Shinji Hirako captains the Gotei 13's 5th Division, with Momo Hinamori as his lieutenant. He previously held this position over a century ago before exile from the Soul Society, orchestrated by his then-lieutenant Sousuke Aizen. During exile, he led the Visored – Shinigami-Hollow hybrids – later reclaiming his captaincy after Aizen's defeat. His appearance features brown eyes and jaw-length, asymmetrically cut blonde hair. As an early captain, he wore long hair reaching his lower back, standard Shinigami robes, and a haori. Post-exile, he adopted modern attire like a newsboy cap and long coat before returning to modified Shinigami robes: a white robe fastened at the front and a cravat clasped by a silver slide. He also has a pierced ring in his tongue. Personality-wise, Shinji presents an easygoing, comical front, often speaking in a Kansai dialect and provoking his associate Hiyori Sarugaki. Beneath this levity lies sharp perception; he harbored suspicions about Aizen during their service together, partially seeing through his illusions – a trait Aizen found intimidating. In combat or serious situations, Shinji becomes calm and strategic. Approximately 110 years ago, Shinji attended Kisuke Urahara's captain promotion ceremony and advised him on managing Hiyori, who resented Urahara replacing her mentor. During this period, Shinji confronted Aizen after catching him spying, revealing his distrust. Nine years later, investigating Rukongai disappearances, Shinji led a rescue squad for Captain Kensei Muguruma. The squad encountered Hollowfied allies including Kensei and Hiyori before being ambushed by Kaname Tōsen under Aizen's orders. This incident caused Shinji and others to undergo Hollowfication, leading to their exile. In exile, Shinji recruited Ichigo Kurosaki to the Visored, aiding his inner Hollow control. He later fought alongside the Gotei 13 against Aizen in Fake Karakura Town, ultimately defeated by Kyoka Suigetsu's illusions. During the Wandenreich invasion, Shinji confronted Sternritter Bambietta Basterbine, using his Zanpakutō Sakanade's Shikai to invert her senses. His Bankai, Sakashima Yokoshima Happōfusagari, was revealed against Quincy Soldat forces. It creates a mist inverting perceptions of ally and foe, causing affected individuals to attack allies indiscriminately. Due to this indiscriminate lethality, Shinji avoids using Bankai near comrades. In the light novel *Can't Fear Your Own World*, Shinji investigated disturbances involving Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez and encountered Hikone Ubuginu, a child engineered to become the new Soul King. He allied with Arrancar and Quincy against Hikone and their creator, Tokinada Tsunayashiro. Shinji used Bankai to decimate Hollows spawned by Hikone's Zanpakutō, Ikomikidomoe. Later, he attempted to counter Tokinada's use of Kyoka Suigetsu but was ensnared by its illusions. Shinji's Zanpakutō, Sakanade, releases a pink mist in Shikai that inverts sensory perceptions like direction, speech, or injuries when inhaled. Its Bankai adds a ring to the blade and encases Shinji in a golden bud releasing mist for widespread ally-enemy inversion. He also possesses Hollow powers via a mask, granting enhanced strength, speed, durability, and a crimson Cero. This Hollowfication originated from Aizen's experiments and was stabilized by Kisuke Urahara's Hogyoku.