Tite Kubo's hit shonen manga series Bleach became a legendary anime series in 2004. Ever since then, anime fans everywhere have fallen in love with Bleach's incredible cast of characters, from the heroic Ichigo Kurosaki to the smart and cool Uryu Ishida and the friendly Soul Reaper Rukia Kuchiki. Everyone has their own favorite Bleach characters, including the best Bleach waifus from the manga and anime.
Anime fans can also pick and choose their favorite waifu from Bleach's extensive cast of characters, and they have some great options to choose from. An ideal waifu isn't just an attractive character; the ultimate waifu is someone who is kind, smart, funny, tough, and an overall outstanding person who would make the ideal companion for any anime fan.
Updated by Louis Kemner on December 17, 2023: The best Bleach waifus are beautiful, powerful, and memorable, leaving lasting impressions on fans and making them ideal would-be partners for any anime fan. This list has also been updated to adhere to CBR's current publication standards.
25 Candice Catnipp Is a Mean but Funny Sternritter
Why Fans Love Candice Catnipp:
- Her stylish lightning powers
- Her intense fight against Ichigo Kurosaki
- Her tsundere-style comedy
Candice Catnipp is moderately popular as a villainous Bleach waifu. Fans find her quite attractive, and they also enjoy her reckless, hotheaded tsundere antics later in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc as she desperately tried to kill Ichigo so she could impress Yhwach.
Candice amused Bleach fans when she revealed her biggest secret: that she spends hours each morning styling her hair, a fun fluff detail that made her actually feel vaguely relatable. More than anything, though, Candice defines herself with her Quincy pride and her electric powers with The Thunderbolt. Unlike many other Bleach waifus, however, Candice lacks her sympathetic side, and she doesn't even have a backstory.
24 Hiyori Sarugaki Is a Tough Tsundere Who Means Well
Why Fans Love Hiyori Sarugaki:
- Her cool Hollow mask
- Her role in training Ichigo
- Her loyalty to friends despite her tsundere antics
Hiyori Sarugaki may rank fairly low among the best Bleach waifus, but she still has her fans. Even if Hiyori has a bad attitude as a bratty tsundere, she still means well, which puts her above the likes of antagonists like Candice Catnipp and Loly Aivirrne.
Hiyori was once the Lieutenant of Squad 12 until she and seven other officers Hollowfied and got ejected from the Soul Society and went into exile. Now, Hiyori is a minor supporting hero who helped Ichigo train to use bankai, and she acted like a total hothead the entire time, too. Hiyori also invented a device to test people's spiritual energy and gladly took part in the final fight against Sosuke Aizen.
23 Kanae Katagiri Was Uryu's Kind, Loving Mother
Why Fans Love Kanae Katagiri:
- Fans always wanted to meet Uryu's mother
- Her kind personality
- Her loyalty
Kanae Katagiri was a minor character in the Thousand-Year Blood War's first anime cour. She appeared in a flashback concerning Masaki and Ryuken Ishida's family, with Kanae being the Ishida family's loyal, soft-spoken maid. Eventually, when the teenaged Ryuken grew up, her married her and had one child with her, Uryu.
Kanae didn't appear long enough to be a fan-favorite Bleach waifu, but she still has her appeal. Kanae is a kind, helpful and empathetic person who helps contrast with the stern, unforgiving Izumi Ishida, Ryuken's own mother.
22 Miyako Shiba Was a Popular Soul Reaper in Her Time
Why Fans Love Miyako Shiba:
- Her marriage to the popular Kaien Shiba
- She inspired Rukia to become a Soul Reaper
- Her kindness
Miyako Shiba is one of the many minor Bleach characters who only appeared for a short time before vanishing again, so she's not a top-tier Bleach waifu. That being said, Bleach fans can still see why the popular Lieutenant Kaien Shiba chose Miyako to be his wife.
Miyako Shiba was a caring and empathetic person who was just as popular as her husband, making them a power couple in Squad 13 for a time. She was also the one who found a young Rukia Kuchiki and encouraged her to become a Soul Reaper, earning Miyako a few more points as a Bleach waifu.
