Uryū Ishida/Anime Continuity

is a Quincy residing in Karakura Town and a friend of Ichigo Kurosaki.

Bount arc
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

Following the events in Soul Society, Uryū has lost his Quincy powers. He, Sado, and Ichigo witness Orihime being taken into a door resembling the Gates of Hell outside her own home. Using Uryū's lock-picking skills, they enter Orihime's apartment. They realize that somebody was with her when she was taken. Along with the others, he is led on a wild chase around town to answer phones, before showing up at Orihime's apartment again that night. He watches as Sado is taken as well when Kurōdo impersonates Orihime. The friends get lost in the museum, but Uryū is able to decipher a way out of the illusion. They discover that their assailants are Mod-Souls. Orihime and Sado are returned to them, but Ririn informs them that a new game is beginning which will involve their school. They must discover which one of their friends is an impostor before noon, or their whole school will disappear. They find out it's Sado, but need to discover where the real one is. After a short battle, Urahara reveals himself as the mastermind and that he was testing them. He reveals that Uryū has lost his abilities. Yoruichi appears, and reveals she has encountered a Bount.

At Urahara's table, Uryū asks what exactly a Bount is, and Urahara explains that they are specialized Humans that consume the souls of other Humans. He and his friends confront Ryō Utagawa as he is prepares to consume a second Human soul. During the ensuing struggle, Utagawa singles out Uryū, because he is powerless and is staying away from the fight. Utagawa forces Uryū to take the Human hostage's place, and Fried wraps herself around him. He falls, smashing his head off the pavement, allowing Utagawa to taste his blood. Utagawa is attacked with a fireball, and is forced to drop Uryū to block the attack. Yoshino Sōma appears and rescues the Quincy, running off with him in the process. Uryū wakes up in Yoshino's presence and tells her of his powers. She informs him that the leader of the Bounts, Jin Kariya, is interested in him for some reason. She explains that he is the one behind the Bounts' changes in law regarding taking the souls of living Humans, as it grants the Bounts immeasurable power and will upset the balance of the world. Uryū passes out again and is brought to a hospital, where his friends visit him.

Uryū reveals that his father owns the hospital he is currently residing in. The group is attacked by two more Bounts while still in the hospital. Their Dolls allow them to manipulate water, which they use to try and capture Uryū over and over, almost drowning him several times, as he and his friends try to escape. The fight culminates in a warehouse nearby, where the Bounts are finally defeated, with the arrival of Ganju Shiba. Uryū slips away in the ensuing chaos. Yoshino finds him in the street, having collapsed in a puddle. She cares for him and explains her actions, crediting his lonesome eyes as the reason she helped him. The two of them bond as Yoshino shares the story of her past with him.

They are discovered by Gō Koga, who attacks them with his Doll, Dalk. Uryū allows himself to be captured by getting in between Yoshino and the Doll in order to protect her. He is brought to the Bount Mansion, where he is taunted by Yoshi while being held captive by Dalk. He is confronted by Kariya, who compares the Quincy to the Bount because of the rejection both have suffered. However, Uryū denies that he should ever trust Kariya. After the meeting, Uryū is locked in a room on his own, separated from Yoshino. They are both saved when his friends show up and confront the Bounts, resulting in Utagawa's betrayal and subsequent execution at the hands of Maki Ichinose.

Back at Urahara's shop, Uryū and Yoshino discuss the current events and the fact that she still doesn't understand Kariya. Later, as Uryū sleeps, she gets up and leaves, kissing his forehead as she does so. Once he realizes Yoshino has gone, Uryū sneaks out of the Urahara Shop to go after her. Outside, he is confronted by Ririn in her plush form, and grabs her so she can tell him where Yoshino has gone. He arrives at the Bount Estate in time to witness Yoshino's battle with Kariya. When she is defeated, he holds her dying body as she assures him that she is alright dying in such a fashion. He watches as Kariya uses her spirit to give birth to a new type of Doll, the Bitto. Uryū takes her death very badly and blames his lack of powers, as he might have been able to save her. Remembering his grandfather's training, Uryū tries to fire an arrow, but fails to do so. He breaks down over his powerlessness and inability to save Yoshino.

