Overview
- Aizen’s interference with the dichotomy of Shinigami and Hollow has resulted in a proliferation of Arrancar.
- BG9’s visual and thematic parallels to Shawlong have fueled speculation regarding their possible connection.
- There remains ambiguity on the transformation of Arrancar like Shawlong into Quincy like BG9, due to complexities surrounding purification and rebirth.
Quick Navigation
The BLEACH universe encompasses a vast array of intricate realities, substantially shaped by
Sōsuke Aizen’s interference with the boundaries that define Shinigami and Hollow. Utilizing the Hōgyoku derived
from Rukia’s essence post the Soul Society arc, Aizen facilitated the emergence of additional Arrancar,
formidable beings that possess Shinigami abilities by shedding parts of their masks.
During the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, readers witness the Quincy Wandenreich invading Hueco Mundo,
absorbing numerous Arrancar following Yhwach’s victory over Tier Harribel, the previous protector of the realm.
This strategic incorporation of Arrancar in the conflict against the Shinigami has sparked fans’ curiosity
regarding the supposed link between the Quincy combatant BG9 and the Arrancar Shawlong Koufang. Could it be plausible
that BG9 is, in fact, an alternate form of Shawlong?
Watch the Theory
Who Was Shawlong?
A Key Ally to Grimjoww Jaegerjaquez
Serving as the Undecimo (11th) Arrancar in Aizen’s faction, Shawlong Koufang was one of the few allies of
Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, distinguished as the oldest of the Numeros. His story culminated in his defeat in
Karakura by 10th Squad Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya. Previously, Shawlong’s journey began as a Gillian, evolving
into an Adjuchas-Class Hollow, where he led a group of Menos Grande alongside Di Roy Rinker, Szayelaporro’s
sibling Yylfordt Granz, Edrad Liones, Nakeem Grindina, and several unnamed Adjuchas. They engaged in
devouring other Hollows until coming across a smaller Adjuchas, resulting in their demise and Shawlong’s
recognition of Grimmjow as their next leader.
Despite ambitions to evolve into Vasto Lordes, they soon realized that their development ceased the moment
they were consumed. As a result, they willingly sacrificed themselves to Grimmjow to aid in his evolution,
ultimately becoming part of his Fracción. Shortly thereafter, following the arrival of Ulquiorra Cifer
and Yammy Llargo in Karakura, Shawlong and his companions were dispatched by Ulquiorra to eliminate
spiritually potent individuals, leading to Shawlong’s confrontation with Hitsugaya. Initially, Shawlong held the
upper hand, but once permission was granted for the Shinigami to unleash their full powers in the Human World,
he was swiftly overwhelmed. Shawlong adeptly utilized Pesquisa, an ability that allows him to extend a pulse
to sense the reiatsu of entities nearby.
Why Some Think BG9 Might Be Shawlong
The Evidence Is Quite Compelling
Within the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, BG9, the Quincy automaton, participates in encounters with various
Shinigami Captains, particularly drawing attention during his confrontation with the 2nd Squad Captain Soi-Fon.
As the arc unfolds, BG9 employs needle-like appendages to incapacitate foes, gathering data from each
engagement. Notably, he learns about Lieutenant Omaeda’s familial connections while also extracting valuable
insights from Soi-Fon after her defeat.
This focus on data collection has fueled speculation that the “K”in BG9’s name symbolizes “Knowledge”.
The aesthetic resemblance between BG9 and Shawlong, particularly in terms of their knight-esque head designs
and corresponding weaponry, has led to fascinating discussions. Similarities extend to concept mastery: both
characters excel in their respective abilities—Shawlong’s Pesquisa and BG9’s distinctive data-gathering spines.
Adding to the intrigue is the fact that both share a voice actor, Hideyuki Tanaka, strengthening the perceived
connection.
Factors That Weaken the Theory
Didn’t Shawlong Get Purified By Hitsugaya?
Early in the BLEACH series, it is established that Shinigami purify Hollows upon defeating them with
their Zanpakutō, allowing them to reincarnate. However, this becomes complicated for powerful Hollows and
Arrancar. When a soul becomes too potent, traditional reincarnation could catastrophic consequences for
the balance between realms. Consequently, Captain-level Shinigami who perish are sent to Hell instead of
returning to the Soul Society.
The BLEACH: No Breaths From Hell one-shot illustrates this with Unohana, Ukitake, and Yamamoto
being sent to Hell, where they acquire identities based on their time as Shinigami. Crucially, Szayelaporro is
notably the only character shown emerging from Hell after being killed by Kurotsuchi, indicating that a
powerful Hollow does not return after death and is instead dispatched directly to Hell.
Given that Arrancar are hybrids of Shinigami and Hollow, questions arise about their fate post-mortem at the
hands of a Shinigami. When a Shinigami dies, their essence dissolves into Reishi. Should Quincies have
converted Shawlong into BG9, it could only be under two scenarios: he somehow survived his encounter with
Hitsugaya (unlikely) or the hybrid nature of Arrancar complicated his purification, rendering him part of the
Reishi environment instead.
If Shawlong was deemed too weak for Hell and too hybridized for full purification, this raises the intriguing
hypothesis that Quincies’ manipulation of Reishi could facilitate his transformation into the Sternritter, akin
to how Kaien Shiba became intertwined with Metastacia, ultimately merging with Aaroniero Aaruruerie. This
poses an interesting theory, bolstered by Quincies’ known recruitment of Arrancar, yet the mechanisms
underlying Shawlong’s potential evolution into BG9 remain shrouded in mystery, despite apparent visual and
thematic correlations.
Leave a Reply