Bleach was one of the iconic Big Three - making it one of the most susccessful shonen series of all time. The Rescue Arc is Bleach's third story arc, and it focuses on Ichigo - who is trying to save Rukia from being executed by the Soul Society. The problem is that Ichigo and his friends are considered enemy combatants, so they have to fight quite a bit. As a result, the Rescue Arc has some very good fights.
Some of the Rescue Arc's best fights do involve Ichigo, who is forced to fight other Soul Reapers and a unique spirit. Many of the arc's best fights are actually between high-ranking Soul Reapers who are supposed to be on the same side. A few involve special Hollows, and one has a Quincy facing off against a Soul Reaper Captain.
10 Kaein Is Killed By Metastacia & Rukia
Takes Place In Episode 49: "Rukia's Nightmare"
The Rescue Arc had several flashback sequences, including one that expanded Rukia's backstory. After joining Squad 13, she developed a friendship with Kaien Shiba - Squad 13's Lieutenant. One night, they fought an experimental Hollow named Metastacia, who had killed Kaien's wife and several other Soul Reapers. Kaien ripped the Hollow apart, but Metastacia took over his body in the process.
Kaien turns into the Hollow, and Captain Jushiro Ukitake tries to stop him, but he is unable to fight because of his illness. When Metastacia charges at Rukia, she is able to impale him. Kaien regains control, but he dies in Rukia's arms. This was a violent and emotional fight, and it has a big payoff later when Rukia kills Aaroniero - the Espada who absorbed Metastacia's body.
9 Ichigo Decimates Three Lieutenants At Once
Takes Place In Episode 54: "An Accomplished Oath! Get Back Rukia!"
When Ichigo saves Rukia from the Sokyoku, he hands her over to Renji, but they are immediately chased by three Lieutenants. Ichigo cuts them off, and he irritates them by putting his Zanpakuto in the ground. Isane is from Squad 4, while Marechiyo is second-in-command of the Stealth Force. Chojiro served directly under the Head Captain, and he had Bankai. Once the Lieutenants release their Shikai, Ichigo destroys Marechiyo's Zanpakuto and knocks him out with a single punch.
He then avoids Chojiro's attack and takes him out with an uppercut before beating Isane with a palm thrust. A few episodes earlier, Ichigo was barely able to fight a single Lieutenant, but thanks to some training, he was able to beat three with just his fists. The fight may have been short, but it was epic to see Ichigo dominate the field, especially while his theme played in the background.
8 Ichigo Faces Zangetsu To Unlock Bankai
Battle Begins In Episode 45: "Overcome Your Limits!"
Ichigo knew that he needed to achieve Bankai if he wanted to defeat Byakuya. In order to do that, Yoruichi brings him to a special training area. While there, Ichigo fights the spiritual manifestation of his Zanpakuto, Zangetsu. This fight does a great deal of foreshadowing because it is later revealed that this Zangetsu was actually a fragment of Yhwach - the evil Quincy King.
Ichigo tries his best, but "Zangetsu" overpowers him each time he picks up a different sword. Many of the swords that Ichigo picks up are simply shattered. Their battle goes on for a few episodes, but it shows a great deal of determination on Ichigo's part. It also helps to forge a connection between him and "Zangetsu." This connection comes full-circle during the Thousand-Year Blood War Arc when this "Zangetsu" finally separates from Ichigo.
7 Aizen & Gin Save Soul Reaper Students From Hollows
Takes Place In Episode 46: "Authentic Records! School Of Shinigami"
During a flashback sequence, Bleach fans got to see Momo, Izuru, Shuhei, and Renji at a time when they were still enrolled in the Shin'o Academy. One night, their class goes out to fight a Dummy Hollow, but they end up fighting a real massive Hollow instead. This Hollow is way to strong for them, but they are abel to hold out.
Unfortunately, more massive Hollows show up and the students believe they are finished. At that moment, Captain Aizen and Gin show up to help them. Gin eviscerated most of the Hollows with his Shikai, while Aizen destroys one with his bare hand. This battle was surprisingly gruesome, and it helped to set Aizen up as a villain since he planned the entire incident.
6 Kenpachi Has Fun Fighting Tosen
Takes Place In Episode 53: "Gin Ichimaru's Temptation, Resolution Shattered"
After losing to Ichigo, Kenpachi Zaraki decides to help Ichigo and his friends, but he is stopped by Kaname Tosen and Sajin Komamura - two of his fellow Captains. Tosen stepped up to fight Kenpachi, and he immediately impaled him with his Shikai. Kenpachi laughed at the attack, and this forced Tosen to release his Bankai, Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Korogi.
