YMMV / Bleach Arrancar Invasion Arc

• Magnificent Bastard:
  • Ulquiorra Cifer is the Cuatro Espada and Sosuke Aizen's de facto right-hand man. Sent to the Human World to gauge Ichigo's strength, Ulquiorra observes Orihime Inoue's ability, and deduces it to be more than it seems. Leading an invasion to serve as a distraction, Ulquiorra forces Orihime to come to Hueco Mundo, holding the lives of her comrades as leverage, and allowing her to say goodbye to one of her friends. Ulquiorra is willing to psychologically manipulate Orihime, yet expresses distaste at Nnoitra's suggestion that he "sexually tame" her. Confronting Ichigo, Ulquiorra goads Ichigo into fighting him and effortlessly defeats him. During their final fight, Ulquiorra reveals his ultimate form to Ichigo to crush his spirit, and comes the closest out of any other antagonist in the series to killing him. Ruthless, yet graceful, Ulquiorra finally understands what the "Heart" means in his final moments, cementing his status as one of Ichigo's most impactful and formidable enemies.
  • Coyote Starrk is the Primera Espada, earning the title for being a dangerous combatant. During his fight against Jushiro Ukitake and Shunsui Kyoraku, he quickly learns how the former's zanpakuto functions and holsters his guns to give the false impression that he needs to reload before firing. Throughout the fight with him, he proves to be honorable enough to spare the lives of his opponents, only trying to kill them if they refuse to surrender. Despising loneliness above all else, Starrk greatly values the life of his subordinate, Lilynette. While fighting Shunsui, he adapts to the rules of his zanpakuto's "game", forcing the latter to change the rules during the fight. After a difficult battle, Shunsui mourns his death by saying he didn't want to kill him.