Since their introduction, the Soul Reapers of Bleach have showcased varying levels of unique powers and swordplay, all while demonstrating a wide array of fearsome skills. As such, it isn't hard for fans to pick out who they think is the most dangerous among the warriors of Soul Society.
Even among Soul Society though, there are Soul Reapers in Bleach who are far more dangerous than the rest of their allies, making them well-known among Soul Society and the Gotei 13. Be it abilities, swordsmanship, or the sheer power of their Spiritual Pressure, it is safe to say that these Soul Reapers easily stand out from the rabble.
8 Sui-Feng
Compared to other Soul Reapers, Sui-Feng is not known for her swordsmanship, though she is proficient in swordplay in her own right. Her real strength lies in her hand-to-hand combat skills and speed, which, combined with her Shikai Suzumebachi, makes her a lethal force to be reckoned with.
Usually a stealthy fighter, Sui-Feng will only activate her Bankai, Jakuho Raikoben, whenever she finds herself in a desperate situation. Despite boasting immense destructive power, Sui-Feng rarely brings out her Bankai due to it being at odds with her status as an assassin.
7 Izuru Kira
One of the more pragmatic Soul Reaper lieutenants, Kira is more mindful when it comes to fighting, treating it as a gloomy affair. When he actually decides to fight, his swordplay and Kido are befitting his status as the Third Division's lieutenant, having defeated formidable foes such as Abirama Redder and Makoto Kibune.
Kira's most fearsome ability, however, lies in his unique Shikai Wabisuke's ability. With the ability to infinitely double his victim's weight, Kira can force them to kneel, allowing him to brutally execute them in a reverse guillotine-like fashion.
6 Byakuya Kuchiki
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One of the more iconic yet formidable Gotei 13 captains introduced in the series, Byakuya's swordplay can be described as both deadly and precise. In many cases, the victim often does not know they have been cut until after the attack takes place, as shown by his brief encounter with Ichigo when he and Renji arrived to apprehend Rukia.
Byakuya's sheer power is far more prevalent with the use of his Zanpakuto Senbonzkura. With both his Shikai and Bankai, Byakuya is able to completely overwhelm his opponent with the sheer number of blades as well as concentrate them into a single, powerful sword.
5 Rukia Kuchiki
Although she initially lost her powers at the beginning of the series, Rukia later returned to the Arrancar arc with the icy Sode no Shirayuki. From there, she displayed the power to freeze her opponents, occasionally leaving them to crumble away instantly.
While Rukia's Shikai is fearsome in its own right, her newly-acquired Bankai, Hakka no Togame, enhances her freezing ability drastically. Upon activation, anyone caught in the vicinity is frozen by an absolute zero cold, including Rukia herself. As a result, her Bankai poses just as much danger to her as it does to her opponents.
4 Shunsui Kyoraku
Kyoraku might be one of the more likable Gotei 13 captains, but that does not take away from his prowess on the battlefield. His Shikai, Katen Kyokotsu, subjects both himself and his opponent to the rules of several classic children's games. In particular, Kyoraku's Kageoni and Irooni techniques proved to be the deciding factor in his battle with Coyote Starrk.
However, Kyoraku's Bankai, Katen Kyokotsu Karamatsu Shinjuu, proves to be far more fearsome, as it forces his victim to share all of his injuries before drowning them and slashing their throat. The Bankai has one caveat though: its effects are indiscriminate and must not be used when surrounded by allies.
3 Rojuro Otoribashi
Better known by his nickname Rose, Rojuro is one of five captains to have gained Hollow powers due to Aizen's Hollowfication experiments. Though he is typically laid-back and carefree, Rose's Soul Reaper powers are deadly enough to completely eviscerate a Menos Grande in seconds
During the Quincy Blood War, Rose unleashes Kinshara Butodan, an illusory Bankai that ensnares its victims to powerful illusions through music. Even powerful enemies like the Sternritter are shown to be overwhelmed by its abilities, which are said to be able to make someone stop breathing.
2 Mayuri Kurotsuchi
The resident mad scientist of Soul Society, Mayuri is perhaps one of the most unpredictable and analytical fighters in the series. Easily the most remarkable trait about him is his adaptability, which enables him to recover quickly from seemingly fatal attacks and unleash deadly counterattacks on his own.
In terms of abilities, Mayuri has several poisons and drugs at his disposal that cause nasty effects on his enemies, one of them being his paralyzing Superhuman Drug. The most notable poison in his arsenal is the poison produced by his Bankai Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo.
1 Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto
When it comes to dangerous Soul Reapers, no one quite fits the bill like Yamamoto. Having founded the Gotei 13 a thousand years ago, Yamamoto can force weaker enemies into submission by simply making eye contact with them, as was the case with Nanao during the Soul Society arc.
Even with the passage of time, Yamamoto's age has not dulled his strength, having killed Wonderweiss Margela with his bare hands and fought on par with Aizen during the Karakura Town invasion. Just recently, Yamamoto released his Bankai, Zanka no Tachi, which granted him the ability to use his sealed flames to incinerate his opponents instantaneously.