21 Kirio Hikifune Became Squad 0's Food Expert
Why Fans Love Kirio Hikifune:
- Her role in training Ichigo and Renji
- Her easygoing personality
Kirio Hikifune was once Squad 12's Captain before she was promoted to Squad 0 thanks to her breakthroughs in gigai technology. Now, Kirio spends her time preparing energy-rich food, and she helps Ichigo and Renji fuel up for the grueling training that lies ahead.
Kirio is a fine waifu because of her cheerful, supportive personality and her awe-inspiring dedication to her craft. Many anime characters like her are popular not just because of their skills but also their sheer passion for what they do — in Kirio's case, food and science. That makes Kiro Hikifune one of the delightful Bleach waifus, even if she only briefly appeared in the anime.
20 Tatsuki Arisawa Is Orihime's Protective Friend at School
Why Fans Love Tatsuki Arisawa:
- She protects her friend Orihime
- She's a karate-loving tomboy
- She stands up for what's right
Tatsuki Arisawa is a minor supporting Bleach character who appeared a few times in the Substitute Soul Reaper and even in the Fake Karakura Town arc for a brief moment. Tatsuki has very slight spiritual powers, but she's better known as Orihime's protective friend and a passionate karate practitioner.
Tatsuki is one of Bleach's many tsundere waifus who won over fans with her tough, aggressive exterior and her charmingly affectionate and protective feelings, mostly where Orihime is concerned. Even if Tatsuki can't fight Hollows, it is touching how far she will go to protect her friend. Tatsuki is a wonderful side character in Bleach, and pound for pound, she's one of the best waifus, but she can't compete with the anime's most dazzling, hard-hitting waifus, hence her low rank among all waifus.
19 Isane Kotetsu Is Unohana's Shy but Skilled Subordinate
Why Fans Love Isane Kotetsu:
- Shy girls like her are popular and sympathetic
- Her loyalty to Captain Unohana
Related
How Bleach Tragically Wasted Yet Another Soul Reaper's Potential in the TYBW Arc
After Captain Unohana's death, her apprentice, Isane Kotetsu, could have gotten a glow-up, like Kenpachi. But for some reason, she did not.
Any anime fans who love timid dandere waifus might like Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu of Squad 4. She's not as dazzling as other Bleach waifus, like Yoruichi and Rukia, but Isane does have gentle charm as a polite, soft-spoken Soul Reaper who looks up to her captain as a role model.
Isane's role in Bleach may be minimal, but fans can still appreciate how Isane takes her duty seriously, remaining committed to her mission of healing and protecting others. All that makes her a fine successor for Squad 4's leadership, with Captain Unohana recently perishing at Kenpachi's hands.
18 Senna Made the First Bleach Movie More Memorable
Why Fans Love Senna:
- She expanded Bleach's lore in new ways
- The novelty of her design
- Her fun personality
Senna may be a non-canon Bleach character from the anime's first movie, but fans still adore her as a lively, fun-loving Bleach waifu all the same. Senna was introduced as an unusual Soul Reaper who didn't belong to any of the Gotei 13's squads, and then Ichigo and Rukia learned the bizarre secret of Senna's true nature.
Senna was a skilled fighter, but she also had fun in Karakura Town as an easygoing reverse-isekai guest. Her and Ichigo's adventures almost felt like ordinary slice-of-life, complete with a Ferris wheel, giving Senna more conventional anime waifu vibes for a time.
17 Lieutenant Momo Hinamori Is Toshiro's Dear Friend and a Kido Specialist
Why Fans Love Momo Hinamori:
- Her friendship with Toshiro
- She grew up a lot in the anime
Momo Hinamori is Squad 5's timid Lieutenant. She appeared in the Soul Society arc as Captain Aizen's fanatical follower, but she nearly died when he betrayed everyone. Over time, Momo learned to distance herself from Aizen and focus on her real friends, including Toshiro and Rangiku.
Momo never won any major victories in Bleach, though fans may still admire her as a smart, kind, and talented Soul Reaper who will bravely stand up for justice no matter what. She and Toshiro also have wonderful chemistry as childhood friends who still tease each other to this very day.
