AGAINST THE JUDGEMENT | |
Quote | "My claws will grind you up." |
TYBW Episode # | 31 |
Overall Episode # | 397 |
Manga Chapters | Chapter 612 (pages 14-16), Chapter 613 (pages 6-9), Chapter 614 (pages 1-9), Chapter 621 (pages 7-17), Chapter 622, Chapter 623, Chapter 624 (pages 1-7 & 14-17), Chapter 625 (page 1), Chapter 626 (pages 10 & 17) |
Arc | Thousand-Year Blood War arc |
Chronology | |
---|---|
Previous Episode | The Betrayer |
Next Episode | THE HOLY NEWBORN |
Airdate | |
Japanese | November 2, 2024 |
English | November 30, 2024 |
Theme Music | |
Opening | Kotoba ni Sezu Tomo |
Ending | Monochrome |
Episode 397 Screenshots |
For the volume of the same name, see AGAINST THE JUDGEMENT.
AGAINST THE JUDGEMENT is the thirty-first episode of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War and the three hundred and ninety-seventh episode of the Bleach anime overall.
Sōsuke Aizen is released from Muken to aid the Gotei 13 in the battle against the Wandenreich as some of the surviving Sternritter join forces with them.
Summary
In the Greater Soul King Palace, a kneeling Yhwach's body ripples before darkness surges out of it and across the floor, past his Schutzstaffel, to erupt from the bottom of the structure and hurtle downward. Simultaneously, within Kisuke Urahara's laboratory in the replaced Seireitei, alarm bells ring and warnings flash on the screen while the Shinigami inside learn that a massive Reiatsu is approaching from above. Seconds later, the dark mass slams into the Shakonmaku with enough force to shake the entire city and begins dripping through the hole on one side.
When 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai questions what this was, 11th Division 3rd Seat Ikkaku Madarame points out the darkness entering the city from above, prompting 2nd Division Captain Suì-Fēng to realize that it is going to engulf the city and rush outside while activating her Bankai, Jakuhō Raikōben, in an attempt to destroy it. Before she can fire the missile, the darkness engulfs Suì-Fēng alongside several buildings, taking the form of millions of small creatures crawling over structures, as the unseated Shinigami run away in fear alongside Shino Madarame and Ryūnosuke Yuki.
Having moved outside the laboratory, Ikkaku, 11th Division 5th Seat Yumichika Ayasegawa, and 9th Division Lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi are bewildered by the tide of eyeball creatures prior to getting swept up in it alongside many other Shinigami, who find the creatures chewing on them and scream in pain. With the tide bursting through the windows of the surrounding buildings while it floods the streets, Ikkaku, Yumichika, and Hisagi pop up in the middle of it, where Hisagi pulls one of the creatures off of himself and realizes that it is trying to eat him. Alarmed by this, Ikkaku proclaims that they must protect the laboratory from the creatures.
Hisagi, Ikkaku, and Yumichika release their respective Shikai, Kazeshini, Hōzukimaru, and Fuji Kujaku, to begin fiercely cutting through the tide of creatures, though they only succeed in briefly repelling one of the waves. As Yumichika sees another wave approaching and asserts that they are anything but beautiful, 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki emerges from the laboratory with Renji and 13th Division Lieutenant Rukia Kuchiki to release his Shikai, Senbonzakura, unleashing a massive horde of blade petals that slam into the next wave of eyeball creatures and cuts through it for several blocks.
However, the wave ultimately overwhelms Senbonzakura and resumes its course toward the Shinigami, leaving Rukia in disbelief while Urahara stares nervously at the screens in the laboratory. Suddenly, before the wave can reach the laboratory, it clamps down and solidifies in a large mass, and after Renji initially expresses confusion, he is struck by the sensation of a powerful Reiatsu that crushes the eyeball creatures into paste on the ground. Bracing herself against this, Rukia looks up in shock to see the eyeball creatures receding around Sōsuke Aizen, who sits on his chair and criticizes the Shinigami for fighting with their Zanpakutō instead of their Reiatsu.
