Thanks to Bleach Brave Souls, fans of the acclaimed Bleach franchise can explore not only the series' full story but even build a dream team of three Bleach characters to both relive the series’ best moments and discover things they may not have noticed in the main story. And thanks to Brave Souls and its unique character improvement system, fans can create exactly the kind of characters they want for their team.
While the game does have 6 Star Characters as its most coveted pieces of a team, the game does have 5 Star Characters that specialize in particular areas. When improved enough, these rare 5 Star Characters can go toe-to-toe with their ultra-rare counterparts. Although the question does remain - which are the best 5 star Bleach Brave Souls characters?
Updated on 16 November, 2022, by Rhenn Taguiam: Fans looking forward to catching up to the Thousand-Year Blood War final season of the Bleach anime may be excited to see the full-blown conflict between Shinigami Ichigo and Quincy Yhwach in gorgeous animation. And fans of Bleach who want to take control of some of the anime’s most powerful might want to consider giving Bleach: Brave Souls a shot.
After all, among the anime RPG’s hundreds of characters are a decent selection of 5-Star units, one star short of the elite 6-Star variant but almost just as powerful enough with the right builds. Among must-haves here is the Blood War form of a deadly villain, the grandfather of a rather cold Shinigami Captain, and even Ichigo in his most powerful transformation.
15 Nnoitora Gilga (Fierce Battle Version)
When the Bleach series first introduced the elite Espada among the Arrancar, Nnoitora Gilga (Fierce Battle Version) was one of the first to die due to underestimating the Shinigami Forces. This doesn’t mean Nnoitora is a slouch, however, as even his advanced Pray (Resurreccion) form gives him advanced healing and incredibly high spiritual prowess, making it fitting for a berserker like Kenpachi to be the one to finish him off.
Nnoitora demonstrates how some of the best DPS in an RPG, like Brave Souls, emphasize stacking damage instead of base output. This is courtesy of his blend of damage-boosting Skills (Bruiser, Frenzy, Berserker, Devastation), as well as boosts to status ailment duration (Debilitator) and even Damage to Lacerated Enemies on top of a counter to Freezing (Freeze Resistance). These all work well with his Cero (Special Move), which not only deals immense damage but Lacerates enemies, leaving them open to more damage.
14 Sosuke Aizen (Thousand-Year Blood War)
When Sosuke Aizen (Thousand-Year Blood War) was revealed to be alive all along in the final arc of Bleach, fans may wonder whether he may be a villain or not. And luckily for fans, Sosuke shares the same distaste towards Yhwach as those of the Shinigami, being able to contend with the Soul King’s son without so much of a struggle compared to the rest of the characters.
This variation of Aizen functions similarly to his role in the final arc, that of an assist and less of a main figure. This is reflected in his toolkit too, with Debilitator boosting the duration of status ailments, and Last-Ditch Survival giving him another shot at life should he die in the match. Aizen is no slouch either, as his Hado 99: Goryu Tenmetsu (Special Move) summons five (5) dragons that deal immense damage and Weakens their targets, giving the rest of the team an easier time finishing off foes.
13 Ginrei Kuchiki (Sealed)
One might wonder where Byakuya Kuchiki got his signature brand of calculating coldness, and perhaps Ginrei Kuchiki (Sealed) may be the answer. Despite his age, Ginrei Kuchiki served as Byakuya’s predecessor as both head of the Kuchiki Clan and the 6th Division, having served as both for more than a century.
Ginrei exemplifies the efficiency required for a functioning support - sustainable effects and survivability. His toolkit immediately gives him more maneuverability, courtesy of anti-freezing (Freeze Duration -100%), anti-stagger (Poise), and even better mobility (Sprinter). These work well with his Soren Sokatsui (Special Move), which not only deals immense damage but may Paralyze foes, perfect for giving the rest of the team a lot of room to dish out their special moves.
12 Ichigo Kurosaki (Thousand-Year Blood War – True Bankai)
While fans of Bleach may at first feel weird about Ichigo’s slow power creep throughout the story, his heritage may very well have been the cause of his odd nature. Being half-Shinigami and half-Quincy, added with a tinge of Hollow corruption, Ichigo was never meant to access his powers in a normal capacity. It was only at around the end of the series, during the Thousand-Year Blood War Arc, that he got access to his real Zanpakuto and his True Bankai, which proved powerful enough to defeat the supposed son of the Soul King, Yhwach.
Even before accessing the full 6-Star version of this toolkit, the Ichigo Kurosaki (Thousand-Year Blood War - True Bankai) as a 5-Star is already potent as a character. His -100% to Paralysis and Weaken Duration immediately makes True Bankai Ichigo a rather deadly tank, and this is on top of his Enhance that boosts his buff durations. These Skills complement well with his True Zangetsu (Special Move), which is a two-step attack that deals straightforward immense damage to its targets.