Nemu suddenly shows up and introduces herself to Uryū. When he demands to know why she is there, she ignores the question and attacks him. Nemu explains that she had to determine if he had really lost his powers. She hands him a battle accessory her father had obtained years ago, and states that if he were a true Quincy, he could use his powers with it. Uryū uses his new powers, provided by the Quincy Bangle, to complete the Bounts' portal to the Soul Society, stating he'd rather battle them there where he is stronger. Yoruichi reminds him that the Bounts will be stronger too, causing Ichigo to punch him for his mistake. He and his friends decide to go to Soul Society to stop Kariya's plans for revenge.

With his friends, Uryū travels to Soul Society, and they search for the new place that Kūkaku had moved the Shiba household to in order to use it as a base of operations during the Bount Invasion. They search for the Bounts with Ganju and his friends in the forests around Soul Society, and eventually get lost. Uryū soon slips away from Orihime and the others, moving towards the area where Ichigo and Byakuya Kuchiki are fighting Kariya. When he arrives, he meets Ran'Tao and is shocked by her resemblance to Yoshino. She takes him and Ichigo back to her home, where she explains the origins of the Bounts to them. Ran'Tao explains that in her quest for eternal life, the Bounts were created in an experimental accident, with Yoshino being a clone of herself. When Uryū questions whether she cared about the Bounts, Ran'Tao insists that she did, but her powers were sealed when she was exiled. Ran'Tao advises them that when Uryū's bangle eventually discharges, it will blow away everything within a certain radius, including the user. Uryū insists there is nothing he can do about that, as he has no choice but to use it to battle the Bounts.

Uryū senses Mayuri's battle with Sawatari through the use of his Quincy Bangle. He finds and confronts Yoshi after she attacks some Shinigami. He leads her away from the injured Shinigami to an isolated rooftop. She berates him for trying to get revenge, however, Uryū denies this, and asks what the goal of the Bounts really is. Uryū finds himself at a disadvantage against the offensive and defensive abilities of Yoshi's Doll, Nieder. He dodges her attacks until he works out how to maintain a powerful shot using the bangle. He is eventually hit by Yoshi, and is sent crashing into the ground. She wonders if he is dead and begins to walk away. Uryū suddenly gets up and attacks her from behind. Although the attack is blocked, Uryū begins to understand the bangle and Yoshi's fighting technique, realizing that she can't defend while attacking, and while changing she has to return to normal. Uryū uses this to his advantage, hitting her with a point-blank ranged attack just as she's attacking him, killing her in the end. Injured, Uryū walks through Seireitei, seeing visions of his grandfather until he's found by Sado and Ichigo, who insist he's healed.

Uryū is taken to Hitsugaya's office, where he insists he still wants to fight. His comrades refuse to let him do so, however, Orihime eventually arrives with Lieutenant Izuru Kira and agrees to heal him. He later stop Kariya from killing Ran'Tao in their battle, showing his mastery of the Quincy Bangle. He declares that he is going to end the pointless fighting, and manages to severely injure the Bount several times. However, the Bount is able to heal himself several times over. Eventually, Kariya gains the upper hand as Uryū's attacks begin to weaken. He is healed by Ran'Tao, who stabs Kariya to absorb some of the Reiatsu of the Jōkaishō so that Uryū can shoot and kill them both. Uryū does so, but does not kill them, having held back on his attack, and catches Ran'Tao as she falls to the ground. When Ran'Tao's Reiatsu starts to go berserk, Uryū sacrifices his weapon to save her, leaving them at Kariya's mercy. Ichigo shows up just in time to save them. After getting Ran'Tao to safety, Uryū returns to the scene of the battle, and witnesses Ichigo finally defeat Kariya, ending the Bount Invasion. With his friends, a powerless Uryū leaves Soul Society to return to his life in Karakura Town, leaving Ran'Tao to live out the rest of her life with the last of the Bounts, Gō Koga.

