Retsu Unohana, formerly known as Yachiru Unohana, is a female Shinigami who now resides in the depths of hell.
Throughout history, she has been considered the most diabolical criminal ever to exist in Soul Society, as well as the first to hold the title of Kenpachi. This title is awarded to the strongest Shinigami of a generation and to those who have killed the most enemies. She was the first captain of the eleventh division of Gotei 13, laying the foundations of the division as it exists today. She later became captain of the fourth division, making a name for herself as the greatest healer. Unohana was placed under the command of Kenpachi Zaraki in order to pass on her title to the next heir. On his death, due to the evil deeds she had committed over the centuries, she was condemned to hell and became a Togabito.
.🔥PRODUCTS OF THE MOMENT🔥
PRESENTATION
Unohana has the appearance of a very young woman with blue eyes and black hair. She wears the standard uniform of a Shinigami captain, with the exception of an obi, which she uses instead of the normal belt. Her hair is long and always neatly braided in front of her. Over 100 years ago, she didn’t wear this wide braid. During her fight against Kenpachi Zaraki, she loses her hair for the first time, revealing a noticeable scar between her collarbones.
In contrast to most Shinigami who wear their Zanpakutō on their belts, Unohana attaches a large string to the holster of her Zanpakutō and carries it over her shoulder, or has it carried by her lieutenant Sayune Yukihara, whenever they are on the battlefield together. When engaged in real combat, Unohana undoes her braid and lets her hair flow freely behind her back.
PERSONALITY
Unohana has a gentle, warm personality that complements her appearance. She is a kind, polite and considerate woman, using honorific terms when addressing everyone, including subordinates and enemies. She rarely shows signs of panic or distress and displays a strong sense of duty, as evidenced by her orders to have Yamada imprisoned by Hanatarō and to pursue Renji Abarai with Rukia Kuchiki by Isane Kotetsu when he fled. With grace and courtesy, she subtly makes it clear to others that she is not to be underestimated despite her gentleness.
Despite her gentle nature, many members of the 11th Division and even her fellow captains fear her. According to former captains of the 5th and 7th divisions, she can be terrifying, their facial expressions suggesting that they would never want to be on the wrong side of her (they noted that it would be better if she were destroyed by Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto’s Bankai). At first, this is played as comic relief, Unohana revealing her ability to scare everyone by closing her eyes and flashing a sweet smile that hides the sinister dark fear behind her words, causing everyone she speaks to, even the reckless Kenpachi Zaraki, to follow whatever order she “asks” them to do.
It is later revealed that this atmosphere of fear she inspires in those around her stems from her past as the first Kenpachi, the title held by the strongest Shinigami. When she reveals this side of herself, Unohana’s gentle expression is radically transformed into an icy, merciless stare. Under this gaze, Unohana herself is insensitive and cold, capable of killing an enemy or even an ally in cold blood and without the slightest remorse. She demonstrated this during her involvement in the Quincy genocide. However, after her past as the first Kenpachi was revealed and Shunsui Kyōraku invited her to draw on her experience from that time, Unohana’s personality took a much darker turn. Maintaining an ominous silence during the encounter with Central 46, it’s only during her fight with Kenpachi Zaraki that she reveals her initially violent and bloodthirsty nature, referring to the scar on her chest that hurts just hearing his voice.
Unohana appreciates tasty food and prefers food with a strong flavor over bland dishes. In her spare time, she climbs the mountains of Rukongai, collecting medicinal herbs on her excursions. Once a month, she organizes an Ikebana class for members of her division. Unohana is also president of the Ikebana (Japanese floral art) club.
She finds pleasure in arranging flowers, creating magnificent compositions that reflect her artistic sensibility. Ikebana allows her to relax and express her creativity in a way that’s different from her role as a Shinigami. She willingly shares her knowledge and expertise with other Soul Society members, encouraging their appreciation of floral art.
Despite her gentle nature, Unohana possesses deep wisdom and impressive inner strength. She is respected not only for her skills as a healer and fighter, but also for her ability to guide and inspire those around her. She embodies a delicate balance between kindness and determination, always ready to protect and care for others, but also ready to fight with unparalleled ferocity when the situation demands.
All in all, Unohana is a complex figure, blending gentleness and power, grace and determination. She represents the Shinigami ideal, combining compassion and strength to protect peace and harmony in Soul Society.
