The fourteenth season of the Bleach anime series, which is known as the Arrancar: Downfall arc (破面・滅亡篇 Arrancar・Metsubō Hen?),[1] is directed by Noriyuki Abe and produced by TV Tokyo, Dentsu, and Studio Pierrot.[2] The story will continue the fight between Soul Society's Soul Reapers and Sōsuke Aizen's arrancar army as the former defends Karakura Town from the latter's invasion, while Ichigo and his group fight the arrancars in Hueco Mundo to rescue Orihime Inoue.
The season started airing on April 13, 2010 in Japan on TV Tokyo.[3] The English adaptation of the Bleach anime is licensed by Viz Media.[4]
The episodes use five pieces of theme music so far: two opening themes and three closing themes. The first opening theme, "chAngE" by Miwa is used for episodes 266 to 291, while the second opening theme, "Melody of the Wild Dance" (乱舞のメロディ Rambu no Merodi?) by SID is used from episode 292 onwards. The first ending theme, "Stay Beautiful" by Diggy-Mo is used for episodes 266 to 278, the second ending theme, "echoes" by Universe is used from episode 279 to 291, and the third ending theme, "Last Moment" by SPYAIR is used from episode 292 onwards.
Episode list[]
| EP# | Title | Original airdate | English airdate | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 266 | Ichigo vs. Ulquiorra, Resume "Ichigo VS Urukiora, Saikai" (一護VSウルキオラ、再開) |
April 13, 2010 | — | ||
| This episode recaps the story of the war between Soul Society and Aizen's arrancars and concludes with Ichigo and Ulquiorra about to renew their fight. | |||||
| 267 | Connected Hearts! The Left Fist of Certain Death "Tsunagaru Kokoro! Kesshi no Hidari Kobushi!" (繋がる心！決死の左拳) |
April 20, 2010 | — | ||
| 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, and manages to wound Ulquiorra, if even slightly. Ichigo surmises that it's either he is becoming more like a Hollow or his opponent is becoming more human, which angers Ulquiorra. Meanwhile, Chad and Renji fight a gigantic Hollow in the desert of Las Noches, eventually claiming victory after discovering its weakness. Back in the Tower, Orihime 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 | — | ||
| Ichigo and Ulquiorra continue their fight as Loly and Menoly approach Orhime, getting ready to torture her, quoting that Aizen said that she was now useless. Loly orders Menoly to rip Orihime to shreds but she 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. Yammy arrives, kills Menoly, and injures Loly when Ulquiorra refuses to let him fight Ichigo. Orihime heals Loly, who then releases her zanpakutō, revealing herself with multiple venomous skeletal tentacles and she squares off with Yammy. Yammy 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 continues to fight the Exequias as Chad and Renji slaughter Hollows. At the end of the episode, Uryu Ishida bursts through the wall with his Quincy bow, about to join Ichigo in fighting and rescuing Orihime. | |||||
| 269 | Ichigo and Uryū, Bonded Back to Back "Ichigo to Uryū, Senaka Awase no Kizuna" (一護と雨竜、背中合わせの絆) |
May 4, 2010 | — | ||
| Ishida fights Yammy separate from the group, using the majority of his Quincy techniques to attempt to defeat the 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 5th tower, Ishida succeeds in dropping Yammy all the way to ground level. Meanwhile, Rukia has difficulty in dispatching Rudobone's soldiers 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 dome of Las Noches in order to release his zanpakutō, Murciélago, 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 | — | ||
| Ichigo tries to fend off Ulquiorra's attacks with mixed results. However he declares he will never give up even if the arrancar is stronger than he is. Ulquiorra responds by transforming into a second release, Resurrección Segunda Etapa, that 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 Ishida reach the surface, they discover that Ichigo has already been defeated and captured by Ulquiorra. Ulquiorra 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 | — | ||
