Yhwach

, often referred to simply as by his subordinates, is the leader of the Vandenreich.

Appearance
Yhwach is a rather tall man. He has a long face with a broad chin and pronounced cheekbones, long black hair that reaches to his lower back, and reddish-brown eyes with thin eyebrows. He has well-kept mutton chops that connect with a mustache, but is otherwise clean-shaven. His usual attire consists of a white, double-breasted trench coat with large buttoned cuffs and lapels, as well as white trousers and trench boots. Over this, he wears a tattered, ankle-length black cloak, which has a red ribbon near the neck and is fastened to the left with a single large button.

Personality
He is adamant in his dislike of conflict to the point where he will attempt to stop it at all costs, even if brutal methods are required. Yhwach's contempt for Arrancar is apparent, mercilessly wounding and slaying even those who have sworn allegiance to him when he deems them to have fulfilled their use. This same disregard extends to all of his subordinates, regardless of species or rank, and is an attitude that he has allegedly always possessed.

History
About 1,000 years ago, under unknown circumstances, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto failed to kill him. Sometime around or during the course of this event, Yhwach witnessed the capabilities of Yamamoto's Bankai, Zanka no Tachi.

At some point during the seventeen months after the defeat of Sōsuke Aizen, the Vandenreich invaded Hueco Mundo, and Yhwach personally defeated its ruler, Tier Harribel. He imprisoned her, and claimed the territory of Hueco Mundo for the Vandenreich, regarding it as another foundation stone for the invasion of Soul Society.

The Thousand-Year Blood War arc
As punishment for arguing with Asguiaro Ebern upon his return to the Vandenreich base, Yhwach severs Luders Friegen's arm, complaining that he dislikes conflict. With Luders declining his offer to lie down before him in exchange for his legs, he questions the latter's estimate that five days are required for them to prepare for the war with Soul Society. He then asks Luders if he is a prophet, and after hearing the other's denial of this title, proceeds to ask why he had been talking about the future, as he only wanted to know about was happening at the present point in time. He then promptly kills Luders and turns his attention to Ebern. Having no reason to praise or blame Ebern, as he effectively delayed Ichigo Kurosaki, Yhwach states that his role is over and that in death he would be a foundation stone for peace. As Ebern erupts in a torrent of blood, Haschwalth asks if it is alright to kill the Arrancars, as they needn't be taught how to fight. Dismissing this, Yhwach states that they could acquire as many as they need, thanks to Hueco Mundo already being their territory, as he looks at the imprisoned Tier Harribel.

Informed that Ebern's medallion was used, but was unable to seal Ichigo's Bankai, Yhwach states that a special plan would be needed to do so. Declaring that "hot-blooded fools" could be useful at times, he instructs Haschwalth to have the Jagdarmee of Hueco Mundo collect "a few idiots" alive. Later told of Ichigo's ongoing battle with Quilge Opie, he notes that this is the perfect opportunity to invade Soul Society, before ordering that all the Stern Ritter be notified. Having already bypassed the Shakonmaku, Yhwach appears in the air above Ryūnosuke Yuki and members of the 13th Division as they ready themselves for battle, commenting on their expectations that they would attack from one of Seireitei's gates, and remarking that war is always a bitter affair. When this group loses their composure in the face of Hidetomo Kajōmaru's defeat, he permits Haschwalth to spare the others if he thinks it the benign choice.

As Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto realizes that his opponent wasn't Yhwach but instead his subordinate Royd Lloyd, who had used his abilities to mimic his leader's mentality, memories and appearance, the First Division barracks is destroyed. Appearing behind the captain-commander, Yhwach thanks Royd for his service before incinerating his remains. Asked what he had been up to this entire time, he answers by inquiring about what lay beneath the First Division building. He then explains that he had gone to the Central Underground Prison to speak with Sōsuke Aizen, though his offer to join their army was predictably declined. Continuing, Yhwach asks if Yamamoto has exhausted his power fighting his decoy.

Yamamoto attempts to use his Bankai again, only for Yhwach to steal it with his medallion. He explains that it's not that they were unable to take Yamamoto's Bankai; rather, that his power is too enormous for anyone other than Yhwach himself to handle, so he ordered Royd not to do anything until he had returned. Goading the captain-commander by asking if he should use Yamamoto's Bankai to awaken the dead Shinigami, Yhwach instead manifests a second weapon from above with a wave of his sword and, bidding Yamamoto farewell, attacks him.

With Yamamoto's torso severed, Yhwach berates him and attempts to leave, only for Yamamoto to grab hold of his cloak in his final act. Cutting off the captain-commander's arm, Yhwach explains that he hadn't listed him as a "Special War Power" because of his foolish reluctance to exploit others, which had made him grow weak. Stating that the original Gotei 13 was a group to be feared, when Yamamoto did whatever it took to win, he remarks that Soul Society will die soon, but that unbeknownst to Yamamoto, the Gotei 13 died 1,000 years ago. Unleashing innumerable arrows from an outstretched finger, he completely obliterates Yamamoto's body.

After ordering Haschwalth to inform the Stern Ritter that they are to raze Soul Society, he observes the ensuing devastation in the wake of the invading Soldat. With the Seireitei and the main forces of the Gotei 13 decimated, Yhwach intends to declare a retreat to await the Royal Guard's inevitable arrival, only to be startled by an explosion in the air above him. Agreeing that the reiatsu is indeed Ichigo Kurosaki's, he denies Haschwalth's request to eliminate him and states that they are leaving. However, with Tensa Zangetsu suddenly thrust into the ground before them, they are intercepted by Ichigo.

