Rukia helps Ichigo over comes, his depression, from not being able to help his friends and getting beat up by the Arrancars. Afterwards the Shinigami group that came down to Earth for help the upcoming battle, tells Ichigo what kind of Menos they are battling.

The episode was rated 7.90 from 91 votes.

After the Arrancar arrive Ichigo finds Chad being overpowered and asks him to step back. After Rukia learns what he said, she asks him to do the same thing and shows him her true power. Meanwhile Keigo makes a deal with Ikkaku; After Ikkaku saves him from the Arrancar Keigo will provide him with a place to stay.

The episode was rated 7.91 from 90 votes.

Hitsugaya, Renji, and Matsumoto contiune there battle and are struggling due to the limiters placed on them. Ririn, Cloud, Nova and Ururu try to help Renji, but are beaten down. Ururu gets II-Forte to release, due to her attacks.Shawlong explains how the Arrancar number system works. And how he thinks HItsugaya's bankai works. As this is happening Ichigo is not even denting Grimmjaw and is forced to use Bankai. Meanwhile Hitsugaya is having much problems with his opponent who is now in released form. Before things get really bad however, Matsumoto reciveves a call they seem to have been waiting for. The good news: no more limit on their power. The ending scene shows all three of them releasing massive amounts of reiatsu.

The episode was rated 7.91 from 81 votes.

The episode begins in Hueco Mundo with Kaname having brought Grimmjow before Aizen due to his disobedience, and Gin's first appearance in awhile. Also, after the outcome of the battles with the Numeros classed Arrancar, each character reflects on the grim situation. Chad asks Urahara to train him so he can become more powerful, and Ichigo seeks out the Vizard who give him an ultimatum.

The episode was rated 7.91 from 82 votes.

Ichigo runs into trouble battle Yammi, and Ulquiorra watches the battle. Urahara and Yourichi come to aid, Ichigo and his friends, and they get the upper hand, when Ulquiorra decides to leave, because his mission for Aizen is done. Meanwhile, well everyone is healing. Ichigo gets really depressed because he couldn't save his friends from injuries. Well a surprise group comes to help him, from the Soul Society. They are there for battle the new threat, Arrancars.

The episode was rated 7.92 from 95 votes.

Ichigo returns to the real world and is back in school. He meets up with his high buddies. His shinigami badge goes off and he runs out to slay a Hollow, along with Inoue and Chad. They talk about Ishida's lost powers and if he can get it back. As they run off a mysterious stranger appearances above Ichigo.Kon starts ranting how he wants out of his plushie form, and the badge goes off so Kon gets Ichigo's body. Meanwhile Ichigo slays the Hollow and meets Hirako Shinji a Visored. They talk about a hollow mask and a zanpakotou.Meanwhile, elsewhere in the city, Kon is attacked by the Grand Fisher, who's appearance has changed. As Ishida is attacked by Menos type hollow and trying to battle it, when some one helps Ishida. Who is it and why is he helping Ishida?

The episode was rated 7.95 from 100 votes.

Hitsugaya speaks with Hinamori through the big-screen TV, who apologizes for falsely believing he could have assassinated Captain Aizen. Ichigo endurance trains his Hollow form with Hiyori, and Orihime finds the Vizard hideout and recaps him on Aizen's plans. Uryū's strength begins to waver and he does not know how much longer he can hold out against his father's relentless attacks, believing he might kill him with his next few. In desperation Uryū uses his last silver tube to try and seal his father's movements and end the training session.

The episode was rated 7.98 from 85 votes.

Urahara tells Orihime that he doesn't want her fighting in the upcoming war against Aizen, as her abilities are not built for the frontlines and they will have the fourth squad when it comes to first-aid relief. Hiyori brings Orihime back to the hideout at Hachi's behest, and he revives Tsubaki for her and also echoes Urahara's decision because he believes she has not the resolve to fight.

The episode was rated 8.01 from 87 votes.

