Espada

The  are the top-ranked Arrancar in Aizen's army of Arrancar.

Outline
The Espada are regarded as the strongest Arrancar in existence. At the time of the group's introduction it 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 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.

As Aaroniero Arruruerie notes, all of the Espada except him were at least adjuchas-class menos before becoming arrancar.

Ranks
Stark, Barragan, and Halibel's numbers have yet to be revealed.
 * Neliel Tu Oderschvank is the former third
 * Ulquiorra Schiffer is the fourth;
 * Nnoitra Jiruga was the fifth;
 * Grimmjow Jeagerjaques is the sixth;
 * Zommari Leroux was the seventh;
 * Szayel Aporro Granz was the eighth;
 * Aaroniero Arruruerie was the ninth;
 * Yammy is the tenth;

Demotion
An Espada may be demoted from the Espada, such as Grimmjow Jeagerjaques when his left arm was cut off by Kaname Tōsen. In most cases they will be demoted to the, who are former Espada that have officially lost their rank and are assigned a three-digit number.

Current events
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;
 * Nnoitra Jiruga was killed by Kenpachi Zaraki.

Grimmjow Jaegerjaques was incapacitated by Nnoitra Jiruga, Yammy's location is unknown, and Ulquiorra was left in charge of Las Noches while Aizen, Tōsen and Ichimaru, along with Stark, Barragan and Halibel (the top three Espada) and their Fracción, battle the Gotei 13 in the fake Karakura Town.