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uraharasandals · 1 year

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My Top Ships in Bleach

A little ramble for purposes of shits and giggles only. Not presented in any particular order. Happy New Year, everyone! Hope 2023 is less shitty :')

1. Kyoraku Shunsui and Ukitake Juushirou

After just raving about these two on my feed it would be an injustice to not talk about this pair - Ukitake and Kyoraku are the old man pair (affectionately) in the Gotei 13, dads to their respective divisions, and uncles to everyone else. In the grand scheme of the Gotei 13 family (Yamamoto insisted, don’t @ me), they’re like the embarrassing uncles who everyone wants to have over for Christmas - after all, they bring presents and joy, and are close enough to your grandparents that they can diffuse practically any situation, what’s not to like?

Then the dust settles and after the oldest members of the family are gone, they’re the two that age and death are staring in the face. Which is precisely what happens when Yamamoto and Unohana are dead in the TYBW Arc.

(I mean, technically Zaraki is probably the same age as them, but he hasn’t been in the family [Gotei 13] as long)

The reason why I like these two so much is because of how close and obviously comfortable with each other they are. Both of them are old and have seen a lot of shit, but they don’t let it deter them - in fact, they take it in stride and use that power to inspire and encourage, rather than to control or abuse. Everyone loves them (one more than the other), but there’s always a mix of admiration, fondness and respect for the two. Sure, Ukitake might be a little embarrassing with his like of stuffing candy in people’s pockets, and Kyoraku might be a little annoying with his constant insistence to flirt with everyone, but I don’t think anyone actually dislikes them.

And of course, their chemistry with each other. I actually think of them less as a romantic couple and more of a platonic brotherly pair - both works, but at the end of the day they behave like an old married couple who have seen a lot of shit together, and just want to settle down and tell stories by the fire, combing each other’s hair, that sort of schtick, you know?

(In my in-house brain universe, they live happily ever after after Yamamoto dies. Nothing else happens to them afterwards.)

2. Shihouin Yoruichi and Urahara Kisuke

(I decided not to use that panel of Yoruichi in her cat-Shunko form. It’s a spoiler and also is a little weird to me)

Ah yes, the childhood friends to fugitives-on-the-run pair. These two are just so fun in their own little way - if you think about it, both Kisuke and Yoruichi are the only two who could control and actually understand each other. Kisuke, most obviously, when Yoruichi activates her final Shunko form, and Yoruichi, both 110 years ago and in the present - she’s the only one who can tell him what to do and he actually does it.

Now given these two’s carefree and ‘devil may care’ attitudes to life, this obviously comes with a lot of intimacy and deep understanding of each other. And you can tell too - they are very powerful fighters in their own right, but because of this and their life experiences, they don’t trust anyone except each other, and each other’s capabilities. Everyone knows Yoruichi is an amazing fighter and Kisuke an amazing scientist - but when have you actually see Yoruichi letting someone have her back so completely and fully like Urahara Kisuke?

If you squint closely, you’d realise that they don’t actually trust anyone except themselves. We were witness to this point in Urahara’s life, actually - whether he had innate trust in anyone before we aren’t sure, but when he was arrested in front of Central 46 and rescued by Yoruichi, there was a point where he realises his life was officially at a point of no return. And afterwards, in the main plot, while he forms relationships with a lot of characters - the Karakura gang, most notably - he doesn’t actually trusts them. The Karakura gang are people he uses, for lack of a better word. The Visoreds are a mistake that he needs to atone for, a wrong he needs to make right. His little family of misfits at his shop gives him a resemblance of a family, but one where he’s able to watch fondly from a distance and joins at his convenience. And Yoruichi is the same - she’s a mentor figure to the Karakura gang, and the Gotei 13 are old colleagues who happen to be conveniently placed in the path to what she has to do, and her duty to Soul Society. You can argue Soifon/Sui-Feng is an exception to all this, but she certainly didn’t feel enough love for her to stay in Seireitei - no, she chose Kisuke instead.

