Szayelaporro Granz

, sometimes romanized as Szayelaporro Grantz, is an Arrancar in Sōsuke Aizen's army and the octava (8th) Espada. He is the younger brother of Yylfordt Granz.

Appearance
Szayel has shoulder-length pink hair and amber eyes. The remains of his Hollow mask take the form of rectangular-framed glasses, giving him a scholarly appearance. The placement of his Espada number tattoo is unknown. His Hollow hole is located on his glans. Even after having the entire upper half of his body exposed, no number tattoo can be seen.

His clothes differ from the original Arrancar uniform. Instead of a normal jacket, Szayel wears a long shirt that covers his entire torso up to the top of his neck. He has three stripes on his uniform, each starting at his collar with one running to the left side of his chest, one to the right side of his chest, and one down the middle. He wears the regular pants with a slight length taken away. He also wears white gloves. His face is the only part of his body that is exposed in this uniform. After he changes his clothes, he sports a cape-like garment.

When he was demoted from the Espada sometime in the past, his appearance was slightly different. His hair was messier and all three lines on his uniform dropped to his right hip, instead of to the left, right and middle.

Personality
Szayel is a meticulous intellectual and the scientist of the Espada. Unlike all the other Espada, Szayel is highly narcissistic, extremely flamboyant, and tends to make lewd, disturbing comments about his opponents. Szayel is quite sadistic and views others as little more than research material. He thinks poorly of non-Hollows, and hopes that Aizen will someday wipe all non-Hollows out of existence. He also thinks of himself as an actor, treating his battles like theatrical performances, especially when toying with his victims.

He seems to have had a less-than-positive relationship with his older brother, Yylfordt. While he did try to heal him after his battle with Renji, he refers to Yylfordt's death as Renji merely breaking a box of parasites, and says that he wouldn't be so childish as to be upset over that.

He boasts that he is a "perfect being," since he is capable of reproducing himself in another person's body, and thus, views himself as immortal.

History
Sometime in the past, Szayel helped Nnoitra Gilga perform a sneak attack on Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck. In order to help him do this, Szayel used a device that created an illusion of Nnoitra which distracted Nelliel's attention. By exploiting the opportunity, Nnoitra attacked Nelliel and she was hit from behind, causing a wound to her head and her mask to break on the front left side. The attack scarred her forehead and left her unconscious. He took her unconscious body and stated that she would probably call this an act of a beast but it didn't matter any to him. He was approached from behind by Szayel who asked if there was anything else he could help him with, to which Nnoitra responded that his job was already over. Szayel asked him if he needed to be so cold as they worked as partners, for that he should at least be allowed to admire their end. Nnoitra detailed that he doesn't remember being his partner and that they just happened to have the same motives. Nnoitra threw Nelliel off the side of Las Noches so that he could increase his power by the time she returned. Nnoitra told Szayel they were going, but Szayel told him that he would appreciate it if he lost the presumptuous tone. Nnoitra reminded him that he wasn't an Espada anymore. Szayel stated that if not for the equipment that he prepared Nnoitra wouldn't even have had the chance to attack Nelliel, and then asked if he should really be speaking to him that way. Nnoitra looked over the side of Las Noches at Nelliel and her Fracción's prone bodies and was surprised as she reverted into a child. Szayel noted that he had not anticipated this and he had never seen anything like it before. He deduced that her reiatsu was leaking out of the wound on her mask, and her spiritual body shrank as a result.

Hueco Mundo arc
Szayel arrives for Aizen's meeting with the Espada about Ichigo Kurosaki and friends arriving. He sits between Baraggan Louisenbairn and Zommari Rureaux and complains about the intruders along with the other Espada. After Aizen asks who order the Exequias to attack Ichigo, Szayel appears at his door and claims responsibility, falling to his knees to ask for his forgiveness. Aizen forgives him, asking if Dordoni's body was of benefit to his research. Szayel responds that he was, and leaves.

After Renji Abarai and Dondochakka Birstanne fall into his pitfall trap, Szayel says they fell into his simplest trap and introduces himself a the octava Espada. Szayel states that he's the top researcher and spiritual weapons development specialist in Hueco Mundo, to which Renji asks if his explanation is meant to be for him. Szayel then yells at Dondochakka and Renji after the two argue. Renji threateningly looks at him and Szayel tells him to calm down, explaining that he doesn't have high combat abilities despite the fact that he's an Espada. He then goes on to explain exactly who he is until Renji tells him that he doesn't want to hear his life story and that he came here to defeat his enemies.