The New Captain Shūsuke Amagai arc
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

When Rurichiyo Kasumiōji arrives in the world of the living, she meets Ichigo before her bodyguards Ryūsei Kenzaki and Rusaburō Enkōgawa retrieve her, leaving him to deal with Hollows that start attacking. Ichigo is helped by the timely intervention of Uryū and the rest of his friends. Uryū gets annoyed when Ichigo thanks him, comparing his abilities to "Bug Spray". However, Uryū states that he had arrived because of the strange Shinigami Reiatsu he felt in the area. Uryū realizes they had used bait to lure the Hollows into the area. They return to school, trying to figure out what they were up to. The next day, Ichigo informs them all about his new neighbors, before they are announced as having enrolled as new students at their school. This causes a stir in their classroom, as the students begin asking invasive questions. That night, following Ichigo's fight with an assassin sent to kill Rurichiyo, Uryū and the others come over so that Kenryū can explain the situation to them. Once alerted to the conspiracy going on against Rurichiyo, they agree to help keep her safe until the problem is solved.

Following Rurichiyo's near fatal trip back to Soul Society and her safe return to the Human World, Uryū sits with his friends in Urahara's shop, discussing the recent happenings and how they made it back without any surprise attacks. Judging from this, Uryū deduces that they will more than likely be attacked in Karakura Town, Urahara agreeing with him. When escorting Rurichiyo home, they notice the arrival of Hanza and other assassins in the Human World. Rukia and Orihime are instructed to watch over their charge as Uryū and the others split up and go investigate. At first, they are overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of assassins. However, they manage to overcome the odds, defeating all their opponents, as Yoruichi saves Ichigo from Hanza, who retreats.

Back at Rurichiyo's house, Kenryū states that they have erected a barrier that will render the house invisible, something Uryū feels is going overboard in doing so and will more than likely make the area appear more suspicious. They discuss the odd weapons their new enemies carry with them and how, whilst resembling Zanpakutō, they behave differently in that they drain their user's Reiatsu. Later, after Rurichiyo storms to bed due to the situation and being protected by so many people, a new group of assassins enter Karakura Town to attack. Whilst patrolling the street, Uryū is confronted by Kuzuryū. He learns that the weapons their enemies carry are called Bakkōtō. At first, he struggles against the Mugen Kairō of Kuzu's Shiragiri, which creates a dense mist that surrounds the area, putting Uryū at a disadvantage.

Shadows appear around Uryū, who cannot seem to land a hit on any of them and realizes they are mere illusions. From out of nowhere, a blade cuts his left arm and disappears when he moves away. This happens again before he pulls out a Seele Schneider to block a third incoming attack as soon as the blade appears. Despite this, Uryū delays in working out a strategy, allowing his thigh to be cut, greatly reducing his evasive capabilities. He begins to shoot Seele Schneider wherever the blade materializes. Eventually, he captures Kuzu in the middle of his Sprenger attack, revealing that he deliberately created the later openings to capture his opponent. Though he knows he'll be injured, Uryū decides to activate the destructive attack, falling to the ground unconscious at the end of the battle. Kuzu manages to survive the attack and make it back to Soul Society, where he is betrayed and killed on the orders of Gyōkaku Kumoi for losing the battle.

Uryū is later healed, along with Sado, by Orihime, as a distraught Rurichiyo looks on. The recent revelations and her guilt over their injuries result in the young noble deciding to return to her home and confront Kumoi, sacrificing herself to save her friends. Due to his injuries, Uryū stays behind as Ichigo and Rukia rush to Soul Society to save Rurichiyo and stop Kumoi for good.

Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

After Muramasa appears in Karakura Town, Uryū and Chad confront him after Orihime Inoue heals him. Uryū, not quite recognizing Muramasa's Reiatsu, asks him what he is. To that, Muramasa replies by asking who they are and whether they are allied with the Shinigami. Uryū and Yasutora Sado begin to battle Muramasa, and are almost able to successfully flank him, but Senbonzakura arrives to block the attack. As Uryū begins battling Senbonzakura, he launches several attacks that are consistently blocked by Senbonzakura. Uryū avoids Senbonzakura's attack, and is almost hit by an attack from Muramasa, which is blocked by Orihime's Santen Kesshun. Rukia Kuchiki arrives, having followed her brother's Reiatsu, and fills them in on who Muramasa is. Uryū asks why Muramasa was in the Real World and attempts to stop Muramasa from escaping, but is once again intercepted by Senbonzakura. Uryū takes note of the energy being released from Muramasa's spell. He is attacked by Senbonzakura, but blocks with Seele Schneider. The two have a brief sword duel, and as Senbonzakura attempts to finish Uryū off, he is surprised to see his Reishi being absorbed. Making use of the extra Reishi, Uryū successfully hits Senbonzakura. Uryū tries to go help Rukia Kuchiki, but Senbonzakura still stands in his way.

After the revived Kōga Kuchiki rejects Muramasa, he loses control of his powers and turns into a Hollow. Uryū uses his powers to stop more Hollows from merging with Muramasa, and attempts to defeat Muramasa himself. Muramasa, however, proves too fast, easily evading Uryū's arrows. After Muramasa's second transformation starts attracting more Hollows, Uryū joins Sado in destroying them to prevent Muramasa's power from growing. Fortunately, several Shinigami and their recently restored Zanpakutō spirits arrive to help. Captain Suì-Fēng initially goes after the dome-like Muramasa, but Uryū stops her with a small barrage of intentionally missed arrows, telling her that Ichigo is trapped inside. Later, the dome collapses. Uryū goes with his friends to investigate, and finds Ichigo and a dying Muramasa. After Muramasa apologizes for his actions and dies, Ichigo says that Muramasa kept his pride as a Zanpakutō.

Gotei 13 Invading Army arc
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

As Uryū is out with Sado and Orihime, Rukia and Ichigo pass overhead. Orihime asks if they need help, but they decline her offer. Uryū notes that Ichigo has not undergone any changes, and Sado states that because Rukia remained in Karakura Town, Ichigo has not had to expend more Reiatsu than necessary.

After Kon and Nozomi are subdued by Inaba, Uryū intervenes, berating him for leaving an innocent girl on the ground, telling him that he has a bad habit. Uryū dodges Inaba's Kidō, with the latter deducing he is a Quincy. Uryū explains that his motive for restricting their passage is to prevent trouble in the town, instructing Inaba to leave at once. Uryū states he has already determined Inaba to be an enemy, who tells his subordinates to stand down. Uryū fires a multitude of arrows at Inaba, all of which are unable to hit him due to his Shunpo. He fires another arrow at him, only for it to be deflected by his cane. Inaba then explains the secret behind Uryū's abilities, to which Uryū comments upon his deductive reasoning, comparing his attire to that of a despicable scientist. Inaba asks him whether he is referring to Kurotsuchi, causing Uryū to assume this is why he has knowledge of his Seele Schneider. Uryū affirms Inaba's statement, firing another barrage of arrows from above him. However, as Inaba uses Shunpo to dodge the attack, Uryū quickly appears behind him, sending an arrow hurtling through his chest, causing him to plummet to the ground.

