Key Takeaways
- Grimmjow returns, now on Ichigo’s side, driven by loyalty to Hueco Mundo.
- Grimmjow wants to protect his territory from Quincy, aligning his goals with Soul Reapers.
- Urahara likely brokered Grimmjow’s return for a rematch against Ichigo to gain an ally.
The latest episode of Bleach’s Thousand-Year Blood War sees the official return of the fan-favorite Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez. But this time, Ichigo’s Arrancar rival has joined his group in a surprising turn of events. Fans got the first hint at the Espada’s return during Part One when a mysterious figure killed Sternritter J—Quilge Opie. Then they heard a familiar voice and a peek at an iconic design in episode eight. Still, fans had to wait much longer to see the beloved Bleach villain return.
Now that he’s officially back, he has joined Ichigo’s group with Riruka and Yukio, the Fullbringers, and his colleague, Nelliel. Why would such a violent and animalistic person join the good side?
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Grimmjow’s Territory in Danger
Hueco Mundo is Threatened
Grimmjow’s superiors, Queen Tier Harribel and Nelliel Tu Odelschwank have noted that while he’s a brash, violent, and antagonistic man, he still has a semblance of a code of honor and can be reasoned with. Kisuke Urahara also recognized this quality in the former Espada. Grimmjow, much like a wolf or a lion, has the instinct to protect his territory. It is fitting that his form back when he was a Hollow was that of a panther. While Grimmjow is an incredibly hostile person, he believes in protecting his hometown, which is Hueco Mundo. Grimmjow didn’t kill Quilge to protect Ichigo’s friends but instead, to protect his home as the Quincy had taken over it and captured Queen Harribel.
Whether you’re a Human, or a Shinigami or an Arrancar, anyone who looks at me like they’re underestimating my power, I’ll smash every one of ’em into oblivion!
Seeing a new threat that has risen to conquer all the words, Grimmjow has an instinctual urge to protect what is his. While he has no interest in protecting the Soul Society or the World of the Living, he shares a common goal with the Soul Reapers. Yhwach and, the Quincy threaten to destroy the three realms, and so he will fight to protect his, Hueco Mundo. He has no allegiance to either Ichigo or the Soul Society. All he really cares about is protecting his territory like a lion.
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Grimmjow’s Fated Rematch
A Score to Settle
During the Arrancar Arc, Grimmjow becomes a rival to Ichigo. He was essentially the face of the arc’s antagonists. He battled Ichigo a total of three times. At one point during the war, he basically betrayed his group to fight Ichigo to the death. Grimmjow wants nothing more than to prove his might over others, that he is the strongest, that he is the king. Ichigo appeared as the final obstacle to his quest for power, someone that he felt an instinctual need to defeat and destroy. After his defeat at his hands, Grimmjow was spared by the substitute soul reaper and, since then, he’s wanted nothing more than to defeat him.
- Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez is the former Sexta (6th) Espada.
- He wields the Zanpakutou named Pantera (Panther) with the release command “Grind”.
- He once had a Fracción (Arrancar underlings) named Shawlong, Edrad, Nakeem, Yylfordt, and Di Roy.
- He’s one of the two Espada that survived the war, the other being Queen Tier Harribel.
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The details of the deal that Kisuke Urahara made with Grimmjow have never been officially disclosed, however, judging from Grimmjow’s words, it heavily implies that it involves enabling a rematch between him and Ichigo. Grimmjow’s constant quest to prove his strength and establish himself as the strongest in Hueco Mundo is directly linked to Ichigo. Grimmjow never forgot his defeat during the Arrancar Arc, and as he said himself, if Hueco Mundo is gone, where would he fight Ichigo?
If Hueco Mundo is gone…Where am I supposed to kill you?
Considering the underhanded and nebulous practices and plans that Kisuke Urahara is usually involved with, him granting Grimmjow a rematch against Ichigo appeals to his desire to fight his rival in exchange for gaining a powerful ally. Kisuke would always be willing to do something bad to gain a tactical advantage. Protecting his territory and fighting his fated rival seems to have motivated the otherwise rebellious Espada into joining the war against the Quincy.
Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War
- Seasons
- 3
- Studio
- Pierrot
- Creator
- Tite Kubo
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu