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Espada Espada

十刃Esupādaエスパーダ [hide]The Espada

Top row: Coyote Starrk, Baraggan Luisenbarn, Tia Harribel, Ulquiorra Cifer, Nnoitra Jiruga. Bottom row: Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, Zommari Leroux, Szayel Aporro Granz, Aaroniero Arruruerie, Yammy Riyalgo.

The Espada (十刃, (エスパーダ), Esupāda; Spanish for "Sword", Japanese for "Ten Blades") are the top-ranked Arrancar in Sōsuke Aizen's army of Hollow-Shinigami hybrids, are the most powerful Hollows under Aizen's command, and are the main rivals of the Gotei 13. Despite their late appearance into the plot, the Espada are often considered to be the primary antagonists of Bleach, particularly during the second half of the series, being responsible for much of the conflict that has transpired within the series' continuity. Contents [hide] •	1 Outline •	2 History •	3 Current Espada •	4 Former Espada •	5 Demotion o	5.1 Privaron Espada •	6 Powers and Techniques •	7 Trivia •	8 References •	9 Navigation

Outline Those among the Arrancar that excel in killing power are chosen and favored according to their strength, they are assigned a number from one to ten. Those chosen ten are called the Espada. They have their given number carved into their very flesh. Their authority dominates those numbered eleven and above. The strength of the Espada is on a completely different level then that of the Números.[1] At any given time, the Espada has a nominal composition of ten members, all hand-picked and ranked by Aizen himself. Along with Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tōsen, the Espada as a group possess comparable strength to Soul Society's Gotei 13 Shinigami captains. At the time of the group's introduction, the Espada consists of nine males and one female. Each Espada member is chosen for their superior combat ability and then assigned a number from 1 to 10 (1 presumably being the strongest) that indicates their rank and relative power level, which is tattooed somewhere on their body. For instance, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez's is located on the right side of his lower back and Coyote Starrk's is on the back of his left hand. The Espada are given free control over the Números and may choose as many of them as they like to become their Fracción. Similar to the power gap between captains and lieutenants in the Gotei 13, the strength of the Espada far surpasses that of the average Número. Aizen himself is confident enough of his Espada's abilities to send them out on potentially hazardous missions, such as gathering information in the real world, fighting Shinigami captains inside Las Noches and Karakura Town by themselves, and gathering the Vasto Lorde for his cause. Being Aizen's most direct subordinates (not counting Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen), the Espada are privy to several of Aizen's plans and most intimate secrets, such as his goals of destroying Karakura Town and creating the King's Key and the location of the Hōgyoku within Las Noches. Aizen's respect for the Espada's abilities is reflected on his manner of addressing them, often referring to them as "my dear Espada" and sitting at the head of the same table with them, while discussing the events around Hueco Mundo. According to Dordonii, Aizen treats them as tools to do his bidding, but nonetheless, he wanted to take back his position as an Espada to once again be close to Aizen. In accordance with this, Aizen is not at all distressed over the deaths of the Espada and calmly congratulates the intruders in Las Noches for their victories against the Espada as he leaves for Karakura Town. Their immense amount of power and leadership status among the Arrancar also grants each Espada the authority to exert command over Aizen's other forces within Las Noches: the Números, the Exequias, and their own Fracción. There seems to be a sort of hierarchy among the Espada; a higher-ranked member apparently can give orders to lower-ranked members. This is demonstrated when Aizen orders Ulquiorra Cifer to kidnap Orihime Inoue; the Arrancar led by Ulquiorra included Luppi (the then-sixth Espada), Yammy Riyalgo (the tenth/zero), Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, and Wonderweiss Margera (unassigned). Various missions usually involve one or more Espada operating together, with the most senior member exercising command over the others; typical, non-combat missions, such as searching for the Vasto Lorde and gathering pre-invasion data in the Human world, include a senior Espada and a lower-ranked one being sent out in pairs. While the lower-ranked members usually have little restraint in taking their own initiative (thus exceeding their orders), higher-ranked members usually stick to Aizen's commands, and are often the first to bail the others out of trouble, because in Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck's own words, they wish to, "prevent the Espada from losing one of their own." However, Aizen's attitude toward the offending Espada members seem to be one of leniency, officially forgiving them (though not without severe sanctions) on the grounds that they are merely advancing his own wishes. Aside from regularly appearing in Aizen's throne room and the debriefing room, the Espada are known to have their own quarters within Las Noches; those that have been seen appear to have been modified to suit the specific Espada's taste. Szayel Aporro Granz, for instance, possesses a large building that he refers to as his "palace," complete with a hidden, indestructible laboratory and a changing room; Zommari Leroux has been shown on one occasion to await orders inside a meditation room; Coyote Starrk's room is designed along the lines of a lounging chamber and Aaroniero Arruruerie's tower, accessed via a hanging bridge, effectively keeps out sunlight and contains nooks and crannies for hiding cushions and other implements whose purpose is to make his shape-shifting abilities more convincing. As Aaroniero Arruruerie notes, all of the Espada, except for himself, were at least Adjuchas-class Menos before becoming Arrancar. According to Ulquiorra, any Espada ranked 4th or higher are not allowed to release their Zanpakutō within Aizen's palace, as their Resurrección's released powers are powerful enough to destroy the majority of Las Noches. Most recently, Yammy Riyalgo stated that the Espada are not assigned numbers from 1 to 10, but rather, 0 to 9. History The creation of the Espada has long been one of Aizen's most important preoccupations. While it is not specified when the Espada were first brought together as a group, the original Espada were already in existence sometime before Aizen's defection from the Soul Society and acquisition of the Hōgyoku. Since then, the composition of the Espada has changed, both in membership and position. As far as what kind of Arrancar have joined their ranks, only one member of the current Espada was a Gillian-class Menos, the others being at least Adjuchas, so Espada of the past have more prominently ascended from Gillians. Aizen has stated to Gin that his plans for the Espada include filling up its ranks with Vasto Lorde-class Arrancar. Before his death, Aaroniero Arruruerie was the sole member of the current Espada who was also part of the first-generation Espada. Nelliel was also the 3rd Espada for a time. Rank 0/10th: 1st: 2nd: 3rd: 4th: 5th: 6th: 7th: 8th: 9th: Current Espada Rank 	Espada 	Fracción Zanpakutō 	Tattoo Location 	Hollow hole Location	Remains of Hollow Mask 	Aspect of Death 	Status 0/10th: 	Yammy Riyalgo (10: Pre-Release) (0: Post-Release) 	None 	Ira 	Left shoulder 	Mid chest	Bottom jaw 	Rage 	Currently fighting Byakuya Kuchiki and Kenpachi Zaraki

