Bleach TYBW episode 29: Jushiro Ukitake's ultimate sacrifice momentarily saves the realms as Sosuke Aizen returns

Bleach TYBW episode 29, titled, The Dark Arm, came out on October 19, 2024, on TV Tokyo and its affiliated networks in Japan. The episode saw Jushiro Ukitake initiate the Kamikake ritual to replace the Soul King. Jushiro offered his body to the deity, Mimihagi, and momentarily saved the three worlds from the brink of collapse.

Besides that, Bleach TYBW episode 29 featured Jushiro Ukitake's backstory, including how he was saved by Mimihagi. Additionally, the episode saw Shunsui Kyoraku release some of the seals from Aizen to use his battle prowess against Yhwach and the Quincies.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from Bleach TYBW episode 29.

Bleach TYBW episode 29: Jushiro's backstory is revealed as he prepares to replace the Soul King

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Picking up the events from the previous installment, Bleach TYBW episode 29 begins with Jushiro Ukitake arriving at the Research Lab. The Captain of the 13th Division calmly says he will replace the Soul King, as a black aura releases from his back.

The Soul Reaper removes his Captain's robe and Shihakusho and sits down for ritual, invoking the powers of Mimihagi that rest within himself. Jushiro Ukitake's chant in Bleach TYBW episode 29 transitions to a flashback scene, showcasing his backstory.

According to Bleach TYBW episode 29, Jushiro Ukitake was born with a rare lung disease. With death imminent, his parents brought him to the shrine of the local deity, Mimihagi. They prayed to Mimihagi to bless Jushiro with life in exchange for his organs.

Jushiro and Mimihagi (Image via Pierrot Films)

Eventually, Mimihagi heard their voices. Tears dropped from the deity's eyes, which enveloped Jushiro. Suddenly, the little boy found himself in a dreamlike land, standing before Mimihagi, the Divine Right Hand of the Soul King. Jushiro observed the tears in Mimihagi's eyes.

He approached the deity, collected the tears, and drank it. The act left Jushiro with renewed vitality, and his life saved. Shortly after that, the episode showed Jushiro tussling with a man before joining the Soul Reaper's Academy. Jushiro wanted to become a Soul Reaper, even though he was still sickly.

Jushiro in his younger days (Image via Pierrot Films)

Amid the flashback, Bleach TYBW episode 29 returns to the present once to show Shunsui Kyoraku entering the gates of Muken. Knowing what Jushiro is up to, he feels his friend mustn't overdo it.

Shortly after that, the episode delves into another flashback, showcasing Jushiro sparring with Shunsui at the Academy, with Genryusai Yamamoto and Retsu Unohana supervising their talent.

Kyoraku and Jushiro's mini-battle in the Academy eventually ends in a draw. The Soul Reapers acknowledge each other's prowess and become great friends. Jushiro even asks his friend for his garden's Monaka sweets. Later, he brings Shunsui to Mimihagi-sama's shrine.

Shunsui and Jushiro in the Academy (Image via Pierrot Films)

During a conversation between them in Bleach TYBW episode 29, it is revealed that Mimihagi is actually the Right Arm of the Soul King. Shunsui recalls a local saying, according to which, the left hand of the Soul King controls advancement, while the right-hand stands for Stillness.

Jushiro then tells Shunsui that it's thanks to Mimihagi that his life has been saved. However, he also mentions that his illness hasn't gone away. Following that, Bleach TYBW episode 29 fast-forwards to Jushiro convincing Central 46 that he doesn't wish to appoint a new lieutenant because he believes no one can replace Kaien's position.

Shunsui, Jushiro, and Retsu in the episode (Image via Pierrot Films)

After that, we see Jushiro, Shunsui, and Retsu Unohana paying their final respects to Genryusai Yamamoto. They mourn their Captain Commander's death. Shunsui Kyoraku, who becomes the new Captain Commander, says he never expected giving orders as the head captain would feel so terrible.

Later, Bleach TYBW episode 29 features a flashback scene between Retsu Unohana and Jushiro Ukitake, where the former bids farewell. Jushiro tells Retsu that they will meet again.

