Strongest Hollow In Bleach

Key Takeaways

• Hollows in Hueco Mundo can converge to form Menos, gain power, and reach Vasto Lorde status, like Espada Arrancar under Aizen’s army.
• Privaron Espada like Mosqueda, Sanderwicci, and Del Socaccio play significant roles but ultimately meet different fates in battle.
• Strong Espada like Starrk and Ulquiorra have access to impressive powers, showcasing battles with Shinigami and unique abilities.

The Hueco Mundo inhabitants have been the thorns in the Shinigami sides for centuries, being wandering spirits who cause chaos in the Living World and Seireitei by filling their bottomless voids with innocent souls. Essentially trapped in purgatory, the Hollow can theoretically exist for all eternity and have, therefore, established a hierarchy of power to keep things ever-so-slightly orderly in the afterlife of Bleach.

When hundreds of Hollow converge, a Menos is formed, which can then slowly gain power until it reaches the Vasto Lorde state, the Strongest Hollow form. Arrancar are in a class of their own, as these overpowered Hollow have managed to gain Shinigami abilities by using Hogyoku or removing their masks, granting them the beastly Bankai-like transformations known as Resurreccion.

Updated November 10, 2024, by Oluwatokiloba Folami: The early stages of the Bleach anime and manga series established Hollows as serious threats. These cool but radical monsters were what Ichigo had to hunt as he formed an alliance with Rukia, a Shinigami. Over the course of the series, the strength and overall importance of Hollows have been greatly diminished, particularly with much more menacing threats like Yhwach and Sosuke Aizen being on the scene, but even then, some Hollows remain unforgettable. Aside from the run-of-the-mill Hollows, more evolved versions like Espadas, Arrancars, and even Vasto Lordes are capable of giving various characters in Bleach a run for their money should they underestimate them.

The following article contains spoilers for Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War.

24 Edrad Liones

Arrancar (Adjuchas) #13

• Status: Killed by Lieutenant Ikkaku Madarame

As an ambitious individual, Edrad Liones, alongside other Arrancars, wanted to become a Vasto Lorde, the highest class of Hollows. However, despite eating 3000 Hollows, Edrad was unable to become a Vasto Lorde. He met Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, to whom he offered himself in service to.

While Edrad never became a Vasto Lorde, he was a powerful Adjuchas, powerful enough to face Ikkaku Madarame, the current lieutenant of the 11th Division. While Edrad eventually lost against Ikkaku, he managed to put up a fight, surprising Ikkaku with his Resurreccion, Volcanica, and even momentarily overpowering him with his Reiatsu. As an Arrancar, Edrad embodied more than just brute strength, as he proved himself to be highly analytical in battle, taking advantage of enemy weaknesses.

23 Choe Neng Poww

Arrancar #25

• Status: Killed by Captain Sajin Komamura

Like Edrad Liones, Poww also faced the Lieutenant of the 11th Division, Ikkaku Madarame, but unlike his fellow Hollow, he completely crushed the lieutenant. Their battle happened at the Fake Karakura Town, where Baraggan Louisenbairn and he, by extension, were summoned by Aizen to face the Gotei 13.

Choe Neng Poww was a member of Baraggan’s Fraccion, and even after they joined Aizen, they still referred to Baraggan as his king and god. As an Arrancar, Poww was iconic in that he was large and highly physically gifted. With a single punch, he was able to send the captain of the 7th division, Sajin Komamura, flying for several miles but was eventually defeated by the Captain’s Bankai.

22 Shawlong Koufang

Arrancar (Adjuchas) #11

• Status: Killed by Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya

Similar to Edrad Liones, Shawlong Koufang was a member of Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez’s five Fraccion and devoted himself to him. He was also the 11th Arrancar in Aizen’s army and rose above his fellow Adjuchas to become the leader of Grimmjow’s Fraccion.

As a character, Shawlong is highly intelligent and analytical in battle. His intelligence also comes from his long life, as he was the only one among Grimmjow’s Fraccion to be older than Grimmjow himself. In Shawlong’s battle against Toshiro Hitsugaya, the captain of the 10th Division, he managed to temporarily overwhelm the captain. The tides of battle only changed when Hitsugaya received permission to remove his limiter, showing that Shawlong was not an enemy he could easily make work of.

