Tosen is now able to see in his Ressureccion form. But Komamura states that in exchange for his vision, Tosen has now blinded his own heart. Unable to bring himself to kill the man he wanted to save, Komamura falls before Tosen’s attack. Meanwhile, Hirako prepares to use his Shikai, Sakanade, against Aizen.

The episode was rated 7.90 from 59 votes.

The battle in Karakura Town and the Soul Society has come to an end. Karakura Town is returned to the World of the Living using Mayuri’s technology, and everyone prepares to return to their respective places. Ichigo is reunited with his friends who have returned from Hueco Mundo, when his condition suddenly changes.

The episode was rated 7.91 from 74 votes.

Kyoraku allows Ukitake to join him in fighting Starrk. Starrk fights Ukitake for a bit and notices his shikai's technique which absorbs his cero's and shoot it back out again. Just then, a huge garganta opens up and reveals Wonderweiss and another gigantic hollow next to him. Wonderweiss then comes to each Esapada's aid by stabbing Ukitake in the chest while Starrk shoots Kyoraku with a cero making both Kyoraku and Ukitake faint to the ground. Wonderweiss then uses one of his loud screams which shatters the ice that Harribel was trapped in and she escapes unharmed. Wonderweiss then blows of the smoke remaining after Soifon's bankai missile out of Barragan making him resume his place. Just when all the Shinigami's begin to panic, the Vizards make an unsuspecting arrival right in front of Aizen, Gin and Tosen. It then goes to a little flashback of how the Vizards became Vizards and what Aizen did to them many years ago.

The episode was rated 7.92 from 65 votes.

Ichigo has returned to the World of the Living to battle Aizen. After an unsuccessful first attack, Ichigo Hollowfies to deliver his Getsugatensho against Aizen, but that too proves ineffective. Witnessing the immense power Aizen holds, Ichigo begins to lose his will to fight, when the Thirteen Court Guard Squads stand up to support him.

The episode was rated 7.94 from 67 votes.

As they cross blades, Gin asks Ichigo if he recalls their last encounter, to which Ichigo responds he does not remember Gin’s “heart” being present back then. Ichigo’s answer prompts Gin to display his Bankai and its incredible power. Meanwhile, Isshin notices a change occurring within Aizen.

The episode was rated 7.96 from 72 votes.

Hirako and the other Vizards arrive at the fake Karakura town to assist with the fights. When Head Captain Yamamoto notices the Vizards it goes into a flash back from 101 years ago. This shows how Aizen performed hollowfication on all of the Vizards. After this it shows how Urahara was banished to the World of the Living, and that all the subjects that Aizen performed hollowfication on were to be treated as regular hollows. Back in the fake Karakura town Kirako asks if the other Vizards want to meet anyone before they continue. Lisa quickly rushes off to see Kyōraku. Hirako states that he is going to see Yamamoto. He explains to him that he is not their ally, but that he is Aizen's enemy. After that he he states that he is also an ally of Ichigo. Wonderweiss Margera starts shouting very loud which causes Fūrā to open up and then releases a lot of Menos, but the Vizards quickly defeat them. Hirako confronts Aizen and hopes to finish it. However Tōsen stops the attack before it strikes. Hirako and Tōsen then begin to fight. Tōsen is about to strike Hirako but is stopped by Komamora. Harribel breaks out of the ice that Hitsugaya enslaved her in and goes for the strike, but Lisa stops the attack in time. Hiyori also comes to help. Mashiro goes and attacks Fūrā and she quickly defeats it and Love and Rōjūrō confront Starrk. Komamora starts speaking with Tōsen which is quickly interupted by Hisagi who wants to join Komamora in defeating him.

The episode was rated 8.02 from 60 votes.

Kisuke Urahara steps onto the battlefield as Aizen, fused with the Hogyoku, begins his transformation. Urahara’s Kido attack appears ineffective against Aizen, who claims he has complete control over the Hogyoku. But Urahara’s true goal was to turn Aizen’s own spirit energy against himself.

The episode was rated 8.03 from 74 votes.

Head Captain Genryusai Yamamoto of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads steps in to battle Aizen. Genryusai’s attempt to incinerate Aizen in a blazing inferno is thwarted by Wonderweiss, whose Ressureccion form extinguishes the flames. Wonderweiss is revealed to be a Mod Arrancar created by Aizen for the sole purpose of sealing away Genryusai’s zanpakuto, Ryujinjakka.

The episode was rated 8.03 from 74 votes.

Ichigo fights to learn the Final Getsuga Tensho technique... but first he must convince Zangetsu to teach it to him. Meanwhile, Aizen and Gin walk through the real Karakura Town.

The episode was rated 8.08 from 73 votes.

The Thirteen Court Guard Squads and Visoreds launch a full-scale attack against Aizen. But Aizen makes quick work of their combined efforts. Just when all hope is thought to be lost, Hirako uses his Zanpakuto’s power to draw away Aizen’s attention, giving way for Hitsugaya to deliver the killing blow.

The episode was rated 8.22 from 69 votes.

Aizen continues his pursuit of Ichigo’s friends. Fearing for their lives, Keigo attempts to attack Aizen using the Zanpakuto he stole from Kurumadani. Gin returns to Aizen after having personally dealt with Rangiku, and his appearance prompts Tatsuki and the others to prepare for the worst.

The episode was rated 8.22 from 76 votes.

Rukia, Renji and Chad continue their fight against Rudobone. However, no sooner do they finish him off than a very angry Yammy appears. Meanwhile, Ichigo's fight against Ulquiorra finally comes to an end, albeit one that none of them expected.

The episode was rated 8.25 from 76 votes.

With Ichigo apparently dead from Ulquiorra's last attack, Ishida steps up to continue the fight in his place. Unfortunately things do not go any better for the young Quincy than they did for Ichigo. However, Ichigo is so desperate to save his friends that even death is no obstacle and he risks transforming into a dangerous but powerful new form in order to defeat Ulquiorra.

The episode was rated 8.45 from 83 votes.

Gin recalls his past and the fateful event that led him to become a Soul Reaper serving under Aizen. Meanwhile, Aizen’s overwhelming Spiritual Pressure forces Tatsuki, Keigo and the others to fall helplessly to the ground, when Ichigo finally arrives after completing his training.

The episode was rated 8.80 from 83 votes.

Battle ensues between Aizen and Ichigo. His nineties-level Kido attack easily deflected, Aizen further evolves to best Ichigo. But Ichigo, now fully aware of why Tensa Zangetsu was reluctant to teach him the Final Getsugatensho, has come to possess amazing powers.

The episode was rated 8.84 from 97 votes.