List of ''Bleach'' episodes
The logo of the Bleach anime series
The episodes of Bleach anime series are based on Tite Kubo's manga series. They are directed by Noriyuki Abe, and produced by TV Tokyo, Dentsu and Studio Pierrot. The series follows the adventures of a teenager named Ichigo Kurosaki, who can see spirits and becomes a Soul Reaper after assuming the duties of Soul Reaper Rukia Kuchiki.
The episodes have aired since October 5, 2004, on TV Tokyo in Japan. Viz Media obtained the foreign television, home video, and merchandising rights to the Bleach anime from TV Tokyo Corporation and Shueisha on March 15, 2006.[1] Subsequently, Viz Media contracted Studiopolis to create the English adaptation of the anime, and has licensed its individual Bleach merchandising rights to several different companies.[2] The English adaptation of the Bleach anime premiered on Canada's YTV channel in the Bionix programming block on September 8, 2006. Cartoon Network began airing Bleach the following evening as part of Adult Swim. Adult Swim stopped broadcasting new episodes of the English adaptation on October 20, 2007, after airing the first 52 episodes of the series. It was replaced with another Viz Media series, Death Note, to provide Studiopolis more time to dub additional episodes of the series. The series returned from hiatus on March 2, 2008, and had returned to hiatus for almost a year after airing episode 167 on November 21, 2009. The hiatus ended on August 28, 2010, with the airing of episode 168 and the show has been regularly airing with new episodes since.
Episode 366, "Changing History, Unchanging Heart", which aired March 27, 2012 was the last episode of Bleach to air on TV Tokyo.[3] Forty-five pieces of theme music are used for the episodes: Fifteen opening themes and thirty closing themes. Several CDs that contain the theme music and other tracks have been released by Studio Pierrot.[4] As of January 23, 2013, all 366 episodes have been released by Aniplex in Japan in 88 DVD compilations.[5] 32 DVD compilations of the English adaptation of the anime have been released by Viz Media,[6][7] and twenty six season boxsets have been released that contain all the seasons of the anime.[8][9]
Episode list
Note: some English air dates are listed as the day before they were actually aired, as is the convention of the Adult Swim online syndication schedule.[10]
Season 1: The Substitute (2004–2005)
| No. | Title | Original airdate | English airdate[11] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Day I Became a Shinigami" "Shinigami ni Natchatta Hi" (死神になっちゃった日) | October 5, 2004 | September 8, 2006 |
| Ichigo Kurosaki is a fifteen-year-old high school student with orange hair, brown eyes, and the ability to see spirits. As he tries to protect the spirit of a little girl from a hollow, he witnesses a clash between the malevolent spirit and a female Soul Reaper. Later, Ichigo is met by the same woman again in his room. She introduces herself as Rukia Kuchiki, and explains to Ichigo the basic duty of the Soul Reapers is the act of soul cleansing. The hollow, named Fishbone D, returns to absorb Ichigo's high spiritual energy, attacking Ichigo's home, and Rukia is wounded. In order to save his family, Ichigo desperately takes Rukia’s power into himself and becomes a Soul Reaper to successfully defeat the hollow. | |||
| 2 | "A Shinigami's Work" "Shinigami no Oshigoto" (死神のお仕事) | October 12, 2004 | September 15, 2006 |
| After discovering Rukia has enrolled in his class, Ichigo learns that she has lost her power and that he must pose as her substitute, until her powers can recover. Although he refuses this responsibility at first, Ichigo eventually accepts after realizing he cannot just turn a blind eye if he encounters a hollow again. | |||
| 3 | "The Older Brother's Wish, the Younger Sister's Wish" "Ani no Negai, Imōto no Negai" (兄の願い、妹の願い) | October 19, 2004 | September 22, 2006 |
| Ichigo discovers that one of his classmates, Orihime Inoue, is being stalked by her older brother's spirit who turned into the hollow Acidwire due to Orihime stopping her prayers for him, which makes him hesitate to fulfill his duty. As Ichigo is forced to use his power again, his qualms of killing hollows are rested and he finally submits to his purpose as a substitute Soul Reaper, killing Acidwire. Before he does so however, Orihime's older brother was able to revert to his kind and gentle nature, expressing his love for her and thanking her before bring sent to the Soul Society, the place where Soul Reapers and souls reside, via Ichigo's zanpakuto. | |||
| 4 | "Cursed Parakeet" "Noroi no Inko" (呪いのインコ) | October 26, 2004 | September 29, 2006 |
| Ichigo’s friend Yasutora "Chad" Sado comes into possession of a cursed cockatiel that is inhabited by the soul of a small boy, Yui'ichi Shibata, but supposed misfortune to anyone who possesses the cockatiel is due to a hollow named Shrieker who has been stalking the boy's soul. Chad is attacked by Shrieker before Rukia arrives to aid him. | |||
| 5 | "Beat the Invisible Enemy!" "Mienai Teki o Nagure!" (見えない敵を殴れ！) | November 2, 2004 | October 6, 2006 |
| With Rukia's help, Chad fights Shrieker despite not being able to see him. Ichigo eventually arrives and defeats the Shrieker. But as Shrieker was originally a murderer in life, he is dragged through the Gates of Hell instead of dissolving into the Soul Society. The spirit that inhabited the cockatiel is released to move on to the Soul Society. | |||
| 6 | "Fight to the Death! Ichigo vs. Ichigo" "Shitō! Ichigo VS Ichigo" (死闘！一護VSイチゴ) | November 9, 2004 | October 13, 2006 |
| In order for Ichigo to transform into a Soul Reaper when Rukia is not around, she purchases some soul candy from the Urahara Shop for him. However, the candy is actually a modsoul, an artificial warrior from the Soul Society created to destroy hollows. Once inside Ichigo's body, the modsoul goes on a rampage while ruining Ichigo's social image. | |||
| 7 | "Greetings from a Stuffed Lion" "Nuigurumi kara Konnichiwa" (ぬいぐるみからコンにちは) | November 16, 2004 | October 20, 2006 |
| Ichigo confronts the modsoul possessing his body, but is then distracted by an emerging hollow. Together, they defeat the hollow. When Kisuke Urahara, the merchant who sold Rukia her gigai, comes for the "defective" merchandise, Ichigo takes the modsoul back and places him into a stuffed lion plushie while naming him "Kon" to get even with him wounding his shoulder. Meanwhile in the Soul Society, a Soul Reaper is sent to track down Rukia for retrieval. | |||
| 8 | "June 17, Memories in the Rain" "Roku Gatsu Jū-shichi Nichi, Ame no Kioku" (6月17日、雨の記憶) | November 23, 2004 | October 27, 2006 |
| Ichigo and his family visit their mother's grave on the anniversary of her death. While there, the Soul Reaper sent to retrieve Rukia attacks them because she broke the Soul Society's laws by giving Ichigo her powers. The battle halts when Ichigo's sisters Karin and Yuzu are attacked by a huge hollow. | |||
| 9 | "Unbeatable Enemy" "Taosenai Teki" (倒せない敵) | November 30, 2004 | November 3, 2006 |
| Ichigo confronts the hollow, who is revealed as the Grand Fisher, the hollow who killed Ichigo's mother. In a fit of rage, Ichigo defeats the hollow as he escapes before he is killed. The Soul Reaper sent after Rukia leaves with a warning when he witnesses Ichigo's strength. | |||
| 10 | "Assault on Trip at Sacred Ground!" "Burari Reijō Totsugeki no Tabi!" (ぶらり霊場突撃の旅！) | December 7, 2004 | November 10, 2006 |
| When popular TV star/spirit medium Don Kanonji transforms a spirit into a hollow during an exorcism, Ichigo is forced to clean up the mess. Upon the hollow's defeat, Kanonji is shocked to realize what he has done. With a little cheering-up from Ichigo, Kanonji is back to his old self again, and calls Ichigo, despite Ichigo's objections, his new apprentice. | |||
| 11 | "The Legendary Quincy" "Densetsu no Kuinshī" (伝説のクインシー) | December 14, 2004 | November 17, 2006 |
| While on another hollow fighting mission, Ichigo encounters Uryū Ishida, a classmate belonging to a clan known as the Quincy, humans that can use spiritual power to manifest a bow to fight hollows. Uryū declares himself an enemy of all Soul Reapers and challenges Ichigo to a competition of hunting hollows. | |||
| 12 | "A Gentle Right Arm" "Yasashii Migiude" (やさしい右腕) | December 21, 2004 | November 24, 2006 |
| The contest between Ichigo and Uryū has lured hundreds of hollows into Karakura Town, endangering many of Ichigo's friends. Chad is forced to fight a hollow in order to save Karin. During the battle, he is finally able to see the hollow clearly, and develops a new ability, an armored right arm capable of firing energy blasts called "The Right Arm of the Giant". | |||
| 13 | "Flower and Hollow" "Hana to Horō" (花とホロウ) | December 28, 2004 | December 1, 2006 |
| The situation worsens as more hollows appear in the human world, attacking the school where Orihime and her friends are. While defending them, Orihime develops her own power, the Shun Shun Rikka, a group of fairy-like creatures coming from the hairpins given to her by her brother, and defeats the hollow. Afterward, Urahara takes in Orihime and Chad to help them with their new powers while Rukia and Ichigo confront Uryū. | |||
| 14 | "Back to Back, a Fight to the Death!" "Senaka Awase no Shitō!" (背中合わせの死闘！) | January 11, 2005 | December 8, 2006 |
| The legion of hollows force Ichigo and Uryū to team up in combat while the others watch. A giant hollow called a Menos Grande arrives on the scene, and is driven away after Ichigo inflicts a wound assisted by power from Uryū. However, he releases too much spiritual power in the process. The strain of his powers causes Ichigo to lose consciousness, and Uryū saves him by releasing the excess energy through his bow. | |||
| 15 | "Kon's Great Plan" "Kon no Uhauha Daisakusen" (コンのウハウハ大作戦) | January 18, 2005 | December 15, 2006 |
| Tired of mistreatment from Ichigo, Kon runs away to find a better owner. But he finds his abuse continuing from girls due to his perverse nature. Ichigo makes an effort to befriend Uryū but is rebuffed. Rukia becomes conflicted with her attachment with humans. Rather than endanger Ichigo, she runs away to face the newly-arrived hunters from the Soul Society. Ichigo chases after Rukia only to encounter the two Soul Reapers pursuing her. | |||
| 16 | "The Encounter, Abarai Renji!" "Abarai Renji, Kenzan！" (阿散井恋次、見参！) | January 25, 2005 | December 22, 2006 |
| Ichigo faces off against the Soul Reaper Lieutenant Renji Abarai. Renji triggers the Shikai state of his zanpakutō, overwhelming Ichigo with his strength. | |||
| 17 | "Ichigo Dies!" "Ichigo, Shisu!" (一護、死す！) | February 1, 2005 | January 5, 2007 |
| Ichigo makes a comeback against Renji, overpowering him with his enormous spirit energy. Just when Renji is about to fall, his commander Byakuya Kuchiki, Rukia's brother, steps in and defeats Ichigo with overwhelming pace. Rukia returns to the Soul Society so that Ichigo can be spared death, and Ichigo is left dying with his power stripped from him. He is then saved by Urahara, who agrees to help him rescue Rukia, who faces the death penalty in the Soul Society. Ichigo, however, must agree to train with Urahara to regain his powers. | |||
| 18 | "Reclaim! The Power of the Shinigami!" "Torimodose! Shinigami no Chikara!" (取り戻せ！死神の力！) | February 8, 2005 | January 12, 2007 |
| As his last day of school ends, Ichigo is upset to discover that no one except for Orihime, Chad and Uryū seems to remember Rukia, due to a mind wipe imposed by the Soul Society. He begins his training at the Urahara Shop, first battling the shop's girl assistant, Ururu Tsumugiya to regain control of his spirit body. As the training enters stage two, Ichigo's soul is cut from his body and thrown into a pit. He must regain his Soul Reaper powers within three days, or risk becoming a hollow. Meanwhile, Yoruichi Shihōin, a talking cat, offers to train Chad and Orihime to control and enhance their powers so they can join Ichigo to go to the Soul Society and rescue Rukia. | |||
| 19 | "Ichigo Becomes a Hollow!" "Ichigo, Horō ni Ochiru!" (一護、ホロウに墜ちる！) | February 15, 2005 | January 19, 2007 |
| In the Soul Society, Rukia’s sentence is moved up and she only has twenty five days left. In the pit, Ichigo battles through the agony of the process of becoming a hollow. His transformation is almost complete as he enters his own mind, coming face to face with his inner spirit, Zangetsu, who helps him unleash the Soul Reaper powers he was born with. In a powerful display, Ichigo emerges from the pit with his Soul Reaper uniform on, wearing the mask of a hollow. Breaking the mask off, Ichigo enters the next stage of his training, that is to fight Urahara. | |||
| 20 | "Ichimaru Gin's Shadow" "Ichimaru Gin no Kage" (市丸ギンの影) | February 22, 2005 | January 26, 2007 |
| While fighting Urahara, Ichigo learns that Zangetsu is the name of his zanpakutō. Upon learning the name, the sword transforms into its more powerful shikai form as Ichigo unleashes an energy blast which knocks off Urahara's hat, completing the third stage in his training. Orihime and Chad, meanwhile, finish their training with Yoruichi. The entire group, including Uryū, who has been training alone, set out for the Soul Society using a gate that Yoruichi and Urahara made. | |||
Season 2: Soul Society: The Entry (2005)
| No. | Title | Original airdate | English airdate[12] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | "Enter! The World of the Shinigami" "Totsunyū! Shinigami no Sekai" (突入！死神の世界) | March 1, 2005 | February 2, 2007 |
| Ichigo Kurosaki, Uryū Ishida, Orihime Inoue, Yasutora "Chad" Sado and Yoruichi Shihōin cross over into the Soul Society using the gate. They arrive in the Rukon District, where normal spirits reside. Ichigo quickly finds himself in a battle with the gatekeeper Jidanbō when he carelessly tries to enter the Seireitei, where the Soul Reapers reside. Thanks to Urahara's training, Ichigo easily defeats Jidanbō, but when Jidanbō opens the gate in defeat, Ichigo encounters the Squad Three captain Gin Ichimaru. | |||
| 22 | "The Man who Hates Shinigami" "Shinigami o Nikumu Otoko" (死神を憎む男) | March 8, 2005 | February 9, 2007 |
| Ichimaru uses his shikai and pushes Ichigo back through the gate. After being "shot" out of the Seireitei by Ichimaru, Ichigo and his friends must find another way in. While searching for a friend of Yoruichi’s who supposedly can help, Ichigo meets Ganju Shiba, a man who claims to be the number one hater of Soul Reapers of the west part of the Rukon District. The two hate each other immediately and begin to brawl, but their battle ends abruptly when the clock on the back of one of Ganju's friends goes off. Ganju and his friends leave immediately. | |||
| 23 | "14 Days Before Rukia's Execution" "Rukia Shokei, Jūyokka Mae" (ルキア処刑、14日前) | March 15, 2005 | February 16, 2007 |
| Yoruichi solicits the help of Ganju's sister, Kūkaku Shiba, who agrees to send them into the Seireitei using her fireworks cannon. Meanwhile, Rukia's sentence has been moved to fourteen days, and she is transferred into a cell called the Shrine of Penitence. Meanwhile, an emergency meeting is called among all the captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. | |||
| 24 | "Assemble! The 13 Divisions" "Kesshū! Gotei Jūsantai" (結集！護廷13隊) | March 22, 2005 | February 23, 2007 |
| In order to use the cannon to enter the Seireitei, Ichigo and his friends must first learn how to focus their spiritual energies in order to use an item called a Spirit Orb, a task Ichigo finds especially difficult. He finally succeeds with the help of Ganju and creates the shell he will need to ride the cannon. Within the Seireitei a meeting of all the captains in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads is held to discuss how to deal with the invaders. The meeting is interrupted by an alarm, indicating that someone has infiltrated the Seireitei. | |||
| 25 | "Penetrate the Center with an Enormous Bombshell?" "Kyodai Hōdan de Chūō Toppa?" (巨大砲弾で中央突破？) | March 29, 2005 | March 2, 2007 |
| Before the group launches into the Seireitei, Ganju reveals that the reason he hates Soul Reapers is because his brother was killed by one. In the Seireitei, the Squad Eleven captain, Kenpachi Zaraki, sets out to hunt Ichigo, believing him to be a worthy opponent. Meanwhile, Squad Five captain Sōsuke Aizen confronts Ichimaru in front of the Squad Ten captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya about his flimsy excuse for allowing the invaders to escape, causing Hitsugaya to suspect that Ichimaru is planning something. As the crew passes through the shield surrounding the Seireitei, Ichigo’s inability to control his spiritual energy results in the shell exploding, separating the group. | |||
| 26 | "Formation! The Worst Tag" "Kessei! Saiaku no Taggu" (結成！最悪のタッグ) | April 5, 2005 | March 9, 2007 |
| Ichigo lands with Ganju, and Uryū with Orihime, while Chad and Yoruichi are alone. Ichigo and Ganju encounter and fight Squad Eleven members, Third Seat Ikkaku Madarame and Fifth Seat Yumichika Ayasegawa respectively. Ikkaku gains an advantage by using the shikai of his zanpakutō to fight Ichigo while Ganju attempts to escape from Yumichika using a series of tricks and fireworks he borrowed from his sister. | |||
| 27 | "Release the Death Blow!" "Hissatsu no Ichigeki o Hanate!" (必殺の一撃を放て！) | April 12, 2005 | March 25, 2007 |
| Ichigo eventually overpowers Ikkaku, although he is injured in the process. Ganju and Yumichika continue their fight, with Yumichika pursuing Ganju throughout the Seireitei. Kenpachi continues to search for Ichigo, but is lost, thanks to the poor directions of his lieutenant, Yachiru Kusajishi. | |||
| 28 | "Orihime Targeted" "Nerawareta Orihime" (狙われた織姫) | April 19, 2005 | April 8, 2007 |
| Ganju manages to defeat Yumichika by exploding fireworks on his face. Meanwhile, Uryū and Orihime are confronted by Jirōbō Ikkanzaka, the Fourth Seat of Squad Seven. Uryū is easily able to destroy the projectiles he sends at them, and destroys his ability to be a Soul Reaper when he threatens Orihime. Meanwhile, the Squad Twelve captain, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, dispatches teams of Soul Reapers to locate the intruders as he wishes to use them as his test subjects for his horrifying experiments. | |||
| 29 | "Breakthrough! The Shinigami's Encompassing Net" "Toppa seyo! Shinigami Hōimō" (突破せよ！死神包囲網) | April 26, 2005 | April 15, 2007 |
| Ichigo and Ganju attempt to escape the Soul Reapers following them by using Hanatarō Yamada, a Squad Four officer, as a distraction. They fail, but the Soul Reapers are distracted by Chad's energy blasts elsewhere, enabling them to escape. Hanatarō then promises to take Ichigo and Ganju to Rukia as he is a friend of hers too. Kenpachi is still attempting to find Ichigo, but Yachiru's directions are leading him in the opposite direction. He then visits Ikkaku in the hospital and stops Mayuri from attacking Ikkaku when the latter refuses to answer any questions. As Mayuri leaves, Ikkaku tells his captain about Ichigo. | |||
| 30 | "Renji's Confrontation" "Tachihadakaru Renji" (立ちはだかる恋次) | May 3, 2005 | April 22, 2007 |
| With Hanatarō's help, Ichigo and Ganju begin to head towards Rukia's location. However, Renji confronts them. Ichigo begins to fight him, and Renji reveals that he is five times more powerful than when they fought previously as Soul Reapers have limits placed on their powers when they go to the World of the Living. | |||
| 31 | "The Resolution to Kill" "Kiru Tame no Kakugo" (斬る為の覚悟) | May 10, 2005 | April 29, 2007 |
| Ichigo and Renji fight viciously, with Renji initially gaining the advantage. However, Ichigo reflects on his training with Urahara, and uses his "resolve" to fire a blast of spiritual energy at Renji, defeating him. | |||
| 32 | "Stars and the Stray" "Hoshi to Norainu" (星と野良犬) | May 17, 2005 | May 6, 2007 |
| Renji reflects on his past with Rukia, remembering how they were childhood friends, and how they joined the Soul Reaper Academy together. However, they steadily grew more separated, and he stopped interfering with her after she was adopted by the Kuchiki clan. After reminiscing, he begs Ichigo to save her. | |||
| 33 | "Miracle! The Mysterious New Hero" "Kiseki! Nazo no Shin Hīrō" (奇跡！謎の新ヒーロー) | May 26, 2005 | May 13, 2007 |
| This is a filler episode featuring Don Kanonji and the Karakura Superheroes. Karin Kurosaki successfully destroys a hollow with her soccer ball after it falls from the sky, along with a kitten's soul. Elsewhere, Ururu Tsumugiya and Jinta Hanakari see a hollow and destroy it. At the park, Kanonji informs the group that he intends to form a team of heroes, the Karakura Superheroes. Later, the kitten shields Yuzu Kurosaki as more hollows attack her, and the minor hollows around them meld into one larger hollow. With help from the kitten, the Karakura Superheroes defeat the hollow. | |||
| 34 | "Tragedy of Dawn" "Yoake no Sangeki" (夜明けの惨劇) | June 1, 2005 | May 20, 2007 |
| Hanatarō and Ganju carry Ichigo away as the Soul Reapers arrive and Hanatarō begins to heal Ichigo in the underground tunnels. Renji, despite being heavily injured, is incarcerated on the orders of his captain, Byakuya Kuchiki. Meanwhile, the Head Captain of the Soul Reapers Genryusai Yamamoto commands orders all-out war against the intruders. As Squad Five lieutenant Momo Hinamori travels to a meeting of lieutenants the following day, she finds Aizen's body, hanging from a tower. | |||
| 35 | "Aizen Assassinated! The Darkness which Approaches" "Aizen Ansatsu! Shinobiyoru Yami" (藍染暗殺！忍び寄る闇) | June 7, 2005 | May 27, 2007 |
| Believing that Ichimaru murdered Aizen, Hinamori attacks him, but is stopped by Squad Three lieutenant Izuru Kira. Hitsugaya stops their fight, and orders both to be incarcerated. He then promises to kill Ichimaru if he harms Hinamori in any way. Chad continues through the Seireitei, but the Squad Eight captain, Shunsui Kyōraku, decides to stop him. Ichigo, Ganju and Hanatarō travel towards Rukia's prison, but are immobilized by Kenpachi's immense spiritual force. | |||
| 36 | "Zaraki Kenpachi Approaches!" "Zaraki Kenpachi, Semaru!" (更木剣八、迫る！) | June 14, 2005 | June 9, 2007 |
| The Squad Ten lieutenant, Rangiku Matsumoto, gives Hinamori a letter from Aizen, which discloses the true identity of his murderer. Meanwhile, Ichigo begins to fight Kenpachi. However, Kenpachi's spiritual energy is so great that Ichigo cannot even cut him. | |||
| 37 | "Motive of the Fist" "Kobushi no Riyū" (拳の理由) | June 21, 2005 | June 17, 2007 |
| As Chad continues through the Soul Society, he encounters members of Squad Eight. He manages to defeat them all until Kyōraku confronts him. Although Chad is determined to win to uphold his promise to Ichigo, Kyōraku easily, albeit regretfully, defeats him. | |||
| 38 | "Desperation! The Broken Zangetsu" "Zettaizetsumei! Orareta Zangetsu" (絶対絶命！折られた斬月) | June 28, 2005 | June 24, 2007 |
| Rather than kill him, Kyōraku orders Chad to be incarcerated. Elsewhere, Ichigo is fleeing Kenpachi, terrified of Kenpachi's overwhelming power. After realizing the importance of his mission, however, Ichigo finds the resolve to face him. He manages to cut Kenpachi, but becomes overconfident after learning that Kenpachi has not mastered his zanpakutō. Kenpachi then stabs him in the chest, breaking Ichigo's zanpakutō in the process. | |||
| 39 | "The Immortal Man" "Fujimi no Otoko" (不死身の男) | July 5, 2005 | July 1, 2007 |
| Zangetsu, the spirit of Ichigo's zanpakutō, brings Ichigo into his world. Through fighting a hollow version of himself, Ichigo realizes that zanpakutō are more than mere tools, and that simply knowing name of his zanpakutō does not make him more powerful. Ichigo is then able to fight Kenpachi on equal footing, and as the two clash in a massive strike, Ichigo collapses. | |||
| 40 | "The Shinigami whom Ganju Met" "Ganju no Mita Shinigami" (岩鷲の見た死神) | July 12, 2005 | July 8, 2007 |
| Kenpachi falls down beside Ichigo in defeat, and Yachiru takes him away for medical treatment. Yoruichi also retrieves Ichigo for medical treatment. Meanwhile, Ganju and Hanatarō arrive at Rukia's cell, but Ganju becomes infuriated because he believes Rukia was the killer of his brother, Kaien Shiba. However, in the end, Byakuya arrives, and Ganju decides to fight him despite the vast difference in their powers. | |||
| 41 | "Reunion, Ichigo and Rukia" "Saikai, Ichigo to Rukia" (再会、一護とルキア) | July 19, 2005 | July 15, 2007 |
| As Ichigo awakens, Yoruichi reveals that she is actually a woman. Afterwards, Yoruichi shows Ichigo a device that allowed her to fly, and Ichigo uses it to go save Ganju and Hanatarō. Meanwhile, Byakuya easily defeats Ganju with his shikai, but is then stopped by the thirteenth division captain, Jūshirō Ukitake. Ichigo arrives and fights Byakuya. Before Byakuya can activate his shikai, Yoruichi stops him. | |||
Season 3: Soul Society: The Rescue (2005-2006)
| No. | Title | Original airdate | English airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | "Yoruichi, Goddess of Flash, Dances!" "Shunjin Yoruichi, Mau!" (瞬神夜一、舞う！) | July 26, 2005 | July 21, 2007 |
| As Renji Abarai recovers in his cell, the spirit of his zanpakutō Zabimaru says that he wishes to face Ichigo Kurosaki's zanpakutō Zangetsu again, but Renji tells him that Ichigo is no longer his enemy. Elsewhere, Yoruichi Shihōin manages to evade Byakuya Kuchiki and escape with Ichigo. After Ichigo regains consciousness, she begins to instruct him in the use of his bankai, the final stage of his zanpakutō that would vastly increase his power. Orihime Inoue and Uryū Ishida are attempting to travel to Rukia Kuchiki's cell by using Soul Reaper clothes, but they are closely watched by twelfth division captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi. | |||
| 43 | "The Despicable Shinigami" "Hiretsu na Shinigami" (卑劣な死神) | August 2, 2005 | July 28, 2007 |
| Orihime and Uryū continue towards Rukia's location, but are accosted by Makizō Aramaki, a Soul Reaper of the eleventh division. Some twelfth division members arrive to help, but Mayuri, who has made them into human bombs, detonates them. Orihime uses her powers to protect Uryū and herself from the explosions, and Mayuri expresses his wish to experiment on Orihime. Uryū begins to fight Mayuri, but is quickly disabled by the paralyzing abilities of Mayuri's zanpakutō when his lieutenant, Nemu Kurotsuchi, uses her body to hold down Uryū. Mayuri then reveals that he has experimented on many other Quincy, including Uryū's grandfather, Sōken Ishida, and was responsible for his death. | |||
| 44 | "Ishida Ultimate Power!" "Ishida, Kyokugen no Chikara!" (石田、極限の力！) | August 9, 2005 | August 4, 2007 |
| Uryū uses the Quincy technique ransōtengai to overcome the paralysis of Mayuri's zanpakutō. However, he is outclassed by Mayuri, and is forced to take off his sanrei glove, an act that releases the limits on his powers. Uryū proceeds to completely overwhelm Mayuri, even after Mayuri releases his bankai, but Mayuri escapes by transforming into a liquid. Nemu gives Uryū the antidote to the poison of Mayuri's bankai, and Uryū continues on towards Rukia's cell, severely weakened, until he is confronted by another Soul Reaper captain, Kaname Tōsen. | |||
| 45 | "Overcome Your Limits!" "Genkai o Koero!" (限界を越えろ！) | August 16, 2005 | August 11, 2007 |
| Tōsen disables Uryū instantly with his zanpakutō, and has him incarcerated. Yoruichi summons Zangetsu using a tenshintai, one of Kisuke Urahara's inventions. Zangetsu states that if Ichigo defeats him, he will be able to perform his bankai, and will be slain if he fails. Elsewhere, Hanatarō Yamada is admonished by his captain, Retsu Unohana, for helping Ichigo, Renji breaks out of his prison cell, third division captain Gin Ichimaru releases his lieutenant, Izuru Kira, from his imprisonment, and eleventh division captain Kenpachi Zaraki agrees to help Orihime find Ichigo in order to fight Ichigo again. | |||
| 46 | "Authentic Records! School of Shinigami" "Jitsuroku! Shinigami no Gakkō" (実録！死神の学校) | August 23, 2005 | August 18, 2007 |
| While incarcerated, fifth division lieutenant Momo Hinamori recalls her experiences at the Soul Reaper Academy, where she befriended Renji and Izuru. On a field trip to hunt hollows, she and her comrades were saved by captain Sōsuke Aizen and then-lieutenant Ichimaru when powerful hollows attacked. Back in the present, Hinamori knocks her guard unconscious and escapes from her cell, planning to confront the person who killed Aizen. | |||
| 47 | "The Avengers" "Adautsu Mono-tachi" (仇討つ者たち) | August 30, 2005 | September 1, 2007 |
| Yoruichi notes that Ichigo's training for his bankai is going well and stops the training for the day. She reveals in their subsequent conversation that Kisuke Urahara used to be the twelfth division captain. Elsewhere, Tōshirō Hitsugaya confronts Ichimaru and Kira over Aizen's murder, but is interrupted by Hinamori, who believes that Hitsugaya killed Aizen. Hitsugaya knocks Hinamori unconscious and prepares to kill Ichimaru. | |||
| 48 | "Hitsugaya Roars!" "Hitsugaya, Hoeru!JI'J'" (日番谷、吼える！) | September 6, 2005 | September 8, 2007 |
| Hitsugaya and Ichimaru begin to fight, and Ichimaru initially takes the upper hand with his swordplay. Hitsugaya turns the tables by using the shikai of his zanpakutō to immobilize Ichimaru by freezing his arm, but this advantage is countered when Ichimaru uses his own shikai to threaten the unconscious Hinamori. Tenth division lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto arrives to aid Hinamori and Hitsugaya, and Ichimaru withdraws rather than go against her. Meanwhile, Renji arrives at Ichigo's training spot and reveals that Rukia's execution date has been moved to the next day. | |||
| 49 | "Rukia's Nightmare" "Rukia no Akumu" (ルキアの悪夢) | September 13, 2005 | September 15, 2007 |
| Rukia reminisces about her past as a member of the thirteenth division. As she was able to get into the Thirteen Court Guard Squads due to being part of the Kuchiki clan, she was disliked by the other members of her division, but she was able to construct a deep friendship with lieutenant Kaien Shiba. One night, however, a hollow merged with Kaien and attempted to kill Rukia. Kaien regained control of his body, and impaled himself on Rukia's zanpakutō. Rukia, believing that she is a coward who killed Kaien, is convinced that she should be executed. | |||
| 50 | "The Reviving Lion" "Yomigaeru Shishi" (よみがえる獅子) | September 20, 2005 | September 22, 2007 |
| In this filler episode, Kon tries to escape from Yuzu Kurosaki. While on the run, he is found by a desperate Don Kanonji, whose television ratings are starting to plummet. Together they reform the Karakura Superheroes, with Yuzu playing Karakura Yellow and Kon playing Karakura King. | |||
| 51 | "Morning of the Sentence" "Shokei no Asa" (処刑の朝) | September 27, 2005 | October 6, 2007 |
| Kenpachi, along with Orihime and his subordinates, begins to travel to the execution grounds, but are confronted by captains Sajin Komamura and Tōsen, with their respective lieutenants, Tetsuzaemon Iba and Shūhei Hisagi. Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa, Kenpachi's subordinates, begin fights with Iba and Hisagi respectively, and Komamura and Tōsen attack Kenpachi. Elsewhere, Renji has acquired his bankai, and Yoruichi is confident that Ichigo will do the same. | |||
| 52 | "Renji, Oath of the Soul! Death Match with Byakuya" "Renji, Tamashii no Chikai! Byakuya to no Shitō" (恋次、魂の誓い！白哉との死闘) | October 4, 2005[A] | October 13, 2007 |
| Renji travels to Rukia's execution area, and meets his captain Byakuya along the way. Renji ends up using his bankai to fight Byakuya, but his lack of experience with his bankai stymies his efforts. Byakuya uses his shikai to try and counterattack but fails and Renji reveals that his bankai is held together by his spiritual pressure. Byakuya uses his own bankai and attacks again, wounding Renji and causes his bankai to fade away. Finally Renji makes a last try and actually reaches his captain with his zanpakto, but it breaks and Renji's wounds cause him to fall as the captain congratulates him. | |||
| 53 | "Gin Ichimaru's Temptation, Resolution Shattered" "Ichimaru Gin no Yūwaku, Kuzusareta Kakugo" (市丸ギンの誘惑、崩された覚悟) | October 4, 2005[A] | March 2, 2008 |
| As Rukia travels to the execution area, Ichimaru shatters her resolve by offering to help her, but subsequently claiming that his offer was insincere to begin with. Kenpachi is easily battling both Komamura and Tōsen, forcing Tōsen to use his bankai, which removes all of Kenpachi's senses with the exception of his sense of touch. Despite being unable to see Tōsen, Kenpachi manages to locate and injure Tōsen, but is stopped from killing him by Komamura. Komamura activates his bankai and engages Kenpachi. Meanwhile, Rukia arrives at the execution grounds. | |||
| 54 | "An Accomplished Oath! Get back Rukia!" "Hatasareru Chikai! Rukia Dakkan Naruka!" (果たされる誓い！ルキア奪還なるか) | October 18, 2005 | March 9, 2008 |
| Rukia has accepted her execution, and gives a request to first division captain Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto to send Ichigo and his friends home after her execution. The sōkyoku, a massive halberd that transforms into a phoenix, is the execution method. However, Ichigo steps forward and stops the sōkyoku with his sword, and sympathetic captains Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake destroy the sōkyoku. As Renji arrives to take away Rukia, Ichigo defeats three pursuing lieutenants with his bare hands, and turns to face Byakuya. | |||
| 55 | "The Strongest Shinigami! Ultimate Confrontation Between Teacher and Students" "Saikyō no Shinigami! Kyūkyoku no Shitei Taiketsu" (最強の死神！究極の師弟対決) | October 25, 2005 | March 16, 2008 |
| Byakuya begins to fight Ichigo, and promises to execute Rukia himself. Unohana personally heals all of the injured present, then leaves to investigate another location. Kyōraku and Ukitake also sprint from the execution grounds, and the pair confront Yamamoto in a secluded area. In an overwhelming display, Yamamoto activates his shikai and incinerates the surrounding area. | |||
| 56 | "Supersonic Battle! Determine the Goddess of Battle" "Chōsoku no Tatakai! Bu no Megami, Kessu" (超速の戦い！武の女神、決す) | November 1, 2005 | March 23, 2008 |
| Yumichika returns to his captain after defeating Hisagi, and Kenpachi remarks that Komamura fled after Yamamoto began fighting. Kyōraku and Ukitake decide to fight their teacher, and both use the shikai of their zanpakutō. Meanwhile, second division captain Suì-Fēng begins to fight Yoruichi, her former commander and teacher, and gains the advantage after she begins using her shikai. Believing she has the advantage, Suì-Fēng activates a nameless technique she recently discovered which greatly increases her power. However, Yoruichi activates the same technique, calling it "shunko". | |||
| 57 | "Senbonzakura, Crushed! Zangetsu Thrusts through the Sky" "Senbonzakura, Funsai! Ten o Tsuku Zangetsu" (千本桜、粉砕！天を衝く斬月) | November 8, 2005 | March 30, 2008 |
| Suì-Fēng recalls her past with Yoruichi. She was Yoruichi's personal guard, and highly faithful to her. However, when Yoruichi left the Soul Society, she felt betrayed, and carried a grudge against her mentor from that point forward. As Suì-Fēng attacks, Yoruichi uses her shunko to block all of Suì-Fēng's attacks. Suì-Fēng breaks down in tears, asking Yoruichi why she did not take her along when she left the Soul Society. Ikkaku and Iba are fighting, albeit casually for sake. Near the execution site, Ichigo uses his newly learned Getsuga Tenshō technique to defeat Byakuya's shikai and requests that Byakuya use his bankai. | |||
| 58 | "Unseal! The Black Blade, the Miraculous Power" "Kaihō! Kuroki Yaiba, Kiseki no Chikara" (開放！黒き刃、奇跡の力) | November 15, 2005 | April 6, 2008 |
| Byakuya uses his bankai and overwhelms Ichigo with millions of tiny blades. In response, Ichigo uses his own bankai, which makes him incredibly fast. Ichigo evades Byakuya's bankai and stabs him with his sword. Meanwhile, Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Rangiku Matsumoto head to the Central 46 Chambers, the highest authority in the Soul Society. | |||
| 59 | "Conclusion of the Death Match! White Pride and Black Desire" "Shitō Ketchaku! Shiroki Hokori to Kuroki Omoi" (死闘決着！白き誇りと黒き想い) | November 22, 2005 | April 13, 2008 |
| Byakuya uses the second form of his bankai, summoning several rows of swords. As he and Ichigo continue to fight, Ichigo becomes progressively weaker as the strain from his bankai increases. His inner hollow takes over his body after Byakuya wounds him, and he starts to overwhelm Byakuya. However, Ichigo manages to suppress his inner hollow, and regains control over his body. Both Ichigo and Byakuya focus the remainder of their powers and clash in a final strike, with Ichigo the victor. Byakuya reveals that he would allow Rukia to be executed because he values the law above her life "once a criminals punishment has been decided it must be carried out", and admits defeat, claiming that Ichigo has convinced him not to execute Rukia. Elsewhere, Hitsugaya and Matsumoto enter the Central 46 Chambers. | |||
| 60 | "Reality of the Despair, the Assassin's Dagger is Swung" "Zetsubō no Shinjitsu, Furiorosareta Kyōjin" (絶望の真実、振り下ろされた凶刃) | December 6, 2005 | April 20, 2008 |
| Hitsugaya and Matsumoto enter the Central 46 Chambers to find all of its occupants slain. Kira arrives, and Hitsugaya and Matsumoto pursue him. Hitsugaya returns when Kira tells him that Hinamori has entered the Central 46 Chambers. Ichimaru meets Hinamori and takes her further into the chambers, where she is reunited with Aizen. Aizen impales Hinamori with his sword, and Aizen and Ichimaru leave the chamber. Hitsugaya arrives, and is enraged at Hinamori's state. He uses his bankai, but Aizen effortlessly defeats him. Unohana appears, denouncing Aizen after discovering that he is a traitor. Aizen then informs her that every Soul Reaper has been under the hypnosis of his zanpakutō, with the exception of the blind Tōsen, Aizen's other accomplice. | |||
| 61 | "Aizen Stands! Horrible Ambitions" "Aizen, Tatsu! Osorubeki Yabō" (藍染、立つ！恐るべき野望) | December 13, 2005 | April 27, 2008 |
| At Unohana's command, Isane Kotetsu informs all high-ranking members of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads of Aizen's duplicity. Aizen arrives at Rukia's execution site, where Tōsen has brought Rukia and Renji. When Aizen asks Renji to leave Rukia, he refuses and begins to fight Aizen. Ichigo also arrives, and the two fight in unison against Aizen. Aizen defeats both of them, and begins to explain his reasons for betraying the Soul Society until he is interrupted by Komamura. | |||
| 62 | "Gather Together! Group of the Strongest Shinigami!" "Shūketsuseyo! Saikyō no Shinigami Shūdan" (集結せよ！最強の死神集団) | December 20, 2005 | May 4, 2008 |
| Aizen defeats Komamura with an extremely powerful kidō spell and continues his explanation by revealing he arranged Rukia's execution to obtain the Hōgyoku, an orb that would allow him to gain hollow powers that was hidden in Rukia's gigai by Urahara. After extracting the Hōgyoku from her body, Aizen orders Ichimaru to kill Rukia before Byakuya saves her as the majority of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads then arrive to restrain Aizen. But Aizen and his accomplices use several hollows to escape into the hollows' world Hueco Mundo. Afterwards, as Byakuya recovers, he explains to Rukia that he married her sister, Hisana, and adopted Rukia into the Kuchiki clan as Hisana's dying wish. But explaining that as he promised his parents to uphold the law without question as he broke his clan's rules in adopting her, Byakuya admits that he was conflicted between following the rules and allowing Rukia's execution or breaking them to save her. | |||
| 63 | "Rukia's Resolution, Ichigo's Feelings" "Rukia no Ketsui, Ichigo no Omoi" (ルキアの決意、一護の想い) | January 10, 2006 | May 11, 2008 |
| After a clip show in which the events of the arc are recounted, Ichigo and his friends return to the human world. However, Rukia decides to remain in the Soul Society rather than leave with Ichigo. | |||
Season 4: The Bount (2006)
| No. | Title | Original airdate | English airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 64 | "New School Term, Renji Has Come to the Material World?!" "Shingakki, Gense ni Renji ga Yatte Kita!?" (新学期、現世に恋次がやって来た!?) | January 17, 2006 | May 18, 2008[13] |
| After returning from the Soul Society, Ichigo Kurosaki resumes his everyday life as a high school student in Karakura Town. Lieutenant Renji Abarai arrives in Karakura, however, and Ichigo claims that Renji is his cousin to the surrounding onlookers. Later that night, Orihime Inoue has a dream about her brother Sora, and is drawn into a large gate while three mysterious people observe. | |||
| 65 | "Creeping Terror, the Second Victim" "Shinobi yoru Kyōfu, Nibanme no Giseisha" (忍び寄る恐怖、2番目の犠牲者) | January 24, 2006 | May 25, 2008 |
| After Orihime disappears, Ichigo, Renji, Uryū Ishida and Yasutora "Chad" Sado try to find her. A mysterious girl contacts Renji on his cellphone, and reveals that Orihime will return to her house at eight o'clock. They find Orihime at that time, but she is an imposter. Chad is then taken by the three figures. | |||
| 66 | "Breakthrough! The Trap Hidden in the Labyrinth" "Toppa seyo! Meikyū ni Hisomu Wana" (突破せよ！迷宮に潜む罠) | January 31, 2006 | June 1, 2008 |
| After the loss of Chad, the caller instructs Ichigo, Renji and Uryū to appear at the local museum for a continuation of her game. Once there, the museum turns into a looping maze with illusions and traps. Along the way, the group starts to splinter apart due to their irritation and desire to find their own way in the maze. As Ichigo and Renji start to walk off, Uryū notices a limitation of the illusion and plots a way out. When they escape the maze, it becomes apparent that the three mysterious people are modified souls. Following this revelation, they make their escape, leaving Orihime and Chad behind. | |||
| 67 | "Death Game! The Missing Classmate" "Shi no Gēmu! Kieru Kurasumeito" (死のゲーム！消えるクラスメイト) | February 7, 2006 | June 8, 2008 |
