The Untold Secrets of Gerard Valkyrie's Schrift in BLEACH's Thousand-Year Blood War
Unleashing the might of Sternritter M, Gerard Valkyrie embodies the warrior spirit like no other With awe-inspiring abilities, what formidable challenge does he bring to the battlefield in BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War?
Highlights
Gerard Valkyrie's abilities are granted by the Quincy King and make him one of the most powerful Quincy warriors, with a thematic resemblance to Norse Valkyries.
Gerard, the sentient heart of the Soul King, personifies bravery and embodies the unwavering spirit of a warrior. Through his unique power, known as The Miracle, he is able to materialize extraordinary events based on his thoughts and emotions.
When Gerard enters his Quincy: Vollständig form, identified as Ashtonig, he sprouts angelic wings and embodies his deep connection to the Soul King. Inspired by Norse mythology and the notion of an unstoppable force and an immovable object, his name and appearance perfectly reflect his indomitable strength.
Warning: The content below contains spoilers for BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War, which can be streamed on Hulu and Disney+.
In the 11th episode of BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2, titled "Too Early to Win, Too Late to Know," Yhwach and his formidable army are convinced that they have successfully penetrated the Soul King's Palace, granting them a more prominent role.
Aesir
The extraordinary powers bestowed upon Gerard Valkyrie by the Quincy King surpass those possessed by most Quincy, showcasing his immense potential. Furthermore, the true extent of his symbolic contributions in the anime is still shrouded in mystery. Now, let's delve into the question at hand: What are the remarkable abilities granted to Sternritter M – The Miracle, Gerard Valkyrie?
Sternritter M Gerard Valkyrie – BLEACH Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 Episode 11
Gerard Valkyrie epitomizes his namesake through both his demeanor and physical appearance. With a visage reminiscent of a quintessential warrior or Viking, Gerard embodies the powerful aura associated with the Valkyries. In Norse mythology, these female psychopomps guide fallen warriors to their eternal resting place in Valhalla. Typically portrayed as formidable women adorned with feathered wings, armor, and weapons, they embody the essence of battle itself. The silhouette of Gerard aligns with the legendary champions from ancient myths who embark on perilous quests. Moreover, Gerard's profound passion for battle draws direct inspiration from the Valkyries, particularly Brunhilde, a Valkyrie often referred to as a shield maiden. Brunhilde's name derives from the Old High German words for "armor" and "conflict," concepts closely intertwined with Gerard's nature. In certain versions of Norse folklore, another Valkyrie named Sigrdrífa is also associated with Brunhilde. The name "Sigrdrífa" translates to "driver to victory," a concept that more closely mirrors the essence of the Quincy, the role Gerard fulfills. Interestingly, "Sigrdrífa" is considered a possible synonym for Valkyrie, further emphasizing the intricate connection between Gerard and the Valkyries.
Beyond that, Gerard's own name is German for "brave spear", which means that his entire identity is built upon being a courageous and powerful warrior. This encompasses both his offensive and defensive capabilities. Equipped with a sword and shield, Gerard Valkyrie sets himself apart from other Quincies. However, he still possesses a Heilig Bogen, known as Hoffnung or "Hope", which bears a resemblance to Yhwach's blade. Gerard's Schrift M - The Miracle grants his Hoffnung the ability to reflect damage. When used to deflect an opponent's attacks, it retaliates with an equal measure of damage. This unique fighting mechanic is based on the concept that harming hope instills despair, which in turn manifests as injury upon the assailant.
Brave Heart
Gerard Valkyrie Attacks Shutara Senjumaru – BLEACH Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 Episode 11
Gerard Valkyrie embodies the indomitable spirit of a warrior, as he is the sentient heart of the Soul King himself. This is why his demeanor exudes cheerfulness and optimism, for he personifies the courage and determination of the entity that is sacrificed to uphold the current state of the BLEACH universe. The Miracle is Gerard's power to materialize miracles based on his own thoughts, emotions, and the collective desires of those around him.
Valkyrie
According to Gerard, the ability to accomplish the impossible is the very essence of a miracle. This perspective allows Gerard to exercise a form of control over possibilities, as he defines a traditional miracle as the occurrence of something inexplicable or nearly impossible when it is most needed. In the BLEACH storyline, Gerard possesses the special status of being the Heart of the Soul King, as portrayed in the Can't Fear Your Own World novels by Ryohgo Narita, the author of Durarara!! Consequently, Gerard's Schrift power is not assigned to him through the usual Schrift Assignment Ritual. Instead, it serves as recognition of his role as the Heart of the Soul King. In the final episodes of BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2, Gerard confronts Shutara Senjumaru, a member of the Royal Guard. During their battle, Shutara manages to immobilize Gerard and aims for a fatal blow to his heart. However, when her needle strikes his chest, an image is shown of his beating heart resisting the damage. This scene is a subtle indication of the true nature of the Quincy's identity.
In BLEACH Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 Episode 13, Gerard Valkyrie undergoes a transformation known as Quincy: Vollständig, Ashtonig. This form grants him magnificent angelic wings made of deep red reishi. Unlike the other Quincies, Gerard is the only one who fully embodies the angelic aesthetic when activating his Vollständig. Ashtonig, meaning "Authority of God," may allude to the reality-altering abilities of The Miracle, which could be seen as an extension of the Soul King's will. This connection reflects Gerard's namesake and appearance inspired by Norse mythology.
The souls of deceased warriors would be guided to Odin's Valhalla by Valkyries. As the main god in the Norse pantheon, Odin is associated with war and frenzy. The current version of Ashtonig is actually a partially released Vollständig, with a much more potent variant available to him. This enhanced form allows him to increase in strength and size depending on the intensity of attacks directed at him, showcasing his ability to rise to any challenge. Gerard Valkyrie is a living contradiction, embodying the traits of an unstoppable force and an immovable object. Interestingly, the Chinese word for "contradiction", 矛盾 máodùn, holds a similar concept to the eastern variation of the irresistible force paradox, as it literally translates to "spear-shield". The names Gerard, meaning "brave spear", and Brunhilde, the Valkyrie shield maiden, evoke this same paradox.
