The Bleach Season 17 show returned after a decade with a triumphant finale. Part 1 stays faithful to the original material while adding new elements and expanding on specific aspects for future episodes. The animation brings the intense battles to life with its detailed shading and smooth movement. The finale of Part 1 was a one-hour special, but it featured two 25-minute episodes combined. Despite the long break, Studio Pierrot successfully delivered the final arc.
In Bleach Season 17, Uryu Ishida’s role as a Quincy makes him an interesting character, but his intentions and true purpose are not yet fully explored. However, the ending provides some hints about this. Keep reading for more information.
Part 1 Of The Finale Mystery Behind Ichigo’s Dual Source of Powers
The first half of the finale of Bleach TYBW Part 1 focuses on a flashback of Ichigo’s parents. Isshin tells Ichigo that he reported the mission’s success to Yamamoto but did not mention Masaki. He then explains that he felt drawn to her and patrolled the human world after her. After the White Hollow’s attack, Masaki collapses with a severe injury. Ryuken rescues her and rushes to find help, blaming Isshin for her condition. Urahara, who had previously met Masaki, intervenes and states that he knows how to treat her.
While in exile, Urahara discovered a way to treat the Visoreds, a group of individuals who possess both Quincy and Hollow powers. Masaki was a strong Echt Quincy united with a Hollow, so her treatment would be different from that of a Soul Reaper. Quincy has no means to combat Hollow souls, and Masaki needs a Soul Reaper’s full power to balance out her soul with the Hollow’s. To achieve this, Urahara gave Isshin a Gigai, a device that can hold a Soul Reaper’s soul and transform it into a human form. Afterward, Isshin and Masaki began dating and moved in together, while Ryuken married Katagiri.
The story then shifts to the present, where Isshin reveals to Ichigo how Masaki passed away. He explains that Yhwach, a powerful Quincy, was responsible for her death and for making Katagiri ill. Nine years ago, Yhwach took away the powers of many Quincies to restore his own, ultimately leading to Masaki’s death at the hands of Grand Fisher. As this conversation occurs, Ichigo retrieves his badge from Ikumi before leaving again. On another front, Ryuken discovers evidence that Uryu, another Quincy, has met with the Stern Ritters, an influential group of Quincies.
Part 2 of The Finale Ichigo’s New Weapon
The second half of the finale centers on Ichigo and the Soul Reapers. Ichigo is quickly taken by Nimaiya’s Zanpakuto guards and placed among the Asauchi, where he must battle until one chooses him. Eventually, all the Asauchi bow before Ichigo as he chooses the hollow “White”. In Soul Society, the Soul Reapers begin their training. Captain Hitsugaya practices his swordplay at the Soul Reaper academy, and Captain Kensei of the 9th Division sends Hisagi to fight Mashiro Kuna in her hollowed form to revive his Bankai.
Concurrently, Akon returns to the Division 12 camp to treat his injuries, finding Kurotsuchi and Nemu working on something in the lab. Captain Soi-Fon is training her body in the mountains, while Captain Komamura returns to the clan’s stronghold to persuade the clan leader to teach him a particular skill. Meanwhile, Nimaiya’s guards prepare the forge. As Nimaiya restores Ichigo’s Zanpakuto, he explains that Zangetsu is not his true Zanpakuto. The original one was the hollow White within him. Zangetsu was the source of his dormant Quincy powers, which surprised Ichigo.
Bleach Season 17 Ending Explained Uryu’s Betrayal
Once again, Ichigo communicates with Zangetsu, who commends Ichigo for his decision to become a Soul Reaper, despite his constant attempts to limit Ichigo’s powers. Zangetsu bids farewell to Ichigo and releases him from his Soul Reaper and Quincy abilities. His Zanpakuto transforms into a real double-bladed sword, similar to that of Head Captain Kyoraku. At the same time, Yhwach and Haschwalth meet in Silbern, where Haschwalth presents Uryu, who is dressed as a Stern Ritter.
A new chapter is about to begin, with Uryu being revealed as a traitor to Cour 2. A promotional video announced that Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 will return in the summer of 2023, with a release in July, but no exact date has been announced yet. The series will be streamed on Disney+, Hulu, and Ani-One Asia. Keep an eye out for more updates on Animedaily.