Everything To Know Before Watching Part 2
Bleach made its highly anticipated return after a decade-long hiatus, instantly captivating the anime world with the thrilling Thousand Year Blood War arc. Long-time fans of Bleach were finally able to relive the emotions they had experienced years ago. The success of Bleach TWBW can be attributed to more than just nostalgic fervor; the series has returned with a captivating plot derived from Tite Kubo’s original work.
The revival of Yhwach and the revelation of the Quincy’s powers have posed the greatest challenge to Soul Society. While the second part of the series is set to return soon, let’s take a moment to recap what happened in the previous episodes.
Nineteen months have passed since the encounter with Aizen, and everything had been running smoothly until now. Two new Soul Reapers, Ryunosuke Yuki and Shino Madarame, were assigned the duty of protecting Karakura Town. However, they were soon attacked by Hollows. Fortunately, Ichigo and his friends arrived just in time to save them. During the battle, Ichigo faced off against a new villain named Asguiaro Ebern, a member of the Wandenreich. Asguiaro attempted to seal Ichigo’s Bankai with a Quincy medallion but failed. Overwhelmed by Ichigo’s power, Asguiaro was forced to retreat.
However, the threat was not limited to the human world. The Wandenreich launched an attack on the head captain’s office in Soul Society, gravely injuring Sasakibe and plunging the organization into a state of emergency. Nelliel and Pesche informed Ichigo about the invasion of Wandenreich in Hueco Mundo and the defeat of Hallibel. Ichigo and his friends set off to Hueco Mundo, where they encountered Quilge Opie, a powerful member of the Wandenreich. Quilge tested the Arrancars to determine their worthiness to join their ranks. Despite a valiant effort from Hallibel’s subordinates, they were no match for Quilge. Meanwhile, Uryu uncovered the dark truth behind the conflict between Soul Reapers and Quincies, which had been orchestrated by Mayuri Kurotsuchi. It was also revealed that Yamamoto had failed to stop Yhwach 1000 years ago.
The battle against the Quincies intensified in Soul Society, with captains Rojuro Otoribashi, Byakuya Kuchiki, and Renji Abarai facing off against formidable opponents. Sajin Komamura confronted Bambietta Basterbine, while the other captains clashed with unnamed Stern Ritters. In a desperate attempt to turn the tide, Soi-Fon, Toshiro Hitsugaya, Byakuya, and others released their Bankai. However, to their shock, the enemy swiftly stole their Bankai using absorbing medallions. Captain Shunsui Kyoraku, who had realized the enemy’s ability, lost his right eye during the battle. Ichigo, on the other hand, proved to be a rare exception, as his Bankai couldn’t be stolen. Urahara created a portal for Ichigo to return to Soul Society, but Quilge seized the opportunity to imprison him in a Quincy-powered prison.
Before Quilge could cause any harm, a mysterious assailant killed him. Meanwhile, Byakuya, Renji, and Rukia struggled in their respective battles, while Zaraki unleashed his true power and defeated three opponents. He then faced off against Yhwach and his right-hand man, Jugram Haschwalth. When Shuhei Hisagi was on the verge of defeat at the hands of Driscoll Berci, head captain Yamamoto intervened, deciding to join the frontline battle himself. After killing Sasakibe and stealing his Bankai, Driscoll launched an attack on Yamamoto. This triggered Yamamoto’s memories of Sasakibe revealing his Bankai 2000 years ago. In a climactic showdown, Yamamoto ultimately killed Driscoll.
The epic clash between Yamamoto and Yhwach ensued. Yamamoto unleashed the devastating power of his Bankai, which proved fatal for the enemy. However, it was revealed that the defeated opponent was actually Royd Lloyd, not the real Yhwach. Yhwach then revealed his secret meeting with Sosuke Aizen, attempting to recruit him to his cause. Aizen, however, refused to submit to Yhwach’s command. In a shocking turn of events, Yhwach sealed Yamamoto’s Bankai and wielded its power against the head captain himself. Yamamoto was finally defeated, leaving Soul Society in mourning.
Meanwhile, Ichigo managed to free himself from Quilge’s prison and engaged in a fierce battle against Yhwach. Surprisingly, Ichigo demonstrated the ability to use Quincy techniques, which even he was unaware of. As the shadow portals appeared, the Quincies retreated. In a final attempt to attack Yhwach, Ichigo’s sword was shattered by Jugram.
With the Quincies temporarily retreating, it was time to assess the losses and heal the wounded. Mayuri informed Ichigo that his shattered Zanpakuto could not be repaired. Ichigo and the captains gathered with Squad Zero, an elite group tasked with protecting the Soul King in the Royal Palace. It was revealed that the mysterious individual who had saved Urahara, Orihime, and Chad was none other than Grimmjow Jaegerjaque. Together with Squad Zero, Ichigo and his companions were sent to the Royal Palace to restore Zangetsu. After being healed by Kirinji, Ichigo and Renji proceeded to Hikifune’s palace, where they indulged in ancient Soul Society dishes infused with powerful Spiritual Pressure. They then made their way to Nimaiya’s palace, the creator of Zanpakuto.
