Recaps

Yoriichi and his companions rescued the badly injured Ichigo and brought him to Yoruichi’s secret training ground, where Orihime healed him. As Ichigo began training to master Bankai, Yoriichi declined to materialize Hekyō’s spirit and set out to understand his Zanpakuto on his own.

• Yoriichi sensed Ichigo’s Reiatsu weakening and took Orihime and Chad to the battlefield, where they found Ichigo injured after fighting Kenpachi Zaraki.
• Yoruichi explained that Ichigo needed treatment, and the group followed her to a secret underground training ground.
• Orihime used Sōten Kisshun to reject Ichigo’s injuries, and he soon regained consciousness.
• Yoruichi revealed her true form and presented the Tenshintai, giving Ichigo three days to master Bankai.
• Yoriichi refused to use the Tenshintai because he feared Hekyō’s fully materialized power could affect the entire Soul Society, and he asked Orihime and Chad not to tell Ichigo when Rukia would be executed.
• Yoruichi began Ichigo’s training while Yoriichi, Orihime, and Chad each went to train separately.

Yoriichi entered his inner world and recovered Yoriichi Tsugikuni’s swordsmanship and combat instincts, but learned that he could not yet achieve Bankai. He returned to the underground training ground determined to rely on Shikai for Rukia’s execution the next day.

• Yoriichi met Hekyō in the inner world, where Hekyō revealed three separate lights representing his memories and lives.
• Hekyō showed Yoriichi memories of his past lives, and Yoriichi affirmed that he was Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
• Hekyō sparred with Yoriichi and restored the swordsman’s combat memories and instincts.
• Yoriichi asked whether he could achieve Bankai, and Hekyō explained that he first had to accept all three lives as himself and find his true reason for wielding a sword.
• Yoriichi returned to the underground training ground and decided that Shikai was enough for Rukia’s execution the next day.

Ichigo Kurosaki arrived at Rukia Kuchiki’s execution with his Bankai and stopped the Sōkyoku, while Yoriichi destroyed it with a single strike. Yamamoto condemned them, and Byakuya confronted Ichigo as Renji reached the hill to help Rukia.

• Ichigo Kurosaki achieved Bankai, and Yoruichi explained that it concentrated his power into his sword and clothing to improve his speed.
• At Rukia Kuchiki’s execution, Ichigo blocked Kōkō Gonryō Rikyu and declared that he had come to save her.
• Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake combined their powers to restrain Kōkō Gonryō Rikyu, but Yoriichi split it apart with his Twelfth Form.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto condemned Shunsui, Ukitake, and Yoriichi for defying the execution order and destroying the Sōkyoku.
• Ichigo freed Rukia and faced Byakuya Kuchiki, while Renji Abarai rushed past Chōjirō Sasakibe to reach them.

Yoriichi Tsugikuni intervened when Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto confronted Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake over their disruption of Rukia’s execution. Kyōraku and Ukitake left to investigate Central 46 while Yoriichi stayed to face Yamamoto, who released Ryūjin Jakka.

• Yamamoto accused Kyōraku and Ukitake of obstructing an execution and destroying the Sōkyoku, while they questioned Central 46’s verdict and secrecy.
• Yoriichi challenged Yamamoto’s insistence on obeying orders and argued that a mistaken ruling did not deserve blind obedience.
• Kyōraku and Ukitake tried to leave Sōkyoku Hill to investigate Central 46, but Yamamoto blocked their way and prepared to punish them.
• Yoriichi stepped between Yamamoto and the two captains, telling Kyōraku and Ukitake to go while he held Yamamoto off.
• Yoriichi defended Rukia’s choice to save a family, and Yamamoto drew his Zanpakuto and released Ryūjin Jakka in flames.

Yoriichi Tsugikuni fought Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto on Sōkyoku Hill, and their duel was interrupted when Isane Kotetsu revealed Sōsuke Aizen’s conspiracy. Yamamoto stopped preparing his Bankai and left to deal with the traitors, while Yoriichi prepared for the coming battle.

