The world of Bleach is filled with complex power systems, and one of the most debated aspects among fans is the difference between reiatsu (spiritual pressure) and reiryoku (spiritual energy). This also raises one of the biggest supposed “plotholes” in the series that revolves around how Aizen was able to incinerate a human simply by strolling past him, yet Ichigo who should be at least as powerful as Aizen does not accidentally vaporize humans as he casually travels through the Human World.

Ichigo vs Aizen in Bleach | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Before the climactic battle with Ichigo, Aizen showed his spiritual superiority by casually walking through a town, causing an individual to dissolve under the sheer pressure of his reiatsu. Later, when a Royal Guard approached Aizen, his spiritual pressure was enough to dissolve the man’s fingers. Given that Ichigo’s power should be at least equal to Aizen’s...