The chapters of the Bleachmanga are written and illustrated by Tite Kubo. In Japan, they have been published in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump since 2001.[1] The plot follows the adventures of Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager who accidentally steals the powers of the Soul ReaperRukia Kuchiki and subsequently assumes her duties while she convalesces. Since that event, Ichigo has had to fight hollows, evil spirits that attack people. He also encounters former Soul Reaper Sōsuke Aizen, who created an army of powerful hollow called arrancar to destroy the Soul Reapers' organization, Soul Society.
Since Bleach's premiere, over three hundred chapters have been released in Japan. Most chapter names are in English and have katakana above them to indicate how they are read in Japanese, similar to furiganaruby characters used with advanced kanji characters. In addition to the main series chapters, some chapters are published with a negative chapter number. These "negative" chapters are side stories and consist of events that precede the start of the series.[2] An airing anime adaptation, produced by Studio Pierrot and TV Tokyo, premiered on TV Tokyo on October 5, 2004.[3] North American licensor Viz Media has been serializing the individual chapters in Shonen Jump since November 2007 in the United States.[4]
The individual chapters are collected by Shueisha in a series of tankōbon volumes, which include a poem based on the cover character. The first volume was released on January 5, 2002.[5] The latest volume is the thirty-sixth, released on December 4, 2008.[6] Viz Media released the first volume on June 1, 2004; as of December 2008 twenty-five volumes have been released.[7][8] The company released a hardcover "collector's edition" of the first volume with a dust jacket on August 5, 2008, followed by a box set on September 2, 2008, containing the first 21 volumes, a poster, and a booklet about the series.[9][10]
Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager who can see ghosts, meets Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper who is in charge of protecting spirits. When a hollow, an evil spirit that eats people's souls, begins to attack his house, Ichigo absorbs most of Rukia's powers when she is injured in battle, becoming a Soul Reaper. In this state, Ichigo defeats the hollow with his zanpakutō, a sword used by Soul Reapers. The next day, Rukia appears at Ichigo's High School, telling him that he is to become a Substitute Soul Reaper during her recovery period. With his newly found abilities, Ichigo discovers that one of his classmates, Orihime Inoue, is being haunted by her older brother's spirit, and defeats him. Later, Yasutora "Chad" Sado, another of Ichigo's classmates, encounters the soul of a boy in the form of a parakeet. The bird is also being haunted by a hollow, and Chad attempts to protect the boy from the hollow.
010. Monster Vs. New Girl, Part 2 (The Substitute)
011. Leech-Bombs and Mom
012. The Gate of the End
013. Bad Standard
014. School Daze!!!
015. Jumpin' Jack, Jolted
016. Wasted but Wanted
Chad is attacked by the hollow—which he cannot see—that previously killed the boy when he was alive. Ichigo arrives and defeats the hollow, allowing the young boy's soul to move to Soul Society, where he can rest in peace. To allow Ichigo to turn into a Soul Reaper when she is not around, Rukia gives him a candy that allows another soul to take control of Ichigo's body. However, the new soul is revealed to be a faulty artificial one that aims to do whatever he wants such as playing around the city. Ichigo saves him from a hollow's attack. He learns that Soul Society attempted to kill an artificial soul, just before the soul was captured by Kisuke Urahara, the shopkeeper who accidentally sold the candy to Rukia. He returns the soul to the candy, which Rukia then takes from him and gives it back to Ichigo.
021. 6/17 op. 5 A Fighting Boy (戦う少年, Tatakau Shōnen)
022. 6/17 op. 6 A Battle in the Graveyard
023. 6/17 op. 7 Sharp Will, Dull Blade (意志は鋭し、刃は鈍し, Ishi wa Surudoshi, Yaiba wa Nibushi)
024. 6/17 op. 8 One-Sided Sympathy
025. 6/17 op. 9 A Fighting Boy 2 (戦う少年2, Tatakau Shōnen 2) (The Cigarette Blues Mix)
The artificial soul, whom Ichigo names Kon, is inserted into a stuffed lion plushie, which Ichigo keeps in his room. Ichigo and his family visit his mother's grave on the anniversary of her death to pay their respects. When Ichigo tells Rukia about his mother's death, Rukia suspects that she (his mother) was actually killed by a hollow. While visiting the gravesite, Ichigo's younger sisters, Yuzu and Karin Kurosaki, are attacked by a hollow named Grand Fisher. As Ichigo saves them, he discovers that Grand Fisher was the hollow who killed their mother. The hollow attempts to use the mother's soul to distract Ichigo, but Ichigo overcomes this and continues to attack, causing him to flee. After recovering from his injuries, Ichigo asks Rukia to allow him to continue as a Soul Reaper so that he can protect others.