| After leaving the museum, the group is confronted by the modified souls, who tell them that one of their core group has been replaced by an imposter, and they must find out who that is before noon, or everyone in their school will be killed. While out in the hall at Ichigo's school, he becomes suspicious of Renji thinking that he is the imposter. He tells him to "take it off". Ichigo means Renji's gigai but he does not specify it. The class goes out to see what the commotion is about and find Ichigo and Renji in a suggestive position. As the group attempts to find the imposter, Tatsuki Arisawa, one of Ichigo's classmates, disappears. At the last minute, it is decided that the imposter was posing as Chad, but the modified souls had already kidnapped the students. | |||
| 68 | "True Identity of the Devil, the Secret which Is Revealed" "Akuma no Shōtai, Akasareta Himitsu" (悪魔の正体、明かされた秘密) | February 14, 2006[A] | June 15, 2008 |
| Ichigo and the others begin the final game against the modified souls. The modified souls conjure a massive gate that consumes the group. After putting Chad into a giant hourglass, the modified soul Lirin tells Ichigo and the others that they have five minutes to defeat the modified souls and save Chad. Ichigo manages to break the hourglass and discovers that Kisuke Urahara had planned this as a group training exercise, as well as to tell the group that Uryū no longer has his Quincy powers. Meanwhile, Soul Reapers Yoruichi Shihōin and Suì-Fēng have been investigating the Bounts, a group of humans that consume souls for sustenance. Finding the remains of a soul, they rush away to the site of another attack, where Yoruichi stops a woman from consuming another soul. | |||
| 69 | "Bount! The Ones Who Hunt Souls" "Baunto! Tamashii o Karu Mono-tachi" (バウント！魂を狩る者たち) | February 14, 2006[A] | June 22, 2008 |
| At Urahara's shop, Kisuke discusses about the Bounts with Ichigo and his friends, and orders the modified souls, Lirin, Noba and Kurōdo, to accompany them. The group subsequently locates a pair of Bounts, Yoshino Sōma and Ryō Udagawa. As Udagawa retreats, Ichigo begins to battle Yoshino, who summons her "doll" Goethe, a Familiar unique to each of the Bounts. | |||
| 70 | "Rukia's Return! Revival of the Substitute Team!" "Rukia no Kikan! Daikō Chīmu Fukkatsu" (ルキアの帰還！代行チーム復活) | February 21, 2006 | June 29, 2008 |
| Goethe overwhelms Ichigo with his fire attacks, and Ichigo is saved by Rukia Kuchiki. Goethe continues to attack, but is restrained by Udagawa, who takes Yoshino and Goethe away from the battle. After the battle, Ichigo and his friends celebrate Rukia's return, and discuss the Bounts' threat in Ichigo's house. The following day, Udagawa begins to consume the souls of the humans he encounters, and Ichigo and his friends begin to fight him. Elsewhere, Yoshino escapes from the Bounts' headquarters, and is watched by the leader of the Bounts, Jin Kariya. | |||
| 71 | "The Moment of Collision! An Evil Hand Draws Near to the Quincy" "Gekitotsu no Toki! Kuinshī ni Semaru Ma no Te" (激突の時！クインシーに迫る魔の手) | March 7, 2006 | July 6, 2008 |
| Udagawa manages to capture Uryū, but Yoshino takes Uryū away from him. Udagawa uses his doll to summon a wave of snakes, but retreats after Ururu Tsumugiya begins attacking him with her bazooka. In the Soul Society, Soul Reaper captain Shunsui Kyōraku asks twelfth division captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi about the Bounts. However, Mayuri refuses to show him the data and later discovers that it has been erased. Uryū awakens in an apartment, where Yoshino tells him that Kariya seeks a Quincy in order to open a gateway to the "world of the dead". | |||
| 72 | "Water Attack! Escape from the Shutdown Hospital" "Mizu no Kōgeki! Tozasareta Byōin kara no Dasshutsu" (水の攻撃！閉ざされた病院からの脱出) | March 14, 2006 | July 13, 2008 |
| Ichigo and the others receive a message from Uryū and find him at the hospital. The hospital room then floods with water, which the group realizes is the dolls of unidentified Bount members. The dolls attempt to drown Uryū, but Uryū is rescued when Ichigo cuts the water dolls. The group attempts to flee and they encounter the two Bount members, Hō and Ban. As the rest of the group retreats with Uryū, Ichigo and Renji fight Hō and Ban. | |||
| 73 | "Gathering Bounts! The Man Who Makes His Move" "Baunto Shūketsu! Ugokidasu Otoko" (バウント集結！動き出す男) | March 28, 2006[B] | July 20, 2008 |
| Ichigo and Renji's fight with Hō and Ban takes them outside the hospital. Hō and Ban transform their dolls into massive pillars of water that swallow up Ichigo, Renji and Rukia as Chad and Orihime try to get Uryū to safety. Giving up on drowning Ichigo and the others, the twins decide to go after Uryū. Chad starts to fight the twins and separates them, causing their dolls to collapse. In response, Hō and Ban force Ichigo and company to drink their dolls, allowing the twins to rip their bodies apart from the inside. Ganju Shiba and Hanatarō Yamada arrive, and Ganju uses his fireworks to destroy the dolls, killing Hō and Ban. As the group surveys the aftermath, however, they realize that Uryū is missing. | |||
| 74 | "Memories of an Eternally Living Clan" "Eien o Ikiru Ichizoku no Kioku" (永遠を生きる一族の記憶) | March 28, 2006[B] | July 26, 2008 |
| As Uryū wanders aimlessly away from his friends, he encounters Yoshino again, who tells him how the Bount's longevity leads to the deterioration of their mental state. Meanwhile, Kariya informs the Bounts that he has found a Quincy, and that he will lead them into a new shining era. In the Soul Society, eleventh division captain Kenpachi Zaraki learns that Maki Ichinose, a former member of his division he believed to be dead, is alive. Ichinose, unknown to Kenpachi, has joined Kariya's Bounts. | |||
| 75 | "Earth-Shattering Event at 11th Squad! The Shinigami Who Rises Again" "Jūichibantai Gekishin! Yomigaetta Shinigami" (十一番隊激震！よみがえった死神) | April 4, 2006[C] | August 2, 2008 |
| Yoshino and Uryū are attacked by the Bount Gō Koga, who summons his doll, Dalk, a collection of metal balls that manifests as a humanoid spider creature. Following a short battle, Koga captures both of them, and takes them to Kariya's mansion. Using the modified souls' sensing abilities, Ichigo is able to track the Bounts, and travels to their location. In the Soul Society, Mayuri has called a meeting of all the Soul Reaper captains, and informs them that there is a traitor in their midst that erased items from his database. Kenpachi begins to suspect that Ichinose is the culprit. Meanwhile, Kariya attempts to gain Uryū's loyalty by promising a better world for Bounts and Quincy, but Uryū is suspicious of Kariya's intentions. | |||
| 76 | "Crashing Force! Fried vs. Zangetsu" "Chikara no Gekitotsu! Furīdo VS Zangetsu" (力の激突！フリードVS斬月) | April 4, 2006[C] | August 10, 2008 |
| Ichigo, Rukia and the modified souls enter Kariya's mansion, and confront Kariya, demanding that Uryū be released. While Ichigo begins to fight Udagawa, Rukia and the modified souls try to find Uryū, but are stopped by Ichinose, who tells Rukia of how he became disillusioned with the Thirteen Court Guard Squads when Kenpachi became the captain of the eleventh division by killing the previous captain. Ichinose leaves to protect Kariya when he notices that Udagawa has stopped fighting Ichigo and attempted to betray Kariya. Ichinose kills Udagawa and begins to fight with Ichigo. | |||
| 77 | "Unfading Grudge! The Shinigami whom Kenpachi Killed" "Kienu Onnen! Kenpachi ga Kitta Shinigami" (消えぬ怨念！剣八が斬った死神) | April 11, 2006 | August 24, 2008 |
| As Ichinose and Ichigo fight, Ichinose relates his past as a Soul Reaper. As a member of the eleventh division, he was horrified when Kenpachi slew the previous captain, and attempted to avenge his captain by killing Kenpachi, who easily defeats Ichinose. Disillusioned, Ichinose left the Soul Society and encountered Kariya, to whom he swore his loyalty. Following this revelation, Kariya begins to fight Ichigo, overwhelming him, as Ururu begins to attack the mansion with her bazooka. Yoruichi carries Ichigo to safety, and the rest of the group retreats. | |||
| 78 | "Shocking Revelations for the 13 Divisions!! The Truth Buried in History" "Gotei Jūsantai Kyōgaku!! Rekishi ni Uzumoreta Shinjitsu" (護廷十三隊驚愕!!歴史に埋もれた真実) | May 2, 2006 | August 31, 2008 |
| In the Soul Society, Mayuri explains the Bounts' history to the other captains. In the past, the Quincy and the Bounts had a battle that the Bounts lost. Following this incident, the Bounts began to consume living souls to increase their power. As such, Mayuri concludes that the number of living souls attacked will escalate as the Bounts become more active. In Karakura Town, Ichigo is depressed by his defeat by Kariya. Ganju and Renji both fight Ichigo, and after Renji lectures him, Ichigo realizes how unfocused he has become. | |||
| 79 | "Yoshino's Decision of Death" "Yoshino, Shi o Kaketa Omoi" (芳野、死をかけた想い) | May 9, 2006 | September 7, 2008 |
| Ichigo and Renji spend the entire night training under Urahara's shop. Elsewhere, Yoshino fuses with Goethe in order to increase her strength. She attempts to kill Kariya, and he easily defeats her. Following her death, he uses her body to create the bitto, insects able to consume souls. | |||
| 80 | "Assault from a Formidable Enemy! A Tiny Final Line of Defense?!" "Kyōteki no Kyūshū! Chiisana Saishū Bōei Sen!?" (強敵の急襲！小さな最終防衛線!?) | May 16, 2006 | September 13, 2008 |
| Due to the lack of Bount sightings, Urahara decides that he and Renji should go and investigate the Bounts' mansion, and sends Ichigo home with the modified souls to devise countermeasures. Lirin and Kurōdo wear special suits to trick Ichigo into thinking they are Bounts as to get back at him but things go bad when Rukia falls for the trick and continuously attacks them across town. Lirin, Kurōdo, and Noba present a variety of ideas, but at the day's end, none of them are able to produce an actual anti-Bount device. | |||
| 81 | "Hitsugaya Moves! The Attacked City" "Hitsugaya Ugoku! Osowareta Machi" (日番谷動く！襲われた街) | May 23, 2006 | September 20, 2008 |
| In Karakura Town, humans are being attacked by the bitto, which suck out their souls and reduce their bodies into dust. They then return to the Bounts and provide them with purified souls to drink in order to increase their power. Members of Suì-Fēng's second division attack the bitto, but they cannot damage them. Tenth division captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya orders more Soul Reapers to enter the human world, noting that they cannot rely on Ichigo alone. Meanwhile, Renji defends a human boy against a bitto assault. | |||
| 82 | "Ichigo vs. Dalk! Appearance of the Faded Darkness" "Ichigo VS Daruku! Shirakigami no Shutsugen" (一護VSダルク！白き闇の出現) | May 30, 2006 | October 4, 2008 |
| After the Bounts consume the power of the bitto, Kariya tells the Bounts to test their new powers while he retires to his room. The Bount Yoshi attacks Rukia, Orihime and Kurōdo while they are on their way to help Renji. Meanwhile, Ichigo is attacked by Koga and his doll Dalk, which ensnares Ichigo in a metal net, and Ichigo's inner hollow takes over his body, allowing him to defeat the doll easily. However before dealing the final blow, Ichigo manages to regain control of his body, and subsequently collapses from exhaustion. | |||
| 83 | "Grey Shadow, the Secret of the Dolls" "Haiiro no Kage, Dōru no Himitsu" (灰色の影、ドールの秘密) | June 6, 2006 | October 11, 2008 |
| As Koga tells Dalk to finish Ichigo off, he is reminded of Cain, a young Bount he once mentored. In a flashback, Koga remembers when he first met Cain, and taught him how to summon his doll and live with another Bount. However, the doll Cain created was too powerful for him to control and destroyed him, an incident Koga continues to regret. | |||
| 84 | "Dissension in the Substitute Team? Rukia's Betrayal" "Daikō Chīmu Bunretsu? Uragitta Rukia" (代行チーム分裂？裏切ったルキア) | June 13, 2006[D] | October 18, 2008 |
| As Dalk prepares to deal the final blow to Ichigo, third division lieutenant Izuru Kira arrives and fights with Dalk. Using the shikai of his zanpakutō, Kira attacks Dalk, increasing her weight with every strike. Eventually, Dalk is rendered unable to move, and Kira begins to battle Koga. Meanwhile, Yoshi is overpowering Orihime and Rukia, but her lack of cooperation with her doll causes her to miss a fatal attack to Rukia. The Bount Mabashi arrives, and uses his doll Ritz to enter Rukia's soul and take over her body. | |||
| 85 | "Deadly Battle of Tears! Rukia vs. Orihime" "Namida no Shitō! Rukia VS Orihime" (涙の死闘！ルキアVS織姫) | June 13, 2006[D] | October 25, 2008 |
| Using Ritz to control Rukia, Mabashi forces Rukia to fight Orihime, who is unwilling to fight against Rukia, as she had traveled with Ichigo to the Soul Society for the purpose of saving her. Ninth division lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi arrives and after learning of the situation from Orihime, intends to kill Rukia. However, Orihime manages to separate Ritz from Rukia with her abilities, and Hisagi defeats Ritz. Before Hisagi can attack Mabashi, Ichinose arrives and retreats with Mabashi. | |||
| 86 | "Rangiku Dances! Slice the Invisible Enemy!" "Rangiku Mau! Mienai Teki o Kire!" (乱菊舞う！見えない敵を斬れ) | June 20, 2006 | November 1, 2008 |
| Tenth division lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto encounters Chad, Ururu and Noba battling with the Bount Sawatari, who summons his doll, Baura, a giant rocklike fish that is able to travel through solid surfaces by phasing into a different dimension. Due to this ability, Chad and Rangiku find it difficult to attack Baura, and Baura manages to swallow Ururu. Rangiku uses herself as bait to lure Baura out of the ground, and he is attacked by Chad, who sends him into Noba. Noba uses his powers to send Sawatari and Baura to another dimension, but the pair manage to escape, injuring Noba. | |||
| 87 | "Byakuya is summoned! The Gotei 13 start to move!" "Byakuya Shōshū！ Ugokidasu Gotei Jūsantai" (白哉召集！動き出す護廷十三隊) | July 4, 2006 | November 8, 2008 |
| Despite his injuries, Noba teleports Rangiku and Chad to a distant location to plan an attack on Sawatari. By linking Noba's ability to sense the Bount with her kidō spell, Rangiku locates Sawatari and Chad punches Baura, forcing him to release Ururu. In the Soul Society, Mayuri has found the lost data on the Bounts and instructs his lieutenant, Nemu Kurotsuchi, to give an item to Uryū. Elsewhere in the Soul Society, an intruder manages to enter the Seireitei, the Soul Reaper fortress. Afterwards, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, the captain of the first division and leader of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, summons sixth division captain Byakuya Kuchiki. | |||
| 88 | "Annihilation of the Lieutenants!? Trap in the Underground Cave" "Fukutaichō Zenmetsu!? Chika Dōkutsu no Wana" (副隊長全滅!?地下洞窟の罠) | July 11, 2006 | November 15, 2008 |
| After defeating the Bounts in their respective battles, Ichigo and his friends regroup at Urahara's shop while the Soul Reapers that came to the human world head towards the Bounts' hideout. The Soul Reapers are accosted by the Bount Ugaki, who uses his doll Gesell to separate the Soul Reapers and begins to defeat them individually with Gesell. In the Soul Society, Yamamoto informs Byakuya that Mayuri is suspected of treason and requests that Byakuya give him any records the Kuchiki clan has of the Bounts. | |||
| 89 | "Rematch?! Ishida vs. Nemu" "Saisen!? Ishida VS Nemu" (再戦!?石田VSネム) | July 18, 2006 | November 22, 2008 |
| Ichigo and Renji arrive at the mouth of the cave and are quickly surrounded by Gesell, which takes the form of a large group of small, one-eyed flying creatures. They meet Rangiku, who tells them to destroy anything that can cast a shadow, and they manage to defeat the creatures. However, they forget that their own bodies can also create shadows, which is what Ugaki uses to bring forth two sword arms. Luckily for them, Hisagi and Kira come to help. Meanwhile, Uryū is visited by Nemu, who proceeds to attack Uryū to confirm that he has lost his powers. Nemu then gives Uryū a Quincy battle accessory to allow him to use his powers. | |||
| 90 | "Renji Abarai, Bankai of the Soul!" "Abarai Renji, Tamashii no Bankai!" (阿散井恋次、魂の卍解！) | July 25, 2006 | November 29, 2008 |
| As Ichigo and Renji travel deeper into the cave, they find Yumichika. Ugaki summons the true form of Gesell, a large black, humanoid creature. Gesell throws Yumichika's body at Ichigo and Renji, but Renji manages to catch Yumichika, who is still alive. Renji uses his bankai to battle Gesell, and Ugaki loses control of his doll. Ugaki asks Kariya to save him, but Kariya refuses, watching as Gesell causes the cave to collapse upon Ugaki. Ichigo manages to escape from the debris and finds Kariya and the other Bounts. Ichigo begins to battle Kariya, who deals with Ichigo effortlessly. Kariya informs Ichigo that they never intended to connect the human world to the "world of the dead", but rather to the Soul Society in order to destroy the Soul Reapers, who created the Bounts. | |||
| 91 | "Shinigami and Quincy, the Reviving Power" "Shinigami to Kuinshī, Yomigaeru Chikara" (死神とクインシー、よみがえる力) | August 1, 2006 | December 6, 2008 |
| As Kariya is about to stab Ichigo with his own zanpakutō, Ichigo grabs it and stabs himself with it, forcing his subconscious into the world of his zanpakutō, Zangetsu. After a discussion with Zangetsu, Ichigo returns to reality and uses his bankai, which enables him to fight evenly with Kariya. Uryū arrives and uses his powers to open the gateway created by the Bounts into the Soul Society. When Kariya thanks him, Uryū informs Kariya that he did so to defeat the Bounts in the Soul Society. | |||
Season 5: The Assault (2006–2007)
| No. | Title | Original airdate | English airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 92 | "Invasion of the Shinigami World, Again" "Shinigami Sekai e no Totsunyū, Futatabi" (死神世界への突入、再び) | August 8, 2006 | December 13, 2008 |
| First division captain Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto calls for a meeting of all the Soul Reaper captains to discuss the Bount threat. Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya is tasked with defeating the Bounts, and Yamamoto gives a standing order to kill all suspected intruders without hesitation. In the Rukongai, the area outside the Soul Reaper fortress of Seireitei, the Bounts Jin Kariya and Gō Koga defeat the Soul Reapers sent to capture them. Meanwhile, Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends enter the Soul Society, and Yoruichi Shihōin explains that Maki Ichinose, a Soul Reaper under Kariya's command, manipulated captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi into opening the gate into the Soul Society. | |||
| 93 | "The Bount Assault! The Gotei 13 of Destructive Earthquake" "Baunto Kyōshū! Gekishin no Gotei Jūsantai" (バウント強襲！激震の護廷十三隊) | August 15, 2006 | December 20, 2008 |
| Ichigo and his friends begin to search different parts of the Rukongaki for the Bounts. While searching, Rukia Kuchiki is attacked by the Bount Yoshi. Caught without her zanpakutō, Rukia is quickly overpowered by Yoshi. Meanwhile, Yamamoto is explaining the origins of the Bounts to the assembled captains, and a messenger informs him that Rukia is fighting a Bount. As Rukia is about to receive a fatal blow from Yoshi, captain Byakuya Kuchiki arrives and attacks her. Following the fight, several buildings in the Seireitei explode. | |||
| 94 | "Hitsugaya's Decision! The Clash Approaches" "Hitsugaya no Ketsui! Gekitotsu no Tokisemaru" (日番谷の決意！激突の時迫る) | August 22, 2006 | December 27, 2008 |
| Byakuya sends Rukia to the Kuchiki clan's house to recuperate. In the Rukongai, Kariya enters Kusajishi, one of the most crime-ridden parts of Rukongai, and asks the populace to aid him in fighting the Soul Reapers. Ichigo, Uryū Ishida, and Yasutora "Chad" Sado begin searching for the Bounts again, and Ichigo takes the modified soul Lirin with him. Elsewhere in a forest in the Rukongai, Byakuya encounters Kariya. | |||
| 95 | "Byakuya Takes the Field! Dance of the Wind-Splitting Cherry Blossoms" "Byakuya Shutsujin! Kaze o Saku Sakura no Mai" (白哉出陣！風を裂く桜の舞) | September 5, 2006 | January 3, 2009 |
| Byakuya and Kariya begin their battle, and Kariya reveals his doll Messer, which gives him the ability to control wind. Byakuya uses his shikai, but Kariya uses a barrier of wind to deflect his attack. Ichigo arrives to assist Byakuya, and after using his bankai, begins to fight Kariya. With Kariya focused on fighting Ichigo, Byakuya uses his bankai, and manages to penetrate Kariya's wind barrier. However, Kariya heals himself, revealing that in the Soul Society, the Bounts can consume the spirit particles in the air to restore their bodies. In Kusajishi, Koga and Ichinose convince the inhabitants to join them in their revolt in order to create a "new Soul Society". | |||
| 96 | "Ichigo, Byakuya, Kariya, The Battle of the Three Extremes!" "Ichigo, Byakuya, Kariya, Sankyoku no Tatakai!" (一護・白哉・狩矢、三極の戦い！) | September 12, 2006 | January 10, 2009 |
| Byakuya and Ichigo continue to fight Kariya, who continually regenerates all damage by absorbing spirit particles. However, Byakuya and Ichigo begin to inflict larger injuries on Kariya, not giving him time to recover. Rantao, the Soul Reaper who created the Bounts, arrives and Kariya retreats. As Byakuya leaves, Uryū arrives, and Rantao takes Ichigo and Uryū to her home. | |||
| 97 | "Hitsugaya Strikes! Slice the Enemy in the Middle of the Forest" "Hitsugaya Shutsugeki! Mori no Naka no Teki o Kire!" (日番谷出撃！森の中の敵を斬れ) | September 19, 2006 | January 17, 2009 |
| When Uryū notes that Rantao is identical to the Bount Yoshino Sōma, Rantao reveals that Yoshino's soul was a copy of hers, and that the Bounts were the byproducts of an experiment in which the research team she led tried to create immortal souls. In a forest in the Rukongai, Hitsugaya confronts Ichinose, and begins to fight him as Renji Abarai, Rangiku Matsumoto, Ichigo, and Chad arrive. In Kusajishi, Kariya prepares to invade the Seireitei. | |||
| 98 | "Clash! Kenpachi Zaraki vs. Maki Ichinose" "Gekitotsu! Zaraki Kenpachi VS Ichinose Maki" (激突！更木剣八VS一之瀬真樹) | October 4, 2006 | January 24, 2009 |
| Hitsugaya and Ichinose continue their battle, and Ichinose uses his shikai, blinding all of those present. As Ichinose is about to attack Chad, his attack is blocked by eleventh division captain Kenpachi Zaraki. Kenpachi instructs Hitsugaya to take the group and stop Kariya from invading Sereitei, and Ichinose, torn between his loyalty to Kariya and desire to avenge his former captain by killing Kenpachi, decides to stay and fight Kenpachi. Kenpachi easily blocks all of Ichinose's attacks, forcing him to use his zanpakutō to trap him in a sphere of light. Kenpachi removes his eyepatch and releases his full power to destroy the sphere. Refusing to surrender, Ichinose attacks Kenpachi a final time, and Kenpachi slices him across the chest, leaving him for dead. | |||
| 99 | "Shinigami vs. Shinigami! The Uncontrollable Power" "Shinigami VS shinigami! Bōsō suru Chikara" (死神VS死神！暴走する力) | October 11, 2006 | January 31, 2009 |
| With the aid of the Kusajishi inhabitants, Kariya and the other Bounts enter Sereitei. As they enter, Kariya kills the Kusajishi inhabitants, claiming that their usefulness has ended. Kariya dispatches the Bounts to eliminate the Soul Reaper captains, and heads farther into Sereitei. Second division captain Suì-Fēng orders her men to attack the Bounts, but the Bount Mabashi uses his doll Ritz to take control of them. When Suì-Fēng asks for a status report, one of her men controlled by Ritz attacks her with a bitto. | |||
| 100 | "Suì-Fēng Dies? The Last of the Special Forces" "Soifon Shisu? Onmitsukidō no Saigo" (砕蜂死す？隠密機動の最後) | October 18, 2006 | February 7, 2009 |
| The bitto incapacitates Suì-Fēng with a poison, and Ritz uses the controlled Soul Reapers to cause chaos throughout Sereitei by turning them against other Soul Reapers, including seventh division captain Sajin Komamura and ninth division lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi, who manage to knock many of the infected Soul Reapers unconscious. Meanwhile, Suì-Fēng attempts to fight Mabashi, and hits him once with her shikai, leaving a mark on his chest. She collapses from the poison, and Mabashi attempts to use Ritz to control her. Suì-Fēng then quickly strikes Mabashi in the chest to deal a fatal blow, revealing that her zanpakutō allows her to counteract poisons. Elsewhere, Mayuri confronts the Bount Sawatari. | |||
| 101 | "Mayuri's Bankai!! Sawatari: Clash of the Demon" "Mayuri Bankai!! Sawatari: Akuma no Gekitotsu" (マユリ卍解!!沢渡・悪魔の激突) | November 1, 2006 | February 14, 2009 |
| Sawatari attacks Mayuri with his doll Baura, and manages to rip Mayuri's left arm off. Mayuri regenerates his arm with his medicine, and uses his zanpakutō to paralyze Baura. Mayuri then stabs Sawatari in the right arm, and Baura manages to overcome the paralysis to retreat with Sawatari into another dimension. Sawatari surfaces in another location in Sereitei, and Mayuri appears, revealing that he made a scanner to track the Bount. Sawatari attacks Mayuri with the power of other Soul Reapers that Baura absorbed in previous battles. Mayuri is forced to use his bankai, and kills Sawatari. Elsewhere, Uryū begins to fight the Bount Yoshi. | |||
| 102 | "The Last Quincy! The Exploding Power" "Saigo no Kuinshī! Bōhatsu suru Chikara" (最後のクインシー！暴発する力) | November 8, 2006 | February 21, 2009 |
| Uryū and Yoshi begin their battle, and Uryū realizes that the Quincy battle accessory he is using does not allow him to properly focus his power. When Uryū is able to properly use the accessory and fire a powerful arrow, Yoshi is able to block it by changing the form of her doll Nieder into a fan. She then transforms her doll into a jian and knocks Uryū to the ground. Meanwhile, Kariya breaks into the Department of Research and Development, searching for a Bount crest called the Jōkaishō. Despite the efforts of Chad and Ichigo, Kariya finds the Jōkaishō, and after fusing with it, claims he has enough power to destroy Sereitei. | |||
| 103 | "Ishida, Exceeding the Limits to Attack!" "Ishida, Genkai o Koete Ute!" (石田、限界を超えて撃て！) | November 15, 2006 | February 28, 2009 |
| Uryū and Yoshi continue their battle, and Uryū is able to defeat Yoshi by capitalizing on Yoshi's weakness of not being able to defend and attack at the same time. Meanwhile, Kariya is confronted by Koga, who claims that Kariya is insane for desiring to destroy Sereitei. Kariya injures Koga and leaves. As Koga tries to follow Kariya, he is attacked by several Soul Reapers, and defeats them, which alerts Hitsugaya to Koga's presence. | |||
| 104 | "10th Division's Death Struggle! The Release of Hyōrinmaru" "Shitō Jūbantai! Hyōrinmaru o Hanate" (死闘十番隊！氷輪丸を放て) | November 22, 2006 | March 7, 2009 |
| After defeating several Soul Reapers of the tenth division, Koga meets Hitsugaya. Koga summons his doll Dalk, who is quickly frozen and shattered by the shikai of Hitsugaya's zanpakutō. Koga fuses the remains of Dalk into an axe, and Hitsugaya uses his bankai in response. Hitsugaya injures Koga repeatedly, forcing him to absorb spirit particles to heal himself, but his body begins to reject the spirit particles. Koga makes a final attack on Hitsugaya, who slashes him, and Koga alludes to "a future without war" before collapsing. | |||
| 105 | "Kariya! Countdown to the Detonation" "Kariya! Bakuhatsu e no Kauntodaun" (狩矢！爆発へのカウントダウン) | November 29, 2006 | March 14, 2009 |
| Hitsugaya orders his subordinates to give Koga a proper burial, and eighth division lieutenant Nanao Ise informs Yamamoto of the Jōkaishō. The following day, Rantao confronts Kariya, and after seeing the Jōkaishō, recalls how she hid the Bounts in a cave following their creation. After the Soul Society ordered that the Bounts be destroyed, she saved a Bount child, who she realizes is Kariya. Uryū realizes that Rantao is fighting Kariya, and heads towards her location as Rantao is hit by one of Kariya's attacks. | |||
| 106 | "Life and Revenge! Ishida, the Ultimate Choice" "Inochi to Fukushū! Ishida, Kyūkyoku no Sentaku" (命と復讐！石田、究極の選択) | December 6, 2006 | March 21, 2009 |
| Kariya recalls the events after the Soul Reapers' attack on the Bounts. After escaping from the Soul Reapers, he fused with his doll when attacked by a hollow. Desiring to travel to the Soul Society to make peace with their creators, the Bounts attempted to use the Quincy to enter the Soul Society, and were defeated. Kariya organized the remaining Bounts in order to take revenge on the Soul Society. In the present, Uryū arrives and fights Kariya. Rantao uses the Jōkaishō's power to stun Kariya, and asks Uryū to kill Kariya. However, Rantao begins to feel pain from the Jōkaishō, and Uryū uses his remaining power to save her, which destroys his Quincy battle accessory. As Kariya is about to kill Uryū and Rantao, Ichigo arrives. | |||
| 107 | "The Swung-Down Edge! The Moment of Ruin" "Furiorosareta Yaiba! Hametsu no Shunkan" (振り下ろされた刃！破滅の瞬間) | December 13, 2006 | March 28, 2009 |
| Ichigo uses his bankai and begins to fight Kariya. Rantao reveals that there are multiple Jōkaishō scattered throughout the Soul Society that will detonate when Kariya uses his Jōkaishō, and the Soul Reapers of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads begin to seal all of the Jōkaishō. Meanwhile, Ichinose arrives and attacks Ichigo, but turns his sword on Kariya, claiming that he did not join Kariya to watch him destroy the Soul Society. Kariya kills Ichinose, and reveals Messer in the form of a sword of wind. | |||
| 108 | "The Wailing Bount! The Last Clash" "Dōkoku no Baunto! Saigo no Gekitotsu" (慟哭のバウント！最後の激突) | December 20, 2006 | April 4, 2009 |
| Kariya uses the wind Messer to produce electricity, and attacks Ichigo with it. Ichigo's inner hollow momentarily takes over his body, but Ichigo regains control of his body, surprising Kariya. Ichigo informs Kariya that he cannot absorb spirit particles to heal himself because Rantao sealed his absorption ability. Kariya attempts to detonate a Jōkaisho. Ichigo then deals a fatal blow to Kariya, who wonders what will happen to Ichigo and his inner hollow before dying. Ichigo concludes that Kariya intended to travel to the Soul Society in order to end his eternal life. | |||
| 109 | "Ichigo and Rukia, Thoughts in the Revolving Around Heaven" "Ichigo to Rukia, Kaiten suru Omoi" (一護とルキア、廻天する想い) | January 4, 2007 | April 11, 2009 |
| Ichigo, Renji and Rukia return to the Kuchiki house to discuss Kariya's life. Ichigo remarks on how his life was changed when Rukia gave him her powers, Renji recalls when he was promoted to lieutenant of the sixth division, and Rukia reminisces on the day when she was assigned to the real world. Afterwards, Ichigo and his friends return to the real world. Yoruichi brings Koga, who survived his fight with Hitsugaya, to Rantao's hideout. Hidden from the Soul Reapers, he is able to recover from his injuries. Koga accepts that the destiny of the Bounts is to eventually die out. On the last scene, Ichigo and friends are seen heading to the real world, then a mysterious person is seen entering Karakura Town. | |||
Season 6: The Arrancar (2007)
| No. | Title | Original Airdate | English airdate[14][15] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 110 | "Reopening of the Substitute Business! The Terrifying Transfer Student" "Daikōgyō Saikai! Kyōfu no Tenkōsei" (代行業再開！恐怖の転校生) | January 10, 2007 | April 18, 2009 |
| In Hueco Mundo, the hollow Grand Fisher transforms into an imperfect arrancar and enters the real world. Meanwhile, Shinji Hirako enrolls at Ichigo Kurosaki's school. During a routine purification of hollows, Ichigo is confronted by Hirako, who shows that he can willingly produce a hollow mask similar to what Ichigo has done unconsciously. He asks Ichigo to join his group, the Vizards. At the same time, Kon, in Ichigo's body, is attacked by Grand Fisher, and Uryū Ishida is attacked by a pair of hollows. Uryū is rescued by his father, Ryūken Ishida, who reveals that he is a Quincy. | |||
| 111 | "Shock! The Father's True Identity" "Kyōgaku! Oyajitachi no Shōtai" (驚愕！親父達の正体) | January 17, 2007 | April 18, 2009 |
| After rescuing Ishida from the arrancar attacking him, Ryūken offers to restore his powers on the condition he never associates with Soul Reapers. Kon continues to flee from the Grand Fisher. Despite receiving help from Lirin, Kurōdo and Noba, he is still caught. Isshin Kurosaki, Ichigo's father, arrives to save him. Ichigo and Hirako recognize a new presence, and neither can identify that it is Isshin. Before leaving, Ichigo declines Hirako's invitation. The Grand Fisher draws his zanpakutō, transforming into a stronger state, and Isshin, identifying the Grand Fisher as an arrancar, dispatches kills in a single attack, avenging his wife. | |||
| 112 | "The Commencement of War, Vizards and the Arrancars" "Tatakai no Hajimari, Vaizādo to Arankaru" (戦いの始まり、仮面の軍勢と破面) | January 24, 2007 | May 2, 2009 |
| Kisuke Urahara appears and converses with Isshin about the arrancar under the command of former Soul Reaper captain Sōsuke Aizen, the Vizards, and explains that the Hōgyoku will take a year to be fully awaken. At school, Hirako asks Ichigo again to join the Vizards, explaining that Ichigo's inner hollow will overwhelm him if he does not. Later, Hirako is confronted by Hiyori Sarugaki, another Vizard, who berates him concerning his lack of success in recruiting Ichigo. Orihime Inoue and Yasutora "Chad" Sado confront Hirakoi and Hiyori, and Hirako takes Hiyori away before she can kill Orihime and Chad. Elsewhere, Uryū agrees to Ryūken's proposal. | |||
| 113 | "Prelude to the Apocalypse, The Arrancar's Offensive" "Sekai Hōkai e no Jokyoku, Arankaru Shūrai" (世界崩壊への序曲、アランカル襲来！) | January 31, 2007 | May 2, 2009 |
| After his discussion with Hirako, Ichigo realizes that his inner hollow is indeed becoming more than he can control. At home, the voice of his inner hollow taunts him, saying that he will come closer and closer to him until he takes over his body. Meanwhile, two arrancars, Yammy Riyalgo and Ulquiorra Schiffer arrive in Karakura Town, and Yammy begins to consume the souls of all the humans in the area. Orihime and Chad arrive, and both are easily defeated by Yammy. As he attempts a killing blow against Orihime, Ichigo arrives to block the attack. | |||
| 114 | "Reunion, Ichigo and Rukia and Soul Reapers" "Saikai, Ichigo to Rukia to Shinigami-tachi" (再会、一護とルキア) | February 7, 2007 | May 9, 2009 |
| Ichigo uses his bankai, and Ulquiorra identifies him as the target Aizen sent them to investigate. Ichigo begins to battle Yammy, blocking Yammy's first attack and subsequently cutting off his arm. However, his inner hollow interferes, and Yammy gains the advantage. Urahara and Yoruichi Shihōin arrive, and Yammy is easily beaten by both of them. Ulquiorra rescues him from an attack from Urahara, and the two return to Hueco Mundo. At Ichigo's school, Ichigo meets a team of Soul Reapers consisting of Renji Abarai, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, Rangiku Matsumoto, Ikkaku Madarame, Yumichika Ayasegawa and Rukia Kuchiki dispatched to help Ichigo against the arrancar threats. | |||
| 115 | "Mission! The Soul Reapers Have Come" "Tokumei! Yatte Kita Shinigami-tachi" (特命！やってきた死神たち) | February 14, 2007 | May 9, 2009 |
| After greeting the team, Ichigo is taken by Rukia to fight a hollow. While Ichigo fights the hollow, Rukia berates his inability to defend his friends, and encourages him to fight his inner hollow. Inspired, Ichigo easily defeats the hollow, and Rukia takes him to Orihime to apologize for not protecting her against the arrancar. At Ichigo's house, Hitsugaya explains Aizen's plans for the arrancars and the different types of hollows. In Hueco Mundo, Ulquiorra and Yammy report their findings in the real world to Aizen and an assembly of arrancar. | |||
| 116 | "The Evil Eye, Aizen Returns" "Ashiki Hitomi, Aizen Futatabi" (悪しき瞳、藍染再び) | February 21, 2007 | May 16, 2009 |
| Ulquiorra and Yammy are debriefed by Aizen and the other arrancars. Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez questions Ulquiorra's decision to keep Ichigo alive, and Aizen asserts that he trusts Ulquiorra's judgment, angering Grimmjow. Grimmjow takes a group of five arrancars, Shawlong Qufang, Edorad Leones, Ilfort Grantz, Nakim Greendina and D-Roy Linker, to kill any being with spiritual power in Karakura Town. | |||
| 117 | "Rukia's Battle Commences! The Freezing White Blade" "Rukia Sentō Kaishi! Kōritsuku Shiroi Yaiba" (ルキア戦闘開始！凍りつく白い刃) | February 28, 2007 | May 16, 2009 |
| Grimmjow's five arrancars separate to attack their targets. D-Roy encounters Chad and nearly kills him before Ichigo intercepts the fatal blow. Rukia arrives, telling Ichigo to allow her to fight D-Roy. Using the shikai of her zanpakutō, she easily defeats D-Roy. However, Grimmjow arrives to fight them, and Rukia realizes that his power is vastly superior to D-Roy's. Meanwhile, Keigo Asano encounters Ikkaku fighting Edorad. | |||
| 118 | "Ikkaku's Bankai! The Power That Breaks Everything" "Ikkaku Bankai! Subete o Kudaku Chikara" (一角卍解！全てを砕く力) | March 7, 2007 | May 23, 2009 |
| Ikkaku fights Edorad, who is forced to release his zanpakutō after failing to counter Ikkaku's unorthodox fighting style. In his released form, Edorad easily overpowers Ikkaku, and Ikkaku uses his bankai. Meanwhile, Grimmjow dispatches Rukia in a single blow, and prepares to fight Ichigo. Ikkaku lands several blows on Edorad, and the two use all their power in a final attack. | |||
| 119 | "Zaraki Division's Secret Story! The Lucky Men" "Zaraki Tai Hiwa! Tsuite iru Otokotachi" (更木隊秘話！ツイている男たち) | March 21, 2007 | May 23, 2009 |
| Ikkaku recalls his first encounter with Kenpachi Zaraki when he was a vagrant in the Rukongai. Kenpachi easily defeated him, and told Ikkaku to consider a respite from death after a fight as luck. After learning that Kenpachi joined the Thirteen Court Guard Squads as a captain, Ikkaku and Yumichika join Kenpachi's division. When Renji was a member of the eleventh division, Ikkaku trained him, and Renji asked Ikkaku to become a captain after discovering that Ikkaku could use his bankai. Ikkaku refused, citing his desire to fight and die under Kenpachi's command. In the present, Ikkaku defeats Edorad, and Yumichika congratulates him on his victory. | |||
| 120 | "Hitsugaya Scatters! The Broken Hyōrinmaru" "Hitsugaya Chiru! Kudaketa Hyōrinmaru" (日番谷散る！砕けた氷輪丸) | March 28, 2007 | May 30, 2009 |
| Hitsugaya fights Shawlong, who overpowers him even though he is using his bankai. Renji, also using his bankai, is outmatched against Illfort. Elsewhere, Ichigo begins to fight Grimmjow, who encourages Ichigo to use his bankai. Ilfort and Shawlong release their zanpakutō, and Shawlong explains the ranking structure of the arrancars to Hitsugaya. Afterwards, Rangiku receives confirmation from the Soul Society that they have been granted permission to lift their power limits, and Hitsugaya, Rangiku and Renji do so. | |||
| 121 | "Clash! The Protector vs. The Bearer" "Gekitotsu! Mamoru Mono VS Kōmuru Mono" (激突！護る者VS被る者) | April 11, 2007 | May 30, 2009 |
| With their power limits lifted, Hitsugaya, Rangiku and Renji easily dispatch their opponents. Meanwhile, Ichigo is overpowered by Grimmjow, who is able to fight against Ichigo barehanded. Ichigo uses his Getsuga Tenshō, which slightly damages Grimmjow and awakens his inner hollow. Before Grimmjow can release his zanpakutō, Kaname Tōsen arrives. Tōsen takes Grimmjow back to Hueco Mundo, claiming that he violated Aizen's orders by attacking the real world. | |||
| 122 | "Vizard! The Power of the Awakened" "Vaizādo! Mezameshi Monotachi no Chikara" (ヴァイザード！目覚めし者たちの力) | April 18, 2007 | June 6, 2009 |
| Grimmjow is taken back to Hueco Mundo by Kaname Tōsen, who asks Aizen for permission to execute Grimmjow. When Aizen denies his request, Tōsen slices off Grimmjow's arm and incinerates it. However, in a later conversation with Gin Ichimaru, it is implied that Aizen had planned for it to happen. In the real world, Ichigo attempts to find the Visoreds, realizing that his inner hollow has become too powerful to control. Meanwhile, Ishida trains with his father under the Karakura Hospital and Chad requests that Urahara train him. Ichigo finds the Vizards, and fights Hirako, believing he can force Hirako to tell him how to control his inner hollow. Hiyori stops the battle, and dons her hollow mask to fight Ichigo. | |||
| 123 | "Ichigo, Complete Hollowification!?" "Ichigo, Kanzen Horō-ka!?" (一護、完全ホロウ化!?) | April 25, 2007 | June 6, 2009 |
| With her hollow mask, Hiyori overpowers Ichigo, who is unwilling to use either his hollow mask or his bankai. Ichigo's inner hollow surfaces, and the other Vizards restrain him before he can harm Hiyori. Hirako gives Ichigo an exercise to assess how much spiritual energy he has. However, after Ichigo proves that he has enough spiritual energy, Hirako explains that he must force his inner hollow into the core of his soul. Hirako renders Ichigo unconscious, and as Ichigo battles his inner hollow in his internal world, his body in the real world begins to transform into a hollow. | |||
| 124 | "Collision! Black Bankai and the White Bankai" "Gekitotsu! Kuroi Bankai to Shiroi Bankai" (激突！黒い卍解と白い卍解) | May 2, 2007 | June 13, 2009 |
| Ichigo battles against his inner hollow for control while the Vizards battle his increasingly berserk body. Ichigo and his inner hollow both use their bankai and commence fighting. Meanwhile, Ichigo is continually assaulted by inner manifestations of previous enemies, Byakuya Kuchiki and Jin Kariya. Ichigo's inner hollow overpowers him and breaks his sword, claiming that he has no desire to serve someone with no instinct for battle. | |||
| 125 | "Urgent Report! Aizen's Terrifying Plan!" "Kinkyū Hōkoku! Aizen no Osorubeki Keikaku!" (緊急報告！藍染の恐るべき計画) | May 9, 2007 | June 13, 2009 |
