What's the Deal With Ulquiorra's 'SEGUNDA ETAPA' Form? | Bleach Discussion

[@MrTommo2304]

Check out my video on the recent PlayStation showcase right here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWjUdYiklqiHpM0 Meanwhile, what is Ulquiorra's Segunda Etapa? How does it work? How did he achieve it? Let me know your thoughts on the topic down in the comments!

[@MrSupedoSpade]

Im surprised you didn't mention that Kubo interview where he recently confirmed if Grimmjow trained hard enough he could achieve Segunda Etapa

[@joshuamedina7292]

The way i see it Ulquiorra is the only one that actually has a bankai

[@brianjohnson5272]

Watch out sir, several mutli ligual content theives have been stealing content from others and using their words beat for beat. Open your perception wide, Do not drop your gaurd, Lest your content be stolen and the money you rely on be stolen by those who dont do the work.

[@breshauncrawford445]

Why do one of grimjows old conpanian look like BG9

[@vileluca]

Who's to say that an arrancar can't simply train and get stronger? Most hollows rely on raw power, but raw power + discipline creates something new. Since Kubo confirmed in a Q&A that Grimmjow could also achieve this form, it seems to me like something that can be obtained with enough, or the proper kind, of training.

[@nicodemusedwards6931]

When you think about it, it is weird. A Resurrección isn’t a traditional power up, it’s an Arrancar regaining their powers as a Hollow, which are sealed within their blade. It’s essentially removing a limiter on their body, letting them use their full strength. So Segunda Etapa… if we’re keeping to anime comparisons, it’s like how Frieza transforms to suppress his power, then has 100%. So in this analogy, Segunda Etapa is like the Golden Form for Arrancar.

[@ProfessionalCommentor]

It would be his final white form, his gold form would be when he fused with the orb(dont know how to type it) in the bleach game(not cannon)

[@gameinsane4718]

@@ProfessionalCommentor actually the second release is more like Cooler’s extra form. The golden equivalent would be the Hogyoku

[@dakodareid3807]

I'd say it's closer to the bankai, cause they do have zanpakto he's either closer to bankai or more than likely (in my mind) close to whatever the final getsuga tensho is, closer to a fusion rather than reawakening your hollow self or accessing your swords true power

[@mastertucker]

It's not exact because even the sealed Arrancar becomes stronger than their Hollow self. So less so a limiter and more adding their original power on top of their new power. They don't get weaker by sealing their mask into a sword so it's less like Frieza's forms where he does specifically limit himself lesser than his natural state.

[@1234andrewjacksmith]

Yeah Arrancar get stronger because well two souls are better than one saying they are just objects is factually wrong that is just what most make since all objects have souls that is part of what fullbring does manipulate the souls in all matter Like we see with Starrk as well the part of the power can be alive, combined with kubo answering yes to Grimmjow being able to unlock the form if he trains think it is like a mix of the difference between Senkei and normal senbosakura and the difference between Daiguren Hyōrinmaru and well Daiguren Hyōrinmaru(mature) more the later since the name of the form is basically returning blade: second step, it would really be the same as naming a form Bankai: stage two

[@skyrogue1977]

Undoubtedly one of the biggest flexes in the series.

[@apathy2454]

Most definitely

[@Esconico.]

Ulq had the 2 coldest moves in the series during this fight too. The instant side face slam and the “Here I found your sword” face slam

[@sinszz2824]

Correction: Undoubtedly one of the biggest flexes in ALL OF ANIME!!!

[@jamesw7098]

Absolutely. Think about it…….this fight goes from a back and forth battle of Hollowfied Bankai Ichigo vs base Ulqiuorra to a complete one sided stomp as soon as Ulqiuorra goes into his first release. The power gap is so vast here that Ulqiuorra tells Ichigo to charge up his Getsuga Tensho and fire away only for Ulqiuorra to effortlessly rank it with just his spiritual pressure. There’s such a massive gap that Ulqiuorra fires a Lance at Ichigo, who dodges it, and then almost beheads Ichigo with a second Lance. Ichigo perceives it as one Lance. The neurons in his brain can’t fire off fast enough to perceive and react to the second Lance. That’s how massive the power and speed gap is. THEN, to show Ichigo true despair, Ulqiuorra goes into his second release despite the already heaven and earth power gap mentioned above. He was by already leagues above Ichigo, and then he uses his second release that increases his power to around 100x times his base so this was just disrespectful lol. It took White fully taking over to overpower Ulqiuorra which is in a way another testament to Segunda Etapa’s power considering Vasto Lorde Ichigo is arguably transcendent. Segunda Etapa was somewhat relative to full Hollow Ichigo/VL Ichigo.

[@jdddyyy1]

Getting rekt by Hollow Ichigo is a flex?

[@philzh7973]

One of the many things I found interesting was how Ulquiorra’s Segunda Etapa reverts him back into the appearance of his original tribe. He was born in the sands of Hueco Mundo pure white, while his kin were pitch black. When he reveals his second release form, he’s now black. And what was it Isshin said in Everything But The Rain? Black hollows are practically unheard of. Pretty fitting for someone with a power that hasn’t been replicated since its introduction.

[@AJ-kt5zo]

Makes wonder more about the ancient super primordial hollow that existed . Heck even the ones in Reio times is a whole nother layer of story thats not touch on very much.

[@wayoutthere907]

Hol up, let him cook

[@theomeflah]

it seems you guys didn't watch bleach at all. The release don't make them become what they were before being transformed to arancar, it make them transform to what they became after being evolved with the hogyoku. Ul quiora didn't even have a mouth before meeting aizen...Grimjow was a four leg animal.... wake up your saying nonsense

[@philzh7973]

Damn did daddy beat you today? You must be pretty sad because your parents don’t love you

[@ballisticbiscuit5706]

​@@theomeflah actually, that's not true. Ulquiorra specifically did have a mouth already because he was a naturally born arrancar. Aizen wasn't the one who turned him into one

[@Huojunta]

To me, Yammy's transformation is a manifestation of his ability. He gets stronger with greater anger, so changing shape is a way for his body to accommodate his increased power.

[@nonhumanperson9362]

I like this explanation, and it makes a lot of sense. We see later on that kenpachi's body couldn't withstand the reiatsu of his bankai and it resulted in him literally ripping his arm apart. So it would follow reasonably that yammy's release compensates for that by giving him more mass to withstand his increasing reiatsu

[@gogogo123454321]

But it’s not just more mass, it’s a whole second transformation like Ulquiorra’s.

[@nonhumanperson9362]

@Clank4Prez I mean tbh I figure kubo didn't wanna keep drawing more and more legs lmao

[@jsphlml]

@@gogogo123454321it’s not a second transformation

[@theomeflah]

it seems you guys didn't watch bleach at all. The release don't make them become what they were before being transformed to arancar, it make them transform to what they became after being evolved with the hogyoku. Ul quiora didn't even have a mouth before meeting aizen...Grimjow was a four leg animal.... wake up your saying nonsense

[@Eco_Earthling]

I love this idea of Segunda Etapa being an arrancar reverting to a hollowdom far beyond that of their original days as standard hollows. I wish Kubo dove further into these ideas. It feels like he’s always developing fascinating concepts only to leave them lightly explored.

[@gammafrost]

That’s always been a bad habit of his. So much more potential only to get it on a surface level

[@kevinbaumhoer7359]

@@gammafrost blame Jump for this Kubo sais it himself that only around 50% of Bleachs complet story was finished

[@Eco_Earthling]

@@kevinbaumhoer7359 that’s almost certainly part of it. Manga companies work their artists to the bone. Incredibly abusive industry; it’s inexcusable.

[@theomeflah]

it seems you guys didn't watch bleach at all. The release don't make them become what they were before being transformed to arancar, it make them transform to what they became after being evolved with the hogyoku. Ul quiora didn't even have a mouth before meeting aizen...Grimjow was a four leg animal.... wake up your saying nonsense

[@darkerdaemon7794]

​@@theomeflahActually you are, some of them had already achieved vasto lorde, essentially arrancar form, prior to even meeting Aizen. Szayellaporro, Barrigan, Stark, Harribel, and even Ulquiorra all had these forms. All an arrancar are is an hollow who's learned to remove their masks and get this stronger form.

[@nerdragon2649]

On Klub Outside, Kubo was asked if Grimmjow could learn Segunda Etapa if he trained to do so. Kubo's answer to that question was yes. So this brings a new dimension to what Segunda Etapa actually entails.

