Bleach TYBW episode 40: Uryu's true motive is revealed as the "conflict" finally ends

Bleach TYBW episode 40, the third cour's finale, came out on December 28, 2024, on TV Tokyo and its affiliates. The episode revealed that Uryu Ishida's actual goal as a Quincy was to stop Yhwach. That's why he intended to shoulder the responsibility and seemingly "betray" his friends to gain the Quincy King's trust and favor.

However, Jugram Haschwalth predicted Uryu Ishida's motives. Bleach TYBW episode 40 finally resolved the conflict between Ichigo Kurosaki and Uryu. The former realized his friend's actual motive aligned with his. Undoubtedly, the episode ended the season's third installment perfectly.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from Bleach TYBW episode 40.

Bleach TYBW episode 40: Uryu's actual reason behind joining Yhwach's forces is revealed through a flashback

Jugram Haschwalth in the episode (Image via Pierrot Films)

Picking up the events from the previous episode, Bleach TYBW episode 40 begins with Jugram Haschwalth ordering Uryu Ishida to prove his loyalty by killing Ichigo and his friends, who have just arrived at the Castle's gate. Jugram knows what Uryu is going to say since he can foresee it. Ichigo notices Jugram's eyes and wonders why they are similar to Yhwach's.

Just then, Uryu Ishida shoots a Holy Arrow at Ichigo, commencing the battle. Ichigo Kurosaki lashes at Uryu, asking why he's following Jugram's orders. After the opening sequence, Bleach TYBW episode 39 delves into an original flashback, where Uryu is seen reading his grandfather's diary.

Yhwach's Auswahlen affects Uryu (Image via Pierrot Films)

According to Soken (Uryu's grandfather), Yhwach isn't the savior of the Quincies. The flashback sequence then moves to the night Yhwach activated Auswahlen. The scene shockingly reveals that Uryu Ishida was indeed affected by the Auswahlen. However, he survived.

Soken wrote in his diary that Yhwach used Auswahlen to take away the powers and lives of his Quincy brethren to heal the wounds he sustained from his battle against the Soul Reapers. The Quincy King did it all to increase his own powers. Soken was convinced that Yhwach would never forgive the world that had forsaken the Quincies.

Soken in the episode (Image via Pierrot Films)

Hence, Soken felt the Quincies living in the world have a responsibility. When the time comes, they must stop Yhwach. That's why Uryu Ishida approached Yhwach and demonstrated his powers to elude the watchful eyes around him. In other words, Bleach TYBW episode 40 proves Uryu never intended to betray Ichigo and his friends.

Bleach TYBW episode 40: The Soul Reapers continue their battle against the Schutzstaffel

Uryu vs. Ichigo in the episode (Image via Pierrot Films)

After the flashback scene, Bleach TYBW episode 40 returns to the present and shows a captivating battle scene between Uryu Ishida and Ichigo Kurosaki. The substitute Soul Reaper demonstrates Getsugatensho against Uryu's Quincy abilities.

Elsewhere in the Wahrwelt's Castle, Giselle and Liltotto approaches Yhwach, who is fast asleep. Liltotto feels it's all the better as the zombified Bambi sisters charge at the Quincy King. On the other hand, Yoruichi Shihoin takes the injured Yushiro to safety, but Askin follows them.

The Vizards in action (Image via Pierrot Films)

Seeing no other option, Yoruichi fights Askin, demonstrating a flashy move to escape the scene. Elsewhere in the Wahrwelt, Gerald Valkyrie looks for the Soul Reapers, who have gone into hiding. He senses Momo's presence in one of the buildings, which he crumbles with his fists.

However, Shinji and the Vizards save Momo at the right time. Following that, in Bleach TYBW episode 40, Shinji promises to show Gerald a "miracle" as he dons his Hollow Mask along with the other Vizards. Meanwhile, Riruka can't stay quiet as he desperately wants to go out and help Ichigo and others.

