Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Bleachis known for its epic battles, intense character development, and intricate lore. From the casual friendship to heart-breaking tales,Bleachhas got them all. However, the series has many characters that were unfairly sidelined due to seemingly no reason and a prime example of this is Chojiro Sasakibe, the loyal lieutenant of the 1st Division under Captain-Commander Yamamoto.
There is no question that Sasakibe was a man of incredible strength, strong enough to scar Yamamoto himself. Sasakibe was touted to be strong enough in his own right to be made captain but refused to work under Yamamoto. It has such an impressive background, and this character is shown facing defeat against Ichigo Kurosaki early in the series.
This baffling inconsistency doesn’t make sense, not to mention how such a powerful figure was treated so poorly. Chojiro Sasakibe may not have been the strongest or flashiest of characters inBleach, but his reputation in Soul Society is a testament to his strength. Is plot armor the reason Sasakibe was embarrassed?
Sasakibe’s embarrassing defeat against Ichigo
As Yamamoto’s right-hand man, Sasakibe was a highly capable fighter who had earned the respect of the most powerful captain in the Gotei 13. Sasakibe’s Bankai, Koko Gonryo Rikyu (Golden Lightning Palace), is a lightning-based Bankai that was powerful enough to leave a permanent scar on Yamamoto during a sparring match.
Yamamoto’s overwhelming strengthand combat prowess make him a monster to fight against; scarring him is no small feat. Sasakibe’s Bankai strength is clear. If the question is regarding why he did not use Bankai in his fight against Ichigo, many may feel that Ichigo did not give the opportunity to him.
But that was not true, and ifIchigo was fast enoughto not let Sasakibe finish his Bankai, what about the Head Captain? There is no way a man of Yamamoto’s capabilities would let himself get hit by a Bankai standing.
The Gotei 13 Member Who Got the Most Well-Designed But Stupendously Impractical Bankai in Bleach History
In later arcs, such as theThousand-Year Blood War, Sasakibe’s abilities and loyalty were emphasized, and an effort was made to revive him, but the damage had already been done.
Sasakibe couldn’t take down Ichigo’s plot armor
InBleach’sSoul Society arc, Ichigo first enters the Soul Society to save Rukia from being executed, fighting with various lieutenants and captains on the way. Sasakibe is one of the first high-ranking Soul Reapers to confront Ichigo. This early portrayal of Sasakibe losing to Ichigo as easily as eating cake felt inconsistent with the true scope of his power.
This inconsistency highlights one ofBleach’srecurring issues: many characters are used as whetstones or pedestals to serve the protagonist’s development. Sasakibe was and should have been far more powerful than his early appearance suggested, but for the sake of showing offIchigo’s strength, he was sacrificed.
Tite Kubo’s Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 4 Update Is Making Everyone Scream ‘PEAK’
Sasakibe’s Bankai was revealed during the Quincy invasion, and it showcased his true power that left Yamamoto gravely injured. He shone with great brilliance before his death and deserved far better than his defeat against Ichigo.
Bleachis available for streaming on Netflix and Crunchyroll.
Chandra Shekhar
Anime Writer
Articles Published :856
Chandra Shekhar is an Anime Writer at FandomWire with over 800 published articles under his belt. A law student by training but a storyteller at heart, he blends his sharp analysis with a deep love for all things anime. From the old-school Yu Yu Hakusho to the eldritch horrors of Lord of the Mysteries, his knowledge spans decades and genres. When he’s not writing, he’s likely buried in webnovels, silently hoping his favorite ones get the anime adaptation they deserve.
