Recaps

Jun expanded his faction, trained Zaraki, reunited with Isuzu, and intervened in the Kurosakis’ lives as Soul Society’s conflict with him intensified. The arc left Ichigo’s family under the Shizuoka family’s protection and Ryūken considering an offer to save his wife.

• Jun appointed Rangiku as Tōshirō’s aide, taught Kūkaku Kidō, and awakened her Shikai, Dairan.
• Byakuya challenged Sōjun for leadership of the Kuchiki Clan but withdrew after their duel reached a stalemate.
• Jun took Ichinose Maki and Tachikawa Shiu for training, while Kūgo Ginjō awakened his power and was later captured and brutalized by Endless’s group.
• The Undead killed Tsukishima, rescued Riruka and Jackie, and began recruiting allies, while Urahara and the Visored learned about Jun’s growing organization.
• Jun trained Zaraki until he awakened Nozarashi, then restored Yachiru Kusajishi’s humanity and sent her to the World of the Living.
• Jun used the Hōgyoku to transform Isuzu into an Arrancar and restore her humanity, then returned it to Urahara before Soul Society summoned him back.
• Jun challenged Tōshirō’s assumptions about women in the Happy Shops as the Women’s Soul Reaper Association began protesting the businesses.
• Shizuoka Shinto revealed that the Kurosaki children were tied to a child of destiny, and the Shizuoka family pledged to protect Isshin and Masaki.
• Jun made Isshin a Spiritual Power-storing wristwatch, while Mingmo and Aijima offered Ryūken a way to save his dying wife by giving her Hollow power.

Ichigo became a Soul Reaper, learned that Rukia had been sentenced to execution, and gathered allies to enter Soul Society and save her. The group scattered after arriving, while Ichigo defeated Zaraki and Yoruichi confronted Soi Fon.

• Aijima and Pandele revived Kanae with Hollow and Soul Reaper powers, leaving her Undead and no longer a Quincy.
• Ichigo met Rukia while she fought a Hollow, took all her Soul Reaper power, and began helping her patrol Karakura Town as her abilities recovered.
• Ichigo and his friends fought Ginjo after his transformation, and Ichigo erased him with Getsuga Tenshō.
• Soul Society sentenced Rukia to death, and Byakuya defeated Ichigo before taking her away, and Ichigo then resolved to rescue her with Orihime, Sado, and Uryū.
• Zaraki defeated Azashiro in their Kenpachi challenge, then trained to control the bloodlust within his inner world.
• Yoruichi led Ichigo and his companions into Soul Society, where they escaped Seireitei patrols and reached Kūkaku Shiba’s home in Rukongai.
• Jun and Kūkaku helped Ichigo accept his inner powers, and Ichigo emerged from the dangerous training with a Hollow mask before joining the assault on Seireitei.
• The assault scattered the group, and Ichigo defeated Zaraki after Hollowfication, Uryū and Orihime escaped their pursuers, and Yoruichi fought Soi Fon while guiding Sado to safety.

Jun and his allies uncovered Aizen’s deception as Soul Society’s factions converged on Rukia’s execution. Ichigo rescued Rukia and defeated Byakuya, but Aizen escaped with the Hōgyoku, while Jun’s group withdrew and the wounded began to recover.

• Soi Fon fought Yoruichi until Isuzu intervened, explained Jun’s role, and separated Soi Fon’s Shikai from her Bankai before giving her Jusha and a new Bankai form.
• Jun rescued Ichigo after Gin nearly killed him, while Uryū’s dangerous silver blood and the conspiracy surrounding Aizen drew Jun and Tōshirō into separate investigations.
• Tōshirō discovered Central 46 murdered and was framed by Aizen, then fled with Uryū and Orihime as Rangiku, Yoruichi, and Soi Fon joined them.
• Ichigo destroyed the Sōkyoku and rescued Rukia, then fought Byakuya while Aizen killed Tōshirō and escaped with Gin after defeating Soi Fon, Yoruichi, and Urahara’s decoy.
• Ichigo overcame Byakuya’s Bankai and won their battle, while Jun confronted Yamamoto over Hanazawa E’s death and fought him with transformed allies.
• Aizen arrived at Sōkyoku Hill with Gin, Tōsen, and Kibune, while Jun’s group endured Yamamoto’s power and escaped through a spatial rift.
• Jun collapsed after the escape, Yamamoto ended his Bankai, and Aizen left with the Hōgyoku as Soul Society treated its wounded.
• Orihime, Sado, and Uryū helped the Fourth Division care for the injured, while Byakuya and Kyōraku recovered and Tōshirō mourned at Momo’s death site.

Jun’s forces explored the Bottomless Abyss while Ichigo confronted White, discovered his feelings for Rukia, and prepared for Aizen’s growing assault. After Orihime was taken to Hueco Mundo, the Soul Reapers pursued her, where Zaraki awakened new power and Gin Ichimaru struck down Tōshirō.

• Hisana returned to the Kuchiki residence and revealed Jun’s hidden research and thirty-three Zanpakuto, while the Kuchiki, Shiba, and Ise Clans uncovered their own legacies.
• Jun accepted the Fullbringers’ independence, assembled a force in Hueco Mundo, and led an expedition into the Bottomless Abyss, where Ge Ze Li subdued a Vasto Lorde bat that agreed to guide them.
• Ichigo trained with the Visored, confronted White in his Inner World, and accepted their fusion as part of himself before Jun urged him to think for himself and keep training.
• Ichigo told Uryū he loved Rukia and wanted to marry her, while Byakuya approved of the match, as Arrancar attacks intensified, the Soul Reapers and Visored fought Aizen’s forces in Karakura Town.
• Ulquiorra took Orihime to Las Noches, and Ichigo, Uryū, Rukia, Renji, and others joined the pursuit into Hueco Mundo.
• Grimmjow fought Kenpachi Zaraki, whose battle in his Inner World ended with him awakening a stronger blue aura and mask.
• Gin Ichimaru defeated Tōshirō with Yasakani no Magatama, while Byakuya protected him and sensed Ikkaku’s fight taking a dangerous turn.