One Piece Chapter 1183 Manga Updates

1183

▸ Elbaph Arc  ·  Weekly Shonen Jump

One Piece Chapter 1183:
Release Date, Delay & What to Expect

Oda is taking a break after Chapter 1182 here's when Chapter 1183 drops, what to expect from Zoro, Sanji, and Imu, and the full schedule ahead.

Updated: May 2026

Source: WSJ Issue 24

Arc: Elbaph

Chapter

1183

Release Date

May 24, 2026

WSJ Issue

# 26

Delay Reason

Oda Break

One Piece Chapter 1183 Release Date Confirmed

One Piece Chapter 1183 officially releases on May 24, 2026, in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 26. The delay comes directly from Eiichiro Oda, who confirmed in WSJ Issue 24 that he would take a personal break right after Chapter 1182 dropped on May 10, 2026.

The news caught fans off guard. After a two-week Golden Week break that already kept One Piece off shelves from late April through early May, most readers expected at least a few consecutive weeks before the next hiatus. Instead, with only one chapter released since the Golden Week return, Oda is stepping back again making Chapter 1183 a two-week wait.

Why Is One Piece Chapter 1183 Delayed?

There are two distinct types of One Piece breaks, and it's worth knowing the difference. The Golden Week break was a magazine-wide hiatus every Weekly Shonen Jump title paused together because of Japan's national holiday week. The skip before Chapter 1183 is completely different: it's an author break taken by Oda himself.

 

These personal breaks are a regular, necessary part of how Oda works. At 50, he no longer maintains the punishing pace of his early career. His break pattern has shortened steadily over the years, and right now his rhythm sits at roughly three chapters on, one week off with occasional two-chapter runs before a rest, as happened here.

Far from being a sign of trouble, these hiatuses are how Oda sustains both his health and the quality of One Piece. He uses the downtime to recharge and to plan and refine the chapters ahead.

Oda's Break Pattern Over Time

How His Release Schedule Has Evolved

Early career: 5 chapters → break

Mid career: 4 chapters → break

Current: 3 chapters → break (with occasional 2-chapter bursts)

The shortening intervals reflect the sustained physical and creative demands of producing one of the world's most complex weekly manga series.

Full Release Schedule: May–June 2026

Based on Oda's current three-chapter pattern and the official WSJ calendar, here's the projected chapter schedule through the next expected break window:

Chapter	Date	WSJ Issue	Status
Ch. 1182	May 10, 2026	Issue 24	Released
▮ Oda Personal Break Issue 25 (May 17, 2026)
Ch. 1183	May 24, 2026	Issue 26	Confirmed
Ch. 1184	May 31, 2026	Issue 27	Expected
Ch. 1185	June 7, 2026	Issue 28	Expected
▮ Next expected break after Ch. 1185 subject to change

All dates from Ch. 1184 onward are projected based on Oda's typical pattern and may change at his discretion.

One Piece Chapter 1182 Recap: What You Need to Know

Chapter 1182 packed in several major developments that directly set up what's coming in 1183:

• The battle between Nerona Imu and Loki continued, with Imu clearly in control but Imu's physical form in the world below is deteriorating, making this a race against time for the Straw Hats.
• Rain God Zaza was revealed, sending fan theories into overdrive ahead of the next chapter.
• Saints Sommers and Killingham are now so powered up that nothing in Elbaph can challenge them except, it seems, the Wings of the Pirate King.
• Zoro and Sanji acknowledged their roles in the battles to come with their signature competitive exchange.
• Killingham's unintentional summoning hinted that even Imu's underlings may be losing control of the situation.

"Sommers, I messed up! I summoned the wrong thing! What I am afraid of... I got overzealous!" Saint Killingham, One Piece Chapter 1182

"Hey, get the job done right!!!" / "Right back at you!" Zoro and Sanji, One Piece Chapter 1182

Predictions for Chapter 1183

One Piece Chapter 1183 Spoilers & Predictions

Official raw scans and spoilers for Chapter 1183 typically surface 3–4 days before the official release. Until then, here's what the narrative sets up:

Zoro vs. Sommers

The framing of Chapter 1182 all but confirms Zoro is heading toward a direct clash with Saint Sommers. More importantly, this could be the chapter where Oda begins illustrating Zoro fully awakening his Conqueror's Haki something fans have been waiting on for a long time. The stakes and the opponent are now both calibrated for that kind of power-up moment.

Sanji vs. Killingham

With Zoro matched against Sommers, Sanji is the natural counterpart to Killingham. The wild card here is whatever Killingham accidentally summoned that unintended entity could turn the fight into something far more chaotic than a straight one-on-one. Sanji tends to thrive in exactly that kind of situation.

Luffy & Loki vs. Imu

The central confrontation of the arc is still developing. Chapter 1183 may deliver a meaningful update on how Luffy and Loki are holding up against an Imu who is both dominant in combat and racing against their own physical deterioration. Luffy's turning point in this fight is inevitable the question is how many chapters away it is.

Rain God Zaza

The Chapter 1182 reveal of Rain God Zaza is too significant to leave hanging. Whether 1183 expands on this character's role immediately or builds toward it depends on Oda's pacing but it's the single most anticipated mystery heading into the next chapter.

How Close Is the Elbaph Arc to Ending?

The Elbaph arc has been running for close to two years and is clearly in its final act. Oda is converging all the major threads Imu, Loki, the Giants, the Straw Hat Wings, and the mythological elements into a concentrated endgame stretch.

After Elbaph wraps, the confirmed next destination is an island only the Pirate King has ever visited. What that location holds and what it means for the road to the One Piece is arguably the biggest source of fan speculation right now. Every chapter from here carries enormous weight for the story's final act.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About One Piece Chapter 1183

When does One Piece Chapter 1183 release?

May 24, 2026, in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 26.

Why is there no One Piece chapter on May 17, 2026?

Eiichiro Oda announced a personal break in WSJ Issue 24, skipping Issue 25. This is an author-initiated hiatus separate from the earlier Golden Week magazine break.

What arc is One Piece currently in?

One Piece is in the Elbaph arc, which is approaching its conclusion after nearly two years of story.

What chapter comes after One Piece 1183?

Chapter 1184 is expected on May 31, 2026, followed by Chapter 1185 on June 7, 2026.

Where can I read One Piece Chapter 1183 for free legally?

The three most recent chapters are always free on Viz Media (viz.com), the Shonen Jump app, and MangaPlus by Shueisha. Support the official release whenever you can.

When will One Piece 1183 spoilers be available?

Spoilers typically leak online 3–4 days before the official release date, putting the 1183 spoiler window around May 20–21, 2026.

One Piece Chapter 1181 Sneak Peak

The King of the World has arrived in Elbaph and now the Accursed Prince must answer.

After the jaw-dropping final pages of Chapter 1180, the One Piece community is bracing for what could be one of the most explosive chapters in recent memory. Nerona Imu the King of the World, the man who sits above the Five Elders has physically descended upon Elbaph, and the Straw Hats are now face-to-face with the series' true final antagonist. One Piece Chapter 1181 picks up right where things left off, and based on everything Oda has been building toward, the next installment promises to be an absolute spectacle.

⚡ Quick One Piece Chapter 1181 Breakdown

• Nerona Imu has arrived in Elbaph the Elbaph arc climax is now officially underway
• Loki is expected to reveal his Mythical Zoan hybrid form: Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Nidhoggr
• Luffy is still recovering his strength by eating unlikely to join the fight this chapter
• Imu is operating under a confirmed time limit, which may be the Straw Hats' only window of survival
• One Piece is on Golden Week break after Ch. 1181 no chapter in early May

Loki Steps Up But He's Already the Underdog

Let's be real: Loki cannot win this fight. Not against Imu. The King of the World exists on a tier completely separate from anyone else in the One Piece universe even compared to the Yonko, even compared to the Five Elders. But that's never stopped Oda from giving a doomed fighter a brilliant, heartbreaking showcase before the inevitable. 

 

That's exactly what Chapter 1181 is shaping up to be for Loki. The Accursed Prince of Elbaph has been a slow-burn mystery figure for most of this arc. Now, with no other option, he's going to have to go all-in. And that means we're finally going to see the one thing fans have been waiting months for: his hybrid Mythical Zoan form.

"I search for the killer of my faithful servant Harald, who was slain here 14 years past."

 Nerona Imu, Chapter 1180

Loki previously explained that his full dragon transformation the Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Nidhoggr is simply too enormous to be practical in a fight against a human-sized opponent. That logic tracks perfectly for why he'd switch to his hybrid form here: it gives him the raw power of his Devil Fruit while keeping him agile enough to actually engage Imu in direct combat. Expect massive black wings, draconic claws, and what should be a visually stunning clash even if the outcome is all but decided. 