Renji tries to activate his Bankai but it disappears as Szayel says he know everything about it and is able to nullify it. Renji is confused, not knowing how Szayel could know his Bankai but Szayel explains his brother is Yylfordt Granz, shocking Renji. Szayel thanks him for remembering his brother but then goes on to explain that the reason he targeted him isn't for revenge. He states that he put spirit recording insects on Yylfordt, allowing him to know everything that he knew. He then tells Renji that he has no way to win and he unsheathes his Zanpakutō. He explains that he's excited since this is the first time he has fought a Bankai user and he tells him to keep his body as intact as possible.

After battling a bit, with Renji releasing his Zanpakutō's Shikai, Lumina and Verona enter the room yelling that Aaroniero Arruruerie was killed. Szayel says that he was so preoccupied with his battle that he didn't notice. He then tells Renji the news that an Espada and Rukia both killed each other in battle. This angers Renji, causing him to swing his Zanpakutō at Szayel, but it is easily blocked. Szayel tells him that he can't beat him by only using Shikai, but Renji puts more force behind his attack, lightly injuring him. Renji swings his Zanpakutō again, but as it hits the ground, Szayel steps on it, breaking a small piece off. He throws it for Lumina and Verona to play with and goes up to Renji, telling him that he's lost interest in his abilities. He then sends his Fracción out and explains that he modified them. He then gets bored and decides to have them finish Renji off. Medazeppi decides to attack Renji, and ends up sending him flying across the room. He then grabs Renji and smashes him onto the floor of the room. As this is happening, Lumina and Verona want to join in but Szayel tells them not to interfere and that he wants to see a nice epilogue to this battle. Medazeppi goes to grab Renji again but this time Renji brings his Zanpakutō to his hand and makes a minor cut across it. Medazeppi begins screaming in pain and Szayel commends Renji for lasting this long, but states that now things are going to be problematic as there's no controlling Medazeppi now. Medazeppi begins smashing everything around him and Renji begins to desperately dodge his attacks. As this is happening, Szayel states that it's a shame that by the end of this Renji's body won't be in perfect condition. All of a sudden Medazeppi is attacked and killed by someone. This person states that it's unfortunate that the walls aren't made of Sekkiseki, so he can feel the reiatsu from their fight. As the dust clears, Uryū Ishida is shown and tells Renji that he's looking bad right now.

The Fracción start cursing Uryū for killing Medazeppi and Uryū wonders how powerful they are. Szayel yells at his Fracción to stop talking and states that his new guest would like to say something. Uryū thanks him for his consideration and asks Szayel if he's an Espada. Szayel states his full name and rank to him, but Uryū doesn't believe he's a threat due to his low number. Szayel counters by saying that he's still stronger than him, but then asks Uryū who he is. Uryū states that he's a Quincy, which causes Szayel to laugh madly at how lucky he is to meet both a Bankai user and a Quincy in the same day. He then states that if he were Yammy Llargo he would be shouting "suerte" right now. As this is happening Uryū immediately appears behind Szayel and tells him that he feels like shouting "suerte" as well because he has gotten to fight an opponent who is full of openings. He then shoots a Seele Schneider at Szayel, which ends up piercing his throat and causing Szayel to fall onto his knees. As his Fracción go to his aid, the Seele Schneider piercing Szayel disappears and he begins laughing madly again. Szayel tells him that he's foolish in thinking that his arrow had pierced him and explains that he knew about his fight with Cirucci Sanderwicci, allowing him to analyze all of his abilities. Uryū begins fighting against Szayel's Fracción but his arrows don't do any damage to them. His bow eventually disappears and one of the Fracción takes this opportunity to punch him. However, his blow is blocked by Renji, who asks Uryū if he knows any way of beating this guy. Uryū tells him that he does and the two of them decide to team up.

Uryū asks Renji how long he can hold him but Renji states that it's 20 seconds maximum. Uryū tells him that that's more than enough time and the two of them begin their plan. Szayel tells his Fracción not to get involved as he's curious as to what they can do in their current state.

Renji swings his Zanpakutō around his head and then swings it directly at Szayel. Szayel states that this is nothing more than brute force and easily deflects the Zanpakutō. However, Renji runs up to Szayel and grabs him by the neck while at the same time having his Zanpakutō surround and trap them. Renji admits to him that there's no chance of him winning with his current strength, but despite that fact, if he were to take damage from a Kidō this close, it would hurt even him. Renji then states that he's always been bad at using Kidō as his spells would always end up exploding. He tells Szayel that they're going to have a contest to see who's tougher and uses uses Hadō #31. Shakkahō. The Kidō explodes, damaging both of them. Renji falls to the ground and Szayel falls back, getting mad at the fact that a Shinigami is trying to make a fool out of him.

