By this point in the story of Bleach, only a handful of the most powerful warriors remain on each side of the great war. The Thousand-Year Blood War story arc has claimed countless casualties from among the Soul Reapers and Quincy, and the survivors are ready for more action. And with so few characters remaining, it’s easy to predict what kind of matchups await Bleach fans in the anime’s final cour, especially when other groups are factored out.
The Fullbrings and a few Arrancars are around too, but the best characters are all Soul Reapers and Quincy, the two main factions of this bitter feud. Interestingly, one of the upcoming fights is Quincy vs Quincy, with Uryu Ishida slated to clash with Sternritter B Jugram Haschwalth, all while Uryu’s Soul Reaper allies are preparing to take on the other Quincy survivors. When fans focus on the most powerful and worthwhile characters on each side, a handful of potential matchups emerge, including the return of a Lieutenant who may be outclassed but is still overdue to actually do something.
10 Ichigo Versus Yhwach Will Be the Ultimate Battle For the Universe
One Battle Will Matter More Than Any Other
Every sensible Bleach fan is predicting one last showdown between protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki and the King of all Quincy, Yhwach. For one thing, Uryu actually told Ichigo to hurry and fight Yhwach at the end of Cour 3, and fans have no reason to think Ichigo will ignore that request. Bleach‘s protagonist knows what is at stake, and he also knows he is the single best Soul Reaper for the job.
Ichigo might get some aid from powerhouse allies during his confrontation, but ultimately, a fight with Yhwach is Ichigo’s fight to win. The unwritten rules of shonen anime are that the protagonist must be the one to defeat the big bad and save the universe, and throughout Bleach, this has largely been true. However, the Substitute Soul Reaper might need another secret weapon to actually finish the Thousand-Year Blood War, since Yhwach now has the power of the Soul King on his side.
9 Kenpachi Versus Gerard Promises to Be a Great Clash of Strength
Kenpachi Needs a Simpler, Stronger Foe to Take On
Ever since Captain Kenpachi Zaraki defeated Unohana in their lethal training match, Kenpachi has been fighting foes who favor trickery over sheer force. Kenpachi did well when he used Shikai to defeat Sternritter V, Gremmy Thoumeaux, but he was exhausted after that. Then he tried to fight Sternritter C, Pernida Parnkgjas, but that ended terribly, forcing Mayuri to take over the fight. Now, Bleach viewers want to know if Kenpachi will finally fight someone on his own terms.
With so few Quincy remaining, Kenpachi has just one obvious option left: Sternritter M, Gerard Valkyrie. The latter is a member of Yhwach’s elite guard, the Schutzstaffel, and he fights in a blunt manner similar to Kenpachi’s own. If the two of them engage in a duel, it may feel like an amped-up version of Kenpachi’s duel to the death against Nnoitora Gilga in Las Noches. A foe like Kenpachi would also encourage Gerard to go all out and show anime fans what he can really do.
8 Izuru Versus Lille Would Help Squad 3's Lieutenant Redeem Himself
Wabisuke Needs to Show Its Full Potential
The remaining Soul Reaper Lieutenants aren’t strong enough to defeat the Sternritter, even if Renji Abarai had what it took to eliminate Mask de Masculine in a duel. The likes of Momo Hinamori and Tetsuzaemon Iba are just spectators, but one particular Lieutenant won’t be likely to watch the final fight unfold. Izuru Kira of Squad 3 has recently returned to the battle, Shikai in hand, and that can’t be for nothing.
Izuru’s storyline is one of the most intriguing loose ends in the current events of Bleach, since Izuru isn’t strong enough to face the Sternritter but still refuses to back down. Most likely, Izuru will challenge and finish off what remains of Sternritter X Lille Barro, and in the process, he might show off Wabisuke’s full power in shikai mode. No matter what happens, Izuru is overdue to make a difference, ever since Bazz-B easily defeated him early in this arc.
7 Aizen Versus Yhwach Would Be an Epic Battle of Supervillains
Aizen May Actually Atone For Some of His Many Crimes
The supervillain Sosuke Aizen was meant to remain in the Mugen prison for an astonishing 20,000 years to pay for his many crimes, but Shunsui has other ideas. At great risk, Shunsui partially freed Aizen, who has proven himself an unsettling yet reliable ally so far in the fight against the Quincy. Even if he is bound to a chair and has shown no sign of using Bankai, Aizen can still make a difference and even atone a little bit for all he has done.
It was fun watching Aizen dispatch minor villains earlier in Bleach: TYBW, but that can’t be the only payoff for bringing back a supervillain like this. Most likely, Aizen will at least request a chance to confront Yhwach alongside or in place of Ichigo, and Shunsui just might grant that request. In the process, Bleach fans would be treated to a rare clash of villains, with Yhwach being the perfect party to test the limits of Aizen’s immortality.
6 Kisuke Versus Askin Could Showcase Trickery, Rather Than Raw Power
The Quincy and the Soul Reapers Both Possess Impressive Tacticians
Some Bleach fights are exciting because they are powerful, explosive clashes, but not all battles can be like that. Bleach has shown its tricky side when Mayuri took on the likes of Szayelaporro Grantz and Pernida, and now it’s Kisuke Urahara’s turn. Mayuri is out of the action, leaving Kisuke as the Soul Reaper’s best trickster.
