Retsu Unohana

Biodata

Background

Unohana learned every school of swordsmanship in Soul Society to pursue the pleasure of battle, taking the name Yachiru. She became the Gotei 13’s First Kenpachi and later put away her sword and became captain of the Fourth Division 152 225.

She previously fought Kenpachi Zaraki. According to Liu Ziyun, Zaraki subsequently sealed his own power in the hope of finding opponents who could give him the same enjoyment in battle 143 297.

Appearance

Unohana has a gentle, serene face and long black hair, often worn in a large braid 4 263.

• She wears the Fourth Division captain’s white haori and carries a Zanpakuto at her waist 2 263.
• She received a hairpin from Liu Ziyun and later a second one carved with a phoenix 121 143.

Personality

Unohana is generally calm, observant and gentle in her dealings with others. She quickly noticed inconsistencies in Liu Ziyun’s claim of amnesia and recognized that his unusual spiritual power was concealing a self-healing ability 3 6.

Beneath her composed manner is a formidable enjoyment of combat. She can be teasing and intimidating, particularly with Liu, and took satisfaction in cutting him during their swordsmanship training. Her concern for him is equally strong: when his Reiatsu Substitute disappeared, she was distressed enough to rush to the Captain-Commander before fully investigating 147 153 154.

Abilities & Skills

Zanjutsu

Unohana says she mastered the Zanjutsu of every school in Soul Society. As Liu Ziyun’s instructor, she trains him with live Zanpakuto and forbids him from relying on Reiatsu 152 154.

• Her attacks are precise and aimed at vital points; during one session, she also used hidden weapons 152.
• She cut Liu’s forehead with a strike so subtle that witnesses did not see her draw her sheathed sword 2.

Kaidō and Medical Knowledge

Unohana is a skilled healer who uses precisely controlled Reiatsu in diagnosis and treatment 58 268.

• She diagnosed damage to Liu’s soul and explained why Reiatsu tempering, rather than medicine, was necessary for his body to adapt to his power 58.
• She treated Rukia Kuchiki with Kaidō while Isane assisted her 268.
• She studied Liu’s healing Kaidō Barrier with Isane 154.

Bankai: Minazuki

Unohana’s Bankai surrounds the area with a tangible sea of blood-like Reiatsu 153.

• It produces countless blood-red flying blades that attack from every direction.
• Unohana can move through the sea and attack an opponent while the blades occupy them 153.

Equipment

• Minazuki — Unohana’s Zanpakuto; she uses it in swordsmanship training and releases its Bankai against Liu 127 152 153.
• Talismans — Liu gave her two golden talismans for Kaien and Miyako Shiba, intended to preserve them if they died. She delivered them along with a warning about Metastacia 133 134.

Relationships

• Liu Ziyun — Her subordinate, student and romantic partner. She shelters him in the Fourth Division, promises to protect him and helps him act on his knowledge of future crises. Their relationship develops through mutual trust, teasing and often brutal training 6 54 152 198.
• Isane Kotetsu — Her lieutenant and fellow healer. They study Liu’s Kaidō Barrier together and discuss their feelings about him; Unohana later permits Isane to leave with Liu for her safety 154 157 192.
• Kenpachi Zaraki — A swordsman with whom she fought in the past. Liu tells her that Zaraki sealed his power after their battle and that Yachiru Kusajishi embodies part of it 143 297.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto — The Captain-Commander, whom she informs about Liu’s warnings and Aizen’s plans. He also supervises Liu’s training in Muken alongside her 84 197 289.
• Jūshirō Ukitake — A fellow captain whom she secretly warns about the danger to Kaien and Miyako 134.
• Tazawa Kentarō — A Fourth Division officer who brought Liu to her and arranged his lodging. After Tazawa retired following an injury, Unohana offered his Fifth Seat to Liu 2 6 121.

Story Role

Liu Ziyun and the Fourth Division

After cutting Liu to force him to confront his situation, Unohana orders his treatment and recognizes his potential to become a Soul Reaper. She arranges for him to live and work at the Fourth Division barracks until Shin’ō Academy begins recruiting, privately suggesting that he might one day succeed her as captain 2 6.

Liu eventually warns her of a coming crisis threatening the Three Worlds. She promises to help him remain hidden and later passes his information about Aizen’s Kyouka Suigetsu to Yamamoto 54 83 84.

Changing Foreseen Fates

Unohana delivers Liu’s warning about Hisana Kuchiki’s health to the Kuchiki family and accompanies him on a secret visit to treat her 129. She later warns Ukitake, Kaien and Miyako about Metastacia, gives the Shiba couple Liu’s talismans and advises them to fake their deaths to escape further pursuit 133 134.

After Liu uses power beyond his limits to save the couple, his Reiatsu Substitute disappears. Unohana searches for him and alerts Yamamoto. She remains beside Liu during his seclusion and, when he awakens, warns that his new power could annihilate him if he loses control 147 150.

Rukia’s Execution and Later Preparations

Before the visitors arrive in Seireitei, Unohana tells Yamamoto that Aizen intends to defect and take the Hōgyoku from Rukia. They reluctantly agree to let events proceed for the sake of the Three Worlds 197. During the fighting at Sōkyoku, Liu sends Unohana and Isane away with the injured and asks Unohana to keep watch near the Great Spirit Book Gallery 208.

Unohana later treats Rukia and helps Ichigo recover his Reiatsu on the way to the World of the Living 268 274. As preparations against the Quincy continue, she accompanies Liu and Yamamoto to Muken for Liu’s training, then reports that Kūgo Ginjō has begun contacting Ichigo 289 296.