Recaps

Ye Yang watched Uryū Ishida’s Hollow bait draw Ichigo Kurosaki into a battle with a Gillian, then anticipated Byakuya’s arrival to retrieve Rukia. After Byakuya gravely wounded Ichigo, Ye Yang intervened and sent Byakuya and Rukia back through the Senkaimon while Ichigo lay unconscious.

• Uryū Ishida’s bait attracted a Gillian-class Menos Grande, and Urahara encouraged Ichigo to fight while Ye Yang kept other Hollows away from civilians.
• Ichigo fought the Gillian, drew out some of his immense Spiritual Power, and survived after Uryū helped him release the power before it overwhelmed his body.
• Byakuya and Renji arrived to take Rukia back to Soul Society, and Uryū tried to protect her before Ichigo came to his aid.
• Ichigo defeated Renji but Byakuya struck him down with Senka, damaging his Saketsu and Hakusui.
• Ye Yang intervened, asked Byakuya to take Rukia back while he handled matters in the World of the Living, and knocked Ichigo unconscious as Byakuya and Rukia entered the Senkaimon.

Ye Yang returned to Soul Society and learned Rukia had been sentenced to execution, then waited for Ichigo and the others to arrive. When the Ryoka entered Seireien, he found Yoruichi and brought her home to reunite with her parents.

• Ye Yang left Ichigo in Urahara's care and returned to Soul Society, where he learned Rukia had been sentenced to execution by Sōkyoku in one month.
• Ye Yang considered Byakuya's conflict between his promise to Hisana and his vow to uphold noble dignity, and prepared for Aizen's betrayal by obtaining a Hōgyoku extraction device and a fake Hōgyoku from Urahara.
• Gin Ichimaru faced questioning at a captains' meeting about letting the Ryoka escape, but an intrusion alarm interrupted the gathering.
• Aizen and Gin exchanged staged remarks that Tōshirō overheard, while Ye Yang sensed the intruders and hurried toward Yoruichi's Spiritual Pressure.
• Ye Yang found Yoruichi in cat form and insisted she return home with him before helping Ichigo obtain the Tenshintai.
• Yoruichi changed into human form and reunited tearfully with her parents, Tsukiyo and Seigen.

After Ichigo’s battle with Kenpachi, Aizen’s apparent murder threw Soul Society into alarm, and Rukia’s execution was moved up to three days away. Yoruichi and Ye Yang brought Ichigo to train for Bankai so he could save Rukia, while Ye Yang concealed that he recognized Aizen’s corpse as a product of Kyōka Suigetsu.

• Yoruichi found the unconscious Ichigo after his fight with Kenpachi, had his severe injuries treated, and he set out to find Rukia the next morning.
• Hinamori discovered Aizen’s bloodied body pinned to the Great Eastern Wall, and Ye Yang stopped her from attacking Gin before taking the corpse to Unohana for examination.
• Ye Yang and the other officers learned that Soul Society would remain on alert and that Rukia’s execution had been moved to three days later.
• Yoruichi took Ichigo to the underground training base with the Tenshintai, and Ye Yang joined them.
• Ye Yang revealed to Ichigo that he was Yoruichi’s younger brother and a lieutenant of the Second Division, then Yoruichi promised to train Ichigo to defeat Byakuya within three days.

Yoruichi began Ichigo’s three-day Bankai training while Ye Yang prepared to help Shunsui and Ukitake save Rukia. That night, Tōshirō confronted Gin, whose attack was stopped by Rangiku.

• Yoruichi used the Tenshintai to summon Zangetsu, who challenged Ichigo to find and defeat the real Zanpakuto among countless swords.
• Ye Yang discussed Rukia’s suspicious death sentence with Shunsui and Ukitake, then gave them a Shihoin spiritual tool to destroy the Sōkyoku when it was released.
• Shunsui and Ukitake agreed to hold off Yamamoto while Ye Yang carried out his plan.
• Tōshirō attacked Gin with Hyōrinmaru, but Gin aimed Shinsō at the injured Momo Hinamori.
• Rangiku intercepted Gin’s strike and warned him she would become his enemy; Gin withdrew Shinsō and disappeared.