In Soul Society, Captain Kyoraku took Yamamoto’s place as the new head captain. He sought permission from Central 46 to help Kenpachi Zaraki unleash his true power, recognizing it as a crucial asset in defeating the Quincies. Unohana, the first Kenpachi, was appointed to train Kenpachi in zanjutsu. A fierce battle unfolded between Unohana and Kenpachi in an underground facility, revealing their intertwined past. Despite Kenpachi’s initial restraint, Unohana was ultimately defeated. In the present, Unohana relentlessly wounded Zaraki, even unleashing her Bankai. However, Kenpachi managed to overpower her and killed her, establishing a profound bond with his Zanpakuto.
Ichigo, Renji, and Kon arrived at Nimaiya’s palace, where they encountered numerous Zanpakuto. They underwent a test, with Renji emerging as the victor while Ichigo failed and was sent back to the Human World. It was finally time for Ichigo to learn the truth about his mother. Isshin revealed that his mother, Masaki Kurosaki, was a Quincy. During a fierce battle with a powerful Hollow, Aizen and his comrades arrived and injured Isshin. Masaki came to his rescue but was injured in the process. The Hollow within Masaki started to consume her, and Urahara offered a solution that required Isshin to sacrifice his Soul Reaper identity and remain with Masaki for the rest of his life. Isshin willingly accepted, leading to their marriage. Isshin further revealed that Yhwach was responsible for Masaki’s death.
Ichigo returned, and this time, all the Asauchi bowed before him. He chose a white Asauchi, representing the Hollow within him. Meanwhile, in Soul Society, intense training sessions were underway in preparation for the upcoming battle.
Bleach returned after being on a hiatus for around ten years. In an instant, Thousand Year Blood War became a sensation in the anime world. Die-hard Bleach fans finally saw the return of their favorite show, sparking several emotions they used to experience years ago. Bleach TWBW’s success can be calculated by the fact that the series has got an IMBD rating of 9.1, and it’s not the result of an emotional surge in the hearts of the fans; instead, the series has returned with one of the best plots from Tite Kubo’s original work.
With the return of Yhwach and the potential of Quincy’s powers revealed Soul Society has the greatest challenge against them. The series is returning with the second part soon, but before you dive into the Bleach world again, let’s take a brief look at what happened previously.
Wanderreich And Yhwach Returned After Thousand Years
Nineteen months have passed since the incident with Aizen, and everything has been going on smoothly until now. Two new Soul Reapers, Ryunosuke Yuki and Shino Madarame, are assigned the duty of protecting Karakura Town; however, they are soon attacked by the Hollows, but Ichigo and his friends appear on time and save them.
Ichigo encounters a new villain, Asguiaro Ebern, a member of the Wandenreich, who tries to seal Ichigo’s Bankai with a Quincy medallion but fails. When Ichigo overpowers Asguiaro, he is forced to retreat. However, the human world is not the only one to be attacked. A band of Wandenreich attacks the head captain’s office in the Soul Society and gravely injures Sasakibe, and the state of emergency is called in the Soul Society.
A Trip To Hueco Mundo
Nelliel and Pesche arrived in the human world and informed Ichigo about the invasion of Wandenreich over Hueco Mundo and Hallibel’s defeat. Soon, Ichigo and his friends arrived at Hueco Mundo, while a new Wandenreich, Quilge Opie, tested the Arrancars to determine who could join their ranks. All three of Hallibel’s subordinates fought him but were overwhelmed by Quilge.
While Ichigo constructed a plan to take down Quilge, Uryu discovered the dark truth behind the conflict between Soul Reapers and Quincies, orchestrated by Mayuri Kurotsuchi. Additionally, it was revealed that Yamamoto had failed to stop Yhwach 1000 years ago. While Quilge fought Ichigo and the others, a few Quincies invaded the Soul Society, with the most notable confrontation between Bazz-B and Izuru Kira, where the latter was fatally wounded, and his life remained in question.
Captains Losing Their Bankai
The battle continued against the Quincies in Soul Society. Rojuro Otoribashi, Byakuya Kuchiki, and Renji Abarai confronted As Nodt and Mask De Masculine, while captain Sajin Komamura faced Bambietta Basterbine. The other captains of the Soul Society clashed with unnamed Stern Ritters. With no other option left, Soi-Fon, Toshiro Hitsugaya, Byakuya, and others released their Bankai, only to have them swiftly stolen by the enemy using absorbing medallions, shocking everyone.
Captain Shunsui Kyoraku was smart enough to realize the opponent’s ability to steal Bankai; however, he lost his right eye in the heat of the battle. Meanwhile, Quilge continued his fight against Ichigo, trying to steal his Bankai, but Ichigo was a rare case as his Bankai couldn’t be stolen. Urahara created a portal for Ichigo to go to the Soul Society, but Quilge found an opportunity to imprison Ichigo in a prison made with Quincy powers.
