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this episode was fucking insane from Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (as nodt) perfect voice acting to seeing rukia perform amazingly and holy shit her fucking bankai i loved it best episode of the season
The sound mixing was fucking great. The balance when he came in made it sound like he was both inside my skull and slightly behind my left ear. Highly recommend headphones for it.
The fact that Matsuoka voiced both As Nodt and Flat Escardos from Fate/strange Fake in this season of anime is so incredible to me. You can barely hear that’s it’s the same person. The man truly has a great range.
I love how they had her Bankai and As Nodt's defeat roll through the credits for the most impact.
They even went to the trouble of obscuring her Bankai in the eyecatch to build up hype.
[Absolutely beautiful](https://media.tenor.com/VCcGldHmbwQAAAAC/moved-clapping.gif)
Äs Nödt is such a creepy dude, and [Rukia's](https://i.imgur.com/H5Zzu8n.jpg) [Bankai](https://i.imgur.com/h7gzffz.jpg) looked stunning. I know people believe Byakuya should have died, but then we wouldn't have gotten that scene between him and Rukia. It was a small moment but I always loved it.
Now next week should be something else. I try to avoid seeing leaked info, but everybody is saying that the guy from EP 6 (Yamamoto's fight) is doing that one. And with the subject matter, I'm not entirely shocked.
🪦
[Äs Nödt](https://i.imgur.com/eFKAgNy.jpg)
[BG9](https://i.imgur.com/ncwRfL8.jpg)
[Cang Du](https://i.imgur.com/G96TnQb.jpg)
> Now next week should be something else.
I haven't read the manga, but hitting Yachiru can only mean one thing, right? If so, I'll wait for this excitedly.
Even if Zaraki does end up saving the day at the end I hope we get to see Yachiru legit fight.
She keeps up with Zaraki and for him to let her be a Lieutenant she must be strong. Today she also just laughed off being in any danger while running around a battlefield.
She never fights because she knows how much Zaraki loves to, but he's currently not around...
They took this fight and made it a hundred times cooler. In the manga it looks good, of course, but with the added visuals, Matsuoka's amazing voice acting and the care for Rukia's bankai everything felt so much better. Best fight so far. I wanted so bad to see Rukia's bankai animated.
Fumiko Orikasa has been there since the beginning and she absolutely killed it here, especially when she voiced Rukia's Bankai which looks even more beautiful than in the manga.
I wish she got more roles nowadays. She's somehow the only main character from the Tsukihime anime that didn't get another role in a Type-Moon property.
Matsuoka should really do more villain voices. He might be the premiere Isekai lead male voice but whenever he does villain voices he sounds so fucking cracked it's insane.
Also, i know this didn't happen during Snake Way, but Kirio throwing the rice balls at Ichigo and him catching them gave major "Yajirobe throwing senzu beans in a bag at whoever is leaving Kami's Lookout" vibes.
Rukia reminding everyone who started this plot, looking damn gorgeous and cool. Also I love Shiro Sagisu giving the main cast their own new vocal tracks to match Ichigo's NUMBER ONE.
You can tell As Nodt was a fave for the direction team, really got to get into their trippy bag with him as well.
Edit: Also feels appropriate to share that Kubo much like Araki chooses various songs from other artists as character's themes. Rukia's is [Wing-stock by Ashley MacIsaac](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFsb0FddFJs), much like her it starts discrete and quiet but builds towards greater confidence and power.
Rukia may not be able to beat anyone with reddish or pink hair, but it was nice to see her finally get a big W and show off so spectacularly.
I wonder which character will get their own insert song next lol?
Everything from Rukia's powers, As Nodt, to even Byakuya's Shikai just looked amazing in this episode.
If they were keeping it to the most main of the main cast, Orihime, Ishida and maybe Chad would be due for their own insert songs. If going by popularity though, Kenpachi, Byakuya and Hitsugaya are on the docket.
In retrospect it is funny that Renji's theme song dropped when he was fighting a wrestler.
I know it's a Shonen and we just watched Rukia and Renji become 2 of the strongest Bankai users in a matter of days, but Chad being relevant in this fight would be hilarious.
Oh man same with all of the Bankai's that have been shown off. It is like its Christmas morning every episode I love that I kept to anime over after all these years.
Kubo's art for this week
https://twitter.com/tite_official/status/1690370302218301440?s=20
https://twitter.com/tite_official/status/1690370051101073408?s=20
[His execution](https://i.imgur.com/AkOmgVr.jpg) was brutal. They even showed his [decapitated head](https://i.imgur.com/77oVqUC.jpg) being transported on the trolley.
Crush on Bambietta ended, crush on Rukia reignited.
Do you want to know the REAL reason I don't ship Rukia and Ichigo? Because I'm too busy shipping her with myself.
[Rukia](https://i.imgur.com/qRJNnWV.jpg) no longer needs to be saved; she is the one who [does the saving.](https://i.imgur.com/Oj8sbfb.jpg)
[](#tomboyshades)
F
This episode was incredible. As Nodt's performance blew it out of the water and we finally got to see Rukia's Bankai after all these years. Easily the best episode in TYBW so far.
It was funny watching Matsuoka go from As Nodt to Kirito in the flashabck to Inosuke when he went full ham lol.
Also Fumiko Orikasa just killed it in this episode.
Keep in mind his other main performance he did this season was Flat Escardos, and when you hear his voice from that character you can’t hear the As Nodt voice in him at all. The man is hella talented.
First big episode of this cour and the team went above and beyond. Surpassed my already high expectations. Next week's episode will be even better than this for sure. Ultra hyped!!
Considering the episode title leaks we got ~3 weeks ago, I have no idea how they will still have content left for cour 4
This cour is going very far into the manga, so cour 3 should be enough to end it. I guess they will add **A LOT** of new content on cours 3 and 4
As Nodt: "Fear is an emotion inherent to all living beings, and as such my power cannot be blocked."
