Unleashing Chaos: BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 Episode 1 Ignites the Battle

Spoilers for BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 - The Separation, Episode 1, "The Last 9 Days," now available for streaming on Disney+.

The latest installment of BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War, airing on July 8, marks the beginning of the second phase of the four-part conclusion to the captivating BLEACH story. This first episode, titled "The Last 9 Days," continues to impress as the anime adaptation of Tite Kubo's manga unfolds in a magnificent comeback.

Y. H. W. H

: Episode 1 initiated various crucial advancements in the plot, showcasing the extraordinary cinematic elements and directional prowess that were previously displayed in BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War. With the exceptional attributes demonstrated in the first episode, this season of BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War has the potential to surpass its predecessor.

The first scene of BLEACH Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 Episode 1 is particularly captivating. It beautifully portrays the conception and development of a certain individual, starting from their time as a fetus. A multitude of unidentified hands, all adorned with a glowing blue light in their palms, eagerly reach out to touch this unborn being. The ambiance is hauntingly mysterious, with a dark and wispy atmosphere enveloping the scene. Eventually, the hands elevate the baby high above them, and the visual shifts to reveal an astonishing sight - a towering mountain of hands cradling the baby at its peak, emitting a brilliant blue glow. In a mere instant, the serene blue light transforms into a sinister red hue as crimson cords connect the hands to a central focal point: the baby.

The Great Deluge

{{rephrase}} The sequence of "Yu~Ha~Ba~Ha" syllables is repeatedly chanted as the red cords (symbolizing fate) seemingly drain the life out of various hands, nourishing the growing baby. Gradually, the baby transforms into a young boy as the camera zooms in on the central figure amidst the faceless crowd. The chanting persists as the boy's eyes open, transitioning into the eyes of the Quincy King, Yhwach. In Japanese, the name "Yhwach" consists of four syllables pronounced as "Yu-Ha-Ba-Ha," invoking the same concept as the tetragrammaton – the Hebrew Bible's name for God, represented by the four letters Yod, He, Waw, and He again.

Episode 1 of BLEACH Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 delves into the profound revelation of Yhwach's origins and the tragic event known as Auswählen. Auswählen, also known as The Consecration, is a cataclysmic incident in which countless Quincies were simultaneously eradicated, fueling Yhwach's immense power. This scene serves as a vital source of information, shedding light on the journey of the Quincy King, which spanned an extraordinary 999 years. In the beginning, Yhwach was depicted as a frail infant devoid of sight, hearing, and speech. However, his significance to the Quincy race lay in a fundamental difference in his physiology compared to other Quincies.

The Ceremony

Quincies derive their combat power by extracting reishi from their surroundings, rather than drawing it from their own souls like Shinigami. However, unlike his fellow Quincies, Yhwach possessed a unique ability - instead of converting reishi from the environment, reishi flowed from him into the environment and into those who physically touched him. This had a transformative effect on the individuals, granting them what they lacked, such as the ability to see for those who were previously unable to do so.

Moreover, when those who received power from Yhwach met their demise, the initial power bestowed upon them, along with the growth it had undergone, would return to Yhwach. This process ultimately made him significantly stronger than before. The concise communication of this entire concept within a span of less than 90 seconds serves as a setup for the most pivotal development in BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War so far - the defection of Uryū Ishida.

In BLEACH Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 Episode 1, the Yhwach Schrift Assignment Ritual takes center stage. Following the opening credits, Ichigo is led to the Royal Palace of the Soul King by Ichibē Hyōsube, the acclaimed Captain of Squad Zero, renowned for his role in all nomenclature matters in Soul Society and known as the "Monk Who Calls the Real Name". Criticizing the current generation of Soul Reapers for their perceived weakness, Hyōsube expresses his doubt in Ichigo's ability to defeat Yhwach. However, he also reveals that it is the duty of the Zero Squad to train Ichigo in preparation for the imminent return of the Quincies.

The scene then shifts to Silbern, the palace of the Quincy King, where Yhwach addresses his troops and discusses the impending battle to "reclaim the honor of the Quincy". Additionally, he makes a significant announcement that sends shockwaves through the audience: Uryū has been chosen as Yhwach's successor and is destined to become the next King of the Quincies. This revelation is met with widespread dismay and disbelief.

Bambietta Basterbine, also known as Sternritter E – The Explosion, was filled with fury upon hearing the news, resulting in her mercilessly slaying a fellow Quincy. This particular incident sheds light on the diverse group of Quincies that will soon confront the Shinigami in battle. Although the scene featuring Bambietta is relatively minor compared to what lies ahead, it is flawlessly executed, showcasing her seamless transition from capturing her victim to his gruesome demise, mirroring the swift motion of her blade as it cleaves him in two. The Thousand-Year Blood War adaptation exhibits an intensified level of violence and rawness when compared to the original series, and this introductory episode offers a glimpse into the captivating action that lies ahead. However, the subsequent scene is of utmost importance, as Uryū prepares himself to consume Yhwach's blood, forging a profound connection and unlocking his own distinct "schrift".

The Last Quincy

In the BLEACH Thousand-Year Blood War Episode 1, the Uryu Ishida Graveyard scene is depicted. Before beginning the ritual, Uryu questions Yhwach about why he is chosen as the successor. Yhwach points out that it should be evident and wonders why Uryu is still alive, particularly after surviving the Auswählen. Uryu is the only Quincy to have ever survived this event, leading him to question the purpose of his existence. He realizes that his survival cannot be mere coincidence and finds answers in a diary he had previously been reading. The contents of the diary strengthen Uryu's determination and solidify his belief that Shinigami and Quincy can never coexist. Once his question is resolved, Uryu consumes Yhwach's blood. As a result, Yhwach bestows Uryu with a schrift, represented by the letter A, just like his own. The significance of this remains unknown in the series at this point.

Preparations For War

Yhwach Haschwalth and Uryu Ishida – BLEACH Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 Episode 1

Hyōsube prevents Ichigo from leaving his training early, giving him a new challenge to overcome. The visuals of Ichigo entering this unfamiliar realm are truly outstanding. In another part of the story, Hiyori Sarugaki receives a message from Shinji Hirako, the captain of the 5th Squad, about disturbances in the human world caused by recent events in Soul Society and Hueco Mundo. Rukia and Renji's training is briefly shown, and then Rukia receives the happy news that Byakuya Kuchiki has recovered from his serious injuries.

Chad and Orihime remain in Hueco Mundo with Urahara as he tries to uncover the secret behind the Bankai-stealing medallions. Even Ichigo's non-Soul Reaper friends Tatsuki, Keigo, and Mizuiro are visited by the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, who explains that Ichigo's current training may make it difficult for him to return to the human world. They are given special Soul Tickets to visit Ichigo before the upcoming battle against the Vandenreich. Titled "The Last 9 Days," the first episode of BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 is a thrilling return for the series and sets the stage for an exciting season.