Imu's Time Limit The Straw Hats' Only Hope

Here's the detail that makes this whole situation interesting rather than hopeless: Nerona Imu is not invincible in a practical sense. Oda has made a point of stressing, multiple times across recent chapters, that Imu is operating under some kind of strict time constraint. The exact nature of that limitation hasn't been spelled out it could be tied to his Devil Fruit, a physical vulnerability, or something specific to the world's power structure but the implication is clear.

The Straw Hats don't need to beat Imu. They need to survive him long enough for that clock to run out. If Loki, Luffy (once recovered), and the rest of the alliance can hold on until Imu hits his limit, they may walk away from this confrontation alive. It's a classic Oda setup a fight where raw power isn't the deciding factor, and where strategy, endurance, and timing become everything. 

Will Luffy Enter the Fight in Chapter 1181?

Almost certainly not. Luffy is still eating to restore his Gear Fifth stamina, and Oda has deliberately paced things so that Loki gets his moment in the spotlight first. This is both narratively smart and emotionally important Loki has a deep, personal history with Imu stretching back 14 years, and that backstory needs room to breathe.

Luffy's eventual entry into this battle isn't in question it's the whole arc but it's being held back deliberately. When Nika finally clashes with the World Sovereign, it needs to feel earned. Expect Loki to buy time, take punishment, and perhaps land a few memorable moments before Luffy finally enters the fray, likely in Chapter 1182 or even later. 

Chapter 1181 What's Most Likely to Happen

Loki Goes Hybrid

The Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Nidhoggr hybrid form makes its debut. This is the moment the chapter has been building toward all arc.

Imu Dominates

Despite Loki's power spike, Imu overwhelms him positioning the Accursed Prince as a courageous underdog rather than a genuine threat to the World Sovereign.

Imu's Powers Expand

We've only seen a fraction of what Imu can do. Chapter 1181 will likely reveal new abilities beyond the "Omen" ability teased in recent chapters.

Loki's Defeat Setup

Oda may plant the seeds of Loki's defeat this chapter, letting it resolve in 1182 or he may wrap it up in one brutal chapter to bring Luffy on stage sooner.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Arc Matters

Elbaph has always been one of the most anticipated arcs in One Piece history a destination whispered about since the Baroque Works saga. But no one predicted it would become the setting for the series' true endgame to begin. Imu's arrival here isn't just a plot event; it's a statement. The final war isn't coming. It's already started.

What makes Chapter 1181 feel different from other hype chapters is the stakes. These aren't pirates fighting marines or rival crews. This is a band of giants, a devil-fruit prince, and a rubber-boned dreamer standing against the oldest, most absolute power in the world. The odds are absurd. The setup is operatic. And if Oda sticks the landing  which, based on recent chapters, he seems very much on track to do the Elbaph arc could go down as one of the finest in the entire manga's run.

A Note on the Schedule

One Piece Chapter 1181 releases on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 11 AM EST on Manga Plus free and legally. However, the manga will be on Golden Week break the following week, meaning no new chapter in early May. After Chapter 1182, another break is expected as Oda completes his three-chapter run cycle. Plan your reading calendar accordingly. 

Where to Read: One Piece Chapter 1181 is available for free on Manga Plus (mangaplus.shueisha.co.jp) and the Shonen Jump app. Support the official release Oda and his team deserve it.

Netflix Adaptation - Demon City Trailer

February is shaping up to be an exciting month for fans of gritty, action-packed revenge stories. Netflix is set to release Demon City, a live-action adaptation of Masamichi Kawabe’s Oni Goroshi manga. The streaming giant has just dropped the first trailer for the film, offering a brutal and thrilling glimpse into this dark tale of vengeance.

A Legendary Hitman’s Quest for Revenge

The official Netflix Asia YouTube channel released the trailer, introducing viewers to the film’s protagonist, Shuhei Sakata, portrayed by Japanese actor Toma Ikuta. Shuhei is a legendary hitman whose life is shattered when the Kimen-gumi, a mysterious criminal organization with a demonic motif, frames him for the murder of his wife and daughter. After being shot in the head, Shuhei falls into a coma, only to awaken 12 years later with one goal: to exact revenge on those who destroyed his life.

 

The Story of Demon City

The official synopsis for Demon City sets the stage for a gripping narrative:
"Just as hitman Shuhei Sakata is about to leave his violent past behind for the sake of his family, the Kimen-gumi murders his wife and daughter, framing him for the crime and tarnishing his name. Shot in the head, he miraculously survives but falls into a coma. Twelve years later, the Kimen-gumi attacks him again, reigniting his dormant killer instincts and setting him on a path of vengeance. However, what awaits him is a truth that could change his destiny forever."

Stellar Cast and Creative Team

Demon City boasts an impressive cast, including Matsuya Onoe, Masahiro Higashide, Masanobu Takashima, and Mio Tanaka. The film is directed by Seiji Tanaka, known for his work on the 2018 film Melancholic, who also penned the screenplay. With its intense action and emotional depth, Demon City promises to be a standout addition to Netflix’s growing library of live-action adaptations.

A Must-Watch for Fans of Revenge Stories

Fans of revenge-driven narratives, such as 91 Days, Ninja Kamui, and Vinland Saga, will find plenty to love in Demon City. Similarly, those who enjoy the John Wick series, starring Keanu Reeves as the iconic hitman, will likely be drawn to the film’s high-stakes action and relentless pursuit of justice. Mark your calendars: Demon City premieres on Netflix on February 27, 2025.

 

 

Netflix’s Expanding Live-Action Anime Universe

Demon City is just one of many live-action anime adaptations Netflix has in store for its subscribers. The highly anticipated Season 2 of One Piece is set to release in 2025, continuing Monkey D. Luffy’s journey to become the King of the Pirates. Other notable adaptations include Yu Yu Hakusho, Alice in Borderland, Bleach, City Hunter, and the Fullmetal Alchemist films.

Anime Fans Have Even More to Look Forward To

Netflix’s anime library continues to grow, offering something for every fan. The highly anticipated adaptation of Sakamoto Days is currently airing new episodes weekly, with both English-subtitled and dubbed versions available. Additionally, Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 premiered in January, delighting fans of the anime and video game series. Looking ahead, the Devil May Cry anime TV series, starring Johnny Yong Bosch as Dante, is set to premiere on April 3, 2025. Netflix recently revealed the opening theme song for the series, and true to the Capcom franchise, it’s as bold and thrilling as fans would expect.

With Demon City and a host of other exciting projects on the horizon, Netflix is proving to be a powerhouse for both live-action and anime content. Whether you’re a fan of revenge thrillers, epic adventures, or supernatural battles, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

 

Native Hunting Competition

The Native Hunting Competition is a triennial event exclusively participated in by the World Nobles. It revolves around an island-wide "Manhunt," where points are awarded for hunting down the island's residents, with the highest scorer emerging as the victor.

To date, this competition has been documented only once, during the God Valley event that took place 38 years ago in the West Blue.

This tournament is held every three years on islands unaffiliated with the World Government. Once a location is chosen for the contest, the government forcibly takes control of the island, irrespective of the consent of its rightful rulers. The indigenous population is then rounded up and kept captive in cages until they are released to be hunted for sport during the competition. Problematic slaves may also be included as additional targets.

A point system is used to determine the winner, but the exact method of scoring remains unknown. Notably, Figarland Garling incurred a hefty penalty of -10,000 points for a false start, as he mistakenly killed the king of God Valley before the official start.

At some point in history, this disturbing practice of purging islands of their native inhabitants gained popularity among the World Nobles. The establishment date of this competition and whether it continues to exist in the present remain uncertain.

God Valley was selected as the location for the tournament 38 years ago, mainly due to its controversial name, which was deemed sacrilegious for containing the word "God." Additionally, the island was rich in natural resources. During this event, the king of the island was murdered by Saint Garling for objecting to the competition, while most of the island's population was confined in cages to serve as targets.

Kuma was among the slaves designated for use as "game" during this event. He briefly managed to escape but was later found by his fellow slaves, who coerced him back to the competition through physical force. It was during this period that Kuma encountered Emporio Ivankov and Ginny, who were also enslaved.

One Piece Chapter 1096 Theory

If you're eager to learn the rest of the flashback, please consider reviewing my prediction for the upcoming events. It's quite detailed, consisting of 44 points, and I believe it will provide you with an engaging narrative.

• The Celestial Dragons execute all the residents of God Valley, with Garling claiming the most kills and becoming the Champion/King of God Valley. They attempt to hunt down the surviving slaves, thanks to assistance from Ivankov and Ginny.