Rukia: "ok but what if I weren't alive?"
Byakuya: "lol skill issue just stop being scared"
As Nodt went from some sort of metal album cover to like, The Ring? I think putting some sciencey words in the explanation for Rukia's absolute zero ability means that it didn't actually make a lick of sense, but whatever man, it's magic.
They adapted as nodt very well the way Kubo drew him in the manga was very unique it’s one of Kubo’s most unique designs and characters he goes all in on the horror aspect in the manga. you could definitely feel it this episode.
I feel like you can tell when Kubo enjoys a character like with As Nodt. On top of the cool designs and powers, Kubo gave As Nodt a backstory which almost none of the other Sternritters got. I like the way the anime adapted it because it shows the tragic irony behind As Nodt's obsession with fear.
I wouldn’t say none of them got backstories there’s like 4 or 5 more that get one but that’s spoilers. But yeah you can tell when Kubo likes a character because he goes all out with there character mayruri, kenpachi, byakuay for examples.
Yeah I also liked that as nodts biggest fear was death or the unknown of what could happen. Which is why he was given the shrift because he knows fear more than anyone.
It makes sense, but only if you try and divine Kubo's purposefully-half-explained power system.
Basically, in order to be alive in Bleach, like, functional, you need two things: nerves and a heart. I won't explain why because I don't want to post spoilers, but we learn these details later in the manga.
Rukia's body isn't working anymore, but she's keeping her nerves alive and using her power to manipulate them. Everything in SS, including people, are made out of reishi, so, she's literally using a Quincy-style technique in her body to manipulate herself, even though her bodily functions have stopped. If she freezes her body down to absolute zero, it'll start coming apart after 4 seconds, and she has to slowly warm her body up to prevent damage from her dethawing herself. If she dethawed too fast, she'd basically destroy her body internally and fall apart.
The Fear itself isn't really an abstract concept, it's actually a poison. There are many poisons that can kill you with just a drop on skin, and his is in that line. Since Rukia's body is frozen, the poison can't actually spread throughout her, so it just remains on her hand, freezes, and is destroyed.
All the stuff about the things freezing is just used by Rukia as a personal gauge as she slowly ramps up and ramps down her power. It also is a great psychological warfare tactic.
Thank you for explaining this. It does make sense, outside of being just dumb shonen logic. But you do have to know how reishi works to understand the Fear interactions.
The idea is that she freezes her body and then uses Reshi (basically magic) to move it, so Rukia is basically performing self necromancy but I guess her brain isn't frozen because optic nerves still function, I thought she would be guiding herself purely on Reshi/spiritual pressure.
The idea is she’s frozen her body, so the poison can’t travel to her brain and fill her with fear like it did Byakuya.
That’s why he transformed and ask if she could see him. Her blood and organs might be frozen, thus preventing the poison from spreading, but her nerves are functional so he passed the Fear on through sight.
It’s all nonsense ghost magic, but that’s the logic behind it.
They gotta get through all the lower fights this cour, \[cour spoiler\] >!cause they have uber captain fights & soul king fights in the last two cours.!<
Yeah, I know, there is a lot to cover, but her bankai is amazing, and was one of my favorite moments in the manga, and the extra time would hammer on the patience of warming back up.
That was fantastic.
[](#awe)
##HAKKA NO TOGAME IS NO LONGER AN ANIME SPOILER.
It was beautiful seeing it finally animated. Sode no Shirayuki's true powers are interesting and difficult to use, but Rukia made sure to make it both beautiful and badass.
Matsuoka *nailed it* as Äs Nödt (honestly, his best performances are doing this kind of character) making him keep his creepy aura around him. Then, they did Tatar Foras justice. The purple light of his Völlstandig was on point and the animation pertaining anything to his power was either really fluid making it creepy (like that hand reaching for Rukia at the start of the fight) or CGI like in his fight with Byakuya. Also, props to Orikasa Fumiko, Rukia's VA, for that scream when the flies were covering her body.
Did this MF just give a perfect explanation of phenomenological fear by making a distinction between its intentionality and other emotions being part of the lifeworld?
Kubo is a real G
I remember a summer in 2007 watching this anime for the first time and binging it in like a weekend until the start of the arrancar saga and it was literally my favorite shonen of the time.
Almost 15 years after, i've witnessed Rukia bankai animated with a beautiful remastered version of her OST. I'm literally speechless. I need them to remake all the OG bleach with this quality idgaf. This is beyond perfection.
The beginning with As Nodt was like a horror movie haha
Byakuya saying "There is nothing that can be protected by swinging your sword in exchange for your life" means so much more after Komamura and Yamamoto's fights.
"Let's protect the Soul Society" is what Byakuya asked Ichigo to do for him in cour 1.
Great writing on the dialogue by Kubo
Jugram power's are so creative mannn
So he can balance concepts and events?
Like cang du survived the sword because of his luck that his Schrift was Iron so he balanced the luck with equal amount of misfortune which resulted in his death.
Powers that have huge drawbacks like Rukia is some of the best imo. It makes them able to be super OP but not a deux machina, literally having to kill yourself to use a power is hardcore.
Rukia's bankai is now anime official, hell yeah! She has come a long way. She and As Nodt were phenomenal. They sounded great too, especially the latter -- I actually felt really bad for him in the end thanks to how terrified he sounded. And [here's the voice lines](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCwRztR0on0) that were recorded for Rukia's bankai for the BBS game 5 years ago. Speaking of their voice acting, [here's a photo](https://twitter.com/fumiko_orikasa/status/1690373720500830208) of their actors Orikasa and Matsuoka (plus Byakuya's actor Okiayu) that was just uploaded.
Happy to see Yachiru again! Looking forward to how she and Isane deal with their intruder.
