The action-fantasy anime Bleach has achieved worldwide fame, ultimately becoming a permanent fixture among the shonen Big Three. The story follows Ichigo Kurosaki, an intrepid Substitute Shinigami who desires nothing more than to save his loved ones. In fact, his unofficial catchphrase is "Ore Ga Mamoru," which loosely translates to "I will protect you!"

Despite Ichigo's overwhelming power and dedication, however, even he is unable to protect every single person in his life. Not every character in Bleach needs to be saved — fans are delighted to watch Yhwach, Baraggan, Nnoitra, and Szayelaporro Granz meet their deserved doom. That said, several tragic deaths and losses occur over the course of the story.

Updated by Louis Kemner on December 15th, 2023: As a shonen action series, Bleach is liable to kill off many of its characters, heroes and villains alike, and those deaths can have a serious emotional impact to make the story more resonant. This list of the saddest Bleach deaths has been updated to adhere to CBR's current publication standards.

20 Wonderweiss Died as Sosuke Aizen's Disposable Tool

Wonderweiss' entire existence revolves around Ryujin Jakka. Aizen creates this Arrancar for the sole purpose of sealing away Yamamoto's overpowered fire, thereby weakening the Captain-Commander. Yama scolds Aizen for his egregious cruelty, citing Wonderweiss' inability to speak or even form rational thoughts.

However, this doesn't stop the old man from going all out when Wonderweiss triggers his Resurrección. Yama tanks the Arrancar's attacks and pulverizes him with a single two-fist punch. A shattered Wonderweiss falls to the ground, but his death releases all the flames stored within his body.

19 Masaki Kurosaki Was Helpless As Grand Fisher Slew Her

Masaki Kurosaki only appears in flashbacks, having died several years prior to the fondly-remembered Soul Society story arc. She was the sweetest and most doting mother Ichigo could have asked for, explaining why he's devastated by her death. While trying to protect Ichigo, Masaki is murdered on a rain-soaked riverbank by the Hollow known as Grand Fisher.

The story eventually states that Masaki was a pure-blooded Quincy and one of the strongest characters in Bleach. Grand Fisher only manages to defeat Masaki because Yhwach had stolen her powers just before the fight. Masaki's death had a serious impact on her husband and three children, with Ichigo, in particular, struggling with intense grief. It wasn't until many years later when Ichigo fully processed his grief of Masaki's death and let her memory go at last.

18 Kaien Shiba Died When Rukia Cut Him Down

Fans have noticed the visual similarities between Kaien Shiba and Ichigo Kurosaki — the only notable difference between them is their hair color. As Rukia's unofficial life coach, Kaien plays an important role in her career as a budding Shinigami. Unfortunately, Kaien meets his doom against a Hollow entity named Metastacia, who usurps both his Zanpakuto and his body.

Rukia manages to defeat and execute Metastacia, inadvertently killing her beloved mentor in the process. Kaien gratefully acknowledges Ukitake and Rukia before passing away. In the Hueco Mundo arc, the Espada Aarioniero Arruruerie attempts to distract Rukia by taking on Kaien's appearance, but this ploy doesn't work.

17 Hisana Kuchiki Died Of an Illness

The sisters Hisana and Rukia have known nothing but hardship and heartbreak for the longest time. As orphans in the Rukongai's impoverished districts, they do everything possible to survive their spiritual nightmare. In a fit of desperation, Hisana abandons Rukia and marries into the Kuchiki family.

Although Byakuya breaks protocol, he takes great comfort from Hisana's presence until she dies of an illness five years after their marriage. Byakuya takes his wife's untimely death pretty hard, but at least he honors her last wish by accepting Rukia as his younger sister. Unfortunately, Byakuya decided that he needed to stop breaking soul society tradition for the sake of his late wife and foster sister, so he decided to uphold the law no matter what -- even if it meant condemning Rukia to death as a criminal. That's not what Hisana would have wanted for her beloved baby sister.