• Yoriichi and Yamamoto clashed with their fire-type Zanpakuto, and Yoriichi wounded Yamamoto with Hekyō, whose power hindered spiritual-body recovery.
• Yamamoto engulfed Yoriichi in a tornado of fire, but Yoriichi broke through and both fighters sustained injuries in their ensuing exchanges.
• Yamamoto began raising his Reiatsu to use Bankai as Isane announced that Central 46 had been murdered and that Aizen had faked his death and orchestrated Rukia’s execution.
• Isane ordered Soul Reapers to stop fighting among themselves and capture Sōsuke Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tōsen.
• Yamamoto sheathed Ryūjin Jakka, warned Yoriichi he would answer for destroying the Sōkyoku and entering Seireitei, then left to address the rebellion.

Aizen extracted the Hōgyoku from Rukia and revealed his plan before escaping with Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen through a Negación barrier. Yoriichi briefly cracked the barrier with Hekyō, but Aizen reached Hueco Mundo and promised to meet him again.

• Aizen defeated Komamura and Renji, then removed the Hōgyoku from Rukia's spiritual body.
• Byakuya, Yoruichi, and Soi Fon intervened, and the other captains and Yamamoto arrived to confront Aizen.
• A Negación barrier shielded Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tōsen as Aizen declared that he would stand in heaven.
• Yoriichi challenged Aizen's view of life and struck the Negación with Hekyō, briefly opening a fissure.
• Yamamoto's flames failed to break through before the Negación closed, and Aizen escaped to Hueco Mundo with Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen.

After Aizen’s defeat, Rukia and Byakuya reconciled, and Renji and Rukia reflected on their past. At a captains’ meeting, Yamamoto appointed Yoriichi Tsugikuni Third Division Captain; Yoriichi agreed on the condition that he could return to the World of the Living, as the Gotei 13 prepared for war in three months.

• Rukia visited Byakuya in the hospital, where he explained that he had protected her because of Hisana’s request and apologized for keeping his distance.
• Renji and Rukia remembered their childhood in Rukongai, and Rukia reassured him that he had already protected her.
• Ukitake gave Ichigo a Substitute Soul Reaper License, officially recognizing his status and allowing him to enter the Soul Society without being treated as a Ryoka.
• Yamamoto appointed Yoriichi Third Division Captain, and Yoriichi agreed after securing permission to be stationed temporarily in the World of the Living.
• Yamamoto revealed that Karakura Town might host the decisive battle in three months and ordered the Gotei 13 to prepare for war.

After becoming the Third Division Captain, Yoriichi Tsugikuni accepted Kenpachi Zaraki’s challenge and followed him to the outskirts of the Seireitei. Their battle was about to begin as Shunsui Kyōraku, Jūshirō Ukitake, and Retsu Unohana headed to watch.

• Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake explained that Yoriichi’s captain assessment was already satisfied by his earlier battles and the destruction of the Sōkyoku.
• Kenpachi Zaraki challenged Yoriichi to a fight, and Yoriichi agreed.
• Yoriichi used Shunpo to lead Kenpachi away from the First Division Barracks, while Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake followed to watch.
• Retsu Unohana sensed Kenpachi’s fighting spirit and left Isane Kotetsu to go see Yoriichi’s swordsmanship.
• Yoriichi drew Hekyō on the barren outskirts, and Kenpachi removed his eyepatch and released a surge of Reiatsu.

Yoriichi fought Kenpachi Zaraki, whose reckless attacks tested his swordsmanship but never gave him the upper hand. Yoriichi disarmed Kenpachi with a basic slash, declined to continue the duel, and said he would soon return to the World of the Living.