Ye Yang secretly removed the Hōgyoku from Rukia and replaced it before her execution, while Renji tried to reach her by fighting Byakuya. Renji awakened Bankai but was defeated, though he managed to wound Byakuya before collapsing.

• Ye Yang visited Rukia, knocked her unconscious, removed the Hōgyoku from her chest, and replaced it with an identical bead.
• Renji headed to save Rukia, but Byakuya confronted him and refused to let him pass.
• Renji revealed that he had learned Bankai and attacked Byakuya with Baboon King, Snake Tail King.
• Byakuya disrupted Renji's Bankai with Kidō, restrained him, and defeated him with Senbonzakura Kageyoshi.
• Renji insisted he would save Rukia and charged Byakuya again, leaving a broken blade lodged in Byakuya's chest before falling.
• Byakuya covered the fallen Renji with his Ginpakukazahana no Uzuginu and acknowledged that Renji's fangs had reached him.

Ichigo interrupted Rukia’s execution and helped Ukitake and Shunsui destroy the Sōkyoku, while Renji carried Rukia away. Ichigo fought Byakuya as Yamamoto confronted Ukitake and Shunsui, and a golden figure whisked Soi Fon away as Ye Yang followed.

• Yamamoto ordered the Sōkyoku released, but Ichigo arrived in time to stop Kikōō from striking Rukia.
• Ukitake and Shunsui used Ye Yang’s spirit tool to destroy Kikōō, while Ichigo smashed the execution frame.
• Ichigo sent Renji off with Rukia, then defeated Isane and Sasakibe and clashed with Byakuya.
• Yamamoto confronted Ukitake and Shunsui, who fled by Shunpo to keep the fight from endangering others.
• A golden figure took Soi Fon away, and Ye Yang followed them in secret.

Aizen revealed that he had faked his death and manipulated those around him, then used Kyōka Suigetsu to escape with Gin. Unohana uncovered his deception and located him at the Sōkyoku while arranging for the wounded Hinamori to be treated.

• Aizen reunited with Hinamori, then stabbed her and left with Gin as Tōshirō arrived.
• Tōshirō confronted Aizen and Gin, learned they had been allies from the beginning, and attacked Aizen with his completed Bankai.
• Unohana stopped Tōshirō and explained how Ye Yang’s advice led her to discover that Aizen’s supposed corpse was a decoy.
• Aizen revealed Kyōka Suigetsu’s Complete Hypnosis and explained that Tōsen had been his subordinate from the beginning because he could not see.
• Aizen and Gin vanished, and Isane located them at the Sōkyoku while Unohana ordered her to alert the Soul Society and went to treat Hinamori.

Isane revealed Aizen’s conspiracy to the Soul Society as Aizen defeated Ichigo and Renji, explained his plan to obtain the Hōgyoku hidden inside Rukia, and extracted it from her. Byakuya saved Rukia from Gin’s attack, and the battle continued with Byakuya resolved to protect her.

• Isane broadcast Unohana’s and her own account of Aizen’s crimes, causing the Soul Reapers to stop fighting and turn against Aizen.
• Aizen defeated Renji and Ichigo, then explained how he had manipulated the Ryoka’s invasion to distract Soul Society while pursuing the Hōgyoku.
• Aizen revealed that Urahara had hidden the Hōgyoku inside Rukia and that his execution plot was designed to draw it out.
• Komamura attacked Aizen with Hadō #90, but Aizen defeated him and continued describing how he had killed Central 46 and controlled its orders.
• Aizen removed the Hōgyoku from Rukia and ordered Gin to kill her, but Byakuya intercepted Gin’s blade and carried Rukia to safety.

Ye Yang broke Aizen, Gin, and Tōsen out of Gillian-class Negación and refused Aizen’s offer to join him, declaring Soul Society his home. Aizen revealed he had created his own flawed Hōgyoku and anticipated Ye Yang’s intervention, then threatened to escape with the aid of a Vasto Lorde-class Negación.

