While the term “villain” is subjective at the best of times, and, particularly in the case ofBleach, it all depends on where one is standing. The Shinigami, Arrancar, Quincy, and even humans each have valid reasons for hating and fearing the other, while simultaneously painting themselves in heroic colors.
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While certain characters are clearly bad to the bone, others were once honorable, before assuming nefarious roles, that is. For argument’s sake, the following article will use “villain” to describe anyone who has had beef withIchigo in the past or present(without adding spoilers of futureBleachevents into the equation).
9Maki Ichinose: Shinigami
As a (former) member of the 11th Division, Maki Ichinose wasn’t about to stand idle as his Captain, Kenpachi Kiganjo, was being attacked by a fierce and feral fighter seeking to claim his title. After Kiganjo was brutally murdered, Ichinose refused tosubmit to the usurping Zaraki Kenpachiand subsequently distanced himself from Seireitei.
Forming a new alliance with the Bounts instead, Ichinose assisted in Uryu Ishida’s kidnapping scheme as a means to open the gates to Soul Society and allow the “immortal” humans to find closure (from bloodshed). However, crossing swords with Zaraki reminded Ichinose of his roots, encouraging him to switch back to the Shinigami’s side once again.
8Kokutō: Togabito
Kokutō makes a terrible first impression as an escaped convict who formerly took residence within the bowels of Hell. Unsurprisingly,Rukia doesn’t hesitate to labelthe scarred stranger as villainous, without questioning the harsh judgments that resulted in Kokutō’s life sentence in the first place.
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During his human days, this Togabito suffered a great loss when his younger sister was brutally murdered by a bunch of delinquents, and so Kokutō decided to take karma into his own hands. Regardless of the circumstances, ending another’s life earned the perpetrator a one-way ticket to Hell. However, this master manipulator (un)fortunately finds a loophole that involves Ichigo’s (unintentional) assistance.
7Sōjirō Kusaka: Shinigami
Debuting inBleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion, Sōjirō Kusaka reveals himself to be one of Toshiro Hitsugaya’s childhood friends from their Shinigami training days. Thick as thieves, these best buddies somehow both evoked Hyorinmaruas their Zanpakuto Spiritwhich, according to Shinigami law, is strictly prohibited.
Egged on by the Central 46, the close comrades were essentially forced to fight to earn their claim on Hyorinmaru, leading Kusaka to lose his temper, the battle, his respectability, and his life. Reborn courtesy of the Ōin, the former Shinigami returns to Soul Society and proceeds to assault Ichigo and many others while attempting to procure the ultimate power.
6Tier Harribel: Espada
It is evident from theThousand Year Blood Warthat Tier Harribel (akaHalibel) is now considered a valued ally. However, that was not always the case, as this blonde bombshell was once one of Aizen’s top recruits in the war against Seireitei. Before she became the fearsome #3 Espada, Harribel was a heroic protector of the weak, defending helpless Hollows from being devoured by stronger forces.
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AlthoughHarribel and her Tres Bestiasare lured onto the dark side by Aizen’s charm and take up arms against Seireitei, the loyal Arrancar gets mercilessly cast aside and left for dead. Things come full circle when Harribel assumes authority over Hueco Mundo and becomes the virtuous and fair Queen of the Hollows.
5Kaname Tōsen: Shinigami
Adopting the mantra of a long-lost friend, the former 9th Division Captain’s goal was to always “take the path with the least bloodshed.” However, when Seireitei failed even attempting to carry out justice for Kakyō’s senseless slaying, this planted the first seed of doubt in Kaname Tōsen’s mind.
Years later, Tōsen evidently joins Aizen of his own free will (as Kyōka Suigetsu is ineffective here). However, the tyrant undoubtedly manipulates theupstanding Captain to a certain degree. A peace-seeking Shinigami doesn’t suddenly slaughter his comrades without reason, and Aizen’s alluring new world order is dripping with pacifist potential (from an idealist’s perspective).
4Uryū Ishida: Quincy
The promise of no spoilers has been made. Nevertheless, it is apparent at theend of theThousand Year Blood War’sfirst cours, that Uryū Ishida’s connection to Yhwach will not be ignored any longer. Regardless of current circumstances, this Quincy has not always been Ichigo’s accomplice; Shinigami are the mortal enemies, after all.
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Funnily enough, when they first bashed heads, Ichigo and Ishida’s impending battle kept getting postponed due to more pressing matters, and by the time they were ready to inflict some pain on each other, their temperamental friendship had already been formed. The pair still bicker and challenge each other’s decisions constantly, and it will be interesting to see Ishida’s response after learning about Ichigo’s Quincy heritage (and Ryūken’s involvement in the matter).
3The Dark Ones: Shinigami
The Fallen House of Ryōdojimay be the major antagonistsofBleach: Memories of Nobody, but once again, their villainous title is essentially handed to them by the self-entitled Soul Reapers, who can’t even justify their actions this time around. Little information is given regarding why Seireitei originally disowned the Dark Ones and whether exiling them was warranted or not (likely, the latter, considering the Shinigami’s past judgment calls).
This once Noble Family slowly regained their strength from the confines of Dangai (a Purgatory of sorts), resorting to any means necessary to survive the Valley of Screams. Wishing to settle the score, the Dark Ones, led by Ganryū, utilized the Bounts to fuel their advances against Seireitei. Resourceful, yet immoral nonetheless.
2Coyote Starrk: Espada
The top-ranking Espada has a rather soft side, developed from suffering in solitude for so many years. Coyote Starrk incessantly spread death in his wake, due to no fault of his own, asthe Hollow’s incredible Reiryoku pressurereached unbearable proportions, resulting in countless mass graves.
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Discontent with effectively being the Grim Reaper of Hueco Mundo, Starrk chose to isolate himself to reduce the carnage and ended up creating a cute companion for himself in the form of Lilynette Gingerbuck. He arguably only joined Aizen’s forces to find more friends capable of withstanding his presence without dropping like flies. Furthermore, it takes a substantial amount of effort to get Starrk to engage in conflict in the first place. A reluctance for violence isn’t the worst quality to have.
1Ichimaru Gin: Shinigami
Unlike the traitorous Tōsen, Ichimaru Gin’s alliance withAizen was always a means to an end,in terms of “keep your enemies closer.” Matsumoto knows very well how kind and selfless Gin can be, as he essentially saved her life when they were still kids, and was the first person to truly acknowledge her. Gin had already vowed to eliminate Aizen before his Shinigami training had even begun, as the youngster quickly identified his bully tactics from the get-go.
After inserting himself into Aizen’s schemes, the 3rd Division Captain bides his time and gathers information (for years!), eventually sharing the secret of evading Kyōka Suigetsu’s influence before finally taking on his nemesis head-on.
