Top 10 Best Bleach Characters

When it comes to reaping souls, they’re the best in the business. Welcome to WatchMojo and today we are counting down our picks for the Top 10 Bleach Characters.

For this, we’ll be counting down the most iconic and celebrated characters from across this shounen powerhouse.

Who’s your favorite character? Let us know in the comments below!

The mastermind with a mullet, Bleach’s ultimate villain was certainly a force of nature onto himself, to the point where he got so strong it took a deus ex machina to take him out. While may not have had the most graceful of exits, his deception and sudden reveal as the one orchestrating events behind the scenes was nothing short of genius, rising up to become the emperor of Hueco Mundo, taking control of the Arrancar race, and nearly succeeding in wiping out all of the Gotei 13 by his lonesome. Don’t bother trying to get an edge over him, since it’s likely already part of his plan.

Starting off as an obstacle for Ichigo overcome before becoming one of his staunchest allies, Renji is very much the underdog of the series, starting off as a kid living in the dregs of Soul Society before fighting his way to a position of power. Motivated by his love for Rukia, he’s shown to be willing to stand up to any and all authority if it means protecting those he cares for. While we wish he could have gotten a few more moments of glory, at least he gets the credit for having one of the best Bankai reveals ever.

Fangirls in the back, please simmer down! As wild as he is violent, this prominent member of the Espada, is a lone cat when it comes to fulfilling his ambitions – which more often than not equates to fighting someone he considers his prey. One of Ichigo’s primary foes, Grimmjow is all about proving his strength and superiority. With primal instincts and plenty of power to match his boasts, it took the full extent of the strawberry’s Hollowfication to bring their long-running rivalry to an end. No worries, he’s got eight lives left.

Bound by the honor and pride of his clan, Rukia’s brother-figure is the very picture of nobility, who just happens to be a master of the sword. The first, true challenge that Ichigo faced as a Shinigami, Byakuya’s speed and ability to utilise his billions of deadly petals made him a foe that could only be conquered by unlocking his Bankai, leading to one of the series’ standout fights. While he certainly softened in the wake of Aizen’s betrayal, the elder Kuchiki remained a prickly customer sooner to slice you in half than start a conversation.

He is nihilism. He is the night. He is the Bat…inspired beast that will carve a hole in your chest without so much as a blink. The most beloved of Bleach’s gallery of rogues, this Espada simultaneously won and broke hearts due to his reserved nature, complex relationship with Orihime, curiosity about the human heart, and how he wasted Ichigo on numerous occasions. He’s a killing machine with access to a second release form that technically pins him as the strongest Arrancar out there, but the shades of his grey to his character are undoubtedly what sets him apart from all others.

While he appears to be just a humble shopkeeper, this most unorthodox of Shinigami didn’t only serve as Ichigo’s mentor and was responsible for awakening his zanpakuto, but is also a former Captain of the Gotei 13. A genius whose skills and creations revolutionised Soul Society, Urahara is lethal in every regard, to the point where he can hold his own against Aizen in a fight. With the sharpest intellect among the entire cast, it’s hard to believe that for all his sharpness, he’s also something of a kook with a love of sweets. Just be aware the moment he stops smiling, you’re dead.

The young prodigy with an icy exterior and fire in his heart; the only thing stronger than his dragon-inspired Bankai is his hatred for being treated like a child by his colleagues. While certainly an oddity amongst the Gotei 13, Hitsugaya’s hard-working nature and adorable repertoire with his gorgeous lieutenant made him an instant fan-favourite, further cemented with the flashiness of his fights. Able to instantly freeze his targets and craft frozen appendages to aid him in battle, this cool customer is not to be underestimated.

The Shinigami who essentially kickstarted the events of the whole series, Rukia’s decision to transfer her powers to a certain rebellious, orange haired punk served as the catalyst for the series’ golden age. Outside of stealing each scene with her spunky nature, hilarious banter with Ichigo and tender moments between the rest of the supporting cast, Rukia could also be a badass when she wanted toe, which she demonstrated in abundance when she and her zanpakuto started their own kill count against the invading Arrancar. Oh, and she can’t draw for shit. But we still love her.

The man lives for three things - fighting, killing and some combination of the two! One of the strongest Captains among the Gotei 13, Zaraki is an absolute monster who will happily challenge anyone he sees as worthy, even going as far as suppressing his own power just to make the ensuing clash all the more entertaining. His love for a good ol’ bloodbath is so enthralling that you can’t help but get caught up in his enthusiasm. He’s definitely the kind of savage you want on your side, even though he’ll likely try and fight you anyway, just ask Ichigo.

Before we reveal our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi
Mad Scientist Who Won’t Hesitate to Experiment on Friend or Foe Alike.

Orihime Inoue
Beautiful Member of Ichigo’s Clique That Above All Else Just Wants Peace.

Yoruichi Shihoin
Literal Cat Girl and Definitive Waifu, Who Can Kick Someone’s Ass in at the Speed of Light.

Gin Ichimaru
The Smiling Snake in the Grass Who Played All Sides for Fools.

Uryu Ishida
The Lone, 360-No-Scoping Quincy Who Was Sadly Relegated to the Side-Lines Most of the Time.

Who else was it going to be? The punk with a heart of gold, this Substitute Shinigami slashed his way through every obstacle that came his way, all to protect his friends from harm. From invading Soul Society to cleaving apart unstoppable beings like Ulquiorra and Aizen, Ichigo’s journey is one built on the best battles and banter that shounen can offer, all the while retaining the persona of an easily ticked off yet sincere young man who will go to any lengths to safeguard those he cherishes. Stab him, break him or put a gigantic hole in his chest, and he’ll just come back with a vengeance.