16 Captain Sajin Komamura's Life as a Canine Captain Ended on the Battlefield

Captain Sajin Komamura doesn't technically lose his life in Bleach. Instead, this stalwart Captain acquires the Humanization Technique, a dangerous power that grants him temporary immortality and invulnerability.

Komamura effortlessly vanquishes Sternritter E, Bambietta Basterbine, but he exhausts the last remaining dregs of his Soul Reaper power in the process. He's rendered a powerless dog after defeating his quarry, forcing Vice-Captain Tetsuzaemon Iba to rescue him from the battlefield. Komamura's current whereabouts are unknown, having been effectively written out of the story. The death of Sajin's career is a grim one, since he was such a cool Captain who gave everything just to defeat one villain, which wasn't worth it in the long run.

15 Jugram Haschwalth Lost His Powers and Life to Yhwach

The early chapters of the Thousand-Year Blood War arc vaguely imply a connection between Haschwalth and Bazz-B, but the full depth of their relationship is clarified much later. They were apparently childhood friends until the Quincy Emperor took Haschwalth away to fulfill his destiny as Yhwach's "other half."

Unable to express his emotions through words, Bazz-B battles Haschwalth in the Royal Realm, but the latter coolly cuts him down. Haschwalth subsequently perishes when Yhwach brutally steals his powers, bringing an end to what could have been an interesting platonic pairing.

14 Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto Died a Humiliating Death When Fighting Yhwach

Captain-Commander Yamamoto is undoubtedly the strongest Soul Reaper of all time. Everyone in the Soul Society and beyond respects the old man's overwhelming spiritual powers. Yamamoto's steadfast leadership sees the Gotei 13 through many hardships, and he's even willing to sacrifice his life in order to stop the traitorous Sosuke Aizen.

While Yamamoto survives the battle in Fake Karakura Town, he loses an arm while casting the forbidden Hado #96. Being a prideful man, he refuses to let Orihime heal his arm and goes on to face Yhwach on the battlefield. Yhwach kills Yamamoto despite the peerless power of the latter's Bankai, effectively shattering the Gotei 13. Some of the Captains reacted poorly to Yamamoto's death in the story, while Shunsui Kyoraku, who was like a son to Yamamoto, had a more mature response and succeeded Yamamoto as squad 1's commander.

13 Coyote Starrk & Lilynette Gingerbuck Lost to the Strongest Soul Reapers

Coyote Starrk and Lilynette Gingerbuck were once a single being, an overpowered Vasto Lorde whose immeasurable Reiryoku inadvertently vaporized any Hollows they came into contact with. Unable to bear their debilitating loneliness, this entity carved its soul into two independent Arrancar.

Aizen recruits both Coyote Starrk and Lilynette Gingerbuck into his army, designating them the Primera Espada. Starrk and Lilynette battle Captains Kyoraku and Ukitake in Fake Karakura Town, where they're pushed to their limits by the Soul Reaper Captains. Shunsui kills Lilynette before finishing Starrk, a scene that breaks innumerable fans' hearts. Starrk was one of the most innocent Espadas, a lonely being who just wanted friends, and he even reflected on that as he died.

12 Ulquiorra Cifer Was Defeated by Vasto Lorde Ichigo

Ulquiorra seems like a hardened killer — a literally heartless monster with ice-cold blood running through his Hollow veins. At Aizen's behest, he captures and incarcerates Orihime in Las Noches, the giant fortress found in the bleak desert world of Hueco Mundo. Ulquiorra could have treated his captive with dignity, but he consistently insults, abuses, and torments Orihime.

When Uryu and Ichigo challenge him to a fight, Ulquiorra defeats both of them with relative ease. However, Ichigo's last-minute transformation saves the day and utterly overpowers the 4th Espada's Segunda Etapa. Before his inevitable demise, Ulquiorra wistfully wonders about having a heart of his own.