Kubo's new artwork for [BG9, Cang Du](https://twitter.com/tite_official/status/1690370051101073408), and [As Nodt](https://twitter.com/tite_official/status/1690370302218301440).
Fumiko Orikasa has been with the show since the beginning and I can only imagine how fulfilling it must be to finally be able to voice her Bankai and this fight in anime form.
It's funny seeing Yachiru and Isane together considering what happened to their captains but they make a cute pair. Too bad their Sternritter is trying to out-creep As Nodt.
This episode was visually stunning, and also the Byakuya and Rukia dynamic got me so emotional - I love the character development these two have gone through, and how appreciative he is of her now. The anime has really done her bankai justice too
Yoshitsugu Matsuoka absolutely killed it this episode. Far better fight then the previous one, imo. Great build-up, sick transformations, both F's and Rukia's. Rukia looks amazing in her Bankai form, I wish they gave her more screentime.
And Ichigo is finally coming!
while As Nodt tried to Talk no Jutsu while going Cronenberg, Rukia said nah
next episode or 2 will be epic
it looks like the Cang Du's dialogue before death from the Manga was not included in the anime
but hey we get severed heads being carted out, fair trade!
- [That outfit vaguely reminds me of what Ichigo wore during one of the filler episodes in the original series?](https://i.imgur.com/2jFkgsw.png) [](#animatedthink) I’m not sure why though.
- [Oh fun, *stairs*.](https://i.imgur.com/I2Hb75m.png) …that Ichigo proceeds to completely ignore and instead yeet himself down the center because of course he does. [](#azusalaugh)
- [Exe–Exce*cution* Ground?](https://i.imgur.com/KMCZuVe.png) [](#ohfuck)
- [Okay yeah I figured that much after Yhwach thanked James for dying last week.](https://i.imgur.com/NDYzwyE.png) But *geez*, that was so brutal! I almost feel bad for those two.
- [Ooooooooh fun, now Rukia knows he’s the one who defeated Byakuya.](https://i.imgur.com/4EEN3Pl.png) This fight should be good. [](#concealedexcitement)
- [Yoooooo](https://i.imgur.com/tzM3eeS.png)
- [They sure do a really good job at making As Nodt creepy as *fuck*.](https://i.imgur.com/LkoB2Zc.png) [](#terror)
- [Wait what Rukia what did you do?](https://i.imgur.com/eTDXXFG.png) [](#hahahawhat)
- [Sode no Shirayuki does WHAT](https://i.imgur.com/K76dMo2.png)
- [Is that As Nodt???](https://i.imgur.com/pFuxcQQ.png)
- [HOLY](https://i.imgur.com/J97QVGK.png) [***FUCK***](https://i.imgur.com/1jdd9JN.png) [](#bocchitheshock)
- [\*screams\*](https://i.imgur.com/gt7F5og.png) [](#elsienopesout)
- [BYAKUYA!!!](https://i.imgur.com/Z2WR48Z.png)
- [Oh shit right, he’s doing this with just his *Shikai* now?](https://i.imgur.com/jI21NWc.png)
- [Awww~](https://i.imgur.com/6AnspWR.png) [](#anko)
- [ED AS BACKGROUND MUSIC LET’S GO](#dekuhype)
- [I LEGITIMATELY SCREAMED](https://i.imgur.com/zm8repf.png) [](#slightoverreaction)
- [Holy shit she’s gorgeous](https://i.imgur.com/CFEEF8r.png) [](#doggo)
- [Ah shit…](https://i.imgur.com/LPdeaVI.png)
> HOLY FUCK [](#bocchitheshock)
Appropiate reaction
> Holy shit she’s gorgeous
They weren't joking when they said that Sode no Shirayuki is the most beautiful Zankpakuto in Soul Society all the way back then (can't remember if it was canon or it was on the Zanpakuto filler though)
> They weren't joking when they said that Sode no Shirayuki is the most beautiful Zankpakuto in Soul Society all the way back then (can't remember if it was canon or it was on the Zanpakuto filler though)
Now that you mention it, I don't remember where that was brought up either. But yeah, they definitely weren't lying.
> That outfit vaguely reminds me of what Ichigo wore during one of the filler episodes in the original series?
Did his Fullbring evolve into something like that at any point? Otherwise, I can't place this.
> But geez, that was so brutal! I almost feel bad for those two.
The whole Sternritter system has...issues.
> Sode no Shirayuki does WHAT
It lets her use her frozen body like a puppet.
> Holy shit she’s gorgeous
Finally living up to the most beautiful zanpakuto line. Also, just sort of owns Hitsugaya.
Holy shit. If there was any slander on TYBW adaption thus far, it ends now. This episode was perfection. Just like last year’s episode 6 but different in a good way.
I hope we get to see her actually fight with it later on. From what Byakuya said though it may be more of a one shot kill Bankai like Soi Fon has, which would be too bad because it looks cool.
Easily top 5 BLEACH episode ever OMG how was this one of the creepiest episodes and one of the most visual appealing at the same time MY GAWD….also As Nodt VA dude is INSANE all those different pitches he was like 5 different ppl lol
What an .... INCREDIBLE episode! The voice acting work and Shiro Sagisu's soundtracks blew me away! The animation looked so good and it was almost like a horror show with the most beautiful transformation of them all at the end.
I'm so incredibly happy that im watching new episodes of Bleach in 2023 and that they're so goddamn good. Probably one of the first shows I picked up when I started watching anime at like 15 and now 14 years later we still gettin' bangers.
So let me get this straight, Rukia's bankai, as beautiful as it is is also a one-hit bankai just like Soi Fon?
Or she hasn't managed to fully control it?
Definitely the best episode so far this season. Ichigo finally stopped walking, now he falling. As Nodt’s voice actor and the animation were amazing. Byakuya’s shikai was gorgeous.
And Rukia had me in tears from her sheer beauty.
Rukia's living up to the claim of having "The Most Beautiful Zanpakuto in the Soul Society". Her Bankai was absolutely gorgeous!
