‘Bleach’ Creator Reveals Which Soul Reapers He Wants To See Fight

Tite Kubo created hundreds of characters for Bleach, but there are two Soul Reapers the artist never got to see fight. However, if Kubo had the chance, he says he’d love to see Shunsui and Ukitake go head-to-head in a proper battle.

In the past, Kubo told Weekly Shonen Jump he wishes he had seen the Soul Reaper Captains duke it out just once. When the creator was asked why the pair appealed to him, Kubo said it came down to their similar fighting styles.

“They’re both nitouryuu [two-handed swordmen] which would make for fantastic visuals. Also because I can’t imagine a reason they would fight each other in the story. They get along so well; They have been best friends for so long,” Kubo explained.

“I’d want to see what a fight between them would be like. If I had to pick one [fighter] that’s simply impossible, then I’d choose Ichigo and Kaien. Kaien being dead, that is.”

Of course, Kubo is spot-on about why Ukitake and Shunsui having no reason to battle. The pair are two long-standing members of the Soul Society and the Gotei 13 in particular. The pair may have their personality quirks, but they do not value fighting for the sake of bloodshed like Kenpachi does. As close friends, the men often drink together, but they never feel the need to cross blades.