Discover the Top 25 Bleach Characters That Fans Can’t Get Enough Of!

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Tite Kubo’s acclaimed anime series, boasts some of the most enduring characters in anime history, as evidenced by their frequent appearance in fan art, stories, social media discussions, and other indicators. Immersing oneself in the Bleach community offers a sense of which characters are generally overlooked or disfavored compared to those who are adored by the fanbase. Yet, it’s crucial to separate sincere opinions from the baseless criticisms of a more vocal segment within the fandom.

The findings from annual official polls on favorite Bleach characters provide insight into fan sentiment towards these characters. Since popularity ratings fluctuate annually, we’ve calculated an average for the most cherished characters in the series. Interestingly, both heroes and villains have garnered top positions, sparking excitement as the TYBW anime progresses, with fans eagerly anticipating their reappearance.

Debut: Episode 19, “Ichigo Becomes a Hollow!”

For the first time in the Soul Society arc, viewers were introduced to Ichigo’s Zanpakuto spirit, Zangetsu, and many appreciated the bond between them. Later on, Zangetsu assisted Ichigo in defeating Kenpachi Zaraki, hinting at his true character. The man with a beard who pretended to be Ichigo’s Zanpakuto was tied to his Quincy abilities, making sense of why this Zangetsu looked like the antagonist Yhwach.

Initially, Ichigo voluntarily integrated Quincy Zangetsu into his being, forming an enduring connection with both versions. It’s important to note that Zangetsu Quincy had never served Yhwach and sincerely felt that becoming a Shinigami could have caused difficulties for Ichigo. While the Hollow Zangetsu, or White, is popular among fans, it’s the original Quincy spirit of the Zanpakuto that holds true significance. However, Old Man Zangetsu appears at the bottom of this list because he too occasionally creates obstacles for Ichigo.

Debut: Episode 1, “The Day I Became a Shinigami”

Initially presented as an ordinary civilian, Ichigo’s father, Isshin Kurosaki, was later unveiled as Captain Isshin Shiba of Squad 10 in the series ‘Bleach’. Fans soon discovered that there was more to Isshin than just his funny dad jokes when they witnessed him in action. Despite Ichigo’s failure to eliminate the Hollow responsible for his mother’s demise, Grand Fisher was ultimately defeated by Isshin with a single powerful strike, avenging his wife.

Isshin exhibits a charming mix of being goofy as a lone parent and possessing a fierce fighting spirit, particularly when it comes to Aizen. Alongside Urahara and Yoruichi, he engages in battles against the villain and later assists Ichigo in acquiring the power needed to vanquish an Aizen fortified by Hogyoku. Isshin’s character is deeply touched by his profound sorrow for his deceased spouse Masaki, which resonates with every Bleach fan, making him endearing.

Debut: Episode 138, “Second Move of Hueco Mundo! Hitsugaya vs Yammy”

Initially, the first Espada, Coyote Starrk, defied the Soul Reaper Captains’ expectations of Aizen’s strongest subordinate. In conjunction with Lilynette Gingerbuck, Starrk was previously a powerful Vasto Lorde that divided into two individuals. Despite this, Coyote Starrk is a laid-back Arrancar who only grudgingly engaged in combat with Captains Kyoraku and Ukitake. During these encounters, he displayed his remarkable strength and innate abilities.

As a devotee, I can’t help but express my admiration for Coyote Starrk, whose humorous laziness and dry wit captivated Bleach fans. Yet, beneath his comedic facade, there was a deep yearning for companionship that made him relatable and sympathetic. He found solace in his fellow Espadas, considering them dear friends who alleviated his loneliness, even though the other nine Espadas might not share the same sentiment. Starrk met his match against Shunsui Kyoraku in battle, but he never harbored resentment towards the Shinigami for ending his life. Instead, it seemed like a peaceful acceptance, as if he had found a sense of camaraderie even in death.

Debut: Episode 367, “THE BLOOD WARFARE”

As an observer, I can’t help but notice that the allure of Shonen anime villains frequently matches, if not surpasses, that of their heroic counterparts. Case in point, Sukuna from Jujutsu Kaisen and Light Yagami from Death Note have both garnered significant popularity. Although Aizen Sosuke remains the most renowned supervillain in Bleach, the captivatingly powerful Yhwach has undeniably stolen the spotlight. Intriguingly, Yhwach’s popularity has been on the rise since his debut in the initial cour of the Thousand-Year Blood War anime. At this juncture in cour 3, it’s evident that Yhwach is unquestionably the most formidable character within Bleach.

Originating from the lineage of the Quincies and an ancient entity possessing immense destructive power, Yhwach was destined to tower above the ordinary. Admirers of the Quincy Emperor are captivated by his straightforward demeanor, despite his tendency to eliminate his subordinates for seemingly trivial infractions. Interestingly, villains in anime tend to gain more popularity when they are more malevolent, and there is no character within Bleach as wicked as Yhwach.

Debut: Episode 2, “The Shinigami’s Work”

Due to his significant impact and numerous achievements during the Soul Society storyline, many fans grew fond of Yasutora Sado, often referred to as the kind giant on Team Ichigo. He played a pivotal part in battling various antagonists, which catapulted him to fame early on in the popularity rankings. Regrettably, as the narrative progresses, Sado’s significance decreases significantly, with the story of Bleach primarily excluding him from most subsequent conflicts.