• The Rocks Pirates arrive on God Valley, led by Xebec, who declares his ambition to become the 'King of the World' by eliminating the self-proclaimed rulers of the world, the Celestial Dragons.

• Garp and other marines, who had been monitoring the Rocks Pirates, arrive to protect the God Valley residents from the pirates.

• Garp finds that the God Valley residents are already dead, but to his shock, it was the Celestial Dragons who killed them.

• Garp initially considers leaving God Valley to the Celestial Dragons and dealing with the Rocks Pirates on their own. However, he discovers Kuma's group and realizes that both Celestial Dragons and their slaves are still on the island.

• Garp decides to take on the Rocks Pirates to protect the slaves. The marines are quickly overwhelmed by the pirates' superior strength, leaving Garp as the last marine standing.

• When Garp is on the brink of defeat, the Roger Pirates arrive, and Garp reluctantly joins forces with Roger to defeat Xebec.

• With Xebec dead, some of the stronger Rocks Pirates celebrate and declare their intention to form their own pirate crews to pursue the title of 'King of the World.'

• Weakened Garp tries to stop them, but the powerful Rocks Pirates easily escape by commandeering ships from the Celestial Dragons.

• The weaker Rocks Pirates retreat to their ship, but Garling boards it and slaughters them all.

• On her way off the island, Big Mom discovers treasure chests intended as prizes for the winner of the Native Hunting Competition. She takes one chest but flees when she spots the Roger Pirates approaching.

• Inside the treasure chest, Big Mom finds a Devil Fruit. She offers it to Kaido in exchange for joining her crew. Kaido accepts the offer but escapes when she's not looking, angering Big Mom.

• The Roger Pirates notice several marine ships approaching God Valley as reinforcements. They quickly loot the treasure, then return to their ship and depart from the island.

• As the Roger Pirates open the treasure chests, they discover a baby boy. Unbeknownst to them, this child is Garling's son, offered as a prize in the Native Hunting Competition to demonstrate his confidence in winning.

• Garp informs the arriving marines that the Rocks Pirates have already been defeated. They leave to pursue the Roger Pirates, while Garp remains to check on the slaves.

• With the pirates and marines gone, the Celestial Dragons resume their hunt and swiftly eliminate the remaining slaves.

• Enraged by their actions, Garp unleashes his most potent punch, obliterating the entire island and erasing God Valley from maps.

• Garp rescues the three surviving slaves, Kuma, Ivankov, and Ginny, and takes them to his ship. He leaves the Celestial Dragons to drown.

• The Celestial Dragons, unaware of why the island was destroyed, are saved by Garling, who uses Xebec's ship. As a reward, Garling is promoted to the position of Supreme Commander of the God's Knights.

• Garp is deeply disturbed by the events on God Valley. When Sengoku inquires about what happened there, Garp provides only partial details and omits various elements, including his role in destroying the island.

• Despite Garp attributing Xebec's defeat to Roger, the World Government credits Garp instead, leading to his nickname as 'Hero.'

• Garp considers what to do with the children. A marine suggests taking them to Mary Geoise as property of the Celestial Dragons, which angers Garp, causing the marine to flee.

• Garp opts to hide the children in his hometown, under the care of his son, Dragon.

• The children inform Dragon about their lives and the events at God Valley, sparking Dragon's intense hatred for the Celestial Dragons and the World Government.

• Inspired by Kuma's desire to be a hero who could free people from suffering, Dragon forms the Freedom Fighters, aiming to grant people's freedom through nonviolent means.

• Dragon befriends Vegapunk and invites him to join the Freedom Fighters, but Vegapunk declines due to their lack of resources to fund his inventions. Instead, Vegapunk later joins the World Government.

• While traveling, the Freedom Fighters come across some Devil Fruits. Kuma reveals how the Celestial Dragons would force their slaves to consume Devil Fruits for their amusement. Dragon decides not to use the Devil Fruits but intends to sell them to support their operations.

• After the Ohara Incident, Dragon realizes that nonviolent methods aren't enough and decides to wage war against the World Government. He forms the Revolutionary Army with Kuma and Ivankov.

• Dragon and the others consume the Devil Fruits they found and resolve to become 'devils' who will liberate people by overthrowing their oppressors, as they lack combat experience.

• Rather than fighting oppressors alone, Dragon's Revolutionary Army only assists nations where the citizens are willing to fight alongside them.

• The nations aided by the Revolutionary Army are extremely grateful, providing them with financial and material support. Many of their citizens eagerly join the cause to help liberate other countries.

• News of the Revolutionary Army's actions reaches the World Government, resulting in the group's members receiving significant bounties and Dragon being named the World's Worst Criminal.

• Kuma successfully liberates the Sorbet Kingdom, but its king is killed, and the citizens choose Kuma as the new ruler.

• Kuma makes Sorbet Kingdom his home and has a daughter with Ginny.

• The World Government learns of Kuma's presence in Sorbet Kingdom and dispatches CP0 agents.

• CP0 informs Kuma that, as former slaves, he and Ginny are the property of the Celestial Dragons. They propose taking Kuma's daughter as a substitute, which leads to a confrontation where Ginny is killed.

• CP0 offers to spare Kuma's daughter if he agrees to comply with their demands. Reluctantly, Kuma goes with them and consents to participate in their 'human weapon' experiments.

• To prevent the world from knowing the truth of their actions towards the ruler of a World Government Kingdom, the World Government fabricates a story, reporting that Kuma was a tyrant in Sorbet Kingdom who willingly left to become a pirate. They also appoint him as a Warlord to support this narrative.

• Kuma, aware that the experiments will erase his sense of self, uses his Devil Fruit powers to extract and entrust his memories to Vegapunk, a friend of Dragon, for safekeeping.

• Kuma brings Bonney to Egghead and has Vegapunk implant a monitoring device and GPS system, allowing him to track her location and receive alerts in case of danger.

• Kuma adds an overriding command in his brain: to protect Bonney.

• The flashback concludes with Kuma arriving at Egghead and rescuing Bonney from Saturn and the marines.

This detailed narrative seeks to fill the gaps in our knowledge, connecting the dots in the story. If any of these points seem implausible or if you have additional insights to contribute, please don't hesitate to share your thoughts. (And a big thanks to those who read this far!)

Berserk Announces New Manga Arc

'Berserk' is gearing up to embark on a fresh manga storyline. The latest announcement, revealed in the 18th issue of Hakusensha’s Young Animal magazine, discloses that the forthcoming chapter, set to debut on September 22, will introduce the newest arc in the narrative. Furthermore, fans can anticipate the release of the 42nd compiled volume of 'Berserk' in Japan on September 29. Following the tragic passing of the creator, Kentarou Miura, on May 6, 2021, the manga experienced a hiatus and later resumed under the supervision of Kouji Mori, with contributions from Studio Gaga.

Studio Gaga comprises Miura's former studio assistants and apprentices, while Mori, a close friend of Miura's, possesses knowledge of the story's ultimate conclusion. Stay tuned for further updates regarding 'Berserk's' upcoming manga arc. 'Berserk' Chapter 374 is scheduled to grace the pages of Young Animal on September 22nd, with Mouri and Gaga at the helm as the Black Swordsman embarks on yet another seafaring adventure. The forthcoming installment will also treat readers to a colorful page, depicting Guts wrestling with his next course of action. As Griffith continues his relentless pursuit of power on a global scale, the future remains bleak for our grim heroes. Following the release of the Berserk: Memorial Edition, there's still no official word on a potential new anime adaptation. However, given the series' enduring popularity, it's only a matter of time before the Black Swordsman slashes his way back into the world of anime.

Kengan Ashura Season 2 Gets 2023 Premiere, Teaser Visual

The previously announced Kengan Ashura Season 2 revealed a release date – 2023, along with a teaser visual. The anime is a Netflix original and will be streaming on the platform exclusively. The staff for the sequel hasn’t been revealed yet.

The anime is based on Kegan Ashura manga written by Yabako Sandrovich and illustrated by Daromeon. The manga ran from 2012 to 2018 in Shogakukan’s Ura Sunday magazine. A sequel Kengan Omega from the same author/artist duo started in 2019.

An anime adaptation by LARX Entertainment began streaming on Netflix in 2019. It was directed by Seiji Kishi, with character designs by Kazuaki Morita. Makoto Uezu oversaw the series composition. Yasuharu Takanashi composed the music. The first season was streamed in two parts and each was 12 episodes long. The cast included:

• Tatsuhisa Suzuki as Ohma Tokita
• Cho as Kazuo Yamashita
• Chado Hori as Adam Dudley
• Junya Enoki as Cosmo Imai
• Joji Nakata as Hideki Nogi
• Matthew Masaru Baron as Jerry Tyson
• Hiroshi Shirokuma as Julius Reinhold
• Yumi Uchiyama as Kaede Akiyama
• Soichiro Hoshi as Keizaburo Sawada

Netflix describes the plot as:

Underground gladiator Tokita Ohma fights on behalf of business mogul Nogi Hideki, who wagers mega-business deals on the outcomes of the brutal matches.