Bleach TYBW episode 29: Jushiro Ukitake becomes the Right Arm of the Soul King

Jushiro performs the Kamikake ritual (Image via Pierrot Films)

After the long flashback, Bleach TYBW episode 29 returns to the present and focuses on Jushiro Ukitake's ritual. A black reiatsu-like arm stretches out from the Soul Reaper's back, as he coughs blood.

The 13th Division Captain reveals that he went through the Kamikake ritual to spread the powers of Mimihagi from his lungs to every other organ of his body. By sacrificing his organs and body to Mimihagi, he becomes the embodiment of the Soul King's Right Arm.

Rukia Kuchiki in the episode (Image via Pierrot Films)

Even though it's at the cost of his life, Jushiro reveals it's something that he envisioned as a Soul Reaper. However, Rukia Kuchiki, who witnesses Jushiro's final moments, refuses to accept his sacrifice. Just then, the white-haired Soul Reaper reminds Rukia that there are two types of battle.

The scene transitions to Shunsui Kyoraku at Muken, who completes Jushiro's words. According to the 13th Division Captain, there are two types of battles, a battle to protect life, and a battle to defend honor. Shunsui prepares to face his own battle as he calls Aizen for a talk.

Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 29: Jushiro's sacrifice halts the realms' destruction, Shunsui releases Aizen's seals

Ichigo Kurosaki in the episode (Image via Pierrot Films)

The narrative for Bleach TYBW episode 29 switches to the Royal Palace, where Ichigo Kurosaki wields his blade against Yhwach. The Quincy King reveals how every realm will cease to exist without the Soul King as their lynchpin.

Meanwhile, Yoruichi Shihoin, Ganju, and Chad try to confront Yhwach. However, they pose no threat to the Quincy King. Orihime Inoue uses an opportunity to try and heal the Soul King, but her spell breaks. Yhwach reveals that Soul King can't be resurrected no matter what kind of powers the humans possess.

At that moment, something terrifying happens. Bleach TYBW episode 29 shows black reiatsu emitting from Jushiro Ukitake's orifices. The gigantic black arm with an eye shoots up to the Royal Palace and grabs the severed Soul King. Interestingly, Yhwach's Almighty eyes fail to perceive the event.

Right Arm of the Soul King (Image via Pierrot Films)

As soon as the Right Arm grabs the Soul King, the tremors stop. Soifon feels the stability will probably only last while Ukitake is alive. She asks Kisuke what they must do. While Kisuke Urahara doesn't know the answer, he feels they must find a way to stabilize the world while Jushiro is standing in for the Soul King.

Following that, Bleach TYBW episode 29 switches to Muken, where Shunsui Kyoraku brings keys to break three seals off Aizen. However, as soon as he breaks one, Sosuke Aizen breaks the other seals by himself. Shunsui then unseals the Soul Reaper's ankles.

Sosuke Aizen in the episode (Image via Pierrot Films)

Shunsui asks Aizen if he wants to leave. He also reveals that he has the gate to Muken engraved in his heart. As such, if he were to be killed, the Muken's gate would forever be lost. At any rate, he asks Aizen to sit on a specially designed chair.

Just then in Bleach TYBW episode 29, one of the personnel from the Central 46 tries to restrain Aizen. However, the Soul Reaper's immense Spiritual Pressure disintegrates their fingers. Meanwhile, Aizen wonders whether Shunsui thinks he will lend his powers for the Soul Society's sake.

However, Shunsui assures Aizen that he's not asking him to fight for the Soul Society. That said, they share similar interests, concerning the situation at hand. Aizen feels Shunsui truly is an amusing man. Bleach TYBW episode 29 ends with Sosuke Aizen wondering whether he has to breathe the air of the Soul Society that's about to be crushed by Yhwach.

Conclusion

One of the highlights of Bleach TYBW episode 29 was the cinematographic production. Pierrot Films added multiple anime original scenes to showcase Jushiro's backstory and other aspects. The overall episode truly surpassed the source material, with several additions.