BLEACH: Who Is Hikone Ubuginu?

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Key Takeaways

  • Tokinada Tsunayashiro’s manipulation reveals dark secrets of Soul Society, leading to attempts to overthrow the order.
  • Hikone Ubuginu, a unique hybrid, was artificially created by Tokinada to become the next Soul King.
  • Hikone’s Resurrección showcases a plethora of abilities from diverse races, aiming to devour the Soul King.

As a scholar deeply immersed in the rich tapestry of Eastern mythology and philosophy, I find the lore surrounding Hikone’s Resurrección, Ikomikidomoe Hō’ōraku Hakkei, absolutely captivating. The depth of symbolism and the intricate web of references to various cultural and religious beliefs make this fictional character a true treasure trove for those who delve into such matters.

As an avid fan, I’d like to share my thoughts on Ryohgo Narita’s “Can’t Fear Your Own World” novels, which have enriched the universe of BLEACH in a truly captivating way. These books unveiled the hidden identity of one of the original five Great Noble Families, adding a layer of mystery and depth to the series. Furthermore, they delved into the cosmology of the story, offering insights into the truth behind the Soul King that have left me eagerly awaiting more.

In the novel trilogy, we are introduced to two new characters: Tokinada Tsunayashiro, the antagonist, and his enigmatic assistant, Hikone Ubuginu. These introductions shed light on aspects of the BLEACH universe that were not fully covered in the manga, offering insights into an earlier period. So, who is Hikone Ubuginu and what role do they play in the BLEACH story?

An Unlikely Existence

A Complete Hybrid

Tokinada Tsunayashiro, a representative from one of the branches of the influential Tsunayashiro Clan, which is among the Four Distinguished Families in Soul Society, masterminded a sequence of murders in his quest to assume leadership within his family. By doing so, he aimed to seize authority over the Visual and Surveillance Division, thereby gaining access to confidential records that reveal the most hidden and disgraceful deeds of Soul Society, such as the ancient transgression committed by the Shinigami.

After discovering the twisted notion of justice that Shinigami upheld, Tokinada concluded that being cunning, cruel, and aggressive were the correct traits for a Shinigami. Though his impact may seem subtle, it is profound – he is the Shinigami who, in the memories of former 9th Squad Captain Kaname Tоsen, brutally killed his dearest friend, Kakyо̄, a woman whose husband was spared due to being part of one of the Four Great Noble Families.

Essentially, it was Tokinada who revealed that Fullbringers weren’t just born from mothers exposed to Hollow reiatsu during pregnancy, as previously believed, but instead, they had fragments, or “Nails,” of the Soul King within their souls. This revelation led to the accusation against Ginjо̄ Kugo for the murder of innocent Shinigami.

In simpler terms, Tokinada utilized the skills of Hanataro Yamada’s older brother Seinosuke, a former lieutenant of the 4th Squad highly adept in Kidō, and Aura Michibane, a Fullbringer leading a cult from Xcution’s remains. Together, they crafted a hybrid soul using souls from numerous Shinigami, Hollows, Quincies, and Fullbringers. This artificial soul was unstable until the Thousand-Year Blood War, at which point Tokinada gained access to Gremmy Thoumeaux’s brain, a Sternritter V – The Visionary, resulting in an entity named Hikone Ubuginu. Hikone is androgynous, cheerful, serves the Tsunayashiro Clan, and shares a similar nature with the series main character, Ichigo Kurosaki.

Soul King Candidate

Tokinada Created Hikone to Usurp the Soul King

In the realm of gaming, as a character within this narrative, I found myself intrigued by the blend of spirits from diverse races in Hikone’s creation. This unique fusion was all due to Tokinada’s relentless pursuit to shatter the existing power structure and claim the title of the new Soul King. The multitude of Fullbringers, many of whom were once allies with Ginjo, woven into Hikone’s design, served as pieces of the enigmatic Soul King, reassembling themselves within this being. This made Hikone’s essence distinct from that of Ichigo, adding another layer to the captivating storyline unfolding before me.

As a devoted fan, I find this fascinating! The Soul King’s peculiar ability to manipulate reality, similar to the Hogyoku, sets it on a unique path entirely, making it a distinct hybrid. In the city of Hikone, Ichibe Hyousube renamed his Zanpakuto, Ichimonji, to Ikomikidomoe, because it was an ancient Hollow too powerful and composed of numerous souls. The traditional method of purification wasn’t enough for this extraordinary weapon.

