Ganryu

Ganryu is composed, watchful and patient. He allows his subordinates to conduct most early confrontations while he observes the abilities of the Soul Reapers opposing him. His calm demeanor is accompanied by considerable arrogance, particularly when he believes the Blanks or the terrain of the Valley give him control.

He is consumed by resentment over his clan’s exile. Ganryu treats the destruction of both worlds as justified retribution, even though the people living in them had no role in the ancient sentence. Formality and mercy mean little to him when weighed against that goal.

Ganryu also reduces Senna to a function. He insists that she is only a mass of borrowed memories and dismisses the independent personality she has developed.

Ganryu is an experienced combatant with substantial spiritual power. He can materialize bladed weapons, including a concealed spear used for surprise attacks, and is strong enough to fight Ichigo after the latter activates Bankai.

His greatest advantage is his control over the Blanks. Ganryu can direct them in swarms, use them to restrain enemies and cause them to detonate as spiritual explosives. Within the Valley of Screams, the Dark Ones also shape Blank-derived matter into weapons and defensive structures.

Ganryu’s plan depends more on preparation and dimensional manipulation than personal force. By positioning the Shinenju at the Valley’s center, he can make the Blanks contract around it and destabilize the boundaries separating the Human World from Soul Society.

Ganryu’s ancestors are expelled from Soul Society and left to wander the Dangai. They eventually discover the Valley of Screams, where memories lost by wandering souls accumulate, and learn to control the resulting Blanks. Renaming themselves the Dark Ones, the survivors prepare their revenge.

Ganryu sends Jai to capture Senna after observing her connection to the Blanks. When Soul Society moves to secure her, he launches an ambush, incapacitates Senna and uses exploding Blanks to cover his retreat. He also impales Ichigo with a concealed spear when Ichigo attempts an immediate rescue.

In the Valley of Screams, Ganryu reveals Senna’s nature and begins the collision. Ichigo and the Gotei 13 invade the Valley, defeat the Dark Ones and free Senna. Ganryu restrains Ichigo during their final duel, but Ichigo breaks loose and kills him, ending the Ryōdoji revenge plot.

Senna is the indispensable focus of Ganryu’s plan. He refuses to recognize her as an individual and treats her solely as the Shinenju that attracts the Blanks.

Ichigo Kurosaki becomes Ganryu’s principal opponent after resolving to protect Senna. Ganryu initially underestimates that resolve and is ultimately defeated by him.

Jūshirō Ukitake recognizes Ganryu’s group as the exiled Ryōdoji family. Ganryu rejects the old name and identifies his followers only as the Dark Ones.

Jai, Mue, Riyan, Bau and Benin are Ganryu’s principal subordinates. They support his revenge campaign and fight the Soul Reapers who enter the Valley of Screams.