Bleach/Characters/Five

Characters that appeared in Tite Kubo's Bleach. There are so many that they occupy eight pages. This page deals with the Vandenreich (and possibly any new characters that show up in the final arc).


 * For the main characters, go to Bleach/Characters.
 * For Gotei 13 characters, go to Bleach/Characters/Two.
 * For Aizen and his Co-Dragons, go to Bleach/Characters/Two Point One.
 * For Non-Gotei 13 Soul Reapers, Visoreds, and Fullbringers, go to Bleach/Characters/Two Point Two.
 * For the Arrancars, go to Bleach/Characters/Three.
 * For the denizens of Karakura Town and the Soul Society, go to Bleach/Characters/Four.
 * For the anime-only characters, go to Bleach/Characters/Anime.

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Tropes Associated with the Vandenreich:

 * All Your Powers Combined: The Vandenreich is so far displaying quite an eclectic range of powers from different sources, and there are implications that they can use even more.
 * A Nazi by Any Other Name: The Vandenreich's entire set-up seems to be inspired by Nazi Germany themes, not only regarding uniforms but also certain behavioral attitudes, including one that borders on ethnic cleansing (one that fans nicknamed a Hollowcaust).
 * Badass Crew: Six members (led by Luders) waltzed right into Soul Society, declared war on Yamamoto, and waltzed right out of Soul Society without tripping any alarms until after the fact. They left behind 116 dead shinigami,, who might have been killed by only one member of said crew according to shinigami speculation.
 * When they finally do invade the Soul Society; 1000 deaths in 7 minutes,.
 * Badass Longcoat: The standard uniform.
 * Dangerously Genre Savvy Combat Pragmatist: Remember how the Arrancars made a habit out of battling the Shinigami in lengthy, I Am Not Left-Handed-style fights? Yeah, these guys will just flat-out murder you. They don't wait until the smoke is cleared; they use it as a cover to shoot you through the gut. While your friends waste time activating their weapons, the Stern Ritter slam their heads to the ground before even getting a shot at retaliating.
 * The Empire: They're building themselves up as one, if their conquest of Hueco Mundo is any indication.
 * Evil Is Hammy: Some of them seem to be prone to, well, being REALLY loud and expressive when they want to. Ivan was a pretty decent example (with his hamminess getting him kicked off Ichigo's bed), but Kirge Opie puts on the pork in a simply incredible manner (and gets hammier and hammier ), and their Emperor is the rare kind of ham that doubles as The Stoic.
 * Equal Opportunity Evil: They offer this to Arrancars, with mixed results.
 * Faceless Goons: If anyone removes their mask, they usually have a specific role to play, regardless of whether or not it's short-lived.
 * Gratuitous German: Their known divisions are the Sternritter ("star knights") and the Jagdarmee ("hunting army"), most of their names sound vaguely German-ish, their attacks are all in mangled German and, lastly, they call themselves the Vandenreich...
 * Hero-Killer: You thought Aizen was bad? Within the first few chapters of the arc, 116 individuals get killed during a three-minute fight. One of them was.
 * Taken Up to Eleven once they invade the Seireitei. A thousand casualties in 7 minutes - that's 143 wounded or killed every 60 seconds. Said casualties include.
 * Hidden Agenda Villain: While we know what their leader wants (i.e. to attack the Soul Society), that's about as far as we know regarding their goals, much less their motives.
 * Knight of Cerebus: From the outset of this arc, the Vandenreich has made it clear it won't hesitate to kill off established characters, without bothering to get into lengthy fights. No tactic is off-limits, to the extent that they force their enemies to.
 * Malevolent Masked Men: Their main introduction to the shinigami was by presenting a group of seven fully masked warriors to Yamamoto himself.
 * Meaningful Name: The kanji used for the non-Japanese word "Vandenreich" mean "Invisible Empire".
 * Politically-Incorrect Villain: Implied.
 * Power Parasite: Their opening strike in the arc is to target shinigami bankai. The shinigami don't fully understand why.
 * . Since Ichigo's was technically a Fullbring, NOT a Bankai, information Ivan did not have access to, it failed, to Ivan's shock.
 * Kirge Opie makes it clear that its a form of Power Copying; anything made of spiritual particles can be absorbed and the Vandenreich member can take on the form and abilities of the victim.
 * Putting on the Reich: Their stormtrooper uniforms are very much Nazi-esque.
 * Villain Teleportation: The Vandenreich seems to have a unique teleportation technique that not even the Shakonmaku can disrupt. Ivan claimed it was proof of the them being "chosen".
 * Wham! Episode: These guys are very much prone to it. For starters, And we don't even know most of their names yet.

