Bleach is one of those anime that can't seem to catch a break. The series has had countless ups and downs with many fans of the series believing that there have been more downs on the road to the series's finish. These ups and downs aren't just with the series story but with the characters themselves.
Many relationships in the series are a part of this rollercoaster Bleach became by the end of the manga.
10 LOVED: YORUICHI AND KISUKE
Yoruichi and Kisuke were two of the breakout characters from Bleach since their first appearances. Both characters have become shonen icons based solely on their appearance which was backed up even more by their actions throughout the series. This was one of the things that lead fans to completely fall in love with this duo's relationship.
Yoruichi followed Kisuke into exile and left everything and everyone she loved behind for her childhood friend. Their relationship was never fully confirmed but fans like to believe they were more than friends.
9 COULDN'T GET BEHIND: ULQUIORRA AND ORIHIME
One of the most universally panned pairings in Bleach history is that of Ulquiorra Cifer and Inoue Orihime. These two actually do share some very emotional moments in the series such as Ulquiorra finally starting to like humans before his death due to Orihime impressing him with her loyalty. Not to mention that the cold-hearted villain having their heart melted by the loving girl is a romance trope that everyone loves.
Most fans just can't get behind this pairing due to it being one of the more abusive pairings in the series on Ulquiorra's side.
8 LOVED: KENPACHI AND YACHIRU
Everyone loves the big, strong, scary guy being protecting over his small friend trope and Kenpachi and Yachiru's relationship is that 100%. This is one of the things that made this duo so darn popular with the Bleach fanbase. Kenpachi is one cold and selfish guy. One look and you can tell just how badass he is.
That is until you see his small partner pop up from behind his shoulder. Kenpachi is very protective over Yachiru and Yachiru is one of the people that doesn't fear Kenpachi. A partnership made in heaven.
7 COULDN'T GET BEHIND: RENJI AND RUKIA
Renji and Rukia's pairing is the classic tale of childhood friends that just can't get rid of each other. They were both orphans in the Soul Society and have remained friends ever since.
The thing that is different from other pairings of this type is that these two don't really play the flirting game with each other. In fact, if these two were to actually become a couple more fans would look at it as odd instead of cute. This is because Renji and Rukia have more of a brother-sister relationship instead of a significant other based one. Of course this was disregarded due to the two getting married in the end.
6 LOVED: HITSUGAYA AND RANGIKU
The relationship between Hitsugaya Toshiro and Matsumoto Rangiku is easily one of the most popular ships in the entire Bleach series. Not only does it follow the opposites attract approach due to these two characters being nothing alike, but it also follows the tall girlfriend-short boyfriend trope that so many people seem to love lately.
It helps out a lot that these two share a ton of screen time together in the series, making way for a ton of great pairing moments. This is one relationship that fans can't get enough of.
5 COULDN'T GET BEHIND: MAYURI AND NEMU
Mayuri and Nemu is definitely one of the most hated relationships in all of the series. Even with Mayuri kind of loosening up on how trash he is towards Nemu later on in the series it doesn't rectify any of the feelings Bleach fans had for the way the captain treated his subordinate.
Nemu was constantly put in the way of danger due to Mayuri simply using her as another tool. Many believe that she deserved more but when around the captain she was simply a puppet.
4 LOVED: RUKIA AND ICHIGO
Rukia and Ichigo is probably everyone's first and favorite ship in the entirety of Bleach. These two spend so much of the series together going back and forth. They're like an odd couple but without actually dating.
The best part of these two being together is the fact that they're from two different worlds and when they're together those worlds collide in the best way possible. The fact that these two didn't end up a canon pairing is one of the travesties of the series that the fans hate.
3 COULDN'T GET BEHIND: GRIMMJOW AND ORIHIME
It's easy to see that Orihime gets thrown around pairings in the series with just about anyone that shares a moment or two with her. This pairing she shares with Grimmjow is one of the big examples of that.
Many wanted her with him just because he was the usual anime bad boy and she was supposed to be the sweet girl to melt his heart. Too bad he's just as abusive as Ulquorria with her and only calls her "woman". He somewhat turns things around but never enough to really have anyone want her with Orihime.
2 LOVED: ICHIGO AND ORIHIME
The pairing of Orihime and Ichigo was probably the second most popular ship (If not on par with that of Ichigo and Rukia's pairing) when the series started. Orihime is a Hinata case where she has been in love with Ichigo since the start of the series.
Orihime is one of the characters that can see through Ichigo and find that he's more than the rowdy Soul Reaper. Ichigo repays that by putting more confidence in Orihime. This is one pairing that became canon.
1 COULDN'T GET BEHIND: ICHIGO AND ORIHIME
The pairing of Ichigo and Orihime isn't all rainbows either. In fact, nowadays it may be the most hated couple in the entire series due to taking away any chance of Ichigo and Rukia actually being a thing.
For many fans, this couple felt very left field, as the pairing didn't feel like a solid true couple. This is also a part of the Hinata case where many felt like this was just put together to make fans happy and to hurry and cut to a good canon final pairing.