030. Second Contact (it was beyond the scope of our understanding)
031. Heroes Can Save You
032. A Hero is Always With Me?
033. Rockin' Future 7
034. Quincy Archer Hates You
The Kurosaki family and some of Ichigo's friends go to watch the live filming of a TV program about a spirit medium named Don Kanonji, who accidentally turns a spirit into a hollow during the show. Urahara changes Ichigo into a Soul Reaper, who faces the hollow. Don Kanonji, who is revealed to have spiritual powers, helps Ichigo to defeat the hollow. Don Kanonji discovers that he was the one who turned the spirit, but Ichigo is able to lift his spirits. In the following days, many newly discovered hollows are defeated before Rukia and Ichigo can even show up. They see that they are being slain by teenager named Uryū Ishida, who uses arrows made of spiritual energy to kill them.
036. They Died for Vengeance (我ら、報復の為に死に至りて, Warera, Hōfuku no Tame ni Shi ni Itarite)
037. Crossing the Rubicon
038. Bent
039. Right Arm of the Giant
040. Grow?
041. Princess & Dragon
042. Princess & Dragon Part 2: The Majestic
043. Princess & Dragon Part 3: Six Flowers
In an effort to prove that his clan, the Quincy, is better than the Soul Reapers, Uryū challenges Ichigo to a competition in which whoever destroys more hollows wins. Uryū lures hundreds of hollows to Karakura Town, endangering many of Ichigo's friends. Urahara informs Rukia that the Quincies also battled against the hollows, but they destroyed the spirit entirely, rather than saving it. This resulted in the Soul Reapers' destruction of the Quincy clan. Chad and Orihime are attacked by hollows, forcing them to awaken their own spiritual powers. Chad creates a giant arm, while Orihime creates a trio of fairies; using these powers, they defeat the hollows. Urahara rescues them as they fall unconscious from exhaustion.
050. Quincy Archer Hates You Part 2 (Blind but Bleed Mix)
051. Death 3
052. Needless Emotions
Urahara explains to Orihime and Chad that their contact with Ichigo allowed them to summon their own powers. Ichigo reunites with Uryū, and as both attack hollows, they learn about each other's past. A giant hollow named Menos Grande appears in Karakura Town, and Ichigo uses all his powers to defeat it. The exertion of this action causes Ichigo to lose consciousness, and Ishida saves him by releasing the excess energy through his bow. The next day, Ichigo attempts to form a friendship with Uryū. Rukia decides to leave Ichigo to return to Soul Society. As she leaves, she is attacked by a Soul Reaper named Renji Abarai and his captain Byakuya Kuchiki, who is also Rukia's older brother. They try to arrest her for giving her powers to Ichigo, but Uryū arrives to stop them.
054. The Nameless Boy (名も訊けぬ子供, Na mo Kikenu Kodomo)
055. Shut
056. Broken Coda
057. July Rain, Interrupted
058. Blank
059. Lesson 1: One Strike! + Jailed at Home
060. Lesson 1-2: Down!!
061. Lesson 2: Shattered Shaft
Ichigo discovers that Rukia left and tries to find her with help from Urahara. Uryū is easily defeated by Renji, but Ichigo defends him and fights Renji. While fighting Ichigo, Renji explains that each zanpakutō sword has a unique form that can be used only when the Soul Reaper manages to know its name. With his zanpakutō, Zabimaru, Renji overpowers Ichigo, cutting his shoulder. Ichigo overcomes Renji by using his hidden energy, but before defeating him, he is seriously injured by Byakuya. When Ichigo tries to continue fighting, Rukia tells him not to move so that he will not die. As such, Rukia leaves for Soul Society, where she is to be executed. Urahara heals Ichigo and starts training him to recover his energy. Meanwhile, Yoruichi Shihōin, a talking cat, starts training Orihime and Chad to rescue Rukia.
