Unlike the slower-paced days of the original Bleach episodes, the Thousand Year Blood War certainly kicks things up a notch with its first cours, which is jam-packed with action from beginning to end. The introduction of new enemy forces has caused quite a stir in Seireitei and Hueco Mundo, the aftereffects of which are overflowing into the Human Realm. It's all hands on deck for this colossal showdown.

The Shinigami find themselves out of sorts with the possibility of losing their Bankai, whereas the Arrancar wish to reunite with their beloved Lady Halibel. The Quincy, however, seem to be out for world domination, and Ichigo appears to be the only warrior immune to their underhanded trickery.

8 "Humans" Vs. Hollows

Bleach Thousand Year Blood War Debut Main Protagonists episode 1

After waiting a decade for new Bleach content, Tite Kubo made his fans proud with his re-introduction of the saviors of the Human Realm, allowing Ichigo, Sado, Uryu, and Orihime to claim the spotlight for the big debut. While it isn't the longest or most spectacular battle in Bleach history, it is great to see how much the fan-favorite heroes have grown since viewers last left them. Furthermore, watching the timid Orihime get in on the action (instead of cheering from the sidelines) is a noteworthy event.

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Newcomers to the Bleach fandom can easily grasp the style of each warrior from "The Blood Warfare." Uryū shows off his "ice-skating" and archery skills; Sado manages to land a potent Brazo Izquierda del Diablo attack; and the renowned Getsuga Tenshō also makes an appearance. Taking down such a massive hoard of Hollows with ease and grace (while "professionals" Yuki and Shino remain helpless) is a great way to boast how special Ichigo and his friends truly are, without boring recaps.

7 Ichigo Kurosaki vs. Asguiaro Ebern

Bleach: Everything You Need To Know About The Wandenreich's Ebern Weaponry  Thousand Year Blood War

Ebern's "grand" entrance is a comical and memorable one; looming through the window of Ichigo's iconic bedroom before being unceremoniously kicked out of the way, mid-sentence. This strange enemy reminds Ichigo that his buddy Uryū is far from being the Last Quincy, before putting on a performance to show what the Sternritter are capable of, while constantly egging him on to release his Bankai.

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It's safe to say that everyone's heart dropped (besides the all-knowing manga readers) the moment Ebern activated his Medallion. Fortunately, the Bankai-stealing abilities are ineffective against Ichigo. Ebern's Reishi Cannons clearly aren't potent enough against him either, and so he escapes the scene, leaving more questions than answers in his wake.

6 Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto vs. Yhwach

Bleach Biggest Disappointments in Thousand Year Blood War Yamamoto Death

Overconfident in his abilities, it takes only a simple taunt to entice Yamamoto to release Zanka no Tachi, which is swiftly stolen by Yhwach as he sets the Captain Commander up for failure. The fight, if one can call it that, is over within moments, but not before the bitter Emperor squeezes some extra punishment in.

Numerous flashbacks set the scene around how deep this rivalry goes, but unfortunately, Yamamoto's flame is extinguished by Yhwach's dazzling Reishi Broadsword. The Captain-Commander is unceremoniously slashed from shoulder to hip, with only two lifeless segments left to honor the fallen leader. The tyrant proceeds to stand over (and on top of) Yamamoto, ridiculing him further, while the rest of Seireitei begins grieving, as their Commander's Reiatsu presence begins to fade.

5 Ichigo Kurosaki & Ayon vs. Quilge Opie

Bleach Best Fights Thousand Year Blood War Ichigo vs Quilge Opie

Where Ebern's fight was just a taster of Wandenreich's powers, Quilge Opie gives a more thorough breakdown of the Quincy's capabilities. However, Ichigo still manages to stay one step ahead. Although the Tres Bestias are not much help, it's a huge benefit to have the almighty Ayon on his side, who treats the intruder like his own personal punching bag. That is, until the Sternritter agent absorbs the Hollow's powers, after undergoing a favorable Vollständig transformation just moments before.

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Quilge powers up further with Sklaverei by absorbing all surrounding Reishi and appears to dominate with his Heilig Pfeil, before Urahara effortlessly blasts him away with some powerful Kido. Taking the gap, Ichigo begins traveling towards Seireitei via the Garganta. However, the Substitute Shinigami is suddenly imprisoned in an assumedly indestructible cage. This inevitably works out in Ichigo's favor by inadvertently kickstarting his inherent powers.

