Szayelaporro Granz

is an Arrancar in Sōsuke Aizen's army and the octava (eighth) Espada. He is the younger brother of Yylfordt Granz.

Appearance
Zael-Apollo has shoulder-length pink hair with bangs on the right side of his forehead and two thin lines with no hair on the left side of his head, 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, Zael-Apollo 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
Zael-Apollo is a meticulous intellectual, the "scientist" of the Espada. He is highly narcissistic and extremely flamboyant, tending to make lewd, disturbing comments about his opponents. Zael-Apollo is quite sadistic, viewing others as little more than research material. He thinks poorly of non-Hollows, hoping Aizen will someday wipe all non-Hollows out of existence. He 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, saying he would not be so childish as to be upset over that.

He boasts he is a "perfect being," since he can reproduce himself in another person's body, and thus views himself as immortal.

History
Sometime in the past, Zael-Apollo helped Nnoitra Gilga perform a sneak attack on Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck. In order to help him do this, Zael-Apollo 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 Zael-Apollo, who asked if there was anything else he could help him with, to which Nnoitra responded that his job was already over. Zael-Apollo 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 Zael-Apollo they were going, but Zael-Apollo told him that he would appreciate it if he lost the presumptuous tone. Nnoitra reminded him that he wasn't an Espada anymore. Zael-Apollo 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. Zael-Apollo 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
Zael-Apollo 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 ordered the Exequias to attack Ichigo, Zael-Apollo 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. Zael-Apollo responds that he was, and leaves.

After Renji Abarai and Dondochakka Birstanne fall into his pitfall trap, Zael-Apollo says they fell into his simplest trap and introduces himself a the octava Espada. Zael-Apollo 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. Zael-Apollo then yells at Dondochakka and Renji after the two argue. Renji threateningly looks at him and Zael-Apollo 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 Zael-Apollo says he know everything about it and is able to nullify it. Renji is confused, not knowing how Zael-Apollo could know his Bankai, but Zael-Apollo explains his brother is Yylfordt Granz, shocking Renji. Zael-Apollo 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 Renji's Shikai for a bit, Lumina and Verona inform Zael-Apollo that Aaroniero Arruruerie has died and he comments that he did not notice it. He then informs Renji that the 9th Espada has died along with his opponent, Rukia, angering Renji who strikes at him. The blow, however, does little as Zael-Apollo says Renji cannot win with Shikai alone. Renji tries to attack again, but Zael-Apollo stops it, saying he is now bored with Renji and sends his Fracción out and explains that he modified them. As Medazeppi throws Renji around, Lumina and Verona ask to join in, but Zael-Apollo tells them not to interfere. Renji finally manages to hurt Medezeppi and Zael-Apollo commends him for lasting this long, but states that now things are going to be problematic as there's no controlling Medazeppi now. Medazeppi goes on a rampage and Zael-Apollo states that it's a shame that by the end of this Renji's body won't be in perfect condition.

Uryū then arrives and kills Medazeppi, upsetting the Fracción. Zael-Apollo yells at his Fracción to stop talking and Uryū asks Zael-Apollo if he's an Espada. Zael-Apollo states his full name and rank to him, but Uryū doesn't believe he's a threat due to his low number. Zael-Apollo 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 Zael-Apollo 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 Zael-Apollo 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 Zael-Apollo. The Seele Schneider pierces his throat, but soon disappears as Zael-Apollo laughs maniacally, telling Uryū that he used the data on his fight with Cirucci Sanderwicci to nullify his attacks. Uryū tries to fight but his arrows are ineffective. One of the Fracción tries to attack Uryū, but Renji blocks and the two team up.

Renji states he can hold him for 20 seconds and Uryū says that is enough. Zael-Apollo says he is interested in what they can do. Renji attacks, but Zael-Apollo blocks. Renji then runs at Zael-Apollo and wraps the two of them together in his Shikai. Renji then tells Zael-Apollo that he doesn't stand a chance at his current strength, but does not care and unleashes a Hadō no. 31 Shakkahō, damaging them both. Zael-Apollo manages to get up and back away, however, Uryū appears behind him and states that he noticed Zael-Apollo's habit of putting distance between him and his opponent. Zael-Apollo counters him, saying that Uryū has a habit of attacking people from behind. Zael-Apollo then asks him if he thinks he's won and Uryū tells him he has. Five Seele Schneiders surround Zael-Apollo, holding him in place. Zael-Apollo says that Uryū's Reiatsu should have been sealed, but Uryū states that not even Zael-Apollo knows everything and activates Sprenger.