As Inaba hits the ground, unmoving, Uryū explains that all he needed to do was to increase the speed of his Hirenkyaku. Uryū walks away, commenting that if he hadn't been their enemy, they would have gotten along well. However, Inaba's voice reverberates through the area, and Uryū turns back, noticing that his body has vanished. As Uryū looks upwards, Inaba appears on the side of a building, completely uninjured. Inaba then releases his Zanpakutō, Raikū, subduing Uryū almost instantly. As Uryū topples to the floor, he states that he never saw him coming. Inaba tries to kill Kon, but Uryū stands up once more, grievously injured, trying to figure out the secret behind Inaba's Shikai. Inaba apologizes for rendering his powers useless, stating that he'll end Uryū's suffering. He attempts to use Kidō on Uryū, but Orihime promptly intervenes with Santen Kesshun, promptly saving his life.

Later, Uryū sits in silence with Ichigo and Sado as Orihime assesses Nozomi's condition. As she wakes, Uryū informs her of their whereabouts, assuring her it is safe. As Ichigo joins the Gotei 13 in a meeting, Uryū helps set up a barbecue for Nozomi. When Kon eats some chili powder and goes berserk from the heat, Uryū pins him to a wall with his arrows. During this time, Nozomi escapes. Uryū and the others split up to save her. After finally rescuing Nozomi, Uryū enjoys the barbecue with all the others. While out walking, Uryū notices an explosion and heads to the scene. As Ikkaku and Yumichika are about to killed by their Reigai counterparts, Uryū fires a few arrows at the Reigai duo. The Reigai-Ikkaku prepares to fight him, but is stopped by Yumichika. The pair leave to resume their search for Nozomi Kujō. Later, Urahara retrieves information on the events happening in Soul Society. Uryū is surprised he is able to do so, but Urahara says it would be to their disadvantage not to be able to. As Ichigo asks to go to Soul Society, Kon begins saying that if he were to leave, they would have no one left to fight and repeatedly calls Uryū four eyes, noticeably perturbing him. As Nozomi heals Ichigo's Reiatsu, she grows tired; Uryū speculates that it a result of having not used her Shinigami powers in a while.

Kon tries to convince Ichigo to stay once more and asks if the others can help. Uryū says they could try, but it would do nothing, as he is too stubborn. Uryū sits down as Urahara gathers information on Soul Society. As he looks over at Nozomi, Kon yells at him and Uryū grabs him, taking him outside to talk. Uryū asks Kon if he noticed anything strange about Nozomi, because Inaba is after her. Uryū reflects on the conclusion the others came to that something is hidden within Nozomi, and wonders what could be hidden within her. He voices this to Kon, but he just imagines her naked and gets embarrassed. He asks Uryū why he asked, and Uryū says it is obvious Kon likes her. Kon tries to say he does not and leaves Uryū, heading inside. When Urahara informs everyone that Ichigo's Reiatsu has vanished, Uryū asks what he means, and Urahara says it is exactly as it sounds. After Nozomi worries about Ichigo, Kon says it will take more than that to kill Ichigo, and Uryū agrees.

As Urahara despondently replies that he still cannot sense Ichigo's Reiatsu, Uryū notes the strange circumstances of his disappearance. He wonders what Inaba's true power is, stating that they know too little about him. Uryū stares at Nozomi Kujō, wondering why Inaba needs her to further his plans. After Urahara picks up a signal of Ichigo's Reiatsu, he tells Uryū and the others to accompany him. After Ichigo wakes, Uryū and the others greet him. While Urahara explains the improbability of Ichigo's survival in the Dangai, Uryū listens intently. He explains the reason behind Inaba's Dangai research, prompting Uryū to ask Urahara how he knew this.

Uryū comes across Ichigo, in his Human form, trying to evade the attacks of a Hollow. He kills it, saying that it is lucky that he was passing by. Ichigo thanks him and invites him to dinner, saying that Kon lacks energy and needs to be cheered up. At dinner, a very energetic Kon, in Ichigo's body, irritates Uryū, who wishes he had a little less energy. Uryū participates in a meeting in Ichigo's room, where he listens to Nanao Ise reporting on the situation in Soul Society. Ichigo, Rukia, Uryū and Sado spar with Nozomi to help her to awaken her Zanpakutō. As Sado tries to strike her, there is a flash of light from her Zanpakutō, and Uryū asks if she had just sucked away Sado's Reiatsu. With their help, Nozomi succeeds in releasing her Shikai.

