The story of Bleach is packed with exciting shonen-style action scenes and more than a little humor and drama along the way. This series also has its sentimental side, with many characters forming inspiring and heartfelt friendships with one another. Some characters succeeded only because they had their friends to support them and cheer them on.
A few of these friendships are found in Karakura Town, such as Ichigo's strong bond with his best pal Chad, while many other friendships in Bleach are found in the Soul Society, among the numerous Soul Reapers on duty. They aren't just supernatural fighters; they are people, and they have big hearts to share.
10 Renji Abarai & Izuru Kira Got Along Great During Their Training Days
Not much is seen of the friendship between Lieutenant Renji Abarai and Lieutenant of Izuru Kira, since it gets overshadowed by Renji's friendship with Rukia. Most of the Renji/Izuru friendship is seen during flashbacks when they and Momo Hinamori were in training together.
The three of them got along well, and Renji and Izuru Kira greatly respected and admired one another as fellow trainees. That friendship continues to the present, though by now, Renji and Izuru have very different combat philosophies.
9 Shuhei Hisagi & Sajin Komamura Became Friends To Face Tosen Again
This is a friendship that formed partway through the story of Bleach, in response to the dramatic twists and turns of the Soul Society arc. Captain Kaname Tosen betrayed the Soul Society for Aizen, and Lieutenant Shuhei Hisagi was greatly upset by the actions of his former Captain (they both belonged to Squad 9).
Shuhei and the Captain of Squad 7, Sajin Komamura, became friends so they could figure out how to turn Kaname Tosen back into a hero, and they cooperated against him during the final battle in the fake Karakura Town. Tragically, Tosen lost his life.
8 Renji Abarai & Ikkaku Madarame Sometimes Spar & Hang Out
Ikkaku Madarame is the 3rd seat of Squad 11, and he embodies all that makes Squad 11 what it is. For a time, Renji also served in this squad, and he and Ikkaku quickly learned to respect and admire one another. Arguably, though, Ikkaku was the better swordsman between them.
Ikkaku and Renji now belong to different squads, but they are still good friends, and spar often. Often, Ikkaku assumes a mentor role during these bouts, and Renji is grateful for the help.
7 Ikkaku Madarame & Tetsuzaemon Iba Also Spar & Chill Out Together
Ikkaku is also good friends with the Lieutenant of Squad 7, the tough-guy Tetsuzaemon Iba. It's true that Tetsuzaemon's shikai is incredibly underwhelming, but if he and Ikkaku spar with their sealed zanpakuto, then the fight is fair, and that's what makes it fun.
Ikkaku and Iba have similar personalities, and while they are highly skilled fighters, they also know how to relax and recharge themselves before the next big fight. They often watch the clouds pass by overhead and pass the sake gourd back and forth, idly chatting about whatever comes to mind.
6 Rukia Kuchiki & Kaien Shiba Got Along So Well
Kaien Shiba was incredibly popular among all Soul Reapers until his death, and he was even married to a fellow Soul Reaper, Miyako. In particular, Kaien liked to help train his junior Rukia Kuchuki, another member of Squad 13. She needed the help.
Rukia learned much from sparring with Kaien, and she always felt at ease in his presence. She also learned from Kaien the true nature of the heart, the immortal bond that ties two people together even if one of them should die.
5 Jushiro Ukitake & Shunsui Kyoraku Go Back A Long Way
These two Soul Reapers are among the most experienced veterans among the Captains, along with Captain Retsu Unohana of Squad 4. Shunsui and Jushiro have slightly different personalities, but they get along quite well, and they faced Yamamoto together when they protested the current state of affairs (mostly concerning Rukia's execution).
Jushiro and Shunsui sometimes gently tease one another, and they can also make all kinds of nostalgic comments about the world and their centuries of experience as fellow Captains. They always trust each other to watch their backs in combat, too.
4 Sajin Komamura & Kaname Tosen Bonded When Sajin Needed A Friend Most
This friendship was threatened when Tosen betrayed the Soul Society for Aizen's sake, and it broke Sajin's heart to see one of his few true friends become a traitor like that. Sajin was determined to bring Tosen back to his side no matter what it took, showing just how strong their friendship really was.
Up to a point, Sajin had been all alone as an outcast, thanks to his wolf-like appearance, but the blind Kaname Tosen accepted him for who he was and gave him the courage to keep fighting for what is right. Sajin won't ever forget that, even when Kaname became a traitor and later died in battle.
3 Toshiro Hitsugaya & Momo Hinamori Are Too Precious Together
Despite having different ranks, personalities and squads, these two characters share a strong bond. Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya had been Momo Hinamori's neighbor and friend in the Rukongai district for years, then Momo left to begin Soul Reaper training. Toshiro soon followed suit.
These two love to tease each other, and they bring out each other's bratty side in an endearing way. Toshiro is also incredibly protective of Momo, and he went into a berserker rage more than once when Momo was nearly killed on Aizen's account. Toshiro is normally cold and aloof, but if Momo is threatened, his fierce side emerges.
2 Yoruichi Shihoin & Kisuke Urahara Are Strong & Funny Together
It's not clear exactly when or how lady Yoruichi Shihoin and Kisuke Urahara met and became friends, but by the time Kisuke ended up framed for Aizen's crimes, the two of them were quite close. Yoruichi trusted Kisuke to do the right thing with his radical science experiments, and she helped him when he faced legal trouble.
Kisuke owes Yoruichi a lot for her help both in the Soul Society and in Karakura Town, and the two of them have been friends and allies in Karakura Town for a century now. They are also good teammates in battle, such as when they faced Yammy Llargo and Ulquiorra Schiffer in a brief battle.
1 Rukia Kuchiki & Renji Abarai Have Been Through A Lot Together
These two characters have a friendship that sets a new standard for all Soul Reapers. Renji and Rukia were fellow street urchins in their youth, and they maintained their friendship after beginning their training and becoming Soul Reapers. Later, Renji followed Captain Byakuya Kuchiki's orders to apprehend Rukia, but that later changed.
Renji lost to Ichigo and realized that his bond with Rukia was more important than laws or orders. He risked his life to save his friend, even defying Byakuya to do so. Later still, the two of them helped Ichigo during the Hueco Mundo story arc, and at the end of Bleach, they were married. Their friendship is truly inspirational.