Ichigo and Hiyori face off, but Ichigo has a bit of trouble holding his own. Hiyori urges him to use his Bankai, but he refuses for the fear of the presence of his inner hollow taking over. Hiyori succeeds in drawing it out eventually, however, and Ichigo passes their test of strength to join the Vizard. The Vizard have Ichigo train endurance before teaching him how to subdue his inner hollow, but after acknowledging Ichigo's already advanced shinigami abilities Shinji takes the training into the next phase. The episode ends with Ichigo in his subconscious world facing off against his inner hollow.

The episode was rated 8.03 from 87 votes.

Ikkaku thinks back to the day, when he first met Zaraki Kenpachi and lost a sword battle with him. He wanted Zaraki to kill him, but Zaraki let him live so they could fight again another day. He hunts for Zaraki and finds out he is now a captain of the Soul Society.He and Yumichika, go there and join his squad. Ikkaku then starts training Renji who was just moved from the Aizen's division for fighting too much. Renji after the events of the Aizen's betrayal tries to talk Ikkaku in to becoming a captain, but Ikkaku tells him his resolve. The ending part of the Edorad and Ikkaku battles ends as both fall from the sky. But Edorad has more damage.

The episode was rated 8.11 from 83 votes.

Ichigo continues his inner struggle with his inner Hollow. As the battle continues he sees illusions of past foes defeated who impart him advice to renew his fighting spirit. Also, the Vizard begin taking turns battling against Ichigo's outer body, which has almost been completely taken over by his Hollow.

The episode was rated 8.11 from 88 votes.

Hitsugaya, Matsumoto, and Renji beat the person they are battling with no problem. Basically killing them in one blow. Meanwhile Keigo, brings Ikkaku and Yumichika back to his home where his sister has been waiting for him to bring back that juice he went to get. His sister Mizuho gladly expects, because of Ikkaku bold head. Meanwhile Ichigo is still struggling to even hurt Grimmjow. Grimmjow starts beating the living heck out of Ichigo. Ichigo releases his black getsuga tenshô, but is afraid his hollow will take over. Tôsen comes and takes Grimmjow back to Hueco Mundo.

The episode was rated 8.13 from 85 votes.

Ichigo finally regains his resolve to fight after a little blunt truth from Kenpachi, while Ichigo’s outer body has been completely taken over by his Hollow and now battles Love. Before he is able to execute a cero blast, a high-level Hollow ability, Ichigo regains control after having won the fight against his inner Hollow. As the episode ends Aizen’s true target is discovered to be the King’s Key, a duplicate of which can be made only by extracting 100,000 souls from the spirit-enriched Karakura Town.

The episode was rated 8.15 from 88 votes.

Uryu Ishida and Kon are in trouble, being chased by Menos typed powered Hollows. They get help from someone they would have never expected to help them. Uryu is surprised that his helper was able to finish off the Menos type Hollow, in 3 hits.Kon is surprised who defends him, from the attack of the Grand Fisher who is now an Arrancar.

The episode was rated 8.16 from 94 votes.

Ikkaku continues his fight with the Arrancar. The Arrancar is forced to unshealth his Zanpakutou after Ikkaku hears his boast about having steel skin. Keigo asks why Yumichika doesn't help, and learns that Ikkaku is having fun fighting. Ikkaku is able to switch hands between scabbard and sword, surprising the Arrancar who thinks he uses simple tactics. Arrancar releases his Zanpukutou, Volcanica, and reveals his name, Edorad Leones (Arrancar Thirteen). Meanwhile, Grimmjow easily cripples Rukia, leaving only Ichigo. Edorad explains that the Arrancar's zanpakutou is the opposite of the Shinigami's and allows the Arrancar to reach their true forms. Ikkaku is blown off with a single strike of Volcanica. Yumichika calls Soul Society and requests special freezes around each Shinigami to protect nearby souls, in addition to preparations for Ikkaku's military funeral. Meanwhile, Ikkaku releases his shikai but is still smashed to the ground by Edorad. Edorad is about to finish of Ikkaku when the Shinigami releases his Bankai, Ryuumon Houzukimaru (Dragon's Crest, Demon Light). Ikkaku's Bankai is a strength type that gets stronger as it cuts or gets cut, shown by the dragon that turns red in his center blade.

The episode was rated 8.21 from 86 votes.