Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War Episode 08 follows the Gotei 13 and Ichigo as they deal with the aftermath of Yhwach’s invasion and Yamamoto’s death. Seireitei lies in ruin, while critical patients are being rushed to the hospital. Isane Kotetsu asks Retsu Unohana if it was “the right choice” for them to remain in the barracks. She has guilt. Feeling that she and Unohana could have saved more lives. She’s right but as Unohana notes they were ordered not to leave “no matter what.”

Ichigo and Shinji Hirako visit Renji and Rukia who have become stable after surgery. Rukia thanks him for helping, but Ichigo acknowledges that he really didn’t do much. The meeting is interrupted when Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi calls for him. Mayuri tells Ichigo that his Bankai, Tensa Zangetsu, “cannot be repaired.” Mayuri and Ichigo mention that Mayuri “modifies” his Zanpakuto which is different that its destruction. I would have preferred a more detailed explanation on the difference. Anyway, Mayuri gets a message the Zero Squad (Royal Guard) has arrived.

Meeting the Royal Guard

The royal guard are five former Gotei 13 Captain that protect the Soul King and his Palace. Ichibe Hyosube, Kirio Hikifune, Oetsu Nimaiya, Senjumaru Shutara, and Tenjiro Kirinji arrive in dramatic fashion and proceed to embarrass the remaining members of the Gotei 13. When Sui Fang demands they stop joking around and asks why they didn’t help, Kirinji swiftly moves behind her. Sui Fang is suppose to be one of the fastest Shinigami in all of Seireitei, but Kirinji is faster. Furthermore, he taught Unohana all her healing techniques.

Senjumaru invades Mayuri’s lab to retrieve Ichigo’s Bankai and takes Rukia, Renji, and Byakuya placing them in three weird orbs. Despite Unohana’s healing ability she’s not good enough to heal them. Senjumaru notes that “security is a lot weaker than it was when she was last here.” I think the Gotei 13 got complacent and lazy especially with Yamamoto as their leader and were caught off guard by the Quincy. The devastation to Soul Society is the result.

What do you think of the Zero Squad? Which ones your favorite? Who’s the strongest? Does Kirinji have the best anime hair? Like and Comment.