Bleach was one of Shonen Jump's "big three" of its day, and even now, countless fans look back on it fondly from its exciting action sequences to its classic characters. Ichigo Kurosaki is the hero, and he faces many terrifying and powerful foes, from Captain Byakuya Kuchiki (who became a friend) to Grimmjow Jeagerjaques, the 6th Espada. But just how strong was Grimmjow?
Grimmjow ranks in the top ten Arrancars, the Espadas, and he was eager to prove his rank again and again. His speed, strength, agility, and battle instincts were overwhelming, and in his released mode, he becomes the ultimate panther warrior, complete with mini-missiles and the Desgarron technique. Grimmjow is powerful, but which Bleach characters could he defeat, and which would obliterate him?
10 Can beat: Shuhei Hisagi, The Squad 9 Lieutenant
In each squad of the Gotei 13, there is a white-robed Captain, and a Lieutenant, who serves a direct supporting role to that Captain. That's the job of Shuhei Hisagi in squad 9, and he takes those duties very seriously, especially in the heat of battle.
Shuhei is a capable Lieutenant whose shikai, Kazeshini, takes the form of two chained rods with scythe blades on them. That was enough to defeat the Arrancar Findorr Calius, but Grimmjow is on a whole different level. In fact, Grimmjow wouldn't even need to release Pantera to win this fight.
9 can't beat: Yoruichi Shihoin, The Rogue Assassin
Grimmjow will really have his hands full with this opponent. A century ago, Yoruichi Shihoin was the Captain of squad 2, and she hasn't rusted one bit even after she lost her rank and went into hiding. Today, her martial arts skills are unrivaled and her flash step is as potent as ever.
In his sealed state, Grimmjow would slowly fall behind Yoruichi in a duel, and before he could release Pantera properly, Yoruichi would finish him with a blow to the head. Yoruichi will take a bruising in this fight, but she can certainly win.
8 Can beat: Uryu Ishida, The Friendly Neighborhood Quincy
Uryu Ishida is a Quincy, a spiritual archer who can obliterate Hollows with his arrows. Uryu is a high school student like Ichigo, but he can fight on par with some Soul Reaper Captains, since he is a naturally gifted boy with immense power. It was his grandfather, Soken, who trained him.
Uryu can give Grimmjow a good fight, but Uryu is meant to serve in a supporting role, and an agile, bloodthirsty opponent like Grimmjow is too much for Uryu to handle. With Pantera's release, Grimmjow will have more than enough speed and power to take Uryu down.
7 can't beat: Barragan Luisenbarn, The 2nd Espada
Barragan Luisenbarn ranks second among the ten Espadas, and for good reason. He is a Vasto Lorde Hollow who commands immense power, and his aura can rapidly age and thus rot away anything that gets too close. Even kido spells are not immune to this death aura.
Grimmjow has no real options if he goes up against his fellow Espada. Barragan isn't agile like Grimmjow is, but his death aura will keep Grimmjow at bay, and at some point, he'll catch Grimmjow with Respira (a ranged attack) and rot Grimmjow away.
6 can beat: Bambietta Basterbine, The Explosive Quincy
There is a good reason why "bam" is in this character's name. Bambietta Basterbine is one of the 26 Sternritter or Star Knights, and she can turn any object into an explosive and set it off to blow her foes away. She once challenged Captain Sajin Komamura to a fight and stole his bankai (though she didn't use it, either).
Against slower foes, Bambietta's power is devastating, but Grimmjow is quick enough to avoid Bambietta's bombs, and up close, Bambietta has rather few options. Either with his zanpakuto's blade, a point-blank cero blast, or just his fists, Grimmjow will take this Quincy down.
5 can't beat: Gremmy Thomeaux, The Imagination Quincy
Gremmy is another Sternritter, and his powers are more flexible than either Uryu's or Bambietta's. His letter is V, for "The Vision," because he can physically manifest anything that he pictures in his imagination. Gremmy has practically no limits at all.
With imagination alone, Gremmy can heal his wounds, alter the battlefield, create weapons, and more, and he pushed even the mighty Kenpachi Zaraki to the limits. If he can do that, then he can defeat Grimmjow, too.
4 can beat: Love Aikawa, The Oni Visored
A Visored is a Soul Reaper who has obtained the powers of a Hollow, and eight of them are hiding out in Karakura Town. Among them, Love Aikawa favors brute force the most, and that reflects in his Hollow mask and his shikai, Tengumaru.
Love has incredible strength in battle, and his spiked club of a shikai can easily block cero blasts and other attacks. The problem is that while he's strong, Love can't keep up with Grimmjow's incredibly quick and agile released form, giving Grimmjow an advantage that he can exploit.
3 can't beat: Captain Byakuya Kuchiki, The Noble Commander
The commander of squad 6 is none other than Captain Byakuya Kuchiki, who is also the head of the noble Kuchiki family. He can easily juggle both responsibilities, and his skills in combat are elegant and fearsome. it seems Byakuya can do it all.
Captain Kuchiki can use a shikai and bankai that surround the enemy with countless petal-blades, and his Senkei mode can trap the enemy inside an arena with him. Add in his incredible flash step, swordplay, and advanced kido, and it's clear why Byakuya could, with serious effort, triumph over Grimmjow. He'll take a serious beating in the process, though.
2 can beat: Rukia Kuchiki Of Squad 13
Rukia has come a long way since her first encounter with Ichigo that fateful night, but she has not yet caught up to her foster brother Byakuya. Overall, Rukia favors medium range combat and kido spells, and her shikai's icy powers work well at medium to close range.
Rukia's swordplay is fairly weak, though, and she lacks serious stamina and strength. Her bankai, Hakka no Togame, may be enough to freeze Grimmjow to death, but Grimmjow won't give Rukia a chance to use it during their fight. Grimmjow wins this one.
1 can't beat: Captain Kenpachi Zaraki, Squad 11 Commander
Captain Zaraki once challenged the 5th Espada Nnoitora Gilga to a duel and won, and Kenpachi has only gotten stronger since then (though he sustained grievous injuries in that duel). Kenpachi is well-known for his love of battle, not to mention his extreme endurance and dense spiritual pressure.
Grimmjow could certainly land some decent blows on Kenpachi, especially since he is quicker and more agile, especially in Pantera's released mode. Ultimately, though, Kenpachi's endurance, unshakable spirit and his shikai (Nozarashi) will see him through.