Kenpachi gets traped inside a black void that nullfies most of his senses. Tosen proceeds to attack him, and all of the slashes land because Kenpachi cannot see or hear. He could still feel all the attacks though, and used that to his advantage. He allowed himself to get stabbed, and then grabbed Tosen's Zanpakuto, which restored his senses. He was then able to land a finishing blow. This fight showed that Kenpachi was indeed crazy when it comes to battle, but it also proved that he is a smart fighter.
5 Byakuya Vs Renji Was An Educational Bankai Clash
Takes Place In Episode 52: "Renji, Oath Of The Soul! Death Match With Byakuya"
After losing to Ichigo, Renji finally decides to save Rukia. He joins Ichigo in the Study Chamber and manages to unlock his Bankai. When he leaves the chamber, he rushes to Rukia, but he is intercepted by Byakuya. Renji's goal is to eventually surpass Byakuya, so their battle was actually a long time coming.
Renji prevents Byakuya from releasing his Shikai, and he surprises his Captain even further by activating his Bankai. He put up a good fight, but Byakuya was able to overwhelm both Renji and his immature Bankai with his own. This was the first time both characters revealed their respective Bankai, and it was the first time that two Bankai clashed in battle.
4 Yoruichi Vs Suì-Feng Was A Battle Of Speed
Takes Place In Episode 56: "Supersonic Battle! Determine The Goddess Of Battle"
After Ichigo saves Rukia, Yoruichi rushes to Sokyoku Hill and saves Kiyone from Sui-Feng's wrath. The two then run off and have one of Bleach's most underrated fights. Yoruichi was Sui-Feng's mentor, and Sui-Feng was heartbroken when Yoruichi disappeared for more than century. Their fight had history, emotion, a cool new Zanpakuto ability, and great martial arts.
During the fight, Sui-Feng had members of the Stealth Force surround Yoruichi, but they were quickly dealt with in epic fashion. Two of the best melee fighters continued to exchange blows, but Sui-Feng seemed to have the upper hand with her Suzumebachi - which can kill in two hits. The fight ended when they both used Shunko, and they were able to finally reconcile.
3 Toshiro Demonstrates His Skill & Power Against Gin
Takes Place In Episode 48: "Hitsugaya Howls!"
Toshiro was forced to knock Momo out when she accused him of killing Captain Aizen. Gin Ichimaru then appeared and taunted both of them. Toshiro believed that Gin had killed Aizen, but he did not act until he made fun of Momo's suffering. The resulting battle was the first time two Gotei 13 Captains fought each other.
Gin and Toshiro were both considered prodigies in terms of swordsmanship, which explains why the fight had such fluid attacks. It was also the first time that Toshiro released Hyrorinmaru - the strongest Ice-Type Zanpakuto. Toshiro fought with pure emotion, while Gin fought with intent to kill even though he and Toshiro were not really enemies.
2 Uryu Vs Mayuri Introduced Bankai & Advanced Quincy Powers
Battle Begins In Episode 43: "The Despicable Shinigami"
Mayuri Kurotsuchi personally sought out both Uryu and Orihime. Uryu agreed to fight the Captain after Mayuri intentionally killed some of his fellow Soul Reapers. It became clear very early on that Mayuri could indeed fight. The fight does a fantastic job of showing Mayuri's sadistic side. He literally laughs while stabbing a defenseless Uryu.
Things got a lot more personal when Mayuri revealed that he purposely allowed Uryu's grandfather to be killed by Hollows. He wanted to dissect the old Quincy's body. Naturally, this enraged Uryu, and he unleashed the Ransotengai. This was the first time that Bleach fans witnessed an advanced Quincy technique. Mayuri responded by releasing his Bankai. This was the very first time Bankai was used in the series.
1 Ichigo Vs Byakuya Is One Of The Best Fights In The Series
Battle Begins In Episode 57: "Senbonzakura, Crushed! Zangetsu Thrusts Through The Sky"
When Ichigo entered the Soul Society, his main objective was to save Rukia, but he also wanted to beat Byakuya Kuchiki. He would spend more than 30 episodes getting stronger, and all that effort paid off. Ichigo and Byakuya battled atop Sokyoku Hill, and to this day, many fans believe that it is the best fight in Bleach. Ichigo was able to keep up with Byakuya's Shikai, but he was almost torn apart by his Bankai.
his causes Ichigo to get serious, and he releases his Bankai for the first time. This is one of Bleach's most iconic moments. Byakuya is surprised by Ichigo's newfound speed and power. Ichigo manages to fight on par with it. As the fights rages on, Ichigo's Hollow mask emerges to save him. The epic battle ends after Ichigo and Byakuya clash a final time. Prior to the battle, neither Byakuya or Ichigo respected the other, but that all changed when Byakuya lost.
