Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War Part 2 Release Date Revealed. It’s been a pretty eventful end of the year for Bleach fans. With the first cour of the anime wrapping up and Kubo (Bleach Creator) making a surprise appearance at Jump Festa on the last weekend and it’s safe to say that 2023 will be an even better year for Bleach fans.
We will be analyzing the comments from the screenwriter of the anime, the director, and the comments the voice actors have made about the second cour of the Bleach anime. And lastly, what Kubo has revealed in regard to his involvement with the continuation of the anime, and add to this, we will also go over the plot of the combined episode aired on Monday, episodes 12 and 13, which was a one-hour special.
Where Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War Part 1 Ended?
The Thousand-Year Blood War (TYBW) arc is the final arc of the “Bleach” anime series, which follows the story of Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager with the ability to see ghosts. The Thousand Year Blood War arc is set in the world of the afterlife, known as the Soul Society, and follows the story of how Ichigo and his friends must defend the Soul Society from an invading army of Quincy, a group of humans with the ability to manipulate spiritual energy.
In episodes 12 and 13, we see the Quincy army, led by their leader, Yhwach, continue their assault on the Soul Society. The Quincy is able to overpower the Soul Reapers, the guardians of the Soul Society, and capture many of their territories.
As the Quincy attack, the Soul Reapers are forced to retreat and regroup, trying to come up with a plan to counter Quincy’s advanced abilities and tactics. Among them is Byakuya Kuchiki, captain of the 6th Division, who is known for his strict adherence to the rules and code of conduct of the Soul Reapers. However, even he is forced to abandon his usual reserve and engage in battle against the Quincy, showing just how desperate the situation has become.
Meanwhile, Ichigo, who has been training to become stronger in order to protect the Soul Society, confronts Yhwach but is easily overpowered by him. Yhwach reveals that he has the ability to steal the powers of others, and he uses this ability to steal Ichigo’s Quincy powers.
Feeling defeated and powerless, Ichigo retreats to regroup with his friends and come up with a new plan to defeat Yhwach. He is joined by his fellow Soul Reapers, including Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi and Captain Kenpachi Zaraki, as well as his Quincy ally, Uryu Ishida. Together, they come up with a plan to use their combined abilities to take down Yhwach and the Quincy army.
We see the Soul Reapers and their allies put their plan into action. They are aided by the arrival of Uryu Ishida, a Quincy who has turned against Yhwach, and his allies, including the Vizards, a group of former Soul Reapers who have gained Hollow powers.
Together, they are able to fight off the Quincy army and rescue the captured Soul Reapers. However, they are unable to defeat Yhwach, who reveals that he has the ability to manipulate time and space. He uses this ability to create a massive explosion that engulfs the battlefield, causing chaos and confusion.
Despite the challenges they face, the Soul Reapers and their allies continue to fight, determined to protect the Soul Society and defeat Quincy. Captain Unohana, captain of the 4th Division, uses her healing abilities to keep her comrades alive and on the battlefield, while Captain Jushiro Ukitake, captain of the 13th Division, uses his powerful sword to cut through the Quincy ranks.
However, Quincy is relentless, and it seems that the Soul Reapers are no match for their advanced abilities. Just when all hope seems lost, Ichigo appears, having regained his Quincy powers thanks to the intervention of his friends.
Ichigo confronts Yhwach in a final showdown, determined to defeat him and protect the Soul Society. The two engage in a fierce battle, with both sides using their full strength and abilities. In the end, Ichigo emerges victorious, using his powerful Quincy abilities to defeat Yhwach and save the Soul Society.
In the aftermath of the battle, the Soul Society is saved, and Ichigo and his friends return to the living world, knowing that they have protected the Soul Society and ensured the safety of the afterlife.
However, the aftermath of the battle is not without its consequences. Many Soul Reapers have been injured or killed, and the Soul Society must now begin the process of rebuilding and healing. Despite their victory, the events of the Thousand Year Blood War arc have left a lasting impact on the characters and the world of “Bleach.”
One of the most significant consequences is the realization that the Quincy, who was once seen as enemies, are not as different from the Soul Reapers as they thought. Both sides have similar goals and values, and it is only through understanding and cooperation that they are able to defeat their common enemy, Yhwach.
Another consequence is the growth and development of the main characters. Throughout the series, we see Ichigo and his friends grow and learn from their experiences, and the Thousand Year Blood War arc is no different. They face their greatest challenges yet and emerge stronger and more resilient as a result.
Overall, episodes 12 and 13 of the Thousand Year Blood War arc are intense and action-packed, featuring intense battles and character development. These episodes showcase the strength and determination of the main characters, as they fight to protect the Soul Society and defeat the invading Quincy army. Despite the challenges they face, they are able to come together and use their unique abilities to defeat the enemy and save the day. The aftermath of the battle serves as a reminder of the sacrifices and struggles the characters have faced and the importance of understanding and cooperation in achieving a greater goal.
What Do We Know From Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War Part 2 Trailer?
The new trailer is titled “Separation,” and it’s roughly 1 minute and 40 seconds long. So we begin with a shot of the Soul King’s Palace with what appears to be Ichibe’s saying that “You want Ichigo to become more than Shinigami.” To which he replies that “He will overcome any obstacle.” Now, this is definitely an anime-exclusive dialogue that hints at us seeing Ichigo’s training with Ichibe. This is after he awakens his true Zanpakuto.
We then get this very stylized title card telling us that the next part of the Thousand Year Blood War Arc anime is being teased. Now avid viewers will notice that this entire trailer is in a two-by-one aspect ratio. Now this aspect ratio has gained a lot of popularity in recent years, with it being used in a lot of motion pictures. The selection of this aspect ratio already solidifies how the animation staff is treating the Thousand Year Blood War Arc like a grand cinematic spectacle.