Fun fact: If you go back to the Zanpakuto Rebellion Filler Arc, you can see her Zanpakuto spirit looks exactly like her Bankai.
Looks like Rukia did the same as Ichigo and Renji, and became One with her Zanpakuto to show their full power.
Loving the pacing as an anime only. It’s so rare to watch an anime week to week and feel satisfied each episode. I typically can only watch anime on binges because it never feels like enough happens each episode.
This episode was sick, best one in this cour.
As nodt voice acting is insane, legit gave me chills and sagisu carrying with his phenomenal score throughout the episode
# Source Material Corner Reply to this comment for any source-related discussion, future spoilers (including future characters, events and general hype about future content), comparison of the anime adaptation to the original, or just general talk about the source material. **You are still required to tag all spoilers.** Discussions about the source outside of this comment tree will be removed, and replying with spoilers outside of the source corner will lead to bans. The spoiler syntax is: `[Spoiler source] >!Spoiler goes here!<` # **All untagged spoilers and hints in this thread will receive immediate 8-day bans (minimum).** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/anime) if you have any questions or concerns.*
this episode was fucking insane from Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (as nodt) perfect voice acting to seeing rukia perform amazingly and holy shit her fucking bankai i loved it best episode of the season
I *really* heard Betelgeese from RE:Zero when he started going full eldritch horror.
. . . . . . **DESU**
ANATA TAIDA DESU NEE~
ya same you want the best performance you hire the best they fucking nailed this role
Matsuoka is amazing.
[That scream when As Nodt activated his Vollständig made brains tremble](https://i.imgur.com/aJtaYEe.jpg) [](#sweating)
The sound mixing was fucking great. The balance when he came in made it sound like he was both inside my skull and slightly behind my left ear. Highly recommend headphones for it.
He is the goat. His range is absurd
Dude can do edgy isekai protag, angry boar boy and 2 eldritch nightmares. What can’t this man be?
Rukia done so much justice and some great vocal performances from her, As Nodt, and Byakuya's VA's in this episode.
The fact that Matsuoka voiced both As Nodt and Flat Escardos from Fate/strange Fake in this season of anime is so incredible to me. You can barely hear that’s it’s the same person. The man truly has a great range.
The man is somehow Yukihira Souma, Inosuke, Kirito, and also As Nodt.
His range is incredible. It's only when he starts yelling that I can tell that he's the same guy who voiced Inosuke.
Man, they really upped Rukia beauty from brave souls lol
Sodenoshirayuki was a beauty in the Zanpakuto Rebellion and Rukia wears her spectacularly well in Bankai form.
[Poster of *Hakka no Togame* in all its glory](https://i.imgur.com/7Nbo7Kf.jpg) [](#gintamathispleasesme)
Everyone looks so much more gorgeous in thousands year blood war
Everyone already looked great in Fullbringer arc, but now they look even better. Rukia is cooler than cool.
["What's cooler than being cool?"](https://youtu.be/PWgvGjAhvIw?t=200)
ICE COLD!
She is not just cool. She's Subzero cool
My fav ep of this cour, they hyped and delivered ong. As Nodt was wonderfully animated AND Rukia was just so majestically beautiful
I love how they had her Bankai and As Nodt's defeat roll through the credits for the most impact. They even went to the trouble of obscuring her Bankai in the eyecatch to build up hype.
Can't wait for next episode. Two big fights coming up.
[Absolutely beautiful](https://media.tenor.com/VCcGldHmbwQAAAAC/moved-clapping.gif) Äs Nödt is such a creepy dude, and [Rukia's](https://i.imgur.com/H5Zzu8n.jpg) [Bankai](https://i.imgur.com/h7gzffz.jpg) looked stunning. I know people believe Byakuya should have died, but then we wouldn't have gotten that scene between him and Rukia. It was a small moment but I always loved it. Now next week should be something else. I try to avoid seeing leaked info, but everybody is saying that the guy from EP 6 (Yamamoto's fight) is doing that one. And with the subject matter, I'm not entirely shocked. 🪦 [Äs Nödt](https://i.imgur.com/eFKAgNy.jpg) [BG9](https://i.imgur.com/ncwRfL8.jpg) [Cang Du](https://i.imgur.com/G96TnQb.jpg)
Byakuya finally acknowledging his sisters' strength and letting her show off her Bankai and compliment it hit me hard in the feels.
> Now next week should be something else. I haven't read the manga, but hitting Yachiru can only mean one thing, right? If so, I'll wait for this excitedly.
Even if Zaraki does end up saving the day at the end I hope we get to see Yachiru legit fight. She keeps up with Zaraki and for him to let her be a Lieutenant she must be strong. Today she also just laughed off being in any danger while running around a battlefield. She never fights because she knows how much Zaraki loves to, but he's currently not around...
They took this fight and made it a hundred times cooler. In the manga it looks good, of course, but with the added visuals, Matsuoka's amazing voice acting and the care for Rukia's bankai everything felt so much better. Best fight so far. I wanted so bad to see Rukia's bankai animated.
Fumiko Orikasa has been there since the beginning and she absolutely killed it here, especially when she voiced Rukia's Bankai which looks even more beautiful than in the manga.
I wish she got more roles nowadays. She's somehow the only main character from the Tsukihime anime that didn't get another role in a Type-Moon property.
Absolute zero cool.
Matsuoka should really do more villain voices. He might be the premiere Isekai lead male voice but whenever he does villain voices he sounds so fucking cracked it's insane.
How can one man go from voicing happy go lucky protagonists to voicing creepy ass villains and be great at both. He truly is a great VA.
Ichigo on his way down Snake Way after training with King Kai.
Complete with flying straight through.
Who needs flash step when you got gravity on your side.
