Top 10 Most Iconic Bleach Moments
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Script written by Garrett Alden
Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the top 10 iconic “Bleach” moments.
For this list, we’ll be going over the most famous and emblematic moments for the classic anime! We’ll be excluding fights in general, as those have had several lists already. Specific moments from fights are eligible though!
Think we missed a key moment? Let us know in the comments!
It’s only fitting that we start at the beginning. The series first episode introduces us to protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki, as he meets Rukia Kuchiki, a Shinigami. When a Hollow attacks his family, Ichigo tries to defend them, but Rukia takes an attack meant for him. Too injured to continue, Rukia offers to transfer her powers to Ichigo. She ends up giving him more than she planned to, however, as the Strawberry takes on the mantle of Substitute Shinigami for the first time - big ass blade included. And the rest,a s they say, is history.
Upon discovering that Orihime can alter fate with her powers, they threaten her and her friends into willingly becoming their prisoner. However, Ulquiorra gives Orihime the chance to say goodbye to one person. Orihime chooses Ichigo. With her friend unable to see or hear her, Orihime talks to him about her hopes for the future, and tearfully confessing her feelings for him. It’s all manner of sad, and one of Orihime’s most memorable moments in the series. It also marks the transition between a more innocent period in the story and full-blown war.
Ichigo’s last battle with Aizen is loaded with epic moments, but this one leaves them all behind. In order to bring the fight to a close, Ichigo activates his final technique – the Final Getsuga Tensho. Instead of using his signature move, Ichigo essentially becomes it! The power this grants him is immense, but it comes with a cost – the loss of his Shinigami powers. Still, for the short time it lasts, this form is every shade of cool and the blow Ichigo deals Aizen, while not fatal, is still enough to reduce him to a shell of himself.
Renji Abarai initially comes across as kind of a jerk, given that he helps bring Rukia back to Soul Society for her execution. However, after he’s defeated by Ichigo, we see through an extended flashback that Renji and Rukia have been friends for a long time. Renji sees himself as unworthy of Rukia and he feels guilty for not doing more to prevent her imminent death. Following the conclusion of the flashback, Renji tearfully begs Ichigo to save Rukia from her fate. It’s a great establishing character moment for Renji as one of the series’ best.
Ichigo and his friends go to Hueco Mundo, the land of the Hollows and Aizen’s base of operations, to rescue Orihime. However, they initially get no help from the Shinigami, who are unwilling to risk their forces before the coming conflict with Aizen reaches a head. Things begin to look dire for Ichigo as they are cornered by members of the Espada. Just in the nick of time, who should appear but four Shinigami captains to save them all from impending death! This is when the series really began to garner a second wind!
Ulquiorra is one of Ichigo’s toughest opponents. The Fourth Espada is practically emptiness incarnate, and Ichigo’s fight against him is an uphill battle from the start. Still, Ichigo remains optimistic that he can pull victory from the jaws of defeat. At least, until Ulquiorra blows a hole through his chest. Orihime and the audience are naturally distraught! Ichigo has taken a lot of Ls throughout the story, but this is easily the most gruesome. However, Orihime’s cries for help lead to Ichigo doing the impossible and coming back to life in Hollow form – and giving Ulquiorra some despair of his own!
It was the rematch everyone was waiting for. After coming in clutch to save Rukia, Ichigo found himself once again crossing swords with Rukia’s fearsome older brother. The cold Shinigami captain had proven himself to be a formidable opponent, but not even he was ready for Ichigo’s reveal of his newfound trump card. Small in scale but big in power, the unleashing of Tensa Zangetsu is the most famous power-up scene in all of “Bleach”, as well as a seminal moment for shonen overall.
After using the Final Getsuga Tensho, Ichigo loses both the title and the abilities of a Substitute Shinigami. But no longer having an awesome sword and outfit is just one of the side effects. Losing his powers also means that Ichigo won’t be able to see spirits, including Shinigami anymore. After waking from a coma, Ichigo prepares to say goodbye to Rukia. Laced with both humor and sorrow, their farewell is a touching bookend to their relationship. While this didn’t end up being the end of their friendship, or the story, if it had ended here, it would have been satisfying.
The Soul Society arc is fantastic in its misdirection. Halfway through, Captain Aizen is murdered, and all clues for the audience point to Gin as the culprit masterminding Rukia’s execution. But the twist that Aizen is still alive and Gin is his accomplice blew everyone’s minds. And then, to follow it up, he proceeds to wreck multiple Shinigami captains and even stops Ichigo’s Bankai with a single finger! To cap it all off, he bounces from Soul Society, promising to sit on the throne of heaven! Not only is this a mind-blowing twist, but it also raises the stakes of the story and sets up the villain perfectly!
The goal of Ichigo and his friends going to Soul Society is to rescue Rukia from her execution. When the moment finally arrives, Rukia seems sure to die, surrounded by Shinigami captains, with her execution method is a phoenix with the strength of a million Zanpakutō. But like any good hero, Ichigo knows how to make an entrance! He arrives just in time and manages to stop Rukia’s fiery execution in the most casual of ways. The whole Soul Society arc has been leading up to this, and it didn’t disappoint!
Top 10 Iconic Bleach Moments
Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the top 10 iconic “Bleach” moments.
For this list, we’ll be going over the most famous and emblematic moments for the classic anime! We’ll be excluding fights in general, as those have had several lists already. Specific moments from fights are eligible though!
