Bleach Episodes

From Anime Indepth

Bleach

Bleach started being Aired in Japan on October 5, 2004 and it is still on run. There has been aired 153 Episodes Up to December 19, 2007

Agent of The Shinigami Arc

Also known by its English adaptation title, "The Substitute" arc, the first Bleach story arc is twenty episodes in length, and initially aired in Japan from October 2004 through February 2005. Adapts from the first to the eight volume of the manga

"A Shinigami is Born!" "The Day I Became a Shinigami // Shinigami ni nacchatta hi" (死神になっちゃった日)

Ichigo Kurosaki is a 15 year old boy who can 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 shinigami. Later, Ichigo is met by the woman again in his room. She introduces herself as Rukia Kuchiki, and explains the basic goal of the shinigami to Ichigo. The hollow returns, attacking Ichigo's home, and Rukia is wounded. In order to save his family, Ichigo takes Rukia’s power into himself and becomes a shinigami.

2	"Pay or Play" "A Shinigami's Work // Shinigami no oshigoto" (死神のお仕事)
	After discovering Rukia has enrolled in his class, she reveals to Ichigo that she has lost her power and tells him to stand in as a substitute. Although he refuses this position at first, Ichigo eventually accepts after realizing he cannot just turn a blind eye if he encounters a hollow.

3	"Sibling Rivalry" "The Older Brother's Wish, the Younger Sister's Wish // Ani no omoi, imōto no omoi" (兄の想い、妹の想い)
	Ichigo discovers one of his classmate, Orihime Inoue, is stalked by her older brother's spirit turned hollow. As he is forced to use his power again, Ichigo finally submits to his purpose as a substitute shinigami and agrees to take on Rukia's shinigami responsibilities.

4	"And Your Bird Can Speak" "Cursed Parakeet // Noroi no inko" (呪いのインコ)
	Ichigo’s friend Chad comes into possession of a cursed cockatiel that is inhabited by the soul of a small boy. The curse, which brings misfortune to anyone who possesses it, is really the acts of a hollow that has been stalking the boy's soul. Chad is attacked by the hollow, but with Rukia's help, they face off against the hollow.

5	"Beat the Invisible Enemy!" "Mienai teki o nagure!" (見えない敵を殴れ!)
	With Rukia's help, Chad fights the hollow despite not being able to see it. Ichigo eventually arrives and defeats the hollow, but unlike the previous hollows that simply dissolved and went to Soul Society, the gates of Hell appear and capture the hollow. The spirit that inhabited the cockatiel is released to move on to Soul Society.

6	"Fight to the Death! Ichigo vs. Ichigo" "Shitō! Ichigo vs Ichigo" (死闘！一護VSイチゴ)
	In order for Ichigo to transform into a shinigami when Rukia is not around, she purchases some soul candy from the Urahara Shop for him. However, the candy is actually a modified soul, an artificial warrior from Soul Society created to destroy hollows. Once inside Ichigo's body the modified soul goes on a rampage, ruining Ichigo's social image.

"Greetings from a Stuffed Toy" "Nuigurumi kara KONnichiwa" (ぬいぐるみからコンにちは)

Ichigo confronts the modified soul 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 modified soul back. He places the modified soul into a stuffed lion plushie and names it "Kon". Meanwhile in Soul Society, another shinigami is sent to track down Rukia, who has spent too much time in the living world and needs retrieving.

8	"June 17, a Memory of Rain" "Rokugatsu jūnananichi, ame no kioku" (6月17日、雨の記憶)
	Ichigo and his family visit their mother's grave on the anniversary of her death. While there, the shinigami sent for Rukia attacks them because she broke Soul Society law by giving him her powers. The battle halts when Ichigo's sisters Karin and Yuzu are attacked by a hollow.

9	"Unbeatable Enemy" {{{japanese_name}}}
	Ichigo confronts the hollow, who is revealed as the Grand Fisher, the hollow who killed Ichigo's mother. Ichigo defeats the hollow, but does not manage to kill it. The shinigami sent after Rukia gives up his search when he witnesses Ichigo's strength.

10	"Assault on Trip at Sacred Ground!" "Burari reiba totsugeki no tabi!" (ぶらり霊場突撃の旅!)
	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 cheer-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)
	While on another hollow fighting mission, Ichigo encounters Uryū Ishida, a fellow classmate belonging to a clan known as the Quincy - humans that can use spiritual power to fight hollows. Ishida declares himself an enemy of all shinigami and challenges Ichigo to a hollow-hunting competition.

