The following contains spoilers for Episode 4 of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, “Kill the Shadow,” now streaming on Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally.
Since the defeat of Sosuke Aizen, the Gotei 13 adjusted the ranks of its Captains by having a number of the Visored return to their previously held positions. Most notably, Captains Shinji Hirako returned for the Fifth Division, Kensei Muguruma for the Ninth Division and Rojuro Otoribashi for the Third Division. At the start of the series, each Division had its own purposes and theme, some more obvious than others, which was embodied by their Captain. However, has the change in leadership affected the theme of the Division?
In Episode 4 of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, there is a brief moment of insight into the current dynamic of the Third Division. Rose is confronted by the Sternritter NaNaNa Najahkoop, who comments on the loss of spiritual pressure in Bazz-B’s location, the Sternritter who defeated Izuru Kira. This interaction reveals something of the relationship between the Vice-Captain and Captain and how the original theme of the Division has been carried on by Izuru but has developed with the introduction of Rose into its ranks.
How Rose Embodies and Enhances the Original Theme of Despair
The insignia of the Third Division is a marigold, which represents the concept of despair. Under the influence of Gin Ichimaru, this ideal made sense. Gin was a creature that caused despair wherever he trod, and Izuru was the very embodiment of despair in his actions, views, Zanpakuto and personality. He was broken by Gin’s departure and had to face that despair to find his resolution in standing against his former leader. Rose, on the other hand, was not a character that appeared to create despair or suffer from its effects. As an artist, Rose sought to harness it instead.
During Rose’s interaction with NaNaNa, he claims that Izuru is a catalyst of his inspiration, helping Rose create melodies simply by being in the presence of his Vice-Captain. The implication of this statement is that Rose seeks to extract the tearful and despairing nature of the Division and Izuru into beautiful and meaningful songs. While at first, this appears like a throwaway comment about Rose’s relationship with Izuru, under the surface, it is a subverted counter to the original usage of despair within the Division. Where Gin reveled in the creation of despair for his own agenda, Rose transforms the melancholic feeling into things of artful beauty.
The Growth of Kira After Gin Ichimaru
This is likely possible due to Izuru’s growth since the death of Gin. While Gin was Captain, the despair led Izuru to fear and self-doubt, making him an ineffective Vice-Captain. By accepting despair for the actions of those he considered close to him, Izuru has become able to use it as a strength, similar to Shuhei Hisagi’s usage of fearing battle and his own blade. Thanks to this development, Rose incorporates Izuru’s strength of despair into his music rather than lamenting the restriction of despair, creating a rather beneficial bond between the two.
Retaining yet adapting a core concept of a character’s personality allows for more realistic and dynamic growth of the character. Should Izuru have discarded his feelings of despair, he would not have grown from his experiences, and as such would not have been the character the fans now enjoy. By developing an understanding of despair that can be used as a tether between Rose and Izuru for the ideology of their Division, it reshapes the dynamic of the Division and makes the pair more dimensional and intriguing through the information given about their relationship.
The changes made to the leadership of the Divisions may have affected the initial theme of each Division, but in regard to the Third Division, it has not been made completely redundant. By observing the growth of Izuru and the intentions of Rose, it is clear that a mutual bond has formed by harnessing the concept of despair to best benefit both parties. Their dynamic is actually the strongest mentally and emotionally than the Third Division has ever been, and if Izuru survives this encounter, it would be welcoming to see more of their interaction on screen. If not, there will likely be a moment for Rose to mourn.