| Orihime and Uryū arrive just in time to see Ulquiorra execute Ichigo, via cero through chest. Horrified, Orihime rushes to Ichigo's lifeless body, only to be blocked by Ulquiorra. Uryū intervenes and attempts a sneak attack but fails, and decides to buy Orihime time to heal Ichigo's wounds. Ulquiorra quickly overwhelms him, while a distraught Orihime cries out for Ichigo. Orihime's lamnet 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 arm. Ulquiorra reveals his incredible ability to regenerate non-vital organs instantaneously. He regenerates his severed arm and unveils his most devastating attack, the 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 VS Urukiora, Kecchaku!" (一護VSウルキオラ、決着！) |
May 25, 2010 | — | ||
| As the Exequia leader continuously produces more soldiers to defend him, Sado and Renji attack him simultaneously with them breaking his defense while Rukia freezes Rudobone. Rudobone 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 and is about keep attacking him when Ishida stops him, trying to end his merciless attacks. However, Ichigo stabs Ishida with his zanpakutō. Before Ichigo can finish Ishida off with his cero, Ulquiorra awakes and interrupts Ichigo's attack, causing his cero to blast around himself instead. At this point, Ichigo breaks out of his Hollow form and returns to his normal self. Ulquiorra wants a rematch while Ichigo comes to a compromise by trying to fight even with him. Ulquiorra agrees to his terms but suddenly realizes his body is expiring, due to over-exhaustion of his own power. He asks Ichigo to kill him but he refuses. 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's afraid of him, and replies she is not. Satisfied with her answer, Ulquiorra dissolves and fades into the winds. | |||||
| 273 | Fury of the Shark! Harribel's Release "Same no Mōi! Hariberu Kaihō" (鮫の猛威！ハリベル解放) |
June 1, 2010 | — | ||
| Yammy becomes enraged at Ulquiorra's death and releases his zanpakuto, Ira. He grows to a colossal size and his rank increases from 10 to 0, explaining that the Espada ranks go from 0 to 9. Rukia, Sado and Renji go all out on him, but he successfully blocks all their attacks. Meanwhile, in the fake Karakura, Tia Harribel continues her fight with Toshiro Hitsugaya. As the captains struggle against the Espada, Harribel releases her sword, Tiburón, and slices Hitsugaya's body in two. As she attempts to move toward Captain-Commander Yamamoto to exact revenge on him for destroying her Fraccion, Hitsugaya reappears and reveals it was merely an ice illusion. | |||||
| 274 | Hitsugaya's Desperate Frozen-Heavens Countless Ornate Entombment! "Hitsugaya, Sutemi no Hyōten Hyakkasō!" (日番谷、捨て身の氷天百華葬！) |
June 8, 2010 | — | ||
| Captain Hitsugaya and Harribel use an array of water and ice-type attacks. Since Captain Hitsugaya can turn any water into ice, and Harribel can turn any ice into water, both of their attacks neutralize each other out. But, 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 Harribel and protect the injured lieutenants (Matsumoto, Hinamori, Hisagi, Iba), he is injured severely from Harribel's Cascada and a Cero. But, when Harribel 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 Hyakkaso. | |||||
| 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 | — | ||
| Hitsugaya releases his Hyōten Hyakkaso, an attack that manipulates the weather then uses it to dramatically increase its power, and successfully freezes Harribel, trapping her in a tower of ice. Meanwhile, Soifon and Omaeda continue their fight against Baraggan. He explains how each Espada represents an aspect of death, with his being aging. He demonstrates this aspect on Soifon: first, by slowing her reaction time, making her unable to land any of her attacks on him, then by grabbing her shoulder and aging it to the point that it breaks from frailty. Omaeda and Soifon devise a strategy and attack Baraggan but Omaeda 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 Soifon and manages to reach her left hand, withering it down to the bone then begins to spread up her arm. Soifon, realizing that her whole body will decay into nothing unless drastic action is taken, orders Omaeda to cut off her left arm before the Respira can spread further, which he does. | |||||