| After a conversation with a manifestation of Kenpachi Zaraki, Ichigo is able to steal his sword of the hollow and impale him with it, and gains control over his inner hollow. Elsewhere, first division captain Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto speaks with Hitsugaya concerning Aizen's objective, desiring to use 100,000 human souls in Karakura Town to create a key to the dimension the king of the Soul Society lives in and overthrow the king. At Urahara's shop, Chad is training by fighting against Renji's bankai as training, and Uryū is training by fighting his father under Karakura Hospital. Meanwhile, Yamamoto tells Hitsugaya that lieutenant Momo Hinamori wishes to speak with him. | |||
| 126 | "Uryū vs. Ryūken! Clash of the Parent-Child Quincys" "Uryū VS Ryūken! Gekitotsu Kuinshī Oyako" (雨竜VS竜弦！激突クインシー親子) | May 16, 2007 | June 20, 2009 |
| Hinamori appears to still be in a trance, believing that Aizen is innocent and urges Hitsugaya to save him, which angers him. Throughout the town, various training sessions are taking place: Ichigo is training with Hiyori to lengthen the time he can use his hollow mask, Chad is training with Renji to make his arm stronger, and Uryū is training with Ryūken to regain his powers. Meanwhile, Orihime tracks down Ichigo to inform him of Aizen's plans. This comes as a surprise to the other Vizards, as she passes through the barrier with no effort. In his battle with Ryūken, Uryū finally loses his patience and goes on the attack, only to be shot through the chest. A pentacle-shaped scar forms at the point of contact, and Ryūken informs Uryū that his powers have been restored. | |||
| 127 | "Urahara's Decision, Orihime's Thoughts" "Urahara no Ketsudan, Orihime no Omoi" (浦原の決断、織姫の想い) | May 30, 2007 | June 20, 2009 |
| With Orihime's attack spirit Tsubaki destroyed by Yammy, Urahara tells Orihime that he does not want her to participate in the upcoming battle against the arrancar. Orihime is saddened by the decision, but understands it. After being taken back to the Vizards by Hiyori, however, the Vizard Hachigen "Hachi" Ushōda is able to restore Tsubaki. Meanwhile, Yammy has his arm reattached by an arrancar surgeon, and Ulquiorra explains that Grimmjow lost his rank as an Espada when he lost his arm. Yammy is revealed to be the Tenth Espada. | |||
| 128 | "The Nightmare Arrancar! Team Hitsugaya Moves Out" "Akumu no Arankaru! Hitsugayatai Shutsugeki" (悪夢のアランカル！日番谷隊出撃) | June 6, 2007 | June 27, 2009 |
| This is the first of eight filler episodes. During a hollow attack, Rangiku protects the spirit of a child from an arrancar that sings a strange song. After Ikkaku dispatches the arrancar, they forgo sending the child to the Soul Society to interrogate him. The child, named Shōta Toyokawa, is insisitent that he has something to do before leaving the real world, but will not reveal what it is. Rangiku convinces Hitsugaya to wait a day before sending him to the Soul Society. At night, Shōta attempts to steal Rangiku's zanpakutō, but she catches him. He reveals that he has to find someone, but is evasive about who it is. Before Rangiku can press the issue, the arrancar Ikkaku killed reappears. | |||
| 129 | "The Swooping Descent of the Dark Emissary! The Propagation of Malice" "Maiorita Yami no Shisha! Zōshoku suru Akui" (舞い降りた闇の使者！増殖する悪意) | June 13, 2007 | June 27, 2009 |
| While tracking the arrancar, Rangiku and Shōta discover that its song can force souls to walk towards it, and that it can multiply itself without limit. A researcher from the twelfth division reveals that another arrancar is creating the copies, explaining their inability to die. The Soul Reapers defeat all of the arrancars, and Shōta finds the person he was searching for, that being his sister Yui. More clones from the arrancar attack, and Yui runs to the park, where Shōta admits that he abandoned her out of fear. | |||
| 130 | "The Invisible Enemy! Hitsugaya's Merciless Decision" "Mienai Teki! Hitsugaya, Hijō na Ketsudan" (見えない敵！日番谷、非情な決断) | June 20, 2007 | July 4, 2009 |
| The arrancar is revealed to be able to disguise itself as the human souls it has devoured. Upon learning of the attack on Yui by the arrancar, Hitsugaya assumes she is one of the copies, and his inability to send her to the Soul Society confirms this. Still unsure, Hitsugaya has the Soul Society track the disguised arrancar while Yui is sealed within a barrier. The analysis confirms Yui is one of the clones, and that the arrancar acquired its cloning power from her. As Yui's brother, Shōta has similar powers, and Yui uses him to break the barrier. | |||
| 131 | "Rangiku's Tears, the Sorrowful Parting of Brother and Sister" "Rangiku no Namida, Kanashiki Kyōdai no Wakare" (乱菊の涙、哀しき兄妹の別れ) | June 27, 2007 | July 11, 2009 |
| Although Yui is able to resist the arrancar and keep Shōta safe, the original arrancar devours her. It is overpowered by Hitsugaya and Rangiku, and stalls them by revealing that Yui's trapped soul will be destroyed if they kill him. It creates hundreds of copied arrancar to attack the town while it hides behind a barrier. Hitsugaya uses his bankai in an attempt to find the arrancar by freezing the surroundings. Rangiku and Shōta manage to track the arrancar via the song it sings, and Hitsugaya disables it with his bankai. Rangiku and Shōta defeat the arrancar, releasing all the souls it devoured in the process. With the arrancar gone, Rangiku sends Shōta to the Soul Society to reunite him with his sister. | |||
Season 7: The Arrancar Part 2: The Hueco Mundo Sneak Entry (2007)
| No. | Title | Original airdate | English airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 132 | "Hitsugaya, Karin, and Soccer Ball" "Hitsugaya to Karin to Sakkā Bōru" (日番谷と夏梨とサッカーボール) | July 4, 2007 | July 11, 2009 |
| Karin Kurosaki meets Tōshirō Hitsugaya when she is playing soccer in the streets. Karin discovers that older students are using a soccer field for practice during a time slot that her team had booked. After a confrontation, the two teams decide to have a soccer match for control of the field. Karin asks Hitsugaya to join, but he refuses. However, he notes that she can see hollows and goes to the match. In the match, Karin injures her knee, prompting Hitsugaya to enter the game to help her. After the game is over, a hollow enters the area, and Hitsugaya easily defeats it. Realizing that Hitsugaya is a Soul Reaper, Karin questions Hitsugaya about her brother, Ichigo Kurosaki, and Hitsugaya assuages her fears concerning Ichigo's location. | |||
| 133 | "Ikkaku: The Hot-Blooded Kendo Tale" "Ikkaku, Nekketsu Kendō Monogatari" (一角、熱血剣道物語) | July 11, 2007 | July 18, 2009 |
| Keigo Asano's sister Mizuho asks Ikkaku Madarame to help train a group of kendo students at his school. Ikkaku's brutal training causes most of the team to quit, except for a boy named Shinji, who is dedicated to become stronger. To recruit more team members, Ikkaku asks his fellow Soul Reapers Hitsugaya and Renji Abarai to participate in the kendo tournament. The Soul Reapers easily defeat their opponents. However, a hollow appears nearby, forcing them to leave in order to fight it. Shinji fights the final opponent in the tournament, and manages to defeat him as Ikkaku kills the hollow. Ikkaku, enraged at having missed an opportunity to fight, proceeds to attack the entire opposing team on his own. | |||
| 134 | "The Beautiful Patissier, Yumichika!" "Utsukushiki Patishie, Yumichika!" (美しきパティシエ、弓親！) | July 18, 2007 | July 18, 2009 |
| Twelfth division Soul Reaper Rin Tsubokura is sent to Karakura Town to conduct research, and Hanatarō Yamada accompanies him as an escort. Yumichika Ayasegawa, one of the Soul Reapers based in the real world, is assigned as their guide. While Rin searches for sweets to purchase, they encounter the ghost of a chef who wants the three Soul Reapers to bake a cake for his mother. Upon delivering the cake, however, the chef's mother refuses to eat it because it reminds her of her son, causing the chef to begin transforming into a hollow. Attracted by the chef's transformation, a Menos Grande arrives, and Hanatarō is able to both stop the chef's transformation and defeat the Menos Grande with the shikai of his zanpakutō. Using a device, Rin makes the chef visible to his mother, and he convinces her to eat the cake. | |||
| 135 | "Kon is Deceived! Rangiku on the Lookout..." "Hakarareta, Kon! Rangiku wa Mite Ita..." (はかられたコン！乱菊は見ていた…) | July 25, 2007 | July 25, 2009 |
| After encountering Rangiku Matsumoto, Kon rescues a girl named Miyuki from drowning. In the process, however, Kon is swapped with Shintarō, the girl's stuffed animal. Kon attempts to talk to Miyuki, who requests that Kon play with her, as she has no friends outside her house. Kon asks her to bring him to her old house, where Kon learns that "Shintarō" is the name of her old dog and a two-headed dog hollow attacks them. Rangiku kills the hollow, which is revealed to be Shintarō's soul along with a Doberman Pinscher's soul which combined with it to make the hollow. Afterwards, Kon insists that Miyuki stop relying on him and make friends of her own. | |||
| 136 | "Civil War in Hueco Mundo! Ulquiorra's Death" "Weko Mundo Nairan! Urukiora no Shi" (ウェコムンド内乱！ウルキオラの死) | August 8, 2007 | July 25, 2009 |
| In Hueco Mundo, an arrancar named Patros and his two subordinates steal the Orb of Distortion, and kill Espada Ulquiorra Schiffer in the process. Unwilling to continue taking orders from former Soul Reaper Sōsuke Aizen, Patros wishes to use the Orb of Distortion to take control of Las Noches. To this end, he heads for the shop of Kisuke Urahara, as he believes someone in the shop knows how to use the orb. Patros begins to fight Renji, who is staying at Urahara's shop. Meanwhile, the other Soul Reapers fight Patros' subordinates. As the two sides battle, Ulquiorra appears in the real world with no signs of his previous injuries. | |||
| 137 | "The Malicious Battle, Aizen's Trap" "Akui no Tatakai, Aizen no Wana" (悪意の戦い、藍染の罠) | August 22, 2007 | July 25, 2009 |
| In Hueco Mundo, Ulquiorra's staged death and the theft of the Orb of Distortion are revealed to be a ploy by Aizen, engineered using his illusion-casting zanpakutō. In the real world, Patros' subordinates are defeated, and Renji uses his bankai, forcing Patros to release his zanpakutō. Patros begins to overwhelm Renji and reveals the secret of his attacks to the modified soul Lirin. Lirin, Kurōdo and Noba prevent Patros from using his attacks, and Renji defeats him. Meanwhile, Ulquiorra delivers a report to Aizen, noting that Orihime Inoue is currently not in the real world. | |||
| 138 | "Hueco Mundo moves again! Hitsugaya vs. Yammy" "Hueco Mundo Saidō! Hitsugaya VS Yammy" (ウェコムンド再動！日番谷VSヤミー) | August 29, 2007 | August 1, 2009 |
| In Hueco Mundo, Aizen creates the arrancar Wonderweiss Margera with the Orb of Distortion, and Aizen tasks Ulquiorra with gathering arrancars for a mission. Meanwhile, Ichigo's training with the Vizards has enabled him to use his hollow mask for eleven seconds. In Soul Society, Soul Reapers Jūshirō Ukitake and Shūhei Hisagi observe Orihime and Rukia Kuchiki, who are training for the winter war with Aizen. In the real world, Yumichika and Rangiku are training in an attempt to achieve bankai when the arrancars Luppi Antenor, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, Yammy Riyalgo and Wonderweiss attack. Ichigo encounters Grimmjow and uses his bankai. In the training room beneath the Urahara shop, Urahara prepares to leave to enter the battle. | |||
| 139 | "Ichigo vs. Grimmjow, the 11-second battle!" "Ichigo VS Gurimujō, Jū-ichi Byō no tatakai!" (一護VSグリムジョー、11秒の戦い) | September 5, 2007 | August 1, 2009 |
| Ichigo dons his hollow mask, and overwhelms Grimmjow with his enhanced power. However, Ichigo is unable to defeat Grimmjow in his eleven-second limit, and Grimmjow takes the advantage. Meanwhile, Hitsugaya battles Yammy, and Luppi demands that Yammy retreat so he can fight all the Soul Reapers present. Luppi releases his zanpakutō, sprouting eight tentacles from his back, and after knocking Hitsugaya into the ground, captures all of the Soul Reapers. Before he can dispatch Rangiku, Urahara arrives, cutting one of his tentacles, and begins to fight Yammy. In Soul Society, as Orihime crosses into the real world, Ulquiorra attacks her. He severely injures her Soul Reaper guards and demands that she leave with him or he will kill all her friends. | |||
| 140 | "Ulquiorra's Scheme, the Moment when the Sun Sets!" "Sakubō no Urukiora, Taiyō ga Shizumu Toki" (策謀のウルキオラ、太陽が沈む時) | September 12, 2007 | August 8, 2009 |
| As the battle with Luppi continues, Hitsugaya uses a sneak attack with his bankai and defeats Luppi. Meanwhile, Urahara dodges Yammy's attacks using one of his inventions, and subsequently nullifies all of them. Grimmjow nearly kills Ichigo, but is saved by Rukia. She is nearly killed, but Shinji Hirako saves her. Grimmjow begins to battle Hirako, and after Hirako dons his hollow mask, he overwhelms Grimmjow. As Grimmjow prepares to release his zanpakutō, Ulquiorra stops him and orders all the arrancars to return to Hueco Mundo, as Orihime agreed to accompany him. | |||
| 141 | "Goodbye..., Kurosaki!" "Sayonara..., Kurosaki-kun!" (さようなら…、黒崎くん) | September 19, 2007 | August 15, 2009 |
| Ulquiorra gives Orihime twelve hours to say goodbye to one person, and provides her with a bracelet that makes her invisible. Orihime travels through Karakura Town, watching her friends from a distance. She then visits Ichigo, who is recovering from the injuries Grimmjow inflicted on him. She makes a confession of her love to the sleeping Ichigo. She almost kisses him but cannot bring herself to do it. Before leaving the real world, she writes a line in a notebook, "Goodbye, halcyon days". | |||
| 142 | "Strict Order! The Forbidden Rescue of Orihime Inoue" "Genmei! Inoue Orihime no Kyushūtsu o Kinzu" (厳命！井上織姫ノ救出ヲ禁ズ) | September 26, 2007 | August 15, 2009 |
| Tatsuki discovers that Orihime is missing following the attack by the arrancars. Because she had time to heal Ichigo before departing, captain Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto assumes that she is a traitor who left of her own volition, and refuses any attempts to rescue her. Meanwhile, Tatsuki Arisawa questions Ichigo concerning Orihime's disappearance, and Ichigo tells her that it is none of her concern. Ichigo, unwilling to abandon Orihime, turns to Urahara for help, and is joined by Uryū Ishida and Yasutora "Chad" Sado. | |||
| 143 | "Grimmjow Revived" "Fukkatsu no Gurimujō" (復活のグリムジョー) | October 3, 2007 | August 22, 2009 |
| After being brought before Aizen, Orihime is asked to demonstrate her power by restoring Grimmjow's arm. After doing so, Grimmjow asks her to restore his tattoo. Following this, he kills Luppi to regain his rank among the Espadas. Although she is worried that her actions will only cause more fighting, Orihime resolves to make herself useful until the Soul Society has prepared for the upcoming war. Meanwhile, Ichigo, Uryū and Chad enter Hueco Mundo with Urahara's aid. In the real world, Isshin Kurosaki meets with Ryūken Ishida in the training chamber underneath the latter's hospital, where they discuss how they raised their respective sons. | |||
| 144 | "Ishida and Chad, The Quickening of a New Power" "Ishida, Chado, Atarashiki Chikara To taidō" (石田・チャド、新しき力の胎動) | October 17, 2007 | August 22, 2009 |
| After arriving in Hueco Mundo, Ichigo, Uryū and Chad traverse the halls of an unknown structure. After setting off several traps, they are greeted by Demōra and Iceringer, two arrancar under Aizen's command. Uryū and Chad insist that Ichigo watch them fight, and they overpower the arrancars, showing their new abilities in the process. | |||
| 145 | "The Espada Gather! Aizen's Royal Assembly" "Esupāda Shūketsu! Aizen no Gozen Kaigi" (エスパーダ集結！藍染の御前会議) | October 24, 2007 | August 29, 2009 |
| With the two arrancars defeated, the room collapses, forcing Ichigo, Uryū and Chad to escape outside. Upon seeing Las Noches, they begin running towards it, impeded by the various natural hazards of the desert. Meanwhile, Aizen gathers the Espadas to inform them of the intrusion, stressing that the intruders are not to be underestimated, but not to be considered an immediate threat. In the desert, Ichigo, Uryū and Chad encounter three hollows chasing a human child, and decide to help the child. | |||
| 146 | "The Name's Nel! The Appearance of a Strange Arrancar" "Sono Na wa Neru! Fushigi na Arankaru Tōjō" (その名はネル！不思議なアランカル登場) | October 31, 2007 | August 29, 2009 |
| Ichigo learns that the human child is an arrancar named Nelliel Tu Oderschvanck. The three hollows are her brothers Pesche Guatiche and Dondochakka Bilstin, and their pet Bawabawa. Afterwards, a hollow named Lunuganga attacks the group, and they are unable to harm him because his body is made of sand. They are saved by Renji and Rukia, who freezes Lunuganga with her shikai. Nel offers to take the whole group to Las Noches. Before they can reach Las Noches, Lunuganga rises from the sands again. | |||
| 147 | "Forest of Menos! Search for the Missing Rukia" "Menosu no Mori! Kieta Rukia o Sakase" (メノスの森！消えたルキアを探せ) | November 7, 2007 | September 12, 2009 |
| Lunuganga sinks the group beneath the sands, and Rukia is separated from the group. Nel explains that they are in the Forest of Menos, where most hollows reside. As they begin to fight the hollows around them, Rukia attempts to fight the hollows attacking her. She is rescued by Soul Reaper Ashido Kanō, who attacks her after dispatching all of the hollows. Meanwhile, Nel, Pesche and Dondochakka are kidnapped by a hollow during an attack. | |||
| 148 | "Ashido, The Soul Reaper Who Came from the Past" "Ashido, Kako kara Kita Shinigami" (アシド、過去から来た死神) | November 14, 2007 | September 12, 2009 |
| Ashido reveals that his attack was a test of her strength, and he decides to take her back to her friends. Along the way, he relates his past to Rukia, explaining that he was part of a unit which hunts hollows that inadvertently came to Hueco Mundo. They are attacked by an Adjuchas. Meanwhile, Nel and her friends are held captive by the other Adjuchas, and Ichigo, Uryū, Chad and Renji are searching the area for them. Rukia and Ashido easily destroy the first Adjuchas, and another adjuchas prepares up an ambush, in which Ashido is hit while trying to protect Rukia. | |||
| 149 | "Through the Crumbling Forest, a Million Menos" "Kuzureiku Mori, Hyakuman no Menosu" (崩れ行く森、百万のメノス) | November 21, 2007 | September 19, 2009 |
| Ashido's mask absorbs the brunt of the attack of the Adjuchas, and Rukia kills the Adjuchas. Meanwhile, Ichigo and the others locate Nel and are led into an ambush. However, they defeat all of the hollows present. Elsewhere, Rukia and Ashido defeat another Adjuchas, and everyone is subsequently reunited. As Ashido attempts to lead them out of the forest, an attack by one of the remaining Adjuchas collapses the passage. Ashido leaves to fight the Adjuchas as the rest of the group returns to the surface. As she leaves, Rukia promises to return for him. In Las Noches, Ulquiorra informs Orihime that her friends have mounted a rescue. | |||
| 150 | "Oath! Back Here Alive Again" "Chikai! Futatabi Ikite Kono Basho e" (誓い！再び生きてこの場所へ) | November 28, 2007 | September 19, 2009 |
| After breaking into Las Noches and finding themselves at a five-way fork, Ichigo's group splits up and each takes one path. When Nel chases after Ichigo, Pesche and Dondochakka forget the direction she took and travel down different paths. Meanwhile, Ulquiorra makes Orihime swear her loyalty to Aizen. Afterwards, he explains to Espada Nnoitra Gilga the psychological traps Aizen created to ensure that Orihime does not have the will to resist. However, Orihime quietly resolves to destroy the Orb of Distortion by erasing its existence, an act that would derail all of Aizen's plans. | |||
| 151 | "The Raging Storm! Encounter with the Dancing Arrancar" "Fukiareru Bōfū! Odoru Arankaru to no Sōgū" (吹き荒れる暴風！踊るアランカルとの遭遇) | December 5, 2007 | September 26, 2009 |
| Ichigo and Nel encounter the Privaron Espada Dordonii Alessandro Del Socacchio, and Ichigo begins to battle him. Uryū and Chad each encounter an arrancar, and former Soul Reaper captains Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen observe the battles through the surveillance system in Las Noches. Although Ichigo and Dordonii fight evenly, Dordonii gains the upper hand by releasing his zanpakutō. | |||
Season 8: The Arrancar Part 3: The Fierce Fight (2007–2008)
| No. | Title | Original airdate | English airdate[16][17] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 152 | "Ichigo Strikes Back! This Is My Bankai" "Ichigo Hangeki! Koitsu ga Ore no Bankai da" (一護反撃！こいつが俺の卍解だ) | December 12, 2007 | September 26, 2009 |
| Ichigo Kurosaki continues his battle with the Privaron Espada Dordonii Alessandro Del Socacchio, and Dordonii easily overpowers Ichigo, leading him to demand that Ichigo use his bankai. Ichigo refuses and Dordonii uses a cero blast in response. Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck blocks the blast by swallowing it and fires it back at Dordonii. When Dordonii attacks Nel, Ichigo uses his bankai to stop the attack. However, Dordonii requests that Ichigo use his hollow powers to fight him. Ichigo dons his hollow mask and disables Dordonii with a single strike. Nel heals Dordonii with her saliva at Ichigo's request, and Dordonii explains that he had hoped to regain his position as a full Espada by defeating Ichigo at full power. After being completely healed, he attacks Ichigo again. | |||
| 153 | "The Devilish Research! Szayelaporro's Plan" "Akuma no Kenkyū! Zaeruaporo no Takurami" (悪魔の研究！ザエルアポロの企み) | December 19, 2007 | October 3, 2009 |
| Dordonii is struck down by Ichigo once again, and to thank Ichigo for using his full power against him, Dordonii fights Rudbornn Chelute and the Exequias, a group of arrancars specializing in eliminating intruders, to allow Ichigo to retreat. When Sōsuke Aizen learns of this, he asks who ordered the Exequias to attack Ichigo, and the Espada Szayelaporro Grantz takes responsibility. Aizen forgives him, noting that Dordonii's body will help Szayelaporro's research. Meanwhile, Uryū Ishida is battling the Privaron Espada Cirucci Sanderwicci, and Rukia encounters the Espada Aaroniero Arruruerie. Aaroniero removes his mask, revealing the face of Kaien Shiba, the former lieutenant of the thirteenth division that Rukia had killed. | |||
| 154 | "Rukia and Kaien, the Sorrowful Reunion" "Rukia to Kaien, Kanashimi no Saikai" (ルキアと海燕、哀しみの再会) | December 26, 2007 | October 3, 2009 |
| Rukia converses with Aaroniero, and realizes that he is the real Kaien, who states that after he was killed, he was resurrected in Hueco Mundo, where he became one of Aizen's Espadas. Kaien offers Rukia a chance to atone for killing him by allowing him to kill her, and Rukia accepts, with the caveat that she will be allowed to rescue Orihime Inoue. Kaien reveals that he was joking, and instead, instructs her to kill all of her friends. Realizing that he is an imposter, Rukia begins to fight Kaien, and Kaien quickly gains the upper hand, as he was the one who taught Rukia how to fight. | |||
| 155 | "Rukia Retaliates! Release the Desperate Kidō" "Rukia Hangeki! Kesshi no Kidō o Hanate" (ルキア反撃！決死の鬼道を放て) | January 9, 2008 | October 10, 2009 |
| Rukia continues to struggle against Kaien, and he begins to overpower her when he uses the shikai of his zanpakutō. When Kaien disarms her, Rukia attempts to use a kidō spell, and reveals in the process that Kaien is afraid of the sunlight. Armed with this knowledge, Rukia binds Kaien with kidō and blasts a hole in the wall. In the sunlight, Kaien's face melts away to reveal a glass case with two masks inside. The creature reintroduces himself as Aaroniero, and after moving out of the sunlight, assumes Kaien's appearance again. After informing Rukia that he absorbed Kaien's remains when he came to Hueco Mundo, Aaroniero releases his zanpakutō, transforming his lower body into a giant, octopus-like form. | |||
| 156 | "Ishida & Pesche, the United Attack of Friendship" "Ishida & Pesshe, Yūjō no Gattai Kōgeki" (石田＆ペッシェ、友情の合体攻撃) | January 16, 2008 | October 10, 2009 |
| Uryū continues to battle with Cirucci, who blocks all of his attacks with her zanpakutō. The arrancar Pesche Guatiche decides to help Uryū, and uses his saliva to cause Cirucci to trip and land awkwardly on the ground. Incensed, Cirucci releases her zanpakutō, transforming into a giant bird with bladed wings. Unable to counter her abilities with his arrows alone, Uryū pulls one of the tubes from his belt, which produces a powerful energy blade that easily slices through her winged blades. | |||
| 157 | "Ishida's Trump Card, Seele Schneider" "Ishida no Kirifuda, Tamashii o Kirisaku Mono" (石田の切り札、魂を切り裂くもの) | January 23, 2008 | October 17, 2009 |
| With his energy sword, which he calls Seele Schneider, Uryū is easily able to defend himself against Cirucci's attacks. In response, Cirucci sheds her wings and focuses all her power into a single blade on her tail, and Uryū defeats her by shooting his Seele Schneider from his bow into her chest. As Uryū and Pesche leave, Rudbornn and the Exequias arrive to kill Cirucci. Meanwhile, Yasutora "Chad" Sado is at a disadvantage against the Privaron Espada Gantenbainne Mosqueda. After taking several blows, Chad realizes how to access his full power, transforming his right arm into a giant shield named Brazo Derecho del Gigante. | |||
| 158 | "Right Arm of the Giant, Left Arm of the Devil" "Kyojin no Uwan, Akuma no Sawan" (巨人の右腕、悪魔の左腕) | January 30, 2008 | October 17, 2009 |
| With his full power unleashed, Chad overpowers Gantenbainne, and Gantenbainne releases his zanpakutō in response. However, Chad reveals that his right arm is intended solely for defense, and transforms his left arm, naming it Brazo Izquierdo del Diablo. With his left arm, Chad overpowers Gantenbainne and allows him to live. However, Chad is confronted by the Espada Nnoitora Gilga, and after Chad fruitlessly attacks Nnoitora with his left arm, Nnoitora defeats and seriously wounds Chad with a single attack. | |||
| 159 | "Yasutora Sado Dies! Orihime's Tears" "Sado Yasutora Shisu! Orihime no Namida" (茶渡泰虎死す！織姫の涙) | February 6, 2008 | October 24, 2009 |
| Bored with the ease of his victory, Nnoitora leaves to pursue another intruder. Chad's apparent death is felt by everyone in Hueco Mundo, and when Espada Ulquiorra Schiffer brings dinner to Orihime Inoue, she refuses to believe that Chad has died. Ulquiorra admonishes her, noting that all her friends are doomed to fail because they rushed into battle without realizing the odds they faced. Orihime slaps him, and bursts into tears after Ulquiorra leaves. Meanwhile, Renji Abarai and Dondochakka Bilstin encounter Szayelaporro. Renji attempts to use his bankai, but it shatters instantly, leading Szayelaporro to remark that he designed the room they are in to negate Renji's bankai. As this is happening, Rukia continues to battle Aaroniero, who reveals that he has eaten and obtained the powers of over 33,650 hollows. | |||
| 160 | "Testament, Your Heart is Right Here..." "Yuigon - Kokoro wa Koko ni..." (遺言、心はここに…) | February 13, 2008 | October 24, 2009 |
| Overwhelmed by Aaroniero's released form, as well as the realization that he possesses Kaien's actual body, Rukia is impaled through the stomach, and her zanpakutō, Sode no Shirayuki, is broken in the process. She recalls her training with Kaien, in which he told her how a person's heart is passed on to those they are close to. Regaining her resolve, she performs the third dance San No Mai Shirafune, reconstructing her zanpakutō with ice and impales Aaroniero through the head. As Aaroniero dies, Rukia attempts to stand in order to continue her journey to save Orihime, but collapses from her injuries. | |||
| 161 | "The Cruel Arrancar, Ulquiorra's Provocation" "Zankoku na Arankaru, Urukiora no Chōhatsu" (残酷な破面、ウルキオラの挑発) | February 20, 2008 | October 31, 2009 |
| When Renji asks Szayelaporro how he negated his bankai, Szayelaporro reveals that he gathered the data using parasites stored in the body of his older brother Ilfort Grantz, who Renji fought and defeated. With only his shikai, Renji's attacks cannot harm Szayelaporro. Meanwhile, Ulquiorra meets Ichigo to inform him of Rukia's death. Ichigo attempts to leave to save Rukia, but Ulquiorra goads him into fighting by revealing that he was the person who forced Orihime to come to Hueco Mundo. Furious, Ichigo uses his bankai, dons his hollow mask and prepares to fight Ulquiorra in anger. | |||
| 162 | "Szayelaporro Laughs, The Net Trapping Renji is Complete" "Warau Zaeruaporo, Renji Hōi Ami Kansei" (笑うザエルアポロ、恋次包囲網完成) | February 27, 2008 | October 31, 2009 |
| Even after using his most powerful attacks, Ichigo is overpowered by Ulquiorra. Ichigo, however, refuses to give up, believing Ulquiorra to be the top-ranked Espada. Ulquiorra reveals his "4" tattoo, indicating that he is the Fourth Espada, and stabs Ichigo in the chest with his hand, telling Ichigo to either escape from Hueco Mundo or die. Meanwhile, Orihime is confronted by Loly Aivirrne and Menoly Mallia, two female arrancar furious because Aizen favors Orihime over them. In Renji's fight with Szayelaporro. Renji is almost killed by Szayelaporro's strongest Fracción Medazeppi when he is struck by an arrow from a mysterious person, killing him. The mysterious person mocks Renji for almost being killed before Renji identifies the mysterious person as Uryū. | |||
| 163 | "Shinigami and Quincy, The Battle with Madness" "Shinigami to Kuinshī, Kyōki to no Tatakai" (死神とクインシー、狂気との戦い) | March 5, 2008 | November 7, 2009 |
| Orihime is rescued from Loly and Menoly by Espada Grimmjow Jeagerjaques, who claims he is repaying Orihime for restoring his arm and promptly kills Menoly and injures Loly. He tells Orihime that he needs her help, and takes her with him. However, Orihime chose to heal both Loly and Menoly before they leave. Meanwhile, Uryū finds that his arrival was expected by Szayelaporro, and his attacks are useless against both the Espada and his Fracciones. Renji saves Uryū from a fatal blow, and the two prepare to work together to take down Szayelaporro. | |||
| 164 | "Ishida's Strategy, 20-Second Offense and Defense" "Ishida no Sakusen, Nijūbyō no Kōbō" (石田の作戦、20秒の攻防) | March 12, 2008 | November 7, 2009 |
| With Renji's help, Uryū maneuvers Szayelaporro into a trap, catching him in a massive explosion. Although the trap is damaging, it fails to kill Szayelaporro. By eating one of his Fracciones Lumina, Szayelaporro completely heals himself. However, rather than retaliate, he leaves, wanting to replace his damaged clothing and to allow Renji and Uryū to formulate a new plan. Elsewhere, Grimmjow brings Orihime to Ichigo, and asks Orihime to heal Ichigo so he can fight him again. Before she can finish doing so, Ulquiorra arrives. | |||
| 165 | "The Murderous Intent Boils! The Joyful Grimmjow" "Satsui Futtō! Kanki no Gurimujō" (殺意沸騰！歓喜のグリムジョー) | March 19, 2008 | November 14, 2009 |
| Using a special device, Grimmjow traps Ulquiorra in an alternate dimension, and remarks that it will take two or three hours for Ulquiorra to break free. Orihime finishes healing Ichigo, and Ichigo begins to fight Grimmjow. Even after using his bankai, Ichigo finds himself outmatched against Grimmjow. However, when Grimmjow fires a Grand Rey Cero at Orihime and Nel, Ichigo uses his hollow mask to block the attack.Glad that Ichigo is using his full power, Grimmjow releases his zanpaktou called Pantera and prepares to fight Ichigo. | |||
| 166 | "Desperate Effort vs. Desperate Effort! Hollowfied Ichigo" "Shiryoku vs. Shiryoku! Horōkashita Ichigo" (一死力VS死力！ホロウ化した一護) | April 9, 2008 | November 14, 2009 |
| Grimmjow, pleased that Ichigo is fighting with his full power, releases his zanpakutō. The two continue their fight, and Ichigo is slowly worn down by Grimmjow despite the fact that he is able to use his hollow mask longer than he previously could. Espada Tia Halibel and her Fracciones, the Tres Bestias (which consists of Emilou Apacci, Franceska Mila Rose and Cyan Sung-Sun), are seen watching the fight and comment during it. Halibel tells them that it is natural that they are afraid of Grimmjow and Ichigo, that it is more like a fight between two Espadas than anything else. Orihime, frightened by Ichigo's appearance due to his hollow mask, is afraid to watch the battle, but after Nel admonishes her, she overcomes her fear and cheers Ichigo on, giving him the resolve to deal a blow across Grimmjow's chest. | |||
| 167 | "The Moment of Conclusion, The End of Grimmjow" "Ketchaku no Toki, Gurimujō no Saigo" (決着の時、グリムジョーの最後) | April 16, 2008 | November 21, 2009 |
| In a flashback, Grimmjow recalls his time as a hollow, and his history with Shawlong Qufang, Edorad Leones, Ilfort Grantz, Nakim Greendina and D-Roy Linker, his former Fracciones. In the present, Grimmjow, despite being wounded, refuses to give up. He uses his strongest attack on Ichigo, but Ichigo overcomes it and deals a final blow. After leaving Grimmjow on the ground, Ichigo prepares to take Orihime away from Las Noches. | |||
Season 9: The New Captain Shūsuke Amagai (2008)
| No. | Title | Original airdate | English airdate[18][19] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 168 | "The New Captain Appears! His Name Is Shūsuke Amagai" "Shin Taichō Tōjō! Sono Namae wa Amagai Shūsuke" (新隊長登場！その名前は天貝繍助) | April 23, 2008 | August 28, 2010 |
| Shūsuke Amagai, a member of a group that hunts down hollows, is unanimously appointed by the Thirteen Court Guard Squads as the new captain of the third division. He appoints Makoto Kibune as his third seat officer. However, Amagai and Kibune are not well-received by the third division members. On the suggestion of tenth division lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto, Izuru Kira, the third division lieutenant, holds a welcoming party for Amagai, but Amagai collapses after one drink due to his low tolerance for alcohol. Gillians invade the Dangai, the dimension between the Soul Society and the human world, and the third division is ordered to destroy them. Kira leaves with the third division members. While fighting the hollows, the Kōtotsu, the cleanser of the dimension, somehow gets called in leaving the third division in a race to escape before being "cleansed". During their escape Amagai appears, and with a last minute rescue, destroys the Kōtotsu with ease. Then once they have calmed from their near death experience, they find out that Amagai is actually still drunk. | |||
| 169 | "New Development, the Dangerous Transfer Student Appears!" "Shin Tenkai, Kiken na Tenkōsei Arawaru!" (新展開、危険な転校生現る！) | May 7, 2008 | September 4, 2010 |
| Lurichiyo Kasumiōji, a young princess of the Soul Society nobility, and her Soul Reaper assistants Ryūsei "Kenryū" Kenzaki and Ruzaburō "Enryū" Enkōgawa travel to Karakura Town to acquire sweets for Lurichiyo. Kenryū and Enryū leave and Lurichiyo starts to wander the town. Meanwhile, Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki are alerted to an abnormal amount of hollow sightings. As they leave to dispatch them, Ichigo encounters Lurichiyo, who asks him for sweets and is attacked by hollows. As Kenryū and Enryū take Lurichiyo away, Ichigo uses his bankai to defeat the hollows, impressing Kenryū and Enryū. The following day, they move into the house adjacent to Ichigo, becoming students at his school. | |||
| 170 | "Desperate Struggle Under the Moonlit Night, the Mysterious Assassin and Zanpakutō" "Tsukiyo no Shitō, Nazo no Shikaku to Zanpakutō" (月夜の死闘、謎の刺客と斬魄刀) | May 14, 2008 | September 11, 2010 |
| Ichigo repeatedly asks Kenryū and Enryū why Lurichiyo is in the real world, and they refuse to answer him. That evening, an assassin arrives at Lurichiyo's home. The assassin uses a weapon with a mirror that reflects the moonlight to stun Ichigo, and nearly kills him. Ichigo uses his sword to reflect the moonlight against the assassin on his second try, and rather than be questioned, the assassin allows himself to be killed when Ichigo uses his Getsuga Tenshō. Afterward, Kenryū reveals that Lurichiyo is the heir to the noble Kasumiōji clan. He further explains that Gyōkaku Kumoi, one of caretakers serving the Kasumiōji clan, has been attempting to take control of the clan by killing Lurichiyo. Under pressure from Rukia, Ichigo agrees to protect Lurichiyo. | |||
| 171 | "Kenryū, the Profusion of Blooming Crimson Flowers" "Kenryū, Sakimidareru Beni no Hana" (犬龍、咲き乱れる紅の華) | May 21, 2008 | September 18, 2010 |
| Ichigo and Rukia take Lurichiyo through the town, and they later have dinner at Ichigo's house. After Ichigo starts an argument with Lurichiyo over her refusal to eat carrots, he accidentally reveals that Kenryū and Enryū hired him as a bodyguard. Furious, Lurichiyo runs towards the river, where she meets Orihime Inoue. They are attacked by an assassin wielding a guan dao, who can fire energy blasts that solidify into rock walls. Ichigo, Rukia, Kenryū and Enryū arrive. Kenryū uses his shikai to immobilize the assassin, allowing Ichigo to defeat him. However, the assassin commits suicide by collapsing a rock wall on himself. After the group leaves, Kumoi's head assassin, Hanza Nukui, retrieves the dead assassin's weapon. The next morning, Kenryū and Enryū realize that Lurichiyo is missing. | |||
| 172 | "Kibune Goes to War! The Violent Wind that Rages" "Kibune Shutsujin! Fukiareru Reppū" (貴船出陣！吹き荒れる烈風) | May 28, 2008 | September 25, 2010 |
| Amagai orders the third division to perform several menial missions and training exercises to build trust within the division members. However, Kira believes that Amagai wishes to replace him with Kibune due to attention the division members give to him. One evening, Kira and Kibune investigate an old execution ground with division member Shinta Seko. The three fall into the execution pit, which is filled with caged hollows. Kira and Kibune easily defeat the hollows, but one of the hollows manages to absorb Shinta. When Kibune attempts to kill the hollow with Shinta, Kira stops his attack, and Kibune state that Shinta's lack of skill as the reason he should die. Amagai arrives and reveals that he created the entire affair. The following morning, Lurichiyo enters the Kasumiōji family household. | |||
| 173 | "The Appearance of the Great Evil! The Darkness in the House of Kasumiōji" "Kyoaku no Tōjō! Kasumiōji-ka no Yami" (巨悪の登場！霞大路家の闇) | June 4, 2008 | October 2, 2010 |
| Kumoi discovers that Lurichiyo has entered the household, and orders Hanza to kill her. Ichigo, Rukia, Kenryū and Enryū arrive in the compound and separate to find her. Kenryū and Enryū are then locked in a storehouse by Kumoi, while Rukia encounters eleventh division captain Kenpachi Zaraki. He realizes that Ichigo is present and goes to find him, as Ichigo eventually finds Lurichiyo. However, Ichigo is forced to evade the guards, losing track of her. Lurichiyo is attacked by one of her child servants, later revealed as an assassin. Zaraki arrives to intervene and kills the assassin, and Rukia later asks Zaraki to keep the incident a secret. Watching from a distance, Hanza tries to frighten Ichigo by releasing his spiritual pressure, but is surprised when Ichigo is unperturbed. | |||
| 174 | "Break the Mirror's Boundary! Ichigo's Captivity" "Kagami no Kyōkai o Yabure! Toraware no Ichigo" (鏡の境界を破れ！捕らわれの一護) | June 11, 2008 | October 9, 2010 |
| Kumoi eliminates the remaining clan members that oppose him to consolidate his power. In Karakura Town, Kisuke Urahara finds that there has been a shortage of a type of spirit particles, and theorizes that this is linked to the activities of the Kasumiōji clan. Kumoi sends Hanza and a dozen assassins to kill Ichigo, his friends, and Lurichiyo. Hanza fights Ichigo using the mirror weapon an assassin previously used against Ichigo, and explains that the weapon, known as Saiga, is stronger by feeding on his spiritual energy. Hanza traps Ichigo in a separate dimension using Saiga. Ichigo is freed by Yoruichi Shihōin, who reveals that the remaining assassins have been defeated. Hearing this, Hanza retreats. The following day, Kumoi installs Lurichiyo's fiancé, Shū Kannogi, as the head of the clan. | |||
| 175 | "The Revenging Assassin, Ichigo is Targeted" "Fukushū no Shikaku, Nerawareta Ichigo" (復讐の刺客、狙われた一護) | June 18, 2008 | October 16, 2010 |
| Having failed in his previous attempt to kill Lurichiyo, Hanza gathers three of his subordinates from the criminal underground and requests that they be given weapons similar to Saiga. Kumoi agrees and the four set out to kill Lurichiyo, Ichigo, and his friends. In Karakura Town, Lurichiyo tells Ichigo that others would frequently be blamed for her reckless actions, including Kenryū and Enryū. Sensing the arrival of Hanza and his subordinates, Ichigo and Rukia stay to protect Lurichiyo, while Uryū Ishida and Yasutora "Chad" Sado leave to confront their attackers. Hanza fights Ichigo as Rukia, Uryū and Chad each begin to fight one of his subordinates. | |||
| 176 | "Mystery! The Sword-Consuming Assassin" "Kaiki! Katana o Kuu Ansatsusha" (怪奇！刀を喰う暗殺者) | June 25, 2008 | October 23, 2010 |
| Rukia's opponent, Jinnai Dōkō, reveals that the unique blades the assassins are using are called bakōtō, swords that consume the user's spiritual energy to increase their strength. Jinnai eats his bakōtō to increase his power and fire blades from his back. Uryū fights Kuzuryū, who uses his bakōtō to transform into mist. Chad fights Genba, who uses the same rock wall-forming bakōtō a previous assassin used. Chad repeatably destroys the walls with his energy blasts, but Genba fuses with the walls to attack Chad from behind. | |||
| 177 | "The Reversal of Rukia! The Rampaging Blade" "Gyakuten no Rukia! Bōsōsuru Yaiba" (逆転のルキア、暴走する刀) | June 25, 2008 | October 30, 2010 |
| Rukia uses kidō to restrain Jinnai, and freezes him with her shikai. He breaks free from the ice, but is consumed by his bakōtō when it draws too much energy from him. Before Rukia can retrieve the bakōtō, several assassins arrive and take it. Uryū realizes that Kuzuryū is using his bakōtō to fuse with the surrounding mist, and uses Sprenger to defeat him. However, Uryū is caught in the blast radius and is injured. Chad destroys the surrounding walls to stop Genba's attacks, and, in a clash between the strongest attacks of the combatants, Chad is victorious. Ichigo fights Hanza, and, using the enhanced speed from his bankai, breaks Saiga's mirror. In response, Hanza uses one of Saiga's abilities to engulfs Ichigo in light from the shards of the mirror. | |||
| 178 | "The Nightmare Which is Shown, Ichigo's Inside the Mirror" "Miserareta Akumu, Kagami no Naka no Ichigo" (見せられた悪夢、鏡の中の一護) | July 2, 2008 | November 6, 2010 |
| Sealed inside a different dimension, Ichigo is forced to relive his childhood and his mother's death. Reflecting Ichigo's guilt for being unable to save his mother, the image of Ichigo's mother tries to kill him. Ichigo manages to break free of the dimension by making peace with his mother. Ichigo dons his hollow mask and overwhelms Hanza, forcing him to allow his bakōtō to absorb more of his energy. However, Hanza is consumed by his bakōtō, ignoring Ichigo's pleas to stop. Meanwhile in the Soul Society, Kira covertly follows Kibune to the Kasumiōji compound, where Kuzuryū returns to report the death of his comrades to Kumoi. In response, Kumoi orders Kibune to kill him. | |||
| 179 | "Confrontation!? Amagai vs. Gotei 13" "Tairitsu!? Amagai VS Gotei Jūsantai" (対立!?天貝VS護廷十三隊) | July 9, 2008 | November 13, 2010 |
| Amagai proposes joint training between the squads of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, citing the attack of the cleaners against his squad, but his request is denied. That night, Kira confronts Kibune for entering the Kasumiōji compound, and Kibune denies he did so. An alarm activates shortly afterwards, revealing that there are hollows in the Seireitei. Despite Kira's orders, the third division members follow Kibune to attack the hollows. The various squads fail to reach the hollows due to the lack of coordination between them. Amagai takes control of the situation and coordinates the squads in destroying the hollows. Elsewhere, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, the first division captain, reveals that he orchestrated the attack to test Amagai, and approves the joint training. | |||
| 180 | "The Princess's Decision, the Sorrowful Bride" "Hime no Ketsui, Kanashiki Hanayome" (姫の決意、哀しき花嫁) | July 16, 2008 | November 20, 2010 |
| Kumoi schedules Lurichiyo's wedding for the following day, and Kenryū and Enryū realize that he will replace her with an imposter if Lurichiyo does not return for the wedding. Ichigo goes to speak with Lurichiyo, who reveals that she knew about the true goal of the assassins and Kumoi's connection to them, feeling guilty that Chad and Uryu were injured. She escapes into the Soul Society, intending to participate in the marriage to keep Kumoi in line; however, when she arrives on the other side, her eyes have gone blank and she expresses no desire to leave. Ichigo, Rukia, Kenryū and Enryū attempt to follow them, but are unable to reach Lurichiyo, as Kenryū and Enryū have been blamed for kidnapping her. On the day of the wedding, the four enter the compound to retrieve Lurichiyo, but second division captain Suì-Fēng and several members of the second division surround them, and Lurichiyo does not respond to Ichigo's calls to her. | |||
| 181 | "The 2nd Division Sorties! Ichigo is Surrounded" "Nibantai Shutsugeki! Hōisareta Ichigo" (二番隊出撃！包囲された一護) | July 23, 2008 | November 27, 2010 |
| Enryū uses his shikai to destroy the building, and in the confusion, Ichigo reaches Lurichiyo. Revealing Kumoi's intention to gain control of the clan to Shū, Ichigo is attacked by Lurichiyo, who is revealed as an imposter. Suì-Fēng begins to fight Ichigo, allowing Lurichiyo and Kumoi to escape. Kenryū and Enryū are captured by the second division members, and Ichigo and Rukia escape with Shū's help. The three decide to escape by having Shū pose as a hostage. In response, Yamamoto orders a manhunt for Ichigo and Rukia. When Suì-Fēng voices doubts concerning Kumoi's intentions to Yamamoto, he merely agrees to take them under consideration. Kira voices his suspicions on Kibune's recent actions and relations to the Kasumiōji family to Amagai, who reacts with skepticism, but asks Kira to observe Kibune. | |||
| 182 | "Amagai's True Strength, the Released Zanpakuto!" "Amagai no Jitsuryoku, Zanpakutō Kaihō!" (天貝の実力、斬魄刀解放!) | July 30, 2008 | December 4, 2010 |
| The second and third divisions begin to guard the Kasumiōji compound, and Suì-Fēng returns Kenryū and Enryū to the Kasumiōji clan at Yamamoto's order. Elsewhere, the real Lurichiyo is imprisoned by Kumoi's assassins and visited by Kibune. As Kibune leaves, he is noticed by a drunken third division member, whom Kibune kills. The following morning, sixth division lieutenant Renji Abarai asks his captain, Byakuya Kuchiki, if he is worried that Rukia is being pursued. After Byakuya denies that he is, he gives control of the search party to Renji. Ichigo, Rukia, and Shū decide to rescue Lurichiyo, but are attacked by Amagai, who uses his shikai against Ichigo. Shū stops the battle, revealing the truth of Kumoi's intentions to Amagai, who agrees to help them. | |||
| 183 | "The Darkness Which Moves! Kibune's True Colors" "Ugokidashita Yami! Kibune no Shōtai" (動き出した闇！貴船の正体) | August 6, 2008 | December 11, 2010 |
| For helping Ichigo, Amagai is branded a traitor by Yamamoto, who orders him to be hunted as well. Captains Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake ask Yamamoto for permission to investigate the Kasumiōji clan, but Yamamoto refuses. Meanwhile, Renji and Ikkaku Madarame begin to fight lieutenants Tetsuzaemon Iba and Shūhei Hisagi respectively over their differences concerning Ichigo and Rukia's actions. Kira enters the Kasumiōji compound and finds Lurichiyo, and is attacked by several assassins. Although he defeats all of them, one of the assassins escapes with Lurichiyo, and Kibune arrives to fight him. | |||
| 184 | "Kira and Kibune, Offense and Defense of the 3rd Division" "Kira to Kibune, Sanbantai no Kōbō" (吉良と貴船、三番隊の攻防) | August 20, 2008 | December 18, 2010 |
| Despite the patrols of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, Ichigo, Rukia, Amagai and Shū manage to make contact with the third division members, and head towards the training grounds of the third division, which was Lurichiyo's last known location. Kira begins to fight Kibune, and initially gains the advantage by using his shikai to increase the weight of Kibune's zanpakutō. Kibune uses his bakōtō to negate Kira's shikai, as he continues to fight. Discussing his past, Kibune reveals that he was ostracized in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads for not protecting his weaker division members during missions, and assigned to squad specialized in hunting down hollows as a result. He states that the bakōtō will give him enough power to gain respect from the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. | |||
| 185 | "Ice and Flame! Fierce Fight of Amagai vs. Hitsugaya" "Kōri to Honō! Amagai VS Hitsugaya no Gekitō" (氷と炎！天貝VS日番谷の激闘) | August 27, 2008 | January 1, 2011 |
| Kira realizes that Kibune is using his bakōtō to negate his shikai, and he manages to exhaust Kibune, enabling him to use his shikai to increase the weight of Kibune's zanpakutō. Kibune attempts to draw on more power from his bakōtō, but is consumed in the process. Kira collapses soon thereafter. Ichigo and Amagai pursue a pair of assassins with Lurichiyo, and discover that the Lurichiyo they are carrying is a fake. They return to the arena, where Kira reveals Kibune's association with Kumoi. Renji arrives and takes Kibune's bakōtō to Yamamoto. Ichigo, Rukia, Amagai, and Shū head to the Kasumiōji compound, which tenth division captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya is guarding. Amagai fights Hitsugaya and Rukia fights Rangiku, as Ichigo and Shū enter the compound. Elsewhere, Yamamoto orders that the Thirteen Court Guard Squads attack the Kasumiōji compound, after seeing the bakōtō brought by Renji. | |||
| 186 | "Sortie Orders! Suppress the House of Kasumiōji" "Shutsugeki Shirei! Kasumiōji-ka o Seiatsu seyo" (出撃指令！霞大路家を制圧せよ) | September 3, 2008 | January 8, 2011 |
| Hitsugaya and Rangiku stop fighting after they hear the order to attack the Kasumiōji clan, and the remaining divisions attack the compound. Yamamoto reveals that he suspected the crimes of the Kasumiōji clan, but could not act until Ichigo revealed concrete evidence of their crimes. Kumoi, incensed about the attack, sends all of his assassins against the attacking Soul Reapers. Rukia and Shū find Kumoi, who is using Lurichiyo as a hostage, and reveals that he sought to take control of the nobility of the Soul Society. Amagai arrives, kills Kumoi, and teleports to Yamamoto's location with Lurichiyo. | |||
| 187 | "Ichigo Rages! The Assassin's Secret" "Ichigo Gekido! Ansatsusha no Himitsu" (一護激怒！暗殺者の秘密) | September 10, 2008 | January 15, 2011 |
| Amagai reveals that he orchestrated the events surrounding the Kasumiōji clan, and desired revenge against Yamamoto for killing his father, Shin'etsu Kisaragi. He further accuses Yamamoto for allowing the Kasumiōji clan to create bakōtō, declaring that he dedicated his life to killing Yamamoto. Yamamoto uses his shikai, but Amagai uses his bakōtō to negate his attack, revealing that it suppresses all powers of the Soul Reapers save his own. Amagai uses his bankai, and Ichigo arrives to fight him. | |||
| 188 | "Duel! Amagai vs. Ichigo" "Kettō! Amagai VS Ichigo" (決闘！天貝VS一護) | September 17, 2008 | January 22, 2011 |
| Ichigo begins to fight Amagai, but due to Amagai's bakōtō, he has difficulty in fighting at full strength. Ichigo dons his hollow mask to increase his power, as Amagai's bakōtō cannot negate his hollow powers. Amagai begins to attack Ichigo's mask, and Ichigo manages to hit Amagai with his Getsuga Tenshō. Injured, Amagai declares that he is willing to die for his revenge, and starts to draw more power from his bakōtō. | |||
| 189 | "The Fallen Shinigami's Pride" "Ochita Shinigami no Hokori" (堕ちた死神の誇り) | October 7, 2008 | January 29, 2011 |
| Amagai manages to regain control of himself after overusing his bakōtō, and Ichigo defeats him. Undeterred, Amagai stabs Yamamoto, who is unharmed by the attack. Yoruichi and various captains and lieutenants arrive, revealing to Amagai that Yamamoto ordered Amagai's father, Kisaragi, to investigate the Kasumiōji clan's bakōtō. It is explained that Kumoi used a bakōtō to control Kisaragi, and Yamamoto was forced to kill him. Upon learning this, Amagai forgives Yamamoto and to repent for his deeds, uses his zanpakutō to self-immolate. Before he dies, he apologizes to Kira. Later, Lurichiyo and Shū thank Ichigo for his aid, and Lurichiyo takes her position as the head of the Kasumiōji clan. | |||
Season 10: The Arrancar Part 4: Arrancar vs Shinigami (2008–2009)
| No. | Title | Original airdate | English airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 190 | "Hueco Mundo Chapter, Restart!" "Weko Mundo Hen, Saikai!" (ウェコムンド編、再会！) | October 14, 2008 | February 5, 2011[20] |
| After the fight between Ichigo Kurosaki and Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez concludes when Ichigo breaks through Grimmjow's strongest attack, Grimmjow attempts to continue the fight, but is attacked by Nnoitra Gilga, an Espada. However, Ichigo protects Grimmjow. As Ichigo and Nnoitra begin to fight, Tesla Lindocruz, Nnoitra's subordinate, captures Orihime Inoue. Nnoitra reveals that he is the Fifth Espada and is stronger than Grimmjow. Meanwhile, Renji Abarai, Uryū Ishida, Pesche Guatiche and Dondochakka Bilstin attempt to flee the Espada Szayelaporro Grantz, but because Szayelaporro controls the building they are in, he redirects the hallways to point back towards their battlefield. | |||
| 191 | "The Frightening Banquet, Szayelaporro Theater" "Kyōen, Zaeruaporo Gekijō" (恐宴、ザエルアポロ劇場) | October 21, 2008 | February 12, 2011[21] |
| Nnoitra overpowers the tired Ichigo, and when Orihime attempts to help, Tesla threatens to destroy her hair clips, the source of her power which would allow her to stop Tesla. Szayelaporro releases his zanpakutō and creates clones of Renji, Uryū, Pesche and Dondochakka. Furthermore, he releases the power limiter in the room to allow Renji and Uryū to fight at full power. Meanwhile, Nnoitra encounters Nel and recognizes her. When Ichigo asks how he knows Nel, Nnoitra reveals Nel's true name is Neliel Tu Odelschwanck, indicating that she is a former Espada. | |||
| 192 | "Nel's Secret, A Busty Beauty Joins the Battle!?" "Neru no Himitsu, Kyonyū Bijo Sansen!?" (ネルの秘密、 巨乳美女参戦!?) | October 28, 2008 | February 19, 2011[21] |
| Nnoitra uses Nel as a shield against Ichigo, whom he pins to the ground. As he prepares to break Ichigo's arm, the intensity of Nel's emotions causes her to return to her original adult form, Neliel. Pesche and Dondochakka realize that Nel has transformed into her original form, and feel nostalgic. Neliel takes Ichigo away from the battlefield, and as she prepares to fight Nnoitra, she reveals that she was the former Third Espada. She overpowers Nnoitra, and in desperation, Nnoitra uses a cero blast. Neliel uses her Cero Doble technique to absorb Nnoitra's cero and redirect it at him with doubled force. However, Nnoitra is relatively unharmed, and reveals that the Espada have grown stronger in her absence. | |||
| 193 | "Irresistible, Puppet Show of Terror" "Teikō Funō, Kyōfu no Ningyōgeki" (抵抗不能、恐怖の人形劇) | November 4, 2008 | February 26, 2011[21] |
| Uryū and Renji struggle to fight their clones as they copy their attacks. Renji uses his bankai, and the clones copy him, destroying the building. In response, Szayelaporro destroys the clones, and uses another ability of his released form to create voodoo dolls of his opponents. Using the dolls, he causes pain to his targets, and damages their internal organs. Meanwhile, Nnoitra and Neliel fight each other to a stalemate, and Nnoitra states that he despised Neliel even during her time as an Espada. | |||
| 194 | "Neliel's Past" "Nerieru no Kako" (ネリエルの過去) | November 11, 2008 | March 5, 2011[22] |
| Nnoitra recalls his past encounters with Neliel, in which Neliel sparred with Nnoitra and easily defeated him. In one session, Nnoitra demanded that she continue the fight until one of them died, and Neliel refused. As a result, Nnoitra attacked Neliel's subordinates, Pesche and Dondochakka, and with Szayelaporro's aid, paralyzed Neliel long enough for him to land an attack on her. He left her outside Aizen's palace, where she transformed into an amnesiac child, in which Pesche and Dondochakka vowed to protect her. In the present, Nnoitra taunts Neliel about their past and Neliel prepares to release her zanpakutō. | |||
| 195 | "The Ultimate Union! Pesche's Seriousness" "Kyūkyoku Gattai! Pesshe no Honki" (究極合体！ペッシェの本気) | November 18, 2008 | March 12, 2011[23] |
| Neliel finishes her release, transforming into a white centaur, and overwhelms Nnoitra. Meanwhile, Pesche and Dondochakka begin to fight Szayelaporro, and use cero sincrético, a combination attack fusing their cero blasts, to attack Szayelaporro. However, Szayelaporro nullifies the attack, and reveals that he had already analyzed their spiritual energy. When Neliel attempts to finish off Nnoitra, she transforms back into her child form. Ichigo tries to help Nel, and Nnoitra allows Tesla to fight him. After releasing his zanpakutō, Tesla starts to torture the exhausted Ichigo. Before Tesla can deal the final blow, Soul Reaper captain Kenpachi Zaraki stops him. | |||
| 196 | "Joining the Battle! The Strongest Soul Reaper Army Appears" "Sanzen! Saikyō Shinigami Gundan Tōjō" (参戦！最強死神軍団登場) | November 25, 2008 | March 19, 2011[23] |
| Kenpachi defeats Tesla in one blow and tells Ichigo to stay out of his fight with Nnoitra. He informs Ichigo that Kisuke Urahara was tasked with making the garganta gateways into Hueco Mundo stable enough for Soul Reaper captains to enter, and that three other captains came with him. Captain Retsu Unohana arrives with her lieutenant, Isane Kotetsu, and they stop Rudbornn Chelute and the Exequias from killing Yasutora "Chad" Sado and Gantenbainne Mosqueda. Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi and his lieutenant, Nemu Kurotsuchi, arrive and Mayuri is confident that he can win against Szayelaporro, even after Szayelaporro creates a voodoo doll of him. Captain Byakuya Kuchiki arrives to save Rukia Kuchiki from Espada Zommari Leroux, and overcomes Zommari's enhanced speed with the techniques Yoruichi Shihōin taught him. | |||
| 197 | "Byakuya's Bankai, The Quiet Anger" "Byakuya Bankai, Shizukanaru Ikari" (白哉卍解、静かなる怒り) | December 2, 2008 | March 26, 2011[23] |
| After realizing that Byakuya refuses to treat him as an equal opponent, Zommari releases his zanpakutō, and grows on his body eyes that can control the objects they are looking at. Zommari takes control of Byakuya's arm and leg, and Byakuya cuts his own tendons to stop them from moving. Meanwhile, Byakuya orders Hanatarō Yamada to take Rukia to safety. Zommari uses one of his eyes to control Rukia, and has her slice Hanatarō with her sword. Before Byakuya can interfere, he threatens to force her to commit suicide. Byakuya immobilizes Rukia with kidō, and uses his bankai. Surrounded by thousands of tiny blades, Zommari is overwhelmed by the attack. | |||
| 198 | "The Two Scientists, Mayuri's Trap" "Futari no Kagakusha, Mayuri no Wana" (2人の科学者、マユリの罠) | December 9, 2008 | April 2, 2011[23] |
| Zommari survives Byakuya's attack, but Byakuya uses kidō to block Zommari's control ability, and quickly dispatches him. Mayuri initially seems unable to fight back against Szayelaporro, who uses his voodoo doll ability to destroy all of Mayuri's organs. However, he reveals that he has made himself immune to Szayelaporro's attack by replacing the organs in his body with dummies, after learning about the ability from bacteria he implanted in Uryū to use the voodoo doll. He then activates his bankai, which poisons Szayelaporro, and subsequently swallows him. | |||
| 199 | "Holy Birth, The Resurrected Szayel Aporro" "Seitan, Yomigaeru Zaeruaporo" (聖誕、蘇るザエルアポロ) | December 16, 2008 | April 9, 2011[23] |
| Rukia regains consciousness, and Byakuya tells her to rest and regain her strength for the impending battles. Kenpachi battles Nnoitra, and Orihime heals Nel at Ichigo's request. While swallowing Szayelaporro with his bankai, Mayuri inadvertently poisons Uryū and Renji, and Szayelaporro seizes the opportunity to resurrect himself by absorbing Nemu's spiritual particles through his Gabriel technique. However, in the process, he ingests a "superhuman" drug from inside Nemu that increases all of his senses to the point where his body cannot respond to the flood of sensory information, immobilizing him with Mayuri stating that one second would feel like a century. He then stabs Szayel Aporro through the hand before stabbing him in the heart. | |||
| 200 | "The Hardest Body!? Cut Down Nnoitra" "Saikō no Karada!? Noitora o Kire" (最硬の体!? ノイトラを斬れ) | December 23, 2008 | April 16, 2011[23] |
| Szayelaporro, whose senses are heightened by the drug, feels Mayuri's zanpakutō piercing through his hand and heart for what he feels as centuries before he dies. After restoring Nemu to full health, Mayuri orders her to clear away the rubble that concealed Szayelaporro's laboratory. Afterwards, Mayuri heals Uryū's injuries. Meanwhile, Kenpachi has difficulty cutting through Nnoitra's skin, which Nnoitra claims is the toughest of any of the Espada, but believes that Nnoitra can be injured. Kenpachi stabs Nnoitra through his eyepatch, but Nnoitra counterattacks, injuring Kenpachi. He then reveals that Kenpachi had stabbed him through his hollow hole, which is where his left eye should have been. | |||
| 201 | "Nnoitra Released! Multiplying Arms" "Noitora Kaihō! Zōshokushita Ude" (ノイトラ開放！増殖した腕) | January 6, 2009 | April 23, 2011[23] |
| Kenpachi slashes at Nnoitra, wounding him, and uses the correct amount of force he needed to cut Nnoitra's skin. He continues to attack Nnoitra, and after Nnoitra accidentally tears off Kenpachi's eyepatch while trying to attack him, the limits on his power are removed. Kenpachi delivers a slash through Nnoitra's torso. Nnoitra releases his zanpakutō, and gains an additional pair of arms. Nnoitra attacks Kenpachi and severely wounds him, while Kenpachi manages to cut off one of his arms. Nnoitra regenerates the arm and continues on the assault, growing another pair of arms and stabbing Kenpachi with one of his hands. | |||
| 202 | "Fierce Fighting Conclusion! Who's the Strongest?" "Gekitō Ketchaku! Saikyō wa Dare da" (激闘決着！最強は誰だ) | January 13, 2009 | April 30, 2011[23] |
| Kenpachi continues fighting Nnoitra, and although he is able to keep up with his attacks, he realizes that he is in danger of dying. He then resorts to using kendo, and severely injures Nnoitra with a two-handed strike. Kenpachi attempts to leave, but Nnoitra insists that he finish their battle. Nnoitra recalls his time with Neliel, in which Neliel frequently saved him from his attempts to die in battle, and claims that he is angered by any display of pity from his opponent. He charges Kenpachi, who inflicts the finishing blow. | |||
| 203 | "Karakura Town Gathers! Aizen Versus the Soul Reapers" "Karakura-chō ni Shūketsu! Aizen Tai Shinigami" (空座町に集結！藍染対死神) | January 20, 2009 | May 7, 2011[24] |
| After Kenpachi defeats Nnoitra, the Espadas Coyote Stark and Lilinette Gingerbuck arrive and carry Orihime away to a tower, where Sōsuke Aizen greets her. He informs her that he, Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen are preparing to destroy Karakura Town. Aizen orders Tōsen to contact the Soul Reaper captains, Ichigo, and his friends with kidō, and reveals that he brought Orihime to Hueco Mundo to lure and trap them. While he travels through a garganta portal to Karakura Town, however, first division captain Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, the leader of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads confronts Aizen, with five other captains. Aizen summons the Espadas Stark and Lilinette, Baraggan Louisenbairn, and Tier Halibel and orders Espada Ulquiorra Schiffer to protect Las Noches. Ichigo, sensing the threat to Orihime, flies off to save her. | |||
| 204 | "Ichigo's Seppuku Persuasion Strategy ☆" "Ichigo no Seppuku Settoku Sakusen" (一護の切腹説得大作戦☆) | January 27, 2009 | May 14, 2011[24] |
| In the real world, Ichigo is in school when he see Lurichiyo Kasumiōji, who has come back to the real world because she is angered that Ryūsei "Kenryū" Kenzaki, her retainer, would not allow her to play kemari when she has other important duties. This leads to an outburst between Lurichiyo and Kenryū, and Kenryū intends to kill himself to make Lurichiyo "happy". After Ichigo and his friends persuade Kenryū, they put on an act to fool Lurichiyo into forgiving him, but she sees through the trick. This leads to another argument and culminates in Lurichiyo challenging Kenryū to a kemari game to see who is right. | |||
| 205 | "Thump! A Kemari Tournament Filled with Hollows" "Doki! Horō Darake no Kemari Taikai" (ドキ！虚だらけの蹴鞠大会) | February 3, 2009 | May 21, 2011[24] |
| The kemari game officially starts. The referees are the proprietors from the Urahara Shop, Jinta Hanakari and Ururu Tsumugiya. Kisuke Urahara himself oversees the proceedings, and set up a gigantic barrier around the play field to indicate the assigned area. The two teams, each with varying characters attempt to keep the ball away from each other in different, comical ways. Ikkaku Madarame joins in the game, while sparring with Ichigo under the impression that he was undergoing intensive training. Then a hollow appears on the field, drawn by everyone's spiritual pressure. With the help of Ichigo, Uryū and Chad, the hollow is quickly dispatched, but the game ends because Lurichiyo's team dropped the ball. Before she can lament about going back to her world, Shū Kannogi enters the human world and shows Lurichiyo that her idea about a kemari tournament in the Soul Society was not such a bad idea in the eyes of the commoners after all. Satisfied at this, Lurichiyo returns to the Soul Society. | |||
Season 11: The Past (2009)
| No. | Title | Original airdate | English airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 206 | "The Past Chapter Begins! The Truth from 110 Years Ago" "Kako Hen Kaishi! Hyakujū Nen Mae no Shinjitsu" (過去編開始！110年前の真実) | February 10, 2009 | May 28, 2011[25] |
| One hundred and ten years before the start of the series, in which Shinji Hirako is approached as the fifth division captain by then, the fifth division lieutenant Sōsuke Aizen hears about preparations for the new twelfth division captain. Yoruichi Shihōin tells Kisuke Urahara that she has recommended him for the position as the new twelfth division captain, while they are sparring in their private training area. Suì-Fēng, immediately distrusting Urahara because of what she has seen of his persona and his dwelling, follows him around town to prove to Yoruichi that he is not worthy of the responsibility required for the new position. Yoruichi, however, after seeing Suì-Fēng's proof on paper, disregards it as a love letter. Urahara and a group of Soul Reapers were tailing a group of deserters who had abandoned the Seireitei of their own volition and sent to stop them. After they are taken care of, Urahara passes the qualification exam and shows up to the meeting of the captains. | |||
| 207 | "12th Division's New Captain, Kisuke Urahara" "Jūnibantai Shin Taichō, Urahara Kisuke" (十二番隊新隊長、浦原喜助) | February 17, 2009 | June 4, 2011[25] |
| Urahara is appointed the twelfth division captain at the ceremony attended by the other captains and introduces himself to his squad. Lieutenant Hiyori Sarugaki is the only one who does not become friendly with him. She made a scene while trying to load his things into his new room, and challenged him to a match to see if he really can hold up to his promise of not letting danger befall the twelfth division. The squad members are led to believe that their captain was too weak and thus fell easily at Hiyori's attack, but he had actually lost on purpose, not wanting to embarrass Hiyori. Later that night, Hirako and Urahara are sitting outside, and Hirako tells Urahara that Hiyori loved the previous captain of the twelfth division like a mother and that she would be difficult to replace in her heart. The next day, Hiyori finally sees Urahara's office and is shocked by how much he has changed it since the previous captain was there. | |||
| 208 | "Aizen and the Genius Boy" "Aizen to Tensai Shōnen" (藍染と天才少年) | February 24, 2009 | June 11, 2011[26] |
| Urahara takes Hiyori to the Maggots Nest, explaining on the way that its purpose is to hold people deemed potentially dangerous by the Soul Society. While they are walking through the penitentiary, a large prisoner attacks Hiyori, but Urahara easily subdues the man with his bare hand. Deep inside, Urahara approaches a younger Mayuri Kurotsuchi and discusses his being his second in command of a new division of their own making, the Technological Research Bureau. Elsewhere, a young Byakuya Kuchiki is shown to have been easily irritated at that age, proven when Yoruichi steals his hair ribbon before escaping, taunting him by putting her breasts against his head in the process. Jūshirō Ukitake tells Kaien Shiba of a boy who is to be promoted to a seat position in his squad. The boy, who easily slays the third seat officer of the fifth division, is revealed to be a young Gin Ichimaru under the watchful and impressed eye of Aizen. | |||
| 209 | "Muguruma 9th Division, Moves Out" "Muguruma Kyūbantai, Shutsudōse Yo" (六車九番隊、出動せよ) | March 3, 2009 | June 18, 2011[26] |
| Nine years later, three shadowed figures watch as citizens of the Rukongai are devoured and killed by a strange white substance. Later, Hirako, Aizen, Mayuri, Hiyori and Urahara meet to discuss the recent disappearances of the Rukongai citizens. Kensei Muguruma and his ninth division are deployed to assess the situation, and find a gigantic hollow, which attacks three boys. Kensei Muguruma saves one of the boys, a younger Shūhei Hisagi, from certain death. Later on Mayuri and Urahara's lab, Hiyori is chosen to go from the twelve division to see what is going on with the recent disappearances of the citizens. Kensei and the rest of his squad camp in the woods, looking for a clue as to what is attacking the people. Toudou, one of his subordinates, seemingly kills Kaname Tōsen and the rest of the group, and is struck down himself. Kensei, the only one left, is imprisoned in a well of darkness and impaled with a blade. When the darkness lifts, he recognizes his attacker. | |||
| 210 | "Hiyori Dies? The Beginning of Tragedy" "Hiyori Shisu? Higeki no Hajimari" (ひよ里死す? 悲劇の始まり) | March 10, 2009 | June 25, 2011[26] |
| The spiritual energies of Kensei and his squad vanish, sparking a serious situation in the Soul Society. An emergency captain's meeting is held to determine who will oversee the situation. Urahara appears late and pleads his case to go, but Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto does not grant his request. Instead, Hirako, Love Aikawa, Rōjūrō "Rose" Otoribashi, Yadomaru Lisa and Hachigen Ushōda, from the Kidō Corps, are dispatched. In the woods, Hiyori is attacked by a grotesque and powerful hollow revealed to be Kensei. Hirako arrives to save her, along with the rest of the captains, but soon Mashiro Kuna appears and also transforms into a hollow and attacks the group. Hachigen binds both Mashiro and Kensei, but the latter escapes through brute strength alone. Meanwhile, Urahara is torn at his decision to send Hiyori out alone and defies orders that he is not to go, using a cloak that completely masks his energy. Before he can set out, Tessai Tsukabishi, also of the Kidō Corps, accompanies him. | |||
| 211 | "Betrayal! Aizen's Secret Maneuvers" "Uragiri! An'yaku no Aizen" (裏切り！暗躍の藍染) | March 17, 2009 | July 2, 2011[26] |
| The eighth division captain Shunsui Kyōraku is out late when he happens upon Nanao Ise, his future lieutenant, who wonders if Lisa will be all right. Kensei's new abilities overpower most of the group, until Hachigen finally binds him with a powerful spell. Hirako is then brutally attacked by Hiyori, who is now a hollow. Tōsen incapacitates the group, with the exception of Hirako. Aizen appears and reveals his own betrayal, explaining to Hirako that his illusion-casting zanpakutō made it seem like Aizen was following Hirako all the time, when it was actually a different person. Hirako and the rest of the group start transforming into hollows, but Hirako manages to hang onto himself. Aizen prepares to finish off Hirako, but Urahara and Tessai arrive to stop him. | |||
| 212 | "Rescue Hirako! Aizen vs. Urahara" "Hirako o Sukue! Aizen VS Urahara" (平子を救え！藍染VS浦原) | March 24, 2009 | July 9, 2011[27] |
| Urahara and Tessai try to attack Aizen, but Aizen is expecting their arrival. While Urahara reveals he has been testing hollowification in the Soul Society, Aizen flees. In the twelfth division research facilities, Urahara shows Tessai the object that may be useful in saving those undergoing the hollowfication process, being known as the Orb of Distortion. Urahara and Tessai are arrested and brought before Central Room Forty-Six the next morning, and are falsely accused as the ones responsible for Aizen's acts. Just before the two are detained, Yoruichi breaks in and takes them back to her hideout, along with the eight Soul Reapers undergoing hollowfication. Urahara declares that he will find out how to save them. Time flashes forward to present day at the Vizards headquarters, as Hirako says that they appreciate what they have become thanks to Urahara and Aizen, and the group leaves. | |||
Season 12: The Arrancar Part 5: Battle in Karakura (2009)
| No. | Title | Original airdate | English airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 213 | "The Konso Cop Karakuraizer is Born" "Konsō Deka Karakuraizā Tanjō" (魂葬刑事カラクライザー誕生) | March 31, 2009 | July 16, 2011[27] |
| Going back to the time when Ichigo Kurosaki, Uryū Ishida and Yasutora "Chad" Sado left the world of the living for Hueco Mundo with the help of Kisuke Urahara, the focus is now directed to the events that took place in Karakura Town during that time. Urahara feels that Karakura Town needs protection against hollows now that Ichigo left. In one night, he thinks of a fun way to protect the town, that is to force Kon into a team of hollow fighting superheroes called "Konso Cop Karakuraizer". Once Kon adjusts to his new hero suit, he meets the rest of the team, which includes Don Kanonji, Tatsuki Arisawa, Chizuru Honshō, Keigo Asano, and Ururu Tsumugiya, along with Zennosuke Kurumadani. After a successful fight with hollows, the team encounters a woman who appears to be an arrancar. | |||
| 214 | "Karakuraizer's Last Day" "Karakuraizā Saigo no Hi" (カラクライザー最後の日) | April 7, 2009 | July 23, 2011[27] |
| The assembled team from the previous episode is to infiltrate a gate that the arrancar are using to travel between Hueco Mundo and the world of the living. At the "Hollow Fortress", numerous hollows attack the team. Kanonji and Ururu stay behind to fight the hollows on the outside, and the others enter the "Hollow Fortress". Once inside, they meet one of the many arrancars from Hueco Mundo. Chizuru uses her "Hyper Erotic Powers" to distract the arrancar, and Keigo, Tatsuki and Kurumadani take care of the hollows inside. Kon travels to the center of the fortress, where he meets a hollow and kills it with his "Raiser Beam", exploding and destroying the heart of the fortress, and the fortress itself. In the end, Urahara erects a barrier around Karakura Town, and lulls its citizens, including the Konso Cop Karakuraizer, to sleep. | |||
| 215 | "Defend Karakura Town! Entire Appearance of the Shinigami" "Karakura-chō o Mamore! Shinigami Sōtōjō" (空座町を護れ！死神総登場) | April 14, 2009 | July 30, 2011[27] |
| Sōsuke Aizen, Kaname Tōsen, and Gin Ichimaru arrive in Karakura town and are met by the remaining captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and their lieutenants. Aizen states how he is aware that he is not in the real Karakura Town and says that after slaughtering them, he will make the Ōken in the Soul Society. He says that Las Noches is in the hands of Espada Ulquiorra Schiffer, at which Ulquiorra appears in the throne room behind Orihime Inoue. Ichigo Kurosaki senses his appearance and he rushes to the fifth tower where Ulquiorra and Orihime are located. It then goes back to the battle where the captains talk amongst themselves, when suddenly first division captain Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto unleashes his shikai to trap Aizen, Tōsen and Gin. Back in Las Noches, Ulquiorra talks to Orihime, asking if she is scared, to which she replies she is not. The Exequias and their leader, Rudbornn Chelute, temporarily delay Ichigo. Rudbornn and his men attack, but are stopped by Chad, Rukia Kuchiki and Renji Abarai. Ichigo continues on his way eventually breaking through the floor into the throne room, ready to battle. | |||
| 216 | "Elite! The Four Shinigami" "Seiei! Yonnin no Shinigami" (精鋭！四人の死神) | April 21, 2009 | August 6, 2011[28] |
| Ichigo arrives in the fifth tower to save Orihime and confronts Ulquiorra. Ulquiorra unsheathes his sword and they begin their battle. Meanwhile, back at the replica of Karakura Town, Espada Baraggan Louisenbairn takes command since Aizen is trapped inside Yamamoto's fire prison. His first plan of action is to destroy the four pillars protecting Karakura Town, and he sends out four giant hollows to do the job. Soul Reapers Ikkaku Madarame, Yumichika Ayasegawa, Izuru Kira and Shūhei Hisagi each take one pillar, and after defeating the hollows with ease, are respectively matched up against Choe Neng Poww, Charlotte Chuhlhourne, Avirama Redder, and Findor Calius, four of Baraggan's six Fracciones. Each is introduced to the other and the battle for Karakura Town begins. | |||
| 217 | "Beautiful Little Devil Charlotte" "Utsukushiki Koakuma Sharurotte" (美しき小悪魔シャルロッテ) | April 28, 2009 | August 13, 2011[28] |
| In his fight, Izuru manages to draw blood against his opponent, Avirama, who proceeds to release his zanpakutō, Águila. Meanwhile, Yumichika and his opponent, Charlotte, continue their fight, but the two spar while declaring the other ugly. However, both decide that the victor shall be the most beautiful. Charlotte uses several attacks, which are able to injure Yumichika. When Yumichika manages to cut off some of the hair of Charlotte, the latter enrages and releases his zanpakutō, Reina de Rosas. Now stronger than Yumichika, the fight escalates until Charlotte traps Yumichika in a prison of black thorns, which completely encases the combatants and their reiatsu, hiding Yumichika's death from everyone. Upon hearing that his reiatsu is hidden, Yumichika reveals the true form of his zanpakutō, that of a sword with kidō abilities. With its power, he drains Charlotte's reiatsu, claiming victory. | |||
| 218 | "Kira, The Battle Within Despair" "Kira, Zetsubō no Naka de no Tatakai" (吉良、絶望の中での戦い) | May 5, 2009 | August 20, 2011[28] |
| Yumichika reveals that he uses a nickname for his zanpakutō to avoid revealing its kidō abilities so that he can fit in with the eleventh division, there being an unspoken rule against using them. The other fights continue elsewhere, and Findor reveals to Hisagi that he can chip off pieces of his mask to increase his power level. Izuru fights Avirama, whose resurrección turns him into a bird and enables him to attack Izuru with heavy steel feathers. Izuru uses his zanpakutō, Wabisuke, to make Avirama's wings too heavy to fly, and reveals that it represents the belief of the third division that war is full of despair. He then decapitates Avirama, noting afterward that he does not want to be forgiven. | |||
| 219 | "Hisagi's Shikai! The Name is..." "Hisagi Shikai! Sono na wa..." (檜佐木始解！その名は…) | May 12, 2009 | August 27, 2011[28] |
| Hisagi has difficulty fighting Findor, despite technically being on the same level of power. When Findor releases his zanpakutō, Pinza Aguda, and corners Hisagi with blasts of water, Hisagi reluctantly releases his zanpakutō, Kazeshini. With his zanpakutō released Hisagi overpowers Findor, seeing this Findor breaks off ninety percent of his mask, now making him much stronger, but Hisagi easily damages him leaving Findor paralyzed with fear. After overpowering Findor, Hisagi explains that Findor is inferior to him because Findor does not fear his own power. Findor makes a desperate attempt to defeat Hisagi with a cero blast, but is killed by Hisagi's zanpakutō. Meanwhile, Poww is able to defeat Ikkaku and destroy the pillar he had been guarding. Yumichika says his name as he sees Ikkaku defeated. | |||
| 220 | "Ikkaku Falls! The Shinigami's Crisis" "Ikkaku Taoreru! Shinigami no Kiki" (一角倒れる！死神の危機) | May 19, 2009 | September 3, 2011[28] |
| As a result of the pillar being destroyed, the real Karakura Town starts to return, but seven division lieutenant Tetsuzaemon Iba manages to stop it while his captain Sajin Komamura faces Poww. Yumichika desperately tries to go after his friend Ikkaku after realizing he had been defeated, but is knocked unconscious by Hisagi and Izuru for his own good. Poww knocks Komamura aside with a single punch in his unreleased state, and releasing his zanpakutō, Calderón, vastly increases his size and tries to finish off Ikkaku and Iba. Komamura, however, manages to overpower and defeat him easily with his bankai. Iba reprimands Ikkaku for failing to protect the pillar because of his desire to avoid revealing his own strength, and tells him that if he wishes to fight, he must carry out his orders even at the cost of his own life. Baraggan grows visibly angry because of the defeat of his Fracciones. | |||
| 221 | "The Full Showdown! Soul Reapers vs. Espada" "Zenmen Taiketsu! Shinigami VS Esupāda" (全面対決！死神VS十刃) | May 26, 2009 | September 10, 2011[29] |
| Barragan's two remaining Fracciones, Ggio Vega and Nirgge Parduoc, offer to deal with the other Soul Reapers themselves, ending up facing against second division captain Suì-Fēng and lieutenant Marechiyo Ōmaeda. The respective eighth and thirteenth division captains Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake face Coyote Stark, but are unwilling to fight against his Fracción, Lilinette Gingerbuck. While tenth division captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya begins fighting Tier Halibel, lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto begins fighting her Fracciones, who are able to defend themselves against the ability of her zanpakutō by using the cero blast. While Ōmaeda struggles against Nirgge, Suì-Fēng is able to pin Ggio to the wall and releases her zanpakutō. | |||
| 222 | "The Most Evil Tag!? Suì-Fēng & Ōmaeda" "Saikyō Taggu!? Soifon & Ōmaeda" (最凶タッグ!?砕蜂&大前田) | June 2, 2009 | September 17, 2011[29] |
| Ggio manages to free himself and fights back against Suì-Fēng, chiding her for not finishing him off when she had the chance. He releases his zanpakutō, Tigre Estoque, and continues fighting her, seeming to be of equal or greater skill. Ōmaeda continues fighting Nirgge, and while it appears that Nirgge can keep up with his speed even in his slower release state. Ōmaeda reveals that he had only pretended to be slow, and manages to outmaneuver Nirgge and bash him in the head with his zanpakutō, Gegetsuburi. Despite this, Nirgge gets up again, only to be knocked down again when Ggio accidentally knocks Suì-Fēng at his head. | |||
| 223 | "A Miraculous Body! Ggio Releases" "Kyōi no Nikutai! Jio Kaihō" (驚異の肉体！ジオ解放) | June 9, 2009 | September 24, 2011[29] |
| Suì-Fēng continues fighting Ggio, and is pinned down. Nirgge gets up and tries attacking Ōmaeda again, but he defeats him and tries to help Suì-Fēng. Ggio is about to shoot Ōmaeda with a cero blast, but Suì-Fēng breaks free and knocks Ōmaeda away before Ggio can kill him, revealing that she had hoped to study the resurrección form of an arrancar before facing the Espadas. Ggio then responds by turning into his resurrección form to grow stronger, but Suì-Fēng kills him easily with her the ability of her zanpakutō. She and Ōmaeda then go to face Baraggan. | |||
