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''Bleach the 3rd Phantom'' is the third game in the ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' DS series based on the popular anime and manga, it is a departure from the usual formula, instead being a Strategy RPG. The game progression is done through a mode called free time, where the chosen main character interacts with various heroes from the show.

The plot also comes from Tite Kubo himself, and introduces four new characters, the Twins Fujimaru and Matsuri and their adoptive family Konoka and Seigen Suzunami, thrown through time after Arturo Plataedo (who some players might remember from Bleach: Shattered Blade) attacks the soul society and is stopped by an Object known as the Shisui mirror

!!This game provides examples of:

* AbortedArc: The Vizard show up attempting to recruit Ichigo like in the anime, but Ichigo never ends up struggling with his hollow powers in the game and instead just trains some more in the soul society.
* AbsoluteCleavage: Rangiku Matsumoto, and she's a party member.
* AwesomeButImpractical: [[spoiler: Achieving Bankai]], it takes up most of, if not all of Free Time once the training starts when you could be earning a lot more affinity points. Add the fact you can receive it after you have beaten the game... Just stick with Sokatsui.
** [[spoiler: Bankai eats up your spiritual pressure and Kido like there's no tomorrow, but it also greatly increases your primary attribute (speed for Fujimaru, strength for Matsuri). It can make some of the latter fights much easier.]] The training also gets you a rather nice amount of EXP, if played right. Besides, while it takes a lot longer, you do have the option to simply grind until the end of time, and every fight you complete with someone increases their affinity for you. It's really just a matter of whether you think the PlayerCharacter or his team is more important.
* AwesomeButPractical: Sokatsui. It's not too strong against human-sized opponents, but if used against anything that takes up multiple spaces, it suddenly becomes an instant death sentence for most enemies. This goes double if it's upgraded. It's also relatively cheap to use.
* BlackAndWhiteMorality: Seigen Suzunami's views tend to fall this way, firmly believing that he's in the right [[spoiler:in attacking the Soul Society after Konoka dies after using the Shisui Mirror.]]
* BraggingRightsReward: [[spoiler:Obtaining Grimmjow as a party member post game, he is the second to last party member you will receive, and can only be recruited on the last floor anyway. Though he does recieve his Ressurecion]]
* BreatherEpisode: There are several, though the game boasts this as a feature during Free Time, that is if you're happy to miss out on [[spoiler:[[GameBreaker :Bankai]] ]]
* DramaticIrony: In the beginning of Matsuri's playthrough Fujimaru will ask for Seigen's sword so he can chase Mad Eater. Seigen tells him that Matsuri has risked her live to save his for him to get himself killed. [[spoiler: Seigen's response to Konoka's death is similar to this.]]
* FuroScene: The game boasts about these during Free Play. Logically, girls get more scenes then guys, but knowing Tite...
* MightyGlacier: Many of the Power type characters are this, but each can become a LightningBruiser if upgraded correctly. Komamura gets special mention in that he can hit like a truck, has the accuracy needed for that strength to matter, and is one of the better defenders in the game.
* NintendoHard: ''Chapter '''Nine.''''' And the bad news?
** WakeUpCallBoss: As above, Chapter 9 focuses on [[ControllableHelplessness Ulquiorra and Yammy first showing up.]] Ulquiorra ''[[TheComputerIsACheatingBastard gets into the fight.]]'' And that's just the beginning. Yammy and he are ''seven levels above you.'' Oh, and if anyone dies, have fun restarting the fight.
** Add the fact that you have to protect Tatsuki as well ? It's one of the hardest fights in the game, beaten only by one of the many other times Ulquiorra shows up
** Another example? The 30th Floor of Bleach Tower. There are extremely powerful versions of Arturo, Seigen, Kenpachi, Soi Fon, Ichigo, Yoruichi, D-Roy, Ulquiorra, Yamamoto, Gin, and Grimmjow, and toward where your characters start, there's a Sky Rift that spews Hollows! Thankfully, to win, you only have to defeat Grimmjow, but he's Level 90, has insane stats, '''and''' can Release. Expect most of your characters to die.
* OverratedAndUnderleveled: The four senior captains (Yamamoto, Ukitake, Kyoraku, and Unohana) have the lowest starting levels out of all the captains, and while they are certainly not the weakest characters in the game, there are plenty of more useful characters, too.
* PragmaticAdaptation: Uyru helps out in Chapter Nine, ignoring the previous events. So, yeah, no training for him either.
** Also, Chad has already mastered his arms with no explanation given.
* ThrowTheDogABone: No pun intended, but Komamura is treated with more respect here than he is in the source material.