16 Masaki Kurosaki Was Ichigo's Loving Mother and Isshin's Devoted Wife
Why Fans Love Masaki Kurosaki:
- She's a brave Quincy fighter
- She was an excellent mother
- Her death makes her nostalgic
Even if Masaki Kurosaki was already deceased when Bleach's main story began, she is still highly popular in the fandom as one of the best anime moms in recent years. Flashbacks made it clear how much she loved her family, and Ichigo and Isshin idolized her as the sun in their sky.
Tragically, Masaki died when Yhwach remotely stole her Quincy powers, and the Hollow called Grand Fisher finished her off. Still, fans enjoyed watching the lengthy flashback of how the cheerful, heroic Masaki, as a teenage Quincy in a school uniform, met a handsome Soul Reaper by the name of Isshin Shiba.
15 Bambietta Basterbine Has Cool Explosion Powers and a Temper to Match
Why Fans Love Bambietta Basterbine:
- Her tsundere attitude
- Her powerful abilities
Sometimes, a popular waifu will not be an anime's gentlest girl but the most energetic and aggressive one. Not all anime fans prefer the traditional image of a gentle, passive housewife; instead, some fans like a girl who can really fight.
The Sternritter Bambietta Basterbine fits the "warrior waifu" image well with her good looks, energetic personality, and remarkable combat skills. Despite her explosive powers and villainous nature, Bambietta still has her cute side, such as calling her friends by their nicknames such as "Minnie" and "Gigi." Bambietta is a great example of the anime community's love for bad girls, hence her moderate rank among all Bleach waifus, but her character lacks enough substance to rank even higher.
14 Captain Soi Fon Is Scary but Secretly Loves Cat Things
Why Fans Love Soi Fon:
- Her close friendship with Yoruichi
- Her soft spot for all things feline
- Her memorable shikai
Bleach is packed with tough, attractive tsundere waifus who appeal to many shonen anime fans. This includes the deadly Captain Soi Fon of Squad 2, who got her assassin training from the legendary Yoruichi Shihoin herself.
Soi Fon tends to keep everyone at arm's length, but she can't help loving all things cat-related to honor her great love for Yoruichi Shihoin. This tsundere assassin has a cute secret side to balance her formidable combat skills, and her coldly good looks make her a standout Bleach waifu.
13 Lieutenant Nanao Ise Is Kyoraku's No-Nonsense Supporter
Why Fans Love Nanao Ise:
- Her loyalty to Captain Kyoraku
- Her no-nonsense, bookish personality
Nanao Ise was the Lieutenant of Squad 8 under Captain Shunsui Kyoraku until they both moved to Squad 1. Nanao made her first appearance in the Soul Society Arc as Shunsui's loyal but constantly irritated second-in-command — and she has a tsundere streak to her, too.
Nanao is beloved for her sheer elegance and her charming tsundere ways, and she also has a responsible big-sister personality that any anime fan would love. In fact, Shunsui almost sees her as a beloved daughter of sorts.
12 Kukaku Shiba Is Ichigo's Fireworks-Loving Cousin
Why Fans Love Kukaku Shiba:
- Her tomboy personality
- Her role in getting Ichigo into the Seireitei
- Her flamboyant lifestyle
Related
Bleach: Kukaku Shiba, Soul Society's Explosive Noblewoman, Explained
Kukaku Shiba lost her older brother Kaien, but the Bleach noblewoman came out the other side of grief stronger and livelier than ever.
Kukaku Shiba belongs to a minor noble family, as did her late big brother, Kaien Shiba. Kukaku appeared early in the Soul Society Arc as a kido practitioner living in a bizarre mansion far away from the Seireitei. She was the key to getting Ichigo's team where they needed to go.
Kukaku has a lot going for her, from her big-sister personality to her skills in kido and her flashy attitude and ability to handle troublemakers. She certainly fussed at Ganju and Ichigo a few times, but she always meant well, and that's why Bleach fans love her.
11 Lisa Yadomaru Has Hilarious Chemistry With Shunsui Kyoraku
Why Fans Love Lisa Yadomaru:
- Her tsundere personality
- Her amusing hobbies
- Her wacky on-screen chemistry with Shunsui Kyoraku
Lisa Yadomaru is one of the eight Visoreds, retired Soul Reapers who can call upon their Hollow masks to aid them in battle. Among them, the peculiar but cool Lisa Yadomaru is arguably the most popular, even if she isn't the strongest.
