Bleach Transformations That Were Barely Used

Bleach is a series that many fans love despite some faults when it comes to the writing. A lot of things about Bleach can be hard to digest, including the idea of witnessing transformations that look like game-changers only to barely play a role in the series.

This can be quite underwhelming, especially for forms that are so impressive that fans can’t wait to witness the long-term ramifications of these powerups. Instead, these transformations are simply there to add visual flair to fights that get wrapped up not long after.

8 Hogyoku Fusion

Aizen’s Goal Is Achieved And Smashes In Quick Succession

• Debut:Emergency Situation! Aizen, New Evolution! (Episode 307 of Bleach)

When Aizen revealed the true power of his Hokyoku form, fans wondered if Ichigo could stand a chance against such mighty power. Instead, Ichigo’s Dangai training proved to be so superior that a goal Aizen had tried to achieve for the longest time was destroyed in minutes.

Even after Aizen unlocked the strongest transformation of the Hogyoku Fusion, Ichigo responded by turning into the living embodiment of Getsuga Tensho and unleashing an attack that took out Aizen in one fell swoop. After this, the Hogyoku rejected him and he could never achieve this transformation after this single fight.

7 Vasto Lorde Ichigo

Appears At The End Of One Fight To Obliterate Ulquiorra

• Debut:Ichigo Dies! Orihime, the Cry of Sorrow! (Episode 271 of Bleach)

It was clear from the get-go that Ichigo had no chance of winning against Ulquiorra. The Arrancar was tired of this Substitute Shinigami chasing him all over the place and fired a Cero at point-blank range that blasted a hole in his chest.

People assumed Ichigo was dead, only for his Hollow powers to kick in as Ichigo unlocked a Vasto Lorde form out of nowhere that couldn’t discern between friend and foe. He made quick work of Ulquiorra and turned on his allies, only for Orihime to help him snap out of it and come back to normal.

6 Shunryu Kokubyo Senki

Yoruichi Combines Her Shunko Powers And Feline Form To Turn Into A Blindingly Fast Fighter

• Debut:God of Thunder 3 (Chapter 662 of Bleach)

Near the end of Bleach, the fights reached a fever pitch as every major character got their chance to shine. Yoruichi was no exception and showed off her mastery of Shunko with a risky transformation that increased her power and speed at a cost.

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This transformation turns Yoruichi into a moody fighter unable to understand human speech. She pulls out all the stops to defeat Askin Nakk Le Vaar, a powerful Sternritter who pushed her against the ropes too many times for her to play it safe.

5 Saigo no Getsuga Tensho

A Powerup Ichigo Receives Out Of Nowhere With The Sole Purpose Of Defeating Aizen

• Debut:Fierce Fighting Conclusion! Release, the Final Getsuga Tensho! (Episode 309 of Bleach)

The final fight against Aizen angers many fans. Not only was the antagonist’s power completely dwarfed by Ichigo with a bit of training, but the protagonist himself unlocked a suite of techniques that came out of nowhere and turned him into one of the strongest shinigami to ever exist.

During the fight, Ichigo unveils the final form of Getsuga Tensho, where he transforms to embody the power of this move. This is accompanied with the use of Mugetsu, unleashing a powerful attack that defeats Aizen at the cost of Ichigo’s shinigami powers fading away.

4 Completed Daiguren Hyourinmaru

Hitsugaya Becomes An Adult To Make The Most Of His Perfected Bankai

• Debut:The Perfect Crimson 2 (Chapter 671 of Bleach)

Hitsugaya is one of the coolest shinigami in the series, despite a heavy reliance on his Bankai to fight on equal footing with the other Captains. It’s a Bankai that’s constantly improving, as shown by Hitsugaya during the fight against Gerard Valkyrie.

He pulled out all the stops and revealed his Completed Daiguren Hyorinmaru, forcing his body to age so it could wield the full power of this technique. It’s a short-lived transformation that makes Hitsugaya look awe-inspiring as he takes on a Sternritter who uses the power of Miracles to fight against multiple Captains at once.

3 True Tensa Zangetsu

Ichigo Reveals His True Bankai Only For Yhwach To Shut Him Down

• Debut:The Future Black (Chapter 678 of Bleach)

It wasn’t until the last few chapters of Bleach that Ichigo finally shows the new form of his Bankai. He reserves this moment for his battle against Yhwach and brandishes a massive sword, only for Yhwach to break his Bankai with the power of the Almighty.

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It destroys the epic nature of this transformation and angered fans who wanted to see Ichigo wield his powerful form without any plot twists. While Tsukishima appears to restore Ichigo’s Bankai, the transformation loses all appeal and is never used after the final battle.

2 Humanization Technique

Komamura Turns Into An Invulnerable Human For A Short While Before Transforming Into A Regular Wolf

• Debut:HEART of WOLF (Episode 17 of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War)

Komamura is a fascinating character who serves as an interesting supporting character for the majority of Bleach. However, after taking on Bambietta in battle, it was clear that this shinigami needed to put everything on the line to secure victory.

He revealed a Humanization Technique that transformed him into an invulnerable being capable of absorbing any damage, but there’s a catch. The powerup is temporary, and the cost for using this great power is the loss of all shinigami powers as the user transforms into a wolf.

1 Zaraki’s Unnamed Bankai

A Bankai Fit For A Berserker Like Kenpachi That Arrives At The End Of Bleach’s Run

• Debut:Blade II (Chapter 669 of Bleach)

It’s only fitting that a shinigami as strong as Kenpachi would use a Bankai that enhances his monstrous attributes. Seeing this beloved character turn into an Oni as he decimates his enemies is a joy to witness.

His strength is so immense in this form that his body can’t keep up, with Zaraki’s arm breaking with the force of a single sword swing. It’s easy to see why form makes such a brief yet awesome appearance, appearing near the end of Bleach‘s run during the fight against Gerard Valkyrie.

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  Release Date

  October 5, 2004

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  Seasons

  17

  Network

  TV Tokyo

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  Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War

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  Release Date

  October 10, 2022

  Seasons

  1

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  Network

  TV Tokyo