Is Ichibei Dead? The Fate of the Leader of the Royal Guard in Bleach

May 2024 · 3 minute read

Ichibei Hyosube is one of the most powerful and mysterious characters in the Bleach manga and anime series. He is the leader of the Royal Guard, also known as the Zero Division, the elite group of Shinigami who protect the Soul King, the ruler of the Soul Society. He is also the one who named many things in the Soul Society, such as Zanpakuto, Shikai, and Bankai, and has the ability to manipulate the names and powers of anything he touches. But is Ichibei dead, or did he survive the final battle against Yhwach, the Quincy King who invaded the Soul King Palace and threatened to destroy the balance of the three worlds?

The Battle Against Yhwach

Ichibei was the last line of defense against Yhwach, who had defeated the other members of the Royal Guard and the Gotei 13 with his overwhelming power and the ability to alter the future. Ichibei confronted Yhwach in front of the gate to the Soul King’s chamber, and unleashed his formidable Zanpakuto, Ichimonji, which can erase the name and power of anything it covers with its black ink. Ichibei managed to reduce Yhwach’s power by half, and even renamed him as “Black Ant”, rendering him powerless. He then used his Bankai, Shirafude Ichimonji, which can rewrite the name and power of anything he touches with his brush-like sword.

However, Yhwach revealed that he had a hidden ability, known as “The Almighty”, which allowed him to see and change any possible future. He used this ability to restore his original name and power, and to counter Ichibei’s attacks.

Ichibei’s death seemed to be final, as he was reduced to a bloody corpse by Yhwach’s attack. However, Ichibei had a secret ability that allowed him to resurrect himself, as long as there was someone who knew his name and called it out.

As Yhwach was about to kill the Soul King, Ichigo Kurosaki, the main protagonist of the series, arrived at the scene, along with Uryu Ishida, Orihime Inoue, and Yasutora Sado. Ichigo saw Ichibei’s body and recognized him as the leader of the Royal Guard. He then called out his name, which triggered Ichibei’s resurrection. Ichibei thanked Ichigo for saving his life, and told him to stop Yhwach from destroying the Soul Society.

The Conclusion

Ichibei is not dead, and he survived the final arc of Bleach. He was resurrected by Ichigo, who called out his name, and he used his power to revive his comrades as well. He then stayed in the Soul King Palace, along with the other members of the Royal Guard, to protect the new Soul King, who was revealed to be none other than Yhwach’s corpse, which had been sealed by Urahara and Aizen. Ichibei and the Royal Guard continued to maintain the balance of the three worlds, and to watch over the Soul Society and the World of the Living.

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