11 Ururu Tsumugiya (Christmas)
This variant of Ururu Tsumugiya (Christmas) in the Bleach game is a devout believer of Santa Claus, even as an adult, and has thus practiced taking care of all gifts she receives. However, this also made her very guarding of the presents she has, more than willing to use her high spiritual power and martial expertise to defend them. Outside this variant, Ururu is one of the employees in the Urahara Shop and is known for her mobile prowess.
Despite her meek exterior, Ururu Tsumugiya can become quite a potent support unit in Brave Souls. Aside from Skills that already boost her attack output (Bruiser, Berserker, Devastation), Medic allows her healing to affect all allies, while Debilitator boosts the duration of ailments affecting enemies. These blend well with her Substitute Sleigh (Special Move), which not only deals immense damage to foes but also inflicts Freeze - making them very vulnerable to the rest of the team.
10 Homura And Shizuku (Movie 3)
In the third Bleach film, Bleach: Fade To Black, siblings Homura And Shizuku are siblings who had to absorb the essence of a Hollow in order to save Rukia, who once took care of them. However, their interactions with her in the film caused everyone in Soul Society to forget about her, plunging Soul Society into incredible disarray. Armed with both their unique teleporting ability and Hollow powers, Homura and Shizuku make their way in Brave Souls as one of the best 5 Star Characters that players can acquire.
While it’s totally possible to upgrade the sibling duo to 6 Stars, even their core competencies at 5 Stars are immense. Their skills alone make them a force to reckon with as damage-dealers. Their Long Reach and Bruiser Skills enhance their overall AOE and normal attack damage, and Debilitation ensures their inflicted status ailments last much longer.
9 Hanataro Yamada (New Year)
Although clumsy and easily the source of a few running gags in the anime, Hanataro Yamada does currently serve the co-3rd Seat of the 4th Division in the Gotei 13. His core competency as a healer made him the leader of the 14th Advanced Relief Team. And not only that, but his Zanpakuto Hisagomaru can not only absorb and heal injuries but redirect them as a strong energy attack.
As such, Hanataro Yamada’s New Year variation is a surprisingly strong 5 Star addition to anyone’s team. This time around, he’s not mainly a healer but rather a charger. His “Shrine Visit Stampede” special move allows him to charge the battlefield on Bonnie and damage everyone around him. Skills such as Long Reach, Bruiser, and Devastation boost his damage to decent levels. And his Melee (Heal) attack style allows him to heal others during quests, making him a decent sub-support.
8 Toshiro Hitsugaya (Thousand Year Blood War - Zombie)
During the Thousand Year Blood War arc, the Quincy Giselle “The Zombie” Gewelle transformed Toshiro Hitsugaya into a zombie under her control. Already a competent Shinigami Captain in his own right, zombified Toshiro is a deadly foe to face with his ice powers. In Brave Soul, the Zombie form of Toshiro is an interesting 5 Star Character to possess, primarily due to the extra debilitating effects of his freeze-oriented build.
His Special “Daiguren Hyorinmaru” still allows Toshiro to Freeze his opponents with his attacks. However, his Melee (Weaken) Style also ensures enemies are left vulnerable in his wake. Skills such as Debilitator and Poise not only increase the duration of these effects but also ensure he isn’t staggered when taking damage.
7 Sosuke Aizen (Japanese Parasol)
It’s such a surprise that an extremely deadly foe like Sosuke Aizen has a rather calming Japanese Parasol variant in Brave Souls. In its bio, he is simply journeying across Hueco Mundo to invite others to join him in the admiration of his outfit. But in the plot, Aizen is perhaps one of the most terrifying villains to grace the series. Such is his desire to attain godhood that his power makes him practically unkillable, with Soul Society having resorted to imprisoning him instead.
Such is the case of Aizen as a 5 Star Character as well. His Special “The Mirror World” drags enemies into a void before he attacks them and causes Paralysis. It doesn’t help that his Skills such as Bruiser, Berserker, and Devastation increase all aspects of his attacks. This variation of Aizen is a decent all-rounder and one to grab for any 5 Star team.
6 Yammy Llargo (Can’t Feel Your Own World)
Prideful Yammy Llargo is a powerhouse in Bleach, boasting his sheer physical prowess to contend with the likes of both Captains Byakuya Kuchiki and Kenpachi Zaraki. In the Can’t Feel Your Own World light novel, Yammy achieves an enhanced form through the Hogyoku, with his bone-based initial upgrade becoming lava-esque. This is the form he uses in Brave Souls as a 5 Star Character as well.
This form of Yammy uses his rage incredibly in combat, boasting prowess as a tank. His Special “El Gigante De La Ira” allows him to augment his attacks with Melee (Burn), forcing enemies to take damage over time. And while his Debilitator Skill already enhances the duration of the Burn status, his Skills Poise and Freeze Duration practically make Yammy immune to both Freeze and Stagger effects. Fans who need a charger can find Yammy as an ever-reliable tank.