HISTORY
Unohana was a founding member of Gotei 13 as well as one of the first-generation members. She became the first Kenpachi of the eleventh division, but before Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto reunited Gotei 13 and integrated her as a member, she was and always will be the most diabolical criminal ever to exist in Soul Society.
She is said to have been a captain for at least 200 years; along with fellow captains Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku. It is said that the four of them were captains of Gotei 13 for at least 200 years starting 110 years before the present. This makes her one of the oldest captains of Gotei 13, despite her rather youthful appearance. Ukitake also calls her “Senpai”, indicating her seniority to him and Shunsui. At some point in the past, Unohana was the first Kenpachi, being known then as “Yachiru Unohana”. Whether before, during or after this period of her life, Unohana was taught medical techniques by Tenjirō Kirinji. She then abandoned her name of Yachiru at the same time as she passed on the title of Kenpachi and took on the name “Retsu”.
About 110 years ago, Unohana was present at a promotion ceremony, which took place at the 1st division headquarters, along with the rest of the assembled captains. She witnessed the arrival of the 12th division’s new captain, Kisuke Urahara. Her lieutenant at the time was Seinosuke Yamada. Nine years later, Unohana was present at an emergency meeting called by Captain Commander Yamamoto, where he decided to create an investigation team to find the missing members of the 9th division. When he gave orders, Yamamoto ordered Unohana to prepare aid stations for the wounded, but Unohana interrupted him and asked if it wouldn’t be better for her to look after the wounded on the spot. Yamamoto told her clearly that he couldn’t send healers without knowing what the situation was like.
Unohana was one of the founding members of Gotei 13 and part of its first generation. She became the first Kenpachi of the eleventh division, but before Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto reorganized Gotei 13 and integrated her as a member, she was and will always be considered the most diabolical criminal ever to exist in Soul Society.
She is said to have been a captain for at least 200 years, alongside fellow captains Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku. According to the stories, the four of them were captains of Gotei 13 for at least 200 years, going back 110 years before the present period. This makes her one of the oldest captains of Gotei 13, despite her rather youthful appearance. Ukitake also calls her “Senpai”, testifying to her seniority to him and Shunsui. At some point in her past, Unohana was the first Kenpachi, then known as “Yachiru Unohana”. Before, during or after this period of her life, Unohana was trained in medical techniques by Tenjirō Kirinji. She gave up her name of Yachiru at the same time as passing on the title of Kenpachi, then taking the name of “Retsu”.
About 110 years ago, Unohana was present at a promotion ceremony held at 1st division headquarters, along with the other assembled captains. She witnessed the arrival of the 12th division’s new captain, Kisuke Urahara. At the time, her lieutenant was Seinosuke Yamada. Nine years later, Unohana was present at an emergency meeting called by Captain Commander Yamamoto, during which it was decided to form an investigation team to find the missing members of the 9th division. When giving his orders, Yamamoto asked Unohana to prepare aid stations for the wounded, but Unohana interrupted him and suggested that it would be better for her to look after the wounded on the spot. Yamamoto made it clear to her that he couldn’t send healers without knowing the situation.
POWERS AND ABILITIES
Unohana Yachiru… A founding member and member of the first generation of Gotei 13, she was also considered the most powerful. Within this group, she was the captain of the 11th division and laid the foundations on which the current division rests. Before her power was sought by the Yama-jii, she was and will always be considered the most diabolical criminal ever to exist in Soul Society. Possessing every form of sword and every path of existence… she aptly named herself Yachiru, meaning “eight thousand styles”. She who invented the art of killing.
Unohana’s combat data, clockwise. Top: Offensive (100), top right: Defense (80), bottom right: Agility (70), bottom: Kidō (100), bottom left: Intelligence (100), top left: Physical Endurance (90). Total: 540/600.
UNOHANA’S SPIRITUAL POWER
Master Healer: Unohana is by far the most skilled healer in the entire Soul Society. She is known for her mastery of both conventional and herbal healing techniques. Her knowledge of anatomy is so advanced that, after examining Aizen’s “dead body”, she concluded that it was not real, or even Aizen himself. She also appears to be able to heal more than Shinigami, as evidenced by her healing of Yasutora Sado, a human, and Gantenbainne Mosqueda, an Arrancar.
<IMMENSE SPIRITUAL POWERAs one of the most senior captains of Gotei 13, it’s safe to assume that Unohana possesses immense spiritual power.