[@theomeflah]

it seems you guys didn't watch bleach at all. The release don't make them become what they were before being transformed to arancar, it make them transform to what they became after being evolved with the hogyoku. Ul quiora didn't even have a mouth before meeting aizen...Grimjow was a four leg animal.... wake up your saying nonsense

[@totallylegitenergy2559]

​@@theomeflahhe's quoting something directly from the creator of bleach.

[@ballisticbiscuit5706]

I wonder what that means of ulqiorra? Was he only the strongest until someone else got segunda? Or perhaps he would've been getting stronger by the time that happened, making him still the strongest? I would hope for the second because the first is a really lame idea

[@Alkhemia8]

​@@ballisticbiscuit5706 the mobile game does give grim a new form when it celebrated Can't Fear Your Own World that basically a 2nd release

[@FrayTheHunter]

​@theomeflah homie reposted the same comment in several threads lmao

[@everdream4200]

I personally think the "bleeding" of Ulquiorra's hole represents his attempts to find the heart. The blood flows in an attempt to fill something. That something is the heart.

[@man.506]

Ongod, bro conflicting with himself, otherwise he wouldnt care that he doesnt feel anything

[@darthsasquach-f9w]

I have always thought, after seeing the Secunda Etapa, that they had it wrong about Releases being Bankai, and is actually Shikai.

[@lawdactyl]

That’s what I was thinking. The comparison to bankai was more in terms of power level but in mechanics it is their shikai. Accessing a part of their power, like a shinigami does when they use their shikai.

[@brianpembrook9164]

I thought the same. Who do we hear arrancar lore from? Arrancars. Creatures who barely even had a society equivalent to the stone age. Worse from members who had only been arrancars for two years max. Part of a bubble society that has only been around for a few decades (a century at max?). Not much time to learn all that there is. It also makes sense for a release to be between shekai and bankai. Arrancars are supposed to be greater than the hollow ever was and the "what if" shinigami version of themselves.

[@WaterKirby1994]

Shikai was suggested to be something that every Shinigami was supposed to have, while Bankai was something rare obtained through intensive training. In terms of availability Resurreccion is much like Shikai, likewise we have only seen Segunda Etapa from Ulquiorra. Espada are in a way the Captain Equivalent for Arrancars & I agree their society is still relatively new even if it was virtually annihilated by both the Shinigami & Quincies.

[@theomeflah]

it seems you guys didn't watch bleach at all. The release don't make them become what they were before being transformed to arancar, it make them transform to what they became after being evolved with the hogyoku. Ul quiora didn't even have a mouth before meeting aizen...Grimjow was a four leg animal.... wake up your saying nonsense

[@darkknight1710]

Yes. But you forgot a thing: the society of the arrancar is pretty new. In the early gotei 13, not all captain had bankai if we refer to ywach. So since the arrancar society, not all had already achieved bankai

[@Grayson-Winchester]

Ulquiorra Ciffer is a kind of antagonist for a specific section of the story that drives the protagonist to the absolute edge of despair only to be taken out in the most brutal way. Other examples I could bring up are Mahito, Neferpitou and old man Piccolo.

[@a.e_man78789]

He was an interesting adversary to Ichigo, as he is a being with overwhelming power with no restraints because of his apathy. His end I find poetic because all it took to beat a emotionless being like him is a monster of pure chaotic savagery, something ironically worse than him.

[@theomeflah]

it seems you guys didn't watch bleach at all. The release don't make them become what they were before being transformed to arancar, it make them transform to what they became after being evolved with the hogyoku. Ul quiora didn't even have a mouth before meeting aizen...Grimjow was a four leg animal.... wake up your saying nonsense

[@Zarlos01]

​@@theomeflahokay, I'm annoyed. In the comments that says about transformation, your copy and paste comments is acceptable, irritating but acceptable. Here no one said about anything that your "comment" tries to add. Is a comment about something that Kubo, the guy who created the manga said. Is his world, and if we want or not, what he says is the true. So stop spamming the same comment everywhere, and learn that the author is always right (this is neither good or bad, but is what is).

[@thanatoskw8285]

I think a resurreccion is equivalent to a bankai in power but not in form. In the same way that Yamamoto’s shikai is equivalent (or stronger) to someone like Kensei’s bankai in terms of power, but it IS still his shikai. He still has a stage beyond that. So I’d guess it’s basically an arrancar’s shikai, and Ulquiorra is the only one who achieved arrancar bankai.

[@thanatoskw8285]

Although now I’m realizing that’s really just arguing a technicality. Some hollows can become natural arrancar. So… maybe if the arrancar zanpakuto is the sealed hollow powers, and resurreccion is releasing their hollow powers again… maybe segunda etapa is like a hogyoku-created arrancar then stacking a natural arrancar release on top of that? I dunno, I feel like the natural/created arrancar thing would factor into it somehow.

[@MrGksarathy]

​@@thanatoskw8285Since Grimmjow et al can in fact attain it through training as per Klub Outside, that difference doesn't seem to ultimately matter, though it might have something to do with how Ulquiorra discovered it before anyone else.

[@manuelacosta9463]

The fact that he kept it hidden from Aizen makes it and him all the more notable. He nearly got the better of Ichigo and in the end it would be a beast taking on another. Still as tragic as it is at least he learned of the heart in his last moments, Orihime not expressing fear and showing sorrowful empathy made it all the more meaningful. A moment of humanity for both in an otherwise nightmarish situation.

[@Scorpy666]

Aizen still knew, i'm sure of it. He also knew ichigo attained the vasto lorde form etc.

[@TStizzle19]

​​@@chrisdacorte9566 maybe log off and go to therapy or something if this is affecting you that much my man

[@BruceCruce]

@@Scorpy666 It would be redundant of Kubo to specifically write in that he doesn't just for him to actually do, thats you just wishing that's the case.

[@aleksamilosevic8792]

@@Scorpy666 Its confirmed in the databooks Aizen doesnt know about it.

[@metal87power]

@@chrisdacorte9566 Aizen could knew, but had no reason to tease Ulquirra about it since the espada was a loyal subordinate.

[@vastos2587]

My personal theory is that he changed his Reshi to become more like an Ancient Hollow like Barragan. In his origin we see he was made from the sands of Hueco Mundo, and now we know the sand is made up of Ancient Hollows that the Soul King killed. Bleach is no stranger to characters being able to change their Reiatsu structure (The entire Askin fight), even regular arrancars Reiatsu structure changes when they release. Ulquiorra's Reishi looks like Barragan. When Uryu was engulfed by Ulquiorra's Reishi, he said that it felt different and not like anything he's felt before, like an ocean was on top of him. It wasn't just huge amount of spiritual pressure, Uryu is smart enough to decipher what Reishi structure it is, and just like the fullbringers this is unknown to him since he's never encountered an Ancient Hollow before. Also Ancient Hollows are much more powerful in Nature which is why the Reio had to kill them off. To me this explanation has always made the most sense, and why no one else has ever gotten a "second release", b/c they can't. They aren't and Ancient Hollow nor do they have parts of them like Ulquiorra. Also I think people under power Barragan b/c they don't understand his fight. Ill agree that's it's underwhelming for the "king" not to face off against Yama, but instead fight two fat guys. Whenever Kubo writes OP villains he usually has them get taken out by their own power (Lille, Barragan, Yhwach in a sense). Barragan power is Absolute, which is broken. Absolute means no one could protect against it unless they're immortal, a direct counter, since immortals can't age. It mimics the "raw power" term Yhwach says when he transfers power, or when Lille shoots through targets w/ his x-axis deleting everything regardless of how much Reiatsu there is

[@f4rensabri]

The fact that Ulquiorra came from a race of hollows that looks just like him, it could make sense if they are the original or ancient hollows that has yet to evolved into different shapes like the hollows or menos that we came to know now.

[@vonwaq]

i doubt kubo thought that far, because in a q&a, someone asked if grimmjow could also achieve it and kubo said yes. he's definitely just making shit up as he goes and eventually he forgets and contradicts himself

[@ragnabolt683]

@@vonwaq me if I was a writer 😂

[@f4rensabri]

@@vonwaq it's a nice fan speculation tho 😄

[@almightygod2144]

You just made up and confused a bunch of shit. Number 1, Cifer isn't formed from the sand, that's not stated anywhere, this is the thing you made up. Number 2, Barragan isn't some sort of special Hollow, he doesn't preexist Hueco Mundo. Read CFYOW

[@OcksLong-n7h]

I’d always taken Arrancar Ressurection as the equivalent of Shikai, with Ulquiorra being the only Espada to discover his ‘Bankai’

[@AJ-kt5zo]

Fair point . Off topic like akin to their mask naturally falling and gaining more naturally aside from the H.