However, Uryū appears behind him and tells him that he knew he would form a distance between himself and Renji, whether the attack succeeded or not. He tells him that he has a habit of going just far enough from his opponents that he can't be attacked. Szayel counters him, saying that Uryū has a habit of attacking people from behind. Szayel then asks him if he thinks he's won and Uryū tells him he has. Five Seele Schneiders surround Szayel, holding him in place between them. Szayel states that this is impossible as the reiatsu of his weapons should have been sealed and Uryū tells him that it just shows that there are things in this world that he doesn't know about. He then tells Szayel that he'll explain his situation in his language, saying "Hasta aquí" (This is your end). Uryū then pours a drop of spiritual particles from his Gintō, activating Sprenger, which engulfs him in a huge explosion.

As the dust from the explosion clears, Szayel is shown to still be alive, but with major injuries. Uryū tells him that he's shocked that he's still standing, but Szayel explains that because he had analyzed his reiatsu from before, he can minimize the damage. Szayel then picks up Lumina and begins eating him, which heals his injuries. Verona complains about this but Szayel tells him to be quiet as he can always make another one. Szayel then explains that his Fracción are unique, because if he eats any of them his injuries will be healed. Uryū calls him a monster but Szayel tells him that he would prefer to be called a genius and begins walking away. Uryū asks him where he's going and Szayel states that he's going to change his clothes, which angers him. Szayel simply tells them to think of a plan while he's gone, as he's going to be thinking of one as well.

After a failed attempt to run from the fight, Uryū, Renji, Pesche, and Dondochakka end back in the same room they tried to run away from. Szayel asks them if they had a nice walk and states that they will now begin the second act of this battle. Szayel explains to them that they should think of this area as his body since he can control the corridors, which was what led them back to this room. He then notes that their expressions are as if this is all a bad joke but he explains that a bad joke is inferior beings such as themselves forcing him to use his full power. Szayel unsheathes his Zanpakutō and swallows the blade, causing his body to expand. His body then goes into its Resurrección Fornicarás. Szayel apologizes for making them wait and says that the long-awaited second act can begin, but then rephrases his statement to the second act is now ending.

Black liquid comes out of Szayel's back and spreads around the room. Uryū tells everyone not to touch it, but Dondochakka gets hit by it, causing another Dondochakka to form. The rest get hit by it as well, causing clones of them to form too. Szayel explains that these clones contain all of their abilities, but he tells them not to worry as he has now removed the seal on their powers. He then tells them to fight all out and Uryū notes that this truly is a "bad joke". Dondochakka charges at Uryū telling him he's scared but Uryū dodges him, causing Dondochakka to get mad as he just wanted to cling on to him. As Uryū states that his clinging looks like an attack, several Dondochakka clones attack them and they barely dodge the blow. Uryū tells him he was right in thinking it was an attack but Dondochakka states that this isn't the time to be doing things like this and that they should be looking for Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck. Uryū tells him that they will right after this but Dondochakka explains that they have to do it right now as he's scared of what will happen if she gets any deeper into Las Noches. He and Pesche then sense Nel's reiatsu after she transformed back to her original form and states that it's nostalgic.

Renji, Pesche, and Dondochakka continue battling the clones but they end up getting confused as to who's who. Uryū asks them what they're doing and explains the differences between them and the clones. The Renji and Uryū clones have a different type of skin around their eyes as well as a difference in the quantity of hair, the Dondochakka clone has no spots at all on his back, and the Pesche clone has pants on. Renji states that this is a pretty big mistake for Szayel to make but Szayel explains that he purposely made them that way because he doesn't like the style any of them have. Renji decides that he has to escape so he decides on a plan and activates his Bankai, but this ends up causing all of the clones to activate their Bankai as well. However, the room they are in is destroyed in the process. Renji explains that he did that on purpose and he asks Uryū how great his intellect is. Uryū tells him that he sees no difference between him and Ichigo Kurosaki but Renji doesn't realize that this was meant to be an insult. Renji then states that Szayel is about to get serious and that he's coming straight for them. Szayel appears and tells them that the person who has to report this to Sōsuke Aizen is going to be unhappy. He then gets rid of the clones and states that he's going to show them the true power of his Resurrección.