Izuru Kira in the episode (Image via Pierrot Films)

However, Yukio doesn't want to go. At any rate, he explains to Riruka that they are going down below. Bleach TYBW episode 40 shows Yukio and Riruka arriving at Kukaku Shiba's residence. Lille Barro's remains form flamingo-like birds elsewhere in the Soul Society.

Although the birds don't retain Lille Barro's original strength, they kill a few low-ranked Soul Reapers. Just then, in Bleach TYBW episode 40, Izuru Kira appears at the scene with a hole on the right side of his torso. When Lille asks who he is, Izuru reveals he's a "dead man."

Bleach TYBW episode 40: Uryu and Ichigo's conflict is resolved

Ichigo and Uryu in the past (Image via Pierrot Films)

The narrative for Bleach TYBW episode 40 switches to a scene from the past, where Ichigo Kurosaki asks Uryu whether he's fine with joining a normal school like the rest of them since his father is a doctor. However, Uryu says he doesn't intend to be a doctor.

According to the episode, Uryu witnessed his father perform an autopsy on his mother's body. He doesn't want to go through the same experience in his life. The flashback scene transitions to the present, where Ichigo asks Uryu his reasons for betrayal.

He intends to knock sense into him no matter what his answer is. Uryu feels it's slightly unreasonable. Nevertheless, he offers Ichigo the key to the Sun Gate, five levels below the Castle, which leads to the World of the Living. He asks Ichigo and others to leave, as he intends to take down Yhwach along with Wahrwelt.

Ichigo reprimands Uryu (Image via Pierrot Films)

Uryu Ishida's answer triggers Ichigo, who reprimands him for not asking him and others to fight together. However, Quincy reveals that's precisely why he didn't let him know. Uryu informs Ichigo in Bleach TYBW episode 40 that only he can defeat Yhwach since he has inherited his master's and mother's blood as a Quincy.

He urges Ichigo to hurry and leave Wahrwelt. In Bleach TYBW episode 40, Jugram Haschwalth appears at the scene. He reveals that he has already destroyed the Sun Gate below. Suddenly, Uryu gets an idea.

He realizes that since Yhwach is asleep and has switched the Almighty powers with Jugram, he (Yhwach) should be unguarded. Uryu tells Ichigo to head to Wahrwelt's top-level to defeat Yhwach. However, Ichigo feels Jugram having the Almighty powers could threaten Uryu. So, he wants to fight alongside him.

Jugram Haschwalth appears at the scene (Image via Pierrot Films)

Yet, Uryu assures Ichigo that he will be fine. He urges him to leave the battle against Jugram to him and says these aren't his final words. Ichigo smiles as he rests his belief on Uryu. Meanwhile, Jugram thinks Uryu is brimming with hope. The Quincy retorts back, wondering whether Jugram's Almighty didn't predict such a development.

Elsewhere in Wahrwelt, Isshin Kurosaki and Ryuken Ishida arrive at the Wahrwelt using a decade-old pass key from Soken. On the other side, Ichigo Kurosaki heads up to the Wahrwelt castle with resolute eyes.

Yhwach, as seen in the episode (Image via Pierrot Films)

Meanwhile, Liltotto, Giselle, and the zombified Bambi sisters are defeated by Yhwach, who is supposed to be asleep. Bleach TYBW episode 40 ends Yhwach's scene, transitioning to the season's ending theme song.

Besides the main narrative, the final episode features a special Quincy Encyclopedia at the end, narrated by Askin Nakk le Vaar. The segment reveals the identities of Yhwach's former Royal Guards. Additionally, the final segment shows Askin's thoughts about Yoruichi and the Bambi sisters.

Conclusion

Bleach TYBW episode 40 featured eye-catching action and revealed interesting facts about the previous Auswahlen. According to the episode, it wasn't Kanae Katagiri but her son, Uryu, who was deeply affected by the Auswahlen.

Yet, it's interesting how he survived while his mother died. Besides that, the finale resolves the conflict and reveals Uryu's true purpose in the final arc. From the production perspective, Pierrot Films has truly surpassed all expectations with the authentic adaptation of Tite Kubo's manga.