| 224 | "3 vs. 1 Battle! Rangiku's Crisis" "3 vs 1 no Sentō! Pinchi no Rangiku" (3vs1の戦闘！ピンチの乱菊) | June 16, 2009 | October 1, 2011[30] |
| Rangiku fights Tier Halibel's three Fracciones, those being Emilou Apacci, Franceska Mila Rose, and Cyan Sung-Sun. She struggles against them until fifth division lieutenant Momo Hinamori arrives, having resolved to fight against her former captain. Momo uses a kidō combination that seriously injures the three Fracciones, but they heal their wounds by releasing their zanpakutō, and use their left arms to create a strange creature that shares their traits. Elsewhere, Kyōraku continues his battle with Stark, but neither is willing to release their zanpakutō. | |||
| 225 | "Vice-Captains Annihilated! The Terrifying Demonic Beast" "Fukutaichō Zenmetsu! Kyōfu no Yōjū" (副隊長全滅！恐怖の妖獣) | June 23, 2009 | October 8, 2011[30] |
| Lilynette attempts to fight Ukitake, but he is able to effortlessly block her attacks and tells her to give up, angering her. The fused creature named Ayon is able to severely wound Rangiku and Momo with little effort, but Hisagi and Izuru arrive to save them. Hisagi attempts to fight Ayon while Izuru tends to Momo and Rangiku's wounds, but Ayon overpowers him. Iba tries to intervene, but Ayon pushes him aside with a cero blast from a hidden eye. It tosses Hisagi aside and advances on Izuru, but Yamamoto, disappointed that his men are unable to defeat it, steps in to fight it, wounding it with his staff. | |||
| 226 | "Fierce Fighting Concludes? Towards a New Battle!" "Gekitō Shūketsu? Aratanaru Tatakai e!" (激闘終結？新たなる戦いへ！) | June 30, 2009 | October 15, 2011[30] |
| Ayon goes into a rage after being wounded by Yamamoto and increases in size, but Yamamoto easily defeats it and Halibel's three Fracciones. Hitsugaya struggles against Halibel, who reveals that she is the Third Espada and then hits him with a torrent of energy. Kyōraku fights Stark, who reveals that he is the First Espada. Elsewhere in Las Noches, Chad and Renji have defeated the Exequias, as Rukia is left to battle Rudbornn. Ichigo continues his fight with Ulquiorra, and despite Ulquiorra's claim that Ichigo's friends and the Soul Reapers will be defeated, Ichigo has faith in their victory and continues to fight against him. | |||
| 227 | "Wonderful Error" "Wandafuru Erā" (ワンダフル・エラー) | July 7, 2009 | October 22, 2011[30] |
| In the world of the living, much of the main class is attending their first day at Karakura High School. Ichigo and Chad met and befriend Keigo and Mizuiro Kojima while saving Keigo from some thugs. Orihime meets Chizuru, who tries to woo her only to be kicked in retaliation by Tatsuki. In the Soul Society, the lieutenants meet and decide to promote Renji to the lieutenant of the sixth division and send Rukia to Karakura Town. Renji discusses his promotion with his friends, but decides to make it a surprise for when Rukia gets back. Rukia, after speaking with her captain and third seat officers, heads to Karakura town, at the same time as the first episode begins. | |||
| 228 | "Summer! Sea! Swimsuit Festival!!" "Natsu da! Umi da! Mizugisai!!" (夏だ！海だ！水着祭!!) | July 14, 2009 | October 29, 2011[30] |
| The Soul Reapers decide to take a vacation to the ocean in the world of the living because captain Byakuya Kuchiki destroyed the pool the Women's Soul Reaper Association covertly built in his mansion. The association shop for swimsuits and then head for the beach where everyone meets up. After attending Ukitake's weak body from the heat, they form groups to produce works of art on the beach for a competition. Watermelon-like monsters attack and most of the Soul Reapers are helpless against them without their zanpakutō until Yoruichi Shihōin and Suì-Fēng defeat them. It is then revealed that Retsu Unohana arranged the event with Byakuya and Ukitake as a game of splitting watermelons, and several more arrived as the episode ends. | |||
| 229 | "Cry of the Soul? The Rug Shinigami is Born!" "Tamashii no Sakebi? Zura Shinigami Tanjō!" (魂の叫び？ヅラ死神誕生！) | July 21, 2009 | November 5, 2011[30] |
| Ikkaku and Yumichika travel to Karakura Town on an assignment to catch a hollow that had attacked a convoy in the Soul Society. The two travel to Ichigo's house planning to stay there until their assignment is complete. Ichigo, however, turns them down and takes them to Keigo's house. Keigo's sister, Mizuho Asano, is all over Ikkaku until Yumichika glues a wig to his head. Mizuho gets upset and makes life difficult for the pair. After a falling out with Mizuho, Ikkaku and Yumichika camp outside instead. While Mizuho with Keigo to buy some juice, she is attacked by the hollow. After some difficulty removing the wig from himself, Ikkaku gets to the scene and saves Mizuho. The next day, Ikkaku and Yumichika prepare to return home. Mizuho knows Ikkaku rescued her and both of them return to good terms. | |||
Season 13: Zanpakutō: The Alternate Tale (2009–2010)
| No. | Title | Original airdate | English airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 230 | "A New Enemy! The Materialization of Zanpakutō" "Aratanaru Teki! Zanpakutō Jittaika" (新たなる敵！斬魄刀実体化) | July 28, 2009 | November 12, 2011[31] |
| A mysterious man informs a group of strange beings that it is the time to strike. In his dimension, Zangetsu wakes Ichigo Kurosaki up and asks him if he can hear anything, but the latter thinks it is okay that he cannot. In the Seireitei, the captains and lieutenants of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads are confused as to why their zanpakutō are not working right, making them feel detached. At night, a group of ryoka attempt to enter Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai's quarters. Yamamoto and his lieutenant Chōjirō Sasakibe confront the intruders, but what they see leaves them in shock. Later, Yamamoto calls all captains and lieutenants to Sōkyoku Hill. There they are met by the mysterious man, who calls himself Muramasa. Sajin Komamura tries to attack him with his zanpakutō, Tenken, but it appears in a human form and turns on him, ending the battle by knocking him unconscious with one swing of the blade. The other Soul Reapers attempt to release their zanpakutō to attack, but are somehow unable to do so. The zanpakutō assume human-like forms and join Muramasa, who states that the Soul Reapers' zanpakutō have renounced them and have declared war. | |||
| 231 | "Byakuya, Disappearing with the Cherry Blossoms" "Byakuya, Sakura to Tomo ni Kiyu" (白哉、桜と共に消ゆ) | August 4, 2009 | November 19, 2011[31] |
| Ichigo finds Rukia Kuchiki injured in the world of the living, whilst a strange woman, who uses Rukia's abilities, is attacking her. It is revealed that this woman is in fact Rukia's zanpakutō, Sode no Shirayuki. Ichigo successfully forces the renegade zanpakutō into submission, and Sode no Shirayuki retreats back to the Soul Society. Ichigo brings Rukia to Kisuke Urahara's shop, where she reveals that the Soul Reapers' zanpakutō have attacked their masters and that her brother Byakuya Kuchiki was seemingly defeated by his own zanpakutō, Senbonzakura. Yoruichi Shihōin returns from investigating the Soul Society and reveals that everyone who met with Muramasa has survived. The remaining Soul Reapers of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads have regrouped to the fourth division headquarters while they try to reestablish their defenses and learn more about the zanpakutō rebellion. Urahara observes that only the zanpakutō in the Soul Society are affected and that those in the real world are unaffected, and decides to try to capture one of the materialized zanpakutō in an attempt to learn more about their new enemy. In the middle of the night, Rukia leaves for the Soul Society, apparently in search of Byakuya. Ichigo and Yoruichi leave in an attempt to go after Rukia and to save the Soul Society. | |||
| 232 | "Sode no Shirayuki vs. Rukia! Confused Heart" "Sode no Shirayuki tai Rukia! Kokoro no Madoi" (袖白雪VSルキア！心の惑い) | August 11, 2009 | November 26, 2011[31] |
| Rukia rushes back to the sixth division headquarters and reunites with Renji Abarai. However, Byakuya's status remains unknown after the night of the rebellion. Ichigo and Yoruichi arrive in the Soul Society and split up to search for clues. Rukia returns to Byakuya's compound, only to find Sode no Shirayuki there. Rukia tries to reason with her zanpakutō, but Sode no Shirayuki demands her freedom. After a fierce battle, Rukia loses to Sode no Shirayuki, but Ichigo arrives to rescue her from being frozen to death. However, due to his reluctance to harm Rukia's zanpakutō, he too is defeated by Sode no Shirayuki. Rukia attempts to get Sode no Shirayuki back to her by telling the zanpakutō how important she is to her. Using her kidō powers, she constrains herself with Sode no Shirayuki as an attempt to convince Sode no Shirayuki that one could not live without the other. However, the resulting explosion injures Rukia severely. Sode no Shirayuki has a change of heart and attempts to reach out to her mistress, but Muramasa arrives and holds her back. Muramasa introduces himself to Ichigo and states that he is a zanpakutō. | |||
| 233 | "Zangetsu Becomes an Enemy" "Teki to Natta Zangetsu" (敵となった斬月) | August 18, 2009 | December 3, 2011[31] |
| Muramasa sends Sode no Shirayuki away, and Ichigo asks why he wanted the zanpakutō to gain independence over the Soul Reapers. Although he does not give the reason, Muramasa replies that zanpakutō can separate themselves away regardless of being the soul of a Soul Reaper, and he is a good example of one. Ichigo cannot accept this view and attacks him. Muramasa uses illusions to overwhelm Ichigo and pins him to the ground, where he proceeds to drag Zangetsu out of him. Once Zangetsu manifests, he immediately attacks Ichigo. Meanwhile, Mayuri Kurotsuchi begins experimenting on himself in order to research the manifestation of the zanpakutō. After Ichigo is seemingly defeated by Zangetsu, Ichigo transforms into his inner hollow form and strikes back, putting Zangetsu on the defensive. Muramasa tries a sneak attack but the inner hollow immediately regenerates and attacks him. Before his inner hollow can do anything else, Ichigo manages to regain control of his body, falling unconscious at Muramasa's feet. | |||
| 234 | "Renji Surprised?! The Two Zabimarus" "Renji Kyōgaku!? Futari no Zabimaru" (恋次驚愕!? 2人の蛇尾丸) | August 25, 2009 | December 10, 2011[32] |
| Rukia is found by the fourth division and sent to recover from her injuries. While Shūhei Hisagi patrols the Seireitei, he is attacked by his sadistic zanpakutō, Kazeshini. Renji searches the ruins for any clues of Byakuya, who is still missing. He instead encounters Zabimaru in the form of a monkey woman named Saru and a snake boy named Hebi. Both entities of Zabimaru have no intention of returning to their original owner and attack Renji. According to Zabimaru, all zanpakutō have heard a voice telling them to follow their instincts to attack their masters. Ichigo wakes up in Zangetsu's dimension, but the old man is missing. He sees Muramasa and attacks him, but the man immediately incapacitates him and summons his inner hollow. Muramasa has begun to take an interest in the inner hollow and uses his powers to freeze it in place. Thinking that it has been subdued, Muramasa approaches it, but the inner hollow merely tricks him with its act and lashes out straight at him. | |||
| 235 | "Clash! Hisagi vs. Kazeshini" "Gekitotsu! Hisagi tai Kazeshini" (激突！檜佐木VS風死) | September 1, 2009 | December 17, 2011[32] |
| Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku discuss the possibility that defeating the zanpakutō spirits will destroy the zanpakutō themselves. Renji continues fighting with Zabimaru, who taunts him for his weakness. Hisagi fights with Kazeshini, and, disgusted by his desire to take life, plans on killing him even if he loses his zanpakutō. Ichigo's inner hollow fights with Muramasa inside his mind until Muramasa uses his powers to restrain him, which then allows Ichigo sees through Muramasa's powers and saves his inner hollow. Ichigo then steps up to fight, stating that the inner hollow is a part of him as well. Ichigo manages to force Muramasa outside of his mind and continues the fight with him there. When Zabimaru threatens to kill Rukia, Renji remembers Ichigo's reason for fighting and then his own, which in turn enables him to regain his resolve, managing to activate Zabimaru's shikai. | |||
| 236 | "Release! The New Getsuga Tenshō" "Hanate! Aratanaru Getsuga Tenshō" (放て！新たなる月牙天衝) | September 8, 2009 | January 7, 2012[33] |
| Kazeshini wounds Hisagi in a surprise attack, but Izuru Kira intervenes to help him, using kidō to bind Kazeshini long enough for the two of them to escape. Renji's fight with Zabimaru continues, and Zabimaru takes the advantage when they are able to activate bankai while Renji, no longer able to control them, cannot. Renji considers his own weaknesses, and tricks Zabimaru into taking his sword, then breaks it with a kidō spell and then he defeats Zabimaru by firing the broken shards at them. Ichigo fights Zangetsu, struggling when Zangetsu activates bankai. He uses Getsuga Tenshō, working together with his inner hollow to defeat Zangetsu, and forces Muramasa to retreat. Zangetsu reveals that Muramasa is using a technique to awaken the instincts of the zanpakutō, and by doing so, he can control them. | |||
| 237 | "Suì-Fēng, Surrounding the Zanpakutō" "Soifon, Zanpakutō o Hōi se yo" (砕蜂、斬魄刀を包囲せよ) | September 15, 2009 | January 14, 2012[33] |
| Ichigo reports his findings of Muramasa's abilities to Ukitake, Kyōraku and Retsu Unohana. In order to find out about Muramasa's effects on zanpakutō, Ichigo and Ikkaku Madarame patrol the Seireitei to seek out the entities. Meanwhile, someone breaks into a compound and knocks out the Soul Reapers guarding the area. Marechiyo Ōmaeda stumbles on the unconscious guards and investigate, only to encounter his zanpakutō spirit, Gegetsuburi, and Ikkaku's zanpakutō spirit, Hōzukimaru. Ōmaeda and Gegetsuburi are just about to fight when Ichigo and Ikkaku interrupt. Ōmaeda is knocked out of the fight, leaving Ichigo to battle Gegetsuburi, while Ikkaku fights Hōzukimaru. Ichigo defeats Gegetsuburi but Ikkaku is wounded by Hōzukimaru's bankai. Just as he attempts to continue the battle, Ukitake, Kyōraku and Suì-Fēng arrive to surround Hōzukimaru, but he uses his bankai to get away. However, they manage to obtain Gegetsuburi. Ichigo goes after Hōzukimaru, but the entity escapes when Senbonzakura's petals block Ichigo's route. Ichigo discovers that the attack was from Byakuya, who disappears. | |||
| 238 | "Friendship? Hatred? Haineko & Tobiume" "Yūjō? Ken'o? Haineko to Tobiume" (友情？嫌悪？灰猫＆飛梅) | September 22, 2009 | January 21, 2012[33] |
| Ichigo continues searching for Byakuya and encounters the zanpakutō spirits of Haineko and Tobiume, who are looking for Hyōrinmaru. Rangiku Matsumoto and Momo Hinamori arrive to fight their respective zanpakutō spirits while Ichigo continues the search. Momo uses a kidō spell to knock Tobiume into Haineko, causing the two to begin arguing. Ichigo encounters Hyōrinmaru, who cannot remember his name or his master. He attempts to freeze Ichigo and leave, but Tōshirō Hitsugaya confronts him. Elsewhere, Muramasa encounters and kills a large group of Gillians. | |||
| 239 | "The Awakening Hyōrinmaru! Hitsugaya's Fierce Fight" "Mezame yo Hyōrinmaru! Hitsugaya Gekitō" (目覚めよ氷輪丸！日番谷激闘) | September 29, 2009 | January 28, 2012[33] |
| Ichigo is still trapped in the ice prison Hyōrinmaru trapped him in as Hitsugaya and Hyōrinmaru confront each other. Meanwhile, Rangiku and Momo fight their zanpakutō in the woods and finally manage to overpower them with kidō spells. As Hitsugaya and Hyōrinmaru begin to fight, Hitsugaya tries to seal him but is shocked as Hyōrinmaru effortlessly dissolves the seal into fragments of ice. As their fight continues, Hyōrinmaru's tremendous power turns the whole sky black. Hitsugaya began to recall his past during his first encounter with Hyōrinmaru to convince him. Hitsugaya managed to activate Hyōrinmaru's shikai, thus managed to convince Hyōrinmaru that Hitsugaya is his master. Despite freezing himself along with his zanpakutō and losing consciousness, Hitsugaya manages to convince Hyōrinmaru of his identity. | |||
| 240 | "Byakuya's Betrayal" "Uragiri no Byakuya" (裏切りの白哉) | October 6, 2009 | February 11, 2012[34] |
| Mayuri experiments on Gegetsuburi and discovers that the zanpakutō can only return to their owners' control once they are defeated by their owners. Rangiku and Momo send their zanpakutō back to the fourth division barracks, but an unknown assailant attacks the cart carrying them. Ichigo meets with Rangiku and Momo, and then reaches Muramasa, who is having difficulties using his abilities in his current body. Ichigo attempts to attack Muramasa but is stopped by Senbonzakura. Ichigo fights Senbonzakura and gains the upper hand before Byakuya arrives. Byakuya reveals that he has joined Muramasa as part of following his internal desire to protect his pride, and then disappears with Muramasa and Senbonzakura. | |||
| 241 | "For the Sake of Pride! Byakuya vs. Renji" "Hokori no Tame ni! Byakuya tai Renji" (誇りのために！白哉VS恋次) | October 13, 2009 | February 18, 2012[34] |
| Ukitake, Kyōraku, Renji and Unohana discuss Byakuya's betrayal, discovering that a zanpakutō will be unusable if killed by anyone other than its owner. Byakuya returns to the hideout of the zanpakutō and proves his loyalty by defeating and seemingly killing Sode no Shirayuki, leaving Rukia unable to use her zanpakutō. Rukia and Renji investigate Byakuya's office, but Byakuya arrives with Senbonzakura, tossing Rukia the broken remains of her zanpakutō. Zabimaru arrives to help Renji fight Byakuya and Senbonzakura, but they are overpowered. Tenken, Houzukimaru, Kazeshini, Ruri'iro Kujaku and Gonryomaru suddenly arrive. The second division surrounds the zanpakutō, and their owners come out to fight them. | |||
| 242 | "Shinigami and Zanpakutō, Total Sortie" "Shinigami to Zanpakutō, Sōshutsugeki" (死神＆斬魄刀、総出撃) | October 20, 2009 | February 25, 2012[34] |
| As Ichigo goes to confront Byakuya, he is intercepted by Senbonzakura, and they fight each other using their bankai. Renji and Zabimaru move to prevent Byakuya from leaving. Kira begins fighting Kazeshini, suspecting that its personality is based on Hisagi's suppressed negative impulses. Suì-Fēng fights Gonryomaru and Tenken at once, but she is surprised by a smoke attack. Yumichika faces Ruri'iro Kujaku, and the two exchange insults. While Ikkaku fights Houzukimaru, Ikkaki is able to break Houzukimaru's bankai unleashed by repeatedly attacking it, managing to withstand its final attack and claiming victory. Fourth division lieutenant Isane Kotetsu and seventh division lieutenant Tetsuzaemon Iba go to assist the wounded at the scene of the battle when Ashisogi Jizō appears. | |||
| 243 | "One-to-One Fight! Ichigo vs. Senbonzakura" "Ikkiuchi! Ichigo tai Senbonzakura" (一騎打ち！一護VS千本桜) | October 27, 2009 | March 3, 2012[34] |
| Suì-Fēng continue her fight with Gonryomaru and Tenken, but then her zanpakutō, Suzumebachi, appears and attacks her. Ruri'iro Kujaku gains the advantage over Yumichika and begins to use his special ability on Yumichika. Isane and Iba attempt to retreat from Ashisogi Jizō, but Haineko and Tobiume arrive and Ashisogi Jizō paralyzes Isane's legs. Rangiku and Momo then return to help them against their opponents. Byakuya manages to defeat Renji and Zabimaru. Kira manages to capture Kazeshini by tricking him into thinking he could still use his zanpakutō in order to unsettle Kazeshini, but he is soon attacked by his own zanpakutō, Wabisuke. When Ichigo sees this, he desperately fights his way past Senbonzakura to get to Kira, but that is until Kenpachi Zaraki arrives. | |||
| 244 | "The Long Awaited... Kenpachi Appears!" "Man o Moshite... Kenpachi Tōjō!" (満を持して…剣八登場！) | November 3, 2009 | March 10, 2012 |
| Kenpachi appears just before Wabisuke is about to finish off Kira. Wabisuke turns to strike Kenpachi, but Kenpachi easily kills Wabisuke off, leaving Kira unable to use his zanpakutō anymore. Yachiru Kusajishi appears as well and tells everyone that she and Kenpachi were off hunting hollows and somehow got lost on the way back, providing an explanation for their disappearance throughout the crisis. Senbonzakura takes on Kenpachi but is overwhelmed by the latter's enormous spiritual power, which destroys a wide radius around them. Byakuya intervenes and fights Kenpachi while Senbonzakura resumes his fight with Ichigo. Yumichika breaks out of Ruri'iro Kujaku's binding vines and defeats him, reclaiming his zanpakutō. | |||
| 245 | "Pursue Byakuya! The Confused Gotei Divisions" "Byakuya o Oe! Konran no Goteitai" (白哉を追え！混乱の護廷隊) | November 10, 2009 | March 17, 2012 |
| Ichigo continues fighting Senbonzakura while Kenpachi fights Byakuya, but Ashisogi Jizō appears and uses its bankai, spraying poison gas over the battlefield, enabling Senbonzakura and Byakuya to escape. Ashisogi Jizō is chased by Yachiru and later gets captured by Kenpachi. Mayuri blows up Ashisogi Jizō, revealed to be his zanpakutō, causing it to return to its sealed form and break into pieces. Suì-Fēng has difficulty hitting the small Suzumebachi, but manages to defeat her, to which Yoruichi arrives to congratulates her. Unohana comes to treat the victims of Ashisogi Jizō's poisoning, including Rangiku, Momo, Isane and Iba. Yoruichi meets with Ichigo and the captains present, revealing that she knows Yamamoto's location. Yamamoto is then shown as a prisoner of the zanpakutō, with Sōgyo no Kotowari, Katen Kyōkotsu and Minazuki, recognized as the group of ryoka from before, encasing him in a barrier. | |||
| 246 | "Special Mission! Rescue Captain Commander Yamamoto!" "Tokumu! Yamamoto Sōtaichō o Kyūshutsu se yo!" (特務！山本総隊長を救出せよ！) | November 17, 2009 | March 24, 2012 |
| Yoruichi discusses with Ukitake, Kyōraku and Kenpachi on how they are going to rescue Yamamoto, knowing that they will be running into high-class zanpakutō. Meanwhile, Kazeshini comes back to the hideout and faints from exhaustion. Ukitake, Kyōraku and Kenpachi head into the cave in one direction, and Yoruichi and Ichigo head in another way. Kyōraku and Ukitake meet their materialized zanpakutō, Sōgyo no Kotowari and Katen Kyōkotsu, while Kenpachi and Yachiru, who get lost in the cave, come across Gonryomaru and Tenken. In the meantime, Ichigo and Yoruichi encounter Haineko and Tobiume, who both are defeated by Yoruichi. Ichigo heads on and is led to Kazeshini by Minazuki. Ichigo defeats Kazeshini, causing the latter to break into pieces, and Ichigo moves on to find Yamamoto. | |||
| 247 | "Deceived Shinigami! The World Collapse Crisis" "Damasareta Shinigami! Sekai Hōkai no Kiki" (騙された死神！世界崩壊の危機) | November 24, 2009 | March 31, 2012 |
| Muramasa stands in Ichigo's way of rescuing Yamamoto and goads him into releasing his hollow powers against him. Meanwhile, Yoruichi, Ukitake and Kyōraku realize that something is amiss and break away from their opponents. Having used the zanpakutō entities to distract Ichigo's companions, Muramasa tricks Ichigo into firing his most powerful Getsuga Tenshō at him, but deflects the attack into Yamamoto's barrier, shattering it just as Yoruichi, Ukitake and Kyōraku arrive to prevent this from happening. Muramasa reveals that Yamamoto encased himself in the barrier to prevent him from stealing Ryūjin Jakka, but with Ichigo's hollow-based attack, it would allow Muramasa to easily obtain Yamamoto's zanpakutō entity. When Muramasa says that he has no need for the other entities anymore, Katen Kyōkotsu and Sōgyo no Kotowari attack him but end up having their physical forms destroyed by Ryūjin Jakka. Muramasa makes his escape with Ryūjin Jakka, while Yamamoto reveals to the others that Muramasa intends to destroy the Thirteen Court Guard Squads with Ryūjin Jakka. | |||
| 248 | "Dragon of Ice and Dragon of Flame! The Strongest Showdown!" "Kōri no Ryū to Honoo no Ryū! Saikyō Taiketsu!" (氷の龍と炎の龍！最強対決！) | December 1, 2009 | April 7, 2012 |
| Ichigo, Yoruichi, Ukitake, Kyōraku and Yamamoto are surrounded by a wall of flames created by Ryūjin Jakka. Yoruichi escapes underground through a fissure that she opens using her shunkō technique, but Tobiume and Haineko use their fireball and sand attacks to cave it in behind Yoruichi, preventing the others from following. Ichigo attempts to escape by jumping over the wall of flames but is unsuccessful even with his hollow powers. Yamamoto reveals that Muramasa's plan is to destroy Karakura Town in order to free his owner, Kōga Kuchiki, who has been sealed there. Upon arriving at Karakura Town, Muramasa stumbles upon Orihime Inoue and blacks out. After waking up from recovery and asking Orihime who she is, Uryū Ishida and Yasutora "Chad" Sado arrive to take out Muramasa. Ichigo makes a final attempt at jumping over the wall of flames, and just before he is defeated and completely enveloped in fire, Hitsugaya and Hyōrinmaru arrive to save him. Hitsugaya and Hyōrinmaru both activate their bankai to help get Ichigo out of the flames so that he can head to Karakura Town to stop Muramasa. | |||
| 249 | "Senbonzakura's Bankai! Offense and Defense of the Living World" "Senbonzakura Bankai! Gensei no Kōbō" (千本桜卍解！現世の攻防) | December 8, 2009 | April 14, 2012 |
| Kenpachi continues his fight against Tenken. Yoruichi outmaneuvers Haineko and Tobiume while trying to convince them that Muramasa betrayed them. Yamamoto, Ukitake, Kyōraku, Hitsugaya and Hyōrinmaru plan to defeat Ryūjin Jakka together. Uryū and Chad arrive to fight Muramasa, but he evades all their attacks and Senbonzakura arrives to help him. Muramasa tries to use his ability on Chad and incapacitates him, due to him not being a Soul Reaper. Orihime asks Muramasa about his motive, and Muramasa reveals that he wishes to be free of solitude. Rukia arrives as Muramasa tries to escape to unseal Kōga. Uryū continues to fight Senbonzakura, managing to hit him with Seele Schneider, but he is still able to keep fighting. Muramasa manages to unseal Kōga as Ichigo arrives to face him. | |||
| 250 | "That Man, for the Sake of the Kuchiki" "Sono Otoko - Kuchiki-ke Yue ni" (その男・朽木家ゆえに) | December 15, 2009 | April 21, 2012 |
| In a flashback several centuries ago, it is revealed that Kōga was part of the Kuchiki clan as the son-in-law of Ginrei Kuchiki and was overconfident in the abilities of his zanpakutō. He helped put down a rebellion of Soul Reapers, but some grew suspicious of his power and had him attacked. He cut down his attackers, but he was framed for killing his own allies by a group of jealous high-ranking Soul Reapers. He was imprisoned as a result, but he escaped with Muramasa's help. In the present, Kōga awakens, repelling Ichigo and Rukia, then suddenly stabs Muramasa. | |||
| 251 | "Dark History! The Worst Shinigami Is Born" "Yami no Rekishi! Saikyō no Shinigami, Tanjō" (闇の歴史！最凶の死神、誕生) | December 22, 2009 | April 28, 2012 |
| The flashback continues and reveals that Kōga killed the people who had framed him, but after Ginrei confronted him, he went insane and began killing anyone he perceived as an enemy. Muramasa tried to reach out to Kōga but eventually was no longer able to hear his voice. Kōga was finally defeated and sealed away by Ginrei and Yamamoto when Kōga's call for Muramasa went unheard. In the present, Muramasa asks why Kōga stabbed him, as he had worked hard to bring about his return, but Kōga responds that zanpakutō are tools that obey their masters' commands. He tries to finish off Muramasa, but Byakuya steps in, saying that he is no longer worthy to be called a Soul Reaper. | |||
| 252 | "Byakuya, the Truth Behind His Betrayal" "Byakuya, Uragiri ni Kakusareta Shinjitsu" (白哉、裏切りに隠された真実) | January 5, 2010 | May 5, 2012 |
| Senbonzakura reveals that Byakuya had sworn to kill Kōga and had been searching for how to unseal him, even if that meant risking his status as a Soul Reaper. Muramasa offers Kōga his power, but Kōga breaks Muramasa, stating that he does not need help. Byakuya and Kōga fight, but Kōga gains the upper hand when he distorts Byakuya's senses. Senbonzakura helps dispel the effect though, and Byakuya manages to use bankai on Kōga. As Byakuya notes that Kōga's failing was refusing to trust his zanpakutō or anyone else, the two charge at each other. | |||
| 253 | "Muramasa's True Identity Revealed" "Akasareta Muramasa no Shōtai" (明かされた村正の正体) | January 12, 2010 | May 12, 2012 |
| After Kōga's defeat, Muramasa becomes unstable, as he had absorbed hollows in order to sustain himself without a master. Many hollows spill forth from his body and he transforms into a form similar to an arrancar. Orihime tries to reach out to him to save him from his sorrow, but he attacks the group. Ichigo manages to slash through Muramasa, but he becomes even more unstable and transforms into a larger dome-shaped mass, engulfing Ichigo in the process. The formerly rebellious zanpakutō return with their owners to help Ichigo and his friends in the battle. | |||
| 254 | "Byakuya and Renji, the 6th Division Returns" "Byakuya to Renji, Rokubantai Futatabi" (白哉と恋次、六番隊再び) | January 19, 2010 | May 19, 2012 |
| The zanpakutō, having been released from their brainwashing with Mayuri's help, fight the arriving Menos Grandes, but more come from a hole in the sky. Byakuya manages to seal the hole with spiritual energy gathered from all the other Soul Reapers. Despite their efforts, Ichigo remains trapped inside the dome, which continues growing larger. | |||
| 255 | "Final Chapter - Zanpakutō The Alternate Tale" "Shūshō - Zanpakutō Ibun Hen" (終章・斬魄刀異聞篇) | January 26, 2010 | May 26, 2012 |
| As the dome grows unstable and the Soul Reapers fight the Gillians outside, Ichigo fights Muramasa, who is beginning to become a hollow, inside Kōga's inner realm, which is collapsing from the grudges of the hollows he consumed to sustain himself. Ichigo questions Muramasa's devotion to Kōga in spite of his apparent motives for freeing the zanpakutō, insisting that he should know what a true bond between a Soul Reaper and a zanpakutō is. Ichigo defeats Muramasa, causing the two to leave his inner world. Muramasa dies after realizing the error of his ways, and Byakuya thanks Ichigo. | |||
| 256 | "The Angered Byakuya! The Collapse of the Kuchiki House" "Ikari no Byakuya! Kuchiki-ke Hōkai" (怒りの白哉！朽木家崩壊) | February 2, 2010 | June 2, 2012 |
| While Byakuya allows his squad to hold a hanami at his mansion, two strange attackers, one that is masked and the other resembling a satyr, arrive, but the masked one is quickly defeated by Sode no Shirayuki and Senbonzakura, who among all zanpakutō have since rematerialized, while the satyr one escapes. Mayuri refers to these attackers as "sword beasts", which are zanpakutō whose masters have been killed. Rukia and Sode no Shirayuki try luring out the satyr sword beast by having a drinking party, but fail. Soon, Rukia and Sode no Shirayuki find the satyr sword beast attacking and eventually defeat him together, capturing him and turning him in for study. Ukitake and Kyōraku become concerned at this development, noting that the Seireitei is still being rebuilt. | |||
| 257 | "A New Enemy! The True Nature of the Sword Beasts" "Aratana Teki! Tōjū no Shōtai" (新たな敵！刀獣の正体) | February 9, 2010 | June 9, 2012 |
| In the real world, Ichigo encounters and fights a sword beast. When Hitsugaya comes to aid Ichigo, the sword beast retreats. Ukitake and Kyōraku infer that there are at least as many sword beasts as the number of Soul Reapers lost in the war, and the two plan on stabilizing the sword beasts to have them return to their sword forms, despite Mayuri's lack of interest. The sword beast is attacked by a hollow, but he manages to fuse with it. The hollow sword beast overpowers Haineko when she tries to fight him, but Ichigo is able to disarm him. The hollow sword beast fires a cero blast at Ichigo, but Hitsugaya manages to destroy it, noting that the sword beasts are more dangerous than he had thought. | |||
| 258 | "Stray Snake, Tortured Monkey" "Maigo no Hebi, Junan no Saru" (迷子の蛇 受難の猿) | February 16, 2010 | June 16, 2012 |
| Renji and Zabimaru come to the real world following a sword beast. Zabimaru's two halves, Saru and Hebi, split up to search. Although they quickly find a boomerang sword beast, he escapes. Hebi follows him and is convinced that being free is better. Hebi, having trouble doing anything due to being unseen by the public, meets Karin Kurosaki and Yuzu Kurosaki, the former being the only one able to see him, who both end up taking him home. Meanwhile, at a park, Renji notices that Saru is feeling lonely without Hebi around. Ichigo returns home at night, only to find Hebi, who realizes that Ichigo is a substitute Soul Reaper. Hebi runs away, only to encounter the boomerang sword beast again. As they battle each other, Hebi has the advantage until the boomerang sword beast captures Karin, who was following Hebi. Renji and Saru come to rescue Hebi and defeat the boomerang sword beast. Ichigo takes Karin home, convincing her it was all a dream, even though she knew otherwise. Having resolved his differences, Hebi returns with Renji and Saru to the Soul Society. | |||
| 259 | "Terror! The Monster That Lurks Underground" "Kyōfu! Chika ni Hisomu Kaibutsu" (恐怖！地下に潜む怪物) | February 23, 2010 | June 23, 2012 |
| Ikkaku, Hanatarō Yamada, Nanao Ise and Hōzukimaru are sent to investigate some thefts that have taken place and track the culprit to the sewers. They are attack by a large monster, which manages to injure Ikkaku. The rest discover a white robot, who has the stash of stolen items. The large monster, revealed to be a tentacle sword beast, attacks the group again. The robot heals Ikkaku and fires a powerful blast at the tentacle sword beast, destroying it. It is revealed that the robot is Hanatarō's zanpakutō, Hisagomaru, which had resisted Muramasa's control because it did not resent Hanatarō. The group returns the stolen items, but Hisagomaru was separated from the group. | |||
| 260 | "Conclusion!? Hisagi vs. Kazeshini" "Ketchaku!? Hisagi tai Kazeshini" (決着!?檜佐木VS風死) | March 2, 2010 | June 30, 2012 |
| When Ikkaku, Iba, Kira and Hisagi go on a mission to fight a gang of sword beasts in the Rukongai, Kazeshini, despite being free of Muramasa's control, has a brief fight with Hisagi. After killing a sword beast, Kazeshini finds a dying man who begs him to take care of his child. Kazeshini is frequently annoyed by the child's behavior, but often shows concern for it, and abandons a chance to attack Hisagi when he hears it crying. After defeating another sword beast that is attacking a woman who came for the child, he leaves the child with the woman and goes to confront Hisagi. Kazeshini faces Hisagi in one last fight, but is inhibited by a back wound obtained earlier while protecting the child and is defeated, turning back into a normal zanpakutō. | |||
| 261 | "The Person with the Unknown Ability! Orihime Is Targeted" "Michinaru Nōryokusha! Nerawareta Orihime" (未知なる能力者！狙われた織姫) | March 9, 2010 | July 7, 2012 |
| While Ichigo, Rukia and Urahara investigate a sword beast attacking students, a girl named Kyōko Haida, who has the ability to predict the future and know things she would otherwise not, transfers to Karakura High School. Orihime tries to become friends with her, but learns that her best friend, Mai Suzuki, rejected her after learning of her ability. A mouthless sword beast merges with Kyōko and tries to take over her body to kill Mai, but Ichigo, Rukia and Orihime confront it. Orihime uses her healing powers to separate the mouthless sword beast from Kyōko, and Ichigo manages to defeat it with Getsuga Tenshō. Afterward, Orihime and Kyōko become friends, with Orihime accepting Kyōko's abilities. | |||
| 262 | "Haineko Cries! The Tragic Sword Beast!" "Higeki no Tōjū! Haineko, Gōkyū!" (悲劇の刀獣！灰猫、号泣！) | March 16, 2010 | July 14, 2012 |
| While on a mission with Rangiku to fight sword beasts, Haineko encounters one named Narunosuke, whose master was a coward, and who went with the others in order to become stronger. Haineko becomes friends with Narunosuke, sneaking him food and medicine despite the belief that the sword beasts inevitably lose control of themselves. As feared, Narunosuke gradually does lose control of his mind and body, and Rangiku arrives to deal with him. Haineko tries to stop her, but when Narunosuke becomes too dangerous, she is ultimately forced to destroy him. | |||
| 263 | "Imprisonment?! Senbonzakura & Zabimaru" "Yūhei?! Senbonzakura & Zabimaru" (幽閉?!千本桜＆蛇尾丸) | March 23, 2010 | July 21, 2012 |
| While delivering a hammer sword beast to the twelfth division barracks, Senbonzakura and Zabimaru find themselves caught in the barrack's intruder containment system when the former messes around with a remote control. After Senbonzakura fails to break the glass case with his shikai, much to Zabimaru's annoyance, Ashisogi Jizō passes by, but it is unable to hear them due to the glass case being soundproof. Ashisogi Jizō accidentally break the remote control, making an irritated Senbonzakura to use his bankai to destroy the glass case, which sets off a lockdown mechanism. Senbonzakura and Zabimaru run past the closing gates, leading them to a control room that surprisingly monitors the perimeters of the Seireitei. Senbonzakura sets off explosions all over the place after messing around with all the buttons. When a maddened Ashisogi Jizō appears, Senbonzakura and Zabimaru each use their bankai at it, destroying the control room as well as the rest of the barracks. This catches the attention of the other Soul Reapers, especially Renji, who is gravely disappointed. Later, when it is reported that Senbonzakura is leading a group to hunt down a sword beast, Zabimaru goes after him to avoid writing apology letters. | |||
| 264 | "Battle of the Females? Katen Kyōkotsu vs. Nanao!" "Onna no Tatakai? Katen Kyōkotsu tai Nanao!" (女の戦い？花天狂骨VS七緒！) | March 30, 2010 | July 28, 2012 |
| Kyōraku has Nanao go with the kunoichi bodyguard of Katen Kyōkotsu to find a sword beast, while the mistress of Katen Kyōkotsu sips sake with Kyōraku. Nanao later spots the kunoichi bodyguard fighting a bearded sword beast, but she toys with him instead of trying to defeat him, which causes Nanao to become very concerned to the point of restraining her. Later, with Rangiku's help, Nanao then tries to bond with kunoichi bodyguard. After many methods to open up to her ultimately fail, Nanao plans to have a party for the kunoichi bodyguard under the cherry blossoms. Nanao realizes that the kunoichi bodyguard takes an interest in cherry blossoms, pinning one to her hair. Not before long, the bearded sword beast returns, cutting Nanao's arm. Remembering that she set down her weapon down near a cherry blossom tree, the kunoichi bodyguard is rendered defenseless, although she still has the determination to fight back. When the bearded sword beast kicks the kunoichi bodyguard into a wall, he tries to finish Nanao off, that is until Kyōraku shows up and defeats him. During the party, the kunoichi bodyguard returns the favor by pinning a cherry blossom to Nanao's hair. | |||
| 265 | "Evolution?! The Menace of the Final Sword Beast" "Shinka?! Saigo no Tōjū no Kyōi" (進化!?最後の刀獣の脅威) | April 6, 2010 | August 4, 2012 |
| Kazeshini attacks a cleaver sword beast that has been cornered by the ninth division, but the cleaver sword beast turns back into sword form before Kazeshini prepares for a fatal blow, confusing him. Kazeshini, Zabimaru, Hōzukimaru and Ruri'iro Kujaku gather together to discuss that a unknown sword beast is absorbing the spiritual energies of other sword beasts, causing them to turn back their sword forms. It is shown that the unknown sword beast has done this to a yōkai sword beast. The next day, the unknown sword beast attacks a lion sword beast, a face sword beast and an ape sword beast in the streets of the Rukongai, absorbing each of their spiritual energies. All of the zanpakutō decide to face this sword beast, recognized as Kirikaze, without their owners. They soon realize that their attacks are no match against Kirikaze due to his ability to transform into mist. Their owners arrive and convince them that Soul Reapers and zanpakutō must fight as one in order to win the battle. All of the zanpakutō give what little spiritual energy they have left to Renji, who is then able to activate his bankai, finishing Kirikaze off once and for all. Although the zanpakutō return to their sword forms, the Soul Reapers note that they can still feel the presence of their zanpakutō. | |||
Season 14: The Arrancar Part 6: Fall of the Espada (2010–2011)
| No. | Title | Original airdate | English airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 266 | "Ichigo vs. Ulquiorra, Resume" "Ichigo tai Urukiora, Saikai" (一護VSウルキオラ、再開) | April 13, 2010 | August 12, 2012 |
| This episode recaps the story of the intense war between some of the Soul Reaper captains and lieutenants and the remaining Espadas in Sōsuke Aizen's arrancar army. It concludes with when Ichigo Kurosaki and Ulquiorra Schiffer are about to renew their fight. | |||
| 267 | "Connected Hearts! The Left Fist of Certain Death" "Tsunagaru Kokoro! Kesshi no Saken" (繋がる心！決死の左拳) | April 20, 2010 | August 19, 2012 |
| Ichigo and Ulquiorra's final battle properly gets underway with the two of them being more or less evenly matched. Ichigo is able to read his opponent's movements better than he could when they first fought, managing to wound Ulquiorra, if even slightly. Ichigo surmises that it is either he is becoming more like a hollow or his opponent is becoming more human, which angers Ulquiorra. Meanwhile, Yasutora "Chad" Sado and Renji Abarai struggle to fight a gigantic hollow in the desert of Hueco Mundo named Battikaroa, eventually claiming victory after discovering its weakness by blasting its head off after cracking its body. Back in a tower of Las Noches, Orihime Inoue manages to protect Ichigo from a near-lethal attack from Ulquiorra. | |||
| 268 | "Hatred and Jealousy, Orihime's Dilemma" "Zōo to Shitto, Kyūchi no Orihime" (憎悪と嫉妬、窮地の織姫) | April 27, 2010 | August 26, 2012 |