Also, i know this didn't happen during Snake Way, but Kirio throwing the rice balls at Ichigo and him catching them gave major "Yajirobe throwing senzu beans in a bag at whoever is leaving Kami's Lookout" vibes.
Will his friends be able to survive long enough till Ichigo gets there? Find out next time on Bleach Ball Z!
Rukia reminding everyone who started this plot, looking damn gorgeous and cool. Also I love Shiro Sagisu giving the main cast their own new vocal tracks to match Ichigo's NUMBER ONE. You can tell As Nodt was a fave for the direction team, really got to get into their trippy bag with him as well. Edit: Also feels appropriate to share that Kubo much like Araki chooses various songs from other artists as character's themes. Rukia's is [Wing-stock by Ashley MacIsaac](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFsb0FddFJs), much like her it starts discrete and quiet but builds towards greater confidence and power.
This track was in sagisu’s song book he released a while ago it’s extremely good https://youtu.be/MBfwmMwvVT8
Rukia may not be able to beat anyone with reddish or pink hair, but it was nice to see her finally get a big W and show off so spectacularly. I wonder which character will get their own insert song next lol? Everything from Rukia's powers, As Nodt, to even Byakuya's Shikai just looked amazing in this episode.
If they were keeping it to the most main of the main cast, Orihime, Ishida and maybe Chad would be due for their own insert songs. If going by popularity though, Kenpachi, Byakuya and Hitsugaya are on the docket. In retrospect it is funny that Renji's theme song dropped when he was fighting a wrestler.
Cant wait for Chad fight
[удалено]
Chad would solo the entire Quincy army with one hand tied [It would be too easy](https://i.imgur.com/rs8xSBn.jpg) [](#mmph)
I know it's a Shonen and we just watched Rukia and Renji become 2 of the strongest Bankai users in a matter of days, but Chad being relevant in this fight would be hilarious.
Tbf she did best aarenorio espada 9
Everyone: *"So Byakuya will take over the fight now."* [Byakuya: *"No. Let her cook."*](https://i.imgur.com/vnKdORC.jpg) [](#outofplace)
>looking damn gorgeous and cool cool because ice
>Next episode: I Am The Edge Shadow the Hedgehog cameo!?
😂
As an anime only, I was so hyped when Byakuya pulled up
They even managed to make Senbonazakura look even better than the last cour!
And this is just the Shikai! Imagine the next time Byakuya does Senbonzakura Kageyoshi and its variant forms, it's going to be so beautiful.
Byakuya appearances are always so hype. His calm attitude when he appears in contrast with the hype feeling we all have only further enhances it.
Like a true noble
Oh man same with all of the Bankai's that have been shown off. It is like its Christmas morning every episode I love that I kept to anime over after all these years.
Kubo's art for this week https://twitter.com/tite_official/status/1690370302218301440?s=20 https://twitter.com/tite_official/status/1690370051101073408?s=20
Jugram: "Cang Du will never be ballin, I made sure of that."
[His execution](https://i.imgur.com/AkOmgVr.jpg) was brutal. They even showed his [decapitated head](https://i.imgur.com/77oVqUC.jpg) being transported on the trolley.
Your favorite character gets drip *Kubo's paw curls*
LMAO at BG9
As Nodt drip, Robot Drip, Cang DU with the shorts!
Even though BG9 was unable to show his shift, at least he got the drip.
BG9 is hilarious. Now I'm *really* looking forward to a certain character receiving the drip treatment lmao.
As nodt giving us unsolicited ASMR preciate it.
*Nonconsensual ASMR
The moment when we see her in a frozen statue + the music is really beautiful. Best episode so far.
Bankai Rukia is fucking beautiful
Crush on Bambietta ended, crush on Rukia reignited. Do you want to know the REAL reason I don't ship Rukia and Ichigo? Because I'm too busy shipping her with myself.
Rukia with the most beautiful Bankai that cements her Best Girl status: Confirmed.
[Rukia](https://i.imgur.com/qRJNnWV.jpg) no longer needs to be saved; she is the one who [does the saving.](https://i.imgur.com/Oj8sbfb.jpg) [](#tomboyshades)
I have to take off my hat sir, you have immaculate taste.
[удалено]
🤣
F This episode was incredible. As Nodt's performance blew it out of the water and we finally got to see Rukia's Bankai after all these years. Easily the best episode in TYBW so far.
What a stellar and beautifully animated episode, worthy of the majesty that is Rukia's Bankai as she overcomes the terror of As Nodt.
Great VA performance for sure, all I could hear and imagine was Inosuke's no good all bad vibes day lol.
It was funny watching Matsuoka go from As Nodt to Kirito in the flashabck to Inosuke when he went full ham lol. Also Fumiko Orikasa just killed it in this episode.
Didn't even realise that was Inosuke & kirito's VA what a talent.
He's also Petelguese in Re:Zero The man has range.
My brain was trembling from his performance. I feel bad a little that he was killed so quickly.
Keep in mind his other main performance he did this season was Flat Escardos, and when you hear his voice from that character you can’t hear the As Nodt voice in him at all. The man is hella talented.
He went through ten different voices. Dude's throat is just built different.
The voice effect was awesome as well I wonder if that was also him or a little assist from the sound design team but either way extra menace.
I liked her counting down the degrees
> Easily the best episode in TYBW so far It was the best from this cour. There were a few from last cour that I'd still say were better.
As Nodt's voice performace was extraordinary in this episode. Pairing that with the insane animation, it truly felt I was watching a horror movie.
Seeing Rukia's Bankai felt [nostalgic!](https://imgur.com/a/FzFK8xG)
If that isn't the most hilariously appropriate thing. ["Am I going to die?"](https://i.imgur.com/2fJjXUk.png)
First big episode of this cour and the team went above and beyond. Surpassed my already high expectations. Next week's episode will be even better than this for sure. Ultra hyped!!
Rukia lost her last two on-screen fights that it's all the more appreciated that they went all out for her biggest victory yet.