One of the clones of Renji is still around so Szayel destroys him as well. He then reiterates that he's going to show them his true power. Uryū and Renji both attack him with their full power at the same time but two large Hollows appear in front of Szayel, guarding him from the blows. Szayel tells them that he's forcing them to participate in this and has one of his wings "eat" Uryū but he is immediately spit out. He then thanks him for the meal as one of the strands of his wings becomes engorged and bursts with purple liquid, creating a small doll of Uryū. Renji asks Uryū if he's all right and he states that he's fine. Szayel holds up the doll and states that this will now be Uryū. He then touches the dolls head, which Uryū feels, and Szayel explains that he has control over all of his senses now. He then flicks the dolls head, slightly injuring Uryū. Szayel decides to then rip the doll in half and Renji begs him to stop. However, he does so anyway, but with no effects to Uryū.

Szayel tells him that he's foolish in thinking that something would happen if he ripped the doll in half. He then shows that what he really wanted to do was to get to the body parts inside the doll. He takes out a small piece that reads "stomach" on it and breaks it, causing Uryū to cough up blood. As Renji angrily attacks him for what he did, he too gets "eaten" by one of Szayel's wings. Szayel states that everyone gets surprised from just a small thing. He continues saying that Humans, Shinigami, and Quincy are all the same and if there's any reason for them to be killed by Aizen, it would be because of their inferiority.

After making a doll of him as well, Renji desperately battles his opponent, who tells him that he should just give up. Renji charges at him but Szayel takes out his left Achilles tendon and destroys it, causing Renji to collapse. Szayel decides that he's going to continue destroying his tendons and tells Renji not to move as he destroys another body part. Renji screams in pain and he reiterates that he shouldn't move as he doesn't want to hurt the two of them too much. All of a sudden Pesche attacks Szayel with his Infinite Slick, which causes him to drop the two dolls, which Pesche easily grabs. Dondochakka then arrives and brings out Bawabawa from his mouth, allowing Pesche to jump on top of him. Uryū asks him why Bawabawa came out of his mouth and Pesche explains that he's one of the combat insect spirits that Dondochakka keeps in his body, but they never told Nel because of the possibility that her memories would return. He explains that they didn't want her memories to return because then she would be forced into combat again, but because she has regained her will to fight they decided that they would assist her anyway they can. Pesche then tells Szayel that they don't have time to deal with him and he gets ready for battle.

Szayel tells Pesche that his attitude is unfitting for a Fracción but is caught off guard when Pesche takes out his Zanpakutō and makes a minor cut across Szayel's arm. Pesche explains that his Zanpakutō is called Última and that it's made from overflowing spirit particles. He tells Uryū that it's just like his weapon but he doesn't spot the similarity. Pesche tells him that it was a pathetic comeback and the two of them argue. However, while their doing this, Szayel decides to have his minions take care of Bawabawa while he himself takes care of Pesche and Dondochakka. The minions go to attack but Dondochakka takes out his own Zanpakutō from his mouth and easily defeats the minions. Pesche explains to Szayel that he made one fatal error, which was looking down on them because they were opponents he had defeated before. He then states that their worlds apart from the level they were at before and Pesche gets on top of Dondochakka to do an original Cero that they created called Cero Sincrético.

However, their attack fails and they wonder why it didn't work. Szayel explains that they allowed him too much time and that because he knew that they were Nel's Fracción, he was able to analyze their reiatsu easily. He states that while their Cero Sincrético is powerful, he already knew that from the start and tells them that the only reason they lost was because they didn't use that technique from the beginning. Szayel then assumes that they have nothing else left and he decides to put an end to this battle. All of a sudden, Mayuri Kurotsuchi arrives and Szayel asks him who he is. However, Mayuri feels that he doesn't need to answer this question and is more excited about the Arrancar and Espada living in Hueco Mundo. Uryū asks Mayuri what he's doing in Hueco Mundo but Mayuri pretends not to remember a "low-grade specimen" like him. Szayel tells them to stop arguing with each other and asks Mayuri who he is again, but then retracts his statement as he feels that he's just another being that will be erased by him. However, Mayuri tells him that not being able to hear his name puts him in a difficult situation since he won't be able to properly label him when he bottles him up. Szayel simply laughs at this statement.

