Senjumaru Shutara in Bleach TYBW: A Female Counterpart to Naruto’s Tobirama Senju

Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War has introduced numerous new elements in its anime adaptation by Studio Pierrot, significantly enhancing the character of Senjumaru Shutara from the Zero Division. She not only showcased her powerful Bankai against Yhwach’s elite guards but also received a depth of character development that led to comparisons with Tobirama Senju from Naruto.

The recent episodes of Bleach: TYBW wrapped up the clash between Senjumaru Shutara and Uryu Ishida, bringing to light her intense animosity towards the Quincy race. This trait has triggered discussions online that liken her to Tobirama Senju, who, despite his historically complex motivations, is often humorously labeled as “racist” . The portrayal of Senjumaru leads viewers to ponder her backstory and the roots of her prejudice against the Quincies.

Note: This article includes spoilers related to the mentioned series.

Drawing Parallels Between Bleach: TYBW’s Senjumaru Shutara and Naruto’s Tobirama Senju

Senjumaru utilizing her Bankai in the anime (Image via Studio Pierrot).

The anime adaptation of Bleach: TYBW has greatly enriched Senjumaru Shutara’s character, endowing her with additional lines and an impressive showcase of her Bankai, which were absent in Tite Kubo’s original manga. Even though she met her end at the hands of Uryu Ishida during their confrontation, the development she received revealed her contempt for the Quincy race.

This has led to many in the anime community drawing parallels between her and Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage of Naruto, who is known for his longstanding animosity towards the Uchiha clan. The humorous portrayal of Tobirama as “racist” has now extended to Senjumaru, yet her situation appears to warrant a deeper examination.

Senjumaru Shutara stands out as one of the few Shinigami expressing clear hatred towards the Quincy, raising questions about the generalized sentiments within the Gotei 13 and the reasons behind her pronounced disdain. While some might argue that her views reflect the ideology of the Gotei more broadly, many other Shinigami depicted have not exhibited this kind of animosity, even throughout the tumult of the Thousand-Year Blood War.

Looking at Tobirama’s Perspective

Tobirama Senju featured in the anime (Image via Studio Pierrot).

While the anime adaptation of Bleach: TYBW does not explore Senjumaru’s background or the basis of her disdain for the Quincy, it’s worth noting that Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto, provided insight into Tobirama’s feelings towards the Uchiha. His motivations stem from a very legitimate backdrop that transcends mere bigotry.

The Senju and Uchiha clans had a tumultuous history filled with conflict, culminating in the Uchiha’s betrayal that led to the deaths of numerous Senju, including members of Tobirama’s family. Furthermore, Madara Uchiha’s repeated attempts to disrupt the peace of the Hidden Leaf Village, after an agreement for coexistence, further fueled Tobirama’s distrust, making it rooted in very real grievances.

Concluding Thoughts

Senjumaru Shutara undoubtedly emerged as one of the most developed characters in the Bleach: TYBW anime, revealing her viewpoints towards the Quincies. While some fans have likened her to Tobirama from Naruto, the nuances of her character trait present a more complex story worth exploring.

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