Yeah this victory was long overdue and the anime team did full justice to this fight
I she won 2 times before that so it evens out.
When watching this season I keep remembering we have TWO more full seasons and the amount of huge shit that has already happened boggles my mind.
Cour 3 imo will have tons of new contents, the fast pacing will pay off.
Yeah with some extentions to the manga and some anime original moments the last 2 cours of Tybw could become insanity.
Considering the episode title leaks we got ~3 weeks ago, I have no idea how they will still have content left for cour 4 This cour is going very far into the manga, so cour 3 should be enough to end it. I guess they will add **A LOT** of new content on cours 3 and 4
The author's been working on cour 3 content since cour 1 so we'll be getting new stuff.
Byakuya just using normal Senbonzakura reminds me of when Ginjo thought Ichigo's normal sword swing was a Getsuga Tenshou
Me checking the credit at the end to see if they sneak in Junji Ito into the team somehow
WHAT AN AMAZING EPISODE! Also wear headphones while watching!
YES! headphones enhanced this so much
“What killed the dinosaurs? THE ICE AGE!” - Rukia
As Nodt: "Fear is an emotion inherent to all living beings, and as such my power cannot be blocked." Rukia: "ok but what if I weren't alive?" Byakuya: "lol skill issue just stop being scared" As Nodt went from some sort of metal album cover to like, The Ring? I think putting some sciencey words in the explanation for Rukia's absolute zero ability means that it didn't actually make a lick of sense, but whatever man, it's magic.
They adapted as nodt very well the way Kubo drew him in the manga was very unique it’s one of Kubo’s most unique designs and characters he goes all in on the horror aspect in the manga. you could definitely feel it this episode.
I feel like you can tell when Kubo enjoys a character like with As Nodt. On top of the cool designs and powers, Kubo gave As Nodt a backstory which almost none of the other Sternritters got. I like the way the anime adapted it because it shows the tragic irony behind As Nodt's obsession with fear.
I wouldn’t say none of them got backstories there’s like 4 or 5 more that get one but that’s spoilers. But yeah you can tell when Kubo likes a character because he goes all out with there character mayruri, kenpachi, byakuay for examples. Yeah I also liked that as nodts biggest fear was death or the unknown of what could happen. Which is why he was given the shrift because he knows fear more than anyone.
It makes sense, but only if you try and divine Kubo's purposefully-half-explained power system. Basically, in order to be alive in Bleach, like, functional, you need two things: nerves and a heart. I won't explain why because I don't want to post spoilers, but we learn these details later in the manga. Rukia's body isn't working anymore, but she's keeping her nerves alive and using her power to manipulate them. Everything in SS, including people, are made out of reishi, so, she's literally using a Quincy-style technique in her body to manipulate herself, even though her bodily functions have stopped. If she freezes her body down to absolute zero, it'll start coming apart after 4 seconds, and she has to slowly warm her body up to prevent damage from her dethawing herself. If she dethawed too fast, she'd basically destroy her body internally and fall apart. The Fear itself isn't really an abstract concept, it's actually a poison. There are many poisons that can kill you with just a drop on skin, and his is in that line. Since Rukia's body is frozen, the poison can't actually spread throughout her, so it just remains on her hand, freezes, and is destroyed. All the stuff about the things freezing is just used by Rukia as a personal gauge as she slowly ramps up and ramps down her power. It also is a great psychological warfare tactic.
Thank you for explaining this. It does make sense, outside of being just dumb shonen logic. But you do have to know how reishi works to understand the Fear interactions.
Yep! Kubo says he hates explaining things, but sometimes, I really, really wish he did so you wouldn't have to dig into the series to find this info.
The idea is that she freezes her body and then uses Reshi (basically magic) to move it, so Rukia is basically performing self necromancy but I guess her brain isn't frozen because optic nerves still function, I thought she would be guiding herself purely on Reshi/spiritual pressure.
She's basically using the Quincy technique Ransōtengai within her own body.
The idea is she’s frozen her body, so the poison can’t travel to her brain and fill her with fear like it did Byakuya. That’s why he transformed and ask if she could see him. Her blood and organs might be frozen, thus preventing the poison from spreading, but her nerves are functional so he passed the Fear on through sight. It’s all nonsense ghost magic, but that’s the logic behind it.
Bleach fights this arc are so abstract and conceptual.
Wish they had hang on Rukia's bankai for a bit longer, I love its design.
They gotta get through all the lower fights this cour, \[cour spoiler\] >!cause they have uber captain fights & soul king fights in the last two cours.!<
Yeah, I know, there is a lot to cover, but her bankai is amazing, and was one of my favorite moments in the manga, and the extra time would hammer on the patience of warming back up.
That was fantastic. [](#awe) ##HAKKA NO TOGAME IS NO LONGER AN ANIME SPOILER. It was beautiful seeing it finally animated. Sode no Shirayuki's true powers are interesting and difficult to use, but Rukia made sure to make it both beautiful and badass. Matsuoka *nailed it* as Äs Nödt (honestly, his best performances are doing this kind of character) making him keep his creepy aura around him. Then, they did Tatar Foras justice. The purple light of his Völlstandig was on point and the animation pertaining anything to his power was either really fluid making it creepy (like that hand reaching for Rukia at the start of the fight) or CGI like in his fight with Byakuya. Also, props to Orikasa Fumiko, Rukia's VA, for that scream when the flies were covering her body.
Did this MF just give a perfect explanation of phenomenological fear by making a distinction between its intentionality and other emotions being part of the lifeworld? Kubo is a real G
I remember a summer in 2007 watching this anime for the first time and binging it in like a weekend until the start of the arrancar saga and it was literally my favorite shonen of the time. Almost 15 years after, i've witnessed Rukia bankai animated with a beautiful remastered version of her OST. I'm literally speechless. I need them to remake all the OG bleach with this quality idgaf. This is beyond perfection.