• Kenpachi Zaraki charged Yoriichi, who blocked his strikes and wounded him with Hekyō.
• Kenpachi deliberately let Yoriichi hit him and pressed the fight with faster, forceful attacks, while Yoriichi read his movements and avoided every blow.
• Yachiru cheered from the sidelines as Shunsui Kyōraku, Jūshirō Ukitake, and Retsu Unohana watched and praised Yoriichi's swordsmanship.
• Yoriichi agreed to trade a head-on strike with Kenpachi and knocked Kenpachi's Zanpakuto from his hands with a basic slash.
• Kenpachi asked to continue after retrieving his blade, but Yoriichi refused, told him to get stronger, and said he would soon return to the World of the Living.

Two days after the duel with Kenpachi Zaraki, Ichigo and his friends prepared to return to the World of the Living while Yoriichi was appointed Captain of the Third Division and assigned to monitor Ichigo. Uryū learned that his dormant Reishi Circuits might let him regain his Quincy powers, and the group left the Soul Society together.

• Yoriichi appeared in a new Captain's Haori as the Captain-Commander appointed him Third Division Captain and stationed him in the World of the Living to monitor Ichigo.
• Ukitake explained how Ichigo's Substitute Badge worked and warned him not to lose or give it away.
• Uryū confirmed that he had lost his Quincy powers after removing the Sanrei Glove, and Yoriichi told him his Reishi Circuits remained dormant and could awaken again.
• Ukitake fixed the transit coordinates, and Ichigo and his friends entered the Senkaimon to return to the World of the Living.
• Ichigo worried about encountering a Kōtotsu, but Yoruichi explained that the rumble came from the Senkaimon closing as the group continued along the passage.

After returning to Karakura Town, Ichigo and the others were rescued from a fall by Kisuke Urahara’s flying cloth and went their separate ways. Yoriichi returned home as the new Third Division Captain, while Kisuke and Yoruichi considered how his arrival might change the future.

• Everyone emerged from the Senkaimon high above Karakura Town, and Yoriichi stood calmly in midair while Ichigo, Orihime, Chad, and Uryū fell.
• Kisuke Urahara’s flying cloth caught the group, and he learned that Yoriichi had become the Third Division Captain after the previous captain defected.
• Yoruichi told Kisuke that Yoriichi had held off Yamamoto, and Yoriichi explained that Aizen’s defection had interrupted Yamamoto’s preparations to use Bankai.
• Uryū left after warning Ichigo not to charge recklessly, while Orihime and Chad went home together.
• Ichigo got off near the Kurosaki Clinic to walk home alone, and Yoriichi also left the cloth to return to his home.
• Kisuke and Yoruichi discussed how Yoriichi’s existence could affect the future as he arrived at his front door.

Yoriichi Tsugikuni and his friends returned to school after a month away, keeping their Soul Society experiences secret as they resumed ordinary classes and dealt with missed homework. Ichigo rushed out to fight a weak Hollow, while Uryū helped the others prepare for a makeup exam and Orihime and Chad resolved to grow stronger.

• Keigo Asano questioned Yoriichi about the group’s month-long absence, and Ichigo Kurosaki arrived soon after and pinned Keigo against a desk.
• Yoriichi asked Uryū Ishida whether his Quincy abilities had returned, and Uryū said he was searching his grandfather’s records for a solution.
• The homeroom teacher discovered that Ichigo’s homework answers were all Yoriichi’s name and ordered Ichigo to copy the assignment three times.
• Orihime Inoue shared an unusual lunch, while Tatsuki Arisawa noticed the group seemed changed and chose not to press them about their absence.
• Ichigo sensed a Hollow during math class and left school by pretending to have a stomachache, while Yoriichi sensed the weak Reiatsu too.
• Uryū organized makeup-exam study after school, and Orihime and Chad reflected on becoming stronger as Yoriichi finished a practice test with full marks.

Yoriichi confronted Ichigo about the chaotic powers inside him and warned that the white personality in his heart was trying to take over his body. Ichigo returned to school troubled, while a mysterious blond figure watched him and decided to report to school the next day.

