Unleashing the Epic Battle: BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War Strikes the Grand Stage!

Highlights

In "BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2, Episode 5", the 3rd and 9th Squad Captains get demolished by Sternritter S, Mask De Masculine, due to their arrogance.

Renji Abarai and Rukia Kuchiki arrive in the nick of time to rescue the wounded and confront De Masculine, while Renji unveils his never-before-seen Bankai.

The episode showcases steady visual patterns, including the presence of the 5-pointed star, while the tolling of bells serves as a symbol of death and appears frequently in the Quincy war.

The content below contains spoilers for BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2, Episode 5, "Rages at Ringside," which can be streamed on Hulu and Disney+. The 5th episode of BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 - The Separation, titled "Rages at Ringside," is the 18th overall in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc adaptation. In this action-packed episode, Sternritter S - The Superstar, Mask De Masculine, completely destroys the 3rd and 9th Squad Captains, Rōjūrō "Rose" Ōtoribashi and Kensei Muguruma, after their arrogance leads them to underestimate him.

However, De Masculine's rampage is interrupted by the arrival of 6th and 13th Squad Lieutenants, Renji Abarai and Rukia Kuchiki. Renji decides to confront the threat, while Rukia ensures the injured are taken to safety. Unlike previous episodes, this episode of the second cours of BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War does not feature an Ichigo post-credits scene. Instead, it reveals something significant about Yhwach.

Demolition Job

Mask De Masculine The Undertaker – BLEACH Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 Episode 5

The episode starts with a somber report: only 42% of the regular Shinigami forces remain alive, and the active military strength of the Seireitei is estimated to be less than 30%. The 12th Squad describes the devastating impact of the Quincies, but they mention that the Captains of the 3rd and 9th Squads are still alive and assessing the situation, offering a glimmer of hope. Utilizing their available resources, Kurotsuchi connects Captain-Commander Kyōraku with the remaining forces, who then updates their maps and instructs them to regroup at the nearest active barracks.

After the opening credits, Rose and Kensei engage in a battle against Mask De Masculine, who had defeated several other members of the squads. Kensei uses his Bankai, Tekken Tachikaze, overpowering his opponent and sending him crashing through a building. The apparent ease of the fight causes Kensei and Rose to become overconfident, believing that they had defeated the Superstar. However, the Quincy unexpectedly launches a surprise attack on the Captains, having regained consciousness. Ignoring Hisagi's attempts to warn them about the Quincy's ability, Kensei and Rose are swiftly defeated. Kensei sustains a broken arm and is ultimately dealt a severe blow with a flying knee-drop from De Masculine, leaving him gravely injured.

(I)BARA

Bankai Kinshara Butodan – BLEACH Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 Episode 5

Rose successfully attacks James, cutting him in half and destroying Mask De Masculine's power source. Recognizing the sacrifice he made for this opportunity, Rose quickly activates his Bankai, Kinshara Butōdan ("Golden Shala Dance Troupe"), which allows him to create physical illusions and manipulate his target's emotions through music. His Bankai manifests as a group of golden dancers, controlled by Rose with his transformed Zanpakutō, Kinshara. As the dancers perform, a theatrical rendition of "Here to Stay" can be heard by those with a keen ear.

Initially, Rose gains the advantage over his opponent until his arrogance gets the better of him, mirroring Kensei's mistake. As is customary in BLEACH and shōnen anime, characters often explain the mechanics of their techniques, either for exposition or out of courtesy. In this case, Rose reveals that the conduit for his Bankai's power is music. In response, James destroys his own eardrums to become immune to Rose's illusions. By the time Rose realizes what has happened, James, the Quincy, has already fired a powerful beam from the star on his forehead, creating a star-shaped hole in Rose's torso.

What Can You See In Their Eyes?

Mask De Masculine Quincy Vollstandig – BLEACH Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 Episode 5

Arriving punctually with Rukia, Renji immediately gets down to business, informing her that he will take care of the enemy alone. Rukia assures him that it shouldn't be a problem for Renji given his current level. Requesting support from James once again, the dismembered cheerleader springs back to life, enabling De Masculine to heal from the injuries he sustained during his battle with Rose. However, Renji promptly beheads James. Rukia takes the injured captains to Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu of the 4th Squad, who is already occupied with providing medical care to the wounded. Renji appears calm and composed in the midst of the fight, but he incurs De Masculine's fury after tearing into his mask. This emotional reaction triggers a rapid and rather repugnant multiplication of James's from his lifeless body. In response to the cheers from his quick supporters, De Masculine's mask and appearance undergo a dramatic transformation, as he gains additional layers of muscle and assumes a form reminiscent of Zangief from Street Fighter.

In this transformed state, De Masculine activates his Vollständig, which materializes a cape made of shimmering red reiatsu and a star-shaped headpiece. Eager to eliminate "the villain", he unleashes his ultimate attack: Star Flash Supernova. The attack causes a massive explosion that even engulfs the crowd of James supporters. De Masculine reassures them that as long as he lives, James is bound to revive as well. This intense sequence is accompanied by the soundtrack "What Can You See in Their Eyes," also known as the "Vasto Lorde" theme from Ichigo's epic battle against Ulquiorra. However, the soundtrack is revealed to be a guitar-heavy remix as Masculine unleashes his explosive technique. As the smoke dissipates, a familiar pair of serpentine eyes glow, and Renji secures De Masculine's defeat by unveiling his new Bankai: Sō'ō Zabimaru.

The Bell Tolls

Renji Defeats Mask De Masculine – BLEACH Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2, Episode 5

The bell theme continues in this episode, "Rages at Ringside," just like in the previous episode, "Heart of Wolf." The bell symbolizes death and is fitting for the ongoing Quincy war and the specific moments when the bell is used. Similar to previous episodes, the fight against De Masculine incorporates consistent visual motifs, such as the 5-pointed star on Mask's mask and special abilities, as well as Rose's Bankai and his injury. In a humorous twist, the bell at the beginning of the episode is reminiscent of a wrestling match starting bell, but it also connects to the ceremonial bells heard during Komamura's fight with Bambi in the Kinshara Butōdan performance. Thanks to the intervention of 6th Squad Lieutenant Renji Abarai, Kensei and Rose are saved from certain death caused by the bell.

Ironically, the same arrogance that had brought Kensei and Rose close to death ultimately caused De Masculine's downfall. The devastating Star Flash Supernova not only obliterated the sea of James that had been supporting De Masculine in his superpowered battle, but it also revealed his overconfidence. Believing he had emerged victorious, De Masculine failed to realize he still needed his power. Seizing this opportunity, Renji used his Zaga Teppō technique to permanently eliminate De Masculine. As Renji's attack annihilated him, the end credits unveil a revelation: De Masculine's powers returned to their origin, Yhwach. During this revelation, Yhwach discloses a significant secret about himself to Uryū Ishida - he and Jugram Haschwalth are two sides of the same coin. After reabsorbing the fallen Quincy's powers, Yhwach requires time to rest before becoming active again. This particular aspect of Yhwach's constitution, which parallels Ichigo's secret training, hints at its immense significance in the future.