"Become strong like a demon. Become crafty like a demon. You must realize that there is no way to withstand ruthlessness other than by becoming ruthless." — Dordoni Alessandro Del Socaccio in "THE SLASHING OPERA"

Dordoni Alessandro Del Socaccio (ドルドーニ・アレッサンドロ・デル・ソカッチオ, Dorudōni Aressandoro Deru Sokacchio) was Arrancar Cientecimo Tercero (103rd) in Sousuke Aizen's army prior to being executed by Rudbornn Chelute and later resurrected by Mayuri Kurotsuchi as a member of the Twelfth Division's Corpse Unit.

Appearance

Dordoni is a tall, muscular man of fair complexion. He has black hair and blue eyes. His hair resembles a pair of small horns, and he has a van-dyke beard and mustache. The remains of his Hollow mask consist of a small plate on his forehead that has horns, mirroring those in his hair. Dordoni's Arrancar outfit is customized, with fringes on the forearm portion of the sleeves, a red sash tied at his waist, shoulder pads, and openings down the front which reveal his black undershirt. He also has an earring in his right ear.^[2][3] After being revived by Mayuri, Dordoni has a large stitched up line running horizontally across his face over through the bridge of his nose.^[4]

Personality

Dordoni has a goofy personality, attempting to make a dynamic entrance out of missing his step on a beam and failing to pass himself off as serious to Ichigo Kurosaki by coughing violently in the resulting dust cloud.^[5] However, he is much more serious in battle.^[6] During his battle with Ichigo, Dordoni repeatedly tries to goad him into using his Bankai^[7][8] and later his Hollow mask.^[9] He uses any means necessary, even as far as attacking Nel Tu,^[10] in hopes of earning his former position back by defeating Ichigo at full power. He notes that he is aware of Sousuke Aizen's lack of real concern for the Espada, but desires to "stand at the top" again.^[11]

Dordoni notably refers to Aizen as "Aizen-dono" as opposed to "Aizen-sama" ("-dono" being less respectful than "-sama", but more respectful than "-san").^[12] Dordoni has a tendency of referring to those younger than him by the Spanish word which corresponds to them, such as "Niño" (坊や (ニーニョ), Nīnyo; Spanish and Japanese for "Boy") for Ichigo,^[13] "Bebé" (嬢ちゃん (ベベ), Bebe; Spanish for "Baby", Japanese for "Little Girl") for Nel,^[14] "Jovenzuelo" (小僧共 (ホベンスエロ), Hobensuero; Spanish and Japanese for "Youngster") for Rudbornn Chelute,^[15] and Niña (お嬢ちゃん (ニーニャ), Nīnya; Spanish for "Girl", Japanese for "Missy") for Giselle Gewelle.^[16]

Despite his strong desire to rise in power and glory, Dordoni is not without some honor. After his fight with Ichigo, he developed respect for the latter's abilities and discreetly made Ichigo leave in hopes of him becoming a true warrior, even willingly holding off Ichigo's pursuers in the process.^[17] When commenting on Ichigo's code of honor and how he fights to protect others, Dordoni notes that Ichigo reminds him of the Holy Mother.^[18]

History

Dordoni was previously an Espada in Aizen's army, but was demoted from his rank as an Espada after Aizen acquired the Hōgyoku. His former rank as an Espada is unknown. He was demoted to the 103rd Arrancar and the rank of Privaron Espada.^[19]

Plot

Hueco Mundo arc

Dordoni sneaks up on Ichigo Kurosaki and Nel Tu when they enter an area called Tres Cifras in Las Noches. However, he falls to the ground after Ichigo notices him. After revealing himself and expressing annoyance when Ichigo does not take him seriously, Dordoni introduces himself and reveals he is the 103rd Arrancar, which causes Ichigo to believe he is incredibly weak, as most Arrancar have 1- or 2-digit numbers. Annoyed by this, Dordoni tells Ichigo to not come crying to him after he loses and leaps forward.^[20] Upon deciding to get serious, Dordoni easily counters a Getsuga Tenshō from Ichigo after wounding him and tells the latter to not judge others by their appearances^[21] before revealing he is a former Espada.^[22] Afterwards, Dordoni attacks and smashes Ichigo through a nearby wall into a separate room.^[23] After attacking Ichigo again, Dordoni mocks his fighting prowess before learning that Ichigo will only use his Bankai against an actual Espada. Warning Ichigo to not underestimate him, Dordoni enters his Resurrección, Giralda, and quickly overwhelms Ichigo with the cyclones he generates.^[24]

