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Explore 4 Bleach moments that shocked the entire fanbase and 4 others that fans were expecting from the series.
As one of the most beloved shonen series ever, Bleach has its fair share of standout moments, inspiring awe and fascination. From shocking twists, betrayals, and deaths, the series has captivated viewers for several years. At the same time, there are also equally exciting moments of build-up and foreshadowing, creating anticipation for easily predictable events.
Here are 4 Bleach moments that shocked everyone and 4 that were expected.
4 Bleach Moments That Shocked Everyone
Tite Kubo has kept fans on the edge of their seats through every arc, delivering meticulously crafted moments that elicit responses of shock and surprise. Four instances in Bleach that shocked everyone include:
1) Aizen’s Betrayal
Considered by many to be the biggest twist in anime history, Aizen’s betrayal was a jaw-dropping moment in Bleach that completely elevated the storyline. Initially portrayed as the approachable and reliable captain of the Fifth Division in the Gotei 13, Aizen’s “death” came as a shock to both characters and fans.
However, the revelation of his meticulously faked demise and orchestration of events from the background took it to another level. His calm demeanor and polite facade masked a master manipulator aiming to usurp the Soul King’s throne. Everything from Rukia’s execution to Ichigo attacking Soul Society had been within the confines of his plan, cementing his place as an iconic villain in anime.
2) Captain Yamamoto’s Death
The death of the captain of the Gotei 13, Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, came as an emotionally devastating moment no one expected. In his battle against Yhwach in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, Yamamoto was comfortably defeating the Quincy King.
With his terrifying Bankai, Zanka no Tachi, he had unleashed powers strong enough to destroy the entire realm. When victory against Yhwach seemed inevitable, however, Bleach astonished fans with yet another twist. Yamamoto was not facing Yhwach but Royd Lloyd’s impersonation of the king. This allowed the real Yhwach to take Yamamoto by surprise, steal his Bankai, and kill him.
What once seemed to mark the victory of the shinigami turned into a tragedy. This emphasized the wit and strength of Yhwach, setting him up to be a grand antagonist.
3) Ichigo’s Quincy Heritage
Ichigo’s ties to the Quincies and his complex lineage was a reveal that left many fans scrambling their brains. While this was first hinted at when Yhwach called Ichigo his son, fans were not able to fully comprehend its meaning until they learned about the protagonist’s mother.
In a flashback sequence, viewers discovered how Ichigo’s mother, Masaki Kurosaki, was a Quincy who saved Isshin and ended up marrying him. Unfortunately, she lost her powers to Yhwach’s Auswählen and died while trying to protect Ichigo from a Hollow. This scene redefined Ichigo’s journey, giving him a much deeper connection to the Quincy King.
4) Ukitake’s Connection to the Soul King
As the captain of the Thirteenth Division, Ukitake was a kind person who had a weak body and didn’t appear frequently. Following the Soul King’s death, we learned the truth behind his illness and the significance of his character.
Ukitake’s life was being sustained by Mimihagi, the right arm of the Soul King. He had been preparing his entire life for the point when the realms were in danger. Since Adnyeus had died from Yhwach’s schemes, Ukitake had to sacrifice his life to extend Mimihagi’s powers and stabilize the realms. The shock doubled when Yhwach effortlessly absorbed Mimihagi, making Ukitake’s noble sacrifice last only for a few moments.
This scene added a new layer to the Soul Reaper’s character, showing how far he was willing to go to repay his debt. It finally exposed a long-term mystery of the series while also expanding its rich lore.
4 Bleach Moments Everyone Expected
While Bleach has certainly perfected its shock factor, another area where it excels is creating excitement. It achieves this by spreading hints of events set to occur in the future, making fans eagerly wait for them to happen. However, not all moments are planned, and others are simply expected by fans since Bleach, being a shonen, follows many tropes. Bleach moments expected by the entire fandom include:
1) Ulquiorra’s Development
The Fourth Espada, Ulquiorra, was a figure who depicted nihility and emotionlessness. Despite causing brutal destruction, none of his actions had any malice behind them, and he simply followed his orders. However, after kidnapping Orihime and spending time with her, we noticed another side of his character.
This was one filled with curiosity regarding humanity and their emotions. Unable to comprehend the cravings of the heart, he was a character of silent contemplation. At the same time, we could slowly see a shift in his personality through his conversations and bond with Orihime.
Orihime, being the personification of compassion, had managed to get through to the Espada. We saw this in Ulquiorra’s final moments, where he reached out to her before disintegrating. This was the natural progression of his character arc, where he discovered his heart right before death. It made for a very poignant scene precisely because it was long-awaited by fans.
2) Uryu Is Not Loyal to Yhwach
During the events of the Thousand Year Blood Arc, one of the most significant moments came when Uryu joined the ranks of Yhwach’s army. Under the reasoning that he was a Quincy and would avenge their bloody history, his switch came as a shock to Ichigo and his allies.
However, the fans quickly sensed something was wrong. Uryu had never been one to get hung up on heritage, and he was also a caring person. Joining Yhwach, whose ruthlessness he witnessed firsthand, was extremely out of character. As the arc proceeded, it became more apparent, that Jugram always seemed suspicious of Uryu.
Hence, the reveal that he wanted to avenge his mother, who died because of Yhwach’s Auswählen, did not astonish many.
3) Ichigo Masters the Bankai Quickly
The Bankai is the ultimate attack that can only be used by the most proficient Soul Reapers in Bleach. It typically takes even the most prodigious individuals decades to use it. However, Ichigo could learn it within just two and a half days.
With the help of Yoruichi and his battles against Old Man Zangetsu, Ichigo overcame the spirit of his sword. This boosted his abilities immensely in his battle against Byakuya, allowing Ichigo to finally save Rukia. The protagonist’s ability to use his Zanpakuto’s full powers was one of the most exciting moments of the series. At the same time, it was one that many fans had foreseen.
This is primarily because Ichigo is the main character of a shonen anime. We have seen in countless other series such as Naruto and One Piece where the protagonists master difficult abilities such as the Rasengan and Haki in a quick fashion. Built from this experience, most knew that Ichigo would also show off his determination and growth through the Bankai. It fit the narrative of the Soul Society Arc as well, where he kept growing with each battle against strong Soul Reapers.
4) Zaraki Unlocks His True Power
Kenpachi Zaraki’s immense potential has been hinted at since his introduction. During the battle with Ichigo, he never went all out and used his brute strength rather than his untapped power. This continued for several arcs until the Shinigami faced heavy injuries during the Quincy attack.
Fans had already been expecting Zaraki to unlock his Zanpakuto and unveil his Shikai and Bankai, as it made no sense for him to not level up when the world was at stake. Sensing this same urgency, Unohana sacrificed her life for the sake of bringing out his true power.
While Unohana’s role in Zaraki restraining himself wasn’t expected, Kenpachi finally displaying his powers came as a long-awaited moment of catharsis.
Conclusion
Bleach is a series full of unexpected twists and developments, and these moments reflect the complex storytelling and character arcs that have helped it become popular. Some of these moments stunned fans with their unpredictability, while others were long expected due to the nature of the story. In these lines, we have covered 4 Bleach moments that shocked everyone and 4 moments expected by fans.
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