Later, Mayuri is shown to be panting heavily and seemingly losing the battle. Szayel is seen holding a doll of Mayuri and as he's breaking body parts, he tells him that it's sad that a captain level Shinigami can do nothing against his abilities. Mayuri begins coughing up blood and Nemu Kurotsuchi, who came with Mayuri as well, watches the battle from the sidelines. Szayel states that his appearance was just for show like he thought, but Mayuri gets up as if nothing happened and says "gotcha". Szayel decides to destroy more of his body parts but it does nothing and Mayuri asks for Nemu to come over to him. Szayel drops the doll he was holding and angrily smashes all of the pieces from the doll, to no effect. He then asks Mayuri what ability he has but he tells him that he doesn't have anything like that. He states that he put bacteria in Uryū for surveillance purposes, which allowed him to watch his current fight with Szayel. Shortly before leaving for Hueco Mundo, he replaced all of his body parts with dummies. However, Szayel points out that it should be impossible to do that since he only just revealed his ability less than an hour ago but Mayuri counters him by saying that if it were impossible, then he shouldn't be standing here right now. Uryū interrupts their conversation and complains about everything wrong with putting bacteria on him for surveillance purposes, but Mayuri simply tells him to be quiet. All of a sudden Nemu is grabbed by Szayel and he tells Mayuri that he's a fool for letting his underling get captured, but Nemu tells him that capturing her doesn't make her a hostage. Szayel begins arguing with her and Mayuri is annoyed by all the noise going on. Mayuri decides to activate his Bankai, Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō and it releases poisonous gas into the air. Szayel attempts to counter this, but it's too late as the Bankai crushes him.

Mayuri's Bankai then gets up and Renji notes that it's eating Szayel. Renji is then affected by the poison that has just been released and he asks Uryū why he's fine. Uryū says that he must have formed antibodies since he encountered this poison before. He then asks Mayuri for the antidote but just then he too is affected by the poison. Mayuri tells him that he wouldn't be a scientist if he didn't always change his poison, and he states that something like antibodies would never stop him. Uryū tells him that he gets that he's a genius and simply asks for him to hand over the antidote. Nemu, who he is being held by Mayuri's Bankai, asks if she could be let down but Mayuri simply ignores her. Uryū tells him to let her down but he still ignores this request. He then decides that he will give them the antidote and throws it to them. All of a sudden Nemu begins screaming in pain and Uryū pleads with Mayuri to let her go. Szayel's voice then appears and he states that it's going to take much more than that to defeat him. He then tells them that their going to bear witness to his greatest ability, Gabriel, which allows him to asexually reproduce within the womb of his prey and that soon his host will become nothing more than an empty shell. He then leaves out of Nemu's body and says that the only downside to this is it ruins his hair.

Szayel explains to Mayuri that he will always be able to resurrect himself and that death has only become another part of his life cycle, making him the perfect being. He tells Mayuri that no matter what he does there is no way for him to win. Mayuri simply walks past Szayel and goes up to Nemu. Szayel thinks that Mayuri is saddened to see his subordinate dying but Mayuri simply smiles at him and says he has an interesting ability. He then mocks Szayel asking if that's all he can do. Szayel then has Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō attempt to eat Mayuri. He explains to Mayuri that when he was eaten by his Zanpakutō, he was able to control it's nerves from the inside giving him complete control over it. Suddenly, the Bankai blows up, and Mayuri tells him he would never allow a tool of his to defeat him. He explains to Szayel that he made it so that if it ever betrayed him, it would blow up immediately. Afterwards, the 12th division captain remarks that it is time to check out his new drug. Szayel gets into a battle stance, but Mayuri tells him that there is no need as the "drug" has already taken effect. He explains to him that he has placed several drugs within Nemu's body in case her body was ever eaten or invaded. The place where Szayel was reborn from had a drug he calls the superhuman drug. He tells him that everything should feel as if it's going incredibly slow right now and asks if it looks like his blade has stopped. He then tells him that one second should feel like a century and that his non superhuman senses will fall terribly behind his superhuman senses causing the movements of his flesh to be left behind. Mayuri then stabs Szayel's hand and says that the pain should last for over a hundred years. He continues bringing his Zanpakutō closer to Szayel's heart as he looks on. After experiencing centuries worth of time, Szayel wonders how much longer it will be until the Zanpakutō pierces his heart and begs for his death to come quickly. The Zanpakutō then goes through his heart and he dies.

Equipment

 * Consumable Fracción: Before their transformation into Arrancar by Aizen, Szayel Aporro modified all of his Fracción. They were modified to be regenerative medicine. If Szayel devours them when he's injured, his wounds will heal. When Verona kept shouting Lumina's name in despair after seeing him killed, Szayel angrily told him to be quiet as he'll simply make a new one later. It is unknown as to whether this means he is capable of reviving a consumed Fracción or that he simply meant a replacement.


 * Szayel is known to use spirit-recording insects spread across the body of a test subject. Through use of these spirit bugs he was able to gain information on Renji's Bankai. This information is exceedingly detailed, from its form, abilities, and reiatsu right down to the spirit particle composition. He then uses this information to his advantage. He also insinuates using the bugs to gain information and analyze Ishida's Quincy powers as well.