| 276 | One Hit Kill, Soifon, Bankai! "Ichigeki Kessatsu, Soifon, Bankai!" (一撃決殺、砕蜂、解！) |
June 22, 2010 | — | ||
| The battle between the Soul Reapers and the Espada becomes more and more tense. Soifon and Omaeda find themselves in a bad situation against Baraggan’s Respira. They can’t even counterattack Respira because they can’t get anywhere near it. Then, Soifon goes off somewhere, leaving Omaeda to fight Baraggan alone. Omaeda tries to buy time but finds himself impotent against Baraggan. Just when Omaeda is backed into a corner, Soifon arrives, having released her Bankai, a large golden weapon that covers her entire arm. She then fires a missile at Baraggan which leads to a gigantic explosion. | |||||
| 277 | Climax! Kyōraku vs. Starrk! "Hakunetsu! Kyōraku VS Sutāku!" (白熱！京楽ＶＳスターク！) |
June 29, 2010 | — | ||
| Soifon fires her Bankai missile at Baraggan and creates a massive explosion which sends her flying but Omaeda manages to catch her, protecting her from crashing into a building. Starrk and Kyōraku continue their fight as Starrk pressures Kyōraku to show him his Bankai. Starrk then calls Lillynette and he fuses together with her in order to release his Resurrección form. The fight resumes as Starrk gains the upper hand. As Kyōraku is in trouble with Starrk's cero, Ukitake uses his shikai which leaves Starrk 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 | — | ||
| Kyōraku 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 Espada's aid by stabbing Ukitake in the chest while Starrk shoots Kyōraku with a cero making both Kyōraku 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 Baraggan making him resume his place. He finally has the giant hollow blow away the flames surrounding Aizen, Gin and Tōsen. Just when the Soul Reapers begin to panic, the Visoreds make an unsuspecting arrival 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 | — | ||
| Hirako and the other Visoreds arrive at the fake Karakura town to assist with the fights. When Head Captain Yamamoto notices the Visored they flashback from 101 years ago. In the fake Karakura town, Lisa quickly rushes off to see Kyōraku. Hirako explains to Yamamoto that he is not their ally, but that he is Aizen's enemy, and says that he is also an ally of Ichigo. Wonderweiss starts shouting very loud which causes Fūrā to open up and then releases a lot of Menos, but the Visored quickly defeat them. Hirako confronts Aizen, however Tōsen stops the attack before it hits him. Tōsen then starts to attack Hirako but is stopped by Komamura. Harribel breaks out of the ice that Hitsugaya encased her in and goes to attack him, but Lisa stops the attack in time. Hiyori also comes to help him in defeating Harribel. Mashiro goes to attack Fūrā and she quickly defeats it while Love and Rōjūrō confront Starrk. Komamura and Tōsen are quickly interrupted by Hisagi who wants to join Komamura in defeating him. | |||||
| 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 | — | ||
| Hisagi joins Komamura to battle Tosen in hopes of bringing his former captain back to his senses. Meanwhile the other Soul Reapers form an uneasy alliance with the Visoreds: Lisa, Hiyori, and Hitsugaya take on Halibel. Love and Rose go against Starkk and he starts off the battle by firing a cero from his gun surprising both of them. Hachi, Omaeda, and Soi Fon take on Baraggan. Hachi starts off by making a barrier around Baraggan but he easily makes the kido age and disipate. Then Hachi made a wall to buy some time and talk to Soi Fon once more. They make a promise and Soi Fon agrees to hit Baraggan with her bankai once more. Hachi then summons three more barriers to keep Baraggan in one place when Hachi opens the barrier for Soi Fon to hit Baraggan with her bankai since last time, he survived by making the missile age and redirecting the explosion away from him. Soi Fon makes Hachi promise once more to seal Kisuke in a barrier for a month and she fires her bankai. After that, it shows Shinji trying to sneak up on Gin and Aizen but failing and remarking 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 | — | ||