The Emperor of Vandenreich
Species: Quincy Affiliation: Vandenreich Abilities: Unknown


 * The Emperor of Vandenreich:

The leader of the Vandenreich, first seen when his subordinates deliver their report from the Soul Society. So far, he's shown to be ruthless, intolerant and disturbingly brutal. This is a man you do not want to annoy.


 * Authority Equals Asskicking: He's not to be fucked with. Aizen at least tried to be nice.
 * Badass: We don't know his name, they didn't even refer to him as the leader until his second appearance, so how do we know he was the boss right from the start? The way he acts alone is enough proof that he is superior to everyone else.
 * And then there's the small fact that he conquered Hueco Mundo and defeated Harribel.
 * And 1000 years ago,.
 * Badass Mustache: So badass, it almost looks like a beard.
 * Badass Cape: Sports a long black cape along with his Quincy outfit.
 * Badass Long Hair
 * Bad Boss: Kills two of his subordinates just for squabbling with each other and he seems to enjoy grabbing the attention of his henchmen by blowing off their limbs.
 * Big Bad: Definitely looks to be this.
 * Combat Pragmatist: He certainly doesn't adhere to the Laws and Customs of War; his first act of war? To screw the grace period for Soul Society to surrender and invade five days before he said he would.
 * Dangerously Genre Savvy: When he learned that Ichigo went to Hueco Mundo, his first reaction is to order an assault on the Soul Society, (correctly) rationalizing that Kirge Opie will keep Ichigo distracted enough for an invasion to occur.
 * Personally leading the assault on the Seireitei, instead of leaving it to the Stern Ritter. Cue a Mass "Oh Crap" from the Shinigami.
 * Disproportionate Retribution: He wants to hear about the present, not the future. When Luders gave his two cents on what the Soul Society would do after their attack, his boss butchers him.
 * The Emperor: As revealed in chapter 490.
 * Establishing Character Moment: One of the first things he ever does in Bleach is killing two subordinates just because.
 * Evil Overlord: Already conquered Hueco Mundo, and he's worse than Aizen with regards to ruling it.
 * Facial Hair of Evil
 * Fantastic Racism: Seems to view Arrancars as Cannon Fodder.
 * For the Evulz: He admits that he has no reason to praise or critique how one of his subordinates handled their mission, but he kills him regardless.
 * Hair-Trigger Temper: That's triggered just by mentioning fights, He whips off one of his subordinates arms just for teasing a fight with Ivan. A bit more subtle since he has Dissonant Serenity to back it up.
 * Hypocrite: He hates violence, yet it is perfectly fine for him to go killing off his subordinates.
 * Jerkass: Aizen wasn't this unpleasant.
 * Kick Them While They Are Down: After destroying Luders' arm (and watching him crawl as he struggles to deal with the pain), he says that it's fine for Luders to give his report while lying on the floor. However, two seconds after saying that, he loses patience and threatens to destroy Luders' legs, "since you're not going to sit down".
 * Make an Example of Them: He doesn't like fights. He has two people bickering. He's told them in the past not to fight. Punishment? Lop off the arm of the one who started it just to ram his point home. And then kill the other one, anyway.
 * No Name Given: Thus far.
 * Only Six Faces: Depending on which fans you talk to, he either looks like Zangetsu, Kenpachi, Kyouraku or a long-haired Isshin. Or all four.
 * Porn Stache: This is what happens when you wear mustache, but no beard.
 * Really 700 Years Old: He's at least millennium old (and possibly older), according to Mayuri.
 * The Unfettered: Again, the stoicism makes it hard to see at first, but he lops off body parts left and right on a whim, and goes back on his formal declaration of going to war in 5 days as soon as he's feeling opportunistic.
 * We Have Reserves: When asked why he keeps killing his henchmen - particularly Arrancars, he replies he can always get new ones.
 * Wham! Line: "We're invading the Soul Society". Ordered on the same day that he declared war on them.

