The Worst Shinigami In Bleach, Ranked

As a long-time fan of Bleach, it’s disheartening to see some characters who fail to leave a lasting impression or contribute significantly to the storyline. One such character is Isane, the Shinigami from the 4th Division. With her forgettable abilities and lackluster performance, it’s hard not to question Kubo’s approach towards writing women in his magnum opus. It’s a shame that someone as unremarkable as Isane could ascend to the rank of Captain, especially considering the high standards set for this position.

It’s indisputable that the shinigami in the Bleach series possess an unparalleled level of power. They are capable of handling immense threats and safeguarding both the human world and Soul Society through any necessary means. Their arsenal includes potent Bankai, which grant them the might required to overcome formidable opponents, as well as Kido spells that compensate for any physical weakness and ensure a balanced fight. In essence, the shinigami of the series have multiple strategies at their disposal to vanquish their enemies.

Occasionally, certain shinigami may not leave a lasting impact despite appearing to be highly capable. Some of these less prominent characters are seldom given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and often remain on the sidelines, while others receive ample time to develop their skills but fail nonetheless. This unfortunate situation highlights the issue with power scaling and character overload that has been a recurring problem in Tite Kubo’s work within Bleach.

5 Renji Abarai

Gets A Throwaway Victory During The Thousand-Year Blood War After Losing Over And Over Again

The Worst Shinigami In Bleach, Ranked

Debut: Kon’s Great Plan (Episode 15)

To put it simply, Renji is quite powerful, often pushing many opponents to their limits, particularly following his Shikai’s transformation under the guidance of Division Zero. However, his weakness lies in crucial battles where he tends to falter, managing to keep pace but ultimately ending up humiliated and defeated, making his opponent appear stronger. Remarkably, Renji has only emerged victorious in a single significant fight throughout the entirety of Bleach, which underscores this pattern.

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.

4 Sui-Feng

Fails To Fulfill Her Potential Throughout The Series

Debut: Assemble! The Gotei 13 (Episode 24)

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 triumphs are insubstantial, often against weak opponents, whereas other shinigami in Soul Society demonstrate their worth against more challenging foes and consistently secure victories no matter the cost. Despite her distinctive Bankai being a standout in a world filled with extraordinary abilities, Sui-Feng falls short of meeting the expectations set by her character and instead becomes just another fighter who remains in the background as the main and supporting characters repeatedly outshine her with their powers. It’s almost unjust that she is considered fit to lead the 2nd Division of the Gotei 13.

3 Isane Kotetsu

Rose Up Through The Ranks To Become Captain Despite Being Completely Unremarkable

Debut: Overcome Your Limits! (Episode 45)

In the world of Soul Society within Bleach, Isane is one of the less memorable shinigami. She fails to leave a lasting impact due to her swift defeat at Ichigo’s hands during Rukia’s execution. Throughout the series, she primarily serves as a supporting character, often overcome by her feelings. Unfortunately, Isane never manages to vanquish a single foe in Bleach, which is regrettable and seems to reflect Kubo’s struggles in creating well-rounded female characters for his masterpiece.

Despite possessing an ordinary Shikai and no Bankai, Isane manages to climb the ranks and earn the title of Captain of the 4th Division. This position is typically held by a powerful shinigami, so it seems almost comical that someone as seemingly unsuited for the role as Isane has been selected.

2 Kokichiro Takezoe

Barely Anything Of Note About This Weak Character

Debut: The Avengers (Episode 47)

A recurring issue with the series Bleach is the excessive addition of characters who are not essential to the storyline, making the show overly bulky. This practice also hinders the growth and memorability of some secondary characters such as Kokichiro Takezoe. Consequently, he becomes relatively insignificant after a unimportant introduction that offers no contribution to the series or his character development.

In a brief scene, we find him working under Captain Hitsugaya. His purpose was to deliver news that Renji, Momo, and Izuru had managed to break free from their cells. Interestingly, his one-time appearance on screen suggests he doesn’t possess any extraordinary abilities; in fact, the storyline could have continued without any interruption even if this character didn’t exist at all.

1 Torue

A Member Of The Shinigami Research And Development Institute With No Strength To Boast Of

Debut: Fierce Fighting Conclusion! Release, the Final Getsuga Tensho! (Episode 309)

In simpler terms, Fanservice is a negative aspect in anime production that can make fans uncomfortable about enjoying this type of entertainment. For instance, Bleach isn’t immune to this issue either. Some female characters are poorly developed and often have exaggerated physical features or skimpy outfits for the sole purpose of attracting a broader audience. The creation of a shinigami character purely for a crude joke highlights the questionable creative decisions made in their creation.

In a humorous side event, a character named Torue from the Shinigami Research Institute discovers Kon unconscious in a replica of Karakura Town. The sight of her voluptuousness leaves the Mod Soul disoriented, leading to his capture in an insensitive manner that leaves viewers questioning Torue’s necessity in the story. It’s questionable why knocking out a Mod Soul is significant, and considering she’s a researcher, this Shinigami appears to be more of a hindrance than help in battle.

2024-10-01 22:24