List of Bleach characters

The Bleach manga and anime series features an extensive cast of characters created by Tite Kubo. The series takes place in a fictional universe in which the characters are divided into various factionalized fictional races. All these races are subdivisions of humanity, but are distinguished by whether they live on earth or in one of the afterlives, by possession of thematically contrasting supernatural powers, and by the use of aesthetics drawn from the artistic traditions of different real-life regions.

The main character of Bleach is a Japanese teenager named Ichigo Kurosaki, a living human who has the power to interact with ghosts. He is visited one day by a spirit named Rukia Kuchiki, who is a soldier for the afterlife-ruling Soul Society. When Rukia is grievously wounded by a monstrous evil spirit in his company, Ichigo is granted her powers of exorcism and psychopompy, and then forced to assume Rukia's duties while she recovers. Now a Soul Reaper, Ichigo guides the ghosts of the innocent to the afterlife and protects his city against the hollows: the hungering ghosts of people who are not able to rest in peace after death. Over the course of the first arc, Ichigo clashes and forms alliances with the other supernaturally powered residents of his city, including several of his high school classmates, who join with Ichigo and Rukia to form the core cast of the story.

In the seventh volume of the series, it is revealed that the Soul Society has rigid feudal laws that Rukia breached when she gave her powers to a human. Ichigo and his friends leave the living world to infiltrate Soul Society and rescue Rukia from a sentence of death at the hands of her fellow Soul Reapers. The journey to Soul Society introduces the largest number of secondary characters of any arc, foremost among them the 26 military commanders of Soul Society, including Sōsuke Aizen, who is revealed to be a rebel with godlike powers and a dream of universal conquest. This story sets the tone for the remainder of the series, which places Ichigo in conflict with one powerful faction after another as he battles to protect his friends and city from the crossfire of escalating supernatural warfare, the world from destruction at the hands of Aizen and other villains, and to contain and control his own burgeoning superpowers.

Many individual Bleach characters and the series' character design work have been praised, though Bleach's constantly-expanding character roster has been a point of criticism in the press. This creative decision has been explained by author Kubo as the result of his writing process, in which he first creates new figures, then writes their personalities and character arcs, and finally assembles these interactions into a new plot. The overall response to this technique is mixed, with some reviewers believing the resulting characters are still relatively stereotypical, while others have remarked that even secondary characters feel like protagonists of their own stories.

Creation and conception
Bleach ' s creative process is focused around character design. When writing plotlines or having difficulties generating new material, Tite Kubo begins by thinking of new characters, often en masse, and rereading previous volumes of Bleach. Kubo has said that he likes creating characters with outward appearances that do not match their true nature, an element that can be found in many Bleach characters, as he is "attracted to people with that seeming contradiction", and finds an "urge to draw people like that when I work." When creating characters for the manga, Kubo first designs character appearances and only then decides what their personalities will be, in reflection of what he drew. Kubo considers every character to be unique and wants each of them to have the opportunity for character development in the course of the series. When asked about potentially-romantic relationships between certain characters, Kubo states that he "doesn't want to turn the series into a love story", since he thinks there are more exciting aspects of their personalities to draw out.

Bleach was first conceived from Kubo's desire to draw a shinigami in a kimono, which formed the basis for the design of the Soul Reapers. Several characteristics from them such as the kidō spells and the zanpakutō swords are also based on Japanese literature. Rukia Kuchiki was the first character Kubo designed, but he did not see her as a lead character, so he created Ichigo Kurosaki to be the series protagonist. Other characters from the series also use different languages to describe their terminology; the powers from the Quincy are taken from German, while hollows and arrancar instead use Spanish terms; for the latter, Kubo believed that the language sounded "bewitching" and "mellow". Additionally, the names of several arrancar are based on famous architects and designers.

Kubo has cited influences for elements of Bleach ranging from other manga series to music, foreign language, architecture, and film. He attributes his interest in drawing the supernatural and monsters to Shigeru Mizuki's Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro and Bleach ' s focus on interesting weaponry and battle scenes to Masami Kurumada's Saint Seiya, both manga Kubo enjoyed as a boy. Kubo has also commented that, when making characters designs, one of his inspirations is by looking at people's faces, a trait Kubo used to do when he was a child. One of his biggest problems in drawing the manga is the fact he has to make a chapter of 19 pages on a weekly basis. Although he is helped by three assistants, he has to do all the important illustrations and characters by himself. In the making of battle scenes, Kubo's main inspiration is rock music. While listening to the music, he imagines the fights with that music and then he tries to find the best angle to make it. He then tries to draw very realistic injuries in order to make the readers feel the pain the characters are feeling. Kubo mentions that he's sometimes bored whilst illustrating them, and tends to add in a few jokes to make it more humorous.

Ichigo Kurosaki
Ichigo Kurosaki (黒崎 一護) is the primary protagonist of Bleach and main hero. An orange-haired high school student, Ichigo becomes a "substitute Shinigami (Soul Reaper)" after unintentionally absorbing most of Rukia Kuchiki's powers. His cynical nature at first makes him ill-disposed towards the duty, but, with the passage of time, he accepts and welcomes the strength his Soul Reaper powers give him. When creating the manga series, Kubo commented that Rukia Kuchiki, the first character he created, did not seem like a lead character, so he created Ichigo to be the series protagonist.

In the Japanese anime, he is voiced by Masakazu Morita while in the English adaptation he is voiced by Johnny Yong Bosch.

Orihime Inoue
Orihime Inoue (井上 織姫) is a long-time classmate of Ichigo Kurosaki who, at the start of the series, has a crush on Ichigo, later falling in love with him. Orihime is also best friends with Tatsuki Arisawa. She is effectively an orphan, as when she was 3, her older brother Sora left their abusive parents' home with Orihime and raised her on his own. Later on, when Orihime was in middle school, he died in an accident. Though initially devoid of spiritual powers, she develops spiritual awareness early in the plot and later obtains the God-like ability to warp reality through rejecting past phenomena.

She is voiced by Yuki Matsuoka in the Japanese anime and by Stephanie Sheh in the English dub.

Rukia Kuchiki
Rukia Kuchiki (朽木 ルキア) is a Soul Reaper who is assigned hollow extermination duties in Ichigo's hometown (Karakura Town) and is the main heroine (though her role is downplayed later on). Though her physical appearance is that of a teenage girl, in reality she is ten times older than Ichigo. At the opening of the story, Rukia is forced to transfer her powers to Ichigo and assume a temporary lifestyle as a regular human. She registers at the local high school and takes up residence in Ichigo's closet, while teaching him how to be a substitute Soul Reaper in her place. She is shown many times kicking Ichigo in the face and using similar, slightly comical tactics to "wake him up." Orihime stated once that Rukia seemed to be the only one that is able to cheer Ichigo up, as she seems to have a lot of faith in him. Rukia was the first character of the series created by Kubo, her design being the one he decided to use for all the other Soul Reapers.

She is voiced by Fumiko Orikasa in Japanese and by Michelle Ruff in English.

Uryū Ishida
Uryū Ishida (石田 雨竜) is a Quincy, a descendant of a line of near-extinct, priest-like, hollow-hunting archers who were historical enemies of the Soul Reapers. He bears a deep grudge against all Soul Reapers, including Ichigo, and is an early antagonist in the series. He comes to view Ichigo differently over time, and eventually becomes a valuable ally and a friendly rival. As a quincy, Uryu possesses the supernatural power to gather invisible "spirit particles" from the atmosphere. Once gathered, these particles can be shaped into spirit-energy constructs, foremost among them a bow and arrow, and to fuel various magical spells and superhuman abilities.

Uryu is voiced by Noriaki Sugiyama in Japanese and Derek Stephen Prince in English.

Yasutora "Chad" Sado
Yasutora Sado (茶渡 泰虎), better known as Chad (チャド), is one of Ichigo's friends at school. He is a biracial Japanese/Mexican student who towers over his classmates at 6 feet 5 inches. Despite his imposing appearance he is quite meek, and refuses to fight unless it is for the sake of another. Chad does not have awareness of ghosts at first, but this changes when he attempts to protect Ichigo's sister, Karin,and her friends from a hollow. He discovers a unique ability that strengthens and armors his right arm, enabling him to fight hollows. Eventually as his power develops, Chad learns that he is very similar to a Fullbringer and joins Xcution to help Ichigo regain his Soul Reaper powers.

He is voiced by Hiroki Yasumoto in the Japanese anime and by Jamieson Price in the English dub.

Bounts
The Bounts (バウント) are a group of humans with special abilities. They are the main antagonists during the series' anime-exclusive Bount and Bount Assault on Soul Society arcs. The Bounts live eternally (caused by an accident) due to a scientific experiment earlier in the Soul Society, where they were created, and began to eat the souls of human beings to gain more power; according to Kisuke Urahara, they have historically been known as vampires. Like Soul Reapers, they each have a unique weapon known as a Doll, a familiar equivalent to the Soul Reaper zanpakutō. Like a zanpakutō, a doll is its creator's power given physical form. However, instead of taking the form of actual weapons like zanpakutō do, dolls are mostly self-sufficient creatures when released, although they tend to be used as weapons in various ways such as a large battleaxe or a snake, as a sword and whip. Their leader Kariya, motivated by the destruction of himself and all connected to him, plans to invade the Soul Society along with the remaining Bounts to destroy it and themselves. However, with the exception of his friend Gō Koga (古賀剛), Kariya managed to have his forces wiped out by the Soul Reapers prior to himself being killed by Ichigo Kurosaki. A use of the German language is an apparent theme among the Bount given that several of their dolls have names based on German words. IGN criticized the Bounts as being "lame bad guys," noting that the bittō (the Bounts’ mosquito-like creatures that collect souls) in particular were like "something straight out of a bad sci-fi movie," but admitted the Bounts were "decent plot devices" to develop the other characters.

Jin Kariya
Jin Kariya (狩矢 神) is the Leader of the Bounts who planned to destroy the entire Soul Society through the Jōkaishō that created the Bounts. He was originally Eugene Currier, a boy who was befriended by the Soul Society scientist Ran'tao before being forced to leave his home when Soul Reapers are dispatched to kill the Bounts. He eventually fused his Doll Messer into him, increasing his power and seeing the Bounts' existence as meaningless. Centuries later, Kariya gathers all the remaining strong Bounts to serve as pawns in his plan to destroy not only the Soul Society but themselves as well. Kidnapping Uryū Ishida, Kariya intended to use Quincy powers to create a special gate which will allow him and the rest of the Bounts to enter the Soul Society. He then kills the turncoat Bount Yoshino Sōma and uses her soul to create the Bitto to collect and distill human souls so the Bounts can increase their powers upon consumption.

Upon entering the Soul Society, Kariya tricks the residents of Kusajishi, the 79th district of Rukongai, to aid him in his cause before having them killed upon outliving their usefulness. While having the other Bounts fight the Soul Reapers, Kariya finds the Jōkaishō and activates it. After leaving his comrade Koga for dead, Kariya is confronted by Rantao and overwhelms her before Uryū appears. After killing his Soul Reaper aide Maki, Kariya battles Ichigo one-on-one in a powerful and climatic sword fight. Before turning into dust upon being defeated, Kariya mentions his one regret is that he won't get to see if Ichigo, a being of two worlds like himself, will choose to take the same path as he did.

Jin Kariya's Doll is Messer, having long absorbed it to manipulate wind without releasing it into its true form. While usings Messer's full power, Kariya can move the wind at such speeds in order to generate lightning and move at high speeds similar to a Flash Step. Prior to its true location, Messer was believed to haven been sealed within a random item on Kariya's person.

Jin Kariya is voiced by Tōru Ōkawa in the Japanese anime and by Troy Baker in the English dub.

Gō Koga
Gō Koga (古賀 剛) is a member of the Bounts and the one that was closest to Jin Kariya.

In the 1800s, while still going under the name Claude Gaugain, Koga was living in a countryside somewhere in Europe. One day, Kariya, known at that time as Eugene Currier, paid him a visit, bringing Cain with him. He asked Koga to take care of Cain and teach him how to live as a Bount. Koga initially refused, saying that Bounts should live on their own and train themselves. However, Kariya managed to convince him. Before leaving, he gave Koga a book that detailed doll summoning instructions. Initially, Koga's relationship with Cain was rocky, but in time they developed a master-apprentice bond. Some time later, Koga bought Cain his own coat without him asking. Cain was delighted with the gift, but some rude villagers tried to take it from him. Attacking Koga with no success, they retreated. Soon after, a mob charged Koga's home, and he released Dalk to fight them. Cain, impressed by Dalk, wanted a doll of his own. Koga gave him the book for summoning one, telling him not to try on his own. However, Cain disobeyed him, and before Koga could save him, his doll turned on him. Before turning to dust, Cain reached out to his master, telling him he didn't want to die. Koga suffered greatly at the loss of Cain and later joined Kariya's cause.

