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In the popular series ‘Bleach’, its creator Tite Kubo isn’t hesitant to eliminate a character if he believes it serves the plot. Yet, there are certain Soul Reapers, Arrancar, and Quincy who miraculously evaded what appeared to be inevitable death. As this is a shōnen anime, it’s common for characters to withstand significant damage without being killed. Nevertheless, when a character falls in battle, it can effectively heighten the drama and tension of the story if handled skillfully.

It’s evident that during the run of Bleach, Kubo prioritized safeguarding beloved characters, even though looking back, perhaps a few character deaths might not have been detrimental for various reasons. With the Bleach manga now concluded and the Thousand-Year Blood War anime nearing its finish, it seems fitting to reminisce about those characters who may have benefited from meeting their demise at certain points in the narrative.

This list will contain heavy spoilers up to Cour 3 of the Thousand Year Blood War anime!

1. Hiyori Sarugaki

How Hiyori Survived Being Sliced In Two, Fans Can Only Wonder

First Appearance: Episode 112

Amongst her Vizard peers, Hiyori appears noticeably less imposing and threatening, even though she remains an effective combatant. Despite her agility, she’s not built for sustained battles, as evidenced by her quick incapacitation when faced with Ichigo in his Hollow form during their initial encounter, who managed to pin her down effortlessly.

It’s no wonder that many readers were puzzled when Vizard survived being sliced in half by Gin’s elongated Zanpakuto, an injury so severe it’s rarely seen in the manga. Remarkably, Hiyori not only lived through it, but soon recovered to her normal state. Had Hiyori perished instead, Shinji might have been driven to continue his fight against Aizen and Gin, making her character more impactful and poignant.

2. Byakuya Kuchiki

To This Day, Fans Still Debate Whether Or Not Keeping Byakuya Alive Was Worth It

First Appearance: Episode 15

In the initial assault on Soul Society by Quincy forces, Byakuya is eliminated by a Sternritter named As Nodt. This happens when As Nodt seizes and employs Byakuya’s own Bankai against him. The attack leaves Byakuya in such a state that he barely manages to communicate with Ichigo when the latter arrives to find out what transpired. Both the animated series and comic version depict the destruction of Byakuya’s body after the attack.

It was initially thought that Byakuya might perish at this point, but since Kubo discovered his character’s popularity, he opted to send him to Squad 0’s hot springs for recovery instead. If Byakuya had passed away here, it would have amplified the emotional impact of Rukia’s confrontation with As Nodt as she seeks vengeance for her deceased brother. However, it would also have underscored the immense combat power of the Quincy.

3. Izuru Kira

Izuru’s Death Would Have Served As A Frightening Introduction To The Sternritter Army

First Appearance: Episode 21

As soon as the Sternritter initiate their initial attack on the Soul Society, Izuru, the lieutenant of Squad 3, suddenly loses his right arm due to Bazz-B’s attack, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. The look of shock on everyone’s faces is palpable as Izuru crumples to the ground, causing fans to suspect that he might be one of the Quincy’s earliest victims in their unforgiving offensive.

Interestingly, Izuru reappears somewhat later to aid the Soul Reapers in clearing up after Lille Barro. While this scene is indeed grand, it appears somewhat unnecessary given that Izuru is merely a supporting character. His demise could have more effectively illustrated the merciless nature of Yhwach’s Sternritter prior to them displaying their full powers and abilities.

4. Chad

Chad Came Close To Death Numerous Times, But Was Never Taken Out For Good

First Appearance: Episode 2

Ichigo’s famous quote, ‘I can’t even imagine Chad winning,’ has become a popular meme among the fandom due to its irony within the storyline. In truth, Chad rarely emerges victorious in battles and is often humiliated by opponents who are significantly stronger than him. For instance, his duel with Shunsui ends with Chad being easily defeated without much effort from Shunsui.

A more notable situation arises when Chad meets Nnoitra, who has the opportunity to kill him but chooses not to. Eliminating a main character can be perilous, but if Chad had been killed, it would have significantly boosted Ichigo’s growth. This is because he learns that no matter how much he tries, he can’t save everyone. Such an event might have further motivated him to fully harness his Hollow abilities, with potential positive or negative consequences.

5. Grimmjow Jaegejaquez

The End Of Grimmjow And Ichigo’s Second Battle Felt Like The Perfect Time To End The Arrancar’s Story

First Appearance: Episode 116

Throughout the Arrancar saga, Grimmjow portrays himself as an impulsive and arrogant Espada who seeks to outshine Ichigo in terms of strength. However, during their intense climactic battle, Grimmjow’s past as a pack leader among the Arrancar reveals a more complex character, and when Ichigo is on the verge of victory, Grimmjow’s expression indicates his acceptance of defeat.

Remarkably, Grimmjow not only manages to endure a fierce attack from an extremely powerful Ichigo but also remains alive even after being struck by Nnoitra’s devastating finishing blow. Although it’s delightful to see Grimmjow return in the final arc, it seems that his death during Hueco Mundo could have served as a fitting end to his tale.

6. Rose

Rose Is Completely Outmaneuvered By The Hulking Giant Known As Mask De Masculine

First Appearance: Episode 122

The Masculine Mask, one of the Sternritter, takes great pleasure in annihilating his adversaries with his powerful arsenal of wrestling attacks, reducing them to a gruesome mess. With sheer strength that surpasses most, he hurled Kensei through numerous structures using just a single punch. However, when Rose activates his Bankai, it appears the Vizard might have a chance to finally defeat him for good.

Despite Mask bursting his eardrums and rendering him unable to hear melodies used to control opponents, Rose ends up feeling extremely embarrassed. After taking a hit from Mask that appeared fatal, as it went straight through his chest, it seemed like the captain was finished. However, astonishingly, he continued to live even after sustaining such severe damage.

7. Rangiku Matsumoto

Rangiku Walks Off One Of The Nastiest Injuries In The Series

First Appearance: Episode 24

In a fierce battle, Rangiku demonstrates she can hold her own against opponents, but when confronted by the monstrous mutant called Ayon, she swiftly understood that she was no match for his immense size. In the comic book version, in just a moment’s glance, Ayon rips off half of Rangiku’s body, underscoring his otherworldly power.

In this manga panel, there’s no question it’s one of the most gruesome scenes; though the anime softens it slightly, it’s evident that Raniguku experiences a severe, potentially fatal wound. Yet, surprisingly quick to recover, Raniguku gets back on her feet shortly afterward. This unexpected resilience raises questions about how relentless Aizen’s forces become when they lock onto their target, as this battlefield fall could have served as a stark reminder of their ruthlessness.

8. Momo Hinamori

Being Blasted By Kido And Stabbed By Zanpakutos Is Just Another Day In The Office For Momo

First Appearance: Episode 24

Wow, I can’t help but marvel at how Momo has endured such an incredible amount of hardship throughout the series, given her relatively minor role as a side character! During the Soul Society arc, Momo found herself caught in Aizen’s machinations and used as a pawn. After his betrayal, she stood her ground against numerous lieutenants and captains in fierce battles. Later on, she even faced a harrowing ordeal when Aizen himself stabbed her through the chest! It truly speaks volumes about Momo’s resilience and determination.

In the course of events, Momo didn’t just endure her suffering; she was repeatedly stabbed, even during the struggle for Karakura Town, at the hands of her longtime friend, Hitsugaya. This happened under the influence of Aizen’s illusions. Given that numerous characters in this series have perished from far less, it’s astonishing how Momo survived such relentless hardship without even holding a captain rank.

2025-05-30 02:37