And I guess their ability to vibrate on the same (slightly bizarre) frequency with each other is what makes me feral about these two :)

3. Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika

Another childhood friends to military men pair. Even though they’re literally in the 11th, for some reason I just cannot take them seriously. And honestly, I don’t think they take themselves seriously either? I mean, sure, on the battlefield and all they absolutely do, but during the daily tidbits in life they probably just fuck around for more shits and giggles.

Jokes aside though, these two have the same thing that is slowly becoming a theme in this list - deep trust and understanding of one another. Having spent so much time (and even entering Gotei 13 together) in proximity, I don’t think they can hide much of themselves from one another - not that they actually do, but their relationship feels so natural, and they behave so naturally with each other. Yes, Ikkaku thinks Yumichika is as flamboyant and narcissistic as they come, but he doesn’t care, nor frankly gives an actual shit (I’m also willing to bet that Yumichika is actually the one who gave him that red eyeliner - it’s the only thing he can wrestle that man into, which he thinks is rather unfortunate). Similarly, Yumichika may think Ikkaku is stubborn and doesn’t appreciate beauty, but he literally panics when he thinks Ikkaku is in mortal danger (during that fight with Hisagi, and with Poww). He can throw down everything, even duty, if it means saving Ikkaku. And that dedication?? *Chef’s kiss*

A lot of people also forgot that Yumichika didn’t follow Ikkaku into the 11th Division (because they’re friends, more than friends, etc.) but rather they entered together. Because they’re both bloodthirsty men who wants to fight and die for a living (pun intended). And I think it’s really interesting how Kubo depicted these two despite their shared love of fighting - especially Yumichika, because one would think that a man as narcissistic and prim as himself would wrinkle at the bloodshed. When in fact he’s very much capable of becoming the 11th Division’s 3rd seat - he just decided not to because Ikkaku wants it.

Also did we forget that Yumichika literally repressed part of his soul (his zanpakutou) and willingly does so because it doesn’t adhere to the principles of the 11th Division and thus Ikkaku’s principles?? I find it insanely ironic how Ikkaku also has a Kido-based Bankai and this is once more, unwelcome in the 11th. I don’t know what parallels to draw there but it’s strangely poetic in a sense. I absolutely love it. These two are a ride and die pair, and doesn’t actually mind dying.

4. Ishida Ryuuken and Kurosaki Isshin

Are they both married? Yes. Are they both dads? Yes. Do I care? No.

Jokes aside, this pair is definitely enemies to friends galore. Whether they progressed to the lovers stage is another debate, but I’d like to think Ryuuken shooting arrows aimed at Isshin’s head is just another way of expressing his friendship for the other man.

To clarify, I don’t necessarily see these two in a romantic light. I don’t think they ever could progress to that stage; the way I see their relationship is similar to Kyoraku and Ukitake’s - a pair of old men who stuck with each other. In Ryuuken and Isshin’s case, they don’t necessarily like each other, they do it out of necessity.

(Also, Ryuuken rightfully hates Isshin for a lot of shit that he pulled. Not that Ryuuken is exactly the model father, but he’s much better than that douchebag over there.)

But the thing is, their relationship benefits a lot of people. To the extent that I could argue it benefits the Bleach-verse. That much is clear in their past - even though they are of opposite sides of the world (Quincy vs Shinigami), they decided to put aside their differences for Masaki. Of course Ryuuken got the short end of the stick for that, but at the end Masaki was saved and Aizen’s plans were thwarted (for the time being, anyways). And then it happened again in the TYBW Arc - they went to Wahrweit together to kill Yhwach. Whether the two actually played a decisive role in the battle was quite debatable, but nonetheless they liked each other enough to work together, and when they do, it usually ends well.

My problem with these two is the fact that Kubo!! doesn’t!! portray!! enough!! of these two!! The Quincy Encyclopaedia episodes were so funny and stupid and it just shows how much potential there is for this DILF pair?? And honestly why wouldn’t you show more? Both of their sons were off to save the world, both their wives were killed by the same dude (that their sons later went off to kill). I wish Kubo showed more of their relationship along the same lines as Uryuu and Ichigo had in the early episodes of Bleach - honestly, the fact that this wasn’t shown more in the TYBW was Kubo’s biggest loss, imo.