Gō Koga first appeared when he arrived at the discussion between Uryu Ishida and Yoshino. He overpowered Yoshino and took her and Uryu back to the Bount Mansion. Gō Koga later fought Renji Abarai. When the Bittos were targeting Keigo Asano's soul, Ichigo Kurosaki intervened and ended up fighting Gō Koga until Izuru Kira arrived. Gō Koga retreated afterwards.

During the fight in the Soul Society, Gō Koga faced off against Toshiro Hitsugaya and was frozen in a pillar. Gō Koga was later rescued by Yoruichi Shihoin who brought his body to Ran'Tao. Gō Koga was the only Bount that survived and is currently living with Ran'Tao.

Gō Koga's Doll is Dalk who is able to manipulate its metallic body to create weaponry. In the Doll's spider form, it can make webs to trap her opponents, making it easier for it to attack, or possibly kill the one fighting the Doll. Its sealed form is a metal sphere.

Gō Koga is voiced by Tōru Furusawa in the Japanese anime and by Richard Epcar in the English dub. Dalk is voiced by Takako Honda in the Japanese anime and by Karen Strassman in the English dub.

Cain
Cain (ケイン) is a young male Bount that Jin Kariya left in Gō Koga's care many years ago. He was taken in as Gō Koga's apprentice. When he tried to summon his mantis-like doll Waineton, the doll Waineton turned on Cain and killed him in front of Gō Koga.

Cain is voiced by Takayaki Fujimoto in the Japanese anime and by Peter Doyle in the English dub. Waineton is voiced by Philece Sampler in the English dub.

Hō and Ban
Hō (鵬) and Ban (磐) are twin brothers who took part in the Bount Invasion.

They first appeared when they used their dolls in order to attack Uryu Ishida at the hospital causing Ichigo Kurosaki, Rukia Kuchiki, Orihime Inoue, Yasutora "Chad" Sado, and Renji Abarai to come to his defense. After Ganju Shiba used his firecrackers on the dolls, Hō and Ban died due to the destruction of their dolls and turned to dust.

Hō and Ban's dolls are Guhl and Günther who are the smallest amongst the Bounts' Dolls as they are bottle caps. Despite the Dolls' small size, they have great power as their power is to manipulate water making its power source nearly unlimited. They can wrap themselves around their opponents in order to drown them or even flood a person's body killing them from the inside out. Their sealed forms are caps on water bottles.

In the Japanese anime, Hō and Ban are both voiced by Daisuke Sakaguchi. In the English dub, Hō and Ban are voiced by Roger Craig Smith and Brian Beacock.

Ryō Utagawa
Ryō Utagawa (宇田川 稜) is a member of the Bounts. He served under Jin Kariya and had ambitions to overthrow him. When it came to the fight against the Bounts at their mansion, Ryō Utagawa was killed by Maki Ichinose and his body turns to dust.

Ryō Utagawa's doll is Fried which takes the form of a golden snake with black stripes and green eye when unsealed. Its powers allow Ryō to turn whatever Fried touches or sees into a snake. Ryō can also intercept Flash Steps, through a barrier called Snake Net. Once the technique is activated, if something is seen as a threat to Ryō through Fried, it will be attacked no matter where the threat runs to by snakes emerging from the ground. Its sealed form is a gold pocket watch.

He is voiced by Shūsuke Sakino in the Japanese anime and by Tony Oliver in the English dub.

Mabashi
Mabashi (馬橋) is a member of the Bounts. Mabashi interrupts Yoshi's battle against Rukia Kuchiki, Orihime Inoue, and Kuroda. Mabashi used his doll to take over Rukia Kuchiki and used her to attack Orihime and Kuroda. This proved to be a difficult battle until Shuhei Hisagi showed up. Orihime's powers were enough to free Rukia from the possession as Maki Ichinose covers Mabashi's escape. When it came to the invasion upon the Soul Society, Mabashi took over the bodies of the Shinigami. Mabashi was later killed by Soifon.

Mabashi's doll is Ritz who has the ability to possess the body of anyone and control them. Its sealed form is a seed.

Mabashi is voiced by Daisuke Ono in the Japanese anime and by Keith Silverstein in the English dub. Ritz is voiced by Asami Sanada in the Japanese anime and by Sandy Fox in the English dub.

Sawatari
Sawatari (沢渡) is a member of the Bounts and the oldest of the bunch. Sawatari first appears to engage Yasutora "Chad" Sado, Noba, and Ururu Tsumugiya in the park until Rangiku Matsumoto joined the battle. After a difficult battle, Sawatari retreats. When it came to the invasion upon the Soul Society, Sawatari is killed in battle by Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

Sawatari's doll is Baura who has a whale-like appearance that Sawatari sits on top of. Baura has a dimension in its stomach where anyone that is swallowed by Baura will die if they stay in him too long.

Sawatari is voiced by Yuzuru Fujimoto in the Japanese anime and by Joe J. Thomas in the English dub. Baura is voiced by Takaya Kuroda in the Japanese anime and by Richard Epcar in the English dub.

Ugaki
Ugaki (宇柿) is a member of the Bounts. He fights Ichigo and Renji in a cave until signs of weakness causes him to be killed by his own doll.

Ugaki's doll is Gesell which is a huge, eyeless monster. It has the ability to manifest many melee weapons from its limbs. Gesell can see through the eyes that generate light, as his master does through his glasses. It is controlled by Ugaki through a deck of cards. Whatever is shown on a card Ugaki plays, appears within the shadow of an object, which is created by the light generated from the eyes.

Ugaki is voiced by Katsumi Suzuki in the Japanese anime and by Kirk Thornton in the English dub. Gesell is voiced by Neil Kaplan in the English dub.

Yoshi
Yoshi (ヨシ) is a member of the Bounts. She fought Rukia Kuchiki, Orihime Inoue, and Kuroda in an alley until Mabashi ordered her to leave. When it came to the invasion on the Soul Society, Yoshi was killed by Uryu Ishida.

Yoshi's doll is Nieder who takes on the form of a jian and fan combination. In its base form, the fan can fire needle-like projectiles at its target. It can also be used for defense against regular attacks. The jian part of the Doll is used for regular offense. When the fan's size increases, it can protect Yoshi against all attacks, but Yoshi loses all form of offense. When the jian increases in size, it's offensive power increases further, as the jian gains a trail of energy swords. Its sealed form is a fan-like object, possibly a closed fan.

Yoshi is voiced by Yōko Sōmi in the Japanese anime and by Stephanie Sheh in the English dub. The Jian and Fan parts of Nieder are voiced by Taro Yamaguchui and Mariko Kōda in the Japanese anime and by Joe J. Thomas and Wendee Lee in the English dub.

Yoshino Sōma
Yoshino Sōma (相馬 芳野) is a member of the Bounts and the former wife of Jin Kariya. She tried to take the soul of a human until she was stopped by Yoruichi Shihoin. Ichigo Kurosaki and Ririn corner Yoshino. Ichigo faces off against Yoshino until Rukia Kuchiki arrived to help fight Yoshino. Ryō Utagawa then arrived and took Yoshino back to the Bount Mansion. When she turns against Jin Kariya, Yoshino ends up killed in battle by him.

Yoshino Sōma's doll is Goethe who takes on the form of a humanoid fire beast which can generate fire. No matter how many times Goethe is cut it will always regenerate. If however, it is stabbed through the heart, it will fall to pieces, though all of those pieces are able to attack before Goethe regenerates. Goethe also responds greatly to Yoshino's maternal spirit energy, as he never left Yoshino's side when she was at her weakest. Its sealed form is a claw and a bracelet. In the end, following Kariya's example, Yoshino absorbs Goethe to increase her power, but still got killed with her energy used to create the Bittos.

Yoshino Sōma is voiced by Masako Katsuki in the Japanese anime and by Dorothy Elias-Fahn in the English dub. Goethe is voiced by Richard Epcar in the English dub.

Hollows
Hollows are the class of spirit that most enemies in Bleach are a part of. They are formerly human spirits that were not sent to Soul Society in due time after death. This makes them lose their sense of being and gives them a craving for human souls. Their main characteristic is a white mask completely covering their face and a hole near their heart. Each hollow's mask has a design unique to that individual. Arrancar, a stronger form of hollow that have acquired humanoid form and some of the powers of Soul Reapers, become the primary antagonists later in the series. Besides having a human body, their masks are partially broken to reveal part of their face. Their holes are no longer restricted to being near their heart, and can be located anywhere on their body, including their head.

Humans
The Humans featured in Bleach are residents of a modern Japan and reside in the fictional city of Karakura Town. Most are unable to interact with spirits in any way. In rare cases a human is born with the ability to speak and interact with spirits, with the degree of interaction growing with time. Many of the humans introduced in the series have only become spiritually aware through their interaction with series' protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki (other than Uryu Ishida, Sado Yastruda, Orihime Inoue, and Don Kanonji), and, by extension, his friends and former classmates at Karakura High School.

Keigo Asano
Keigo Asano (浅野 啓吾) is a classmate of Ichigo Kurosaki. He is an extremely hyperactive character and often uses overly dramatic movements and words to act out his feelings. As such, he is primarily comedic foil, acting as an antithesis to his usually calm friend Mizuiro Kōjima. Keigo appears to be a shallow character at first glance, with a passion for slacking off. Indeed, he takes great pride in not making it to the honors roster in his class and labels those who do so "traitors" (including Ichigo and Chad). Like many of Ichigo's friends, Keigo is spiritually aware, though he dismisses many of the peculiar things he sees as shootings for a TV show. He has yet to display any unique abilities, save blocking one of Rangiku Matsumoto's attacks. His parents are referred to at least once as authority figures in his home but never seen; however, his older sister, Mizuho (瑞穂) does appear.

He is voiced by Katsuyuki Konishi in the Japanese anime and by Yuri Lowenthal in the English dub.

Mizuiro Kojima
Mizuiro Kojima (小島 水色) is a classmate of Ichigo Kurosaki. He has a boyish face and gentle manner of speaking, with a marked fondness for older women. He is shown to be spiritually aware, but has yet to display any unique abilities. In an omake chapter of Bleach, Mizuiro is revealed to have had very few friends prior to entering junior high school. After meeting Ichigo and his friends, he has since found a niche of people to hang out with, most commonly Keigo Asano.

He is voiced by Jun Fukuyama in the Japanese anime and by Tom Fahn in the English dub.

Tatsuki Arisawa
Tatsuki Arisawa (有沢 竜貴) is a good friend of Ichigo Kurosaki and the best friend of Orihime Inoue. She has known both since she was young, sparring with Ichigo in their karate classes and defending Orihime whenever people picked on or bothered her. Tatsuki is very tomboyish, displaying few feminine traits and even ranking as the second strongest student in her age group in all of Japan, despite having a broken arm during the tournament. Apart from being spiritually aware, Tatsuki can sense Orihime from almost anywhere, even across dimensions; she is able to sense Orihime when she travels to Soul Society, but remarks that she can not sense her presence after Orihime is taken to Hueco Mundo. Despite her aggressive manner, she worries about Ichigo when she sees him fighting the Espada Grimmjow.

She is voiced by Junko Noda in the Japanese anime and by Wendee Lee in the English dub.

Chizuru Honshō
Chizuru Honshō (本匠 千鶴) is a classmate of Ichigo Kurosaki. She is an open lesbian and is often trying to get close to Orihime only to be thwarted by Tatsuki who would often attack her.

She is voiced by Saki Nakajima in the Japanese anime.

Kurosaki family
The main character from the series, Ichigo Kurosaki, lives along with his family who owns and work in a medical clinic in Karakura Town. In reality, the Kurosaki clan are originally one of the surviving Quincy bloodlines. Isshin Kurosaki (黒崎 一心), when he was known as captain Isshin Shiba (志波 一心) of Squad 10 before renouncing his Soul Reaper status, married into the Kurosaki's sole surviving member Masaki and began their own family.

Masaki Kurosaki
Masaki Kurosaki (黒崎 真咲) is the wife of Isshin Shiba and the mother of Ichigo, Karin, and Yuzu, as well as the last of the Kurosaki bloodline who was taken in by the Ishida family with plan that she would marry Ryūken to continue the Quincies' existence. However, she inadvertently broke the Quincy rule by aiding Isshin in his fight with the Hollow White and got infected by the Hollow's Hollowfication bite. To save her, Isshin renounced his Soul Reaper powers to connect his soul to hers to keep her inner Hollow at bay. Eventually, Masaki married Isshin and started a family, giving birth to Ichigo, Karin, and Yuzu. However, nine years before the main story started, the young Ichigo fell in a trap set up by the Hollow Grand Fisher. Masaki pushed him to confront the Hollow with her Blut Vene technique, but the progenitor of Quincy, Yhwach initiated Auswählen, taking the powers of Masaki at the exact time when the Hollow delivered a fatal blow on Masaki, killing her.