5 Lilynette Gingerbuck (Halloween)
In the story, Lilynette Gingerbuck is the cheerful yet mischievous other half of the Arrancar Coyote Shark and achieves full power when they combine. As such, she doesn’t have a Zanpakuto but is instead the sealed version of Coyote Shark’s weapon - Los Lobos, which serves as a pair of extremely powerful firearms.
Fans of the series could delight in having the Halloween Variant of Lilynette as her own individual, however. In the character bio, this Lilynette is spending her time in Hueco Mundo to acquire as much candy as possible. And this reflects in her Special “Treat Me!” which has her spill her candy and deal damage to foes around her. While her Melee (Heal) trait ordinarily heals herself, her Medic Skill allows her to extend these effects to her allies, making her the ideal healing support.
4 Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck (Can’t Feel Your Own World)
Throughout the Bleach series, it’s child-like Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck that served as Ichigo’s guide in Hueco Mundo. And when faced with a dire threat, Ichigo is surprised that the crybaby Nel is actually one of the most powerful Espada in existence, possessing an adult form she keeps hidden. This time around, the Can’t Feel Your Own World light novel had Nel get an upgrade courtesy of the Hogyoku - making her powers more devastating than ever.
In Brave Souls, this iteration of Nel is also one of the most powerful 5 Star Characters players can acquire. Her “Lanza De Luz Galuza” Special will have Nel unleash her signature Cero from a hill. This isn’t just a fancy attack, though, as this also inflicts Melee (Weaken) to opponents in her wake, giving her allies enough time to swoop in for the kill. And Nel isn’t just useful for her Special alone, as her Skills Bruiser, Berserker, and Devastation boost all her attack types. Most importantly, Poise essentially negates attack-based stagger, meaning Nel can’t be stunned when hit.
3 Ulquiorra Shifar (Third Anniversary)
The silent yet deeply-calculating Ulquiorra Shifar became one of Ichigo’s fiercest rivals throughout his stay in Hueco Mundo. Despite being only designated Cuatro (4th) among Aizen’s Espada, his devastating Murcielago Zanpakuto and its Resurreccion pushed Ichigo to surpass even his own limits. In Brave Souls, Ulquiorra gets an even more powered-up form for the game’s Third Anniversary. Now empowered by the Hogyoku, Ulquiorra gets a four-winged form with green flames, capable of destroying anything he laid his eyes on.
In the game, “Tormenta De Murcielago” serves as his Special Move, capable of dragging opponents towards his field of vision for a harsh blast. Not only that, this attack inflicts the Melee (Weaken) ailment, weakening opponents. Moreover, his attacks can also enhance his team’s defense through Melee (Buff) and Melee (Barriers), making Ulquiorra an effective all-rounder - capable of both supporting and dealing fierce damage.
2 Tier Halibel (Halloween)
Despite Tier Halibel and her quiet appearance, her status as the Tres (3rd) Espada in Aizen’s army isn’t to be trifled with. Being one of the highest-ranking officers in Aizen’s army, she boasts the Tiburon Zanpakuto and a Resureccion that gives her a shark form and power over water. She essentially becomes the de-facto ruler of Hueco Mundo after Aizen’s defeat, but in Brave Souls, her Halloween form transforms her into a vampire performer.
She isn’t to be messed around with, however. Her “Dynamic Performance” Special is a singing act that inflicts massive damage and the Melee (Paralysis) status to opponents. Her attributes can be further enhanced with the Paralysis Duration Skill, which at maximum upgrades can double the time her enemies are afflicted with this condition. This makes Tier the perfect setup member, as her stunning abilities can leave enemies wide open for the kill.
1 Yhwach (Thousand Year Blood War)
The Quincy Yhwach serves as the final antagonist of the Bleach series, sparking the Thousand Year Blood War with a viciousness that almost wiped out the entirety of the Shinigami Forces. His Almighty ability alone can allow him to see across timelines, allowing him to predict his enemy’s moves before they even think it. And he arrives with the same viciousness in Brave Souls, becoming one of the most powerful 5 Star Characters for players.
The game’s iteration of “The Almighty” Special deals a devastatingly-powerful attack with the Weaken status, making enemies more susceptible to damage. What perhaps makes Yhwach more frightening are his extra attributes depending on his state. On his base, he possesses Ranged/Melee (Weaken), as well as defense-buffing Melee (Barriers). If he uses his Melee (Transform), he Yhwach taps into an empowered form with stronger stats. This makes Yhwach an all-rounder, being capable of setups that finish off opponents quickly.
Bleach Brave Souls was released in 2016 on PS4, Android, iOS, and PC.