[@darkknight1710]

I was exactly believed the same things. It was also said that arrancar use of blade is pretty recent, and resurrection was partially due to the help of aizen, who knew how to use it

[@raphaelph52]

but then brave souls gave us the tercera etapa

[@TenseiPatuYGO]

The way I see the pseudo-second forms from the Fraccion is that they were originally able to do the small scale transformations in their original hollow state too, but it's not their default form

[@henrytudor8537]

In terms of power, given how dominant the first release form was over Ichigo, the second release felt more Like the marginal overkill to an already existing overkill. It is hard to guage how much additional powers it bestowed upon him because let's be frank he would have actually won even with the first stage release.

[@allelujah1210]

In my opinion, he should've still won over Ichigo hollow form if it wasn't for plot armor

[@henrytudor8537]

@@allelujah1210 How though? He isn't seem to be putting up any fight against it

[@allelujah1210]

@henrytudor8537 Just the way his for conveniently let him jump 2 "power levels" if that makes sense. I mean ichigo wasn't as powerful as him in his 1st stage but somehow skipped that stage and his 2nd stage to be more powerful

[@cross2181]

I genuinely love when you analyze Kubo's work because it feels like you always take it exactly as far as he wanted you to. Even when you reach heavy theory territory you preface it and its just perfect to watch

[@buglifesmatter]

I think it's funny that the Arrancar know more about their Zanpakuto than the Shinigami do Edit: Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't Kubo say that Grimmjow could also untain a second release if he trained hard enough

[@gabrielrasilva]

Basically Kubo said any arrancar can achievy this power like any shinigame can achievy Bankai, the thing is, some shinigame ass all their life without achieving bankai

[@kariköykayışmerkezi]

​@@gabrielrasilvaNot some,almost all of them.

[@ThermiteKitty]

@@gabrielrasilva Plus the structure of the Gotei 13, where a Shinigami could learn about Bankai and train to achieve it over hundreds of somewhat peaceful years, gives them a big advantage over Arrancar society pre-Aizen. UIquiorra achieving Segunda Etapa is like if Kenpachi just fought people in the Rukongai outskirts and accidentally achieved Bankai.

[@1234andrewjacksmith]

Yeah kubo answered just yes to if Grimmjow trains, could he eventually unlock Segunda Etapa

[@AJ-kt5zo]

​​​​​@@1234andrewjacksmith Fair point kubo did confirm they learn slash use second resurrection A.K.A. second Sequnda Etapa

[@sayyidf.b.6378]

I believe Resurrección is more akin to Shikai, and segunda etapa is the Arrancar's version of Bankai. Urahara is wrong because he's studying such a small population (there are only a handful of Vasto lords, and an even smaller group remove their masks). Like Shikai, Resurrección is a representation of what the Hollow thinks they are, and segunda etapa is a representation of what they actually are.

[@AJ-kt5zo]

Another well aspects of this saga.

[@huxleybennett4732]

Yep, that's what I always thought too. It could just be that most arrancars haven't cracked it yet, or it could even totally be a thing that only vasto lorde level hollows can reach segunda etapa, in the same way that only captain level shinigami can reach bankai. Arrancars are such a rare occurrence that there's just not been enough data collected to be certain of how exactly their resurreccions work. Just because they can be strong enough to fight against bankais doesn't mean they're the equivalent. I mean we're talking about the strongest hollows/arrancars which we're specifically picked by aizen for their strength. Ichigo's true shikai is probably far stronger than most bankais we see in the series.

[@vanguardduelist]

I always viewed the Segunda Etapa as the Arrancar’s version of the Bankai. I love that the Bleach Brave Souls game created some “what if” forms for the rest of the Espada.

[@gammafrost]

The resurrection itself is already referred to as the arrancar’s “bankai”. This is just something far more powerful.

[@kjblade11]

VIDEO IDEA: largest power disparity between Shikai(s) and Bankai(s) in Bleach. For example, who's Bankai gets ridiculously OP compared to the power or abilities of their Shikai?

[@AJ-kt5zo]

Good topic for exploration😮👃👃😮🤔

[@CorvusTheNerd]

Part of me does wonder if it is as simple as Shikai to Bankai. Given that Arrancar were extremely rare prior to Aizen its completely reasonable to assume that those who compare Ressurećion to Bankai simply didn't know enough about it and only meant in terms of power and not function.

[@vashythewabbit8288]

Im surprised that you didnt mention that Tite Kubo revealed that Grimmjow could potentially gain Segunda Etapa if he trains more.

[@Dragonpuncher123]

I can see this happening in Hell Arc.

[@gammafrost]

@@Dragonpuncher123he better because I was disappointed not seeing him do more in the thousand year blood war

[@AJ-kt5zo]

​@@gammafrost Think the new second core will add more.

[@whit3dant3]

​@Earl Vaughan-Williams I know right . Let me down. But he got to shine in CFYOW, but didn't get a new form

[@artemisea5287]

lol, from what I’ve read, it was actually just poorly translated and Kubo said, if He (meant HE himself - like Kubo himself) would train enough, He would be able to reach secunda etapa… it was meant as a joke 😂😅 Honestly I believe it was meant like this, there is probably one more chapter to come… Why would he spoil us like this? 🤷🏻‍♀️😅

[@sate_f]

Wouldn't be that crazy that aside of a first release called "Resurrección" (Shinigami's shikai) they also can achieve second release "Segunda etapa" (Shinigami's Bankai) btw Segunda etapa in Spanish literally means "second phase"

[@TailorBlaze]

12:00 My man, don't mean to be rude, murciélago means "bat" (like the car Lamborghini murciélago) in Spanish, Ulquiorra is the "bat out of hell", or the bat of Hueco Mundo, the land of hollows. His wings look like a bat's, black and leathery instead of feathers (except a few feathers at the base, maybe he is a mix of ravens and bats, animals that are associated with black omens and death, ravens signalling the death of someone and a bad omen (like E.A. Poe's Raven poem and superstitions) and bats are the same plus the vampire myths,) But he's definitely more of a hell bat than bird. 🦇

[@Sicarius_Avindar]

I've always had a much simpler theory: Due to the rare actual involvment of Lieutenants and Captains with Hollows, to the point that Findor gets the scaling completely wrong at that level, Resurrección *is* Shikai for Arrancar. The average strength of Arrancar is just so much higher by default. Similar to how Lieutenant Matsumoto and Captain Hitsugaya were comparable to Third Seat Madarame with their Seals on. Think of TYBW Byakuya's Shikai being mistaken for Bankai as a similar example. It's just an universe mistake that, due to them being seals, the Arrancar just have no reason to look further into.

[@jrgenvellesen7800]

The fact that Kubo confirmed that other Hollows like Grimmjow can unlock the Segunda Etapa, makes me think we will see him, Nel and Halibel use it in the Hell arc. Still, Ulquiorra's second form is definitely one of the most iconic designs in all of Bleach, and one of Kubo's best!

[@toshiro-kano]

He only said grimmjow....

[@Crunchysopa52]

@@toshiro-kano actually the person asking only brought up/said Grimmjow & Kubo said it is possible, that's all. he didn't say "only for Grimmjow it's possible"

[@toshiro-kano]

@@Crunchysopa52 Kubo was asked if segunda etapa was possible for other espada, i.e grimmjow. Kubo said grimmjow has the potential to achieve it. That's it.

[@MaxIronsThird]

Regarding Yammi's second transformation, that might have been the first time he actually achieved something like that, making Ulquiorra statement about being the only Espada with a Segunda Etapa, true at that point, since Yammi is a bit special in the sense that he grows stronger with Rage, maybe he doesn't really need to master such form, he just need to be put throuh the ringer like in the fight against Kenpachi and Byakuya.

