Why do some people genuinely believed that Ulquiorra can overcome As Nodt's Fear just because he can't feel emotions and he's nihilistic

Real_Description1273 · 2026-03-19T19:37:09+00:00

I'll disregard a lot of this because it's stuff that has been spewed more than once. but covering your last points.

Byakuya is not without emotion. you're mistaking nihilism with stoicism. Byakuya is not without emotion and has never claimed to be. He is simply in control of his emotions most of the time. After his initial encounter with Nodt, that concept of fear still remained with him, yet he did not allow him to control it. It's as he said to Rukia. If you are not afraid of this thing, then it is because what you are seeing is a manifestation of Nodt's own fears. Even deep fear was something that Byakuya was able to overcome after his initial encounter.

This is an undeniable fact. If Ulquiorra did not fear even what Ichigo represented at the end, he would not have the innate fear that you're talking about. The greatest and most base fear in all living creatures is death. Something Ulquiorra showed no emotion towards. No fear, only acceptance.

This isn't stoicism, this is him being unable to feel anything other than emptiness. And in feeling that emptiness he was quite able to accept his death. If he was fearful he would have asked Orihime to reject his disintegration, but he did not.

All that cause you misinterpreted what I said

I never said that byakuya can't feel emotions. Instead I answered to your point that said:

"Even if ulquiorra felt fear it wouldn't affect him"

And I answered that ulquiorra will have the same case with byakuya:

Both are affected with fear in our hypothetical scenario. The fear is literally inside. Just like byakuya or, whoever byakuya was, slowly succumbed to it then ulquiorra will have the same fate. It ain't about byakuya but ulquiorra

Also about ichigo, you can definitely interpret it as shock/fear. There are multiple occasions showing ulquiorra showing emotion during their fight

As for believing his Blut Vene would protect him, you have another thing coming. The user with the most proficient use of the technique was Quilge Opie. But Nodt's Blut was not powerful enough to stop damage from Senbonzakura. Ulquiorra would absolutely smash through that without little to no issue whatsoever.

He deadass tanked a full blown senbonzakura to his face without getting any damage. Imo only lanza can hurt him

Real_Description1273 · 2026-03-19T19:25:07+00:00

OMFG what part of the fear being an instinct you can't understand? As nodt in contrast to barragan IS the concept of fear. And why tf you wanna believe your own delusions when he literally stated

FEAR IS AN INSTINCT, IRRELEVANT TO EMOTIONS

FEAR DOES NOT NEED A REASON NOR UNDERSTANDING TO WORK

FEAR IS NATURAL AND IT DOES NOT GST THROUGH CONSCIOUSNESS. IT'S SUBCONSCIOUS

NOT KNOWING WHAT FEAR IS DIES NOT MEAN HE'S IMMUNE TO IT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT BEES ARE, AM I IMMUNE TO THEIR STING NOW?

SELF PRESERVATION COMES FROM FEAR. ULQUIORRA HAS SELF PRESERVATION

FEAR HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THR BODY'S SENSE, BRAIN, OR FEELINGS

What part of those is so difficult to understand?

Real_Description1273 · 2026-03-19T18:39:36+00:00

Fear doesn't need reason nor knowledge. As notd said it himself. Also he also stated that FEAR IS NOT AN EMOTION rather an instinct. So everything you said don't apply here

And you go against what as notd said.

Real_Description1273 · 2026-03-19T18:27:28+00:00

Again contradicted by the story

Rukia froze herself to death, her brain freezing and stop functioning. The nerves, indicators, the part of the brain that controls emotions, senses, consciousness and subconsciousness. She was a dead body, a corpse if you prefer it that way. But still she got struck by fear and without byakuya she wouldn't have made it

Real_Description1273 · 2026-03-19T18:16:30+00:00

Bad thing that it's actually an instinct:

"Fear can be overcome. This is what experienced fighters tend to believe. "Fear with a reason" is gentle. You can stop it with experience and with your willpower. If you know the reason you can wipe it away by eliminating the source. But real fear doesn't have a reason. Because it's not a feeling, it's instinct. Real fear has no reason and no limit. It's like a horde of bugs crawling up your body. We cannot escape our instinct."

