Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-6057702-20130730010329/@comment-11477779-20130907101351

My understanding from the manga is that the pinnacle of natural evolution for a hollow is the Vasto Lorde class hollow who's power is greater than the average Captain class shinigami. All the Espada were various hollows ranging from Gillian to Vasto Lorde when Aizen essentially raised them ALL up to Vasto Lorde class via the Hogyoku. All 10 final Espada were stronger than an AVERAGE Captain class shinigami. Now what exactly is average? I think Renji at the time and probably Hisagi and Ikaku would rate as average captain-class shinigami. Yamamoto, Shunsui, Ukitake, Byakuya, Unohana, Zaraki, Hitsuguya and Ichigo were all well beyond "average". From the material I've seen, I would say only the top three Espada were Vasto Lorde when Aizen found them. We know for sure that Harribel (3) was, and both Stark (1) and Baraggan (2) looked like it to me. Ulquiorra looked more adjuchas-like and he was the 4th so I'd guess everyone from him on down was NOT a vasto lorde.