As the dust settles, Zael-Apollo picks himself up. Uryū is surprised he is alive, but Zael-Apollo says his data was able to minimize the damage. He then grabs Lumina and begins to eat her, to which Verona complains, but Zael-Apollo tells him to be quiet. Healed, he begins to walk off, saying he is going to change his clothes. He tells Uryū to think of a plan as he will be thinking of one too. After Renji and company unsuccessfully try to run away, Zael-Apollo greets them, having changed and come back. He explains to them that he can freely control the layout of this room and that is why they ended up back in the same room. He then activates his Resurrección, Fornicarás. Zael-Apollo 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. A black liquid spews forth from Zael-Apollo, causing clones of his opponents to appear when they touch it. Zael-Apollo explains that these clones contain all of their abilities and that the limits on their powers have been removed. As they battle the clones, they notice there are differences between the clones and originals, but Zael-Apollo says he did it on purpose as he did not like any of their styles. Renji and his clones activate their Bankais and destroy the room they are in. Zael-Apollo 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 the true power of his Resurrección.

Uryū and Renji both attack Zael-Apollo with their full power at the same time, but two large Hollows appear in front of Zael-Apollo, guarding him from the blows. Zael-Apollo then consumes Uryū with one of his wings before spitting him 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. Zael-Apollo holds up the doll and states that this will now be Uryū. He then touches the dolls head, which Uryū feels, and Zael-Apollo explains that he has control over all of his senses now. He then flicks the dolls head, slightly injuring Uryū. Zael-Apollo 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. Zael-Apollo 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 is eaten by one of Zael-Apollo's wings. 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.

As Renji tries to attack him, Zael-Apollo tells him to give up. Zael-Apollo then snaps Renji's achilles tendon, causing Renji to fall. Zael-Apollo continues to crush Renji's body parts before Pesche attacks Zael-Apollo with his Infinite Slick causing 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. Pesche then tells Zael-Apollo that they don't have time to deal with him and he gets ready for battle. Zael-Apollo 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 Zael-Apollo's arm. Pesche explains that his Zanpakutō is called Última and that it's made from overflowing spirit particles. Zael-Apollo 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 them out easily and Pesche explains Zael-Apollo's mistake before they unleash their Cero Sincrético. However, their attack fails and Zael-Apollo explains that they waited too long to use it, allowing him to analyze their Reiatsu and stop the attack. He then goes to finish them All of a sudden, Mayuri Kurotsuchi arrives and Zael-Apollo 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. Zael-Apollo tells Mayuri and Uryū to stop arguing with each other and asks Mayuri who he is again, decides he does not need to know. 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. Zael-Apollo simply laughs at this statement.

Later, Mayuri is shown to be panting heavily and seemingly losing the battle. Zael-Apollo holds a Mayuri doll and crushes his organs, sending Mayuri to his knees in pain. However, Mayuri suddenly stands up and says "gotcha". Zael-Apollo continues to destroy body parts, but to no effect. He asks Mayuri how he can stands his attack and Mayuri reveals that he had been monitoring Uryū and shortly before leaving for Hueco Mundo, he replaced his organs with dummies. Zael-Apollo says this is impossible as he only just revealed his ability, but Mayuri says if it were impossible, he could not have done it. In retaliation, Zael-Apollo grabs Nemu 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. Zael-Apollo 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. Zael-Apollo attempts to counter this, but is crushed. Mayuri's Bankai consumes Zael-Apollo, but suddenly, Nemu begins screaming in pain. Zael-Apollo'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 they're 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.

Zael-Apollo 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 Zael-Apollo and goes up to Nemu. Zael-Apollo 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 Zael-Apollo asking if that's all he can do. Zael-Apollo then has Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō attempt to eat Mayuri. He explains how he can control Mayuri's Bankai, but suddenly, the Bankai blows up and Mayuri says that he made it so should his Bankai ever try to attack him, it would blow up. Afterwards, the 12th Division captain remarks that it is time to check out his new drug. Zael-Apollo 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 Zael-Apollo 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 Zael-Apollo's hand and says that the pain should last for over a hundred years. He continues bringing his Zanpakutō closer to Zael-Apollo's heart as he looks on. After experiencing centuries worth of time, Zael-Apollo 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.

Inventions

 * Consumable Fracción: Before their transformation into Arrancar by Aizen, Zael-Apollo modified all of his Fracción. They were modified to be regenerative medicine. If Zael-Apollo devours them when he's injured, his wounds will heal. When Verona kept shouting Lumina's name in despair after seeing him get devoured, Zael-Apollo 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.


 * Zael-Apollo 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 Uryū'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, Zael-Apollo 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: Zael-Apollo is the top researcher and spiritual weapons development specialist of the Espada. Zael-Apollo is a talented and intellectual scientist, and he is shown to be very sadistic. Zael-Apollo 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. Zael-Apollo's intellect not only included science, but also invention, most notably having created a constantly shifting maze within his domain in Hueco Mundo, as well as a device that controls Reiatsu.


 * Advanced Trap Designer: While Dondochakka and Renji traveled the halls of Las Noches, they fell into a very large hole, which was actually a trap designed by Zael-Apollo. He stated that out of all the traps he had 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 leads into the Espada's room.


