Bleach: The Best Kenpachi Fights, Ranked

Key Takeaways

Kenpachi‘s reckless fighting style leads to memorable battles but also showcases his faults as a combatant.
Kenpachi’s thirst for battle drives him to face formidable foes and even his own comrades, proving his raw strength.
Kenpachi’s evolution in combat is evident in battles where he unleashes new powers and techniques, showcasing his growth.

As a long-time fanatic of Bleach, I must say that the battles involving the protagonist, Kenpachi Zaraki, are some of the most thrilling and character-defining moments in the entire series. Each fight showcases not only his incredible strength but also delves into the depths of his mindset and personality.

In the realm of Soul Society, there isn’t anyone who relishes the excitement of a fierce battle as much as Zaraki Kenpachi. This unruly and impulsive captain is only interested in one thing: locating adversaries he considers strong enough to provide him with an enjoyable fight. Throughout his journey in Bleach, he’s come across numerous foes, each offering varying levels of success in fulfilling Kenpachi’s craving for a good battle.

As a gamer, I’d say: Unlike other Gotei 13 captains who prefer tactical approaches, Kenpachi jumps straight into action, unloading all his power on the enemy as soon as the fight begins. It’s thrilling to watch him go full throttle, but what makes it truly remarkable is when he introduces new abilities and moves in the heat of battle, adding an extra layer of excitement to each skirmish.

8. Kenpachi VS Pernida

A Rare But Intriguing Showcase Of Kenpachi’s Faults As A Combatant

Episode: TYBW 34

Indeed, it’s true that Mayuri takes on most of the battles against Pernida, yet Kenpachi’s brief encounter with the enigmatic cloaked Sternritter offers insights into his personality, particularly his weaknesses. Without hesitation, Kenpachi charges at Pernida upon spotting him, disregarding Mayuri’s warnings. This rash action results in his arm being severely injured, yet Kenpachi seems unfazed, showing a singular focus on the adversary right before him.

After Kenpachi attempts to attack, he queries Mayuri about what Pernida specifically is, indicating that he often acts before thinking, a trait which could prove dangerous if the adversary were particularly strong. Generally, Kenpachi emerges victorious in battles; however, his confrontation with Pernida demonstrated that his impulsiveness can overpower him on occasion.

7. Kenpachi VS Tosen

Kenpachi Proves That He’s More Than Willing To Fight His Own Comrades If They Get In His Way

Episodes: 51-53

During the Soul Society storyline, each member of the Gotei 13, including captains and lieutenants, gets their turn in the limelight, revealing their character, beliefs, and unwavering allegiance to Seireitei. Despite Tosen’s strong commitment to justice, Kenpachi is merely battle-crazed; when these two eventually confront each other, their brief but impactful fight highlights Kenpachi’s immense power.

In the narrative, it’s evident that Kenpachi makes fun of the strength of Tosen and Komamura, his fellow captains, indicating his sole focus at this stage is power above all else. Yet, it’s worth noting that Kenpachi outwits Tosen, even eluding his Bankai which disables an opponent’s senses, demonstrating he also possesses a reasonable amount of intellect to complement his physical prowess.

6. Kenpachi VS Yammy

A Duel Against A Brutal Giant Puts Kenpachi’s Raw Strength On Full Display

Episodes: 286-289

One thing to know about Kenpachi is he’s a character who will never cower away from an opponent, no matter how big or powerful they may be. Nowhere was this made more clear than when he willingly approached Yammy, who by that point in the story had revealed himself to be the Number 0 Espada, or in other words, the strongest of the pack.

Kenpachi’s eagerness to attack Yammy demonstrated that he was ready to face danger, especially when it came to fighting. Moreover, his readiness to engage Byakuya in this conflict underscored his willingness to fight against fellow allies, should he perceive them as formidable opponents or if they obstruct him.

5. Kenpachi & Byakuya & Hitsugaya VS Gerard Valkyrie

A Fight Full Of Power-Ups And Epic Moments

Chapters: 666-671

In a manner reminiscent to his encounter with Yammy, Kenpachi meets head-to-head with Sternritter Gerard Valkyrie, facing off against a colossal adversary. Unlike others who might flinch or hesitate, Kenpachi doesn’t falter; he instead chooses to engage in the fight alongside Byakuya and Hitsugaya. Rather than relying on brute force, however, Kenpachi opts for innovation, scaling Gerard’s towering blade and unleashing devastating strikes that only someone of his immense power could manage.