'Sidonia no Kishi' Gets New Anime Film for 2021

The official website of the Sidonia no Kishi (Knights of Sidonia) anime series announced a new anime film on Friday. The film, titled Sidonia no Kishi: Ai Tsumugu Hoshi, will premiere in 2021. The website also revealed staff members, a key visual (pictured), and trailer.

The film will feature contents different from the original manga by Tsutomu Nihei with a new story. Nihei is supervising the film. Cast members are reprising from the previous anime installments.

Staff
Chief Director: Hiroyuki Seshita (Ajin)
Director: Tadahiro Yoshihira (Kuutei Dragons)
Script: Sadayuki Murai (Sidonia no Kishi), Tetsuya Yamada (Godzilla: Kaijuu Wakusei)
Animation Director: Reiji Nagazono (Blame! Movie)
CG Supervision: Takuma Ishibashi (Human Lost: Ningen Shikkaku), Masayuki Uemoto (Godzilla trilogy)
Art Director: Mitsunori Kataama (Sidonia no Kishi: Daikyuu Wakusei Seneki), Mitsuo Yoshino (Hirune Hime: Shiranai Watashi no Monogatari assistant art director)
Color Design: Hironori Noji (Nami yo Kiitekure)
Sound Director: Yoshikazu Iwanami (Psycho-Pass: Sinners of the System trilogy)
Music: Shuji Katayama (Youjo Senki)
Music Production: King Records
Production Design: Naoya Tanaka (Levius)
Distribution: KlockWorx
Studio: Polygon Pictures

J-pop band CAPSULE will perform the theme and insert songs. The trailer previews the insert song "Utsusemi." Music producer Yasutaka Nakata wrote and composed the songs.

Sidonia no Kishi was first adapted into a 12-episode television anime in Spring 2014, which was followed by a second season the following Spring. A compilation film of the first season featuring new scenes opened in Japan in March 2015. Netflix streamed the anime seasons after they finished airing in Japan.

The sci-fi space action manga ran in Afternoon magazine from April 2009 to September 2015. Kodansha compiled the manga in 15 volumes. Vertical published all 15 volumes in English between February 2013 and April 2016.

Sentai Filmworks licensed the anime series in North America and released the first season in June 2015 and the second season including the film in November 2016.

Shunsui Kyōraku

Shunsui Sōzōsuke Jirō Kyōraku is the captain of the 1st Division and Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13. His lieutenants are Nanao Ise and Genshirō Okikiba. He is the former captain of the 8th Division. Shunsui Kyōraku is a tall, light-skinned Shinigami with high cheekbones, grey eyes and long wavy brown hair. His hair is tied in a long ponytail and has long bangs that frame the left side of his face. He also has a noticeable amount of body hair on his chest, feet, and arms. He wears a straw hat (called a sakkat) and a pink, flowered lady's kimono, which he drapes across his shoulders and over his captain's uniform.

Although his haori and obi sash are cheap, his pin-wheel hairpins are very expensive. He does not wear tabi with his sandals. He has thin facial hair around his mouth and on his cheeks. Over a hundred years before Sōsuke Aizen's defection, Shunsui only had facial hair on his upper mouth. After the battle with the Wandenreich, Shunsui is shown to wear an eyepatch over his right eye that was damaged during the conflict. The top half of his right ear is sliced off at a slight tilt with a scar along his right temple. As a child, Shunsui is shown to have shorter and messier hair. He wore a flower patterned kimono. Shunsui is a laid-back and flamboyant man, evident in his style of dress and general attitude, and is rarely seen without a smile. In his off time, he often drinks sake in bars and naps. He likes steamed buns that go with sake, but dislikes powdered green tea. Other times, he likes to chase after women; particularly his lieutenant, Nanao Ise, whom he calls "my Nanao-chan" (Lil' Nanao in the English Dub) and his former lieutenant, Lisa Yadōmaru. Shunsui tends to use a more casual speech style than many other captains. He generally refers to his fellow captains and Shinigami by their first name followed by an honorific. He wrote a romance novel titled "Rose-colored Path", which runs in Seireitei Communication, but is very unpopular. Shunsui does not receive a single fan letter or gift for his birthday from his readers, but he is not bothered by this at all. Shunsui is a peace-loving man who will always try to talk his way out of battles, though he does not wish to insult opponents by refusing to fight. He has shown a great distaste for fighting, telling Love Aikawa that "it doesn't matter whether you owe someone or they owe you; as soon as you start fighting, you are in the wrong either way."

The slightly eccentric Shunsui also seems to like making an impression on opponents. Though Shunsui tries to talk his way out of a fight, he will fight when the situation demands it; as seen in his battle with Coyote Starrk. When Starrk asked that they only pretend to fight, he declined the offer, though noted that he prefers to do the same. Shunsui maintains a level of honor and integrity when engaging in battle. He refuses to fight with children or even in the presence of a child. He also dislikes taking the life of innocent people, as he left Chad alive when Nanao offered to kill him. He always maintains a veil of respect for his opponent, is polite in combat situations and prefers to fight one on one. When fighting powerful opponents, like Starrk or Aizen, Shunsui rarely loses his cool, going as far as to make small talk and joke around with his opponents. Despite being one of the strongest and oldest captains, Shunsui retains a level of humility and is not overly arrogant about his strength, acknowledging that Tōshirō Hitsugaya has the potential to become stronger than himself given enough time. However, Shunsui also harbors a deep sense of guilt over the misfortune that has afflicted those close to him, such as the death of his brother and the execution of Nanao's mother, and considers it a burden too heavy for him to carry alone. Master Swordsman: While hating the concept of having to engage in a fight, Shunsui is one of the most proficient swordsmen in all of Soul Society. He is a highly adaptable combatant, as his two swords have allowed him to become ambidextrous, letting him switch them between his hands. Kyōraku usually swings with more strength in his left hand than his right, however, he can easily switch or balance the strength between his two hands, allowing him to surprise his opponent. Kyōraku states that he only uses his wakizashi in situations where his katana is too difficult to use. He claims that he does not use them together on a regular basis. The best example of Shunsui's prowess is his ability to fight on even grounds with an unreleased Starrk, the 1st Espada, with only his sealed Zanpakutō, while other captain-level Shinigami have been seen requiring at least their Shikai to fight against an Espada. Shunsui's fighting style involves evasion and attacking an opponent either in the front or back, using the element of surprise to overwhelm them.His two swords move at a different pace, something he takes advantage of while fighting. While the enemy is at the mercy of his wakizashi's speed, his tachi swoops in for the final blow, which is the most common use of swords like his.

Byakuya Kuchiki

Byakuya Kuchiki is the 28th head of the Kuchiki Clan, one of the four great noble clans in Soul Society. He is also the captain of the 6th Division in the Gotei 13, and his lieutenant is Renji Abarai. Byakuya has slate gray eyes and long black hair, which he keeps up in intricate white headpieces called kenseikan, which symbolize his nobility as the head of the Kuchiki Clan, wearing one on top of his head and another two on the right side. In addition to the standard captain uniform, he wears a white scarf, which is woven by the master weaver Tsujishirō Kuroemon III. The scarf is made from silver-white, windflower light silk (ginpaku kazahana no uzuginu) and is a family heirloom, having been handed down from generation to generation and given to each head of the Kuchiki Clan. The scarf alone is worth ten mansions in the Seireitei.

He wears fingerless white tekkō which only cover the back of his hands. 17 months after Aizen's defeat, Byakuya wears hairpieces at the back of his head, but it is noted that these hairpieces are not kenseikan. He wears a variation of the captain haori, featuring a high collar with light gold edges and small, light gold tassels attached to the corners. The white scarf is no longer part of his attire. As the 28th Head of the Kuchiki Clan, Byakuya acts in an aristocratic manner. He always seems serene and apathetic towards other people, even while actually deeply conflicted. He is notably calm, even in battle. He generally acts indifferent, bordering on arrogance, to most situations he is faced with, and rarely views his opponent as being worth his time. Byakuya is easily offended if his name is not used properly. As such, he views Ichigo Kurosaki with disdain for always referring to him improperly. When Byakuya talks with Ichigo, he calls him by his full name. Byakuya is very perceptive, fully aware of the limits of his abilities, and anything he states in comparison to an opponent is usually justified. Despite consistently stating himself to be far stronger than opponents like Zommari, Byakuya retains a formal tone, always using "watashi" which is a formal way of referring to oneself. When he was younger, he was quick to anger and very hot-headed, as noted by his grandfather.