1st: 	Coyote Starrk (Pre-Release and Post-Release) / Lilynette Gingerback (Post-Release) 	None 	Los Lobos 	Back side of left hand 	Sternum	Bottom jaw around his neck 	Loneliness 	(Deceased) Killed by Shunsui Kyōraku

2nd: 	Baraggan Luisenbarn Choe Neng Poww, Charlotte Cuuhlhourne, Avirama Redder, Findor Carias, Ggio Vega, and Nirgge Parduoc Arrogante 	Unknown 	Unknown	Crown above his forehead 	Old Age (Time) 	(Deceased) Killed by Hachigen Ushōda and Soifon

3rd: 	Tia Harribel Apache, Mila-Rose, and Sun-Sun Tiburón 	Left side of right breast 	Unknown	Entire upper and lower jaws reaching as far as and covering her nipples 	Sacrifice 	(Deceased) Killed by Sōsuke Aizen

4th: 	Ulquiorra Cifer None 	Murciélago 	Left pectoral muscle 	First Location: Sternum Second Location: Between his sternum and chest	Helmet on the left side of his head 	Nihilism 	(Deceased) Succumbed to wounds inflicted by Hollow Ichigo

5th: 	Nnoitra Jiruga Tesla Santa Teresa 	Tongue 	Left eye usually hidden by his eye patch	Small set of jawbones and teeth surrounding his Hollow hole (usually hidden by his eye patch) 	Despair 	(Deceased) Killed by Kenpachi Zaraki

6th: 	Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez Shawlong Kūfang, Edrad Liones, Yylfordt Granz, Di Roy Linker and Nakeem Greendina Pantera 	Right side, mid back 	Abdomen	Right jawbone on his right cheek 	Destruction 	(Defeated) But not killed, by Ichigo Kurosaki. Was then further wounded by Nnoitra Jiruga. Fate currently unknown. 7th: 	Zommari Leroux None 	Brujería 	Unknown 	Unknown	Mohawk-like bone crest along with a pair of skull-and-crossbone-shaped earrings and a thick bony necklace 	Intoxication 	(Deceased) Killed by Byakuya Kuchiki