 * Investigative Immunization Expert: Zael-Apollo has a variety of methods for analyzing an opponent's abilities, such as studying the damage done to their former opponents. Once having done so, Zael-Apollo 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 Zael-Apollo was able to easily disperse by analyzing its structure and Reiatsu.

Swordsman: Zael-Apollo admits that even though he is an Espada, his combat ability isn't very high at all. He is, however, shown to be capable of effortlessly deflecting Renji Abarai's Zabimaru in its Shikai form.

Sonído: Zael-Apollo can 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, Zael-Apollo 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 Uryū's Sprenger technique directly after a point blank Kidō attack from Renji.

Great Spiritual Power: As the Octava Espada, Zael-Apollo has a great level of spiritual power. His Reiatsu is pink.

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. Instead of directly wearing his sword at his waist, Zael-Apollo has two frilly light-purple strings tied to his waist that holds Fornicarás at two points, letting Zael-Apollo carry his sword at about thigh height.


 * Resurrección: Its release command is . Zael-Apollo releases his Zanpakutō by calling out its command and then swallowing it, with a glow emitting from his mouth. His body then swells to enormous proportions and releases spiritual energy, which covers his immediate vicinity in a fine mist that slowly clears away as he transforms. 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 segmented and form-fitting gray garment, with white sleeves extending from the elbow and down to a wide opening at the wrist that reveal a purple interior. Three small, dark purple extensions span upward from the elbow, while four long, dark purple strands that look like falling drops hang from the underside of the sleeve itself. His hands turn white, and his fingertips become slightly elongated and purple. His hair gains 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 by 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 large, gray branch structures on his back, two on each side, which form a shape similar to the wings of a butterfly. Each branch has twelve equally-spaced red strands that resemble falling drops. These strands can expand out, becoming thicker until they look similar to feathers, giving them the appearance of actual wings like those of a bird. The branches can elongate at will.


 * He can use them as a protective shield by wrapping them around himself in the form of a ball.


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


 * Carbon-Copy: He can unleash a massive amount of black liquid from his back. When droplets of the liquid 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. Zael-Apollo occasionally alters these clones' appearances to make them more aesthetically pleasing. For example, 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. When 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 with purple liquid and then bursts open, creating a small doll that has the victim's likeness. Uryū Ishida was noticeably disoriented after the process, and Zael-Apollo stated, "Thanks for the feast." Any damage done to the doll's 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 Zael-Apollo 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 accomplished by replacing all of his organs with "dummies".


 * Possession: Should he be eaten, Szayelaporro can take control of the attacker's nervous system, allowing him to assume complete control of their body. Zael-Apollo used this 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 by creating a self-destruct sequence for his Bankai should it ever attack him.


 * Zael-Apollo's 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 absorbing all the fluids and chemicals of the victim, like an insect leaving a cocoon or husk. This process is claimed to be fatal to the victim. He matures and develops his body back in a matter of seconds from a liquid-like casing coming from the victim's mouth. Zael-Apollo 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 Zael-Apollo's remarks on killing the victim, she survived.

Fracción
In addition to the immunities gained from studying his opponents, Zael-Apollo has his own Fracción. Among 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 Zael-Apollo's, sporting the three stripes that run down his chest on their person. Two large ones act as Zael-Apollo'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 Zael-Apollo of Aaroniero's death. Later, Zael-Apollo ended up eating Lumina in order to heal his wounds.
 * A very large Arrancar that attacked Renji after Zael-Apollo stated he was done fighting him. He was shortly after killed by Uryū.

Censorship


In the manga, Uryū shoots Zael-Apollo 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 Zael-Apollo's technique Gabriel was used in the manga has been seriously altered for the anime. Zael-Apollo 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
Zael-Apollo 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: The Hell Verse, Zael-Apollo appears falling into Hell. He lands along with Aaroniero Arruruerie, saying he's surprised to see him. Szayelaporro notes the sturdiness of Aaroniero's tank. Aaroniero questions why he brought it up, saying that he wished it to crack. Zael-Apollo states he meant nothing by it, meaning only that if it had cracked, he could study the liquid inside it. Aaroniero tells Zael-Apollo that he's never liked him, and moves to attack him with Glotoneria. However, Zael-Apollo 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 Zael-Apollo 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 Zael-Apollo 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. Zael-Apollo 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. Zael-Apollo asks what they are, and Shuren introduces them as Taikon, Gunjō, and Garogai, and orders them to attack the two Arrancar. Aaroniero releases his Resurrección and attacks. He tells his enemies not to underestimate the Espada and attacks Taikon. Zael-Apollo also releases and attacks Shuren with a Gran Rey Cero. Shuren asks if he believes this attack is necessary to defeat him, but Zael-Apollo 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 Zael-Apollo. Shuren notes that their power was not enough to open it, referring to the gates of Hell.

Trivia

 * Zael-Apollo'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, Zael-Apollo'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

 * (About Renji Abarai and Uryū Ishida) "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!"
 * (To Renji Abarai and Uryū Ishida) "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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