• Yoriichi noticed Ichigo's worsening condition and took him to the rooftop to ask what was happening.
• Ichigo told Yoriichi that a voice urged him to surrender his body whenever he used his Soul Reaper power.
• Yoriichi identified the white personality inside Ichigo as the cause of his disrupted breathing and uncontrolled Reiatsu, and urged him not to face the problem alone.
• Ichigo returned to class and spent the afternoon distracted; Orihime Inoue, Chad, and Uryū Ishida worried about his behavior.
• A pale-blond figure watched Ichigo walk home, judged the Hollow inside him to be increasingly unstable, and decided to report to school the next day.

Shinji Hirako transferred into Ichigo Kurosaki’s class and revealed that he and the Visored could help Ichigo control the Hollow inside him. Ichigo agreed to train with them, while Yoriichi Tsugikuni went to Kisuke Urahara’s shop to ask Tessai Tsukabishi to teach him Kidō.

• Shinji Hirako introduced himself to the class and sat beside Ichigo, while Yoriichi noticed him and recognized him as a Visored.
• At lunch, Hirako took Ichigo behind the school and warned him about the Hollow inside him, but Yoriichi intervened and attacked Hirako.
• Hirako revealed his Hollow mask and explained that the Visored could teach Ichigo to control his power.
• Ichigo agreed to train with the Visored but said he was not joining them.
• After school, Yoriichi visited Kisuke Urahara and asked for Tessai Tsukabishi to teach him Kidō.

Yoriichi trained in Kidō at Urahara Shop and mastered every spell Tessai demonstrated, including Counter-Kidō, after seeing each technique once. He left determined to strengthen himself before Aizen made his move, while Tessai faced the damage to the underground training ground.

• Yoriichi copied Tessai's Hadō and Bakudō demonstrations on his first attempts, unleashing spells powerful enough to crater the training ground and crack its barriers.
• Yoriichi learned to control Bakudō precisely after accidentally shattering a boulder with Rikujōkōrō.
• Yoriichi canceled Tessai's Shakkahō with his own and then matched Tessai's Sōren Sōkatsui, astonishing Tessai and Kisuke Urahara.
• Yoriichi told Urahara he wanted to shore up his weaknesses before Aizen made his move, since he had not achieved Bankai and needed stronger opponents to push him.
• Yoriichi went home after training, while Urahara left Tessai to deal with the damaged underground base.

Yoriichi rushed to Karakura Town after Grimmjow, Ulquiorra, and Yammy arrived and attacked its residents. He saved Orihime from being taken by severing Ulquiorra’s arm, leaving him facing the three Arrancar.

• Yoriichi sensed several hostile Reiatsu in Karakura Town and left to investigate.
• Grimmjow, Ulquiorra, and Yammy emerged in the shopping district, where Yammy drained the souls of nearby pedestrians.
• Orihime used Sōten Kisshun to protect Tatsuki and restore her soul, but Yammy’s punch weakened the shield.
• Ulquiorra shattered Orihime’s shield and ordered her to come with him.
• Yoriichi appeared between Ulquiorra and Orihime and cut off Ulquiorra’s arm with Hekyō.

Yoriichi fought Grimmjow, Ulquiorra, and Yammy after they attacked the people in the shopping street, forcing the Arrancar to retreat. He then checked on Orihime and Tatsuki and helped Orihime begin treating the unconscious victims.

• Yoriichi demanded that Yammy return the souls he had consumed, then challenged the Arrancar for attacking ordinary people.
• Yoriichi wounded Ulquiorra with Hekyō and fought Grimmjow, overpowering him and nearly cutting off his head.
• Ulquiorra pulled Grimmjow away and ordered a retreat, but Yoriichi severed Yammy's arm when he attacked from behind.
• Ulquiorra used Negación to extract the three Arrancar, and Yoriichi let them escape rather than risk harming the unconscious people nearby.
• Yoriichi confirmed that Tatsuki was alive, and Orihime began healing the unconscious victims with Sōten Kisshun.