12	"A Gentle Right Arm" "Yasashii migiude" (やさしい右腕)
	The hollow-hunting contest between Ishida and Ichigo has lured hundreds of hollows to 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 armoured right arm capable of firing energy blasts.

"Flower and Hollow" "Hana to horō" (花とホロウ)

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, Kisuke Urahara takes in Orihime and Chad to help them with their new powers while Rukia and Ichigo confront Ishida.

"Back to Back, a Fight to the Death!" "Senaka awase no shitō!" (背中合わせの死闘!)

The legion of hollows force Ichigo and Ishida 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 with his full power. However, he releases too much spiritual power in the process. The strain of his powers causes Ichigo to lose consciousness, and Ishida 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)
	Tired of mistreatment from Ichigo, Kon runs away to find a nicer owner. Instead, he is abused wherever he goes. Ichigo makes an effort to befriend Ishida but is rebuffed. Rukia becomes conflicted with her attachment with humans. Rather than endanger Ichigo, she runs away to face the hunters from Soul Society.

16	"Encounter: Renji Abarai!" "Abarai Renji, misan!" (阿散井恋次、見参!)
	Ichigo faces off against the shinigami Renji Abarai, who has come to capture Rukia. Renji triggers his initial release, gaining the advantage by transforming his sword into a unique weapon, and Ichigo finds himself overwhelmed fighting a fully trained shinigami.

"Ichigo Dies!" "Ichigo, shisu!" (一護、死す!)

Ichigo makes a comeback against Renji, overwhelming him. Just when Renji is about to fall, Byakuya Kuchiki, Rukia's brother, steps in and defeats Ichigo. Rukia returns to 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 Kisuke Urahara, who agrees to help him rescue Rukia, who faces the death penalty in Soul Society. Ichigo, however, must agree to train to regain his powers.

"Reclaim! The Power of the Shinigami" "Torimodose! Shinigami no chikara!" (取り戻せ! 死神の力!)

As his last day of school ends, Ichigo is upset to discover that no one except for Orihime and Chad seems to remember Rukia, due to a Soul Society-imposed mind wipe. He begins his training at the Urahara Shop, first battling 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, and he must try to regain his shinigami powers in 72 hours, or risk becoming a hollow. Meanwhile, Yoruichi Shihouin, a speaking cat, offers to train Chad and Orihime to control their powers so they can join Ichigo in Soul Society.

"Ichigo Becomes a Hollow!" "Ichigo, horō ni ochiru!" (一護、ホロウに墜ちる!)

In Soul Society Rukia’s sentence is moved up and she only has 25 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 shinigami powers he was born with. In a powerful display, Ichigo emerges from the pit with his shinigami uniform on, but also wearing the mask of a hollow. Breaking the mask off, Ichigo spends the rest of his training fighting Urahara.

"Gin Ichimaru's Shadow" "Ichimaru Gin no kage" (市丸ギンの影)

While fighting Urahara, Ichigo learns the name of his zanpakutō - Zangetsu. Upon learning the name, the sword transforms into a much more powerful version and he 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 Ishida, who has been training alone, set out for Soul Society using a gate Yoruichi and Urahara made.

Soul Society: The Sneak Entry arc

This story arc is the second arc of the Anime series. It has twenty-one episodes long, and aired in Japan between March 2005 and July 2005. Adapts the ninth through fourteenth volumes of its source material.

"Enter! The World of the Shinigami" "Totsunyū! Shinigami no sekai" (突入！死神の世界)

Ichigo, Uryū, Orihime, Chad and Yoruichi cross over into Soul Society using the gate. They arrive in Rukongai, where normal spirits reside. Ichigo quickly finds himself in a battle with the gate watcher Jidanbō when he carelessly tries to enter Seireitei, where the shinigami reside. Thanks to Urahara's training, Ichigo easily defeats Jidanbō, but when Jidanbō opens the gate, Ichigo encounters the 3rd division captain, Gin Ichimaru.

"The Man who Hates Shinigami" "Shinigami o nikumu otoko" (死神を憎む男)

Ichimaru uses his shikai and pushes Ichigo back through the gate. After being "shot" out of Seireitei by Ichimaru, Ichigo and his friends must find another way in. While searching for a friend of Yoruichi’s, Ichigo meets Ganju Shiba, a man who claims to be the "number one shinigami-hater of West Rukongai." The two hate each other immediately and begin to fight, but their battle ends abruptly when the clock on the back of one of Ganju's friends goes off.