Lisa is known for her braided ponytail, schoolgirl outfit, and, most of all, her shameless pervert behavior. She is often seen reading R-rated swimsuit model magazines and curtly pushes away anyone who questions her, which won over many Bleach fans.
10 Mashiro Kuna Is a Goofy Superhero Wannabe
Why Fans Love Mashiro Kuna:
- Her superhero persona
- Her carefree attitude
Mashiro is another Visored whose energetic and goofy behavior fits the "genki girl" theme. She's like the Mina Ashido or Marin Kitagawa of Bleach but with a zanpakuto and remarkable skill with kicking. She can also wear a bug-like Hollow mask to boost her power in combat.
Mashiro also amused Bleach fans with her friendly but obnoxious behavior around her Captain, Kensei Muguruma, 110 years ago. The friendly, chatty Mashiro often got on his nerves, but both then and now, they will loyally fight together against foes like Aizen and any Hollow. Mashiro is a great example of how Bleach fans love energetic, heroic waifus with delightful personalities, thus her flattering rank among the waifus, but she can't compare to the series' best.
9 Captain Retsu Unohana Is Motherly but Also Deadly
Why Fans Love Retsu Unohana:
- Her protective, motherly ways
- Her calm confidence and professionalism
- Her hidden side as the deadly Yachiru Unohana
Excepting her original persona as the vicious Yachiru Unohana, Captain Retsu Unohana of Squad 4 is a gorgeous, talented, and friendly lady who can reassure anyone with a few gentle words and medical kido. She has a warm maternal aura that can make any Soul Reaper feel at ease.
Unohana makes for a wonderful friend and potential waifu, given her stern but kind personality and her charming hobbies, such as flower arrangement. She also has an outwardly nurturing, compassionate personality, making it clear she always puts other people's emotional and physical needs first.
8 Riruka Dokugamine Fought Rukia in a Dollhouse
Why Fans Love Riruka Dokugamine:
- Her tsundere personality
- Her dollhouse theme
- Her crush on Ichigo
- Her amusing fight with Rukia
Many of Bleach's Best Girls are hot-tempered tsunderes who act ferocious and standoffish at first. Tsundere characters only reveal their warm and caring side later, as per tsundere tradition. A popular Bleach tsundere is the Fullbring warrior Riruka Dokugamine, who starred in the Fullbring Arc.
Riruka has a vibrant and colorful personality. She also nursed an amusing crush on Ichigo, which helped reveal her kinder side later in the arc. Many Bleach fans were sad to see Riruka go when the arc concluded.
7 Nelliel Tu Odelschwank Protected Ichigo in Las Noches
Why Fans Love Nelliel:
- Her cool zanpakuto release
- Her honorable streak
- Her close friendship with Ichigo
- Her mature attitude (in adult form)
Most of the Arrancars, or unmasked Hollows, are vicious and strange characters who are far from ideal waifu or husbando material, yet there are a few exceptions. That includes the charming fallen Espada Nelliel, who was introduced in her adorable toddler form — but there's more to her than that.
Nelliel's true form is that of a kind but tough young woman who can stand up to most modern Espadas. She also has an innocent and charming crush on Ichigo, who has saved her life at least once up to that point. Nelliel's compassionate but fearless warrior personality makes her a top-tier waifu, Hollow mask and all.
6 Tier Harribel Was Like a Big Sister to Her Followers
Why Fans Love Tier Harribel:
- Her protective feelings for her subordinates
- Her overwhelming strength
- Her cool shark theme
Despite her terrifying Hollow mask and utter loyalty to the cruel Sosuke Aizen, the 3rd Espada Tier Halibel won over many Bleach fans with her stellar personality. She is among the Espadas' most compassionate and sympathetic members.
Halibel is a wise and caring warrior who cherishes her three fracciones, whom she views as beloved foster sisters rather than disposable minions, which adds to her appeal. Halibel is also well-liked for her cool confidence in battle, even when facing multiple opponents.
