Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War | How was ‘March of the Starcross’ Different from Manga?
Can Ichigo beat Quilge? What is an Ayon?
The Third episode of Bleach: Sennen Kessen-hen “March of the Starcross” was exciting and exhilarating.
Some of the characters made a brief appearance although the anime didn’t adapt all the scenes from the manga.
The events weren’t exactly in the chronological scenes either and some anime-only scenes were included.
While Ichigo had an encounter with Quilge Opie, how is the fight progressing? What happened to Dondochakka?
How was the adaptation of Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War S017E03 ‘March of the Starcross’ different from Manga? Why did Yhwach decide to attack Soul Society now? What is happening in Soul Society?
Which chapters were adapted in “March of the Starcross”?
Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War Episode Three resumed the scenes in Hueco Mundo with Ichigo and Quilge’s fight.
March of the Starcross adapted Chapters 489, 490,491, 492, 493 and 494. Some of the scenes were not fully adapted though and the Third episode didn’t follow the chronological sequence.
Some scenes from the manga chapters were left out, while some new scenes were added.
What happened in S017E03 “March of the Starcross”?
Kurosaki Ichigo and Quilge Opie resumed their fight. Quilge was pretty quick to mock Ichigo as he saw Nel with him. This might go down in history.
“A Soul Reaper with an Arrancar on his Back? How unusual.” - Quilge Opie
Of course, it’s unusual but not shocking if you know Ichigo. He never discriminates and is always ready to fight for the right cause.
It was funny and comical to see Ichigo toss Nel into Orihime for the sake of safety.
This brings back the memory of how Ichigo tossed Rukia to Renji once after saving her from the execution grounds.
This is so typical of Ichigo Kurosaki!
The casual bantering between them and how “His Majesty” warned about the “Special Threat” - Ichigo Kurosaki is no shocker.
If someone who has lived for so long must be aware of the Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki.
Of course, the reputation precedes the man and does half the justice of how strong Ichigo can be.
Ichigo is still perplexed when Quilge uses a sword as he was under the impression that Quincies can only use a bow and arrows.
The sinister smile of Quilge gives goosebumps and how epic the fight would be.
Let’s watch for Ichigo’s countermoves. As if Ichigo would go down so easily! Quilge was creating a power struggle while Ichigo managed to hold him off.
Quilge was sucking the reishi which was impacting Orihime’s Sotenkishun. He unleashed the power of Voll Stern Dich- the power of Piskeil.
What happened to Quilge?
The fight was far from over. Harribel’s subordinates launched Ayon, a monster made up of the fusion of their left arms.
Ayon did give a good fight and beating to Quilge, but they weren’t quite a match to face Quincy. Quilge annihilated Ayon without even lifting his finger, quite literally.
What happened to Dondochakka?
Ichigo had already made up his mind to save Arrancars and Hueco Mundo.
That’s just how Ichigo is. The group have separated as Pesche and Kisuke Urahara are upto their own schemes.
Luckily, Pesche and Urahara were able to save Dondochakka. Can’t wait for the reunion of the group with Nel.
When you’re so emotionally invested in Bleach, even a death of a minor character can traumatise you for eternity.
It would be too sad to lose any of the characters now that we know that Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War will have a massive bloodbath.
Urahara was quick to sense what was happening as a determined Yhwach appeared in Soul Society. What disastrous timing.
Why did Yhwach decide to attack Soul Society now?
The deadline may or may not have arrived. Knowing that Ichigo Kurosaki is stuck in Hueco Mundo engaging Quilge, it was the perfect chance to attack Soul Society.
It's as if Yhwach was waiting for Ichigo to be sidetracked and occupied at Hueco Mundo while he lays siege to Soul Society.
Given Ichigo’s powers, even Yhwach wouldn’t take the risk of Ichigo coming anywhere near Soul Society to offer help.
Kurosaki Ichigo’s presence in the battle can change impact the outcome, although it might not make much change from the intended end game designed by Yhwach.
The annihilation of Soul Society was already forged.
What happened in Soul Society?
The scenes between the Captain of the 12th Division Mayuri Kurotsuchi and Yamamoto were serious and quite condescending to the point of creepy.
As Mayuri briefed the Gotei 13 captains, Yamamoto declared the preparations for war.
In a private meeting held between Yamamoto and Mayuri, he was outright blaming him (Yamamoto) for the upcoming disaster.
Yamamoto couldn’t kill Yhwach 1000 years ago, which led to this war. The Thousand Year Blood War makes perfect sense now.
The 13th Division Sixth Seat Hidetomo Kajomaro made an appearance as he explained the Quincy extermination.
Well, the character at first glance looked quite similar to Aizen, but he is not related to him!
Unfortunately, who knew they would barely get time to prepare as Yhwach was one step ahead? The invasion of Soul Society has begun as the Wandenreich wrecked chaos.
Meanwhile, in Hueco Mundo, Quilge absorbed Ayon and transformed into an even more creepy and hideous figure.
Of course, Ichigo figured out how to defeat Quilge but acting it out is an altogether different scene.
How was ‘March of the Starcross’ Different from Manga?
The Bleach TYBW “March of the Starcross” includes new anime-only scenes.
Ishida Uryu tiptoeing around his dad and looking for the answers while getting caught just shows the unchanged relationship between the father-son duo.
Ishida was looking for answers and finally found them.
They weren’t the last Quincies and the shocking revelation of “His Majesty” Yhwach made Uryu concerned.
As suspected, Yhwach had something to do with Uryu’s mom’s death. The scenes were new and were not in the manga.
The manga chapters showed Rukia, Renji, Kira, Nanao, Yachiru, Matsumoto and Nemu was good to see. However, the anime didn’t adapt to those scenes.
Although it didn’t impact the series much, it would have been nice to see some of the vice-captains as we might not get to see them again together.
An anxious Rukia and a comforting Renji are a scene to watch!
We did get to see some scenes in “March of the Starcross” when Yhwach and his Wandenreich army invaded Soul Society. The bloodbath is just the beginning.
Spoiler
The invasion has just begun and the first casualty is Vice-captain Kira Izuru of the Third Division. He was attacked and his spiritual power disappeared immediately.
The Stern Ritters are in full blood bath mode. It was good to finally see Kuchiki Rukia and Renji Abarai in the final moments of ‘March of the Starcross’.
The next Episode of Bleach Thousand Year Blood War will be amazing and pretty heartbreaking if one more character dies. Episode Four is titled “Kill the Shadow”.
Thanks for reading!!!