Very random powerups in Bleach

Key takeaways

• Ichigo's quick Bankai mastery defies shinigami norms in Bleach.
• Unohana's sudden transformation into a powerful fighter surprises fans.
• Yoruichi's unexpected display of thunderous power lacks build-up in Bleach.

Bleach Despite some issues with its writing and pacing, it remains one of the most beloved shounen anime of all time. The battles are undoubtedly the best thing about this series BleachAllowing fans to watch their favorite characters reach new heights of power time and time again.

However, there are times when BleachThe writing fails to justify some of the powerups that occur during combat. This can make for a frustrating watch as fans are forced to accept some events in the war that don't feel as cathartic as they should.

8 Tensa Zangetsu

Anyway, it takes three days for Ichigo to learn his Bankai

• Debut: Release! Black Blade, Miraculous Power (Episode 58 Bleach)

The Soul Society arc revealed the concept of Bankai as something that takes a Shinigami years to master. So, it's only fitting that a character with ridiculous plot armor manages to game the system and gain this power in three days.

For what it's worth, players get to see Ichigo's rigorous training that helps him uncover this new form, which somewhat justifies his Bankai form. However, the three-day time limit is something that many people still find hard to believe, given how talented Ichigo can be at being a Shinigami.

7 Revealing his former title of Retsu Unohana Kenpachi

Apparently, this shinigami is strong enough to fight toe-to-toe with Zaraki

• Debut: war (of episode 10 Bleach: A Thousand Years of Blood War)

There's no denying that the fight between Kenpachi and Unohana makes for one of the best moments Bleach. The battle reveals more about their shared past, with Retsu revealing himself as the former holder of the Kenpachi title.

After barely playing a role in any battles before this moment, Unohana suddenly reveals herself as the strongest Shinigami. Bleach and dies much later. It's a sudden transition that fans don't have time to digest, as he dies before the true extent of his powers are revealed.

6 The true form of Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck

Reveals himself to be a powerful arrancar instead of an annoying child

• Debut: Nail's Secret (of episode 192 Bleach)

At the beginning of the Huey Mundo arc, Nell appears as an annoying child who fails to pronounce Ichigo's name correctly. However, after witnessing her savior being tortured at the hands of Nanoitra Gilga, something awakens within her.

Both Ichigo and the fans are surprised to see that Nell was a powerful Arrancor who once held the title of Third Espada. This revelation comes out of nowhere, and it's a shame that she barely gets her time to shine before being relegated to a comedic character once again.

5 Toshiro Hitsugaya's Daiguren Hyorinmaru is complete

Hitsugaya is randomly relevant after floundering for a large part of the arc

• Debut: The Perfect Crimson (of Chapter 670 Bleach)

Hitsugaya's participation in the Thousand-Year Blood War is sorely lacking, especially when his Bankai is stolen by the Quincy. Fans of the character may be disappointed to see him on the sidelines, but he finally finds his shine as his Daiguren Hyorinmaru matures.

Seeing the true extent of Hitsugaya's Bankai makes for one of the best scenes in the series, even if it may seem random. It doesn't help that Gerard Valkyrie is such an imposing force that even the full force of Hitsugaya's power isn't enough to take him out, taking some of the steam out of his adult transformation.

4 Renji Abarai's Soo Zabimaru

Renji had to earn his Zanpakutō's respect and learn his Bankai's true name.

• Debut: Anger at Ringside (Episode 18 Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War)

After his Bankai was broken, Renji realized that his Zanpakutō did not respect him enough to reveal the true nature of this Bankai. Only after some hard training at the royal court does he return to the arena with a rebuilt Zanpakutō and a new Bankai.

It might be a convenient moment, but fans don't mind as long as Renji finally gets another meaningful victory. The character has lost most of his fights, and this victory helps re-establish his credibility as one of the strongest Shinigami. Bleach.

3 Yoruichi Shihoin's Shunru Kokubyo Senki

Yoruichi reveals a human-cat hybrid with random powers

• Debut: God of Thunder 3 (of Chapter 662 Bleach)

Yoruichi is one of the most interesting characters BleachBut there's no denying that he didn't get many moments to shine in the thousand-year blood war. As a result, there isn't a ton of buildup before she reveals a good-looking transformation that should make more impact.

This shinigami uses her thunder power to humiliate Askin Nakk Le War, but she becomes moody in this form and fails to commit crimes. It might be a happy moment for Yoruichi but it might seem random to fans who haven't seen her earn it Bleach.

2 Vasto Lorde Ichigo

Punching a hole in his chest somehow makes Ichigo stronger

• Debut: Death of Ichigo! Orihime, the cry of sorrow! (of episode 271 Bleach)

Ichigo can be a frustrating hero at times. His personality is a bit too one-dimensional at times, but what fans hate the most is the character's tendency to power up randomly without any justification. One such moment comes after being killed by Ulquiorra.

Most characters would die after a hole in the chest, but Ichigo is made of different gravy. Somehow, the hollow part of his body triggers an admittedly chilling transformation that comes out of nowhere to defeat Ulquiorra in definitive fashion and never reappear.

1 Final Getsuga Tensho

Ichigo's training in Dangai is random and helps him become stronger than ever

• Debut: Fierce battle concluded! Released, the final Getsuga Tensho! (of episode 309 Bleach)

Aizen is one of the greatest villains in shonen history, and his fight with Ichigo is handled poorly. Bleach which permanently tanked the reputation of the series. Realizing that Ichigo needs to step up his game to fight this enemy, his father decides to use Dangai's compromised nature to his advantage and helps train Ichigo as much as he can in a short period of time.

The end result is one of the most unsatisfying and random powerups ever Bleach history Aizen had done no wrong up to that point, but underestimating Ichigo turned out to be his biggest mistake. He was humiliated by the replacement Shinigami, who transformed into a living version of his iconic attack and revealed the final form of the Getsuga Tensho and blasted Aizen with Mugetsu to defeat the opponent in one fell swoop.

• 

  Release date

  October 5, 2004

  Studio

  Pierrot

  the creator

  Tite Kubo

• Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War

  Release date

  Studio

  the creator