Character: Ukitake
Jūshirō
Anime:
Bleach
Role:
Supporting
During the seemingly eternal time I
spent in the taxi today, I started thinking about anime and for some reason I can't remember
I was making a list in my head of the most amiable characters in all the anime I've watched. That's when I remembered Ukitake Jūshirō. He was, definitely on the list.
I remember, back then when I used to watch Bleach, how much I liked him, but
his appearances were a few, so I couldn't consider him as my favorite. However, he was my favorite captain in the Gotei 13, along with Shunsui Kyōraku who
happens to be his best friend.
Ukitake is one of the earliest
captains in the Gotei 13. He's the captain of the 13th squad, to
which Kuchiki Rukia belongs. He's often staying at his family's state due to
his illness. Because of his illness, his hair whitened when he was young, and
he's seen coughing blood at some intense moments when he's exerted himself. If
not for his low stamina, due to his weak health, Ukitake would have been
considered one of the strongest captains on par with Kyōraku, probably. They were both, among the first graduates of
Yamamoto's academy and the first to become captains. They were trained by
Yamamoto and have been captains for over 100 years. Ukitake along with Kyōraku are the only dual blade users among
Shinigami. His Zanpakutō's , Sōgyo no Kotowari, ability is to reverse his
enemy's attack but with much more strength, one blade takes in the attack and
the other releases it. We've never seen his bankai, though I'm definite it
should be something huge, since his Shikai is already too powerful. Ukitake has
no vice, currently. His former vice was Shiba Kaien, who died and has not been
replaced.
Now why I like Ukitake? There are many reasons for that, but let's just start with the fact that he makes me smile whenever I see him. He so sweet, gentle and humble. I recall the scene where he was sitting with Shiba Kaien at his residence and the servant blushed at his smile, when she was presenting tea, and Kaien makes note that Ukitake is charming, a compliment he dismisses humbly. Also, how he keeps showering Hitsugaya with candy and snacks is so funny. Also, being best friend with Kyōraku, is one of his pluses! :D It was a filler arc, but Sōgyo no Kotowari's form was just so cute! And the way he's been treating them, how more cute could he be! Also, the way he was wth Lynette the arrancar, not fighting her because she's a child and actually giving her tips on how to improve herself! I'm just adoring him more and more right now! XD
However Ukitake's gentle side is not what he's
all about, his honorable and moral side is equally impressive. He treats
everyone with respect. He does what he thinks is right, even if that means
breaking rules or rejecting higher orders, without being disrespectful. That's
clear with Rukia's execution incident. He contradicted Yamamoto, and with Kyōraku,
he stopped the execution. They try to avoid a battle with him though, by
running away instantly, but they fail and engage in battle, which didn't last
for long because of Aizen's revelation. Ukitake cares a lot for his underlings
and he respects them, and he's protective of them. That was clear in Kaien's
death incident. He respected his wish to face the hollow that killed his wife
alone, in spite of his worries. He, also, tried to protect Rukia, who went
after Kaien against Ukitake's word. She was attacked by the hollow after it had
possessed Kaien. Ukitake tried to stop him, but his illness got in the way and
Rukia had to kill him. One of my darkest Bleach moments was when I thought he
might've died in the fake Karakura town arc. I was more than relieved when I
saw him eavesdropping, with his cheery smile, on Yamamato, after Aizen's
defeat, when he was scolding Kyōraku, Byakuya, and Kenpachi.
I want to
watch Bleach right now and watch Ukitake and Kyōraku again! And watch my
favorite Bleach character. I'm not telling who it is yet. There should be some
respectable post for him in the future. :D
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