Though unaware of exactly how he had accomplished this, he congratulates Ichigo on escaping Quilge's jail, but questions if he is really intending on fighting given his body's current condition. When asked if he is the "enemy's" leader, Yhwach replies that he both is and isn't, yet confirms that he is responsible for the current state of Soul Society. An enraged Ichigo then emits a large amount of reiatsu, leaving Yhwach with no option other than to crush him. Unaffected by the ensuing Getsuga Tenshō, he quickly pins Ichigo to the ground, and subdues him by stabbing him in the throat with his blade. Affirming that he is still breathing, Yhwach orders Haschwalth to bring Ichigo back to their castle, where they could recruit him into their army. When Ichigo suddenly awakens, Yhwach deduces that the pronounced veins stopping his sword are in fact Blut Vene, just as he is engulfed by Ichigo's attack.

Emerging almost unharmed, Yhwach remarks that he had made a mistake in using a pure Quincy to stop Ichigo, as that awoke the memories in his reiatsu. He explains that in trying to escape Quilge's jail, Ichigo absorbed some of the surrounding reiatsu, which awoke the memories deep within his soul and allowed him to escape, since the jail can't trap a Quincy. Yhwach then states that Ichigo knows nothing about himself, not even about his own mother. Threatening to drag Ichigo to the Vandenreich and tell him everything there, the two clash, but just as Yhwach is about to stab Ichigo, shadows appear below him. Informed that his time outside of the Schatten Bereich is up, he realizes that Aizen had confused his perception of time while they spoke, and so turns to leave. When Haschwalth intercepts Ichigo's attack, Yhwach declares that he will return for Ichigo and departs.

Equipment
Quincy Cross: Yhwach carries a version of the Quincy cross that consists of five points, which forms part of an elaborate, circular medal that features a number of stars and a descending striped ribbon. This is attached to the left breast of his trench coat, therefore it is often concealed beneath his cloak.

Medallion: Yhwach possesses a round, unnamed device which is roughly the size of a person's palm and has the Vandenreich insignia etched onto its surface. When activated, the device is capable of stealing a currently released Bankai in the immediate vicinity, as shown when Yhwach uses it to take Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's Zanka no Tachi.

Powers & Abilities
Swordsman: During his short battle with Ichigo, Yhwach displays a certain amount of proficiency with his sword, as he is able to land a direct hit on Ichigo Kurosaki's arm, despite the latter's proficiency in swordplay and wielding of Tensa Zangetsu, and nonchalantly clashes with and repels the same opponent twice while only using a single arm.

Immense Spiritual Power: According to Quilge Opie, Yhwach has power paralleling that of an Espada. He defeated the 3rd Espada Tier Harribel without much difficulty, while the former Espada was "utterly powerless" before him. As a further testament to his power, by his own claim, amongst the Vandenreich, only he possesses enough power to actually wield Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's Bankai.

Reishi Manipulation: Yhwach can collect reishi and solidify it at will. He creates an intricate throne which he later deconstructs with ease, and reconstructs it into a set of steps in order to ascend to a higher level of his HQ.
 * An advanced Quincy technique that grants one inhuman offensive and defensive capabilities, generated by making reishi flow into the user's blood vessels. However, the independent forms for attack and defense cannot be employed simultaneously.


 * Using this defensive form of Blut, Yhwach is completely unaffected by a direct hit from Ichigo Kurosaki's Bankai-enhanced Getsuga Tenshō.

Hand-to-Hand Combatant: Aside from his Quincy skills, Yhwach possesses a certain level of proficiency in hand-to-hand combat. He quickly subdues and pins down Ichigo Kurosaki before the latter can react or defend himself properly, despite his being armed with Tensa Zangetsu and being a very adept martial artist in his own right.

Spirit Weapon
Reishi Sword: Using his Quincy Cross, Yhwach is able to gather both spirit energy and particles and transform them into weapons. Unlike the bows displayed by most other Quincy, his particular weapon manifests in the form of an ornate sword, reminiscent of a Dadao, with a relatively long handle and a crossguard shaped like a bird.


 * By collecting more reishi, Yhwach can form the spiritual arrows that are typical of other Quincy bows. However, he can generate them without the need of a Spirit Weapon, instead forming and firing them with just an outstretched finger. These arrows appear as simple blasts of reishi shaped like the Quincy Cross, though they still retain enough force to create deep cavities in the ground. He is also able to fire them in rapid succession as a continuous barrage, which can destroy an adversary as durable as Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.


 * Reishi Broadsword: With a simple, horizontal cutting motion directed at the sky, Yhwach manifests an enormous bow in the air above himself, which in turn fires an arrow back towards the ground in front of him. The length of this arrow is comparable to Yhwach's own height and, by gripping it near the base of the shaft, he can wield it in a manner similar to a large broadsword. Two protrusions jutting out diagonally on either side form the sword's crossguard which, alongside the handle, form a shape reminiscent of the Vandenreich insignia. The blade of this weapon can effortlessly bifurcate an opponent, including one as powerful as Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.

Quotes

 * (To Asguiaro Ebern and Luders Friegen) "How many times do I have to tell you? I will tolerate no petty bickering in my presence. Conflict does not please me."
 * (To members of the Thirteenth Division) "Conflict is always such a bitter affair."