Bleach: The Thousand-Year Blood War Part 3-Conflict

©久保帯人/集英社・テレビ東京・dentsu・ぴえろ

Is this really a series without at least one major betrayal? What if we never saw our main character scream their Judas name as they callously looked at them – determined that they were right? And it is in the long and illustrious tradition of top 10 anime betrayals that we have this episode: Ichigo and Uryu face each other after Uryu's decision to side with the Quincies and fight. And in the end, Uryu—who could now use the Quincy Voll Stern Dich—won.

Well, we don't get this scene right away. We get that after about two minutes of recapping the final episode — incidentally, are recaps always as long as they are this season? No problem. Anyway, after the recap and spending time with Ichigo and Co. Trying to get in Yhwach's way, Uryu shows up and the episode really takes off.

First, as always, the animation is breathtaking. Of course, the battles are the main attraction, but even little things like Yoruichi's arm twists — which can last all of three seconds — look excellent. I had high hopes for Uzumaki and the second season of Blue Lock, but at this point, I feel pretty comfortable saying that I think the third season of The Thousand-Year Blood War turned out to be the show's best looking yet. overall this season. And not to be outdone, the soundtrack also helps emphasize the drama of this episode. Bleach has always had a great soundtrack, but episodes like this really help emphasize that the producers know how to utilize that soundtrack to its full potential.

In any case, Uryu and Ichigo yell at each other about their loyalties. In some ways, the whole thing feels like a quintessential shōnen anime moment of betrayal. And I say “in some ways” because it departs from tradition in at least one fairly notable iteration. Thinking back to many other similar anime betrayals, one thing they have in common is that most of them tend to happen quite suddenly. Sure, there could be a hint to the audience that something like this could happen—for example, Sasuke's lust for power is so intense that it could lead him down any number of dark paths. any evening if they are only available. to him—but the betrayal itself usually happens quite quickly, either with a confrontation or when the protagonist has a long and dramatic monologue where they vow to bring their friend back.

We haven't had a moment like that in the Thousand Years of Blood War so far; both Ichigo and Uryu have other issues to deal with, so this confrontation almost feels like it's in its final stages. Alternatively, you could call it something closer to slow burn—one that still feels slower if you watched the series when it aired. We, the audience, have known that Uryu has been helping Yhwach for a while — depending on how you want to look at it, a few episodes or over a year. Technically, Ichigo already knew a bit. He just hasn't had his moment against Uryu yet. So now that it's happening, we, the audience, have had a lot of time to reflect. And the payoff has been amazing. This episode takes full advantage of that, letting their fight and Uryu's victory really shine.

So now, Ichigo is defeated (I don't doubt that he will get up again at some point, but nevertheless, for now he seems to be out of sight), the jolly rancher banned is now completely compromised, and the idea that Aizen could — and probably will — return is now looming in the back of his mind. Plot-wise, this is a really interesting place for Bleach to be and it makes me want to see what happens next. Obviously, I hope it's Aizen. I'm always hoping for Aizen's return—especially because I think there might be something interesting (and a little funny) about witnessing a battle (of swords or wits) between a guy can see the future and another guy is such a master manipulator that he can also see the future. But even without Aizen, we're at a point where a lot can happen. …But really, I really hope it's Aizen.

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Bleach: The Millennium Blood War Part 3-Conflict is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+.