Yamamoto Joining The Battle
Before Quilge could harm anyone, a mysterious assailant killed him. While Byakuya, Renji, and Rukia struggled against their respective opponents, Zaraki, as usual, enjoyed the battle and defeated three opponents. He then confronted Yhwach and his right-hand man, Jugram Haschwalth. When Shuhei Hisagi faced imminent defeat at the hands of Driscoll Berci, head captain Yamamoto intervened, deciding to fight on the frontlines himself.
After killing Sasakibe and stealing his Bankai, Driscoll launched an attack on the head captain. This moment triggered Yamamoto’s memories of Sasakibe revealing his Bankai 2,000 years ago, and Yamamoto ultimately killed Driscoll.
Yamamoto Vs. Fake Yhwach
The epic clash between Yamamoto and Yhwach unfolded afterward. As the battle intensified, Yamamoto unleashed the devastating power of his Bankai for the first time in the series. The destructive power of Yamamoto’s Bankai ultimately killed the enemy; however, it was then revealed that the defeated opponent was originally Royd Lloyd. Yhwach then disclosed his secret meeting with Sosuke Aizen in the depths of his underground prison, attempting to recruit him to his cause. Yet, Aizen refused to submit to Yhwach’s command.
The thing that everyone feared ultimately happened – Yamamoto’s Bankai was sealed by Yhwach, and he wielded its power against the head captain himself. Yamamoto was finally defeated at the hands of Yhwach, leaving the Soul Society mourning the loss of their beloved leader. Meanwhile, Ichigo had returned to the Soul Society, freeing himself from Quilge’s prison, and battled against Yhwach. Yhwach attacked Ichigo, only to realize that Ichigo could use Quincy’s techniques, which he was himself unaware of. As the shadow portals appeared, Quincies retreated. Ichigo made a last attempt to attack Yhwach, only to get his sword broken by Jugram.
Introduction Of Squad Zero And A Trip To Royal Palace
Now with Quincies retreated for the time being, it was time to count the losses and heal the injured. Mayuri delivered the devastating news to Ichigo that his shattered Zanpakuto could not be repaired. Ichigo and the Captains convene with Squad Zero, a group of elite captains tasked with protecting the Soul King in the Royal Palace.
It was revealed that the mysterious guy who saved Urahara, Orihime, and Chad was actually Grimmjow Jaegerjaque. Together with Squad Zero, Ichigo and the others were sent to the Royal Palace to restore Zangetsu. After being healed by Kirinji, Ichigo and Renji proceeded to Hikifune’s palace and indulged in ancient Soul Society dishes filled with powerful Spiritual Pressure. They were then sent to Nimaiya’s palace, the creator of Zanpakuto.
A Battle Between Kenpachi And Unohana
Captain Kyoraku took Yamamoto’s place and became the new head captain. He appealed before Central 46 to let them help Kenpachi Zarkaki unleash his true power, as it was an important asset to defeat the Quincies. Kyoraku appointed Unohana, the first Kenpachi, to teach zanjutsu to Kenpachi. After that, Unohana and Kenpachi fought in an underground facility.
A past between Kenpachi and Unohana unfolded during the battle, revealing how strong Kenpachi had been since his childhood. Despite the young Kenpachi holding back, Unohana was defeated. In the present, Unohana relentlessly wounded Zaraki, even unleashing her Bankai. However, Kenpachi was able to overpower Unohana and ultimately killed her, and he finally established a bond with his Zanpakuto.
Past About Ichigo’s Mother Revealed
Ichigo, Renji, and Kon reached Nimaiya’s palace, where they encountered numerous Zanpakuto, and Nimaiya taught them about the Asauchi, the base form of Zanpakuto. They then underwent a test in which Renji emerged victorious, but Ichigo failed and was sent back to the Human World by Nimaiya.
It was finally time for Ichigo to learn the truth about his mother. Isshin revealed that his mother was a Quincy, and while he was fighting a powerful Hollow created from the souls of deceased Soul Reapers, Aizen and his comrades arrived and injured him. However, his (Ichigo’s) mother, Masaki Kurosaki, arrived on time to save him, but she was injured while destroying the Hollow. Masaki’s condition worsened as the Hollow within her started to take over. Urahara offered a solution to help Masaki, which demanded Isshin sacrifice his Soul Reaper identity and stay with Masaki for his whole life, and he volunteered to do so. This resulted in the marriage of Isshin and Masaki. Isshin further revealed to Ichigo that Masaki’s death was caused by Yhwach’s actions.
Ichigo’s True Zanpakuto Revealed
Ichigo returned, and this time, all the Asauchi kneeled before him, and he chose a white Asauchi representing the Hollow within him. Meanwhile, in Soul Society, everyone engaged in vigorous training for the upcoming battle. While preparing Ichigo’s Zanpakuto, Nimaiya revealed that Zangetsu was not his true Zanpakuto but a manifestation of his Quincy powers linked to Yhwach.
Ichigo finally said goodbye to Zangetsu and got introduced to his true Zanpakuto, with the power of both Hollow and Zangetsu residing within the blades. Finally, Part 1 of Bleach TYBW ended with Yhwach meeting with Uryu, who seemed to have changed sides.