Masaki is voiced by Sayaka Ohara in the Japanese anime and Ellyn Stern in the English dub.

Karin Kurosaki and Yuzu Kurosaki
Fraternal twin sisters, Karin Kurosaki (黒崎 夏梨) and Yuzu Kurosaki (黒崎 遊子), are Ichigo's younger sisters. Both born on May 6; Karin is typically cynical and sarcastic, and is significantly more assertive and aggressive than Yuzu. Like Ichigo, Karin is spiritually aware, though she initially chooses to ignore the spirits she sees. She is aware of Ichigo's Soul Reaper powers, and tells him of this, but Ichigo tries to act as if he does not know what she is talking about before leaving his body in her care when the Arrancar attack. Yuzu is more soft-spoken, empathetic, and emotional in comparison to her sister. She takes care of the housework, such as cooking meals and tidying up the living space, on a daily basis. She has a deep affection for Kon (whom she does not know is alive), calling him "Bostov". Yuzu has a weak level of spiritual awareness, only being able to see faint outlines of spirits. Unlike Karin, she also openly displays her sisterly love to Ichigo, often crying for him when he is away from home and worrying about him when their father performs a rather comical attack on him. After the timeskip, Yuzu and Karin attend junior high, where they wear sailor-style unifroms. For their appearances, Karin has let her hair grow and ties it up while Yuzu has hair clips. Karin has also begun to develop physical while Yuzu hasn't.

Karin is voiced by Rie Kugimiya in the Japanese anime and Kate Higgins in the English dub. Yuzu is voiced by Ayumi Sena in the Japanese anime and Janice Kawaye in the English dub.

Modified souls
Modified souls (改造魂魄), or Mod-Souls for short, are artificial souls created by Soul Society researchers some time before the start of Bleach ' s storyline. They were created to reanimate the dead bodies of humans to act as a formidable fighting force, but this was found unethical and they were ordered to be destroyed. Six modified souls have been introduced in the series thus far, each having been saved from destruction. All have enhanced speed and strength when compared to normal humans, and often special abilities which set them apart from each other. Each typically inhabits a plushie with all of their abilities intact (albeit scaled down to fit their size). The three introduced in the anime's Bount arc also possess a personal gigai (義骸), a synthetic human body, that they can use to avoid attention and otherwise regain complete use of their abilities.

Kon
Kon (コン) is the first modsoul to appear in Bleach. He primarily serves as a comedic foil in the series, receiving little respect and much disdain from other characters. He is not completely undeserving of this treatment as he is highly perverted in nature; he is drawn to girls with big breasts (and displays attraction towards Rukia despite her lack thereof, but more because he believes she saved his life) and, when inhabiting another's body, spends his time trying to look up skirts since "it will not be [his] reputation that gets sullied". However, from the beginning he displayed a much more serious side to himself, believing that a life should not be taken on purpose after he witnessed the destruction of other mod souls. Kon's area of expertise are his legs, and thus he can run faster and jump higher than any human, even in his plush form. He typically inhabits a lion plushie that he is very fond of, referring to it as his "sexy body". Kon also inhabits Ichigo Kurosaki's body whenever he is away, playing the part of Ichigo so that his family does not miss him. Although Kon makes only sporadic appearances in the Bleach storyline, he frequently hosts and/or stars in omake specials for the series, self-proclaiming himself the series' mascot.

He is voiced by Mitsuaki Madono in the Japanese anime and by Quinton Flynn in the English dub.

Kurōdo
Kurōdo (蔵人) is a somewhat cowardly modsoul. He has the ability to shapeshift, and can replicate the abilities of others when he does so (although he can not replicate the potency of said abilities). His plushie body is a rabbit-esque purse. Kurōdo's gigai is of a bespectacled man with a mustache and two-tone hair color (black to the left, blond to the right). He wears a gray top hat, multi-colored suit and tie, as well as dark brown boots. He is often told he talks too much.

He is voiced by Nobuo Tobita in the Japanese anime and by Michael McConnohie in the English dub.

Noba
Noba (之芭) is very quiet, rarely speaking more than a few words. He is fairly shy, hiding his face when he wishes to show no emotion. Despite this, he is somewhat analytical and adept at strategic combat. Noba has the power to teleport himself and others to almost any location he has been to, using inter-dimensional portals. The dimension inside the portals appears to be red. He can also create wormholes to redirect ranged attacks, both physical and energy based, back at the enemy. Noba's plushie body is an anthropomorphic turtle in gray dress trousers and a white ruffled shirt with a red bow tie. He retreats into his shell when embarrassed or feeling shy. His gigai is of a young slim built, red haired man with aqua eyes wearing a ninja-esque outfit: a fur coat with a shield on his back and a zippered mask.

He is voiced by Tomokazu Sugita in the Japanese anime and by Roger Craig Smith in the English dub.

Ririn
Lirin (りりん) acts as the leader of the modsouls introduced in the Bount arc. At times she is petty and arrogant, resulting in her initial dislike of Ichigo Kurosaki. She can sense Bount reishi, along with their dolls. Other times she shows real concern for others, eventually developing a fondness for Ichigo where in she will put herself in harm's way to protect him. She often looks down on Kon as inferior, which causes frequent arguments between the two. Her special ability is the creation of illusions. Lirin's plushie body is an anthropomorphic bird that wears a blue coat, red bow, and blue boots. She does not like the plushie at all, and claims that she cannot change to another. Lirin's gigai is a small girl with short blonde hair wearing a pink, fur-trimmed coat, a purple bird-shaped cape, and red boots. She, Kurōdo, and Noba all live at Urahara's shop while not in action.

She is voiced by Yumi Kakazu in the Japanese anime and by Julie Ann Taylor in the English dub.

Nozomi Kujō
Nozomi Kujō (九条 望実) is a Mod Soul who only appeared in the anime. Nozomi has escaped from Soul Society and is wanted by Kagerōza Inaba. She is actually the result of Project Spearhead, the experiment that created the first Mod-Soul in the image of its overseer Ōko Yushima. However, the Mod Soul splintered into two: One half becoming Nozomi who embodies Yushima's restraint and other being Inaba who bares their creator's grudge on the Soul Society. Ending up in Karakura Town while evading the Reigai, Mod-Soul based clones of Soul Reapers created by Inaba, Nozomi is found by Kon and befriends Ichigo and his friends as they protect her. In the process, she manages to open up and show off her exuberant personality while manifesting her own Zanpakutō Arazome Shigure (退紅時雨) which can absorb spirit pressure in its released state. Eventually, Nozomi is captured and Inaba proceeds to use his lab equipment to absorb her and assume the intended form of a Reigai in Yushima's image. However, Nozomi's conscious is able to endure and fights Yushima as he battles her friends. Though she managed to separate from him, Nozomi dies from the internal wounds she inflicted on Yushima while she was still a part of him.

She is voiced by Hisako Kanemoto in the Japanese anime and by Julie Ann Taylor in the English dub.

Quincy
Quincy (滅却師(クインシー)) are a clan of humans who are descended from Yhwach. Spiritually aware because of Yhwach's blood running through them, the Quincies can reshape spiritual particles into various types of bow and arrows, swords or explosives. At their height, Quincies used their powers to combat the hollows to protect the land of the living with a greater success rate than the Soul Reapers. However, unlike the Soul Reapers who purify Hollows, Quincies completely destroy the soul and thus create an imbalance between the life and death that would threaten to destroy the world. As a last resort to prevent further imbalance, the Soul Reapers exterminated most of the Quincies with only few trace remains allowed to live. As a result, having great animosity towards Soul Reapers, some Quincies marry into normal human families with their children becoming Impure Quincies while some Quincy families attempt to keep their bloodline pure. Tite Kubo created the Quincy as rivals to the Soul Reapers, resulting in long-range weapons as a counter to the standard Soul Reaper zanpakuto and white clothing as an antithesis to the black Soul Reaper uniform. Their name stems from their symbol, a five-pointed star, and the prefix "quin," meaning "five," as well as Kubo's liking for the phrase "Quincy archer." The other than Uryū Ishida and the Wandenreich, there are some other Quincies who had survived the genocide.

Ryūken Ishida
Ryūken Ishida (石田 竜弦) is Uryū's father who works as the Hospital Director of Karakura Hospital. Ryūken is portrayed as a bitter and cold Quincy who detests his own people though he is extremely powerful and possess many of their people's lost or stolen artifacts (some of the new weapons that Ishida currently uses are "borrowed" from his father). It is revealed that he was meant to marry Masaki Kurosaki, a distant relative of him, to preserve the blood purity of the Quincy. However, his engagement fell through when Masaki underwent Hollowfication and Isshin Shiba tied his life with Masaki's in order to save it. Instead of Masaki, he married his family maid, Kanae Katagiri. Nine years before the main story, Kanae was subjected to the Auswählen and eventually died, impacting Ryūken and causing him to detest Quincy.

He is voiced by Ken Narita in the Japanese anime and by Michael McConnohie in the English dub.

Sōken Ishida
Sōken Ishida (石田 宗弦) is the father of Ryūken and the grandfather of Uryū. He trained Uryū in Quincy abilities throughout his childhood, becoming his mentor in the process. Sōken tried to make amends with Soul Reapers by advocating a new system of response to Hollow attacks. His proposal was never accepted, and he was eventually killed in a Hollow attack due to his old age (with Mayuri Kurotsuchi being responsible for not sending Soul Reapers to save him).

Kanae Katagiri
Kanae Katagiri (片桐 叶絵) is the wife of Ryūken Ishida and the mother of Uryū. She is of a mixed-blood heritage (Gemischt) and originally worked as the maid of the Ishida family. She befriended Ryūken since they were children and eventually developed a crush on him, although she is aware that Ryūken must marry his distant relative, Masaki Kurosaki. After Ryūken's engagement with Masaki fell through, she comforted a weeping Ryūken and eventually married him, giving birth to Uryū. However, nine years before the main story, the Quincy progenitor, Yhwach initiated the Auswählen: the process to absorb the power of impure Quincy, which took the powers of both Kanae and Masaki. Kanae, who was already weak at the time, eventually died three months later.

Soul Reapers
Soul Reapers are the protectors of souls, granting them access to Soul Society and keeping them safe from hollows. Many of the protagonists introduced in the series are Soul Reapers, either in profession, origin, or abilities. Each Soul Reaper possesses a zanpakutō, a sword that doubles as both a weapon and a physical manifestation of the owner's soul. Each zanpakutō has its own personality, which is at times at odds with its owner's. Though Soul Reapers make up the bulk of the characters from Soul Society that have been introduced in the series, a far greater number of souls occupy its outskirts.

Kūkaku Shiba
Kūkaku Shiba (志波 空鶴) is an ill-tempered fireworks expert and the somewhat authoritative older sister of Ganju. She lives with her family in flamboyant, ridiculously themed houses (which she changes in design and location regularly) on the outskirts of Soul Society. For some unknown reason, Kūkaku is missing her right arm which in the anime is replaced with a prosthetic. Kūkaku is the head of the Shiba family, which fell from the status of nobility after her brother Kaien, died. Because they knew only that Kaien was killed by a Soul Reaper, both Kūkaku and Ganju are distrustful of Soul Reapers when first introduced. After Kaien's killer Rukia Kuchiki explains how he died and apologizes, the Shibas make amends. Kūkaku seems to have some kind of relationship with the Urahara Shop, knowing Yoruichi Shihōin and claiming to have worked with Kisuke Urahara in the past. She can perform high level kidō spells, and carries a kodachi tied around the remaining portion of her right arm. After the Wandenreich's attack, she helps Ichigo and Bonze return to the Royal Palace. She mentions that they must let Ichigo go to the palace even if it saddens "uncle," before commanding Ganju to continue his training with the three members of Xcution that had been sent to Soul Society, in preparation for the second assault by the Wandenreich.

She is voiced by Akiko Hiramatsu in the Japanese anime and by Cindy Robinson in the English dub.

