Key Takeaways
- Each Espada in Aizen’s army represents an “aspect of death”, such as rage, greed, or destruction.
- The Espada embody human suffering, despair, and nihilism, reflecting humanity’s greatest fears.
- Some Espada, like Tier Harribel, prioritize duty and sacrifice over evil intentions.
The Espada are the Top 10 most powerful Arrancar in Sousuke Aizen’s army. Ten incredibly powerful warriors follow his orders and wage war against the Gotei 13. While not all of them are regarded equally by the fans, some of these are by far some of the most popular villains in Bleach. During his fight with Soi Fon, Segunda Espada Barragan Luisenbarn talks about how each group member represents an “aspect of death”.
Death is a central theme in Bleach; how death affects humans and how they deal with it. As such, each Espada represents a cause of death. As Hollows are the main predators for humans, it makes sense that the highest level of them embodies humanity’s greatest fear. Barragan quickly mentions each aspect and to which Espada it is assigned to, but here’s how they each represent it in their personality and powers.
The Espada and their Aspects of Death
Fueled by Human Suffering
Barragan speaks about the aspects of death to Soi Fon and Omaeda during their fight. But he naturally doesn’t elaborate on it. It was up to fans to understand the meaning behind this concept and how it shaped each character.
Yammy Llargo – Rage
Yammy is the Diez Espada (Number 10) and his aspect is rage. This is easy to see in this case. Yammy is defined by his intensely rageful personality. He’s not quick to anger, he’s in a permanent stage of anger. Yammy repeatedly mistreats and abuses everyone in sight. And his temper makes his battles always go against him. He is often blinded by rage and loses sight of strategy or common sense. His Resurrección is called “Ira”, Spanish for rage.
Aaroniero Arruruerie – Greed
Aaroniero is the Novena Espada (Number 9) and his aspect is greed. Aaroniero has the ability to devour other Hollows and gain their powers and reiatsu. He once absorbed Metastascia, the one who had fused and killed Kaien Shiba. By doing this, he gained Kaien’s appearance and powers. Aaroniero exists to absorb and consume others, becoming stronger. He’s on a constant quest for more and more, hence his greed. His Resurrección is called “Glotoneria”, Spanish for gluttony.
Szayel Aporro Granz – Madness
Szayel is the Octava Espada (Number 8) and his aspect is madness. Szayel is the scientist of the Arrancar but in the most depraved way. Szayel constantly experiments on fellow Hollows as well as other beings. He’s often compared to Mayuri Kurotsuchi. Szayel is incredibly arrogant and pompous, and he treats everyone with disgust. Szayel tortured Uryuu Ishida and Renji Abarai for most of their fight, relishing in their suffering. His powers are disgusting and twisted, befitting a mad scientist. His Resurrección is called “Fornicarás” (you will fornicate).
Zommari Rureaux – Intoxication
Zommari is the Séptima Espada (Number 7) and his aspect is intoxication. Zommari’s aspect is a bit more abstract, but after a close look at him, it is very recognizable. Zommari’s main ability is “Amor” (SP: Love). It allows him to shoot eye markings at his enemies’ body parts. Any part that is marked he can manipulate and control at will. He calls this his love. Intoxication refers to how his “love” controls and corrupts people, and by them losing control of themselves as if they’re drugged. Zommari’s Amor intoxicates people like a powerful drug. He’s also incredibly devoted to Aizen as his boss, he’s also intoxicated and blinded by his devotion to his leader. His Resurrección is called “Brujería” (Witchcraft)
Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez – Destruction
Grimmjow is the Sexta Espada (Number 6) and his aspect is destruction. This is one of the most obvious cases, as Grimmjow is a man driven by battle and violence. His life revolves around fighting and killing others to prove his power. He respects no one, not even Aizen, and is motivated by his desire to destroy everyone who, in his eyes, looks down upon him.
Nnoitra Gilga – Despair
Nnoitra is the Quinto Espada (Number 5) and his aspect is despair. Nnoitra is defined by his utmost hatred for everyone else, most notably, women. Nnoitra utterly despises Nelliel Tu Odelschwank, because she was a higher-ranking Espada than him. Nnoitra’s despair is defined by his unending cycle of hatred towards everyone above him, especially women, because of his inferiority complex. Nnoitra wants to prove to himself and others how strong he is. For him, the notion of a woman being stronger than him makes him feel insignificant. He is in constant despair at his own weakness, which he refuses to accept.
Ulquiorra Cifer – Nihilism
Ulquiorra is the Cuatro Espada (Number 4) and his aspect is nihilism. Ulquiorra’s is perhaps the most well known aspect, as it defines his entire personality. Ulquiorra believes in nothing he can’t see with his eyes. He doesn’t believe in human emotions, as it isn’t a physical thing he can see or touch. He believes not in love or hate. He is completely empty. Ulquiorra’s quest to understand the human heart is the crux of his character arc and his interactions with Orihime Inoue.
Tier Harribel – Sacrifice
Tier is the Tres Espada (Number 3) and her aspect is sacrifice. Tier is remarkable for being very different from her teammates, as she isn’t evil at all. Tier follows Aizen out of duty and debt instead of a desire to destroy or kill. Tier cares far more for the safety of her Fracción, Emilou Apacci, Franceska Mila Rose, and Sung Sung. She values them more than anything, and so do they. Tier met the three by saving them from other violent Hollows. And she is more than willing to give her life to protect them. Tier is rather noble and dutiful, willing to put her life on the line for those she cares for.
Barragan Louisenbairn – Senescence
Barragan is the Segunda Espada (Number 2) and his aspect is senescence or aging. Barragan was not only the one to explain the concept of the aspects of death, but also the one who embodied his best. Barragan is the only Espada to have the form of an elderly person, and his main ability, “Respira”, rapidly ages its victims until they’re dead. Barragan embodies the passage of time as the main cause of death for humans.
Coyote Starrk/Lilynette Gingerbuck – Solitude
Coyote is the Primera Espada (Number 1) and his aspect is solitude or loneliness. Coyote was once a Vasto Lorde Hollow, so overwhelmingly powerful that every other Hollow died in his presence, and because of this, he was always alone. Eventually, he divided his reiatsu and soul into two beings: Coyote Starrk and Lilynette Gingerbuck, and now he finally had a companion. Coyote and Lilynette wanted nothing more but to have friends and an end to their loneliness. Which they had once they joined the Espada. His Resurrección is “Los Lobos” (The Wolves), referring to how wolves live in packs so they are not alone.