8th: 	Szayel Aporro Granz Lumina and Verona, Medazeppi and other Números 	Fornicarás 	Unknown 	Unknown	Glasses 	Madness 	(Deceased) Killed by Mayuri Kurotsuchi

9th: 	Aaroniero Arruruerie None 	Glotonería 	Both of his heads 	Unknown	Top head: 3/4 of head Bottom head: 1/2 of head 	Greed 	(Deceased) Killed by Rukia Kuchiki

Former Espada These are former Espada that did not become a part of the Privaron Espada because of certain circumstances. Rank	Espada	Fracción Zanpakutō	Tattoo Location	Remains of Hollow Mask	Status 3rd:	Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck Pesche Guatiche and Dondochakka Bilstin Gamuza	Mid back	Skull on the top of her head	Reverted back to her child form. 6th:	Luppi None	Trepadora	Right hip	A top row of teeth on the left side of his head	(Deceased) Killed by Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez

Demotion Privaron Espada

十刃落ちPuribaron Esupādaプリバロン・エスパーダ [hide]The Privaron Espada

Left to right: Gantenbainne Mosqueda, Dordonii Alessandro Del Socacchio, Cirucci Sanderwicci.

An Espada may be demoted from the group either when they lose strength or cease to be useful to Aizen, such as Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez after his left arm was cut off by Kaname Tōsen. In most cases, they will be demoted to the Privaron Espada (十刃落ち (プリバロン・エスパーダ), puribaron esupāda; Spanish for "Deprived Sword", Japanese for "Ten Fallen Blades"), who are former Espada that have officially lost their rank and are assigned a three-digit number. Privaron Espada The Privaron Espada are former Espada who have officially lost their rank and are assigned a three-digit number. Being former Espada, they are far stronger than the normal Números. They reside in Tres Cifras, which translates literally from Spanish as "Three Digits". As mentioned by Dordonii, these former "naturally created" Espada were rendered obsolete after Aizen began artificially creating Arrancar to meet his own standards.[2] Rank	Espada	Zanpakutō	Remains of Hollow Mask	Status 103rd:	Dordonii Alessandro Del Socacchio Giralda	A small plate with horns mirroring those in his hair	(Deceased) Killed by the Exequias

105th:	Cirucci Sanderwicci Golondrina	Spiked hairpin above left side of forehead	(Deceased) Killed by the Exequias

107th:	Gantenbainne Mosqueda Dragra	Sunglasses-shaped plate on his forehead with four teeth coming out above each eye	Healed by Retsu Unohana