[@darthInsanius]

This was always my thought as well. I know his whole thing is that he gets bigger and stronger the angrier he gets, but we see that happen in his base form and he literally just gets 3x bigger without transforming or changing his appearance. When he goes into what I believe to be the Segunda Etapa against Kenpachi and Byakuya, it is a DRASTIC physical change from the centipede like form to the now ape like form. But it seems to be the first time he activates it which would make Ulquiorra's statement from earlier still true, as you mentioned. Glad to see others also have a similar take to my own!

[@andrewwestfall65]

My interpretation at the time was that it was similar to Dangai Ichigo. In their normal state they are more human and civilized, on release they revert back to a more animalistic and savage form, but in either situation neither is a true acceptance of who they are. They mask who they were before release, after release they mask what they are now. Ulquiorra fully accepts who he is and unmasks himself. Considering the show is primarily about identity and actualizing yourself, this is what makes sense to me. This would also make it foreshadowing of Dangai Ichigo where he learned to accept all sides of himself and became far more powerful

[@johnblack9880]

I think you were on about 1% of subs you have now when I started watching the channel. Awesome how well you've done and the quality keeps improving!

[@Intrepid_Explorer]

In some ways Segunda Etapa almost feels like Ulquiorra's response to the BBS exclusive 'beyond Bankai' forms that so many characters received, particularly given Resurrection's direct comparisons to a Shinigami's Bankai. In which case his Tercera Etapa Hogyoku form is just a further flex on top of that.

[@Naruto735]

I think of it as if a ressurection is a shikai, then a second one is a bankai or "final" bankai

[@gregoriomalara3946]

The in world direct comparisons to Bankai don't make sense considering how rare arrancars are and how little they've been studied. Segunda etapa has more parallels to Bankai than the basic Resurrección. For Resurrección, the name is called (just like Shikai) and the Arrancar takes a shape similar to their original Hollow shape Complete with Masks. Also like shikai, it seems it can be summoned (even partially) without calling release (Grimmjow in TTYBW) indicating the presence of a second release form. Segunda Etapa however differs from the original hollow shape and seems to not feature a mask at all being a kind of evolution on the Resurrección showing a good knowledge of self (just like Bankai is an evolution of Shikai brought from self knowledge and was once called an evolved form). Being an Arrancar brings many advantages over shinigami; in TTYBW it's revealed they already have good battle instincts (which makes sense having come from Hollows) as opposed to Shinigami or quincy who have to be taught/trained. Arrancar are supposed to be stronger than their hollow selves. The Espada being able to compete with Bankai in Resurrección makes sense considering they were made up of Menos Level Hollows (the power of multiple Souls fused vs a single soul) I think given time (They spent relatively little time as Arrancar) the Espada would be much more powerful and dangerous, especially if they could all achieve Segunda Etapa (maybe scaling to and above EOS characters)

[@WaterKirby1994]

Agreed completely, & while Shikai is basic & expected for Shinigami to have, Bankai is rare & something extensive training is needed to achieve. Only Ulquiorra has ever obtained Segunda Etapa & the Arrancar weren't given decades the same way Shinigami were to obtain their Bankai with it likely being a parallel to Ichigo obtaining his in such a short amount of time. Technically Arrancar are a lot more common than Vasto Lorde (only about 10 were believed to exist at any given time) thanks to Aizen overseeing their creation.

[@sveipr]

Wait, didn't Tite Kubo confirm in a Q&A in his club that Segunda Etapa is a learned ability? I think someone asked if Hallibel, Nel, and Grimmjow could attain Segunda Etapa if they trained and Kubo said yes.

[@JinxeBlaq]

Indeed he did, I thought he’d bring it up, but surprisingly he didn’t

[@AJ-kt5zo]

​@@JinxeBlaq Your right he did confirm that they also can learn slash achieve a Sequnda Etapa

[@aclaymushroomwithaberet7084]

I think that maybe they (the swords) might be more like a zanpakuto than we think, remember Aizen made arrancar through breaking the barrier between soul reaper and hollow, maybe they do have a kind of zanpakuto spirit, they just can't hear it because they view it as a tool, like Kenpachi did, maybe Ulquiorra's segunda etapa was devouring that spirit or something to take him to something beyond what was before. Something interesting as well, confirmed that grimmjow can attain a segunda etapa through training, whether or not that will happen in the hell arc is unknown, but it's nice to add to my crackpot theory tldr: The swords might actually be like zanpakuto spirits, and Ulquiorrra just obtained hollow bankai

[@phobiuspt]

But there are natural born arrancars ie. Ulquiorra and Stark

[@aclaymushroomwithaberet7084]

@@phobiuspt well for that I assume, that though they naturally crossed the barrier, Aizen made them do it more, if that makes sense, essentially, like arrancars are the limits of what hollows are and are probably the remnants of the ancient sand hollows, but Aizen made it so he could force them to go even beyond that echelon, like stark in his backstory did not have a sword, so I assume that though they were natural born they were still transformed by the hogyoku, sorry about the run on by the way

[@SatoshiSosuke]

An interesting topic honestly and I'll go into my pure speculation here. I know you don't like to bring up the Klub Outside stuff in these discussions but I remembered that Kubo answered that Grimmjow could get a Segunda Etapa if he trained. Going off of that, and your ideas, my thoughts on what Segunda Etapa could be is like a shinigami's meditation with their zanpakuto to become closer to it. However, the spin here is that they are becoming more attuned to what their core is, that innate and primal power that makes a Hollow a Hollow. I believe that as they become arrancar, they stray from their Hollow origins by taking on aspects of shinigami. As obvious as that is. But this brings up, what other things can they do that shinigami can do? Could they maybe use kido if they trained in the shinigami arts? The Vizards could use Cero so perhaps. This is just to illustrate that they have growing similarities. So why can't arrancar train spiritually like the shinigami do with their zanpakuto except it's just them regaining their core or something? In Ulquiorra's case, he seemed to never lose sight of his origin which could be why he alone can do this as of right now. Maybe we'll get some answers some day.

[@MrGksarathy]

I think it also has to do with the fact that he wasn't made an Arrancar by the Hōgyoku, but went to that stage naturally. I feel he has a different self-concept than the other Espada, and it might have helped him attain Segundo Etapa.

[@5raptorboy1]

The way I always saw it was that metaphorically, a resurreccion is like a bankai, and has a similar amount of power increase, however in a very literal sense it is like a shikai. In that case, it's supposed to take 10 years to unlock your bankai, so I assumed Ulquiorra was the only one of the group to be skilled enough to unlock bankai in such a short amount of time after Aizen gave them Zanpakutos.

[@thelouster5815]

I think Segunda Etapa is a reawakening of the original form and power of all Hollows. Given his reiatsu becomes denser and completely different, it’s likely the original Hollows would be classified more akin to genuine demons than Hollows as we traditionally understand them. This would validate Ulquiorra’s origin of being birthed in the sands of Hueco Mundo, the ashes of the original Hollows, and why he’s able to achieve Segunda Etapa before any other Espada or Arrancar.

[@Alacaelum]

One thing to consider too... if becoming a Arrancar is a "assencion" for the Hollows this means that the meaning of "getting closer" to their "original" form shouldn't be taken literally. High level Hollows have high sapiency and sense of self, but even at their highest level it is clear they arent "whole" and in a way their existence is very "fragile", by becoming an Arrancar i think the first thing you notice is that they become more "compact" you could even call it more "substantial". But they are still Hollows and the power that makes their "core" need to be housed somewhere, there comes the zanpakutos, when they use Ressurrecion they arent really going back to the original form, they are directing it in a new way, they become able to direct that power that was "primal" in a more "higher thought" form. And it is good to keep in mind this too... the power system in Bleach has a very... "interpretative" way, sure you can call bullshit in some cases (looking at you Gerard) but they root of taking a "concept" and manipulating it with "form" is still very clear and well established. So in Yammy's case is less likely that his first form in Ressurracion is his original form (it could be still) but by having the "higher thought" capacity of directing his power of ire he can change his body in correlation to how much his anger wants to destroy something or someone, which would mean... his power isn't a Segunda Etapa. It is possible that Ulqiorra by having access to the "higher thought" of his Arrancar form was able to have a new perspective of his power, coupled with his own "obsession" he achieved this new form by "transmuting" his reiatsu, he could too have some connection to Ancient Hollows or even to Reio. I think Kubo bullshited his way through a lot of things in Bleach, but when I connect things with the themes and possibilities that he established I cant stop thinking... that his mastery of the Art of Bullshitery is second to none. Bleach has weak moment, specially in the end, but the fact that we can still see the strength and that it still can keep is "essence" intact is the proof that Kubo-sensei did a work of art. If you read all of this I thank you for your time.

