Jugram Haschwalth- An analysis
Jugram has always struck as a very calm, stoic, loyal and charming character. From being a nobody talentless Quincy to be the Grandmaster of Sternritters.
Scrutinising his backstory with Bazz-B and the entire theme of Bleach, we get to see that, kid Jugram to be someone who’s very shy, nervous and introverted. When Bazz first confronted him he had a depressed expression, as if he had never once experienced any other emotions. Even when interacting with Bazz B he didn’t feeling anything except being annoyed. But when Bazz told him to become ultimate Quincies together that was the first time we see Jugram’s eyes displaying some sort of emotions. As if it he was happy that there’s someone who’s giving him a purpose and will stuck with him.
But then comes him uncle and all of his eyes glory vanishes suddenly. When both of their forests were burned down and they had no family member left, they both decided to kill Yhwach. What this tells us is that Jugram has always been a person who would rather follow others path and ambition than his own. It was always Bazz who decided what they both are going to do because Jugram being an orphan and had a pedophilic Uncle as his only relative, had no means of knowing what he’s supposed to do. This is reflected on his ability to only give others power, Yhwach noted that Jugram can’t even take back the power he has given others. This highlights a very important aspect of Jugram’s character, that being, he can only follow on other’s ambitions and cannot create his own.
For Jugram what mattered more than ambition was someone who could see what he’s capable of, someone who needs him in this world where he has no one. When he saw Bazz B looking at him with rage and fury that a talentless pitiful such as Jugram is being hired as Yhwach’s adviser and right hand. And not a genius and ambitious Quincy such as himself.
Seeing this made Jugram realise that not even Bazz-B truly understands him and needs him. He questions Bazz B in his inner monologue as to why isn’t he happy that Jugram gets to be near Yhwach. But for the sake of someone who once did include him in his ambition and was there for him, told Yhwach that Bazz B is more fitted to be Yhwach’s right hand than himself. Jugram going against his own personal disliking, calls himself a talentless and pitiful Quincy to downplay himself and so that Bazz can fulfil his ambition. Showing utmost loyalty towards someone he consider close to him.
This contrasts well with Bazz-B who is a man of high ambition, aggressive and disloyal (he hurts his own Quincy comrades so that he can beat Ichigo on his own, planning to kill Yhwach after being recruited). When Yhwach acknowledged and told Jugram about his potential and capabilities, followed by a “I need you.” His eyes turn with the same glory he once had when he met Bazz B for the first time. This time it wasn’t of happiness or anything but rather that he finally met someone who truly saw who Jugram actually is. When Bazz-B aims at Yhwach in an attempt to kill him, Jugram catches it and breaks the arrow apart. We also see a totally different expression and mannerisms of Jugram as he breaks that arrow. Displaying that he destroyed the ambition and dream he shared with Bazz B and that he’s going to give it all to Yhwach and for his cause.
Jugram, has always followed the idea of weighing decisions on a balance scale so that there wouldn’t be any regrets. This idea is deeply associated with Utilitarianism, the philosophy that we should perform actions that have higher expected utility (beneficial outcomes), we see Jugram remembering the day when he forsake Bazz B for Yhwach implying it was a regret.
When Jugram says that he has no regrets as he’s passing out we see the panel being focused at his sword’s handle and when he has fully passed out his palm opens up and we see Bazz’s name.
Clearly, showcasing that his one and only regret was forsaking his only friend for Yhwach. Although, contradictory to his own philosophy, but that’s where the beautiful writing comes into play.
Jugram describes his Shield as a protection which takes all the misfortune that has incurred on him and reverts it back to his opponents. What this actually symbolises is that the day Jugram forsake Bazz B for Yhwach he was sad that his one and only friend wasn’t happy for him and in order to serve Yhwach he opposed his friend, and that was his only regret. To hide that cover, he put up a mask of a stoic and calm demeanour, so that he wouldn’t go back to Bazz and betray Yhwach’s trust and stay loyal towards him. But deep down Jugram always regretted that, in reality, Jugram is a tragic character who is being torn apart by the regret of forsaking a friend and being utmost loyal to the man who made him take that decision but also acknowledging his capabilities which his friend failed to.
When Jugram was at the brink of death he told Uryu to transfer all his wounds to him, so that he could help his friends. He puts away that mask finally and we see Jugram’s facial expression being regretful and the same face he once had when he met Bazz B for the first time.
Jugram was angry when he saw Uryu rejecting his utilitarian view that he should give up his friends for Yhwach’s cause just like he did. Because Jugram wanted to see if there’s someone else who can do the same thing as him. He wanted to be correct with his decision and so that he can lift that regret he always had.
This is why his last few panels featured his loyalty towards Yhwach even at the brink of death and his regret regarding Bazz-B and his friendship.
TL;DR- Jugram is a very well written character because he puts up a “shield” of stoic and calm demeanour but when analysed in regards to his backstory, he’s just a tragic character being torn apart by loyalty and regret. He follows the idea of Utilitarianism. His theme is “Blindly Loyal”