| Ichigo and Ulquiorra continue their fierce fight as Loly Aivirrne and Menoly Mallia approach Orhime. Although Loly orders Menoly to rip Orihime to shreds, Menoly refuses, telling Loly that Orihime has outstanding power which can heal anything. Loly berates Menoly and begins to torture Orihime by herself as Ichigo tries to reach Orihime despite Ulquiorra blocking him. When Yammy Riyalgo suddenly arrives, he kills Menoly and injures Loly when Ulquiorra refuses to let him fight Ichigo. Orihime heals Loly, who then releases her zanpakutō, Escolopendra, revealing herself with multiple venomous skeletal tentacles. As Loly squares off with Yammy, he punches her through the wall and lets her fall, seemingly to her death. He then aims for Orihime, who tries to defend herself with Santen Kesshun as Ichigo still tries to defeat Ulquiorra. Meanwhile, Rukia Kuchiki continues to fight Rudbornn Chelute and the Exequias as Chad and Renji slaughter more hollows. Uryū Ishida bursts through the wall of the tower with Ginrei Kojaku, preparing to aid Ichigo and rescue Orihime. | |||
| 269 | "Ichigo and Uryū, Bonded Back to Back" "Ichigo to Uryū, Senakaawase no Kizuna" (一護と雨竜、背中合わせの絆) | May 4, 2010 | September 2, 2012 |
| Uryū fights Yammy separate from the group, using the majority of his Quincy techniques to attempt to defeat this giant arrancar, all the while luring him into a trap. Using mines he had gotten from Mayuri Kurotsuchi and planting them on every floor of the fifth tower, Uryū succeeds in dropping Yammy all the way to ground level. Meanwhile, Rukia has difficulty in dispatching Rudbornn and the Exequias until Chad and Renji show up to give her a hand. Ichigo, still battling Ulquiorra, dons his hollow mask and starts to overwhelm his opponent. Ulquiorra breaks through the canopy of Las Noches in order to release his zanpakutō, Murciélago while stating the only 2 rules for inside of Las Noches: the first rule is Grand Rey Cero and the second rule is Espadas 1 to 4 cannot release their zanpaktõ.His sword release gives him large bat-like wings, raising his abilities to the point where he nearly decapitates Ichigo with his first attack. | |||
| 270 | "Beginning of Despair... Ichigo, the Unreachable Blade" "Zetsubō no Hajimari... Ichigo, Todokanu Yaiba" (絶望の始まり…一護、届かぬ刃) | May 11, 2010 | September 9, 2012 |
| Ichigo tries to fend off Ulquiorra's attacks with mixed results. However, he declares that he will never give up even if this arrancar is stronger than he is. Ulquiorra responds by transforming into his second release, which he claims Aizen himself has not seen. Ichigo attempts to defend himself and get in an attack, but Ulquiorra is too fast and powerful for him. Eventually, when Orihime and Uryū reach the surface, they discover that Ichigo has already been defeated and captured by Ulquiorra, who then tells Orihime to watch how he will extinguish her last hope by killing Ichigo. With that, he punches a hole through Ichigo's chest by firing his Cero Oscuras. | |||
| 271 | "Ichigo Dies! Orihime, the Cry of Sorrow!" "Ichigo Shisu! Orihime, Hitsū no Sakebi!" (一護死す！織姫、悲痛の叫び！) | May 18, 2010 | September 16, 2012 |
| A horrified Orihime rushes to Ichigo's lifeless body, only to be blocked by Ulquiorra. Uryū intervenes and attempts a sneak attack yet fails, but he decides to buy Orihime time to heal Ichigo's wounds. Ulquiorra quickly overwhelms him, while a distraught Orihime cries out for Ichigo. Orihime's lament breakdown unexpectedly triggers Ichigo to undergo a new hollowfication. Ulquiorra, surprised at the transformation, unleashes a Cero Oscuras, but only to have it blocked by Ichigo's own cero. After a quick skirmish, Ichigo manages to sever one of Ulquiorra's arms. Ulquiorra reveals his incredible ability to regenerate non-vital organs instantaneously. He regenerates his severed arm and unveils his most devastating attack, Lanza del Relámpago. The attack proves fruitless as Ichigo dodges it without effort and Ulquiorra is quickly overwhelmed and defeated. | |||
| 272 | "Ichigo vs. Ulquiorra, Conclusion!" "Ichigo tai Urukiora, Ketchaku!" (一護VSウルキオラ、決着！) | May 25, 2010 | September 22, 2012 |
| As Rudbornn continuously produces more soldiers to defend him, Chad and Renji attack him simultaneously with them breaking his defense while Rukia freezes Rudbornn, who is then finished off by Yammy who abruptly arrives at the scene. Meanwhile, in his new hollow form, Ichigo finishes Ulquiorra point-blank with his cero, but when Uryū stops him, trying to end his merciless attacks, Ichigo stabs Uryū with his zanpakutō. Ulquiorra awakes and interrupts Ichigo from using his cero on Uryū, causing it to backfire on Ichigo and reverting him back to his normal self. Although Ulquiorra demands to have a rematch with Ichigo, the latter compromises by suggesting an even-leveled fight. Ulquiorra, agreeing to his terms, suddenly realizes his body is expiring due to over-exhaustion of his own power, yet Ichigo refuses to kill him. While his body turns to ash, Ulquiorra remembers his conversations with Orihime and realizes he has grown a heart within himself. Ulquiorra asks Orihime if she is afraid of him, and she replies that she is not. Satisfied with her answer, Ulquiorra dissolves and fades into the winds. | |||
| 273 | "Fury of the Shark! Halibel's Release" "Same no Mōi! Hariberu Kaihō" (鮫の猛威！ハリベル解放) | June 1, 2010 | September 29, 2012 |
| Yammy becomes enraged at Ulquiorra's death and releases his zanpakutō, Ira. He grows to a colossal size and his rank increases from 10 to 0, explaining that the Espadas actually rank from 0 to 9. Rukia, Chad and Renji go all out on him, but he successfully blocks all their attacks. Meanwhile, in the fake Karakura Town, Tier Halibel continues her fight with Tōshirō Hitsugaya. Halibel releases her sword, Tiburón, and slices Hitsugaya's body in two. As she attempts to move toward Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto to exact revenge on him for destroying her Fracciónes, the Tres Bestias, Hitsugaya reappears and reveals what she sliced was merely an ice illusion. | |||
| 274 | "Hitsugaya, the Desperate Hyōten Hyakkasō!" "Hitsugaya, Sutemi no Hyōten Hyakkasō!" (日番谷、捨て身の氷天百華葬！) | June 8, 2010 | October 6, 2012 |
| Hitsugaya and Halibel use an array of water and ice attacks. Since Hitsugaya can turn any water into ice, and Halibel can turn any ice into water, both of their attacks neutralize each other out. However, both of them have a plan to turn the battleground into water and finish off the opponent in a single blow. As Hitsugaya tries to keep up with Halibel and protect the injured Soul Reaper lieutenants, he is injured severely from Halibel's Cascada. When Halibel comments on Hitsugaya not being able to fight at full strength, Hitsugaya stands up and extols at Hyōrinmaru being the strongest of all snow and ice zanpakutō, which gives the wielder the control of the heavens. He is then about to unleash his strongest attack, Hyōten Hyakkasō. | |||
| 275 | "The Approaching Breath of Death, the King Who Rules Over Death!" "Semaru Shi no Ibuki, Shi o Tsukasadoru Ō!" (迫る死の息吹、死を司る王！) | June 15, 2010 | October 13, 2012 |
| Hitsugaya releases his Hyōten Hyakkasō, an attack that manipulates the weather then uses it to dramatically increase its power, and successfully freezes Halibel, trapping her in a tower of ice. Meanwhile, Suì-Fēng and Marechiyo Ōmaeda continue their fight against Baraggan Louisenbairn. He slows Suì-Fēng's reaction time, making her unable to land any of her attacks on him, then grabs her left shoulder, aging it to the point that it breaks from frailty. Suì-Fēng and Ōmaeda devise a strategy to attack Baraggan, but Ōmaeda hesitates at the last moment and it fails. Baraggan then releases his zanpakutō, Arrogante, and unleashes his Respira, a dark cloud that decays everything in its path. His Respira chases after Suì-Fēng and manages to reach her left hand, which withers it down to the bone and begins to spread up her arm. Suì-Fēng, realizing that her whole body will decay into nothing unless drastic action is taken, orders Ōmaeda to cut off her left arm before the Respira can spread further. | |||
| 276 | "One Hit Kill, Suì-Fēng, Bankai!" "Ichigeki Kessatsu, Soifon, Bankai!" (一撃決殺、砕蜂、卍解！) | June 22, 2010 | October 20, 2012 |
| Suì-Fēng and Ōmaeda find themselves in a bad situation against Baraggan's Respira. They cannot even counterattack Respira because they cannot get anywhere near it. Then, Suì-Fēng goes off somewhere, leaving Ōmaeda to fight Baraggan alone. Ōmaeda tries to buy time with various ideas but finds himself impotent against Baraggan. Just when Ōmaeda is backed into a corner, Suì-Fēng arrives, having released her bankai, a large golden weapon that covers her entire right arm. She then fires a missile at Baraggan which leads to a massive explosion. | |||
| 277 | "Climax! Kyōraku vs. Stark!" "Hakunetsu! Kyōraku tai Sutāku!" (白熱！京楽ＶＳスターク！) | June 29, 2010 | October 27, 2012 |
| The massive explosion sends Suì-Fēng flying, but Ōmaeda manages to catch her, protecting her from crashing into a building. Shunsui Kyōraku and Coyote Stark continue their fight as Stark pressures Kyōraku to reveal his bankai. Stark then calls for Lilinette Gingerbuck and he fuses together with her in order to release his zanpakutō, Los Lobos, dressing like a gunslinger. The fight resumes as Stark gains the upper hand, confusing Kyōraku as how his pair of guns function. As Kyōraku is in trouble with Stark's cero, Jūshirō Ukitake uses his shikai which leaves Stark questioning if Ukitake just fired a cero. | |||
| 278 | "The Nightmare Returns... Revival of the Espada" "Akumu Futatabi... Fukkatsu no Esupāda" (悪夢再び…復活の十刃) | July 6, 2010 | November 3, 2012 |
| Kyōraku allows Ukitake to join him in fighting Stark, who notices Ukitake's shikai, which absorbs his cero and shoots it back out again. Just then, a huge Garganta opens up and reveals Wonderweiss Mergera and another gigantic hollow named Hooleer next to him. Wonderweiss stabs Ukitake in the chest while Stark shoots Kyōraku with a cero, making both Kyōraku and Ukitake faint to the ground. Wonderweiss then screams loudly, shattering the ice that Halibel was trapped in and allowing her to escape unharmed. Wonderweiss then blows out the smoke remaining from the missile out of Baraggan, making him resume his place. Wonderweiss finally has Hooleer blow away the flames surrounding Aizen, Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen. Just when the Soul Reapers begin to panic, the Vizards make an unsuspected arrival at the fake Karakura Town right in front of Aizen, Gin and Tōsen. | |||
| 279 | "Hirako and Aizen...the Reunion of Fate!" "Hirako to Aizen... Innen no Saikai!" (平子と藍染…因縁の再会！) | July 13, 2010 | November 10, 2012 |
| One hundred one years ago, it is revealed how Aizen experimented hollowification on a group of Soul Reapers, when they were sent into exile and why they called themselves the Vizards. In the present, Shinji Hirako explains to Yamamoto that the Vizards are not the allies of the Soul Reapers, but the enemies of Aizen, yet Ichigo is the exception. Wonderweiss commands Hooleer to release a lot of Menos, but the Vizards quickly defeat them. Hirako, later confronting Aizen, is stopped by Tōsen, who is then intervened by Sajin Komamura. Halibel breaks out of the ice and attacks Hitsugaya, but Hiyori Sarugaki backs him up and Lisa Yadōmaru comes to assist her. Mashiro Kuna easily defeats Hooleer, while Love Aikawa and Rōjūrō "Rose" Otoribashi confront Stark. Komamura and Tōsen are quickly interrupted by Shūhei Hisagi, who wants to join Komamura in defeating Tōsen. | |||
| 280 | "Hisagi and Tōsen, the Moment of Parting" "Hisagi to Tōsen, Ketsubetsu no Toki" (檜佐木と東仙、訣別の時) | July 20, 2010 | November 17, 2012 |
| Hisagi joins Komamura to battle Tōsen in hopes of bringing his former captain back to his senses. Meanwhile, the other Soul Reapers form uneasy alliances with the Vizards: Lisa, Hiyori and Hitsugaya take on Halibel; Love and Rose cover for Kyōraku and Ukitake and face Stark; and Hachigen "Hachi" Ushōda, Suì-Fēng and Ōmaeda are up against Baraggan. Hachi creates a barrier around Baraggan, yet he easily dissipate it. Hachi makes an armored wall between the three of them and Baraggan to buy some time. Hachi asks Suì-Fēng to use her bankai again in exchange for a deal. Baraggan survived the first time she used it because he made the missile age and redirected the explosion away from him. When Hachi boxes Baraggan in with three more armored walls around him, Suì-Fēng fire her bankai to defeat Baraggan once more, granted that Hachi will seal Kisuke Urahara in a barrier for one month. Hirako, though failing to sneak up on Gin, remarks that one more of Aizen's allies have fallen. | |||
| 281 | "Crown of Lies, Baraggan's Grudge" "Itsuwari no Ōkan, Baragan no Enkon" (偽りの王冠、バラガンの怨恨) | July 27, 2010 | November 24, 2012 |
| Baraggan survives Suì-Fēng's bankai, though half his face has been destroyed. In anger, he fires out his Respira attack until he rots away Hachi's right hand. However, Hachi removes his hand using a barrier and transports it inside Baraggan's body, causing him to start deteriorating painfully. In a flashback, it is revealed he was once the ruler of Hueco Mundo until dethroned by Aizen, Gin and Tōsen. In the present, Baraggan, taking his final moments to remember his vow to reclaim his throne someday, tosses his axe at Aizen, but it disintegrates and Baraggan dies. Stark shows distress at his death and vows to avenge him. | |||
| 282 | "Power of the Soul! Los Lobos, Attack!" "Tamashii no Chikara! Rosu Robosu, Shūrai!" (魂の力！群狼、襲来！) | August 3, 2010 | January 26, 2013 |
| Stark shows no sign of getting serious in his battle against Love and Rose. Running out of patience, Lilinette begins to mindlessly fire at the two Vizards without Stark's permission. But her attacks prove to be ineffective against the two, and she is gradually cornered by the pair's fine team play. Finally, Love hits Stark, throwing him into a sea of flames. Lisa, Hiyori and Hitsugaya are having an argument about their difficulty with coordinating their attacks against Halibel. With Lilinette's motivation, Stark then summons a pack of wolves, made from parts of their souls, which explode on impact. When his victory seems assured, Stark is unexpectedly stabbed in the back. | |||
| 283 | "Stark, the Lone Battle" "Sutāku, Tatta Hitori no Tatakai" (スターク、たった独りの戦い) | August 10, 2010 | February 2, 2013 |
| It is revealed that Kyōraku was the one who had stabbed Stark in the back. Kyōraku then explains that his zanpakutō has four techniques in the form of children's games turned into reality. Stark catches on quickly and learns to use Kyōraku's attacks against him. However, Lilinette sacrifices her life for Stark by absorbing a fatal attack from Kyōraku that Stark was unable to block in time. Showing distress at her death, Stark nearly defeats Kyōraku at one point. Instead, Kyōraku finishes Stark off by targeting his hollow hole, dealing a massive amount of damage to Stark. As Stark dies, a flashback reveals Stark's first encounter with Lilinette in Hueco Mundo. Meanwhile, Aizen, growing tired of the battles, decides he no longer needs Halibel and slashes her. | |||
| 284 | "Chain of Sacrifice, Halibel's Past" "Gisei no Rensa, Hariberu no Kako" (犠牲の連鎖、ハリベルの過去) | August 17, 2010 | February 9, 2013 |
| When Halibel was a Vasto Lorde long ago, she recruited Emilou Apacci, Franceska Mila Rose and Cyan Sung-Sun to be the Tres Bestias, tasked to grow stronger and to kill ravenous hollows. The quartet later encountered Baraggan when he was king of Hueco Mundo, who offered her to join his side, but she declined, also wounding a shark-like hollow who approached her. After Aizen, Gin and Tōsen arrived in Hueco Mundo to recruit Baraggan, Aizen also took an interest in Halibel. Some time later, Halibel is attacked by the shark-like hollow, which has now turned into an arrancar. Although the Tres Bestias tried to help her, they are eventually defeated. Just when the shark-like arrancar is about to kill Halibel, Aizen suddenly appeared and killed the arrancar, then offering Halibel a place in his arrancar army and telling her that no one would have to be sacrificed in order to grow stronger. In the present, Halibel angrily attacks Aizen, but she is then stabbed in the back of her left shoulder by Aizen, who used an illusion to deceive her, sending her plummeting into the city below. Aizen then challenges the Soul Reapers and Vizards in combat. | |||
| 285 | "The Hundred-Year Grudge! Hiyori's Revenge" "Hyakunen no Enkon! Hiyori no Fukushū" (百年の怨恨！ひよ里の復讐) | August 24, 2010 | February 16, 2013 |
| Wonderweiss battles Mashiro, who takes the upper hand until her hollow mask breaks. Before Wonderwiess can finish her off, Kensei Muguruma steps in to save her and takes her place, soon releasing his bankai at Wonderweiss. Meanwhile, Hiyori explains to Aizen why the Vizards have a score to settle with him, due to their painful experiences they endured one hundred and one years ago. Although Hirako warns the others not to fall for Aizen's taunts, Hiyori gives in and rushes in for an attack at Aizen, only to be stabbed in the back by Gin, badly injuring her. Hirako catches Hiyori, who then apologizes for not being able to hold back. Hirako calls for Ichigo, realizing that Orihime can still heal her. Meanwhile, back in Hueco Mundo, Ichigo has gone to help Rukia, Chad and Renji. The three are still in a battle with Yammy, trying to come up with tricks to defeat him but are ultimately defeated. | |||
| 286 | "Ichigo's Return! Protect Karakura Town" "Ichigo no Kikan! Karakura-chō o Mamore" (一護の帰還！空座町を護れ) | August 31, 2010 | February 23, 2013 |
| Ichigo manages to reach where Rukia, Chad, and Renji were after Rukia was thrown by Yammy. Ichigo manages to cut Yammy slightly with a point-blank Getsuga Tenshō using a new hollow mask, but is unable to wear it again. Yammy takes advantage of the situation and grabs Ichigo, with an intent of crushing Ichigo with his bare hands. Byakuya Kuchiki and Kenpachi Zaraki save Ichigo, having cut one of Yammy's legs off. Mayuri arrives and tells everyone that he has managed to analyze the Garganta and offers to send Ichigo back to Karakura Town through it. Byakuya reminds Ichigo that his duty is supposed to be protecting Karakura Town, not fighting at Hueco Mundo. Retsu Unohana decides to go along with Ichigo to the world of the living. | |||
| 287 | "Side Story! Ichigo and the Magic Lamp" "Gaiden! Ichigo to Mahō no Ranpu" (外伝！一護と魔法のランプ) | September 7, 2010 | March 2, 2013 |
| In this special episode, Ichigo and a number of other characters take part in an alternate world that hinges closely on the stories of Aladdin and the Magic Lamp. Ichigo finds out that this is all a dream and strives to wake up, while the others are intent on finding a hidden treasure called the Snow Crystal. Throughout a series of misadventures, Ichigo and the others encounter a magic lamp in a temple with the power to grant three wishes by a genie, in the form of Rukia, but by breaking the laws of granting wishes to them, she is sentenced to be executed in the "Lamp Society". Ichigo and the others go to rescue her, and by doing so, Ichigo is then granted the third and final wish. Instead of wishing to wake up from the dream he is supposedly having, he opts for the Snow Crystal. However, when it appears as a fishcake, it is revealed that the whole ordeal was dreamed up by Isane Kotetsu in the Soul Society. | |||
| 288 | "The Final Trump Card! Ichigo, Towards the Decisive Battle" "Saigo no Kirifuda! Ichigo, Kessen e" (最後の切り札！一護、決戦へ) | September 14, 2010 | March 9, 2013 |
| The battle between Kenpachi and Yammy continues, as the former seems to have the upper hand. Meanwhile, Ichigo and Unohana head for the world of the living through the Garganta opened by Mayuri, who discusses the after war period with Byakuya. Unohana reveals to Ichigo that he is the only person who can defeat Aizen, since he is the only one that did not witness Aizen's shikai, also informing him that "seeing" Aizen's shikai is out of the question. Ichigo, realizing his great responsibility, resolves to defeat Aizen. Back in Hueco Mundo, Kenpachi is still dominating Yammy, seemingly defeating him and prompting Byakuya to finish him off, who refuses to do so, as Yammy suddenly fires a cero at both captains. | |||
| 289 | "Byakuya vs. Kenpachi?! The Melee Commences" "Byakuya tai Kenpachi?! Ransen Kaishi" (白哉ＶＳ剣八？！乱戦開始) | September 21, 2010 | March 16, 2013 |
| Kenpachi scolds Byakuya for being useless and not finishing off Yammy earlier. Byakuya gets angry squares off with Kenpachi to see who is stronger. Yammy attempts to attack, but is promptly struck down by both Byakuya and Kenpachi for interrupting their feud. Yammy gets angry and grows into an altered form, revealing that his rage lets him become stronger. Meanwhile, after Gin had injured Hiyori, Hirako then confronts Aizen. When Tōsen decides to use his "true power" against Hisagi and Komamura, he shocks them by donning a hollow mask instead of using his bankai. Hisagi and Komamura are both disheartened to see how far Tōsen has gone to attain more power. Tōsen quickly dispatches Hisagi with a slash across his chest and kicks Komamura to the ground below. Hisagi, who sidestepped the slash, restrains Tōsen, who then stabs him through the chest again. Afterwards, Komamura prepares to release his bankai. | |||
| 290 | "For the Sake of Justice?! The Man Who Deserted the Shinigami" "Seigi no Tame ni?! Shinigami o Suteta Otoko" (正義の為に？！死神を捨てた男) | September 28, 2010 | March 23, 2013 |
| In the past, it is shown how Komamura and Tōsen met as friends, later revealing that Komamura wanted to repay a debt as his reason for becoming a Soul Reaper. In the present, Komamura activates his bankai but is blocked continually by Tōsen, who later discovers that he can cause damage to Komamura himself whenever his bankai is damaged. Komamura learns that Tōsen had lost a beloved female friend to murder by her husband, and he had joined the academy in order to get his revenge for her demise, being the truth behind his relentless search for justice. Tōsen then activates his release form, taking the form of a hairy insect. When he opens his eyes in this new form, Tōsen exults that he can see the world for the first time. Meanwhile, Aizen finally draws his blade against Hirako. Nonetheless, Hirako then tells Aizen that he is sorely mistaken if he believes he is the only one with a zanpakutō that has power over the senses. | |||
| 291 | "Desperate Struggle with Aizen! Hirako, Shikai!" "Aizen to no Shitō! Hirako, Shikai!" (藍染との死闘！平子、始解！) | October 5, 2010 | March 30, 2013 |
| Tōsen does not seem to fight as well in his new form now that he can see, but he still easily defeats Komamura with a cero. As he charges another cero to finish Komamura, who has given up, Hisagi stabs Tōsen, then claims that if he did not have sight, he could have easily dodged his attack. Hisagi releases his zanpakutō and slices Tōsen through the neck, dispelling his hollowfied form. Meanwhile, Hirako releases his shikai, having the ability to create great visual illusions, which he calls the inverted world. Hirako seems to have the upper hand and hits Aizen several times. However, Aizen, having messed with Hirako's senses earlier, slices Hirako's back, claiming that his zanpakutō is more superior. The defeated Tōsen comes to his senses and requests to see Hisagi's face clearly once more, but he dies when an internal impact destroys his body. Hisagi is devastated while Komamura rages at Aizen, who purposely killed Tōsen. At this point, Ichigo appears behind Aizen preparing to attack him. | |||
| 292 | "All Out War! Aizen vs. Shinigami" "Zenmen Sensō! Aizen tai Shinigami" (全面戦争！藍染ＶＳ死神) | October 12, 2010 | April 6, 2013 |
| Ichigo, failing to wound Aizen, is easily overwhelmed yet remains alive. As Aizen starts questioning Ichigo's purpose for fighting him, Komamura calms him and tells him to not fall for his ruse. All of the Soul Reapers and Vizards then join in to protect Ichigo from witnessing Aizen's shikai, to enable him to finish Aizen off. However, after Hitsugaya charges in, Aizen provokes him to attack with all his hatred. Aizen mentions Momo Hinamori and if the hatred had disappeared because of her, and Hitsugaya furiously attacks him. Hitsugaya releases his bankai as the other Soul Reapers join him. | |||
| 293 | "Hitsugaya, Enraged! Blade of Hatred!" "Hitsugaya, Gekkō! Nikushimi no Yaiba!" (日番谷、激昂！憎しみの刃！) | October 19, 2010 | April 13, 2013 |
| Komamura, Love, Rose and Lisa join Hitsugaya in fighting Aizen, but all four are easily defeated. Suì-Fēng, Kyōraku and Hirako manage to confuse Aizen, allowing Hitsugaya to deal the final blow on him. As the Soul Reapers cheer on Aizen's defeat, a shocked Ichigo yells at them, asking them what they are doing. It is revealed that everybody except for Ichigo was under Aizen's shikai illusion and Hitsugaya had mistakenly stabbed Momo, while Aizen reveals himself to be acting as Momo. Enraged, Hitsugaya charges at Aizen but is cut down, his left limbs cut off. Suì-Fēng, Kyōraku and Hirako attempt to attack Aizen, but all are cut down as well. | |||
| 294 | "Impossible to Attack? The Sealed Genryūsai!" "Kōgeki Funō? Fūjirareta Genryūsai" (攻撃不能？封じられた元柳斎！) | October 26, 2010 | April 20, 2013 |
| After defeating his oncoming opponents, Aizen stabs Yamamoto who then creates pillars of flames to trap him, which will kill not only Aizen, but everyone else in the process. However, Wonderweiss appears and extinguishes Yamamoto's flames, revealing himself to have the ability to nullify Ryūjin Jakka. Yamamoto and Wonderweiss engage in unarmed combat, in which the former shatters the latter's body to pieces using hand-to-hand techniques. As Yamamoto stands before Aizen again, Wonderweiss unleashes the flames sealed in his body as he dies. Yamamoto uses his body to minimize the damage the explosion causes. Aizen approaches the immobile Yamamoto and prepares to finish him off, but Yamamoto uses his body as a catalyst for his Ittō Kasō, the forbidden kidō spell of sacrifice, and catches Aizen in the ensuing explosion. As Aizen manages to get away relatively unscathed, Ichigo attacks him. | |||
| 295 | "It's All a Trap... Engineered Bonds!" "Subete wa Wana... Shikumareta Kizuna!" (全ては罠…仕組まれた絆！) | November 2, 2010 | April 27, 2013 |
| Ichigo, with his donned hollow mask, uses Getsuga Tenshō to attack Aizen, wounding him in the process. However, it is revealed that Aizen has fused with the Hōgyoku, which heals his wounded chest. It is revealed that all of the battles Ichigo has fought thus far were part of Aizen's plan, as such these battles are recapped. His first encounter with Rukia against a hollow, his first time fighting with Uryū against several hollows, his first fight with Renji and interference from Byakuya, his first training session with Urahara, his successful rematch with Renji, his first intense match with Kenpachi and his fierce confrontation with Byakuya and use of his hollow powers are all shown. | |||
| 296 | "The Shocking Truth...The Mysterious Power Within Ichigo!" "Shōgeki no Shinjitsu... Ichigo ni Himerareta Chikara!" (衝撃の真実…一護に秘められた力！) | November 9, 2010 | May 4, 2013 |
| The recap ends after Ichigo's invitation by Hirako to join the Vizards, his first battle with Yammy witnessed by Ulquiorra in the world of the living and interruption by Urahara and Yoruichi Shihōin, his training with the Vizards to improve his hollow powers, his first fight with Ulquiorra using his hollow powers, his final match with Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez and his triumph over Ulquiorra in his altered hollowfied form are shown. Aizen had been recording all of his battles and had set up the events that occurred up to this point as well. Aizen then reveals that he knew about him since his birth, trying to tell Ichigo he is part human, but his speech is interrupted by Ichigo's father, Isshin Kurosaki, in Soul Reaper form. After putting some distance along with Ichigo from Aizen, Isshin tries to tell his son that he will reveal the truth about his actions later, but Ichigo tells him that there is no need for that as he realizes he is indeed half Soul Reaper. Isshin then attacks Aizen, while Ichigo confronts Gin. | |||
| 297 | "The Extending Blade?! Ichigo vs. Gin!" "Nobiru Yaiba!? Ichigo tai Gin!" (伸びる刃！？一護VSギン！) | November 16, 2010 | May 11, 2013 |
| While fighting Ichigo, Gin activates his bankai, which allows him to extend his blade to great lengths, stating that he will not hold back unlike the last time they fought each other. Although Ichigo blocks his first attack, Gin charges at Ichigo with rapid attacks. Ichigo figures out that Gin's contraction speed is his weakness, but his extension speed is quite the opposite. Elsewhere, as the battle between Aizen and Isshin still rages on, the former reveals that he has reached the limit of his Soul Reaper self. Subsequently, the Hōgyoku begins to reconstruct his soul. In shock, Isshin discovers through Aizen's statements the true power of the Hōgyoku, which is to "manifest" the desires of all the people within its vicinity. As Aizen's transformation intensifies, Urahara arrives to participate in the battle. | |||
| 298 | "Film! Festival! Shinigami Film Festival!" "Eiga da! Matsuri da! Shinigami Eigasai!" (映画だ！祭りだ！死神映画祭！) | November 23, 2010 | May 18, 2013 |
| This is a special episode to promote the fourth movie, Bleach: Hell Verse. In the Soul Society, all Soul Reapers of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads have formed teams in order to make a successful movie. Ichigo, Orihime, Uryū, Chad, Rukia, Renji, Byakuya and Rangiku Matsumoto team up to make a movie named "Intergalactic Maid Cop versus the Space Invaders of Doom from Another Planet Part I". Renji, as the director of this improvised film, assigns Uryū as the costume designer and cameraman and Byakuya as the visual effects supervisor, and distributes roles to the rest of the crew. Ichigo, as a high school Soul Reaper, must save Rukia, the intergalactic maid cop, being held hostage by Rangiku, the evil criminal alien mastermind, who has Orihime and Chad under her mind control. After a skirmish with the guardians of Sōkyoku Hill, the movie then ends. | |||
| 299 | "Theatre Opening Commemoration! The Hell Verse: Prologue" "Gekijō Kōkai Kinen! Jigoku Hen: Joshō" (劇場公開記念！地獄編・序章) | November 30, 2010 | May 25, 2013 |
| This is a short prologue from the fourth movie, Bleach: Hell Verse. After returning merchandise to the Urahara Shop, Rukia finds Zennosuke Kurumadani, the Soul Reaper guardian of Karakura Town, who is attacked by a strange monster revealed to be Shrieker, the frog-like hollow that Ichigo defeated and banished to Hell. Now a Sinner, that being a unforgivable denizen of Hell and forever bound by chains, Shrieker reveals that he can exit Hell at will. Renji arrives to assist Rukia in defeating Shrieker and sending him back to Hell. After learning of the incident, Yamamoto calls for an emergency meeting and decides to send Renji and Rukia to investigate, but he warns them not to involve Ichigo. In Hell, Szayelaporro Grantz and Aaroniero Arruruerie, dead after their battles with the Soul Reapers, encounter Shuren, Taikon, Gunjo and Garogai, all of whom are Sinners. Szayelaporro and Aaroniero attack Shuren, but are easily defeated. Disappointed, Shuren turns his attention to Ichigo's hollowfied form as a means of escaping the depths of Hell. | |||
| 300 | "Urahara Appears! Stop Aizen!" "Urahara Tōjō! Aizen o Soshi se yo!" (浦原登場！藍染を阻止せよ！) | December 7, 2010 | June 1, 2013 |
| Urahara arrives to stop Aizen. Urahara has prepared a few tricks up his sleeve for the fight, including some special armor for Yoruichi when she later arrives as well. Urahara, Yoruichi and Isshin all engage Aizen, but with every passing second, he becomes stronger and changes his appearance due to being infused with the Hōgyoku. Meanwhile the battle between Ichigo and Gin continues. The episode ends with Rangiku running towards Gin. | |||
| 301 | "Ichigo Loses His Fighting Spirit!? Gin's Expectation!" "Ichigo, Sen'i Sōshitsu!? Gin no Omowaku!" (一護、戦意喪失！？ギンの思惑！) | December 14, 2010 | June 8, 2013 [35] |
| Ichigo hollowfies and attacks Gin, but Gin slices off Ichigo's hollow mask. While Urahara, Yoruichi and Isshin continue to fight Aizen, Rangiku is seen by Izuru Kira running towards Gin. Uninterested in Ichigo anymore, Gin tells Ichigo to get lost. Just when Gin is about to kill Ichigo, Aizen appears behind Ichigo, revealing to have defeated Urahara, Yoruichi and Isshin. Aizen and Gin leave to go to the real Karakura Town. In the Dangai, they encounter the Kōtotsu. Gin tries to tell Aizen it would be impossible to destroy it, and yet Aizen succeeds with a single blow. Ichigo and Isshin go into the Dangai after them. After realizing Aizen must have destroyed the Kōtotsu, Isshin tells Ichigo he will teach him the Final Getsuga Tenshō. | |||
| 302 | "The Final Getsuga Tenshō!? Ichigo's Training!" "Saigo no Getsuga Tenshō!? Ichigo no Shugyō!" (最後の月牙天衝！？一護の修行！) | December 21, 2010 | June 15, 2013 |
| The Dangai reduces time to the point that if one were to stay in that world for 2,000 hours, which is more or less three months, only one hour will have passed in the outside world, making it ideal for training purposes now that the Kōtotsu has been destroyed. Isshin devises a method for Ichigo to learn the Final Getsuga Tenshō in 2,000 hours in that world. To do that, Ichigo must directly contact his zanpakutō. Once entering his inner world, he meets the spirit of his bankai, Tensa Zangetsu, who refuses to cooperate with him and pulls out the "source of his despair", which turns out to be Ichigo's inner hollow. Meanwhile, in the real Karakura Town, Keigo Asano and Tatsuki Arisawa both wake up and wander through the town, pondering what has happened to them. Aizen finds and confronts Arisawa, paralyzing her with his spiritual pressure, while Gin lets Keigo run away. | |||
| 303 | "Real World and Shinigami! The New Year Special!" "Gense mo Shinigami mo! O-shōgatsu Supesharu!" (現世も死神も！お正月スペシャル！) | January 4, 2011 | June 22, 2013 |
| The female Soul Reapers of the Soul Society celebrate New Year's Day by sending out cards to the other divisions. However, some of the male Soul Reapers voice their complaints about the card designs. To settle the matter, the cards are used in a game of karuta. The game goes out of control when the players start attacking each other for the right card in each round. Meanwhile, in the world of the living, the story lies on Orihime thinking about everyone being with their family. Orihime comes across Rukia and Renji, who were on their way to the local shrine festival. The three stop by at the Urahara Shop to visit Urahara and Yoruichi for the afternoon, but Renji is not enjoying his stay there. Rukia takes Orihime to the local shrine in the evening, and even though the place is empty, Orihime shockingly sees Ichigo, Uryū, Chad and Renji there as well. She prays that they all can share another wonderful year together. | |||
| 304 | "Another Side Story! This Time's Enemy Is a Monster!?" "Gaiden Futatabi! Kondo no Teki wa Monsutā!?" (外伝再び！今度の敵はモンスター！？) | January 11, 2011 | June 29, 2013 |
| In this dreamlike scenario, Ichigo and his friends appear as various monsters, him being in the form of Frankenstein's monster. He is summoned to a meeting with them in a castle about protecting the Snow Crystal from the monster hunters, Isshin and Ryūken Ishida. When the two monster hunters arrive, the monsters do everything they can to stop their opponents. However, Ichigo just wants the Snow Crystal for himself so he can turn human and wake up from the dream. When the Snow Crystal is found missing, Isshin and Ryūken abruptly leave after Ichigo and Uryū, in form of a vampire, prepare to attack. After it is revealed that Rukia, in the form of a succubus, is the Snow Crystal, Ichigo transforms into a wolf. It is shown that the whole ordeal was dreamed up by Komamura in the Soul Society. | |||
| 305 | "Delusion Roars! Hisagi, Towards the Hot Springs Inn!" "Mōsō Bakusō! Hisagi, Onsen Ryokan e!" (妄想爆走！檜佐木、温泉旅館へ！) | January 18, 2011 | July 6, 2013 |
| As Hisagi and Kira finish some paperwork and go to a restaurant to have some drinks, they briefly run into some of the female Soul Reapers, who thank Hisagi for making lunch for their girls night out. Later, Hitsugaya has Hisagi, Rangiku and Isane investigate some mysterious murders in the Rukongai. Hisagi and Rangiku go on ahead through a field when it begins to rain. After waiting a while till the rain lets up, a hot springs inn manager invites the two inside her inn to have them rest and relax. Rangiku has her suspicions with the inn manager, but Hisagi is ever so struggling with his feelings for Rangiku. It becomes even more difficult when Rangiku goes to take a hot bath, which gives Hisagi the urge to take a peek past the door. When Hisagi finally musters up the courage to open the door, Rangiku, who is still in her uniform, attacks past Hisagi and hits the inn manager, who is revealed to be a hollow. After the two defeat the hollow, Rangiku explains that she used Hisagi as bait to lure out the hollow in the first place. | |||
| 306 | "For the Sake of Protecting! Ichigo vs. Tensa Zangetsu!" "Mamoru Tame ni! Ichigo tai Tensa Zangetsu!" (護るために！一護ＶＳ天鎖斬月！) | January 25, 2011 | July 13, 2013 |
| Tensa Zangetsu shows Ichigo his inner hollow, revealing to him it was the form he defeated Ulquiorra in. Zangetsu then joins with the inner hollow, revealing that they were one to begin with, and resumes his battle with Ichigo. Meanwhile, Don Kanonji arrives between Tatsuki and Aizen and becomes determined to fight against him, that is until Rangiku arrives just in time to stop him from getting killed. She instructs Kanonji to take Tatsuki with him, whilst she and Gin go somewhere. As Tatsuki and Kanonji reunite with Keigo, Gin wounds Rangiku and rejoins Aizen in chasing after them. | |||
| 307 | "Emergency Situation! Aizen, New Evolution!" "Kinkyū Jitai! Aizen, Saranaru Shinka!" (緊急事態！藍染、更なる進化！) | February 1, 2011 | July 20, 2013 |
| Some of Ichigo's classmates, Kanonji and even Kurumadani make various attempts to stop Aizen but they all fail. Then, Gin returns and tells Aizen that he eliminated Rangiku, and Aizen claims he will begin creating the Ōken after he kills Ichigo's friends. Gin then pulls a surprising move by grabbing Aizen's zanpakutō and then impaling him through the chest. Gin reveals that the true ability his bankai turns his zanpakutō to dust when it contracts and retracts, capable of leaving a lethal poison in one's body that dissolves it at a cellular rate. Aizen begins to perish as Gin escapes with the Hōgyoku in hand. However, the Hōgyoku, still belonging to Aizen whether or not it is inside him, evolves him to an even greater form as a result. Gin has a momentary flashback of when he first saw Aizen with Rangiku unconscious on the ground, which encouraged him to kill the former. In the present, the newly evolved Aizen teleports to Gin's location and brutally slashes him across the middle. | |||
| 308 | "Goodbye...Rangiku" "Sayonara... Rangiku" (さよなら…乱菊) | February 8, 2011 | July 27, 2013 |
| Gin recalls apologizing to Rangiku after slightly wounding her from before and is satisfied with that. Before Aizen tries to kill Rangiku, Ichigo shows up on the scene with his unconscious father over his shoulder. Gin, seeing the changed look in Ichigo's eyes, rests in peace, content with what he had done. Ichigo wishes to change the location of their fight and jumps at Aizen, grabbing his face and pushing him many miles away from the town. Aizen, still believing that he can easily defeat him, surmises that Ichigo has not lost his spiritual pressure, rather he has "discarded" it in turn for physical strength. Each swing in the clash between the two is powerful enough to annihilate large amounts of terrain. Aizen becomes increasingly arrogant and is shocked once again when Ichigo effortlessly stop his blade with his bare hand. Aizen unleashes a complete incantation of the allegedly unstoppable Kurohitsugi kidō spell upon Ichigo, yet proving to be of no effect. | |||
| 309 | "Fierce Fighting Conclusion! Release, the Final Getsuga Tenshō!" "Gekitō Ketchaku! Hanate, Saigo no Getsuga Tenshō!" (激闘決着！放て、最後の月牙天衝！) | February 15, 2011 | August 3, 2013 |
| Ichigo wounds Aizen, forcing the Hōgyoku yet another transformation upon Aizen, who becomes a hollow-like creature. Although Aizen renders Ichigo's left arm useless, Ichigo then unleashes the Final Getsuga Tenshō. Through a flashback, it is revealed that while in his inner world, Ichigo could not defeat Tensa Zangetsu until he allowed to be pierced by Tensa Zangetsu, thereby accepting the blade and the consequences of the technique. Unleashing this attack allows Ichigo to actually become the attack itself, which would strip him of his Soul Reaper powers. He unleashes a torrent of darkness that enshrouds the land and overwhelms Aizen. However, Aizen prepares to finish off a weakened Ichigo thanks to the Hōgyoku, only to be stopped by Urahara, who steps onto the scene. Urahara planted another kidō inside of the kidō he shot just before Aizen transformed the first time as a sealing process. Now that his power has been weakened by Ichigo, the seal has begun to work and the Hōgyoku no longer sees him as its master, resulting in him being sealed. | |||
| 310 | "Ichigo's Resolution! The Price of the Fierce Battle" "Ichigo no Kakugo! Gekitō no Daishō" (一護の覚悟！激闘の代償) | February 22, 2011 | August 10, 2013 |
| In the aftermath of the Winter War, all of the Soul Reapers momentarily return to the Soul Society and begin to recuperate. It is shown that Unohara healed all of the Vizards including Hiyori, but ultimately it is up to her own will if she is to survive. Byakuya and Kenpachi have defeated Yammy in Hueco Mundo. Ichigo questions Urahara what Aizen's true motives might have been the whole time. When Ichigo reunites with his friends, he suddenly blacks out. In Central 46, Aizen is sentenced to 20,000 years in the lowest underground level of the prison. Yamamoto, now without a left arm, is maddened that Byakuya, Kenpachi and Kyōraku lost their coats during their battles. Hitsuguaya is seen training with his bankai inside a cave, looking back at the incident when he accidentally stabbed Momo during his battle. Rangiku is thankful that Gin never left a memento when he separated from her during his defection with Aizen. In Rukia's house, Ichigo wakes up after ten days, and it is revealed that his hair length and body height have returned to normal, having gone through the first couple of stages in losing his powers. It is only a matter of an undertermined time before he permanently loses them. However, Ichigo is mainly glad to see all of his friends alive and well. | |||