068. The Last Summer Vacation (最後の夏休み, Saigo no Natsuyasumi)
069. 25:00 Gathering
070. Where Hollows Fear To Tread
While training Ichigo, Urahara's assistant, Tessai Tsukabishi, severs the chain attached to Ichigo's soul. This triggers his transformation into a hollow. Ichigo starts having visions in which his zanpakutō's spirit assists him in finding his spiritual power. This gives him the ability to turn into a Soul Reaper instead of a hollow when he awakens. In another training exercise, Ichigo fights against Urahara, who uses his zanpakutō to force Ichigo to flee. Embarrassed by this defeat, Ichigo talks with his zanpakutō's spirit again. He reveals that his name is Zangetsu and it changes into a bigger zanpakutō. After finishing his training, Ichigo reunites with Orihime, Uryū, Chad, and Yoruichi. They prepare to go to Soul Society to save Rukia.
077. My Name is Ganju (俺様の名はガンジュ, Ore-sama no Na wa Ganju)
078. Meet 'em in the Basement
079. Fourteen Days for Conspiracy
Ichigo and his friends arrive at Soul Society. They have to defeat a gate guardian named Jidanbō to enter the Seireitei, the walled city in which the Soul Reapers reside. Ichigo easily defeats Jidanbō, who opens the gate, allowing them to enter Seireitei. However, when they attempt to pass through, the 3rd division captain, Gin Ichimaru, attacks them and closes the gate. While searching for another way to enter, Ichigo encounters Ganju Shiba, whose hatred of the Soul Reapers causes him to fight Ichigo. The fight ends prematurely, as Ganju leaves for unknown reasons. Later, Yoruichi asks an old friend named Kūkaku Shiba, who also happens to be Ganju's sister, to help them with entering Seireitei. After much consideration, she agrees to help them out.
084. The Shooting Star Project 2 (Tattoo On The Sky)
085. Intruderz 2 (Breakthrough the Roof Mix)
086. Making Good Relations, Ok?
087. Dancing With Spears
088. So Unlucky We Are
088.5. Karakura Superheroes
To use Kūkaku's cannon to enter Seireitei, Ichigo and his friends must first learn to focus their spiritual energies. Meanwhile, behind the walls of the city, an emergency meeting is called for all the 13 Soul Reapers captains to interrogate Gin about why he allowed the invaders to survive. However, a sounding alarm interrupts the meeting. Before leaving, 5th division Captain Sōsuke Aizen confronts Ichimaru in front of the 10th Division captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya. He rebukes his flimsy excuse for allowing the invaders to escape. After Ichigo's group completes their training, Ganju decides to join them because his older brother was killed by a Soul Reaper. He comes to the realization that Ichigo is not an evil person, and wants to confirm if Soul Reapers are evil or not. They to enter Seireitei through a cannon shot, but are separated during their descent into the city. Ichigo and Ganju encounter and fight two 11th division members, Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa. Ichigo successfully uses his zanpakutō to defeat Ikkaku.
098. A Star And A Stray Dog (星と野良犬, Hoshi to Norainu)
Ganju defeats Yumichika by exploding fireworks in his face. He later reunites with Ichigo. Meanwhile, Uryū and Orihime are confronted by Jirōbō Ikkanzaka, the 4th seat of the 7th division whom Uryū easily defeats. Ichigo and Ganju are confronted by a large group of Soul Reapers, and escape by using a clumsy 4th division officer, Hanatarō Yamada, as a distraction. Hanatarō informs them of a shortcut to the place where Rukia is being held. While going to find Rukia, Renji, the lieutenant of the 6th division, confronts Ichigo. Ichigo overpowers Renji by using all his spiritual powers that he learned with Urahara. Before falling to the ground, Renji recalls his long-time friendship with Rukia and asks Ichigo to save her.
100. Flower on the Precipice (それは岩壁の花に似て, Sore wa Ganpeki no Hana ni Nite)
101. Split Under the Red Stalk
102. Nobody Beats
103. Dominion
104. The Undead
105. Spring, Spring, Meets the Tiger
106. Cause to Confront
107. Heat in Trust
0.8. A Wonderful Error
Byakuya tries to execute Renji for being defeated by Ichigo, but the Soul Reapers stop him. Captain Tōshirō suspects that something is wrong with Gin and tells his friend Momo Hinamori, the 5th division lieutenant, to be careful around him. The following day, the captain Sōsuke Aizen is found dead. Thinking Gin might be responsible, Hinamori attempts to attack him, but instead attacks Gin's lieutenant, Izuru Kira. Both of are jailed for fighting. Hanatarō heals Ichigo, and they—along with Ganju—continue the rescue mission. They are attacked by the 11th division captain Kenpachi Zaraki. Ichigo stays to fight against him while Hanatarō and Ganju continue on towards Rukia. Meanwhile, Chad is confronted by the 8th division captain, Shunsui Kyōraku, who easily defeats Chad.
