Similar to the Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book segments, The Arrancar Encyclopedia was a series of omake (bonus shorts/stories) that played at the end of episodes. Spanning between episodes 125 and 307, these forty shorts were both entertaining and informative as Gin Ichimaru breaks down particular concepts throughout the Arrancar/Fake Karakura Town arc. Sometimes even pointing out filler breaks with some fourth wall breaks. Some even had mini arcs.
I thought it would be fun to go over a few of my favorites as a way to appreciate these little segments. I’ve also embedded the videos from Bleach Watch’s channel. They have uploaded all of the Arrancar Encyclopedia omakes, as well as other shorts and moments. They are all dubbed, however, YouTube also will have them in subbed as well, if you prefer. Seeltech, for instance, uploaded all of them into one video (found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRZH3F8P1mo).
Arrancar Encyclopedia 3
The main reason I like this one is because, not only is it true, but it’s also pretty funny how it’s pointed out that Grimmjow never got to release his Resurrección and how his battles with Ichigo get interrupted. Not only is this true, with Tousen and Shinji stepping into his first two battles with Ichigo, but it’s amusing to have Gin question who should stop him next.
Arrancar Encyclopedia 7
This episode goes over how Hueco Mundo is a barren, desert-like region, with no trace of water in sight. Which begs the question, how is Aizen able to make/have tea? The episode doesn’t give an outright answer, with Gin stating that the less he knows the better (lest he become “more of a threat”), but there are a few ways this could be explained away.
Maybe Hueco Mundo has a secret water reserve that only Aizen knows about. Or maybe Tousen stocks up on water. Or perhaps Harribel helps since her Resurrección gives her water manipulation and abilities.
We may never get the answer, but it is fun to think about in a hypothetical kind of way. Especially since Hollows don’t really get sustenance in the same way people do (i.e. absorbing reishi and devouring weaker Hollows).
Arrancar Encyclopedia 8
In discussing the different kinds of Hollows, we get a bit of subtle foreshadowing. Gin notes how Nel is more humanoid, despite not seeming to be a Vasto Lorde. Which brings up the question of what Nel could be. He does end up brushing it off as Nel feels embarrassed by the attention, stating how there could be exceptions. However, it does set up the notion that there is more to Nel than we know.
Which does get revealed later on and is discussed in the 22nd Arrancar Encyclopedia. It’s a fun little instance of how these segments interconnect.
Arrancar Encyclopedia 9
“Shoot first, ask questions later”. That basically sums up this one.
As Gin is trying to explain Gillians (the giant Hollows that wear body length cloaks and a white mask), Pesche, one of Nel’s “brothers” continues to interrupt the lesson. First by trying to get one to follow his orders, to which Gin continues stating how only people Aizen put in charge can control them. Pesche then kicks the Gillian as he yells at Gin for not telling him as much. This angers the Gillian, to which Gin follows up that his (the Gillian’s) friends will come to help, so you shouldn’t attack them without back up. Once again, Pesche gets mad at Gin for not saying that before he kicked the Gillian.
Of course, this was played up to be more comedic, but had Pesche just let Gin finish, he wouldn’t have gotten in trouble. Then again, there probably wouldn’t have been much of a segment if he hadn’t.
Arrancar Encyclopedia 12
Another little segment with Nel’s band of brothers. For this particular segment, Gin goes over the more animal-like Hollows, with a lizard like Hollow being the creature shown off. Bawa Bawa, who can’t talk comes in and tries to literally take a bite out of Gin when he tries to ask if he consumes reishi like the lizard. He then uses his Shikai to pry Bawa Bawa off him.
What I really like about this episode is the delivery. Both the Japanese and English versions are funny, but I like the delivery in the English version a bit more. The way Gin says “I’m not some midday snack. You’re going on a diet” makes me chuckle.
Arrancar Encyclopedia 13
This one’s more so interesting than funny. Though it is still entertaining given the question “which ones Arro and which one’s Nero”. Here, we get some context on Aaronero, the ninth Espada. It is mentioned in his battle against Rukia, and again here, that Aaronero is the only Espada who’s a Gillian. A bit of a special case due to his abilities, it’s both interesting and significant when it comes to the Espada and Arrancar.
The only Hollows capable of becoming and Arrancar and, by extent an Espada, are Adjuchas and Vasto Lordes. Grimmjow, for instance is an Adjucha, while Starrk would be a Vasto Lorde. Gillians either weren’t powerful enough and/or not what Aizen was looking for when recruiting the Espada (and by extent Arrancar numbered passed 10 and Fracción). So for Aaronero to be the only Gillian says a lot.
Because of that, it’s worth shouting this segment out.
Arrancar Encyclopedia 16
Being the last Arrancar Encyclopedia before the Shusuke Amagai arc (i.e. it took a hiatus for the duration of the filler arc), this episode breaks down Ichigo’s Hollowificaiton and how this makes him more like an Arrancar than a Soul Reaper. Vizards are in a similar boat due to the method that they access their Hollow powers. Ichigo’s situation would be different, but he would be similar to a Vizard because of this. However, all things considered, Gin does raise an interesting point with Ichigo being similar to an Arrancar.
That on it’s own is enough for me to enjoy this installment, however, there is one other element that I like. Gin concludes the episode asking Ichigo if he knew about Squad 3’s new captain. Ichigo heard about it , but doesn’t know who he is. Shusuke Amagai appears on his display as he comments how it could be rough and denies knowing him when asked. He then ends the segment by saying “good luck with you’re career Izuru”.