Yoriichi explained that the attackers were powerful Arrancars testing Karakura Town’s defenses, and he warned that they would likely return in greater numbers. He asked Urahara to warn Soul Society and request several captains as reinforcements, while Orihime kept secret that the Arrancars had come for her.

• Yoriichi explained to Orihime that the attackers were Arrancars and said they had been testing Karakura Town’s defenses.
• Orihime healed Tatsuki with Sōten Kisshun, while Urahara confirmed that the unconscious people would recover.
• Yoriichi told Urahara and Yoruichi that the Arrancars were at least captain-level and could devastate the town if they attacked in separate groups.
• Yoriichi asked Urahara to warn Soul Society and request several captains, insisting that Aizen’s actions made it a warning rather than a request.
• Orihime worried that the Arrancars had targeted her but kept that secret as Yoriichi, Urahara, and Yoruichi discussed defenses.

Soul Society reinforcements arrived in Karakura Town and settled into temporary lodgings while patrolling for signs of Hueco Mundo. After several quiet days, dozens of Arrancar appeared through Garganta and scattered across the city as Yoriichi rushed to confront the strongest enemy, unaware that another attacker was approaching Orihime Inoue’s home.

• Tōshirō Hitsugaya arrived with Soul Society reinforcements, including Retsu Unohana and several lieutenants and seated officers, and took temporary command.
• Yoriichi arranged lodging for the reinforcements, with Kira, Unohana, and Isane staying at his home, Rukia and Renji at the Kurosaki home, Hitsugaya, Rangiku, and Hinamori in a rented house, and Ikkaku and Yumichika with Keigo.
• The Soul Reapers patrolled Karakura Town for several days, but no threats appeared.
• Yoriichi sensed a massive surge of reiatsu as numerous Garganta opened above Karakura Town and Arrancar spread across the city.
• Hitsugaya ordered everyone to engage in their assigned areas as Ichigo, Rukia, Renji, Ikkaku, and Yumichika prepared to fight.
• Yoriichi headed toward the strongest reiatsu, not noticing a concealed figure approaching Orihime Inoue’s home.

Yoriichi confronted Nnoitra in Karakura Town’s ruined shopping district and killed him after defeating his Resurrección. He then sensed more Arrancars in the town and rushed toward the nearest battlefield.

• Yoriichi arrived at the ruins and stopped Nnoitra from striking another building, then ordered him to leave.
• Yoriichi cut through Nnoitra’s Hierro and scythe while countering his attacks, prompting Nnoitra to release Santa Teresa.
• Nnoitra fired a Cero, but Yoriichi blocked it with Dankū and then used Lightning Sunrise to sever Nnoitra’s weapons, arms, and Reiatsu nodes.
• Nnoitra refused to accept Yoriichi’s pity, stood with his remaining strength, and died as Sun Reiatsu ignited his soul.
• Yoriichi sensed other Arrancars in Karakura Town and headed toward the nearest battlefield.

Yoriichi rescued Ichigo from Grimmjow, who was forcibly taken back through a Garganta by Ulquiorra. After the Soul Reapers gathered at Yoriichi’s home for treatment, Tatsuki called to report that Orihime was missing.

• Yoriichi helped Hitsugaya defeat Shawlong Koufang, then went to find Ichigo as Hitsugaya checked on the others.
• Unohana and Isane treated the wounded Soul Reapers while Ikkaku concealed the extent of his hidden power.
• Grimmjow overpowered Ichigo and taunted him about his weakness and Yoriichi’s strength.
• Yoriichi interrupted Grimmjow’s attack, and Ulquiorra pulled Grimmjow through a Garganta after Yoriichi burned him with a sword strike.
• Yoriichi helped Ichigo up and explained that his own combat abilities came from unusual circumstances, prompting Ichigo to vow not to lose next time.
• At Yoriichi’s home, Tatsuki called and told Yoriichi that Orihime had been missing since the previous night.