The Thousand-Year Blood War anime adaptation aimed to slow down the manga’s rapid pace by enhancing Sado’s role, but it seems a bit lacking. Despite this, Sado’s kind nature, dry humor, and oddly endearing bond with Kon make him adorable in the eyes of many viewers. Although he might not rank at the top in popularity, his fans cherish him deeply nonetheless.

Debut: Episode 20, “Gin Ichimaru’s Shadow”

Initially, Ichimaru Gin seemed like a villain by barring Team Ichigo from entering Soul Society. However, the heroes never fully trusted him until he was revealed as Aizen’s underling. Even so, fans were intrigued by Gin’s enigmatic demeanor, his sarcastic tone, and his unflappable calmness. It was often difficult to guess what Gin was thinking, which only heightened his allure as a mysterious character.

Initially, Gin primarily stayed out of the limelight until the commanders of the Gotei 13 were vanquished by Aizen, after which he stepped up to engage Ichigo in combat. This battle revealed the true threat that Gin posed. It was later discovered that Gin had been feigning allegiance to Aizen for over a century. His long-standing grudge against Aizen stemmed from Aizen’s mistreatment of his cherished companion, Rangiku. Although his heroic sacrifice endeared him to fans, his past actions kept him ranked at #20 on this list.

Debut: Episode 7, “Greetings from a Stuffed Lion”

At school, Uryu Ishida is a classmate of Ichigo, who happens to be an accomplished Quincy marksman. Initially, Uryu aimed to be Ichigo’s fierce rival and demonstrate the superiority of Quincies over Shinigamis. This ambition persisted until they joined forces against a massive Menos Grande in their first battle together. Following this encounter, Uryu and Ichigo quickly formed a strong friendship and teamed up frequently. Uryu consistently demonstrated his value, particularly during an attempt to shield Orihime from friendly fire discharged by Vasto Lorde Ichigo.

Despite the complexities, Uryu Ishida found himself torn when the Wandenreich emerged, revealing the reason behind his initial decision to accept Yhwach’s proposal. Fans of Bleach appreciate many aspects of Uryu, such as his endearing crush on Orihime, his distinct abilities, and his stylish demeanor. Unlike others, Uryu tends to take himself quite seriously; however, this doesn’t diminish the enjoyment fans get from witnessing his over-the-top drama and flair in most story arcs.

Debut: Episode 1, “The Day I Became a Shinigami”

When Masaki, who had been infected by Hollow, wed Ichigo, a former Shinigami, Aizen was the lone one to foresee that their marriage would yield something intriguing. Indeed, he proved correct as Ichigo gained nearly every power in the narrative, the majority of which came from his parents. Regrettably, it seems that there wasn’t much power left for Ichigo’s twin sisters, Karin and Yuzu, the other Kurosaki children.

In the Shinigami Arc, both Yuzu and Karin are often seen, with Yuzu being the first person that Ichigo rescued in Bleach. Despite their similarities lying only in their sibling relationship, they present intriguing interactions. Witnessing the quiet Yuzu challenge the self-assured Karin was enjoyable, and these two sisters garnered a lot of fan affection. Although their popularity decreased as the series progressed, at least they both made an appearance in the final chapter.

Debut: Episode 113, “Prelude to the Apocalypse, The Arrancar’s Attack”

Ulquiorra Schiffer served faithfully and dependably under Sosuke Aizen, initially appearing as a formidable foe for Ichigo to battle. However, after spending time with Orihime in Las Noches, Ulquiorra discovered the concept of human “hearts” – an invisible bond that connects them. This idea is mirrored in his own persona, as Ulquiorra’s Hollow hole is situated where a human heart typically resides.

As a nihilist, Ulquiorra questioned Orihime’s emotional statements and hinted that she might not be telling the truth. His fierce battle with Ichigo is widely regarded as one of the best in “Bleach,” but unfortunately, the Espada was defeated. In his final moments, however, Ulquiorra had a change of heart and deeply yearned to witness the powerful “spirit” that allowed humans to draw strength and hope from each other. Many fans appreciated this poignant twist in Ulquiorra’s character, finding him surprisingly endearing.

Debut: Episode 40, “The Shinigami whom Ganju Met”

In this scene, Yamamoto Genryusai drew his flaming sword, the Zanpakuto, against Captains Shunsui Kyoraku and Jushiro Ukitake. The Captain-Commander remarked that these two were the most powerful fighters within Soul Society. Despite a mysterious illness, Ukitake never fully reached the power level of his friend Shunsui. However, the respected white-haired captain earned admiration for his upright character, strong moral compass, and occasional humor.

In the TYBW arc, Ukitake willingly gave up his life when Yhwach attempted to destroy the Soul King. This self-sacrifice unleashed a divine spirit that had been maintaining a check on his incurable illness. Regrettably, this reprieve was short-lived as Yhwach quickly surmounted the obstacle and vanquished the Soul King. Fans were disheartened by this somber finale for Ukitake, though it did bring temporary equilibrium to the three realms for a brief moment.

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2025-05-24 20:26