The best Kenpachi fights, ranked

Key takeaways

• Kenpachi's reckless fighting style leads to memorable battles but also shows his flaws as a fighter.
• Kenpachi's thirst for battle drives him to face tough enemies and even his friends, proving his raw strength.
• Kenpachi's evolution in combat is evident in battles where he unleashes new powers and techniques, showing his growth.

No one in Soul Society likes the thrill of an intense battle like Zaraki Kenpachi. This wild and reckless captain is related to one thing; To find someone he thinks is strong enough to give him a good fight, and across the course BleachHe has faced many enemies who have had varying degrees of success in satisfying Kenpachi's hunger.

While most of the Gotei 13 captains tend to be more calm and calculated in their battles, in most of Kenpachi's fights he throws his opponent as quickly as possible to test their strength once the battle officially begins. While it's always fun to see him go all out, there are also a few instances where Kenpachi brings out new powers and techniques during his fights, which also go a long way to making them memorable.

8 Kenpachi VS Pernida

A rare but interesting showcase of Kenpachi's faults as a fighter

Of course, it's Mayuri who does most of the fighting against Pernida, but Kenpachi's little fight with the mysteriously dressed Sternritter still says a lot about his character, mainly his faults. Despite Mayuri warning him otherwise, Kenpachi, without even thinking once, lunges towards Pernida upon seeing her. This eventually breaks his arm completely, though Kenpachi doesn't seem to care, instead focusing more on the enemy standing before him.

Only after Kenpachi tries to strike does he ask Mayuri what Pernida is even, showing how he acts before he speaks which can get him into deep trouble if the enemy is a powerful one. It's generally a given that Kenpachi will prevail in his fights, but his encounter with Pernida proved that his hot-headed nature can sometimes get the better of him.

7 Kenpachi VS Tosen

Kenpachi proves that he is willing to fight his friends if they get in his way

Throughout the Soul Society arc, each of the Gotei 13 captains and lieutenants is given their time in the spotlight to show who they are, what they stand for, and how loyal they are to the Seireite as a whole. Although Tosen's strong belief in justice overshadows his loyalty, Kenpachi only enjoys war, so when the two inevitably clash, it leads to a brief, but still memorable battle that puts Kenpachi's monstrous power on full display.

The fact Kenpachi mocks the power of both Tōsen and Komamura, two of his fellow captains, shows that at this point in the story all he cares about is power, and nothing else. However, Kenpachi manages to outsmart Tosen as well, even avoiding his Bankai which cuts off the opponent's senses, showing that he has some brains to match Brown.

6 Kenpachi VS Yammy

A duel against a brutal giant puts Kenpachi's raw power on full display

One thing to know about Kenpachi Kenpachi is a character who will never back down from an opponent no matter how big or powerful they are. Nowhere was this more apparent than when he willingly approached Yammy, who at that point in the story had revealed himself to be the No. 0 Espada, or in other words, the strongest of the pack.

The fact that Kenpachi threw himself at Yummi willingly proved that he was still willing to put himself in danger, as long as he could quench his itch for battle. He was even willing to fight Byakuya during this skirmish, reminding viewers that he is willing to do battle with his friends if he sees them as worthy opponents, or if they get in his way.

5 Kenpachi and Byakuya and Hitugaya VS Gerard Valkyrie

Battle full of power-ups and epic moments

Similarly to his fight with Yammi, Kenpachi's encounter with Sternritter Gerrard Valkyrie sees him take on the giant, though this does not scare him or make him hesitate to take part in the fight with Byakuya and Hitsugaya. Instead, Kenpachi decides to get creative as he wields Gerard's massive blade and unleashes devastating blows on his newfound foe that only someone with his level of raw power could muster.

This is also a fight where Kenpachi gets to wield his blade Nozrashi, as it is traditionally used instead of swinging it around without a care in the world. It's just a treat to see Kenpachi's long-awaited Bankai appear as part of the battle, showing just how far his relationship with his Zanpakutō has come since those early episodes.

4 Kenpachi VS Nnoitra

Kenpachi was pushed to his limits and forced to uncover his hidden powers

Just as Nnoitra is about to deliver the final blow to Ichigo, none other than Kenpachi swoops in to save the day, and it's fair to say he has his work cut out for him when it comes to taking on the Espada. This is the first time in the series that Kenpachi is shown to be a bit concerned that he might die, bringing out a side of him that the captain rarely sees.

However, it also highlights that the longer Kenpachi fights, the more bloodthirsty he becomes. One of the best moments of this fight is when Kenpachi decides to use both hands when swinging his Zanpakutō, it's never really been “his thing”, but after trying it, he lands a devastating blow on Noitra. It's a clever way to show how unconventional Kenpachi's fighting style is, as well as a subtle hint at the absurd levels of power he has yet to unlock.

3 Kenpachi VS Ichigo

The first real showcase of the bloodthirsty 'demon' known as Kenpachi

Kenpachi's first major battle in the series is that long Bleach Fans will always remember how brutal and one-sided it was, at least, for the first half. The weight of Kenpachi's spiritual pressure forces Ichigo to flee for the first part of the fight, before Kenpachi teases the hero by giving him a chance to attack him for free. Considering that Ichigo was slowly working his way up in terms of power level, seeing him completely humiliated by Kenpachi was a great way to show just how absurdly powerful, yet terrifying, he is.

The revelation of Kenpachi's ring, which allows his opponents to find out where he is and when he is going to attack, shows how Kenpachi was strong enough to toy with his prey in the middle of a fight. Although Ichigo eventually amassed enough power to take down Kenpachi, the captain's personality began here as a bloodthirsty and violent warrior with no remorse for his enemies.

2 Kenpachi VS Unohana

A Kenpachi must prove his worth to assume the title of Kenpachi

When it comes to visuals, Kenpachi's encounter with Unohana is one of the best fights of all. BleachBut this fight also says a lot about Kenpachi's character. Although he starts off with his usual joy at being able to fight someone on his level, there are moments where Kenpachi wonders if he's weakened and if he really deserves to be called Kenpachi, something he's never seen before. .

It was also the only time where Kenpachi faced off against someone he respected, providing an interesting insight into how his mentality and fighting style changes when up against a familiar foe. Kenpachi's epic battle with Unohana was also the battle that made him strong enough to fight the powerful members of the Sternritter that he would face later in the line.

1 Kenpachi VS Grammy

Gremmy's imaginative powers force Kenpachi to unleash everything he has in a shocking battle.

Kenpachi's duel against the fictional Sternritter Gremmy is a battle that developed the captain's character in many ways. As the battle begins, Kenpachi proudly announces himself as 'The Kenpachi' which highlights how he is finally starting to take the title seriously after his bloody confrontation with Unohana a few episodes ago.

In addition, Kenpachi also reveals brand new abilities during this fight in an attempt to resist Gremmy, who is able to turn anything he imagines into reality. Needless to say, this pushes Kenpachi to his limits, forcing him to let go of his zanpakuto to cut a literal meteor into pieces. He even manages to use his brute strength to break out of the closed vacuum in space. It's a fight that shows Kenpachi has matured and accepted his new responsibilities after the loss of Unohana, with that killer instinct still very much alive and well beneath the surface.