Summary

• The 5 Special Threats in Bleach are uniquely powerful individuals who can resist the mighty Wandenreich better than most other Soul Reapers can.
• Ichigo's potential and incredible growth rate make him a wildcard in the eyes of the Quincy empire.
• Kenpachi Zaraki's unmatched combat strength and ability to adapt his attack patterns make him a formidable force in the war effort.

Before the invasion of Soul Society in Bleach's Thousand-Year Blood War arc, Yhwach, the Quincy King, specified five individuals capable of turning the tide of battle. Bleach's five "Special War Powers" (also known as the 5 War Powers or the 5 Special Threats) are all uniquely powerful individuals who can resist the mighty Wandenreich better than most other Soul Reapers can.

For the most part, the elite Sternritter don't fear the Soul Reapers and have serious advantages over them, such as stealing Bankai with their medallions and having highly detailed data files on them. This is why the Sternritter did so well in the initial Soul Society invasion, but now the 5 Special Threats in Bleach will launch a fierce counterattack and show why the Sternritter picked a fight they cannot win. Several of the Bleach war powers have already made a difference in the Thousand-Year Blood War anime's second cour, and the rest will truly dominate the scene in future installments as well.

Updated on January 16, 2024, by Ajay Aravind: Despite Bleach's brief cancellation after the Fullbring Arc, the anime came roaring back to life with the Thousand-Year Blood War. The final attack on Soul Society is also the most devastating, leaving the Shingami no choice but to go all out against the Wandenreich. The villainous Yhwach named five potential threats to the Quincy cause, each of whom is capable of hampering the Quincy mission. As such, we've updated this feature about the so-called Special Threats.

Ichigo Kurosaki Always Exceeds Expectations

Ichigo's potential alone warrants his Special War Power designation. That potential refers not only to Ichigo's latent powers and abilities but also his incredible growth rate. This is best demonstrated by his achieving Bankai in just two and a half days in the Soul Society arc with Yoruichi's help. Growth rate and potential also apply to Ichigo's combat sense, as he is quickly able to deduce enemy attack patterns and devise solutions to them while thinking on his feet. These qualities make Ichigo a wild card in the eyes of the Quincy empire, as time and time again he proves his ability to rise to the occasion and defy the odds.

Ichigo did fail his initial training with Oetsu Nimaiya, but that was an exception, and now Ichigo is back to training for the final battle against Yhwach. Ichigo plays a pivotal role in the war itself throughout the original Bleach manga. He saves Kenpachi Zaraki from a group of Sternritter ambushing him, thus preserving one of Soul Society's greatest assets, and most importantly, defeats Yhwach personally.

This final confrontation is representative of Ichigo's potential at numerous junctures, as Yhwach notes that Ichigo's incredible growth as one of the 5 War Powers is enough to change the futures that he sees through the Almighty. Without being told, Ichigo deduces and capitalizes on Aizen's plan to deceive Yhwach using Kyoka Suigetsu. Further, after his friend Uryu Ishida shoots Yhwach with the Still Silver arrowhead, Ichigo evolves once again. His Zangetsu reveals a second blade right as Yhwach destroys the first, allowing Ichigo to deal the decisive blow that saves the world.

Kenpachi Zaraki Is Unmatched When It Comes To Fighting

Captain Kenpachi Zaraki was deemed one of the 5 War Powers due to his immense combat strength. He is the 11th Kenpachi, a title reserved for the strongest Soul Reapers in the Gotei 13, and earned by killing the current Kenpachi. Even more impressive is that Kenpachi became one of the 5 War Powers before he even learned the name of his Zanpakuto. Furthermore, Zaraki has not only defeated the 10th Kenpachi but the 1st Kenpachi Yachiru Unohana as well. Frighteningly, in both these instances, Zaraki was limiting his true power so that he could savor the fight.

In combat, Captain Kenpachi Zaraki is unmatched. Proficient in his own brand of swordplay, Zaraki can adapt his attack patterns with ease, and his ability to withstand his opponents' attacks while maintaining his offensive poise allows him to attack in situations where others opt to defend. He is so strong that the Central 46 forbids him from learning Zanjutsu and studying proper swordsmanship under Yamamoto, as they fear a fully polished Zaraki going rogue.

