The Bleach series is well-known in the anime community for its unique take on supernatural events and its exhilarating and memorable fights. The series' overall visual representation may exacerbate these aspects. Tite Kubo's signature art style has become one of the most recognizable in all anime and manga.
One of the biggest testaments to the series' visual design is the various outfits worn by the characters. From both the manga and anime series to the official artwork, to call the cast of Bleach fashionable would be quite an understatement. But these few are the most eye-catching of all the outfits present.
7 Rukia's Bankai Kimono
While giving fans the most desperate conflict in the series yet, the Thousand-Year Blood War arc also revealed several much anticipated Bankai abilities. But even amid the unique Bankai in the recent arc, it is safe to say that Rukia's Hakka no Togame was the most significant reveal, both in terms of abilities and appearance.
Upon release, Rukia's outfit changes from her standard black kimono to a white, elaborate one with ice flower ornaments and prominent ribbons. The outfit and coloration give the illusion that Rukia is made from ice, which is somewhat true, as she is frozen along with everything in her vicinity upon Hakka no Togame's release.
6 Orihime's Fourth Opening Outfit
Orihime's pleasant mannerisms are a constant source of lightheartedness and comic relief throughout the series. This cheery attitude is also reflected in her choice of attire. When not in battle, Orihime is usually seen wearing casual clothes such as blouses, shorts, and skirts.
In Bleach's fourth anime opening, however, Orihime's outfit is vastly different from what fans are used to; she is shown wearing a dark leather jacket, capris, and a pair of sneakers. The outfit itself is identical to the one Orihime wore in an official color spread by Tite Kubo, which also featured Ichigo, Rukia, Sado, and Renji.
5 Byakuya's Spirit Society Outfit
In the mobile game Bleach Brave Souls, many characters are shown wearing outfits that are themed after Japanese yokai, as part of an in-game alternate universe called Spirit Society. In the iconic captain Byakuya Kuchiki's case, his outfit is reminiscent of a tengu, a yokai that can either be protective or destructive in nature.
Although a tengu can often be a protective spirit in Japanese mythology, the dark colors on Byakuya's outfit, coupled with his usual mercilessness in battle, make it very clear that he is a force not to be taken likely. This point can be clearly exaggerated by the other smaller details on the outfit, such as the horned circlet around Byakuya's head and the red mask in his hand, which gives him a demonic appearance.
4 Nanao & Nemu's Cheongsam Dresses
As it turns out, Orihime is not the only character to receive a wardrobe upgrade in Bleach's fourth opening. In Episode 89 of the anime, viewers get another stunning pair of outfits from an unlikely duo: the stoic lieutenants Nanao Ise and Nemu Kurotsuchi.
Near the end of the opening, both Nemu and Nanao are respectively dressed in blue and black Cheongsam gowns adorned with light-colored patterns. With Cheongsam gowns primarily being formal attire in Chinese culture, to say that these gowns suit these two studious lieutenants is an understatement.
3 Lisa Yadomaru's School Uniform
School uniforms have been a long-lasting staple in anime and Bleach is certainly no exception. But when compared to the more Western-inspired school uniforms of Karakura High School, it is obvious that Lisa Yadomaru's sailor school uniform is quite eye-catching and colorful.
Despite Lisa not being a student, the school uniform, along with her red glasses, gives her an intellectual appearance, which befits her mature personality. After Lisa becomes the Captain of the Eighth Division after Yhwach's defeat, her new uniform seems to be heavily inspired by her initial outfit from the Arrancar arc.
2 Mashiro Kuna's Jumpsuit
Much like Lisa, Mashiro's outfit compliments her flashy personality and exaggerated manner of fighting. In Mashiro's case, her white jumpsuit and orange gloves and boots are reminiscent of Super Sentai characters one would see in a series such as Kamen Rider.
The Super Sentai motif is even more apparent due to Mashiro's insect-like Hollow mask, giving her the appearance of a white Power Ranger. Coincidentally, the entirety of the Visored can be compared to the Power Rangers, but the resemblance is very strong in the case of Mashiro.
1 Ulquiorra Cifer's Trenchcoat
Though tensions couldn't be higher at the time of its airing, Bleach's twenty-third opening, Stay Beautiful by Diggy Mo, depicts both the Gotei 13 and Aizen's army as everyday people going about their lives. But even in this casual, it seems as though the nihilistic yet powerful Espada Ulquiorra Cifer still retains his signature personality as well as a similar style of dress.
Clad in a long, gray trenchcoat, Ulquiorra's brief appearance in the Stay Beautiful ending seems to come straight from a detective movie. In conjunction with the dreary scenery, this proves beyond any doubt that even as a human, Ulquiorra would most likely remain an emotionless recluse.