23	"14 Days Before Rukia's Execution" "Rukia shokei, jūyokka mae" (ルキア処刑、14日前)
	Yoruichi solicits the help of Ganju's sister, Kūkaku Shiba, who agrees to send them into Seireitei using her fireworks cannon. Meanwhile, Rukia's sentence has been moved to 14 days, and she is transferred into a cell called the Shrine of Penitence. An emergency meeting is called among all the captains of the Gotei 13.

"Assemble! The 13 Divisions" "Kesshū! Gotei jūsantai" (結集！護廷13隊)

In order to use the cannon to enter 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 Seireitei a meeting of all the captains in the Gotei 13 is held to discuss how to deal with the invaders. The meeting is interrupted by an alarm, indicating that someone has infiltrated Seireitei.

"Penetrate the Center with an Enormous Bombshell?" "Kyodai hōdan de chūō toppa?" (巨大砲弾で中央突破?)

Before the group launches into Seireitei, Ganju reveals that the reason he hates shinigami is because his brother was killed by one. In Seireitei, 11th division captain Kenpachi Zaraki sets out to hunt Ichigo, believing him to be a worthy opponent. Captain Sōsuke Aizen confronts Ichimaru in front of the 10th Division captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya about his flimsy excuse for allowing the invaders to escape. As the crew passes through the shield surrounding Sereitei, 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)
	Ichigo lands with Ganju, and Ishida with Orihime, while Chad and Yoruichi are alone. Ichigo and Ganju encounter and fight two 11th division members, Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa respectively. Ikkaku gains an advantage by using the shikai of his zanpakutō. Ganju attempts to escape from Yumichika using a series of tricks.

27	"Release the Death Blow!" "Hissatsu no ichigeki o hanate!" (必殺の一撃を放て!)
	Ichigo eventually overpowers Ikkaku, although he is injured in the process. Ganju and Yumichika continue their fight, with Yumichika pursuing Ganju throughout Seireitei. The 11th division captain, Kenpachi Zaraki 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)
	Ganju manages to defeat Yumichika by exploding fireworks on his face. Uryū and Orihime are confronted by Jirōbō Ikkanzaka, the 4th seat of the 7th division. Uryū is easily able to destroy the projectiles he sends at them, and destroys his ability to be a shinigami when he threatens Orihime. Meanwhile, the 12th division captain, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, dispatches squads to locate the intruders.

"Breakthrough! The Shinigami's Encompassing Net" "Toppaseyo! Shinigami hōimō" (突破せよ! 死神包囲網)

Ichigo and Ganju attempt to escape the shinigami following them by using Hanatarō Yamada, a 4th division officer, as a distraction. They fail, but the shinigami are distracted by Sado's energy blasts elsewhere, enabling them to escape. Hanatarō promises to take Ichigo and Ganju to Rukia. Kenpachi is still attempting to find Ichigo, but Yachiru's directions are leading him in the opposite direction. He then heads to Ikkaku, and stops Mayuri from attacking Ikkaku when the latter refuses to answer any questions.

30	"Renji's Confrontation" "Tachihadakaru Renji" (立ちはだかる恋次)
	With Hanatarō's help, Ichigo and Ganju begin to move towards Rukia's location. However, Renji Abarai, the lieutenant of the 6th division, confronts them. Ichigo begins to fight him, and Renji reveals that he is five times more powerful than when they fought previously.

31	"The Resolution to Kill" "Kiru tame no kakugo" (斬る為の覚悟)
	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 an energy blast at Renji, defeating him.

32	"Stars and the Stray" "Hoshi to norainu" (星と野良犬)
	Renji reflects on his past with Rukia, remembering how they were childhood friends, and how they joined the Shinigami 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.

"Miracle! The Mysterious New Hero" "Kiseki! Nazo no shinhīrō" (奇跡！謎の新ヒーロー)

This is a filler episode featuring Don Kanonji and the Karakura Superheroes. Karin 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, Don Kanonji informs the group that he intends to form a team of heroes, the Karakura Superheroes. Later, the kitten shields Yuzu 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.

