THE SHINIGAMI WITHOUT A ZANPAKUTO: Nanao Ise | BLEACH Character Analysis

[@DBZimran]

What do you think about the growth and evolution of Nanao Ise?

[@xavierstewart5756]

I really loved what Kubo did with Nanao by giving her character growth and evolution. Not to mention giving her moment to shine in the TYBW arc, and I really do hope and pray that her moment to shine in the anime does justice and not label her zanpakuto as an asspull/deus ex machina. Nanao’s so underrated and she’s in my top 10 if not top 15 female characters. Thanks very much for doing an analysis video on the squad 8 Lieutenant, or should I say Lieutenant of squad 1.

[@اميرمادرا]

I love it keep going king your the best❤

[@stabbie2490]

We never see Yoruichi Shihōin with a Zanpakutō

[@ilikethis3203]

In my head canon Nanao's Zanpakuto was the one used to dismember the soul king. The "original sin" is quite literally past down through the Ise family in the form of a "curse".

[@kanoreese1253]

That's not bad headcanon. 🤔

[@Dragon66898]

Agreed I also have a head cannon that the Ise Family also makes sacred blades (and other weapons) for either sealing rituals and other rituals as well for use for non shinigami fighters to purify Hollows.

[@Mono_303]

This is a question to ask Kubo on Klub outside

[@alkalostrytoart1024]

This is the only explanation that i need to see in the anime to make the defeat of Lille Barro satisfying. Because 10 years ago i dislike the end of the fight. The sword is too convenient. "Fight a god? Well, here is anti god sword lmao what you gonna do o mighty gods messenger?". It was famous as one of the biggest asspull on the shonen back then. Though as a note, 10 years ago i was stupid and really didn't get how powerful Soul King was. Either my ooga booga shonen brain didn't read properly when i was younger (as we know, Bleach was ahead of its time in some aspect for a shonen). OR the manga never did expand too much about it. Because of that, i always thought Soul King as being weak. Important to the world, but weak. Because look at him. Powerless and limbless inside the crystal. But after years, it was made more prominent that Soul King was so powerful that he even created the concept of Death itself. Or created the world where death exists and needed. That's the whole thing that Yhwach tried to change. There's a true god in bleach world and that is the soul king. So after his overwhelming power is established, it trigger the questions of: "What kind of blade can cut the limbs of Soul King?" With that question, suddenly a device that capable of such overwhelming feats has to exist somewhere on the Bleach's world. And yes, that same device can be used to kill someone that is close to goodhod, which is Lille. IF the answer to that questions is the passed-down blade that Nanao use vs Lille, that would make it perfect. 10/10 Writing. I don't know if it was hinted somewhere on the novels (haven't read any for now), but PLEASE make this canon.

[@Atticus-Catnipp]

My most important moment with Nanao is when she suggested to execute Chad and Shunsui declined. He clearly doesn’t want his niece to shoulder the burden of having to mercilessly kill as it’s bad for one’s karma. If it was a family member of mine, I would have done the same. Nanao just wants to do her job as a soul reaper as good as she can. Since she only is a Gotei 13 member out of genuine loyalty and love for her family.

[@اميرمادرا]

I agree with you here have nice day❤

[@xenoemblem7]

The fact that Nanao is recognizable even though she's one of the more "normal-looking" characters in Bleach shows Kubo's genius artwork.

[@thewarrior8497]

She’s underrated imo. Glad she got to shine in TYBW like Nemu

[@اميرمادرا]

I agree with you here her and nemu are amzing ❤

[@manuelacosta9463]

She's Shunsui's moral rock and he for her. Her fear before entering the warzone is very human, while her also keeping Shunsui's eccentricities and goofiness in check adds to her status. The terror she inspires without her glasses is quite an eccentric aspect to her personality, more so since it terrorizes even the worst and most bloodthirsty among the Shinigami.

[@Atticus-Catnipp]

@@manuelacosta9463 Shunsui and Nanao are two of my moral rocks in Bleach specifically in the Gotei 13. As a privileged noble, Kyoraku is well aware that the soul reapers throughout history have messed up big time. But as the new captain commander, Shunsui just has to hold up some sort of moral obligation. Otherwise soul reapers would just quit and the balance of the worlds would slow turn to ruin. So whenever people make videos about “Bleach’s true villains” These characters are my strongest arguments. The world of Bleach is undoubtedly broken but there are still those willing to forgive , improve and learn.