EXPERT FLASH STEPS
Unohana is skilled enough in this field to have an average captain’s level of speed.
A lively spirit
/wp:paragraph –>In addition to her general healing skills, she’s able to detect the smallest details. This helps her in her mastery of healing. She can spot anomalies and problems that less experienced healers wouldn’t be able to detect. With a simple glance, she can determine what medical care is needed. She is also a powerful analyst with a keen eye for detail, able to quickly find countermeasures against any ailment in a person. Her powers of perception also enabled her to deduce that Aizen’s sophisticated illusion with a corpse doll wasn’t real, but also that it was part of a much larger plan hatched by Aizen.
KID MASTERŌ
Undeniably, Unohana is one of the most skilled Kidō mistresses in all of Soul Society. She has demonstrated a rare talent for using most spells silently, without the need to move, which gives her master status. In addition, Unohana is able to alter the nature of certain spells in order to accomplish goals normally unattainable with these techniques.
KIDŌ OF HEALING
As captain of the fourth division, Unohana is renowned for her skills in the healing branch of Kidō, known as Kaidō (回道, “Way of Healing”). Although she has always been highly skilled in Kidō, her healing abilities only fully developed when she learned special healing techniques from Tenjirō Kirinji. Unohana’s healing spells are so effective that Shinji Hirako told Ichigo Kurosaki, when he arrived on the battlefield, that he had made the right choice in entrusting the wounded to Unohana rather than Orihime Inoue, who possesses the power to completely reject phenomena. This indicates that Unohana’s skills far exceed Orihime’s mystical powers, but it may also be explained by the fact that the former has far more experience of wartime healing than the latter. Incidentally, Unohana is the one who invented the use of “space-time regression” as a form of healing, on which Hachigen Ushōda would later base her own style of Kidō.
Using this regression heals normally irreparable injuries, such as the loss of a body part. She is extremely experienced in this healing ability, as even Hachigen, with his Hollow powers powering his unique Kidō, was unable to heal Hiyori Sarugaki after her bifurcation, but Unohana was able to fully restore her as soon as she arrived on the battlefield. During his role as captain, Unohana took the time to hone his Kidō skills and develop powerful healing powers with this technique; some of these powers were considered impossible feats, such as replacing and/or repairing damaged lungs and vital body parts.
One of the particular healing methods she uses with Kidō is to use her own spiritual energy as a catalyst that “excites” the reishi in the patient’s body. The more reiryoku the patient generally has in his or her body, the more proportionally and chronologically his or her own body will heal, enabling a sufficiently powerful person to heal completely, regardless of the severity of the injury, in a matter of seconds. However, the other method, using one’s energy as a catalyst, involves a complex procedure. Unohana oscillates the weak reiryoku remaining in the body of an exhausted patient, growing it from this single focal point until the patient recovers all his internal energy. Once this has been achieved, the physical body then heals itself of its wounds. Unohana uses this form of energy healing by surrounding the patient with a green rectangular prism shaped like a prism, thus initiating the aforementioned procedure.
Thanks to her skills in Kidō healing, Unohana stands out as one of the leading experts in this field within the Soul Society.
As for Unohana’s gentle nature, she focuses more on the defensive use of the Kidō. She uses various forms of dark barriers and shields that serve to protect herself as well as those she considers her comrades. Her barriers are virtually invincible, a single silent throw of Bakudō is enough to effortlessly block the simultaneous attacks of Yoruichi Shihōin and Suì-Fēng, forcing both fighters to retreat without Unohana’s barrier showing the slightest crack. Her use of Dankū is particularly impressive.
She doesn’t just summon a mirror wall to defend against powerful attacks, as other captain-level Shinigami usually do, but “divides” the space between herself and her opponent with a glass wall capable of withstanding Hadō attacks without leaving the slightest crack in her defense. Unohana also uses the El Escudo spell significantly in direct confrontations, adjusting its size, density and shape to best suit her defensive needs.
She usually uses several Bakudō spells to imprison an opponent of equal or greater power, demonstrating that her seals can even restrain Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto and force him to use the power of his Zanpakutō to escape capture. As a Master, Unohana also displays her ability to manipulate spells to use them for purposes for which they were not originally intended, which is a sign of true Kidō mastery. For example, she uses the Sajō sabaku, normally intended to chain an opponent, as a whip to destroy an enemy’s Hadō attacks. Although not very common, Unohana also uses protective wards during combat, but more commonly to protect medical facilities in wartime, providing a refuge for wounded subordinates and comrades who can receive medical care without fear of enemy ambush.