Also if you think about it Yhwach and Aizen actually drew these two together, against all odds. Even the universe can’t keep these two old men apart from their grudging friendship. I absolutely love it.

5. Hisagi Shuuhei and Ayasegawa Yumichika

Yes, I know I literally just talked about Yumichika and Ikkaku, but let me ramble about this as well.

I know these two don’t actually get a lot of screentime together in either the anime or the manga, because Hisagi is usually with Kira and Yumichika with Ikkaku, but what we’ve seen is enough for me to fantasise and giggle like a maniac *rubs hands gleefully*

First of all, we see Yumichika releasing his actual shikai in front of Hisagi in the SS arc - granted, this is in response to the news that Ikkaku may be defeated and in mortal danger, but unfortunately, Hisagi survives at the end of it. And to me, there’s some kind of twisted romanticism to be taken from the irony (and tragedy, on Yumichika’s part, because Ru’iro Kujaku was seen by someone who managed to tell the tale - not that Hisagi ever does, anyways) of the entire situation. You would’ve thought that something would’ve came out of this - it’s a big revelation, after all, and Yumichika is someone who can and has shown to be capable of taking that secret to the grave if need be. But literally nothing happens! We don’t even get to see much interaction between the two because Hisagi later angsts over losing his captain (rightfully so) with Kira, and forms something of a friendship with Komamura.

Then we see Yumichika rushing to Ikkaku’s aid, and halfway through get held off by Hisagi. Again!! I don’t know whether this is deliberate on Kubo’s part or whether he decided Hisagi was probably the only one who could hold Yumichika in all of his murderous rage, but I don’t hate it. I actually rather like it. I guess it shows the two sides of Yumichika that receives different attitudes - Ikkaku enables and rides that wave of eccentricity with him, while Hisagi helps keep him in rein. I have a thing for control in relationships, so I guess I love this one :D

But yes, to me, this is a huge missed opportunity that I don’t think get talked about enough. For the whole part, these two behave like normal and like colleagues around each other (as they should), but the sexual tension between them tells me otherwise. After all, who knows what happens behind closed doors?

6. Kuchiki Rukia and Kurosaki Ichigo

Aha, if you don’t think I have it within me to have room for one more straight couple (actually the only straight couple so far - Yoruichi and Kisuke are both bi/pan, I don’t make the rules), you’re absolutely wrong. We have Ichiruki here for your enjoyment :D

The main reason this sits on my top list is because of how criminally robbed of this pairing we are. Don’t get me wrong, I think Rukia can end up with Renji and Orihime x Ichigo is equally possible.

If Ichiruki didn’t already exist.

I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you exactly why, because there are countless many other blogs who have probably analysed this pair to death and cursed Kubo in the same breath already. But in a nutshell, the gist (and how I feel) is basically this - the entire series had set itself up in a way that makes Ichigo (and Rukia, in the same line) impossible to end up with anyone else except the person they started off with. Yes, Orihime and Renji are both very dear companions to them both who both have the opportunity to be something more, but the endgame has to be Ichigo and Rukia. Literally just look at the panel I’ve used - since when has Ichigo ever looked at Orihime with such tenderness in his eyes? Never, that’s the answer. And to have the series end with him marrying Orihime - the girl who has only ever been a classmate to him, who has only ever been a friend to him? I think even Kubo realised the irony (and inaccuracy) of the entire situation when he aptly names the last chapter of the manga ‘The Death and The Strawberry’. Yes, you can argue that he did that because that was what the first chapter of the manga was, it’s a nice call back to the beginning of the series, etc. etc. But the funny thing was, the first chapter was a very illustrative example of how characters were set up to be together.

Anyways, I could go into a whole tangent into why these two absolutely deserve to be together, but you’ve probably heard this way too many times already, so I’ll just shut up and leave you with that specific manga panel.