Noting that it has been a while since he saw Rukia, Aizen congratulates her on her promotion to lieutenant and claims to be glad that she was rewarded for her distinguished service. When Rukia demands to know why he is here, Aizen reveals that his sentence was lifted just before Captain-Commander Shunsui Kyōraku steps in to claim responsibility, to the shock of those present. Shunsui observes that everyone must be wondering why and explains that he decided that they need Aizen's help, prompting Renji to protest this, Ikkaku to refuse to go along with Aizen's assistance, and Yumichika to affirm that it is unacceptable considering what he has done.
However, once Suì-Fēng calls this disgraceful, Shunsui lowers the brim of his hat and inquires if this is about defending their own honor, to the surprise of the Shinigami, before informing them that honor will not help the Gotei 13 protect the world and concluding that using evil to defeat evil is not an evil act itself. With the Shinigami silenced by this, Aizen muses that the matter seems to be settled and suggests that Shunsui undo the restraints on his hands so he can get out of the chair, but Shunsui bluntly refuses, leading an annoyed Aizen to question if Shunsui intends for him to get rid of the remaining creatures while sitting down.
As Shunsui states that he believes Aizen can accomplish this, Aizen counters that he is being given too much credit since he does not have that kind of power right now, but while another horde of the eyeball creatures descends upon them from above, Shunsui clarifies that he does not believe Aizen will sit by and watch them gnaw on his body prior to the horde smashing into Aizen's condensed Reiatsu and being blown apart by it. Walking away as Aizen lambasts his attitude, an initially flippant Shunsui is startled when Aizen's Reiatsu crackles behind him and orders everyone to run back to the laboratory just before Aizen initiates a massive Hadō #90. Kurohitsugi.
Down in the laboratory after everyone retreats, Byakuya warns Shunsui that his freeing of Aizen is a grave insult to the rest of the Gotei 13, only for Shunsui to acknowledge this and request that they beat him up over it only after they all save the Seireitei. Above them, Kurohitsugi concludes, leaving a wide area around the laboratory flattened and lifeless, where an astounded Urahara observes that the spell causing this much damage without an incantation means Aizen may be even more powerful than he was during his battle against Ichigo Kurosaki as Renji realizes that this means he may have grown stronger within Muken.
Nearby, Aizen comments on his chair being intact despite being struck by Kurohitsugi and muses that it is made from the same material as his cross in Muken, which amuses him. When Suì-Fēng levels Jakuhō Raikōben and asserts that they have to destroy the canopy of darkness over the Shakonmaku, Aizen assures her that this will not be necessary and details how the gravity from Kurohitsugi created a fissure in the canopy which will make it collapse when struck by his Reiatsu. With a powerful wind swirling around him, Aizen informs the Shinigami that the eyeball creatures were formed by Yhwach's power.
In response to Aizen theorizing that the creatures poured out as a result of Yhwach trying to absorb the Soul King's power, Urahara questions why he believes this, prompting Aizen to point out the change in Aizen's Reiatsu and conclude that it will take time for even the Quincy King to fully contain the Soul King's power. Moreover, when Rukia asks Urahara if there is any way to reach the Soul King Palace and Urahara begins explaining his method, Aizen declares that this will not be necessary either because he will simply shoot down the Soul King Palace if they need to reach it and begins exerting his Reiatsu in a powerful beam.
Aizen's Reiatsu pierces the Shakonmaku and disperses the darkness covering it while Hisagi wonders if this is even possible for Aizen to do. With Shunsui holding Rukia back from approaching Aizen, the latter's Reiatsu suddenly disappears just as it begins to intensify, leaving Aizen startled while Shunsui informs him that the technology restraining his Reiatsu is immensely strong and warns him against underestimating the peak of Soul Society's development. As Shunsui turns to him for confirmation, 12th Division Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi approaches them from the rooftop behind Shunsui and affirms that he never intended to eliminate Reiatsu.
Elaborating that the Shinigami Research and Development Institute's efforts were instead spent on restraining Reiatsu alongside the body, which he controls the extent of, Mayuri holds up a small medallion with markings and mocks Aizen for believing that his power could surpass Mayuri's technology before admitting that while he does not know if Aizen can shoot down the Soul King Palace, it would be embarrassing for him to do so while wearing Mayuri's restraints. Suddenly, as Aizen suggests that Mayuri set the restraints to maximum in order to see whether they or his own power are stronger, he is struck by The Underbelly, to his surprise.