11 Soken Ishida Died In Mayuri Kurotsuchi's Lab

Like Masaki Kurosaki, Soken Ishida died long before the main events of Bleach. Having been a dedicated Quincy his entire life, he successfully transfers his knowledge to his grandson, Uryu. This act, though well-intentioned, invites his son's, Ryuken's, displeasure.

Uryu knows very little about the circumstances surrounding his grandfather's death, at least until Mayuri maliciously describes how Soken was subjected to horrific forms of spiritual torture. This revelation energizes Uryu, who proceeds to unleash the fabled Letzt Stil against Mayuri. Soken may never return to life, but his grandson certainly avenged his death.

10 Jushiro Ukitake Gave His Life Back to Mimihagi

Jushiro Ukitake's powers have been teased for a very long time, but Bleach simply refuses to showcase his supposedly overwhelming strength. He battles Yamamoto Genryusai and Lilynette Gingerbuck during the Soul Society and Fake Karakura Town arcs, respectively.

Fans were ecstatic to watch Ukitake wield his Sogyo no Kotowari, but they were disappointed when the Captain didn't release his Bankai. Ukitake decides to stabilize the imbalance created by Yhwach in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc by resurrecting the Kamikake on his body. Although this process transforms him into the Right Hand of the Soul King, Ukitake has no choice but to sacrifice his life. It was a noble yet tragic death that fans wish had never happened. Still, Ukitake's passing paved the way for Rukia to succeed him as squad 13's Captain some years later.

9 Retsu Unohana Gave Her Life to Make Kenpachi Stronger

As the chief medic of Soul Society, Captain Unohana radiates a maternal warmth. At the same time, she is capable of terrifying everyone around her with a nonchalant glare, as a nervous Ichigo learns on his return from Hueco Mundo. That said, Retsu Unohana used to be a highly proficient killer and still remains one of the strongest combatants in Soul Society.

Unohana defeats a young Zaraki in the Rukongai, but she openly praises her opponent's strength. Their rematch takes place in the TYBW arc, where she continuously beats him into submission. Zaraki eventually surpasses his self-imposed limitations and stabs Unohana through the sternum. Unohana gladly died to help Kenpachi realize his true potential, but Bleach fans and Kenpachi alike were heartbroken at her passing all the same.

8 Kaname Tosen Died at His Former Friends' Hands

Kaname Tosen, the ex-Captain of the Ninth Division, is a rather cryptic character. He offers an annoyingly vague explanation for betraying the Gotei 13, much to Sajin Komamura and Shuhei Hisagi's chagrin. Tosen acquires Hollow powers via the Hogyoku and turns into a powerful Arrancar.

All things considered, Tosen isn't an evil man. Misled by Aizen's false promises, he succumbs to his own desires and strays from the path of honor and justice. Tosen is ultimately killed by his former best friend, Komamura, but not before conceding his grievous lapse of judgment. That helped cement Tosen's status as a victim of Aizen's scheming, gaining bizarre and villainous power only to lose it all -- and lose his life alongside it.

7 Chojiro Sasakibe Died as a Preview of the Quincy Invasion

Chojiro Sasakibe has been the Vice-Captain of the First Division for over a millennium, directly serving Yamamoto Genryusai. Although Ichigo manages to disarm and incapacitate him in the Soul Society arc, mangaka Kubo ultimately decides to retcon Sasakibe's Reiatsu levels.

Yamamoto nostalgically describes his Vice-Captain's devastating Bankai in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, claiming that Driscoll Berci isn't worthy of wielding something as powerful as Koko Gonryo Rikyu. Despite his combat expertise, Sasakibe couldn't defeat his Sternritter opponents when they invaded Soul Society. His death throws Yamamoto into a short but intense period of mourning.

6 Bambietta Basterbine Died at Giselle's Hands to Become a Zombie

Bambietta Basterbine isn't a very relatable character. She nonchalantly murders her own minions after having her way with them, perplexing her colleagues. Bambietta also massacres the Soul Reapers in the first Wandenreich invasion and steals Captain Komamura's Bankai, further incurring the fandom's hatred.