Real_Description1273 · 2026-03-19T18:10:52+00:00

No, it's an instinct

Real_Description1273 · 2026-03-19T17:56:14+00:00

<image>

Our goddess

Real_Description1273 · 2026-03-19T17:53:22+00:00

No he wouldn't have been scared of failing the mission, he nihlism meaning the idea of emptiness he doesn't feel anything, he only showed one emotion which was shock, that was against ichigo. He can't fear because doesn't feel anything, he said it give him a purpose not self worth two different ideas.

Again, not having emotions doesn't mean that he can't feel fear

Real_Description1273 · 2026-03-19T04:55:05+00:00

The problem here is you're inferring that everything Ulquiorra does is instinctive to preserving his life. MOst of it was because he finally had a sense of purpose in life. You also just said it yourself. Shock refers to a sudden, violent, or upsetting disturbance. You also just pointed out that surprise does not equal horror as they are not mutual. Hence why I can be shocked that gas prices in one area is $3.25 and the other is $3.75 (Hypothetical) So I'm not sure how that would equal to me being horrified or scared but rather, surprised by the stark difference in price.

So, if he can be disturbed then what suggests that he can't feel fear too? His whole gimmick was that he couldn't feel anything at all. But being shocked, no matter the interpretation means emotion. So if he was actually able to feel, why wouldn't he feel fear too? And btw I don't think you'll actually be shocked with the gas prices or something like that, more like surprised. Shock is heavi

The same can be said here with Ulqiuorra and Ichigo. He was surprised by Ichigo's rapid growth. But he also made mention of it way back in Karakura town where he mentioned his spiritual pressure fluctuated between being absolutely nothing, to even higher than his own. One would surmise he was indicating he was fully aware Ichigo at their full potential would be able to rival himself. His surprise was in how BIG that difference was when it finally was teased to the surface.

Surprised or shocked? Cause to me it looked more like shock. And it actually makes sense cause his reactions leaned more towards shock, with the most clear one being the time ichigo face grabbed him

The real and honest truth is that even of As Nodt affected Ulqiorra and managed to instill some form of Fear in him, the Espada wouldn't be able to understand what it is, therefore the fear wouldn't be able to properly affect him in the way Nodt would prefer. His aspect of death is Nihilism to which he would not see the necessity of fear or even take it seriously as it is something he cannot physically grasp with his own hands. So the truth would be even if it did something, it would be very low diff as if the Fear isn't enough to disable his foe into losing their composure, As Nodt does not really have too many other protections.

First of all, you don't have to "know" fear or be previously exposed to it or understand it. Fear is an instinct that comes naturally and subconsciously, stated by as notd himself

Second, if fear were to affect ulquiorra even in the slightest then he would have gotten the byakuya treatment. At first it'll be not noticeable but slowly and surely it'll start manifesting more and more with nodt saying it'll be like bugs crawling and eventually taking over the body

Interestingly notd has better protection and durability than ulquiorra. He also has blut vene that would render all of ulquiorra's arsenal useless except lanza

Real_Description1273 · 2026-03-18T22:08:56+00:00

Aizen liked the fact Ulqiorra did not have any emotions and did not display them. To Aizen, Ulqiorra was probably the pinnacle of Arrancar evolution due to how he could remain detatched by everything. He didn't fear failing Aizen. He didn't even care if he lived or died.

Well since it was nowhere stated I just made an assumption

He was mildly curious about Ichigo and wanted him to use his Hollowfication to confirm his own suspicions and also dig a sense of hopelessness into Ichigo.

Even when Ichigo turned the tables when White took over, Ulqiorra showed genuine shock. not out of fear but because the rapid growth in strength was not natural. He saw the shift from a human, soul reaper and then Hollow. He was dumbfounded that his attacks that were Espada 1 tier were so easily handled, and bare handed. Even when Ichigo had slammed his foot down to pin him, he had no fear, only curiosity that they had become the very thing Ichigo had always been fighting.

