Throughout the series, the Bleach anime expanded its combat system to include not only swords, but also magic spells and Hollow abilities, among other things. By the time the much-remembered Soul Society arc was released, the Bleach anime proved to fans that Soul Reapers were highly adept at kido spells. Kido is a fundamental part of the Bleach combat system, and some battles were won only because the heroes knew the right kido spells for the job.

Soul Reapers and other powerful souls can speak incantations to create magical effects, which can be used for both offense and defense. Kido can damage enemies, create protective barriers, or even restrain people in the middle of a fight, so it's worth making use of such a flexible combat system. Ten particular Bleach The characters stand out for using most of the kido spells, using one or more of these spells to change the course of the battle and deceive the enemy.

10 Hachigen Ushoda was once a member of the Kido Corps

Hachigen Ushoda appeared alongside his fellow Visored warriors at the beginning of the Arrancar arc, but he wasn't exactly like the other seven. While Shinji and the others were all former captains and lieutenants, Hachigren was once a member of the Kido Corps, a group of kido specialists. Bleach didn't show much of the Kido Corps, but it's still obvious that being a member of that group marked Hachigen as a true kido master.

Hachigen demonstrated his defensive kido spells a few times in Bleach, such as when he made large, sturdy barriers to keep everyone safe while Ichigo trained with the Visoreds. Later, Hachigen fought alongside Soi Fon to take down Baraggan, using many barrier-type kido to restrain the 2nd Espada. Most importantly, Hachigen used a kido spell to teleport his rotten hand inside Baraggan's body to destroy the Espada from within. Without kido, this battle would have been unwinnable.

9 Momo Hinamori is useful with Kido in battle

In the Soul Society story arc, Lieutenant Momo Hinamoro of Squad 5 fought her own allies with her sealed zanpakuto, making her one of the least impressive Soul Reapers of the time. She changed all that in the battle for the fake Karakura Town, when Momo displayed not only her kido-based shikai, but also her array of regular kido spells.

Momo is renowned as a highly skilled kido expert, and she proved this by supporting Rangiku Matsumoto against Harribel's three factions. Momo used both offensive and defensive skills to even the playing field, and the injured Rangiku owed her life to Momo's impressive skills. Still, she and Rangiku needed a little extra help to finish the job when Ayon attacked them.

8 Izuru Kira used some Kido spells while fighting Abirama Redder

Lieutenant Izuru Kira of Squad 3 is at his strongest when fighting up close with his unusual shikai, Wasbisuke. With it, he can double his enemy's weight countless times over and finish them off when they're defenseless. That said, Izuru is no one-trick pony, and he made use of several flashy kido spells while fighting an Arrancar named Abirama Redder.

Izuru's kido spells weren't enough to finish off Abirama's released form, but it was still impressive how many spells Kira knew, and these spells gave him enough time to find a winning strategy. Using kido and his unusual shikai made Izuru a well-rounded warrior, though he didn't get another chance to prove it later during the Quincy army's successful invasion of Soul Society.

7 Retsu Unohana has mastered all types of Kido healing

Captain Retsu/Yachiru Unohana of Squad 4 was a Soul Reaper of many contrasts. She was once a deadly criminal swordswoman named Yachiru, but changed her ways and became a healer named Retsu. She learned many kido healing arts from Senjumaru, a member of the Royal Guard unit, or Squad 0. As Senjumaru had expected, Unohana learned all the spells well and mastered her craft.

Rarely did Unohana actually show her son on screen in Bleachfrom the anime, but the story still made it clear that she was a kido master with few equals throughout Soul Society. After Unohana healed the survivors of the battle in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, she switched to the sword and fought Kenpachi Zaraki to the death to help him unlock his shikai, no kido required.

6 Kukaku Shiba Favors Fireworks-Themed Kido

Kukaku Shiba and his younger brother Ganju appeared early in the Soul Society arc as wacky but helpful allies on Ichigo's team during the mission to enter the Seireitei. Interestingly, Kukaku was part of Ichigo's family tree, but aside from their fiery tempers, they didn't have much in common. Ichigo preferred his sword, while Kukaku specialized in kido and fireworks.

