THE HOLY NEWBORN

THE HOLY NEWBORN
Quote	"The fire that drips from fangs does not fade. The blade burns away the field. Revealing my hidden friend."
TYBW Episode #	32
Overall Episode #	398
Manga Chapters	Chapter 613 (page 10), Chapter 617 (pages 13-16), Chapter 625, Chapter 626, Chapter 627, Chapter 628, Chapter 629 (pages 1-2)
Arc	Thousand-Year Blood War arc
Chronology
Previous Episode	AGAINST THE JUDGEMENT
Next Episode	GATE OF THE SUN
Airdate
Japanese	November 9, 2024
English	December 7, 2024
Theme Music
Opening	Kotoba ni Sezu Tomo
Ending	Monochrome
Episode 398 Screenshots

For the chapter of the same name, see THE HOLY NEWBORN.

THE HOLY NEWBORN is the thirty-second episode of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War and the three hundred and ninety-eighth episode of the Bleach anime overall.

As Ichigo Kurosaki reunites with Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck, and the Fullbringers, Yhwach uses his newfound power to transport the Wandenreich city to the Soul King Palace and reshape the latter into Wahrwelt.

Summary[]

Atop the platform raised by 12th Division Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Kisuke Urahara instructs the assembled Shinigami and Sternritter to hold out their hands, which medium-sized glass orbs proceed to manifest in. With those present focusing their Reiatsu into these orbs at Urahara's request, the arch of the gate forming behind Urahara begins to thicken and expand inward to form a full door, which he nods at. However, in Mayuri's laboratory below, the technicians are startled when the screens warn them of an unknown anomaly and the ground begins shaking, causing Niko Kuna to lose her balance.

As the Shinigami express shock at this, Urahara looks to the side to see the buildings of the Wandenreich city being lifted into the air by a black eye-bearing substance, leading him and the others to realize that it is being stripped away. When 2nd Division Captain Suì-Fēng questions why this is happening and what the Quincy intend to do, a frustrated 5th Division Captain Shinji Hirako points out how they can only barely build one gate by comparison and demands to know if the Wandenreich have any limits to what they can do. Seeing the gate beginning to grow translucent enough to show the city behind itself, Urahara asserts that they must hurry.

Meanwhile, in the Soul King Palace above, Yoruichi Shihōin orders the Garganta to be opened in front of her, leaving Ichigo Kurosaki astonished as it pulls back to reveal Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, who maliciously greets him. After leaping out of the Garganta to land in front of Ichigo, Grimmjow comments on how long it has been since they last met and observes that the wound he left Ichigo with in their last battle has healed, prompting Ichigo to admit that Grimmjow looks good as well, before inquiring if Ichigo believed he was dead and drawing his Zanpakutō to slash at the ground next to him, which creates a shockwave.

With Ichigo readying the larger sword of his Shikai, Zangetsu, Grimmjow claims that he would never die before being able to kill Ichigo and declares that he has waited for this moment to settle the score with him, but is interrupted when Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck's breasts smack into his head from behind while she hurtles toward Ichigo in her adult form and cheerfully calls out to him. Startled by this, Ichigo is knocked down and pushed several meters back by Nelliel, who asserts that she has been waiting so long for him and explains that Urahara made a bracelet which allows her to switch between her child and adult forms.

As Nelliel notes that she can now be of help to Ichigo and will probably never go back to her child self so long as she wears the bracelet, Yasutora Sado notices a stunned Orihime Inoue blushing intensely and infers that she is wondering why Urahara keeps making unnecessary things. Though Sado assures her that Urahara is simply doing the best he can, Orihime frantically tells Sado to not be silly because she would never think anything like that. Meanwhile, Grimmjow demands that Nelliel get out of his way, only for Nelliel to counter that this is her line since Grimmjow has no business coming here to start a fight with Ichigo.

