Waiting a decade for one's favorite anime to return is guaranteed to raise expectations exponentially, and, considering that Bleach is one of the Big Three, the standard has already been set pretty high! Fortunately, Tite Kubo has not lost his touch and delivered some truly compelling content for the first cours of the Thousand-Year Blood War, a reboot with a memorable bang!
Although many major Bleach plot points have already been divulged in the manga, the following article will primarily focus on the 1st cours of the Thousand-Year Blood War anime (with only a couple of sneaky spoiler hints in between).
10 Amazing Animation
While Bleach has rarely been accused of failing in this department, a lot can happen in ten years, but thankfully, Studio Pierrot delivered with style! The character reintroductions in "Blood Warfare" successfully set the standards of good things to come, from Sado's Brazo Izquierdo Del Diablo to Ichigo's black Getsuga Tenshō, and all the bells and whistles that the Quincy brought along with them!
Bleach's highly anticipated comeback provides plenty of smooth, sensational fight sequences adorned with jaw-dropping supernatural special effects, which have all been upgraded since Ichigo's last rodeo. Some may find the more mature art style and specific color palette changes to be a bit jarring at first. However, the foreboding tone is well suited to the severity of the whole Yhwach-invasion situation.
9 Nostalgic Music Score
The original Bleach soundtrack was honored in the Thousand-Year Blood War anime with the inclusion of classics such as "On The Precipice of Defeat," "Soundscape to Ardor" and the all-time favorite "Number One." These memorable scores may have been updated and remixed. However, they still provide enough nostalgia to send shivers up the spines of die-hard fans.
Shirō Sagisu, composer of the first batch of Bleach OST's returned to finish the job and eloquently maintains the overall vibe of the show while adjusting to the tonal shift accordingly. Tite Kubo is well-known for his close relationship with music, as he has allocated a distinctive theme song to each character he creates, simultaneously assaulting all the senses with epicness and producing memorable results!
8 Yamamoto's Blazing Bankai
It is not often that Yamamoto gets involved in the action, and many viewers have been dying to see his skills in full force. One does not simply become Captain Commander of the infamous Gotei 13 without having the right stuff to back it up! Thankfully fans no longer have to take Yamamoto's word for it, as the top Shinigami put his Bankai on full display (with some bonus features added to the mix!)
It is safe to say that every eye remained glued to the screen for the entirety of "The Fire," which embodies everything the iconic manga artwork promised, and more! All four forms of Zanka no Tachi make a stellar appearance, burning with intensity and suspense and generating arguably the best episode in the Thousand-Year Blood War (so far).
7 Original Gotei 13 Captains Unveiled
Something many Bleach enthusiasts never expected was to be graced by the presence of the original group of Gotei 13 forces, which have been briefly mentioned before, with Unohana and Yamamoto being the only ones given any special attention while the other silhouettes merely left vague impressions of violence. "Born In the Dark" presented some all-new imagery to the mix that even manga readers haven't had prior access to, with detailed, intricate depictions of the Shinigami who started it all.
While the audience didn't exactly get an in-depth encounter with each of the notorious Captains, Kubo's artwork alone is captivating enough to stimulate the imagination, leaving room for fans to fill in the blanks. And who knows, maybe more thrilling flashbacks can be seen on the horizon to flesh out these characters further.
6 Fantastic Fight Scenes (With No Fillers)
The new generation of anime viewers won't understand how tough the OG fans had it. When the storyline's suspense became unbearable, only to be disregarded for a slow-paced filler arc.
There is nary a dull moment in the first cours of the Thousand-Year Blood War, as a spectacular battle or three enriches each episode (while providing frequent yet brief explanations of the technicalities of certain situations). The Shinigami, Quincy, and Espada pull out all the stops with their flashy weapons, potent powers, and suave swordsmanship, and this is only the tip of the iceberg so far!
5 The Sassy Squad Zero
Another key component of Seireitei that has not been thoroughly addressed before concerns the Royal Guard and the Soul King Palace, which anime fans have been mostly kept in the dark about until recently. It becomes evident in "The Shooting Star Project" that Squad Zero will have a crucial part to play in the war against Yhwach even though they remain "uninvolved" in Seireitei's issue.
The tension between the Royal Guard and the Gotei 13 is intriguing and entertaining, while the goofy nature of each member of the special task force does not overshadow their incredible powers. Getting to see Tenjirō Kirinji, Kirio Hikifune, and Ōetsu Nimaiya's homes is a nice touch, and the others are expected the same treatment (as soon as Rukia joins in the antics).
4 Kon's Comeback
This overdramatic plushie held a great deal of significance in the first few Bleach Arcs for a supporting character, as Ichigo's double-life as a Substitute Shinigami would have been much harder to juggle without Kon around. The comical Mod-Soul made such an impression that he placed 4th on the 1st popularity poll. However, he completely faded into the background as soon as Aizen's treachery becomes more apparent.
Although Kon's reintroduction to the storyline appears to be more for fan service than making an actual contribution to the war, the little lion's admirers are appreciative nonetheless. Kon's upgraded Herculean physique is an amusing addition to his usual buffoonery and comes in handy during their explosive travels around the Royal Palace.
3 The Crucial Kenpachi Battle
One of the most highly anticipated events of the Thousand-Year Blood War finally comes to light in "The Battle," and is arguably one of the most bitter-sweet moments in Bleach history. The intrigue behind Zaraki Kenpachi's true power is potentially greater than even Zanka no Tachi's big reveal. The docile Retsu Unohana's involvement in the whole ordeal is a shocker of note, and Minazuki's mindblowing mercilessness leaves most dumbfounded.
The final clash of the Kenpachi's is an emotional rollercoaster from the get-go, as exhilaration, joy, sorrow, and regret all meld into one bloodsoaked battle that overflows with mesmerizing imagery and concludes with a gut-wrenching plea. Unohana's sacrifice acts as the catalyst for the rebirth of one of the greatest fighters to grace Seireitei with his presence, and finally broke the barriers between Kenpachi and his Zanpakuto.
2 Beyond Bankai
Essentially, the element that makes Shinigami stand out from the rest is their unique Bankai, and, although many still rely on their Kido skills (or pure swordsmanship) during conflicts, seeing these Zanpakuto superpowers is sure to get fans' blood pumping. Yhwach's scheme has shaken things up significantly, as several seemingly-invincible Soul Reapers have lost their ultimate moves and have been forced to find other ways to make themselves useful.
Certain Captains seem to be focusing on honing their strength, while others revisit their roots or prioritize the preparation of their subordinates. Regardless, it is fascinating to think of how the Shinigami can explore other potential supernatural fighting techniques, opening up a world of opportunities even if just in viewers' daydreams!
1 Ichigo's Origin Story
Ichigo's mother has been a non-feature from the very beginning; a niggling unanswered question hovering over anime fans' heads for years. Fortunately, Kubo does not extend the suspense for much longer and ensures to include Shiba Isshin and Masaki Kurosaki's meet-cute at the end of the first cours of the Thousand-Year Blood War, jam-packed with mindbending plot twists for added effect!
A flashback done right will leave the audience in awe. Even those aware of the Substitute Shinigami's secret lineage can't deny how effectively his parents' whirlwind romance is depicted. "The Blade Is Me" also eloquently explains why Ichigo is so incredibly overpowered and reveals Zangetsu's true (-ly astonishing) form, while viewers attempt to scrape their jaws off the floor.