Atop the corner of a nearby building, Sternritter "U" NaNaNa Najahkoop stands with a U-shaped symbol of energy dissipating on his hand and brags about having thoroughly observed Aizen's Reiatsu, which is full of holes potentially due to his restraints, prior to explaining how he can measure the distribution and poke those holes to completely strip through Aizen's defenses. After concluding that it will be especially easy because Aizen cannot move, NaNaNa swipes his hand through the air, which causes spikes of energy to hit the holes in Aizen's Reiatsu and strip him of it, rendering him paralyzed and leaving him limp in his chair.
NaNaNa expresses disbelief that Aizen is still conscious, and while Sternritter "H" Bazz-B, "G" Liltotto Lamperd, and "Z" Giselle Gewelle join him on the rooftop, NaNaNa observes that Aizen still will not be able to move for a while and asserts that he needs to sit back because the Sternritter cannot have him shooting down the Soul King Palace. Complaining about the poor timing for enemies to show up, Shunsui instructs Urahara to start building the gate to the Soul King Palace while they handle this situation, which Urahara complies with, while dozens of zombified Shinigami surround the living ones on all sides.
With Mayuri admitting surprise at seeing Giselle alive, which she responds to by sticking her tongue out at him, and musing that it takes one zombie to control another zombie, Shunsui calls out to the Sternritter and agrees with them on not wanting the Soul King Palace shot down prior to suggesting that they could join forces, but NaNaNa clarifies that they can only not have the Soul King Palace shot down while Yhwach is still there. As a disappointed Shunsui prepares to fight instead, NaNaNa arrogantly questions if Shunsui believes that he can take them all on and announces that he has already observed the Reiatsu of all the Shinigami present.
However, before NaNaNa can finish his sentence, Bazz-B shoots him through the chest with a Burner Finger 1 from behind, to the shock of those watching, and leaves an aghast NaNaNa to fall off the building, where his body lands hard on the rubble below. When Shunsui voices his confusion, Bazz-B asserts that they are going to help the Shinigami and moves to the ground below with Liltotto and Giselle, where he details how the Wandenreich existing in the shadows of the Seireitei means that they cannot let the Soul King Palace crash into it. In response to Mayuri questioning the idea of them being trustworthy or helping without a price, Bazz-B denies this.
Bazz-B clarifies that they do want something in return, and after Liltotto promises that they will not get in the way of the Shinigami, which includes keeping the other Sternritter at bay, Bazz-B asks that they be taken to the Soul King Palace as well so they can kill Yhwach for abandoning them. Some time later, while Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez steps forward and cracks his neck within a Garganta, Shunsui looks out over the rubble of the replaced Seireitei and laments the situation prior to being informed by 12th Division 3rd Seat Akon that they are ready to send a message across the city, which prompts Shunsui to open his Denreishinki.
Addressing all able-bodied personnel of the Gotei 13, Shunsui orders them to travel to the former site of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute as quickly as they can, with 13th Division 10th Seat Zennosuke Kurumadani stepping in to help up a Shinigami too wounded to stand on his own. When the Shinigami points out his own injuries after Zennosuke hoists his arm over his shoulders, a laughing Zennosuke claims that they are nothing and begins walking with him. With Rikichi Yuki receiving the same order, the other unseated Shinigami begin helping each other reach the SRDI as Mayuri presses a button, causing something to rise from his laboratory.
Elsewhere, Shino walks with Yuki, whose arm is held over her shoulders, and when Yuki insists that she can let him go now, Shino refuses to leave him behind, only for Yuki to clarify that he can walk on his own now and free himself from her grasp to walk ahead, leaving an initially stunned Shino to smile and playfully punch him in the arm prior to encouraging him to keep up. Moments later, Urahara is surprised to see Mayuri and Nemu rising up on a massive platform surrounded by equally large limbs. While hundreds of unseated Shinigami approach the platform, Shunsui reveals that he needs to borrow their Reiatsu for Urahara's plan to work.
