The Fifth episode of Bleach Thousand Year Blood War ‘Wrath as a Lightning’ lived up to the hype and kept us glued to the series.
Things escalated quickly with Kuchiki Byakuya and As Nodt fight after his Bankai was stolen.
Bleach Sennen Kessen-hen S017E05 was a superb display of rage, anger, fear, disappointment and excitement with the sudden appearance of Captain Commander Genryusai Yamamoto to weed off the Wandenreich soldiers.
Ichigo Kurosaki is helpless and trapped in the Garganta listening to the ongoing massacre and pleas for help echo and shatter his soul.
How did Byakuya and Nodt’s fight conclude? Can Abarai Renji defeat As Nodt? Will Zaraki Kenpachi beat Yhwach? Why was Yamamoto enraged?
What was the situation in Soul Society?
It was painful and heartbreaking to watch the Gotei 13 Captains struggle against the Stern Ritterns.
The lack of information on the enemy was a grave disadvantage to the captains whereas the Stern Ritters were completely prepared with enough intel.
Third Seat Akon decided to take matters into his hands and called for help by contacting Ichigo.
The Gotei 13 were completely down on morale after the news of the stolen Bankai and the successive defeat of the four captains.
When Akon spread the news of Ichigo coming to soul society, the aftereffects spread like wildfire and people were excited, encouraged and raised their morale because their last ray of hope was coming to help them from this misery.
Akon communicated that Kurosaki Ichigo was undefeatable and his Bankai cannot be stolen.
It was quite a happy moment to see Rukia Kuchiki ensuring everyone and herself that no matter what Ichigo will come and save everyone.
Their friendship, trust and loyal bonds haven’t changed over the years.
All the captains and vice captains were somehow relieved that Ichigo will arrive shortly, but little did they know that he was trapped in Garganta unable to escape.
Quilge Opie’s Jail did what it was supposed to.
Unfortunately, Ichigo couldn’t escape at all. His struggles were hard to watch.
A good way to show the contrasting despair at the same time through Ichigo and Byakuya in ‘Wrath as a Lightning’.
Byakuya Kuchiki vs As Nodt Conclusion
Now with Byakuya’s Bankai stolen, it was no way possible for the Squad 6 captain to defeat the enemy with just his Shikai.
It was absolutely gut-wrenching to see As Nodt unleash Senbonzakura on Byakuya while creeping him with fear, something that he forgot.
The Stern Ritter “F” As Nodt can control Fear as he defeated Byakuya Kuchiki leaving him nearly dead. Byakuya’s reiatsu was nearly wiped out.
Nodt and Byakuya's fight concludes with a devastating defeat.
Abarai Renji wanted to use his Banaki before getting interrupted by Stern Ritter “S” Mask De Masculine.
As Nodt expressed his disapproval as he lost the chance to steal Renji’s Bankai.
Stern Riter S was surprised that Renji had a Bankai because he wasn’t a captain.
Oh well, new flash, many vice captains have Bankai, how come they don’t know where they collected so much data?
Rukia felt her Ni san was in danger. As she tried to hurry up and help his brother Byakuya, the enemy didn’t show any mercy, as they struck down Rukia.
Byakuya, Renji and Rukia were defeated as Ichigo had to experience all of it while trapped in the Quincy Jail.
Will Zaraki Fight Yhwach?
It was a bit surprising and assuring to see Bleach Thousand Year Blood War S017E05 ‘Wrath as a Lightning’ follow through the sequence of the Manga chapters.
Not much was changed and almost everything was adapted in the exact sequence. As usual, Zaraki Kenpachi, Captain of Squad 11 made a flashy entrance.
Zaraki lives for the fight and he sure lives to the hype.
Stern Ritter “B” Jugram Haschwalth was shocked and alarmed as a violent Zaraki Kenpachi makes an appearance to directly challenge Yhwach.
Dealing with less powerful people is nothing for Kenpachi Zaraki.
It was amusing to see Zaraki and Yhwach’s interaction where the former gives no care in the world as he challenges “His Majesty”.
Killing three Stern Ritters is a piece of cake for Zaraki. Zaraki easily defeated Stern Ritter “Q” Berenice Gabrielli, Stern Ritter “R” Jerome Guizbatt and Stern Ritter “Y” Loyd Lloyd.
Zaraki and Yhwach do exchange fists but he is no match for the Quincy king.
Why is Yamamoto Enraged?
Meanwhile, Vice Captain of Squad 9, Shuhei Hisagi was busy dealing with “The Overkill”- Stern Ritter “O” Driscoll Berci.
It was repelling to see the Stern Ritter beat the hell of Hisagi.
Hisagi is one of the characters in Bleach who has a lot of potential but is not nearly explored.
As Hisagi was on the brink of defeat, the enraged Captain Commander Genryusai Yamamoto joined the frontlines.
Yamamoto’s appearance changed the entire game. The Overkill would get a crisp defeat quite literally.
It was Stern Ritter “O” Driscoll Berci who defeated Vice Captain of Squad 1 Sasakibe Choujiro and stole his Bankai.
Sasakibe honed his Bankai skills for years and the power wasn't unleashed for nearly 2000 years.
Yamamoto san was nearly triggered and exploded in anger when Driscoll Berci used Sasakibe’s Bankai on him.
Rather than scared or alarmed, Yamamoto was fuming with anger as he said that Sasakibe’s Bankai wasn’t that weak.
Apart from Hitsugaya Tourshiro, Sasakibe’s Bankai can control the weather as well.
How did Yamamoto get the scar on his forehead?
Both Sasakibe and Yamamoto have quite a history together.
Shigekuni Yamamoto is the founder of Genryu style, Genji Juku Grandmaster.
It’s not surprising to see him having many disciples. Yamamoto was called Eijisai because of the scar on his forehead.
A young Sasakibe wanted to become Yamamoto’s right-hand man. Yamamoto told Sasakibe to master Bankai and defeat him.
The result of battle ended with Sasakibe inflicting another scar on Yamaji gramps forehead.
Although Sasaki didn’t defeat Yamamoto, the permanent scar was a reminder of his promising talent.
After the scar, Yamamoto was even nicknamed Jujisai. Yamamoto later changed his name to Genryusai
The flashback ends and we are back to the present time.
An enraged Yamamoto burned Driscoll Berci into crisps and later heads to deal with Yhwach. Finally, a proper farewell to Sasakibe san.
The anger and warmth spread into Soul Society as an angry Yamamoto stormed off to meet the enemy.
The Gotei 13 regained their spirits because of the Captain Commander.
Bleach ‘Wrath as a Lightning’ ended with Zaraki crushed by Yhwach and Yamamoto meeting the enemy.
The next episode of Bleach Thousand Year Blood War S017E06 ‘The Fire’ will heat things up with Yhwach and Yamamoto’s face-off.
Keep streaming Bleach Sennen Kessen-hen until next week!
Thanks for reading!!!