Ganju Shiba
Ganju Shiba (志波 岩鷲) is Kūkaku's younger brother. He is the leader of a gang, who all ride large boars. Incidentally, Ganju's boar, Bonnie-chan, met her end in a nabe which Ganju himself was invited to by 4th squad captain Unohana. Ganju possesses a hot temper and a strong ego, though has shown a softer side, easily being cowed by his older sister, Kūkaku. He and his sister initially hate Soul Reapers due to the death of their brother, Kaien, though after his interactions with Ichigo Kurosaki he overcomes this. Ganju is not particularly attractive, something that has become a running joke in the series. He has a dagger which resembles a meat cleaver or a Chinese Dadao, though his skills are limited and he instead relies on his arsenal of fireworks and his earth magic. Ganju's earth magic does not seem to operate on the same principles as standard Soul Reaper kidō spells; the one technique he uses can reduce whatever earth it is aimed at to sand or quicksand, useful when making holes in walls to escape pursuers. Much later he appears shortly after the Wandenreich's assault and is shown to be training with Kugo Ginjo, Giriko Kutsuzawa, and Shūkurō Tsukishima in preparation for the Wandenreich's second assault.

He is voiced by Wataru Takagi in the Japanese anime and by Kyle Hebert in the English dub.

Urahara Shop
The Urahara Shop (浦原商店) is a convenience store that predominantly deals in snacks and small household goods. It also caters to a more select crowd of spiritually aware beings, providing them with merchandise it has acquired from Soul Society. Three of its regulars (owner Kisuke Urahara, Yoruichi Shihōin, and Tessai Tsukabishi) are former high-ranking Soul Reapers that are now fugitives of Soul Society.

Kisuke Urahara
Kisuke Urahara (浦原 喜助) is the owner of the Urahara Shop, whose habit of wearing traditional Japanese wooden sandals and a bucket hat earned him the nickname "Mr. Hat-and-Clogs" (ゲタ帽子). Kisuke is usually quite laid-back and has a jovial if not comical attitude, tendencies that tend to drive away customers. Despite his odd work ethic and personality, Kisuke is a keen intellectual with an inventive streak and an uncanny ability to discern an opponent's weaknesses and attack patterns with ease. Kisuke also leaves his store unattended for long periods of time, like when he trained Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends in the store's cave-like basement.

Kisuke is eventually revealed to be actually the former Captain of Squad 12 after being promoted from his 3rd seat in Squad 2. A century ago, Kisuke caught Sōsuke Aizen in the act of converting Hiyori and their fellow Soul Reapers into Hollows. Though Kisuke managed to save them by turning them into Visards, learning that Aizen has after the Hōgyoku (崩玉) he developed, Kisuke is forced to leave the Soul Society when framed for the crime and go into hiding in the World of the Living. Though he attempted to dispose of the Hōgyoku in the Gigai body he developed for Rukia, Aizen obtained the sphere. Later aiding the Soul Society in their battle against Aizen by creating a Fake Karakura Town, Kisuke engages Aizen in battle and is initially defeated. However, though defeated, Kisuke placed a special Kidō seal on Aizen that activated after Hōgyoku rejected Aizen as its master.

As a former captain, he is also adept in using high-level Kidō and uses a sharp tactical style of combat. His zanpakutō is a shikomizue named Benihime (紅姫). In this form it has three known special abilities: it can create a polygonal "blood mist shield" capable of blocking most attacks, a crimson-colored energy blast which is similar to a cero, and an explosion that combines volatile energy with a net. Benihime's bankai has yet to be revealed but Kisuke, when asked to use it to help train Sado, stated that his bankai is not fit for such a purpose. Aizen has commented on Urahara's ability, calling him the only man whose intellect exceeds his own. Kubo has commented on Urahara, saying he is based on Snufkin, whom he thought was cool.

He is voiced by Shinichiro Miki in the Japanese anime and by Michael Lindsay in the English dub until episode 214 before returning in episode 287. The role was also performed by Doug Erholtz from episodes 231 to 261.

Yoruichi Shihōin
Yoruichi Shihōin (四楓院 夜一) is an old friend of Urahara Shop owner Kisuke Urahara, and so uses it as a place of residence when she is not abroad. She is a slim, sexy, dark-skinned woman with deep-violet hair. She can also transform into a black cat and back at will (much to Ichigo Kurosaki's displeasure as she would tease him whenever she appeared naked before him after transforming). Her cat form gives her a deep voice, which leads many characters to initially believe she is a male and thus call her "Mr. Yoruichi". Yoruichi is very easy-going and she insists that Sui Fong avoid formalities when speaking to her. She tends to avoid combat and will not engage her enemies unless her allies will lose without her intervention. When first introduced, she helps Ichigo and his friends infiltrate Soul Society. As the series progress, it is revealed that Yoruichi is a former captain of the 2nd Division, head of the noble Shihōin clan, and was the Commander in Chief of the Secret Mobile Corps. Therefore, she is highly knowledgeable in Soul Society's history due to her background as a leader of one of the four highest ranking noble families. According to a citation from Kisuke Urahara when he explained to Hiyori Sarugaki, any squad captain in the Gotei 13 who has had the Secret Mobile Corps under his or her control (usually 2nd Squad) will be a formidable military force in Soul Society. As Yoruichi was the leader of the Secret Mobile Corps and also a squad captain herself during the pendulum period and also a leader of a high ranking noble house, it has made her position in the Soul Society as one of the most intimidating and respected. A century before the start of the series she abandoned all of her military and noble house positions by helping Urahara, Tessai Tsukabishi, and the visoreds escape to the human world. Series creator Tite Kubo identifies Yoruichi as one of his two favorite female characters in the series (along with Rangiku Matsumoto), citing that he "has a lot of fun drawing her and creating stories with her."

Yoruichi has lived up to her former position as a captain and Commander in Chief of the Secret Mobile Corps due to her prowess throughout the series including when she immobilized Espada Yammy Riyalgo bare-handed. While she is very skilled in all Soul Reaper tactical combat, Yoruichi has always been presented in the series as extremely powerful in hand-to-hand combat and the use of flash steps (瞬歩), a high-speed movement ability. While the ability is common for any competent Soul Reaper, her speed movement is almost unmatched, leading her to be called the Goddess of Flash (瞬神). Even after a century later, Byakuya Kuchiki is still unable to surpass her speed. Yoruichi is also highly skilled in "Flash Cry" (瞬閧), which is an advanced technique that combines hand-to-hand combat and kidō abilities. The use of shunko allows the user to fight bare-handed against any opponent's weapons without being injured. She has never been seen wielding a zanpakutō in the current or gaiden storyline, though is shown carrying a kodachi-like blade during flashbacks. She has also been shown using gauntlets and sabatons during her latest fight against Aizen, though these have been destroyed since then.

She is voiced by Satsuki Yukino in the Japanese anime and by Wendee Lee in the English dub. Her cat form is voiced by Shirō Saitō in the Japanese anime and by Terrence Stone in the English dub.

Tessai Tsukabishi
Tessai Tsukabishi (握菱 鉄裁) is Urahara's personal assistant in both business and other matters. He is a large, muscular man with a thick mustache who is always seen wearing an apron. He is shown to have great physical strength, made apparent by his ability to smash a hollow's head to pieces with a single, open-palmed thrust. During the Turn Back the Pendulum miniseries, it is revealed that he was the captain of the Kidō Corps in Soul Society. As a result, Tessai is extremely skilled in kidō, demonstrated by his ability to use a level 99 binding spell while skipping its incantation. He has not been shown to carry a zanpakutō, but he did carry a shakujo during his time in Soul Society. For using forbidden kidō spells in aiding Kisuke Urahara in his attempts to help the visoreds, Tessai was sentenced to imprisonment by the Central 46 and was forced to flee to the human world.

Kiyoyuki Yanada is his Japanese voice actor and Michael Sorich his English voice actor.

Jinta Hanakari
Jinta Hanakari (花刈 ジン太) is a small, red-haired boy who is supposed to do manual labor for the shop, such as cleaning. Instead he usually slacks off and forces Ururu to do all the work. Though he frequently bullies her, he does care for Ururu as he recovers her body after she is injured by an arrancar. Though he is more knowledgeable than one might expect given his young appearance, he is still childish, calling Renji Abarai a "moocher" (居候),and he enjoyed teasing, spitting and drooling on Ichigo when his Chain of Fate was severed and Ichigo was becoming a hollow in an incapacitated state. Jinta seems to have a crush on Yuzu Kurosaki, calling her "The Goddess" and regarding anything she gives to him as sacred. His primary weapon is an oversized iron rod, similar to a Tetsubo, which he can use to attack.

He is voiced by Takako Honda in the Japanese anime and by Cindy Robinson in the English dub.

Ururu Tsumugiya
Ururu Tsumugiya (紬屋 雨) is a meek, black-haired girl with pigtails and purplish-blue eyes who mostly does manual labor for the shop. She is 3 (three) years older than Jinta. She uses a multi-barreled shoulder cannon as her weapon, which can turn into a rocket launcher to deal with powerful opponents. Ururu's meek attitude is somewhat at odds with her fighting ability, which is undefined, but quite high (Urahara vaguely mentions that her fighting ability is at an "anti-Soul Reaper" level). Her punches and kicks have a lethal amount of force and far surpass what is capable of most characters. She seems to respond robotically when injured or when Hollows are nearby. During such times, Ururu seems to take on a rather simplistic view of right and wrong; she considers those that cause harm (relative to her) as enemies, and believes that enemies must be eliminated.

She is voiced by Noriko Shitaya in the Japanese anime and by Wendee Lee in the English version.

Vizard
The Vizards (仮面の軍勢（ヴァイザード）) are Soul Reapers who have obtained hollow powers via a process called "Hollowification" (虚化). While Ichigo's Hollowification naturally occurred, the Visards were forced into it ages ago by Sōsuke Aizen as part of an experiment prior to them forced to flee the Soul Society. To gain access to their hollow powers, a Vizard dons a hollow mask that augments their Soul Reaper abilities with access to some of the generic hollow abilities. The Vizards have not shown any sort of hierarchy, seeming to prefer a loose-knit organization. After Aizen's defeat, many of the Visards are allowed to return to the Soul Society.

Love Aikawa
Love Aikawa (愛川 羅武(ラブ)) is the former captain of the 7th Division. He is a tall man with a spiked afro (shaped like a normal round afro during his days as a Soul Reaper), and wears sporting sunglasses and a jogging suit. He seems to be very laid back, usually reading Weekly Shōnen Jump or some of Lisa's erotic manga in his spare time. Love's hollow mask is designed after a traditional Japanese Oni mask. Love is later shown to be quite physically strong, being able to rip a Menos Grande in half with his bare hands. Love's zanpakutō is named Tengumaru (天狗丸). His shikai transforms it into a large kanabō reminiscent of a black cactus, twice the size of Love. Tengumaru has the ability to project fire from its tip.

He is voiced by Tetsu Inada in the Japanese anime and by Travis Willingham in the English dub.

Shinji Hirako
Shinji Hirako (平子 真子) is the captain of the 5th Division, preceding his lieutenant Sōsuke Aizen. He distrusted Aizen from the day they met, and thus made him lieutenant so he could keep an eye on him. Because Shinji never socialized with Aizen, however, he was easily deceived by Aizen's actions, culminating to his conversion into a hollow. He has also grown an unknown relation with Ichigo: when asked by Captain Yamamoto which side he was, Shinji answered by saying he was on neither the Gotei 13 nor Aizen's side, but on Ichigo's. Shinji's character is somewhat comical, adding a bit of levity to situations that are otherwise serious. He seems to like annoying his associate, Hiyori Sarugaki, which usually earns him a slap from one of her sandals. He also appears to have a history of referring to cute girls he meets as his 'first love', complete with a deadpan look on his face despite the obvious lie. An early design of Shinji can be seen in the first chapter's cover art, making it clear he was planned well before his introduction. After the 17-month time-skip, Shinji is reinstated as the captain of the 5th Division again. Appearance: Shinji has brown eyes and jaw-length blonde hair with a straight cut and many of his facial expressions reveal his upper teeth. While attempting to recruit Ichigo, he wears a standard Karakura school uniform, though he usually wears trousers, shirt and tie, often supplemented by a newsboy cap and long-coat. Shinji appears to have a round ring pierced in the middle of his tongue.

During his first stint as a captain, before he left the Soul Society, his hair was very long, reaching down to the lower part of his back. He wore the standard Shinigami robes with a standard, long-sleeved, captain's haori. Seventeen months after Aizen's defeat, Shinji returns to this attire with the addition of wearing his tie tucked under his robes. His hair which he kept in a short, straight-line cut after becoming a Visored has remained basically the same as well, with the exception of the bang now having a more asymmetrical cut with the left side being longer than the right.

Shinji's zanpakutō is named Sakanade (逆撫). When released by Shinji's command "collapse", five holes line the blade's length, and a large ring forms at the bottom of the hilt. The blade releases a scent that inverts and reverses the enemy's visual perception. Shinji claims that it is impossible to comprehend the attack directions, as the more experienced one is, the more one relies on instinct to fight, causing one to inevitably fall prey to Sakanade. After training more thoroughly with his zanpakutō, Shinji is even able to invert the words he says, as well as make those more susceptible to the ability Sakanade very ill. Shinji is quite skilled with his hollow powers, using a single cero blast to easily overwhelm Grimmjow Jeagerjaques. His Hollow mask resembles a pharaoh's mask.

