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Suì-Fēng (砕蜂 (ソイフォン), Soifon)[note 1] is the commander-in-chief of the Onmitsukidō and the captain of the 2nd Division in the Gotei 13. Her lieutenant is Marechiyo Ōmaeda.
Plot[]
Bount arc (anime only)[]
Suì-Fēng investigates a victim.
Suì-Fēng alongside Yoruichi in her feline form, investigate Human disappearances in the Human World. Noting that the culprit is moving fast and attacking at an alarming rate Suì-Fēng sends her findings to Captain Ukitake in Soul Society. Yoruichi and Suì-Fēng make there way to the train station in time to see a Bount attempting to feast on the soul of a train conductor. Yoruichi transforms back into her true form and proceeds to attack the Bount to stop her from feeding on the helpless man. The Bount gets away, and Suì-Fēng asks Yoruichi whether she knows the person to which Yoruichi confirms that she does, but not in the current form that she is in. She tells Suì-Fēng to go back to Soul Society and give them her report of what's taking place.[2]
Suì-Fēng is stabbed by one of her own men.
Suì-Fēng later attends a captains meeting and is asked by Captain-Commander Yamamoto to give a status report. She maintains that she has given orders to station units all over the Seireitei.[3] When Suì-Fēng asks for a status report, one of her men controlled by Ritz attacks her with a Bitto. While the rest of her men hold of the possessed one, Suì-Fēng makes a getaway only to come face to face with the Bount Mabashi, the one behind her being poisoned. Suì-Fēng begins to feel the effects of the deadly poison, but maintains enough strength to fight back and proceeds to attack Mabashi. Realizing that they are two evenly matched in her weakened state and dragging out the battle will only allow the poison to kill her faster, Suì-Fēng releases her Zanpakutō and landing one strike before the poison incapacitates her further.[4]
Suì-Fēng kills Mabashi.
While Mabashi is away thinking her beaten, Suì-Fēng gains an idea and uses Suzumebachi on herself. When Mabashi finally follows her spiritual energy to a different area, he proceeds to taunt her inability to attack due to the poison. He is then interrupted by her Executive Militia, who come to her aid, but are soon taken over by Mabashi's doll Ritz. They hold her so that Ritz can take control of her, but Suì-Fēng uses her spiritual pressure to send them flying away from her and uses the confusion to attack Mabashi a second time with Suzumebachi. Mabashi is surprised at how its possible she can still move and she explains how her Suzumebachi works, she then watches as his body turns to dust.[4]
The New Captain Shūsuke Amagai arc (anime only)[]
Suì-Fēng is present at the captain promotion ceremony for the new 3rd Division captain, Shūsuke Amagai. When Captain Sajin Komamura asks Captain Shunsui Kyōraku as to who attended Amagai's captain proficiency test, Shunsui says he doesn't know. Suì-Fēng then interjects that it doesn't matter as Amagai will still have to prove himself to the rest of them.[5]
Suì-Fēng has a stand-off with Ichigo after he interrupts Rurichiyo's false wedding.
When Ichigo travels to Soul Society to rescue Rurichiyo Kasumiōji by stopping the wedding, he is interrupted by the arrival of Suì-Fēng and the 2nd Division.[6] He goes to move forward by Suì-Fēng gets in front of him and tells him he is disrespectful to disrupt a noble family wedding. Rukia says that they can explain their actions and Ichigo asks for some time to prove their innocence in any wrong doing. He tries to explain, but Rurichiyo dismisses his attempts and the 2nd Division prepares to capture them. Rusaburō Enkōgawa escapes, then releases his Zanpakutō and crashes down onto the roof causing it to collapse.[7]
Suì-Fēng clashes with Rukia.
When the smoke clears, Suì-Fēng goes to attack Ichigo, but ends up crossing swords with Rukia instead. Rukia tries to explain, but Suì-Fēng will not listen as she uses a Hakuda attack and knocks Rukia away. Suì-Fēng then goes after Ichigo, who is unable to convince her without any evidence. After some swordplay she discards her haori and easily dominates the battle with Hakuda and then releases her Zanpakutō, but before she can attack Rukia uses her Hakuren technique, cutting her off from any further attacks as they make their getaway.[7]
Ichigo stops Suì-Fēng.
