Retsu Unohana/Anime Continuity

Retsu Unohana (卯ノ花 烈, Unohana Retsu) is the captain of the Fourth Division in the Gotei 13. Her lieutenant is Isane Kotetsu.

Plot[]

Bount arc (anime only)[]

Unohana is present for a captain's meeting called by Captain-Commander Yamamoto to discuss the Bount invasion, wherein he tells the captains to kill the Bounts on sight.^[2] When the Bounts infiltrate Seireitei, Mabashi uses Ritz to possess Shinigami in order to create infighting. Many who were possessed were brought to the 4th Division's infirmary to be healed. However, as she doesn't know how to remove the implanted doll, she orders all those possessed to be restrained and the puppetmaster captured. When Mabashi is killed by Suì-Fēng, all of the possessed Shinigami return to normal. Unohana expresses relief that someone defeated the puppetmaster.^[3]

Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc (anime only)[]

Unohana is summoned together with all of the captains and lieutenants to Sōkyoku Hill as Muramasa and the other manifested Zanpakutō Spirits appear before their former masters, declaring their rebellion. She orders Isane to treat Chōjirō Tadaoki Sasakibe after he is injured by the Zanpakutō Spirits.^[4] After that night, Unohana leads her division in healing those who were wounded in the battle the night before, including Komamura.^[5]

She and her lieutenant are later visited by Lieutenant Nemu Kurotsuchi with a request by Mayuri Kurotsuchi that Unohana come to the 12th Division barracks to determine the cause of the Zanpakutō's rebellion. Afterward, she, Captain Jūshirō Ukitake, and Captain Shunsui Kyōraku use the 4th Division's barracks to plan their strategies. When both Ichigo and Renji appear before the three captains, announcing that they have both subdued their Zanpakutō, they realize that the only way to restore control over them is to defeat them in battle.^[6]

After the Zanpakutō spirits attacked the 6th Division headquarters, Unohana appeared with the 4th division to heal all injured parties. Though she gets into a small rivalry with Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi over the fact that she analyzed and developed a cure to his Bankai's poison. She is there to greet Suì-Fēng and Yoruichi when the latter tells all in attendance that she has discovered the whereabouts of Captain-Commander Yamamoto.^[7]

Beast Swords arc (anime only)[]

After all the chaos involving Muramasa settles down, she along with Captains Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku take charge of rebuilding Seireitei. She still is directing the healing of all those were injured from Muramasa's Zanpakutō rebellion. Soon after, she is made aware of the Tōjū phenomenon from reports similar to what happened to Rukia Kuchiki. While the rebuilding continues and the Tōjū is being dealt with, Lieutenants Nanao Ise and Isane Kotetsu notice several items from the 4th Division barracks go missing. Hanatarō Yamada also reports that several of the chickens he was raising have vanished as well. They notice that the thief left tracks leading to the underground waterways. Suspecting it to be the work of a Tōjū and seeing Captains Unohana and Kyōraku send Nanao and Hanatarō, along with Ikkaku Madarame and his Zanpakutō Hōzukimaru, to investigate the underground waterways (while secretly keeping an eye on them from the Research Department with Akon).^[8]

The group makes it back to the surface to report a Tōjū's death. They also mention that Hisagomaru had been the one stealing the items from the 4th Division. According to them, Hisagomaru explained that he had been manifested by Muramasa at the start of the rebellion, but had no grudge against his master. Despite all he tried, Hisagomaru was unable to return to his bladed form. Driven by despair, he hid in the sewers, secretly salvaging items to help him cope in his new surroundings, including Hanatarō's chickens. Kyōraku asks where Hisagomaru is right now, only for the setting to change back to the manifested Zanpakutō, who had gotten lost yet again.^[8]

Unohana is also seen with Minazuki, along with a number of other officers of the Gotei 13 and their Zanpakutō, as they confront both Zabimaru and Senbonzakura when they accidentally destroy the buildings of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute.^[9] }}

Gotei 13 Invading Army arc (anime only)[]

Unohana is present for a captain's meeting called by Yamamoto regarding disappearances in the Dangai. She listens to Mayuri's report that there is a time gap in the Dangai, which is expanding and may stop their ability to intervene in the Human World. Unohana asks him if there is a way to stop it, to which Mayuri replies that it can be fixed immediately, but he requests that a study be conducted to identify the cause.^[10] Unohana and Isane walk towards the Senkaimon and Isane says she felt a slight variation in Reiatsu. Unohana tells her to stop then and says they need more time.^[11] As the Reigai army meets, Unohana walks out on the streets of Seireitei, conversing with division members.^[12] When Kyōraku is locked up and Ukitake tries to plead with Central 46 to try and get him released, Unohana advises him not to blame them too harshly given that, as they see it, all the evidence is there and points to Kyōraku's guilt.^[13]

Unohana goes to the Shinigami Research and Development Institute with Isane, who concludes some of the data had been tampered with, possibly by Kyōraku while Unohana disagrees. She informs Isane that she has traveled to the Daireishokairō in regards to this matter and found that the man responsible is no ordinary Shinigami. Kagerōza Inaba appears then and applauds Unohana on figuring out so much but she will have to wait to find out his motives as they will become clear soon enough.^[14] When the other captains succeed in getting through the Dangai, Isane attacks Inaba, who escapes only to be followed by the pair to an underground storage facility. Unohana observes Inaba's short sightedness as Kenpachi defeats his Reigai but Inaba accuses her of the same. Unohana is initially confused until Isane lifts her sword towards her, revealing herself as a Reigai all along who had gotten some samples of Unohana for Inaba allowing him to create her own Reigai counterpart. Unohana's replacement reveals itself, staring at her as Inaba asks what she is going to do now.^[15]

Unohana suddenly unleashes Bakudō #62. Hyapporankan on her counterpart, sending pillars hurtling towards her. Reigai-Unohana destroys her attack by using Bakudō #63. Sajo Sabaku. The Reigai then utilizes Hadō #88. Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō, which surprises those around as it is done without incantation, however Unohana blocks it with the use of Bakudō #81. Dankū. Unohana escapes the area while the others are distracted by the smoke of the attack.^[16] She later finds Yamamoto battle-worn from fighting the Reigai of Kyōraku, Ukitake and Unohana, helping him in a retreat and later treats his wounds. While regrouping, Renji arrives to report the situation, much to Unohana and Yamamoto's dismay.^[17] Unohana is then seen healing Yamamoto.^[18]

Later, Unohana follows Yamamoto to the Human World to aid their allies. Unohana then finds her Reigai-counterpart and confines her with a "Sajō Sabaku". She watches on as Yamamoto faces the enemies.^[19] After the battle, Unohana takes Yamamoto to their temporary base and treats his wounds. She tells Renji and Rukia that while he is stable, Yamamoto will not be able to join the battle for a while. Renji initially insists they attack now while Inaba is injured, but Unohana strongly voices against such reckless action.^[20]

References[]