He is voiced by Masaya Onosaka in the Japanese anime and by Roger Craig Smith in the English version.

Mashiro Kuna
Mashiro Kuna (久南 白) is the former lieutenant of the 9th Division under Kensei. She is a somewhat carefree-crazy girl who is prone to throwing fits for the smallest of things, such as Orihime befriending Hachi or when Kensei insisted on following his subordinates into battle. Her overall style of dress is reminiscent of the costumes worn by the tokusatsu superheroes of late 1970s Japanese television, particularly those of the Kamen Rider Series. Even her attacks are announced like a Tokusatsu superhero. She often calls Ichigo Berry-tan (or "Berry Boy" in the English manga, and "Carrot Top" in the anime), a pun on Ichigo's name ("ichigo" in Japanese also means "strawberry"). Unlike the other Vizards and Ichigo who have to undergo a type of training to control their hollows, Mashiro was able to maintain her hollow mask for fifteen hours on her first attempt to control her hollow. Mashiro's hollow power gives her exceptional physical strength as she easily decapitated several Menos Grande and the giant hollow which was brought by Wonderweiss Margera subsequently engaged in battle with him. However, in the mid-battle with Wonderweiss Margera her mask shatters well before her time limit was up causing Kensei to intervene. Her mask resembles a grasshopper's head, another reference to Kamen Rider. Mashiro loves to engage in battle by combining her physical strength and hollow power rather than using her zanpakutō, the name of which is still unknown.

She is voiced by Akemi Kanda in the Japanese anime and by Laura Bailey in the English dub.

Kensei Muguruma
Kensei Muguruma (六車 拳西) is the captain of the 9th Division. He has a tattoo of the number 69 on his stomach, which was the inspiration for the one Shūhei Hisagi has on his cheek after saving him when he was younger, and piercing on his left eyebrow. In comparison with his fellow Vizards, Kensei is a much more serious character. He has a short temper and is easily irritated, particularly by Mashiro. After the 17-month time-skip, Kensei is reinstated as the captain of the 9th Division. His hollow mask takes on the form of what appears to be a hockey mask, with a flat surface, and six slits running down the front.

Kensei's zanpakutō is named Tachikaze (断地風) and is released with the command "Blow". His shikai shrinks it down into the form of a survival/combat knife. While in this form, Kensei demonstrates the ability to charge and fire spiritual energy from the blade. Tachikaze can also manipulate wind, as demonstrated when Kensei uses several wind blades to slice up a hollow, killing it instantly. Kensei's bankai is named Tekken Tachikaze (鐡拳・断地風). The combat knife transforms into two bladed, bronze knuckle-like weapons known as tiger claws in each hand that are connected by a long fabric-like material that wraps around and up his arms like bandages and form a small arc above his head. Kensei's bankai focuses all of the destructive power into the knuckles, causing whatever the knuckles are touching to be hit continuously with implosive power.

He is voiced by Tomokazu Sugita in the Japanese anime and by Dave Mallow in the English dub.

Rōjūrō Otoribashi
Rōjūrō Otoribashi (鳳橋 楼十郎), commonly referred to as Rose (ローズ), is the captain of the 3rd Division. He became captain approximately one year before Kisuke Urahara. He is an effeminate man with long, wavy, blond hair and a frilly shirt. He seems to be interested in music, as he speaks to Love about an artist's new single and has been seen playing or tuning a guitar on several occasions. Rose appears to be one of the calmer and perhaps wiser ones amongst the group, though he becomes irritated whenever Love spoils a manga's story for him. Rose's mask resembles a bird's beak that protrudes out from his face. Rose's zanpakutō is named Kinshara (金沙羅). His shikai transforms the blade into a long, plantlike whip with a flower at its tip. Prefaced as Kinshara Eleventh Sonata (金沙羅奏曲第十一番), Kinshara's technique, Izayoi Bara (十六夜薔薇), causes this tip to discharge an explosion of energy. Kinshara's bankai, Kinshara Butōdan (金沙羅舞踏団), summons several figures called the "Dancers of Death". His bankai allows Rose to use music to create the illusion of physical pain (burning, drowning, etc.) as long as his opponents hear the music—his bankai is rendered useless if Rose's opponents are deaf or deafen themselves.

He is voiced by Shouto Kashii in the Japanese anime and by Christopher Corey Smith in the English dub.

Hiyori Sarugaki
Hiyori Sarugaki (猿柿 ひよ里) is a former lieutenant of the 12th Division under captains Kirio Hikifune and then Kisuke Urahara, initially refusing to accept the latter as she saw the former as a motherly figure. Hiyori is a small, blonde-haired girl with a short temper and violent tendencies that include death threats and physical violence. Hiyori often attacks Shinji Hirako, regardless of his outranking her in their pre-Vizard days, usually by slapping his face with one of her sandals or using him as a human shield when necessary. Hiyori took the longest to defeat her inner Hollow out of all the Vizards. During the battle with Aizen, Hiyori was mortally wounded yet was healed by Captain Unohana in the aftermath.

Her Hollow mask is skeletal in appearance with a large horn on the forehead and diamond-shaped markings over the eyebrows. Her zanpakuto is named Kubikiri Orochi (馘大蛇) and is released with the command "chop cleanly" to become a large cleaver with a jagged edge.

She is voiced by Reiko Takagi in the Japanese anime, Mela Lee in earlier episodes of the English dub, and by Laura Bailey later on in the series.

Hachigen Ushōda
Hachigen Ushōda (有昭田 鉢玄), commonly referred to as Hachi (ハッチ), is the physically largest Vizard. He was formerly the Vice Kidō Captain (副鬼道長) of the Kidō Corps under Tessai Tsukabishi. He specializes in binding spells, and as such is always tasked with making barriers for the Vizards' use. He is skilled enough to use bakudō up to 99 without reciting their incantations. By his own admission, his powers are very similar to those of Orihime Inoue's. Despite his unusual size, Hachi is actually very kind and gentle, and seems to enjoy Orihime's company. His mask resembles a Native American tribe mask. He has been seen with a zanpakuto during Ichigo's training when the young man went berserk, he helped restrain him while also brandishing the blade at him. Later during the battle at Karakura Town, he encased it in his barrier right before confronting a horde of Gillian, however, it is uncertain what its powers are or if it is even a zanpakuto at all. He aids in Soi Fon's battle against Barragan and manages to ultimately defeat the Espada at the cost of his forearm.

He is voiced by Takashi Nagasako in the Japanese anime and by Joe Ochman in the English dub.

Lisa Yadōmaru
Lisa Yadōmaru (矢胴丸 リサ) was the former lieutenant of the 8th Division under Captain Shunsui Kyōraku. She is a girl with glasses and long, braided, dark hair, who dresses in a seifuku, as opposed to the more Western-style uniforms worn by the female students of Karakura High School. She seems easily irritated and apparently likes to read erotic manga. In the English translations, it has been edited to "swimsuit magazines". She is also very curious, and would spy on the captain's meetings during her time in Soul Society. When she was a lieutenant for Gotei 13, she read to Nanao Ise, later her successor as lieutenant, every month. Her mask resembles a knight's helmet, with a cross shape opening on it. Her zanpakutō is called Haguro Tonbo (鉄漿蜻蛉). In its shikai form, it becomes a large guan dao or monk's spade with a fanned blade and large orb on the opposite end.

She is voiced by Kanako Hatori in the Japanese anime and by Tara Platt in the English dub.

Kasumiōji Clan
The Kasumiōji Clan (霞大路家) is a high-ranking noble family in the Soul Society's Rukongai district that were exclusive to the anime's season 9. They didn't present themselves in public and their clan didn't associate themselves with Central 46 that much. The high ranking Kasumiōji is second to the four noble families. The Kasumioji Clan has always had a female sovereign, it is an iron clad law that has been passed down generation after generation for centuries, thus a male cannot head the clan. As with all high ranking noble families, the clan has immunity extraterritoriality. They have a loyal army of assassins that serve as their bodyguards where specific members are granted Bakkōtōs which is considered highly illegal in the Soul Society. When the evidence of Gyōkaku Kumoi's illegal Bakkōtō operations were presented to Yamamoto, the Gotei 13 raided the compound and fought with the Kasumioji Clan's assassins while shutting down the Bakkōtō workshops. Following the deaths of Gyōkaku Kumoi and Shūsuke Amagai, Rurichiyo Kasumiōji assumed the role as the matriarch of the Kasumiōji Clan and stabilized the volatile situation..

Rurichiyo Kasumiōji
Rurichiyo Kasumiōji (霞大路 瑠璃千代) is the heir to the Kasumiōji Clan and was a central figure to the Kasumiōji Conspiracy. Her mother died giving birth to her and her father died of an illness. She was targeted by Gyōkaku Kumoi, his assassins, and their silent partner Shūsuke Amagai as part of their plot to dispose of Rurichiyo and obtain leadership over the Kasumiōji Clan. With the help of Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki, Amagai was defeated with those involved in the plot ending up either killed in action or incarcerated. Afterwards, Rurichiyo was engaged to Shū and assumed leadership over the Kasumiōji Clan.

Rurichiyo Kasumiōji is voiced by Reiki Takagi in the Japanese anime and by Eden Riegel in the English dub.

Shū Kannogi
Shū Kannogi (菅ノ木 愁) is the fiance of Rurichiyo Kasumiōji.

Shū Kannogi is voiced by Tsubasa Yanaga in the Japanese anime and by Brianne Siddall in the English dub.

Gyōkaku Kumoi
Gyōkaku Kumoi (雲井 尭覚) is one of the leaders of the Kasumiōji Clan. He was the steward of the clan who handled most of the family affairs. He planned to take over the Kasumiōji Clan by having Rurichiyo Kasumiōji assassinated and even commissioned the constructions of the Bakkōtō. When it came to Ichigo Kurosaki, Rukia Kuchiki, and Shū Kannogi confronting Gyōkaku Kumoi during the Gotei 13's invasion of the compound, Gyōkaku Kumoi is suddenly killed by Shūsuke Amagai (who was the real head of the Kasumiōji Conspiracy and Kumoi's silent partner).

Gyōkaku Kumoi is voiced by Masaharu Satō in the Japanese anime and by Kirk Thornton in the English dub.

Hanza Nukui
Hanza Nukui (貫井 半左) is a servant of Gyōkaku Kumoi and the head of his assassination squad. He fought Ichigo Kurosaki with his Bakkōtō twice with the first one being with the late assistance of Yoruichi Shihoin. When it came to the second battle, Hanza Nukui's Bakkōtō slowly began to consume him as it then explodes.

Hanza Nukui's Bakkōtō is Saiga which evolves by devouring the spiritual power of its user. Its shape is that of a katana with a large mirror attached at the hilt. If fed enough reiatsu, it can evolve its blade, mirror, and hilt into larger sizes and differing shapes. Saiga's special ability enables Hanza to paralyze his opponents by reflecting the light of the moon in their eyes. Under more powerful users, it can create an alternate dimension in which the opponent is left conscious but unable to move.

Hanza Nukui is voiced by Yoshikazu Nagano in the Japanese anime and by Tony Oliver in the English dub.

Jinnai Dōko
Jinnai Dōko is a servant of Gyōkaku Kumoi and a member of his assassination squad. He faced off against Rukia Kuchiki in order to get to Rurichiyo Kasumiōji. During the fight, Jinnai is absorbed by his Bakkōtō. With the battle now over, Rukia approaches Jinnai's Bakkōtō. Before she can reach it, some of Nukui's men retrieve it and carry it off.

Jinnai Dōko's Bakkōtō is Retsurai which resembled a single-edged scythe. By devouring parts of it, Jinnai's skin becomes more rigid and blades portrude from his back which he can shoot at will. The more of his Bakkōtō he devours, the more blades he grows.

Jinnai Dōko is voiced by Jin Domon in the Japanese anime and by Spike Spencer in the English dub.

Ryū Kuzu
Ryū Kuzu is a servant of Gyōkaku Kumoi and a member of his assassination squad. He faces off against Uryu Ishida in battle. Uryu traps him in an explosion, though Ryū survives. He was later shown meeting with Kumoi at the Kasumiōji clan headquarters and reports to him about the death of Hanza and his comrades. Though Ryū asks Kumoi if he can have Hanza's former position as commander, Kumoi decides he has no more use for him after he failed his mission and dismisses him. Angered, Ryū tries to kill Kumoi but ends up being killed himself by Makoto Kibune.

