The long-running anime/manga franchise Bleach is the story of Ichigo Kurosaki, a high schooler who is endowed with the powers of a Soul Reaper. Now, he wields his sword to slay hollows and protect the innocent, and he journeys to supernatural worlds like the Soul Society and Hueco Mundo on his quest.
The Soul Society arc is one of the most impactful of all, when Ichigo, Uryu, Orihime, and Chad (along with Yoruichi) infiltrate the Soul Society to rescue Rukia from execution. During this arc, we meet many new Soul Reapers, explore the Soul Society (based on pre-modern Japan), watch cool battle scenes, and ultimately realize that Sosuke Aizen was the traitorous mastermind behind all this. Which ten episodes of this story arc (episodes 21-63) are rated highest on IMDb?
10 Episode 60: "Reality of the Despair, the Assassin's Dagger is Swung" (8.6)
This episode occurs late in the Soul Society arc, and it is in this moment when Captain Sosuke Aizen reveals the true depths of his villainy! He faked his own death, and Momo Hinamori discovers the truth for herself when Captain Ichimaru leads her into the arms of her Captain.
The reunion won't be happy for long, though. Aizen impales Momo on his zanpakuto and nearly kills her, and not even Toshiro Hitsugaya, who just arrived, can land a blow on Aizen as retaliation. It is also revealed that Aizen had used large-scale hypnosis to fool everyone into thinking that the Central 46 members were alive, when in fact Aizen had killed them all days earlier.
9 Episode 41: "Reunion, Ichigo and Rukia" (8.6)
Ichigo, still badly hurt from battle, is brought to a cave and awakens to find the black cat Yoruichi with him. But Yoruichi has a surprise: "he" is actually a "she," and a full-grown woman! Yoruichi is a tricky one, and she's ready to help push Ichigo's power to the next level. She wants him to be cautious about his next move, though. She's a survivalist and doesn't want Ichigo to act recklessly.
Things heat up when Ichigo arrives at a bridge leading to the prison tower, and he faces off against Byakuya Kuchiki once again (and meets Rukia face to face). Ichigo surprises everyone when he blocks Byakuya's ultra-fast sword strike, but he's now about to use shikai. Yoruichi steps in and stops the fight, and tells Byakuya that this battle may be finished three days from now.
8 Episode 44: "Ishida Ultimate Power!" (8.7)
Uryu Ishida has long been separated from Ichigo and Chad, but he's far from defenseless. He's fighting hard to protect Orihime, and he even faces off against the Captain of Squad 12, Mayuri Kurotsuchi the mad scientist.
It's been a vicious battle, and Uryu uses every Quincy trick he knows to stay in the fight when Captain Kurotsuchi uses his fearsome bankai. Ultimately, Uryu prevails, and Kurotsuchi retreats. But the victory doesn't last long since Uryu is soon intercepted by another Captain: Kaname Tosen. This time, he's captured.
7 Episode 61: "Aizen Stands! Horrible Ambitions" (8.8)
Many of the most popular episodes of the Soul Society arc involve the climactic final battle, and that includes episode 61. Aizen stands tall at the execution site, and Kaname Tosen brings Rukia and Renji to him. And despite both Captain's power, Renji refuses to hand over Rukia when asked.
Both Renji and Ichigo attack Aizen, but the Captain shows incredible power and takes them both down. Now, he begins to explain the motives behind his nefarious scheme, and he's cut short when the huge Captain Komamura bursts onto the scene.
6 Episode 58: "Unseal! The Black Blade, the miraculous power" (8.8)
Right before Ichigo unites with everyone to fight Captain Aizen, he has to contend with Captain Kuchiki first, who is determined to put down this troublesome human boy for good. As promised, both Ichigo and Byakuya square off, and by this episode, the battle is really heating up.
This is the middle episode of Ichigo and Byakuya's duel, and in it, Byakuya realizes that shikai alone is not enough. So, he brings out his bankai, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, and gains the upper hand with a massive display of force. Ichigo is on the back foot... until he shows off his own bankai for the first time! Byakuya can't believe it, but he's forced to accept reality when Ichigo starts fighting him on equal footing.
5 Episode 52: "Renji, Oath of the Soul! Death Match with Byakuya" (8.8)
Here's another one that features Byakuya in battle. Not only does Captain Kuchiki have to contend with Ichigo, but his own Lieutenant, Renji Abarai, has shifted to Ichigo's side in an attempt to rescue Rukia from execution.
Byakuya isn't having it, so he gladly faces Renji in combat. Byakuya fights first with his shikai, then his bankai as Renji shows off his own bankai, Hihio Zabimaru. Renji fights well, but he can't handle a Captain, and he collapses. Still, Byakuya sincerely applauds Renji's newfound power and courage.
4 Episode 39: "The Immortal Man" (8.8)
This is the second episode involving Ichigo and Kenpachi's high-voltage duel, and Ichigo is desperate to find a way to keep up with the demonic Captain Zaraki. So, after being struck down, Ichigo finds himself in his inner world, facing... a hollow version of himself!
It's tough fighting himself, but Ichigo gives it his best effort against the hollow-Ichigo's maniacal combat skills. Zangetsu watches the entire time and helps Ichigo realize that Zangetsu is his partner, not just a weapon or tool. Knowing this, Ichigo re-enters the battle with Kenpachi and fights with renewed strength. Finally, both combatants deliver their final attacks. Who will come out on top?
3 Episode 62: "Gather Together! Group of the Strongest Shinigami!" (8.9)
What's that in the picture? It's the one and only Hogyoku, which Kisuke Urahara had hidden inside Rukia's body. In fact, Aizen had arranged Rukia's execution so he could access it! But soon, many Captains and Lieutenants arrive, along with Jidanbo and Kukaku, and they surround the traitorous Aizen, Gin, and Kaname.
But it's all for nothing. A hole in the sky appears, and several Menos Grande evacuate the three traitor Captains with shafts of light. Aizen declares that the throne in the heavens has been empty for far too long, and he's going to fill it himself! With that, he vanishes.
2 Episode 59: "Conclusion of the Death Match! White Pride and Black Desire" (9.0)
To be more specific, "white pride" means Captain Kuchiki's stubborn pride as a law-abiding Soul Reaper, and "black desire" is the rage of Ichigo's inner hollow and its jet-black Getsuga Tensho power. And indeed, this is the thrilling conclusion of Ichigo's fateful duel with Captain Kuchiki, and it's kill or be killed!
Okay, not really, since both men will survive to face off against Captain Aizen soon. But this is one of Bleach's most popular battles for a reason, and we see the full extent of Senbonzakura Kageyoshi as well as the chilling power of Ichigo's inner hollow.
1 Episode 54: "An Accomplished Oath! Get Back Rukia!" (9.0)
Our tour through the Soul Society arc is nearly over, and what an episode this is. We've been waiting for this moment: Rukia's execution begins, and a huge flaming weapon is about to incinerate her. Rukia says her goodbyes... but the execution blade stops short. What just happened?
Ichigo happened! He is ready to fight, and he hands over Rukia to a waiting Renji to get her to safety. Captains Kyoraku and Ukitake, who sympathize with the good guys, destroy the execution weapon, and Ichigo single-handedly defeats three Lieutenants in a row. But the rescue isn't over yet: now our hero must face Byakuya Kuchiki one last time. The stage is set!