Dordoni continues to tell Ichigo to use his Bankai, but Ichigo repeatedly refuses to do so because he wishes to save his Reiatsu for stronger opponents. When Ichigo destroys one of his cyclones with a Getsuga Tenshō and attempts to attack him, Dordoni blocks with his arm before knocking Ichigo back and firing a Cero at him. However, Nel appears and sucks the Cero into her mouth before firing it back at Dordoni, who receives minor injuries. Retaliating by hitting Nel with a Bala, Dordoni notes her power and sends a cyclone at her, but Ichigo goes into his Bankai and stops the blow while simultaneously cutting Dordoni's left shoulder.^[25]

After praising Ichigo for holding back his true power in order to grow stronger, Dordoni reveals he knows about Ichigo's Hollowfication before stating it is something which he wishes to see as well. When Ichigo easily repels his attack, Dordoni resorts to attempting to kill Nel in order to draw out his power, but Ichigo stops his attack at the last minute. When Dordoni claims the shame of not seeing Ichigo at full power outweighs any shame he might have at attacking Nel, Ichigo decides to bring out his Hollow mask and puts Nel down. Upon seeing Ichigo summon his mask, Dordoni laughs happily, but is cut down in an instant and falls to the ground as Ichigo removes his mask.^[26]

As he's unconscious, Dordoni thinks to himself that he knew that he would be kicked out of the Espada once Sousuke Aizen got the Hōgyoku, but he still decided to serve under him. He is suddenly woken up by Nel, who is drooling on his face.^[27] After learning that Nel's drool has healing powers, Dordoni admits Ichigo trounced him before stating he felt he could win all throughout the battle. Explaining how he wanted to defeat Ichigo at full power in order to return to the Espada, Dordoni attempts to attack him again, but Ichigo slashes him again while breaking his Zanpakutō before leaving with Nel. As the Exequias appear, Dordoni welcomes them and learns they are under orders to kill the wounded intruders. Despite his badly wounded body and broken sword, Dordoni attempts to fight off the Exequias while mentally thanking Ichigo for donning his Hollow mask despite not needing to. Telling Ichigo to become a demon in order to win, Dordoni is cut down and killed by the Exequias.^[28] In a conversation with Szayelaporro Granz, Aizen mentions that Ichigo's Reiatsu records were extracted from Dordoni.^[29] His corpse is later found in Szayelaporro's vault by Mayuri Kurotsuchi after Szayelaporro's defeat.^[30]

The Thousand-Year Blood War arc

During the second Wandenreich invasion, a "resurrected" Dordoni is brought out by Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi to fight against Sternritter "Z", Giselle Gewelle, and the Shinigami zombie army she has amassed.^[4] When Dordoni points out how he was told he would be able to meet Ichigo, Luppi Antenor tells him to think about this later, only for Mayuri to deliver an electric shock to their brains for talking too much. As a shocked Dordoni proclaims Mayuri came to kill them, Mayuri delivers another shock while explaining how it works, prompting Dordoni to state this is worse than harm to their bodies. When Giselle asks Mayuri if he believes he can win with only four zombies, Dordoni and the other Arrancar angrily proclaim they will not lose to Shinigami before rushing forward.^[31] As the Arrancar begin slaughtering the Shinigami, Luppi notices Dordoni is avoiding contact with the blood of the Shinigami and points out to him how Ikkaku Madarame came in contact with Bambietta Basterbine's blood and had nothing happen to him. When Cirucci Sanderwicci affirms this by stating they are already corpses, Dordoni proclaims he can now go all-out.^[32] When even more zombified high-ranking Shinigami arrive, the Arrancar attack them, with Dordoni taking on Kensei Muguruma.^[33] Victorious despite suffering injuries, Dordoni and the other Arrancar watch Mayuri gain control of Kensei and Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi before seeing Giselle getting cut down.^[34]