• Kūkaku, Yoruichi, Soi Fon, Ye Yang, and the Thirteenth Division’s officers surrounded Aizen, Gin, and Tōsen, but Gillian-class Negación beams descended to rescue the three traitors.
• Ye Yang used Silver Rend to destroy the Negación barriers and bring Aizen, Gin, and Tōsen back to the ground.
• Aizen invited Ye Yang to join him, but Ye Yang said Soul Society was his home and that he would help rebuild it.
• Aizen crushed the Hōgyoku he carried, revealing it was a fake, then produced an identical Hōgyoku and said he had created it before Urahara had made his own.
• Aizen explained that he wanted to combine his flawed Hōgyoku with Urahara’s, and admitted he had expected Ye Yang to stop his escape and break the Gillian-class Negación.
• Aizen claimed a Vasto Lorde-class Menos Grande could create Negación that even Ye Yang could not break, leaving Ye Yang asking how Aizen planned to take the Hōgyoku from him.

Aizen outmaneuvered Ye Yang by threatening the Shihoin family, forcing him to surrender the Hōgyoku before escaping to Hueco Mundo with two Vasto-class Menos Grande. After Aizen’s departure, Soul Society treated its wounded, and Byakuya apologized to Rukia.

• Aizen revealed that two Vasto-class Menos Grande had appeared above the Shihoin residence and threatened Ye Yang’s family unless he handed over the Hōgyoku.
• Ye Yang accepted Aizen’s deal and gave him the real Hōgyoku, allowing Aizen and his companions to escape through Negación while the Menos Grande withdrew from the Shihoin residence.
• Aizen declared his intention to stand in the heavens, and Ye Yang realized that he had underestimated Aizen and relied too much on his knowledge of the story.
• Unohana told Ye Yang that Tōshirō was unharmed and Hinamori was recovering, while the Fourth Division treated the injured, including Byakuya and Renji.
• Byakuya explained his conflict between duty and his promise to Hisana, thanked Ichigo, and apologized to Rukia.
• Yoruichi, Ye Yang, and Soi Fon returned to the Shihoin Clan, and Yamamoto cleared Yoruichi and Kisuke Urahara of their former charges.

After Ichigo and his companions departed Soul Society, Yamamoto convened the captains and lieutenants to discuss Aizen’s defection and the Hōgyoku. Ye Yang explained the threat and revealed what he knew about Aizen’s past, while Soul Society prepared for a conflict expected in three months.

• Yoruichi chose to return to the World of the Living after Ichigo and the others recovered, and Rukia stayed behind as they departed through the Senkaimon.
• Ukitake gave Ichigo a Substitute Soul Reaper Combat License, which Ye Yang recognized as a way for Soul Society to monitor and control him.
• Yamamoto called a meeting to address Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tōsen’s defection and the Hōgyoku they had taken.
• Ye Yang explained that the sealed Hōgyoku could eventually enable Aizen to create Arrancar, though the decisive battle would likely be at least three months away.
• Ye Yang admitted he had known about the Hōgyoku and Kyōka Suigetsu, and revealed that Aizen had caused the Hollowfication Incident and that Kisuke had saved its victims, who became the Visored.
• Ye Yang said the Hōgyoku could not be destroyed, and Yamamoto ended the meeting by deciding to summon the legion commander stationed in Hueco Mundo back to Soul Society.

At the captains’ meeting, Shusuke Amagai was appointed captain of the Third Division, and Ye Yang was unanimously chosen to replace Sōsuke Aizen as captain of the Fifth Division. Ye Yang accepted the post and headed to his new division with Soi Fon, planning to celebrate with her that night.

• Yamamoto announced that Shusuke Amagai had passed the captain’s assessment and introduced him as the new captain of the Third Division.
• Ye Yang recognized Amagai from their years in Hueco Mundo, and the two reunited after Amagai had believed Ye Yang was dead.
• Yamamoto proposed Ye Yang as captain of the Fifth Division, and the captains unanimously supported the appointment.
• Ye Yang accepted the captaincy, put on the Fifth Division’s Captain’s Haori, and received congratulations from Soi Fon, Byakuya, and Tōshirō.
• Ye Yang left for the Fifth Division with Soi Fon and suggested that they celebrate his promotion together that night.

Ye Yang took command of the Fifth Division and worked to restore its morale and reputation, while Shusuke Amagai earned the Third Division’s respect by saving its members from a Kōtotsu in the Dangai. Both divisions began improving, though an unknown threat was approaching.