[@wahidpawana424]

If she can scare away Mayuri from a meeting he's not supposed to be in, she should be at least low A-tier.

[@animefan77]

She went from being spooked by the head captain to being the character who removed the head of the royal guard of the next god of the verse who was a divine abomination at that point.

[@FeralRavage1]

I always liked Nanao despite her limited screentime, and I'm not merely saying that because I like cute bookish girls (Shunsui and I have that in common it seems). She's not really a brawler, but more like an attendant or adorable secretary who values strategy. Which, along with the more unique circumstances of her clan of origin and how they have one family zanpakuto that is passed down, makes her stand out among vice-captains since she exemplifies that kind of role more closely, she's like a female Alfred or something. Every captain needs a good right-hand I say. So I'm glad Nanao got a chance to step it up as Shunsui's during the battle with Lille Barro. In regards to captain and vice-captain duos, Shunsui and Nanao are probably the best I've seen, their contrasting personalities make for an interesting dynamic, they also pick up the slack wherever the other one is lacking, but there is a deeper connection and history there, literally and metaphorically. You can see why he insisted on having her still be his lieutenant after becoming head captain, there literally isn't a better lieutenant for him. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Great video, Imran.

[@ghostrouxinol6169]

I always thought if Nanao would ever be in a fight, she would cast way crazy kidos. The book that she always carries around is some phrobidden Kido Spellbook.

[@Atticus-Catnipp]

Both seem way too lighthearted for a full on fight.

[@ghostrouxinol6169]

@Grayson-Winchester what do you mean?

[@Atticus-Catnipp]

@@ghostrouxinol6169 that it’s debatable on how they would actually start a fight. Probably with Kido but one has a decent Zanpakuto while the other a sacred treasure

[@ghostrouxinol6169]

@Grayson-Winchester Sorry, my auto translate Changed Ise into Isane.

[@Dragon66898]

I have a head cannon that the Ise Family also makes sacred blades (and other weapons) for either sealing rituals and other rituals as well for use for non shinigami fighters to purify Hollows, and that’s the blade she’s been using before the family blade was given to her.

[@alistaircrane6917]

I feel like no one mentions this cause no one realizes it but it’s not so shocking how Nanao handle Kenpachi before they ascended to the Royal palace. Nanao and Yachiru were very close. I’m sure Nanao felt about little Yachiru how Lisa once felt for Nanao herself. Kenpachi who respects and cares about Yachiru immensely knows that her and Nanao have a different relationship and took her words more to heed.

[@neoinfinity5204]

I grew up linking her to shizune from Naruto both are underrated well developed characters who don’t follow the usual power creep like Bankai and bloodlines

[@thewarrior8497]

Happy thanksgiving everyone! 🦃🧡

[@SolarEclipse28]

People seriously need to start asking Orihime to heal them... like c'mon, she does it for free, regardless of whether she likes you or not. Unless there's some in-universe explanation as to why Orihime can't undo the injuries of Nanao or Shunsui? Yama just stubbornly refused, but I figure those two would be more pragmatic.

[@Atticus-Catnipp]

@@SolarEclipse28 actually it doesn’t have to do with stubbornness. It’s more of a reminder of how vulnerable they are. The world that they live in took a toll on them. And they can learn from it.

[@undeade.t7044]

you know whats stupid ? they shouldn't even need Orihimes help because Mayuri should be able to heal injuries like lost limbs and organs with his flesh serum that he used to heal himself after he got a hole blown throw his stomach by Uryu or when he lost his arm to Pernida

[@decidueyezealot8611]

Literally made 3 healer characters who don't do anything less the plot calls for it

[@dontwatchmyvideoace1383]

Shunsui probably wanted to keep it that way similar to yama.

[@lukefarrell1453]

@@undeade.t7044 he could but he would want something in return

[@inesatt1313]

I love Nanao,she is so sweet

[@xjaiwj]

@2:40 this panel of her i think is so cool and really emblemizes her growth. the fact that kubo had her squad one lieutenant band really in the forefront of the shot, combined with her holding a literal divine weapon incredibly gracefully and her look of determined resolve really show how she’s stepped up to the massive plate of being the lieutenant to the leader of the gotei 13. although she not may be strong in a traditional soul reaper sense, lille barro was also an incredibly untraditional opponent, and it was really cool to see how she was able to defeat him

[@daniaalkhan4702]

To quote a certain stuffed toy, "I want her to scold me."

