| Shinigami Research and Development Institute | |
| |
| Kanji | 技術開発局 |
| English | Technological Development Department |
| Romaji | Gijutsukaihatsu Kyoku |
| Organization | |
|---|---|
| Founder(s) | Kisuke Urahara |
| Headquarters | 12th Division HQ, Seireitei, Soul Society |
| Leader(s) | President Mayuri Kurotsuchi & Vice-President Akon |
| Senior Member(s) | Rin Tsubokura Hiyosu |
| Other Members | Nemu Kurotsuchi |
| Affiliation | 12th Division, Soul Society |
| Purpose | Research and Development |
The Shinigami Research and Development Institute (技術開発局, Gijutsukaihatsu Kyoku; lit. "Technological Development Department") is an organization within Soul Society.
History
Former President Kisuke Urahara, Vice-President Mayuri Kurotsuchi and head researcher Hiyori Sarugaki.
110 years ago, the Shinigami Research and Development Institute was conceptualized and created by Kisuke Urahara, then the newly-promoted captain of the 12th Division, who intended for it to be attached to the 12th Division.[1]
The institute is behind the development of many of the technologies that aid the Shinigami, and is currently headed by Mayuri Kurotsuchi[2]. It was founded by Kisuke Urahara, during the time when he and the Visored were captains and lieutenants. The SRDI has close ties with the 12th Division of the Gotei 13 and both presidents of the institute have also served as captains of that division.
Mission
- The main function of the S.R.D.I. is to research and develop new technology and spiritual tools. They have invented countless items. Throughout the day and night, experiments are conducted at the Reinō Spiritual Ability Research Facility to develop new spiritual tools and instruments. The department brings together the Soul Society's top technicians, who were recruited by Mayuri Kurotsuchi.
- The second function of the S.R.D.I. is to measure spiritual waves and oversee communications. The Spiritual Wave Measurement Lab closely monitors the world of the living to ensure spiritual stability. The Communications Research Section oversees transmissions between the Human world and Soul Society, carrying out the other important function of the institute. If an incident occurs, things become pretty hectic, but otherwise, it is usually slow.[3]
Notable Members
| S.R.D.I. | |||
| Position | Name | In Office | Status |
| 2nd President | Mayuri Kurotsuchi | ? - Current | Active |
| 2nd Vice-President | Akon | ? - Current | Active |
| Chief Operator of the C.R.S. | Rin Tsubokura | ? - Current | Active |
| Primary Gigai Expert | Hiyosu | ? - Current | Active |
| Unknown | Niko Kuna | ? - Current | Active |
| Unknown | Torue | ? - Current | Active |
| Former Members | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founder & 1st President | Kisuke Urahara | 1891 A.D. - 1901 A.D. | Exiled |
| 1st Vice-President | Mayuri Kurotsuchi | 1891 A.D. - ? | Promotion |
| Head of the Research Office | Hiyori Sarugaki | 1891 A.D. - 1901 A.D. | Discharged |
| Chief of Precipice World Studies | Kagerōza Inaba (anime only) | ? - 2001 A.D. | Discharged |
| Chief of Project Spearhead | Ōko Yushima (anime only) | ? - 1905 A.D. | Discharged |
| Unknown | Nemu Kurotsuchi | ? - Current | Deceased |
Research and Inventions
Inventions
Rukia Kuchiki using the Gokon Tekkō on Ichigo Kurosaki
- Gokon Tekkō (悟魂手甲, Soul Apprehension Gauntlet): A glove which forcibly removes the soul from the body.
- Denreishinki: Used for communication between Shinigami deployed in the Human World and Soul Society. Also used for Hollow detection.
- Gikongan (義魂丸, Artificial Soul Pill) : The Shinigami Research and Development Institute has performed extensive research into the modification of souls; the results of this research were artificial souls, both in the form of "soul candy" and Project Spearhead.
- Gigai Development: Maintains Gigais and developing new ones.