Ryū Kuzu's Bakkōtō is Shiragiri which in its initial phase takes on the appearance of a slightly flattened eyeless fish with a segmented body. It's special ability enables the user to cover the area in a dark mist which leaves shadows with one of them belonging to the user.

Ryū Kuzu is voiced by Hikaru Hanada in the Japanese anime and by Joe Ochman in the English dub.

Genga
Genga (げんが) is a servant of Gyōkaku Kumoi and a member of his assassination squad. He faced off against Yasutora "Chad" Sado in the park where he tries to convince Genga to leave. He was killed by Yasutora's "La Muerte" move.

Genga's Bakkōtō is Kakuyoku which normally takes the form of an over-sized guandao. It's special ability enables Kakuyoko to emit a green spiritual energy emerges from the blades and uses pressurized air to create walls made out of rock after the air and ground has been slashed.

Genga is voiced by Daisuke Matsuoka in the Japanese anime and by J.B. Blanc in the English dub.

Xcution
Xcution (エクスキューション) is a secret organization in Naruki City that makes itself known to Ichigo 17 months after he loses his Soul Reaper powers and serve as the main antagonists in The First Arc after the Time-Skip. The group is made up of humans who possess the power known as Fullbring (完現術（フルブリング）), an ability to manipulate the "soul" of matter for a variety of effects, such as using a drink's soul to have it help them drink it or converting an object into another form. These Fullbringers (完現術者（フルブリンガー）) are created when their mothers are attacked by a Hollow prior to the user being born; thus Xcution members are closer to Hollows in terms of power. The only way for Fullbringers to become normal humans is by transferring Fullbring into a human with Soul Reaper powers. As that method was used by former members already, the current Xcution members offer to restore Ichigo's powers if he will take in their powers in return. Their actual goal was revealed to be stealing Ichigo's Fullbring, with all of them under the effect of Shūkurō Tsukishima's "Book of the End" Fullbring to lower suspicion. Once the plan succeeds, to an extent, Ginjō soon divides Ichigo's power among his followers and the renewed Fullbringers start to fight the Soul Reapers. During the battles, Giriko was slain by Kenpachi Zaraki, Jackie sacrificed her Fullbring to save Renji Abarai from Yukio's abilities but survived, Yukio is captured by Toshiro Hitsugaya but is let go, Tsukishima is mortally wounded by Byakuya Kuchiki, Ginjo is killed by Ichigo and Riruka mysteriously disappears during her fight with Rukia Kuchiki, but reappears from Rukia's chest to take a fatal attack from Tsukishima, but survives as well. After being healed at the Urahara Shop, Riruka leaves and thanks Ichigo and his friends for all they have done before departing.

Kugo Ginjo
Kugo Ginjo (銀城 空吾) is the leader of Xcution, his Fullbring power being Cross of Scaffold that turns his Saltire pendant into a large Claymore. In the past, he was the first substitute Soul Reaper before he gave up the position and disappeared, joining Xcution and later becoming its leader. Meeting Ichigo and befriending him, Ginjo talks him into meeting Xcution and then tricks him into thinking they could restore his powers if he can make them normal humans. As a result, Ginjo gets Ichigo to master his Fullbring abilities before finally making his move to take his Fullbring and Spirit Pressure. When Ichigo managed to become a Soul Reaper again, Kugo uses the energy he stole to assume a new form before giving bits of it to his comrades prior to going up against both Ichigo and Uryū. After attempting to convince Ichigo to go after Ukitake instead of him during a brief relieve from their fight, Ginjou sees that he is left with no choice and releases his Bankai to counter Ichigo's. However, Ichigo proves to be too strong, as he manages to cut down Ginjo and kill him. In the aftermath of the battle, Ichigo requests permission to bury Ginjo's corpse in the Human World on the basis that he, like Ichigo, is a "Substitute Soul Reaper". After the first Wandenreich invasion of Soul Society, Kugo is seen with Tsukishima and Giriko in Soul Society, training with Ganju and Kūkaku Shiba.

Ginjo is voiced by Hiroki Tōchi in the Japanese anime.

Shūkurō Tsukishima
Shūkurō Tsukishima (月島 秀九郎) is the former leader of Xcution and Ginjo's accomplice. His Fullbring power is Book of the End, a bookmark that transforms into a katana with two abilities: cutting through anything and inserting/removing false memories of whatever it cuts, living or not. Using his Fullbring as part of Ginjo's plan, Tsukishima rewrote his allies' memories under the notion that he discovered the means for Fullbringers to become normal people but dedicated himself to hinder Xcution's attempt to find Soul Reapers to aid them. The fabrication was also to explain the Substitute Soul Reaper Badge on his person. However as Ginjo explains, the abilities of Book of the End last only as long as Tsukishima lives.

During Ginjo's surprise attack on Uryū, Tsukishima alters Orihime's memories to have her kill Ichigo before Yukio's interference forces Tsukishima to flee. Following the completion of Ichigo's Fullbring, Tsukishima confronts Ichigo at the Kurosaki household, where he reveals that he had altered the memories of Yuzu, Karin, Tatsuki, Keigo, Mizuiro, Ikumi, and all members of Xcution besides Kūgo to make himself appear to be a relative of the Kurosaki family. When an enraged Ichigo confronts Tsukishima at his mansion, succeeding in cutting Tsukishima's arm off, it is revealed that Chad is also under his influence as he and Orihime attack him. But once Uryū reveals Ginjo as the true mastermind and Ichigo's Soul Reaper powers are restored, Tsukishima causes Chad and Orihime to have a mental breakdown until they are rescued by Isshin and Urahara. Tsukishima then engages Byakuya in battle and is wounded and left to die. After Ichigo defeats Ginjo in a fight, Tsukishima attempts to kill Ichigo, only for his attack to be taken by Riruka instead. Afterwards, Moe arrives to carry him away. Tsukishima later dies from his injuries as Ichigo mentions that his family and friends are back to normal. After the first Wandenreich invasion of Soul Society, Tsukishima is seen with Ginjo and Giriko in Soul Society, training with Ganju and Kūkaku Shiba.

Tsukishima is voiced by Daisuke Ono in the Japanese anime.

Moe Shishigawara
Moe Shishigawara (獅子河原 萌笑) is a Fullbringer who works for Tsukishima. Orihime misunderstands him as "Sushigawara-kun"(すし河原君). His Fullbring increases his luck to extreme levels using brass knuckles with four 7s on it. In battle this means if he hits an opponent not only does he deal more damage than normal, but the most favorable damage will be done. So a lucky punch to someones shoulder will not only receive damage from the punch, but if there is even the slightest chance the blow could have broken or dislocated the shoulder, it will now definitely break or dislocate the shoulder. However, the longer he uses it and the luckier the opponent is, the more his ability weakens. At the end of the Fullbring arc, he is walking away from the area carrying Tsukishima on his back. Tsukishima is later shown to have died, leaving Shishigawara's status uncertain.

His voice is supplied by Hiroyuki Yoshino in the Japanese anime.

Yukio Hans Vorarlbena
Yukio Hans Vorarlberna (雪绪･ハンス･フォラルルベルナ) is the youngest member of Xcution. His Fullbring Invaders Must Die allows him to insert people into another dimension, which is controlled by his video game console. He has complete control of everything that happens within, as he can create and destroy objects in the dimensions and create/destroy dimensions in his console at will. However, this only works as long as his console has battery power. After his powers are upgraded by Ichigo's stolen Fullbring, he can use his powers outside his dimension.

Born in a wealthy family, Yukio was neglected by his parents, his only comfort being his Fullbring powers. Eventually he stole his parent's money and ran away, after which they committed suicide. When Ichigo was training his Fullbring, Yukio used his own Fullbring to give Ichigo and Ginjo a place to practice. When Xcution steals Ichigo's Fullbring powers, Yukio separates all the combatants in personal "chatrooms". He himself confronts Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya. He is swiftly defeated, and is later confronted by Jackie Tristan, who he had assumed had died in a fight with Renji Abarai. Yukio tells her he plans to improve upon his father's company, and eventually hire the surviving Xcution members, knowing they would be lost without him.

He is voiced by Mitsuhiro Ichiki in the Japanese anime.

Giriko Kutsuzawa
Giriko Kutsuzawa (沓澤 ギリコ) is a Fullbringer and member of Xcution. His Fullbring is Time Tells No Lies, which allows him to impose "timers" upon things and beings to which they are attached. These timers are linked to specific conditions that Giriko himself can set. But once the time period is established, however, not even Giriko himself can deactivate his Fullbring. If the subject fails to attain the conditions, they will die.

Giriko works as a bartender.

After Xcution steals Ichigo's Fullbring powers, Giriko attacks Kenpachi Zaraki, but is swiftly killed. After the first Wandenreich invasion of Soul Society, Grikiko is seen with Ginjo and Tsukishima in Soul Society, training with Ganju and Kūkaku Shiba.

Giriko is voiced by Atsushi Ono in the Japanese anime.

Jackie Tristan
Jackie Tristan (ジャッキー・トリスタン) is a Fullbringer and member of Xcution. Her Fullbring is Dirty Boots. Whenever her boots get dirty, she becomes physically stronger. She fights Renji Abarai after stealing Ichigo's Fullbring and is easily defeated. Though Renji attempts to take them both out of Yukio's Fullbring, Jackie apparently self-destructs to save his life. She has been shown to have survived the blast after the battle has ended, but loses all of her abilities as a result. She tells Yukio that even though she loathed her powers since she first acquired them, she now feels worse that they are gone. Yukio tells her that once his company has expanded that he will hire her and the other remaining Xcution members, to which she kindly smiles.

She is voiced by Atsuko Yuya in the Japanese anime.

Riruka Dokugamine
Riruka Dokugamine (毒ヶ峰 リルカ) is a Fullbringer and member of Xcution. Her Fullbring is Dollhouse. Her Fullbring gives her the ability to freely move people and objects into or out of anything that she adores or finds cute. Riruka refers to this as an ability of "love," which allows her to draw out the maximum power of anything she falls in love with. To release them, she simply has to sneeze on them.

When she first saw Ichigo, she was immediately attracted to him, proclaiming him to be hot. She then uses her powers to give Ichigo room to practice his Fullbring powers. During that time, she befriends Orihime. When Ichigo's Fullbring power is stolen by Xcution, she initially opposes this, not wanting them. Despite this, she engages Rukia Kuchiki in combat. After an exchange of words, she uses her Fullbring to insert herself into Rukia. Later, after Ichigo has killed Ginjo, he is attacked by Tsukishima. Riruka jumps out of Rukia's chest and takes the blow for him and loses consciousness. After awakening in the Urahara shop, she is relieved to see that the effect of Tsukishima's Fullbring on Orihime has disappeared. Later she departs from the store without telling anyone and thanks Ichigo's group for everything before leaving Karakura Town.

She is voiced by Megumi Toyoguchi in the Japanese anime.

Wandenreich
The Wandenreich (見えざる帝国（ヴァンデンライヒ）) are a group of Quincies under Yhwach who serve as the antagonists of the final storyline of the series. Their attire usually consists of long white trench coats fitted with numerous buttons, a cape, a bel (usually a piece individual to each member), and a Quincy symbol somewhere upon the uniform. Apparently founded by the survivors of the Quincy massacre a millennium ago, the Wandenreich named their group from the act of hiding themselves within the shadows of the Seireitei while preparing to exact revenge on the Soul Reapers once amassing enough power to do so once their leader is revived. In the aftermath of Aizen's defeat, the Wandenreich conquered Hueco Mundo and captured numerous Arrancars (including the former Espada Tier Harribel) to serve as their personal Vanguards and foot soldiers. Quilge Opie leads one of the many Jagdarmee (狩猟部隊（ヤークトアルメー）) groups that hunt Arrancars. The Wandenreich also includes the Stern Ritter (星十字騎士団（シュテルンリッター）) an elite force that invaded Soul Society, leading to the notable deaths of Squad One's Lieutenant Chōjirō Sasikabe and Head-Captain Yamamoto.

A: Yhwach
Yhwach (ユーハバッハ) is the sovereign of the Wandenreich and supposed progenitor of all Quincies. When Yhwach was born, he already demonstrated supernatural abilities, such as infusing part of his soul in other people to heal them of injuries and disabilities. But the moment the person healed this way dies, Yhwach regains that fragment and gains their person's abilities and knowledge. Because of these abilities extending his life, revered as a holy child, Yhwach took the name of YHWH which the people proclaimed in his presence. He has some history with Yamamoto who failed to kill him a millennia ago. For unknown reasons, Yhwach was sealed away for nine centuries and nine decades until he was freed, and spent the next nine years stealing the powers from "impure" Quincies to regain his power through his Auswählen (聖別（アウスヴェーレン）) ability. Among his victims were Ichigo's mother Masaki Kurosaki as she protected her son Ichigo from the Hollow Grand Fisher, and Kanae Katagiri, Uryū's mother. It appears his time imprisoned has left his sanity in question; he claims everything he is doing is for peace despite his sadistic behavior and dark humor.