Following this, Uryū joins the fight against the Reigai, but it quickly turns out to be a losing battle. After accidentally firing on Nozomi, who quickly absorbs his attack, Uryū realizes that Nozomi's blade can absorb any kind of spiritual energy. He suggests that everyone focus all their energy on Nozomi, so she can use it for one final counterattack. They launch their attacks on Nozomi, who directs the accumulated energy at the Reigai, defeating all except for the Reigai-Byakuya, who counters with a blast of his own, knocking out everyone except for Ichigo and Nozomi. Yamamoto arrives, and quickly defeats the last Reigai. Shortly afterwards, the Reigai of Kyōraku and Ukitake appear. As Uryū and Sado recover, they are told to take the unconscious Shinigami to Orihime so they can be healed.

After Inaba succeeds in capturing Nozomi and destroying the remainder of Ichigo's Reiatsu, Uryū and the others regroup at Urahara's Shop. While Ichigo puts up a tough facade about losing his power, Uryū can see how much it is hurting his pride. While discussing how to act next, Uryū brings up a question that has been plaguing him; why was Inaba so concerned by Ichigo's presence. Urahara deduces that Inaba is unable to produce a Reigai of a being with Hollow powers. Concerned about Ichigo, Inaba resorted to using the Kōtotsu to get rid of Ichigo. Uryū listens as Urahara theorizes that they may be able to restore Ichigo's Reiatsu by acquiring the Reishi swallowed by the Kōtotsu. After Ichigo collects the Reishi, Uryū and the others act as a diversion in the Dangai while Ichigo and Urahara sneak into Soul Society.

After returning to Urahara's Shop, Uryū and the others begin to get worried, as neither Kisuke or Ichigo have reported back. Ultimately, Uryū and the others decide to go to Soul Society, along with the now recovered Shinigami. Upon arriving in Soul Society, they discover that Ichigo has again turned into a Hollow, and has been subdued by a man who bears a resemblance to Inaba and Nozomi. Uryū, upon seeing the man, Yushima, uses what appears to be Raikū and intercepts his attack, having deduced the workings of its powers. Yushima compliments Uryū for having correctly figured that much out, and decides to fight seriously. While Uryū convinces the group to attack Yushima from different angles, the resurrected Yushima easily overwhelms them.

After the Hollowfied Ichigo surprisingly saves Rukia from Yushima's attack and returns to normal, albeit deprived of his Reiatsu again, Uryū joins his friends to protect Ichigo. Teaming up with Renji and his Bankai, Uryū finds an opening to strike Yushima with his "Seele Schneider". Yushima laughs at Uryū for deciding to face him in a battle of Reishi-absorption. Working with the others, Uryū is able to set up his "Sprenger". While successful, Yushima anticipates this, and absorbs the 5 blades respectively collected Reishi; however, Uryū anticipates Yushima's actions, and joins his friends in feeding their own Reishi to activate the attack. Yushima counters with a "Hajokuri" spell to dispel the attack. Afterwards, Kon appears, giving Ichigo a Mod-Soul pill with his Reishi, which restores Ichigo's powers.

As Ichigo fights evenly with Yushima, Kon convinces everyone to help Ichigo. Uryū and the others launch group attacks on Yushima. Their attacks are ultimately defeated, but they give Ichigo an opening to strike Yushima hard. After a final clash, Ichigo is able to defeat Yushima. Afterwards, Uryū and the others return home.

Equipment
Quincy Bangle (Former): During the Bount Invasion, Uryū receives this Quincy artifact from Nemu in order to regain his former powers. After a battle where Uryū was pushed to his limit, he figured out how to use this accessory without the risk of it self-destructing. He was able to master its use in a very short amount of time, surprising and impressing Ran'Tao. The artifact was destroyed in his fight against Jin Kariya.