Watch these reviews and reactions to see why fans consider this episode a peak moment in the series:

: It concludes the "Everything But the Rain" flashback, providing clarity on Ichigo’s mother, Masaki, and why Isshin lost his powers to save her.

: The episode's centerpiece is Ichigo realizing that both the Hollow and the Quincy within him are "Zangetsu". This internal harmony results in his iconic new dual-blade design.

: Critics and fans alike have lauded the animation quality, particularly the use of lighting and color shifts to represent Ichigo’s mental and spiritual state.

: Many reviewers found the dialogue between Ichigo and "Old Man Zangetsu" deeply moving, marking a shift from him asking for strength to fighting as one with his powers. Perspectives from the Community

“Absolutely beautiful episode. The culmination of Ichigo's inner harmony. I'm honestly speechless to how well they adapted these chapters.” Reddit · r/anime · 3 years ago