| 311 | "The Soul Detective: Karakuraizer Takes Off Again!" "Konsō Keiji Karakuraizā Sai Hasshin!" (魂葬刑事・カラクライザー再発進！) | March 1, 2011 | August 17, 2013 |
| While Kon tries to rescues a girl from being attacked by a hollow, a mysterious person named Michel intervenes and defeats it instead, much to Kon's dismay. After going back to the Urahara Shop to meet with the other team members, Kon was not aware that Michel just so happens to be a famous spiritualist. The Konso Cop Karakuraizer is assigned to investigate about a female arrancar they previously defeated that has returned to seek vengeance. After they run into Michel in the streets, a hollow appears. Kon tries to attack it, but to no avail, yet Michel easily defeats the hollow in a single blow. Kon is gradually getting suspicious of Michel, who later publicly announces that he is giving the rest of the team members special capes. After the other members pass out, Arisawa, coming to her senses, is blindsided when Michel reveals that he was sent to invade the town and to place everyone under hypnosis, and the capes were designed to drain their spiritual energies. Kon steps in and fights Michel, knocking out his tooth which was the source of his hypnosis. In retaliation, Michel transforms into a hollow. Kon eventually defeats Michel, which dissolves all the capes. | |||
| 312 | "Inauguration! The Brand New 2nd Division Captain!" "Shūnin! Aratanaru Nibantai Taichō!" (就任！新たなる二番隊隊長！) | March 8, 2011 | August 24, 2013 |
| Ōmaeda, realizing he overslept from his nap on his way to a meeting with Suì-Fēng, falls off a cliff and lands on a hollow, who was attacking a boy. When the hollow retreats, Ōmaeda, claiming to be the "captain" of the second division, is invited by the boy named Ryuzaburo back to his village, where the villagers serve Ōmaeda food to express their gratitude for saving Ryuzaburo. The next day, Ōmaeda rushes back to the second division barracks and apologizes to Suì-Fēng, who states that his absence was not missed, but she assigned him to clean up the Seireitei grounds alone as punishment. Meanwhile, Ichigo and Yoruichi allow Ryuzaburo and his two friends into the Seireitei to find the "captain" of the second division. When they arrive at the second division barracks, Ōmaeda begs Ichigo and Yoruichi to go along with the story, to which Yoruichi agrees and Ichigo is rather reluctant. While Ōmaeda and the three boys are walking in the streets, they cross paths with Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa, who, through explanation from Ichigo and Yoruichi, play along with the story in order to get some cash from Ōmaeda. Yumichika then tells Rangiku, who brings tea to Ōmaeda to follow as well. In the end, even Suì-Fēng plays along with the story by doing chores for Ōmaeda after being persuaded by Yoruichi. However, at the end of the day, the three boys overhear Ikkaku and Yumichika discussing the fact that Ōmaeda would never become a captain. Ryuzaburo becomes angry at Ōmaeda and runs home, only to be stopped by the hollow from the day before, but Ōmaeda saves him and bids him farewell. The three boys return to their village and Suì-Fēng beats Ōmaeda up for insulting her. | |||
| 313 | "The Man Who Risks His Life in the 11th Division!" "Jūichibantai ni Inochi o Kaketa Otoko!" (十一番隊に命を賭けた男！) | March 15, 2011 | September 7, 2013 [36] |
| While Ichigo is sparring with Renji, a man from the eleventh division named Seizo Harugasaki serves the two of them some tea, but everyone seems to disrespect him while he does his duties. It is later revealed by Yumichika that Seizo was once a strong warrior. However, while Seizo was paired with Ikkaku to kill a hollow, the latter was captured and about to lose his spiritual energy. Seizo took the attack instead and lost almost all his spiritual energy, and as a result no one respected him after that. Ichigo talks to Seizo, and after regaining his confidence in his skills, he defeats a group of hollows alongside Ikkaku. Seizo leaves the Thirteen Court Guard Squads with all of the eleventh division members including Ikkaku bowing down to him in respect. | |||
| 314 | "Kon Saw It! The Secret of a Beautiful Office Lady" "Kon wa Mita! Bijin Ōeru no Himitsu" (コンは見た！美人OLの秘密) | March 22, 2011 | September 15, 2013 |
| Kon yells out the window about his imprisonment in Ichigo's room. Just then, a pretty lady walks by and asks for directions, which Ichigo gives her. After Ichigo is summoned to take down a hollow, Kon spots the lady from before while taking a stroll on a bridge in Ichigo's body. Seeing as she is about to jump off the bridge, he runs to save her, but ends of falling off instead. Later on, the girl, recognized as Haruko, reveals that she can see spirits, which caused her boyfriend Ken to break up with her. Ichigo finds Rukia, who tells him that there has been an unknown hollow that has been sucking out the souls of humans. When Haruko leaves Kon, she is attacked by a tapeworm hollow using a male human as its host, but Kon arrives just in time to save her. Kon departs after Ken arrives and apologizes to Haruko for what he did. However, the tapeworm hollow actually took over his body without Kon's knowing. Kon runs back to find out that Haruko is now possessed by the tapeworm hollow. Kon fights Haruko and manages to get the tapeworm hollow out of her. Kon is shoved against a tree, and his pill pops out of Ichigo's body, no longer in control of it. Before Kon's pill form is eaten, he is saved by Ichigo, who then kills the tapeworm hollow. Haruko mistakes Ichigo for Kon and decides to take Ichigo as her boyfriend and leave Ken, but Rukia arrives and uses her memory erasing spray on Hakuro and Ken. Haruko and Ken hold hands and resume their relationship, knowing nothing of what happened. | |||
| 315 | "Yachiru's Friend! The Shinigami of Justice Appears!" "Yachiru no Tomo! Seigi no Shinigami Tōjō!" (やちるの友！正義の死神登場！) | March 29, 2011 | September 21, 2013 |
| Yachiru Kusajishi encounters an old friend named Masayoshi, who saved a girl named Mayu from a hollow. Masayoshi starts to tell the two about how a hollow killed his wife. Mayu, having had her parents killed by that same hollow, starts to feel a bit close to Masayoshi. Yachiru goes back home to Kenpachi, and she remembers that Masayoshi used to be close to her in the past. She goes to see Masayoshi and Mayu again the next day, and Masayoshi kills another hollow that only he could sense. Masayoshi plans to leave the following day, and Mayu asks if she could travel with him. However, Yachiru, before leaving again, privately warns Mayu not to get too close to Masayoshi. The following day, Masayoshi protects Mayu from a group of hollows, asking her to accompany him in his journey. Yachiru jumps between the two and reveals that Kenpachi told her how a hollow possessed Masayoshi, as proven when his love for sweets and the memory of his wife's name were now gone. Yachiru also says that Masayoshi had killed his wife accidentally and mistook himself for some other hollow. Masayoshi at first does not believe it, but Yachiru insists. He begins to transform into the hollow in his panicked state. Just then, a hollow shows up behind Mayu, and Masayoshi jumps in and kills it, fatally wounding himself in the process. Masayoshi dies happily in Mayu's arms after having some konpeitō from Yachiru, remarking how good it is. | |||
| 316 | "Toshirō Hitsugaya's Holiday!" "Hitsugaya Toshirō no Kyūjitsu!" (日番谷冬獅郎の休日！) | April 5, 2011 | September 28, 2013 |
| Hitsugaya takes leave from the Seireitei to visit Haru, a friend of his in the real world. Haru is a lonely old woman who can see spirits because of which people find her strange and do not go near her. Before seeing her, he gets Karin Kurosaki involved in his visit. They both go to Haru's house and meet the spirit of a shy child named Yosuke. However, Hitsugaya hesitates from sending Yosuke to the Soul Society after hearing that he and his parents died in an accident on the way to a skiing trip, and that he wishes to see snow for the first time before resting in peace. Afterwards, Toshiro stays at Karin's house, where he is mistaken to be her boyfriend by many people. Later, it is revealed that Haru had been controlling Yosuke's transformation into a hollow with her own spiritual energy, and when she weakened, he went out of control. Haru, who is being held in Yosuke's hand, restrains him with her spiritual energy, giving Hitsugaya enough time to give the finishing blow. When the fight ends, it begins to snow in Karakura Town which allows Yosuke to leave happily. Karin says goodbye to Hitsugaya, who decides to visit his real grandmother in the Rukongai later. | |||
Season 15: Gotei 13 Invading Army (2011)
| No. | Title | Original airdate | English airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 317 | "Unusual Incident in Seireitei?! Gotei 13 Invading Army Arc!" "Seireitei ni Ihen?! Gotei Jūsantai Shingun Hen!" (瀞霊廷に異変?!護廷十三隊侵軍篇！) | April 12, 2011 | October 5, 2013 |
| After cleansing and restoring the barriers where Karakura Town was temporarily swapped with the Soul Society, Rangiku Matsumoto and Nanao Ise enter the Dangai to return home, but are confronted by something along the way. Their captains, who have lost contact with them, are worried sick with their disappearances until they suddenly return a day later. Rangiku and Nanao were gone only a few hours and came back directly, which concludes that the time in the Dangai is out of sync with the Soul Society. Mayuri Kurotsuchi conducts a survey of the area with Kenpachi Zaraki assisting as a security escort. Meanwhile, while Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki go off to handle hollows, Kon leaves to investigate a spiritual disturbance and finds a green-haired girl lying asleep and covered in rags. Ichigo returns home and becomes furious with Kon, who has brought back the green-haired girl. While the survey is going on, Mayuri and Kenpachi are confronted by an intense light emerging from the walls of the Dangai. As Ichigo and Rukia return through the Dangai to the Soul Society, they are chased by the supposedly revived Kōtotsu. To save themselves, Ichigo uses his bankai and carries Rukia all the way to the Soul Society, but falls to the ground due to the gradual loss of his powers. Ichigo then encounters Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Byakuya Kuchiki, who place him under confinement. A mysterious scientist in a laboratory addresses what seems to be body doubles of Izuru Kira and Nanao. | |||
| 318 | "Renji vs. Rukia?! Battle With Comrades!" "Renji tai Rukia?! Nakama to no Tatakai!" (恋次ＶＳルキア?!仲間との戦い！) | April 19, 2011 | October 12, 2013 |
| While Kon tries to keep the green-haired girl, whose name is Nozomi Kujō, a secret from Ichigo's family. Rukia sneaks in Ichigo's jail cell and frees him. Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku discuss about Ichigo's possible involvement with the disappearances, since his substitute badge was found by Byakuya inside the Dangai. While Rukia explains to Ichigo there is a time gap between the human world and the Soul Society, they are then confronted by Renji Abarai and Ikkaku Madarame, who exhibit ruthless behaviors unlike themselves. Yoruichi Shihōin arrives and seals Renji and Ikkaku before escaping with Ichigo and Rukia into her hideout. She explains to them that Renji and Ikkaku were secretly replaced by reigai, artificial bodies which allows modified souls to maintain a physical form in Soul Society. The reigai, which closely imitate the features of a Soul Reaper, are being used to test out soul candies, which means someone in the twelfth division is involved. Ichigo and Rukia later sneak into the laboratory and discover that Nozomi is a fugitive from the Soul Society. The mysterious scientist along with Kira and Nanao's reigai arrive in the human world to apprehend Nozomi, who evades capture. Kon follows her and both are eventually cornered by the scientist. However, Uryū Ishida arrives to help the two. | |||
| 319 | "Ichigo's Capture Net! Escape From Soul Society!" "Ichigo Hobakumō! Sōru Sosaeti o Dasshutsu se yo!" (一護捕縛網！尸魂界を脱出せよ！) | April 26, 2011 | October 19, 2013 |
| Uryū confronts the mysterious scientist while Ichigo, Rukia, and Yoruichi plan their escape from the Soul Society, assuming that several reigai have blocked the Senkaimon, the gateway to the Dangai. Uryū is defeated by the scientist's shikai of his zanpakutō, Raikū. Yoruichi fights the reigai to let Ichigo and Rukia escape. Kon is unable to respond, and an unconscious Nozomi is captured by Kira and Nanao's reigai. While showing up and attempting to save Uryū, Yasutora "Chad" Sado is defeated when trying to buy time for Orihime Inoue to heal Uryū. Ichigo and Rukia arrive to stop the scientist, revealed to be Kagerōza Inaba, who easily deals with Ichigo in his weakening state. Just as he is about to kill Ichigo and Rukia, the other captains and lieutenants involved in the incident arrive, retrieving Nozomi and forcing Inaba and the reigai to retreat. Admitting that he is behind the reigai incident, Inaba then claims that once he has Nozomi, he will be able to conquer the Soul Society and the world of the living. Inaba escapes to the Soul Society and meets with the reigai. He tasks them with getting Nozomi back and eliminating the originals, as he deems them the Invading Army. | |||
| 320 | "Gotei 13, Gathering in the Real World!" "Gotei Jūsantai, Gense ni Shūketsu!" (護廷十三隊、現世に集結！) | May 3, 2011 | October 26, 2013 |
| Ichigo, Kon, Orihime, Uryū and Chad are all in Kisuke Urahara's shop looking after Nozomi. Rukia appears and tells Ichigo to join the Soul Reapers in his room to formulate a strategy on Nozomi's protection. Orihime organizes a barbecue to cheer up Nozomi and get her to open up to the others, however she runs away. Kon, Orihime, Uryū and Chad try to find her. A very concerned Kon eventually finds her, later leaving her in the care of Rangiku, but fails to realize that Rangiku is the impostor trying to capture Nozomi. After he realizes that Nozomi was captured by Rangiku, he attempts to save her, however he cannot defeat Rangiku's reigai, and after he himself is defeated, Ichigo, Rukia, Renji and Rangiku all arrive to save Nozomi, and Rangiku's reigai escapes. During the barbecue, Nozomi starts to eat after Kon offers her some of the barbecued food. | |||
| 321 | "Showdown of Mutual Self, Ikkaku vs. Ikkaku!" "Jibun Dōshi no Taiketsu, Ikkaku tai Ikkaku!" (自分同士の対決、一角VS一角！) | May 10, 2011 | November 2, 2013 |
| Ukitake and Kyōraku, suspecting some sort of foul play in the Soul Society, recall on their previous mandatory captains' meeting, where Mayuri claims and Kenpachi agrees that Ichigo tampered with his work in the Dangai, and it has been decided by Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto that Ichigo will be placed under suspicion. Unbeknownst to Ukitake and Kyōraku, both Mayuri and Kenpachi were actually the imposters. Meanwhile in Karakura Town, Ichigo finds Kon tied up in his closet, which means Nozomi has escaped again. Ichigo and his friends proceed to search for her. Kon manages to find her in a forest, though she is reluctant to return and runs away again. Elsewhere in the forest, Ikkaku, Yumichika Ayasegawa, Shūhei Hisagi and Marechiyo Ōmaeda are confronted by their respective reigai. Ōmaeda is surprised when his reigai appears to be more attractive than him. While Hisagi and Ōmaeda trick their imposters and defeat them, things do not go well for Ikkaku and Yumichika. Luckily, their reigai are fended off after Uryū arrives to join the fray. Ikkaku and Yumichika's reigai retreat, with their respective originals badly injured and unconscious. Kira's reigai approaches Rangiku, Rukia encounters her own reigai, and Suì-Fēng arrests Kyōraku, who has been framed by Inaba. | |||
| 322 | "Clash! Rukia vs. Rukia!" "Gekitotsu! Rukia tai Rukia!" (激突！ルキアVSルキア！) | May 17, 2011 | November 9, 2013 |
| Kon continues to follow Nozomi, who claims to have some sort of uncertain destination to find. Ichigo, Orihime and Chad are seen searching for Nozomi, while Uryū is seen tending to the wounds of Ikkaku, Yumikchika, Hisagi and Ōmaeda. Rangiku, blocking the attacks of Kira's reigai, is surprised when her zanpakutō drops to the ground, since his new and improved zanpakutō can increase the weight of whatever he strikes up to tenfold the amount. However, Rangiku, now subdued, cleverly blocks his zanpakutō with a heavy steel pole, trapping it onto the ground, allowing her to defeat him and cause him to disintegrate. Ukitake, pleading to Central 46 to release Kyōraku, is denied his request, and he later meets with Retsu Unohana, who warns him to be careful. Rukia's reigai is soon joined with Nemu Kurotsuchi's reigai to brawl against Rukia, but Nemu arrives and kills her reigai, which disintegrates and leaves behind a red stone, assuming this is true form of the reigai. Elsewhere, Nozomi tells Kon she must find a place with a row of shrine gates, and Kon agrees to take her to the first place he remembers. Rukia, who apparently defeats her reigai, joins Nemu and Rangiku to search for Nozomi, but Rukia is revealed to actually be the fake Rukia, who then tosses Nemu and Rangiku into the river with the real Rukia. Ukitake is slashed by Kyōraku when freeing him from imprisonment, revealing this Kyōraku to also be a reigai. The false Ukitake meets up with the false Kyōraku, as they prepare to flee. | |||
| 323 | "Protect Ichigo! Nozomi's Determination" "Mamore Ichigo! Nozomi no Ketsui" (護れ一護！望実の決意) | May 24, 2011 | November 16, 2013 |
| Orihime and Chad find Rukia, Nemu and Rangiku washed up on the shore of the river. As Orihime goes to heal them, Chad is attacked by Renji's reigai. In the Soul Society, Ukitake and Kyōraku's reigai confront Yamamoto, who claims he has known all along about their intent to kill him. Unohana meets with Isane Kotetsu and explains to her that she has gone through secret archives of the Soul Society and has determined Inaba as the perpetrator. Inaba then reveals himself and demonstrates the power of his zanpakutō as Isane attacks him. Unohana infers that he has used his research to form a zanpakutō that can move through both space and time. Inaba confirms this and then retreats. As Chad is confronting the false Renji, the real Renji appears and attacks his imposter, both eventually defeating the reigai. Meanwhile, Nozomi explains to Kon that the human world has several natural Senkaimon, some leading to empty voids. Her plan is to enter one and vanish, rendering Inaba unable to capture her. The reigai of Rukia, Rangiku, Ikkaku, Yumichika, Hisagi and Ōmaeda appear to apprehend her, but they are confronted by Ichigo, who unleashes a powerful Getsuga Tenshō, destroying them all. | |||
| 324 | "Recapture Seireitei! The Captains Move!" "Seireitei Dakkan e! Taichō-tachi, Ugoku!" (瀞霊廷奪還へ！隊長たち、動く！) | May 31, 2011 | November 23, 2013 |
| Hitsugaya, Byakuya, Kenpachi, Yachiru Kusajishi and Sajin Komamura, the five Soul Reapers trapped in the living world, use Urahara's Senkaimon to return to the Soul Society. They fall into Inaba's trap in the Dangai, where Komamura stays behind to counter the kōryū, the restrictive current passing through the Dangai. As the other three arrive, they go their separate ways. Kenpachi encounters his false counterpart and engages in fierce combat. At first being defeated, he then regains the upper hand and destroys his reigai after encouragement from Yachiru. Meanwhile, Ukitake and Kyōraku's reigai continue their battle with Yamamoto, claiming that they have not lost their pride despite being reigai. Also, Unohana and Isane confront Inaba at his headquarters, where he explains how he created these reigai. Isane suddenly turns on Unohana, revealing herself to be an impostor. Unohana's reigai then arrives and meets with her original. | |||
| 325 | "For the Sake of the Believers! Byakuya vs. Hitsugaya!" "Shinzuru Mono no Tame ni! Byakuya tai Hitsugaya!" (信ずるものの為に！白哉vs日番谷！) | June 7, 2011 | November 30, 2013 |
| Unohana and her imposter engage in conflict using kido attacks, with Unohana escaping. Ukitake and Kyōraku's reigai are unable to defeat Yamamoto, who criticizes their claim that they retain their pride. Unohana's reigai arrives and heals their wounds, revealing their strategy was to exhaust Yamamoto. Elsewhere in the Seireitei, Byakuya is stopped by the Hitsugaya's reigai, and the two unleash their bankai in a brief battle. Byakuya asks why someone would fight for Inaba, and Histugaya's reigai claims that he wants to protect someone, whom the original does not have the power to do so. Byakuya criticizes his motives and eventually manages to defeat him, though narrowly escaping Hitsugaya's Hyōten Hyakkasō. Back in the living world, Ichigo asks Urahara to send him to the Soul Society. He is advised not to go due to his declining spiritual energy. However, Nozomi steps up and reveals a type of healing kido that restores some of Ichigo's lost spiritual energy. He then proceeds with heading to the Soul Society, where Inaba meets with the unresponsive figure resembling Nozomi, claiming Nozomi will return. | |||
| 326 | "The Two Hinamori, Hitsugaya's Resolution" "Futari no Hinamori, Hitsugaya no Kakugo" (ふたりの雛森、日番谷の覚悟) | June 14, 2011 | January 4, 2014 |
| Ichigo, entering through the Dangai, reaches the Soul Society, where he later encounters Inaba. After Byakuya kills the fake Hitsugaya, he moves forward, where he encounters his own reigai. While in a bamboo forest, Kenpachi is attacked by Suì-Fēng's reigai, but he easily defeats her squad members. Hitsugaya is confronted by fake Momo Hinamori, but he cannot being himself to kill her, despite knowing she is an imposter. The real Momo seems to appear and attacks her reigai, but both are revealed to be reigai, after tricking him into saving one of them, and they cut him down. Yoruichi then appears and defeats both of the reigai, saving Hitsugaya. Meanwhile, Suì-Fēng's reigai attacks Kenpachi, but Komamura interrupts and challenges her. Inaba, while attacking Ichigo, explains that his lack of purity makes him an erasable anomaly. Inaba then uses his zanpakutō to trap Ichigo in the Dangai. | |||
| 327 | "Pride of the Kuchiki Family! Byakuya vs. Byakuya!" "Kuchiki-ke no Hokori! Byakuya tai Byakuya!" (朽木家の誇り！白哉VS白哉！) | June 21, 2011 | January 11, 2014 |
| Byakuya confronts his false counterpart, originally struggling until he releases his bankai. Meanwhile, Komamura is having difficulty dealing with Suì-Fēng's reigai, whose speed and abilities seem to outmatch his. In a desperate final attempt, both of them clash with their bankai, and the battle ends in a draw. Elsewhere, a frustrated Yamamato releases a powerful wall of fire, seemingly engulfing the imposters that were challenging him. In the world of the living, Ichigo's friends express concern when Urahara tells them he cannot detect Ichigo's spiritual pressure. | |||
| 328 | "Defeat Kageroza! Shinigami, All-Out War!" "Kagerōza o Taose! Shinigami, Sōryokusen!" (影狼佐を倒せ！死神、総力戦！) | June 28, 2011 | January 18, 2014 |
| Hitsugaya and Kenpachi arrive at Inaba's base of operations. They engage him in combat, and Inaba reveals his zanpakutō can record attacks in the Dangai and fire them back at the opponent. As Inaba gains the upper hand, Yoruichi and the captains arrive, aside from Komamura, Unahana, Yamamoto and Mayuri. Elsewhere, Ichigo is rescued in the Dangai by a mysterious figure. Inaba summons the remaining reigai, and a brawl between the originals and the fakes ensues. At first, Yoruichi and the captains are able to overpower Inaba and his forces. However, when they lose the upper hand, a seemingly false Mayuri slashes Inaba, revealing he switched places with the imposter. | |||
| 329 | "The Forbidden Research...Nozomi's Hidden Secret!" "Kindan no Kenkyū... Nozomi ni Kakusareta Himitsu!" (禁断の研究…望実に隠された秘密！) | July 5, 2011 | January 25, 2014 |
| Ichigo awakens at the Urahara Shop, mystified as to how he was rescued. Urahara tells him that there are several ways to escape the kōryū but none to escape the Kōtotsu, so it is unknown how Ichigo escaped. Elsewhere, Mayuri uses his zanpakutō to drug Inaba, which slows down his ability to think. However, Isane then summons Isane's reigai and attacks her. At the Urahara Shop, Rukia then explains Project Spearhead to the rest of the group in which modified souls were used. Inaba then takes the soul candy from the reigai and swallows it, resulting with Inaba being rejected from his body and the reigai taking the effects of the drug. Inaba, revealing his backstory as the one who created modified souls, then ressurects most of the defeated reigai, unleashing their true strength. Nozomi admits she was the first modified soul. | |||
| 330 | "I Want to Live...! Nozomi's Zanpakutō" "Ikitai...! Nozomi no Zanpakutō" (生きたい…！望実の斬魄刀) | July 12, 2011 | February 1, 2014 |
| Renji reports to Yamamoto and informs him that the captains involved in the brawl with Inaba have not been heard from. Yamamoto then states that only Ichigo, Rukia, Renji, Ikkaku and Yumichika are prepared for battle. Yamamoto then speculates several hollows may have gathered due to the spiritual disturbance. Nozomi stays at Ichigo's house for the time being, and Kon has been feeling really depressed lately because of what Nozomi admitted. Ichigo and Rukia have been handling many hollows during this, while their friends share their concern for Kon and keep Nozomi company. That night, while Ichigo is sleeping, Nozomi leaves the house and goes for a walk. However, she is then attacked by a hollow, and a confident Kon arrives to defend her. After the hollow easily deals with them both, Nozomi's frustration releases a bout of spiritual pressure, and she regains her Soul Reaper abilities, defeating the hollow. | |||
| 331 | "For the Sake of Fighting! The Awakened Nozomi!" "Tatakau Tame ni! Mezame yo Nozomi!" (戦うために！ 目覚めよ望実！) | July 19, 2011 | February 8, 2014 |
| After regaining Soul Reaper abilities, Nozomi decides that she wants to help defeat Inaba, but she has yet to remember the name and power of her zanpakutō. Ichigo, Rukia, Uryū and Chad decide to help Nozomi awaken her dormant powers through the same rigorous training that Ichigo underwent to awaken his. Meanwhile, Inaba orders the fakes of Byakuya, Hitsugaya, Kenpachi and Komamura to infiltrate the human world, but the four fall into a trap set by Urahara, who separates them during their travel through the Dangai. When the four fakes arrive in various areas, Ikkaku battles Kenpachi's reigai, while some of the lieutenants deal with the rest, all to buy more time for Nozomi. Taking advice from Yumichika to not hold back on her training, Ichigo throws a Getsuga Tenshō at Nozomi, allowing her to finally remember the name of her zanpakutō, Arazome Shigure, which seemingly swallows up all of Ichigo's spiritual pressure. Ikkaku looks like he is about to be delivered the finishing blow by Kenpachi's reigai, but Nozomi arrives and seemingly obliterates Kenpachi's reigai with her zanpakutō. | |||
| 332 | "The Most Evil Reigai, Appearing in the Real World!" "Saikyo no Reigai, Gense ni Arawaru!" (最凶の霊骸、 現世に現る！) | July 26, 2011 | February 15, 2014 |
| Hisagi and Kira take on Hitsugaya's reigai, while Rangiku and Tetsuzaemon Iba fight Komamura's reigai. Renji and Rukia face Byakuya's reigai, covering for Ōmaeda after seemingly being defeated. When Kenpachi's reigai reappears to fight Nozomi, Yumichika faces him to avenge his fallen comrade, while Ichigo and Nozomi tend to Ikkaku's wounds. An unsatisfied Nozomi wants to help out in the ongoing battles, but all of the lieutenants tell her to get out of the way and go to safety. The lieutenants are soon cut down or are at their limits against the four false captains. Kenpachi challenges Ichigo to a match, but when Hitsugaya eagerly joins in and attacks Nozomi, she then deals a considerable amount of damage to him in one shot. Byakuya's reigai, realizing the power of her zanpakutō, tries to bind her to keep her from using it, but Uryū manages to save her. After witnessing Nozomi absorb an attack from his bow, Ginrei Kojaku, Uryū deduces that her zanpakutō can absorb anything with spiritual pressure. Having no other choice but to rely on her, Ichigo, Uryū, Chad and the remaining lieutenants all direct their spiritual pressure at Nozomi, which she redirects at the four false captains. Byakuya's reigai survives the attack, but Yamamoto suddenly appears and defeats him. | |||
| 333 | "Destroy Nozomi!? Genryusai's Decision!" "Nozomi o Kesu!? Genryūsai no Ketsudan!" (望実を消す!? 元柳斎の決断！) | August 2, 2011 | February 22, 2014 |
| Yamamoto believes Nozomi is unimportant to him, due to the fact that she is a modified soul. Ichigo tells Uryū and Chad to bring the injured lieutenants to Orihime to be healed. Ukitake and Kyōraku's reigai suddenly appear in the living world and are back for a rematch with Yamamoto, but Ichigo and Nozomi take over for now and spar with the two. Ichigo later has to cover for Nozomi when she is defeated, but even then he barely evades the attacks of Ukitake and Kyōraku's reigai. Yamamoto, distracted at this, is soon immobilized by the Unohara's reigai, but as the original Unohara stops her, he is able to break the seal with his spiritual pressure. When Yamamoto is about to be attacked by the three reigai, Inaba arrives and commands them to stop, as he wants to be the one to battle Yamamoto. Nozomi offers to be a decoy to prevent Inaba from copying Yamamoto's techniques. Inaba avoids crossing swords with Nozomi, knowing full well of her abilities, but Nozomi pulls out a surprise attack, having already absorbed Yamamoto's spiritual pressure. Yamamoto attacks Inaba with his flames, as this was a diversion for Ichigo to use his Getsuga Tenshō on Inaba. However, Ichigo collapses and Nozomi goes to catch him. Inaba, revealed to still be alive, was able to copy the abilities of Nozomi, absorbing both Yamamoto and Ichigo's attacks. As Inaba then uses this to finish Yamamoto off, Nozomi appears before the blast in an attempt to absorb the attack. | |||
| 334 | "The Depleting Reiatsu! Ichigo, Death Struggle of the Soul!" "Ushinawareru Reiatsu! Ichigo, Tamashii no Shitō!" (失われる霊圧！ 一護、魂の死闘！) | August 9, 2011 | March 1, 2014 |
| Nozomi's zanpakutō breaks in the midst of trying to protect Yamamoto from Inaba's attack. Ichigo and Kon try to save Nozomi from being taken away, but Inaba reveals that he and Nozomi were created by the same spirit particles of another Soul Reaper. He defeats Ichigo, Rukia and Renji, while Nozomi manages to run away with Kon in tow. Nozomi sadly binds Kon to a rock, running away without him. Ichigo is seen still conscious and struggling to catch up with Nozomi. When Inaba finds Nozomi, he falls due to a loose rock on a slope. Ichigo finally catches up and defeats Inaba with a Getsuga Tenshō, only to discover that it was a clone that Inaba created. Inaba knocks Ichigo out in one swipe, passes Nozomi out and proceeds to leave the world of the living with her. Kon, still bound to a rock tries to follow them, but he is too late. He is seen crying out for Nozomi, while Ichigo's uniform turns white as a result of his depleting spiritual energy. | |||
| 335 | "Hiding in the Dangai? Another Ichigo?!" "Dangai ni Senpuku? Mō Hitori no Ichigo!?" (断界に潜伏？もう一人の一護！？) | August 16, 2011 | March 8, 2014 |
| Following his defeat by Inaba, Ichigo has lost his Soul Reaper powers. Still determined to save Nozomi, Ichigo and his friends gather at the Urahara Shop to come up with a rescue plan. Urahara comes up with a risky plan that involves Ichigo going in the Dangai and being swallowed by the Kōtotsu to retrieve a sample of his Soul Reaper powers, since he was swallowed before. The plan works and Ichigo gets out of the Kōtotsu. When he meets up with everyone, he states that he saw another one of himself when he was inside the Kōtotsu, leading Urahara to conclude that Ichigo saved himself when he was first swallowed, since there is no time in the Kōtotsu. | |||
| 336 | "Pursue Kageroza! Technological Development Department, Infiltration!" "Kagerōza o Oe! Gijutsu Kaihatsukyoku, Sennyū!" (影狼佐を追え！技術開発局、潜入！) | August 23, 2011 | March 15, 2014 |
| Inside the Dangai, Rukia and the others act as decoys to draw away the attention of the reigai while Ichigo, Urahara and Kon break into the Seireitei. As they search for Inaba's laboratory, Urahara makes an attempt to restore Ichigo's lost powers by creating a soul candy, but is discovered by Nanao and Nemu's reigai. At the last minute before an explosion, Ichigo breaks the glass containing the soul candy and consumes it. However, as stated by Urahara, the candy was incomplete, making both his Soul Reaper and hollow powers unbalanced. While escaping, the three are ambushed by the false captains, but are saved when Yoruichi and the originals appear, ready to fight. | |||
| 337 | "The Developer of the Modified Souls" "Kaizō Konpaku no Kaihatsusha" (改造魂魄の開発者) | August 30, 2011 | March 22, 2014 |
| The captains, thought to have fallen in battle, return to fight the reigai. Meanwhile, Ichigo powers continue to grow unstable, forcing him to rest for the time being, while Urahara and Kon continue their investigation on Inaba. Urahara and Kon later find out about Ōko Yushima, the Soul Reaper who extracted all of his spirit particles and separating them into two modified souls, them being Nozomi and Inaba. When visiting Yushima's cell in the Nest of Maggots, they get attacked by Suì-Fēng and Ōmaeda's reigai, but are later defeated by Urahara. The two visit Yushima's cell, only to find him unresponsive, leading Urahara to conclude that Yushima will never gain consciousness. Meanwhile, Ichigo's hollowfied form finally takes over and escapes the building he was in. | |||
| 338 | "Kon's Thoughts, Nozomi's Thoughts" "Kon no Omoi, Nozomi no Omoi" (コンの想い、望実の想い) | September 6, 2011 | March 29, 2014 |
| Urahara and Kon head to the location where Inaba's other laboratory might be, only to be halted by Urahara's reigai. As Urahara battles his counterpart, Kon dashes down into the laboratory, where he promptly tries to awaken Nozomi inside her capsule. She does awaken and insists that Kon escape at first, but after seeing his persistence and his devotion of trying to save her, being bound by friendship, she tries to help Kon restore Ichigo's spiritual energy. Before Ichigo's soul candy can be created, Nemu's reigai appears and stops the transfer. Immediately afterwards, the fusion process between Nozomi and Inaba is completed. Ichigo's hollowfied form defeats the eighth division members, but when he is about to destroy Nanao's reigai, the fused Yushima appears before him. | |||
| 339 | "Protect Ichigo! The Bonds of Friends!" "Ichigo o Mamore! Nakama-tachi no Kizuna!" (一護を護れ！仲間たちの絆！) | September 13, 2011 | April 5, 2014 |
| Yushima, showing no interest in fighting Ichigo's hollowfied form, tries to walk away, but the mindless hollowfied creature continues to pursue him, leading them both to clash on Sōkyoku Hill. The captains and their reigai counterparts are finally joined by their lieutenants, who help them in the battle. Rukia, Renji, Orihime, Uryū and Chad arrive on Sōkyoku Hill and all try to stop Yushima, but the combined powers of Nozomi and Inaba prove to be too much for them. Yushima reveals the true nature of his zanpakutō, Sumitsukigasa, and defeats everyone, but before he can finish them off, Ichigo jumps in front of Rukia to take an attack that was meant for her. | |||
| 340 | "Reigai vs. Original, The Fierce Fighting for Gambled Pride!" "Reigai tai Genshu, Hokori o Kaketa Gekitō!" (霊骸VS原種、誇りをかけた激闘！) | September 20, 2011 | April 12, 2014 |
| When Yushima stabs Ichigo with his zanpakutō, Ichigo goes into Yushima's consciousness and sees an image of Nozomi, who calls out for him, causing his hollwfied form to break apart and losing all his powers again. Ichigo is left to watch as his friends attempt to overpower Yushima, but Yushima finds to a way to break through whatever they try to attack him with. Yushima has Nemu's reigai bring him more fusion stabilizer, but when she arrives, she unexpectedly kicks him backward. It is revealed that Kon was helped by Urahara and Mayuri by placing his soul candy into that of Nemu's reigai. Kon gives Ichigo a complete soul candy, which restores his powers. He prepares to unleash his bankai against Yushima. Meanwhile, Byakuya has deduced that the reigai do not sacrifice themselves to attack the originals when they are all together, as it goes against what they believe in. The originals join forces against the reigai to protect the Soul Society. | |||
| 341 | "Invading Army Arc, Final Conclusion!" "Shingun Hen, Saishū Ketchaku!" (侵軍篇、最終決着！) | September 27, 2011 | April 19, 2014 |
| Ichigo successfully unleashes his bankai and fights against Yushima, while the captains and lieutenants fight the reigai. With the assistance of his friends, Ichigo is able to fire a hollowfied Getsuga Tenshō, which Yushima is unable to absorb because of his inability to absorb hollow spiritual pressure. Ichigo will have to attack Yushima's saketsu, his binding soul chain, to destroy his hakusui, the source of his powers. As Yushima strikes at Ichigo, he catches his zanpakutō and fires a huge hollowfied Getsuga Tenshō, which causes great damage to Yushima and the area. Nozomi's consciousness appears for a moment and asks to be killed, but Yushima takes complete control and unleashes a giant structure that absorbs the spirit particles from the Soul Society. Being surrounded by his structure and Ichigo out of the way, Nozomi regains control and creates a sword to slice Yushima's saketsu. The reigai react shockingly to Yushima's attack and reveal that their motive was to protect the Soul Society in their own way. The reigai proceed to attack the structure at the cost of their own lives, causing a huge explosion. Ichigo deactivates his bankai and has one last clash with an enraged Yushima before breaking the fusion. Nozomi and Inaba reappear once again, and Inaba begins to question his thoughts to Nozomi before fading away. Nozomi reuinites with Kon and the rest of her friends, but she starts fades away herself. Nozomi says a heartwarming goodbye to Kon and fades away. | |||
| 342 | "Thank You" "Arigatō" (ありがとう) | October 4, 2011 | April 26, 2014 |
| Ichigo has been struggling against hollows, due to gradually losing his temporarily restored powers, but is saved by Rukia and Uryū, who tell him to rest from dealing with hollows. It is shown that Ukitake contacted Rukia to prevent Ichigo from fighting hollows. The next day, Ichigo takes Rukia to an ice skating rink with their friends. At night, fireworks from a nearby amusement park begin to shoot up in the sky, ending the day on a happy note. A massive hollow is sensed nearby when Ichigo and Rukia are heading home, but Rukia tries to save Ichigo from facing it, telling her that she would fight in his place if she has to, seeing him as a good friend. Rukia freezes the hollow's legs, and Ichigo fires his last Getsuga Tenshō and destroys it. An exhausted Ichigo was well aware that Rukia was instructed to prevent Ichigo from fighting hollows and to give him rest, but he knows that he will remain the same way as he has been before. Ichigo wakes up in his room, surrounded by his friends. He goes outside and takes note of his disappearing powers, unable to sense spirits anymore. He says goodbye as Rukia's presence begins to fade away, and he thanks her after she fully disappears. | |||
Season 16: The Lost Agent (2011–2012)
| No. | Title | Original airdate | English airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 343 | "3rd Year High School Student! Dressed Up, and a New Chapter Begins!" "Kōkō 3 Nensei! Yosoi Arata ni Shinshō Kaishi!" (高校３年生！装い新たに新章開始！) | October 11, 2011 | May 3, 2014 |
| Seventeen months after the defeat of Sōsuke Aizen at the cost of his Soul Reaper powers, Ichigo Kurosaki has been living in peace as a third year high school student. On the way home from school, Ichigo incapacitates a thief and returns the stolen bag to its owner. The next day, the thief and his gang seek out Ichigo at his school and are confronted by Uryū Ishida. Elsewhere, the owner of the stolen bag meets with his friends revealing he has found Ichigo. | |||
| 344 | "A Dispute in School!? Ichigo and Uryū, Fight Together!" "Gakkō Kan Kōsō!? Ichigo to Uryū, Kyōtou!" (学校間抗争!?一護と雨竜、共闘！) | October 18, 2011 | May 10, 2014 |
| Ichigo and Uryū dispatch the gang with ease but are interrupted when Ichigo's part-time job boss, Ikumi Unagiya, kidnaps and forces him to work. Their client, the owner of the stolen bag, requests an investigation on Isshin Kurosaki, Ichigo's father. Ichigo declines but is intrigued when the owner reveals that one of his younger sisters, Karin Kurosaki, had been visiting Kisuke Urahara. The owner introduces himself as Kūgo Ginjō, gives Ichigo a Xcution business card and cryptically warns him to act before his family is hurt. Uryū, passing by Ichigo's house, pursues a strange man and is critically injured as a result. | |||
| 345 | "Uryū is Attacked, A Threat Draws Near the Friends!" "Osowareta Uryū, Nakama-tachi ni Semaru Kyōi!" (襲われた雨竜、仲間達に迫る脅威！) | October 25, 2011 | May 17, 2014 |
| While walking at night, Ichigo decides to forget his past and throws his substitute badge into the river. Later, he hears from Orihime Inoue that Uryū is in the hospital. At the hospital, Ryūken Ishida sends Ichigo home and reveals to Orihime the assailant was a human with powers and cautions her to be careful. The next day, Ichigo's friends, Keigo Asano and Mizuiro Kojima, are attacked by the thief whom Ichigo had stopped prior. Ichigo saves them and meets Uryū's assailant who flees when Ryūken arrives. Ichigo, realizing he is being excluded from information due to his lack of powers, decides to contact Xcution. | |||
