Overview of Quincy Royal Guards
- The initial generation of Quincy Royal Guards featured only Spirit Weapons and Heilig Pfeil, lacking the Schrift ability.
- Notable members consisted of Seydlitz, Hubert, Algora, and Nikita, who was introduced exclusively in the anime.
- Seydlitz met his end during the conflict with Gotei 13, falling victim to Yamamoto’s devastating Bankai.
In the acclaimed series Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, the Quincy Royal Guards serve as the elite followers of Emperor Yhwach in his ongoing confrontation with the Shinigami. While fans are well-acquainted with the current generation of these formidable warriors—such as Sternritter X Lille Barro and Sternritter D Askin Nakk Le Vaar— the origins and characteristics of the first generation have only recently come to light, particularly with the advent of the Bleach TYBW anime.
This article delves into the intriguing details of the first cohort of Quincy Royal Guards, examining their roles in the Licht Reich and their fierce battles against the original Gotei 13.
The Original Quincy Royal Guards
An Overview of the Squad’s Nature
The original Quincy Royal Guards were known as the Schutztaffel in the manga, a term referenced by characters Uryuu Ishida and Askin Nakk Le Vaar. The anime adaptation, however, opted for the designation “Royal Guards, ”likely to avoid associations with the Third Reich during World War II.
During the era of the Licht Reich, the Royal Guards did not possess Schrift abilities as the present-day warriors do. Instead, they relied on their Spirit Weapons and Heilig Pfeil to engage in combat. Although they were undoubtedly powerful in comparison to typical Quincies, they were still outclassed by the current generation in terms of overall strength.
Here’s a closer look at the four distinguished members of the first Royal Guards who served under Yhwach:
Johann Seydlitz
Seydlitz was characterized by his dignified demeanor, complete with meticulously styled white hair and an eyepatch on his left eye. His loyalty to Yhwach was unwavering, as he frequently engaged in discussions regarding the formation of a new army aimed at conquering the Soul Society—an assembly known as the Sternritter.
Present during the pivotal meeting between Yhwach and Ichibe Hyosube, Seydlitz maintained a watchful presence while the two leaders debated potential peace. Tragically, he met his fate at the hands of Captain Shigekuni Genryuusai Yamamoto’s awe-inspiring Bankai, Zanka No Tachi. Following his death, Seydlitz was one of the corpses resurrected by Yamamoto’s Bankai during the encounter with Royd Lloyd.
His Spirit Weapons consisted of a pair of hand pistols, through which he fired bullet-shaped Heilig Pfeil, drawing parallels to Robert Accutrone, another middle-aged Quincy marked by a similarity in fighting style.
Hubert Alexander Kleich
Hubert, a younger individual with striking features featuring delicate black hair and thin eyebrows, was known for his typically calm and collected demeanor. However, he often exhibited a condescending arrogance, displaying impatience with those he deemed inferior. Despite these flaws, he demonstrated almost zealous respect for Yhwach.
As the vice-captain of the Sternritter, Hubert was second only to Jugram Haschwalth after joining Yhwach’s ranks. This hierarchy incited irritation within Hubert as he believed Jugram to be lesser. Hubert ultimately met his end via Yamamoto’s Zanka No Tachi, just as he was resurrected during the skirmish with Royd Lloyd.
Unlike his comrades, Hubert wielded a medium-length sword instead of Reishi-based weaponry, emphasizing his unique combat style.
Algora Lallau
Algora was a notably robust figure with pronounced facial features and a towering physique. His strength positioned him as a formidable member among his peers, and while much about his personality remains unknown, his loyalty to Yhwach was evident. In battle, Algora displayed fierce dedication to protecting his teammates against threats like Ichibe Hyosube.
He also succumbed to Yamamoto’s power and was later revived to fight alongside Royd Lloyd. Algora’s Spirit Weapons took the form of dual axes, further highlighting his combative prowess.
Nikita Deslok
Nikita stands apart as the most enigmatic member of the original squad, being a character developed exclusively for the anime, with no presence in the manga. Sharing a striking resemblance to the Bambies of the current generation, she was depicted as a petite young woman sporting blonde hair in a ponytail, dressed in military attire.
Nikita’s demeanor was consistently stoic and unfeeling, as evidenced by her brutal execution of Bazz-B’s mother and other villagers, an act she performed coldly. During Yhwach’s meeting with Ichibe, she initiated an attack, firing her Heilig Pfeil when negotiations broke down.
Her Spirit Weapon, an innovative design combining a short rifle with a musket, allowed her to eliminate foes from a distance, raising questions about how she and Seydlitz utilized firearms during an era where such technology did not exist.
These four individuals—Johann Seydlitz, Hubert Alexander Kleich, Algora Lallau, and Nikita Deslok—formed the first generation of the Quincy Royal Guards. They faithfully served within the Licht Reich until their fall during the onslaught with the Gotei 13.
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