| Baraggan survives Soi Fon's bankai although half his face has been destroyed. In anger he fires out his Respira attack until he rots away Hachigen's hand. However, Hachigen removes his hand via kido and places it in Baraggan's body, causing him to rot away. Baraggan shouts how he will kill Aizen, and in a flashback it is revealed he was once the ruler of Hueco Mundo until dethroned by Aizen. In his final moments, Baraggan tosses his axe at Aizen but it disintegrates and Baraggan dies. Starrk shows distress at his death and vows to avenge him. | |||||
| 282 | Power of the Soul! Los Lobos, Attack! "Tamashī no chikara! Rosu Robosu, shūrai!" (魂の力！群狼、襲来！) |
August 3, 2010 | — | ||
| Starrk 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 Visoreds without Starrk’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 Starrk with his Zanpakuto attack, and the Espada is thrown into a sea of flames. While the duel between Harribel, the Visoreds and Hitsugaya continues, Starrk summons a pack of wolves, made from parts of his and Lillinette's souls, which explode on impact. When his victory seems assured, Starrk is unexpectedly stabbed in the back. | |||||
| 283 | Starrk, the Lone Battle "Sutāku, tatta hitori no tatakai" (スターク、たった独りの戦い) |
August 10, 2010 | — | ||
| It is revealed that Shunsui Kyoraku was the one who had stabbed Starrk using his Kageoni attack. He then explains that his zanpakuto loves to play games and explains the rules of the games. Starrk catches on quickly and learns to use Kyoraku's attacks against him. Lillinette saves Starrk from a fatal attack by Kyoraku by absorbing an attack, this kills her. Starrk shows distress at her death, when Kyoraku uses his Irooni game. Starrk, again learns how to play the game and almost defeats Kyoraku. Kyoraku, however, finishes Starrk off by calling out "Black" after taking his captain's haori off, dealing a massive amount of damage to Starrk. As Starrk dies, he remembers he is not alone. Meanwhile, Aizen has grown tired of the battle and decides he no longer needs Harribel and slashes her. | |||||
| 284 | Chain of Sacrifice, Harribel's Past "Gisei no rensa, Hariberu no kako" (犠牲の連鎖、ハリベルの過去) |
August 17, 2010 | — | ||
| Harribel recalls her past when she was a Vasto Lorde-ranked Hollow. Saving her then-future Fracción Apacci from a male Hollow, Harribel recruits her into her group, along with Mila Rose and Sung-Sun to grow stronger and kill ravenous male Hollow. The quartet later encounter Baraggan when he was king of Hueco Mundo, and Harribel wounds a shark-like Hollow when he approaches her. Aizen, Gin and Kaname arrive in Hueco Mundo to recruit Baraggan, Aizen taking interest in Harribel. Some time later, Harribel's group is attacked by the shark Hollow, now an Arrancar. Harribel fights him but nearly loses. Her friends also fight him but are also defeated. Aizen appears and kills the Arrancar. He then offers Harribel a place in his army, telling her that no one would have to be sacrificed in order to grow stronger. In the present, Aizen expresses disappointment in the Espada's strength. Harribel angrily attacks him, She then realizes that she attacked an illusion and that she has been stabbed from the back of her left shoulder by the real Aizen. He then states that he will never allow her to raise her sword against him again and withdraws his sword, sending Harribel plummeting into the city below. Aizen then challenges the Gotei 13 and Visored 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 | — | ||
| Wonderweiss battles Mashiro who takes the upperhand until her mask breaks. Before Wonderwiess can finish her off Kensei steps in and saves her. Taking her place in fight, Kensei releases his Bankai. Meanwhile the rest of the Visored regroup in front of Aizen along with Soi Fon, and Toshiro. Hiyori explains to Aizen why they have a score to settle with him, flashing back to the events that happened that night 101 years ago. Shinji commands everyone to not fall for Aizen's taunts. Hiyori gets pissed at Aizen and rushes in for an attack only to be stabbed in the back by Gin. Meanwhile, back in Hueco Mundo, Ichigo has gone to help Sado, Rukia, and Renji. The three are still in a battle with Yammy, trying to come up with tricks to defeat him But they are ultimately defeated. | |||||
