Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair - Characters & Cast

Her primary motivation is revenge against Bill and the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad for the massacre at her wedding rehearsal and the theft of her daughter. This singular goal is later tempered and ultimately replaced by the maternal instinct to protect her child and secure a peaceful future for them both.

Beatrix begins as a victim, left for dead and stripped of everything she holds dear. Her arc is a transformation from a vessel of pure rage and vengeance into a reclaiming of her identity. Initially driven solely by her list, the discovery of her living daughter shifts her priority from revenge to protection and motherhood. Her final act is not one of triumphant violence, but of quiet, tearful relief as she chooses a future with her child over the violent life she's leaving behind.

Bill's motivation stems from a profound sense of heartbreak and betrayal when Beatrix, the woman he loved, left him without a word. He tells her he overreacted. His actions, while monstrous, are framed by him as the consequences of a broken heart, describing himself as being at his "most masochistic."

Bill is initially presented as a mysterious, almost mythical villain. His character arc is revealed in reverse; we see the monstrous result of his actions before understanding the man. In Volume 2, he is shown to be a complex, cultured, and surprisingly paternal figure who is both a cold-blooded killer and a loving father. He is driven by a deep sense of betrayal and a twisted form of love for Beatrix. His arc concludes with a graceful acceptance of his death, acknowledging Beatrix's victory and his own role in his demise.

Her primary motivation is to maintain power and respect as the head of the Yakuza council. She is fiercely protective of her position, which she earned through bloodshed and skill, and will not allow her authority or mixed heritage to be challenged. Her life has been defined by avenging her family and securing her place in a brutal world.

O-Ren's arc is detailed in a stunning anime sequence. After witnessing the brutal murder of her parents by the Yakuza, she transforms herself from a victim into a master assassin and avenges their deaths. She rises through the ranks to become the formidable leader of the Tokyo underworld. Her arc is a parallel revenge story to The Bride's, culminating in a respectful, honorable duel where she acknowledges The Bride's superior sword.

Elle is motivated by jealousy, rivalry, and a sadistic desire for power. Her intense hatred for Beatrix stems from Beatrix being Bill's favorite and Pai Mei's chosen student. She is pragmatic and ruthless, driven by self-interest above any loyalty to Bill or the squad.

Elle Driver serves as The Bride's direct rival and a dark reflection of what she could have become. Her arc is one of consistent cruelty and opportunism. She lacks the honor of the other assassins, poisoning Pai Mei and her rival Budd out of spite. Her story concludes not with an honorable death, but with being blinded and left to suffer in a trailer with a black mamba, a fate mirroring her own treacherous nature.

Budd is motivated by a desire for a simple life and, later, by greed. He seems to have grown weary of the assassin's life and feels a sense of guilt over the massacre. However, his decision to sell The Bride's Hattori Hanzō sword for a million dollars is what ultimately seals his fate, bringing him back into the world he tried to leave.

Budd is the only member of the squad who seems to have left the life of an assassin behind, living in a desolate trailer and working as a bouncer. He shows a degree of remorse and world-weariness, admitting that they all deserve to die for what they did. However, his greed ultimately leads to his demise. His arc is a tragic one, portraying a broken man who couldn't escape the consequences of his violent past.