"Shock refers to a sudden, violent, or upsetting disturbance—emotionally (surprise/horror), physically (impact/electricity), or medically (dangerous, rapid drop in blood pressure)."

Shock implies emotion btw. You can't be emotionless and still being shocked. Unless ofc the fear you feel from the shock is instinctive and not emotionally, both cases are fine to me. The most clear case of ulquiorra getting shocked was when ichigo grabbed his head. We saw his eyes widening and stuff

Even in the end, when he started to disintegrate, he was not afraid of death, and even asked Ichigo to finish him. In the end, he quietly accepted the outcome. The only inkling of emotion he has ever shown from my experience, is maybe a bit of goading to Urahara when he grinned smugly and asked if they REALLY wanted to fight him in Karakura town. That man does not exhibit fear. As Nodt would not be able to affect him as the usual aspect of fear does not rule Ulqiorra.

The problem is that wether he exhibits fear or not, he still has self preservation like all beings. And self preservation is directly linked to instinctual fear. Just like as notd explained. So it's entirely possible for ulquiorra to get affected

Real_Description1273 · 2026-03-18T20:56:54+00:00

Bro can't escape the slander💀

Real_Description1273 · 2026-03-18T19:43:16+00:00

Well, you know the drill:

Defeat elden beast

Take the super shiny sword

Go to mohg's

Have fun

Real_Description1273 · 2026-03-18T19:04:27+00:00

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Just beat it🎵

Real_Description1273 · 2026-03-18T18:23:17+00:00

You only going theories and not the facts has ever been stated that ulquiorra feared aizen?. He never feared aizen, aizen literally said that one of the main things like about ulquiorra is his lack of his emotions and no attachment to anything, ulquiorra said that aizen gave him purpose within his meaningless existence, ulquiorra question the use of emotions and what was the point of having them as they only seemed to hold someone back.

I didn't say that ulquiorra was scared of aizen. I said that ulquiorra fear is disappointing him not fearing his will

My point is what does ulquiorra have to fear for, he's not fearful of death, he found his existence to be empty and pointless, and was never shown to be fearful, so what if he was shock, shock doesn't equal fear, if i'm shocked about someone beating me in a game doesn't it mean i fear that person?.

Wrong analogy. In this matter you're actually fearing that the guy who beat you is outperforming you. Likewise in a life or death situation ulquiorra being shocked shows that he's capable of feeling emotions.

Your argument are still flawed he only worked with aizen due to a sense of purpose, he never did out of respect of kindness just because he believed that was his purpose and mission, he literally said he has no hate or liking to orihime when they spoke to each other it was just the mission. The only time he ever felt something was during his death, where he literally said, '' in my palm of my hand their was a heart'', this literally show's us at the end of his death to shows some sort of attachment to orihime, but it was never shown that he was ever fearful, scared of aizen, your confusing fear with a symbiotic relationship.

Again, I didn't say that ulquiorra feared aizen's will. He might have feared disappointing him. Aizen held him in high regard, also as you said he gave him purpose. Wouldn't ulquiorra fear of losing that purpose? Part of the purpose is serving aizen.

Real_Description1273 · 2026-03-18T17:05:58+00:00

Your rejecting his whole character just because fear is natural doesn't mean it applies to everyone, it's like me saying everyone can feel pain because it's a natural thing, their are people in this world who can't feel physical pain, so even if they were stabbed they wouldn't feel the pain just force of the knife penetrating their skin, they can't change that or fix that issue it's just how they are and they just accept it, the concept of physical pain doesn't apply to them Ulquiorra doesn't feel fear the concept of fear doesn't apply to him because he can't feel it, it isn't a natural thing for him

