Does Nemu return to life in Bleach TYBW? Her fate in the series, explored

Nemu's death in Bleach TYBW has shocked the anime community to the core. The 12th Division Lieutenant sacrificed her life to protect Mayuri Kurotsuchi from Pernida, the Left Arm of the Soul King. Although she fought valiantly, she couldn't escape Pernida's nerves, which shredded her to pieces.

Mayuri could only witness the horrific scene unfold before his eyes. As he went into shock, his inner consciousness took the form of Szayelaporro Grantz, and made him realize Nemuri Nanago was far from being "Perfect." Hence, he recollected his composure, secured Nemu's brain, and let Pernida self-destruct eating Nemu's pituitary gland. This begs the question: Does Nemu return to life in Bleach TYBW?

Unfortunately, Nemu, as in "Nemuri Nanago," couldn't survive her tragic fate and doesn't return to her previous form. However, Mayuri created the next Nemu, named Nemuri Hachigo, by using the previous Nemu's cerebrum he secured during the battle. However, the manga leaves it unclear whether Hachigo retains Nanago's memories.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from Bleach manga.

Exploring Nemu's fate in Bleach TYBW

To understand whether or not Nemu returns to life in Bleach TYBW, one must comprehend her past. According to the narrative written in Tite Kubo's manga, Nemu, who fans know as Nemuri Nanago, is the seventh incarnation of Mayuri Kurotsuchi's Project Nemuri, which aimed at creating an Artificial Soul Reaper out of nothing.

Mayuri's first three attempts ended in failure, yielding nothing but corpses. However, the fourth attempt resulted in the creation of a brain, which was used to fix one of the 12th Division Squad member's brains. Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Akon, and others channeled the technology for the fourth Nemuri incarnation to create the fifth one, which grew into a fetus.

Nemuri Nanago in the anime (Image via Pierrot Films)

While it wasn't the result Mayuri wanted, he used it to modify his Zanpakuto, achieved his Bankai (Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo), and became a Captain. The same technology was implemented in the sixth attempt with some modifications, which died at the age of 2.

Finally, Mayuri created the seventh project, named Nemuri Nanago. She received a rapid cell division and regeneration factor with the cerebrum acting as the controlling agent. Mayuri's seventh creation grew and evolved into Nemu Kurostuchi, who eventually became his assistant and the 12th Division Lieutenant.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi in the anime (Image via Pierrot Films)

That's why, when Nemu died in Bleach TYBW, Mayuri was horrified. However, his inner consciousness made him realize Nemuri Nanago had more room for growth. Hence, she collected her cerebrum and planned to create the next Nemu in line with his Nemuri Project.

After the events of the Bleach TYBW arc, Mayuri implanted Nemuri Nanago's brain and some tissue samples into the eighth Nemuri project to create his next masterpiece, Nemuri Hachigo. Unfortunately, the manga never specifies whether Hachigo retains previous Nemu's memories.

Nemuri Hachigo in the manga (Image via Pierrot Films)

It's unlikely, given how she behaves and how Mayuri treats her in the manga. She is seen ten years after the war when she heads to a reconstructed site with Mayuri. Nemuri Hachigo is somehow prone to shouting, which makes Mayuri wonder why she turned out like that.

Their short exchange in chapter 685 shows Mayuri acting almost like a father to Nemuri Hachigo, because he realizes how much Nanago meant to him when she died. Hence, Nemu psychologically lives within Hachigo. However, the "Nanago" perished in the battle against Pernida and didn't return to life.

Conclusion

Nemuri Nanago's tragic fate in Bleach TYBW was a turning point in Mayuri Kurostuchi's life. Although she doesn't come back to life, Mayuri ensures "Nemu" would live on through his project. Hence, Mayuri created Nemuri Hachigo, his next masterpiece.