On the ground below Mayuri and Nemu, Ikkaku and Yumichika are startled by the arrival of their captain, Kenpachi Zaraki, who inquires about the whereabouts of his lieutenant, Yachiru Kusajishi. When Yumichika informs him that their subordinates have not sent any word back in the process of searching for her, Kenpachi scoffs and begins to walk away, but 1st Division Lieutenant Nanao Ise steps in front of him and responds to Kenpachi ordering her to move by pointing out that the other Shinigami can search for Yachiru much faster than Kenpachi can, in addition to Kenpachi's power being crucial for Urahara to build his gate.
With Nanao sternly concluding that he should focus on the task at hand and asking him if she is wrong, Kenpachi remains silent for several seconds before admitting she is probably right and turning back, leaving a sweating Nanao to sigh in relief. Later, the captains and lieutenants of the Gotei 13, as well as the three Sternritter, stand atop the platform before Shunsui, who thanks them for coming and announces that Yhwach has stolen the Soul King's power after ascending to the Soul King Palace. Musing that Soul Society and the entire world are on the brink of destruction, Shunsui also notes they do not know the status of Ichigo's group or the Royal Guard.
Shunsui declares that this leaves them with the goal of defeating Yhwach, with past grudges being irrelevant, and asserts that there will only be a path for the Gotei 13 if they succeed prior to concluding that they will protect the world, which causes the crowd of Shinigami below to cheer uproariously. Walking toward the captains and lieutenants on the upper platform, Urahara explains that they will be creating a gate to connect this space to the Soul King Palace and allow them to storm it. Nonplussed by this, 5th Division Captain Shinji Hirako is further alarmed when Hiyori Sarugaki approaches them from behind with her fellow Visored and a large teapot.
When Shinji demands to know why she is here, an irate Hiyori reminds him that they are here because he forced them to run his errands. Having been called "bald" once again by Hiyori, Shinji points out that he is not bald at all, and when Hiyori claims that she will just ignore the loud one with the bowl cut, Shinji attempts to trick Suì-Fēng into believing that Hiyori is referring to her, only for Suì-Fēng to coldly assert that she does not have a bowl cut and will kill Shinji. As Hiyori proceeds to pour the liquid-like contents of the teapot into the basin that the captains and lieutenants are standing in, Rukia observes that it does not feel wet.
In turn, Urahara details how this substance was formed by the distortions between the Human World, Soul Society, Hueco Mundo, and the Dangai, making it the source of the energy that they will need to enter the Soul King Palace. After Hiyori announces that she is done, Urahara instructs her and the other Visored to put on their shihakushō in the autopsy room, and when Hiyori begins to protest this, Love Aikawa throws her over his shoulder and walks away with Lisa Yadōmaru and Hachigen Ushōda while reminding an indignant Hiyori that Kensei Muguruma and Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi are putting their lives on the line.
With Hiyori falling silent once Love asserts they cannot walk away like it is not their problem, Aizen opens his eyes, prompting Shunsui to express amazement at him already being able to move again. Musing that it is an exaggeration to say he can move, Aizen observes that now is the perfect time for Shunsui to kill him, only for Shunsui to bluntly state he would have done so long ago if it were that easy and lament Aizen only being paralyzed for five minutes after being hit by The Underbelly with his Reiatsu restrained. Though Shunsui claims to feel sorry for NaNaNa, Aizen reminds him there is no need to when this is the first time he has ever been paralyzed.
Shunsui instructs Aizen to wait there while the gate is created if he is not up for moving yet and departs as a crackling energy string forms a large gate in front of the captains and lieutenants. While stepping back from it, Urahara reveals that this method will only work as long as the hole created by Ichigo remains and admits that there might not be a way for anyone to return. When Suì-Fēng expresses frustration at him only telling them now, Urahara apologizes and asks her to not be upset, but Suì-Fēng clarifies that she is angered by Urahara's disrespect in assuming that the Gotei 13 would cower if he told them the truth earlier.