"Tragedy of Dawn" "Yoake no sangeki" (夜明けの惨劇)

Hanatarō and Ganju carry Ichigo away as the shinigami arrive. Hanatarō begins to heal Ichigo. Renji, despite being heavily injured, is incarcerated on the orders of his captain, Byakuya Kuchiki. Meanwhile, the shinigami high command orders all-out war against the intruders. As 5th division lieutenant Momo Hinamori travels to a lieutenants' meeting the following day, she finds the corpse of her captain, Sōsuke Aizen, hanging from a tower.

"Aizen Assassinated! The Darkness which Approaches" "Aizen ansatsu! Shinobiyoru yami" (藍染暗殺！忍び寄る闇)

Believing that he murdered Aizen, Hinamori attacks Ichimaru, but is stopped by 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 Seireitei, but the 8th division 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	"Kenpachi Zaraki Approaches!" "Zaraki Kenpachi semaru!" (更木剣八、迫る!)
	The 10th division 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 attack him

37	"Motive of the Fist" "Ken no riyū" (拳の理由)
	As Chad continues through Soul Society, he encounters members of the 8th division. He manages to defeat them all until the 8th division captain, Shunsui Kyōraku, confronts him. Although Chad is determined to win to uphold his promise to Ichigo, Shunsui easily defeats him.

"Desperation! The Broken Zangetsu" "Zettaizetsumei! Orareta Zangetsu" (絶対絶命! 折られた斬月)

Rather than kill him, Shunsui 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)
	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 his zanpakutō's name 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)
	Kenpachi falls down beside Ichigo in defeat, and Yachiru takes him away for medical treatment. Yoruichi also retrieves Ichigo. Ganju and Hanatarō arrive at Rukia's cell, but Ganju becomes infuriated because he believes Rukia was the killer of his brother, Kaien Shiba. Byakuya arrives, and Ganju decides to fight him.

"Reunion, Ichigo and Rukia" "Saikai, Ichigo to Rukia" (再会、一護とルキア)

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 13th division captain, Jūshirō Ukitake. Ichigo arrives and fights Byakuya. Before Byakuya can activate his shikai, Yoruichi stops him.

Soul Society: The Rescue Arc

The Third arc, goes from episode 42 to episode 63, adapting through the fifteenth to twentieth volumes of the manga.

"Yoruichi, Goddess of Speed, Dances!" "Shunshin Yoruichi, mau!" (瞬神夜一、舞う!)

As Renji Abarai recovers in his cell, the spirit of his zanpakutō, Zabimaru, claims he wishes to face Ichigo Kurosaki's Zangetsu again, but Renji tells him that Ichigo is no longer his enemy. Yoruichi manages to evade Byakuya and escape with Ichigo due to her mastery of flash steps. After Ichigo regains consciousness, she begins to instruct him in the use of his bankai. Uryū Ishida and Orihime Inoue are attempting to travel through Seireitei to Rukia Kuchiki's cell by using shinigami clothes, but they are closely watched by 12th division shinigami captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

"The Despicable Shinigami" "Hiretsu na shinigami" (卑劣な死神)

Uryū and Orihime continue towards Rukia's location, but are accosted by Makizō Aramaki. They are saved by members of the 12th division, but they are used as human bombs by Mayuri Kurotsuchi. Orihime's powers protect them, and Mayuri expresses his wish to experiment on Orihime. Uryū engages Mayuri, but is quickly disabled by his zanpakutō shikai when his lieutenant, Nemu Kurotsuchi, uses her body to hold down Uryū. Mayuri then reveals that he has experimented on many Quincy, including Uryū's grandfather, Sōken Ishida. An enraged Uryū rises to fight.

44	"Ishida's Ultimate Power!" "Ishida, kyokugen no chikara!" (石田、極限の力!)
	Uryū uses the Quincy technique ransōtengai to overcome the paralysis of Mayuri's zanpakutō. However, he is far outclassed by Mayuri, and is forced to take off his sanrei glove. Uryū then completely overwhelms Mayuri, but Mayuri escapes by transforming into a liquid. Uryū continues on, severely weakened, until he is confronted by another shinigami captain, Kaname Tōsen.

"Overcome Your Limits!" "Genkai o koero!" (限界を越えろ!)