• Ye Yang entered the Fifth Division, where members welcomed him, and learned that Third Seat Shuichiro Yamazaki had once been his student at Shin'ō.
• Ye Yang promised to address the Fifth Division’s troubles and began training its members, later arranging for them to join missions with Kenpachi’s 11th Division.
• Shusuke Amagai collapsed after one cup at a Third Division banquet, leaving Kira to lead the division into the Dangai against thirteen Menos Grande.
• A Kōtotsu appeared in the Dangai, and Amagai arrived in time to make it vanish temporarily with his Zanpakuto, earning the Third Division members’ recognition.
• Ye Yang returned home to Soi Fon after a demanding day, unaware that an undercurrent was approaching.

Ye Yang helped Kenpachi and Yachiru find Ichigo at the Kasumioji residence, where they stopped an assassin from attacking Rurichiyo. After Ichigo described the assassin’s weapon, Ye Yang recognized it as a forbidden Bakkōtō and suspected the Kasumioji Clan was involved.

• Ye Yang found Ichigo’s Spiritual Pressure near the Kasumioji residence and took Kenpachi and Yachiru to him.
• Kenpachi killed an assassin who attacked Rurichiyo Kasumioji, and Ye Yang learned she was the clan’s young heiress.
• Rurichiyo recognized Ye Yang as the head of the Shihoin Clan, while Ichigo learned about his noble status from Rukia.
• Ichigo told Ye Yang that the assassin’s Zanpakuto absorbed its wielder’s Spiritual Power, and Ye Yang identified it as a Bakkōtō.
• Ye Yang suspected the Kasumioji Clan was connected to the forbidden weapons and accompanied Rurichiyo back to the residence, where Kumoi welcomed him.

Ye Yang investigated the Bakkōtō after learning about Hosoe’s forced marriage, then attended a captains’ meeting where Amagai proposed a joint exercise for the Gotei 13. The captains mostly rejected the idea, leaving Amagai disappointed but determined to try again.

• Hosoe told Ye Yang and the others that she was to marry the next day, and Rurichiyo explained that Hosoe was being forced into the match.
• Ye Yang told Ichigo that the strange sword was called a Bakkōtō, then asked Shaoling to investigate its history in the Central 46 archives.
• Amagai proposed a joint exercise at the captains’ meeting, but most captains opposed it or declined to participate, so Yamamoto postponed the decision.
• Shunsui, Ukitake, and Ye Yang comforted Amagai at a tavern, where Amagai drank sake, passed out, and left them discussing whether his directness would help Soul Society.

Ye Yang recognized Yamamoto’s fake Menos Grande attack as a test of Amagai, then learned the Kasumioji Clan wedding was part of Kumoi’s plan to take control of the clan. At the wedding, Ichigo tried to reach Rurichiyo, but she rejected him and treated him like a stranger.

• Ye Yang and Shunsui realized the Menos Grande invasion was staged, and Amagai directed the Thirteenth Division in defeating the imitations.
• Ye Yang inferred that Yamamoto had arranged the incident to test Amagai and secure approval for joint exercises.
• Ye Yang learned that Kumoi planned to make Shū Kannogi a puppet clan head by marrying him to Rurichiyo.
• Soi Fon and the Punishment Force surrounded Ichigo at the wedding after he and his companions called out to Rurichiyo.
• Ichigo urged Rurichiyo to reject Kumoi’s scheme, but she denounced his disrespect and acted as if she did not know him.

Ichigo and Rukia exposed the Rurichiyo at the wedding as an impostor, but Soi Fon attacked Ichigo before they escaped with Shū Kannogi. As the Second and Third Divisions searched Seireien, Ichigo and his companions hid in an underground passage and prepared to sneak back into the Kasumioji Clan estate to rescue the real Rurichiyo.

• Ichigo confronted Rurichiyo, who stabbed him and revealed herself to be an impostor, while Shū Kannogi realized his fiancée had been replaced.
• Soi Fon fought Ichigo with Hakuda and released Suzumebachi, but Rukia used Sode no Shirayuki to separate them, then escaped with Ichigo and Kannogi.
• Soi Fon reported the incident to the captains, and Yamamoto ordered the Third Division to join the Second Division in pursuing Ichigo and Rukia.
• Ye Yang explained to Soi Fon that the noble clans’ estates had special protections that prevented the divisions from investigating without permission.
• Kannogi led Ichigo and Rukia through an underground passage as the Second and Third Divisions searched Seireien, and Ichigo proposed sneaking back into the estate to rescue the real Rurichiyo.