Months after Aizen's defeat, Yhwach conquers Hueco Mundo by defeating its current leader Tier Harribel and imprisoning her while employing Arrancars as foot soldiers for the Wandenreich as a means to invade Soul Society. Learning of Ichigo battling Quilge, Yhwach decides to have the Stern Ritter invade the Soul Society. During the attack, Yhwach secretly leaves for the First Division Barracks to recruit Aizen, letting the shape shifted Royd Lloyd take his place. After Royd is defeated by Yamamoto, Yhwach arrives and to execute Royd, before taunting Yamamoto to release his Bankai and steal it. Yhwach then severs Yamamoto in half with one swing and then obliterates his body. Shortly after, he is then confronted by Ichigo Kurosaki and has a brief battle with him, during which he reveals that his mother Masaki was a Quincy before departing. Several days later, as Ichigo learned of his ties to the Quincy through both his mother and Zangetsu's likeness to how Yhwach looked 1000 years ago, Yhwach has Haschwalth bring Uryū Ishida before him. Telling Uryū that he was only impure Quincy who survived the effects of Auswählen, having a power that surpasses his own, Yhwach makes the young Quincy his heir before returning to the Soul Society to enact the final phase of his plan.

B: Jugram Haschwalth
Jugram Haschwalth (ユーグラム・ハッシュヴァルト) is Yhwach's right-hand man and grandmaster of the Stern Ritter. He holds the designation "B". He along with the rest of the Wandenreich was sent to deliver the message to declare war on Soul Socitey. Later Haschwalth and the Stern Ritter went with Yhwach to destroy the Soul Society. He kills the 13th Division's Sixth Seat, Hidetomo Kajomaru, in front of other Soul Reapers after breaking his resolve. Sometime later, he helps Yhwach in his plan to steal Yamamoto's bankai by accompanying the shape-shifting Stern Ritter Y, Royd Lloyd, and watches the latter defeat Kenpachi Zaraki rather easily. After Yamamoto's death, Haschwalth is told to convey to the other Stern Ritter that they were to raze Soul Society before Ichigo arrived. He watches his master fight Ichigo before being called back to their palace, before which he easily breaks Ichigo's bankai. During Uryū Ishida's appointment as Yhwach's successor, he remains calm, despite of his fellow Stern Ritter's objections against it as they prefer Haschwalth more. Later, during the Wandenreich's second invasion, he confronts Shunsui Kyōraku and Nanao Ise, although he is blocked from advancing by the latter's incantation of a special kidō capable of preventing any Quincy from entering. He breaks through the barrier and is about to attack Shunsui and Nanao, before Yhwach calls him back to the palace to punish the Sternritter who lost their respective fights.

D: Askin Nakk Le Vaar
Askin Nakk Le Vaar (アスキン・ナックルヴァール) is a male Quincy ranked with the letter "D". During the Wandenreich's second invasion, Askin appears in the place formerly housing the Soul Society's Research and Development Institute, surprising most of its inhabitants yet taking his leave when Mayuri and Nemu Kurotsuchi appear. Noticing BG9's defeat against Suì Fēng, Askin confirms Mayuri's suspicions that the Wandenreich have prepared the possibility that the Soul Reapers have trained in different powers after their bankai had been stolen by them.

E: Bambietta Basterbine
Bambietta Basterbine (バンビエッタ・バスターバイン) is a sadistic female Quincy who is a part of the Stern Ritter force with the letter "E" for "The Explode (爆撃(ジ・エクスプロード)), able to create bombs out of anything she mixes her spirit energy into. Bambietta fights with the 7th Division captain, Sajin Komamura, and steals his bankai. Like most of the Wandenreich, she is opposed to Uryu being named Yhwach's successor. During the Wandenreich's second invasion, she fight both Shinji Hirako and Komamura, the former of whom she manages to incapacitate despite his shikai state. However, Komamura manages to retrieve his bankai from Bambietta, at which point she activates her Vollständig, which amplifies her power and causes her to grow wings and a pentacle-shaped halo. The two fight, with Komamura using his Human Transformation technique and bankai to overwhelm and defeat Bambietta.

F: Äs Nödt
Äs Nödt (エス・ノト) is a Stern Ritter member who is ranked "F" for "The Fear" (恐怖), due to his ability to infect opponents with paralyzing, unstoppable fear. Normally, this only works if he stabs his enemies with his reiatsu thorns; however, upon activating his Vollständig, he can infect them by eye contact. Having been raised on the concept of Heaven and Hell, Äs is ironically fearful of death and pain. While hospitalized and close to death, Äs is approached by Yhwach and accepts the Quincey' offer of power. During the first invasion, Äs Nödt stole Byakuya's bankai and used it to nearly kill him before interfering in Yamamoto's battles with Royd Lloyd alongside NaNaNa and Bazz-B, forced to fall back after getting nearly incinerated by Yamamoto's Ryujin Jakka. He later appears when Yhwach names Uryu Ishida as his successor. During the second invasion with orders to kill Byakuya, Äs Nödt confronts Rukia who is traveling across Seireitei in search for other Soul Reapers. With Rukia refusing to tell him where Byakuya is, Äs finds that Rukia is unaffected by his power as she is technically not alive by using her newly perfected Sode no Shirayuki's freezing power, thus not being able to feel fear. Rukia then proceeds to freeze Äs Nödt. The attack fails, as Äs merely activates his Vollständig, Tatarforas (神の怯え (タタルフォラス)), and infects Rukia via his enhanced powers before being sliced through by a newly recovered Byakuya. Äs recovers and assumes a more monstrous form on the expectation that Byakuya is going to be his opponent, only to be destroyed when Rukia activates her Bankai, Hakka no Togame, and takes him out in one hit.

G: Liltotto Lamperd
Liltotto Lamperd (リルトット・ランパード) is a young female Quincy ranked with the letter "G". Despite her relatively petite appearance, she is quite profane, as shown when she calls out Bambietta for her habit in killing handsome men for her pleasure.

H: Bazz-B
Bazz-B (バズビー) is a hot-blooded and merciless Quincy who is a member of the Stern Ritter, having the letter "H", which stands for "The Heat" (灼熱 (ザ・ヒート)) as he can manipulate the temperature of surround spirit pressure with a finger to create flames and explosions. Bazz-B defeated Izuru Kira and the other 3rd Squad members when he appeared in Soul Society, using his power to offset Head Captain Yamamoto's attack when it was about to consume him and his fellow Sternritters. He was among one of the Quincy most opposed to Uryu Ishida being named Yhwach's successor, thinking Haschwalth would be the successor and confronting him about his acceptance to their leader's ruling. During the second invasion, Bazz-B overpowers Hitsugaya before Cang intervened to kill the Soul Reaper captain.

I: Cang Du
Cang Du (蒼都 (ツァン·トゥ)) is a Quincy who is of the Stern Ritters and is assigned the letter "I" for "The Iron" (鋼鉄 (ジ・アイアン)) as he can turn his skin into a hardened material. During the first invasion, Cang fights Tōshiro Hitsugaya and Rangiku Matsumoto and manages to steal the former's bankai. In the second invasion, Cang is ordered to personally kill Hitsugaya, interrupting the latter's fight with Bazz-B. When Cang tries to activate Daiguren Hyōrinmaru, he is forced to relinquish the Bankai due to Hitsugaya's use of the Shin'eiyaku to temporary Hollowfy him contaminated the weapon. Cang is eventually defeated and encased in ice with Hitsugaya's attacks, although he manages to break out of it after the activation of his Vollständig. Nevertheless, Cang was imprisoned alongside BG9 and brought before Yhwach for judgment. Though he uses his ability on the grounds of refusing to die by the hands of any other than Yhwach, Cang is bissected by Haschwalth.

J: Quilge Opie
Quilge Opie (キルゲ・オピー) is one of the leaders of the Jagdarmee squad, assigned the letter "J" for "The Jail" (監獄 (ザ・ジェイル)) due to his ability to create flawless cages made of spirit energy. He is assigned in Hueco Mundo to capture Arrancars for Yhwach to use as Vanguards for the Wandenreich, having no toleration for disobidience and will act in a barbaric manner if offended. After easily defeating Loly and Menoly as well as Harribel's Fracción, he is confronted by Ichigo and his friends. He engages Ichigo in battle and activates his Vollständig, Biskiel (神の正義 (ビスキエル) and uses his Sklaverei ability to absorb Ayon. Receiving orders from Yhwach to keep Ichigo occupied while the Stern Ritter invade the Soul Society, Quilge struggles to keep up with Ichigo's movements and is unsuccessful in stealing Ichigo's bankai, causing Ichigo to assume the Wandenreich fear a Shinigami's bankai. Falling for one of Ichigo's taunts, Quilge attempts a counterattack only to be shot from behind by Kisuke Urahara. However, Quilge gets back up using Ransōtengai and shoots Urahara in the back, as well as severely injuring Yasutora Sado and Orihime Inoue and imprisoning Ichigo in an seemingly impenetrable cage. He is about to move in to kill the others when he is sliced in half by an unknown assailant, killing him.

K: BG9
BG9 (ベー・ゲー・ノイン) is a helmeted Quincy who is a part of the Stern Ritter force with the letter "K". He has a single glowing eye, hides various robotic tendrils and artillery beneath his cloak and claims to have never "breathed", leading Suì Fēng to believe he is a robot. He is cruel and sadistic, not above threatening children if his demands are not met, as scene when he injures Omeada's younger sister with one of his tendrils.

During the Wanderwich initial invasion of the Soul Society, BG9 stole Suì Fēng's bankai. While looking for Suì Fēng during the second invasion, he finds Omaeda and takes his younger sister as a hostage to force the lieutenant to give him his captain's whereabouts. Though attacked from behind by Suì Fēng, BG9 is unscathed as he greatly injures the captain with his weapons. Before he can deliver a finishing blow, Suì Fēng regains control of her bankai and uses it to attack BG9. As a result of his defeat, BG9 is brought before Yhwach for judgment while watching the execution of Cang.

O: Driscoll Berci
Driscoll Berci (ドリスコール・ベルチ) is a Quincy ranked with the letter "O" for "The Overkill" (大量虐殺 (ジ・オーヴァーキル)), reflecting his power to become stronger every thing he kills someone, such as Squad One's Lieutenant Chōjirō Sasikabe while stealing his bankai, Kōkō Gonryō Rikyū. His power allows him to become stronger with every person he kills. He fights and defeats Shuhei Hisagi easily and is soon engaged by Yamamoto himself. Delighted, Driscoll activates Chōjirō 's bankai and tries to kill the Head-Captain with it. However, it fails to have any significant effect on Yamamoto, who easily burns Driscoll to his bones, killing him instantly.

P: Meninas McAllon
Meninas McAllon (ミニーニャ・マカロン) is a female Quincy ranked with the letter "P".

Q: Berenice Gabrielli
Berenice Gabrielli (ベレニケ・ガブリエリ) is a female Quincy with black and white colored hair. Her rank is Stern Ritter "Q", which stands for the "The Question" (異議 (ザ・クエスチョン)) which plays on her power to force people to divulge their abilities when asked. Berenice fights Kenpachi Zaraki alongside Jerome Guizbatt and Loyd Llyod. Kenpachi explained that she was a very arrogant woman who had something against him and explained her power to a great length, though Kenpachi admitted that he could not hear her too well due to Jerome's roaring ability. Annoyed, Kenpachi carves out Berenice's throat, killing her.

R: Jerome Guizbatt
Jerome Guizbatt (ジェローム・ギズバット) is a large dark-skinned Quincy with an ape-like appearance. He is ranked as Stern Ritter "R", which stands for "The Roar" (咆哮 (ザ・ロア)) as he assumes an ape-like form to drastically amplify his voice to create a devastating sound-based shockwave. This ability proved to be no match for Kenpachi as he easily cuts Jerome in half and carried his corpse atop his sword.

S: Mask De Masculine
Mask De Masculine (マスク・ド・マスキュリン) is a large male Quincy ranked with the letter "S", for "The Superstar" (英雄 (ザ・スーパースター)), as his strength increases when he is applauded by his assistant, James. Mask also wears a Luchador Mask and arrogantly strikes warrior poses, wishing that he had an audience to see his battles while seeing himself as a hero.