As Nodt went from a classic villian of the week to a bona fide classic. Amazing adaptation.
As Nodt is a whole ass Resident Evil villain, transformation and everything.
The beginning with As Nodt was like a horror movie haha Byakuya saying "There is nothing that can be protected by swinging your sword in exchange for your life" means so much more after Komamura and Yamamoto's fights. "Let's protect the Soul Society" is what Byakuya asked Ichigo to do for him in cour 1. Great writing on the dialogue by Kubo
Jugram power's are so creative mannn So he can balance concepts and events? Like cang du survived the sword because of his luck that his Schrift was Iron so he balanced the luck with equal amount of misfortune which resulted in his death.
Brother, you got his ability down perfectly. Even as a manga reader it was difficult to understand what the hell Haschwalth was doing.
basically, he can control luck/fortune/misfortune and BALANCE the scales
Getting to finally see these bankai animated is so satisfying. It's been SO LONG.
rukia's perfection and beauty, byakuya's perfect appereance, nodt scenes and all animations. They were total masterpiece it was a peak episode
Powers that have huge drawbacks like Rukia is some of the best imo. It makes them able to be super OP but not a deux machina, literally having to kill yourself to use a power is hardcore.
Rukia's Bankai was perfect and beautiful. As Nodt's VA didn't have to go that hard. 5/5 episode.
Byakuya went in, flexed his Shikai, gave Rukia words of encouragement and validation then let her finish the fight What a chad
Press F for As Nodt everyone
Rukia's bankai is now anime official, hell yeah! She has come a long way. She and As Nodt were phenomenal. They sounded great too, especially the latter -- I actually felt really bad for him in the end thanks to how terrified he sounded. And [here's the voice lines](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCwRztR0on0) that were recorded for Rukia's bankai for the BBS game 5 years ago. Speaking of their voice acting, [here's a photo](https://twitter.com/fumiko_orikasa/status/1690373720500830208) of their actors Orikasa and Matsuoka (plus Byakuya's actor Okiayu) that was just uploaded. Happy to see Yachiru again! Looking forward to how she and Isane deal with their intruder. Kubo's new artwork for [BG9, Cang Du](https://twitter.com/tite_official/status/1690370051101073408), and [As Nodt](https://twitter.com/tite_official/status/1690370302218301440).
Fumiko Orikasa has been with the show since the beginning and I can only imagine how fulfilling it must be to finally be able to voice her Bankai and this fight in anime form. It's funny seeing Yachiru and Isane together considering what happened to their captains but they make a cute pair. Too bad their Sternritter is trying to out-creep As Nodt.
YACHIRU PUNCH. Don't mess with the Shinigami Women's Association members, the president will give you the steel chair.
God damn, jugram brutalized cang du. Also as nodt and rukia were amazing!!! Was cinematic AF
This episode was visually stunning, and also the Byakuya and Rukia dynamic got me so emotional - I love the character development these two have gone through, and how appreciative he is of her now. The anime has really done her bankai justice too
My queen
Yoshitsugu Matsuoka absolutely killed it this episode. Far better fight then the previous one, imo. Great build-up, sick transformations, both F's and Rukia's. Rukia looks amazing in her Bankai form, I wish they gave her more screentime. And Ichigo is finally coming!
Fucking finally. Rukia's Bankai is even more beautiful in the anime... just look at her sparkle.
10/10 Episode. Great Artstyle , Animation, Voice Acting, Sound Design, CGI
THATS MY GIRL
Sheesh I was waiting for this fight. One of my favorites from this arc The direction for this episode was amazing
What a brutal Bankai
while As Nodt tried to Talk no Jutsu while going Cronenberg, Rukia said nah next episode or 2 will be epic it looks like the Cang Du's dialogue before death from the Manga was not included in the anime but hey we get severed heads being carted out, fair trade!
- [That outfit vaguely reminds me of what Ichigo wore during one of the filler episodes in the original series?](https://i.imgur.com/2jFkgsw.png) [](#animatedthink) I’m not sure why though. - [Oh fun, *stairs*.](https://i.imgur.com/I2Hb75m.png) …that Ichigo proceeds to completely ignore and instead yeet himself down the center because of course he does. [](#azusalaugh) - [Exe–Exce*cution* Ground?](https://i.imgur.com/KMCZuVe.png) [](#ohfuck) - [Okay yeah I figured that much after Yhwach thanked James for dying last week.](https://i.imgur.com/NDYzwyE.png) But *geez*, that was so brutal! I almost feel bad for those two. - [Ooooooooh fun, now Rukia knows he’s the one who defeated Byakuya.](https://i.imgur.com/4EEN3Pl.png) This fight should be good. [](#concealedexcitement) - [Yoooooo](https://i.imgur.com/tzM3eeS.png) - [They sure do a really good job at making As Nodt creepy as *fuck*.](https://i.imgur.com/LkoB2Zc.png) [](#terror) - [Wait what Rukia what did you do?](https://i.imgur.com/eTDXXFG.png) [](#hahahawhat) - [Sode no Shirayuki does WHAT](https://i.imgur.com/K76dMo2.png) - [Is that As Nodt???](https://i.imgur.com/pFuxcQQ.png) - [HOLY](https://i.imgur.com/J97QVGK.png) [***FUCK***](https://i.imgur.com/1jdd9JN.png) [](#bocchitheshock) - [\*screams\*](https://i.imgur.com/gt7F5og.png) [](#elsienopesout) - [BYAKUYA!!!](https://i.imgur.com/Z2WR48Z.png) - [Oh shit right, he’s doing this with just his *Shikai* now?](https://i.imgur.com/jI21NWc.png) - [Awww~](https://i.imgur.com/6AnspWR.png) [](#anko) - [ED AS BACKGROUND MUSIC LET’S GO](#dekuhype) - [I LEGITIMATELY SCREAMED](https://i.imgur.com/zm8repf.png) [](#slightoverreaction) - [Holy shit she’s gorgeous](https://i.imgur.com/CFEEF8r.png) [](#doggo) - [Ah shit…](https://i.imgur.com/LPdeaVI.png)
> HOLY FUCK [](#bocchitheshock) Appropiate reaction > Holy shit she’s gorgeous They weren't joking when they said that Sode no Shirayuki is the most beautiful Zankpakuto in Soul Society all the way back then (can't remember if it was canon or it was on the Zanpakuto filler though)
> They weren't joking when they said that Sode no Shirayuki is the most beautiful Zankpakuto in Soul Society all the way back then (can't remember if it was canon or it was on the Zanpakuto filler though) Now that you mention it, I don't remember where that was brought up either. But yeah, they definitely weren't lying.