Stern Ritter
Species: Quincy Affiliation: Vandenreich Abilities: Unknown


 * Unknown Blonde Member

A member of the Vandenreich sporting long blonde hair who notices that Ivan's mission failed and observes that's not actually a bad thing. He seems to be the leader of the "Stern Ritter", the Vandenreich's main combat unit.

""Sorry, but we were ordered to kill everyone""
 * Apologetic Attacker: A bit sarcastic about it though.


 * Badass: He's the only other member to talk back to the leader and not get blown up and he demolishes four shinigami with ease...one of them was  .
 * Badass Boast: "Fear us Shinigami. As of now, the Stern Ritter will purify you."
 * Badass Long Hair
 * Bishonen: Oh god yes.
 * The Dragon: Since he seems to be the leader of the Stern Ritter.
 * Early-Bird Cameo: He can be seen in the cover for the final arc's first chapter, with a strangely greenish hair.
 * Long-Haired Pretty Boy
 * No Name Given
 * Only Six Faces: He bears a resemblance to Ukitake, Tsukishima and Ishida.

Species: Quincy Affiliation: Vandenreich Abilities: Unknown


 * Hooded Person


 * Ambiguous Gender: At the moment, it's hard to tell...
 * The Faceless: At the moment.
 * In the Hood

Species: Quincy Affiliation: Vandenreich Abilities: Unknown


 * Bearded Man


 * Early-Bird Cameo: He can be seen in the cover for the final arc's first chapter.
 * Only Six Faces: Looks almost exactly like Yammy.

Species: Quincy Affiliation: Vandenreich Abilities: Unknown


 * Mohawk Man


 * Only Six Faces: Looks like Ichigo with a Mohawk.

Species: Quincy Affiliation: Vandenreich Abilities: Unknown


 * As Nodt

Stern Ritter "F", who murders a bunch of no-name Shinigami, before meeting Renji Abarai.


 * Black Eyes of Evil
 * Unusual Eyebrows: Type 5.
 * Only Six Faces: He almost looks exactly like Unohana.
 * Silent Antagonist: Hasn't spoken a word on panel, despite killing several Shinigami, engaging Renji Abarai, and having his name splashed, in contrast to the other Sternritters.
 * Spikes of Villainy

Species: Quincy Affiliation: Vandenreich Abilities: Unknown


 * Bambietta Basterbine

Stern Ritter "E".


 * Alliterative Name: Villainous example.
 * Badass Adorable: Rare villainous version. Because a girl this cute-looking can't just be on the Vandereich side could she? Oh Shit, How many shinigami did she take down at once?!
 * Blood Knight - Dark Action Girl: She really enjoys slaughtering Shinigami...
 * Commissar Cap: The sole one to wear it- a bit odd, considering the military motifs of Vandenreich characters.
 * Custom Uniform: Instead of a normal belt buckle like the others, she wears a heart shaped one.
 * I Shall Taunt You: "Doggie dog" Komamura isn't happy about being insulted yet again.
 * Long Hair Is Feminine
 * Only Six Faces: She's caused the fandom to variously compare her to Riruka, Ikumi and Tatsuki.

Species: Quincy Affiliation: Vandenreich Abilities: Unknown


 * Man With Glasses


 * Badass Grandpa: He seems to be the oldest of the Stern Ritter
 * Only Six Faces: Dude looks like Ginrei and Soken.
 * Specs of Awesome: He wears glasses.

Species: Quincy Affiliation: Vandenreich Abilities: Unknown


 * NaNaNa Najahkoop

Stern Ritter "U".