21 Wonderweiss Margela

Arrancar #77 (The Only Modified Arrancar To Exist)

• Status: Killed by Captain-Commander Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto

Despite not being an Espada, Wonderweiss’ spiritual level is ranked as one. Unlike normal Arrancars, Wonderweiss was modified by Aizen specifically for sealing Yamamoto’s powers. Moreover, due to Wonderweiss’ immense regenerative speed, complicated tactics are hardly used in battle, as Wonderweiss simply attacks with instinctual force without a care for damage taken.

Aside from several attacks like Cero, Bala, and Vagido, Wonderweiss primarily attacks with physical force through hand-to-hand combat. During Aizen’s battle against Yamamoto, Wonderweiss interrupts and temporarily seals the effects from the captain-commander’s Zanpakuto, which is impressive in its own right. Unfortunately for the Arrancar, even without his Zanpakuto, Yamamoto remains a deadly threat and simply uses hand-to-hand combat to defeat the modified Arrancar.

20 Gantenbainne Mosqueda

107th Arrancar

The Privaron Espada comes out of nowhere and makes for a decent opposing force for the trio of Ichigo, Uryu, and Chad to fight against. In the case of the latter, the Fullbringer has to fight against an Arrancar with an afro who uses punch daggers, making him a perfect fit for Chad’s brute fighting style. He’s one of the more honorable Arrancar in Aizen’s army who makes it a point to slowly match Chad’s strength before finally taking him seriously and transforming to show off his true power.

Despite showing off his released form, he’s no match for Chad’s brute strength when he unlocks the attacking power of his left arm, the Brazo Izquierda del Diablo. It takes one shot to bring Mosqueda down, who manages to escape after losing this battle. While the exact details of his fate aren’t cleared up, there’s no denying that he left this encounter with his life intact.

19 Cirucci Sanderwicci

105th Arrancar

• Status: Killed by Szayelaporro Granz and resurrected by Mayuri Kurotsuchi later on

One of the Privaron Espada whom Uryu has to fight in Bleach is Cirucci Sanderwicci, a villain with a rather cocky personality who boasts a decent wealth of power. Thankfully, Uryu’s Quincy skills are competent enough to take her out after a rough and grueling battle.

Her released form let her take on the form of a flying beast who could use her tail to dish out some serious damage. After losing to Uryu, she is taken to Szayelaporro Granz, who murders her in cold blood before her corpse is revived by Mayuri Kurotsuchi during the Thousand-Year Blood War arc.

18 Dordoni Alessandro Del Socaccio

Arrancar Cientecimo Tercero (103rd)

• Status: Killed by Rudbornn Chelute and resurrected by Mayuri Kurotsuchi later on

The Privaron Espada certainly made for a neat idea, serving as three members of the Espada who were of a lower rank and the first opponents that Ichigo and his friends encountered while trying to invade Hueco Mundo. However, they were introduced right before they became irrelevant, and it was clear that their powers weren’t anything to fear despite the heroes facing a tough time dealing with them at first.

Out of the trio, Dordoni was definitely the toughest fighter of the lot. This character put up a good fight against Ichigo, but the truth was that his placement in the story only served as a way to make Ichigo look as threatening as possible when he got serious. As a result, despite boasting a pretty remarkable Resurreccion, it didn’t take long for him to be disposed of before he eventually became Mayuri’s puppet.

17 Luppi Antenor

Sexta (6th) Espada

• Status: Killed by Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez and resurrected by Mayuri Kurotsuchi later on

By all accounts, Luppi should’ve been one of the strongest Arrancar in the series, given the fact that he earned the title of the 6th Espada. He certainly pulls his weight in a battle against Rangiku and Hitsugaya, although he almost loses his life before running away. However, before he could really show the true extent of his power, Grimmjow came back and killed Luppi in an unceremonious fashion to earn his place back in Aizen’s good books.

He does come back as one of Mayuri’s puppets, but nothing will make up for the fact that Luppi was a pretty pointless character with one of the more boring Resurreccions out of all the Arrancar. He was pretty powerful in his own right, but his power definitely waned in comparison to some of the stronger and more notable Hollow in the series.

16 Zommari Rureaux

Septima (7th) Espada

• Status: Killed by Byakuya Kuchiki

Most people would assume that the 7th Espada would be a threat that anyone would worry about, and that was definitely the case when Zommari Rureaux revealed the true extent of his powers. The fact that he could control one’s Bankai and turn it against the user certainly set the stage for a high-stakes battle where any Shinigami would have their work cut out for them.

While Rukia definitely struggled against this Espada, Byakuya simply used Zommari as a way to show just how strong he really was. The use of Kido blocked any attempt from Zommari to steal his Bankai, and Byakuya’s quick speed allowed him to utterly humiliate Zommari before landing a final blow on him to take out the Arrancar once and for all. It was pretty pathetic to see this Espada spout praises for Aizen as his final words before eventually meeting his demise.

