Bleach: Why Do People Fear Retsu Unohana?

Unohana Retsu
Unohana Retsu (Image Credit: Studio Pierrot)

In Bleach, there are a lot of awesome Soul Reapers, but few are as enigmatic or terrifying as Retsu Unohana. At first, she seems calm, gentle, and kind, always healing others and avoiding violence. But beneath that exterior lies a big secret.

People fear Retsu Unohana because behind her soft smile is a violent and deadly past. She is just not a healer; she is one of the most powerful killers within the series. Her gentleness masks her real strength, which is exactly what makes her so terrifying.

In Bleach, Retsu Unohana is the ex-captain of Squad 4 who handles medicinal supplies. For a long time in the series, she comes across as a kind and gentle woman. She always helps the wounded and avoids fighting unless it is needed. But this kind image hides the truth.

Captain Unohana, as seen in the anime (Image Credit: Studio Pierrot)
Captain Unohana, as seen in the anime (Image Credit: Studio Pierrot)

Unohana (previously known as Yachiru Unohana) was the first to have the title of Kenpachi before becoming a captain of the Gotei 13. In Bleach, the title of Kenpachi is given to the strongest Soul Reaper who has defeated more enemies than any other.

A great number of fans of Bleach were seriously surprised by the past of Unohana. The reveal changes how people see her. She was once a cold and ruthless fighter who killed without hesitation. At the peak of her violent life, she was referred to as the most dangerous criminal in Soul Society.

Even Yhwach knew her for her brutality, which was shown to him properly when she killed many Quincies when they invaded the Soul Society. Unohana loved to fight and only respected the strong. She suppressed this side of herself for so long that it was even more of a shock when it surfaced.

Unohana (Image Credit: Studio Pierrot)
Unohana (Image Credit: Studio Pierrot)

It was finally in her last fight against Zaraki Kenpachi that fans were able to see Unohana’s fierceness. In Bleach, this battle is one of the most intense moments. Unohana recalls their first battle, where she won but left with a scar on her chest.

In this rematch, she shows no mercy against her fellow Kenpachi. Bleach reveals Unohana’s Bankai, Minazuki, who overwhelms Zaraki. Unfortunately for her, she ultimately lost the battle, and Zaraki was the sole Kenpachi in existence at the time.

She knows the only way to unlock his full power is through pain. This shows just how far she is willing to go for strength. It also reminds fans that she is not the gentle woman they thought she was.

Unohana Retsu’s Bankai, Minazuki (Image Credit: Studio Pierrot)
Unohana Retsu’s Bankai, Minazuki (Image Credit: Studio Pierrot)

As a Kenpachi, Unohana does not need a tangible or wholesome reason to fight. She fights because it is fun and exciting. Her calm and silent demeanor while fighting makes her even scarier because no one knows what she is thinking. It’s hard to read someone who smiles while killing.

Retsu Unohana is a perfect example of how appearances can be deceiving in Bleach. People who don’t know her past may think she is kind and harmless. But those who do know the truth fear her greatly. Her past, her skill with the sword, and her power level all make her one of the most feared characters in the series. Even strong fighters like captains are careful around her.

In Bleach, Unohana balances between healing and killing. She shows that true strength is not always loud or angry or flashy. Sometimes, it is calm, hiding behind a gentle smile. That is why people fear her — not because she shouts or brags, but because she doesn’t need to. Her presence alone is enough.


Unohana’s Strength in Bleach

Unohana and Zaraki fighting (Image Credit: Studio Pierrot)
Unohana and Zaraki fighting (Image Credit: Studio Pierrot)

In the world of Bleach, power matters a lot. And Unohana’s power is unmatched when it comes to sword fighting and healing. She is a master at both, which is very rare. Unohana learned healing so that she could lengthen her fights.

Most Soul Reapers are strong in one area, but not both. Unohana’s skill with the blade is so high that even Kenpachi Zaraki, one of the strongest fighters in Bleach, had to learn from her. She pushed him to his limit, and only she could teach him what it means to fight without holding back.

Her Bankai also adds to the fear she creates in Bleach. Though not shown for very long, it is known to be terrifying and strange. It turns everything around her into a bloody scene. The power it gives her allows her to heal and destroy at the same time. Fans still talk about how scary her Bankai looks. It gives off a feeling of death and madness, which fits her true self.

Unohana, as seen in the Thousand-Year Blood War (Image Credit: Studio Pierrot)
Unohana, as seen in the Thousand-Year Blood War (Image Credit: Studio Pierrot)

Conclusion

Fans of the show respect and fear Retsu Unohana because she is a real proof of how true strength can be quiet. She teaches that power does not always come with pride. Occasionally, the most dangerous people are the ones who seem the most peaceful. And in Unohana’s case, that quiet calm hides one of the deadliest fighters in all of Bleach.

Edited by Deebakar