After over a decade of waiting thinking it would never happen, the final season of Bleach has arrived, and it has not disappointed. In fact, it’s even better than the original, and has some of the best Bleach fights of all. In this list, we’re going to rank the best Thousand-Year Blood War Fights so far, and mention a few coming up we’re excited about.

Check back often as we will be updating this list as new epic fights are shown in the ongoing anime series.

Warning: spoilers ahead. Only Read if you’re up-to-date on Thousand-Year Blood War Arc.

5. Ichigo Kurosaki vs Yhwach

You know what really sucks? Being stuck in a Quincy made energy prison while all of your former enemies turned friends get their butts kicked by Bankai stealing Quincys on their own home turf.

I hope you never have to experience that sort of thing.

Anyways, once Ichigo manages to break free given his special powers (he seems to keep finding these but that’s plot armor for you), he comes steaming into the Soul Society like an angry America into Europe circa WWII.

While the quick, biting scene shows just how powerful both characters are, it’s really just a teaser for a much greater conflict to come, and is too short to be as epic as the other fights on this list.

4. Rukia Kutchki vs As Nodt

After As Nodt swiftly defeats fan favorite Byakuya Kutchki, it’s his little sister’s turn to take on the demented Quincy and see how she fares. Unfortunately, she is just on the verge of being beaten when her big bro shows up to help her out, revealing a massively buffed Shikai.

However, in one of the most artistic segments of the show so far, Kutchki tells As Nodt that he’s not going to be the one to finish him, because he doesn’t need to. He leaves it up to Rukia and her new and crazy powerful Bankai to freeze As Nodt to death.

Folks – this kind of action is what Bleach is all about.

4. Zaraki Kenpachi Vs. Retsu Unohana

Zaraki Kenpachi is so strong and unbridled in his power that the Soul Society itself fears him reaching his full potential. But with another invasion from the Quincys eminent, leadership decides its high time Zaraki unleashes his full power.

And that doesn’t just mean Zaraki’s famous inability to use Bankai or even the more basic Shikai release – it means him rediscovering the reason for why he fights, and why he can’t ever keep from holding back.

What ensues is not only just an epic fight – it’s a deep dive into the psyche of two characters who have way more in common than we ever could possibly have imagined.

2. Kenpachi Zaraki vs Gremmy

Kenpachi Zeraki is undoubtedly one of the most feared soul reapers in all of bleach – and one of the most iconic swordsmen of all time of any anime universe. However, we’ve never actually been able to see him at the greatest peak of his power. That is, until now. As terrifying as he is, he’s gotten even more terrifying thanks to learning how to release his Zanpakuto.

In this fight, we see him face down against Gremmy who is known as the strongest amongst the Stern Ritters. And that claim to fame is totally believable thanks to his absolutely absurd and broken ability. Basically anything he imagines comes true, with the caveat that his ability seems hard to control, manifesting anything that happens in his mind.

After seeing what a beast Zaraki is, however, Gremmy can’t help but make him out to be an even greater monster in his own mind, magnifying Zaraki’s power.

It’s not only one of the best fights of Thousand-Year Blood War so far – it’s one of the best Bleach fights of all time.

1. Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto vs. Rroyd LLoyd

Yamamoto unleash his full, destructive force against (who he thought was) Yhwach was something a diehard Bleach fan couldn’t help but let out a little scream for. It was at this moment, when we saw him release his Bankai and the absolute, relentless spead and pace of this battle that it hit me just how wonderful this series was going to be.

Despite there being over three hundred episodes of Bleach in the bag, we’ve never actually seen Yamamoto’s full power. That kind of setup makes this fight very welcome, and it lives up to expectations. Up until this point, we’ve never seen quite anything to match Yamamoto’s sheer destructive force, nor the terror of his pretty sick Bankai that brings back his opponent’s fallen comrades to haunt him and drag him to his death.

The only downside is MAJOR SPOILER that Yamamoto isn’t really fighting Yhwach at all, and it seems that Yhwach defeats the head captain of the 13 court guard squads a little too handily.

Upcoming Bleach Fights You Should Be Excited About

Of course, Bleach: Thousand Year Blood Arc isn’t over by any means. With new episodes airing every Saturday, it’s thrilling to once again be living in a world with new Bleach episodes to look forward to.

With that being said, here are a few fights you should really be biting your nails in anticipation for, based on the manga (which we’ve read).

Kisuke Urahara vs. Askin Nakk Le Vaar

Speaking of fan favorites – they don’t come more popular than the goofy genius, Kisuke Urahara. Although more often seen leveraging his intellect to overcome his enemies, and his ever handy inventions and Kido spells, Kisuke Urahara also has a legendary Bankai. In this upcoming fight, we’ll actually be able to see it on screen, for the first time ever.