[@YamaMaharaja]

Sometimes i wonder if Toshiro and Shunsui were to switch places, how much different their squads would be (as Toshiro's seriousness combined with Nanao's, and their work before rest attitudes, they'll be so productive, Yamamoto would actually smile).

[@emreuzun6878]

Nah i can t think shunsui with rangiku

[@YamaMaharaja]

@emreuzun6878 Considering they're slackers and are bad at holding their alcohol, that's the only downside 😂 they'll never get anything done

[@oheychay997]

​@emreuzun6878 Shunsui paired with Rangiku would be a disaster LOL. The squad would accomplish none of their tasks lol

[@YamaMaharaja]

@@oheychay997 It'd be so bad, Toshiro & Nanao would still have to come back and help them 😂

[@undeade.t7044]

Nanao having a heirloom zanpakuto was definitly a retcon because she has her own zanpakuto in a color spread she was in of all the lieutenants which makes me wonder what her original zanpakuto would have been if the retcon didnt happen

[@Step43099]

Ehh I wouldn’t count that as a retcon just because it was a color spread and not actually in the story itself. Who knows though

[@ReleaseZeKrakken]

That's not a retcon. If we'd seen her use a zanpakuto in the story prior then it would be but a simple color spread doesn't count as any sort of continuity.

[@decidueyezealot8611]

Bleach has retcons don't let these die hards follow you lol

[@nonzamemange7612]

​@@decidueyezealot8611What retcons I have never seen one retcon in this series

[@decidueyezealot8611]

@nonzamemange7612 then your funny and blind

[@haseo2dingo]

In surprised that kudo didn't have ohimea heal nano's leg after everything

[@MagicianSama]

Thankful for Nanao and how beautiful she is

[@BT-to9xv]

her newstyle hair also made her "normal" secretary-beauty got boosted too.

[@teoman200]

I always loved her character

[@TymeTraveling777]

Shes that wife that thinks shes right all the time. But in reality she is right half of the time. Which is still pretty reliable

[@ReeFizz]

Dude the merch is so fire, I would love to get an instinct, or cifer hoodie. But I ain't got no money. So hopefully it sticks around till christmas and I can grab me one.

[@gigagines]

It would be interesting if Nanao's cane is actually her sword, no? I wonder if the anime would make a call back to her moment with Yamamoto, to highlight how far she has grown. Her facing off with Lillie kinda parallel that. With how the manga went, it felt like she went from 0 to 100 without any build up, so more on her working to overcome that would be good addition, imo. Wouldn't have to wait long because it's almost Saturday. Let's go!

[@elijahdubois7902]

Happy Thanksgiving Bro!

[@rashidshadow9325]

That thumbnail tho. My proudest tug yet

[@darkknight6219]

Ayo wtf???

[@Raxin5]

Eight division really do love them girls with glasses

[@Green_Ninja325]

Happy Thanksgiving bro

[@jameshou1174]

People often forget: Nanao is Kyoraku's niece. She is the daughter of his older brother. This is why he cares so much for her and wanted her next to him. But it is not explained in the series if Nanao knows their blood ties.

[@thedysfunctionalbiographer3314]

Nanao's my favourite Bleach woman and I'm stoked to see her upcoming battle against Lille.

[@bobsemple262]

Nanao would make a very good manager in a company

[@vladimirpinera1137]

imagine having nanao in burn the witch

[@ACandRS]

🌸🌸 Lovely lovely Nanao-chan 🌸🌸

[@vacanthope]

Everything was wrapped up perfectly in the Blood War Arc, and no less that includes the reveal as to the reason why Nanao never got access to her zanpakuto. The sad thing is that this means Shunsui may not last very long in the grand scheme of things given how the curse works. 😭

[@jeshuarestituyo284]

They’re not married, he’s only her uncle, only men married into family get affected by the curse, but judging by Nanao words and such she might be able to lift curse as something foolish

[@vacanthope]

@@jeshuarestituyo284 oh Well I assume shunsui already had tainted blood but it's good to know my head captain is all good. 😅

[@Ahrilovergamer]

