Known as one of the iconic big three, the Bleach anime and manga series have portrayed various classes of characters. From Soul Reapers to Hollows and Quincies, the wide range of characters have showcased various abilities, with some bordering on the darker side of things.
With numerous abilities in the Bleach series ranging from Giselle Gewelle'sThe Zombie to Baraggan’s Respira, these abilities send a chill down anyone’s spine when they are in use. Despite the dark nature of these abilities, they are not only used by antagonists. Some of the fan-favorite ‘good guys’ use these powers for the greater good.
8 Puppet Theater and Gabriel (Szayelaporro)
The former Arrancar, now Jailer of Hell, is known for his sadistic nature. Szayelaporro also has an ability that shows why he's so notorious, which is one of his Zanpakuto’s resurreccion special abilities: Puppet Theater. Szayelaporro's Puppet Theater ability allows him to create a small voodoo doll that resembles his victim. If he takes the doll apart and damages its internal organs, his victim’s internal organs will also suffer damage.
Gabriel is another sadistic ability that Szayelaporro has access to. This ability allows him to be ‘reborn’ from an opponent. With this ability, Szayelaporro implants a bit of himself into his opponent when he is injured beyond repair. The implanted part of him will then eat his victim from the inside, and he will be born through their mouth.
7 The Zombie (Giselle Gewelle)
Quincy Giselle Gewelle is known for her signature move, ‘The Zombie.’ As she always sports a happy face, few would think her signature move is a very dark one. The Zombie allows Giselle to turn people into zombies under her control. This ability is triggered when Giselle Gewelle’s blood is splattered on her opponents.
Once her blood has been splattered on a foe, the foe completely succumbs to Giselle’s command and does whatever she asks, even committing suicide. The only class of people that must be dead before Giselle can control them are Quincies. And then she can activate their abilities remotely after she takes control of their corpse.
6 Ashisogi Jizo (Mayuri Kurostuchi)
The Shinigami Captain of the 12th Division and President of the S.R.D.I. (Shinigami Research and Development Institute), Mayuri Kurostuchi, portrays the ideal persona of a mad scientist. Despite being a scientist, Mayuri’s abilities are powerful and well-suited for combat. And while in combat, the mad scientist does not mind tinkering with the lives of others using his dark ability, Ashisogi Jizo.
Mayuri’s Zanpakuto, the Ashisogi Jizo, has many abilities. Among them all, one of the darkest is the shikai’s special ability. Once the Ashisogi Jizo has been stabbed into an opponent, the brain signals controlling the neural impulses of the individual are cut. This paralyzes the individual’s brain while leaving the pain receptors active.
5 Minazuki (Unohana)
Many would not believe the kind healer Retsu Unohana to possess one of the darkest abilities in Bleach. However, despite her soft-spoken and kind nature, Unohana can be fearsome when she needs to be.
Unohana’s bankai, Minazuki, is activated when she cuts her hand alongside her blade, dyeing the blade in her thick blood. The blood then spreads around her and her opponent as the aura of blood spreads around her environment. With her bloody katana and the blood in her surroundings, Unohana attacks and defends. She can control the blood around her to attack her enemies in all directions and from long distances.
4 The Fear (Äs Nödt)
The Quincy Äs Nödt is a member of Wandenreich’s Sternritter and possesses one of the darkest abilities in the Bleach franchise. As a character, Äs Nödt believes irrational fear is a power that stands above all. Because of this, he primarily uses 'The Fear' to attack his enemies.
The Fear is an ability that lies in As’ thorn spirit weapon. When used against a person, the thorns induce limitless, irrational fear in those who are struck. This ability makes a person see their worst nightmares and lose all rational thought. While most individuals would die from the overwhelming shock, stronger individuals can resist it to an extent. However, Äs Nödt believes all will succumb to the fear in due time.
3 Respira (Baraggan)
Baraggan Louisenbairn, the former God-King of Hueco Munro and Ruler of Las Noches, is an Arrancar in Aizen’s army. Of his many powers and abilities, Baraggan is mainly feared for his Respira. His Respira is a breath of death that corrodes every being in its path.
The Respira is a kind of purplish smoke, like miasma. It can move at fast or slow speeds, depending on Baraggan. When it comes into contact with a living being, it leaves nothing but bones behind. Moreover, after coming into contact with a living being, the corrosion continues to spread unless the affected part is amputated before it reaches anywhere else.
2 Katen Kyokotsu: Karamatsu Shinju (Shunsui Kyoraku)
Kyoraku Shunsui, the captain of the first division of the Gotei 13, is usually portrayed as a laid-back character. However, that does nothing to diminish his incredibly frightening and dark abilities.
Shunsui’s bankai, Katen Kyokotsu: Karamatsu Shinju, causes black root-like tendrils to spread out. This ability covers a large area, making others perceive the surrounding environment to be bleak, gloomy, and filled with despair. Shunsui’s ability first shares any injury he or his opponent shares with the other person. The ability also causes his opponent to gain large spots on their body, from which they begin to bleed profusely. In the end, Shunsui leaves a deep cut in the person’s throat that expands before blowing up their head.
1 Kyoka Suigetsu (Aizen)
Sosuke Aizen, one of the prominent characters in the Bleach franchise, is no stranger to dark abilities, and he uses them to further his goals.
Aizen’s Zanpakuto, Kyoka Suigetsu, has the power of complete hypnosis. The hypnosis is so strong that it controls all five senses of the target, making them misinterpret another person’s shape, smell, form, and feel according to what Aizen desires. Moreover, once a person has succumbed to his hypnosis, they will always do so regardless of the passage of time. Even if they are aware they are under Aizen’s spell, they cannot break through. Having complete control over his opponents actions is one way that Aizen showcases his dark abilities.