- Soma Fixer (内魄固定剤 (ソーマフィクサー), Sōma Fikusā; Japanese for "Inner-Soul Fixer"; Viz "Internal Soul-Fixing Medicine"): An item used by Shinigami to help them synchronize with their Gigai.[4]
- Kenpachi's Power Seal Eyepatch: Developed Kenpachi Zaraki's Reiatsu-absorbing eyepatch.[5]
Sub-labs
Mayuri Kurotsuchi's office.
The Shinigami Research and Development Institute is nothing more than a series of labs specializing in particular types of research. These specialized labs include:
- Reinō Spiritual Ability Research Facility: Develops new spiritual tools and instruments.[3]
- Spiritual Wave Measurement Lab (電波計測研究科, Denpa Keisoku Kenkyūka; lit. "Wave Measurement Department"): Closely monitors the world of the living to ensure spiritual stability. Rin Tsubokura is a member of this lab.[6]
- Communication Research Section (通信技術研究科, Tsūshingijutsu Kenkyūka; lit. "Communication Technology Research Department"): Oversees transmissions between the Human World and Soul Society. This lab is responsible for the development of communication technology, including soul cellphones.[7]
- Ninth Communication Room (第九通信室, Daikyū Tsūshin Shitsu): One of several communication centers within the dedicated research section. This was used by Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake to analyze Reishi residue left by the Bount.[8]
Teams
- Reishi Inspection Squad (霊子調査班, Reishi Chōsa-han; lit. "Spirit Particle Inspection Squad"): A subdivision of the SRDI that analyzes Reishi concentrations.[9] They were sent out during the Wandenreich's second invasion of the Seireitei to identify the attackers, where they determined that Izuru Kira and his subordinates were facing Quincy, as well as the locations of the latter, after a brief malfunction of their equipment due to the high density of the Reishi present.[10]
Trivia
- The SRDI was not involved with Ran'Tao's creation of the Bount, with the Bount's creation predating the establishment of the SRDI by some centuries.[11]
References
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter -105, pages 2-5
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 121, page 14
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Bleach Official Bootleg KaraBuri+, pages 114-115
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 13, page 9
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 113, page 5
- ↑ Bleach Book of SOULs, page 100
- ↑ Bleach Book of SOULs, page 98
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 68
- ↑ 13 BLADEs., page 180
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 494, pages 9-11
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 96
| Current Members | Mayuri Kurotsuchi (President) • Akon (Vice-President) • Rin Tsubokura (Chief Operator of the C.R.S.) • Hiyosu (Primary Gigai Expert) • Niko Kuna • Torue |
| Former Members | Kisuke Urahara (Founder) • Hiyori Sarugaki • Nemu Kurotsuchi • Kagerōza Inaba • Ōko Yushima |
| Equipment | Gokon Tekkō • Denreishinki • Gikongan • Gigai |
| Related | 12th Division • Shinigami Research and Development Institute |
| Shinigami Skills | |
|---|---|
| Combat | Zanjutsu • Hohō • Kidō • Hakuda |
| Abilities | Zanpakutō • Reiryoku • Reiatsu • Reiraku • Konsō • Shunkō |
| Organizations | |
| Government | Soul King • Central 46 |
| Nobility | Kuchiki Clan • Shihōin Clan • Noble Houses • Kasumiōji Clan • Ise Clan • Tsunayashiro Clan • Formerly: Shiba Clan • Ryōdoji Family • Dark Ones |
| Military | Gotei 13 • Onmitsukidō • Kidō Corps • Royal Guard • Gatekeepers |
| Institutions | Seireitei Communication • Shinigami Research and Development Institute • Shin'ō Academy |
| Recreational | Shinigami Women's Association • Shinigami Men's Association • Tea Ceremony Club • Ikebana Club • Calligraphy Club |
| Related Articles | |
| Locations | Soul Society • Seireitei • Central 46 Compound • Nest of Maggots • Sōkyoku Hill • Gin Tonbo • Kuchiki Manor • Central Great Underground Prison |
| Items | Shihakushō • Jigokuchō • Gigai • Reigai • Gikon • Modified Soul • Denreishinki • Ōken • Gokon Tekkō • Kan • Blood Oath's Seal |