Byakuya strongly believes in law and order. As a captain of the Gotei 13 and head of one of the great noble families, he works hard for a peaceful society. He feels that if someone in his position does not follow the rules as a good example, no one else will. He believes that to maintain the order, all law-breakers must be punished, even if it goes against his own wishes. Byakuya feels that "part of a captain's responsibilities is to make sure that the lieutenant's responsibilities are taken care of". In spite of his icy and regal manner, Byakuya cares for and protects those important to him. After the events of the Aizen incident, he admits law isn't perfect, and becomes more lenient towards his adoptive sister, Rukia. Because of his promise to Hisana, Byakuya smothered Rukia despite his pride by making sure she would never become a seated officer because of the risks that involve missions for such positions. Byakuya is popular among the female Shinigami of Soul Society, and was voted number one in the "captain we desire to release a photo book for" poll taken by the Shinigami Women's Association. He likes Japanese cherry blossoms, night-time walks, spicy food, and bananas, but does not like sweets. Byakuya excels in calligraphy. Ōken Clothing: After training with the Royal Guard, Byakuya dons special clothing in order to safely return to the Seireitei. These clothes are made from the bones and hair of the members of the Royal Guard, and they possess incredible defensive power, allowing Byakuya to withstand the friction that results from breaking through the 72 barriers between Soul Society and the Soul King Palace without suffering any damage; Yhwach notes that no Shinigami could hope to wear greater garb. These clothes take the form of a white, turban-like headpiece covering the upper half of his head and trailing off to his shoulders; a tasseled muffler covering his mouth; and a white cape with a thick, light-colored hem worn over his shihakushō. Master Swordsman: Byakuya is a master of swordsmanship, possessing flawless precision and performing lethal attacks with little effort. Shunpo Master: Byakuya is arguably best known for his skill in Shunpo. Having been taught by, but never beating "Goddess of Flash" Yoruichi Shihōin, he is easily one of the most proficient users of this skill in all of Soul Society. He remained able to use Shunpo after severing the muscles and tendons in his left leg. Senka,: A Shunpo technique where one, moving to their opponent's back, directly attacks and seals one's "Saketsu" and "Hakusui" in two rapid strikes, effectively cutting them off from their spiritual energy flow. This attack is his favorite to use. The technique is so fast, an opponent may not be able to tell whether they were attacked from the front or the back, and even an outside observer may find it impossible see the movements.

Shinji Hirako

Shinji Hirako is the captain of the 5th Division in the Gotei 13. His lieutenant is Momo Hinamori. He also served as a recruiter and the de facto leader of the Visored. Shinji has brown eyes and jaw-length blonde hair with a straight cut and many of his facial expressions reveal his upper teeth. While attempting to recruit Ichigo, he wears a standard Karakura school uniform, though he usually wears trousers, shirt and tie, often supplemented by a newsboy cap and long-coat. Shinji appears to have a round ring pierced in the middle of his tongue. During his first stint as a captain, before he left the Soul Society, his hair was very long, reaching down to the lower part of his back. He wore the standard Shinigami robes with a standard, long-sleeved, captain's haori. Seventeen months after Aizen's defeat, Shinji returns to this attire with the addition of wearing his tie tucked under his robes. His hair which he kept in a short, straight-line cut after becoming a Visored has remained basically the same as well, with the exception of the bang now having a more asymmetrical cut with the left side being longer than the right.

Sometime before the Wandenreich's invasion of Soul Society, Shinji adds a further white robe between his haori and uniform, which is fastened at the front. His tie is also replaced by a broader cravat that is tucked under his new robe and is clasped using a small, silver slide. Shinji is somewhat comical, adding a bit of levity to situations that are otherwise serious. He has a flippant attitude under normal circumstances and seems to like annoying his associate, Hiyori Sarugaki, which usually earns him a slap from one of her sandals. She, in turn, shows him absolutely no respect and frequently insults and attacks him; his behavior towards her is no better, frequently making faces or quick insults at her expense. He also has a history of referring to cute girls he meets as his 'first love', complete with a deadpan look on his face, despite the obvious lie (though he never did this with Hiyori, further annoying her). He also enjoys listening to jazz music, as he had a phonograph that played his vinyl records in his days as a captain. Underneath this, though, he is quite perceptive in terms of regarding other people, and during his time as a captain, was one of the few people who appeared suspicious of his then-lieutenant Sōsuke Aizen, and could apparently sense or see through some of his illusions. He also quickly notes parts of Urahara's personality. Aizen even admitted to being somewhat intimidated by him. Whenever angered or in combat, Shinji is fairly calm, serious, and level-headed. Shinji attends a captain meeting where he is informed about Wandenreich's infiltration, and is ordered to prepare for war alongside other captains. After the invasion of Soul Society begins, whilst relocating, he receives information from the 10th Division on the Sternritter's ability to steal Bankai, causing Shinji to wonder what exactly that idiot was doing. En route to the battlefield, he and Momo sense Yamamoto's Reiatsu moving onto the battlefield. When Momo remarks that she had never seen the Captain-Commander so angry, Shinji calls her an idiot. He says that while even he has never seen him like that either, they need to hurry, otherwise Yamamoto will take all the fun for himself. Shinji and the other captains are then later shocked to sense that Yamamoto had actually died at the hands of Yhwach. Shinji and the other members of the Gotei 13 are then further surprised to sense Ichigo Kurosaki finally enter Soul Society.

Once the Wandenreich retreat, Shinji is seen relatively uninjured as the Shinigami have their wounds treated by the 4th Division. There, he informs Ichigo that Rukia and Renji are out of surgery and brings him to the intensive care ward of the 4th Division barracks. He encourages Ichigo by reminding him that Yhwach had been forced to leave thanks to his intervention. Once Ichigo leaves, Rukia asks Shinji as to why he had such a sorrowful expression, to which he thinks Ichigo's putting it down to not being able to save anyone and doing so poorly in his fight. Rukia then tells him that there must be more to it. He then attends a gathering of the Gotei 13 as they mourn the loss of the Captain-Commander. He remains silent when some of the other captains break down and squabble among each other until Captain Kyōraku comes in to calm everyone down and remind them that the Gotei 13's purpose is to protect Soul Society. As the captains await the arrival of the Royal Guard, Ichigo arrives. Shinji asks if Ichigo is there to watch the Royal Guard arrive, which he states he does not really recommend As soon as the Royal Guards make their entrance, Shinji becomes disappointed as they were not what he had expected, but is then smacked on the head by a plump woman, who then asks if he and Hiyori are doing well. Not recognizing her, Shinji asks for her name and is shocked to learn that it is Kirio Hikifune, noting that she looks nothing like what she resembled before. Soon after, he watches as Suì-Fēng argues with the Royal Guards, as well as when Senjumaru Shutara reveals Byakuya, Rukia, Renji, and Ichigo's Tensa Zangetsu inside large orbs to take back to the Royal Palace along with Ichigo. He gets into an argument with Hiyori on the phone over ordering some package before hanging up. Later, Shinji bears witness to the swift and complete invasion of Soul Society by the Wandenreich. When Urahara begins communication with all the captains, he states that he will introduce himself at a later point. Shinji says to himself that everyone already knows who he is. When Captain Sajin Komamura confronts the Sternritter "E" Bambietta Basterbine, Shinji also arrives to engage her and attempts to provoke her by using Sakanade to confuse and disorient her. He is surprised when she and the rest of the Sternritter all activate their Quincy: Vollständig. As Shinji wonders what the Vollständig is, Bambietta attacks him with an explosion. A badly injured Shinji is knocked to the ground as Bambietta unleashes even more explosions, however he is protected from them by Komamura. Later, Shinji, having been healed by Hinamori, goes with her to the location of Marechiyo Ōmaeda and saves him from the advancing Soldat. Commending Ōmaeda for carrying both his unconscious sister and captain on his shoulder, he orders his lieutenant to heal the wounded. He talks to Ōmaeda regarding Kenpachi Zaraki's apparently imminent death and how he is their last hope. Saying they need to do everything to save Kenpachi, he is interrupted by Bazz-B who says he is going to stop them and then envelops the Shinigami in lava.