Although not often, Unohana uses some Hadō spells in combat. However, given her preference for the role of healer and her desire to stay out of conflict, she uses Hadō spells in such a way as to defeat an enemy in a single attack. Unohana demonstrated an effortlessly effective use of the Hiryūgekizokushintenraihō spell, which impressed Isane Kōtetsu, who pointed out a captain’s remarkable ability to use this spell without incantation while retaining spectacular destructive potential.
Similar to her Bakudō spells, Unohana can also alter the form and nature of her Hadō spells. In some cases, she has even used Hadō spells to speed up the healing of her patients in critical situations. For example, she used Haien heat to instantly cauterize a fatal, bleeding wound in an opponent. The fact that she could use the great heat generated by the Haien spell to cauterize a wound without causing further damage to the patient testifies to her precise and accurate mastery of the use of dangerous offensive spells for healing purposes.
SINGLE SPELLS
As a master of Kidō and always on the lookout for new methods to better fulfill her role as healer within Soul Society, Unohana has developed many unique spells that serve a variety of purposes. However, very few of them are Hadō spells of an offensive nature.
MUGAIHARA
A power unique to Unohana enables it to transform its spiritual pressure into a field where “no harm can be done”. This means that inside this Kidō, nothing can cause harm. No opponent can inflict injury on another, as all attempts to attack are nullified and rendered ineffective. Because of its ability to absolutely deny harm, this spell is nicknamed the “Ceasefire Kidō”. However, to use it, Unohana must enter a state of meditation similar to that of Jinzen. If his concentration is disturbed, the spell deactivates itself, but this is extremely rare, as killing Unohana would be a paradoxical impossibility in Mugaihara’s area of effect.
MAÎTRE SPÉCIALISTE DE L’ART DU SABRE
Although she’s never been seen in combat, Unohana is known to excel in the art of sword fighting, particularly in the kendō style. She is more than capable of rivaling Sōsuke Aizen on level ground. She is said to have mastered all sword schools and knows all types of sword. This is why she was once known as “Yachiru”, meaning “the one who invented the art of killing”.
ZANPAKUTŌ
The term “Minazuki” is also used to refer to the manifested spirit who appears in the Unknown Tales of the Zanpakutō arc. Please refer to Minazuki (spirit) for more information on this topic.
MINAZUKI
In its sealed form, the Minazuki is slightly longer than an ordinary katana and resembles a nodachi. Its hilt is oval-shaped and its handle is red. Instead of wearing it on her belt, Unohana ties her Zanpakutō to her shoulder with a rope or lets Isane carry it for her.
The Minazuki release command is currently unknown. Unohana, having reached the Bankai stage with her Zanpakutō, can release the Shikai form of the Minazuki without needing a specific command. However, she very rarely uses the Shikai form of her weapon. Once released, the Minazuki undergoes a transformation, changing from a green gaseous substance to a solid form, taking on the appearance of a giant, green, manta ray-like creature with one eye, capable of flight, which makes it a means of transportation. It is large enough to carry several people on its back (at least a dozen, depending on its size in relation to the passengers). It seems to obey verbal commands and, when it lands, can create a pair of bird-like legs. Once his mission is accomplished, he reverts to green gas before resuming his sword-like form.
The Minazuki’s main ability is healing. When injuries are placed in the Minazuki’s mouth, they are swallowed and stored in its stomach. The acids in the Minazuki’s stomach act as powerful medicines and ointments that gradually diffuse onto the injured, healing their wounds. It has been demonstrated that it can carry at least five people in its stomach. When Unohana gives the order, the Minazuki regurgitates the people who come out of its mouth. The Minazuki is a Zanpakutō who can influence the body using unique medicinal techniques, such as targeting meridians or using herbs and ointments, to effectively cure all kinds of illnesses.
The true capabilities of this Zanpakutō far exceed any healing abilities Unohana or his former mentor, Tenjirō Kirinji, could achieve. This power is only used in circumstances where Unohana deems it impossible or impractical to specifically heal victims. For this reason, and also because she does not wish enemies to learn of Minazuki’s special healing mechanisms, the power of her Shikai is reserved for crisis situations only.
