BLEACH: TYBW Part 3 — The Nemuri Project, Explained

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Summary

  • Nemu Kurotsuchi was Kurotsuchi’s 7th attempt at creating an artificial soul, his greatest scientific triumph.
  • Nemu’s creation was a part of the Nemuri Project, named ironically by Kurotsuchi as his dream come true.
  • Nemu’s tragic death in battle showed Kurotsuchi’s deep attachment and fear for her, leading to the creation of an 8th iteration.

As I, Kurotsuchi, reflect upon my life and its numerous trials and tribulations, there is one creation that stands out above all else – my very own magnum opus, Nemu. Born from my dreams and ambitions, she was the embodiment of my deepest desires, yet tainted by my cold and calculating nature.

In the thrilling third part of BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War, I discovered a profound revelation about Nemu Kurotsuchi – the creation of none other than Mayuri Kurotsuchi. It was in episode 10 that the details of her creation and the deep bond she shared with her creator unfolded, leaving me emotional and captivated. This quiet lieutenant of the 12th Squad had a story that tugged at my heartstrings before being tragically taken away from us in what might be the most poignant moment in Tite Kubo’s BLEACH final arc.

I once observed the intriguing tale of Nemu Kurotsuchi, who was initially known as Nemuri Nanagō, or Nemuri No. 7. This character was actually the seventh attempt by Kurotsuchi in creating an artificial soul, and it marked his most significant scientific achievement. The “Nemuri Project”, as it was called, presents a unique exploration into the emotional landscape of one of the series’ most malevolent characters.

Lieutenant Nemu, a being crafted using Gigai and Gikon tech by Captain Kurotsuchi, shares the same blood as he does. Consequently, she often exhibits similar interests and leisure activities as her creator due to this shared connection.

– Tite Kubo

The Waking Dream

Kurotsuchi’s Primary Scientific Goal

Prior to Kurotsuchi assuming the role of Captain for the 12th Squad and heading the Shinigami’s Research and Development Institute, it was Kisuke Urahara who held this position as its founder. Recognizing Kurotsuchi, a criminal with a keen scientific interest and intellect, as the only individual within all of Soul Society who could match his own inquisitiveness and intelligence, Urahara appointed him as his potential successor should any unfortunate event occur.

In essence, Kurotsuchi harbors a strong ambition to surpass Urahara and be recognized as the most accomplished scientist in Soul Society’s history. To achieve this, Kurotsuchi aims to excel where Urahara has fallen short, particularly in the realm of creating artificial souls.

As an observer, I find myself drawn to the idea that new souls could be born from nothingness, a concept that resonates deeply with Shinigami. Yet, it seems paradoxical to cherish such a dream while being awake oneself. Thus, in a nod to the required dormancy for this dream to materialize, I’ll name this project “The Sleep Project”.

– Mayuri Kurotsuchi

The Nemuri Project involved multiple efforts to construct a completely new consciousness using specialized cells called konpaku cells, a task that turned out to be quite challenging. Unfortunately, the project encountered six unsuccessful attempts, each failure providing Kurotsuchi with valuable insights for various technologies. It wasn’t until the fourth attempt that the organism in development began growing a brain. The fifth attempt resulted in an embryo formation, and the sixth made it to two years old before passing away. The seventh effort eventually led us to know her as “Nemu,” who was initially identified by the label “Nemuri No. 7.

Why Was It Named the “Nemuri Project”?

A Dream Come True

As Akon explains, Kurotsuchi gave the Nemuri Project its name with a touch of irony since “Nemuri” means sleep in Japanese. He chose this term to symbolize that creating an artificial soul from nothing was his long-held dream. However, Kurotsuchi finds it foolish to have dreams while awake. Therefore, as long as Nemu exists, grows, learns, and develops, Kurotsuchi feels like he’s in a perpetual state of dreaming, because Nemu represents his dream being realized.

Nemu represents Kurotsuchi’s masterpiece, explaining why Kurotsuchi felt protective towards her joining the fight against Pernida Parnkgjas independently. It was later discovered that despite his cruel use of her as a created tool, Kurotsuchi deeply valued Nemu and sincerely referred to her as his “daughter.” This is evident when Kurotsuchi shows genuine distress for the first time upon Nemu’s death during combat against the Left Arm of the Soul King.

The Nemuri Project
Iteration Outcome
No. 1 Failure
No. 2 Failure
No. 3 Failure
No. 4 Failure, but a brain grew
No. 5 Failure, but managed to get to embryonic stage
No. 6 Failure, but grew to two years old before dying
Nemu Resounding Success, tragically died while fighting Pernida Parnkgjas
Nemuri No. 8 Success, even retains the memories of her predecessor

In the battle against Pernida, Nemu spontaneously rescued her creator from numerous perilous predicaments without receiving any orders, which was a first for Kurotsuchi as he found himself cooperating with her – a turn of events that brought him some reluctance. He came to acknowledge her abilities in combat, recognizing the remarkable growth she had exhibited; growth that surpassed his expectations and control. His frustration towards her decision-making echoed the anxiety parents often feel when watching their child embark on life-changing decisions, knowing full well that they could only watch as their offspring grew independently.

Nemu’s tragic demise fueled Kurotsuchi’s apprehensions about her role in the battle, yet it was also the impetus for his triumph against the Hand. In a peculiar manner, the responsibility to learn and evolve that Kurotsuchi had given Nemu, and Nemu’s personal duty to shield her creator, coincided. Since Kurotsuchi retained Nemu’s brain, he was eventually able to develop the eighth version of the Nemuri Project following the Thousand-Year Blood War arc.

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2024-12-14 05:34