The following contains spoilers for Episode 5 of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, “Wrath as a Lightning,” now streaming on Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally.
In Episode 5 of Bleach: The Thousand-Year Blood War, the consequences of the Captains who had their Bankai stolen are unveiled. The focal point of the conflict remains on Byakuya Kuchiki over the other three who suffered the same fate, and this decision is the wisest for creating the biggest impact of the dread wielded by the Sternritter. When considering all the Captains’ impact on the emotions of the audience, the one who has the strongest connection to the main cast of protagonists and has most developed in the eyes of the fans is Byakuya.
To showcase the sheer devastation the Sternritter could deploy on Soul Society and the range of their unusual powers, there needed to be a perfect match-up to truly explore just how dangerous the new threat is. With the introduction of Äs Nödt and his power The Fear, there was a perfect character readily available to be his match. Due to the position the Sixth Captain holds in the story and his characterization and relationships, it could be none other than he to suffer the most brutally at the hands of the invading Wandenreich.
Why It Could Only Be Byakuya Kuchiki
While Byakuya may have started the story as a major antagonist and direct foil to Ichigo Kurosaki, his defeat at the hands of the latter in the “Soul Society” arc firmly placed him on a path of growth, reflection and connection to Rukia Kuchiki. His entire dynamic shifted and transformed him into a reliable character who fought to protect those he cared for. This endeared him to fans due to the natural interest audiences have in flawed characters and their growth, leading him to become a fan favorite.
To have the biggest impact on the main cast of protagonists and fans alike, Byakuya needed to be the Captain who not only faced Äs Nödt but also was utterly defeated by him. The entire purpose of the invasion is to show just how underprepared the Soul Reapers are in comparison to the years of planning the Sternritter have endured to finally unleash their vengeful might. As one of the most emotionally attached characters to Ichigo, Rukia and Renji Abarai are overwhelmed with unrelenting fear and crushed without a shred of mercy, heightening the stakes of the conflict to new levels.
The Fear Was the Power Perfect For Byakuya
Another aspect of the confrontation is Äs Nödt’s power, The Fear. There are characters who audiences can imagine having their psyche unraveled by fear, but the reserved and steady Byakuya is certainly not one of them. Not only did Äs Nödt’s power prove that the Sternritter’s strength is enough to break a character like Byakuya, but to see Byakuya crumble from its effects has a far deeper emotional effect on audiences compared to if it occurred to Sajin Komamura or Toshiro Hitsugaya due to their far more emotional behavior.
Tite Kubo knew exactly who needed to be the recipient of The Fear to create the ultimate impact for fans and the characters. Having Byakuya lose to a power that is simply stronger than he would certainly have been impactful, but not nearly to the same degree as it was with such terrifying abilities as Äs Nödt possesses. With this defeat, there is no doubt that the Sternritter are not only a major threat in clearing up the unseated Soul Reapers but that they’re also able to break down one of the most emotionally stable Captains.