War has been declared on the Soul Society by the Quincy army, and now it’s time for the Soul Reapers to launch their counter-attack. The Thousand Year Blood War is due to begin anew in July, with Ichigo receiving some massive new upgrades before the season finale back in December. So, with battles raging and losses already taken, what exactly is the Thousand-Year Blood War, and why are the Quincies and Soul Reapers such heated enemies?
There’s a little backstory given already with flashbacks in the previous season, but that was just a basic overview of the long, malicious history between the Quincies and Soul Reapers.
The Quincy Blood War
At one time, Quincies and Soul Reapers existed in relative harmony with one another. While the Soul Reapers may not have agreed with the Quincy way, they made things work and kept balance. Eventually, though, the Quincy way of exorcizing Hollows by destroying them completely, unable to be born again in a new form, upset the balance. Now, with the spirit energy of Hollows being dissipated upon death instead of returned to the Soul Society, the real world began to far outweigh the Spirit World.
Despite pleas and attempts at a peaceful resolution by the Soul Society, Quincies didn’t stop their actions. The Soul Society in return went on an all-out offensive, making it their mission to exterminate Quincies from existence. The first fight between Quincy King Yhwach and General Yamamoto led to the greatest battle the Spirit World had ever seen, and the forming of today’s Soul Society.
The Soul Society Prospers
Soul Reapers led a massacre, almost all Quincy exterminated in the first war. Many intermarried, striving to keep pure bloodlines. Unfortunately, all but a handful lived, hunted down by Soul Reapers or simply dying out on their own. The Ishida and Kurosaki families were among the few to make it through. Even though they survived, both are no longer pure-blood Quincies.
While the Quincies themselves remained relatively quiet, Uryu’s help and friendship with Ichigo would make both their powers grow stronger. Yhwach stayed in the shadows, biding his time until he was strong enough to return, vowing vengeance on the Soul Reapers that destroyed his people.
Yhwach the Almighty
A little background on Yhwach first. The Quincy King was born thousands of years ago, originally unable to see, hear, or even feel as a child. What he could do, however, was give others fragments of his soul. He used this, granting them healing and abilities while also restoring Yhwach when they eventually die. Using these powers, he became the Almighty, eventually gaining the power to see the future and even manipulate reality.
Eventually, Yhwach would learn to enhance these gifts, bestowing Schrifts to his followers with unique, powerful abilities. Now he has one Sternritter representing every letter of the alphabet. His second invasion of the Soul Society promises cause even more bloodshed than the Quincy ever experienced.
The Thousand Year Blood War
Now, Yhwach has returned to the modern day after taking his power back, killing many Quincy in the process. Uryu and Ichigo were both affected, so this fight is personal with the Quincy King. If it isn’t already personal, that is, after Yhwach’s slaughter of General Yamamoto.
Stolen Bankai, used against the original wielder, proves the Sternritter to be more than the Soul Society can handle. After the General’s death and vast destruction of the Soul Society, they retreated temporarily. Now, they’ll mount another attack on the still recovering Soul Reapers and their allies. This time though, they’ll face Ichigo and all of his friends from across the worlds willing to fight alongside him.
When Thousand Year Blood War season two drops in July, expect to see new looks and devastating powers. Familiar faces will make appearances, whether they’re Fullbring, Arrancar, or just Ganju . When it comes to the world ending threat of Yhwach and his Sternritter, Ichigo is going to need all the help he can get!
