The Enigmatic Power of Bleach's Soul King: Unveiling the Secrets of Mimihagi

Highlights

Mimihagi is a sentient entity that was once the right hand of the Soul King in Bleach, and it governs stagnation and stillness.

It possesses the power to halt the advancement of anything and deliver healing to ailments by attaching itself to those who seek its assistance. Mimihagi has the ability to manipulate shadows and create barriers using shadows. It can be summoned by individuals who have completed a ritual to become its vessel.

Mimihagi, a sentient being and former right hand of the Soul King in Bleach, was separated from the main body of the Soul King in the past. It coexists with Pernida Parnkgjas, the left hand of the Soul King, each governing different aspects of Soul Society. In the outskirts of Eastern Rukongai, Mimihagi is revered as a fallen deity that grants wishes to visitors of its shrine.

During the Thousand Year Blood War in Bleach, Mimihagi played a vital role in the main storyline. It was revealed that Jushiro Ukitake, the Captain of the 13th Division at the time, served as a host for the entity. After the death of the Soul King, Ukitake sacrificed his own life to allow Mimihagi to take its place. This triggered a series of events that ultimately led to Yhwach's defeat.

What Is Mimihagi?

Mimihagi, formerly a physical being resembling a humanoid figure, possessed a unique appearance. Its body took the form of an extended right arm, culminating in a clenched fist containing a singular eye. Clad in a simple tunic, the being was adorned with a large band encircling the space behind its fist, reminiscent of a halo. Upon being summoned by Ukitake, the entity transformed into pure Reishi, or spiritual particles, embodying a living darkness. The symbolic representation of its eye was manifested as a shadow, and it assumed various forms reminiscent of its original likeness.

During his youth, Jushiro Ukitake was afflicted with a terminal lung illness for which no effective treatment could be found. Consequently, his doctors, unable to provide any solutions, made the decision to abandon him. In a final attempt to save their child, Ukitake's parents journeyed to the shrine of Mimihagi in the realm of Soul Society. There, they beseeched the deity to remove their son's diseased lungs.

It was widely believed that Mimihagi, at its shrine, would fulfill the wishes of those who prayed and made offerings, with the exception of sacrificing an eye. In this regard, Mimihagi granted the plea of Ukitake's parents and saved him by removing his lungs, enabling him to surpass the expected life expectancy and become a Shinigami. Nevertheless, he continued to grapple with health issues throughout his life, frequently experiencing episodes of coughing up blood, revealing that the healing powers of Mimihagi were not all-encompassing.

What Abilities Does It Possess?

In contrast to its counterpart, Pernida Parnkgjas, which governs progress, Mimihagi is responsible for overseeing stagnation and stillness. This ability to bring about stagnation is the main source of Mimihagi's healing powers. It has the ability to halt the advancement of anything and is linked to the cessation of development, growth, and progress. Mimihagi stands as the opposite force to Pernida Parnkgjas' control over evolution. Its capacity to extend life stems from its symbiotic attachment to anyone who seeks its assistance.

Rumors circulated for years about Mimihagi granting blessings to those who prayed and offered something, with the exception of their eyes, as Mimihagi already had one of its own. In return, Mimihagi would temporarily halt the progression of any ailment or condition the person was suffering from, providing relief for a significant period of time. This enabled Ukitake to live as a Shinigami for centuries, although he still experienced occasional bouts of illness.

Similar to the Soul King, Mimihagi is immune to The Almighty's precognition, making it invisible to Yhwach in all the future scenarios he witnesses. Yhwach also speculated that Mimihagi possessed the Soul King's ability to glimpse into the future and had the power to assimilate other entities through consumption.

Mimihagi, a living shadow entity, has the ability to manipulate shadows and darkness. It can create protective barriers made of shadows to defend itself against attacks. Those who have sacrificed their organs to Mimihagi, like Ukitake, have the power to summon it through a ritual called Kamikakke, meaning "divine vow." By doing this, they become a vessel for Mimihagi and can take its place as the right hand of the Soul King if the Soul King dies.

During the Quincy Blood War in Bleach, Ukitake performed this ritual after the Soul King's death. He recited an incantation that transformed his own shadow into that of Mimihagi, spreading across his body. Gradually, the shadows extended upwards, forming a hand as darkness emanated from Ukitake's orifices. It should be noted that this solution is temporary and ends when the user passes away.

BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 – The Separation is available to stream on Hulu and Disney+.