There’s no denying that the shinigami ofBleachare in a class of their own, boasting incredible levels of power that let them tackle massive threats and save both the living world and Soul Society by any means necessary. From powerful Bankai that provide them the strength they need to tackle tough foes to Kido spells that make up for any lack of physical might to even the odds, the shinigami of the series can find numerous ways to wipe out their enemies.
However, there are times whensome shinigami fail to make a lasting impressiondespite seeming as impressive as they come. Some of these weaker characters barely get a chance to show their skills and are relegated to the sidelines, while others get ample time to improve their skills but come up short anyway. It’s a crying shame and shows the problem with power scaling and character bloat that has plagued Tite Kubo inBleachnumerous times.
5Renji Abarai
Gets A Throwaway Victory During The Thousand-Year Blood War After Losing Over And Over Again
Truth be told, Renji is strong enough to give most opponents a run for their money, especially after he reformed his Shikaiunder the watchful tutelage of Division Zero. However, what establishes Renji as a weak character is that he always choked in fights that matter, almost holding his own only to be humiliated and done away with to make his opponent look stronger. The fact that he’s only won a single meaningful fight in the entirety ofBleachis a testament to this.
His victory against Mask de Masculine is the only one that fans remember, making it almost feel like a consolation prize of sorts. In reality, Renji has lost so many high-profile that it’s hard to think that the Gotei 13 would rely on him when the situation calls for it. In an objective ranking, this shinigami would rank higher than most of his compatriots, but for a character who gets an incredible amount of screen, the lack of personality and power he’s displayed time and time again makes Renji one of the most frustrating characters to witness on-screen.
4Sui-Feng
Fails To Fulfill Her Potential Throughout The Series
Despite seeming like a brat who can’t get over herself in the early goings of Soul Society, Sui-Feng eventually establishes herself as a riveting character who used to love Yoruichi before being blindsided by her apparent betrayal. In an arc full of amazing highlights,Sui-Feng and her ex-mentor put on a clinic, elevating both characters in an arc that is full of these highlights. So, it’s genuinely saddening to see this character’s potential fall off a cliff following this battle.
Her victories are hollow and come against unimpressive opposition, while the rest of the shinigami in Soul Society prove themselves against tougher opposition and secure the W at all costs. Despite her explosive Bankai being unique in a series full of eccentric powers, Sui-Feng fails to live up to her character’s promise and ends up being just another fighter who languishes in the background while other main and side characters steal the spotlight with their powers time and time again. It’s downright criminal that she’s somehow deemed worthy enough to lead the 2nd Division of the Gotei 13.
3Isane Kotetsu
Rose Up Through The Ranks To Become Captain Despite Being Completely Unremarkable
One of the most forgettable shinigami in Soul Society, Isane gets no time to make an impression. She’s dismissively defeated by Ichigo during Rukia’s execution and becomes a background character who lets her emotions get the best of her all the time. The fact thatshe doesn’t defeat a single enemy inBleachis a shame and highlights Kubo’s problems when it comes to writing women in his magnum opus.
Despite having an unremarkable Shikai and no Bankai to speak of, she somehow ascends the rank to become the Captain of the 4th Division. It’s a rank reserved for a top-tier shinigami who boasts a ton of strength, so it’s downright laughable that someone as unqualified as Isane bagged this spot.
2Kokichiro Takezoe
Barely Anything Of Note About This Weak Character
A huge problem withBleachthat rears its ugly head time and time again is the inclusion of unnecessary characters with little to no relevance to the plot. This just adds to the bloat of a series that fails to give some of its major side characters the development they need to be memorable. As a result, shinigami like Kokichiro Takezoe fade into the background after a meaningless debut that adds nothing to the show or their character.
Heserves under Captain Hitsugayaand makes a fleeting appearance to announce that Renji, Momo, and Izuru have escaped their cells. The fact that this is the only time he shows his face on-screen makes it clear that he has no remarkable power to speak of, to the point where the entire series could’ve progressed as usual without the existence of this character.
1Torue
A Member Of The Shinigami Research And Development Institute With No Strength To Boast Of
Fanservice is a blight on the anime industry that makes fans feel embarrassed about being invested in this entertainment medium, andBleachis no exception here.A lot of the women in this series are written poorly, with some boasting curvaceous figures or revealing clothing just to appeal to the lowest common denominator. The fact that one such shinigami was created out of nowhere just to serve as a punchline for a creepy gag shows the depraved thought process behind their existence.
During a throwaway gag sequence, a member of the Shinigami Research and Development Institut called Torue finds Kon passed out in the fake Karakura Town. Her voluptuousness leads to this Mod Soul losing his marbles, only to be knocked out and captured in such a tasteless manner that fans can’t help but wonder why Torue needed to make an appearance in the first place. Knocking out a Mod Soul is a largely unimpressive feat, and the fact that she’s a researcher makes it safe to assume that this shinigami is nothing more than a liability in combat.
