This article contains spoilers for the Bleach manga.

There was a time when the Big Three reigned supreme on Shonen Jump, with all three manga exemplifying the best aspects of the genre in one way or another. Although One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach are still three of the most popular IPs in the magazine’s history, the latter two series have already reached their respective conclusions. Due to fans’ complaints about Bleach‘s declining quality, TV Tokyo decided to “cancel” the series before the Thousand-Year Blood War arc could be animated.

At the time of its unfortunate conclusion, several characters had already showcased their impressive strength. Now, with the TYBW adaptation well underway, anime-only fans are finally seeing all the powerhouses that weren’t introduced before. Given that three cours are nearly done and only one cour remains, it’s important to take a closer look at some of the strongest characters in Bleach.

Updated on January 7, 2025, by Ajay Aravind: As one of Shonen’s “Big Three,” Bleach continues to be widely popular among its dedicated fanbase. Fans still can’t stop talking about the incredible power scales used throughout the series, and the recently animated Thousand Year Blood War arc has reignited fan debates. To make things a bit easier, we’ve updated this list with five more of the strongest Bleach characters.

35

Orihime Can Remake the World Itself (in Theory)

Signature Ability: Phenomenon Rejection

At first, Orihime Inoue could only perceive spiritual energy, but her abilities became more and more complex as the story went on. She developed the Shun Shun Rikka technique to manifest her spiritual energy, giving her access to six faires with radically different powers. Aizen once mentioned that it was the Hogyoku that granted Orihime’s powers, which makes perfect sense given how overpowered her Soten Kisshun is.

Although armed with various other abilities in her arsenal, Soten Kisshun was initially believed to be a healing technique. However, it was soon revealed that it can reject any phenomenon, no matter what caused it. Orihime was seen restoring Grimmjow’s lost arm from scratch, and in the TYBW she managed to fix Ichigo’s Bankai after it was broken by Yhwach. In many ways, Orihime’s ability to reject phenomena should place her at the top of this list, but her lack of combat prowess keeps her at the bottom.

34

Hachigen Ushoda Is an Extremely Powerful Kido Practitioner

Signature Ability: Kido Master

Hachigen Ushoda, an extremely powerful and knowledgeable Kido practitioner, was exiled from the Gotei 13 because of his inadvertent Hollowification. However, he remained acquainted with his skillset for over a century in the human world. Despite his seemingly benign exterior, however, Hachigen proved to be among the most formidable and dangerous opponents in Bleach.

Not only did Hachigen destroy multiple Gillian-class Menos Hollows with his Kido, but he also developed brand new spells like his trademark Hachigo Sogai. Hachigen humbly compared himself with Orihime, partially oblivious to the transcendent depth of her powers. Moreover, he successfully tricked the Second Espada into killing himself with his own Resurrección, ending one of the strongest characters in Bleach.

33

Soi Fon Has a Subtle Shikai and Devastating Bankai

Zanpakuto: Suzumebachi

Captain Soi Fon of Squad 2 demonstrated her formidable power as an assassin in the Soul Society arc when she used advanced martial arts to fight against the famous Yoruichi Shihoin. Soi Fon showed Bleach fans what her Shikai can do, a metal stinger that will instantly kill anyone who’s stung twice in the same place. Few, if any other Bleach characters have an insta-kill ability like that, even if Yoruichi managed to defeat Soi Fon in the end.

If necessary, Soi Fon can even use a cannon-like Bankai to deal brute-force damage, which she used to defeat BG9, the Sternritter who had stolen her Jakuho Raikoben earlier. Soi Fon has another weapon at her disposal, the ability to use Shunko or a kido/martial arts hybrid style that Yoruichi herself invented. The only thing that holds her back is her uncontrollable temper.

32

Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez Has Always Been a Force of Nature

Zanpakuto: Pantera

Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez might be a tiresome blowhard, but nobody can deny his overwhelming power. When he triggers his Resurrección Pantera, Grimmjow transforms into a dangerous foe capable of dealing deadly damage against the strongest characters in Bleach. His battle with Ichigo ends in a loss, but Grimmjow’s attacks leave Ichigo too exhausted to face his next opponent.

While Grimmjow is not impressively strong in the Hueco Mundo and Fake Karakura Town arcs, he becomes a veritable force of nature during the Thousand-Year Blood War arc. Grimmjow defeats and kills Askin Nakk Le Vaar by ripping his heart out of his chest, although the plan was originally set up by Kisuke Urahara. Grimmjow’s fate is ambiguous, but he likely survived the clash, proving how powerful he is against Shinigami, Quincy, or anyone else.