| 346 | "The Man with the Fullbring Ability: Kūgo Ginjō" "Furuburingu no Nōryokusha: Ginjō Kūgo" (完現術の能力者・銀城空吾) | November 1, 2011 | May 31, 2014 |
| After contacting Ginjō, Ichigo is led to the Xcution headquarters and learns its members possess the ability dubbed as Fullbring, which allows them to manipulate the souls of inanimate objects. The cause of the power are residual spiritual energy from hollows who attacked their pregnant mothers. Yasutora "Chad" Sado, who had been missing, appears at the headquarters, shocking Ichigo. Ginjō reveals that Xcution plans to restore Ichigo's Soul Reaper powers in order to rid themselves of their Fullbring abilities. Ichigo declines, stating that he is only seeking information his family and friends are hiding from him. | |||
| 347 | "A Crisis Sneaking up on the Kurosaki Family!? Ichigo's Confusion!" "Kurosaki-ka ni Shinobiyoru Kiki!? Ichigo no Mayoi!" (黒崎家に忍び寄る危機!?一護の迷い！) | November 8, 2011 | June 7, 2014 |
| Uryū's assailant stabs an incomplete hollow and asks for its cooperation. Ichigo returns home and resumes his life. Chad attempts to convince Ichigo to accept Xcution's offer, stating that Ichigo himself wants the power to protect his loved ones. While walking through town, Ichigo sees Uryū's assailant and pursues him but runs into his other younger sister, Yuzu Kurosaki, on the way. The hollow attacks them and are saved when Ginjō dispatches it. As a result, Ichigo returns to Xcution and accepts their offer, and Ginjō returns Ichigo's substitute badge back to him. | |||
| 348 | "Power of the Substitute Badge, Ichigo's 'Pride'!" "Daikōshō no Chikara, Ichigo no "Hokori"!" (代行証の力、一護の“誇り”！) | November 15, 2011 | June 14, 2014 |
| The next day, Ichigo is called in to Xcution headquarters to learn how to use the Fullbring abilities. Ichigo is shrunken and placed in a dollhouse by Riruka Dokugamine, where he has to defeat an aggressive pig plushie under a time limit set by Giriko Kutsuzawa. When Chad advises Ichigo to use his pride, Ichigo uses his substitute badge as the focal item to materialize his Fullbring. | |||
| 349 | "Next Target, The Devil's Hand Aims at Orihime!" "Tsugi no Hyōteki, Orihime o Nerau Ma no Te!" (次の標的、織姫を狙う魔の手！) | November 22, 2011 | June 21, 2014 |
| Ichigo defeats the pig plushie with his Fullbring and is freed from the dollhouse. Elsewhere, Orihime is confronted by Moe Shishigawara, who intends to kill her. Shishigawara is then interrupted by his superior, Uryū's assailant, who is revealed to be Shūkurō Tsukishima. Tsukishima prepares to punish Shishigawara for going against his orders, but Orihime decides to intervene. | |||
| 350 | "The Man Who Killed the Shinigami Substitute!? Tsukishima Makes His Move" "Shinigami Daikō o Koroshita Otoko!? Ugokidasu Tsukishima" (死神代行を殺した男!?動き出す月島) | November 29, 2011 | June 28, 2014 |
| Tsukishima pretends to impale Orihime's chest and leaves her. Although Orihime suffered no cuts, she starts having a vague idea that Tsukishima was her friend. Unwilling to worry Ichigo about what happened, she only tells Chad about Tsukishima. Aware that Orihime is hiding information from him, Ichigo goes back to Xcution headquarters to continue his training to help his friends. | |||
| 351 | "Fullbring, The Detested Power!" "Furuburingu, Imikirawareta Chikara!" (フルブリング、忌み嫌われた力！) | December 6, 2011 | July 12, 2014 |
| Ichigo continues his training, but desires to actually battle one of the members of Xcution. Ginjō suggests that Jackie Tristan should be his opponent, but she refuses and storms off. Meanwhile, Tsukishima sends Shishigawara to tail Chad. However, while Chad is wary of Shishigawara's presence, no attack on him is attempted. Later, Jackie decides that she will fight Ichigo in a fish tank after seeing him pass his training in a bird cage, both set up by Riruka. She fully introduces herself, activates her Fullbring using her boots and proceeds to attack a surprised Ichigo. | |||
| 352 | "Tsukishima Attacks! The Training Has Been Thwarted" "Tsukishima, Kyōshū! Bōgaisareta Shugyō" (月島、強襲！妨害された修行) | December 13, 2011 | July 19, 2014 |
| Ichigo continues his training with Jackie. While at first Jackie overwhelms him with her more experienced powers, Ichigo is able to activate a power of Fullbring known as Bringer Light to gain the advantage. As they go on with the battle, Ichigo's powers go out of control, but insist that he can still fight despite Jackie's insistence that they stop. It is then that Tsukishima attacks Xcution, wanting to kill Ichigo. When Tsukishima cuts the fish tank containing Ichigo and Jackie, Ichigo appears, revealing the next stage of his Fullbring. | |||
| 353 | "Ichigo, Mastering the Fullbring!" "Ichigo, Furuburingu o Tsukaikonase!" (一護、完現術を使いこなせ！) | December 20, 2011 | July 26, 2014 |
| Ichigo, Chad and Xcution start their battle with Tsukishima. The battle is taken outside when Chad attacks Tsukishima before he reveals he was the one who attacked Uryū and Orihime, but Ichigo finds it out anyway. Enraged he starts to battle Tsukishima, but the expert Fullbringer overwhelms him. Ginjō then gets in the way and battles with Tsukishima instead, the two being more evenly matched. Yet Ichigo, who cannot just stand there and watch, attacks again and is able to land a hit, but is stopped by Yukio Hans Vorarlberna, who then proceeds to stop Tsukishima himself. | |||
| 354 | "Ichigo vs. Ginjō! To the Game's Space" "Ichigo tai Ginjō, Gēmu no Kūkan e" (一護vs銀城、ゲームの空間へ) | December 27, 2011 | August 2, 2014 |
| While Ichigo is fully protected by Yukio's Fullbring, Chad, Ginjō and Riruka successfully manage to force Tsukishima to retreat. The group then moves to their second hideout to ponder what Tsukishima's motives really were, but they soon come to realize that they have been overthinking this. While Orihime heals Uryū, the two discuss the new threat but are unable to figure out if all the incidents so far were from the same culprit. Orihime later runs into Chad, who brings her back to the Xcution hideout to heal Ichigo, who has been training with Ginjō inside Yukio's Fullbring in a video game setting. Elsewhere, Urahara and Isshin plan to collect spiritual energy inside a vat with the help of a Soul Reaper, who is none other than Rukia Kuchiki. | |||
| 355 | "Shinigami at War! New Year in Seireitei Special!" "Shinigami Sansen! Seireitei mo Oshōgatsu SP!" (死神参戦！瀞霊廷もお正月SP！) | January 10, 2012 | August 9, 2014 |
| During the time skip of the seventeen months, the Soul Reapers of the Soul Society celebrate the new year. Izuru Kira is tasked to organize a special event for this occasion, though at first he was reluctant to participate. He hosts a friendly kite-flying activity, but it slowly turns into a chaotic competition among many of the squad divisions. Kira attempts to stop the chaos, but his plan ultimately fails. Later on, Rukia prepares for an upcoming ceremonial dance her late sister had been in many years ago, but she is unimpressed with her own dancing abilities. Renji Abarai decides to help her out, but she gets angry when he later accidentally spills ink on her ceremonial kimono and tells him to leave. After Rukia is given her late sister's kimono instead, she realizes that Renji was trying to help relax her so she would not worry so much about the dance. Rukia sends a letter of apology to Renji, who was able to come to the dance which turns out to be a huge success. | |||
| 356 | "Friend or Foe!? Ginjō's True Intentions!" "Teki ka Mikata ka!? Ginjō no Mienai Kokoro!" (敵か味方か!?銀城の見えない心！) | January 17, 2012 | August 16, 2014 |
| Ichigo continues his training with Ginjō while Orihime heals him. Yet when Ginjō blinds him and starts to say antagonastic things to make Ichigo angry, Ichigo begins to doubt Ginjō's true intentions. When Ginjō claims that he will kill Chad and Orihime, Ichigo is able to notice his spiritual pressure. Ichigo then manages to wound Ginjō with his Fullbring, reaching its final level, and Ginjō apologizes for his acting. | |||
| 357 | "Tsukishima's Ability, the Danger is Drawing Near!" "Shinobiyoru Kyōi... Tsukishima no Nōryoku!" (忍び寄る脅威…月島の能力！) | January 24, 2012 | August 23, 2014 |
| After Ichigo achieves the final level of Fullbring, he spends his time perfecting it. With Xcution deciding to protect Ichigo so that they can complete their goal, Riruka goes to search Chad and Orihime, who are investigating Tsukishima. Riruka ends being ambushed by Tsukishima, who attacks her with his Fullbring. Tsukishima then confronts Chad and Orihime, who are unable to kill him as a result of his Fullbring causing him to be part of their memories. | |||
| 358 | "Clash!? Xcution attacks Ginjō" "Gekitotsu!? Ginjō o Osou Ekusukyūshon" (激突!?銀城を襲うXCUTION) | January 31, 2012 | September 6, 2014 |
| After Ichigo puts the finishing touches on completing his Fullbring, Ginjō tells him to go home to see his sisters, but Tsukishima activates his Fullbring that was placed on Ichigo's friends and sisters in order to make them believe that he is a close relative of the Kurosaki family. After running out, Ichigo encounters Ginjō, who tells Ichigo that all the other members of Xcution have fallen under Tsukishima's control. | |||
| 359 | "The Sorrowful Battle! Ichigo vs. Sado & Orihime" "Kanashimi no Tatakai! Ichigo tai Sado to Orihime" (哀しみの戦い！一護VS茶渡＆織姫) | February 7, 2012 | September 13, 2014 |
| Ichigo and Ginjō, figuring out Tsukishima's Fullbring can manipulate the memories of the people he cuts down, are found out by Yukio, who brings them to Tsukishima's mansion. The two are welcomed by Ichigo's affected friends and sisters, but Ichigo, unable to fight with all of them in the crosshairs, runs away to a safer location, only to be stopped by the brainwashed Xcution. Ginjō destroys the staircase and takes on his fellow members himself while Ichigo fights Tsukishima. Ichigo is able to gain the upper hand with his Fullbring and severely injures Tsukishima's arm. However, Chad and Orihime, also affected, arrive and stop him from finishing Tsukishima off, as they explain how he has been a part of their lives from the start. | |||
| 360 | "Ichigo vs Uryū!? Who is the Traitor!?" "Ichigo tai Uryū!? Uragirimono wa Dare da!" (一護vs雨竜!?裏切り者は誰だ！) | February 14, 2012 | September 20, 2014 |
| Chad and Orihime, who believe Ichigo has gone crazy, try to prevent him from attacking Tsukishima, even when the fight is taken outside. Meanwhile, Ginjō, while confronting his fellow members, runs into trouble with Shishigawara and his lucky punches. An overwhelmed Ichigo is soon about to be slashed by Tsukishima, but Ginjō takes the hit instead. After Ginjō seems to be unaffected, Uryū suddenly arrives and claims that Ginjō was his assailant instead of Tsukishima. Before Ichigo can react, he is stuck down by Ginjō, who reveals that he allowed Tsukishima to slash him twice to return to his original self. He stabs Ichigo with his sword and says he will take Ichigo's Fullbring. | |||
| 361 | "A New Appearance! The Gotei 13, Arrives!" "Arata na Sugata! Gotei Jūsan-tai, Kenzan!" (新たな姿！護廷十三隊、見参！) | February 21, 2012 | September 27, 2014 |
| Ginjō is able to take Ichigo's Fullbring and apply its power to his own. Unable to do anything about his situation, Ichigo falls deep into despair and runs after Ginjō, demanding for Ginjō to give him his power back. Ichigo is then impaled by a sword held by Rukia which causes him to become a Soul Reaper once again. The sword is revealed to possess the powers from the Thirteen Court Guard Squads in order to assist Ichigo in his fight against Ginjō. Ichigo attacks Ginjō with a Getsuga Tenshō, which is powerful enough to clear away a thunderstorm and slice Tsukishima's mansion in half. | |||
| 362 | "Revival! Substitute Shinigami: Ichigo Kurosaki!" "Fukkatsu! Shinigami Daikō: Kurosaki Ichigo!" (復活！死神代行･黒崎一護！) | February 28, 2012 | October 4, 2014 |
| Ichigo eventually overpowers Ginjō using his regained Soul Reaper powers, and he also learns that he regained his powers, thanks to the spiritual energies given by all of the captains and lieutenants. Tōshirō Hitsugaya reveals that Ginjō was the first Substitute Soul Reaper. Meanwhile, Chad and Orihime rush to Ichigo, confused as to why Ginjō is being attacked. Tsukishima appears behind them and tries to break their minds by adding new memories to their past, but Urahara and Isshin knock them out. As promised, Ginjō gives the other Xcution members new powers of their own. Ichigo attempts to take them down, but Yukio uses his new powers to protect them and separate the others. Kenpachi Zaraki quickly takes care of Kutsuzawa and cuts him in half, killing him instantly. | |||
| 363 | "Fierce Fight! Shinigami vs. XCUTION!" "Gekitō! Shinigami tai Ekusukyūshon!" (激闘！死神vsXCUTION！) | March 6, 2012 | October 11, 2014 |
| Uryū comes to assist Ichigo in his battle against Ginjō. Byakuya Kuchiki prepares to start fighting Tsukishima while Riruka ambushes Rukia using stuffed animals. Renji encounters Jackie and defeats her without the use of his zanpakutō, having trained to fight an opponent at Aizen's level. As Yukio then attempts to destroy the dimension where Renji and Jackie are situated, he is confronted by Hitsugaya. Hitsugaya manages to capture Yukio in ice and attempts to force him to free his comrades. Meanwhile, Ikkaku Madarame confronts Shishigawara, managing to find his Fullbring's weakness and overpower him. | |||
| 364 | "Desperate Struggle!? Byakuya's Troubled Memories" "Zettai Zetsumei!? Kioku o Hasamareta Byakuya" (絶体絶命!?記憶を挟まれた白哉) | March 13, 2012 | October 18, 2014 |
| Tsukishima, revealing that he can use his Fullbring on inanimate objects as well, hits Byakuya's zanpakuto, thus learning all he needs to know about Byakuya's weaknesses. Meanwhile, Rukia fights against Riruka and gets her body trapped in a stuffed animal, and attempting to fight with kido was ineffective. Riruka tells about how the Fullbringers, through their tragic childhood pasts, were gathered together to form Xcution. Using this distraction as an opportunity, Rukia touches Riruka with her zanpakuto, but Riruka, unable to dodge Rukia, uses a special ability from her Fullbring to vanish while causing Rukia to collapse. Meanwhile, Tsukishima is able to overwhelm Byakuya and manages to inflict a serious injury. However, Byakuya shoots out his bankai from his hand, piercing Tsukishima's chest. Before Tsukishima falls to the ground, Byakuya thanks him for an exciting battle. | |||
| 365 | "Ichigo vs. Ginjō! Secret of the Substitute Badge" "Ichigo tai Ginjō! Daikōshō no Himitsu" (一護VS銀城！代行証の秘密) | March 20, 2012 | October 25, 2014 |
| Ichigo and Uryū continue their battle with Ginjō. However, when Ginjō senses that Tsukishima is near death, he tells Ichigo they have no longer have a reason to fight while revealing that the Substitute Soul Reapers have been constantly spied on by the Soul Society to monitor their actions. However, using his bankai to destroy the dimension with the other Soul Reapers looking on, Ichigo admits knowing about the revelation yet still intends to trust the Soul Society for aiding him in protecting the people close to him. This has Ginjō releases his own bankai in response to Ichigo's resolve as the two have a final clash. | |||
| 366 | "Changing History, Unchanging Heart" "Kawariyuku Rekishi, Kawaranu Kokoro" (変わりゆく歴史、変わらぬ心) | March 27, 2012 | November 1, 2014 |
| The battle between Ichigo and Ginjō comes to a close when the latter receives a mortal wound. Just as Ginjō is about to die, the dying Tsukishima tries to kill Ichigo but is stopped by Riruka as she emerges from Rukia's body. Shishigawa proceeds to carry Tsukishima away while the other surviving Xcution members decide to separate. Ichigo later returns to the Soul Society and requests that Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto let Ginjō's body be buried within the human world as the last thing he can do for him. Yamamoto agrees just as Ichigo accepts to continue being a Substitute Soul Reaper. Rukia sees Ichigo off, recalling their time together and silently thanks him. Ichigo returns to Karakura Town where he is greeted by his friends and family. | |||
OVAs
| OVA# | Title | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "BLEACH Jump Festa 2004 Anime Tour: Memories in the Rain" | ||
| This special, shown in Japan at the Jump Festa 2004 Anime Tour, is a pilot episode for the series. It focuses more on Ichigo's feelings regarding his mother's death. Tite Kubo, the creator of Bleach, voices Kon in this special instead of Mitsuaki Madono, the original voice actor of Kon. The closing theme used for the episode is "Memories in the Rain" by Morita Masakazu, the voice actor of Ichigo Kurosaki, and Orikasa Fumiko, the voice actress of Rukia Kuchiki. (Alternative version of episodes 8 and 9; watched best after episode 7) | |||
| 2 | "BLEACH Jump Festa 2005 Anime Tour: The Sealed Sword Frenzy" | ||
| This special, shown in Japan at the Jump Festa 2005 Anime Tour, is set after the events of season three (after episode 63). Baishin, a Soul Reaper sealed by Soul Society four hundred years before the start of the series, escapes his confinement. He battles Ichigo and drains half of his spiritual energy. To aid Ichigo, Rukia, Renji and several other Soul Reaper captains travel to the world of the living. After using his bankai, Baishin is able to fend off the various Soul Reapers, and is defeated by Ichigo Kurosaki after Ichigo uses his own bankai. Afterwards, Ichigo reveals that Baishin had fused with his zanpakutō and was seeking a way to free himself from his sword. The closing theme for the episode is "Ditty For Daddy" by Shiro Sagisu. | |||
Movies
| # | Title | Original release | English release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Bleach the Movie: Memories of Nobody" "Gekijōban Burīchi Memorīzu obu Nōbadi" (劇場版BLEACH [ブリーチ] MEMORIES OF NOBODY) | December 16, 2006 | June 11, 2008 |
| 2 | "Bleach the Movie 2: The DiamondDust Rebellion" "Gekijōban Burīchi Za Daiyamondo Dasuto Reberion Mō Hitotsu no Hyōrinmaru" (劇場版BLEACH The Diamond Dust Rebellion もう一つの氷輪丸) | December 22, 2007 | September 8, 2009 |
| 3 | "Bleach the Movie 3: Fade to Black" "Gekijōban Burīchi Feido Tu Burakku Kimi no Na o Yobu" (劇場版BLEACH Fade to Black 君の名を呼ぶ) | December 13, 2008 | November 15, 2011 |
| 4 | "Bleach the Movie 4: Hell Verse" "Gekijōban Burīchi Jigoku-Hen" (劇場版BLEACH 地獄篇) | December 4, 2010 | December 4, 2012 |
DVD releases
Japanese
The 88 Region 2 DVD compilations of the Bleach anime are grouped by season and were released in Japan by Aniplex between February 2, 2005 and January 23, 2013.[37]
| Volume | Release Date | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Volume 1 | February 2, 2005 | 1–4 |
| Volume 2 | March 2, 2005 | 5–8 |
| Volume 3 | April 13, 2005 | 9–12 |
| Volume 4 | May 11, 2005 | 13–16 |
| Volume 5 | June 1, 2005 | 17–20 |
| Volume | Release Date | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Volume 1 | July 27, 2005 | 21–24 |
| Volume 2 | August 24, 2005 | 25–28 |
| Volume 3 | September 28, 2005 | 29–32 |
| Volume 4 | October 26, 2005 | 33–36 |
| Volume 5 | November 23, 2005 | 37–41 |
| Volume | Release Date | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Volume 1 | December 21, 2005 | 42–45 |
| Volume 2 | January 25, 2006 | 46–49 |
| Volume 3 | February 22, 2006 | 50–53 |
| Volume 4 | March 29, 2006 | 54–58 |
| Volume 5 | April 26, 2006 | 59–63 |
| Volume | Release Date | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Volume 1 | May 24, 2006 | 64–67 |
| Volume 2 | June 28, 2006 | 68–71 |
| Volume 3 | July 26, 2006 | 72–75 |
| Volume 4 | August 23, 2006 | 76–79 |
| Volume 5 | October 25, 2006 | 80–83 |
| Volume 6 | November 22, 2006 | 84–87 |
| Volume 7 | December 20, 2006 | 88–91 |
| Volume | Release Date | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Volume 1 | January 24, 2007 | 92–95 |
| Volume 2 | February 28, 2007 | 96–99 |
| Volume 3 | March 28, 2007 | 100–104 |
| Volume 4 | April 25, 2007 | 105–109 |
| Volume | Release Date | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Volume 1 | June 27, 2007 | 110–113 |
| Volume 2 | July 25, 2007 | 114–117 |
| Volume 3 | August 22, 2007 | 118–121 |
| Volume 4 | September 25, 2007 | 122–126 |
| Volume 5 | October 24, 2007 | 127–131 |
| Volume | Release Date | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Volume 1 | December 19, 2007 | 132–135 |
| Volume 2 | January 23, 2008 | 136–139 |
| Volume 3 | February 27, 2008 | 140–143 |
| Volume 4 | March 26, 2008 | 144–147 |
| Volume 5 | April 23, 2008 | 148–151 |
| Volume | Release Date | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Volume 1 | May 28, 2008 | 152–155 |
| Volume 2 | June 25, 2008 | 156–159 |
| Volume 3 | July 23, 2008 | 160–163 |
| Volume 4 | August 27, 2008 | 164–167 |
| Volume | Release Date | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Volume 1 | November 26, 2008 | 168–171 |
| Volume 2 | December 17, 2008 | 172–175 |
| Volume 3 | January 28, 2009 | 176–179 |
| Volume 4 | February 25, 2009 | 180–184 |
| Volume 5 | March 25, 2009 | 185–189 |
| Volume | Release Date | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Volume 1 | May 27, 2009 | 190–193 |
| Volume 2 | June 24, 2009 | 194–197 |
| Volume 3 | July 22, 2009 | 198–201 |
| Volume 4 | August 26, 2009 | 202–205 |
| Volume | Release Date | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Volume 1 | November 25, 2009 | 206–208 |
| Volume 2 | December 16, 2009 | 209–212 |
| Volume | Release Date | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Volume 1 | January 27, 2010 | 213–216 |
| Volume 2 | February 24, 2010 | 217–220 |
| Volume 3 | March 25, 2010 | 221–224 |
| Volume 4 | April 25, 2010 | 225–229 |
| Volume | Release Date | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Volume 1 | May 26, 2010 | 230–233 |
| Volume 2 | June 23, 2010 | 234–237 |
| Volume 3 | July 21, 2010 | 238–241 |
| Volume 4 | August 25, 2010 | 242–245 |
| Volume 5 | September 22, 2010 | 246–249 |
| Volume 6 | October 27, 2010 | 250–253 |
| Volume 7 | November 24, 2010 | 254–257 |
| Volume 8 | December 15, 2010 | 258–261 |
| Volume 9 | January 26, 2011 | 262–265 |
| Volume | Release Date | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Volume 1 | February 23, 2011 | 266–270 |
| Volume 2 | March 23, 2011 | 271–274 |
| Volume 3 | April 27, 2011 | 275–278 |
| Volume 4 | May 25, 2011 | 279–282 |
| Volume 5 | June 22, 2011 | 283–286 |
| Volume 6 | July 16, 2011 | 287–291 |
| Volume 7 | August 24, 2011 | 292–295 |
| Volume 8 | September 21, 2011 | 296–299 |
| Volume 9 | October 26, 2011 | 300–303 |
| Volume 10 | November 23, 2011 | 304–307 |
| Volume 11 | December 14, 2011 | 308–311 |
| Volume 12 | January 25, 2012 | 312–316 |
| Volume | Release Date | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Volume 1 | February 22, 2012 | 317–321 |
| Volume 2 | March 21, 2012 | 322–325 |
| Volume 3 | April 25, 2012 | 326–329 |
| Volume 4 | May 23, 2012 | 330–333 |
| Volume 5 | June 27, 2012 | 334–337 |
| Volume 6 | July 25, 2012 | 338–342 |
| Volume | Release Date | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Volume 1 | August 22, 2012 | 343–346 |
| Volume 2 | September 26, 2012 | 347–350 |
| Volume 3 | October 24, 2012 | 351–354 |
| Volume 4 | November 21, 2012 | 355–358 |
| Volume 5 | December 19, 2012 | 359–362 |
| Volume 6 | January 23, 2013 | 363–366 |
| Movie | Release Date |
|---|---|
| Bleach: Memories of Nobody | September 5, 2007 |
| Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion | September 3, 2008 |
| Bleach: Fade to Black | September 30, 2009 |
| Bleach: Hell Verse | August 24, 2011 |
English
The Region 1 DVD compilations of the Bleach anime are released by Viz Media. 32 DVD compilations have been released by Viz Media in the United States.[6][54] A DVD collection box of the first season was released on June 10, 2008,[8] a DVD collection box of the second season was released on August 19, 2008.[55] and a DVD collection box of the third season was released on July 7, 2009.[56] The series has been released in the UK by Manga Entertainment in half-season sets, then re-released into season sets. In 2016, Viz started releasing the series on Blu-Ray, with a total of 13 sets planned, cutting the number of DVD sets in half.
| Volume | Release Date | Season/Box Set | Release Date | Episodes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volume 1 | November 28, 2006[6] | Season 1 | June 10, 2008[8] | 1–4 | |
| Volume 2 | January 30, 2007[57] | 5–8 | |||
| Volume 3 | March 27, 2007[58] | 9–12 | |||
| Volume 4 | May 29, 2007[59] | 13–16 | |||
| Volume 5 | July 31, 2007[60] | 17–20 | |||
| Volume 6 | September 25, 2007[61] | Season 2 | August 19, 2008[55] | 21–24 | |
| Volume 7 | November 17, 2007[62] | 25–28 | |||
| Volume 8 | January 15, 2008[63] | 29–32 | |||
| Volume 9 | March 18, 2008[64] | 33–36 | |||
| Volume 10 | May 20, 2008[65] | 37–41 | |||
| Volume 11 | July 22, 2008[66] | Season 3 | July 7, 2009[56] | 42–45 | |
| Volume 12 | September 23, 2008[67] | 46–49 | |||
| Volume 13 | November 18, 2008[68] | 50–53 | |||
| Volume 14 | January 20, 2009[69] | 54–58 | |||
| Volume 15 | March 17, 2009[70] | 59–63 | |||
| Volume 16 | May 13, 2009[71] | Season 4 Part 1 | November 3, 2009[72] | 64–67 | |
| Volume 17 | June 16, 2009[73] | 68–71 | |||
| Volume 18 | July 14, 2009[74] | 72–75 | |||
| Volume 19 | August 18, 2009[75] | 76–79 | |||
| Volume 20 | September 15, 2009[7] | Season 4 Part 2 | February 16, 2010[76] | 80–83 | |
| Volume 21 | October 20, 2009[77] | 84–87 | |||
| Volume 22 | November 17, 2009[78] | 88–91 | |||
| Volume 23 | December 15, 2009[79] | Season 5 | June 8, 2010[80] | 92–95 | |
| Volume 24 | January 19, 2010[81] | 96–99 | |||
| Volume 25 | February 23, 2010[82] | 100–104 | |||
| Volume 26 | March 23, 2010[83] | 105–109 | |||
| Volume 27 | April 20, 2010[84] | Box Set 6 | September 28, 2010[85] | 110–113 | |
| Volume 28 | May 25, 2010[86] | 114–117 | |||
| Volume 29 | June 22, 2010[87] | 118–121 | |||
| Volume 30 | July 20, 2010[88] | Box Set 7 | December 21, 2010[89] | 122–126 | 122–133 134–145 |
| Volume 31 | August 24, 2010[90] | 127–131 | |||
| Volume 32 | September 21, 2010[54] | Box Set 8 | March 22, 2011[91] | 132–135 | |
| Box Set 9 | June 21, 2011[92] | 146–156 | |||
| Box Set 10 | September 6, 2011[93] | 157–167 | |||
| Box Set 11 | December 13, 2011[94] | 168–179 | |||
| Box Set 12 | March 13, 2012[95] | 180–193 | |||
| Box Set 13 | June 12, 2012[96] | 194–205 | |||
| Box Set 14 | September 11, 2012[97] | 206–217 | |||
| Box Set 15 | December 11, 2012[98] | 218–229 | |||
| Box Set 16 | March 12, 2013[99] | 230–242 | |||
| Box Set 17 | June 11, 2013[100] | 243–255 | |||
| Box Set 18 | September 10, 2013[101] | 256–267 | |||
| Box Set 19 | December 10, 2013[102] | 268–279 | |||
| Box Set 20 | March 18, 2014[103] | 280–291 | |||
| Box Set 21 | June 3, 2014[104] | 292–303 | |||
| Box Set 22 | September 30, 2014[105] | 304–316 | |||
| Box Set 23 | December 16, 2014[106] | 317–329 | |||
| Box Set 24 | March 17, 2015[107] | 330–342 | |||
| Box Set 25 | June 23, 2015[108] | 343–354 | |||
| Box Set 26 | September 29, 2015[9] | 355–366 | |||
Blu-ray releases
| Name | Date | Discs | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Set 01 | July 19, 2016[109] | 4 | 1–27 |
| Set 02 | January 31, 2017[110] | 4 | 28–55 |
| Set 03 | October 24, 2017[111] | 4 | 56-83 |
| Set 04 | May 15, 2018[112] | 4 | 84-111 |
| Series | Release Date | Episodes | Arc | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series 1 | November 5, 2007 (Part 1)[113] | May 5, 2008 (Complete)[114] | 1–12 | The Substitute |
| February 25, 2008 (Part 2)[115] | 13–20 | |||
| Series 2 | June 30, 2008 (Part 1)[116] | December 29, 2008 (Complete)[117] | 21–32 | The Entry |
| November 3, 2008 (Part 2)[118] | 33–41 | |||
| Series 3 | March 23, 2009 (Part 1)[119] | August 17, 2009 (Complete)[120] | 42–53 | The Rescue |
| June 15, 2009 (Part 2)[121] | 54–63 | |||
| Series 4 | October 26, 2009 (Part 1)[122] | August 9, 2010 (Complete)[123] | 64–71 | The Bount |
| March 1, 2010 (Part 2)[124] | 72–79 | |||
| June 7, 2010 (Part 3)[125] | 80–91 | |||
| Series 5 | August 30, 2010 (Part 1)[126] | December 20, 2010 (Complete)[127] | 92–99 | The Bount Assault |
| November 1, 2010 (Part 2)[128] | 100–109 | |||
| Series 6 | April 11, 2011 (Part 1)[129] | September 26, 2011 (Complete)[130] | 110–120 | Arrancar: The Arrival |
| June 13, 2011 (Part 2)[131] | 121–131 | |||
| Series 7 | September 26, 2011 (Part 1)[132] | December 12, 2011 (Complete)[133] | 132–141 | Arrancar: The Hueco Mundo |
| October 17, 2011 (Part 2)[134] | 142–151 | |||
| Series 8 | March 19, 2012 (Part 1)[135] | October 29, 2012 (Complete)[136] | 152–159 | Arrancar: The Fierce Fight |
| May 14, 2012 (Part 2)[137] | 160–167 | |||
| Series 9 | June 25, 2012 (Part 1)[138] | December 31, 2012 (Complete)[139] | 168–178 | The New Leader Shûsuke Amagai |
| August 6, 2012 (Part 2)[140] | 179–189 | |||
| Series 10 | January 14, 2013 (Part 1)[141] | May 20, 2013 (Complete)[142] | 190–201 | Arrancar vs Shinigami & The Past |
| March 11, 2013 (Part 2)[143] | 202–212 | |||
| Series 11 | September 9, 2013[144] | 213–229 | Battle in Karakura | |
| Series 12 | October 28, 2013 (Part 1)[145] | July 7, 2014 (Complete)[146] | 230–241 | Zanpakuto: The Alternate Tale |
| December 23, 2013 (Part 2)[147] | 242–253 | |||
| February 17, 2014 (Part 3)[148] | 254–265 | |||
| Series 13 | April 7, 2014 (Part 1)[149] | December 15, 2014 (Complete)[150] | 266–278 | Fall Of The Arrancar |
| June 9, 2014 (Part 2)[151] | 279–291 | |||
| Series 14 | September 22, 2014 (Part 1)[152] | September 21, 2015 (Complete)[153] | 292–303 | Fall Of The Arrancar 2 |
| April 6, 2015 (Part 2)[154] | 304–316 | |||
| Series 15 | May 25, 2015 (Part 1)[155] | December 28, 2015 (Complete)[156] | 317–329 | The Invading Army |
| June 29, 2015 (Part 2)[157] | 330–342 | |||
| Series 16 | July 20, 2015 (Part 1)[158] | February 6, 2017 (Complete)[159] | 343–354 | The Lost Agent |
| September 28, 2015 (Part 2)[160] | 355–366 | |||
| Collection | Release Date | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Collection 1 | June 11, 2008 | 1–20 |
| Collection 2 | May 20, 2009 | 21–41 |
| Collection 3 | February 17, 2010 | 42–63 |
| Collection 4 | November 3, 2010 | 64–79 |
| Collection 5 | December 15, 2010 | 80–91 |
| Collection 6 | January 12, 2011 | 92–109 |
| Collection 7 | February 16, 2011 | 110–121 |
| Collection 8 | March 16, 2011 | 122–133 |
| Collection 9 | June 15, 2011 | 134–145 |
| Collection 10 | August 17, 2011 | 146–156 |
| Collection 11 | November 16, 2011 | 157–167 |
| Collection 12 | March 21, 2012 | 168–179 |
| Collection 13 | May 23, 2012 | 180–193 |
| Collection 14 | July 4, 2012 | 194–205 |
| Collection 15 | October 24, 2012 | 206–217 |
| Collection 16 | January 9, 2013 | 218–229 |
| Collection 17 | April 17, 2013 | 230–242 |
| Collection 18 | July 3, 2013 | 243–255 |
| Collection 19 | November 20, 2013 | 256–267 |
| Collection 20 | March 19, 2014 | 268–279 |
| Collection 21 | May 21, 2014 | 280–291 |
| Collection 22 | August 20, 2014 | 292–303 |
| Collection 23 | January 7, 2015 | 304–316 |
| Collection 24 | March 11, 2015 | 317–329 |
| Collection 25 | May 20, 2015 | 330–342 |
| Collection 26 | August 5, 2015 | 343–354 |
| Collection 27 | November 18, 2015 | 355–366 |
| Bleach Bankai Box Set | Release Date | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Bleach Bankai Box 1[161] | May 21, 2014 | 1-133 |
| Bleach Bankai Box 2[162] | May 21, 2014 | 134-229 |
| Bleach Bankai Box 3[163] | April 6, 2016 | 230-303 |
| Bleach Bankai Box 4[164] | April 6, 2016 | 304-366 |
| Movie | US Release Date | UK Release Date | AUS Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bleach: Memories of Nobody | October 14, 2008 | July 9, 2009 | July 15, 2009 |
| Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion | September 8, 2009 | September 6, 2010 | February 17, 2010 |
| Bleach: Fade to Black | November 15, 2011 | May 28, 2012 | March 21, 2012 |
| Bleach: Hell Verse | December 4, 2012 | February 24, 2013 | March 20, 2013 |
| Bleach Movie Collection (Movies 1-4)[166] | N/A | N/A | April 6, 2016 |
References
- General
- "List of Bleach episode titles (1-13)" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Archived from the original on December 18, 2010. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
- "List of Bleach episode titles (14-22)" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Archived from the original on December 18, 2010. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
- "List of Bleach episode titles (26-38)" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
- "List of Bleach episode titles (39-51)" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
- "List of Bleach episode titles (52-62)" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
- "List of Bleach episode titles (63-74)" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
- "List of Bleach episode titles (75-86)" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved 2009-10-04.
- "List of Bleach episode titles (87-97)" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Archived from the original on 2009-06-20. Retrieved 2009-10-04.
- "List of Bleach episode titles (98-108)" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Archived from the original on 2010-02-03. Retrieved 2009-10-04.
- "List of Bleach episode titles (109-120)" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved 2009-10-04.
- "List of Bleach episode titles (121-131)" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved 2009-10-04.
- "List of Bleach episode titles (132-142)" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved 2009-10-04.
- "List of Bleach episode titles (143-154)" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved 2009-10-04.
- "List of Bleach episode titles (155-165)" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved 2009-10-04.
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- "List of Bleach episode titles (201-213)" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved 2009-10-04.
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- "List of Bleach episode titles (252-264)" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
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- "List of Bleach episode titles (303-315)" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
- "List of Bleach episode titles (316 - 328)" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
- "List of Bleach episode titles (329 - 341)" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
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- "List of Bleach episode titles (355 - 366)" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
- "Bleach - Official U.S. Site" (flash). Viz Media. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
- "Viz Media Announces Titles". Archived from the original on 2009-03-27. Retrieved 2009-02-25.
- Specific
- ↑ "Viz Media named master licensor for hit Japanese action manga Shōnen Jump's Bleach" (Press release). Viz Media. Archived from the original on 2007-05-04. Retrieved 2007-04-01.
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- 1 2 3 "Bleach, Vol. 1 (DVD)". Viz Media. Archived from the original on 2009-02-10. Retrieved 2009-01-17.
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- 1 2 3 "Bleach Uncut Season 1 Box Set (Standard Edition)". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2008-10-05.
- 1 2 "Bleach Uncut Box Set 26". Amazon.com. Archived from the original on 2016-10-13.
- ↑ NIST Time and Date FAQ Archived 2012-09-16 at the Wayback Machine.. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
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- ↑ "Bleach (English Dubbed) Season 6, Ep. 1 "Bleach 110"". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
- ↑ "Bleach (English Dubbed) Season 7, Ep. 1 "Bleach 122"". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
- ↑ "Bleach (English Dubbed) Season 9, Ep. 1 "Bleach 146"". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-02-18.
- ↑ "Bleach (English Dubbed) Season 10, Ep. 1 "Bleach 157"". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-02-18.
- ↑ "Bleach (English Dubbed) Season 11, Ep. 1 "Bleach 168"". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-02-18.
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- ↑ "Revised 12/14/2010". Adult Swim. Archived from the original on December 27, 2010. Retrieved December 27, 2010.
- 1 2 3 "Revised 1/24/2011". Adult Swim. Archived from the original on January 26, 2011. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
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- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Revised 3/28/2011". Adult Swim. Archived from the original on April 2, 2011. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
- 1 2 3 "Revised 4/25/2011". Adult Swim. Archived from the original on May 8, 2011. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
- 1 2 "Revised 4/25/2011". Adult Swim. Archived from the original on May 8, 2011. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
- 1 2 3 4 "Revised 6/8/2011". Adult Swim. Archived from the original on June 14, 2011. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
- 1 2 3 4 "Revised 6/22/2011". Adult Swim. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Revised 7/26/2011". Adult Swim. Archived from the original on December 3, 2010. Retrieved August 28, 2011.
- 1 2 3 "Revised 8/23/2011". Adult Swim. Archived from the original on September 12, 2011. Retrieved August 28, 2011.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Revised 8/23/2011". Adult Swim. Archived from the original on October 4, 2011. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
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- ↑ "Bleach - Complete Series 5". Amazon.co.uk. Archived from the original on January 2, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Bleach - Series 5 Part 2". Amazon.co.uk. Archived from the original on September 27, 2010. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Bleach - Series 6 Vol.1". Amazon.co.uk. Archived from the original on February 3, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Bleach - Complete Series 6". Amazon.co.uk. Archived from the original on October 12, 2011. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Bleach - Series 6 Vol.2". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Bleach Series 7 Part 1". Amazon.co.uk. Archived from the original on August 21, 2011. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Bleach - Complete Series 7". Amazon.co.uk. Archived from the original on December 11, 2011. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Bleach Series 7 Vol.2". Amazon.co.uk. Archived from the original on January 9, 2018. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Bleach - Series 8 Vol.1". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Bleach Complete Series 8 (Episodes 152-167)". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Bleach - Series 8 Part 2". Amazon.co.uk. Archived from the original on March 11, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Bleach - Series 9 Part 1". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Bleach Complete Series 9 (Episodes 168-189)". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Bleach Series 9 Part 2 (Episodes 179-189)". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Bleach: Series 10 - Part 1". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Bleach Complete Series 10 (Episodes 190-212)". Amazon.co.uk. Archived from the original on May 2, 2018. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Bleach: Series 10 - Part 2". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Bleach: Complete Series 11". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Bleach Series 12 Part 1 - Zanpakut : The Alternate". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Bleach Complete Series 12 - Zanpakuto: The Alternate Tale (Episodes 230-265)". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Bleach Series 12 Part 2- Zanpakut : The Alternate (Episodes 242-253)". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Bleach Series 12 Part 3". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Bleach: Series 13 - Part 1". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Bleach: Complete Series 13". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Bleach: Series 13 - Part 2". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Bleach Series 14 Part 1(Episodes 292-303)". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Bleach: Complete Series 14". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
- ↑ "Bleach: Series 14 Part 2 (Episodes 304-316)". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
- ↑ "Bleach: Series 15 Part 1(Episodes 317-329)". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
- ↑ "Bleach: Complete Series 15". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
- ↑ "Bleach: Series 15 Part 2(Episodes 330-342)". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
- ↑ "Bleach: Series 16 Part 1(Episodes 343-354)". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
- ↑ "Bleach: Complete Series 16". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
- ↑ "Bleach: Series 16 Part 2(Episodes 355-366)". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
- ↑ "Bleach Bankai - Box 1 - Eps 1-133 - Limited Edition". Sanity. Archived from the original on 9 July 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
- ↑ "Madman Entertainment". Madman Entertainment. Archived from the original on 10 August 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
- ↑ "Bleach Bankai Box 3 (Eps 230-303) (Limited Edition) - DVD". Madman Entertainment. Archived from the original on 17 March 2018. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
- ↑ "Bleach Bankai Box 4 (Eps 304-366) (Limited Edition) - DVD". Madman Entertainment. Archived from the original on 17 March 2018. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
- ↑ "Bleach Movies". Amazon (North America). Retrieved 2011-05-23.
- ↑ "Bleach Movie Collection (Movies 1-4) - DVD". Madman Entertainment. Archived from the original on 17 March 2018. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
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