Bleach Thousand-Year Blood War: A Review of Episode 4

In Episode 4 of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, titled "Kill the Shadow," the Sternritters begin their attack on Soul Society, setting sixteen pillars of blue Reishi flames throughout the thirteen districts. As the Soul Reapers fight back, we are introduced to several Sternritters, including Sternritter B, Sternritter F, Sternritter E, and Sternritter U. These Sternritters are the elite fighting force of the Wandenreich, and their primary goal is to purge all Soul Reapers in Soul Society.

Meanwhile, Uryū Ishida continues his research on the Quincy in a dark library owned by his father, Ryūken Ishida. Uryū discovers information about the Quincy's ancient abilities in his late grandfather's notebook, leading him to believe that he and his family may hold the key to defeating the Wandenreich.

As the battles continue, Captain Byakuya Kuchiki and Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya make their return to the show, taking on Sternritter B and Sternritter F, respectively. Captain Kuchiki manages to defeat Sternritter B, but not before Sternritter B reveals that he is the commander of the Sternritters. Captain Hitsugaya, on the other hand, is severely injured by Sternritter F, who uses his ability to torture his victims even after their deaths.

Despite their best efforts, the Soul Reapers are no match for the Sternritters and their Vollständig ability, which allows them to absorb all the Reishi in the surrounding area, including spiritual abilities and terrain. In order to defeat the Sternritters, Ichigo and his friends must find a way to stop their Vollständig ability and plunder their Bankai.

In the final moments of the episode, Uryū Ishida makes the decision to join forces with Ichigo and his friends in order to defeat the Wandenreich and save Soul Society. As they prepare to face the Sternritters, the stage is set for one of the most epic showdowns in the Bleach franchise: Soul Reaper Substitute, Ichigo Kurosaki, versus The King of the Quincies, Yhwach.