Powers & Abilities

High Spiritual Power: As a former Espada, Dordoni is very powerful, revealing that he (among the other Privaron Espada) is stronger than most of the other Arrancar, only being outclassed by the current Espada.^[35] However, despite the pride he takes in his abilities, he admitted to himself Ichigo Kurosaki probably could have beaten him with his Bankai alone.^[36]

Master Hand-to-Hand Combatant: Dordoni rarely utilizes his Zanpakutō in battle, preferring to attack foes unarmed with what appears to be an entirely kick-based martial art similar to savate. During his battle against Ichigo, he easily handled Ichigo's Shikai with only his feet.^[37]

• Barón Puntapiés Alto (男爵蹴踋術・上段 (バロン・プンタビエス・アルト), Baron Puntabiesu Aruto; Spanish for "Baron High Kicks", Japanese for "Baron Kick Skid - Upper Tier"): Dordoni performs a powerful backward kick. This technique is strong enough to dissipate Ichigo's Shikai Getsuga Tenshō.^[38]

Sonído Expert: Dordoni has demonstrated his skill with Sonído, using it to dodge some of Ichigo's attacks. He is also proficient enough to be able to catch Ichigo offguard, and launch repeated counterattacks.^[39]

Hierro (鋼皮 (イエロ), Iero; Spanish for "Iron", Japanese for "Steel Skin";Viz "Iron Skin"): Dordoni possesses the passive ability known as Hierro, allowing him to block Ichigo's Zangetsu with his leg and grab it with his hand without sustaining any injuries.^[40]

Enhanced Strength: Dordoni possesses considerable physical strength, cratering the ground beneath Ichigo with a single attack, easily jumping high into the air, and effortlessly destroying several support beams and smashing Ichigo through a wall with one kick.^[41]

Body Modification: Upon becoming altered by Mayuri Kurotsuchi to be part of his Corpse Unit, Dordoni gained new abilities he didn't possess previously.

• Postcognition Drug: Mayuri has created a drug that bestows upon its user a Past Forecasting/Predicting Power (過去を見通す力, Kako wo Mitōsu Chikara). Its effect causes the user to enter a time loop in their mind during a battle; whenever a preconditioned criteria is met, they are sent back to a certain point in time with only a sole way to escape it. However, because this drug affects the hippocampus section of the brain, which governs short-term memory, going back more than ten times will cause the user to experience complete bodily paralysis for thirty seconds due to the part of their brain that controls their sense of balance temporarily shutting down.^[42] The drug is administered by being sprayed by Dordoni's blood.^[43]

Zanpakutō

Giralda (暴風男爵 (ヒラルダ), Hiraruda; Spanish for "Weather Vane", Japanese for "Baron of Storms"):^[44] Dordoni's Zanpakutō takes the form of a standard katana with a purple hilt; a long, downward-curved cross-guard; and a green sheath.^[45]

• Resurrección: Its released command is Whirl (旋れ, maware).^[45] Dordoni is able to release his sealed power even when his sword is only partially unsheathed. Upon releasing his Zanpakutō, Dordoni is engulfed by a small tornado that disperses to reveal his Resurrección form. In this form, he gains large horns on his shoulders and armor that starts at his feet, wraps around his calves, and juts out at his waist with two more spikes. His mask also extends, framing his face.^[46]

Resurrección Special Ability: In this form, Dordoni gains special wind-based abilities and is physically enhanced.