Yoruichi Shihōin

Yoruichi Shihōin is the former captain of the 2nd Division of the Gotei 13, as well as the former commander of the Onmitsukidō. Having abandoned her command of both positions, she works with Kisuke Urahara and Tessai Tsukabishi, based in the Urahara Shop out in the Human World. Yoruichi Shihōin is a slender, dark-skinned woman of average height, with golden-colored eyes and long black hair, which she keeps up in a ponytail. Her standard attire consists of a black, backless, sleeveless undershirt, an orange over-shirt with two white straps on each shoulder, a large beige sash around her waist, and black stretch pants with a pair of lightweight brown shoes, which allow for stealth and easy use of Shunpo. She previously wore a beige neck warmer, which she pulled up to cover her face in order to hide her identity, but seems to have forgone its use. She occasionally wears long beige wrist and leg warmers, each secured by bands. Seventeen months after Aizen's defeat, Yoruichi wears a short dress, arm warmers and thigh length boots. Unlike any other known Shinigami, she can transform into a small black cat for long periods of time.

In this form, she has a distinctive male voice and golden eyes. 110 years ago, during her time as a captain, she wore the same sleeveless and backless Onmitsukidō uniform, with long black wrist guards which Suì-Fēng wears now, but had a black ribbon tied around her neck. She wore a long-sleeved captain's haori. Her hair was much shorter, cut in a style similar to Suì-Fēng's current hairstyle, but without the braids. At some point prior to this, she wore the white Onmitsukidō uniform of the correction corps. Yoruichi is intelligent and witty, holding an intimate knowledge of Soul Society and its workings, as she was the former leader of the Onmitsukidō and the Second Division's captain. Although of noble birth, she acts differently from most other nobles, very much like Kaien Shiba. For instance, she instructed Suì-Fēng to refer to her without using honorific suffixes, but reluctantly settled for being called "Yoruichi-sama" ("Lady Yoruichi" in the dub). On several occasions, she transforms into her Human form directly in front of Ichigo just to see his reaction to seeing her naked, which she teases him about. In addition, she speaks in a dialect used by elders, such as identifying herself as "washi" (a term usually used by old men to define themselves with), instead of more feminine terms like "watashi", in both her Human and animal forms. While it is unknown how she obtained her cat transformation, she appears to prefer spending most of her time in it. Upon showing her Shinigami form to Ichigo, she forgot to put on clothes, as she had grown used to not needing them; due to being in cat form for so long. She especially takes delight in transforming in front of people to see their shocked reaction, due to her cat form making her sound male. Her love for her cat form extends to great anger should someone harm it or insult its appearance, as seen from how upset she got after her tail was damaged. Although relatively calm and mature when a situation calls for it, Yoruichi is quite laid-back and playful, often teasing or flirting with those younger than her, such as Ichigo Kurosaki at the underground hot spring, a younger and hot-headed Byakuya Kuchiki, Suì-Fēng before her time as a captain, and Kisuke Urahara, childhood friend, former underling, and fellow ex-captain. Yoruichi prefers to drink milk, which fits with her practice of transforming into a cat.

Two of Yoruichi's unique items are accessories which grant the user the power of flight. A long, beige, bone wand-like artifact, with a small, white, bird-shaped skull, and four protrusions, similar to finger bones, extending from the back of the skull. By channeling Reiryoku into the wand, it produces a tentacle, which acts a harness, and a single bat-like wing manifests from the four bone protrusions, which acts as a one-handed hang-glider. No skill or previous experience is required to use it. Tentōken: It is a brown mantle, with a large drawstring closure at the collar and a large brooch displaying the Shihōin Clan crest. Like the wand, the Tentōken requires no skill or previous experience to use. It appears to be superior to the wand, since it allows one to hover in mid-air, and does not immobilize one of the user's hands. Anken: Small knives which Yoruichi hides in her boots. She can launch them at a target with a swing of her leg. Anti-Hierro Armor: A set of metal gloves and boots, invented by Kisuke Urahara, designed specifically to counter an Arrancar's Hierro during hand-to-hand combat. They are exceptionally durable, protecting the wearer's limbs even during the moment of their destruction. Razor Wire: Razor-sharp wire which Yoruichi carries on her person. She can trap an opponent in a field of it almost instantaneously, and according to her, it can harm someone as powerful as Yhwach should he try to move through it. Destructive Spheres: Somewhat small, light-colored spheres attached to each other by a string that Yoruichi throws at her opponent. According to her, once a sphere hits her opponent's body, a second sphere hitting that same area will destroy it. Feline Transformation: Yoruichi possesses the unique ability to shape-shift into a black cat at will. How she alone, out of all Shinigami, is capable of this is currently unknown. She has possessed the ability for well over 100 years, and it is known to others she knew from that time. She apparently has no set time limit on the transformation, as she had been in this form for over 100 years. In cat form, Yoruichi can still channel her spiritual energy and move at incredible speeds, though she is physically limited. Her transformation grants her a complete disguise, as her voice in this form is deep enough to lead most to assume she is a male. Shunpo Master: Considered to be the most proficient Hohō master ever in all of Soul Society, Yoruichi is highly skilled in the use of Shunpo. Though this is by no means a unique skill, as most seated officers are capable of performing it to various degrees, Yoruichi holds the title "Flash Goddess", shunshin; "Flash Master" in the English version), because she has mastered this ability to the point where she can appear to be in several places at once and wipe out an entire Onmitsukidō squadron in seconds. She can easily close tremendous gaps of distance in the blink of an eye while remaining undetected, and can surprise Byakuya, who is one of the most proficient masters in the art as well. She has mastered all of the Onmitsukidō's speed-oriented techniques, and has even created some of her own, such as Utsusemi , Cicada, referencing their molting). The full extent of her abilities remain unclear, but she was able to outrun Byakuya while carrying an unconscious Ichigo over her shoulder, performing around 300 steps before feeling tired from being 100 years out of practice. Suì-Fēng could barely keep up with her while Yoruichi was still holding back. She can still perform Shunpo while in her cat form, however, she is not as fast as she is in her true form.

Momo Hinamori

Momo Hinamori  is the lieutenant of the 5th Division, formerly under Captain Sōsuke Aizen and currently under Captain Shinji Hirako. Momo has brown eyes, and wears standard Shinigami robes, with her black hair pulled into a bun held in a tied cloth. When in her Shinigami robes, she wears the 5th Division's lieutenant armband. While in her pajamas, a plain kimono, her hair is tied in a loose ponytail. When she attended the Shinigami Academy, she wore the red student's robes assigned to the girls, and her hair was in pigtails tied at the base of her neck. 17 months after Aizen's defeat, Momo wears a new hairstyle; no longer tied up in the back, it hangs down in a bob, with a clip on the left side. Momo's main pastimes are reading and drawing. Due to her talent in drawing, she has overseen work for book illustration in the Shin'ō Academy.

Her love for books has developed since Aizen regularly gave her the books he had read. In his absence, she frequently visits the library. She attends the ikebana lessons held by Captain Retsu Unohana. She frequently visits Tōshirō's grandmother in Rukongai. Her favorite food is peach, and she does not like plums. She sometimes bakes cookies, and once made a batch in the shape of Aizen's glasses. Momo is generally an upbeat, easy-going, and friendly girl. She has a strong friendship with Tōshirō Hitsugaya, whom she grew up with, repeatedly calling him "Shirō-chan", despite his higher rank and complaints about this. Though normally kind, her rare bouts of anger can appear rather menacing, such as her outrage at Captain Gin Ichimaru when she blamed him for killing Aizen. While serving as his lieutenant, Momo greatly respects and admires Aizen. She idolizes him to the point where a letter from Aizen leads her to attack Hitsugaya, her childhood friend, and even after being stabbed by Aizen, she, proclaiming Aizen was being manipulated, asks Hitsugaya to save him. When Aizen leads an attack on the Fake Karakura Town, Momo helps to defend the town from Aizen and his forces, but she still notably refers to him as "Captain Aizen". While the captains are in a meeting, the lieutenants, gathering, discuss the situation with the Wandenreich and recent disappearances of Hollows and Rukongai residents. Momo listens as Izuru deduces Shinigami were likely involved in the disappearance of the Rukongai denizens. When the Wandenreich make their attack on Soul Society, Momo and her captain quickly make their way to the battlefield. En route to the battlefield, the two sense Yamamoto's Reiatsu moving onto the battlefield. When Momo states she has never seen the Captain-Commander so angry, Shinji, scolding her, calls her an idiot. He states he has not ever seen the Captain-Commander in such a rage either. Momo is surprised to hear from her captain this will be the first time they will see Yamamoto fight at the front lines. She is told they need to hurry, or else Yamamoto will take all the fun for himself.

