Captain Shinji Hirako uses his Bankai, Sakashima Yokoshima Happōfusagari , which was never shown in the original manga. It reverses the concept of "friend or foe," making the Quincy army slaughter each other.
The Wandenreich officially begins its assault on the Seireitei. The episode is famous for its "0-second" warning—the Soul Society was caught completely off guard, leading to immediate high-stakes casualties. Bleach: Sennen Kessen-hen Episode 3
In Hueco Mundo, Ichigo battles the Sternritter Quilge Opie. This fight showcased the anime's upgraded lighting and animation effects, specifically how Quincy "Reishi" looks compared to Soul Reaper energy. Captain Shinji Hirako uses his Bankai, Sakashima Yokoshima
The episode ends with the Sternritter Bambietta Basterbine unleashing her "Quincy: Vollständig" in a rage after losing her stolen Bankai. The episode is famous for its "0-second" warning—the
This episode shifted the focus from the human world to the absolute decimation of the Soul Society.
This episode included scenes not found in the manga, such as Uryu Ishida discovering the truth about the Quincy's past in his father’s library, which helps explain his later motivations. 2. Part 2: "The Fundamental Virulence" (Episode 16 overall)
Because (Thousand-Year Blood War) is divided into multiple "Cours" (seasons), there are actually three different "Episode 3s" that each mark a major turning point in the war.