• Cyclones: Two enormous cyclones come from exhaust spouts on the armor covering Dordoni's legs, keeping him hovering in midair.^[47] In addition, two bird-like extensions jut out from these cyclones which are used to execute long-range strikes.^[48] The extensions are not especially durable, as they can be cut by a Getsuga Tenshō^[49] and by Tensa Zangetsu.^[50][51] However, they can be easily regenerated, regardless of the amount of damage which they receive.^[52]

• El Uno Picotear (単鳥嘴踋 (エル・ウノ・ピコテアル), Eru Uno Pikotearu; Spanish for "The One Pecking", Japanese for "Single Bird Beak Skid"): Dordoni traps his opponent in the jaws of one of his bird-like extensions, allowing him to control them for further attacks.^[53]

• Ave Mellizos (双鳥踋 (アベ・メジーソス), Abe Mejīsosu; Spanish for "Bird Twins", Japanese for "Twin Bird Skid"): Dordoni generates wild and powerful tornadoes, which produce multiple bird-like extensions.^[54]

• Cero: Dordoni can fire red Cero blasts by performing a series of rapid arm movements before forming a pentagon with his index and pinkie fingers and creating the blast in the middle.^[55]

• Bala: Dordoni can fire red Bala blasts from his hand. They are powerful enough to send a small combatant like Nel Tu flying away with one hit.^[56]

• Enhanced Hierro: Dordoni's Hierro is enhanced in this form, allowing him to withstand his own Cero from Nel's Cero Doble with only minor injuries.^[57]

Weakness

Corpse Unit

Electrical Shocks: By Mayuri's own discretion, he can send electrical shocks directly in Dordoni's brain to induce pain.^[58]

Appearances in Other Media

Video Game Appearances
Blade Battlers	Blade Battlers 2nd	The Blade of Fate	Dark Souls	The 3rd Phantom	Flame Bringer
Tasogare ni Mamieru Shinigami	Shattered Blade	Versus Crusade	Heat the Soul	Heat the Soul 2	Heat the Soul 3
Heat the Soul 4	Heat the Soul 5	Heat the Soul 6	Heat the Soul 7	Soul Carnival	Soul Carnival 2
Hanatareshi Yabou	Bleach Advance: Kurenai ni Somaru Soul Society	Erabareshi Tamashii	Soul Resurrección	J-Stars Victory Vs	Brave Souls
Paradise Lost	Jump Force	Rebirth of Souls	Fortnite

Novel Appearances
Letters From The Other Side	The Honey Dish Rhapsody	Spirits Are Forever With You	The Death Save The Strawberry	WE DO knot ALWAYS LOVE YOU	Can't Fear Your Own World

• Dordoni first appears in Bleach: Heat the Soul 5 and returns in Heat the Soul 6 and 7. In both games, he is able to use his Resurrección as his special attack, sending out two cyclones to attack the opponent in the air.

• Dordoni is playable in multiple forms in Bleach: Brave Souls, most recently as his resurrected self brought back to life by Mayuri Kurotsuchi during the Quincy Blood War, which was released as part of the Bleach: Can't Fear Your Own World tie-in event. In this form, Dordoni is a melee normal attack character with the "Power" attribute and the "Captain Killer" ability whose second strong attack creates a vortex around him. He have one Innate Ability built in at ★5: . His unlockable skills are "Party Power Attribute Arrancar Normal Attack Damage +20%", "Berserker +60%", "Bruiser +50%", "Flurry", "Long Reach +20%", "Sprinter +1", and "Strong Attack Recharge Time -12%", while his Soul Trait is "Damage Taken -20%" and his Innate Ability built-in at ★5 is "Paralysis Duration -100%". Dordoni's special is Ave Mellizos (アベ・メジーソス, Abe Mejīsosu; Spanish for "Bird Twins"), where he Dordoni kicks multiple beak-like blasts of wind at his foes, inflicting immense damage.

Censorship

• In the anime, when Ichigo was kicked into a wall by Dordoni, his face wasn't bleeding^[59] as it was in the manga,^[60] until after he was rammed into the ground by the Arrancar's Cyclones, albeit less wounded in the anime.
• Before taking on the barrage of attacks from Dordoni's Cyclone attacks, Ichigo wasn't as severely wounded in the anime,^[61] compared to the manga.^[62]
• In the anime, after Nel deflected Dordoni's Cero back at him, the latter wasn't bleeding as profusely on the right side of his face compared to the manga.^[61][63]
• When Ichigo released his bankai and attacked Dordoni with Kuroi Getsuga, the latter's right shoulder horn wasn't visible in the anime,^[61] as it was in the manga.^[64]
• When Nel's cheek was scored by Dordoni, it wasn't profusely bleeding in the anime,^[61] as it was in the manga.^[65]
• When Dordoni's and his Zanpakutō were cut down by Ichigo, there was significant less blood in the anime compared to the manga.^[66][67]