4 Byakuya Kuchiki vs. Äs Nödt

Bleach Best Fights Thousand Year Blood War As Nodt vs Byakuya Kuchiki

Amidst the chaos of the Quincy invasion, several prominent Sternritter take the Gotei 13 Captains head-on (after slaughtering countless subordinates). However, Äs Nödt arguably makes the biggest impression of the lot, with his haunting character design and nightmarish Tatarforas accompanied by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka's spine-chilling voice.

After testing the waters, Byakuya decides to fight at full force and makes the grave error of releasing Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, which is quickly stolen by the Quincy. Furthermore, the vicious Reishi Thorns eventually find their target and produce a scene seemingly plucked straight out of the Junji Ito Collection as Äs Nödt overwhelms the senses with some truly creepy content. After being thwarted by his own Bankai, the bloodsoaked Byakuya is left for dead, prompting Renji to jump in and get his Zanpakuto shattered as a result, while the Sternritter escape unscathed.

3 Ichigo Kurosaki vs. Yhwach

Bleach Best Fights Thousand Year Blood War Ichigo vs Yhwach

After Ichigo manages to break out of the confines of Quilge's Jail and assess the damage in Seireitei, he takes a crack at defeating Yhwach to avenge the fallen. Colorful blasts and explosions stimulate the senses as Zanpakuto and Reishi Sword collide. At first, the fight seems imbalanced, as Yhwach evades even Getsuga Tenshō and dominates without breaking a sweat.

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Thankfully, before Ichigo can be killed or captured, he inadvertently activates his Blut Vene, startling even the all-knowing Emperor (who was well aware of his foe's Quincy lineage.) Using a combination of Qualkreis and Heilig Pfeil, Yhwach puts the Substitute Shinigami in his place once more, but is caught by surprise (again) when his time in Seireitei runs short. As a last-ditch effort, Ichigo charges from behind, but unfortunately, Jugram Haschwalth intervenes at the last moments and slashes Zangetsu in two, before escorting his master back to Wandenreich.

2 Zaraki Kenpachi Vs. Retsu Unohana

Bleach Best Moments in the Thousand Year Blood War Kenpachi Battle Unohana vs Zaraki

One of the most highly anticipated battles (and biggest shockers of the first cours) involves two Captains who assumedly couldn't be more different. However, the usually reserved Retsu shows her sinister side by matching, if not surpassing, Zaraki's bloodlust as the Kenpachi's clash swords for the last time. Viewers relish in the sight of the fan-favorite anti-hero fighting without his eyepatch and gasp in awe at how menacing the lovable Unohana truly is. Incredible imagery enhances the severity of the circumstances.

Neither Unohana nor Zaraki often get the chance to fight at full capacity, but now that all bets are off, they both blissfully battle within the bloodbath of Minazuki's making. Each time Unohana pushed Zaraki's boundaries past breaking point, he rejoins the fight rejuvenated, eventually allowing himself to reach his full power potential. Seeing that there can only be one Kenpachi per generation, Unohana deactivates her healing abilities and allows herself to be impaled once more, while Zaraki screams in pain at losing his best opponent ever. Moments later, his Zanpakuto Spirit makes its presence known, and one of the biggest mysteries in Bleach makes the first step to being solved.

1 Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto vs. Royd Lloyd

Bleach Best Moments in the Thousand Year Blood War Yamamoto Bankai Zanka no Tachi

With over 366 Bleach episodes in the bag, Yamamoto has managed to evade revealing the full brunt of his Bankai. cConsidering he is the Captain Commander, fans never doubted its potency. With such a dire situation at hand, Yamamoto decides to pull out all the stops with some never-before-seen attacks, and not one, but four different versions of Zanka no Tachi. Assuming to have the upper hand over Yhwach, the Commander believes that his Bankai hasn't been stolen yet because its true potential is unknown, but he is proven wrong.

While Zanka no Tachi, Nishi: Zanjitsu Gokui's flames leave a fierce impression. The zombified graveyard vibe of Zanka no Tachi, Minami: Kaka Jūmanokushi Daisōjin is a sight for sore eyes, leaving a bitter, unsettling taste in one's mouth. However, just as it seems like the battle has been won, the emotional rollercoaster intensifies as Lloyd exposes himself as the undercover bait from his deathbed, while Yhwach joins the fray with an advantageous understanding of Yamamoto's powers.

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