Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War makes Uryu's feats against Mayuri in the Soul Society arc a fluke

In Bleach, Uryu Ishida’s victory over Mayuri Kurotsuchi in the Soul Society arc seemed to show his strength and potential as a Quincy. By using the dangerous Letzt Stil, Uryu unleashed immense power, defeating Mayuri and destroying his powerful Bankai.

However, when looking at Mayuri’s impressive battle against Pernida in the Thousand-Year Blood War, Uryu’s win seems less believable. Mayuri’s intelligence, adaptability, and scientific skill stand out in later battles, making his earlier defeat appear less realistic. This comparison suggests that Uryu’s victory was more about his determination than a true match of skill.

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The puzzling triumph of Uryu Ishida against Mayuri in Bleach

Uryu Ishida as shown in Bleach anime (Image via Pierrot Films)

In the Soul Society arc, Uryu faced Mayuri in a battle that showcased the Captain’s grotesque genius. Mayuri’s abilities, including his mastery of poisons, grotesque yet formidable Bankai Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo, and ability to modify his body, made him a formidable opponent.

However, Uryu turned the tables by activating Letzt Stil, the Quincy’s final form. The transformation allowed him to unleash an overwhelming amount of spirit energy, ultimately overpowering Mayuri and destroying his Bankai.

Mayuri after taking Uryu's Letzt Stil (Image via Shueisha)

At first glance, Uryu’s triumph seems impressive, a testament to his determination and potential as a Quincy. However, Letzt Stil was not only incomplete but also a double-edged sword that permanently stripped Uryu of his Quincy powers after use. Despite this, Uryu managed to overwhelm Mayuri, forcing the Captain to resort to self-destruction to escape.

Considering Uryu’s relative inexperience and lack of preparation, this victory feels questionable. His reliance on Letzt Stil, a technique he barely understood, raises questions about whether he truly defeated Mayuri through skill or if he just caught the Captain off guard. The battle’s outcome seemed more like a narrative device to showcase Uryu’s resolve rather than a realistic depiction of his combat prowess.

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Mayuri’s growth in his fight against Pernida

Pernida Parnkgjas (Image via Pierrot Films)

Fast forward to the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, where Mayuri’s true capabilities come into focus. One of his most remarkable feats was his battle against Pernida Parnkgjas, the left arm of the Soul King.

Pernida’s abilities, which included manipulating nerves and evolving in response to attacks, made it one of the most dangerous adversaries in the series. Despite this, Mayuri displayed extraordinary adaptability, countering Pernida’s attacks with his intellect, scientific ingenuity, and carefully devised strategies.

Mayuri’s triumph over Pernida demonstrated his unparalleled ability to analyze and overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. He modified his body, tailored countermeasures on the fly, and even developed new techniques mid-battle. This level of ingenuity and composure starkly contrasts with his performance against Uryu in the Soul Society arc.

Uryu prepares to use the Letzt Stil (Image via Shueisha)

When viewed in this context, Uryu’s victory over Mayuri appears increasingly implausible. While Letzt Stil provided a temporary power boost, it lacked the finesse and strategy needed to outwit a genius like Mayuri.

The Captain’s later battles reveal that his defeat at Uryu’s hands was likely a result of underestimating his opponent and being caught unprepared for the sheer force of Letzt Stil. Mayuri’s reliance on experimental techniques and tendency to toy with opponents may have also contributed to his downfall.

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Final thoughts

A snapshot of Ishida Uryu from Bleach TYBW (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Looking back, Uryu’s win against Mayuri in the Soul Society arc seems more like a lucky break than a show of skill. The Thousand-Year Blood War arc highlights Mayuri’s genius, showing that his earlier loss was due to surprise and overconfidence, not Uryu’s strategy or fighting ability.

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