The distinct makeup of Hikone is the sole factor enabling them to yield Ikomikidomoe, an unusual entity not typical of standard Asauchi-turned-Zanpakutо̄, but rather a fusion born from a Hollow’s insatiable hunger and its pursuit of a grand ambition. Over time, this Hollow consumed large amounts of reiatsu from Hikone as it devoured fragments of the Soul King within them, driven by its initial goal of consuming the Soul King itself. Therefore, Tokinada bestowed his loyal retainer, whom he created with the aspiration to overthrow the Soul King, with a Zanpakutо̄ stemming from the greed of a specific Hollow, uniting two hybrid forces somehow connected to the Soul King.

Hikone Ubuginu’s Plethora of Abilities

Breaking Down the Limitations

When Hikone unleashes their Resurrección, their form gradually transforms into something more Hollow-ish, and their Zanpakuto gains new capacities depending on the activation word. Apart from Hollow skills such as Sonido, Hierro, Gran Rey Cero, rapid healing, Hikone also wields a wide range of Quincy and Fullbringer techniques, including Blut Vene for summoning a Heilig Bogen, reishi manipulation, Bringer Light usage. There’s an impressive harmony between these contrasting skills, enabling Hikone to blend abilities in powerful combinations, like merging the arrow barrage from their Heilig Bogen with Cero, or Blut Vene with Hierro.

Beyond their immense reiatsu stemming from their constitution, Hikone exhibits remarkable battle senses and a knack for confronting formidable adversaries, a trait rooted in Gremmy’s mind. Throughout the storyline of “Can’t Fear Your Own“, Hikone takes on and overpowers numerous powerful enemies, such as Kenpachi Zaraki (who has attained his Bankai), Neliel Tu Odelshwanck, Candice Catnipp, Luppi Antenor, Tier Harribel, Grimjoww, and many others. Their Resurrección, Ikomikidomoe Hō’ōraku Hakkei, is a masterful work of writing. It can be translated to Ikomikidomoe, Eight Views of the Fall of the Phoenix, or Ikomikidomoe: Eight Picturesque Sights of the Fenghuang’s Fall, which reflects the full name of the Zanpakuto. The name “Ikomikidomoe”, written as 已己巳己巴, is derived from a Japanese idiom, a yojijukugo, and “-tomoe”, a term referring to the Japanese comma.

The Ultimate Resurrección

The Sun-Swallower

The name “Ikomiki” means “things that resemble each other,” and the character 巴, which completes its name, also signifies a “ba,” a massive snake in Chinese folklore, symbolizing insatiable greed as represented in the idiom “bā shé tūn xiàng” – the snake swallowing the elephant. As a Hollow, Ikomikidomoe’s voraciousness mirrors this ancient desire to consume the Soul King. The full name, Ikomikidomoe Hō’ōraku Hakkei, translates to “Phoenix Nine Scenes,” evoking the Fenghuang (also known as a Hō’ō), a legendary bird in Chinese mythology that is believed to appear infrequently, heralding peace and prosperity during the ascension of a new emperor or era.

Ikomikidomoe is symbolically represented as a synthesis, where harmonious unity between masculine and feminine elements is embodied (this is symbolized by the genderless soul known as Hikone). The name Ikomikidomoe translates roughly to “That Which Absorbs Its Kind”, but the term ‘Eight Views’ originates from the spiritual significance of the number eight in Buddhism. This number can signify the Noble Eightfold Path, a set of practices guiding one towards liberation from the cycle of reincarnation, or the Ashtamangala, the eight auspicious symbols associated with enlightenment in Buddhism and other Eastern religions.

Eight Views” is a concept originating in East Asia, representing eight of the most stunning landscapes in an area, symbolizing good fortune due to the significance of the number 8. “Ikomikidomoe Hō’ōraku Hakkei,” therefore, can be interpreted as “The Eight Breathtaking Scenes of Fenghuang’s Descent.” In this context, Fenghuang refers to the genderless Soul King, and the depiction of eight breathtaking scenes describes Ikomikidomoe’s desire to consume the Soul King. However, it also signifies that such an event would not only result in its own destruction but also a return to chaos.

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2024-10-23 20:35