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Did Unohana die in Bleach? Discover the fate of the captain of the fourth division and the special relationship she shares with Zaraki.
Retsu Unohana is a comforting presence in Bleach, exuding an aura of serenity. However, there is a lot more to her character than meets the eye. With her connection to the Kenpachi name and bond with Zaraki, Unohana is pushed into action in the Thousand-Year Blood War Arc. Due to the shocking events of this part of Bleach, fans were fearful for the life of the character. So, did Unohana die in Bleach?
Yes, Unohana did die in Bleach, and that too at the hands of Zaraki. Let us take a closer look at what led to this.
Who Is Unohana in Bleach
Unohana is the calm and compassionate head of the medical division in Bleach, supporting the main attack squads. As the captain of the fourth division, she is one of the oldest entities in Soul Society, renowned for her healing prowess.
In truth, we find that Unohana’s real personality is drastically different from what she shows now. As the original Kenpachi in Bleach, she had made the name infamous for its brutality and bloodthirstiness. The Kenpachi is known to be the strongest Shinigami who loves to fight and has killed more than anyone else.
Since Unohana was the first to have this, it speaks volumes of her battle prowess. After meeting Zaraki, she changed her ways.
Unohana’s Relationship with Zaraki
Unohana shares a past forged by blood with Zaraki. The two are undeniably close, but their feelings for each other are not exactly positive. In the past, Unohana had run into a young Zaraki, a criminal boy who loved to fight just as much as her.
The two immediately jump to action, filling the empty spaces in their hearts with each other’s swords. Unfortunately, Unohana was overpowered by her opponent. Zaraki, on the other hand, had always longed for a good battle. Having grown too strong, he no longer found happiness in battles.
Since Unohana was his first good opponent, he held back on his power to drag out the fight. This allowed Unohana to eventually win the fight, but she realized Zaraki was stronger than her. Having mentally lost the battle, she left the title of Kenpachi and captain of the eleventh division to become the captain of the fourth division.
Zaraki eventually joined the Soul Society later and became the Kenpachi we all know and love. The two acknowledged each other’s strength and shared a bond that was subtle but thicker than most others. This led to their poignant confrontation in the Thousand-Year Blood War Arc.
How Did Unohana Die
Having faced huge losses against Yhwach and the Quincies, the Shinigamis in Soul Society were focused on restoring their powers and leveling up. Zaraki himself had faced a lot of injuries and had not been able to fight properly due to his inability to use all his powers.
Unohana recognized her role in this since she was the one who pushed Zaraki into unconsciously limiting his strength. To help him regain his abilities, Unohana took Zaraki to the Central Underground Prison to train him.
Since both had been Kenpachis at one point, the only way they could be trained was through a battle to the death. Unohana initiated this and kept delivering powerful blows to Zaraki. She went as far as using her Bankai.
However, whenever he was on the edge of death, she would keep healing him. These continuously dangerous experiences gradually began bringing Zaraki’s true instincts back. Finally, the tides of the battle began to change, and Zaraki impaled Unohana with his sword.
With her sacrifice for the sake of unlocking his power, Unohana dies happily knowing that she removed the restraints tying her opponent. Through this, Zaraki could also unlock the powers of his Zanpakuto and learn to use Shikai.
Unohana’s Significance in Bleach
Unohana does not appear as much as the other captains in Bleach, but her character is one of the most significant. While being a healer for most of the series, she symbolizes compassion on duty. On the contrary, her past self as a warrior shows sacrifice and the unrelenting pursuit of strength.
Her death deeply resonates with fans as it brings her character arc to a close with the very man whose life she had impacted several years ago. For the sake of protecting Soul Society and correcting a past wrong, Unohana was willing to prioritize the greater good.
Conclusion
Unohana is one of the most memorable characters in Bleach, mainly due to her dual personality. Watching her shift from her kind self to a cold-blooded warrior fighting Zaraki is an unforgettable moment in the Thousand-Year Blood War Arc.
Her death, though sudden, came as a fitting ending to her character. Hence, Unohana is a cornerstone of Bleach who helped create one of its most fearsome fighters—Kenpachi Zaraki.
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