109. Like A Tiger Trying Not to Crush the Flowers (花を踏まぬ虎のように, Hana o Fumanu Tora no Yō Ni)
110. The Dark Side of the Universe
111. Black & White
112. The Undead 2 (Rise & Rage)
113. The Undead 3 (Closing Frantica)
114. Everything Relating to the Crumbling World (崩れゆく世界のすべてについて, Kuzureyuku Sekai no Subete ni Tsuite)
115. Remnant
Shunsui decides only to arrest Chad instead of killing him, as he realizes that he is not a bad person. In his fight against Kenpachi, Ichigo is initially easily defeated. Zangetsu appears to test him. Ichigo fights against his hollow side to determine whom will be worthy of Zangetsu. As Ichigo realizes that he knows nothing about Zangetsu, the fight is stopped and Ichigo returns to fight Kenpachi again. This time, he is able to use all the power from Zangetsu, and as a result Ichigo is able to successfully battle Kenpachi to a draw. Kenpachi's lieutenant, Yachiru Kusajishi, takes him to another place and Kenpachi confesses that he lost because he has never been able to truly know his zanpakutō. Ganju and Hanatarō find Rukia, but Ganju attempts to kill her as he realizes that she is the Soul Reaper responsible for his brother's death.
Byakuya goes to the prison to kill Ganju and Hanatarō. Unwilling to allow Hanatarō to fight, Ganju faces Byakuya, and is almost killed. As Ichigo awakens after his fight against Kenpachi, he discovers that Yoruichi was really a woman who took the form of a cat. They encounter Byakuya; Ichigo fights him but is knocked out by Yoruichi, who escapes from the prison. She intends to train Ichigo so that he will be able to use his bankai, a state in which the zanpakutō becomes considerably more powerful. Uryū and Orihime continue towards Rukia's location and are attacked by Mayuri Kurotsuchi, the 12th division captain. Mayuri sacrifices his soldiers to attempt to kill Uryū, but fails. Mayuri reveals that he has experimented on many other Quincy, including Uryū's grandfather, Sōken Ishida, and was responsible for his death.
-17. Prelude for the Straying Stars (逸れゆく星々の為の前奏曲, Hagureyuku Hoshiboshi no Tame no Zensōkyoku)
Uryū uses the Quincy's forbidden techniques to overcome the injuries that Mayuri inflicted upon him. In this state Uryū overpowers Mayuri, but Mayuri escapes by transforming into an intangible mass. Uryū goes toward Rukia's location, but in transit is attacked by the 9th division captain, Kaname Tōsen. Ichigo continues his bankai training by repeatedly battling Zangetsu. Orihime, Uryū, Ganju and Chad are freed by Kenpachi, who wants them to guide him to Ichigo. After reading the last correspondence from Captain Aizen, Hinamori escapes from prison and goes to where Hitsugaya and Gin are preparing to fight. She points her zanpakutō at Hitsugaya and accuses him of killing Aizen.
134. Memories in the Rain 2, op.2: Longing for Sanctuary
135. Memories in the Rain 2, op.3: Affected by the Night
136. Memories in the Rain 2, op.4: Night of Wijnruit
137. Surrounding Clutch
138. Private Thoughts
139. Drowsy, Bloody, Crazy
Hinamori desperately attacks Hitsugaya, who knocks her out. Hitsugaya furiously attacks Gin, but as Gin attacks an unconscious Hinamori, Hitsugaya's lieutenant, Rangiku Matsumoto, tells Gin to leave. The 13th division captain, Jūshirō Ukitake, discovers that Rukia's execution was unexpectedly moved to the following day and prepares to save Rukia. Rukia reminisces about the time she spent in the 13th division with its lieutenant and Ganju's brother, Kaien Shiba. The times were good until a hollow took possession of him and Rukia was forced to kill him in hollow form. Kenpachi and his soldiers confront the 7th and 9th division soldiers because Kenpachi is helping the intruders.
