Is Gerard Valkyrie unkillable in Bleach? Character's abilities, power, and demise, explained

In the Bleach series, Quincy is locked in a fierce conflict with the Soul Reapers. For the unversed, Quincy refers to an ancient race of human archers with supernatural powers, whereas Soul Reapers are the guardians tasked with overseeing the flow of souls between the realms.

During the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War arc, these two factions clashed where one Quincy warrior emerged as an unparalleled force - Gerard Valkyrie, the Sternritter M." Gerard's extraordinary abilities and seemingly unbreakable resilience made him a formidable adversary, leaving many to ponder whether he could ever be vanquished or not.

Gerard's powers stemmed from his unique Schrift, "The Miracle," which granted him the ability to continuously resurrect himself, no matter the severity of his wounds or the magnitude of the attacks he endured. However, Yhwach's Auswahlen took away Gerard's abilities, leading to his death.

Who is Gerard Valkyrie? Explained

Gerard Valkyrie as shown in the series (Image via Shueisha)

Gerard Valkyrie was a Quincy warrior among the Sternritter, the elite soldiers of the Wandenreich army led by Yhwach in the Bleach series. His innate ability was a Schrift named "The Miracle," which let him manifest an unexplained, almost invincible power.

In both appearance and skill, Gerard was greatly influenced by Norse mythology, featuring the legendary Valkyries – female warrior figures who helped the souls of fallen heroes to Valhalla. His name, "Gerard," was derived from the German words, meaning "brave spear," further representing him as a warrior of great might and courage.

Gerard's Vollstandig (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Gerard's main ability, The Miracle, allowed him to make things happen based on what he thought, felt, and wanted. This power enabled him to control how likely things were to happen. It helped him get through tough situations and win battles. When Gerard was in a situation that seemed impossible, his ability kicked in, and he could turn things around.

Gerard also had a Heilig Bogen, a special Quincy bow, and his sword, Hoffnung. This sword could send damage back to whoever attacked him, making it easier for Gerard to defend himself. When he used his Quincy: Vollständig, called "Ashtonig" or "Authority of God," he got a powerful angel form with big, red wings that showed his connection to the Soul King.

Is Gerard Valkyrie invincible in Bleach?

Zaraki Kenpachi as shown in the Bleach series (Image via Studio Pierrot)

In the intense battles of the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, Gerard Valkyrie proved himself to be an unstoppable force against the Shinigami. His remarkable ability to regrow any lost body parts made him seem invincible. Even when Zaraki Kenpachi sliced him vertically in half, the Quincy warrior simply regenerated from the two halves and continued fighting.

Kuchiki Byakuya as shown in the Bleach series (Image via Studio Pierrot)

The Shinigami's efforts to defeat Gerard escalated when Kuchiki Byakuya unleashed his Bankai's Seikei form. Its secret technique, Ikka Senjinka, sent blades piercing Gerard's head. Hitsugaya's Daiguren Hyorinmaru then froze and shattered Gerard's torso. However, this formidable foe regenerated from his leg, emerging with a helmet-shaped face and spiked shoulders, ready to resume the relentless battle against the Shinigami.

Even when it looked like he was defeated, Gerard would rebuild himself using The Miracle and keep attacking. This made the Shinigami wonder if Gerard could really be killed.

Gerard's death: Explained

Yhwach uses his Auswahlen to strip Gerard of his power (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Gerard Valkyrie seemed unbeatable, but his reign of terror ended when Yhwach used the Auswahlen. This ability let the Quincy King take away the powers of his soldiers. When Yhwach activated the Auswahlen, Gerard was stripped down to just bones, killing him.

This attack targeted Gerard's core and was the only way to truly defeat the Quincy warrior and surpass his amazing powers and seemingly unkillable existence. The Auswahlen, a unique power of Yhwach in Bleach, was the Shinigami's sole means to overcome Gerard's miraculous regeneration abilities.

Final thoughts

Gerard grew in size using The Miracle (Image via Shueisha)

Gerard Valkyrie was a mighty soldier of the Quincy race. He was very strong and willing to do anything to achieve his goals. His special power, called "The Miracle," let him control probability and overcome any challenge, making him a tough enemy for the Shinigami.

However, Yhwach's Auswahlen was the only way to truly defeat Gerard Valkyrie. This power took away Gerard's special abilities and ended his reign of invincibility. Gerard's story shows the strength and determination of the Quincy race. It also shows the extraordinary measures needed to defeat such a powerful and resilient character.