12 Bleach Problems Thousand-Year Blood War Cour 4 Must Address

As the final episodes of Bleach’s Thousand-Year Blood War Arc approach, fans are expecting the adaptation to fix many of the lingering issues that have impacted the anime since its early years. These problems range from story and character focus to the handling of original content, all of which have affected the show’s overall impact. Addressing these can give Bleach the proper conclusion it deserves.

Long-running shonen series often develop their own unique flaws, and Bleach is no different. Key plot points, missed opportunities, and underused characters all stand out as areas Cour 4 could improve. Here are twelve of the most pressing concerns that the anime must face in its final stretch.

12. Anime-Original Content Needs Purpose

Bleach’s early anime-original arcs, like the Bount Arc, were not well received. Instead of adding value to the story, they slowed down the momentum and caused frustration among fans hoping to see manga events adapted with care. For the **Thousand-Year Blood War** finale, it’s crucial any new anime-original scenes or additions feel like they belong and meaningfully expand the world or characters.

Ideally, original content should deepen the story or fill in logical gaps. Adding backstories for characters like Yhwach or explaining Sternritter motivations can work if handled properly. It is important for these new scenes to avoid bloat or repetition. Over the years, fans have learned to be wary of filler, so Cour 4 must deliver purposeful additions that keep viewers engaged without derailing the narrative.

There’s a big opportunity to provide essential details missing from the manga’s fast pace, but **balance** is necessary. Additions should tie directly into major conflicts or emotional beats already present in the story to feel organic, not forced. This is especially true for expanding major antagonists.

If done well, original content could become a highlight of the arc. But it must be clear that every new scene matters.

11. Forgotten Kido Techniques

At the start of Bleach, **Kido** spells made battles and strategies more diverse. However, these spells slowly lost importance as the story progressed and Bankai and Shikai abilities took the spotlight. Characters rarely used Kido in later arcs, leaving these once-powerful techniques nearly obsolete by the final war.

There were creative uses of *Kido* outside of battle, especially in earlier arcs – like when Tosen and Aizen used spells for communications or barriers. Fans remember these moments well and see them as missed chances in later arcs. Bringing back Kido could add depth to important fights, offering more tactical variety.

Only a few, such as Hachigen Ushoda, use Kido significantly toward the end of the series. Other Soul Reapers, even those skilled in Kido, hardly rely on these spells. The anime could make battles more interesting by showing stronger use of Kido, especially in situations where raw power isn’t enough.

Restoring the importance of Kido would also help balance the strength gap between captains and lieutenants.

Bleach’s spiritual combat is at its best when diverse powers are relevant. Let’s hope Cour 4 brings Kido back in a meaningful way.

10. Spotlight Needed on Main Cast

Bleach has one of the largest casts in shonen anime, which can sometimes make its story feel scattered. The series shines most when the focus returns to central characters such as Ichigo, Rukia, and Uryu. Recent episodes, however, have spent too much time on side characters who do not push the main conflict forward.

Fans want to see Ichigo’s growth as a Soul Reaper, as well as his relationships with the people closest to him. The final arc is the perfect chance to close out major storylines for the core cast. Uryu, for example, needs a proper resolution after his complicated role in the **Thousand-Year Blood War**. Without this focus, emotional investment in the final battle may fall flat.

Some lieutenants and other side characters show up for short battles or comedic relief, but they do not have the deeper development or stakes that longtime viewers care about. Shifting the spotlight back to the original group would help restore the emotional depth of Bleach’s earlier arcs.

By giving its heroes the attention they deserve, the finale can have a stronger emotional punch – something that has been missing in the middle acts of the war.

9. Side Villains Lack Impact

Bleach is known for its stylish and memorable antagonists, but many minor villains, especially in the **Thousand-Year Blood War** arc, have little impact on the story. Sternritter like Robert Accutrone are briefly introduced as threats but quickly fade into the background after a few fights.

This issue is not isolated to the war arc. Earlier villains, like the Fracción in the Hueco Mundo Arc, were often treated as obstacles rather than real characters. Their defeats don’t move the plot forward in any meaningful way, and their motivations are rarely explored. It leaves fans questioning why they were introduced at all.

The anime could improve by fleshing out these side antagonists or using their stories to shed light on the larger conflict. Giving even brief insights into their goals or fears would make the battles feel more meaningful and less like routine action scenes.

Making side villains memorable ensures that each encounter feels significant and that victories by the heroes are earned.

8. Outdated Fanservice Moments

Early Bleach had its fair share of uncomfortable **fanservice**. Jokes and scenes involving characters like Kon, or the over-sexualization of Orihime and other women, haven’t aged well. While recent episodes have toned it down, it still occasionally appears, breaking immersion and undermining female characters’ seriousness.

Orihime’s new outfit in the war arc has drawn criticism from both longtime fans and newcomers. It undercuts her role and makes it harder for viewers to take her seriously. These choices reflect an earlier era of anime but feel out of place in a series aiming for a powerful conclusion.

The finale is a chance to move beyond these tropes for good. Focusing on character strength and relationships instead of awkward humor or outfits would help Bleach feel more modern.

Making these changes isn’t just about taste; it’s about respect for the characters who have grown with the series. Cour 4’s art and wardrobe decisions can help define Bleach’s legacy for a new generation.

When the story handles its cast with maturity, the entire viewing experience improves.

7. Unrevealed Bankai Secrets

Fans have waited years to see the true **Bankai** of Soul Reapers like Kisuke Urahara and even Aizen. Despite sensible build-up, the anime has not yet shown these abilities. With the end in sight, viewers hope Cour 4 will finally deliver on these long-promised reveals.