A few days after the Wandenreich retreat, Momo nervously listens to Shinji arguing with Hiyori Sarugaki over a phone. Later Momo bears witness to the swift and complete invasion of Soul Society by the Wandenreich. When her captain is wounded by Bambietta Basterbine, an enraged Momo tries to attack the Sternritter. She is however stopped by Sajin Komamura, who states that the explosions created by the Quincy are not something that Momo can counter with Tobiume. Komamura then protects her from the explosions. After Bambietta is defeated, Momo heals Shinji and the two go to the location of Marechiyo Ōmaeda and saves him from the advancing Soldat using Tobiume. She then proceeds to heal the wounded at her captain's order. Later, Momo arrives at the building that the captains and lieutenants are being summoned to alongside Suì-Fēng, where she greets Renji and Rukia. Inside the building, she is shocked by Urahara's intention to break into the Soul King Palace. Later, when the remaining Visored enter the building, Momo stands next to her captain and nervously watches him and Hiyori quarrel. As the Shinigami enter the Royal Realm, Momo accompanies them as they run through the city, but Lille Barro begins picking them off. When Shunsui confronts Lille, Momo gets ready to help him, but to her shock Shinji runs away instead. However, Shinji reminds her that they are in a race against time and says that both Ukitake and Yamamoto would have told them to let the Captain-Commander be. The Shinigami then reach the upper levels of the city, but are confronted by Gerard Valkyrie, who says they will have to take him on all at once to defeat him.  Renji and Byakuya easily defeat Gerard, and after Byakuya finishes the Quincy off, Momo asks if he really needed to use excessive force, as Gerard looked as though he was about to die on his own. Shinji tells her that Gerard looked like he had a trump card up his sleeve, and Byakuya slams Gerard into the ground with Senbonzakura for good measure, causing Momo to wince. However, a giant foot rises and slams onto the ground and a giant Gerard then rises up. Gerard shouts at the Shinigami, pushing them back with the force of his voice, and explains how his Schrift The Miracle works as he throws an obelisk at the Shinigami. The force of the obelisk blows Momo back, but she is grabbed by Shinji. However, Gerard follows up by slamming Momo and Shinji into the ground. Kidō Expert: Momo excels at Kidō. Captain Hitsugaya and Izuru have stated Momo is a Kidō master. She can use multiple spells in conjunction with each other and her Zanpakutō, creating a unique way in which to attack and incapacitate her opponents. In this way, she can make common spells all her own. She can use a single Kidō technique on two separate targets at once. Momo has some skill with healing Kidō. Expert Swordsman: Momo is proficient enough to cross swords with other lieutenant-level Shinigami. While she is capable enough in swordsmanship to attain her high-level seated position, when facing Harribel's Fracción, she states she knows she is not strong enough to combat them using her swordsmanship skills, instead sneaking up on them and using Kidō. Shunpo Practitioner: Momo is skilled enough in the use of Shunpo to keep up with lieutenant-level Shinigami. High Spiritual Power: Being a lieutenant of the Gotei 13, Momo boasts a high level of spiritual energy. Her Reiatsu is red. Skilled Tactician: Knowing her own limitations in direct battle, Momo has shown herself able to compensate for it through crafty combination attacks (such as when she caught Sung-Sun, Mila Rose, and Apacci in a Kidō net). Because of her expertise in Kidō, Momo is able to attack in a number of versatile ways.

Renji Abarai

Renji Abarai is the lieutenant of the 6th Division under Captain Byakuya Kuchiki. Renji has brown eyes and long crimson hair, which is usually kept in a high ponytail. As a child, Renji's hairline was leveled. Later, he styled it in a large widow's-peak. His upper body is covered in tribal tattoos, which have increased over time, starting from his early days as an academy student to covering his entire back, much of his chest, his extremities, and even much of his forehead. He wears a standard Shinigami outfit, though he usually includes some sort of headgear, usually expensive glasses, or a white headband when he is saving up to purchase some new glasses. Despite being of appropriate rank, Renji does not wear his Division's lieutenant badge. While out of uniform, Renji often wears a white kimono-like type of night clothing, with pink floral patterns on it, and a dark grey sash tied around his waist. It has also been said "that the women within his Division do not mind that he usually walks around in his night clothing." Seventeen months after Aizen's defeat, Renji's hair has grown longer and he wears a maroon colored bandanna covering all of the tattoos on his forehead. He also wears long dark straps on each wrist with bandages over his arms.

Ōken Clothing: After training with the Royal Guard, Renji dons special clothing in order to safely return to the Seireitei. These clothes are made from the bones and hair of the members of the Royal Guard, and they possess incredible defensive power, allowing Renji to withstand the friction that results from breaking through the 72 barriers between Soul Society and the Soul King Palace without suffering any damage; Yhwach notes that no Shinigami could hope to wear greater garb. These clothes take the form of a striped bandanna covering his forehead, a black visor covering his eyes, and a striped, fur-hemmed jacket and white double-breasted white cape worn over his standard Shinigami attire. They are destroyed when Mask De Masculine blasts Renji with his Star Flash: Super Nova. Master Swordsman: Renji is highly skilled in various swordsmanship techniques. He was trained by the 3rd Seat of the 11th Division Ikkaku Madarame when he was relocated to his division. Before becoming a lieutenant, his skills were great enough to fight on par with Ikkaku's Shikai and earn the rank of 6th Seat Officer in the 11th Division. Renji is able to hold his own against captain-level fighters, and is one of three lieutenants to have attained Bankai (alongside Chōjirō Sasakibe and Rukia Kuchiki). Whip Mastery: What makes Renji so effective in battle is the unique method in which his Zanpakutō operates; Zabimaru is an amalgamation of a whip and a sword. Renji is a versatile fighter because of this, and to effectively wield it is a testament to his skill. Renji has stated that Zabimaru is an extension of his body, like his arms and legs, and he has used it in a variety of ways. He can use its extension ability to attack an opponent from behind, or either the left or right, without giving away the variation of his attack until it is too late. He has shown considerable skill in using his extension capabilities to constrict opponents, surrounding them from various angles and then retracting Zabimaru in order to crush his adversaries. Shunpo Expert: Knowing that Zabimaru's Shikai attacks leave him open to counter-attacks, Renji has become very proficient in Shunpo to compensate for this weak point. Renji can even keep up with captain-level Shinigami for an indeterminate amount of time. He knows enough to be informed on their higher level techniques. Kidō Practitioner: As a student at the Shin'ō Academy, Renji showed poor skill in Kidō Later, he is skilled enough in the use of the level 31 Shakkahō spell without incantation, but has difficulty using it in rapid succession, as some will explode on him indiscriminately. He also uses a low-level Bakudō spell to restrain multiple targets (albeit they were all unseated officers). Renji also has enough knowledge of Kidō to manipulate it for purposes other than fighting, such as using his Shakkahō spell to illuminate the dark corridors of Las Noches. However, he is only able to create a small light without reciting the full chant Great Spiritual Power: Being a lieutenant of the Gotei 13, Renji originally possessed high spiritual energy. Upon learning Bankai, this power increased on a scale from 5-10, with Rukia commenting that it was so high, she could not recognize it until it decreased by the end of Renji's fight against Byakuya, which caused it to become more familiar to her. This spiritual power significantly increased again when Kirio Hikifune provides him with her Reiatsu-induced food, with her noting that his power is completely different from what it was before. This is proven when Renji overpowers Mask, a captain-level combatant who previously defeated Renji soundly, with his Shikai alone during their second encounter. His Reiatsu is light red in color.