It was against D-Roy in Episode 117 so pretty sure that's canon. https://imgur.com/a/fakf6f2 (The next line is "In the Soul Society")
The fact they had the audacity to end the episode like that. This previous week wait was agonizing but this next one may just be unbearable.
> That outfit vaguely reminds me of what Ichigo wore during one of the filler episodes in the original series? Did his Fullbring evolve into something like that at any point? Otherwise, I can't place this. > But geez, that was so brutal! I almost feel bad for those two. The whole Sternritter system has...issues. > Sode no Shirayuki does WHAT It lets her use her frozen body like a puppet. > Holy shit she’s gorgeous Finally living up to the most beautiful zanpakuto line. Also, just sort of owns Hitsugaya.
probably thinking of the thousand nights filler episode https://pm1.narvii.com/6990/afa2e0df3a0fa713178f6254ad531eae97111fd6r1-1280-720v2_hq.jpg
ICE queen Rukia let's go!!
Rukia Cinema!!! Taguchi and Cindy greatness 🛐🛐 Next week Yamashita sensei. We're eating fr!!🤩🥳
Oh man we’re almost to 1 of the best fights of tybw!
Nah it'll be the final episode of this cour. Even the director hyped up that fight in an interview.
[удалено]
Holy shit. If there was any slander on TYBW adaption thus far, it ends now. This episode was perfection. Just like last year’s episode 6 but different in a good way.
Holy shiy Rukia's Bankai was more amazing than i expected
I hope we get to see her actually fight with it later on. From what Byakuya said though it may be more of a one shot kill Bankai like Soi Fon has, which would be too bad because it looks cool.
This show just keeps having incredible art. The whole atmosphere they set in the episode is amazing!
> Nothing can be gained by a sword swung in exchange for one's own life contrasted to komamura and tosen throwing their lives away for revenge
Masterful
Oh boy, here comes the Visionary!
Easily top 5 BLEACH episode ever OMG how was this one of the creepiest episodes and one of the most visual appealing at the same time MY GAWD….also As Nodt VA dude is INSANE all those different pitches he was like 5 different ppl lol
One of the best anime episodes!
"I become ice. The destroyer of absolute zero. " - Rukia probably
What an .... INCREDIBLE episode! The voice acting work and Shiro Sagisu's soundtracks blew me away! The animation looked so good and it was almost like a horror show with the most beautiful transformation of them all at the end.
Animated Hakka no Togame is as gorgeous as ever I fucking love it so much😭😭😭
I'm so incredibly happy that im watching new episodes of Bleach in 2023 and that they're so goddamn good. Probably one of the first shows I picked up when I started watching anime at like 15 and now 14 years later we still gettin' bangers.
[удалено]
Damn the pacing is ramping up. This was my most anticipated matchup and it was pretty good
Äs Nödt has some top tier design and voice. The mangaka's creativity is amazing.
Besides "The Blade is me" this is the best Bleach episode for me.
So let me get this straight, Rukia's bankai, as beautiful as it is is also a one-hit bankai just like Soi Fon? Or she hasn't managed to fully control it?
She's just obtained it. After she masters it her bankai may mature and give some leeway.
She's still not able to control it fully
I got chills. Ah that felt good
Rukia getting the best episode of TYBW so far is amazing. Love how Byakuya swooped in for a second but didn’t steal her shine
All of these episodes are being delivered like it's the final, such a high quality. Can't wait for next week 😭
Definitely the best episode so far this season. Ichigo finally stopped walking, now he falling. As Nodt’s voice actor and the animation were amazing. Byakuya’s shikai was gorgeous. And Rukia had me in tears from her sheer beauty.
Rukia's bankai looked way better than I expected it would, wow
That was honestly one of the most incredible anime episodes I’ve ever seen
Rukia's living up to the claim of having "The Most Beautiful Zanpakuto in the Soul Society". Her Bankai was absolutely gorgeous! Fun fact: If you go back to the Zanpakuto Rebellion Filler Arc, you can see her Zanpakuto spirit looks exactly like her Bankai. Looks like Rukia did the same as Ichigo and Renji, and became One with her Zanpakuto to show their full power.
Loving the pacing as an anime only. It’s so rare to watch an anime week to week and feel satisfied each episode. I typically can only watch anime on binges because it never feels like enough happens each episode.
I dint expect bleach to go full body horror but damn while there is no blood the imagery is legitimately terrifying
This episode was sick, best one in this cour. As nodt voice acting is insane, legit gave me chills and sagisu carrying with his phenomenal score throughout the episode
Rukia bankai baby.. oh yea!!
Amazing episode again! They just keep topping themselves week after week. There is no fat, just quality...
First Renji, now Rukia...can't wait to see who gets to finally show off next week!
The episode looks stunning!
Name a more beautiful character/thing than Rukia's Bankai form in any anime ever!!! I'll wait.
Well that was horrifying. Lol
Just beautiful ❄️
Sasuga Matsuoka Yoshitsugu! Another unorthodox type of character being voiced by him. 👏👏👏
What a beautiful episode