Uryu and Renji get the rematch they deserve in BLEACH TYBW Part 3

The following contains spoilers for BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 3, Episode 7: Gate of the Sun, available on Hulu and Disney+.

Key conclusions

• Renji's rematch against Uryu showcases new skills and great fight choreography.
• The running scenes lead to an epic confrontation between Uryuu and Renji at the Quincy Fortress.
• Uryuu's victory over Renji is reminiscent of past arcs and highlights his rise in power.

An anime adaptation BLEACH: The Thousand Year Blood War arc continues to be the gift that keeps on giving, as the seventh episode of part 3 saw the rematch that was meant to happen since the early days of the Shinigami Replacement arc, as Renji and Uryu cross paths once again as enemies. The fight between the new and improved Renji and Uryu, boosted by a power-up from Iwak, showcased both fighters' new skills, but was also one of the best fights we've ever seen in the series.

It was the rematch they deserved, and another high point in the series of successes of the adaptation of Tite Kubo's final manga arc. If ever there was a “right” way to start the bloodiest part A thousand-year bloody war arc, that was definitely it.

why are you running

No reishi means time for cardio

Now that the Shinigami forces and Ichigo's group have made their way to what used to be the Soul King's Palace, which has been rebuilt into a Quincy fortress, the first order of business for both groups is to make their way to Zilburn, the castle at the center of the Quincy's new paradise, but naturally, enemies are scattered throughout the map is just waiting for the appearance of its enemies. Kyoraku and Urahara lead a large team of Shinigami lieutenants, while Buzz-Bee, Liltoto, and Giselle move separately from them. Kurotsuti was supposed to be with Kyoraku, but he and Nemu went elsewhere, where they were met by Kenpachi and his 3rd and 4th, while the unlucky 3rd of the 4th squad, Hanatara Yamada, ended up in their company . As the structure of the battlefield changed, both groups found themselves far away from Ihwach's lair, resulting in the first half of the episode showing an extraordinary amount of shots of characters running towards the objective.

There was something almost comical about how long we were forced to follow the characters as they ran around, and it felt like the episode was just cardio, especially since they had no choice when the Quincies were rounding up all the Reishi. The episode used some cool angles and interesting direction choices to make the run more interesting, especially when Grimmjow spots Askin Nak Le Waard hilariously running away from his assailant, just like in the opening sequence of this course. As silly as it was meant to be, it's starting to get tiresome to see everyone running, but Lil Baro snaps out of the jokes when he starts shooting all sorts of blues. As he runs to his destination, Renji suddenly becomes the target of a barrage of arrows from Uryu Ishida, which brings us to the main event of this episode: Renji vs. Uryu, a rematch.

There are three reasons for your defeat.

1. You were unconsciously trying not to kill me.

2. You didn't know about my powers.

3. And finally, you're the Shinigami I hate.

Another stunning fight

Renji lost, but it was a good fight

Uryu and Renji have been linked for the longest time, dating back to the Shinigami Replacement arc when Renji and Byakuya first came to Karakura Town to arrest Rukia. Renji then made quick work of Uryuu, but their clash during episode 7 part 3 was more of a clash of blows that was the best part of the episode and possibly one of the best scenes in A thousand-year bloody war adaptation so far. Renji charges and their weapons clash briefly before Renji activates his new and improved bankai, Sō'ō Zabimaru, showing even greater mastery over his power than when he defeated Mask De Masculine. Uryuu notes that Renji relies on brute strength as always, and as he says, Renji does one of the coolest parts of the fight when he deflects an arrow by knocking it back, showing an uncharacteristic grace like that. The most exciting, dynamic cinematography of the episode is seen in this fight, as the direction and choreography focus heavily on fast dramatic close-ups, zooms and slow-motion, supported by many incredible angles and sweeping pans that showcase the action.

The effects were also incredible, such as Renji's 'Orochiō' which concentrated Reiatsu into a blade sticking out of Zabimaru's snake part and glowing red. Uryuu manages to dodge the attack, which pierces through some nearby buildings like a hot knife, making butter, causing a chain of explosions. While it seems that Renji had the upper hand in the first half of the fight, even managing to pin Uryuu to the ground and hit him with Zaga Teppo's butt, everything changes when Uryuu activates his Quincy: Vollständig and stacks multiple shots into a single shot powerful enough to punch through buildings. The fighter-like arrows are outmatched by Renji, who blocks the main strike by sacrificing the fur on his baboon arm. Tufts of fur scatter across the battlefield, and when Uryu steps on one of them, Renji activates Hihitensho, causing several of the Baboon King's arms to grow forward and trap Uryu. He says that all he needs to do is hold it for 20 seconds, because that's how long it takes to infuse the necessary reiatsu into it with the jar for it to reach full power and perform a devastating attack formed by swinging the snake part Zabimaru over his head like a lasso. Despite connecting and dealing a decent amount of damage, Uryuu recharges by using Sclaverai to steal Reishi from the surrounding area, including his own finisher – Fedor Zwinger.

The brilliance of the parallels

Losing Renji is a throwback to Arcs past

After draining the Reishi from the environment, Uryuu's wounds from Renji's final attack healed and he summoned a massive amount of arrows that swirled around Renji to form Quincy Zeichen before connecting to each other like chains and embedding themselves into the ground to form pillars that restricted his movement when he tried to leave. As he tried to fly up, the arrows created shafts of light that wedged tightly around Renji's body, preventing him from moving as they drained the Reiatsu from him. The way he was restrained was reminiscent of Byakuya's use of Kuchika Bakudo #61: Rikujōro – Six Rod Prison to restrain him while a flurry of petals tore him apart, reinforcing the similarities fans have seen between the countless fluttering arrows of Vollstandig Uryu and Byakuya's Senbonzakura . Electric arcs crackled from the rods as the box of light enveloped Renji, and once his Reiatsu was depleted, Uryuu shot straight into the Shinigami's soul sleep, meaning that unlike the fight with Ichigo, this time Uryuu fired with full intent to kill, much like how Renji had intended to kill Uryua during their first encounter. It would not be an exaggeration to say that this fight is one of the best series, including the 2004 anime.

BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War is available on Hulu and Disney+.