As Suì-Fēng lectures Urahara for not knowing better despite being a former member of the Gotei 13, Rukia reminds him that they all feel the same way about fighting for the Gotei 13, and with 13th Division Captain Jūshirō Ukitake continuing to twitch in the chamber below, Kenpachi asserts that he only cares about being able to crush the Wandenreich rather than respect, the honor of the Gotei 13, or whether or not he can return. After Kenpachi tells him to get them to the Soul King Palace and stop wasting time, Urahara smiles and admits that he is right while Hiyori, Hachigen, Love, and Lisa solemnly put on their shihakushō.
On the ground below the platform, Aizen muses on Shinigami and Quincy joining forces not to protect Soul Society together, but instead to catch up to and destroy Yhwach, prior to asserting that Ichigo is truly insufferable for being the one to both defeat him and enter the Soul King Palace before him. Meanwhile, Ichigo bolts awake on the Gatonden while screaming Uryū Ishida's name, only to find himself fully healed and looking at Orihime Inoue, who expresses relief at him being awake and collapses into his arms, to his concern. Though Orihime claims that she is just hungry, Ganju Shiba reveals she has been healing them all without any rest.
Once Yoruichi Shihōin confirms that Orihime restored her arm and healed all of Ichigo's injuries, which Orihime giggles at, Yasutora Sado inquires if Uryū really shot him, and when Ichigo affirms this, Ganju wonders if Uryū has actually betrayed them. Before he can answer this, Ichigo notices a battered Kon lying nearby, leading Orihime to inform him that Kon saved Ichigo by inflating his body to catch the latter when he came falling down. Though a solemn Ichigo begins praying for him to rest in peace alongside his friends, a dizzy Kon springs up and demands that they not kill him off yet, surprising Ichigo with his survival.
When Kon asserts that Ichigo should be grateful that Kon was hiding in his clothes, a smirking Ichigo picks up on Kon admitting to hiding and begins squeezing his head, which prompts Kon to threaten to inflate to his muscle form and attack him, only for Ichigo to sincerely thank him instead. With a flustered Kon berating Ichigo for not beating him up so his popularity can increase, Orihime, Sado, and Ganju smile as they watch Ichigo grin at this. Nearby, an upbeat Yoruichi invites them to mount a counterattack and embeds a stake in the ground as she warns the group that there is no telling when the world will collapse with how much time has passed.
However, when Ichigo points out that they first have to figure out how to get back up to the Greater Soul King Palace when they cannot risk being observed from outside it, Yoruichi dismisses this and orders that the Garganta in front of her be opened, revealing Grimmjow as he greets a shocked Ichigo. Simultaneously, the energy swirling around Yhwach ceases, prompting Sternritter "B" Jugram Haschwalth to observe that it is over, and as the Schutzstaffel stare in astonishment, dozens of eyes form on Yhwach's goo-like body and extend tendrils to grab the buildings in the replaced Seireitei while Haschwalth proclaims it is now a new world.
Characters in Order of Appearance
- Yhwach
- Askin Nakk Le Vaar
- Gerard Valkyrie
- Lille Barro
- Pernida Parnkgjas
- Jugram Haschwalth
- Akon
- Hiyosu
- Kisuke Urahara
- Jūshirō Ukitake
- Sentarō Kotsubaki
- Kiyone Kotetsu
- Shinji Hirako
- Nanao Ise
- Marechiyo Ōmaeda
- Suì-Fēng
- Shūhei Hisagi
- Yumichika Ayasegawa
- Ikkaku Madarame
- Rukia Kuchiki
- Byakuya Kuchiki
- Renji Abarai
- Shino Madarame
- Ryūnosuke Yuki
- Shunsui Kyōraku
- Sōsuke Aizen
- NaNaNa Najahkoop
- Bazz-B
- Liltotto Lamperd
- Giselle Gewelle
- Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez
- Zennosuke Kurumadani
- Rikichi Yuki
- Kenpachi Zaraki
- Harunobu Ogidō