| 286 | Ichigo's Return! Protect Karakura Town "Ichigo no kikan! Karakura-cho o mamore" (一護の帰還！空座町を護れ) |
August 31, 2010 | — | ||
| Ichigo manages to reach where Rukia, Sado and Renji were after Rukia was thrown by Yammy. Ichigo manages to cut Yammy slightly with a point-blank Getsuga Tensho 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 him with its bare hands. Byakuya and Kenpachi save Ichigo, having cut one of Yammy's legs off. Mayuri Kurotsuchi arrives and tells everyone that he has managed to analyze the Garganta and offered to send Ichigo back to Karakura Town through it. Byakuya reminds Ichigo that his duty is supposed to be protecting Karakura Town, and not fighting at Hueco Mundo. Retsu Unohana decides to go along with Ichigo. | |||||
| 287 | Side Story! Ichigo and the Magic Lamp "Gaiden! Ichigo to mahou no ranpu" (外伝！一護と魔法のランプ) |
September 7, 2010 | — | ||
| In a special episode to celebrate the tenth year the manga has been running, Ichigo and a number of other characters take part in a alternate world that hinges closely on the stories of Aladdin and the Magic Lamp. Chigo (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 a Snow Crystal. Throughout a series of misadventures, Chigo and the others encounter a magic lamp with the power to grant three wishes, the "genie" being Rukiruki (Rukia), who, by breaking the laws of granting wishes is sentenced to be executed in the "Lamp Society". Chigo and the others go to rescue her, and by doing so, Chigo is granted the third and final wish. Instead of being wished to wake up from the dream he is supposedly having, he opts for the Snow Crystal. But when it appears, it is revealed that the whole ordeal was dreamed up by Isane Kotetsu in the Soul Society, who then goes outside and apologizes to her captain for having another dream. | |||||
| 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 | — | ||
| The battle between Yammy Riyalgo and Kenpachi Zaraki continues as the latter seems to have the upper hand. Meanwhile, Ichigo and Retsu Unohana head for the Real World through the Garganta opened by Mayuri Kurotsuchi who discusses the after war period with Byakuya Kuchiki. Unohana reveals to Ichigo that he is the only person who can defeat Sosuke Aizen, since he is the only one did not witness his Shikai Sword Release, she also informs him that "seeing" his 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 VS Kenpachi?! Ransen kaishi" (白哉ＶＳ剣八？！乱戦開始) |
September 21, 2010 | — | ||
| Byakuya and Kenpachi continue to argue about who should finish off Yammy, and they face off against each other to show who is stronger. Yammy attempts to attack but is promptly struck down by both Kenpachi and Byakuya for interrupting their feud. Yammy rages and grows into a new, stronger form. Meanwhile, Shinji confronts Aizen. Shūhei Hisagi and Captain Komamura both attack Former Captain Tosen. When Tosen decides to use his "true power", he shocks both Hisagi and Captain Komamaru by donning a Hollow mask instead of using his bankai. Hisagi and Komamura are both disheartened to see how far Tosen has gone to attain more power. | |||||
| 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 | — | ||
| Komamura learns the truth behind Tosen's relentless search for justice: Tosen had lost a beloved friend to murder by her Shinigami husband, and he joined the academy in order to get his revenge for her demise. Komamura activates his Bankai but is repulsed continually by Tosen who tells him that he knows his Bankai's weakness, which is that he can cause damage to Komamura himself whenever his Bankai is damaged. Tosen then dons his hollow form which he calls Grillado Grillo: it takes the form of a hairy insect. When he opens its eyes in this new form, Tosen exults that he can see the world for the first time. Meanwhile, Aizen finally draws his blade against Hirako. Hirako then tells him he is grossly mistaken if he believes he is the only one with a Zanpaktou that has power over the senses and calls for his Shikai. | |||||