Think we missed a key moment? Let us know in the comments!
#10: Ichigo Becomes a Shinigami
It’s only fitting that we start at the beginning. The series first episode introduces us to protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki, as he meets Rukia Kuchiki, a Shinigami. When a Hollow attacks his family, Ichigo tries to defend them, but Rukia takes an attack meant for him. Too injured to continue, Rukia offers to transfer her powers to Ichigo. She ends up giving him more than she planned to, however, as the Strawberry takes on the mantle of Substitute Shinigami for the first time - big ass blade included. And the rest,a s they say, is history.
#9: Orihime’s Farewell
Upon discovering that Orihime can alter fate with her powers, they threaten her and her friends into willingly becoming their prisoner. However, Ulquiorra gives Orihime the chance to say goodbye to one person. Orihime chooses Ichigo. With her friend unable to see or hear her, Orihime talks to him about her hopes for the future, and tearfully confessing her feelings for him. It’s all manner of sad, and one of Orihime’s most memorable moments in the series. It also marks the transition between a more innocent period in the story and full-blown war.
#8: Final Getsuga Tensho
Ichigo’s last battle with Aizen is loaded with epic moments, but this one leaves them all behind. In order to bring the fight to a close, Ichigo activates his final technique – the Final Getsuga Tensho. Instead of using his signature move, Ichigo essentially becomes it! The power this grants him is immense, but it comes with a cost – the loss of his Shinigami powers. Still, for the short time it lasts, this form is every shade of cool and the blow Ichigo deals Aizen, while not fatal, is still enough to reduce him to a shell of himself.
#7: Renji Begs Ichigo to Save Rukia
Renji Abarai initially comes across as kind of a jerk, given that he helps bring Rukia back to Soul Society for her execution. However, after he’s defeated by Ichigo, we see through an extended flashback that Renji and Rukia have been friends for a long time. Renji sees himself as unworthy of Rukia and he feels guilty for not doing more to prevent her imminent death. Following the conclusion of the flashback, Renji tearfully begs Ichigo to save Rukia from her fate. It’s a great establishing character moment for Renji as one of the series’ best.
#6: Shinigami Captains to the Rescue
Ichigo and his friends go to Hueco Mundo, the land of the Hollows and Aizen’s base of operations, to rescue Orihime. However, they initially get no help from the Shinigami, who are unwilling to risk their forces before the coming conflict with Aizen reaches a head. Things begin to look dire for Ichigo as they are cornered by members of the Espada. Just in the nick of time, who should appear but four Shinigami captains to save them all from impending death! This is when the series really began to garner a second wind!
#5: Ichigo is “Killed” by Ulquiorra
Ulquiorra is one of Ichigo’s toughest opponents. The Fourth Espada is practically emptiness incarnate, and Ichigo’s fight against him is an uphill battle from the start. Still, Ichigo remains optimistic that he can pull victory from the jaws of defeat. At least, until Ulquiorra blows a hole through his chest. Orihime and the audience are naturally distraught! Ichigo has taken a lot of Ls throughout the story, but this is easily the most gruesome. However, Orihime’s cries for help lead to Ichigo doing the impossible and coming back to life in Hollow form – and giving Ulquiorra some despair of his own!
#4: Ichigo Debuts His Bankai
It was the rematch everyone was waiting for. After coming in clutch to save Rukia, Ichigo found himself once again crossing swords with Rukia’s fearsome older brother. The cold Shinigami captain had proven himself to be a formidable opponent, but not even he was ready for Ichigo’s reveal of his newfound trump card. Small in scale but big in power, the unleashing of Tensa Zangetsu is the most famous power-up scene in all of “Bleach”, as well as a seminal moment for shonen overall.
#3: Ichigo & Rukia’s Goodbye
After using the Final Getsuga Tensho, Ichigo loses both the title and the abilities of a Substitute Shinigami. But no longer having an awesome sword and outfit is just one of the side effects. Losing his powers also means that Ichigo won’t be able to see spirits, including Shinigami anymore. After waking from a coma, Ichigo prepares to say goodbye to Rukia. Laced with both humor and sorrow, their farewell is a touching bookend to their relationship. While this didn’t end up being the end of their friendship, or the story, if it had ended here, it would have been satisfying.
#2: Aizen’s Betrayal
The Soul Society arc is fantastic in its misdirection. Halfway through, Captain Aizen is murdered, and all clues for the audience point to Gin as the culprit masterminding Rukia’s execution. But the twist that Aizen is still alive and Gin is his accomplice blew everyone’s minds. And then, to follow it up, he proceeds to wreck multiple Shinigami captains and even stops Ichigo’s Bankai with a single finger! To cap it all off, he bounces from Soul Society, promising to sit on the throne of heaven! Not only is this a mind-blowing twist, but it also raises the stakes of the story and sets up the villain perfectly!
#1: Ichigo Saves Rukia
The goal of Ichigo and his friends going to Soul Society is to rescue Rukia from her execution. When the moment finally arrives, Rukia seems sure to die, surrounded by Shinigami captains, with her execution method is a phoenix with the strength of a million Zanpakutō. But like any good hero, Ichigo knows how to make an entrance! He arrives just in time and manages to stop Rukia’s fiery execution in the most casual of ways. The whole Soul Society arc has been leading up to this, and it didn’t disappoint!
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