 * Unnamed Power Control Device: using the information that he received from the spirit-recording bugs he set up a mechanism in Las Noches that sealed Renji's Bankai in a large room. It also prevented a Seele Schneider from causing any injury, and turned off Uryū's ability to use his Quincy Bow. He shut it off after he changed his clothes.


 * Unnamed Illusion Device: Used during the fight between Nelliel and Nnoitra while Nel was still an Espada. It created an illusion of Nnoitra, tricking Nel and giving Nnoitra a chance to attack her.


 * Controlled Corridors: In order to keep Renji and Uryū, or any other opponent, from escaping, Szayel designed his domain so that no matter how far someone runs he can transfix the halls so they end up back at the room they attempted to escape. In every wall lies a camera, and he can rearrange them as he sees fit.


 * Unnamed Garganta Device: Although he was not seen using this device, Mayuri Kurotsuchi discovers it among the many materials in his laboratory after his defeat. Mayuri stated that he was able to create a perfect Garganta portal when using it. This includes the ability to close it in mid-transfer and has so far been only used once - To open a portal to the human world, with Ichigo Kurosaki and Retsu Unohana being the first test subjects.

Powers & Abilities
Master Scientist & Inventor: Szayel is the top researcher and spiritual weapons development specialist of the Espada. Szayel is a talented and intellectual scientist, and he is shown to be very sadistic. Szayel has unique Fracción which he modified before having them turned into Arrancar. He told Renji, before their actual fight, to "try to keep all of his limbs intact," as he was going to study his body afterwards. Szayel's intellect not only included science but also invention, most notably having created a constantly shifting maze out of his domain in Hueco Mundo, as well as a device that controls reiatsu.


 * Advanced Trap Designer: While Dondochakka and Renji travelled the halls of Las Noches, they fell into a very large hole, which was actually a trap made by Szayel. He stated that out of all the traps he laid out, this one was the most basic, implying there were far more advanced traps in wait. As the helpless intruder falls through the hole, they end up on a sort of cylindrical slide that falls into the Espada's room.

Swordsmanship Specialist: Szayel admits that even though he is an Espada, his combat ability isn't very high at all. He is shown capable of effortlessly deflecting Renji's Zabimaru in shikai. He was able to fend off Renji's Shikai while staying almost completely stationary.

Sonído: Szayel could use Sonído, as shown when he easily evaded one of Renji Abarai's attacks. He was also able to catch Uryū Ishida, using Hirenkyaku, off guard.

Enhanced Strength: Despite his slender appearance, Szayel is deceptively strong, able to deflect Renji's Shikai attacks with a single hand.

Hierro: Like most other Arrancar, his body is protected with his spiritual pressure. He was able to effortlessly block Renji Abarai's Shikai with only the back of his wrist. He is capable of withstanding an explosion from Ishida's Sprenger technique directly after a point blank Kidō attack from Renji.

Investigative Immunization Expert: Szayel has a variety of methods for analyzing an opponent's abilities, such as studying the damage done to their former opponents. Once doing so, Szayel can nullify the effects of their abilities, making him virtually immune to their attacks. The most prominent use of this ability was when Dondochakka and Pesche revealed their most powerful technique, the Cero Sincrético, which Szayel was able to easily disperse by analyzing its structure and reiatsu.

Great Spiritual Power: As the Octava Espada, Szayel has a great level of spiritual power.

Zanpakutō
. When sealed, Fornicarás takes the form of a standard sized katana with a greyish-blue handle and grey sheath, and its tsuba is similar to the nucleus of an atom, most likely to further indicate him being a scientist. Instead of directly wearing his sword at his waist, Szayel has two frilly light-purple strings tied to his waist that holds Fornicarás at two points, letting Szayel carry his sword at about thigh height.


 * Resurrección: Its release command is . Szayel releases his Zanpakutō by calling out its command and then swallowing it, and in doing so, he emits a glow from his mouth. His body then swells to enormous proportions and releases spiritual energy, which then fills his immediate vicinity in a fine mist as he transforms that slowly clears away. In his released form, the lower half of his body becomes a multitude of purple tentacles reminiscent of a sea anemone. His feet extend from under the tentacles, which are then replaced by a layered dress-like garment. His upper torso becomes a gray segmented form-fitting garment with white sleeves extending from the elbow and down to a wide opening at the wrist. Three, small, dark purple extensions extend from the elbow, while four long, dark purple strands that look like falling drops hang from the underside of the sleeve itself. His hands become white and his fingertips become slightly elongated and purple. His hair gets various purple drop-like strands as well. His Hollow mask takes the form of a headdress that forms a thin band across his forehead as well as what appears to be half the bottom structure of his Hollow mask "glasses," which is attached on either side of his head with fan-like coverings. His left eye gains purple markings that take the shape of four lines on the top and bottom. He also grows four, very large, gray branch structures from his back, two on each side, forming a shape similar to the wings of a butterfly. Each branch has twelve, equally-spaced, red strands that look like falling drops. These strands can expand out, becoming thicker until they look similar to feathers, giving them the appearance of actual wings similar to that of a bird.