[@maskedman523]

I have one of 2 theories about ulquiorra’s resurrection the first transformation is equivalent to a soul reaper’s shikai and his 2nd transformation is an equivalent to a shinigami’s bankai

[@ecscanadatoolreview]

so happy for you! you get to talk about what you enjoy and make some income from it :) fun back story when i was young i had a sleep over with a friend and we was watching tv late at night and late at night this anime was playing i think it was ep 40 ish and i was hooked!!! one of my favorite animes of all times.

[@Chuckles_the_Jester]

i once seen a theory that his first release brings him closer to his original hollow form, while his second release makes him closer to the origin of his hollow species, a primordial hollow

[@MrGksarathy]

Didn't Kubo say that Grimmjpw could attain a Segunda Etapa if he trained hard enough? Also, while the narrative does compare Resurreçion and Bankai pretty often, most the people comparing the two have no idea about Segunda Etapa, which makes me think that Resurreçion is actually analogous to Shikai, and Segunda Etapa is more like the actual Bankai analog. I mean, the two are quite different otherwise, but I think it works.

[@AJ-kt5zo]

❤

[@corruptangel6793]

I think their first ressurection being akin to Bankai is a mistake. A misconception on the fan's part purely because their power is relative. I think their ressurection IS their Shikai and the Segunda Etapa is their actual Bankai equivalent. If the first release unlocks their true forms and powers, then the Segunda Etapa reveals the essence of what they are. It would even explain why he disintegrated unlike any of the other arrancar. It's the same logic behind why Bankai damage is permanent whereas a Shikai can be repaired

[@isaacfaith9369]

Yep I share this sentiment. Resurrection is Shikai. It makes sense since a Captain’s Bankai destroys their release pretty much unanimously.

[@kiryuuzanken]

This is a good idea, but keep in mind ressurections can't really be "repaired" either. When Cirucci made a change to her ressurection, it was permament. No going back, just like how a bankai which a part removed doesn't get it back. If they could be repaired like Shikai, this wouldn't be an issue. Likewise, the fact that some of them can regenerate damage is similar to how some bankais like Toshiro's can fix themselves due to their nature, or like how if you have a close enough bond to your Zanpakto, you gain the option to repair damage to them by having your bankai linked with your body. This isn't to say you're wrong, I just wanted to bring this up and see if you maybe have an answer to this.

[@corruptangel6793]

@@kiryuuzanken Cirucci discarded her wings for enhanced speed and lethality. It was an ability that had permanent consequences. So comparing it to a damaged Bankai is a false equivalency. Toshiro's Bankai is his Zanpakuto. The ice armor and wings are just one of his Bankai abilities, akin to Yamamoto's Zanka No Tachi: West, his hellfire robes. Komamura uses a living type Zanpakuto that shares damage with its user. So it's not an emotional bond he has with his Bankai, but a physical one due to his Bankai's nature. Not just anyone can replicate that feat by becoming closer to their Zanpakuto. All living type Zanpakuto seem to have a trade-off with their users. Mayuri using his own blood for his Bankai's poison for example

[@NoESanity]

​@Kiryuu Zanken can't be repaired is kind of nebulous here. Some bankai can heal, some damage does seem to mend and fix itself. Rukia and komamura are great examples of this. Cirucci is also a second class citizen. So while it might be capable to repair, she might not have the means to do so.

[@corruptangel6793]

@@NoESanity Rukia doesn't heal her Bankai. What do you mean?

[@emmanuelaestradanoriega4177]

if anything segunda etapa is their actual bankai like ability. just because their power is comparable to a bankai at release doesn't mean that's the limit to what they can achieve.

[@ginnungagapabyss5639]

I honestly feel like it’s his version of a true bankai or Ichigo Mugetsu form. They seem like the same type of transformation, but different ways of using it.

[@gammafrost]

The final getsuga was completely different. It’s a specific ability only known to isshin and ichigo. You could say this segunda etapa is like a beyond resurrection similar to the concepts in brave soul

[@KurokamiNajimi]

Ulquiorra reaching this in of itself showed how superior he was to the other Espada not even getting into his “dumb” feats like stopping Kisuke’s benihime in base with just his arm. Hoping he returns in the Hell arc and interacts with Ichigo Orihime and Grimmjow again. I use to hate the idea of him being revived but the Hell arc gives a perfect justification and lots of potential to evaluate many character’s story

[@babaG819]

I don't think he can be in hell because he wasn't necessarily killed with a zanpakto and also no ritual to send him there like with the captains. Might be wrong we have no idea how hell works.

[@ivnislykun]

​@@babaG819 Also to take in the fact that a Hollow Ichigo technically killed him with his Cero. But Ichigo is also half Quincy (in which quincy powers completely destroys a soul) so idk anymore man 😵

[@alexandercarder2281]

I’d love to see Ulquiora come back. He’s my absolute favourite Anime villain of all time.

[@babaG819]

@Ivn yeah but he wasn't using quincy power at all. It was 100% shinogami/hollow or one or the other idk which tbh lol

[@sladew9788]

Ulquiorra is still in the series, just look at heuco mundo's reishi sand. A tiny bit is his remains

[@riicky83]

I prefer to think of Segunda Etapa to be an evolution to the resurrection as his regular resurrection has a familiarity with his original Vasto Lorde form.

[@narttaker93]

With Kubo confirmation long ago that other Espadas would be able to achieve segunda etapa if they trained enough it’s clear that segunda etapa is a new and stronger stage rather than the final version, meaning the point of Ulquiorra first stage being just a devolution and segunda etapa being his atual full powered ressurection is completely wrong. We now have to turn into the only possibility, it’s a stronger and further evolution, just like ichigo obtained transcendence and Yama gained new bankai abilities by training, it seems segunda etapa is exactly that an evolution of an already existing power making Ulquiorra go into trancendace stage for hollows. Personality it seems that segunda etapa is the same of when a shinigami transcends, meaning that they embody what they truly are , for shinigami is the understanding that the zanpakuto is a part of them while for espadas it seems that it’s them accepting fully their aspects of dead to the point of merging with them. Just like yama merging with his fire ichigo horn of salvation form byakuya/ Renji/Rukia wearing their bankais, sunshui literally summoning Katen and unohana using her blood mixed with her sword in hers it seems that the closer a shinigami is to transcend the more their powers will evolve to be something they wear or merge with, and segunda etapa looks exactly like that it feels like Ulquiorra is merging with the despair that represents him meaning the example that Kubo gave Grimmjow getting segunda etapa being possible seems like it would be a form where he would become even more panther like and agressive for his destruction aspect

[@maisonfoley5231]

I always loved the idea that his Segunda Etapa is formed because his initial mask shattering and Murcielago was granted by Aizen. But the fact in Klub outside its confirmed Grimmjow could achieve it implies its not that.

[@yuumijungle548]

18:40 this is what i personally believe, i think the first release was a form given to him by aizen, but the 2nd release is his actual true form, it would make sense that aizen doesnt know about it in that case. thats also why aizen trusted in him despite of this, considering his first release form was already completely outclassing ichigo in every way.

[@necro819]

Looking at Ulquiorra's design and personality, a few things came to mind; one, in his Secunda Etapa, his appearance makes me think that he ripped out his own heart. It is almost as if he is coldly rejecting his humanity, just as the hollows rejected him. Another thought that comes to mind is a quote from the Heart Sutra, "Form is emptiness, and emptiness if form." It should also be noted that the Sanskrit title for the Heart Sutra translates to "The Heart of the Perfection of Wisdom." Another thought I had was that Ulquiorra somehow became a form of Buddha among Hollows, delving so deep into his emptiness that he somehow obtained Nirvanna.

[@lastofrwby8395]

Maybe Vasto Lorde have secondary transformation that they simply never done before, I mean Vasto Lorde seem to be more than regular hollows given that most hollows can’t just turn into one, and that there seems to something like fate or a greater power that decides who gets be a Vasto Lorde so maybe that’s the reason why.

[@jordandasilva6826]

Before listening to what he has to say, I thought they were basically saying this was an Arrancar's Bankai. Since they're now half shinigami they get 2/3 stages of power, but all the Arrancar just figured they only had 1 release so didn't even try and train for it.

