Menos Grande

Lore & Background

The evolution into a Menos begins with a Gillian, the first stage classified as Menos Grandes. These are the result of numerous hollows merging through cannibalism, creating giants that lack individual personality and act as mindless foot soldiers. However, a Gillian will sometimes develop a personality from one of its component hollows, causing it to shrink into the animalistic Adjuchas. An Adjuchas is compelled to feed on other hollows to prevent regressing back to a Gillian form; losing a chunk of itself to another Adjuchas allows it to permanently remain in this state. The final stage is the semi-humanoid Vasto Lorde, whose numbers are very few and who represent a catastrophic threat requiring strong Soul Reaper officers to dispatch.

In Their Own Story

The Menos hierarchy dictates life in Hueco Mundo's vast barren desert. Initially, most hollows sate their hunger by breathing reishi-rich air, but those seeking power engage in cannibalism to evolve. The process is brutal: a Gillian must develop a personality from a component soul to shrink into an Adjuchas, which then faces the constant threat of regression unless it consumes more hollows. Those who succeed become Vasto Lordes, rare entities capable of posing an existential threat to Soul Society. While Aizen later used the Hōgyoku to artificially create Arrancar from Menos-based hollows, the natural progression remains a cycle of consumption and survival where only the strongest evolve beyond the mindless Gillian stage.

Reader's Guide

Menos are classified by their evolutionary stages rather than military rank until artificial modification occurs. The base level is the Gillian (Menos Grandes), massive black giants regarded as cannon fodder that use Cero blasts. Above them are Adjuchas, which possess individual personalities and must consume other hollows to maintain their form without regressing. At the apex are the Vasto Lordes, semi-humanoid entities so rare they threaten the entire Soul Society. All Menos utilize Cero, a sphere or beam of colored light fueled by reishi. While Gillians require standard Soul Reaper officers to defeat, Vasto Lordes demand high-level intervention. The structure was later exploited by Aizen, who used the Hōgyoku to force mask removal and create Arrancar, though the natural evolution from Gillian to Adjuchas to Vasto Lorde remains the primary path for hollows seeking power in Hueco Mundo.

Did You Know?

• Menos Grandes is Spanish for 'less big/not as big' despite the kanji translating to 'Great Hollow'.
• A Gillian develops a personality from one of its component hollows, causing it to shrink into an Adjuchas.
• An Adjuchas must feed on other hollows to prevent regressing back to a Gillian.
• Vasto Lordes are semi-humanoid and their numbers are very few compared to the lower stages.
• All Menos are capable of using Cero, a powerful blast of spirit energy depicted as a sphere or beam of colored light.