I can’t wait to watch her fight

[@Leopez02]

About of Nanao-Chan I didin't knew her full name is Nanao Ise because I've never heard her full name in the anime because people always called her as Nanao-Chan. Even without a Zanpakuto Nanao-Chan is surprisilly smart and strong being a lieutenant she's defienitily strong with Kido and being Shunsui's most trusted people and now Shunsui as the head captain Nanao-Chan has a bigger role she would become even a captain too someday! And Nanao-Chan has the best Bleach moments too like hitting Kyouraku with a book, blushing at Soul Society girls leaded by Rangiku, Beach episode and defienitily Lovely lovely Nanao-Chan is one of the funniest Bleach moments of all time Nano-Chan is too underrated Bleach character, but I'll respect and love her as much as Kyouraku and now she have a bigger role with Kyouraku thank you for interesting video and can't wait for tomorrow TYBW episode 35 i'm so excited! 😊❤

[@zorretox666]

**Reads the title** *And what about yoruichi?*

[@kauxtov]

Make a video on ikkaku madarame 🎉

[@trigunlover11]

Nanao is so cool!!! 😃 So ildoes Shunsui have a sort of crush on her? Or they just good friends in the farm Squad 8? Anyways, she is not afraid to hold anything back in battle.

[@decidueyezealot8611]

Couldn't tell if they were related or in a relationship

[@EnragedCondimentTray]

I’d hope not shunsui knew her since she was a kid

[@daryl9915]

He's her uncle

[@PossessedbyPhoenix]

Shunshi has dibs on all glasses girls

[@xXPIEATERXx]

mommy MOMMMY!!! 😩

[@awaisahmed9418]

I didn't like her being around Shunsui in the fight against Lile Baro . Her God slaying Zanpakto was just a slap in the face to Shun Sui and his Bankai build up. She was not needed at all. She could have gotten her own fight elsewhere. I Hope this gets changed in the anime.

[@i.t21b_alphonso_luis_vallejo]

Can that zanpakto reflect ichigo tenza zangetsu or not ? 1:50

[@darkknight6219]

I mean it rejects the power of God, Tensa Zangetsu wouldn't stand a chance

[@i.t21b_alphonso_luis_vallejo]

@darkknight6219 but how about white and Quincy too ?

[@darkknight6219]

@@i.t21b_alphonso_luis_vallejo Nanao could've used that Zanpukuto against Yhwach

[@i.t21b_alphonso_luis_vallejo]

@@darkknight6219 yeah but to think about the filler arc where the villain is shock to see ichigo has a hollow powers and cannot take it or reflect it

[@cj5476]

This zanpaktou should have went Yoruichi.

[@angel444A]

Nanao's sword was the biggest ass pull ever lol

[@kesknott1778]

Quick one, nanao could have used this sword on ywach 😕

[@darkknight6219]

Exactly

[@jeshuarestituyo284]

Honestly honestly if she’s worried about the curse she could just not marry her beloved 😭they don’t need married and that could possible break the curse or just extended like. Plus she could easily marry a woman too and yall don’t be homophobic please it’s 2024, and they’re not humans, Nanao could easily marry a woman and the curse can be lifted like that too😭

[@zenor-g5b]

w

[@nhieltesoreronhieltesorero9784]

Like

[@isaacfaith9369]

I hate this character and I hate her deus ex machina zanpakutō. That is all.

[@tyroneford-ru7iw]

This will definitely be foreshadowed better in the anime. I really hope this “Sword” is explained better so we can really feel good about the end of that fight. I feel my boy Lilli got bull shitted so baldy with that loss.

[@d.sack2727]

She's best girl

[@ohreally69]

Whats the point of having an OP healer when no one lets her heal them....idgaf about pride or what kind of mindset they have,its just lazy writing Why bother making a healer so OP that she was the focus of a whole arc to only never use her

[@nonzamemange7612]

Yes for God sakes Soul reapers your 4th division captain just died and her lieutenant just got shot and none of you even asked Orihime to heal you although at that moment she was exhausted and injured from her battle with yhwach alongside ichigo

[@doginababyseat5127]

Even Mayuri can fix such injuries with ease. He has healing pods for crying out loud. Though I can sorta understand not trusting Mayuri to just poke around and test some drugs on you while healing your injury.

[@onepeak-b3o]

w