Enhanced Strength: Renji possesses great physical strength. When he swings Zabimaru toward Ichigo in their second fight, he easily tosses him into the air, and subsequently pushes him through an entire building about a dozen meters away with relative ease. During the fight with Szayelaporro's unique Fracción, Renji protects Uryū from a direct punch from one of the stronger Arrancar, using both hands, before throwing him aside. Later, by spinning Zabimaru above his head, Renji creates enough force to generate a whirlwind, blowing all of Szayelaporro's Fracción several yards away, despite their massive size. Szayelaporro stated this was a result of Renji's "brute force." Later, after seventeen months of training following Aizen's defeat, Renji's raw strength allows him to nonchalantly block Jackie's strongest Fullbring-enhanced strike, which had enough force to unearth a large portion of the ground with the shockwave, with just the back of his wrist, and effortlessly knock her out with a simple blow to her stomach using the hilt of his sword. After training with the Royal Guard, Renji's strength increased to the point where he created a large crater by elbowing Mask De Masculine in the back of the head after the latter attempted to use his Star Rocket Headbutt and stopped Mask's Star Satsujin Punch with just his bare hand. Enhanced Endurance: During his fight with Byakuya, Renji is hit directly by every blade from Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, and when he continues to fight he is pierced by five more blades. Even after such terrible damage, he makes a last ditch effort attack, almost piercing Byakuya with Zabimaru, and finally falls defeated. He had enough confidence in his resiliency to use a full-power Hadō #31 on Szayelaporro at point-blank range, willingly taking damage as well. Enhanced Durability: Renji is a very durable fighter. Seventeen months after Aizen's defeat, Renji takes a direct, ground-shattering strike from Jackie's enhanced "Dirty-Boots" Fullbring unfazed. Likewise, he was able to resist the unique healing properties of Tenjirō Kirinji's hot springs without rotting away after being fully healed for a noticeable period, as well as enduring one of the Royal Guard member's punches while remaining mostly unfazed, a feat that greatly impressed the man. Later, after his training with the Royal Guard and during his fight with Mask, Renji emerged unharmed after withstanding the onslaught of Mask's Star Lariat and being hit by his Star Flash Super Nova. Zabimaru redirects here. For the female and male manifested spirit that appears in the Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc and the Beast Swords arc see Zabimaru (Zanpakutō spirit). Zabimaru: Zabimaru's sealed form resembles a typical katana. It has a rectangular bronze tsuba with a jagged design, and a red handle and sheath. Shikai: Zabimaru's Shikai command is "Howl". In its Shikai, Zabimaru transforms into an even longer 6-part segmented blade; each segment is wider than the one preceding it from the hilt, with 2 pick-like protrusions on the front and back of each segment, with the ones on the front much longer than the ones on the back. Zabimaru's segments can grow in number almost without limit. The segments are connected by a stretchable thread, making Zabimaru more useful as a whip than an actual sword, however, it can serve as a regular sword just as easily, thanks to Renji's swordsmanship. Zabimaru's guard and handle remain the same in its Shikai release. While Zabimaru can be stretched to incredible lengths in its whip form, Renji has a limit of three consecutive attacks before having to bring the segments of Zabimaru back together for recovery—leaving him fairly vulnerable. To make up for this, Renji usually relies on Shunpo to evade attacks as he retrieves Zabimaru's segments. Higa Zekkō Renji can use his spiritual power to levitate the disconnected or broken segments of Zabimaru into the air, allowing him to execute a one-shot omni-directional attack, however, Renji states that this is damaging to Zabimaru and leaves him defenseless. Byakuya later comments that using this technique will prevent Renji from reactivating his Shikai for an unspecified duration. Bankai: Sōō Zabimaru, Twin Kings Snake Tail; Viz "Two Kings"): The true form of Renji's Bankai takes on a more compact form that is predominately worn. On his right wrist, Renji gains a gauntlet resembling the top portion of a snake’s skull, with a cowl of red fur surrounding its base. A long, bony tail composed of vertebra-like structures protrudes from the back of the skull, trails behind him and hangs around his waist like a loose sash. At will, Renji can extend a large blade from the snake’s mouth. Renji also gains a large cowl of light fur that hangs down from his left shoulder. Additionally, he gains a pair of pauldrons that form an armored collar, as well as additional vertebral cords that hang down from his waist.

Gerard Valkyrie

Gerard Valkyrie is a Quincy and a member of the Wandenreich's Sternritter with the designation "M" - The Miracle, as well as one of Yhwach's Schutzstaffel, Shuttsushutafferu; German for "Protective Echelon", Japanese for "Elite/Imperial Guards"). He is also the heart of the Soul King. Gerard is a tall and broad muscular man with light, shoulder-length hair. He wears a winged helmet and a white cloak fastened at the front with three buttons and a black Hagal rune on the left-hand side. Underneath this cloak, he wears a red cape held by a pin on both shoulders, gauntlets on either arm, black pants with a white X-shaped belt and disc-shaped buckle, and white shinguards with discs on his kneecaps. Underneath his mask, Gerard has black 3-shaped marks covering the sides of his face, and wears a thin black braid around his scalp.

Gerard is a very aggressive man, having promised to kill Askin Nakk Le Vaar if he falls behind in battle, and rushing forward to attack Senjumaru Shutara almost immediately after being summoned to the Soul King Palace. He is also very confident in his power, proclaiming that Senjumaru could not hope to stop his blade with her delicate arms, and reacting with interest and amusement rather than apprehension when she summons a massive guard to fight him; even when confronted by several lieutenant- and captain-level Shinigami, Gerard demanded that they all attack him at once because none of them would stand a chance in a one-on-one fight with him. However, he is unnerved by Kirio Hikifune's cage of trees, referring to it as an "eerie trick". He boisterously commends his opponents if they impress him in battle. He holds Yhwach in very high regard, as he loudly berated Lille Barro for killing and leaving Senjumaru's "corpse" in Yhwach's path and even ordered him to clear it up immediately. In contrast to most Sternritter, he is benevolent toward his teammates, having caught and carried Pernida Parnkgjas after it fell off the Soul King Palace, and openly expressed his approval for Uryū Ishida after the latter explained his method of protecting Yhwach. Gerard and Pernida Parnkgjas did not have any special powers bestowed upon them by Yhwach, as they were the only Sternritter who possessed their special abilities from the beginning. Eventually, Yhwach bestowed a Schrift upon each of them in recognition of their status. When Yhwach summons his elite force, the Schutzstaffel, Gerard is among those who emerge from his shadow. Taking off his white cloak, Gerard promises to cut down Askin Nakk Le Vaar if the latter gets in his way before attacking Senjumaru Shutara, who blocks with her needle. However, Gerard easily destroys her needle with a single slash of his sword, and demands to know if Senjumaru thinks she can block his sword with her thin arm before attacking once more. When Senjumaru summons a much larger version of her guard, a grinning Gerard notes how big it is. After Lille Barro seemingly kills Senjumaru, Gerard berates him for leaving the body in Yhwach's path before expressing disbelief at someone so weak being in the Royal Guard. When Kirio Hikifune surrounds the group with a cage of trees, an unnerved Gerard comments on how eerie it is before taunting Lille for being seemingly unable to pierce it with his Heilig Pfeil. After listening to Hikifune explain the nature of the cage, Gerard and the other Sternritter watch as Ōetsu Nimaiya lands before them and proclaims that the real fight begins here. Gerard immediately attacks Nimaiya, who dodges before cutting him down.

Soon afterward, Gerard is resurrected through the power of Yhwach's Auswählen. After Yhwach kills the Soul King and is confronted by Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends, Gerard and the other Schutztaffel arrive to confront them, with Gerard noting that he expected more of an army to oppose them. When Uryū Ishida manages to accurately predict what Lille is about to tell him about properly protecting Yhwach, a laughing Gerard proclaims that Uryū has their acknowledgment. Later, Gerard and the other Schutzstaffel sit on couches in the palace. Noticing Uryū looks worried, Gerard assures him that Yhwach is going to completely absorb the Soul King without being harmed. After Yhwach completely absorbs the Soul King, Jugram Haschwalth informs Gerard and the others of this, to their surprise, before bringing them to the Soul King's chambers, where they find Yhwach oozing darkness. When Yhwach turns around to reveal that he has gained several more eyes, Gerard and the others are shocked. Due to Yhwach's immense power, the top of the palace shatters, forcing the Sternritter to move to pieces of rubble for safety. Shield: Gerard carries a large, circular bronze shield on his left forearm, which he uses as a sheath for his Spirit Weapon when he is not using it. Cape: Gerard wears a cape that can be stretched to act as a wall to prevent his opponents from passing him.The Miracle Upon having physical damage inflicted on him, Gerard can convert the damage into physical size increases for his body, which he refers to as his "Godly Size",; his strength and durability receive proportional increases as well. If inflicted with grievous injuries, Gerard can become gigantic, towering over nearby buildings and other combatants, and becomes strong and durable enough to smash buildings with a single blow, deflect Senbonzakura with his hand, and blow away his opponents with his breath. Reishi Manipulation: As a Quincy, he primarily absorbs spiritual energy from the atmosphere, and combines it with his own spiritual energy to form weapons. He has an easier time collecting this energy in environments with higher concentrations of Reishi, such as in Soul Society or Hueco Mundo. Immense Strength: With a single swing of his sword, Gerard effortlessly blew a hole through the Vestibule Road in the Soul King Palace with ease, and later damaged part of Kirio Hikifune's Tree of Life with only the force generated by his sword swing. He later leaped from one branch of the reformed Royal Realm to another, covering the tremendous distance in a single bound. Reishi Sword: Gerard's favored weapon manifests in the form of a black, double-edged sword with a black hilt. Its guard is V-shaped and has a star in the center. Gerard commonly stores it in his shield when he is not using it. It is powerful enough to easily shatter Senjumaru Shutara's needle.