Bleach is a powerhouse anime that has leagues of fans all around the world; the show itself has spanned over three hundred episodes and has recently gotten a new season covering one of the Manga's best story arcs. Created by manga author Tite Kubo, Bleach garnered a lot of success before crossing over to western television. After airing on the successful adult swim block on Cartoon Network, its popularity skyrocketed.
Bleach is filled with interesting characters who all get chances to shine appropriately; the story explores each character's past, present, and possible future while revolving around Ichigo, the main protagonist. Each character has their own form of growth where they mature or crumble under the weight of their responsibilities. Here are characters that changed the most throughout the Bleach anime.
7 Gin Ichimaru
Gin appeared very early on in the Bleach anime as a soul reaper of immeasurable power with a sadistic smile. Gin's first encounter with Ichigo in the soul society set a well-expressed precedent that he was not to be taken lightly. As Bleach's story progressed, it was seemingly made clear that Gin was a partner in crime with the sinister Sosuke Aizen and was aiding him in his villainous plot.
Gin's presence in the series gave off terror and tension as his smile consistently hid his intentions, even from his childhood friend Rangiku. It wasn't until the final battle in Karakura Town that Gin revealed his true colors as he betrays Aizen after performing his role throughout the entire series, trying to be the hero that those who truly knew him thought he was.
6 Karin Kurosaki
Of all Ichigo's siblings, a somewhat underutilized character, Karin was the most like her brother. She mimics his sarcastic personality, is highly sensitive to spiritual pressure, and can see Spirits, Hollows, and Soul Reapers. Karin has had her own adventures alongside her brother's time as a soul reaper, even facing off a few weak Hollows of her own.
While she was very reserved when she was younger, as time passed, she became more comfortable with her powers, especially when Ichigo lost his Shinigami powers and her own power grew stronger. Karin is coming into her own slowly but surely, and who knows what the future has in store for her.
5 Byakuya Kuchiki
The cold and stoic Byakuya arrived with an even colder disposition toward his sister and Ichigo. Having been the one to apprehend his sister and bring her back to the Soul Society for execution, Byakuya displayed himself in a light that all fans understood. Byakuya always overflowed with cold logic, caring little for Rukia's death and even less for Ichigo, who, in his eyes, was responsible for it.
In the several altercations with Ichigo, Byakuya's arrogance and self-superiority echoed loudly every time he referred to Ichigo as a Ryoka. However, over the years and many battles fought alongside Ichigo after he rescued Rukia and turned the Soul Society upside down, Byakuya has expanded his mind and even opened his heart to the possibility of there being more than just black and white.
4 Renji Abarai
Renji started off as the bitter rival of Ichigo, having an intense hatred for him while being emotionally invested in the fate of Rukia. Renji's feelings for Rukia pushed him to act rashly and be at constant odds with Ichigo and himself. Ichigo challenged Renji's feelings for Rukia, confronting him on why he isn't the one saving her if he cares so much about her.
After the events in the Soul Society and a battle with his squad captain, Renji stood face to face with the type of man he wanted to be and changed into a more level-headed individual as a result.
3 Yasutora Sado
Sado, or Chad as Ichigo often refers to him, is the walking gentle giant and best friend to Ichigo. Chad joins Ichigo on his adventures as a substitute soul reaper using his own special fullbring powers. While Chad is against violence initially, he sees his powers as an opportunity to help people.
Chad even goes so far as to journey to Hecuo Mund to face Aizen's Espada and save Orihime. However, battle teaches Chad a lot about himself, and he begins to explore his power and becomes an advent warrior that fights alongside Ichigo in the one-hundred-year Blood War Manga arc.
2 Zaraki Kenpachi
Zaraki has perhaps had the most drastic change from his original appearance facing off with Ichigo. The battle-crazed mountain of a man still maintains his love for a good fight, but he has grown as a warrior. The first instance in which Zaraki evolved as a fighter is when he faced off against the fifth-ranked Espada, learning that blindly taking damage may result in losing.
Hating to lose, Zaraki grabbed his Zanpakuto with two hands for the first time and unleashed a devastatingly powerful slash. Since then, Zaraki has gone deeper into his swordsmanship and even learned the name of his Weapon, finally releasing its sealed form.
1 Ichigo Kurosaki
Ichigo has gone through a multitude of changes since the beginning of the Bleach series, even for a main character. From Soul Reaper to Quincy and back again, Ichigo has explored the entire plane of the spiritual world, coming a long way from being an average high schooler.
The weight applied to Ichigo's shoulders has forced him to adopt many different points of view from both allies and adversaries. While he began as a hot-headed fledgling Substitute Shinigami, he has grown into a seasoned warrior that understands what he risks losing if he takes his powers for granted.