Fans of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War have a special post-Christmas treat to open. The official Bleach twitter announced the change-up on Monday, December 12, 2022, to the excitement of aficionados of the well-known shonen anime as this season's arc draws to a close. To celebrate the close of the first quarter arc, Viz media posted a "Lookback" clip video from episodes 1 - 10 on the same day.
A long-running fan-favorite, Bleach was serialized in Shonen Jump for 15 years, spawning anime, games, and even a live action adaptation. After a hiatus of close to ten years for the anime, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War promises to wrap up the story by covering volumes 55 - 74 of Tito Kubo's manga. This final arc will be broken into four parts, the first quarter of which began airing on Hulu and Disney+ on October 11, 2022. The first arc is principally concerned with the invasion of the Soul Society by a group of Quincies in vengeance for their massacre centuries ago at the hands of the Soul Reapers and for their sinister new aims. During the battle, main character Ichigo has his sword broken and struggles to get it repaired, only to find himself back on earth at his family's clinic with deeper issues to uncover.
The video "Lookback" of episodes 1 - 10 showcases Viz Media's excellent animation and the highlights of the story thus far. Beginning with the disappearance of the Hollows, it swiftly jumps to the first attack and murderous declaration of war by the Quincies on the Soul Society, then the attack on Hueco Mundo and the battle between Ichigo and the Quincy there. Ichigo's Quincy friend Uryu, unaware of what's happening, has questions, but he's getting no answers.
Captain Commander Yamamoto calls all Shinigami to prepare for an imminent attack by the Quincy, and the Wandenreich, lead by Yhwach, invade the Soul Society. The Quincy have the ability to steal Bankai, and begin robbing the Soul Reaper's power. The battle goes badly for the Soul Society, and Ichigo is unable to help, trapped by a Quincy between worlds. As he struggles to break free, Yhwach and Yamamoto battle it out for the first time in 1000 years.
Yamamoto's power and anger have grown tremendously, giving him shocking abilities in battle, even raising the specters of the dead against Yhwach, but he is overcome and his power stolen. Ichigo finally arrives to help but loses his sword in the battle with Yhwach who absconds leaving behind some cryptic words about Ichigo's mother. Ichigo is taken to the Soul King's palace while Unohana and Zaraki battle it out joyously below in an effort to fully awaken Zaraki's abilities. Ichigo fails to get his sword reforged and is returned to home, to learn the truth about his origins.
The short ends with the announcement that episode 11, "Everything But the Rain" will stream on December 19, 2022, but the big announcement follows thereafter. As Twitter confirms, on December 26, 2022, episodes 12 and 13, the "Part 1 Finale" of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War will stream simultaneously, bringing this quarter arc to a close with a satisfying hour-long bang. For anime fans who've been longing for more story for a decade, it's a lovely, if somewhat belated gift.
Source: Twitter