After Äs Nödt defeats Byakuya, Mask De Masculine knocks Renji unconscious as he was about to activate his bankai, causing Äs Nödt to scold him. In his second attack, he is accompanied by "James" who carries a Boxing ring Bell with him and makes it look like the fights Mask engages in are wrestling matches. Mask easily defeats Ikkaku, Yumichika, and Hisagi. He then claims he took down all the "Captain" level classes around him until he sees Rukia and Renji fall from the sky. He is intercepted by Kensei and Rose, the former of whom unleashes his bankai to knock out Mask. However, James encourages Mask to get back up and fight, activating his special ability and enabling Mask to knock out Kensei with ease. He then proceeds to destroy his own eardrums to negate Rose's bankai's special ability, and then blasts a hole through Rose's chest. Before he can kill Rose, Renji intervenes the attack and engages in battle with him. Renji manages to block all of Mask's attacks and also slices James to pieces before slashing Mask. However, as he can be revived by Mask, James's remains regenerate into numerous clones whose cheering causes Mask to activate his Vollständig. Mask manages to overwhelm Renji before being defeated and then incinerated by the Soul Reaper's perfected Bankai. Because of Mask's nature as a Quincey, James was recreated after Yhwach absorbed the deceased Mask's powers.

T: Candice Catnipp
Candice Catnipp (キャンディス・キャットニップ) is a female Stern Ritter who is given the rank "T". She is quick to anger, as shown when she threatens her fellow Sternritter, Liltotto, after the latter teases her.

U: NaNaNa Najahkoop
NaNaNa Najahkoop (ナナナ・ナジャークープ) is a member of the Stern Ritter force and is ranked with the letter U. During the invasion, he engaged the 3d Division captain, Rōjūrō "Rose" Ōtoribashi in combat. Alongside Äs Nödt and Bazz-B, NaNaNa interferes with Yamamoto's battle with a disguised Royd Lloyd and barely survived the Head Captain's Ryujin Jakka. After Renji defeats Mask de Masculine, NaNaNa spies on him while he is resting, surprised that he left himself exposed for so long and saying that his luck has run out.

V: Gremmy Thoumeaux
Gremmy Thoumeaux (グレミィ・トゥミュー) is a male member of the Stern Ritter and has the epithet "V" for "The Visionary" (夢想家 (ザ・ヴィジョナリィ)), the ability to turn fantasy into reality. Gremmy used that ability to create Guenael Lee (グエナエル・リー), a stand-in whose "V" stands for the "Vanishing Point" (消尽点 (バニシング・ポイント)) in terms of his ability to make his own shape and existence disappear at will, disappearing from both a person's sight and memory. During the Wandenreich's second invasion, Guenael appears before a hiding Isane and Yachiru with the latter forgetting him after she punched him in the face. After killing Guenael, informing him that he is only a product of his imagination and will cease to be, Gremmy reveals that he killed Captains Rōjūrō and Muguruma before nearly killing Yachiru when Kenpachi arrives. From there, intending to kill the Soul Reaper captain with the power of his imagination, Gremmy engages Kenpachi in battle.

Y: Loyd and Royd Lloyd
Loyd Lloyd ("Lの"ロイド・ロイド) is a bald Quincy with a third eye on his forehead who has an identical twin brother named Royd Lloyd ("Rの"ロイド・ロイド). Their identical appearance is the result of their ability to imitate others as they have subconsciously used it on each other before being born. The two joined the Wandenreich under the shared rank of Y that stands for the "The Yourself" (貴方自身 (ジ・ユアセルフ)) that plays on their shape-shifting powers. However, while both can assume the forms of others, only Loyd could replicate one's powers and techniques while Royd instead copy his target's memories and personality.

During the attack on the Soul Society, as Loyd died fighting Kenpachi Zaraki after assuming his form for a duel, Royd posed as Yhwach and defeated Kenpachi before distracting Yamamoto while the real Yhwach was meeting Aizen. Once fulfilling his role in weakening Yamamoto for him while receiving being mortally wounded, Royd is killed off by Yhwach.

Z: Giselle Gewelle
Giselle Gewelle (ジゼル・ジュエル) is a young female Stern Ritter who is given the grade "Z". She has long black hair with two strands shaped like antennae. During the Wandenreich's second invasion, Giselle, alongside Candice, Liltotto, and Meninas helps Bambietta after she loses her battle with Komamura, stating that she would not like seeing Bambietta losing the side.

Shaz Domino
Shaz Domino (シャズ・ドミノ) is a Stern Ritter member who attacked the 12th Division HQ. He uses knives to cut down Akon just as Ichigo Kurosaki enters the Soul Society, but is quickly taken out by Ichigo.

Pepe
Pepe is quincy that has the ability to control people and watch them.

Zanpakutō Spirits
The spiritual embodiment of a Soul Reaper's Zanpakutō, usually appearing before its owner with the form depending if it changed during a Zanpakutō's Bankai State. However, the Zanpakutō Spirit exists to protect its wielder and would eventually cease to be if its Soul Reaper dies or uses a technique that would render the user powerless. During the Zanpakutō Rebellion and Beast Swords arc, the Zanpakutō spirits were given a true presence by the power of the unique Zanpakutō Muramasa. However, by the end of the Beast Swords arc, weeks after his death, Muramasa's power waned and the Zanpakutō spirits return to their original states.

Muramasa
Muramasa (村正) is the main villain of the anime's Zanpakutō Rebellion arc. He is the Zanpakutō of Kōga Kuchiki, the arrogant former 3rd Seat of the 6th Division before being set up as a traitor as the others feared Muramasa's power to take control of other Zanpakutō. However, after going on a paranoia-induced rampage, Kōga is sealed after losing his connection to Muramasa. But Muramasa eventually resurfaces and sets up a Zanpakutō Rebellion as a means to get control over Ryūjin Jakka so he can break Kōga's seal. Inspired after entering Ichigo and meeting his inner Hollow, Muramasa attempts to become as powerful by absorbing Hollows before using Ichigo to unknowingly break the seal Yamamoto placed on himself to get Ryūjin Jakka. Though he succeeds in freeing Kōga, Muramasa is stabbed by the Soul Reaper under the assumption he abandoned him the day he was sealed before completely breaking their bond and then falling to Byakuya. Now masterless, a distraught Muramasa transforms into a Hollow-like being. After a final battle with Ichigo, with his intentions for Soul Reapers and Zanpakutō to communicate on equal terms revealed, Muramasa apologizes for the chaos he caused and glad to find a Soul Reaper who actually connected to him before fading.

He is voiced by Yuichi Nakamura in the Japanese anime and Jamieson Price in the English version.

Zangetsu
Zangetsu (斬月), also called "old man" by Ichigo, is the Zanpakutō owned by Ichigo Kurosaki, who appears as a tall man with ragged black hair, facial hair, and sunglasses. Zangetsu aided Ichigo in achieving his potential as a Soul Reaper. However, while attempting to tame his Inner Hollow, Ichigo hears his opponent introducing himself as Zangetsu.

The reason for this is revealed when Tensa Zengetsu (天鎖斬月), a younger and more powerful version of Zangetsu that Ichigo encounters while in his Bankai state, reveals that he and Ichigo's Hollow are both halves of the same being that represents Ichigo's overall power. After he and Ichigo's Hollow assumed their true form, Tensa Zangetsu battles Ichigo to test his resolve in using the Final Getsuga Tenshō. Though Ichigo passed his test, Tensa Zangetsu reveals the consequences of the attack before bidding his owner farewell. Ichigo would learn that the Zangetsu he knew was actually the personification of his powers as a Quincy, therefore resembling a younger Yhwach. Confronted by Ichigo about this, confirming what the youth learned about him, Zangetsu reveals had kept Ichigo's full power as a Soul Reaper in check before deciding to unlock the youth's full potential in light of Yhwach's return. After Zangetsu is reforged, his essence resides in the smallest of the split blades in his Shikai state.

Zangetsu is voiced by Takayuki Sugō in the Japanese anime and by Richard Epcar in the English dub. Tensa Zangetsu is voiced by Showtaro Morikubo in the Japanese anime and by Keith Silverstein in the English version.

Hollow Ichigo
Later revealed to be the actual Zangetsu, Hollow Ichigo is the manfestation of Ichigo's Visard powers, the result of Ichigo's mother being infected by trace remains of the Hollow White. In appearance, Hollow Ichigo is identical to his host save for his golden eyes, opposite colour scheme and permanent grin (as opposed to Ichigo's scowl). In Bankai form, Hollow Ichigo is a dead ringer of Ichigo's Hollow form save for inverted color scheme. Though a bloodthirsty berserker who would take any chance to take over Ichigo's body, Hollow Ichigo's nature as a Zanpakutō compels him intervene during some of Ichigo's fights. After Zangetsu is reforged, his identity fully revealed, Hollow Ichigo's essence resides in the largest aspect of the Zanpakutō's split shikai state.

Like Ichigo Kurosaki, Hollow Ichigo is voiced by Masakazu Morita in the Japanese anime and by Johnny Yong Bosch in the English dub.

Zabimaru
Zabimaru (蛇尾) is the Zanpakutō owned by Renji Abarai who appears as a Nue, first seen in the Sou Society arc when Renji was recovering from his first fight with Ichigo. In the anime exclusive Zanpakutō Rebellion arc, Zabimaru's form changes to that of a green fur woman and a young boy with a snake tail. Though the two are normally connected by a chain, with the child assuming their Zanpakuto form for his older counterpart to wield, the two halves of Zabimaru act independent of each other when needed to.

In the Japanese anime, the original form of Zabimaru is voiced by Toru Furusawa, Saru by Mitsuki Saiga, and Hebi by Asami Sanada. In the English dub, while Vic Mignogna voiced Zabimaru's original form, Saru is voiced by Mary Elizabeth McGlynn while Hebi is voiced by Michelle Ruff.

Hyōrinmaru
Hyōrinmaru is the Zanpakutō owned by Tōshirō Hitsugaya, appearing as an dragon made of ice. Hyorinmaru already tried to communicate with Hitsugaya before he became a Soul Reaper. During the anime-exclusive Zanpakutō Rebellion arc, Hyōrinmaru assumes the form of a tall young man with long-flowing green hair and dragon limbs.

In the second movie, "The Diamonddust Rebellion" a Soul Reaper named Sōjirō Kusaka, who is the main antagonist of the movie, also possesses Hyōrinmaru.

He is voiced by Daisuke Matsuoka in the Japanese version of the second film, by Kenji Hamada in the Japanese anime, and by Travis Willingham in their English dubs.

Merchandise
Several types of merchandise have been produced based on the likeness of the Bleach characters. Apparels from them include replicas of the zanpakutō, hollow masks as well as Soul Reapers clothes for cosplays. Other merchandise based on them include action-figures, plush, and key-chains. Characters are also featured on Bleach trading cards that have different abilities depending on the character appearing in the cards. In Japan, there have been released soundtracks in which the voice actors from the anime perform songs related to their characters. Most characters are also featured in video games from the series, with most of them being fighting games.

Reception
The characters from the series have received praise and criticism from several reviewers. Anime News Network noted them to be relatively stereotypical but with traits that make them look "special" noting the interactions they have as well as the large and variable cast of side characters. They were also praised for having energetic attitudes and distinctive ways of fighting. While they commented on Ichigo on being "almost a typical anti-hero", they mention that he is just a common person with a tragic past making him likeable to the fans. They also praised Tite Kubo's artwork to give them good clothes and the anime staff for improving them. Mania Entertainment agreed with praising the artwork of the manga and noted that the "characters have personalities and oddities all described in those designs". They have also praised the development of the characters remarking how Renji, before being defeated by Ichigo, he asks him to save Rukia, while during his first appearances he was more violent and was meant to arrest her. IGN agreed and mentioned that the large number of plot happening within each character make the series more than "example of shonen fighting manga". However, the reviewer commented that it is hard to take the series seriously when one of the main Arrancar is named Grimmjow Jeagerjacquez. Wizard Universe also praised Ichigo as the best hero of 2007 commenting that the only reason why he is not like every "shonen character" is that he only wants to save his friends, not because he tries to act as a hero.

IGN also added that while some fights were dragged for many chapters, they are easy to enjoy due to the abilities of the characters and the artwork from Kubo. In another review, comicbookbin said that Bleach's characters tended to avoid the most obvious courses of action, giving the series an element of unpredictability. Tite Kubo has been praised by comicbookbin.com for creating a "dense multi-layered narrative housing a mob of characters". They remarked how each character from the series had two subplots making the reader hard to remember although that made them more complex. In a review from the volume 20, they noted how Kubo turned the fights into "martial arts and epic fantasy serial" comparing them with fights from famous movies like The Matrix and praised how well drawn they are. Anime News Network also added that the English voice acting of the characters is as good as the Japanese one, considering each of them very original.