Bleach is a successful shonen anime with a huge cast of characters, some of whom are much more likeable and lovable than others. Anime fans can always root for protagonists like Ichigo Kurosaki, and have even warmed to some redeemed antagonists like Captain Byakuya Kuchiki. In fact, the series features a variety of villains that fans might have forgiven in the long run if these characters were given a well-deserved chance at redemption.

To keep the series' large cast of characters manageable, the Bleach The anime has made a habit of killing off or eliminating most of its villains, so it's hard not to wonder how the story might have turned out if the more redeemable villains were actually given the chance to atone for their past mistakes. While no one expects people like Aaroniero Arruruerie or Bambietta Basterbine to ever repent for their villainy, there's a strong case to be made for redeeming other villains who have a core of goodness in them. In fact, some of these villains have taken the first steps toward redemption in canon history and deserve another chance to finish the job.

10 Coyote Starrk only wanted his own friends

Most Espada were despicable villains defined by their cruelty and self-interest, but there were a few exceptions, including the strongest Espada of all, Coyote Starrk. In his Hollow days, he roamed the desolate wasteland of Hueco Mundo in search of friends, but his aura crushed anyone who got too close, perpetuating his isolation. In desperation, Coyote Starrk split himself into two beings to keep him company.

As an Arrancar under Aizen's command, Starrk continued to desire friends and had no real interest in fighting despite his overwhelming power. He only reluctantly kidnapped Orihime under orders, and then tried to avoid fighting the Soul Reapers altogether. Starrk simply never said or did anything particularly terrible in Bleach, and his last regret was not having more friends. Needless to say, he is one of the most likable villains in Bleach and had serious potential for redemption.

9 Lilynette Gingerbuck never did anything wrong

Lilynette Gingerbuck is not your average Arrancar in Bleach. She is actually the other half of Coyote Starrk and contains his released form, Los Lobos. After all, Lilynette and Starrk's zanpakuto are ordinary weapons. Lilynette also had almost no combat power when fighting Ukitake, even though she tried her best.

Lilynette may have been a bratty Arrancar, but she was no bully or monster like Loly Aivirrne or Menoly Mallia were in practice. Instead, Lilynette was the embodiment of Starrk's agonizing loneliness, and if given the chance, Lilynette would have redeemed herself by pursuing a life of peace and friendship with Starrk and the other Hollows. Unfortunately, neither Lilynette nor Starrk ever got that chance.

8 Jugram Haschwalth could have grown up to be a real hero

It's true that Jugram Haschwalth participated in the initial successful invasion of Soul Society and eliminated a few Soul Reapers, but he's still more redeemable than rogue Sternritter like Driscoll Berci and Giselle Gewelle. Ultimately, Jugram was simply loyal to his king and acted out of duty, not malice or self-interest.

Jugram was once an innocent archer in medieval Europe and had the potential to grow up to be a true hero, only to end up as Yhwach's right-hand man. It is evident from his backstory and merciful actions towards Uryu Ishida that Jugram was born with the sentimental heart of a hero, so he could have been a lovable Quincy hero like Uryu was if given the chance.

7 Dordoni died because of Ichigo Kurosaki

The three Privaron Espadas were superfluous villains in the Hueco Mundo story arc, but at least they were somewhat likable antagonists who weren't as evil as Sosuke Aizen and the current Espadas. Dordoni was the Privaron Espada who crossed blades with Ichigo, and while he tried to fight dirty, it was clear that he wasn't a truly terrible person.

Dordoni was impressed by Ichigo's power, and even held off the Exequias so that Ichigo and Nel could proceed to Las Noches. Dordoni later returned as a zombie in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, looking as flashy and flashy as ever. While Dordoni's personal arc didn't go very far, there was a chance for his redemption given his friendly attitude towards Ichigo after the fight - regardless of Dordoni's intention to defeat Ichigo somehow.

6 Charlotte Chuhlhourne had serious respect for Yumichika

Charlotte Chuhlhourne was one of the more entertaining Arrancars to appear in the replica of Karakura Town, a stark contrast to her terrifying boss, Baraggan Luisenbairn. Charlotte was a vain and aggressive Arrancar who valued her perfectly coiffed hair, and clashed bitterly with Yumichika over whether the ugliness was on the inside or the outside.