Shortly, while debriefing her men on the situation, she is approached by Gyōkaku Kumoi, who asks that she not search the manor. When she disputes this, he plainly reminds her of her social status in the matter. Suì-Fēng is forced to wait until Ichigo and Rukia come out, which they eventually do with Shū Kannogi as a hostage making capturing them not an option. Suì-Fēng later reports the situation at a captains' meeting and makes mention of Kumoi's reluctance of allowing them on the manor grounds, noting that he seemed to be hiding something.[7]
Later, while in Soul Society, Yoruichi helps Suì-Fēng in understanding what truly was going on with the Kasumiōji Clan. She then shows Suì-Fēng a technique taught to her by Kisuke Urahara, allowing Suì-Fēng the ability to break through a barrier placed around the Kasumiōji foundry by royal blood, supposedly making the shield impenetrable.[8]
Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc (anime only)[]
Captain Suì-Fēng is one of the Shinigami called to Sōkyoku Hill for an emergency meeting. It is there that she first meets Muramasa, and witnesses her Zanpakutō on Muramasa's side.[9] Shortly afterwards, a fierce battle breaks out between the Shinigami and the Zanpakutō Spirits. When Kazeshini tries to attack Lieutenants Shūhei Hisagi and Tetsuzaemon Iba, who are carrying an unconscious Captain Sajin Komamura, Suì-Fēng blocks the attack.[10] Sometime later, she arrives with the Onmitsukidō to aid Ichigo, Marechiyo, and Ikkaku Madarame in capturing Hōzukimaru and Gegetsuburi. The former gets away, but Suì-Fēng has Gegetsuburi sent to Mayuri for examination. The next night, Suì-Fēng arrives with the Onmitsukidō and some other Shinigami to save Rukia and Renji from numerous attacking Zanpakutō Spirits.[11] As Gonryōmaru is attacking the Shinigami, the 2nd Division captain goes on the offensive, attacking the Zanpakutō Spirit. She effortlessly dodges a fire blast from Tenken and is nonplussed at the idea of fighting two powerful (lieutenant and captain level) opponents at once. Gonryōmaru attacks Suì-Fēng with electricity, but she dodges and lands a solid kick on him, launching him into a wall. She continues by dodging attacks from Tenken. After briefly ribbing Gonryōmaru, the latter summons a dark cloud that hovers over her.[12]
Suì-Fēng continues to taunt Gonryōmaru and Tenken before taking them both on using Shunkō. The battle is going her way greatly when she is interrupted by Suzumebachi. Suzumebachi manages to get a Hōmonka on her and says that she was close to getting a second sting as well. Suzumebachi then berates Suì-Fēng's sense of style and tells her she sounds stupid when she goes around saying "Yoruichi-sama" this, "Yoruichi-sama" that. To cap things off, Suzumebachi tells her to get a new wardrobe and a boyfriend. Suì-Fēng is shocked at Suzumebachi's personality and questions whether that really is her Zanpakutō. Suzumebachi tells her that if she doubts her then just wait and see what happens when she is stung a second time.[13] Worried that she will not be able to keep up with Suzumebachi's speed in the current area, Suì-Fēng tricks Suzumebachi into following her elsewhere.[14]
Suzumebachi proves to Suì-Fēng how fast she is.
As Suì-Fēng continues to run she is attacked by Suzumebachi though she perfectly dodges so that she does not get hit in the same spot a second time, resulting in a Hōmonka appearing on her shoulder. Suzumebachi congratulates her on her tactics, but notes that the Hōmonka seals are starting to add up, as she now has a total of three. Suì-Fēng begins to ponder why their speed is not the same until Suzumebachi explains that because she is smaller than Suì-Fēng, that regardless of them having the same speed she has more dexterity and therefore she has the advantage and that is the reason why she can attack Suì-Fēng, but Suì-Fēng cannot land a single hit on her. Suzumebachi then begins to taunt Suì-Fēng by talking about Yoruichi causing Suì-Fēng to become upset and strike out at Suzumebachi. Suì-Fēng then tries again to slash at Suzumebachi, who dodges the attacks with ease. Suzumebachi the attempts to sting Suì-Fēng in the eye, but using Shunpo she dodges the attack, resulting in her getting hit on her cheek, where a Hōmonka appears.[15]
Suì-Fēng blocking Suzumebachi's attack with her Shunkō.
Suzumebachi laughs at Suì-Fēng as she tries to determine where to strike her next, flying around Suì-Fēng using her amazing speed to confuse Suì-Fēng. Suzumebachi decides to attack the Hōmonka on Suì-Fēng's cheek but just as her stinger makes contact she is repelled by Suì-Fēng's Shunkō. Suì-Fēng takes her sword and strikes Suzumebachi down. Thus regaining control of her Zanpakutō. Although victorious, the fight has exhausted her and just as Suì-Fēng is about to collapse she is held up by Yoruichi who carries her back to meet the others. Suì-Fēng is present when Yoruichi reveals that she has found where Muramasa is keeping Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.[15]
As Muramasa's Hollow form grows in strength, Suì-Fēng, Suzumebachi and other high-level Shinigami and Zanpakutō Spirits appear in Karakura Town to aid Ichigo's team in the fight.[16] Together, Suì-Fēng and Suzumebachi began taking down several Gillians, at one point saving Ichigo's friends, though she denies any attempt to aid them. When Suì-Fēng turns her attention to the giant dome that Muramasa has transformed into, Uryū Ishida stops her from attacking by firing a volley of arrows in front of her. When trying to reason with her that Ichigo was trapped inside, Suì-Fēng insists that her mission comes first. Hitsugaya convinces her to instead focus first on taking care of the Menos Grande. As the number of Gillian grows due to the open Garganta, Suì-Fēng and the others combine their Reiatsu to seal the Garganta, preventing more Gillian from arriving.[17] After Suì-Fēng and the others finish off the remaining Gillian, Ichigo emerges from the collapsed down the victor with a dying Muramasa who apologizes for his actions.[18]
Gotei 13 Invading Army arc (anime only)[]
Suì-Fēng present during the meeting in Ichigo's room.