(edit: I just went down a rabbit hole of scrolling down the Bleach meta tag - I’m correcting my stance because there are many people who pointed out how Renji x Rukia is very possible and legitimate. And I agree. The problem isn’t Renruki, the problem is Ichihime. I think Renruki is very legit but it won’t sit on my top list for...reasons. So here’s some Ichiruki because I do like this ship quite a lot)

7. Ootoribashi ‘Rose’ Roojuurou and Hirako Shinji

A crack ship, all things considered, to be honest, but one that actually has potential and could happen. (For those wondering, no, Mashiro and Kensei are not crack ship potential. There is potential for Kensei to die of high blood pressure, but that’s it)

I know these two are stuck in no screentime hell again, and in fact don’t actually have any panels together (hence this screenshot from 110 years ago when they were lined up in order of Division during Kisuke’s promotion), but if you think about it, they do have some similarities. Personality-wise, they are the only two who I think are chill enough to tolerate certain members of the Visored and Gotei 13. Sure, Rose may need to compose a ballad to do it, but he could. (I don’t count Hacchi because he’s the only normal member of the Visoreds and is overworked enough) They’re also the relatively normal members of the group and aren’t too crazy in the already eccentric nature of the Bleach-verse. Plus, they both share a like for music. Anyone who listens to music (esp jazz and classical) are good in my books.

To be honest, I think one of the reasons why I decided to pair these two together is because they’re the two I see able to interact normally with each other within the Visoreds. You could theoretically put some members of the Visoreds together, but it’ll probably involve a lot of shouting and sandals to the face or where it hurts.

Plus, they both seem to be quite meticulous in their appearances and care to dress and present well enough to have long hair (which is a bitch to deal with at best). What’s not to like (ship)?

MINOR SPOILERS FOR THE MANGA/TYBW BELOW

8. Kurotsuchi Nemu and Akon

Ah yes. The only two people in the 12th Division who even remotely emanates the meaning of the word ‘normal’. Or at least as normal as you can be whilst being in the 12th.

This is also a pair which I don’t...really see as romantic in nature? It’s a possibility for sure, given enough time and interaction. Especially if Nemu starts to stop trying to gain Mayuri’s approval and love and detaches herself from him more, the first person she would form a significant relationship with would definitely be Akon. And to be honest, I think that relationship is already there. Putting aside their exchange about her existence (as shown here) when she was little aside, I should think as colleagues they would have discussions about the future of the 12th Division and SDRI (though that might involve a lot of Nemu saying ‘I need to run this through Mayuri-sama’ and ‘whatever Mayuri-sama says is good enough’). I also headcanon Nemu spending her sparse amounts of free time (when not with the Shinigami Women’s Association or Mayuri) with Akon?? In the context of the 12th Division, Akon is a good model for what ‘normal behaviour’ looks like, especially if you’re trying to fit in. He also noticeably doesn’t judge. At all. He’d seen much worse than someone trying to handle their own emotions, and that doesn’t come with stakes that are too high like the 12th Division exploding and needing to allocate a decent amount of the budget to renovations (which unfortunately happens more often than you think). All in all, I feel like the Nemu x Akon ship is quite sibling-like in nature.

It’s possible (and here I’m starting to cook up headcanons, lmao) that they also have interactions together where Akon is trying to teach Nemu to be normal, or at least act normally enough that is acceptable in the larger realm of the Gotei 13, because god forbid Mayuri doesn’t have the time, patience, nor experience to actually teach her that. (Akon is of the opinion that the 12th Division already has one psychotic maniac in their leadership, it doesn’t need two) So Akon is the one who lets her know what ‘normal’ looks like - he doesn’t actively teach her because he’s not that type of guy, but bit by bit Nemu picks it up by proximity, until her speech is formal enough and she doesn’t ask questions that are too absurd.

And yes, there is absolutely one interaction where she catches him on one of his smoke breaks, tries to smoke, and accidentally swallows a cigarette. Akon may or may not have panicked, and he may or may not have been either waved away dismissively by Mayuri, or screamed at by his boss.

