The Foreshadowing of Mimihagi’s Existence by Aizen in Bleach’s Ukitake Arc

In the recent episode 3 of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War part 3, viewers were introduced to Mimihagi, the right hand of the Soul King. While this marked the first visual appearance of the entity, it appears that Tite Kubo, the creator of the manga, had subtly hinted at its role in the narrative much earlier.

The episode showcased Jushiro Ukitake permitting Mimihagi to inhabit his body through a technique known as Kamikake. This method enabled Ukitake to effectively assume the role of the Soul King, helping to alleviate the chaos affecting the Soul Society, Hueco Mundo, and the human world.

Tite Kubo Clarifies Ukitake’s Link to Mimihagi in Bleach

Sosuke Aizen in Bleach anime — Sosuke Aizen in Bleach

As he was ascending to Hueco Mundo, Jushiro Ukitake confronted him, prompting Aizen’s infamous declaration:

“No one…ever stood atop the heavens before. Not you…or I…or the Gods. But the unbearable vacancy of heaven’s throne ends now. From now on…I will stand in Heaven.”

Although many fans presumed Aizen’s words were directed at Ukitake or the Soul Reapers collectively, as clarified by the original author Tite Kubo, he was not addressing either party.

Kubo’s Q&A revealed that when Aizen uttered “Not you,”he was not referencing Ukitake, but rather his connection to the Soul King, represented by Mimihagi. This indicates that Aizen had always been aware of Jushiro Ukitake’s past and his association with the Soul King’s right hand.

As a result, the manga had actually foreshadowed Mimihagi’s existence within Ukitake well before it was explicitly confirmed by Kubo, exclusively after a fan inquiry prompted the revelation.

While the foreshadowing may appear ambiguous, it does hold a certain coherence. As Aizen, Ichimaru Gin, and Kaname Tosen began their ascent to Hueco Mundo, the focus fell on Rangiku Matsumoto and Sajin Komamura, primarily because of their close ties to the Gotei 13 captains.

However, Jushiro Ukitake was highlighted due to Aizen’s betrayal, which seemed peculiar given his lack of a close relationship with Aizen. Fans may have thought Ukitake stepped forward due to his loyalty to the Gotei 13, but in truth, it was simply a setup for Aizen to address Mimihagi, and by extension, the Soul King.

This suggests that Tite Kubo likely intended for Ukitake’s connection to Mimihagi from the beginning, establishing Aizen’s comment about Mimihagi as one of the strongest foreshadowings in the series.

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