The Thousand-Year Blood War arc was Bleach's seventh and final arc that ultimately brought the series to a close. Reception towards the arc was mixed, but what many Bleach fans will agree on is that the Thousand-Year Blood War arc came with moments that were so impactful that they shook the foundation of the series.

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On March 20th, 2022, it was revealed that the Thousand-Year Blood War arc would receive an anime adaption that is currently set to premiere in October 2022. As the premiere date draws closer, these are the moments that fans are the most excited to see animated for Bleach.

8 Nemu vs Pernida

Bleach Nemu Vs Pernida

During the second Wandereich invasion, Mayuri Kurotsuchi is confronted by one of Yhwach's elite guards, the infinitely-evolving Pernida Parnkgjas. Despite Mayuri's best efforts, Pernida counters every single one of his techniques to the point that Nemu steps in on her father's behalf.

As a character that rarely receives her own fights, seeing Nemu go up against Pernida was a sight to behold for many fans, in addition to the fact that she beats back the disembodied left arm with her own techniques. Though she loses her life in the process, she is still instrumental in Pernida's death.

7 Ukitake's Sacrifice

Bleach Ukitake

Ukitake is notable for three things within the Thirteen Court Guard Squads: his strength, his friendly personality, and his illness, the latter of which is fully expanded upon in this arc. Having suffered from a fatal lung disease as a child, which dyed his hair white, his family successfully prayed at the shrine of Mimihagi, the right arm of the Soul King, to save him.

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In the present, just when Soul Society is on the brink of ruin due to the death of the Soul King, Ukitake performed Kamikake, a ritual that would sacrifice the rest of his body and life to become Mimihagi's host. Even with Ukitake's already selfless personality, it is safe to say that his sacrifice was unexpected and sad at the same time.

6 Ichigo's New Zangetsu

Bleach Ichigo (1)

Having had his Bankai destroyed during the first invasion of Soul Society, Ichigo, alongside Renji and Kon, ventured to the Soul King in order to prepare for the next invasion. It isn't until he arrives at Oetsu Nimaiya's palace that Ichigo starts to learn the truth about Zangetsu.

As it turns out, what was thought of as the manifestation of Zangetsu was actually that of Ichigo's Quincy powers; his supposed inner Hollow was the true manifestation of Zangetsu all along. Upon having his weapon restored, Ichigo now possesses the abilities of both spirits, which he would go on to use with great effect.

5 Squad Zero's Arrival

Squad Zero making their first appearance in the Bleach manga

A truly grand cast of characters, Squad Zero made their first appearance shortly after the Wandenreich finished razing Soul Society. From there, they help out the Thirteen Court Guard Squads by collecting many injured Soul Reapers and helping with Soul Society's reconstruction.

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It is not until Ichigo and Renji arrive at the Soul King Palace that the lore behind Squad Zero is revealed. According to Kirio Hikifune, each member of Squad Zero was responsible for creating something fundamentally important for Soul Society, such as the Zanpakuto and the Artificial Souls.

4 Yamamoto's Bankai: Zanka no Tachi

Yamamoto activating his Bankai in the Bleach Manga

Yamamoto had already cemented himself as one of the strongest characters, but upon activating his Bankai, his already-impressive strength becomes even more frightening. He finally activates his Bankai as a means to finally put an end to the invading Wandenreich.

As demonstrated by Yamamoto, Zanka no Tachi is quite the versatile Bankai; in addition to focusing his flames within the blade itself, it can also reanimate anyone he has killed in the past. Unfortunately, not only does this Bankai have a high chance of collateral damage, but it was promptly stolen by Yhwach moments before he kills Yamamoto.

3 Rukia's Bankai: Hakka no Togame

Rukia' using her Bankai Hakka no Togame in the Bleach manga

After traveling to the Soul King Palace and recovering from the first Wandenreich invasion, Rukia finally achieves her icy Bankai, Hakka no Togame. She activates it for the first time to bring a swift end to As Nodt, who had previously defeated her brother in battle.

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With Hakka no Togame, Rukia can drastically freeze an entire area, reducing everything to absolute zero. In addition, Rukia also undergoes a dramatic change in physical appearance; she now dons an ornate kimono which several elegant ribbons, somewhat reminiscent of her anime-only Zanpakuto spirit.

2 Kenpachi vs. Unohana

Bleach Unohana

One of the most surprising duels in the arc, the fight between Kenpachi and Unohana is coveted among fans due to its gratuitous action and the backstory surrounding both characters. In particular, Unohana's shift in demeanor from a tender healer to a bloodthirsty seeker of battle was jarring and unexpected for many readers.

The battle itself was orchestrated by the newly-inducted Captain Commander Shunsui Kyoraku, who insisted on teaching Kenpachi swordsmanship to prepare for the next invasion. Despite this, both Unohana and Kenpachi used this fight as an opportunity to settle the score between them once and for all.

1 The Fall of the Seireitei

The Wandenreich prepare to decimate Soul Society in the Bleach manga

The focus of the entire Thousand-Year Blood War arc revolves around the complete and utter decimation of the Seireitei near the beginning of the arc. What started out as mysterious Hollow disappearances and a spiritual imbalance quickly turned into an all-out war to protect Soul Society from annihilation.

While there have been occurrences of Soul Society being invaded before, the first invasion by the Wandenreich was the only case in which the Thirteen Court Guard Squads were utterly helpless before the enemy. It also revealed many long-standing events that existed long before the present, namely the rivalry between Yamamoto and Yhwach and the nature of the original Thirteen Court Guard Squads.

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