31

Tier Harribel Stayed Behind and Faced Yhwach Alone

Zanpakuto: Tiburón

Tier Harribel was the only Espada to survive the battle in the Fake Karakura Town, with Grimmjow having been taken out of the equation much earlier. After Sosuke Aizen’s fall, Harribel returned to Hueco Mundo and recovered, becoming that realm’s de facto queen until Yhwach arrived. Harribel chose to stand her ground and hold off Yhwach so her friends could escape, but she was completely helpless against the Emperor of the Wandenreich.

Excluding her acceptable loss against the powerhouse Yhwach, Harribel is quite powerful. She’s the second-strongest Arrancar alive as of Bleach‘s endgame battle. She earned her rank as the new 3rd Espada, as she could easily challenge Toshiro Hitsugaya and a few Visored opponents at once while in her released form, the shark-themed Tiburón.

30

Mask De Masculine Is Only Defeated by Renji’s New Bankai

Schrift: “S” The Superstar

Yhwach’s Sternritter are some of the strongest characters in Bleach. Although Mask De Masculine may not be as powerful as some of his colleagues, he’s certainly not a pushover. He casually manages to defeat the Shinigami captains Rose Otoribashi and Kensei Muguruma even though both of them unleashed their Bankai against him.

Then again, those two Visoreds dropped the ball, and they probably could have done better if they tried when fighting Mask. Mask relies heavily on a mysterious subordinate named James, who somehow serves as the source of the Sternritter’s strength. Even a newly evolved Renji finds it difficult to fight this villain at first. That said, Renji’s brand-new Bankai vanquishes Mask De Masculine once and for all.

29

Bazz-B’s Schrift Can Slightly Offset the Flames of Ryujin Jakka

Schrift: “H” The Heat

Bazzard Black, more commonly known as Bazz-B, wields the element of fire. Although not nearly as strong as someone like Yamamoto Genryusai, this Sternritter’s heat-based powers are more than enough against relatively small fry like Hitsugaya (at Shikai level). Bazz-B employs a series of techniques collectively known as Burner Finger, each with increasing potency, capable of shattering Hitsugaya and Matsumoto’s combined efforts.

Burner Finger 3 alone is capable of liquefying solid objects from rocks and buildings to enemy bodies. When Yhwach triggers the Auswählen, he decides to travel to the Royal Realm and challenge his former best friend Jugram Haschwalth. Despite using Burning Full Fingers, one of the strongest fire attacks used by a Bleach villain, Bazz-B does not survive the encounter against his former friend.

28

Renji Abarai Has Grown Since the Soul Society Arc

Zanpakuto: Zabimaru

Renji Abarai has always been extremely strong, long before his powers were magnified in the Royal Realm. Despite the melee nature of his Shikai, he knew how to inflict both close and long-range damage with Zabimaru, exploiting his Zanpakuto’s versatile nature. Renji’s Bankai also received a tremendous upgrade in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, outfitting his body with a gorilla arm and a prehensile bone tail.

In addition, the Zaga Teppo technique supplements So’o Zabimaru’s offensive power with a Cero-esque blast of pure Reiatsu. The resulting explosion is capable of incinerating enemies as ostensibly vulnerable as Mask de Masculine. Renji has come a long way since losing to Ichigo in the Soul Society arc, and fans might even say he’s approaching Captain-level strength at this point. However, he’d rather remain Byakuya’s Vice-Captain for the foreseeable future.

27

Rukia Kuchiki Obtains One of the Greatest Bankai in Bleach

Zanpakuto: Sode no Shirayuki

Rukia Kuchiki begins the story when she accidentally stumbles into Ichigo’s bedroom, only for him to kick her into the wall. She soon becomes his treasured friend, prompting Ichigo to invade Soul Society when the Central 46 sentences her to death. Rukia plays second fiddle to Ichigo for most of Bleach, revealing the same Shikai abilities over and over again. Thankfully, this fan-favorite character gets her chance to shine in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc.

Rukia learns to manifest her Bankai in the Royal Realm just before her career-defining fight with Äs Nödt. Powered by the limitless icy potential of her gorgeous Hakka no Togame, Rukia effortlessly transforms the Sternritter into a frozen icicle. She is later seen in the manga’s final chapter, where she’s declared as the 13th Division’s Captain, officially making her one of the strongest Bleach characters.

26

Nelliel Tu Odelschwank Joins Ichigo for Another Adventure

Zanpakuto: Gamuza

Nelliel Tu Odelschwank was one of a handful of Arrancars to survive the Arrancar saga, although this was mainly because she was Ichigo’s ally. She was once the 3rd Espada, a lofty and flattering rank, armed with a powerful release form called Gamuza. Nelliel could throw her lance to deal incredible piercing damage to any foe, even famously durable ones like Nnoitora Gilga.