142. To Those Capturing the Moon (月を捉ものへ告ぐ, Tsuki o Tsukamono e Tsugu)
143. Blazing Souls
144. Rosa Rubicundior, Lilio Candidior
145. Shaken
146. Demon Loves the Dark
147. Countdown to the End: 3 (Blind Light, Deaf Beat)
148. Countdown to the End: 2 (Lady Lennon~Frankenstein)
149. Countdown to the End: 1 (Only Mercifully)
Renji attempts to rescue Rukia, but is confronted by his captain, Byakuya. Renji unleashes his bankai, which transforms his zanpakutō into a giant snake-like segmented sword. With his bankai, Renji surpasses Byakuya until Byakuya releases his own bankai. His generates a 'corridor' of swords, which almost kill Renji. Renji still attempts to fight, but is only able to inflict minor injury on Byakuya. Meanwhile, Kenpachi overpowers Kaname Tōsen and the 7th division captain, Sajin Komamura, forcing Tōsen to unleash his bankai. In this state, Tōsen creates a space in which Kenpachi cannot see his surroundings. In the end, Kenpachi allows Tōsen to attack him so that he can get in close contact with him and ultimately defeat him.
Tōsen is saved by Komamura, who starts to fight Kenpachi. Rukia's execution ceremony begins. However, as the execution is proceeding, Ichigo comes to her rescue. The captains Ukitake and Shunsui destroy the Soukyoku, which is the large zanpakutō used for executions, and Ichigo throws Rukia to Renji so that they can escape the scene. Ichigo then starts fighting against Byakuya. Ukitake and Shunsui are attacked by their leader, the 1st division captain Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai, for betraying them. The 2nd division captain, Soi Fon, attempts to kill the traitors, but is stopped by Yoruichi, her former teacher. Furious that Yoruichi left her long ago, Soi Fon attacks Yoruichi, but fails to defeat her.
163. The Speed Phantom 2 (Denial by Pride, Contradiction by Power)
164. The One Who Changed the World
165. The Dark Side of the Universe 2
166. Black & White 2
167. The Burial Chamber
168. Behind Me, Behind You
Soi Fon stops fighting and asks Yoruichi why she did not take her when she left. Ichigo and Byakuya fight, releasing their bankai. With his bankai, Ichigo's speed considerably increases, allowing him to overpower Byakuya. However, Ichigo cannot fully control his bankai and as he is about to be defeated, his inner-hollow temporarily assumes control of his body. When Ichigo reverts back to his normal state, Ichigo and Byakuya use their final attacks, leading to Ichigo's victory. Byakuya accepts his defeat and tells Ichigo that the reason that he permitted Rukia's execution was because the rules of his family are sacred to him. Meanwhile, Hitsugaya and Matsumoto discover that the entire council who ruled in favor of the execution are dead.
Hinamori discovers that Captain Aizen is still alive, and proceeds to attack her with his zanpakutō. Hitsugaya arrives; Aizen informs him that Gin was always his ally and co-conspirator in his scheme. Aizen easily defeats Hitsugaya. As the 4th division captain, Retsu Unohana, arrives, Aizen explains that Soul Society has been an illusion created by Aizen himself. Aizen goes to where Rukia is and says that he will be removing an object, called Hogyoku, from her body. This object, created by Urahara, allows an individual to take the form of both Soul Reaper and hollow. Ichigo, Renji and Komamura try to stop Aizen, but are easily defeated. After taking the Hogyoku, Gin attempts to kill Rukia, but Byakuya intercepts the attack. As reinforcements from Soul Society arrive, Aizen, along with Gin and Tōsen, escape by ascending into a dark rip in the sky.
182. Get Back from the Storm (Trigger for a New Concerto)
183. Eyes of the unknown
184. Hush
185. Be My Family or Not
186. Tell Your Children the Truth
187. The Cigar Blues, Part Two
As the Soul Reapers are being healed, Byakuya confesses to Rukia that he adopted her as his sister because his wife—who died a long time ago—was Rukia's sister and apologizes. Rukia then goes to Kūkaku and Ganju to apologize for killing their older brother, Kaien. Before Ichigo, Orihime, Chad, Uryū and Yoruichi return to their world, Rukia tells them that she has decided to remain in Soul Society. As the remainder return to school, Ichigo meets a student named Shinji Hirako, who reveals himself to be a visored, a Soul Reaper that obtained hollow powers. With his powers gone, Uryū is attacked by a hollow and is rescued by his father. Afterwards, his father decides to train him to recover his lost powers. Kon, who is in Ichigo's body, is attacked by the hollow, Grand Fisher, who turned into an arrancar, gaining Soul Reapers' power. He attacks Kon, who thinks that he is really attacking Ichigo. Ichigo's father, revealed to be a former Soul Reaper, comes to Kon's defense.
