Bleach: Why Were the Vizored So Disappointing?

Bleach: Why Were the Vizored So Disappointing?

Key Takeaways

  • Vizored were powerful, motivated warriors exiled by Aizen
  • Vizored trained Ichigo & had strong potential but left storyline
  • Vizored’s involvement post-Arrancar Saga was underwhelming

As a gamer with countless hours spent immersed in the world of Bleach, I must confess that the Vizored left me feeling somewhat disheartened. After all the hype surrounding their powerful abilities and intriguing backgrounds, their involvement post-Arrancar Saga was underwhelming at best.


In the world of Bleach, the Vizored – exiled Soul Reapers with Hollow abilities who resided in the Living World for a century – have been cherished by fans. However, following the Arrancar Saga, their role in the narrative failed to meet expectations. Shinji Hirako and his team were anticipated to be captivating and intriguing warriors, distinct from the rule-abiding members of the Gotei 13. Despite possessing impressive powers, their part in the storyline felt somewhat sidelined.

Fans might be expressing dissatisfaction towards Hirako and his team due to their actions during the Thousand-Year Blood War arc of Bleach. Some viewers may believe that the Vizored could have taken a more active role in the conflict, potentially leading to different outcomes or fewer casualties. However, others might argue that they were satisfactorily portrayed as they were, serving their purpose effectively within the narrative.

Started Out Strong, The Mysterious Vizored

The First Victims of Aizen

Shinji Hirako, along with his colleagues, held significant roles within the Gotei 13, even occupying captain positions like Shinji himself in Squad 5, while others served as lieutenants. Notably, Sousuke Aizen was under Shinji’s command as a lieutenant. At this juncture, Aizen initiated Hollowfication experiments, exposing Shinji and the group to their most detrimental effects. Tragically, Aizen transformed Shinji, Love, Kensei, Rojuro, Lisa, Hiyori, Mashiro, and Hachigen into Hollows. However, they were miraculously saved by Kisuke Urahara and Tessai, barely escaping the fate of Hollowfication. Unfortunately, due to Aizen’s manipulations, Shinji, along with Urahara, Tessai, and Yoruichi, were banished from the Soul Society.

For a century, the Vizored dwelled in the Realm of Life, biding their time for retribution against Aizen. During this span, they honed their fresh abilities, perfecting their control over their Hollow nature and utilizing their powers as a valuable resource. Ultimately, they crossed paths with Ichigo Kurosaki, a native Vizored, whom they tutored to wield his powers in a similar fashion.

The team initially collaborated closely with Ichigo, equipping him to fight against the Espada and Aizen in a self-contained storyline titled Turn Back the Pendulum. They were swiftly portrayed as potent and significant characters, each pursuing their unique objectives. The Gotei 13 engaged Aizen due to their duty, while Ichigo confronted him for reasons of justice and to safeguard everyone. However, the Vizards had a deeply personal motive for eliminating him.

It can be said that the Vizored possessed a strong incentive to vanquish Aizen; nevertheless, their participation fell short of expectations. In the battle against Aizen, they fought alongside the Gotei, but their contribution was minimal, with Shinji being the main contributor. There was little resolution or conclusion to their conflict with Aizen. Given Kaname Tosen’s arc focusing on revenge, revealing how it led him astray, it seems like a missed chance not to depict the Vizored reflecting on Aizen’s downfall. It leaves one pondering about the potential of exploring their thoughts following Aizen’s defeat.

Thousand-Year Blood War, The Vizored’s Lowest Point

Only Weakened Captains Now

In additional information, it’s stated that Central 46 enforced a ban on the Vizored using their Hollow powers following Shinji, Rojuro, and Kensei’s reinstatement as captains of the Gotei 13. This sheds light on why these three might have had an edge in combat, yet they were prevented from utilizing it. In a subsequent fight against Sternritter S – Mask de Masculine, both Kensei and Rojuro employed their Bankai, but Mask’s unbalanced abilities posed a significant challenge to them. While their Bankai would have easily defeated numerous other adversaries, Mask was able to recuperate from any wounds due to his Schrifft: The Superstar.

Later, Gremmy Thoumeaux kills Kensei and Rojuro, transforming them into zombies at the hands of Giselle Gewelle. This only adds to their humiliation. For a brief instant, Shinji Hirako experienced triumph when he used his Shikai, Sakanade, to halt Sternritter E – Bambietta Basterbine. However, Bambietta quickly countered with her Vollstandich, defeating him with a single strike, rendering him powerless. In the animated adaptation, Shinji unleashes his Bankai: Sakashima Yokoshima Happo Fusagari to vanquish a band of Soldat. Although this addition was welcomed, using his Bankai against common soldiers somewhat diminished its impact.

In essence, the Vizored characters were heavily anticipated and significant prior to the Thousand Year Blood War, only to be somewhat overlooked in the end. Although they are widely admired by fans, it appears that their creator, Tite Kubo, may not have given them as much attention as expected. With room for improvement, fans hoped the Vizored would play a more substantial role, yet they were sidelined while other Gotei 13 members had memorable moments during the arc. This has left fans somewhat dissatisfied with their conclusion in the storyline. Fingers crossed that future adaptations of the anime will provide them with new and thrilling opportunities that weren’t present in the original manga, similar to Shinji’s Bankai development.

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2024-10-04 23:33