| 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 | — | ||
| Tōsen does not seem to fight as well in his new form now that he can see, but 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 zanpakuto, and slices Tōsen through the neck, dispelling his hollowfied form. Meanwhile, Hirako releases his shikai, which has the ability to create great visual illusions, he calls the inverted world. However, Aizen messed with his senses, claiming that his zanpakuto's abilities are a far cry from his, and slices Hirako's back. The defeated Tōsen comes to his senses, and requests to see Hisagi's face clearly once more, but dies when an internal impact destroys his body. Hisagi is devastated while Komamura rages at Aizen. At this point, Ichigo appears behind Aizen preparing to attack him. | |||||
| 292 | All Out War! Aizen vs. Shinigami "Zenmen sensō! Aizen VS shinigami" (全面戦争！藍染ＶＳ死神) |
October 12, 2010 | — | ||
| Ichigo's attack fails to wound Aizen, who easily overwhelms him but does not kill him. 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 captains and Visoreds then join in, to protect Ichigo so that he does not witness Aizen's Shikai, so that he can finish him off. After Hitsuguya charges in, Aizen provokes him to attack with all his hatred. Hitsugaya agrees and releases his bankai as the other Soul Reapers join him. | |||||
| 293 | Hitsugaya, Enraged! Blade of Hatred! "Hitsugaya, gekkō! Nikushimi no ha!" (日番谷、激昂！憎しみの刃！) |
October 19, 2010 | — | ||
| Komamura, Rose, Love and Risa join Hitsugaya in fighting Aizen, however all four are easily defeated. Soifon, Kyoraku and Shinji 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, telling them they are wrong. It is revealed that everybody was under Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu illusion and Hitsugaya had mistakenly stabbed Hinamori, while Aizen reveals himself to be acting as Hinamori. Enraged, Hitsugaya charges at Aizen but is cut down. Soifon, Kyoraku and Hirako attempt to attack Aizen but all are similarly cut down as well. | |||||
| 294 | Impossible to Attack? The Sealed Genryūsai! "Kōgeki funō? Fūji rareta Genryūsai" (攻撃不能？封じられた元柳斎！) |
October 26, 2010 | — | ||
| With the captains defeated, Ichigo charges forward at Aizen but is stopped by Yamamoto who tells him to stay away from the fight. Aizen stabs Yamamoto who initiates his Ennetsu Jigoku technique to trap him, which will kill not only Aizen, but the entire Gotei 13 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 a hand-to-hand technique, Sōkotsu. 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, but is left severely injured. Aizen approaches the immobile Yamamoto and prepares to finish him off, but Yamamoto uses his body as catalyst for the powerful Hadō spell, Ittō Kasō, and catches Aizen in the ensuing explosion. As Aizen manages to get away relatively unscathed, Ichigo attacks him in surprise. | |||||
| 295 | It's All a Trap...Engineered Bonds! "Subete wa wana...shikuma reta kizuna!" (全ては罠...仕組まれた絆！) |
November 2, 2010 | — | ||
| Ichigo uses his hollow-powered 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. A glad Aizen then explains to Ichigo that all the battles he has fought were part of his plan, as such these battles are recapped in the rest of the episode. | |||||
| 296 | The Shocking Truth...The Mysterious Power Within Ichigo! "Shōgeki no shinjitsu...Ichigo ni himera reta chikara!" (衝撃の真実...一護に秘められた力！) |
November 9, 2010 | — | ||
| After the recap ends, Ichigo defies Aizen's logic, stating that he is contradicting himself. Aizen then reveals that he knew about him since his birth, but before finishing his speech, he 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. Isshin then attacks Aizen, while Ichigo confronts Gin. | |||||
| 297 | The Extending Blade?! Ichigo vs. Gin! "Nobiru ha!? Ichigo VS Gin!" (伸びる刃！？一護VSギン！) |
November 16, 2010 | — | ||
| As Isshin continues to attack Aizen, Gin, who is fighting Ichigo, activates his Bankai, Kamishini no Yari, 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. His first attack is blocked by Ichigo. 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, Kisuke Urahara arrives to participate in the battle. | |||||
