Exploring Uryu Ishida’s Possible Fourth Iris of The Almighty in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War

Under the careful supervision of Tite Kubo, the creator of Bleach, the latest anime installment, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, has offered a fresh perspective on Uryu Ishida. In the opening episode of the third part, Uryu successfully broke free from the constraints of Senjumaru Shutara’s Bankai, revealing his impressive skills against the Great Weave Guard.

Prior to engaging in combat, Uryu’s eyes exhibited a brief red glow, accompanied by an animation reminiscent of blutvene. During this exchange, Senjumaru jested about the “new powers”Uryu supposedly acquired following the Quincy King’s resurgence.

While the crimson hue in Uryu Ishida’s eyes might indicate the activation of his Schrift, which is known for flipping the circumstances in battles, some enthusiasts propose that this could point to the existence of the Almighty’s fourth Iris. This speculation hints at a potential link between Uryu Ishida and the Soul King.

Disclaimer: This article may contain spoilers from the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War arc.

Investigating Uryu Ishida’s Connection to the Almighty’s Fourth Iris in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War

A fan explains the theory about Uryu possibly possessing the fourth iris of the Almighty (Image via @vivekkun867/X)

One significant area where Tite Kubo fell short in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc was in failing to properly highlight Uryu Ishida’s capabilities.

For example, the anime-original confrontation between Uryu Ishida and Senjumaru Shutara in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 3 illustrates this. Upon Yhwach’s awakening of his Almighty abilities, it sparked a reaction in Uryu and the other Schutzstaffels, enabling them to escape from Senjumaru’s Bankai.

With bolstered power, Uryu Ishida faced the Great Weave Guard. Notably, before the clash, Uryu’s eyes flickered with a reddish tint, accompanied by an animation similar to blutvene. Given that this occurred soon after Yhwach achieved the second pupil of his Almighty eyes, some fans speculate that Uryu too has unlocked Almighty powers.

Uryu Ishida in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War part 3 (Image via Pierrot Films)

Numerous fans took to social media to voice their theories, a majority surmising that Uryu may have awakened the Almighty’s fourth iris. A user named @vivekkun867 on X (formerly Twitter) has articulated this theory, suggesting that the Almighty powers consist of different tiers.

With one Iris, Yhwach can fully access a Quincy’s capabilities. As he acquires the second iris, he taps into the ability to foresee the future, making it impossible for events to be used against him. The third iris expands this further, allowing him to not only see the future but also modify it.

Yhwach in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War part 3 (Image via Pierrot Films)

Eventually, Yhwach absorbs the Soul King and gains multiple eyes that allow him to rewrite even his own demise. However, he hasn’t attained a fourth iris similar to that of the Soul King. This theory postulates that Uryu may possess this fourth iris of the Almighty, granting him the “Antithesis”ability.

In the manga, Uryu Ishida’s A: Antithesis Schrift allows him to select two points in time to reverse any events affecting him and his opponent during that span. This is essentially the technique he employed to overcome Senjumaru in the most recent episode. The theory posits that this Schrift might stem from Uryu’s fourth iris link with the Almighty.

Uryu showcasing his Vollstandig (Image via Pierrot Films)

But why would Uryu possess this fourth iris? The Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime clarified that Yhwach inherited the Almighty powers due to his lineage from the Soul King. Given that Ryuken (Uryu’s father) is a pureblooded Quincy, it raises the possibility of Uryu’s connection to both Yhwach and the Soul King.

Additionally, Yhwach once mentioned Uryu as his successor, implying that Uryu’s potential surpassed even his. This would suggest that if Uryu had dormant Almighty powers, it could explain why he managed to survive the Auschwahlen as a mixed-blood Quincy.

Yhwach after absorbing the Soul King (Image via Pierrot Films)

Furthermore, during a recent Q&A on his blog, Tite Kubo was asked why Uryu Ishida endured attacks from Szayel Aporro and Ulquiorra in the Hueco Mundo Arc, especially since Quincies typically lack defenses against Hollows. Kubo remarked that Uryu was “special,”indicating that his possession of Almighty attributes could set him apart.

Nevertheless, this remains a theory without affirmation from Kubo. Uryu’s reddish eyes could merely signify the activation of his Schrift, sharing the same letter as Yhwach’s. It is also plausible that after consuming the Quincy King’s blood during the Successor ceremony, Uryu found himself affected similarly. Consequently, the portrayal of Uryu’s character in the ongoing Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime continues to be of great interest.

In Conclusion

If Uryu is indeed the bearer of the fourth iris of the Almighty within the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime, it could significantly reshape his character arc, potentially designating him as a primary secondary protagonist alongside Ichigo Kurosaki.

Tite Kubo might be setting the stage to redefine Uryu Ishida’s role within the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, offering insights into various enigmas surrounding his character. While the theory contains numerous valid arguments, whether the anime adaptation will indeed position Uryu as the holder of the Almighty eyes remains to be seen.

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