Bleach is one of the most popular anime of all time with the much-awaited adaptation of the Thousand-Year Blood War arc being a blast in every way. The first cour has already showcased some truly epic battles, interesting antagonists, and saddening deaths. The animation quality has been sublime, and fans can't wait to see what the next chapters have in store for them.
However, Bleach is more than just epic battles and striking character designs, even if that might be a huge reason why the show is so popular. The anime is filled to the brim with emotional and gut-wrenching quotes that will make viewers feel all fuzzy inside as it hits them right in the feels. It's this combination of epic battles and emotional moments that has made Bleach such a beloved franchise, and the Thousand-Year Blood War arc continues the amazing legacy of the series.
10 "The Kuchiki Clan Is One of the Four Noble Houses. We Must Set the Standard for All Shinigami. If We Do Not Abide by the Code...Then Who Will Uphold It?" — Byakuya Kuchiki
The Soul Society arc is one of the best moments in Bleach, serving as an eye-opening way to show how this supernatural place worked with its many rules. Honor is a huge part of Bleach, and this is personified by the noble Kuchiki house.
This line reveals that Byakuya was conflicted about executing his sister despite being portrayed as a stone-cold antagonist. It showed that he had a gentle side that he had to stifle to portray himself as a noble who upheld the rules at all costs.
9 "I’ve Decided. I’m Going to Become a Shinigami. Become a Shinigami and Change Things. So That They’ll End...Without Rangiku Having to Cry." — Gin Ichimaru
Gin is one of the most tragic figures in Bleach. While initially seeming like one of the many people who betrayed Soul Society, it turned out that he was just biding his time to strike Aizen down when he was at his most vulnerable.
It turned out that he had feelings for his childhood friend Rangiku, and swore to end Aizen after this heinous villain hurt her. His love for Rangiku appeared from a very young age when he became a Shinigami just to protect Rangiku, making his death even sadder.
8 "Do You Know Why the Big Brother Is Born First? It’s to Protect the Little Brothers and Sisters That Come After Him. A Brother Telling His Sister, I’ll Kill You...You Never, Ever Say Something Like That." — Ichigo Kurosaki
Ichigo has two sisters, Karin and Yuzu. He is fiercely protective of them and despises any elder sibling who doesn't take care of their brethren.
So, when Ichigo saw that the Hollow of Inoue's brother wanted to kill her, he couldn't stifle his rage. He outright stated just how despicable this Hollow was before taking it out before it could cause any serious harm.
7 "If I Were the Rain, That Binds Together the Heavens and the Earth, Whom in All Eternity Will Never Mingle, Would I Be Able to Bind Two Hearts Together?" — Orihime Inoue
Inoue is a gentle soul who wants to take care of her friends at every step of the way. Her need to protect and help her friends bond together led to her developing impressive healing powers that made her a target for Aizen and the Arrancar.
Her kind nature can be seen in this profound quote, which perfectly encompasses what her character is all about. It's great that a wild spirit like Ichigo ultimately ended up with someone like Inoue, who could balance this energy out with her kind nature.
6 "It’s Not Anyone’s Fault That Masaki Died. It’s Just That...The Woman I Fell in Love With...Was a Woman Who Could Die Protecting Her Son." — Isshin Kurosaki
Isshin Kurosaki is a great father who managed to raise his kids right despite being a single parent. While Ichigo believes that his dad is a loser, it turns out that he was actually a Shinigami at one point. He was chucked out of Soul Society after developing feelings for a Quincy, with Masaki sacrificing herself to save Ichigo. He thinks about her to this day and implored Ichigo to not waste her sacrifice.
5 "Ichigo...I Know This Is Shameful, but I’m Begging You - Rukia...Please Save Rukia!" — Renji Abarai
Renji is one of Rukia's closest friends, so the fact that he doesn't stop the execution irritates Ichigo to no end. However, after his resolve is shattered by Ichigo's determination during battle, Renji decides to walk the path he should've all along.
He begs Ichigo to save Rukia after being defeated in battle. It was a humanizing moment for a character who seemed heartless but was a friend who was conflicted about this execution.
4 "I Ran Away...Because I Was Afraid to Fight You. I Came Back...Because I Couldn’t Face My Cowardice in the Future. I Stabbed You...Because I Couldn’t Bear to See You in Pain. The Only One I Had Saved...Was My Ugly Self." — Rukia Kuchiki
Rukia had her own history that is slowly explored throughout the events of Bleach. One such moment comes when her history with Kaien is explored during the Arrancar arc, revealing that he was actually Rukia's friend who got absorbed by one of Aizen's lackeys, Aaroniero Arruruerie.
This leads to an emotional battle as Rukia swore vengeance for how this Arrancar had defiled her friend's legacy. She lamented his loss, blaming herself for not being able to save Kaien till the very end.
3 "I So Envied the Weak. The Weak Can Always Find Others to Be Around. I Want to Be Weak. And if That’s Impossible, I At Least Want to Find Companions Who Are as Strong as I." — Coyote Starrk
Coyote Starrk is easily one of the most likable villains in the series. As a Hollow, he was so strong that any other entity that came around him was vaporized because of his sheer presence alone.
This isolation would've driven Starrk crazy...but his powers unconsciously reacted to his loneliness and formed another half called Lilynette. He finally had the companion he always wanted, preventing him from losing his mind because of this crippling loneliness.
2 "That Is Why I Swore to Myself That I Would Become a True Friend to You...Somehow, I Would Give This Man Who Had Lost His Love for the World the Power to Love It Once More." — Sajin Komamura
Komamura is a pretty interesting captain in the Gotei 13 who was deeply hurt when his friend, Tosen, betrayed the Shinigami and joined Aizen's ranks. This set the stage for a bombastic confrontation between the two combatants.
He knew the struggles that Tosen had gone through and wanted to support him through thick and thin. However, Tosen had turned his back on Soul Society, and this meant that he had to die for this betrayal — a fact that Komamura accepted with a heavy heart.
1 "I See. This... Yes... This Thing in My Hand Is the Heart?" — Ulquiorra Cifer
Ulquiorra is one of the most riveting antagonists in Bleach. This powerful Arrancar captivated audiences whenever he appeared on-screen, and his cold exterior was slowly peeled away by the kindness of his prisoner, Inoue.
After dying at the hands of a berserk Ichigo, Ulquiorra saw something akin to his heart moments before his demise. Inoue's kindness had allowed him to accept that he was also a being who deserved sympathy — it's just a shame that he realized this in his last moments.