 * Alliterative Name and Repetitive Name
 * Expy: Shares the hair and eyeguard of Tousen from the Flashback Arc, but has a completely different attitude.
 * Funny Afro: His hair is similar to Love's or Tousen's, but spikier at the edges.
 * Lean and Mean
 * Odd Name Out: It's not like his fellows bear ordinary names, but seriously, NaNaNa?
 * Scary Teeth
 * Spell My Name with an "S": In a universe with characters named Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez or Aaroniero Arrurierie, his name is still pretty weird.
 * Token Minority

Species: Quincy Affiliation: Vandenreich Abilities: Unknown


 * Masked Man


 * Cool Mask: Mexican mascara used by Lucha Libre warriors.

Jagdarmee
Species: Quincy Affiliation: Vandenreich Abilities: Unknown


 * Kirge Opie

The Commander of the "Jagdarmee" division of the Vandenreich, tasked with capturing and subjugating Arrancars. Despite appearing to be a relatively low-ranking officer (there are other Jagdarmee division captains out there), the Emperor trusts him enough to keep The Hero from returning to the Soul Society.

"Opie: "Anyone that didn't understand what I just explained will end like this!" (stabs an Arrancar) "Like this. Like this." (stabs two more) Subordinate A: "Is the captain really going to collect any Arrancars?" Opie: (still stabbing in the background) "You're gonna diiieee!!" Subordinate B: "Of course he's not."
 * Ax Crazy: Just a little bit - oddly funny, and at the same time, rather disturbing.


 * Badass:
 * He catches a Zanpakuto bare-handed after it decapitated two of his subordinates. Technically, it took him by surprise. He also takes on three lieutenant-level fraccions at the same time and demolishes them off-screen.
 * He dodges a point-blank Getsuga Tensho.
 * Bad Boss: He watched as his entire crew was demolished by three Arrancars. He could've stepped in to help them at any time, but chose to watch as they were slaughtered. To make matters worse, when one of his underlings tried to run away, he butchered the guy. His callousness was enough to silence three Vitriolic Best Buds.
 * Bait and Switch Boss: Originally, an individual on the last page of chapter 486 was implied to be the commander, yet in 487 the first thing that individual does is take orders from Opie.
 * Beyond the Impossible: No Selling a point-blank Getsuga? Surviving a beatdown from Ayon? Holy shit.
 * Blood Knight: His enthusiastic praise of Appaci, Sung-Sun and Mila Rose shows that he definitely encourages the attitude.
 * Body Horror:, he's absolutely hideous.
 * Boss in Mook Clothing: Holy shit.
 * Deadpan Snarker: "OOK! That's not how it works!"
 * Disproportionate Retribution:
 * He stabs right through an Arrancar, killing him instantly, just for asking to join the Vandenreich, without waiting his turn.
 * He also blows off a dude's head for retreating from Harribel's Fraccion.
 * The Dreaded: This man is terrifying to everyone who fights him, sans Ichigo.
 * Drill Sergeant Nasty: His way of recruiting Arrancar? Killing them one by one until someone decides to try to fight.
 * Genre Savvy: See Secret Keeper below.
 * Hero-Killer: Fits almost all of the qualifications, short of actually killing someone, for now.
 * Inherently Funny Words: OOK!
 * Jerkass: If you want to join the Vandenreich, he wants you to kneel down and lick his boots, but when they actually try to join peacefully, he butchers them anyway. When one of the few survivors suggests retreating, he kills him personally. The guy definitely follows the Emperor's example.
 * Non-Standard Character Design: Sans his, the man looks downright cartoony.
 * Kick Them While They Are Down: He ordered his subordinates to beat up two Numeros after they were already unconscious.
 * Putting on the Reich: The only way he could look more like a Nazi was if he had a small square mustache.
 * Royal Rapier: The first weapon we see him use is a rapier.
 * Scary Shiny Glasses
 * Secret Keeper: Specifically about the motives of his leader and his knowledge of Ishida.
 * Slasher Smile: Sports a permanent one . It's borderline Nightmare Face material.
 * Slouch of Villainy: In his second appearance.
 * Smug Snake: Subverted. The guy definitely has an ego, but he's still incredibly dangerous.
 * Story-Breaker Power:
 * Take That: Based on what he'd seen of the fraccions so far, he concluded Aizen's choice of subordinates was quite poor.
 * Wham! Line: "You must have heard about this ability before.  If Kirge's words and actions are any implication, every member of the Stern Ritter, and the Vandenreich leader himself,
 * Secret Keeper: Specifically about the motives of his leader and his knowledge of Ishida.
 * Slasher Smile: Sports a permanent one . It's borderline Nightmare Face material.
 * Slouch of Villainy: In his second appearance.
 * Smug Snake: Subverted. The guy definitely has an ego, but he's still incredibly dangerous.
 * Story-Breaker Power:
 * Take That: Based on what he'd seen of the fraccions so far, he concluded Aizen's choice of subordinates was quite poor.
 * Wham! Line: "You must have heard about this ability before.  If Kirge's words and actions are any implication, every member of the Stern Ritter, and the Vandenreich leader himself,