Suì-Fēng (with her missing arm restored) is present for a captain's meeting called by Yamamoto regarding disappearances in the Dangai. She listens to Mayuri's report that there is a time gap in the Dangai and his request to conduct a study to identify the cause.[19] Suì-Fēng later accompanies other members of the Gotei 13 to the Human World and is present during a meeting in Ichigo's room in the Kurosaki Clinic.[20]
Suì-Fēng negates Inaba's Shunkō.
Yoruichi frees Suì-Fēng from Inaba's seal. She arrives at Inaba's lair at the same time as the Gotei 13 captains and Yoruichi, stopping Inaba from attacking an injured Hitsugaya by throwing knives at him. Suì-Fēng and the captains engage Inaba and his Reigai in battle. During the fight, Yoruichi and Suì-Fēng use their Shunkō, but are blocked by Inaba's portals. Kenpachi tells them that Inaba can copy whatever they do. Yoruichi and Suì-Fēng use Hankisosai to counter this and create an opening for Kenpachi and Hitsugaya to successfully strike Inaba. However, Inaba's body dissipates and he reappears. He immediately attacks and injures all four of them.[21]
Suì-Fēng defeated at the hands of Regai-Kenpachi.
As Mayuri fights and talks with Inaba, Suì-Fēng listens with the others. As Mayuri torments Inaba, Suì-Fēng demands that he hurry up and finish him off. Inaba releases the full power of the Reigai and more of the Reigai appear. The two sides engage in battle, and while fighting the Reigai of Byakuya, Suì-Fēng is knocked into the ground by Reigai-Kenpachi Zaraki.[22] She is later treated[23] and joins the other captains to aid Ichigo and Kisuke against their Reigai pursuers.[24] Suì-Fēng quickly teams up with Yoruichi to battle Reigai-Unohana. However, even with their combined attacks, the Reigai is able to effortlessly block their attacks with a barrier. It is surmised that the Reigai have been enhanced even further since their last battle.[23]
Soon, the captains find themselves cornered by the enhanced-Reigai's power. Byakuya, however, realizes a key difference in the Reigai's method of fighting: they refuse to risk fighting outnumbered in fear of being defeated and such won't attack first. Suì-Fēng mocks them for their cowardly battle tactics.[25]
Later, the resurrected Ōko Yushima begins his endgame, using his Renzan: Hajokuri technique to begin destroying the Soul Society. Before the Shinigami can stop him, the Reigai step forward, saying that they will stop their fellow Mod-Soul's chaotic plan as their goal has always been to protect the Soul Society in their own way. The Reigai then destroy Yushima's technique at the cost of their own lives.[26]
Powers & Abilities[]
- Utsusemi (空蝉, Cast-Off Cicada Shell): Way of Onmitsu, 3rd of the Shihō. It allows for a movement at great, sudden speed, leaving at least one tangible after-image behind.[27]
Shunkō (Wind) (瞬閧, Flash War Cry; Viz "Instant War Cry"): An advanced technique that combines hand-to-hand combat and Kidō. She fights by surrounding her back and arms with pressurized Kidō. She can use the technique to a greater degree later on, using it to block a devastating lightning blast and dissipate it, and block a blade attack as well as push it back with only her bare hand, using the energy of the technique as a barrier.[28] She can focus the technique's pressurized Kidō onto specific areas of her body, making the protection exceedingly more concentrated.[29]
Enhanced Strength: Suì-Fēng is strong enough to take on bigger opponents despite her smaller stature, easily overcoming those four times her own size. During her fight with Tenken and Gonryōmaru, Suì-Fēng sent the latter flying into a wall with a single kick.[27]
Toxin expertise: Suì-Fēng has studied all the disciplines of the punishment force since she was a child, including poison. Because of this, over the years she has developed a resistance to nearly every poison there is.[4]
Notes[]
- ↑ The character's name is presented here as the translation in the Chinese pinyin system first and the Japanese Hepburn romanization second.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Bleach Official Character Book of Souls, page 196
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 68
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 99
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Bleach anime; Episode 100
- ↑ Bleach anime, Episode 168
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 180
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Bleach anime; Episode 181
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 186
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 230
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 231
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 241
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 242
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 243
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 244
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Bleach anime; Episode 245
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 253
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 254
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 255
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 317
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 320
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 328
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 329
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Bleach anime; Episode 337
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 336
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 340
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 341
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 Bleach anime; Episode 242
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 243, only portrayed in the anime.
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 245, only portrayed in the anime.