S.A.R.I.

The Spiritual Affairs Research Institute (霊事研究所, “Reiji Kenkyuujo”) is an independent entity which focuses on, as the name suggests, the research and development of technology for the sake of understanding the spiritual aspect of the three realms. However, what was once a subsidiary of the Gotei’s Research and Development Squad has become an independent entity courtesy of the Gotei’s dissolution, and as such, the outcome of their research belongs to no one but the SARI itself.

The SARI itself, while divided into smaller individual laboratories, tends to avoid the regimented and military-style organization that it was once beholden to under the Gotei United. Those researchers with the experience and knowledge to lead a research project may simply requisition funding from the Director of the Institute, and will be assigned suitable laboratory space and assistance as is required. It is a highly fluid institution, with little in the way of formal structure, as its ambition is the pursuit of knowledge rather than anything in the way of true authority.


The SARI pursues scientific research with regard to the spiritual realms, the soul cycle, and the continued advancement of technology and understanding with regard to the duties of a shinigami. This naturally entails the development of tools for the sake of the shinigami’s duties, such as the gokon tekko, but much of the SARI’s work is primarily focused on surveillance, data analysis, and fieldwork. Because of this, while there is often the conception of the SARI as being primarily filled with braniacs in lab coats, a not-insignificant number of them are focused primarily on dangerous work on the frontlines.


The SARI, as the home of the overwhelming majority of shinigami developments in the past centuries, naturally continues to have those tools. The SARI are, generally speaking, the most extremely well-equipped shinigami in any of the realms, with cutting edge technology that makes their lives radically easier than most, and the facilities to continue producing that technology. This is further reinforced by their holding of numerous patents on spiritual technology, which at one point were sufficient to fund the Gotei United in its entirety. Put simply, those who work for the SARI can be considered the elite of the elite, if they have the skill to justify their membership.


○ Bambietta Basterbine: Director of the Institute