Why does Giselle get so much hate in Bleach? Explored

Giselle Gewelle, one of the most twisted members of the Wandenreich in Bleach, is a character fans love to hate. Known as The Zombie, Giselle’s powers enable her to manipulate the dead and even control the living by infecting them with her blood.

However, it's her unnerving blend of a cheerful facade, sadistic cruelty, and manipulation that make her particularly despised. Her treatment of allies and enemies alike shows a complete lack of empathy, disturbing fans who view her as one of Bleach’s most irredeemable antagonists.

This article delves into why Giselle’s character draws such intense hatred from the fandom.

Bleach: Giselle has a manipulative personality with a cheerful facade

Giselle as shown in the anime series (Image via Studio Pierrot)

One of the primary reasons fans react so strongly to Giselle is her jarring personality. Even in dangerous situations, she often has a happy, even goofy expression, seemingly unfazed by the violence around her. This disarming demeanor hides a deeply manipulative personality.

Throughout her interactions with the other Sternritter, she displays a mockingly antagonistic relationship, particularly with Candice Catnipp. Giselle teases Candice about her own quirks and even mocks her power, creating an air of tension among the Wandenreich.

Despite these antics, Giselle often willingly steps in to help her comrades in battle, although her “help” often has self-serving motives.

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Giselle’s cheerful, almost innocent exterior masks her willingness to manipulate and harm others without a second thought. She uses reverse psychology in battle, goading her opponents into triggering her powers. This trait has won her few sympathizers, as fans see her smile and light-hearted comments as mocking and heartless.

Her actions and tone give the impression of a carefree spirit, which is what makes her cruelty even harder for fans to digest.

Bleach: Giselle’s evil deeds with Toshiro Hitsugaya and the Gotei 13

Zombified Hitsugaya Toshiro (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Giselle’s role in the Wandenreich brings her face-to-face with the Gotei 13, where her sadistic nature comes to light in full force. Her power, The Zombie, allows her to control others by infecting them with her blood.

This ability becomes especially disturbing when she uses it on the Captain of the 10th Division of Shinigami forces, Toshiro Hitsugaya, forcing him to act as her puppet in battle against his former comrades.

Fans were especially disturbed by Giselle’s ability to rob Hitsugaya of his free will, using him against those who care about him most.

Bambietta as shown in the anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

In addition to Hitsugaya, Giselle uses her powers to control several other members of the Gotei 13, turning friends into enemies. She exhibits no remorse for using her powers on both allies and foes alike.

By zombifying her fallen comrades, Giselle embodies an unrestrained ruthlessness, willing to desecrate even those she once fought alongside. This lack of empathy and respect for the dead makes her actions particularly offensive to fans, who view her as one of Bleach’s most irredeemable antagonists.

Bleach: Giselle's parallels to a cockroach

Kurotsuchi Mayuri as shown in the anime series (Image via Studio Pierrot)

One theory that resonates with fans is Giselle’s cockroach-like symbolism. Her design includes antennae-like features, and her durability is almost cockroach-esque. Giselle shows a persistence that seems inhuman. Even after brutal defeats and injuries, she finds ways to survive and come back stronger.

Her actions embody the traits of a cockroach: being resilient and nearly impossible to get rid of completely. This symbolism likely contributes to fans’ dislike of her, as the image of a cockroach carries with it a deep-seated sense of disgust and aversion.

A snapshot from the anime series (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Much like cockroaches that are reviled for their ability to survive against the odds, Giselle’s presence in Bleach brings an unsettling feeling that no matter what happens, she will find a way to endure.

This symbolism is reinforced by scenes where she heals herself through unorthodox means, such as consuming blood. Her tenacity in clinging to life despite seemingly fatal blows reflects the cockroach’s defiant survival, adding another layer to why fans find her character so unappealing.

Final thoughts

Zombified Bambietta (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Giselle Gewelle is a character that Bleach fans love to hate. Her cheerful personality masks a disturbingly sadistic side, which, combined with her manipulative tendencies and cruel actions toward fan-favorite characters, makes her one of the most despicable figures in the series.

The theory connecting her to a cockroach deepens the negative sentiment, as it highlights her relentless and off-putting nature. Through her role as The Zombie, Giselle’s actions have left a lasting impact on fans, securing her place as a memorable, if widely disliked, antagonist.