bleach spotlight: Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck

year 18, month 4

Nel Tu is definitely a very iconic character, most likely for two very clear reasons. But apart from those two large parts of her personality, what else has Nel Tu done in Bleach that makes her a pivotal character?

Well today we are going to fully explore that and dive deep into (stop it) Nel Tu's history in the Bleach anime and manga and how she's had an impact on Ichigo's adventures and the entire story from the Arrancar Arc where we first met her, all the way up to the Thousand Year Blood War now! (Warning: Spoilers if you haven't seen TYBW or the Arrancar Arc yet)
 

Nel Tu's Introduction

In the Arrancar arc, we are first introduced to Nel Tu being chased by her friends Pesche Guatiche, Dondochakka Birstanne, and Bawabawa. At first Ichigo thinks she's a human but it turns out she's actually a baby-looking Arrancar and, after some conversation, agrees to help him and the rest of the group get to Las Noches.

It's at this point that Nel Tu very quickly gets attached to Ichigo and, after fighting off Runuganga the sand Hollow, decides to go with him through Las Noches and be beside him on his mission.

Nel Tu's Rivalry

Later on in the story, it's revealed that Nel Tu was actually a member of the Espada, ranking all the way at number three! During Ichigo's fight with Nnoitra Gilga, he recognises Nel Tu and calls her weak, before revealing to Ichigo her full name, Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck. He says that he was the one that broke her mask and thus caused her to lose all of her memories. However, it is when Nnoitra goes to strike at Ichigo for the final time that Nel's powers reawaken and she defends him using her sword.

Here we finally get to see what Nel is made of, seeing both her true form and also even getting to see her resurección, taking the form of a centaur with a lance! Naturally, Nel gives Nnoitra a very thorough beating that even surprises him, but this doesn't last for long as Nel soon reverts to her child form and falls to the ground. Thankfully, Captain Zaraki shows up to finish the job on Nnoitra while Ichigo and Nel recover.

The Thousand Year Blood War

Now, we won't spoil too much of the story going forward for all the anime viewers that either haven't made it to Part 3 or are waiting for the future after Part 3, but Nel does get involved in the Blood War as well! Joining alongside another Arrancar from Ichigo's past as well as two Fullbringers from the Fullbringer Arc (under appreciated arc in my opinion), Nel joins the fight against Yhwach and the rest of his Sternritter!

And there you have it! A brief history of Nelliel Tu ... Odel-something. Nel is quite a character with a very interesting power and backstory, but who shall be in the Bleach Spotlight next I wonder?  

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