Thread by @vincent5126

Bleach Episode 373: Born in the Dark
9.5/10
A turmoil-filled conclusion to the first Wandenreich invasion, mired with a heavy weight of loss and uncertainty
Soul Society beyond repair, its image of protection and Ichigo's confidence broken like his Bankai
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Episode 373 adapts:
Chapter 511: Die Standing
Chapter 512: The Stand Ablaze
Chapter 513: The Dark Moon Stroke
Chapter 514: Born in the Dark
The extensions of the anime not only improve pacing but enrich the material of 511 and 514 to a surprising degree
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The first scene is original and I love it
The lack of voices is perfect as history is played through the dated film and the Sagisu choral track played in Episode 371
The song sounds heroic but the lyrics speak of the ruthlessness of Yamamoto and the original Gotei
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Their justice was from strength, which is exactly how the Ordinary Peace was established
A world of chaos needed order and it had to be as merciless for mercy to even exist
You see these captains Kubo drew at Episode 372's release
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While we do not see the full final clash or who knows if the final cour will include an added scene, we do see Yhwach and Yamamoto clash
Yamamoto's entrance is perfect
Every step/swing the man takes, a Quincy burns to ash, as that is how life is to him back then
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With what little we know of Yhwach's power, we can see both sides put up a fight and to our surprise, we see Chojiro, a previously downplayed lieutenant, keeping Yhwach still for Yamamoto to defeat him, showing his ruthlessness and and why he was the first victim
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This original scene says a lot and sets up the episode and is the reason why the Zanpakuto of the ED change into OG captains, giving us a full look
It fits well as we transition to Yamamoto and a young Shunsui, probably his own last thoughts in regret
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Yamamoto talking about himself as a different person speaks to his regret of the monster he was, even as it helped build order
And how his strength now is different, hence Yhwach's point
As immeasurably strong as Yamamoto was, he fought now to protect, not kill
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This page in 512 is my favorite in Bleach
Usage of shadow was immaculate as it obscures Ichigo's expression but also highlights the desperation he arrived in
Anguished by loss
A broken Byakuya pleading for him was the perfect place to break off the first person POV
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The anime's direction with this scene was different yet I loved it
The page sells itself for me but the anime elevates the entire moment more than the manga could
Sagisu's OST, Byakuya's emotional voice-acting, the way he conveys both despair and respect to Ichigo
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As much as I wished for more scenes with these two before Lost Agent, the moments we have now cement Byakuya being the most transformed among Soul Society
This scene is really touching and is probably the best of Ryotaro Okiayu's Byakuya
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As irreplaceable as the iconic page is
The anime's strong hook with music and voice-acting, coupled with the slowing of the rain (the rain as a heavily thematic element), all convey Ichigo's silent answer to Byakuya
We know he will face Yhwach and save Soul Society
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From here the entire episode makes me realize that my expectations for how this would be done no longer mattered
The expanded content, animation and Bleach's true visual highlight: special effects and peak color direction, give this half of the episode its own life
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First, Hollow Reiatsu color is back since Reigai arc and it comes out when Ichigo expresses his wrath
The clash of colors both from its inception and in the mid-air fight with Yhwach were beautiful
The direction with Ichigo's Blut reveal was great as the rain slows
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The incorporation of "Nothing Can Be Explained" as Yhwach brings up Ichigo's mom and her death was perfect as Ichigo's doubts spiral beyond his control
The looming church bells of the Quincy ring amp up the chills from this moment
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Yhwach's explanation of the Jail is thematically consistent with his heritage
Quincy reject Soul Reapers, Hollows and the Soul King in varied ways
So the Jail fits the same idea as, say, the blood of Quincy compelling them to kill the King, as is his will as father
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I also notice how the anime now clearly applies more dark backgrounds and shadowing, which align more to the manga than the past adaptation did, making the faces more bold and expressive than before
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The anime extends the fight after Yhwach talks about Ichigo's ignorance as he unleashes Qualkries, which traps Ichigo first in a Reishi jail of Heilig Pfeil and then use those arrows to trap Ichigo in rubble to overwhelm him and expose the Blut Vene
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Time runs out for Yhwach, a plot way to ensure the Quincy do not relish their victory but also a hint at how the Quincies cannot properly exist in Soul Society without staying in Wandenreich shadow space
This only happens because Aizen messes with his perception
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Ichigo tries to stop them but Haschwalth breaks Ichigo's bankai
Leaving him broken-spirited
He likely used the Balance to reverse Ichigo's fortune of not being taken
The anime gives more space to show this shocking turn
Time halts until the blade falls
Well-adapted
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And the title drop comes as Yhwach bids farewell to his "son born in the dark"
The gate closes along with the episode
This ends the first invasion and on a chilling cliffhanger
The world he knew changes
Not just the devastation of Soul Society but also who he is
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