Honestly, this man doesn’t get paid enough to deal with all the shit that happens.

MAJOR SPOILERS FOR THE MANGA/TYBW BELOW

9. Ishida Uryuu and Jugram Haschwalth

Let me preface this by saying what an injustice that this particular manga panel wasn’t the first search result on Google. I had to find it through this hellsite

Anyways, for the people who don’t know what is between these two and are brave enough to spoil the contents of the manga for themselves, basically Uryuu goes to the Wandenreich to avenge his mother by playing double agent between the bad Quincy (Yhwach’s gang) and the good Quincy (himself, his father, and everyone else in his family) - which actually benefits the Shinigami, but that’s another mess to clean up later. Uryuu goes through the whole thing of pledging loyalty to Yhwach and ending up a member of the Sternritter, and was even made Yhwach’s heir. Everyone is obviously pissed at this because Jugram is the rightful heir, but he keeps silent and plays at being a good sport. Until Uryuu tries to sneak into Yhwach’s room. Then he blows his top and corners Uryuu - literally.

I have to admit, I actually ship this pair first when I first saw Jugram on-screen purely for purposes of aesthecism, before realising the whole schtick between Jugram and Bazz-B (more on that later), and the whole other schtick between Jugram and Yhwach (who are entirely possible, but a pair I don’t ship). But then when you think about it, these two have this whole enemies to lovers/Quincy prince thing going on that I’m absolutely invested in. Jugram knows Uryuu has his own nefarious reasons for joining the Sternritter, and he’s the one who has the most potential to topple everything he currently stands and lives for, but at the same time, doesn’t that just free up the whole baggage for Jugram to actually live his own life? The way I see it, Jugram doesn’t really have much of a purpose in his life - he doesn’t know what to do with it, because all his life someone else gives it meaning. First Bazz-B, then Yhwach. Uryuu presents an escape from all of this. Especially adding to the fact that he’s a Gemischt and Jugram is an Echt. I might be slightly delusional but to me this reeks of a prince x forbidden lover troupe. And I’m absolutely obsessed with it.

AO3 why is there less than 10 pages for your Jugram x Uryuu fics :’)

10. Jugram Haschwalth and Bazz-B

For those who don’t know the nature of their relationship and wants to know ahead of time, these two basically are again, childhood friends who grew up to be military men (do I have a type? I have a type). They are both 1,000+ and have been in the first generation of the Sternritter when Yhwach was first sealed away, and actually started off wanting to murder the heck out of Yhwach rather than serve him.

I’ll obviously start this one off with - if you lived more than 1,000 years and haven’t developed feelings for your best friend, especially someone as attractive as [one of the two people here], something is wrong with you.

The bittersweet taste of betrayal is so strong with these two as well - starting off intending to murder a man only to have your best friend become his right hand man and be called his ‘other half’? You can’t tell me Bazz-B hasn’t been upset or pined painfully for Jugram, even if just for his friendship. The entire relationship is just so bittersweet and brimming with possibility that it makes my heart wrench a little (actually, a lot). And unlike the rest of the ships on this list, it’s unrequited love on both sides that could flourish into something that never came to fruition. Which makes it even more easy for me to go feral because !! Don’t we all love angst. And especially that last scene where the two of them fight it out? :(((

(In case you haven’t noticed, yes, I’m trying hard not to write too much and give away too much because anime-only fans would get spoilers and we don’t want that. And to be fair, I’ve only really read the Bleach wiki about these two so I can’t say I know much about their relationship, but what I do know is making me go absolutely fucking ballistic.)

SPOILER-FREE ZONE BELOW

So yeah, my current top ships so far. Definitely more to come, and definitely not the end of it. I know most of them are gay relationships, but unfortunately that’s how I swing :’) Feel free to ask me about some of these and other ships as well!! I love talking about stuff hehe

Other honourable mentions: Hisagi and his guitar, Mayuri and his exploding ear, Hiyori and her sandals, Starrk and his bed, Lisa and her porn magazines, Harribel and Nel, Mayuri and Senjumaru

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