| 298 | Film! Festival! Shinigami Film Festival! "Eiga da! Matsuri da! Shinigami eiga sai!" (映画だ！祭りだ！死神映画祭！) |
November 23, 2010 | — | ||
| This is a special episode to promote the fourth Bleach Movie, "Bleach : Hell Chapter". In the Soul Society, all Soul Reapers of the Gotei 13 have formed teams that have to make a successful movie. Ichigo, Chad, Orihime, Rukia, Renji, Rangiku and Byakuya team up to make a movie named "Battle Maid Cap, Protect The Soul Society From Space Invaders". They soon begin filming the scenes, with Renji as the director, he distributes roles on all the actors. In the film, Ichigo has to save Rukia who is held hostage by Rangiku, he succeeds in doing so. And after a skirmish with the guardians of the Sōkyoku hill, the movie ends. | |||||
| 299 | Theatre Opening Commemoration! Hell Chapter・Prologue "Gekijō kōkai kinen! Jigoku Hen・Joshō" (劇場公開記念！地獄編・序章) |
November 30, 2010 | — | ||
| A short Prologue from the fourth Bleach Movie : The Hell Chapter, released on December 4th. | |||||
| 300 | Urahara Appears! Stop Aizen! "Urahara tōjō! Aizen o soshi seyo!" (浦原登場！藍染を阻止せよ！) |
December 7, 2010 | — | ||
| Urahara appears along with Yoruichi to stop Aizen, Urahara had also prepared one of many tricks like special armor for Yoruichi to wear while facing Aizen. In that instant Urahara, Isshin, and Yoruichi go into intense battle against Aizen, since infused with the Hōgyoku Aizen becomes more powerful by each second with him evolving more. While Ichigo is facing off against Gin leaving Rangiku running towards Gin. | |||||
| 301 | Ichigo Loses His Fighting Spirit!? Gin's Expectation! "Ichigo, seni sōshitsu!? Gin no omowaku!" (一護、戦意喪失！？ギンの思惑！) |
December 14, 2010 | — | ||
| Ichigo hollowfies and attacks Gin with a Getsuga Tenshou, but Gin slices off Ichigo's Hollow mask. While Yoruichi, Urahara, and Isshin conitunue to fight Aizen; Matsumoto is seen by 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; after defeating Yoruichi, Urahara, and Isshin. Aizen and Gin leave to go to Karakura town. In the Precipice World Aizen destroys The Cleaner, after Gin tries to tell him it would be impossible. Ichigo and Isshin go into the Precipice World after them. After realizing Aizen must have destroyed The Cleaner, Isshin tells Ichigo he will teach him the Final Getsuga Tensho. | |||||
| 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 | — | ||
| In the Precipice World, Isshin describes to Ichigo that without the presence of the Cleaner, time is reduced to the point that if one were to stay in that world for 2000 hours (3 months), only one hour will have passed in the outside world, making it ideal for training purposes. Isshin devises a method for Ichigo to learn the Final Getsuga Tensho in 2000 hours in that world. To do that, Ichigo must directly contact his zanpakuto, something he has never tried to do before. 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 Hollow Ichigo. Meanwhile, in the real Karakura, Keigo and Arisawa both wake up and wander over the town, pondering what has happened to them, though suspecting Ichigo to be behind it. Aizen and Gin confront both of them, paralyzing them with their reiatsu. Just as Aizen is about to deal a finishing blow to Arisawa, Don Kanonji steps in. | |||||
| 303 | Real World and Shinigami! The New Year Special! "Gensei mo shinigami mo! Oshōgatsu supesharu!" (現世も死神も！お正月スペシャル！) |
January 4, 2011 | — | ||
References[]
- General
- "第252-" [Episnt] (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved January 8, 2010.
- Specific
- ↑ "Amazon.com BLEACH 破面・滅亡篇 1 【完全生産限定版】 [DVD] TVアニメ DVD" (in Japanese). Retrieved December 6, 2010.
- ↑ "ぴえろ BLEACH =ブリーチ=" (in Japanese). Studio Pierrot. Retrieved April 8, 2009.
- ↑ "ＢＬＥＡＣＨ 第２６６話「一護ＶＳウルキオラ、再開」 番組情報 テレビ東京" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved April 8, 2010.
- ↑ "Viz Officially Announces Bleach Anime". Anime News Network. March 15, 2006. Retrieved April 13, 2009.
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it:Episodi di Bleach (stagione 14)