The Captain of the 12th Squad, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, is also the Shinigami Research Institute president (a title obtained after Urahara's defection from Soul Society.) He is a rather colorful character, literally, considering his headwear, makeup, and other facial attachments. His looks are not deceiving, though, as he acts quite as bizarrely as he appears.

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Mayuri doesn't have a major role to play in Bleach, occasionally injected into certain crucial fights like those against Uryuu Ishida or Szayelaporro Granz, but his importance skyrockets in the final arc. Forget audiences, the question that needs answering, however, is this: How much does Soul Society really know about him?

10 Where Did He Come From?

Mayuri Kurotsuchi young

Mayuri Kurotsuchi's backstory is never really established, except the fact that he used to be an extremely unstable character who had been locked away in the Seireitei Maggot's Nest.

He is brought into the picture by Urahara, who realizes the intellectual potential of this so-called villain and requests that the Central 46 allow Mayuri's early release (into his secure custody.) But what was he doing there in the first place? How horrible were his crimes that he was shackled in place? Also: when did he get his zanpakuto?

9 He Hates The Idea Of Perfection

Mayuri Kurotsuchi covered in camouflage

Mayuri claims that he's the greatest scientific mind in Soul Society, and to be honest, there isn't a lot of competition for him in that department. During his battle with Szayelaporro Granz, he proudly announces that "perfection" is a boring cliche, only hankered after by romantic idiots.

And yet, Mayuri's sole aim has been to create life from nothing, and he finally succeeds with Nemu. The very fact that his deepest desire is that of producing an ideal being conflicts with his proclamations, making him a standard hypocrite.

8 Mayuri's Gelatinous Green State

Mayuri Kurotsuchi dissolves into jelly

Of all the strange enhancements that he has made to his body, Nikushibuki is probably the most unbelievable. In case Mayuri ever loses a battle, as he does against Uryuu Ishida, he is able to pierce himself with Ashisogi Jizou, an act which transforms him into a wobbly green fluid.

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The disadvantage here is that he has no way of protecting himself, but at the same time is totally immune from all damage. Since most objects in Soul Society are made of reishi, is it possible that Mayuri has figured out a way to modulate the spiritual substance? Why doesn't he offer this ability to the other captains, then?

7 His Flamboyant Presentation

Mayuri Kurotsuchi's Sun Dress

For someone who prides themselves on his rationality and logical thinking, Mayuri spends quite a lot of time on his appearance. His real form is that of a young, handsome man with blue hair; however, he opts to slather a complex pattern of paints on his face, adding a gold headdress to complete his iconic pharaoh-esque look.

Interestingly, his makeup efforts extend to his torso and limbs as well, raising some serious questions as to his fashion choices. At least his "sun dress" in the final arc serves a combat purpose.

6 Nemu, His "Daughter"

Mayuri Kurotsuchi saved by Nemu in Bleach

Originally, the Nemuri Project was established to help customize Ashisogi Jizou, but Mayuri takes it a few steps further by converting "Konpaku" cells into a living spirit. The Nemuri in the narrative is the 7th of her line, with six of them having failed to satisfy their creator in terms of flawlessness.

Mayuri repeatedly insults Nemu, not to mention subjects her to horrible physical abuse for the mildest infraction. Nonetheless, he clearly cares for her, because he begins to refer to Nemu by name rather than by the clinical title he had once used. Does he feel like her father? So why does he conduct experiments on her?

5 His Interest In Soul Society News

Mayuri Kurotsuchi and Ichigo

Mayuri doesn't seem like the absolute nerd he actually is because he takes an interest in matters beyond his own laboratories. Apparently, he greatly enjoys perusing every detail mentioned in the monthly Seireitei Communication magazine, which includes useful information, such as Renji's serialized column about the basics of Shinigami combat.

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On the other hand, it also contains Hitsugaya's articles on ice-sculpture, Kira Izuru's awful haiku poetry, and Kuchiki Byakuya's commentary on the importance of formality — Mayuri has denounced frivolous activities like these on a number of occasions.

4 The Gotei 13 Allows His Horrible Experiments

Mayuri Kurotsuchi experiments on Quincy

The Gotei 13 evidently lacks the power to put a stop to Mayuri's unethical research; either that, or they give him permission because his results are always superb and valuable to Soul Society.

So much for all the talk about their roles as the guardians of the human world, if they so blatantly gloss over things like Mayuri's agonizing experiments on thousands of Quincy, the massacre of Rukongai citizens to balance the loss of souls, as well as forcing his colleagues into complicated situations (for instance, converting them into zombies.)

3 He Actually Communicates His Research

Mayuri Kurotsuchi with Shinigami soldiers

Mayuri is possessive of his research and subjects, so much so that he keeps them under several layers of protection. In fact, his kidou is so powerful that only the likes of Senjumaru Shutara, a Zero Squad member, is able to bypass his security.

Therefore, it's rather odd that Mayuri himself offers his various scientific projects for large-scale "peer review", by publishing it under the heading, "Effective Medication for the Brain." To put it another way, all that secrecy was for nothing?

2 Is He Smarter Than Urahara?

Mayuri Kurotsuchi and Urahara

Urahara has redefined the notion of intelligence, bringing down Aizen by slyly nesting one kidou within another, something his opponent only comprehends after his defeat. Mayuri is no less of a genius, having saved the Gotei 13 from being annihilated more than enough times.

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However, Urahara is still depicted as smarter than him, even though he only defeats Askin with help from Grimmjow and Yoruichi, whereas Mayuri brings down Pernida Parnkgjas all by himself (albeit with a lot of help from Nemu.)

1 Matai Fukuin Shoutai

Mayuri Kurotsuchi bankai in Bleach.

Granted that Mayuri possesses enough skill to modify his blade and body, but how on earth does he end up with the most monstrous of all possible bankai: the Matai Fukuin Shoutai variant of his Konjiki Ashisogi Jizou?

It's literally a gigantic infant with violet skin that can be further tweaked in accordance with Mayuri's opponent at the time. This technique borders on the preposterous — does this mean that it's possible to change one's bankai this drastically? Or is the baby the true form of Ashisogi Jizou?

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