However, Bambietta fails to defeat Komamura's Dangai Joue, which effectively neutralizes her Schrift. the mighty Sternritter Z Giselle Gewelle, casually saunters up to Bambietta and murders her on the spot. Bambietta later returns as Giselle's helpless zombie, finally earning the readers' sympathy, even if just for a little bit. Bambietta was never a good person, but even she didn't deserve to be exploited and violently abused by Giselle in undeath.

5 Robert Accutrone Lost His Life to Yhwach's Auswählen

Robert Accutrone's Schrift is assigned the letter "N," but Bleach doesn't explain what it stands for. In any case, he's a capable gunman, using pistols that fire hyper-destructive Reishi bullets. Robert is clearly strong enough to blind Shunsui in one eye, highlighting his impressive skillset.

Unlike many of his colleagues, this Sternritter is extremely composed and professional and not overtly sadistic in any way. Robert realizes his fate when Yhwach activates the Auswählen, but there's nothing he can do to stall the inevitable. He loses his spirit and his body in a single instant, leaving nothing but a bare skeleton behind. Although Bleach never gave fans a reason to love Robert, it's still a shame to see such a loyal Sternritter abruptly lose everything just because Yhwach needed his power.

4 Äs Nödt Died Feeling Fear For the First Time as a Quincy

Äs Nödt is far more brutal than Robert Accutrone, but his death leaves a bitter taste in fans' mouths. As Sternritter "F," Äs Nödt wields The Fear to great effect, channeling his opponents' innate fears until they're consumed from within.

Byakuya tries to defeat Äs Nödt during the First Wandenreich Invasion, only to lose his Bankai and nearly lose his life. That said, Äs Nödt was once a dying man before Yhwach carved a Schrift into his soul. This revelation makes his character more sympathetic, even after Rukia kills him with Hakka no Togame. Fans might even say that Äs Nödt's death echoed Baraggan's own, since Äs Nödt thought he had fully mastered a certain power, only to face that power and lose to it. He died in fear while Rukia felt braver than ever, a moment of total iony.

3 Gin Ichimaru Died Trying to Take Aizen Down

Gin Ichimaru is a textbook example of an antihero — a man who spends an equal amount of time playing both hero and villain. He seems far too slippery and unreadable to be a savior, but he only wants to seek vengeance on Rangiku Matsumoto's behalf.

On the other hand, Gin would have probably killed Ichigo in Fake Karakura Town to protect his secret. Nevertheless, there's no question that he becomes a hero in his dying moments. Aizen fatally wounds Gin after the latter fails to kill him with Kamishini no Yari, crushing Rangiku's already fragile heart.

2 Oscar Joaquín De La Rosa Died Sometime Before Chad's Return to Japan

Bleach, Episode 37, "Motive Of The Fist"

Oscar Joaquín De la Rosa was Sado Yasutora's grandfather. He singlehandedly raises his grandson following the deaths of his daughter and son-in-law. Oscar is a deeply lovable character, even if he doesn't get much screen time. It can be argued that Chad's nonviolent philosophy is the product of Oscar's strict-yet-fair parenting style.

In fact, Oscar's grandson is transformed from a violent bully into a kindly protector after watching his grandfather suffer the consequences of Chad's actions. Oscar subsequently gives Chad a Mexican coin as a "lucky charm," a token of love and appreciation to remember him by.

1 Ichigo Kurosaki Faced Temporary Death When Ulquiorra Stabbed Him

As a shonen protagonist, Ichigo Kurosaki is protected by plot armor. He can never die, at least not permanently. On the other hand, he comes tantalizingly close to death on countless occasions. Although Ulquiorra technically kills Ichigo atop Las Noches, the hero returns stronger than ever.

The Bleach fandom remains divided on whether this moment can actually be considered an example of death, but people aren't supposed to survive their hearts being yanked out of their bodies. In any case, viewers were shocked and aghast during the 30 seconds it took for Ichigo to burst back to life.