Espada

The Espada (Japanese for "ten blades", Spanish for "sword") are the top-ranked arrancar in Aizen's army of Arrancar. The Espada at the time of the group's introduction 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 that indicates their rank and relative power level, which is tattooed somewhere on their body (Grimmjow's is on his lower back, for instance). The Espada are given control over the Numeros and are regarded as the strongest arrancar in existence. Similar to the power gap between captains and lieutenants in the Gotei 13, the strength of the Espada far surpasses that of the average Numero. As Aaroniero Arruruerie notes, all of the Espada except him were at least adjuchas-class menos before becoming arrancar.

So far, there are only seven Espada whose numerical rank has been revealed; Yammy is the tenth, Aaroneiro is the ninth, Szayel is the eighth, Zommari is the seventh, Grimmjow is the sixth, Nnoitra is the fifth, Ulquiorra is the fourth, and Nel was the former third. Stark, Barragan, and Halibel's numbers have yet to be revealed and is a huge subject of debate among fans.

Currently, the Espada have lost four members (excluding Luppi, Grimmjow's temporary replacement); Aaroneiro Arruruerie was killed by Rukia Kuchiki, Szayel Aporro Granz was killed by Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Zommari Leroux was killed by Byakuya Kuchiki, and Nnoitra Jiruga was killed by Kenpachi Zaraki. Grimmjow Jaegerjaques was incapacitated by Nnoitra Jiruga, Yammy's location is unknown, Ulquiorra was left in charge of Las Noches while Aizen, Tosen, and Ichimaru, along with Stark, Barragan, and Halibel (the top three Espada) and their Fraccion, battle the Gotei 13 in the fake Karakura Town.