom. 62 96
• Hakuda — can evade and defend against Byakuya's attacks without injury. 57
• Kidō and Kaidō — uses restraint, healing, defensive, offensive, and barrier spells; Urahara believes he can omit incantations for high-level Kidō. 4 57 83

Hollowfication

Ailin uses Hollow Ailin/Hollow Lin, created through the Hōgyoku and his Reikaku, as a source of additional Hollow Reiatsu. 420 421

• Hollow Lin possesses enhanced Hierro, regeneration, and Cero. 421
• Ailin's own Reiatsu overwhelms Hollow Ailin during training, allowing him to suppress its Cero with one hand. 420
• The black-and-red Hollow Reiatsu can merge with Ailin's golden Reiatsu and elevate it to a higher dimension when needed. 474
• Hollow Ailin continually identifies unnamed Zanpakutō in Unlimited Blade Works to expand Ailin's foundation and Reiatsu. 474

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Avalon — a scabbard Ailin created after analyzing the Anti-Membrane; intended as protection for himself and others. 102
• Excalibur — created to complement Avalon, using Tetsusaiga and Heaven-Piercing Sword as templates for wind and light. 103
• Hōgyoku — acquired after defeating Aizen; used in the growth of Ailin's clone and Hollow Ailin. 187 194
• King's Seal — associated with Ailin's past missions and spatial power. 120 458

Relationships

• Haruko Kuchiki — wife and the person Ailin most fiercely protects; their relationship began after he secretly escorted her home from izakayas. 19 277
• Furuta Aoki — former squad leader and benefactor who recruited Ailin into the Second Division and protected his future. 10
• Shihoin Yoruichi — former captain and friend; appointed Ailin as her Vice-Captain after his victory over Ōmaeda. 16 344
• Kisuke Urahara — ally and fellow researcher; Ailin gained Kidō experience and a barrier concept from Urahara's Zanpakutō. 17 102
• Ginrei Kuchiki — former father-in-law and predecessor as Sixth Division Captain; their relationship collapsed over Ginrei's actions against Haruko. 43 83
• Byakuya Kuchiki — nephew-in-law and disciple; Ailin trained him in the inner world and helped him reach Bankai. 65 79
• Rukia Kuchiki — disciple trained by Ailin in Kidō and combat principles; later challenges him to gauge the difference between them. 194 330
• Gin Ichimaru — disciple whom Ailin encouraged to become a Shinigami after saving Rangiku. 98
• Sui-Feng — former Second Division colleague; their interactions remain familiar and playful after Ailin leaves the division. 9 79
• Aizen Sōsuke — adversary whose Zanpakutō and memories Ailin synchronizes with; Ailin later impersonates him to manipulate his followers and plans. 186
• Hollow Ailin / Hollow Lin — Ailin's Hollow counterpart and eventual “mount,” tasked with strengthening his arsenal. 421 474

Story Role / Major Arcs

Rise in the Second Division

Ailin awakens Unlimited Blade Works, uses its forging feedback to reach Vice-Captain level, challenges Ōmaeda, and takes the position of Second Division Vice-Captain. 1 6 16

Kuchiki Alliance and Sixth Division Captaincy

His friendship with Haruko develops into an alliance with the Kuchiki Clan. He becomes Haruko's fiancé, transfers to the Sixth Division, and succeeds Ginrei as captain. 31 43

Eleventh Division Captain

After returning as Eleventh Division Captain, Ailin turns the division into a battle-oriented force, confronts Aizen's Hollow experiments, and protects Matsumoto Rangiku. 96 98

Aizen Conflict

Ailin defeats and imprisons Aizen within Unlimited Blade Works, synchronizes with Illusion to access Aizen's memories, and impersonates Aizen to redirect his operations. 184 186

Hollowfication and Reikaku War

Ailin confronts Reikaku versions of Soul Society's officers, gives Reikaku Ailin a Hōgyoku, and begins Hollowfication training with Hollow Ailin. 414 420

Holy Grail War

Manifesting as Berserker, Ailin fights Servants through swordsmanship and Unlimited Blade Works, changes Masters from Kariya Matou to Sakura Matou, and seeks to analyze Noble Phantasms including Avalon and Ea. 437 441 458 461

Trivia

• Ailin's essence is described as “Sword,” while the characteristic that nurtured Unlimited Blade Works is “space.” 216 414
• He believes that learning the name of every sword in Unlimited Blade Works would allow his strength to continue increasing as long as swords exist. 414
• Ailin's reputation as a mentor is so prominent that many Shinigami believe training under him can produce Captain-level fighters. 154 165
• A saying in Seireitei claims that Ailin may tolerate personal offenses, but anyone who makes Haruko unhappy will quickly lose the ability to be happy themselves. 344