TV-Series
Description
Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck, often called Nel Tu, is an Arrancar and the former Tres, or third, Espada in Aizen’s army. She first appears in the Hueco Mundo arc as a small, childlike being with a cracked skull-shaped fragment of her Hollow mask on her head, a prominent vertical scar on her face, and a crimson line running below her eyes. In this child form she speaks with a lisp, uses bizarre phrases, and behaves in a rambunctious and innocent manner. Her true adult form is tall, with long wavy greenish-blue hair and a more composed bearing, retaining the scar and facial marking. She was once a formidable and respected Espada who ruled over a group of one hundred Hollows known as the Tres Cifras and served as their queen. Her downfall came when the Espada Nnoitra Gilga, driven by jealousy and desire to surpass her, ambushed her with the help of Szayelaporro Granz. They forcibly removed the Hollow masks of her Fracción, Pesche Guatiche and Dondochakka Birstanne, and then attacked Nelliel herself, breaking her mask and draining her spiritual energy. This injury caused her to regress into a childlike state with no memory of her past.
In her amnesiac child form, Nelliel lives in the deserts of Hueco Mundo with her former Fracción, who pose as her older adoptive brothers to protect her, along with their large pet Bawabawa. She initially believes that Soul Reapers are evil and is afraid of them, but this changes after she meets Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends. She follows the group to Las Noches, develops a strong bond with Ichigo, and becomes a loyal ally. Her personality in child form is good-natured, playful, curious, and deeply empathetic. Even in her adult form, she retains a core of compassion, idealism, and a protective instinct. She is often described as selfless, placing the well-being of others above her own, and her decision-making balances rational analysis with a strong sense of empathy.
Later in the story, when Nelliel is exposed to sufficient spiritual pressure, her adult form and memories are restored. In this state she reawakens her full power as a former Espada. Her Zanpakuto is called Gamuza, and its release transforms her into a centaur-like being. In combat, she can swallow an opponent’s energy attack and fire it back with increased force. Although she regains her identity and power, she continues to fight alongside Ichigo and his allies against common enemies, demonstrating loyalty and a willingness to set aside old allegiances. Her journey from powerful Espada to amnesiac child and back to empowered warrior is marked by themes of redemption, the value of friendship, and the idea that true strength lies not only in power but also in the ability to care for and protect others. She shares a particularly strong bond with Ichigo, whom she holds in great affection, and remains devoted to her former Fracción, who never abandoned her. Her archenemy is Nnoitra, the Espada responsible for her fall, and their conflict is central to her role in the narrative.
In her amnesiac child form, Nelliel lives in the deserts of Hueco Mundo with her former Fracción, who pose as her older adoptive brothers to protect her, along with their large pet Bawabawa. She initially believes that Soul Reapers are evil and is afraid of them, but this changes after she meets Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends. She follows the group to Las Noches, develops a strong bond with Ichigo, and becomes a loyal ally. Her personality in child form is good-natured, playful, curious, and deeply empathetic. Even in her adult form, she retains a core of compassion, idealism, and a protective instinct. She is often described as selfless, placing the well-being of others above her own, and her decision-making balances rational analysis with a strong sense of empathy.
Later in the story, when Nelliel is exposed to sufficient spiritual pressure, her adult form and memories are restored. In this state she reawakens her full power as a former Espada. Her Zanpakuto is called Gamuza, and its release transforms her into a centaur-like being. In combat, she can swallow an opponent’s energy attack and fire it back with increased force. Although she regains her identity and power, she continues to fight alongside Ichigo and his allies against common enemies, demonstrating loyalty and a willingness to set aside old allegiances. Her journey from powerful Espada to amnesiac child and back to empowered warrior is marked by themes of redemption, the value of friendship, and the idea that true strength lies not only in power but also in the ability to care for and protect others. She shares a particularly strong bond with Ichigo, whom she holds in great affection, and remains devoted to her former Fracción, who never abandoned her. Her archenemy is Nnoitra, the Espada responsible for her fall, and their conflict is central to her role in the narrative.