Powers and Techniques 	Caja Negación (反膜の匪 (カハ・ネガシオン), kaha negashion; Spanish for "Negation Box", Japanese for "Anti-Membrane of Negation") is a variant of the Gillian-exclusive ability Negación used to punish Arrancar subordinates by trapping them eternally in an alternate dimension. However, should the Caja Negación be used on an Espada, the Espada will eventually break out of the alternate dimension (usually within a few hours), due to their large amount of Reiatsu. 	Cero (虚閃 (セロ), sero; Spanish for "Zero", Japanese for "Hollow Flash", "Doom Blast" in the Viz translation): Like all other Hollows, they can use this blast technique. The Espada user fires a laser blast of great, concentrated destruction. While the color of most Ceros is red/crimson, several members of the Espada appear to have great color variations in their Cero; Ulquiorra's is green, Nnoitra's is golden yellow, and Nelliel's seems to be violet or pink (as she was using Cero Doble; it is unclear if her normal Cero is a different color). As he's the only Espada to have utilized its power on-screen, Grimmjow's liberal use of Gran Rey Cero, which emits a light-blue color, also counts, though his regular Cero is normally crimson. 	Bala (虚弾 （バラ）, bara; Spanish for "Bullet", Japanese for "Hollow Bullet") is an Arrancar alternative to the Cero. The technique hardens the user's spiritual pressure and fires it like a bullet from their fist. Though somewhat weaker than a Cero blast, it moves about twenty times much faster than a Cero and can be fired at a much higher rate. This technique was first demonstrated by Wonderweiss Margera against Kisuke Urahara, and elaborated upon by Yammy during the same battle. This technique is used again by Ulquiorra against the two Shinigami sent to accompany Orihime back home to the Human World and later again by Findor Carias against Shūhei Hisagi. 	Gran Rey Cero (王虚の閃光 (グラン・レイ・セロ), guran rei sero; Spanish for "Grand King Zero", Japanese for "Royal Hollow Flash") is a particular, very strong Cero. To perform this potent variation of the Cero, the Arrancar first draws blood from the Cero-generating appendage using his or her Zanpakutō, then charges the Cero while mixing the blood with it. The result is a Cero with a much greater attack power and speed, as well as a change of color unique to the Espada. This attack was first used by Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez in order to incite Ichigo into donning his Hollow mask. Grimmjow refers to it as, "the ultimate Cero". According to Ulquiorra, it is forbidden for any of the Espada to perform Gran Ray Cero within Las Noches, as it would destroy most of the building. Grimmjow is, to date, the only Arrancar that has ever used Gran Rey Cero and Caja Negación on-screen. 	Garganta (黒腔 （ガルガンタ）, garuganta; Spanish for "Throat", Japanese for "Black Cavity") is how Arrancar move to and from Hueco Mundo. Kaname Tōsen, Kisuke Urahara and Mayuri Kurotsuchi have also demonstrated the ability to use the technique. It literally tears open the dimensional fabric separating the worlds, revealing a tunnel of whirling, torrential energy that must be focused and solidified to create a discernible pathway. 	Hierro (鋼皮 （イエロ）, iero; Spanish for "Iron", Japanese for "Steel Skin") refers to the hardened skin of the Arrancar, which is a result of their compressed spiritual power. While their skin is strong enough to block even released Zanpakutō bare-handed, it is by no means impenetrable. Stronger Arrancar have proportionally stronger skin. Nnoitra Jiruga claimed his Hierro is toughest amongst the Espada; being of higher rank than Nnoitra, Ulquiorra's Hierro appears to be much tougher. 	Pesquisa (探査回路 （ペスキス）, pesukisa; Spanish for "Inquiry", Japanese for "Probe Circuit") is the Arrancar equivalent of the Shinigami ability to sense Spiritual Pressure. It functions similar to sonar. Using Pesquisa requires most Espada to enter a meditative state; however, Nnoitra has a variation of this technique that involves placing his fingers to the ground to determine an opponent's approximate location as well as the amount of Spiritual Pressure an opponent has. 	Sonído (響転 （ソニード）, sonīdo; Spanish for "Sound", Japanese for "Sound Ceremony") is the Arrancar equivalent of the Shinigami Flash Steps and the Quincy Hirenkyaku; it allows the user to travel at incredibly high speeds for short distances. Use of Sonído is punctuated by a brief static sound, in contrast to the "swish" sound used for Flash Steps. Zommari claims that his Sonído is the fastest amongst the Espada. Trivia •	It is unknown whether the aspects of death correspond to the Espada by rank or by the characteristics of the member. •	While he is not an Espada, Wonderweiss Margera is classified with Espada-level spiritual energy by Soul Society. References 1.	↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 209, page 4-5 2.	↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 254, page 1. Navigation [hide]v - e - d Espada Current Members 0: Yammy Riyalgo (Post-Release) •1st: Coyote Starrk / Lilynette Gingerback (Post-Release) • 2nd: Baraggan Luisenbarn • 3rd: Tia Harribel • 4th: Ulquiorra Cifer • 5th: Nnoitra Jiruga • 6th: Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez • 7th: Zommari Leroux • 8th: Szayel Aporro Granz • 9th: Aaroniero Arruruerie • 10th: Yammy Riyalgo (Pre-Release)

Former Members 3rd: Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck • 6th: Luppi

Privaron Espada 103rd: Dordonii Alessandro Del Socacchio • 105th: Cirucci Sanderwicci • 107th: Gantenbainne Mosqueda

e • d • v Hollow

Arrancar: Números • Espada • Exequias

Abilities: 	Cero • Bala • Hierro • Negación • Garganta • Sonído • Gonzui • Pesquisa

List: 	List of Hollows • List of Arrancar • Resurrección

Related Articles Events: 	The Arrancar Saga

Places: 	Hueco Mundo

Categories: Characters | Arrancar | Espada | Arrancar ranks | World of Bleach