Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War part 3 finally reveals Nemu's backstory

Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War part 3 has revealed one of the greatest mysteries of the series with the latest episode: Nemu's backstory. The Soul Reaper was introduced to the series as a timid and taciturn lieutenant of the 12th Division, serving under Mayuri Kurostuchi. She never acted of her own volition and always respected Mayuri's orders and desires.

However, as the narrative unfolded, Nemu Kurotsuchi showed signs of growth, and eventually, it reached the culminating point in the Thousand-year Blood War arc. In the latest episode of Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War part 3, titled Baby Hold Your Hand 2 [Never Ending My Dream], the narrative revealed Nemu's actual past.

According to Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War part 3's latest episode, Nemu's original name is Nemuri Nanago. She's the seventh incarnation of Mayuri Kurostuchi's Nemuri Project, a project aimed at creating an artificial Soul Reaper from Konpaku cells. The 12th Division Captain used a complex combination of Gigai and Gikon to bring Nemu to existence.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War part 3 and the manga.

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Exploring Nemu's backstory in Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War part 3 and her relationship with Mayuri Kurostuchi

When Nemu and Mayuri were first introduced into the narrative, the 12th Division Captain appeared as an overbearing master to his lieutenant. He often used her as a shield and treated her harshly. Undoubtedly, fans may have had a negative impression of Mayuri by that point.

However, the latest Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War part 3 episode has shed light on their relationship through a captivating backstory. Being a curious scientist, Mayuri Kurostuchi had a dream of creating an artificial Soul Reaper with a Soul created from nothing.

Nemu as a child in the anime (Image via Pierrot Films)

Considering the thought was akin to a daydream, Mayuri called it his Nemuri Project. Since then, the Soul Reaper devised various methods to create an artificial Soul. After many failures, Mayuri used Konpaku cells and a combination of Gigai and Gikon to create his masterpiece.

However, the journey wasn't simple. Mayuri couldn't realize his dream in the first three attempts. Eventually, with Akon and the other Soul Reapers under his jurisdiction at the lab, Mayuri created a better version in the fourth attempt.

Yet, it was still a failure. Having said that, he used the technology and data from the fourth Nemuri incarnation to ensure the fifth project would be developed all the way to a fetus.

Akon in the anime (Image via Pierrot Films)

Mayuri then used the data from the fifth project to modify his Zanpakuto and earn himself the position of a Gotei 13 Captain. After five failed yet progressing attempts, Mayuri's sixth attempt resulted in a two-year-old artificial Soul Reaper. However, the cells stopped being divided and they died.

Finally, Mayuri Kurostuchi created Nemu Nanago, the seventh incarnation of his project. Seeing "Number 7" past the life span of its predecessor, Mayuri was overjoyed. Akon, who witnessed Mayuri's success and had a decisive role in aiding his Captain in achieving his dream, once told Nemu that she was Mayuri's greatest creation.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi in the anime (Image via Pierrot Films)

As she grew up, Mayuri Kurotsuchi lived his dream day by day. That's why, he probably became embarrassed to call Nemuri Nanago her real name and chose to call her Nemu. At any rate, Nemu's backstory in Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War part 3 episode 10 proves how special Nemu was to Mayuri, as his finest creation.

Hence, Nemu's death hurt Mayuri. However, the scientist in him realized his project had more room for growth. Thus, he recovered Nemuri Nanago's cerebrum from Pernida and used it later to create his next creation, Nemuri Hachigo.

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Conclusion

Pierrot Films has done a fabulous job of portraying Nemu's backstory in Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War part 3. The latest episode revealed why Nemu was the greatest asset to Mayuri, as she could survive a normal Artificial Soul's lifespan and evolve independently.

Moreover, her backstory proves the strong bond she had with Mayuri. Nemu wasn't only an experiment, but she was like a daughter to the 12th Division Captain.

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