The Three Worlds (三界, Sangai), or simply known as the "World" (世界, Sekai) collectively, are the three conjoined realms that make up most of known existence, namely:
- The Human World
- The Soul Society
- Hueco Mundo
They were formed by the Soul King out of the Primordial Sea, and in the process, "life" (生, sei) and "death" (死, shi) were separated.[1][2]
Overview[]
The Three Worlds, as the term suggests, are three separate yet adjacent dimensions: the world of Kishi (器子の世界, Kishi no sekai), the world of Reishi (霊子の世界, Reishi no sekai), and the "paradise of sand" (砂の楽土, suna no rakudo).[2] They are commonly known as the Human World (or the World of the Living), Soul Society (the afterlife for Human Souls), and Hueco Mundo (another realm of Reishi where Hollows dwell), respectively. These three dimensions coexist inside a featureless black void known as the Garganta.[3]
Likely because they are not naturally meant to exist apart, the three dimensions need to remain in balance with each other at all times by keeping a roughly equal amount of Souls existing per world. Maintaining this equilibrium is the main purpose of the Shinigami.[4][5] Should this balance ever be disrupted, or should the Soul King's influence ever be removed from the equation, the three worlds will forcibly try to merge with each other once again.[6][7][8]
The Quincy naturally threaten the balance of the worlds, as they extinguish the souls of Hollows, causing an imbalance of souls. This eventually leads to the collapse of the worlds, mixing life and death together. Because of this, the Shinigami attempted to exterminate the Quincy 200 years ago.[4] In truth, the Quincy are led by the son of the Soul King, Yhwach, who desires to end his father's endless humiliation,[9] merge the worlds, and create a world without the fear of death.[8]
Trivia[]
- The term "Three Worlds" is anglicized as "Triplet World" in Episode 394's eyecatch.
- Despite being an entire realm of its own, Hell is never mentioned to be a part of the Three Worlds. The reason has not yet been addressed in either the manga or anime.
- However, in Ryōgo Narita's novel Bleach: Can't Fear Your Own World, it is revealed that Hell predates the Soul King's tripartition of the worlds; one of the reasons for the Human World's creation was for it to serve as a "lid" to seal off Hell from the other realms.[10]
- It was originally explained that the balance must be kept between the two worlds, the Human World and Soul Society, or else they collapse.[4][6] It was later changed to three worlds, adding Hueco Mundo.[11]
See also[]
References[]
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 390
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bleach anime; Episode 394
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 625, page 13
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Bleach manga; Chapter 46, pages 3-5
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 615, page 14
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Bleach manga; Chapter 492, pages 9-10
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 611, pages 15
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Bleach manga; Chapter 686, pages 12-13
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 612, page 2
- ↑ Bleach novel; Can't Fear Your Own World, Chapter 22
- ↑ Bleach anime; Episode 396
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Human World | Kagamino City · Karakura Town · Karakura High School · Karakura Hospital · Kurosaki Clinic · Urahara Shop · Bount Mansion · Naruki City · London |
Soul Society | Rukongai · Seireitei · Soul King Palace · Central 46 Compound · Nest of Maggots · Shin'ō Academy · Sōkyoku Hill · Gin Tonbo · Kuchiki Manor · Central Great Underground Prison · Wandenreich City · Silbern · Wahrwelt · Western Branch · Reverse London |
Hueco Mundo | Forest of Menos · Las Noches · Negal Ruins |
Others | Hell · Dangai · Valley of Screams · Garganta · Primordial Sea |