The Mysteries Unveiled: Ukitake's Greatest Revelation in Bleach's Thousand-Year Blood War

Jushiro Ukitake's distinctive appearance in the second-to-last episode of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 has ignited conversation within the anime community. Despite not playing a major role in the ongoing conflict between the Shinigami and Quincy, it is clear that he has been engaged in his own preparations for the upcoming events.

Previously, the viewers had last seen Jushiro in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War during the second invasion, where he was seen praying at an altar located in Rukongai's 76th district, Sakahone. It has now been unveiled through Jushiro's conversation with Shunsui Kyoraku that he had been making arrangements to activate Kamikake.

In the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, a giant shadow resembling an eye appeared behind Jushiro, indicating the successful completion of the procedure. Now, let's delve into the concept of Kamikake and its connection to Jushiro Ukitake. Please be aware that this article contains significant spoilers from the Bleach TYBW arc.

Kamikake is a sacrificial ritual in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War

As per the Thousand-Year Blood War arc of Bleach, Kamikake is a sacred possession ceremony that can only be performed by individuals who have had a portion of their body taken by the local deity, Mimihagi. Mimihagi was revered in the belief as the Soul King's right arm.

Through the Kamikake ritual, a person sacrifices their remaining body parts and their life, in return for becoming the vessel for Mimihagi and assuming the role of the Soul King's right arm. Additionally, the Kamikake ritual enhances the user's physical strength, as showcased in the anime.

The anime showcases the shadow of Mimihagi (Image via Pierrot)

Within the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War arc, the ability to partake in this ceremonial practice was accessible to Jushiro Ukitake due to the bestowed blessings of Mimihagi. As the esteemed Captain of the 13th Division within the Gotei 13, Ukitake anticipated the imminent demise of the Soul King, thus prompting him to engage in the Kamikake ritual at the Sakahone district, thereby serving as a contingency plan.

So, how does Jushiro Ukitake's connection to Mimihagi come about? To truly grasp this, it is necessary for fans to delve into his tragic past. At the tender age of three, Ukitake was plagued by an incurable lung ailment. However, his life was miraculously spared by none other than Mimihagi, a revered local deity.

Jushiro Ukitake as depicted in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War (Image via Pierrot)

In the outskirts of Rukongai's 76th District (Sakahone), the inhabitants held deep reverence for a local deity known as Mimihagi. As the legends went, this divine being granted blessings to those who made offerings, excluding any eyes since it already possessed one of its own.

According to further tales, Mimihagi descended from the heavens in ancient times, housing the Soul King's right arm within its being. In a desperate attempt to save Jushiro's life, his superstitious grandmother took him to the shrine of Mimihagi in Sakahone and conducted a ritual, when all hope seemed lost and doctors had given up.

Displayed in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War (Image via Pierrot)

Per the testimony of the 13th Division Captain, Mimihagi received his grandmother's lungs as a trade, which granted him the deity's favor. This extraordinary exchange allowed Jushiro Ukitake to successfully overcome his destined demise and ultimately ascend to the esteemed role of Captain within the Gotei 13.

Since Mimihagi had already claimed Jushiro's lungs, the Shinigami was the perfect choice to perform the Kamikake ritual. Jushiro was well aware that if Yhwach succeeded in his plan to eliminate the Soul King, all three realms (The Soul Society, The World of the Living, and Hueco Mundo) would cease to exist.

Jushiro engaging in communication with Mimihagi for the Kamikake ritual (Image via Pierrot)

The Soul King's existence being essential, the 13th Division Captain visited Sakahone in the second division to connect with the revered deity Mimihagi-sama and commence the Kamikake ritual. What fans are eager to know is the outcome of this ritual. In the initial phase, the Kamikake ritual transforms the user's shadow into a likeness of the deity, as depicted in the anime adaptation of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War.

However, this ritual provides a temporary remedy in the event of the Soul King's demise as its effect ceases to exist once the performer or user passes away. In Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, Jushiro Ukitake executed the complete Kamikake ritual after Yhwach murdered the original Soul King, effectively sacrificing his own life to protect the world. Stay updated on the latest anime news and manga developments as 2023 unfolds.