Shinji tries to recruit Ichigo into the Visoreds, but the offer is rejected. As Chad and Orihime try to ask Shinji what happened to Ichigo, one of his friends, Hiyori Sarugaki, attempts to stop them. The following day, two arrancar similar to humans, Yammy and Ulquiorra Schiffer, are dispatched by Aizen to Karakura town, and start killing people. Chad and Orihime try to fight them, but they are unable to inflict damage, and are saved by Ichigo. Ichigo's fright of his hollow side results in his defeat by Yammy. Urahara and Yoruichi save them and force the two arrancar to retreat. As they recover from their injuries, Soul Society sends Renji, Matsumoto, Hitsugaya, Ikkaku, Yumichika and Rukia to their aide.
A group of arrancar invades Karakura Town and the Soul Reapers move to stop them. Chad is attacked by the number 16 arrancar and is saved by Ichigo. Rukia defeats the arrancar by using the Soul Reaper power that she was forced to loose long ago. The group is attacked by Grimmjow Jeagerjaques, who is the 6th strongest arrancar. He overcomes and defeat Rukias. Meanwhile, one of Ichigo's friends is attacked by the 13th arrancar and is rescued when Ikkaku and Yumichika comes to his defense. Ikkaku begins to fight against him. Using his zanpakutō, the arrancar surpasses Ikkaku, but Ikkaku shows his bankai, which he managed to conceal until that point. His bankai creates giant swords, which he uses to defeat the arrancar.
Both Ikkaku and the arrancar fall to the ground. As Ikkaku awakens, he considers the reason as to why he keeps his bankai a secret: to keep the respect of his captain, Kenpachi Zaraki. Meanwhile, Hitsugaya, Matsumoto and Renji have problems fighting against the other arrancar and Ururu, an assistant of Urahara, attempts to attack the arrancar. However, she is seriously injured in the process. The Soul Society removes the power restrictions that were previously placed on the Soul Reapers, allowing them to fight at full capacity against the arrancar and kill them. Ichigo continues to fight Grimmjow, but even in his bankai he faces problems. Tōsen arrives and takes Grimmjow to Aizen. Aizen revokes his status as an Espada as punishment for entering the battle without permission. Saddened for not being powerful enough to protect his friends, Ichigo visits the Visoreds.
Ichigo tells Shinji that he has only come to them because he wants to learn to control the hollow inside him, and Hiyori attacks him using her hollow powers. Just before being defeated by Hiyori, Ichigo's hollow appears but is suppressed by the Visoreds. Shinji decides to let Ichigo confront his inner hollow, starting the process by rendering Ichigo unconscious. Ichigo's body starts turning into a hollow and the Visoreds attempt to stop a full transformation. Ichigo defeats his hollows, returning his body to human form. Yamamoto Genryūsai speaks with Hitsugaya about Aizen's objective. He explains that Aizen aims to create a key that would allow him to defeat the king of Soul Society, but mentions that it may take him four months to make it.
On Urahara's request, Renji begins training Chad so that he will be able to fight the arrancar. Because of the nature of Orihime's defensively oriented powers, Urahara requests to abstain from participating in the war against Aizen's arrancar. Rukia finds Orihime and after hearing what happened to her, she decides to train her on her own. The arrancar invade Karakura again, but this time the group includes several Espada, which are the ten highest-ranked arrancar. Ichigo finds Grimmjow and uses his hollow powers to fight against him. He severely injures him, but is only able to use his powers for eleven seconds before being overpowered. Grimmjow's replacement, Luppi, defeats multiple Soul Reapers, but is ultimately stopped by Urahara. While leaving Soul Society, Orihime is ambushed by the Espada Ulquiorra Schiffer.
Under orders from Aizen, Ulquiorra threatens Orihime, saying that he will kill her friends if she does not go with him. Meanwhile, Hitsugaya defeats Luppi and Ichigo continues his fight against Grimmjow. Unable to use his hollow powers completely, Ichigo is almost killed by Grimmjow but Rukia saves him. Shinji Hirako shows up and overpowers Grimmjow, but Ulquiorra appears, informing the Espada that his mission is over and ordering them to leave. The following day, Ichigo and his friends discover that Orihime is gone and that the Soul Society has no intention of saving her. However, Ichigo decides to go into Hueco Mundo, the hollows' world, without their help. So he, with Chad and Uryū, who have completed their training, leave for Hueco Mundo. With help from Urahara, they enter into a building from Hueco Mundo, where they are immediately attacked by two arrancar. Orihime meets Aizen and is forced to heal Grimmjow, making him recover his Espada rank.