15 Yammy Llargo

Diez (10) / Cero (0) Espada

• Status: Killed by Byakuya and Kenpachi

Yammy is an Arrancar who looks pretty imposing and certainly shows off just how much strength he really has. The man is already pretty strong as is, but what makes this Espada even tougher is the fact that his Resurreccion allows him to reach a truly monstrous size that can strike fear in the hearts of many.

However, to Byakuya and Kenpachi, Yammy is nothing more than small fry, with the two arguing over who should bring him down and defeat this enemy instead of giving him the respect he deserves. This enrages Yammy to no end, who ultimately fails to understand that he was truly outclassed in this battle and didn’t stand a chance against this unlikely duo.

14 Aaroniero Arruruerie

Noveno (9th) Espada

Aaroniero is one of the most disgusting characters in Bleach, being a powerful Arrancar despite being a pretty low-ranking Hollow who doesn’t really boast too many powers. However, this fighter has a trick up his sleeve — he can absorb any strong Hollow in Bleach, living or dead, to augment his powers just a bit.

As a result, Aaroniero is transformed from a weak Hollow into the 9th Espada, who serves Aizen in his quest to obtain the Hogyoku. His unmasked form is hideous, and fans were glad to see Rukia enjoy the limelight as she used her suite of powers to take this Arrancar down after a tough fight.

13 Szayelaporro Granz

Octava (8th) Espada

• Status: Poisoned and killed by Mayuri

Szayelaporro is an unhinged character who serves as the intellectual mad scientist in the Espada. He can be pretty irritating to behold on screen, with his weird demeanor making him pretty easy to hate. This also sets him on a collision course with Mayuri, with the ensuing battle being one of the highlights of Bleach.

However, this Arrancar makes the fatal mistake of using Nemu’s body to resurrect after being killed by Mayuri’s Bankai. While he does get a new leash at life, this only lasts for a mere moment since the Shinigami scientist had spiked his lieutenant’s body with a drug that slowed Szayelaporro’s senses to a crawl and made him beg for his death, as a single stab from Mayuri’s weapon made him feel like he was dying a slow death for eons.

12 The Tres Bestias (And Ayon)

Tier Harribel’s Fraccion And A Creature Formed By Their Left Arms

• Status: Alive (except Ayon)

Lady Halibel’s subordinates have been by her side since before Aizen’s groundbreaking intervention when the troops were still just Adjuchas struggling to survive the harsh Heuco Mundo deserts. Individually, the Tres Bestias’ power levels don’t exactly make them the strongest Hollow in Bleach, but together, Emilou Apacci, Franceska Mila Rose, and Cyan Sung-Sun can cause some significant chaos.

As a last resort, these loyal ladies can dismember themselves (well, slightly) to create the gargantuan beast known as Ayon, possessing enough uncontrollable potency to break the Blut Vene-fueled Quilge Opie’s neck. Since their beloved leader’s capture, this trio has fought tooth and nail to rescue her from the Wandenreich’s clutches, putting their lives on the line to take down the formidable Quincy forces.

11 Nnoitra Gilga

Quinto (5th) Espada

• Status: Killed by Kenpachi

This sinister smile is anything but friendly, as the despicable Nnoitra is incapable of showing any form of consideration, even to his fellow Espada. Nleiel’s nemesis is always keen for a fight and holds no sentiments toward keeping things fair, nor is he afraid to kick a dog when it’s down.

This ruthless #5 Espada has an almost impenetrable epidermis that even the great Tensa Zangetsu struggles to pierce and is considered to be the strongest skin of all the Arrancar. His Zanpakuto, Santa Teresa, has impeccable healing abilities but also blesses Nnoitra with additional arms and transforms his blades into scythes, creating a potent arachnoid killing machine.

10 Tier Harribel

Tres (3rd) Espada

Tier Harribel started out aimlessly roaming Hueco Mundo before eventually becoming allied to Aizen after he saved her from Baraggan Louisenbairn’s tyranny. Her feminist Fraccion overflows with loyalty and love, but unfortunately, the power-hungry Aizen does not share these sentiments.

She replaces Nelliel as the #3 Espada after she “mysteriously” disappears and slowly works her way up the ranks to eventually claim the title of Hueco Mundo’s Queen. Unfortunately, her realm is overwhelmed by the Quincy, and Tier Harribel is captured by Wandenreich, becoming his hostage in the process.