Early in the TYBW arc, Nelliel was back in her toddler form and couldn’t fight, as seen when Ichigo fought Quilge Opie in Hueco Mundo. In Episode 398, it was revealed that Nelliel had permanently resumed her adult form thanks to Urahara’s scientific genius. She was also there to help keep Ichigo’s rival Grimmjow in check. Nelliel doesn’t accomplish much in the manga’s final act, but her appearance in the third cour suggests that she’s going to have a bigger role in the anime.

25

Coyote Starrk Gave Even Shunsui Kyoraku Trouble

Zanpakuto: Los Lobos

The Primera Espada Coyote Starrk and his Fraccion Lilynette Gingerbuck were both parts of the same incomprehensibly powerful Vasto Lorde. To cure their inveterate loneliness, this unnamed Hollow split its own soul into two unequal halves. While Starrk is considered the strongest of the Espada, Lilynette is extremely weak and powerless by herself.

During the Fake Karakura Town arc, Starrk was unable to defeat Shunsui Kyoraku and his tricky Shikai, forcing him to unleash his Resurrección. Known as Los Lobos, this ability transforms Lilynette into pistols that Starrk can use in battle. He can fire the devastating barrage of Cero Metralleta in this form, but even this failed to affect Shunsui. As a result, Starrk released his Wolf Pack Generation technique, which spawns a pack of powerful wolves far stronger than any Cero.

24

Shinji Hirako Has a Deceptively Dangerous Bankai

Zanpakuto: Sakanade

110 years ago, Shinji Hirako was the Captain of Squad 5, only for the scheming Sosuke Aizen to turn him into a Visored along with seven other Shinigami. After escaping a death sentence and establishing a base in the human world, Shinji learned to embrace and use his Hollow powers via his mask. He put those powers to good use against foes like Grimmjow and even Sosuke Aizen himself.

Even if Shinji made minimal use of his mask in the Thousand-Year Blood War story arc, he was still a tough customer for the Quincy. He even showcased his unique Bankai, fooling a platoon of Quincy soldiers into slaughtering one another. Sakashima Yokoshima Happofusagari was the first new Bankai to be introduced in the anime adaptation, with input from mangaka Tite Kubo. In the anime storyline, he’s currently fighting in the Royal Realm.

23

Mayuri Kurotsuchi Has Countless Devious Tricks Up His Sleeve

Zanpakuto: Ashisogi Jizo

Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi of Squad 12 may not be as intelligent as Urahara or as crafty as Aizen, but this savage Shinigami scientist has countless tricks up his sleeve. There is nothing that Mayuri fails to analyze, no matter how bizarre or outlandish his preparation methods seem to bystanders. Whether it’s performing experiments on living beings or merely collecting specimens, this Bleach character perfectly fits the mad scientist trope.

Mayuri even modifies the structure and functions of his own Bankai, Konjiki Ashisogi Jizou, according to his combat needs. Mayuri uses his modified Bankai against Pernida Parnkgjas in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, but the Sternritter is only killed because Nemu sacrifices her life. Mayuri Kurotsuchi later reappears in the Echoing Jaws of Hell one-shot, as hale and hearty as ever, and probably much stronger than before.

22

Ulquiorra Cifer Can Release a Secondary Stronger Ability

Zanpakuto: Murciélago

Considering his role as the Fourth Espada and the numbering conventions relating to power levels, Ulquiorra Cifer wasn’t supposed to be stronger than Starrk, Harribel, or Nelliel. Unbeknownst to Aizen, however, Ulquiorra possessed the unique ability to invoke his Resurrección a second time, resulting in a level of power that could theoretically destroy the castle of Las Noches.

The Fourth Espada’s Cero Oscuras was the most powerful of its type to be seen in Bleach, at least until Vasto Lorde Ichigo countered and overwhelmed it with his own Cero. Meanwhile, Ulquiorra’s Segunda Etapa augments his raw strength, boosts his Reiatsu production, and makes him considerably faster than usual. He can also generate an energy javelin called Lanza del Relampago, whose explosion was so powerful that it could have even harmed Ulquiorra himself.

21

Pernida Parnkgjas Can Twist Its Enemies’ Flesh With Ease

Schrift: “C” The Compulsory

The four members of the Schutzstaffel were all a formidable challenge for the Shinigami, including Pernida Parnkgjas, or Sternritter C: The Compulsory. It was the left hand of the Soul King, a unique being who spoke little but nonchalantly neutralized Zaraki Kenpachi. Pernida began to evolve during its fight with Mayuri Kurotsuchi, suggesting that it hadn’t reached its upper limit yet.