Kukaku was one of the BleachOne of the best kido users outside of the Gotei 13, she uses lightning-themed kido and fireworks to fight her enemies. She also taught Ichigo and the others how to form energy balls that could be fired from a cannon into the Seireitei, a creative and memorable way to use kido.

5 Kaname Tosen used to use Kido while serving Sosuke Aizen

Former Captain Kaname Tosen of Squad 9 made use of his shikai, bankai, and kido spells to distinguish himself as a cunning warrior with many options at his disposal. His shikai and bankai had themes of sensory attacks and deprivation to attack the enemy in unusual ways, while his kido spells were a bit more conventional. One example was when Tosen used a kido spell as a PA system so Aizen could speak to the Soul Reapers at the end of the Arrancar Saga.

Kaname Tosen also used kido when he severely punished Grimmjow Jeagerjaques for attacking Ichigo without permission. Tosen not only cut off Grimmjow's arm with his zanpakuto, he quickly used an offensive kido to burn Grimmjow's arm completely non-existent. Only with Orihime's unique healing powers did Grimmjow regain his permanently lost arm.

4 Rukia Kuchiki favors Kido over swordsmanship

The heroine of the reverse isekai, Rukia Kuchiki, has always preferred kido to swordsmanship, and has even admitted to herself that she's not that good with swords. In fact, Rukia's innate talent with kido is what inspired Miyako Shiba to tell Rukia to train as a Soul Reaper. All of Rukia's street urchin friends were impressed, especially Renji, who had a weaker boy in comparison.

As a trained Soul Reaper, Rukia clearly preferred kido spells and her shikai's ice powers to simple swordsmanship, setting her apart from Ichigo, Kenpachi, and other brute-force fighters. Rukia attempted to use kido during the Substitute Soul Reaper arc, then used the powerful kido while fighting Aaroniero Arruruerie to reveal her bizarre true form. Rukia even once mocked Renji for his sloppy, childish training—and she would know.

3 Byakuya Kuchiki is one of the best Kido users in the Gotei 13.

Captain Byakuya Kuchiki of Squad 6 was established as one of the most well-rounded Soul Reapers in the Gotei 13. He could do pretty much anything, from an advanced flash step to swordsmanship and even martial arts. He also had various powers with his shikai and bankai to keep his enemies on the defensive. He also made good use of kido spells throughout the Bleachthe story.

Byakuya could use Byaku Rai to fire a powerful, narrow beam and pierce through his enemies with ease. He could also use Danku to conjure a barrier against enemy attacks, which worked well against Zommari's released form. He was also known to use Riku Jokoro to restrain the enemy with six rods of golden light before finishing them off.

2 Sosuke Aizen can win fights alone with Kido

Supervillain Sosuke Aizen used a variety of specialized weapons and techniques to overpower his enemies, from his expert swordsmanship and lightning-fast flash to the mysterious artifact known as the Hogyoku. He could easily win fights with all of this and his illusion-based shikai, Kyoka Suigetsu, but he could also use kido if necessary.

Aizen proved himself to be a kido master when he used a level 90 spell, the deadly Kurohitsugi, to defeat Sajin Komamura in mere seconds, and he didn't even need the full incantation to do so. He could also cast Danku to block enemy attacks, which he once used while casually retreating from his powerful enemies in the Turn Back the Pendulum arc. Even Tessai, a kido master himself, was shocked that Aizen was able to create such a durable Danku so quickly.

1 Kisuke Urahara is like a wizard with Kido

Kisuke Urahara boasted all sorts of skills and powers to fight his enemies, from advanced science and swordsmanship to his many devastating kido spells. He didn't rely solely on his zanpakuto or kido—he was comfortable using either or both in many fights. But when Kisuke achieved his most important victory, it was with kido and similar effects.

During the final battle for the fake Karakura Town, Ichigo needed backup to finish off Sosuke Aizen, and Kisuke delivered. Once Aizen was pushed to his limit, Kisuke finished the job with his best kido spells, sealing Sosuke Aizen away and thus winning the battle. Only kido made it possible to deliver Aizen to the new Central 46 as a prisoner ready to face trial.