Zaraki contributes heavily to the war effort as one of the 5 War Powers in Bleach's manga. He helps keep Schutzstaffel member Gerard Valkyrie at bay after activating his Bankai, overpowering him before unfortunately succumbing to the strain of his newly untapped power. Zaraki also defeats the Sternritter Gremmy, whose power is literally imagination and therefore limitless. The moment defining Zaraki's designation as a War Power comes when Gremmy imagines his own strength as equal to Zaraki's, an action that results in the Sternritter's death as his body cannot handle power on par with Zaraki's.

Ichibe Hyosube's Wisdom Makes Him a Superior Special Threat

Ichibe Hyosube was selected as one of the 5 Special Powers due to his immense wisdom. Alive since its inception, Ichibe is the grandfather of the Soul Society, and within him lie its entire history and secrets. This level of knowledge grants Ichibe immense insight, allowing him to strategize and act from perhaps the most informed position of any combatant fighting the Wandenreich. Even compared to the other members of the Royal Guard squad, Ichibe Hyosube is a truly special Soul Reaper whose powers defy all expectations.

Unfortunately, this wisdom contributes to Ichibe's undoing. His eternal tenure as Soul Society's protector means that Ichibe witnessed the original defeat of the Quincy 1,000 years ago, a result that leads him to overconfidence in history repeating itself. Ichibe does not account for Yhwach's ability to evolve, and as a result, suffers a crushing loss at the hands of the Almighty, far from living up to his estimated potential.

Sosuke Aizen Is Feared For His Incomparable Spiritual Pressure

Ex-Captain Sosuke Aizen was placed on the list of the 5 Special Powers because of his immense spiritual pressure. Aizen's spiritual pressure was overwhelming even before fusing with the Hogyoku, exemplified by his negation of Soi Fon's Nigeki Kessatsu by simply overpowering her Reiatsu with his own. To fuse with the Hogyoku, Aizen states that spiritual pressure at least double that of a captain-level Soul Reaper is necessary, a requirement that Aizen easily meets. He can also bring an Espada like Grimmjow to his knees with a casual use of his spiritual pressure.

After fusing with the Hogyoku, Aizen's spiritual pressure increases to a level that Muken cannot hope to seal, capable only of decreasing its area of effect. Aizen plays a key role in the final confrontation with Yhwach. His Shikai's complete hypnosis deceives Yhwach and gives Ichigo an opening to attack. The aftermath distracts Yhwach and grants Uryu Ishida the opportunity to shoot him with the Still Silver arrowhead. Even when merged with the Soul King himself, Yhwach falls for Aizen's Shikai, proving just how incredible Aizen's spiritual pressure really is. As such, Aizen's ranking as one of the 5 Special Powers is fully deserved.

Kisuke Urahara's Next Move Is Always Unpredictable

Kisuke Urahara was selected as a Special War Power because of his unpredictability. Despite how he portrays himself, he is not just an ex-captain swordsman with advanced Kido. Kisuke Urahara is also a brilliant scientist, which sets him apart from most other Soul Reaper Captains. Even Captain Kurotsuchi is in awe of what Kisuke can invent, such as Hollowfication pills that allow the Soul Reapers to steal back their Bankai from the Sternritter. Kisuke had also invented the Hogyoku and portable gigai technology in the previous decades.

In the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, Kisuke's appearance is brief but impactful as he completely outwits Schutzstaffel Askin Naak Le Varr. After a one-on-one confrontation and at the brink of defeat, Kisuke reveals his trump card: using his Bankai to create an opening in Askin's Gift Bereich, which allows Grimmjow to enter and deal a fatal blow. Kisuke's advanced knowledge of Quincy techniques means that nothing can take him by surprise. In other words, his resourceful mind can improvise a solution to just about anything the Sternritter can muster. This makes Kisuke the most unpredictable of the 5 Special Powers, having a clever mind that no Sternritter can outfox.