Sternritter D, Askin Nakk Le Vaar is a trickster himself, fighting as a doctor-style villain who can make anything into a lethal poison with modified dosages. That was how he almost killed Oetsu Nimaiya, and Askin even cheated death with the defensive use of his powers. So, it falls to Kisuke to prove why he’s one of the Five Special War Powers and beat Askin at his own game. Whatever cunning traps Askin might have in mind, Bleach fans can be confident Kisuke will think of even better ones.
5 Toshiro Versus Gerard Could Help the Young Captain Glow Up Again
Toshiro Must Get Back in the Fight
Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya is one of a few Captains who has underperformed so far in the Blood War, even if fans consider the fact that he turned the tables on Sternritter I, Cang Du. In hindsight, Cang Du wasn’t all that impressive of a villain once Toshiro’s stolen Bankai was reclaimed, so Toshiro hasn’t proven himself in this war just yet. Worse, he ended up being controlled by Giselle as a zombie minion.
Now Toshiro has been freed of Giselle’s powers thanks to Mayuri, and he needs to make the most of it. Toshiro is present in the emerging battle against Gerard Valkyrie, and fighting the giant Sternritter would be a fine way for Toshiro to finally flex his full prowess. Fans can and should expect more from Toshiro, because his character arc is all about his constant growth as a talented youth. That was how he took on the Espadas, and now, it’s how Toshiro must take down the remaining Sternritter.
4 Shunsui Versus Gerard Could Help Shunsui's Bankai Make a Real Impact
Shunsui's Bankai Hasn't Done Well So Far
Captain Shunsui Kyoraku is a vastly powerful warrior and the leader of the Soul Reapers, so he owes it to everyone to keep fighting, no matter the risks. Shunsui was injured and tired after fighting Lille, but that is no reason for him to stop now and deny the Soul Reapers his massive power. For example, Bleach viewers eagerly want to see Shunsui actually finish off someone with his story-based Bankai.
Shunsui tried and failed to defeat Lille with his mythical Bankai, which was why he turned to Nanao Ise to reflect Lille’s divine attacks back at him to turn the tide of battle. Nanao was absolutely overdue for a glow-up like that, but it’s no reason for Shunsui to check himself out of the battle now. He must gather his remaining strength and make a renewed effort to actually defeat someone, or else his incredible Bankai will feel wasted.
3 Kenpachi Versus Lille Would Give the Soul Reaper an Appropriate Challenge
Kenpachi Could Finish the Job Faster Than Nanao or Izuru
Kenpachi would show his full potential by fighting his Quincy equal, Gerard, but there is another option: Lille. In case Shunsui cannot recover enough to finish off Sternritter X, and in case Izuru can’t handle the job either, it will fall to Kenpachi to mop up Lille. Kenpachi could fight other foes, such as Askin or even Yhwach, but those feel like a long shot for him.
To make sure all the Sternritter are finished off with no chance of recovery, Kenpachi should go help Shunsui and Izuru take care of Lille once and for all. Even if Lille has been partially defeated and broken up into bird-like forms, he’s not out of the fight just yet. Considering the stakes, the Soul Reapers cannot leave anything to chance, hence the necessity of Kenpachi finishing off Lille for sure.
2 Shunsui Versus Yhwach Would Show the Upper Limits of Shunsui's Zanpakuto
The Battle of Bosses Would Also Feel Symbolic
If Shunsui can heal and recover after his tough battle against Lille, he could take on a variety of foes with his Bankai to definitively prove why he’s the overall commander of the Gotei 13. Fighting Gerard is a strong option for him, but if Kenpachi ends up fighting Gerard and refuses to get help, then Shunsui could move on to his own Quincy counterpart: Yhwach. After all, the two of them are equals as the bosses of their respective sides.
No Bleach fan expects Shunsui to defeat Yhwach, even with another use of his Bankai, but that wouldn’t be the point anyhow. Ichigo needs all the help he can get when fighting Yhwach, and whether or not Aizen will lend a hand, Shunsui should definitely be there. At the very least, Shunsui could help keep Yhwach busy, giving Ichigo some extra time to charge up his own final attacks. Then, when the time is right, Shunsui could call off his duel with Yhwach and let Ichigo take over.
1 Byakuya Versus Gerard Could Show Off What His Bankai Can Really Do
The Soul Reaper Captain Has Been Underperforming Thus Far
It’s entirely possible that a number of Soul Reapers will end up fighting the titanic Gerard, and possibly all at the same time. That may be what it takes to defeat Sternritter M, but there are still a few Bleach characters that fans hope get to face Gerard alone. One such character is none other than the Captain of the Sixth Division, Byakuya Kuchiki.
Even Captain Byakuya Kuchiki needs a chance to show his full power when taking a turn fighting Gerard. In previous arcs, such as Bleach‘s famed Soul Society Arc, Byakuya thought he was at the top of his game and looked down on many other people because of it. More recent events have humbled him, and now Byakuya has room for growth, just like everyone else. Ideally, Byakuya will prove it with another turbocharged attack with his Bankai to teach Gerard a lesson about underestimating him.
