The story of Bleach does a fine job balancing its tone with exciting action scenes, laugh-out-loud comic relief, and some sad scenes to form a smooth narrative. As a whole, Bleach does a fine job with its tone and emotional impact, but at times, this anime is shockingly dark or brutal.
Even after the manga’s most graphic scenes were toned down for the anime adaptation, the story of Bleach visits the darkest corners of the human psyche and tortures its characters with all kinds of horror, agony, grief, and far more. What were the instances where Bleach might have gone a bit too far with the dark stuff in its narrative?
10 When Ichigo & Rukia Watched A Jibakurei Mutate Into A Hollow
The first season of Bleach established the combat system and lore, including how Hollows, or evil spirits, function. This is some grim stuff since Hollows are mutated souls that were bound to earth by regret, grief, and other negative attachments.
A jibakurei is a person’s bound soul that is about to turn into a full-blown Hollow, and it was downright disturbing to see this chained soul wail like a monster while having the trademark Hollow hole form in its chest, only to become a frog-like beast.
9 When Kon The Mod-Soul Fled His Fate
For the most part, the minor character Kon acted as comic relief, such as when he lived in a stuffed lion toy. But when he first appeared, Kon was running for his life, since all mod-souls (such as him) were unfairly slated for destruction, with no chance for mercy or exceptions.
Kon was terrified at the thought of his unjust execution, and Kisuke Urahara was perfectly willing to kill him on sight. However, Ichigo and Rukia Kuchiki argued on Kon’s behalf, and the trembling Kon was spared. That could have ended very badly.
8 When Ichigo Lost To Grand Fisher
The vicious Hollow known as Grand Fisher was not only huge and strong, but he could also distract or demoralize his enemies with the lure attachment on his head. This is the Hollow that killed Masaki Kurosaki years earlier, and now, it’s time for Ichigo to fight him.
This scene was a heavy one since Ichigo not only sustained wounds during the fight, but he lost and allowed Grand Fisher to get away. Ichigo’s heart was nearly torn in half when Grand Fisher morphed his lure into Masaki’s likeness. Good thing Isshin Kurosaki finished the job in a later arc.
7 When Zommari Cried Out Against Injustice
Hollows have a lot to fear, from each other and from Soul Reapers alike. The 7th Espada, Zommari Rureaux, is bitter about how Soul Reapers hunt and slay Hollows with impunity, and he sees that as an arrogant mockery of justice.
Zommari aired out these grievances when he fought Captain Byakuya Kuchiki, and when he was on the brink of death, Zommari was reduced to quiet tears, aghast that his fate as a Hollow had caught up to him. Byakuya indeed finished the job, but not out of duty; he did it to protect Rukia, as a true big brother.
6 When Aaroniero Tricked Rukia With Kaien’s Likeness
Rukia was still struggling with guilt over her role in Kaien Shiba’s tragic death, and the 9th Espada, Aaroniero Arurruerie, took total advantage of that. He used Kaien’s appearance and memories to pass himself off as the actual Kaien, and urged Rukia to assassinate her friends to make amends. Now that’s cold.
Aaroniero kept up this facade as he and Rukia came to blows, and this slowed down Rukia in combat a great deal. Aaroniero gloated about eating the Hollow that had melded with Kaien, describing himself as a one-man army. Fortunately, Rukia slew him in the end.
5 When Szayelaporro Grantz Mocked & Tortured His Enemies
The 8th Espada, Szayelaporro, managed to be even more sadistic than his peer, Aaroniero. He fits the “mad scientist” mold, and he can shut down his opponents’ abilities and then slow them down by crushing their tendons and ligaments. He can even crush their organs to injure them from the inside.
From beginning to end, Szayelaporro spent all his time on Bleach using taunts and torturous techniques to erode his opponents’ minds and bodies alike. Renji Abarai and Uryu Ishida would have been toast if it weren’t for Captain Kurotsuchi arriving to take Szayelaporro down.
4 When Orihime Felt Insecure Comparing Herself To Rukia
Early in the Arrancar arc, poor Orihime Inoue was hit with a serious case of insecurity. Why? After seeing Rukia freed from prison, and seeing Rukia in action with her fancy shikai, Orihime grew concerned that she was no longer the most important person to Ichigo.
In fact, Rukia feared that Rukia had “replaced” her, and she was driven to tears by the thought. Fortunately, she was wrong about this, and Rangiku Matsumoto helped cheer Orihime up. By no means is Orihime unwanted or irrelevant.
3 When Loly & Menoly Beat Up Orihime Out Of Envy
Orihime couldn’t catch a break in the story. Ulquiorra Schiffer captured Orihime and dragged her to Las Noches as a prisoner, where she got the attention and respect of Sosuke Aizen, the traitor Captain. Loly Avirrne was furious.
Loly, a minor Arrancar, was bitterly jealous of Aizen’s attention to Orihime, so she and her friend Menoly broke into Orihime’s room and beat her half to death. Loly might have killed her if it weren’t for Grimmjow Jaegerjaques intervening on Orihime’s behalf.
2 When Nnoitora Betrayed & Injured Nelliel
The 5th Espada is Nnoitora Gilga, who loved battle and bloodshed more than anything. It’s one thing to have a bloodthirsty warrior as a villain, but Nnoitora took things to a whole new level when his backstory with Nelliel was revealed. There is no forgiving Nnoitora for what he did.
Out of spite and personal hatred, Nnoitora conspired with Szayelaporro to distract Nelliel with an explosive, then injure her with a blow to the head and abandon her in the vast Hueco Mundo desert. For no good reason, Nelliel lost her rank as an Espada and shrank into toddler form, lost and confused in the desert. Not even Grimmjow would do that.
1 When Yhwach Killed The Sternritter To Gain Their Powers
Later, during the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, the Quincy Empire declared war on the Soul Reaper, but the elite Sternritter soon turned on each other. Eventually, king Yhwach decided to perform the Auswahlen, and absorb the strength of most surviving Sternritter. It was a merciless move.
The Auswahlen didn’t just claim the power of each surviving Sternritter; it also killed them. Robert Accutrone, Sternritter N, cried out in terror before Yhwach’s power reduced him to a lifeless skeleton. Now that was disturbing.
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