[@nickdurham3946]

Nobody can tell me Ulquiorra wasn't the strongest espada and there are very few characters in all of Bleach that could've ever killed him. Obviously Ichigo being the main character doesn't reflect how high up in the verse he was

[@maylabrown4584]

"In all of Bleach" is a bit much, there's over 20 Characters who could kill him besides Ichigo.

[@nicklausschubert298]

I'm the true Nick.

[@frostsilencio7925]

@@maylabrown4584 ehhh i think 20 is a bit much but yes there are definitely a few characters in the entirety of the show that would wipe him. Remember not only was he strong but he was very FAST

[@toshiro-kano]

​​@@maylabrown4584 Yamamoto, yhwach, Gerard (idk if he could BEAT Ulquiorra but obviously he wouldnt be beaten by Ulquiorra either), haschwalth, ichibei, aizen monster form (assuming immortality),....... I cant think of any more off the top of my head. Iffy if Ichigo outside of full hollow could beat him maybe dangai/mugetsu?

[@nickdurham3946]

Only the absolute elites of the series have the tools to beat him in his second release. Unlimited nuke spears, regeneration, top tier speed, fight IQ.. Ulquiorra is a masive problem for anyone outside the top 10

[@0megasight]

My understanding was that ulqiorra was a primordial hollow, one that came to be in the world before the soul king separated the different worlds, and that either that, or the fact that he became an arrancar of his own accord, rather than through aizen’s meddling, was the reason he had this second stage to his resurreccion.

[@mastertucker]

With Barragan's Fraccion that would just imply those were abilities they had as Hollow. That there were just Adjuchas out there who could buff up, grow extra wings or just power with markings and the like. Yammy in particular had to have had some special power pre-Arrancar for Aizen to pick him for such a special spot. I'm surprised you didn't mention Kubo answering that Grimmjow could gain Segunda Etapa if he trained, meaning yes it's that answer - that you train to achieve greater Resurreccion after becoming an Arrancar. Also namely for all this, the Zanpakuto is their "Original power" yes, but the Arrancar still become stronger than their prior Hollow selves upon sealing that power into a sword. So they don't like, get weaker and limit themselves when they become a base Arrancar.

[@derekrichardson7853]

We know that shinigami have to meditate and look inward to be able to communicate with their own soul. It’s the only way to learn the name of their zanpakuto, and thus obtain shikai and bankai. It makes sense that of all the arrancar, it’s Ulquiorra that discovers segunda etapa, the arrancar version of bankai. Because he is constantly looking inward, trying to understand what a heart is in the metaphysical sense.

[@AJ-kt5zo]

Fair analyzis . They were true manifestion their aspects of death . He always looking into his soul. Plus their still mysteries behind hollow history and evolution despite whats been up to this point.

[@Alucia0]

I personally think that it represents something akin to ascendance for a hollow. If I remember correctly the original hollows from the fused world were pure, not humans that had died (Since death did not exist) They were a life form on their own. The hollows that we now know are not true hollows, since they are born from people. I see the Segunda Etapa form as something like Ulquiorra "evolving" closer to a true hollow, a beast from the original world.

[@WaterKirby1994]

Was it ever confirmed that the 1st World Hollows didn't come from humans? I assumed that they came from humans who went astray while living as immortals & therefore invented the concept of death. As for hollows it is implied that they can reproduce as well from Hueco Mundo's complex Ecosystem.

[@vidiras]

I believe someone's already mentioned this but on Klub Outside, Kubo (The author of bleach) was asked whether or not Grimmjow could achieve Segunda Etapa if he trained enough and he said that it is possible. My theory is that 'Segunda Etapa' is purely an evolution to the Resurrección. It would make sense since its a sort of second release like Bankai and from what we see with Ulquiorra it builds on his Resurrección, what do we see with most Bankai? It's a sort of evolution of the first release Shikai or at least still has something to do with it apart from some rare cases. The translation of it 'Second Stage Resurrección' also serves to prove my point as a Shikai is merely the first stage of a Shinigami releasing their 'power' and the Bankai is their 'second stage'. On another note I'm pretty sure everybody knows that Bleach was rushed at a lot of points including mainly through TYBW, we never got to see a lot of things like Isshin's Bankai in action and many including me theorise it was because of the heavy pressure on Kubo and the tight time schedules he had to work with. This could explain why we never got to see Grimmjow in a Segunda Etapa state in TYBW and he kinda just showed up and then dipped instead. It would've been a lot cooler if he was there in the final fight in his own Segunda Etapa. I also have a theory for a possible 'third release' but this is mostly based off non-canon content. We see a 'third release' being explored in Bleach Brave Souls and I believe that it could be achievable especially for Arrancar's. We see some of the captains get a third release in different ways but what interests me is the 'Beyond Resurrección' where we see all of the Espada in flashy new forms. A thing to note is that in these forms they have what looks like Hogyoku's taking place inside of their hollow holes with Starrk having 2. Another thing to take into consideration is that these designs were personally approved by Kubo and I know all of this doesn't really say much but I truly think it would be a cool thought of Shinigami's and Arrancar's having a third release or being able to achieve one via the Hogyoku or other means.

[@duskframe7331]

i've always thought of resureccion to be analagous more to shikai than bankai, given how they have release commands, and how ulquiorra enters his second form by saying "segunda etapa" similiarly to show shinigami call out bankai at their activation

[@dungeonmaster3464]

I believe that the Segunda Etapa is simply another evolution beyond what hollows were meant to achieve. It always felt weird to me that by becoming an Arrancar the hollow just gets a seal a a quick method to singularity for a gillion. The Segunda Etapa takes an Arrancar who's fully adopted their new Shinigami nature, and used it to evolve beyond their tier among menos.

[@MaxIronsThird]

Arrancars don't just get a seal, by breaking their mask, they don't lose any strength, but gain some, then gain more after releasing the zanpakutou.

[@dungeonmaster3464]

@@MaxIronsThird I didn't mean that they lose any strength. My point is that while Visards get the best of both worlds, Arrancars don't seem to get much out of their transition, apart from a shortcut to higher power levels. It just makes sense to me that a hollow who completely their journey as an Arrancar would unlock a power beyond what it means to be a hollow.

[@MaxIronsThird]

@@dungeonmaster3464 Menos have a power ceiling that's not super high for most of them, even the Espada before becoming Arrancars, I think none of them maybe aside of the Vasto Lorde ones, were even close to low Captain level. I'm pretty sure most Vice-Captains would win against Adjuchas Grimmjow.

[@dungeonmaster3464]

@@MaxIronsThird I respectfully disagree with the Grimmjow part, he was exceptional among Adjuchas, so I think he would maul most of the vice captains 1v1. However, it is definitely shown that Gillions and Adjuchas who become Arrancars gain a high power ceiling. I'm mainly thinking of the Vasto Lordes, because it doesn't seem that they gained much from their transition. Given how Vasto Lordes are described, I have to assume that they're generally mid-to-high captain level. Given that Espadas 3 through 0 were all defeated by high-tier captains and magic, this would mean that the were all marginally changed at best. Even Ulqiorra pre-Segunda Etapa seemed to be in that range. That's why I think the Segunda Etapa is an evolution for Arrancars who've gone beyond the Vasto Lorde ceiling.

[@gabrielrasilva]

There is always the explanation that the mask serves the porpuse to supress the hollows and their evolutions human fellings, an arrancar utilise their fellings to gain even more power, and this is propable the reason why they hide their monstruous form in their swords and only utilize when need, in Ulquioha case he embraced his fellings and his monstruous side thus completing his ressurection with the second etapa, maybe some day Kubo give us an canon reason how an arrancar get a second etapa.

[@misterdjpookie5790]

From what i remember, i. Kubo's website where he answers question, one about ulquiorra's ressurection was asked, something about what is it and i grimmjow could gain a 2nd resurection too, kubo was short in his answers like always, he said, yes, if he trained enough, grimm could gain it.

[@derekrichardson7853]

I always just viewed Segunda Etapa as the arrancar version of Bankai, where as the ressurecion or “release mode” is the equivalent of shikai.

[@daviid5041]

Segunda etapa is like a shinigami bankai, kubo said grimmjow is able to get this mode if he train enough, so yea, its like a arrancar bankai

[@kprojectskurt]

I believe this "segunda etapa form" functions the same as a Shinigamis' "beyond bakai" form, not talking about the BBS exclusive forms, i'm talking directly about something as Ichigo's Dangai "form", where he goes beyond his normal bankai (as if it was his bankai second form), where he is completely fused with his zanpakuto. (Just like the Beyond Bankai forms from BBS) It was also said by Kubo, that anyone, specifically Grimmjow, can achieve Segunda Etapa if they train enough.