Ye Yang investigated the Bakkōtō and learned that Shusuke Amagai’s attack on Yamamoto was tied to his father’s death. Amagai revealed that Yamamoto had killed Shin'etsu Kisaragi, and Ichigo arrived as Amagai prepared to take revenge.

• Ye Yang and Yoruichi searched the archives for information about the Bakkōtō while Yamamoto ordered an assault on the Kasumioji estate.
• Ye Yang found Yoruichi’s records, returned to the First Division, and hid when Amagai arrived with the bound Rurichiyo.
• Amagai revealed that his Bakkōtō could suppress other Soul Reapers’ Zanpakuto and used it to disable Ryūjin Jakka before activating his Bankai.
• Amagai named Shin'etsu Kisaragi as the reason for his attack, and Yamamoto admitted that he had killed the Soul Reaper.
• Amagai explained that his dying father had identified Yamamoto as his killer, while Ichigo arrived before Amagai could finish his revenge.

Amagai confronted Yamamoto over his father’s death, but Ye Yang revealed that Kumoi and the Bakkōtō had caused the tragedy. After Amagai abandoned his revenge and attempted to take his own life, Yamamoto let him remain Third Division Captain under surveillance, and the group left to celebrate.

• Amagai accused Yamamoto of killing his father and attacked him with the Bakkōtō, but Ichigo blocked the flames as Ye Yang arrived.
• Ye Yang revealed that Kumoi had used the Bakkōtō to control Shin'etsu Kisaragi and send him to assassinate Yamamoto, who killed his own disciple while trying to stop him.
• Amagai realized the truth about his father’s death, apologized to Yamamoto, and tried to die by his own sword, but Ye Yang stopped him.
• Ye Yang, Ukitake, and Shunsui urged Yamamoto to let Amagai atone through service, and Yamamoto allowed him to remain Third Division Captain under Research and Development Institute surveillance.
• Amagai apologized to Kira and thanked Ye Yang, then joined Ye Yang, Shunsui, and Ukitake for drinks.

Shinji Hirako revealed that he was a Visored and tried to recruit Ichigo, while Ryūken rescued Uryū and offered to restore his Quincy powers if he cut ties with Soul Reapers. Isshin appeared to protect Kon and Ichigo’s body, then killed the Arrancar that had murdered Masaki.

• Shinji Hirako transferred into Ichigo’s class, attacked him that night, revealed his Hollow mask, and invited him to join the Visored.
• Hollows attacked Kon and Uryū; Ryūken killed Uryū’s attacker and offered to restore his Quincy powers if Uryū swore to avoid Soul Reapers.
• A Menos Grande caught Kon while he fled with Ichigo’s body, but Isshin’s charm blocked its attack.
• Isshin revealed that he had known Kon was not Ichigo and told him the charm had been meant for him.
• The Hollow revealed its Arrancar form and attacked Isshin, who killed it with one strike and explained that Zanpakuto size did not determine strength.

Isshin defeated an Arrancar test subject and discussed Aizen’s plans with Urahara, while Soul Society sent a rescue squad to the World of the Living. The squad reunited with Ichigo, explained the Arrancar threat, and Ye Yang began teaching him about the ranks of Menos Grande.

• Isshin defeated the Hollow and told Urahara he still regretted being unable to save Masaki, while Urahara identified the creature as Aizen’s Arrancar test subject.
• Soul Society formed a World of the Living Rescue Squad led by Tōshirō, with Ye Yang, Rukia, Renji, Ikkaku, Yumichika, and Rangiku joining.
• The squad entered the World of the Living, and Ye Yang went ahead to speak with Isshin about Aizen and the Arrancar threat.
• Ye Yang, Rukia, and the others gathered at Ichigo’s home, where Renji explained that Arrancar were Hollows who had gained Soul Reaper powers.
• Tōshirō and Ye Yang explained that Arrancar transformation was limited to powerful Hollows and that Gillian Menos Grande were merely foot soldiers in Hueco Mundo.

