The execution of Yammy’s character arc in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War has drawn much criticism, as fans started to find alternate ways.
SUMMARY
Amidst the hype surrounding Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, one particular twist regarding Yammy leaves a sour taste in many fans’ mouths.
The problem lies not in Yammy’s character or his rank as Espada Zero, but in how his storyline was handled.
However, on a positive note, Yammy’s transformation kind of aligns with his personality, making him stand out among the sleeker Espada Resurrecciones.
Bleach fans know too well the thrill of a good plot twist, as the franchise has had its fair share of jaw-dropping moments over the years. However, amidst the hype surrounding the latest arc, Thousand-Year Blood War, one particular twist has left a sour taste in many fans’ mouths.
Ichigo stopping Yammy’s punch | Credits: Studio Pierrot
While Tite Kubo is a master with his storytelling keeping us on edge, there was this one shocking plot regarding Yammy Rialgo that felt more like a narrative detour than anything else. So, what exactly is this rather controversial plot twist that has rarely happened before in Bleach’s history, one that Tite Kubo used for a simple shock value?
Yammy’s transformation leads to nothing!
Yammy from Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War | Credits: Studio Pierrot
Yammy Rialgo, Espada Zero, is one example of wasted potential in the Bleach universe. Although, he was first promised to have an epic fight, eventually, his story brought the narrative to a rather dead-end. His fantastic transformation and preparations for an exciting fight against Byakuya and Zaraki went in vain as the battle never really came off for us to see.
To be honest, the problem wasn’t with Yammy’s character or his Espada Zero ranking but rather the way his narrative was presented. This story arc could have been simply told in a more straightforward way where Byakuya and Zaraki become stranded in Hueco Mundo due to a broken portal, and not let Yammy’s iconic fight scene go to waste for just a shock value.
As a certain Reddit comment also suggested, had Tite Kubo done that, it could have been saved from this misstep of narrative. A better approach could have made Yammy a more nuanced character. In fact, by having him turn into a small, demon-like form, and focusing on his Reiatsu, he could have locked multiple captains in a stalemate.
But all that potential went to waste! Yammy’s fight could have made for an intense, action-packed scene, further increasing the integrity of the story. But now, we could still just skip to the scene where Unohana is fighting Yammy, which would rather add a bit more depth and foreshadowing to the overall narrative.
However, Yammy’s massive appearance kind of falls in line with his personality
A still from Bleach anime | Credits: Studio Pierrot
Yammy’s huge transformation, however, fits well with his personality, making him stand out from the sleeker Espada Resurrecciones. His bulky, imposing form reflects his brutal and destructive nature, setting him apart from the more refined, slender transformations of other Espadas.
According to some fans, a compact, Satan-like form would have made him feel more generic and similar to Ulquiorra’s second release, potentially blurring the lines between characters. Since his battle does not appear on screen, his giant appearance kind of helps to visually convey the strength of his power and fill in for that lack of screen time
The passive nature of storing and charging his energy through physical size coheres with the storyline, and his size certainly makes him look stronger. It allows him to have an impact on the storyline even if he does not spend too much time on screen. Such a design has ensured Yammy’s character will never be forgettable.
