BLEACH TYBW: Why Byakuya Kuchiki Should Have Died

by

Summary

  • Byakuya’s vulnerable state in battle against Quincy shows his most compromised side.
  • Byakuya’s death could have showcased Quincy power and deepened character development.
  • Byakuya’s death would have added significant impact to the story, creating lasting consequences.

As a longtime fan and follower of BLEACH since its early days, I must confess that Byakuya Kuchiki‘s near-death experience during the Quincy invasion fell short of truly capturing the gravity it could have had on the series.

In the dramatic conclusion of Tite Kubo’s BLEACH, viewers are taken on an exhilarating ride filled with new character introductions, intense battles, and character development, not to mention superior direction and animation quality in the anime adaptation. The Quincies’ invasion of Soul Society led to tragic losses among the Shinigami as they struggled against Yhwach and his Sternritter. Early on in this conflict, Captains found their Bankai being stripped away by the Quincies’ medallions, one of the first victims being 6th Squad Captain Byakuya Kuchiki. This loss left him reeling in his battle with Sternritter F – The Fear, Äs Nödt.

In the initial phase of the “Thousand-Year Blood War” storyline, Byakuya Kuchiki’s poignant plea to Ichigo Kurosaki before seemingly meeting his end served as a significant milestone. However, contrary to appearances, Byakuya did not perish. Here’s an argument for why Byakuya’s death could have had more impact on the narrative.

As Commander of the Thirteen Squads of the Seireitei, I couldn’t let those who disrespected it go unpunished. I led countless officers into battle, resulting in many casualties and heartbreak for their loved ones. Despite our efforts, we ultimately suffered defeat and met our end. I feel deeply ashamed. However, you are a human being. You should not be part of this conflict and shouldn’t even be present here. Therefore, I apologize for the audacity, but could I ask you for a favor? Please, safeguard the Soul Society, Ichigo Kurosaki.

– Byakuya Kuchiki, “Born in the Dark”

The Near-Death of Byakuya Kuchiki

The Most Compromised We’ve Ever Seen Him

In the initial onslaught of the Quincy invasion within the epic saga of “BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War“, I witnessed the extraordinary Quincy knights, under the command of Yhwach, making their ominous debut. These formidable warriors left a trail of destruction among the valiant Shinigami forces of the Gotei 13, instantly claiming the lives of countless unlucky Shinigami who crossed their path. The devastation wasn’t limited to mere unseated officers; many seated officers either fell gravely wounded or met their end, including the 3rd Squad Lieutenant, Izuru Kira, whose chest was brutally severed by one of Bazz-B’s Burner Fingers.

When the Sternritter encountered Captain-rank Shinigami, they showed their medallions, which could take away Bankai and defeat many Captains by stripping them of their ultimate powers. The encounter between Byakuya and Äs Nödt ended tragically because Byakuya’s ability to induce fear affected his usual sharpness. Plagued by visions of Rukia’s and his own decaying bodies, Byakuya’s sword couldn’t reach the Quincy, who won the battle by using Senbonzakura Kageyoshi against him. When Ichigo found Byakuya, he was barely hanging on, clinging to life just to make one final request before passing away. This was the most vulnerable we had ever seen him throughout the series, and if he had died, his last words and the impact of the invasion would have been much more profound.

Why Byakuya’s Death Would’ve Been a Major Development

He Could’ve Been a Much More Significant Martyr

The demise of Byakuya would have underscored the overwhelming might of the Quincies and elevated the gravity of the situation compared to past arcs, given his status as one of the most powerful members of the Gotei 13’s 1st Squad. The loss of Lieutenant Chо̄jirо̄ Sasakibe, a character often joked about for being unknown by others, as well as numerous named officers who appear only to be swiftly defeated, and countless unseated Shinigami, is not sufficient to convey the ruthlessness exhibited by the Quincies in the early parts of the arc. It seems odd to keep Byakuya alive when it seemed he was already doomed. In simpler terms, Byakuya’s death would have highlighted the terrifying power of the Quincies and emphasized the increased stakes compared to previous arcs, as his character is one of the strongest in the Gotei 13’s 1st Squad. The loss of various characters, such as Lieutenant Sasakibe, who are often joked about for being unknown by others, and numerous officers who appear only to be quickly defeated, does not convey the ruthlessness shown by the Quincies in the early parts of the arc. It also seems strange that Byakuya, who appeared to be near death, was kept alive during this arc.

If Byakuya had been lost earlier in the storyline, Rukia’s acquisition and utilization of Bankai to defeat their shared adversary, who was believed to have killed her brother, would have added a profound new dimension to her triumph. Though Byakuya undergoes significant development and transformation throughout this story arc and subsequent events, his character holds special significance due to the vast changes he experienced throughout his life. Unlike many other Captain characters who meet unfortunate fates during the final arc, the demise of Byakuya Kuchiki could have left a particularly poignant impact on the Thousand-Year Blood War storyline.

Read More

2024-12-27 23:05