Summary
In Bleach, Hollows and lost spirits are sent to Soul Society by Shinigami to maintain balance to the human world. The souls pass through the Dangai — a passage between the Human World and Soul Society that cannot be traversed by living beings. However, the flow of souls in and out of Soul Society hasn't always been an independent action.
Soul Society was originally controlled by an entity known as the Soul King, who took it upon himself to protect the world. His actions caught the attention of the Shinigami, who used his power to create the three worlds. Here’s everything you need to know about the Soul King and the role he plays within the Bleach franchise.
Updated on September 2nd, 2023, by Ajay Aravind: Bleach is filled with tons of references to Japanese folklore. However, mangaka Tite Kubo also incorporated several mythologized elements that have never existed before, including the Hollows, the Quincy, and the mysterious Soul King. Given that fans know very little about this character, we've updated this feature with some more relevant information about the Soul King in Bleach.
Why Was Bleach's Soul King Sealed Away?
Bleach's Soul King, also known as Reio, was the linchpin of existence as a god and the king of Soul Society. Long ago, when only one true world existed, humans and spirits co-existed together. Then the Hollows came into existence, devouring souls. The Soul King appeared and started to kill all the Hollows to protect the world, similar to what the Quincy are known to do. However, annihilating Hollows destabilized the world. His hunting was interrupted by the first set of Shinigami, who later became the ancestors of the five noble families — the Shihoin, Kuchiki, Shiba, Tsunayashiro, and Kasumioji clans in Bleach.
They captured the Soul King, and with his powers created three distinct dimensions: the Human World, Hueco Mundo, and Soul Society. As the Soul King never showed resistance, they further detached his body parts and scattered them around the world because they feared the possibility he could oppose them with his immense powers. He was subsequently sealed into a crystal prison housed in the Soul King Palace, where he would be protected by the Zero Squad. Nobody knows exactly when this happened, but it must have been thousands of years before the main Bleach timeline.
How Much Power Does Bleach's Soul King Have?
The Soul King in Bleach could be referred to as the most powerful being that ever existed in the universe. With his Oken Bestowment power, he could create and modify Shinigami known as the Royal Guards to protect the Soul King Palace. He possessed the Almighty, an ability that allowed him to see into or alter the future. Yhwach also inherited the Almighty, as seen when he refers to the Soul King as his "father." The Soul King was powerful enough to hold the three worlds together. He had an overflowing amount of spiritual power and Reiatsu (spiritual pressure), so powerful, in fact, that it was enough to almost overwhelm Yhwach.
The Soul King's Body Parts Each Serve a Purpose In Bleach
The Soul King’s heart later transformed into Gerard Valkyrie. He was a tall muscular man, confident in his immense strength and powers. He served Yhwach as a Sternritter in the Schutzstaffel with code name M. With his shield and sword, he wore a cape that could act as a wall to protect him in battle. He has a Helig Bogen which takes the form of a Sacred Bow he uses to shoot Heilig Pfeil (Sacred Arrow) at opponents. Gerard can develop wings from his back, and increase his powers with an ability called The Miracle, which made him become a giant with multiplied strength and power. He also possessed an incredible regeneration ability.
The right hand was called Mimihagi. It was genderless, looking like a clenched fist with a single large eye at its back. Mimihagi was worshiped as a god in the Eastern Rukongai section of Soul Society, where it healed Jushiro Ukitake of his lung diseases. With its power of Stillness and Stagnation of Governance, it had the ability to stop growth, development, and progress. Mimihagi utilized these powers to heal the infirmities of its worshipers, provided they offered him a part of their body in return. It possessed the kamikake, which, when activated, could take over an entire body as a host. It also had the ability to shield itself from being seen by The Almighty, just as it shielded itself from Yhwach’s eye.
The left hand was known as Pernida Parnkgjas. This Quincy appeared as a large grey-skinned hand with two glowy eyes in a long white cloak that covered most of its body. It also belonged to the Sternritter in the Schutzstaffel, with the code name C. However, Pernida could create multiple Heilig Bogens and Pfeils (Sacred Bow and Arrow). With its power of The Compulsory, it could compress anything its nerves touch. Pernida further had the power of Evolution Governance. It controls progression, evolution, and growth, with the ability to evolve to the power level of anyone its nerves touch. It had impressive regeneration and the power to replicate others’ abilities. Pernida could manipulate its body shape to form a new part or constantly reproduce itself. Its powers were superior to that of a captain-level Shinigami.
The Soul King regulated the flow of souls in and out of Soul Society, while also acting as the power source that maintained the three worlds. If there was no Soul King in Bleach, then the three worlds would merge and become one again. This is exactly what Yhwach sought to accomplish during the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, though his attempts were ultimately thwarted by Ichigo Kurosaki.