Arrancar
Species: Arrancar Affiliation: Vandenreich / Las Noches (formerly) Abilities: Unknown


 * Luders Friegen

The Mouth of Sauron, sent to deliver war declaration to Captain Yamamoto. Apparently, he is The Rival to Ivan, but nothing significant ever comes of it.


 * Break the Haughty: Because his boss clearly doesn't approve of his behavior.
 * Facial Markings
 * Killed Off for Real
 * Malevolent Masked Men: Before he takes it off, obviously.
 * Mouth of Sauron: Though his master is quickly revealed, subverting the trope.
 * Multicolored Hair: Black and white.
 * Non-Indicative Name: For some reason, his name is German, even though he's an Arrancar (and should bear a Spanish name).
 * Oh Crap: Another member of "one-armed bandit" club.
 * Only Six Faces: His face is similar to Ginjo, the right side of his hair resembles Tsukishima and the left side resembles Kokuto's cornrows.
 * The Rival: To Ivan.
 * Sacrificial Lamb: He really seemed like The Dragon of the Vandenreich, but he's quickly killed for veering off-tangent by speculating about the future instead of focusing on the present.
 * Smug Snake: He liked taunting Ivan. It wasn't a wise move.
 * We Hardly Knew Ye: Is killed off very quickly after he's introduced.

Species: Arrancar Affiliation: Vandenreich / Las Noches (formerly) Quincy Bow: Unknown


 * Ivan Azgiaro

An Arrancar affiliated with the Vandenreich, appearing suddenly in Ichigo's room to introduce himself. He attempted to steal Ichigo's Bankai, before returning to the Emperor to confess his failure.


 * Badass Longcoat: He has a long, white, double-breasted trench coat with shoulder straps, tied using a black belt at its waist, which is adorned with a decorative buckle.
 * BF... Bow: He pulled out a gargantuan spiked bow. to fight Ichigo with.
 * Didn't See That Coming: Attempted to take Ichigo's Bankai, but as it was a Fullbring, NOT a Bankai, his method failed and he was forced to retreat.
 * Disproportionate Retribution: Ivan stands on Ichigo's bed, and refuses to move. Ichigo high kicks him out the window.
 * Eyepatch of Power: His mask covers his left eye, with three holes on it.
 * Fascinating Eyebrow: Which apparently always looks like that.
 * Nightmare Face: When he thought he was about to succeed in neutralizing Ichigo's bankai, the maniacal glee on his face was very disconcerting to see.
 * Sacrificial Lamb: He's the first of the Vandenreich we meet and he attacks Ichigo very quickly into the arc. Then we learn how harsh his master is.
 * Spell My Name with an "S": Mangareader and the Bleach wiki use "Ivan Azgiaro", Mangastream uses "Ebern Azgiallo", and some fans just call him "Iban".
 * The Reveal:.
 * We Hardly Knew Ye: Is killed by his boss almost immediately after Luders is.


 * Unseen Member

An unnamed, unseen member of Vandenreich, he manages to kill 116 opponents in the space of three minutes. Alone.


 * Badass: He can kill 116 opponents in three minutes without backup.
 * One-Man Army: Holy fuck.
 * The Unseen: His only action to date is also his introduction to the storyline.