Ye Yang explained the Menos classes and warned Ichigo’s group about the Vasto Lorde Arrancar serving Aizen. In Las Noches, Ulquiorra reported on Ichigo, while Ye Yang later reassured Renji that Aizen could not command ten Vasto Lorde and identified Ulquiorra as one he had encountered.

• Ye Yang described Adjuchas and Vasto Lorde, identifying the short Hollow who attacked Ichigo as a Vasto Lorde and warning that he had become an Arrancar.
• Ye Yang told Ichigo to flee or call for help if he encountered the Arrancar again, and urged him to keep growing stronger; Ichigo accepted that he needed more time.
• At Las Noches, Ulquiorra shared what he had seen in the World of the Living by crushing his eye, and Grimmjow challenged his decision not to kill Ichigo.
• Ulquiorra said he would execute Ichigo himself if his unstable power became a threat, and Aizen allowed him to handle it as he saw fit.
• Renji and Ye Yang headed to the Urahara Shop, where Ye Yang assured Renji that Aizen could have no more than five Vasto Lorde and named Ulquiorra as one of the two he had seen.

Six Arrancar attacked Karakura Town, forcing the Shinigami to fight while their Spiritual Pressure was restricted. After Rangiku, Renji, and Tōshirō removed their seals and defeated their opponents, Ichigo continued to be overwhelmed by an Espada as Ye Yang and Urahara watched without intervening.

• Urahara detected six Arrancar searching Karakura Town, and Renji went out to face the one approaching the shop.
• Ikkaku revealed his Bankai during his fight, while the other Shinigami struggled against the Arrancar with most of their Spiritual Pressure sealed.
• Shawlong Koufang told Tōshirō that the Espada were the ten strongest Arrancar and identified Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez as number six.
• A powerful Spiritual Pressure erupted near Ichigo, and Ye Yang and Urahara decided to let him continue fighting unless his life was in danger.
• Rangiku announced that Gentei Kaijo had been approved, and she, Renji, and Tōshirō removed their seals and defeated their opponents.
• Ichigo was badly outmatched by his opponent despite using Bankai, while Ye Yang and Urahara continued to watch.

Ichigo was defeated by Grimmjow and began considering Hirako’s offer to help him control his Inner Hollow, while Tōsen punished Grimmjow for disobeying Aizen. As Ichigo disappeared to train, Chad asked Urahara for training so he could fight alongside him.

• Grimmjow overwhelmed Ichigo, but Ichigo wounded him with a black Getsuga Tenshō before Tōsen arrived and ordered Grimmjow back to Hueco Mundo.
• Grimmjow escaped through the Garganta, leaving Ichigo defeated and questioning whether to seek Hirako’s help in controlling his Inner Hollow.
• Tōsen confronted Grimmjow before Aizen, cut off his left arm, and burned it away after Grimmjow refused to apologize.
• Ichigo disappeared to train, and Ye Yang told Urahara and Renji that Ichigo had likely gone to the Visored.
• Chad asked Urahara to train him because he wanted to become strong enough to stand beside Ichigo in battle.
• Urahara agreed to leave Chad’s training to Renji, who accepted.

Urahara told Inoue to withdraw from frontline combat because Tsubaki was gone, then discussed her unusual ability with Ye Yang and Yoruichi. Ye Yang explained that Inoue rejected events rather than turning back time, and Urahara tricked Ye Yang into revealing his own time-based Zanpakuto power and its cost.

• Urahara welcomed Inoue to the underground training ground while Renji and Chad trained.
• Urahara told Inoue she could not fight on the front lines without Tsubaki, and Inoue ran out after thanking him.
• Renji stopped Chad from pursuing Inoue and said withdrawing her was for her own protection.
• Ye Yang and Urahara discussed Aizen's plan to create the King's Key and the need to prepare for the final battle in Karakura.
• Ye Yang explained that Inoue's Sōten Kisshun rejected events that had already happened, and could potentially reject a person's existence if her power grew enough.
• Urahara guessed that Ye Yang had time powers, tricked him into confirming it, and Ye Yang explained that his Zanpakuto had a time-based Shikai whose Time Reversal cost him an equivalent amount of time.