[@fateunleashed9680]

My understanding was that breaking or removing part of the mask which means breaking your heart as the mask is the heart. The segunda etapa form is to remove or break the entire mask doubling down on despair (his aspect of death), while boosting his power further than other arrancar have shown.

[@wolle8182]

I've been watching your content for a few weeks now and realised i didnt subed after you said your goal is 500 people away, now you got number 200.000 congratz :D

[@stephenlucas961]

I believe because of urahara kisuke in the Thousand Year Blood war, both Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck and Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez have a second released form as well. According to Nel, Urahara had over 1,000 plans for battling the Quincy which could have included the possibility of the second release. I believe that’s why Grimmjow wanted the rematch with Ichigo.

[@deuscain]

Watching the video, especially your section about Ulquiorra's power evolving, got me thinking - what if the Segunda Etapa is Ulquiorra evolving from an adjuchas menos into a vasto lord? That could explain his changing form and increase in power. I tried looking online for confirmation of which of the espada were vasto lords, but I couldn't find anything concrete. I definitely remember #9 stating he was a gillian, and Grimmjow was heavily implied to be adjuchas (at least in flashbacks) but we don't know which, if any, espada were vasto lords. Because if that's what segunda etapa is - a evolution in menos classification post-arrancarization - then technically any non-vasto lord espada could be capable of it. Anyway, just my two cents - it's an interesting theory, and one I'd love to see Kubo give some clarification for if it ever comes up during a Q&A.

[@WaterKirby1994]

Stark was strongly implied to have been a Vasto Lorde that split its soul out of loneliness caused by being too powerful & became a natural arrancar. Barragan was King of Hueco Mundo & obviously Vasto Lorde, Harribel was confirmed to be Vasto Lorde in a flashback, & Ulquiorra was also confirmed to have been Vasto Lorde in a recent chapter. Had Segunda Etapa been evolution we wouldn't have seen the 1st Release, in reality it is essentially the equivalent of Ulquiorra having learned Bankai.

[@thevladtepes1]

My best explanation/headcanon (kind of the same here) is that the first resurrection releases adjucas power, while the segunda etapa brings forth all the vasto lorde state's power. This would also explain the relatively weak showing of the top 3 espadas in fake karakura.

[@mojojojo3236]

Just pulled him in Brave souls a minute ago. Excellent timing for the video

[@Rizingfz08]

Since he is a Hollow, I believe It's a Vasto Lord version with a different appearance because he is much more powerful than the Vasto Lords that existed in Hueco Mundo and a exception among the Espadas, he himself said that Aizen did not know about this transformation, probably his true number would be 2, even so it is difficult to say if in this form he is superior to Starkk.

[@toshiro-kano]

..... His "true number" would be 1 maybe even 0 but we never really get to see just how powerful Yammy's reiatsu can get.

[@Rizingfz08]

​​@@toshiro-kanowe don't know Starkk potential too, without being divided in two souls he was probably insane and even not being 100% we don't know what he was able of doing, Yammi I consider the 0 number just because he is like a giant boss with millions of hp being hard to kill.

[@toshiro-kano]

@@Rizingfz08 we saw starks potential. He fused with lillynette and fought multiple captain level opponents. "B-b-but he never tried" the only things that supports that argument is after barragan died and stark saw no one cared he lost a little bit of faith in aizen and what aizen told him. yammy is rank 0 because of total reiatsu which his power literally boosts. All other espada besides 9, 7 and maybe 5 (nnoitra though I could also see him maybe winning) easily beat yammy in a fight.

[@davidmcc9141]

My theory is less story/lore driven and more meta. I think what happened to Toriyama Androids in DB happened to Kubo. Originally Androids 19 and 20 were the big bads. Then by surveys and editor interference he had to come up with 17 and 18, then Cell. Even Cells transformations can be tied to editorial meddling. So when Ulquiorra's release was shown, most agree it was underwhelming. That luke warm reception caused a "this isn't even my final form" to happened to try to when back reader favor. I mean these series live and die by the reader surveys and reception. And one of the big ones hitting such a flat note would definitely call for creative solutions.

[@mikemcc86]

What if, since the hogyuko is in Aizens control, that it was like what happened with Orihime and Chad, they developed their powers to help Ichigo as what was said by Urahara I think? What if Ulquiorra developed his segunda etapa via a similar means since like said the hogyuko was under Aizens control so his direct contact with it did something similar in that regards.

[@manwher4966]

I have been watching your videos for a while and I didn't even notice I wasn't suscribed until now, I love this channel 😅

[@joshuakhaos4451]

While I dont know what that form was about, I know damn well that it was perfection back in the day. It will forever be one of my favorite transformations I've ever seen in media.

[@KonradCurves]

In a Klub outside question some asked if Grimmjow could get a second release. Which Kubo said if he trained enough then yes.

[@Xenovation3334]

I always thought of it as Ulquiorra's bankai and the first transformation as his shikai

[@AJ-kt5zo]

My two I always thought since Aizen based their stuff of shinigami or sudo replica their went shikai and bankai to just mixed with hollow and bits of evolution mixed in.

[@kskjcool3282]

i always thought segunda was the bankai/volt and the res was the shikai/shrift

[@1234andrewjacksmith]

I would have to compare it to Daiguren Hyōrinmaru and Daiguren Hyōrinmaru(mature) how they are massive differences but they are the same power or somewhat like how Yammamoto changed what Zanka no tach did or how senkei and senbosakura are kind of separate. based on the whole all objects have souls from fullbring and the fact we see an Arrancar make a full living being as their zanpakuto so we know they are basically separate beings as well as well we see both Aaroniero Arruruerie and Grimmjow, also Yammy somewhat since he has the unique power of storing power able to release some of their powers in Base, Aaroniero might even have been able to learn Bankai since he had a shikai but ignoring that we do see them do a initial release of their powers and they they do a full release of their powers as a Hollow but they are no longer pure Hollow and Segunda Etapa is them training their Shinigami and hollow powers together to create a new evolved true form aka they have tier limited access to powers in base, full access to their normal powers and then this is what happens when two souls work together in full since Kubo did answer yes to if Grimmjow could unlock Segunda Etapa if he trains

[@violetcalhoun3035]

The theory that it was something that evolved from the breaking of his mask is interesting. I had always thought that it was a true ressureccion and what everyone else released (apart from barragan) was a bastardized form like renji’s hihio, rushed by Aizen using the hogyoku. But I think it tracks that it’s something ulquiorra obtained before meeting Aizen, because I feel he and Gin understood Aizen better than anyone. I think ulquiorra knows better than to think he can train without Aizen being aware. It would track that now without Aizen’s influence on hueco Mundo that Kubo would say people like Grimjow and Harribel could obtain this form, because they are now able to act like true arrancars. I think given the calendar art of harribel, it’s something Kubo has probably played around with (the shark tooth crown seems a bit foreshadowing to me)

[@AJ-kt5zo]

❤

[@asaenvolk]

I don't think the initial release of an arrancar is the equivalent of a bankai, but that of a shikai, the segunda etapa is simply the equivalent of of a bankai. None of the other arrancar were likely even aware of its possibility, hadn't tried to attain it, or had been around long enough to attain it. It is implied that Ulquiorra may have been around for a very long time as an arrancar (and Stark likely would not have wanted the power, as he thought he was too strong already).

[@gabrielrasilva]

For what hollows stand, being driven by stinct, all the ressurections whe see are basically the arrancar gaining "armor" but never being trully monstruous, second etapa made ulquiorra look like a hollow more than any other resurection, and it is said that vast lords are not much more bigger than a human but still have monstruous aparency.

[@kazemizu]

By that logic, Stark who basically becomes a western gunman might also be at the cusp of doing a second release. He was pretty human in appearance when he released.