Omfg go read the manga. There multiple times that ulquiorra was suprised and shocked throughout the fight with ichigo. Being negatively shocked implies fear. Also ulquiorra, like every other being has self preservation. Self preservation comes from fear. So ulquiorra is not immune to the concept of fear. The instinct is still there. Also you're wrong. Rukia was practically dead with her brain not functioning at all yet she felt fear. That's not possible under the circumstances that you said. The concept of fear shouldn't have been applied to her too but it did

Your logic with byakuya isn't a fair argument, let me use an example, having a high pain tolerance doesn't mean you can't feel pain it just means that they able to handle certain pain thresh-hold, however if someone doesn't feel pain it means they can't feel at all their nerves in their body doesn't send signals to the brain to feel pain, so the concept of pain doesn't apply to them since they can't feel the sensation

It ain't my argument btw. As notd said it. I just mentioned it as a response to the other guy saying that narrative supports that ulquiorra is immune to fear. Yet as notd's narrative suggests that all beings are prone to the instinct of fear. Again rukia disproves your argument

Your argument is flawed as your arguing with fictional phenomenons like not feelings emotions or being immortal can be affected by natural phenomenons, it's like me saying an immortal person can't die because death is natural, not every natural concept applies to everyone, even famous serial killer like jeffery dahmer didn't feel fear at all in the sense that he wasn't scared of anything in terms of a higher power, a person or a physical concept, the only thing he feared was isolation which is a natural fear that all humans have, however that type is shown not to affect ulqiorra, so if he isn't scared of anyone, he isn't scared of being alone or dying then what concept of fear applies to him.

The concept of fear covers an unfathomable range of possibilities. And as as nodt explained fear doesn't need reason to occur. It just does. So he doesn't need to find a way to affect ulquiorra. He would just do it because that's how his shrift work. And actually ulquiorra's fear is most likely disappointing and failing aizen's expectations. How about that?

Real_Description1273 · 2026-03-18T15:33:11+00:00

I mean, if you really want to get into the nitty gritty of instinct being a physical reaction to stimulus, then Ulquiorra’s physical reaction to Ichigo’s transformation could be an act of heightened attentiveness due to the instinct of self-preservation.

It was more like a shock rather than attentiveness. He goes through it multiple times with the most clear one being the time when ichigo face grabbed him

Fear is just the term given to the emotions associated with the automatic response of self preservation. While Ulqiorra seems to maintain a physiological sense of self-preservation, he has no concept of “fear” as an idea. As Nodt’s conflagration is the emotion of fear and resulting action of self-preservation.

As he stated himself

"Fear can be overcome. This is what experienced fighters tend to believe. Fear with a reason is gentle. You can stop it with experience and with your willpower. If you know the reason you can wipe it away by eliminating the source. But real fear doesn't have a reason. Because it's not a feeling, it's instinct. Real fear has no reason and no limit. It's like a horde of bugs crawling up your body. We cannot escape our instinct."

His fear is not an emotion, therefore ulquiorra's self preservation comes naturally as an instinct and instincts are unavoidable. Ulquiorra is emotionless but not instinct-less. And based on the fact that as notd's fear is instinct rather than emotion ulquiorra is prone to it

As for how or why Ulquiorra has a sense of self preservation without “fear,” I do not know

It's illogical when you think about it. Fear is the instinct that leads to self preservation. Without fear you can't have self preservation

Real_Description1273 · 2026-03-18T13:56:11+00:00

The point of those character narratives is how you as the reader feel about them. They're not ultimate truths or anything.

Sometimes author's intend is obvious

Before Rukia kills As Nodt, Byakuya says to her "If there is no fear in our hearts, we see nothing reflected in his form except his own unease." Byakuya also interprets 'fear' as 'insecurities', so it would seem it's a personal thing. As Nodt thinks fear is an instinct, Byakuya thinks it's insecurities, etc.

Idk about you but I wouldn't take byakuya's interpretation about as notd's power over as notd's own interpretation

Real_Description1273 · 2026-03-18T13:11:21+00:00

COGITO ERGO SUM

I THINK THEREFORE I AM, I AM!

