Bleach is a supernatural action shonen series based on Tite Kubo's original manga, and it tells the story of the hero Ichigo Kurosaki and his many fantastical adventures. A major faction in Ichigo's journey is the Soul Reapers, the black-robed spirits who guide the souls of the dead to the afterlife. These Soul Reapers act and think in remarkably human ways, even the officers.

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Soul Reapers take their duty seriously, but they also find time for personal interests, and they all have differing opinions of each other. Some Soul Reapers are highly respected due to their prowess and experience, and other Soul Reapers are popular in a more conventional way, often due to good looks, an easygoing personality, or a cool hobby. Based on Bleach lore and character relationships, who are the most popular Soul Reapers?

10 Ikkaku Madarame Has Some Friends & Admirers

ikkaku madarame in bleach

Ikkaku Madarame commands respect in Squad 11 as the 3rd seat officer, though he has the strength of a Lieutenant, at the very least. He is also fairly popular and well-liked among other Soul Reapers, and Lieutenant Tetsuzaemon Iba often drinks and spars with him as a friend.

Ikkaku is also good friends with Yumichika Ayasegawa, and he clearly has Renji Abarai's respect as well. When Aizen betrayed the Soul Society, Renji urged Ikkaku -- in vain-- to replace Aizen as Squad 5's Captain.

9 Rangiku Matsumoto Has Plenty Of Friends

rangiku matsumoto staring in bleach

Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto of Squad 10 is a fun-loving and easygoing Soul Reaper who's easy to like among her fellow Soul Reapers, Karakura Town's inhabitants, and the viewers alike. She is a professional fighter, but unless there's a battle to win, Rangiku will spend her time hanging out with friends.

Rangiku can talk anyone into drinking midday sake with her, and she easily becomes Orihime Inoue's friend early in the Arrancar arc. There's no doubt many other Soul Reapers are also drinking buddies of hers.

8 Captain Retsu Unohana Is Widely Admired

retsu unohana in bleach

The commander of Squad 4, Captain Retsu Unohana, is a beloved mother figure who is liked not only for her professional skills but also for her warm charisma and gentle words. She easily earns the respect of all her squadmates, and even Squad 11's brutal Soul Reapers know better than to cross her.

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On a slightly more personal level, Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu looks up to Unohana as a mother or aunt figure, and she was terribly upset when Unohana died. Isane got over it eventually and replaced her as Squad 4's Captain.

7 Captain Kenpachi Zaraki's Men Idolize Him

kenpachi in bleach

The thuggish Captain Kenpachi Zaraki is only popular within his own squad, but that's all he needs. Every single member of Squad 11 deeply admires him as the ultimate warrior, and he is a foster father figure to his young Lieutenant, Yachiru Kusajishi.

Kenpachi's popularity in Squad 11 is clear as day, and this popularity won't wane anytime soon unless Kenpachi inexplicably gives up fighting, which is unlikely to happen. Other Soul Reapers may see him as a brutish tool, but his men will verbally or physically defend him against any criticism.

6 Miyako Shiba Was Widely Liked During Her Time

miyako shiba staring in bleach

Very little of Miyako Shiba was seen during the events of Bleach, but what little fans see of her is certainly flattering. Years ago, Miyako Shiba was the 3rd seat of Squad 13, and she was the wife of Kaien Shiba. This means that by marriage, she is related to Ichigo since Isshin Kurosaki is also a Shiba.

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Miyako was widely popular due to being a skilled Soul Reaper and a beautiful, polite person who could get along with anyone. She was the one who personally inspired the impoverished Rukia Kuchiki to become a Soul Reaper, and that's saying a lot.

Kaien smiling while he was still alive in Bleach.

A bit more of Kaien was seen through flashbacks than Miyako, and Kaien also made a good case for himself. He was once the Lieutenant of Squad 11 under Captain Jushiro Ukitake, and he was remarkably modest and soft-spoken, despite his palpable talent. He was something of a child prodigy while in training.

Kaien was almost universally well-liked across the Gotei 13, and many people, most of all his brother and sister, were devastated when he died. Rukia felt terrible about having to kill him, but she got over it in time to slay Aaroniero Arurruerie, who had posed as Kaien to fool her.

toshiro hitsugaya bleach

On an amusing note, several of the most popular Soul Reapers are handsome men who have long since inspired the female Soul Reapers to make trading cards and calendars of them, according to official Bleach bonus content and other fluff. This includes Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya.

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The Soul Reaper Women's Association's members like to follow certain men around, take their pictures, and make photo albums, and they have sold many copies of official Hitsugaya merchandise. Seeing how Toshiro is a cool, smart, and mature kid, it's no wonder they love him so much.

3 Captain Jushiro Ukitake Was An Unwitting Photo Model

jushiro ukitake holding a cup from bleach

Captain Jushiro Ukitake was one of several Soul Reaper men who inspired the Women's Association, and he was the basis for a photo collection called Sickbad. In fact, this photo collection is sold out, and the Association will have to print more copies sometime to meet demand.

It's easy to see why they like him so much. Ukitake is a longtime veteran who isn't easily angered or frightened, and he has a warm, paternal air about him. Many Soul Reapers would also agree that he's good-looking, and he is positively idolized by his two assistants, Kiyone and Sentaro.

2 Captain Byakuya Kuchiki Is A Real Stud

Bleach Byakuya senbonzakura

Captain Byakuya Kuchiki is yet another Soul Reaper who captured the adoring attention of the Women's Association, to the point that they all host meetings in his house until he kicks them out for being a minor nuisance. The Association's members made a photo collection of him titled Prince of Silence, a fitting name.

Byakuya is arguably one of the best-looking Soul Reapers, and it helps that he's a good dresser and has a cool, aloof air about him as well. He's a highly cultured and wise fellow who's a calligraphy expert, and being so artsy can only add to his popularity.

Bleach's Sosuke Aizen With and Without Glasses

In a strange twist of fate, the Soul Society's worst villain was, for a time, its most beloved citizen. For many years, Sosuke Aizen presented a charming and friendly exterior that everyone loved, and the Women's Association made sure to create a photo album dedicated to him.

Aizen was popular for many of the same reasons as Byakuya: his good looks, his lofty rank, his mature personality, and his inclination for classy art. He once taught a calligraphy class that had many eager female students, and people would often say good morning to him as they passed him by. Everyone loved him until he was outed as a true monster.

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