Urahara’s Bankai is especially hyped, given his reputation as a genius and his mysterious aura throughout the series. Likewise, Aizen’s Bankai is one of Bleach’s longest-running teases. Since his Shikai already manipulates senses, expectations for his full power are high.

Kenpachi’s Bankai is another question mark. Although his Shikai debut was satisfying, fans want to see his ultimate ability. The same goes for Ichigo’s true Bankai, which still has aspects unexplained in the war arc. These payoffs are essential to keep the finale exciting.

Bleach’s best moments often come from dramatic power reveals. Fulfillment of these mysteries will keep the finale unpredictable and give satisfying closure to fan theories.

6. Yhwach’s Unmatched Power

Yhwach, the main villain of the **Thousand-Year Blood War**, is almost untouchable given his Almighty ability. He can see and alter the future, making him practically invincible against any attack. This overwhelming strength threatens to remove suspense, as even Bleach’s strongest heroes appear powerless.

The problem with an overpowered villain is that heroic victories may feel unearned or forced by plot convenience. Unless the anime gives Ichigo or his allies a convincing way to challenge Yhwach, the final battle could fall flat. It risks undermining everything the arc has built up to this point.

The source material struggles with justifying Yhwach’s defeat. Cour 4 has a chance to make the conclusion feel satisfying by carefully balancing the odds. A believable plan or unexpected twist would fix this issue without making Yhwach seem less threatening.

5. Missing Fullbringer Appearances

The **Fullbringers**, particularly Kugo Ginjo and Shukuro Tsukishima from X-Cution, played major roles in earlier arcs. In the current war, their absence is striking. While Yukio and Riruka return briefly, key Fullbringer members are barely mentioned, leaving their stories unresolved.

Given how much time was spent on the Fullbringer arc, it feels odd for Ginjo and Tsukishima to be missing in action when the conflict is at its climax. They have the potential to shift the balance or provide critical support. Their unique abilities could surprise Yhwach’s forces or help the Soul Society in unexpected ways.

If the anime gives them screen time in Cour 4, it can tie together loose threads and strengthen the continuity of Ichigo’s journey. This would also reward fans who invested in the Fullbringer storyline.

4. Weakness of Soul Reaper Lieutenants

For being in command positions, many **Soul Reaper Lieutenants** struggle to keep up with their captain counterparts. Besides notable exceptions like Rukia and Yachiru, most lieutenants are quickly defeated by Sternritter or don’t get meaningful fights. It makes the Soul Society look weak in the war’s most crucial battles.

Shuhei Hisagi, known for his loyalty and hard work, hardly damages Mask De Masculine, while Izuru Kira is severely injured early on. While some have moments to shine, most are used as stepping stones to highlight the main villains’ power. Returning lieutenants to prominence would let fans see their real value to the Gotei 13.

Some lieutenants are popular and have rich backstories, but they rarely receive the attention they deserve when it counts. Ideally, Cour 4 could showcase their skills by giving each a chance to demonstrate new powers or strategic value in the war effort.

3. The Underused Soul King

The **Soul King** is one of Bleach’s most mysterious figures. He keeps the balance between worlds but is ultimately portrayed as a passive, almost lifeless being. Despite being a central force in the lore, he doesn’t interact with the cast or shape events beyond his existence as a target or source of power.

Fans have always wanted to know more about the Soul King’s personality, history, and actual role in Soul Society’s fate. Cour 4 could explore what happens after Yhwach absorbs his power – will someone replace the Soul King, or could the cycle finally break?

Bringing this character to the foreground, even briefly, would make the stakes clearer and give Bleach’s conclusion more weight. The Soul King’s story is tied to everything, and more focus could help resolve larger world-building questions left hanging since the start of the series.

2. Unsatisfying Fates for Key Sternritter

Many powerful **Sternritter** receive strong introductions, but their exits and final moments are often weak. Some fade into the background or are written out quickly without closure. This weakens their threat level and makes their defeat less memorable.

The war arc set up several Sternritter as significant antagonists, only to abandon their arcs or rush their resolution. For example, Bambietta Basterbine and others are dispatched in ways that don’t match their early promise or impact on the plot. This is disappointing for viewers who expect meaningful payoffs for every major foe.

A good villain exit can be as memorable as their introduction, making the hero’s journey more rewarding. Cour 4 should give Sternritter stories satisfying conclusions, showing why they matter in the larger battle and how their fall changes the Soul Society’s fate.

Resolving these plotlines ensures fans remember the war arc for its great characters, not for its missed chances.

1. Rushed Pacing in Crucial Battles

Bleach’s climactic fights, especially in the manga, sometimes jump from confrontation to confrontation too quickly. Important battles are occasionally resolved in a matter of pages or scenes, leaving little room for tension or character growth. This rushed pacing risks making the final showdowns feel empty.

Certain conflicts in the Thousand-Year Blood War Arc, including Ichigo’s fight with Yhwach, need time to breathe. Fans want to see smart strategies, emotional dialogue, and real consequences. Glossing over major moments removes the sense of accomplishment when a hero wins or narrowly survives.

Experienced viewers want more than just flashy animation. They want emotional stakes, especially for battles decades in the making. Animators and writers must resist the urge to speed through these moments to the end, instead letting battles unfold so that each victory or loss matters.

Cour 4 can correct these issues by extending important fights and giving focus to the characters at the heart of Bleach’s story. The result will be a deeper, more satisfying conclusion that lives up to fans’ high expectations.