Hey, it's kind of nice to see Urahara and Hiyori reunited after so long, minus Hiyori's concern that they sent Ichigo and Yoruichi up to die to buy time for whatever the Visored were able to put together. Oh, and Yoruichi has a brother!
Ichibe vs. Yhwach! Ichibe is trying to prove that the brush is mightier than the sword! And the hand! Though we also see what Yhwach is able to do to himself just to keep in the fight.
Lucky Uryu is getting to fight Senjumaru-not that he does much good against her.
Jugram has a shield! Though it's not very effective against Tenjuro, that's where he keeps his Zanpakuto.
I knew they were giving Askin too much screentime to not be important; it turns out he's The Death Dealer and can turn someone's blood into poison against them. Which would be an instant kill if not for Oetsu being willing to release his own blood and Tenjuro supplying him enough to keep him going. But A for effort!
Jeez, poor Bambi. Giselle is basically just a vampire who sucks out her zombies in the most sexual way possible. Even if Bambi is a corpse at this point, she doesn't deserve this. Especially when Gigi abuses her and then acts like she's in love with her. Meanwhile, Lilitotto is just taking all this nonsense in stride.
How is Yhwach going to turn things around? Why, by doing his favorite tactic-sacrificing his own subordination! Because it turns out the big plan wasn't to destroy the Soul Society but to use Auswählen to absorb the souls and powers of the defeated or weakened Quincies to power up Yhwach and the Royal Guard for round 2 with Squad Zero. I almost feel bad for the Sternritter, though Bazz-B and Lilitotto aren't taking it lying down.
Oh, hey, Ukitake! Count on him to still be optimistic, despite how desperate the battle is.
Couldn't go without using Rina Sato for the next episode preview, huh?