Despite this, when Nelliel reminds him that she was the Tres Espada and consequently has no reason to take orders from a Sexta Espada, Grimmjow points out that those numbers do not mean anything with Sōsuke Aizen gone and suggests that they find out which one of them is superior right now. Before Ichigo can intervene, Riruka Dokugamine addresses the group through a speaker system and wonders if she is surrounded by idiots because this is not what they came here to do. The Garganta draws back further to reveal a box-shaped elevator and a door on it swings open to reveal Riruka, who orders them to get inside before they are spotted.

Having recognized both Riruka's voice and the form of the elevator, Ichigo is astonished to see her and Yukio Hans Vorarlberna, who leans out of the doorway and announces that he is here, as well as that the elevator was made with his Fullbring, Digital Radial Invaders. Though overjoyed to see them alive, Ichigo expresses confusion as to why Riruka and Yukio are here, leading Yukio to tell him to get onboard so they can explain everything. Once everyone has boarded the elevator, its status changes from "Open" to "Locked" while Yoruichi asks Ichigo about what parts of the situation he needs explained to him.

In response, a flabbergasted Ichigo proclaims that she needs to explain every single thing and assumes that Orihime and Sado are as lost as he is, but an embarrassed Orihime admits that they were told about this while in Hueco Mundo and Sado apologizes, which prompts Ichigo to realize that they were holding back Grimmjow on the call with Urahara before he went up to the Soul King Palace for the first time and sit down in defeat. When Yoruichi asserts that more manpower is always better, Ichigo counters that it is unfair for him to be the only one left out, which Sado agrees with, only for Yoruichi to lazily brush this off as him being too busy.

With Ichigo responding to Yoruichi's claim that there was no time earlier by pointing out how she could have told him on the way to the Soul King Palace, Yukio sighs and presses a button on his console to bring up a screen above Ichigo that displays the Dangai connecting the Human World and Soul Society. Once Ichigo affirms that he already knows about this, Yoruichi reveals that the Dangai is surrounded by pockets of space filled with lost Souls that are known as Valleys of Screams, with the Garganta filling the space between these pockets and making the Reiatsu of those within it consistently unstable.

Musing that no one can stand in the Garganta without constantly releasing Reiatsu to create a foothold, Yoruichi clarifies that the Valleys of Screams are an exception because they can exist as a stable Reishi space due to their different Reishi structure, which Urahara decided to use to their advantage by recruiting Riruka and Yukio. As Riruka expresses frustration at being found so easily, Yoruichi describes her Fullbring, Dollhouse, as letting her move a target in and out of her favorite objects and Yukio's Digital Radial Invaders as letting him create and reshape his own dimension at will using electricity.

With Yukio musing that this is not exactly how it works, Yoruichi details how they used Dollhouse to put a small Valley of Screams in a box prior to modifying it into an elevator with using Digital Radial Invaders, which was only just completed and allows them to move between the two stakes she put down in the Soul King Palace. Proclaiming that the benefits of moving without Reiatsu in enemy territory are huge, Yoruichi concludes that it will allow them to mount a surprise attack and take down the Wandenreich in one shot, which Ichigo nods at. Down in the replaced Seireitei, Urahara is shocked to see the gate beginning to break down.

Below him, 13th Division 10th Seat Zennosuke Kurumadani and Shino Madarame notice that something is not right, and when Ryūnosuke Yuki frantically questions why this is happening, 1st Division Lieutenant Nanao Ise reveals that they need 13th Division Captain Jūshirō Ukitake, who possessed far more built-up Reiatsu than any other captain. Suddenly, Lisa Yadōmaru interrupts Nanao's despair by placing her hand on Nanao's orb and reminding her that it is not over yet while Hiyori Sarugaki, Hachigen Ushōda, and Love Aikawa approach the platform wearing the shihakushō they were instructed to put on.