248. Still Alive, to This Place (再び生きて この場所へ, Futatabi Ikite, Kono Basho e)
249. Back to The Innocence
250. Five Ways To Three Figures
251. Baron's Lecture 1st Period
Using their new fighting skills, Uryū and Chad easily defeat the two arrancar. They, along with Ichigo, see that Hueco Mundo is a giant desert and begin running toward Las Noches, the castle where Aizen is headquartered. In the desert, they encounter three hollows in pursuit of small child, and go to her defense. They later learn that the child, Nel Tu, and the others are her mutually adopted brothers and their pet. As the hollow siblings guide them to Las Noches, they meet Rukia and Renji, who have come to help them. The group separates shortly after entering Las Noches. Nel decides to follow Ichigo, but when all her brothers attempt to follow her, they get lost. Instead, they each follow a different member of the group. Ichigo, Uryū, and Chad are then encountered by Privaron Espada, which are Espada that lost their status.
Ichigo begins to battle Dordonii Alessandro Del Socacchio, and as the battle escalates—leading to Nel's injury—he chooses to use his hollow powers. Dordonii is struck down by Ichigo, and to thank Ichigo for using his full power against him, Dordonii fights the Exequias, a group of arrancar that specialize in eliminating intruders, to allow Ichigo to retreat. Uryū and Nel's brother, Pesche Guatiche, are attacked by Privaron Espada Cirucci Thunderwitch, who blocks their attacks with her zanpakutō. Uryū uses a tube to produce a powerful energy blade, which he uses to easily defeat her. Meanwhile, Chad fights against Privaron Espada Gantenbainne Mosqueda. After absorbing several blows, Chad realizes how to access his full power, and transforms his arms into weapons.
268. You must not die (君 死にたもうこと勿れ, Kimi Shinitamō Koto Nakare)
269. The End is Near
With his new power, Chad is able to defeat Gantenbainne. He is then attacked by the Espada Nnoitra Jiruga, who easily defeats him, leaving his fate unknown. Rukia encounters the 9th Espada, Aaroniero Arruruerie, who reveals to her that he contains the soul of the former Soul Reaper Kaien Shiba. Meanwhile, Renji Abarai and Nel's oldest brother, Dondochakka Bilstin, are confronted by the 8th Espada Szayel Aporro Granz. Rukia fights against Aaroniero, who uses the abilities of Kaien to overpower her. She kills him by cutting his head, allowing Kaien's soul to be free. Rukia is severely injured, making the others think that she has died. Ichigo tries to go to her but runs into the Espada Ulquiorra.
Ichigo uses his bankai in addition to his hollow powers, but is unable to defeat Ulquiorra. Ichigo refuses to give up, however, believing Ulquiorra to be the top-ranked Espada as he thinks his fight against the arrancar could finish. Ulquiorra reveals his "4" tattoo, indicating that he is the fourth Espada. He stabs Ichigo in the chest with his hand, telling Ichigo to either escape from Hueco Mundo or die. Orihime is attacked by two female arrancar, who are furious because Aizen favors Orihime over them. Grimmjow shows up and defeats the two arrancar, taking Orihime with him. In Renji's fight with Szayel, Uryū arrives to aid him. They joining forces and overpower Szayel, but he survives. Grimmjow takes Orihime to heal to Ichigo so that Grimmjow and Ichigo can finish their fight. Ulquiorra tries to stop him, but Grimmjow isolates him in another dimension.
285. Devouring Alone — Solitude of the King (肉喰みて、ひとり-王の孤独, Shishi Hamite, Hitori — Ō no Kodoku)
286. Guillotine You Standing
-15. Dying in the Ice Fields (氷原に死す, Hyōgen ni Shisu)
Orihime finishes healing Ichigo, and Ichigo begins to fight Grimmjow. Ichigo dons his hollow mask, which he can now use for longer stints. 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. Orihime cheers Ichigo, who manages to slash Grimmjow's chest. Unwilling to submit, Grimmjow uses his strongest attack on Ichigo. Ichigo overcomes it and deals a final blow. After leaving Grimmjow on the ground, Ichigo prepares to take Orihime away from Las Noches. Grimmjow returns to fight, but is struck down by the 5th Espada Nnoitra.
