Relationship Dynamic: Nnoitra & Nel

[quaint_twilight]

Nnoitra in Bleach has been associated with the death aspect of despair and considering his view on the existence of hollows it's easy to see why he was assigned as such. But what bears mentioning and discussion is his relationship with Nel, which seems to have affected his character slightly if not offer a little more than just despair in his life

Comments

[quaint_twilight]

Infatuation could be one possible interpretation but personally, I don't see much of it in Nnoitra since I take infatuation to be a kind of excessive and foolish love and admiration of another person.

While Nnoitra may have been infatuated with Nel, I don't think she feels nothing for him. Nel may not love him (I personally don't think she does) and likely doesn't understand him but she did constantly follow Nnoitra around, which I interpret to be concern for him because he was weaker, even if that concern stems from her not wanting Aizen to lose one of his Espada. Nel is a compassionate character and if anything, I think she felt pity for him.

[quaint_twilight]

I don't believe one can be infatuated with objects; that is more of an obsession. Nnoitra is intoxicated with fighting but I'm not sure if he fights Nel only because of this intoxication when, in his conflict with Nel, he has taken additional measures which would've been unnecessary if he just wanted to fight/defeat her.

Zommari was intoxicated with his power but I don't see how infatuation factors into his battle with Byakuya. Zommari fell because of arrogance on his part thinking that his power can assume sovereignty of everything. I see their fight as one about conceit especially when he was paired against Byakuya, arguably the most prideful of all the shinigami captains.

He wishes to be treated as an equal; equals in shounen protect each other.Correct me if I'm wrong, but are you hinting that Nnoitra wanted to protect Nel in the same way that she protected him

[hinodeh]

That's a well-thought out and interesting analysis. I especially liked the observation that Nnoitra seems to have adopted Neliel's standards for fighting, mainly in regard to her.

In the last paragraph, are you hinting at the fact that Neliel had gradually become such an important figure in Nnoitra's life, that the meaning of his whole life became fighting and defeating her, which in turn led to him losing the will to live once she turned into baby!Nel again because he lost all hope of ever defeating the grown up Nel?

That's an intriguing theory. The only thing that muddies this somewhat is what made him so convinced that she would not become grown up!Nel again.

Either way, I'll add this to my memories.

[quaint_twilight]

I was primarily focused on the idea that Nel could've been a very powerful encouragement for Nnoitra to live, but I wouldn't say that Nnoitra lost all will to live in that moment.

It's interesting that Nnoitra doesn't kill Nel when she turns into a child, which could indicate that he may have had some tiny hope that she would regain her original form. But there is a much deeper uncertainty in whether she can come back because of this transformation. If Nel had remained in adult form, I think Nnoitra would've felt more certain that Nel will return and thus have a stronger will to live.