In this skirmish, Kenpachi not only gets to employ his sword, Nozarashi, in a more conventional manner, but also exhibits his Bankai – a spectacle that’s been long-anticipated. It demonstrates the depth of his bond with his Zanpakuto, a connection that has evolved significantly since the early episodes.

4. Kenpachi VS Nnoitra

Kenpachi Is Pushed To His Limit And Is Forced To Unveil His Hidden Power

Episodes: 201-203

As Nnoitra prepares to deliver the final blow against Ichigo, it’s Kenpachi who swoops in at the last moment to turn the tide. Truth be told, this Espada has me on my toes, and for a brief moment, I find myself questioning if I can make it out of this one alive – a feeling that rarely crosses my heart as a captain.

However, it also highlighted that the longer Kenpachi fights, the more bloodthirsty he becomes. A standout moment from this battle is when Kenpachi decides to use both of his hands when swinging his Zanpakuto, admitting it was never really “His thing”, but after trying it out, he unleashes a devastating blow to Nnoitra. It’s a clever way of showcasing how unorthodox Kenpachi’s fighting style is, alongside a subtle hint at the absurd levels of power he is yet to unlock.

3. Kenpachi VS Ichigo

The First Real Showcase Of The Bloodthirsty ‘Monster’ Known As Kenpachi

Episodes: 36-40

In the series, one battle that long-time Bleach enthusiasts will never forget due to its brutal and lopsided nature, particularly during the initial phase, is Kenpachi’s first significant fight. The immense force of Kenpachi’s Spiritual Pressure forces Ichigo to retreat in the opening stages of the combat. Later, Kenpachi taunts Ichigo by giving him an opportunity for a free strike. This was an effective way to demonstrate Ichigo’s gradual power growth, as well as highlighting how incredibly powerful and terrifying Kenpachi truly is, since Ichigo, who had been steadily increasing in strength, was completely overpowered in this encounter.

The reveal of Kenpachi’s bells, which give his opponents a chance to figure out where he is and when he’s going to strike, also showcased how Kenpachi was strong enough to afford to toy with his prey in the middle of battle. Though Ichigo does eventually muster up enough power to take Kenpachi down, the captain’s persona as being a bloodthirsty and violent warrior with no remorse for his enemies all started right here.

2. Kenpachi VS Unohana

Kenpachi Must Prove His Worth To Hold The Title Of Kenpachi

Episode: TYBW 9

In the realm of visual splendor, the clash between Kenpachi and Unohana stands among the top fights in Bleach. However, this battle also serves as a venue for exploring Kenpachi’s character, revealing dimensions that were previously unexplored. Initially, Kenpachi exhibits his typical enthusiasm at engaging an opponent of equal caliber. Yet, there are instances where Kenpachi contemplates whether he has grown weaker and questions if he truly deserves the title ‘Kenpachi’, concerns that were never before a concern for him.

On rare occasions, Kenpachi clashes with opponents he respects, offering fascinating glimpses into how his attitude and combat techniques shift when confronting a known adversary. His intense duel with Unohana was particularly noteworthy, as it was this battle that fortified him sufficiently to tackle the powerful Sternritter he would encounter later on.

1. Kenpachi VS Gremmy

Gremmy’s Imaginative Powers Force Kenpachi To Unleash Everything He Has In A Dazzling Battle

Episode: TYBW 16

The fight between Kenpachi and the creative Sternritter, Gremmy, serves to significantly shape Kenpachi’s character. Immediately at the start of the battle, Kenpachi declares himself as ‘The Real Kenpachi’, indicating that he has started to respect his title more following his intense encounter with Unohana just a few episodes prior.

During this battle, Kenpachi develops new skills to deal with Gremmy, who can turn anything he imagines into reality. This puts immense pressure on Kenpachi, leading him to summon his Zanpakuto to shatter a meteor and even break free from a vacuum in space using sheer force. The fight demonstrates that although Kenpachi has grown and taken up new responsibilities after Unohana’s death, his ruthless fighting spirit remains as potent as ever, hidden just beneath the surface.

2024-12-06 08:08