[@danielmason4014]

Correct me if I’m wrong but the illustration that depicts Ulquiorra’s origin also reveals that Ulquiorra came from a den/pit of similar looking hollows, right? Implying that he’s part of a particular species. Those other hollows were black and more beastly compared to Ulquiorra who was the only white one and had a more subdued personality, which suggests that Ulquiorra was some kind of aberration - an exception/mutation, a runt of the litter. With that in mind, I think Ulquiorra’s transformations make a lot more sense - his first form is him returning to what he was like in his original white form, and his second stage is him digging deeper and reverting to what he was ‘supposed’ to be - one of the black ones, truly a more beastly hollow.

[@SappyCrapFor100]

I think to understand it you need to look at the parallels between shinigami and the arrancar. More so the vizards. As they are in my opinion the best example of opposites. Where the arrancars were hollows given partial shinigami souls, and the vizards shinigami given partial hollow souls. We know that zanpaktou and their spirits are a reflection of their inner souls of a shinigami. When an arrancar is formed their inner soul is sealed into a zanpaktou. Yes their release is stronger than that of a shinigami, but an arrancar vs a shinigami is a lopsided battle in terms of souls. As an arrancar is both hollow and shinigami vs just a shinigmai. But if you would have hollowfied lets say ikaku he probably would have ran over illfort using just shikai. But getting back to my point, arrancars are pretty well hollowfied shinigami. With their reflection of their souls sealed into a zanpaktou, it would make sense as them being a relatively new and young species in the terms of the bleach universe none of them would understand the depth of what a bankai is. Which ive always interrupted as a shinigami becoming even more in-tune with the reflection of their souls than they have with their shikai. Which is why ulquiorra of all the arrancar was able to achieve essentially their equivalent of a bankai, as he was shown to have the most desire to understand the world around him. So he probably would have been the first one to try to delve into a deeper understanding as to why the sealing of the reflection of their soul into a zanpaktou and how it worked, and through that will to understand achieved essentially the quintessential of a bankai if the form of his second release.

[@Scorpy666]

It's quite simple. The normal ressurecion is comparable to a shinigami's shikai. Segunda etapa is basically the bankai. And no the ressurecion is NOT a "hollow bankai".

[@joshima7]

The way that I've rationalize segunda etapa is the initial idea of resurrection being a release of the original power. And with that it means its less of a traditional power up and more of a return to base the original base form (kinda like Frieza in Dragonball). From that statement that would imply that segunda etapa is a more traditional power up. And if we add bs third release it makes everythingfit more with the shinigami power ups. Sealed form< Resurrection (original base form)< Segunda Etapa(Shikai)< Third Release (Bankai). At least thats how I see it.

[@tomasmelita2730]

I always though that the second resurrection was like a “bankai”-esque power

[@qj9364]

I fell like this would be more of a representation of a bankai for an arrancar and resurrection would be their Shikai release

[@omnivegta7605]

More videos about the espada would be nice.

[@jamaicancloud]

There are a few things that we know thanks to kubo, thanks to a question that asked if grimjow trained could he gain a segunda etapa and kubo said yes. but i guess that kinda muddies what it could be even further... though, I have an idea. My personal theory is that the second release state is more about coming to a state reminiscent of the older hollows from the prime world. Though i guess that would also not make much sense because baragan doesn't have one.

[@robertadzic7269]

Well, lets start from Ulq calling is still "ressurecion" with adition second stage. Clearly, he sees this as aditional release of his power, not a release of seal that is put with his arancarisation, but a extra release from other source, and key for this theory of mine is his mask. So, let's start 1st of standard ressurecion, what it is, and how to obtain it (naturaly). It is said it is release of arrancar's original form and power, a return of original self, as far as shinigami, even arrancars knew. But, it's apparently it's not realy full retirn, there are still quite a bit human elements there, even tho reiatsu is full hollow. Now, how arrancars come to be naturaly? It's not a training thing, we saw evidence with Ulq and Starrk, and can guess for Barragan and even how hollow become arrancar, even if not perfected one - there is a mental component, a one that have to do something with there aspect of death, i beleave, an arrancar is born when hollow come in to peace with his death aspect, or find a way to cheat out on it. Look Ulq, he felt empty inside, while everything around him didn't, so he felt unsafe, untill he found that spiki tree, that was embodiment of nihilism, exist, but is empty. That's when Ulq felt safe for 1st time, he found something that is like him, he found peace, and instinctivly, he felt no need to wear mask anymore, to hide from world, so mask tear down in that instant of laying in to tree. As of Starrk, he cheated on his death aspect, he splitted, now, he had his companion, someone who could withstand his closure, he was not alone, so he was in peace, and had no reason to wear mask and hide from world. For Barragan, my guess is when he figured he have some controll over power of time, he tought that he cheated a death, so he didn't had to wear mask (beleave it's mentioned in CFYOW that Barri is one of 1st VL arrancars). So, how this lead to segunda etapa? Well, if a arrancarisation is getting in peace with there death aspect, and unmasking to world, then SE must be what happen when arrancan death aspect get chalanged, cause as Barri said, it's a force that drives them, there belleaf, there reason to live. So, what if Ulq nihilism was chalanged? And i beleave it happened when Orihime came in to LN, she was total oposite of Ulq, so what if Ulq started being more humane, and on deep, instinctial level, his hollow instincs kicked in, like imunity response to invading contra ideology, so it showed to Ulq his true form, his true, naked expession of his power, look, ideology, of what he is (also, Ulq is basicly naked in SE). This form also remove WHOLE mask, and as we learned already many times, must is actusly hollows "heart", core and source of there power, and mask, as we learned shield naked instinct, so, in an instance Ulq looked deep in to himself, his hollow instincts kicked in, and gave him answer to what was chalenging his whole being - a remove of mask, and releasing of hollows very soul, his very naked instinct. That's why, Uryu felt weird reiatsu, it was not just thick and heavy, it was different in nature, a reiatsi derived solely form instinct, a instinct of being representing emptiness, and i beleave that is what Ursu felt, heavy, but somehow.. Empty. Ofcourse, i don't think that mental component is enough, i think it's just a key, i beleave that arrancar have to reach some degrie of power 1st.. But mental compoment on a way i described being key, is exact same thing that prevented other arrancars from reaching SE, there aspects never got fundamentaly chalenged.. Some did, but at basicly dying point, which is already too late.

[@babaG819]

The fact that Ulquiorra calls it second release to me means that it is in fact a second release and not just "the rest" of the first. I think the nature of hollow and shinigami/zanpakto aren't that different. Both are individual or a conglomerate of souls. The Zanpakto is a mirror of one's soul, even if it has its own sentience and identity. I assume that Espada are similar but can't recognize that fact because they are like twice removed from humanity, although they tend to come back to humanity, physically and mentally, like you mentioned. The fact that he has a second release shows that he is more in tune with his "soul(s)" or at least an aspect of them. The soul society arc was amazing because the narrative was that enemies may be just like you, i think the Espada arc was another take on that but didn't really hit the mark narratively. Ultimately i think that the power systems in Bleach are more fluid than people think. Look at Ichibei, Renji, etc

[@idminister]

both is a possibiliy: comparing his resurrection(1) to other espada even the top, his has the least amount of difference from base (in design). indicating it perhaps was originally made as a first release equivalent. and then in his pursuit of understanding the heart he advanced his 2nd (true) release to a new height (maskless). conversely its possible he achieved maskless resurrection first, then to hide that he achieved maskless, created 1st stage resurrection

[@BurnzThatDude]

Ulquiorra is probably my favorite, it was pretty sad to see him go but at least he felt something in the end

[@MusicLover2116]

How WOULD the Other Espada potentially obtain the Segunda Etapa?? I’ve heard theories that it has something to do with their aspect of death, as each of the Espada represents a cause of death, or a reason why people die. If that’s the case, would that mean that Ulquiorra gained the Second Release by reaching such a level of Absolute Despair that he evolved from it? Moreover, how would that work for Individuals like Barragan who Embodies Death by Old Age, or Harribel who represents Sacrifice??

[@julietrichards3072]

One thing that's always interested me: what if Ichigo had stayed dead, and Zaraki Kenpachi had to fight Ulquiorra. Could he pull it off? And if not, could him and Byakuya together pull it off?

[@SamsarasArt]

I like to think that segunda etapa exceeds all the espada ranks. Aizen may not even be aware of this form since there's no number at all. And Ulquiorra is presented as far more powerful than the rest of the espada. He was an impenetrable wall

[@sladew9788]

Number no longer appears on harribel, starrk and barragan either when they use their resurrecion. Same for yammy with his Ape form. This basically applies to almost all characters going from aaroniero to yammy.