How did Uryu defeat Senjumaru in Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War part 3 episode 1? His secret, explored

One of the major highlights of Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War part 3 episode 1 was Uryu Ishida's battle against Senjumaru Shutara. Initially, the Quincy felt helpless against the Great Weave Guard's Bankai. However, as soon as Yhwach's Almighty powers returned, Uryu and the other Schutzstaffel trapped within the fabrics of Senjumaru's Bankai developed new powers to free themselves from their confinements.

What followed after was a sheer spectacle as Uryu demonstrated his Licht Reigen against the barrage of Senjumaru's fabrics. Even then, the Zero Squad's fourth officer trapped Uryu. Yet, before Senjumaru could realize it, she found herself in Uryu's position, trapped within her own fabrics.

The Quincy grabbed the opportunity and shot an arrow through her chest to end the battle. However, how did Uryu free himself from Senjumaru's impenetrable fabrics and switch positions with the Soul Reaper? It was all possible because of his Schrift, which he used at the right moment.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War part 3 episode 1.

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Exploring Uryu Ishida's trick against Senjumaru Shutara in Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War part 3 episode 1

Uryu Ishida used his Schrift A; Antithesis, to defeat Senjumaru Shutara in Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War part 3 episode 1. This Schrift allows Uryu to completely reverse anything that has happened with his opponent.

For example, if Uryu were to be injured while fighting someone, his Antithesis Schrift could reverse what has already occurred between him and his opponent. That's how, when Senjumaru trapped him in her Bankai the second time, Uryu's Antithesis reversed the outcome and confined the Zero Squad member instead.

Uryu Ishida in Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War part 3 episode 1 (Image via Pierrot Films)

So, when exactly did Uryu activate his Schrift? In Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War part 3 episode 1, when Yhwach regained his original Almighty powers, his Schutzstaffel, including Uryu, received their true powers from the Quincy King. Using their new powers, the Schutzstaffel and Uryu broke free from Senjumaru's weaves.

After that, when Uryu confronted Senjumaru, his eyes flickered with a reddish hue and a blutvene-like phenomenon. That was the moment, in all probability, when Uryu activated his Schrift. Even Jugram Haschwalth sensed something from Uryu's direction, as he gave off a curious look. Most importantly, Senjumaru was unaware of Uryu Ishida's Schrift; hence, she passed it off as a "new development in power."

Uryu Ishida engages in battle against Senjumaru (Image via Pierrot Films)

Right after activating his Antithesis in Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War part 3 episode 1, Uryu Ishida engaged in a visually stunning aerial battle against Senjumaru Shutara. The Great Weave Guard from the Zero Squad used her fabrics to catch the Quincy, who countered them with his Licht Reigen.

She even turned her fabrics into lava, when Uryu dropped on the ground. With a murderous intent, Senjumaru then summoned hollows to pit them against the Quincy. However, Uryu's barrage of Licht Reigen defeated them, albeit at the cost of his exhaustion.

A flash of light as Senjumaru stabs Uryu with a needle (Image via Pierrot Films)

Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War part 3 episode 1 then saw Senjumaru Shutara capture a tired Uryu with her weaved fabrics. She then approached him and pierced a needle through his neck. At that moment, a vivid light took over the scene. The bell chimed as Uryu Ishida gained his Vollstandig.

While Senjumaru remained calm and assured, she discovered that she had switched positions with the Quincy, becoming the one confined. Uryu Ishida then raised his Quincy Bow and shot a Reishi arrow through the Zero Squad member's chest to end the battle.

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Exploring whether Senjumaru is truly dead in Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War part 3 episode 1

Senjumaru's death in Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War part 3 episode 1 (Image via Pierrot Films)

While Uryu Ishida killed Senjumaru Shutara in Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War, it must be noted that the Zero Squad members are essentially immortal, as their powers dwell in their names.

In the same episode, Yhwach killed Ichibei Hyosube, but the latter was revived when Ichigo Kurosaki uttered his name. Since the Manako Osho is still alive, and the Zero Squad members are immortal, Senjumaru Shutara can be revived. However, only Ichie Hyosube has the power to revive a Zero Squad member.

Ichibe Hyosube in Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War part 3 episode 1 (Image via Pierrot Films)

As such, his being alive is the key to Senjumaru's fate. The manga doesn't show the Zero Squad members again in the arc, so it remains to be seen whether the anime adaptation takes a new approach and shows the Manako Osho reviving his fallen squad.

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Conclusion

Bleach: Thousand-year Blood War part 3 episode 1 has stunned fans with the breathtaking anime original scene, featuring Uryu Ishida and Senjumaru Shutara. The scene allowed Uryu to showcase his Schrift's powers, much earlier than the manga.

Besides exciting action complimented by stunning animation quality, the episode embodied Uryu's ideals as a Quincy, as he drew his bow against a Soul Reaper. Undoubtedly, Uryu vs. Senjumaru will go down as one of the iconic battles in the series.

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