Summary
One of the best aspects ofBleachis the factions the characters are divided into. Ichigo’sTeam Karakura, theGotei 13,and most recently, theWandenreich. In theArrancar Saga, Tite Kubo introduces theVizored. A group of mysterious yet colorful Soul Reapers that were exiled from the Soul Society and wear Hollow masks. The Vizored train Ichigo to use his Hollow powers and later on they join the battle against Aizen and the Espada.
Some of the members of the team were former captains of the Gotei 13, so they naturally stood above the others in terms of strength. The three most powerful members are Shinji Hirako, Kensei Muguruma, and Rojuro “Rose” Otoribashi. But which is the absolute strongest ofBleach’s masked team?
Kensei Muguruma, The Brawler
Fists of Steel, Powerful Resolve
Kensei is the former, and after returning from his exile, the current captain of Squad 9. Hewas initially betrayed by his lieutenant,Kaname Tosen, who was conspiring with Sousuke Aizen. After the battle against Aizen and his Espada, Kensei was reinstated as the Squad 9 captain. Now with Shuhei Hisagi and his Vizored partner, Mashiro Kuna as his lieutenants.
Kensei wields the Zanpakutou namedTachikaze. Tachikaze’s Shikai manifests as a combat knife that Kensei holds in one hand. Tachikaze’s Shikai ability is the manipulation of wind in the form of wind blades that Kensei uses to swiftly eliminate powerful Hollows. His second ability isBakudantsuki. Kensei charges a reiryouku ball on Tachikaze, which he launches as a powerful energy blast strongenough to kill a Gillian-class Hollowin one blow.
Kensei’s Bankai isTekken Tachikaze. Kensei envelops his arms in steel armor. This form focuses on melee combat. With each strike of his fists, Kensei causes tiny but devastating explosions on contact. This Bankai is devastating thanks to Kensei’s physical prowess, and yet it lacks versatility in combat.
Kensei’s most important battle is, sadly, his most tragic one. In theThousand-Year Blood Wararc. He foughtSternritter S-Mask de Masculinealongside Rose. Kensei took Mask down with his Bankai. ButMask’sThe Superstarallowed him to rise again and stronger. While Kensei’s power would have taken down some of the other Sternritters, Mask sadly had a hack ability.
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Rojuro is the current captain of Squad 3, following Gin Ichimaru’s betrayal.His lieutenant is Izuru Kira. Rojuro is a very peculiar character, a melancholic and artistic type, someone who goes well with Kira. Opposite to Kensei, Rojuro’s abilities are much more theatrical and complex than simple direct combat.
Rose’s Shikai isKinshara. The blade transforms into a whip-like yellow weapon with the tip in the shape of a flower. Rose’s abilities are music and sound-based, tying to his nature as a musician. With Arpeggio, Rojuro constricts the victim with his whip, while making motions as if playing a piano. The music notes manifest as the enemy is crushed by Kinshara. With his ability,Kinshara Sokyouku Dai Ichiba - Izayoi Bara, Rose attaches the tip of Kinshara to his foe, and by touching the blade, he creates a musical sound that travels through the whip, creating a powerful shockwave at the tip that causes a powerful blast.
Rose’s Bankai isKinshara Butoudan. Kinshara creates a group of yellow humanoid figures and the blade becomes a conducting baton. Rojuro then plays music, and if the enemy hears it, they perceive an illusion that physically damages them. However, if the foe is unable to hear, the effect is nullified.
Rojuro also battled Mask de Masculine, who pierced his eardrums and escaped the effects of Kinshara Butoudan. Mask’s absurd abilities were the direct counter to both Kensei and Rose.
Shinji Hirako, The Enchanter
Up is Down, Down is Up
Shinji Hirako is the leader of the Visoredand the current captain of Squad 5. His previous lieutenant was the diabolical Sousuke Aizen, so he was perhaps the one who was hurt the most by Aizen’s schemes one hundred years ago. His current lieutenant is Momo Hinamori, another one of Aizen’s victims, but on a much more personal level. Together they heal each other as former victims of Soul Society’s traitor.
Shinji’s Shikai isSakanade. Its main ability isSakasame no Sekai. By spinning Sakanade around his hand by the circle in the pummel, Shinji alters the victim’s perception. Down and up, forward and backward, left and right, all are reversed. Even eyesight and hearing are altered. The enemy is rendered virtually defenseless. Speech is reversed, and images become twisted and unrecognizable. Shinji calls this ability a trump card, as resisting it is extremely difficult. It was, however, beaten by two people.Sternritter E - Bambietta Basterbinelaunched explosives in all directions, luckily hitting Shinji. And Aizen was able to adapt to the perception distortion. It is also worth noting that Shinji’s ability is very similarAizen’s Kyouka Suigetsu, as they both alter the victim’s perception.
Pretty good, huh? Doing things in reverse is my specialty
Shinji’s Bankai is where his true strength lies.Sakashima Yokoshima Happofusagaridoesn’t just alter the senses, but the mind. If used against a group of enemies, they will not be able to discern friends from foes and will attack each other to death. Sakashim Yokoshima Happofusagari is an extremely dangerous Bankai, so much so that it was forbidden. In the Can’t Fear Your Own World novels, it’s stated that Shinji was forbidden from using his Bankai, as its ability also affects allies, so it is unfit for war. This was nulled by the new captain commander Shunsui Kyoraku, who allowed Shinji to use it if he saw fit.
Thanks to his incredible abilities, Shinji stands head and shoulders above his teammates and even many of the members of the Gotei 13. Shinji’s natural Soul Reaper abilities are extremely dangerous by themselves, but this paired with his Hollow powers and his ability to use Cero, undoubtedly make him the strongest Visored.
Bleach
Based on Tite Kubo’s battle shonen manga, Bleach centers around Ichigo, a high school student who is dragged into the world of Soul Reapers. The original anime ended in 2012, but it was revived in 2022.