Aside from typical Quincy techniques, Pernida could use The Compulsory to twist and break people’s flesh from a distance, which worked even on powerhouse Shinigami like Yoruichi and Kenpachi. This mighty Quincy didn’t go down until Captain Kurotsuchi used his advanced science to weaken the Sternritter, allowing Nemu to land a devastating attack. Pernida destroyed Nemu and engulfed her, only for her cells to destroy it from within.

20

Royd Lloyd Defeats Kenpachi and Briefly Tolerates Zanka No Tachi

Schrift: “Y” The Yourself

Loyd Lloyd and Royd Lloyd are a pair of identical twin brothers. It’s currently unknown if their powers were merely augmented by Yhwach or if they had them to begin with. While Loyd could mimic someone else’s physical strength and abilities, his brother Royd was only capable of replicating another’s appearance and memories. As such, fans are wondering how Royd managed to defeat Kenpachi in an instant.

Disguised as Yhwach, Royd later faced Captain-Commander Yamamoto, who promptly released his Bankai. Royd attempted to counter this fiery power, but none of his attacks had any effect. That said, the ability to effortlessly defeat a pre-awakened Kenpachi and fight Zanka no Tachi head-on without instantly evaporating is a testament to Royd’s remarkable strength.

19

Isshin Kurosaki Was Once the Captain of Squad 10

Zanpakuto: Engetsu

Isshin Kurosaki was nothing more than comic relief at the beginning. He spent most of his time taking care of his three children, although Ichigo is often annoyed by his father’s constant antics. In reality, however, Isshin was once the Captain of Squad 10, making him one of the strongest characters in Bleach. A flashback sequence in the TYBW arc revealed how his Zanpakuto worked, even though he mysteriously refrained from using it in the Fake Karakura Town arc.

With that said, Isshin managed to crack Aizen’s Hogyoku-enhanced Cocoon form, highlighting the sheer strength of his Shikai, Engetsu. Like his son, Isshin also relies on the Getsuga Tensho as his main technique. The difference is that Isshin’s attacks are considerably more refined than Ichigo’s haphazard slices, which only improve after he obtains his true Zangetsu.

18

Byakuya Kuchiki Returns from the Royal Realm Even Stronger

Zanpakuto: Senbonzakura

Despite his genuine and honest nature, Byakuya earns Ichigo’s ire for refusing to help his sister throughout the Soul Society arc He subsequently turns into an important ally, even though he doesn’t openly express his admiration for Ichigo until the final arc. Byakuya is nearly murdered by Äs Nödt during the First Wandenreich Invasion, after which he undergoes a revitalization procedure in the Royal Realm.

Byakuya returns more powerful than ever, claiming that he finally understands the true nature of his Bankai. Byakuya demonstrates his newfound abilities against Gerard Valkyrie, casting his potent Ikka Senjinka on the overpowered villain. Although the Sternritter survives the attack, Yhwach’s Auswählen obliterates Gerard from existence, preventing Byakuya from revealing any more new techniques.

17

Toshiro Hitsugaya’s Adult Form Is Revealed in the Final Arc

Zanpakuto: Hyorinmaru

There was a point when Captain Hitsugaya was little more than a joke to some of the fandom. The smallest threats required him to unleash his Bankai, and even then he couldn’t keep up with his more experienced colleagues. However, there’s a reason why Gin Ichimaru referred to him as the “heavenly white angel who blesses Soul Society once a century.”

Toshiro Hitsugaya’s Bankai revealed its maximum potential in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, as the purple petal timer was counting down to his strongest transformation. In adult form, Daiguren Hyorinmaru can now flash-freeze solids, liquids, gases, and even intangible abilities like Gerard Valkyrie’s The Miracle. Hitsugaya is already one of the strongest Bleach characters, which is extremely impressive given his (relative) age.

16

Yoruichi Shihoin Doesn’t Even Need to Use Her Zanpakuto

Signature Ability: Shunko

Yoruichi Shihoin has a Zanpakuto, but she has never been seen using it. This is because Yoruichi can easily resolve any conflict with her speed or her fists. As the “Flash Goddess” of the Soul Society, Yoruichi’s movements are barely perceptible, leaving her opponents out of breath and thoroughly flabbergasted. Even Byakuya, who learned the techniques from Yoruichi, could barely keep up with her during the Soul Society arc.

Yoruichi nonchalantly knocked out dozens of trained Onmitsukido warriors before confronting and defeating her protégé Soi Fon, the current Captain of squad 2. Yoruichi’s Shunko reinforces her combat skillset, especially when she transforms into her “Thunder Beast Battle Form,” Shunryu Kokubyo Senki. The formidable Sternritter Askin Nakk Le Vaar was nearly killed by this ability.