At Hiyori's request, Urahara gives them orbs to channel their Reiatsu into as well before Mayuri, who concludes from the numbers he is seeing that they lack enough Reiatsu, brings out the Reiatsu Amplifier on the side of the platform for them to use. When an unnerved Urahara wonders why Mayuri never mentioned having this, Mayuri declares he never believed it would come to this and turns on the Reiatsu Amplifier, causing it to glow golden and enhance the power of everyone's Reiatsu to fully restore the gate, which takes on the appearance of a gigantic Senkaimon while Captain-Commander Shunsui Kyōraku vows to make Ukitake's sacrifice matter.

Back in the elevator as it continues to run upward along the vertical tracks, Yoruichi tells those present that they will ascend to the Greater Soul King Palace and mount an attack, as she planted a stake identical to the one below next to the Soul King when she was trying to stabilize him and Mimihagi with Sankotsu no Jufu that should let them appear right in front of the Wandenreich if they have not moved it. Instructing Ichigo to use this moment to strike Yhwach with his most powerful Getsuga Tenshō because she knows he can do it, Yoruichi asserts that they will clear his path of anyone getting in his way.

With Ganju proclaiming that the minions can be left to them, Sado asks Ichigo about Yhwach's powers since they already have a decent appraisal of those of the Schutzstaffel, only for Ichigo to look away in shame, to her and Sado's disappointment. After Orihime laments not asking Ichibē Hyōsube about it when they had the chance, an annoyed Riruka demands that she stop feeling depressed over the past because she is bringing down everyone else's mood as well, and when Orihime thanks her for this, Riruka is agitated further and orders Orihime to not thank her as she slaps her hoodie's wings into Orihime's eyes, to the latter's distress.

During this, Ichigo turns to Grimmjow, who is sitting on a high shelf, and inquires about why he is on their side, prompting Grimmjow to reject the notion of being aligned with him and point out that Hueco Mundo will be gone if Yhwach wins. Once Grimmjow concludes that he will not have anywhere to kill Ichigo if this happens, Ichigo smiles and admits that this is true. Meanwhile, at the Greater Soul King Palace, Uryū Ishida recalls Ichigo being forced to kill the Soul King and falling after having a hole punched in his side by Uryū's Heilig Pfeil as he stands before Yhwach, who spreads liquid darkness across the Soul King's chamber.

Yhwach addresses the Schutzstaffel and turns to face them, revealing the upper half of his face is covered in the same darkness just before several misshapen eyes of various sizes open on them. Alarmed by this alongside the other Schutzstaffel, Sternritter "D" Askin Nakk Le Vaar takes a step back in fear, and when Sternritter "B" Jugram Haschwalth tells him to calm down, Askin mentally wonders what is wrong with Haschwalth for him to not feel anything at the sight of Yhwach looking like a monster. In turn, Yhwach wonders if he is scaring them and promises they do not need to be afraid since they will get used to his appearance in time.

With Yhwach musing that this is what it feels like to be overflowing with power, the stone making up the Greater Soul King Palace is fractured and broken into chunks that begin rising into the air, forcing the Schutzstaffel to either run for stable ground or cling onto a chunk of rubble. Holding onto the edge of a floor piece that Haschwalth is standing on, Askin desperately points out that they are dead if they fall from this height and demands to know how Haschwalth can be so calm, but is further unnerved to see the black substance carrying up more chunks of the buildings and expresses disbelief at what he is seeing.

Abruptly, the pieces of rubble stop moving, allowing Askin and the other Schutzstaffel to stand up on circular platforms floating in the air before Yhwach. Kneeling behind him, Haschwalth praises Yhwach's power as magnificent and asserts the world without the Soul King cannot exist without him before requesting that Yhwach lead them. In response, Yhwach addresses Haschwalth as his first son and proclaims he can watch the path that Yhwach will take, which starts with remaking their nation, as his eyes glow blue and the five cities of the Soul King Palace are surrounded by blue energy that intersects, creating a massive Quincy Zeichen.

Some time later, Yoruichi announces that they are almost at their destination, but as Ichigo confirms that they are ready, Yukio informs them that he has no intention of leaving the elevator and encourages them to do whatever they want without him, to the shock of Ichigo and his friends. An angered Ganju stomping over to Yukio, whom Orihime notes Ganju introduced himself to earlier while Yukio ignored him because of them claiming to not know each other, and berates the latter for planning to stay here while everyone else is about to risk their lives, leading Yukio to remind Ganju that he was dragged into this against his will and is not obligated to risk his life.