 * He can use them as a protective shield by wrapping them around himself in the form of a ball. The branches can elongate at will.


 * Resurrección Special Ability: Szayel's released state grants him a number of different abilities.


 * Carbon-Copy: He can unleash a massive amount of black liquid from his body out of his back. When droplets of the liquid spraying from his body touch an opponent, a copy of them is created that uses their own individual abilities against them. Since he fires such a vast amount of the liquid upwards, it is nearly impossible for his opponents to dodge or evade the attack. Szayel occasionally alters these clones' appearances to make them more aesthetically pleasing. For instance, he changed Dondochakka's clones so that he did not have spots, and Pesche Guatiche's wore pants as opposed to a loincloth ; he did not, however, change Renji's or Uryū's appearance. As they are defeated, the clones break apart and multiply, adding to their numbers. He can disperse the clones at will, and they seem to have no free-will or thoughts of their own.


 * By grabbing an opponent with one of his "wings" and then spitting them out, one of the strands of his "wings" becomes engorged and bursts with purple liquid, creating a small doll that has the victim's likeness. Uryū Ishida was noticeably disoriented after the process, and Szayel stated, "Thanks for the feast." Any damage done to the dolls' internal organs, accessed by taking them apart and removing the organs (with no damage to the original), is done to the original, debilitating them from the inside. The doll's exterior has some effect on the victim, as seen when Uryū felt him scratch his doll's face. All the organs have their name written on them in Spanish. The only person able to overcome this ability was 12th Division Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi, which he did by replacing all of his organs with "dummies."


 * Possession: Should he be eaten, Szayel can gain control of the attacker's nervous system, allowing him to gain complete control of their body. Szayel only used this once against Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō, forcing the Zanpakutō to attack its master. The effect of control acts as a form of will over that which is possessed. Once again, Mayuri was the only one to defeat this technique, as he prepared for such an event, self-destructing his Bankai into its sealed state.


 * His final ability allows him to be reborn if he is injured beyond repair by "impregnating" an enemy. When he has physical contact with the victim he can implant a portion of himself inside their body. He then "devours" his way out of their body, by way of absorbing all the fluids and chemicals of the victim killing them in the process, like an insect leaving a cocoon or husk when he matures and develops his body back in a matter of seconds from a liquid-like casing coming from the victim's mouth. Szayel takes great pride in this ability, comparing it to that of a phoenix, pretentiously proclaiming himself a "perfect being" because of it. It was used on Nemu Kurotsuchi, but despite Szayel's remarks on killing the victim, she survived.

Fracción
In addition to the immunities gained from studying his opponents, Szayel has his own Fracción. Amongst the Espada, he has by far the most. He has personally modified each of them so that he can heal his wounds by eating them. Those devoured can be recreated later. Most of them are incomplete Arrancar; they neither carry Zanpakutō nor do they appear entirely human. The majority of them all wear a similar pattern of clothing to Szayel's, sporting the three stripes that run down his chest on their person. Two large ones act as Szayel's throne, but also have durable shells on their fronts that are unscathed by Uryū's arrows. Only three are named, those three main ones being:


 * & : Two short and obese Arrancar who first notify Szayel of Aaroniero's death. Later, Szayel ended up eating Lumina in order to heal his wounds.
 * A very large Arrancar that attacked Renji after Szayel stated he was done fighting him. He was shortly after killed by Uryū.

Censorship


In the manga, Uryū shoots Szayel with his Seele Schneider and pierces his throat. Yet, in the anime, Uryū's shot was through the stomach.

Also, while in the manga he literally "eats" his Fracción to heal his injuries, the anime portrayal displays this as converting the Fracción to a glowing purple energy orb to consume.

In addition, the way Szayel's technique Gabriel was used in the manga has been seriously altered for the anime. Szayel resurrected himself with Nemu’s body, using his Gabriel technique, but in episode 199, it was completely redone so that it could be toned down. Instead of him laying his egg inside of her and emerging head first from her mouth, he is resurrected from an embryo that emerges from Nemu's mouth and develops into him. Also, Nemu does not end up looking as dried up or decrepit as she does in the manga.