The fight between Nnoitra and an exhausted Ichigo begins. Renji, Uryū, Dondochakka and Pesche encounter Szayel Aporro again, who uses his zanpakutō to create clones of them. Nnoitra recognizes the terrified Nel. It is revealed that Nel was formerly the 3rd Espada, Neliel Tu Oderschvank. Her brothers and her pet are arrancar servants known as Fracciones. Ichigo still attempts to protect her, but before he is killed, Nel transforms into her adult form and fights against Nnoitra. Uryū and Renji manage to destroy their clones, but Szayel creates voodoo dolls, which he uses to injure them. After recalling that Nnoitra was responsible for changing her into the child form and wiping her memory, Nel releases her zanpakutō.
Nel is about to defeat Nnoitra, but she transforms back into her child form and is knocked out. Nnoitra's Fraccion soldier, Tesla, tries to kill Ichigo but is killed by Kenpachi Zaraki. Kenpachi informs Ichigo that Urahara was tasked with making the entrance into Hueco Mundo stable enough for the captains to enter, and that three others Soul Reapers Captains—Byakuya Kuchiki, Mayuri Kurotsuchi and Retsu Unohana—accompanied him. Retsu Unohana saves Chad from being killed by Exequias, and Byakuya saves Rukia from being killed by the 7th Espada, Zommari Leroux. Zommari takes control of Rukia's weakened body, but Byakuya saves her by killing him with his bankai. Renji, Uryū and Nel's siblings are saved by Mayuri, who stops Szayel's techniques. After Mayuri kills him, Szayel reconstitutes himself inside of Mayuri's daughter, Nemu Kurotsuchi, ingesting a large dosage of poison stored in Nemu's body in the process.
Mayuri stabs Szayel through his hand and heart and breaks the blade. This leaves Szayel to suffer for what seems an eternity to him, resulting in his death. Kenpachi and Nnoitra exchange increasingly more devastating blows. Once Kenpachi realizes that he is on the verge of death, the captain uses both hands to deliver a massive fatal blow to Nnoitra. Orihime is again kidnapped by the Espada Stark and is taken to Aizen. Aizen explains that he only kidnapped Orihime to reduce the number of Soul Reapers in Karakura. This would allow him to destroy the town to create the royal key. However, Urahara creates a duplicate from Karakura, moving the original to another location. As such, Soul Society prepares their Soul Reapers to defend the duplicated Karakura. Ichigo goes to Las Noches again to save Orihime, who—this time—is alone with Ulquiorra.
One hundred and ten years before the start of the series, the Visoreds are high-ranking Soul Reapers and Kisuke Urahara is made the captain of the 12th division. Since then, Urahara has turned the 12th division into the scientific division of the present. During that time, several Soul Reapers started to mysteriously disappear and the 9th division is sent to investigate. Eventually, Captain Kensei Muguruma and Lieutenant Mashiro Kuna turn into hollows that attack their fellow Soul Reapers. Several Soul Reapers, including Hachigen Ushōda from the division of spells known as Kidō and Shinji Hirako from the 5th division, are sent to stop them. They subdue the hollows, but are suddenly attacked by Shinji's lieutenant, Sōsuke Aizen.
Aizen reveals that his efforts to turning Soul Reapers into hollows is responsible for their recent disappearance. When Shinji and his comrades start turning into hollows, Urahara and the Kidō division captain, Tessai, try to stop Aizen. Aizen escapes and Urahara moves to stop the Soul Reaper. The court from Soul Society blames Urahara and Tessai for the dissappearance of Soul Reapers, but Yoruichi escapes with them to the human world with the Soul Reapers, who later become the Visoreds. In the present battle in Las Noches, Ichigo finds Orihime with help from his friends and initiates a battle with Ulquiorra. The Espada send a group of arrancar to defeat Karakura's protection from Soul Society, but they are confronted by the Soul Reapers Izuru Kira, 9th division lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi, Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa. Yumichika reveals the true form of his zanpakutō and uses it to absorb the energy from his opponent.
Chapters not yet in tankōbon format
These chapters have yet to be published in a tankōbon volume. They were originally serialized in issues of Weekly Shōnen Jump from August 2008 to February 2009.
