In Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War – Episode 03, Ichigo and the others are shocked how easily Quilge Opie defeated the Tres Bestias. Opie comments on the oddness of seeing a Shinigami and Arrancar together. Quilge reveals that Yhwach considers Ichigo to be a “Special War Power.” According to Yhwach, there were 5 war powers. Ichigo Kurosaki has the “Latent Ability,” Kenpachi Zaraki has “Fighting Strength,” Ichibe Hyosube has “Wisdom,” Sosuke Aizen has “Reiatsu,” and Kisuke Urahara has “means.”  These qualities are considered to be “exceptional.” 

As such Ichigo must be defeated. Quilge orders his Jagdarmee to attack Ichigo. Quilge uses his Heilig Pfeil, as he confirms that they’re indeed Quincy. At the Seireitei, the Gotei 13 grapple with their old enemy the Quincy. Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi admits that he’s yet to find out where the Wandenreich are located. Back in Hueco Mundo, Ichigo prepares to battle Quilge more seriously. He gives Nel to Orihime. Ichigo assures Quilge that his Heilig Pfeil is “much stronger than Uryū’s.” Quilge doesn’t believe this is possible but he doesn’t elaborate why. 

The power of Volistandig

After receiving a message from Yhwach, Quilge activates his Quincy: Volistandig. When Yhwach hears that Ichigo is in Hueco Mundo, he gets excited and orders an invasion of Soul Society. Back to the fight between Ichigo and Quilge, he shows off his powers including the ability to use Sklaverei, a basic ability to absorb Reishi. He begins absorbing the surrounding area including Orihime’s Soten Kisshun. Before he can go further he’s punched by Ayon. The Tres Bestia survived. Ayon dominates Quilge, bashing him repeatedly, causing Quincy to cough up blood. 

In Karakura Town, Ishida discovers that his father is keeping secrets regarding Quincy, specifically Yhwach and his mother. At the same time, we learn from Hidetomo Kajoumaru why the conflict between Quincy and Shinigami began. When Quincy kills hollows they destroy the soul leaving nothing. This creates an imbalance of souls between Soul Society and Earth. When asked to refrain from such activities, the Quincy refused, causing the Shinigami to choose genocide. 

Bazz-B blows a hole in Izuru

Quilge manages to endure the onslaught from Ayon using Blut Vene. He then uses Sklaverei to strip Ayon to the bone. He then absorbs Ayon into his body, causing two large eyes similar to Ayon’s appear on his wings. Quilge uses Sklaverei to absorb Mila Rose, Sung-Sun, Nel, Loly, Menoly, and even Sabo’s Fullbring. However, Ichigo stops him with his Bankai, Tensa Zangetsu. Meanwhile, the Wandenreich invades Soul Society through the eruptions of giant blue pillars. Bazz-B blows off Izuru Kira’s right arm and leaves a massive hole in his torso, making him Wandenreich’s first victim. 

I’m indifferent to Ichigo’s battle with Quilge. As a manga reader I know the outcome of this arc, but I’ve never cared for this fight. It only serves the purpose of keeping Ishigo out of Soul Society. Regardless, I’m interested in the invasion largely because I’m assuming that it will be elaborated on (especially the fights) and I want to see this conflict animated. So what do you think? Is Ichigo’s fight pointless? Are you a manga reader? Do you think the Shingami were correct to commit genocide against the Quincy? If not, what could they have done? 

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