Appearances in Other Media
Szayel is a playable character in a few of the Bleach video games. He appears in Bleach: Heat the Soul 5, and Bleach: Versus Crusade with his release state. He also has his own character album as part of the Bleach Beat Collection 3rd Session. The two vocal tracks are entitled Pink and SCIENCE SHOW. These two songs are notable for their numerous English lyrics, particularly Pink, which is actually more English than Japanese. In the video games Bleach: Versus Crusade and Bleach: Heat the Soul 6 (only in his released form, when the player presses the jump button), he can shoot a pink Cero from his mouth.

4th Movie Tie-In
In Episode 299, a special episode designed to promote the 4th movie of Bleach, Bleach: Hell Chapter, Szayel appears falling into Hell. He lands along with Aaroniero Arruruerie, saying he's surprised to see him. Szayel notes the sturdiness of Aaroniero's tank. Aaroniero questions why he brought it up, saying that he wished it to crack. Szayel states he meant nothing by it, meaning only that if it had cracked, he could study the liquid inside it. Aaroniero tells Szayel that he's never like him, and moves to attack him with Glotoneria. However, Szayel yells at him to wait, and says that they should work together to figure out where they are. Aaroniero states he doesn't care about that, to which Szayel reminds him of the difference in their ranks. Aaroniero states those ranks don't matter outside of Hueco Mundo.

A voice interrupts the two. A man is seen standing on a tall rock, and informs them that they are in Hell. Aaroniero demands he comes down and explain, but the man mocks him, and informs them they are both already dead. Aaroniero doesn't understand, but Szayel remembers his death, and moves to attack the man, asking if there is a way to escape Hell and return to Hueco Mundo, to which he responds there isn't. Szayel says he better not be hiding anything, threatening to torture him. The man introduces himself as Shuren, and says they must follow him in order to survive in Hell.

Three more beings appear behind Shuren. Szayel asks what they are, and Shuren introduces them as Taikon, Gunjō and Garogai, and orders them to attack to two Arrancar. Aaroniero releases his Resurrección and attacks. He tells his enemies not to underestimate the Espada and attacks Taikon. Szayel also releases and attacks Shuren with a Gran Rey Cero. Shuren asks if he believes this attack is necessary to defeat him, but Szayel says he doesn't mind incinerating Shuren. He adds that he is interested in the inhabitants of Hell, but he can examine Shuren's three comrades that are eaten by Aaroniero's Glotonería after he kills him. Shuren informs him that he too has judged him unnecessary.

Shuren and the three Togabito defeat both Aaroniero and Szayel. Shuren notes that their power was not enough to open it, referring to the gates of Hell.

Trivia

 * Szayel's aspect of death is Madness.
 * In both the anime and manga, when affected by the super Human drug, he tried to reach out with his left hand, which was supposed to have been stabbed by Mayuri's Zanpakutō. It was later shown that his right hand was the one that was stabbed.
 * In the English localization of the Bleach manga and anime, Szayel's Zanpakutō is renamed La Lujuriosa, which is Spanish for "The Lustful."
 * His Zanpakutō has had some changes while reproducing the same in the anime. While in the manga, the Zanpakutō has a grey sheath and a greyish-blue handle, in the anime it has tones of pink.

Quotes

 * "I am a perfect being!"
 * "First a Bankai user, then a Quincy! I have such good luck! If I were Yammy, I would probably be on the verge of shouting suerte!"
 * "Inferior beings such as yourselves irritating me to this extent and even forcing me to fight you at full strength. That is the very definition of a "bad joke"."
 * (To Renji Abarai and Uryū Ishida) "You all get surprised from just a small thing, and you don't see what's ahead. Just like kids. Humans, Shinigami, and Quincy... they're all the same. They're equally inferior. If there's a reason for you to be destroyed by Aizen-sama, it's because... of your inferiority."
 * (To Mayuri Kurotsuchi) "The phoenix, often referred to as the immortal bird, is said to light a flame in the body of the elderly, from which it ignites the power of rebirth. Understand? Immortality. That is what it means to be perfect. Not the transcendence of death, but rather capturing one's life and death within the cycle of rebirth. That which is called "death" is not removed from my existence! I exist as a being without any interruption in the cycle of life and death! That which is called a "perfect existence"! To me, the phenomenon of death does not exist. Even if you kill me before I completely come back to life, I will come back to life. Realize this: you who are incapable of killing me will never achieve victory against me, Mayuri Kurotsuchi." 

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