Bleach Thousand-Year Blood War: Unleashing the Hidden Potential of 7 Overlooked Characters

Highlights

The Bleach Thousand-Year Blood War arc has had some underutilized characters, like Ichibe and Tenjiro, whose potential was not fully explored.

Yamamoto, a powerful character, met his untimely demise early in the arc, leaving many fans disappointed with the apparent waste of his strength.

Byakuya's swift defeat at the hands of Äs Nödt left fans questioning whether he was intentionally weakened to highlight the Quincy's superiority, rather than allowing his character to shine.

Warning: The content below contains spoilers for the ongoing Thousand-Year Blood War arc.

The Thousand-Year Blood War arc in Bleach has been filled with captivating and thrilling moments that have delighted fans. Highlights include Yamamoto's awe-inspiring bankai, Zanka no Tachi, and Rukia's breathtaking unleashing of her bankai, Hakka no Togame.

The Bleach Thousand-Year Blood War arc has also brought in a plethora of fresh faces, including the Royal Guard and the Sternritter. However, this influx of new characters has resulted in some being underutilized. Certain characters have been dispatched prematurely or their potential has been left unexplored in order to align with the newly introduced cast. With the untimely demise of characters like Yamamoto, it is not surprising that many fans would conclude that he, along with other characters, have been underutilized.

7 Ichibe Hyosube

Ichibe Hyosube, the leader of the Royal Guards, exudes an air of authority. Being the mastermind behind the creation of the Zanpakuto and a leader of people, viewers are naturally curious to delve into his character. Though Ichibe was not foreseen as the ultimate contender to vanquish Yhwach, his unexpected defeat left many astounded.

Ichibe showcased his abilities in a captivating manner, only to be effortlessly defeated by Yhwach. Unfortunately, he never had the chance to fully display his immense power. Although the series could have portrayed Ichibe's strength through a fierce battle against a Sternritter, this opportunity never arose, leaving fans disheartened to witness the supposed mightiest of Shinigami succumb so easily.

6 Tenjiro Kirinji

Renowned for his unparalleled healing abilities, Tenjiro Kirinji, the Hot Spring Demon, has long been hailed as Soul Society's finest healer. Even Retsu Unohana, a revered healer herself, once looked to him as a mentor. As the Thousand-Year Blood War rages on, Tenjiro finds himself assuming multiple pivotal roles. However, when facing the relentless onslaught of Yhwach and his formidable Sternritter during the second invasion, Tenjiro suffers a swift and crushing defeat.

When Yhwach emerges, Tenjiro boldly steps forth to confront him, confident in the possibility of victory. Yet, to his dismay, he fails to leave a mark on the indomitable Yhwach. Subsequently, Tenjiro finds himself swiftly overpowered by the formidable Sternritter, Lille Barro. It is particularly disheartening to witness Tenjiro's defeat, considering his expertise in teaching the formidable Retsu Unohana the art of healing. His inability to tap into his healing prowess sufficiently during battle clearly showcases a mismanagement of his true potential.

5 Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, the former Captain Commander of the Gotei 13, was an exceptionally powerful figure in the world of Bleach. Regrettably, he met an untimely demise during the Thousand-Year Blood War arc. Interestingly, despite his incredible strength, Yamamoto never had the opportunity to confront the true Yhwach. Instead, he faced a Sternritter who had taken on Yhwach's likeness.

4 Byakuya Kuchiki

Yamamoto, who served as the captain commander of the Gotei 13 for over a millennium, was one of the series' most formidable characters. His strength was unparalleled, thanks to his power and Bankai, Zanka no Tachi, which few could match. However, even with all his might, Yamamoto's early death in the war showcased an underutilization of his immense capabilities.

Renowned for his grace and elegance in battle, Byakuya Kuchiki, the esteemed captain of the 6th division, is widely regarded as one of the most formidable leaders within the Gotei 13. Countless individuals are left astounded by Byakuya's exceptional strength, however, when faced with the formidable Quincy warrior, Äs Nödt, even Byakuya's immense power proved inadequate.

3 Gerard Valkyrie

Although he let his guard down, Byakuya's defeat at the hands of Äs Nödt was swift and unexpected, resulting in the loss of his bankai. This defeat has led many to question if Byakuya's vulnerability was intentionally exaggerated to highlight the power of the Quincy and their leader, Yhwach. Although Byakuya made a triumphant return in the later stages of the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, it was Rukia who primarily confronted Äs Nödt, which led to Byakuya's character being underutilized.

Gerard Valkyrie, dressed like Thor, possesses immense power as a Quincy. His extraordinary ability, known as The Miracle, enables him to transform the impossible into reality. Utilizing The Miracle, Gerard has triumphed over numerous captains, overpowering them effortlessly. Given his exceptional strength and the ability to confront multiple captains simultaneously, many pondered whether anyone could overcome him.

2 Retsu Unohana

However, to everyone's surprise, neither a captain nor a member of the Soul Society proved capable of defeating Gerard. In a shocking turn of events, it was Yhwach, the person whom Gerard revered the most and to whom he pledged his unwavering loyalty, that ultimately ended his life. Despite possessing the incredible power known as The Miracle, Gerard's potential and significance as a character were tragically squandered due to his unfulfilling demise.

In the Bleach Thousand-Year Blood War arc, the compassionate and benevolent Retsu Unohana shocked everyone with her hidden ruthless and savage nature. Following Yamamoto's unfortunate manipulation by Yhwach, the newly appointed captain commander, Shunsui Kyoraku, took the initiative to make her undertake the task of training Kenpachi Zaraki in the art of Zanjutsu.

1 Oetsu Nimaiya

The duo's training consisted of intense battles, where Zaraki would push himself to the brink of exhaustion and Unohana would diligently heal him, enabling him to return even stronger. Surprisingly, Unohana's true strength surpassed the expectations of many. However, once Zaraki surpassed her in power, he tragically ended her life. It is a great loss, as considering Unohana's exceptional strength and esteemed status, she possessed immense potential to contribute significantly in the war effort, serving a purpose greater than Zaraki's sparring partner.

Oetsu Nimaiya, known as the God of the Sword, is a captivating figure within the Royal Guard. Renowned for his vibrant personality, Nimaiya holds the distinct honor of being credited as the creator of the renowned Zanpakuto. This remarkable feat caught the attention of the Soul King, leading to his induction into the esteemed Royal Guard. With anticipation building among fans, many eagerly awaited the revelation of Nimaiya's Zanpakuto, Shikai, and Bankai. However, only his extraordinary Zanpakuto was unveiled to the world.

Nimaiya, despite his immense power, suffered a swift defeat at the hands of a Sternritter which prevented him from showcasing his Bankai. Considering his role as the creator of the Zanpakuto, his untimely demise can be deemed unjust and a missed opportunity to explore his character fully.