Bleach is a smash-hit shonen action series packed with colorful and memorable characters, who range from the humans of Karakura Town to the black-robed Soul Reapers to unmasked Arrancars and beyond. These characters all made a lasting impact on viewers and readers, and some of them made a truly dramatic entrance.
Not all characters totally steal the scene when they first appear, but some do, and it can be the highlight of an entire episode or chapter of Bleach. Many anime characters are renowned for their exciting and memorable first appearances (not counting cameos), and plenty of Bleach characters got their chance to shine this way, too. In no particular order, who are these ten characters?
10 Ichigo Kurosaki Was A Cool Punk Right Away
The star himself, Ichigo Kurosaki, made an appropriately strong first impression in the very first season of Bleach. At the time, Ichigo wasn't a Soul Reaper, but he was still a tough and cool kid who heroically stands up to bullies and troublemakers.
Ichigo is a punk with a good heart, and he proved it when he kicked around some delinquent skaters who damaged a deceased girl's roadside memorial. Ichigo sent them running, and he went on to become a Soul Reaper not long after that.
9 Rukia Kuchiki Set The Tone For Soul Reapers
Rukia Kuchiki was the first Soul Reaper to appear, and in fact, she was the first character whom author Tite Kubo ever created for Bleach. She appeared on-screen even before Ichigo did, operating as a smart and professional soul hunter in Karakura Town one night.
Rukia made an unforgettable first impression as a black-robed young lady bearing a sword, standing atop a telephone pole while surveying Karakura Town under the full moon. In fact, some pieces of fan art depict this first-ever Rukia scene, proving what kind of impression it made on viewers.
8 Uryu Ishida Was Funny & Cool
Almost everything that makes Uryu Ishida who he is was encapsulated into a single sequence in Bleach's early episodes. He is a Quincy archer hiding his true nature at school, making him a clear parallel to Ichigo, and he was also at the top of his class, demonstrating how smart he is.
Uryu also showed off his soft side with his expert sewing, proving that he has a warm, fuzzy heart despite his strict exterior. Not long after that, he challenged Ichigo to a Hollow hunting contest, launching their friendly rivalry. Uryu hit the ground running as a Bleach character.
7 Shunsui Kyoraku Made A Flowery Entrance
The Captain of squad 8, Shunsui Kyoraku, is vastly more powerful than his goofy and laid-back personality and appearance would suggest. He was a minor antagonist in the Soul Society arc, and he briefly fought Chad in a one-sided battle. Shunsui didn't really want to fight, though.
Shunsui had his Lieutenant, Nanao Ise, scatter flower petals by hand to create a lovely atmosphere, then they got into a light-hearted argument. Shunsui also offered a drink to Chad out of kindness, until Chad politely declined and asked for a fight. Shunsui made quite the first impression.
6 Ichigo's Hollow Was A Battle Maniac Against Byakuya
Ichigo's inner Hollow can be loosely considered a character in his own right, and he made his first appearance during Ichigo's climactic duel with Captain Kuchiki. Ichigo was falling behind, and out of frustration, his inner Hollow took over the fight.
Hollow-Ichigo went into a battle frenzy, laughing like a maniac as he resumed the assault on Byakuya Kuchiki with reckless abandon. He is a creature of bloodlust and instinct, and later, Ichigo would have to face him in mortal combat to assert control. No one saw this coming, and it was shocking and exciting to see.
5 Yammy Llargo Was A Bizarre Bully
Early in the Arrancar arc, two strange beings appeared, landing like a meteor on the ground for dramatic effect. They were Arrancars, or unmasked Hollows with zanpakuto, and they wanted Ichigo dead. The bigger one, the brutish Yammy Llargo, had no restraint at all.
Yammy performed gonzui to absorb the souls of nearby humans, and then he fought Chad, Orihime, Ichigo and Yoruichi Shihoin in that order. His strange appearance, brute strength and bad attitude all made a strong impression, and set the tone for the rest of the Espadas.
4 Aaroniero Arurruerie Passed Himself Off As Kaien Shiba
The 9th Espada, Aaroniero Arurruerie, made his first appearance in the meeting of Espadas, but his proper introduction came a little later, after Ichigo and his squad arrived in Las Noches. Aaroniero intercepted Rukia and invited her into his palace, and Rukia did as asked.
Aaroniero looked strange with his tall mask, and when he removed it, everyone was in for a shock: he had the face of Kaien Shiba, and he gave Rukia his full name. How could this "Aaroniero" character have Kaien's face? It was a trick to apply psychological pressure, and for a time, it worked. That's a memorable character introduction.
3 Charlotte Chuhlhourne Was A Flamboyant And Tough Fighter
Barragan Luisenbarn is a scary and intimidating Arrancar, but one of his minions, Charlotte Chuhlhourne, was a whole different matter. He was a powerful but extravagant fellow who fancied himself the most beautiful being alive, and he also scorned people who had ugly hearts.
Charlotte's glittery appearance and personality contrasted with his sheer strength, and he had the upper hand against Yumichika for the bulk of their fight. He also gives long, flowery names to his attacks, including his otherwise ordinary Cero blasts.
2 Coyote Starrk Was Unbelievably Lazy
Like Aaroniero, Coyote Starrk appeared in the Espada meeting, but he was properly introduced a little later, and in amusing fashion. Despite being an elite Arrancar, he was quite lazy and easygoing, and he was seen napping in his palace until his fraccione, Lilynette Gingerbuck, startled him awake.
Starrk was clearly annoyed, and he didn't care at all that Aaroniero had just been killed. His indifferent attitude set the tone for the entire character, who values his Espada friends but can't be bothered to seek revenge for them when they die. He's not the vengeful type.
1 Quilge Opie Was Downright Sadistic
During the Thousand-Year Blood War arc in the manga, a new enemy appeared: the Quincy army. One of the Quincy elite, Sternritter "J" Quilge Opie, made a strong impression when he marched into Hueco Mundo with his Jagdarmee followers and tormented the Arrancars whom he found there.
Quilge made a strong impression of himself and the Sternritter as a whole, being a smugly powerful Quincy ho has utter contempt for all Arrancars and Soul Reapers. He toyed with the Arrancars before slaughtering them, and not even Halibel's ex-fracciones could stand up to him. He also absorbed Ayon to become a total monster, a new twist on the traditional Quincy ability to absorb ambient spirit energy.
0 Comments