Top 10 Greatest Bleach Transformation Scenes

During he and his friends’ infiltration of Soul Society, Ishida Uryu is faced with the 12th Division Captain, Kurotsuchi Mayuri. The mad scientist Shinigami is responsible for killing many of Uryu’s fellow Quincies, including his grandfather. Backed into a corner, Uryu breaks his Sanrei Glove, unleashing the last resort transformation, Letzt Stil. Along with granting the Quincy a new outfit, Letzt Stil draws in the surrounding spirit particles, effectively giving him limitless power in Soul Society. Uryu’s speed and attack power are drastically enhanced, letting him nearly kill Mayuri in just a few hits. Quincy transformations may get more frequent and elaborate later in the series, but this initial one still hits different!

Aizen undergoes many transformations after fusing with the Hōgyoku. In his final battle against Ichigo, the hero’s utter dominance pushes the normally unflappable Aizen over the edge. Aizen’s rage fuels his transformation into a Hollow-like monster form. This final form is incredibly creepy and loaded with more skulls than a small graveyard. Aizen certainly endeavors to put Ichigo in the grave, tossing around huge explosions and seemingly trapping his opponent and grabbing him by the throat. However, for as powerful as this transformation is, Ichigo is still stronger - more on that later.

When the laziest Shinigami fights the laziest Espada, greatness ensues. Captain Kyōraku Shunsui battles Coyote Starrk, and urges him to release his Zanpakuto. However, when Starrk finally decides to get serious, he sheathes his sword and instead calls his subordinate Lilynette over. It turns out that Starrk and Lilynette used to be one person. Their Resurrección involves them becoming one and the same again. Their transformation, Los Lobos, sees Starrk dressed as a gunslinger, sporting a pair of pistols. The quick drawing Arrancar now has the fastest Cero in the West…or East. The transformation’s unique circumstances, as well as Starrk’s incredible new drip, help make this form one that skips “the bad” and “the ugly,” and is all “good.”

The debut of a Bankai is always a special moment, and Rukia’s is perhaps the most long-awaited. In her and Byakuya’s battle against Äs Nödt, Rukia gives the Fear Sternritter something to be afraid of. Activating her Bankai, Hakka no Togame, Rukia unleashes a massive wave of ice that freezes Äs solid, killing the Quincy. We’re then treated to a view of Rukia’s new transformation, which gives her a beautifully ethereal appearance, like some kind of snow fairy. However, her chilly beauty comes at a cost, since her own hand cracks from the cold put out by her Bankai.

Ever since the introduction of Bankai, fans wondered what Captain-Commander Yamamoto's would look like, given that he’s nominally the strongest Shinigami. And it does not disappoint! Engaging the Quincy Emperor Yhwach in a duel, Yamamoto activates his Bankai, Zanka no Tachi. While its initial look, a charred blade, is simple enough, its effects are not! A mere touch from Yamamoto’s blade burns whatever it hits to ash. Just activating it drains Soul Society of moisture. His body is also enveloped in flames hotter than the sun. As if that wasn’t metal enough, he can also summon the ashen skeletons of his fallen foes to fight on his behalf. This scene’s jaw dropping animation and Yamamoto’s transformation are both literally and figuratively fire!

Aizen’s final battle against Ichigo doesn’t just see the Big Bad gain a new form - Ichigo gets one too. Promising to show his opponent the final Getsuga Tensho, Ichigo transforms into a new all black look. His final attack is to effectively become his signature move! While Ichigo finally out-dripping Aizen is deadly enough, he follows it up with Mugetsu, a move that launches a huge wave of dark energy. Aizen may not be quite dead after he uses it, but he’s about as weak as our knees were when we first saw the Final Getsuga in action!

It’s good to be king. Baraggan’s battle with Suì-Fēng [pronounced Soi-fon] sees the prideful Espada reveal that he embodies aging. When Baraggan decides to go all out, he releases his Resurrección, which is fittingly called “Arrogante.” Unlike his fellow more animalistic Espada, Baraggan’s form takes him back to his glory days as king of the dead, or at least, king of the Hollows. His darkly majestic new look is accompanied by an even more terrifying ability - Respira. This noxious cloud dissolves everything it touches into nothing! Baraggan’s transformation being awesome is like death itself - inevitable.

If you think dying would prevent him from getting a new power-up, you don’t know Ichigo! In his fight with Ulquiorra, Ichigo gets a hole in his chest, leaving Orihime distraught. As she begs his lifeless body for help, Ichigo still manages to hear her. Despite being dead, he manages to revive using his Hollow powers and obtains a terrifying new form. This bestial, horned monster proceeds to wreck Ulquiorra. Ichigo matches the Espada’s Cero, tears off his arm, and grabs Ulquiorra’s attacks barehanded! It’s an incredible transformation and display of power, both of which still give us chills.

Somehow, Ichigo’s match with Ulquiorra has two amazing transformation scenes practically back to back. The Cuatro Espada unleashes his Resurrección, Murciélago, and utterly dominates Ichigo. However, Ulquiorra is dissatisfied that Ichigo keeps fighting as though he can win, despite being overpowered. Deciding to inflict true despair on him, Ulquiorra reveals that he has a unique second release, Segunda Etapa. The overwhelming presence Ulquiorra has upon achieving this state is matched only by its incredible design. Ulquiorra looks like the Devil himself - we wouldn’t want to dance with him in the pale moonlight! Amazingly, Ichigo continues fighting, but then…well, we mentioned the hole in the chest right?

You all knew this was coming, right? It’s just so iconic! Throughout Ichigo’s journey through Soul Society, we see plenty of Captains use Bankai. In his duel with Byakuya, Ichigo reveals that he has attained the power too. Byakuya is incredulous, as only the best or most experienced Shinigami can achieve Bankai. But Ichigo proves him wrong in spectacular fashion, powering up and releasing tremendous energy before revealing his sleek and comparatively simple Bankai, Tensa Zangetsu. Despite its deceptively small appearance, Ichigo’s Bankai grants him ridiculous speed, letting him quickly, and repeatedly, style all over Byakuya. Even decades after its debut, this scene is just ridiculously cool!



Is there a “Bleach” transformation you couldn’t believe even with your glasses on? Ascend to the throne, er, descend to the comments to tell us your favorites.