In turn, Ganju asserts that risking one's life out of obligation is not risking it at all and points out that this Garganta will disappear if they lose while Yukio stays behind. However, Yukio merely wonders if Ganju plans to lose, which prompts Ichigo to step in and tell Ganju that he has lost. After instructing Yukio to stay here, which Yukio muses is what he just said, Ichigo asserts that Riruka should do the same, to her aghast frustration, and explains that their abilities will not keep them alive in this battle. When Riruka begins to protest, Ichigo reveals that he has been to a Valley of Screams before this one.

Noting that Riruka really loves cute things and that her Dollhouse only works on things she finds cute, Ichigo states that a Valley of Screams is anything but cute and concludes that Riruka went very much out of her way to make it work for them, which he thanks her for. With a blushing Riruka furiously denying this, Ichigo asks her to do one more thing by staying here with Yukio and being ready to extract Ichigo and his friends at any time, leading Riruka to look away and grudgingly accept this. In the aftermath, Ganju observes that Ichigo has really matured, and when Ichigo wonders how, Ganju realizes that he has always been like this.

Down in the replaced Seireitei, 12th Division 3rd Seat Akon, Rin Tsubokura, Hiyosu, and Kuna press four buttons simultaneously within Mayuri's laboratory while Mayuri grins behind them. On the platform above, Urahara is relieved to see the gate solidify and announces it is finished. Up in the Garganta, the elevator reaches the top of the track and Ichigo opens the door to proceed at Yoruichi's behest. Back in front of the gate, Shunsui declares the Soul King Palace lies beyond it and bids farewell to the lower-ranked Shinigami, who affirm the departure, before Urahara opens the gate to let the captains, lieutenants, Visored, and Sternritter through.

However, Ichigo and his friends are stunned to find the reassembled Wandenreich city outside the elevator surrounded by darkness, and as Sado identifies the buildings as those of the Quincy instead of the Royal Guard, Ganju questions where they have ended up. Elsewhere in the city, the Shinigami, Visored, and Sternritter stand flabbergasted by the scenery, with Hiyori demanding to know how they have ended up in a Quincy city instead of the Soul King Palace. When 5th Division Captain Shinji Hirako turns to him for an explanation on how they missed their target, Urahara muses that their coordinates place them right above the Seireitei.

While Urahara asserts that they should have arrived at the Soul King Palace, an unnerved Yoruichi wonders if they did not arrive where she drove in the stake, only to accidentally knock the same stake back with her heel when she takes a step back. Looking down at this in shock, Yoruichi looks up behind it and addresses Ichigo. Simultaneously, Shunsui deduces that the Wandenreich city was lifted from the Seireitei and rebuilt over the Soul King Palace before responding to Shinji calling this impossible due to the incredibly short timeframe by stating that this merely indicates how incredibly powerful their enemy has become.

With those present intimidated by this, Yoruichi directs Ichigo's attention to the ruins of the Greater Soul King Palace behind their group and concludes that Yhwach has rebuilt the Soul King Palace to his liking. During this, Shunsui approaches the edge of the platform they are on and points out how it is circular, meaning this likely used to be one of the cities operated by the Royal Guard, but when Shunsui notes they cannot see the Greater Soul King Palace floating above the cities, Urahara infers the Soul King Palace fell to Yhwach and his forces, allowing it to be reshaped into a massive Quincy Zeichen comprised of the cities and a central platform.

Yoruichi realizes that they avoided being caught up in this because they were in the Garganta, which they should consider extremely lucky. Suddenly, Yūshirō Shihōin detects her Reiatsu, leading Yoruichi to sense him in turn and explain his status as her brother and the current head of the Shihōin Clan following her departure to Ichigo, who is shocked to learn she has a brother and did not tell him. While Yoruichi questions why she should have told him earlier since he is not her fiancé, Yūshirō attempts to leap to her with Shunpo, but fails to find a foothold and begins falling, forcing 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai to catch him.