9 Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez

Sexta (6th) Espada

Unlike many other Espada, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez does not blindly follow Aizen’s lead and is relatively selective when it comes to battles, as he believes there should be a valid reason for conflict and that a fight should be fair. The #6 Espada proved his strength by being the only Arrancar to escape Aizen’s onslaught (alongside Tier Harribel) thanks to his panther-inspired durability-enhancing Getsuga Tensho. Although Ichigo clearly won the battle against Grimmjow in episode 167, the audience does not actually get to see a corpse first-hand, and his death is subsequently ruled as unconfirmed.

Die-hard fans would be able to identify that torso and voice anywhere, and most were likely jumping for joy as Grimmjow slips into the background during Urahara’s video call with Ichigo in Episode 8 of the Thousand-Year Blood War. The anime refrains from divulging the reason for this sudden partnership, which occurred shortly after Ichigo left Orihime and the gang in Heuco Mundo, under the assumption that Quilge Opie was incapacitated. Thankfully, the unlikely hero rocks up in the nick of time and, staying true to form, does not hesitate to start a fight with the Quincy. Contradicting the “Good Boy Gone Bad“ stigma is apparently the new name of the game.

8 Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck

Former Tres (3rd) Espada

This fan-favorite Arrancar first appeared to viewers in the form of a helpless, lost toddler who forms an unlikely bond with a rival Shinigami. Thankfully, her pint-sized punches are still effective when she discovers how to revert to her fully-grown body, but she only fights when truly necessary and holds no joy in bloodshed, essentially becoming the defender of the weak.

Nel’s volatile transformations between her adult form and childlike state are eventually stabilized thanks to Kisuke Urahara’s help, permitting the former #3 Espada to reliably remain at her highest power level. Her unique ability to consume cero blasts only emphasizes her peace-loving mannerisms and reduces the overall damage during battle. She may start out as a pretty annoying character, but it doesn’t take long for Nel to show the true extent of her power and wow both Ichigo and fans with her boundless power, showing why she was an important member of the Espada at one point.

7 Baraggan Louisenbairn

Segunda (2nd) Espada

• Status: Killed by Hachigen (although technically, suicide)

Barragan unwillingly became Aizen’s accomplice after the Shinigami colonists took over Hueco Mundo, and he makes no attempt to boast his connection to the Espada and is conspicuously lacking his #2 tattoo.

Barragan’s Senescencia ability rouses rapid aging and decay in his wake, which instigated his own demise when Hachigen altered Barragan’s attacks into becoming the more self-sabotaging type. He assumes a Grim Reaper-like appearance when releasing his Resurreccion, which also transforms his Senescencia attack into a quick-spreading vaporized form and allows him to wield the formidable Gran Caída.

6 Ulquiorra Cifer

Cuatro (4th) Espada

• Status: Killed by Kurosaki Ichigo

This Emo Espada arguably causes the most trouble for Ichigo (well, after Aizen, that is) as he is one of the fastest Arrancar around, capable of evading each and every petal of Byakuya Kuchiki’s Bankai. Ulquiorra’s advanced healing capabilities are effective enough to regenerate limbs at superspeeds, and the almost invincible warrior can perform a Double Resurreccion (unheard of for other Arrancar).

The intense pressure of Ulquiorra’s reiatsu while in the Segunda Etapa state is powerful enough to asphyxiate his opponents before he even lifts a finger to access his limitless supply of lethal Lanza del Relampago. Ulquiorra may only be the #4 Espada; however, Aizen ranked his army ignorantly without acknowledging the Arrancars’ second releases.

5 Coyote Starrk

Primera (1st) Espada

• Status: Killed by Shunsui Kyoraku

Aizen made no mistakes by awarding Starrk the top position in the Espada, as this warrior’s power strikes fear into any foe (when he’s not asleep, that is). His mere presence spreads death to all those nearby, generating a lonely, bitter, and disinterested existence, with only his soul sister, Lilynette Gingerbuck, for company. Starrk is at his strongest when he and Lilynette meld back into a single entity, which is the catalyst for his Resurreccion.

If finally convinced to fight, this sure-footed Sonído Master has an arsenal of lethal skills that allows him to summon dual-wielding pistols and reiatsu swords (called Colmillo). Additionally, his rapid-fire Ceros are not limited to radiating from his chest or hands only, and if that’s not effective enough, Starrk can sacrifice his guns to hail a pack of reiatsu-powered suicide-bombing wolves to do his bidding for him.