MINAZUKI (Bankai)
As she activates her Bankai, Unohana’s blade begins to ooze a thick blood that surrounds her and encompasses all the surrounding space. Although unconfirmed, it is assumed that this blood comes from every person killed by Unohana’s Zanpakutō. In Bankai, Unohana’s physical blade is replaced by a gushing stream of blood, forming a thin cord from the base of the guard. Composed of iron and carbon, this blood allows Minazuki to form an improvised blade that can be used in swordfighting. However, this blade retains the effects of the Bankai, meaning that anyone touched by the blade’s blood also succumbs to Minazuki’s power. It’s a fearsome weapon that can cause deadly, devastating wounds.
Minazuki’s Bankai represents the ultimate manifestation of Unohana’s healing power. Not only can she effectively heal wounds, but she can also inflict lethal wounds on her enemies. It’s a fearsome form of combat that harnesses healing abilities to inflict devastating damage.
It should be noted that activation of Minazuki’s Bankai is extremely rare, and Unohana only uses it when absolutely necessary. She prefers to concentrate on her role as healer, and only uses her Bankai when the situation demands it and all other options have been exhausted.
In summary, Minazuki is an exceptional Zanpakutō who embodies the healing power of Unohana. In his Shikai form, he can effectively heal wounds and manipulate unique medicinal techniques. In its Bankai form, it becomes a fearsome weapon that uses blood to inflict lethal wounds. It’s a symbol of the duality of Unohana’s nature as healer and fearsome fighter.
PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF MINAZUKI
Really imbued with unparalleled elegance, Minazuki first takes on the appearance of a benevolent, selfless creature, seeking only to alleviate the aches and wounds that afflict the unfortunate victims before him. He comes and goes, soothing the pain of all those who beg for mercy, without seeking vengeance. This merciless creature alleviates their suffering. But in reality, it’s all madness, a despicable lie that mocks peaceful notions of life and compassion. For when his Bankai is released, all that suffering is poured out onto the world. Minazuki feels no remorse for such a feat, experiencing only personal pleasure in contemplating the excruciating pain from which she generously claimed to free the world… This once again poisons the natural order of life itself in the most vile and detestable way.
The power of Minazuki’s Bankai is actually the extreme opposite of his Shikai. Whereas the Shikai heals all kinds of wounds, the Bankai reopens all wounds, both physical and mental, of anyone who comes into direct contact with Minazuki’s blood. In essence, Unohana explains that while his Shikai brings forth Minazuki’s physical form, the Bankai reveals Minazuki in reverse, hence the stream of blood that gushes forth upon its release. The Bankai’s name, translated as “All is exhausted”, refers to this power, as any form of healing, whether by the hand of Unohana, another healer or the involuntary actions of the victim’s body, is totally rejected, and all that pain is immediately inflicted on the person concerned.
This would almost certainly result in the victim’s instant death, for no matter how much training they had received or how tough and durable their bodies were, no amount of preparation could anticipate such pain in one go; thus, Minazuki’s Bankai can be classified without prejudice as instant murder. This power is particularly dangerous for beings such as Menos Grande, who are made from thousands of hollows, each of which has suffered some degree of injury in its lifetime. What’s more, just as Minazuki can create a makeshift blade from this blood, Unohana can cause the blood formed when Minazuki’s Bankai is released to also take on similar properties, making each drop of blood as sharp as a blade. It seems that in addition to reopening his own wounds, the Minazuki is also able to release the wounds he absorbed from victims in his Shikai state at Unohana’s whim.
In a face-to-face meeting with Sōsuke Aizen, Unohana declared that she would make him relive every ounce of pain he had caused to others, such as Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Momo Hinamori, who had been healed by Minazuki’s Shikai some time previously; a claim which, but for Shunsui Kyōraku’s timely intervention, would almost certainly have been proven true. If the Zanpakutō of a Shinigami target also comes into direct contact, the spirit within will also feel the wounds of its past reopen all at once, causing the blade to crumble into dust, leaving its master defenseless. Unohana is able to control the degree to which wounds reopen in a victim who comes into contact with blood, as was the case with Kenpachi Zaraki, who underwent only minor psychological distress in order to awaken his primal instincts and return him to his former state. However, it has been repeatedly confirmed that the mental wounds inflicted on Zaraki at full strength alone would have been enough to subdue the powerful captain, let alone the physical wounds that could have been inflicted on him.
🔥PRODUCTS OF THE MOMENT🔥