Orihime agreed to leave with Ulquiorra to stop the attacks on Karakura Town, leaving a letter for her friends before entering the Garganta. After learning she was gone, Yoriichi concluded that Aizen had targeted her ability, and he and Ichigo set out to rescue her in Hueco Mundo.

• Ulquiorra told Orihime that Aizen wanted her and threatened continued attacks on Karakura Town if she refused to go.
• Seeing her friends fighting across the city, Orihime agreed to leave and wrote a letter asking them not to pursue her.
• Orihime turned off the stove, asked Ulquiorra to spare her friends, and followed him into the Garganta.
• Tatsuki told Yoriichi and Ichigo that Orihime was missing and had left a letter saying she went willingly.
• Yoriichi reasoned that the Arrancar invasion had been a diversion to abduct Orihime for her power, and Ichigo decided to rescue her.
• Yoriichi and Ichigo left for the Urahara Shop to use Kisuke Urahara's Senkaimon to reach Hueco Mundo.

Yoriichi Tsugikuni learned that Aizen might have abducted Orihime Inoue to lure him away from Karakura Town, where the Gotei 13 planned to confront Aizen. Yoriichi stayed behind while Ichigo Kurosaki, Uryū Ishida, and Yasutora Sado entered Hueco Mundo to rescue Orihime.

• Ichigo Kurosaki demanded that Kisuke Urahara open a passage to Hueco Mundo, but Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto ordered Yoriichi Tsugikuni to stay in Karakura Town.
• Yamamoto explained that Aizen might be using Orihime Inoue's abduction as bait and that Yoriichi was the only captain who could resist Kyōka Suigetsu's Complete Hypnosis.
• Ichigo decided to go to Hueco Mundo, and Uryū Ishida and Yasutora Sado joined him to help rescue Orihime.
• Yamamoto said the Gotei 13 would face Aizen in Karakura Town in two days, after its residents were evacuated and the town was replaced with a replica.
• Yoriichi stayed behind to stop Aizen while Ichigo, Ishida, and Chad entered the passage to Hueco Mundo.

As Karakura Town was evacuated ahead of the coming battle, Tatsuki, Keigo, and Mizuiro confronted Yoriichi about Ichigo and Orihime’s disappearance. After the three friends encouraged him, Yoriichi promised to win and bring everyone back safely.

• Yoriichi handed the last sleeping child to a Fourth Division member and confirmed that his area of Karakura Town was empty.
• Tatsuki, Keigo, and Mizuiro found Yoriichi and asked where Ichigo and Orihime had gone.
• Yoriichi said Ichigo and Orihime had an important task but could not explain more, and Tatsuki realized they were in danger.
• Keigo asked Yoriichi to stop Ichigo if he rushed into danger, while Mizuiro asked whether Karakura Town would remain unchanged.
• Tatsuki, Keigo, and Mizuiro encouraged Yoriichi before leaving for the safe zone.
• Yoriichi called after them, promising that they would win and that he would bring everyone back safely.

The Gotei 13 and the Visored gathered in a replica of Karakura Town to face Aizen and the Arrancar, while Ichigo and other Soul Reapers headed to Hueco Mundo. As Yamamoto unleashed Ryūjin Jakka and trapped Aizen, Gin, and Tōsen in a sea of fire, the final battle began.

• Soul Society replaced Karakura Town with a replica and assembled the Gotei 13 and Visored to prepare for Aizen’s arrival.
• Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tōsen emerged from a Garganta, followed by the Espada and their Arrancar forces.
• Isshin remembered telling Ichigo about his past, while Ichigo and a group of Soul Reapers set out for Hueco Mundo.
• Yoriichi told Aizen he would stop him from hurting the people in Karakura Town.
• Yamamoto released Ryūjin Jakka, surrounded Aizen, Gin, and Tōsen with flames, and declared that Aizen would meet his end.