Bleach: Ranking Ichigo’s Most Powerful Forms

Bleach: Ranking Ichigo's Most Powerful Forms

Bleach: Ichigo’s Most Powerful Forms, Ranked

Introduction

Tite Kubo’s Bleach is not just your average shōnen anime. It’s a rollercoaster ride filled with supernatural beings, intense battles, and a protagonist named Ichigo Kurosaki who’s always up for a challenge. From a base human to a substitute Soul Reaper, Ichigo has undergone incredible transformations throughout the series. In this article, we’ll rank his strongest forms and chronicle his evolution as a badass hero.

14. Human Form

Born to a human Quincy and a former Soul Reaper squad captain, Ichigo’s base human form is no joke. He’s stronger, faster, and more agile than your average human. In fact, one iconic scene in the anime showed him calling an ambulance for his opponents before a fight, despite being outnumbered. Just imagine kicking an Arrancar like “Ebern” to the moon! Ichigo’s got serious power.

13. Shinigami Base Form

After a fateful stabbing by Rukia, Ichigo’s reiatsu (spiritual pressure) gets a massive upgrade, turning him into a full-fledged Shinigami. With this new power, he becomes a substitute Soul Reaper, protecting Karakura town from malevolent Hollows. His strength, speed, and skills as a Shinigami grow exponentially, allowing him to take on powerful opponents within the human world and Soul Society.

12. Fullbring

Desperate to regain his strength after losing all his reiatsu, Ichigo taps into his unique connection to Fullbring, an ability passed down from his mother’s survival of a Hollow attack. Through rigorous training, he unlocks his Fullbring powers and achieves a transformation that includes a sword and bone-like armor. This new form, tied to his substitute Soul Reaper badge, allows him to unleash mini-Getsuga Tensho with style.

11. Bankai Form

In his quest to save Rukia and become a stronger Soul Reaper, Ichigo undergoes intense training under the watchful eyes of Yoruichi and Urahara. Against all odds, he attains Bankai, the pinnacle of a Soul Reaper’s power. This form gifts him increased speed, strength, and a sleeker sword. With his Bankai, Ichigo surpasses his limits and unleashes stronger slashes of his signature move, Getsuga Tensho.

10. Hollowfied Ichigo

During a battle with Gotei 13 Sixth Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki, Ichigo pushes himself to the brink of defeat. But in a moment of desperation, his inner hollow takes over, transforming him into a truly formidable force. With darkened eyes and a hollow mask, Ichigo gains incredible power and precision. His Bankai becomes even deadlier, enabling him to inflict remarkable damage on his opponents.

9. Full Hollow Ichigo

In his pursuit of control over his inner hollow, Ichigo undergoes special training with the Vizards. However, things don’t go as planned, and he temporarily becomes a true hollow in the real world. In this monstrous form, Ichigo has white skin, an animalistic appearance, and a hollow mask covering a GameTopicificant portion of his face. He gains the ability to fire powerful energy blasts and engage in prolonged battles with other Vizards.

8. Hollow Mask Ichigo

After defeating his inner hollow, Ichigo gains control over his powerful transformation. Equipped with a hollow mask that covers his entire face, he’s ready to take on even stronger opponents. This form complements his Bankai, providing extreme power that even his Shikai can’t match. With the Hollow Mask, Ichigo finally gets the revenge he deserves against the arrogant Arrancar, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez.

7. Fullbring Bankai

After losing his shinigami powers, Ichigo leads a normal human life until he meets a group of special humans called Fullbringers. With their help, Ichigo unlocks a new type of power. By regaining his Shinigami powers, he also enhances his Fullbring abilities. This combined power manifests in his Bankai form, making it one of his strongest transformations. With his Fullbring Bankai, Ichigo defeats the powerful Fullbringer, Kūgo Ginjō.

6. Vasto Lorde Ichigo

During the Fake Karakura Town arc, Ichigo confronts Ulquiorra Cifer, one of the most powerful Arrancars. After a near-death experience, Ichigo awakens his fearsome Vasto Lorde form. This true hollow form is among the strongest in the series, granting Ichigo unmatched speed, strength, and precision. He effortlessly overwhelms Ulquiorra, delivering devastating blows and blocking attacks that rival the force of a nuclear explosion.

5. Merged Hollow Ichigo

In the Thousand Year Blood War arc, Ichigo faces off against the Quincy leader, Yhwach. To defeat this ultimate adversary, Ichigo taps into the powers inherited from his parents and merges them together. This form represents the culmination of his strength and speed, allowing him to go on the offensive against Yhwach. With a combination of Getsuga Tensho and Gran Rey Cero, Ichigo proves that his new form is a force to be reckoned with.

4. Dangai Form

In a desperate bid to defeat Aizen, Ichigo enters the Dangai, a dimension where time flows differently. There, Ichigo undergoes intense training for nearly three months. With his newfound power, he emerges with longer hair, a taller stature, and a stronger connection with his Bankai. In his Dangai form, Ichigo handily overpowers Aizen, displaying unparalleled strength and effortlessly dismantling his opponent’s attacks.

3. Final Getsuga Tensho

During his ultimate battle against Aizen, Ichigo taps into the Final Getsuga Tensho to achieve victory. After rigorous training in the Dangai, Ichigo combines his powers with Tensa Zangetsu, his merged spirit. This final form drips with darkness, featuring black hair, a bandaged appearance, and an air of undeniable power. With the Mugetsu, a devastating attack that paints the sky black, Ichigo weakens Aizen, setting up the final blow.

2. True Shikai Form

After a revelation about his true Zanpakutō, Ichigo unlocks his True Shikai form. No longer repressed by Zangetsu, his hollow, Ichigo unleashes his true power. Instead of a single blade, he wields two separate blades with unique hilts. This transformation proves that Ichigo has grown stronger than ever, allowing him to face Yhwach and his subordinates head-on.

1. True Bankai Form

In the climactic battle against Yhwach, Ichigo’s true Bankai emerges. Merging his two blades, Ichigo creates a scabbard and a shorter blade, forming the ultimate symbol of a Shinigami’s power. Yhwach himself recognizes this transformation as a genuine threat. Although his Bankai is shattered, Ichigo later restores it to deliver the final strike against Yhwach, ultimately saving the day.

Note: This list is subject to personal opinion and may vary depending on your perception of Ichigo’s power.

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Bleach: Ranking Ichigo’s Most Powerful Forms