What did Aizen do to Momo in Bleach? Explained

Modified Oct 24, 2024 20:30 GMT

Bleach's Sosuke Aizen, the former captain of the 5th Division in Gotei 13, is one of animanga's most iconic antagonists. Initially appearing as a polite, soft-spoken intellectual and a well-respected captain, Aizen's true nature and motives ran far deeper. He put on this facade to trick everyone into looking away from his manipulative and cruel nature.

One of Aizen's victims was Momo Hinamori, lieutenant of the 5th Division. Aizen manipulated Momo by exploiting her trust and loyalty in his elaborate scheme to betray the Soul Society. He misrepresented events, causing her to turn against the Soul Society. Aizen’s deception of Momo is a tragic example of his sly and cruel nature.

He carefully instrumented his grand scheme of betraying the Soul Society, using Momo’s devotion and loyalty to him. Her admiration for Aizen blinded her obliviously to becoming a tool in his hands. She refused to acknowledge his misdeeds despite being literally stabbed in the back. This underscores Aizen’s ruthless drive and the control he can exert, making him a formidable antagonist.

Aizen's manipulation of Momo in Bleach

Momo Hinamori was appointed lieutenant of the 5th Division under the leadership of Aizen. As such, she showed great respect and admiration for him. However, Aizen's motives were darker, and he leveraged Momo's undying loyalty towards him to take a step closer to achieving his own goal. During the Soul Society Arc, he crafted an elaborate plan to betray the Soul Society and followed through with it.

Part of that plan was Aizen using his Zanpakuto to deceive everyone into believing that he had been killed. But in reality, he faked his own death. He went so far as to manipulate events to make it appear as though Gin Ichimaru was responsible for his murder. This enraged Momo, and she began attacking Gin when Aizen's body was later found.

She was stopped by Izuru and restrained before being imprisoned. But later, Toshiro Hitsugaya and his lieutenant, Rangiku Matsumoto, handed her Aizen's last letter. It was believed to hold Aizen's "secrets" and his knowledge of the conspiracy. But it was no more than further deception aimed at blaming Hitsugaya for being the "actual murderer." Once more, Momo attacked Hitsugaya but was stopped.

Aizen and Momo's relationship, explained

Momo Hinamori (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Momo and Aizen shared a deep relationship in Bleach. They first interacted when a training exercise went awry due to a sudden attack by a group of Hollows (later found to be Aizen's doing). Momo developed an immediate fondness for him and was later assigned to his squad. As noted by Hitsugaya, she made it up the ranks to the position of lieutenant under Aizen.

Momo had a deep sense of respect, trust, and loyalty for Aizen. Some might even argue that she was in love with him as well. Their bond deepened through their interactions, like Aizen giving Momo books. In his absence, she would often visit the library as well. But to Aizen, all this was fake since he was secretly working towards his own selfish goal, viewing others as mere pawns in his scheme.

Although their relationship was built on Momo's deep admiration and loyalty, Aizen deceived her for his own gain. She held him in high regard due to his seemingly soft and tender bearing. But in the end, Aizen proved to be something entirely different. He did not even hesitate to betray the one who willingly turned on her own childhood buddy.