5 Most Mismatched Fights In Bleach

Highlights

Battles in Bleach are tests of endurance, skill, and strength, leaving a mark on shonen manga and anime history.
Some fights in Bleach are heavily weighted against characters, showcasing their abilities and challenging them to grow.
Iconic battles like Ichigo vs. Byakuya highlight the intense combat in Bleach.

Filled with as much exposition and verbal jousting as actual combat maneuvers, the fights in Tite Kubo’s Bleach are in a class of their own. Structured as tests of endurance and ingenuity alongside the contest of strength that is at their foundation, the series’ many battles have left an indelible mark on the landscape of shonen manga and anime.

That being said, there have been certain instances where the odds in a fight have been almost unfairly stacked against one individual, such that the actual battle turns into a relatively one-sided affair. While this does make for solemn viewing on some occasions, it can also serve as a demonstration of a certain character’s abilities. Hence, here are the most mismatched fights in Bleach.

1 Ichigo Kurosaki Vs. Byakuya Kuchiki

Winner: Byakuya

Manga Chapters	55-57
Anime Episodes	16-17

After gaining his Shinigami powers from Rukia, Ichigo Kurosaki came into his own as a Substitute Shinigami, taking on several Hollows that threatened his home in Karakura Town. Sadly, his activities attracted the attention of the Gotei 13 of Soul Society, who sent Captain Byakuya Kuchiki and his Lieutenant, Renji Abarai, to subdue Ichigo and take Rukia back with them.

Upon confronting Ichigo, Renji initially engaged him in battle and was gradually beaten back, which forced Byakuya’s intervention. He took the opportunity to demonstrate the gulf between Ichigo’s abilities and his own, by shattering Ichigo’s Zanpakuto and using a highly advanced Shunpo technique known as Senka to seriously injure him in the chest and midsection. This was a lesson for Ichigo to not overestimate his abilities, and he endeavored to reach Byakuya’s level for their rematch on Sokyoku Hill in Soul Society.

2 Yasutora Sado Vs. Shunsui Kyoraku

Winner: Shunsui

Manga Chapters	105-108
Anime Episodes	37-38

Occurring during the Ryoka Invasion of Soul Society, this fight was the first real challenge that Yasutora Sado — better known as Chad — faced after arriving in the Seireitei. Confronted by Shunsui Kyoraku, the Captain of the 8th Division at the time, Chad had a difficult time dealing with his opponent, as his new Fullbring abilities were no match for an experienced Shinigami Captain.

Despite offering Chad a chance to drink sake together rather than fight him, Shunsui was forced to humor his challenge upon seeing his enemy’s resolve. As Chad unleashed an onslaught of attacks, Shunsui casually dodged and parried them all while imploring that he concede before he died because he had no chance of winning. Refusing to give in, Chad continued to push himself, which made Shunsui draw his dual Zanpakuto and slash through Chad’s chest, incapacitating him with a single blow.

3 Ichigo Kurosaki And Renji Abarai Vs. Sosuke Aizen

Winner: Aizen

Manga Chapters	171-175
Anime Episodes	60-61

Shortly after his hard-earned victory against Byakuya on Sokyoku Hill, Ichigo had to face a fresh threat alongside his new ally Renji, as the duo was forced to defend Rukia from Aizen, the traitor in their midst who had finally shown himself. After trying to convince Renji to let go of Rukia, Aizen was given no choice but to attack him, and broke the former’s Zanpakuto, Zabimaru, into pieces.

Just as he was about to land the final blow, his sword was stopped by Ichigo, who tried to team up with Renji in a bid to stun Aizen and escape with Rukia. Alas, their efforts were for naught, as Aizen stopped the blade of Ichigo’s Bankai with nothing more than his left index finger, and slashed through his already injured midsection. Even as reinforcements arrived, Aizen was able to easily beat them and completed his escape after extracting the Hogyoku from within Rukia’s soul.

4 Isshin Kurosaki, Kisuke Urahara, And Yoruichi Shihoin Vs. Sosuke Aizen

Winner: Aizen

Manga Chapters	398-406
Anime Episodes	296-301

Taking place at the very end of the Battle of Fake Karakura Town, this fight saw Sosuke Aizen take on three of the Gotei 13’s strongest former Shinigami, as they desperately tried to halt his evolution. Launching wave after wave of attacks towards Aizen’s continually evolving Hogyoku form, Isshin Kurosaki, Yoruichi Shihoin, and Kisuke Urahara struggled to land a decisive blow on him.

Even after Yoruichi activated her Shunko, Urahara used multiple high-level Kido spells, and Isshin landed a point-blank Getsuga Tensho on Aizen, the latter was left relatively unharmed and emerged from each attack with minimal damage. As the fight went on, Aizen underwent two stages of evolution, beginning with his chrysalis form and ending with a new form after the battle concluded. In the end, the trio could do little to stop Aizen, and they were all defeated quite quickly once he got serious and started to fight back.

5 Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto Vs. Yhwach

Winner: Yhwach

Manga Chapters	510-511
Anime Episodes	372-373

The reason this fight is mismatched is not because of the relative skill levels of the two combatants involved, but rather, due to the unfair circumstances under which Yamamoto encountered his old enemy Yhwach. During the Wandenreich’s invasion of Soul Society, the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 rushed into battle after the death of his Lieutenant, and he promptly unleashed his Bankai, Zanka no Tachi, to defeat Royd Lloyd, who had been posing as Yhwach.

Unfortunately, the real Yhwach arrived immediately after Yamamoto had disposed of Royd, and the Quincy King stole his opponent’s Bankai with his Medallion as soon as he activated it in preparation for battle. Now unable to fight at full power, Yamamoto was angered by Yhwach’s taunts and charged at him in a rage. Noticing this, the Quincy King formed a large Reishi Broadsword which he used to cut his opponent in half, completing his ill-earned victory.