When Renji demands to know what he was thinking, Yūshirō apologizes and reveals that he was unable to create a foothold out of Reishi, and as Renji pulls Yūshirō up, 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki observes that it will not be easy to do so here and reminds Renji that the Reishi density of the Soul King Palace is very high, which should normally make it easy to create a foothold, prior to theorizing that the only reason they cannot do so is the enemy having taken control of all the Reishi in the area. With Renji astonished by this, Byakuya asserts that it would make sense for them to create a battlefield advantageous to themselves.

Once Byakuya concludes that this is something Yhwach would do for Quincy who rely on Reishi for their weapons, especially since he is powerful enough to kill the Soul King, 2nd Division Captain Suì-Fēng points out that she has not felt the Soul King's Reiatsu since they got here and wonders if he has been killed. Despite this, Shunsui observes that he can sense the Reiatsu of Ichigo's group a great distance away, leaving him relieved that their advance party survived, and states that they simply need to defeat the enemy and install a new Soul King if the Soul King truly has been killed, which is what he believes Ukitake would say if he could speak.

After announcing that they will move forward on the path to the main platform since they cannot presently meet up with Ichigo's group, Shunsui encourages them to advance as the Gotei 13 for the sake of the courts they guard, which the Shinigami and Visored confirm. Suddenly, the structure begins shaking, causing Sternritter "Z" Giselle Gewelle to latch onto "G" Liltotto Lamperd, and those present watch as a massive and wide tower bearing Silbern at its peak rises up from the central platform, which Shunsui quickly identifies as the enemy's stronghold while Urahara assumes they are being invited to attack it.

With Shunsui commenting on the sheer nerve of this, Yhwach sits on a throne shaped like a Hagal rune before the Schutzstaffel, who kneel as Haschwalth addresses Yhwach from the front and informs him of Ichigo and the Gotei 13 arriving simultaneously in the reshaped Soul King Palace. In turn, Yhwach declares that this castle has become the foundation for a new world, the one and only true world, and that it will one day be known as Wahrwelt, which prompts Haschwalth to vow that the Schutzstaffel will kill all of them in order to realize the future reflected in Yhwach's eyes and secure Wahrwelt for his plans.

Characters in Order of Appearance[]

Fights & Events[]

• Fall of the Soul King (concluded)

Powers and Techniques Used[]

Arrancar Techniques:

• Descorrer (解空 (デスコレール), Desukorēru; Spanish for "Drawing Back/Opening", Japanese for "Loosed Void")
• Garganta (黒腔 (ガルガンタ), Garuganta; Spanish for "Throat", Japanese for "Black Cavity")

Zanpakutō released:

Shikai:

• Zangetsu (斬月, Slaying Moon)

Fullbring:

• Dollhouse (ドールハウス, Dōruhausu)
• Digital Radial Invaders (画面外の侵略者 (デジタル・ラジアル・インヴェイダーズ), Dejitaru Rajiaru Inveidāzu; Japanese for "Invaders from Outside of the Screen")

Spirit Weapons:

• Reishi Sword (flashback)
• Hoffnung (希望の剣 (ホーフヌング), Hōfunungu; German for "Hope", Japanese for "Sword of Hope")

Items:

• Sankotsu no Jufu (三骨呪符, Three-Bone Talisman) (flashback)

Music[]

Timestamp	Track Listing
00:17	No Official Release
03:27	No Official Release
04:48	No Official Release
06:55	No Official Release
09:33	No Official Release
11:20	No Official Release
14:46	Bleach: The Blood Warfare OST 1 - Track 6 - 1142 TYBW full orchestra choir
18:07	Bleach: The Blood Warfare OST 1 - Track 2 - 1142 TYBW piano synth suspense
21:06	No Official Release

Anime Notes[]

Navigation[]

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