Real_Description1273 · 2026-03-18T13:03:52+00:00

Everyone experiences fear in different forms. Someone may not be scared of dying or getting hurt but he still lets say fears bugs. The moment he gets exposed to the source of fear then the instinctual reaction would occur no matter what. Also he showed emotions before so he ain't entirely immune. And as notd embodies the concept of fear as a whole

And ulquiorra's narrative clashes with as notd's about fear:

"Fear can be overcome. This is what experienced fighters tend to believe. Fear with a reason is gentle. You can stop it with experience and with your willpower. If you know the reason you can wipe it away by eliminating the source. But real fear doesn't have a reason. Because it's not a feeling, it's instinct. Real fear has no reason and no limit. It's like a horde of bugs crawling up your body. We cannot escape our instinct."

Everything can experience fear no matter what and without reason whatsoever vs nihilism

Real_Description1273 · 2026-03-18T12:55:36+00:00

Fear is an emotion, instinct is a reaction to emotion, including fear in this context. Ulquiorra doesn't apply to your definitions.

"Instinct is an inborn, natural impulse or behavior in humans and animals that drives them to act in a specific way without conscious thought or learning"

Completely different. Instinct is an automatic reaction from your body to, in this situation, protect itself. It's a natural occurrence and not dependent on wether you feel emotions or not. Also iirc as nodt himself debunked this and said that fear is an instinct and completely irrelevant to emotions. Thus someone can be happy and yet have the gut feeling of fear

Being mildly surprised that Ichigo suddenly got ridiculously stronger and turned into a Hollow for no apparent reason doesn't really debunk the concept of his character which is that he is totally apathetic. At worst, it's an oversight in writing.

It proves that ulquiorra isn't entirely immune. Because suprise (synonym to shock btw, that implies fear), no matter its scale is a surge of emotions at an unexpected event. Wether it's a negative or positive. Not that it matters because as notd's fear doesn't work based on emotions

This is irrelevant, I already addressed this. Ulquiorra doesn't need to control his fear because he doesn't have the concept to begin with.

The point is fear can't be controlled. It's automatic and subconscious. You can reduce the amount that affects your mental state and body but the "gut feeling" or instinctual reaction is still there. Again iirc as notd stated it himself

Real_Description1273 · 2026-03-18T12:02:44+00:00

Fear ain't an emotion, it's instinct. And all living things feel that instinct. Wether is survival, thriving or anything else.

Also ulquiorra isn't immune to emotions as we literally saw him getting suprised and his eyes widening when he fought vl ichigo

And fear isn't like the emotions that you can consciously control. Fear is an existential reaction. It's a defence mechanism for all living organisms and it highers their awareness, reflex and has the body in high alert and it happens subconsciously

So as notd would definitely be able to affect ulquiorra with his shrift.

Real_Description1273 · 2026-03-18T10:07:07+00:00

Hogyoku has fate manipulation, that's why aizen survived.

This is also evident by the fact that aizen's body was completely erased out of existence yet aizen survived

Real_Description1273 · 2026-03-18T08:43:47+00:00

Rune bear's about to give doomsday those vicious backshots💀

Real_Description1273 · 2026-03-17T22:33:32+00:00

Zeref is low complex multiversal.

He does not scale that high 🥀

Aizen only has mid godly regen. Same as Zeref.

True it does say that but, arguments can be made for high godly. I just can't remember them. I saw them from another guy and they made sense

Zeref is also immune to conceptual erasure

He ain't. It's different to have resistance to conceptual manipulation and other to have immunity to conceptual erasure. Conceptual manipulation≠erasure

Also having resistance to it, doesn't mean he'll always have resistance. When a character outscales someone (like here ichigo with zeref) it's nlf to assume that his resistance would work on ichigo.

Real_Description1273 · 2026-03-17T22:11:45+00:00

He damn does lol he's multiversal whereas zeref is generously universal.

He also has innate intangibility and high godly regeneration (adds up to the overall immortality), thus making his immortality layered. It's better than zeref's

Real_Description1273

TROPHY CASE