Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War has brought the anime adaptation to its conclusion, prompting fans to look back at the characters who stood out in the final battles. The arc gave several familiar fighters new abilities and highlighted the unusual powers of Yhwach’s most dangerous allies.
Orihime Inoue’s Shun Shun Rikka developed far beyond its early role of sensing spiritual energy. Its Soten Kisshun ability can reject phenomena, allowing her to restore Grimmjow’s arm and repair Ichigo’s broken Bankai. The series suggests this power may be capable of reversing events on an extraordinary scale.
Isshin Kurosaki’s history as the former captain of Squad 10 also reveals a fighter far more capable than his comic-relief role initially suggests. His Shikai, Engetsu, helped him damage Aizen’s Hogyoku-enhanced cocoon. Like Ichigo, Isshin uses Getsuga Tensho, but his attacks are described as more refined.
Byakuya Kuchiki returns from treatment in the Royal Realm with a deeper understanding of his Bankai. He demonstrates his improved power against Gerard Valkyrie, although Yhwach’s Auswählen ends the fight before Byakuya can show more of his abilities. Toshiro Hitsugaya also reaches a new level when his Bankai takes him into an adult form, enabling him to freeze matter and even Gerard’s Miracle ability.
Yoruichi Shihoin remains formidable without ever being shown using her Zanpakuto. Her speed and hand-to-hand skill are strengthened by Shunko, particularly in her Thunder Beast Battle Form, which nearly kills the Sternritter Askin Nakk Le Vaar. Askin proves difficult to defeat, surviving attacks from both Yoruichi and Kisuke Urahara before Grimmjow delivers the finishing blow.
Urahara’s intelligence has helped shape many of the series’ victories, including the hidden Kido spell that hindered Aizen. His Bankai, Kannonbiraki Benihime Atarame, also gives him a way to challenge Askin, though he cannot overcome the Sternritter alone.
Other powerful Quincy include Gremmy Thoumeaux, whose ability brings his imagination to life. He traps Kenpachi Zaraki in outer space and creates a meteor aimed at the Seireitei, forcing Kenpachi to release his Shikai. Uryu Ishida gains a major boost from The Antithesis, which can reverse the effects of damage. He later uses an arrowhead of Still Silver to incapacitate Jugram Haschwalth and help Ichigo reach Yhwach.
Haschwalth’s Schrift, The Balance, lets him shift misfortune onto his opponents. Combined with the Freund Schild, which absorbs and deflects adversity, the ability makes him a particularly difficult opponent. He overwhelms Uryu in battle, though he ultimately allows him to leave after Yhwach turns against his own followers.
Sources: Comic Book Resources.