Tōsen disables Uryū instantly with his shikai, 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 slain if he fails. Elsewhere, Hanatarō Yamada is sentenced by his captain, Retsu Unohana, Renji breaks out of his prison cell, 3rd division captain Gin Ichimaru releases his lieutenant, Izuru Kira, and 11th division captain Kenpachi Zaraki agrees to help Orihime in order to fight Ichigo again.

46	"Authentic Records! School of Shinigami" "Jitsuroku! Shinigami no gakkō" (実録! 死神の学校)
	Momo Hinamori recalls her experiences at the Shinigami Academy with Renji and Izuru. She remembers how on a field trip to fight demi-hollows she and her comrades were saved by Captain Sōsuke Aizen and then-lieutenant Gin Ichimaru. Hinamori then knocks her guard unconscious and escapes from her cell, planning to confront the person who killed Aizen.

"The Avengers" "Adautsu monotachi" (仇討つ者たち)

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 12th division captain. Elsewhere, Tōshirō Hitsugaya confronts Ichimaru and Kira, but is interrupted by Hinamori, who believes that Hitsugaya killed Aizen. Hitsugaya effortlessly repels Hinamori and prepares to kill Ichimaru.

"Hitsugaya Howls!" "Hitsugaya, hoeru!" (日番谷、吼える!)

Hitsugaya and Ichimaru begin to fight, with Ichimaru eventually overpowering Hitsugaya. However, Hitsugaya turns the tables with his shikai, which freezes the surrounding area, including Ichimaru's arm. Ichimaru attempts to impale Hitsugaya with his shikai, and nearly kills Hinamori when Hitsugaya narrowly dodges. Ichimaru retreats as Rangiku Matsumoto arrives to block his sword. 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)
	Ganju manages to defeat Yumichika by exploding fireworks on his face. Uryū and Orihime are confronted by Jirōbō Ikkanzaka, the 4th seat of the 7th division. Uryū is easily able to destroy the projectiles he sends at them, and destroys his ability to be a shinigami when he threatens Orihime. Meanwhile, the 12th division captain, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, dispatches squads to locate the intruders.

50	"The Reviving Lion" "Yomigaeru shishi" (よみがえる獅子)
	In this filler episode, Kon tries to escape from Yuzu, however he is found by a desperate Don Kanonji whose TV ratings are starting to plummet. Together they re-form the Karakura Superheroes, with Yuzu playing Karakura Yellow and Kon playing Karakura King.

"Morning of the Sentence" "Shokei no asa" (処刑の朝)

Kenpachi, along with Orihime and his subordinates, begins to travel to the execution grounds, but are confronted by Sajin Komamura and Kaname Tōsen and their lieutenants, Tetsuzaemon Iba and Shūhei Hisagi. Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa lure off Iba and Hisagi respectively. Komamura and Tōsen attack Kenpachi, but he is unharmed. 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)
	Renji travels to the execution area, but quickly meets his captain, Byakuya Kuchiki. Renji uses his bankai, but his lack of experience stymies his efforts. Byakuya uses his own bankai, and defeats Renji.

"Gin Ichimaru's Temptation, Resolution Shattered" "Gin Ichimaru no yūwaku, kuzusareta kakugo" (市丸ギンの誘惑、崩された覚悟)

As Rukia travels to the execution area, captain Gin Ichimaru shatters her resolve by offering to help Rukia, but then deciding not to and walking away. Kenpachi is easily dealing with both Komamura and Tōsen, forcing Tōsen to use his bankai. Kenpachi overcomes this, but is stopped from killing Tōsen by Komamura. Komamura activates his own bankai and engages Kenpachi. At the execution grounds, Rukia has finally arrived.

"An Accomplished Oath! Get back Rukia!" "Hatasareru chikai! Rukia dakkan naru ka!" (果たされる誓い! ルキア奪還なるか)

Rukia has accepted her execution, and only gives a request to General Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai to send Ichigo and his friends home. 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. 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.

55	"The Strongest Shinigami! Ultimate Confrontation Between Teacher and Students" "Saikyō no shinigami! Kyūkyaku no shitei taiketsu" (最強の死神! 究極の師弟対決)
	Byakuya begins to fight Ichigo, promising to execute Rukia himself. 4th division captain Retsu Unohana personally heals all of the injured present, and travels to a location that concerns her. Shunsui and Ukitake flee the execution area, but are confronted by Yamamoto. In an overwhelming display, Yamamoto activates his shikai and incinerates the surrounding area.

