Unleashing a Thousand-Year Blood War: The Relentless Essence of Wolves in BLEACH

Highlights

In "The Separation," Komamura reveals a secret werewolf technique that grants him temporary immortality and immense power in his battle against Bambietta.

Komamura's Bankai, Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō, undergoes a metamorphosis called Dangai Jōe. During this process, the armor is discarded, and he takes on a new form comprised entirely of intense reiatsu. This grants him unparalleled offensive capabilities.

Consumed by a desire for vengeance, Komamura forgoes his heart, leading to his metamorphosis into a wolf. In doing so, he comes to the painful realization that he has neglected to heed his own counsel.

Attention: The upcoming section contains spoilers for BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2, Episode 4, "Heart of Wolf", which can be streamed on Hulu and Disney+.

In the latest episode of BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 - The Separation, viewers were taken on a gripping journey alongside 7th Squad Captain Sajin Komamura as he confronts his roots in search of newfound strength. As the Quincies showcase their formidable Vollständig forms, they once again inflict severe damage upon the Shinigami forces. Unfortunately, Sternritter E - The Explode, Bambietta Basterbine, devastatingly defeats Shinji Hirako.

Komamura vs Bambietta

In BLEACH Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 Episode 4, Sajin Komamura, in his human form, comes to Shinji's aid after the latter sustains a severe facial injury from an explosion. Meanwhile, Momo Hinamori, the Lieutenant of the 5th Squad, tries to attack Bambi, a Quincy who has gained a significant power boost. Despite Momo's efforts, Bambi remains confident and unleashes her devastating signature technique while in Vollständig. Understanding the gravity of the situation, Komamura helps Momo dodge a potentially fatal blow. He explains that Bambi's explosions cannot be deflected, not even with a Zanpakuto like Momo's Tobiume, which possesses similar qualities. Bambi relentlessly continues her assault and unveils the secret behind her explosions – her reiatsu can transform anything it touches into a bomb.

Dangai Jōe

During the intense battle, one of the attacks aimed at Komamura is skillfully deflected by his arm. However, the force of the attack tears away his gauntlet, exposing a surprising sight—a human hand. Curiously, none of the individuals present pay any attention to this revelation.

With Bambi closing in on Komamura, Momo, and the unconscious Shinji, an onslaught of reiatsu bombs is unleashed, creating a chaotic scene. Once the smoke dissipates, it becomes evident that Bambi's opponent is a tall man with long white hair and distinctive wolf-ears. This unexpected turn of events prompts the revealing of Komamura's untold story after the initial Quincy assault on the Seireitei.

Having sought guidance from the Great Elder of the Wolf Clan, Komamura discovers a profound secret embedded within his family's history. It turns out that they possess a remarkable technique that grants werewolves the ability to temporarily assume human form, granting them extraordinary power. Shortly after this revelation, Komamura astonishes everyone as he reveals his Bankai: Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō—an ability he has never before employed until this critical moment.

In BLEACH Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 Episode 4, Komamura unleashes his ultimate trump card. By utilizing the secret Jinka Technique of the Wolf Clan, he not only gains immense strength but also temporary immortality. No matter how much damage he takes in this form, Komamura cannot be defeated because he has offered his literal heart as collateral to the Great Elder. This risky gamble grants him the power of temporary immortality, as the dead cannot die again. With this advantage, Komamura can fully unleash the ultimate form of his Bankai: Dangai Jōe. As we know, Komamura's Bankai, Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō, involves a massive set of living armor synchronized with his movements. However, Dangai Jōe paradoxically discards the armor, revealing a body composed entirely of pure reiatsu. The armor itself symbolizes the life of the Bankai, and by shedding it, Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō sacrifices its own existence.

While any attacks experienced by the golem under the control of Komamura also harm him, in this state of "living death" for both the Shinigami and Zanpakutō, Komamura can harness the relentless offensive might of a warrior who has forsaken defense. However, these attacks have no impact since the aforementioned warrior is already deceased. Any damage inflicted on the Bankai regenerates in a matter of seconds. Despite Bambi's second attempt to defeat Komamura, the colossal golem strikes a massive blow that pulverizes her own explosives before they even have a chance to detonate on their intended target. In a magnificent explosion, Bambietta is defeated. Severely wounded, Bambi mourns her defeat, yet her predicament worsens as her former allies, who had abandoned her earlier, return with ostensibly encouraging words accompanied by a noticeable malevolence reflected in the terrified expression of the injured Bambi. Desperately, she pleads, seemingly for her life.

An Eye For An Eye

Bambietta's Defeat in BLEACH Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 Episode 4

Shortly after his victory over Bambi, Komamura begins to experience the consequences of his daring move. The heart he sacrificed is now placed before him on a plate by the Great Elder, who proudly commends his great-grandson's sacrifice. This sacrifice symbolizes Komamura's acceptance and embrace of their people's defining characteristic: a deep thirst for revenge. By sacrificing his own life for vengeance, Komamura reverts to his most primal state of mind. As the transformation gradually subsides, Komamura reflects on the choices that led him to this moment, all accompanied by the beloved soundtrack "Soundscape to Ardor" in its original form. He recalls the wisdom he once shared with Tōsen about the futility of seeking revenge and acknowledges his own failure to follow that advice. Fortunately, unlike Tōsen, Komamura has someone to support him once the battle is over. Iba Tetsuzaemon arrives to find Komamura transformed into a simple wolf once again.

As with previous episodes this season, the title card seamlessly blends into the scene, with Tetsuzaemon lifting his foot to reveal "BLEACH 17:" followed by "Heart of Wolf" overhead as Silbern emerges in the distance. "Heart of Wolf" delves into Komamura's history, providing further insight into life in Soul Society. The battle between Komamura and Bambietta carries interesting undertones, as both individuals and their people have had to exist in the shadows, one more literally than the other. Bambietta's shock upon seeing the hole in Komamura's chest seems like a reference to the previous episode, where the harmful nature of Hollow reiatsu towards Quincies is examined. It can be seen that Komamura's lost heart in his pursuit of revenge mirrors the concept of Hollowfication in the BLEACH universe, where one's obsession or despair becomes the catalyst for their downfall.

Time's Up

Ichigo Irazusando – BLEACH Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 Episode 4

Shortly after Komamura defeats Bambi, the Quincies prepare to depart. Jugram Haschwalth, who arrives at the 1st Squad barracks, finds himself at a stalemate due to the barrier erected by Lieutenant Nanao Ise. Patiently utilizing Quincy reishi manipulation, Haschwalth breaks down the barrier and launches an attack, only to be met with another, stronger barrier. As Haschwalth prepares for another strike, he declares that time is up and retreats to Silbern, leaving Uryū to gather Cang Du and BG9. Meanwhile, 9th Squad Lieutenant Shuhei Hisagi, 11th Squad 3rd and 4th Seats Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa find themselves occupied with Mask De Masculine. However, with the arrival of the former Visored, 9th Squad Captain Kensei Muguruma, and 3rd Squad Captain Rose, they now have a better chance against the powerful wrestler.

Ichigo's long and challenging journey through the tunnel finally reaches its conclusion, as a multitude of disjointed images and visions flood his mind, while his body becomes filled with a vibrant, multicolored reiatsu. As previously shown in post-credit scenes, Ichigo's eyes seem to acquire additional irises as the power courses through him. Finally reaching his destination, Ichigo enters a room adorned with numerous cloth decorations, where he finds Senjumaru Shutara, a member of the Royal Guard, patiently waiting for him. Catching his breath from the arduous trek, Ichigo inquiries about any further tasks he needs to carry out.