User blog comment:Zwann/Vasto Lordes in the Espada, let's analyze./@comment-1432572-20091016171924

I agree with what you said, for the most part. When it comes down to being stronger than a Captain, I would say the top 6 Espada are stronger than Captains.

Ichigo defeated (I say it was a tie, but Zaraki counts it as a loss) Kenpachi Zaraki (using both arms with eyepatch off) when he only had Shikai, and didn't have Shunpo. He fought and defeated Byakuya (using Senbonzakura Kageyoshi's Shukei, its strongest attack) using Tensa Zangetsu with help from his Inner Hollow. However, when he fought Grimmjow Jeagerjaques (unreleased state), he was greatly overpowered, while he was in his Bankai state. Then in their second fight, he lost again, despite using his Hollow Mask, and the fact that Grimmjow had lost his rank and his left arm. This would mean that Grimmjow is even stronger than a Captain (evidenced by the fact that he defeated a Captain level Shinigami, who defeated Kenpachi Zaraki and Byakuya Kuchiki).

Nnoitra Jiruga was stronger than an average Captain, even before his release. He defeated Chad (while he had Brazo Izquierda del Diablo and Brazo Derecha de Gigante's third form) without any effort. Chad had previously defeated a Privaron Espada with no effort after his powers evolved (Dordonii had stated that Bankai would be able to defeat him, and considering he and Gantenbainne are both Privaron Espada, the same would be true), and attacked Nnoitra, but failed to even scratch Nnoitra's Hierro. Nnoitra then fought Captain Zaraki, and forced him to fight using both arms, because he would have died without it. This would mean Nnoitra is stronger than an average Captain.

Ulquiorra......that kind of speaks for itself (for the record, I'm not an Ulquiorra fanboy..........Grimmjow and Szayel are my favourite Espadas). He isn't a Vasto Lorde, because after his first Release he had gained inhuman features already.

Harribel IS stronger than a Captain, evidenced by her fight with Hitsuguya and 2 Vizards. I say Harribel was a Vasto Lorde, who's to say that those skeletal markings aren't just for decoration and don't reflect on how her skeletal system looks.

Starrk and Barragan are easily stronger than even above-average Captains. Barragan was able to fight and overpower a Vizard, a Captain, and a Lieutenant without any effort. He only lost because he was outmaneuvered. The only Captain I think would truly be a match for Barragan is Yamamoto (Leader of Shinigami vs God-King of Hollows) Starrk was almost as impressive as Barragan was. He defeated two former Captains who had become Vizards the moment he actually put a little effort into his attack. He only lost because he faced one of the strongest Captains and the fact that the abilities of this Captain's zanpakuto are not what you'd expect. The major thing contributing to his defeat was him being surprised by Kyoraku, kinda like Yylfordt being surprised by Renji's sudden increase in power (who says he element of surprise is useless). Starrk and Barragan were obviously Vasto Lorde, considering they're humanoid appearance and level of power.

I think Yammy being the Zeroeth Espada, doesn't reflect him being a Vasto Lorde, but reflects only his brute strength. I think he wouldn't last long against the top 8 Espada in a battle, its like how Findor wouldn't last long against a Captain, despite having the brute force of a Captain. And if he was so powerful, the other Espada (such as Grimmjow) would be more cautious around him. Yammy is an Adjuchas, considering he doesn't have human features, but he does have the brute force to be compared to a Vasto Lorde (?).

Even though the top six are powerful, I'd say Szayel and Zommari are on par with Captains. They're abilities and powers while not in their released forms can be compared with Captains. Szayel treated Renji (battle-wise) the same way Byakuya did, defeated with little effort. Zommari's Gemelos Sonido was faster than normal Sonido (which is said to be faster than Shunpo), that says something about his power (too bad he didn't show anything else).

Aaroniero and Yammy (when not released) are Lieutenant level at best.