"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)

Yumichika returns to his captain after defeating Hisagi, and Kenpachi remarks that Komamura fled after Yamamoto began fighting. Shunsui and Ukitake decide to fight their teacher, and both use their shikai, showing the unique nature of their zanpakutō. Soifon begins to overwhelm Yoruichi with her shikai. As she activates a technique she recently learned, however, Yoruichi uses one she learned as well, calling it Flash Cry.

"Senbonzakura, Crushed! Zangetsu Thrusts through the Sky" "Senbonzakura, funsai! Ten o tsuku zangetsu" (千本桜、粉砕! 天を衝く斬月)

Soifon recalls her past with Yoruichi. She was Yoruichi's personal guard, and highly faithful to her. However, when Yoruichi left Soul Society, she felt betrayed, and carried a grudge against her mentor from that point forward. As Soifon attacks, Yoruichi uses her flash cry to easily negate it. Soifon breaks down in tears, asking Yoruichi why she did not take her along. Ikkaku and Iba are fighting, albeit casually for sake. Near the execution site, Ichigo uses his newly learned getsuga tenshō to defeat Byakuya's shikai, and requests that he bring out his bankai as well.

58	"Unseal! The Black Blade, the Miraculous Power" "Kaihõ! Kuroki yaiba, kiseki no chikara" (開放! 黒き刃、奇跡の力)
	Byakuya uses his bankai and overwhelms Ichigo with millions of tiny blades. Ichigo then also uses his bankai, becoming incredibly fast in the process. Ichigo bests Byakuya's bankai and stabs him. Meanwhile, Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Rangiku Matsumoto head to the Central 46 Chambers.

"Conclusion of the Death Match! White Pride and Black Desire" "Shitō kecchaku! Shiroki hokori to kuroki omoi" (死闘決着! 白き誇りと黒き想い)

Byakuya uses the second form of his bankai, summoning multiple rows of swords. As he and Ichigo continue to fight, Ichigo becomes progressively weaker as the strain from using his bankai increases. His inner hollow takes over his body, and he starts to overwhelm Byakuya. Ichigo manages to surpress his inner hollow. Both he and Byakuya focus the remainder of their powers and clash in a final strike, with Ichigo being the victor. Byakuya reveals the reason he wishes to execute Rukia, and admits defeat, claiming that Ichigo has convinced him not to execute Rukia. Hitsugaya and Matsumoto enter the Central 46 Chambers, but are horrified at what they see.

"Reality of the Despair, the Assassin's Dagger is Swung" "Saikai, Ichigo to Rukia" (再会、一護とルキア)

"Aizen Stands! Horrible Ambitions" "Aizen, tatsu! Osorubeki yabou" (藍染、立つ! 恐るべき野望)

At Unohana's command, Isane Kotetsu informs all high-ranking members of the Gotei 13 of Aizen's duplicity. Aizen arrives at the execution site, where Tōsen has teleported 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, even stopping Ichigo's bankai with a single finger. Aizen explains his reasons for betraying Soul Society, but is interrupted by Komamura.

"Gather Together! Group of the Strongest Shinigami!" "Shūketsu seyo! Saikyō no shinigami shūdan" (集結せよ! 最強の死神集団)

Aizen defeats Komamura with an extremely powerful kidō spell and continues his explanation. He expresses his desire for the Orb of Distortion. He extracts the Orb of Distortion from Rukia, where Kisuke Urahara had hidden it. When he orders Ichimaru to kill Rukia, Byakuya saves her. Practically every high-ranking shinigami then arrives to restrain Aizen. Aizen and his accomplices manage to escape when several Menos Grande pull them into Hueco Mundo. Afterwards, as Byakuya recovers, he explains to Rukia that he married her sister, Hisana, and that was the reason he adopted Rukia into the Kuchiki clan. However, as a noble, he was obliged to execute Rukia, conflicting with his promise to Hisana to protect Rukia.

63	"Rukia's Resolution, Ichigo's Feelings" "Rukia no ketsui, Ichigo no omoi" (ルキアの決意、一護の想い)
	A clipshow episode, Ichigo and his friends return to the human world. Rukia decides to remain in Soul Society rather than leave with Ichigo.

Retrieved from "http://www.animeindepth.com/wiki/Bleach_Episodes"

Bleach Episodes

From Anime Indepth

Agent of The Shinigami Arc

Soul Society: The Sneak Entry arc

Soul Society: The Rescue Arc

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