- Yasochika Iemura
- Makizō Aramaki
- Mashiro Kuna
- Hiyori Sarugaki
- Love Aikawa
- Hachigen Ushōda
- Lisa Yadōmaru
- Orihime Inoue
- Yasutora Sado
- Ganju Shiba
- Yoruichi Shihōin
- Kon
- Uryū Ishida
Fights & Events
Powers and Techniques Used
Hohō Techniques:
- Shunpo (瞬歩, Flash Steps)
Kidō Techniques:
- Hadō #90. Kurohitsugi (黒棺, Black Coffin)
Quincy Techniques:
- Burner Finger 1 (バーナーフィンガー
1 , Bānā Fingā Wan)
Arrancar Techniques:
- Descorrer (
解空 , Desukorēru; Spanish for "Drawing Back/Opening", Japanese for "Loosed Void") - Garganta (
黒腔 , Garuganta; Spanish for "Throat", Japanese for "Black Cavity")
Zanpakutō released:
Shikai:
- Hōzukimaru (鬼灯丸, Demon Light)
- Fuji Kujaku (藤孔雀, Wisteria Peacock)
- Kazeshini (風死, Wind Death)
- Senbonzakura (千本桜, Thousand Cherry Blossoms)
Bankai:
- Jakuhō Raikōben (雀蜂雷公鞭, Hornet Thunder Duke Whip)
- The Underbelly (
無防備 , Za Andāberī; Japanese for "Defenseless") - The Zombie (
死者 , Za Zonbi; Japanese for "Deceased") - The Heat (
灼熱 , Za Hīto; Japanese for "Scorching Heat")
Other Powers:
- Torrent of the Soul King's Power (霊王の力の奔流, Reiō no Chikara no Honryū)
Music
Timestamp | Track Listing |
00:26 | Bleach: The Blood Warfare OST 1 - Track 22 - Raw breath - orchestra 2022 |
04:43 | Bleach: The Blood Warfare OST 1 - Track 15 - 2202 TYBW suspense |
08:09 | Bleach: The Blood Warfare OST 1 - Track 9 - Blaze of soul - orchestra 2022 |
10:00 | Bleach: The Blood Warfare OST 1 - Track 14 - 1133 TYBW CH united |
13:04 | Bleach: The Blood Warfare OST 1 - Track 12 - On the precipice - post grunge 2022 |
16:38 | No Official Release |
18:51 | No Official Release |
21:25 | No Official Release |
22:22 | Bleach: The Blood Warfare OST 1 - Track 10 - Hollowed 2022 B type |
24:42 | Bleach: The Blood Warfare OST 1 - Track 13 - Dark 2211 TYBW full orchestra |
Anime Notes
- Yhwach using the power of Mimihagi to place a dome over the replaced Seireitei by firing a beam of darkness from his index finger.
- Lille Barro asking Yhwach if he is alright after the latter falls to one knee, only to be unnerved alongside the other Schutzstaffel by the Torrent of the Soul King's Power erupting from Yhwach's body, prompting Jugram Haschwalth to explain that it will not hurt them because it is the manifestation of the Soul King's enmity toward the Shinigami.
- Suì-Fēng explaining to Shūhei Hisagi that the canopy was created by the Quincy and that part of the Shakonmaku is missing from structural damage, which is what Mimihagi used to reach the Soul King Palace and is now a main target for the Wandenreich.
- Marechiyo Ōmaeda smacking eyeball creatures off of Suì-Fēng with Gegetsuburi, only for her to smack him for being too slow.
- Sōsuke Aizen musing that he has not spoken to Rukia Kuchiki since he defected from the Gotei 13.
- Shūhei Hisagi demanding to know if Shunsui Kyōraku is really okay with releasing Aizen.
- Shunsui informing Aizen that he cannot release the latter's arms because he has already used all three keys permitted to him by Central 46.
- Renji Abarai expressing horror at the amount of eyeball creatures bearing down on Aizen.
- Renji realizing that Aizen purposely aimed the Kurohitsugi at himself.
- Mayuri Kurotsuchi explaining that Reiatsu is produced by a Shinigami so long as their heart continues beating, which makes it impossible to stop without stopping their heart, and that all prisoners in Muken are those who cannot be killed by any executioner in Soul Society.
- Nanao Ise informing Shunsui that the gate to the Soul King Palace has been scattered by Aizen's Reiatsu and that they will need to start over, to his consternation.
- NaNaNa Najahkoop naming his Morphine Pattern.
- Ichigo suggesting methods for him and his friends to reach the Greater Soul King Palace.
Episodes | |
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Previous | Next |
The Betrayer | THE HOLY NEWBORN |