Charlotte lost fair and square when Yumichika displayed his true shikai, but was not at all bitter or angry. He praised Yumichika for being "quite a guy" and accepted his defeat without complaint, later returning as one of Mayuri Kurotsuchi's four Arrancar zombies. Charlotte wasn't exactly a hero to be fair, but he still had some respect for his enemies and didn't hold grudges, so redemption would have been possible for him under the right circumstances.

5 Gin Ichimaru died a hero, not a traitor

Not unlike Itachi Uchiha in Naruto anime, Gin Ichimaru is actually an anti-villain character—an antagonist who is later revealed to have never been evil. In the much-remembered Soul Society story arc, Gin betrayed the Soul Reapers along with Sosuke Aizen, but Gin had another scheme in mind.

When the time was finally right, Gin turned against Aizen and attempted to overthrow him, only to fail and be struck down himself. Gin's childhood friend Rangiku Matsumoto rushed to see him, and so Gin died happy, with his old friend close by. This could have been his first step towards redemption. Had Gin survived, he could have fully restored his heroism as Captain Soul Reaper, but his death sealed any chance of that happening.

4 Grimmjow Jeagerjaques fought Ichigo with honor

In a subtle way, the fallen Espada Grimmjow Jaegerjaques redeemed himself slightly in the Thousand-Year Blood War story arc, returning through a gorge to support Ichigo's team. Grimmjow never forgot his shonen-style rivalry with Ichigo, but he still managed to behave himself and fought the Sternritter alongside him. Bleachheroes – an impressive feat, all things considered.

It's worth noting that Grimmjow did some pretty tough things in Bleach, such as beating up Loly and Menoly, and he even fought against his fellow Espadas Luppi and Ulquiorra. That being said, Grimmjow still has more honor than the other Espadas, given his willingness to fight Ichigo on fair terms and rescuing Orihime in Las Noches. In most other anime, there is no doubt that a character like Grimmjow would have certainly redeemed himself.

3 Tier Harribel just wanted to protect her fellow Hollows.

The 3rd Espada, Tier Harribel, was the most redeemable Espada alongside Coyote Starrk. Neither of the two had any serious malicious intent, though they still had a duty to Sosuke Aizen and thus traded blows with the Soul Reapers. Harribel also embodied sacrifice, as shown when she held Yhwach back to let her fellow Arrancars escape. This was a noble gesture that most Arrancars would not even think of doing.

Above all, Harribel was like a protective older sister to her three fractions, not just a boss. Her three fractions looked up to her and addressed her with great respect and affection, things very rare in Hueco Mundo. If Aizen had never appeared, Harribel could have lived in peace as one of the most benevolent Hollows in Hueco Mundo and could even have become a hero of that land.

2 Cyan Sung-Sun fought for Harribel with honor and dignity

Cyan Sung-Sun was one of Harribel's factions and had the coldest temperament among them. While Apacci and Mila Rose often argued or acted rashly in battle, Sung-Sun was a patient and pleasant Arrancar who valued teamwork and wisdom above all else. She fought the Soul Reapers as duty required, but there was nothing malicious in her actions—she was simply doing what she had to do.

Notably, Sung-Sun also supported Ichigo's team when Quilge Opie's army arrived in Hueco Mundo at the beginning of the Thousand-Year Blood War story arc. She used her shell powers to protect herself and her new allies while fighting the Quincy army, a kind gesture that Ichigo could not realistically expect from most other Arrancars, let alone Loly and Menoly.

1 Kaname Tosen regretted his bad decisions

Kaname Tosen was the other captain who betrayed Soul Society to support Sosuke Aizen, and unlike his ally Gin, Tosen did not secretly plot to overthrow Aizen. Kaname Tosen took his duty as general of the Arrancars seriously, and he even appeared as a Hollow when he assumed a form called Grillar Grillo.

Tosen fought against his former friends Sajin Komamura and Shuhei Hisagi, only to lose the fight. As he lay on the ground, dying, he became immensely emotional when Sajin spoke of their friendship and bond, allowing Tosen to show a hint of redemption and goodwill towards his former ally. Had Tosen survived, he would likely have become a hero once again alongside Sajin – but fate had other plans in store.