Trivia

• The theme song that Kubo chose for Dordoni is "Eternal Struggle" by the composer Junichi Nakatsuru from the Soulcalibur II soundtrack.^[68]
• Ichigo and Dordoni's battle is extended and slightly altered in the anime. Instead of getting hit into the ground by one of Dordoni's Cyclones the first time, Ichigo dodged the first one, and engaged in close-range combat with the Privaron Espada. Their brief clash resulted in Ichigo being overwhelmed by Dordoni's superior hand-to-hand combat skills, finally being rammed into the ground by the Arrancar's Cyclone, and Dordoni questioning if that's the best the Shinigami can do.^[59]
  • In addition, after Ichigo was blown away by Dordoni's Cyclone, the Arrancar kicked the former before ramming another Cyclone into him. Afterwards, Dordoni grabbed Ichigo by the collar and explained how Ichigo is going to be defeated if the former doesn't keep holding back, before sending two more cyclones at the Shinigami, suspending the latter in the air, thus earning Ichigo pleas from Nel. Ichigo then appears to activate Bankai only to use Shunpo to surprise Dordoni, and attempt to Getsuga Tenshōat point-blank range.^[61]
• In the anime, one of Dordoni's cyclones weren't shown reforming when the Privaron Espada explained how he knew of Ichigo's Hollowfication ability compared to the manga.^[61][69]

Quotes

• (To Ichigo Kurosaki) "Your feet aren't something you should be going out of your way to confirm with your eyes."^[70]

• (To Ichigo Kurosaki) "Restraining yourself for the sake of battle, that's important for those who seek strength. I think it's a wonderful thing."^[71]

• (To Ichigo Kurosaki after trying to attack Nel Tu) "What is there to be angry about? If your objective is to "protect your friends" and my objective is to "defeat you at full strength", then what I'm going to aim for is not you, but that little Bebé. Nothing more."^[72]

• (To Ichigo Kurosaki) "But what I'm really ashamed of is not being able to fight you at your full strength! Compared to this, all other shames are nothing, niño."^[73]

• (To Ichigo Kurosaki after being healed by him) "I wanted to return to the Espada. The Espada are Aizen's loyal servants, and Aizen probably thinks of them as nothing more than tools of war. I know that, but once you've stood at the top, you can never forget the view. That place was indescribably comfortable. I thought that if I beat you at full power, Aizen would once again notice me, and I might be able to return to the Espada. That is why I urged you to Hollowfy, and my feelings haven't changed! Why are you surprised? Healing the wounds of an enemy whose circumstances you don't even know means that you're prepared for a counterattack! Am I wrong?"^[74]

• (To Ichigo Kurosaki) "Injuries are in the mind, niño. If the will to fight is healed, then injuries to the body are of no consequence."^[75]

• (About Ichigo Kurosaki) "Those who dwell here are like me and have no naivety. Do not hesitate to cut your foe. Do not think twice about dealing the final blow. And do not even think about healing the enemy's wounds. Leave the chocolate here. Become a demon, niño. Become strong like a demon. Become crafty like a demon. You must realize that there is no way to withstand ruthlessness other than by becoming ruthless. If you don't, niño..."^[76]

References

Navigation

Espada
Members	0: Yammy Llargo (Post-Release) •1st: Coyote Starrk / Lilynette Gingerbuck (Post-Release) • 2nd: Baraggan Louisenbairn • 3rd: Tier Harribel • 4th: Ulquiorra Cifer • 5th: Nnoitra Gilga • 6th: Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez • 7th: Zommari Rureaux • 8th: Szayelaporro Granz • 9th: Aaroniero Arruruerie • 10th: Yammy Llargo (Pre-Release)
Former Members	3rd: Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck • 6th: Luppi Antenor
Privaron Espada	100: Cien Granz • 102nd: Pícaro • 103rd: Dordoni Alessandro Del Socaccio • 105th: Cirucci Sanderwicci • 107th: Gantenbainne Mosqueda