I always loved that part of the short. Unfortunately, we don’t really get to see what kind of dynamic Gin and Izuru had, or how good of a captain he was. I have also seen questions on whether or not Gin cared about Izuru or Squad 3 (one consensus I’ve seen being that he may not care about them as much as he does for Rangiku, but he may like them enough as far as subordinates goes). So seeing him hoping for the best is something that I liked because it kind of shows that Gin cares enough for Izuru and his well being to wish him luck.
Arrancar Encyclopedia 22
Speaking of Nel and foreshadowing, Arrancar Encyclopedia 22 addresses Nel, her true form, and her Resurrección. Nel (as a kid) enters, stating how pretty grown Nel is, not remembering that they are one in the same. When Gin points this out, Nel, not understanding how Gin could see her like this, makes a bit of a pass at Gin’s eyesight. To which Gin retaliates stating how she mustn’t be all that bright. All in all, it’s just a fun little episode.
Arrancar Encyclopedia 24
There’s not much I can say about this episode other than Swiss Army Knife. The episodes that go over certain Arrancar or Espada, namely their abilities and/or Resurrección, are pretty simple. Some more entertaining than others. I just think this one is funny for setting up the whole joke of “could you pull out *insert tool or appliance here* like a Swiss Army Knife/jack of all trades”.
Arrancar Encyclopedia 25
I’d feel bad not including this one for a joke that it spawned. The topic at hand was Gargantas, the portals used to get from Hueco Mundo to the Human World and vice versa. Kisuke Urahara is brought up and how he was able to reconstruct one for Orihime’s rescue mission. Mayuri pops in, venting his frustrations about it. He then proceeds to get into Gin’s space wondering if Gin could provide a diagram of an Arrancar’s anatomy, much to Gin’s discomfort.
When it comes to Gin, no one really freaks/weirds him out. In fact, he’s probably one of the first examples to come to mind when thinking about unsettled Bleach characters due to how he carries himself and how he’s associated with snakes.
So the fact that someone else is able to make him feel unsettled kind of says a lot. Which would explain why there are a few memes pointing out how Mayuri is just that creepy/unsettling. There’s even a blink and you’ll miss it frame where Gin opens his eyes when Mayuri approaches him, which is a rare for Gin.
Granted, it wouldn’t take someone like Gin for people to realize that something is off about Mayuri. However, seeing how nonchalant Gin is around Kenpachi in the Soul Society arc and characters like Rukia stating how disturbed she feels around him, the fact that Mayuri make him uncomfortable says a lot.
The only other person Gin doesn’t seem to like Szayelaporro Grantz (the 8th Espada) for similar reasons. Which he hints at off hand in the few Arrancar Encyclopedia episodes Szayelaporro guest stars in. I just prefer Mayuri’s appearance over Szayelaporro.
Arrancar Encyclopedia 28 and 29
I’m including these two together since they are directly connected (unlike the previously mentioned Nel ones).
Taking place before the Zanpakuto Rebellion Arc, the 28th installment was meant to go over the Resurreccións of Barrigan’s remaining Fracción, as well as Harribel’s, before the break. Ichigo points out how none of them are exactly new (the former’s Fracción even being defeated in the following episode) to which Gin responds that he thought they would have had more time before the break. He also points out how running these segments isn’t easy. When Ichigo counters that it doesn’t look that hard, Gin ends up having him take over for the next segment to prove a point.
This leads into the 29th segment where Ichigo, as the defacto host, has to interview Starrk, Barrigan, and Harribel, the first through third Espada. Where he receives a pretty cold reception.
These two episodes are a fun little way to play into the whole “public speaking being difficult” bit.
Arrancar Encyclopedia 35/36
I just like how these two play into the whole “Aizen doesn’t know about this”/”I don’t Want Aizen to see this” thing that Ulquiorra mentions during his fight with Ichigo. While Aizen doesn’t make an appearance in this episode (he has invited himself on at least once), it’s funny to think that Ulquiorra doesn’t want him to see, as though knowing Aizen could pop in at any moment. As well as the retaliation he takes when Gin manages to get a good look at him (think laser eye surgery, but deadlier).
I also like how this is an instance where we get to see Gin’s eyes opened. Like a handful of other anime characters, one of his defining features is the fact that his eyes are closed. However, unlike say, Brock from Pokémon, he has opened a few times. Being miscolored twice (red in the early anime and Heat the Soul 6, for the PSP, and apparently yellow in the DS games. Conformation for the games: https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/958052-bleach-heat-the-soul-6/49559999). Because of this, I do have to shout out how this is one of the few rare times we see them. In the correct color too.
Arrancar Encyclopedia 39
Of course, what Gin hosted series wouldn’t talk about his Bankai. Which is exactly what this penultimate episode of the Arrancar Encyclopedia does. My favorite thing from this one is how it uses measurements to help explain how long his Zanpakuto goes. It has a 13km reach (or roughly 8.1 miles). And for the sake of discussion, he uses both the Tokyo Tower and Resurrected Yammy as references.
While the next episode is the last, and a nice one at that, I do appreciate that the last informative episode was about Gin. It only felt right.
In Summary
The Arrancar Encyclopedia was a fun little series of shorts going over an array of characters, concepts, and lore. It’s also nice to see characters interact with each other not on the battlefield. And while I wish I could say that I like all of them, there are some that I like more than others.
What about you? Do you have one or more Arrancar Encyclopedia shorts that you like? If so, which ones?
Hopefully Destructive Shinigami Tales 
Leave a comment