No one in the world of Bleach truly lives alone. The Soul Reaper Captains cultivate good relationships with their Lieutenants, and a good Captain is an inspiration to everyone in their squad. Over in the world of the living, Ichigo wouldn't admit it, but he's highly protective of his friends, such as Orihime, Chad, and Tatsuki.
Many characters in Bleach have a lifelong friend whom they can easily count on, and it's hinted that some characters may even be in love! Like Orihime, for example. But there are some characters who take others for granted, see them as unfriendly rivals, or even give them some serious verbal abuse. With that in mind, which five friendships in Bleach stand the rest of time? And what are some relationships that ought to be dissolved?
10 Best: Ichigo and Rukia
Let's start with an easy one: the good old IchiRuki, a fan favorite. Their fateful meeting launched the entire franchise, when Rukia lent Ichigo her Soul Reaper powers so that Ichigo could protect his family from a hollow. From then on, Ichigo's Soul Reaper training had begun.
Not only that, but these kids are hilarious together. They're an odd couple, coming from very different worlds and backgrounds, but they have a good time beating up bad guys, hanging out in school, and annoying each other (but always making up in the end). It wouldn't be Bleach without this friendship!
9 Worst: Shinji and Aizen
What on earth is happening to Captain Shinji Hirako in this picture? Why don't we ask Sosuke Aizen? From the very start, these two men did not trust one another, and Shinji made sure to have Aizen followed and monitored at all times. They only got along on the surface.
But Aizen was one step ahead, like he usually is, and cornered the future Visoreds with his hollowfication scheme. Shinji was ready to strike Aizen down, but his newfound hollow powers brought him to his knees. A century later, Shinji led the charge against Aizen over the fake Karakura Town, ready to finish the job.
8 Best: Nelliel and Ichigo
Ichigo's friendship with Nel is sort of like his alliance with Rukia, where he suddenly meets a supernatural girl from another world. Unlike Rukia, though, Nel takes a liking to Ichigo right away, following him around in her toddler form.
Nel is highly protective of her new friend, and when Nnoitora had him cornered, Nel became the former Espada Nelliel, ready to fight and repay the favor! She couldn't finish off the Quinta Espada, but her powers are the real deal, and her loyalty is absolute. Among the hollows, she may very well be Best Girl!
7 Worst: Nnoitora and Nelliel
Here is a case where Nel simply cannot make a friend. Sometime in the recent past, Nelliel was Espada #3 and Nnoitora Gilga was #8, and the latter couldn't bear the thought of Nel being his superior. In fact, he doesn't want anyone to be his superior!
Nnoitora took underhanded means to get the edge. He and Szayelaporro Grantz distracted Nel with an explosive, and Nnoitora nearly sliced her head in half with a heavy blow. Nel's spirit pressure leaked out, and Nnoitora dumped her and her two fracciones in the desert. Now that Nel is back, Nnoitora wants to finish the job, but not if Nel stops him first!
6 Best: Toshiro and Momo
There's nothing like a childhood friend, is there? Some years ago, Toshiro Hitsugaya and Momo Hinamori were neighbors in the Rukongai district, and Momo decided one day to train and become a Soul Reaper. Toshiro stayed behind, until Rangiku Matsumoto talked him into training, too.
By now, Toshiro outranks his old friend, but they get along great (even if they're both a bit bratty about it). Toshiro leaps into action when Aizen threatens his friend, and this happens more than once. If he can't even protect his childhood friend, he reasons, he doesn't deserve to have the office of Captain!
5 Worst: Ulquiorra and Grimmjow
These two are the most iconic arrancars of all, with Ulquiorra appearing early and often and Grimmjow being Ichigo's biggest rival. But they can't stand each other. When Ulquiorra explains how he spared Ichigo's life, Grimmjow called him a fool and ran off to finish the job himself.
Later, things are reversed when Ulquiorra really does kill Ichigo, and Grimmjow revives him with Orihime's power just for the satisfaction of a final duel! Grimmjow goes as far as sealing away his rival in a Caja Negacion (negation box) to keep him out of the way.
4 Best: Yamamoto and Sasakibe
Pictured is Chojuro Sasakibe, Lieutenant of Squad 1. According to Captain Kyoraku, the friendship and respect between Yamamoto and Sasakibe is deeper and stronger than anyone else can comprehend, and Yamamoto was grieving beyond words when Sasakibe was killed in a Sternritter raid.
Not a lot of their relationship is seen, but we do see the very early days when a young Sasakibe gently teased his mentor, Yamamoto. What is more, Sasakibe quickly mastered bankai (a lightning-based one), and Yamamoto is very proud of what Sasakibe is capable of.
3 Worst: Szayelaporro Grants and Ilfort Grantz
These two arrancars are in fact brothers, but they really don't act like it! Ilfort doesn't seem interested in aiding his brother's cause, though. Instead, he served as one of Grimmjow's fracciones until he was killed in battle, fighting Renji.
Szayelaporro, meanwhile, seems to have a low opinion of his blond brother, but he did implant spiritual spy bugs in Ilfort for surveillance purposes. This is how Szayelaporro knew the full nature of Renji's zanpakuto, Zabimaru, when they came face to face. These two are kin in name only!
2 Best: Kenpachi and Yachiru
This is Bleach's example of the classic trope of "little person, big scary friend." We've seen that trope all over the place, but here, it's simply precious. Kenpachi is generally self-centered and rough, but he has a soft spot for this pink-haired girl, Yachiru Kusajishi.
At first, Kenpachi wanted nothing to do with her, but he appreciated her courage being around him. She wasn't even afraid of his terrifying zanpakuto. As fellow Soul Reapers, Kenpachi is ultra-protective of his tiny Lieutenant, and he'll get a power boost if anyone threatens her. What's adorable is that he'll deny it if Yachiru tells people about it.
1 Worst: Mayuri and Nemu Kurotsuchi
Over time, Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi starts treating his Lieutenant a little better, but overall, he's one lousy boss. When we first meet them, Mayuri uses Nemu strictly as a tool and decoy, and he'll willingly hurt her if she disobeys him, even if she was trying to help. That's cold, especially given how Nemu is Mayuri's lab-grown daughter of sorts.
By the battle of Hueco Mundo, Mayuri is a little more protective, but even when Szayelaporro emerged from a dried-out Nemu, Mayuri was more intrigued than concerned. Once the battle was won, he simply revived her (off-screen) and ordered her to dig up the doors to Szayelaporro's specimen bunker.