Taguchi and the rest of the anime were not kidding, when they said that would be a big upgrade in the quality of the production from Cour 2 onwards, and this trailer in my opinion is indicative of this improvement that they are speaking about.
Now the trailer continues with Juhabach saying that the time has come to restore the honor of Quincy, and this is followed by Uryu talking about how he had come to the conclusion that it was all true, and that he has severed all ties in order to come to the Wandenreich. Now Uryu of course is referencing the history of Quincy that he has learned from Soken Ishida’s book.
And this yet again an anime-exclusive dialogue that indicates that they are going to be expanding on some of the manga material with new scenes that we have never seen before, and they are adding to the expanded Uryu scenes that we had in the First Part of the anime.
it is safe to assume that after learning about the history of Quincy, he has decided to side tied with Quincy by joining Yhwach’s army. Later we get some dialogue between Haschwalth and Bazz-B, which is straight from the manga, and then Shunsui says that he doesn’t know what kind of power Ichigo will come back with, and in the background, we see this incredible 3D model of Ichogo’s true Zanpakuto with this red light shining down upon the. We see these awesome closeups of the blade as we get to hear several lines from the Shinigami, with notably a spoiler from Urahara, who says that he is figuring out a way to regain the “Stolen” Bankai.
Now Rukia and even Shinji are among the Shinigami that we hear from, and Shinji’s dialogue could be a tease that we may get to see his Bankai in anime form. Now this one was revealed within the Bleach: Can’t Fear Your Own World light novel and it’s definitely a transformation that all of us want to see in the Thousand Year Blood War Arc.
There are some lines that they have included within this trailer, which I am pretty surprised about. Like Urahara’s line where he talks about regaining stolen Bankai. It felt like this trailer was going for a very mysterious but ambiguous kind of tone, but it seems like they are actually dropping pretty big spoilers here. Because we even get a line with Renji saying the true name of his Bankai, “So-oh Zabimaru”.
Now the majority of this trailer we get to see the 3D models of Ichigo’s true Zanpakuto which end up transitioning to Quincy’s Cross. Now, this is obviously contrasting Ichigo and Uryu, whose dynamic will be heavily played upon during Cour 2, and a lot of this dialogue is fascinating to hear. As it hints at the additional scenes that they have been teasing us with.
Now these sequences with these 3D CG models with Ichigo exclaiming why on Earth Uryu is standing with Yhwach. Now, this is then followed by what I am presuming to be some pre-animated visuals as we get to see Mayuri and he looks absolutely amazing. We get a shot of Shunsui, followed by Haschwalth and an awesome shot sequence of Bazz-B, where we see him utilize his Burner Finger,
One of my favorite shots from this trailer is of Hitsugaya’s Bankai, which looks very sinister. I loved the details the lighting, and the shadings, you truly get to see the change that is happened to his Bankai. We have also shown Bambietta’s Holy Form, which takes up an awesome red color, followed by the real highlight of this episode, where we see Ichigo rushing back to the Soul Society, after completing his stay at the Royal Palace and he is wearing at his Royal Garment. This is an incredible way to teas us for the 2nd Cour.
Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War Part 2 Release Date Revealed
The trailer concludes with the Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War Arc logo front and center, followed by a sinister shot of Uryu, who says the iconic Quincy line, where he swings by his pride as a Quincy that he will eliminate the enemy. This is then followed by the text which says “Separation” which could be in reference to Uryu, separating from his friends, with Cour 2 being centered around his betrayal.
After this, we learn the key information to the Thousand Year Blood War Arc will be continuing in July 2023, as Yhwach with his sinister voice promises us that true True Desperation is Yet to come. Additionally, the following manga chapters will be adapted into the next part, are very battle intensive, and from the comments made by the voice actors, the director, Taguchi, and even Kubo from Jump Festa, we know that Cour 2 will make several additions to the anime, and we are going to take a step up in the overall quality of its production.
Also, the screenwriter from the Thousand Year Blood War arc anime, Hiromatsu, has hinted to the fans on Twitter, that the anime will be of higher quality from Cour 2 onwards. Now, after the trailer had dropped, we also had Kubo re-tweeting the trailer from his official Twitter account and he asks us how we had found the finale of Cour 1, then stated that the 2nd part, is scheduled for July 2023. Unlike the first part, there will be an addition made to the anime, hinting at fight scenes and additional dialogues to expand upon the manga.
TVアニメ #BLEACH 最終話いかがでしたか？
第２クール『BLEACH 千年血戦篇-訣別譚-』は、2023年７月より放送予定です！１クール目同様、アニメで追加されるバトルやシーンもあるかも…？！楽しみにお待ちください！<スタッフ>#BLEACH_anime https://t.co/5wwLMmyunz— 久保帯人＆スタッフ (@tite_official) December 26, 2022
Genuinely, this is more than any one of us could be asked for and I was not expecting the next part of the Thousand Year Blood War arc to be so soon. I hope that the animators have enough time to give us another batch of incredible episodes, and I hope that they can live up t the promises of improved quality that we heard from everybody involved with the production.
I wonder where Cour 2 will wrap up as will be an indicator of how much material will be left for the Third Cour, and the Fourth, which is in desperate need of expansion. As things were so rushed within the manga during this portion, hopefully, a lot of the streamlining and cuts that we have early on within the manga may have been for the sake of forward planning and addition to future cours.
ALSO READ: How To Watch More Than A Married Couple But Not Lovers? Streaming Guide
