The following contains spoilers for “The Drop,” Episode 9 of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War now streaming onHuluandDisney+.
Episode 9 ofBleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, “The Drop” is a lesson in dichotomy. Divided in tone as well as location, the story contrasts a wholesome spa experience with an unexpected, embittered life-and-death struggle that apparently has been a long time coming.
It’s a shocking juxtaposition whose primary purpose seems to be both relieving and increasing tension, dropping hints and revelations as well as flecks of blood. Partially set in the firmament ofthe Soul King’s palace, and then in the lowest bowels of the Soul Society, the episode is a smash cut of contrasting pressures that are sure to burst forth in the next episode.
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The Heights
Up in the heavens at the Soul Kings palace, healer Tenjiro Kirinji, the Hot Springs Demon, scolds Ichigo for not being able to hold his head underwater for a hundred count, then punches him to across the spa. Apparently, this shows that Ichigo has healed, as otherwise, it would have killed him. Not to be outdone, Renji insists on being punched too, and manages to survive. Tenjiro declares his work done, and sends the boys off to the next stop on their tour, the delectable household of Kirio Hikifune the Ruler of Grain. Although it might have seemed that they were just soaking in hot springs, the extreme recovery provided by the waters of Tenjiro’s pools are such that normal flesh would dissolve in it, andIchigo’s recovered reflexesare so fast that he manged to strike Tenjiro as he was being struck and shatter the bones of Tenjiro’s hand. Clearly things are not quite as they seem.
Fortunately, Kon has stowed away for this adventure and provides Ichigo and Renji with a soft landing as well as helping to eat the mountains of delicious if slightly unusual food provided by Kirio. Ichigo quite logically finds himself losing his appetite when he thinks about the fact that he’s sitting at a table stuffing his face while below them the Soul Society is desperately trying to recover amid horrific death and suffering. Renji nips this survivor’s guilt in the bud by pointing out that what they are doing is healing after being severely wounded, and that they’re eating because they’re hungry. The simplicity of the argument hits home, andRenji and Ichigo battleit out to see who can eat more.
Turns out it’s a good thing, as the food is infused with spiritual pressure from the very body of Kirio herself, newly svelte as evidence of this effort. Kirio reminds them that they are preparing for extreme training, in hopes that the house of the next member of the Zero Squad doesn’t kill them off. The rituals are part of the million-year history of the Soul Society and packed with the Soul King’s power. Tenjiro invented healing techniques (and taught Unohana), Kirio created the temporary soul pills and the ability to infuse spiritual pressure into people through food, and on their next stop they’ll meet with the unpredictable Oh-Etsu Nimaiya, who created the first Zanpakuto, the soul swords that Ichigo so desperately needs to repair. Kirio cautions them and sends them on their way with the hopes that they survive the encounter and are able tocontinue their extreme training.
The Depths
Meanwhile, back at the Soul Society, thenewly appointed Head Captainof the Gokei 13, Shunsui Kyoraku is forced to make some swift decisions while the Society mourns the loss of Yamamoto and prepares for the next Quincy attack. He pleads his case before the Central 46, declaring that first, he needs two Lieutenants, rather than one: Genshiro Okikiba to manage the 1st Squad, and Nanoa Ise to handle him. This goes over like a lead brick but is nothing compared to his next step. Despite everyone’s fears of betrayal, he feels that Zaraki Kenpachi needs to learn Zanjutsu. No one is in a position to protect themselves and there is no guarantee that anyone who has headed to the Soul King’s palace will actually return. With so many dead and missing, it’s a good call to make those who are here as strong as possible.
But who does he have in mind to accomplish this? In a shocking revelation, it’s the healer,Unohana, first holder of the title Kenpachiback when she was known as Yachiru Unohana, one of the worst criminals the Soul Society had ever known and master of all styles of killing. (Yachiru means 8000 styles.) Worse, he knows that instructing her to teach Zaraki means that one of them will die, something Zaraki and Unohana seem to understand well, Unohana leaving a note behind for Isane, and Zaraki leaving behind the eye patch he uses to limit his power with lesser opponents, to be found later by Yachiru Kusajishi, his pink haired Lieutenant that he later reveals he named after Unohana due to his deep respect for her.
The Battle
Deep, deep in the bowels of Seireitei, Unohana leads Zaraki, to the lowest level of the Great Central Underground Prison, Muken, where there is enough space to “freely swing your sword,” implying that Zaraki’s blade use is erratic and wild and that she feels thatZaraki deserves to be therewith the other prisoners. Zaraki confirms that as two former criminals, the place is very suitable, since it is only their power that separates them from the prisoners here. Unohana reminds him that he has no power here. In a sequence full of swift revelations, Unohana has taken her classic braid down, revealing a large scar on her chest. This is the scar that pains her every time she hears Zaraki’s voice, since he gave it to her when they fought in his youth, and he was the only person ever able to wound her so. Zaraki points to his own scar that she gave him in the same battle, but strangely seems very excited to be fighting her again because of his great respect of her murderous prowess. And thus, with some brief but shocking exposition, the battle begins.
Visually again we are in dichotomy: Unohana is all loose flowing hair and robes with her sharp smooth blate in direct contrast to Zaraki’s heavily notched one. Their different garb and vocal tone contrasts as well in the deep echoing monochromatic battle that ensues. The music stamp as they cross blades sings. It’s clearly a moment that’s been building for a while, in secret until now. Unohana taunts him for being weak, and easily outmatches him, landing first a sneaking blow, then a killing one just as Zaraki professes his admiration. Fighting Unohana as a youth was the first time he felt joy in battle, and it may very well be his last since his sword has been flung away and hers is at his throat. With tears in his eyes, he faces the prospect of never beating her. Then something very odd happens and Unohana’s training plan is revealed. As Zaraki “spaces out” he suddenly finds himself with sword in hand again, andthey rejoin their battle. He shrugs it off to focus on the glory of battle, not realizing what has happened. Unohana believes that Zaraki’s becomes stronger every time he approaches death, so she will kill and revive him until her goal is accomplished.
Note that the next episode inBleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, episode 10, is simply called “The Battle.“THEBattle. Given the threats awaiting Ichigo in the Soul Kings palace, while down below, such a finely wrought battle between inimical and tragic foes, it truly promises to deliver on that title.
