Recaps

Sōya Azashiro tried to take Luo Jia, but she refused, and Yoriichi protected her. Zaraki fought Azashiro in a Garganta until Azashiro escaped, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Sōya Azashiro asked Luo Jia to help him modify human souls, but she refused, saying she was content with her life as it was.
• Yoriichi burned away Azashiro’s Reishi arms as Zaraki arrived, and Azashiro transported them into a Garganta to avoid harming Karakura Town.
• Azashiro attacked Zaraki with weapons formed from the Garganta’s wreckage, then struck him with Hadō #96: Ittō Kasō.
• Zaraki removed his eyepatch, resisted Azashiro’s attempts to merge with him, and wounded him in a sword fight.
• Azashiro’s Garganta began collapsing, so he used his remaining power to escape through a rift, frustrating Zaraki.

Sōya Azashiro recovered from his defeat and challenged Kenpachi Zaraki to a true duel, relinquishing his Bankai and the Reishi he had controlled for centuries. After the duel left Azashiro mortally wounded and Kenpachi standing, Azashiro returned to his prison, and Soul Society’s leaders let him go.

• Sōya Azashiro asked Marechiyo Ōmaeda Kiyo to treat him and arranged a rematch with Kenpachi Zaraki at Sōkyoku Hill.
• Yoriichi returned to Soul Society while Luo Jia chose to stay with Kannonji in the World of the Living, and Kenpachi Zaraki went back with him.
• At Sōkyoku Hill, Sōya Azashiro withdrew his Bankai, released Urozakuro’s hold over Soul Society’s Reishi, and faced Kenpachi Zaraki with his Shikai.
• Kenpachi Zaraki and Sōya Azashiro struck at the same time, destroying Sōkyoku Hill; Kenpachi remained standing while Azashiro’s sword shattered and his body was split open.
• Several days later, Sōya Azashiro returned to his prison, and Soul Society’s higher-ups, including Yoriichi, chose not to arrest him again.

Yoriichi settled into an easy routine as captain of the Third Division, sparring with Retsu Unohana and repeatedly defeating Kenpachi Zaraki. After more than a year passed, Jūshirō Ukitake summoned him to the Thirteenth Division.

• Yoriichi offered to help with paperwork, but Izuru Kira said his job was easy as long as Yoriichi stayed in the Third Division.
• Kenpachi Zaraki challenged Yoriichi again, continuing their pattern of fights that left him bedridden for days.
• Yoriichi and Retsu Unohana fought to a draw, and he asked whether she visited for more than swordsmanship; she said she enjoyed crossing swords with him.
• Yoriichi visited Shunsui Kyōraku, who fled when Nanao Ise appeared, and Yoriichi pointed Nanao in pursuit of him.
• Yoriichi continued his routine for more than a year until Jūshirō Ukitake sent for him, prompting him to head to the Thirteenth Division.

Jūshirō Ukitake told Yoriichi that Ichigo Kurosaki’s Substitute Soul Reaper Badge had stopped transmitting for three months and asked him to investigate in the World of the Living. Yoriichi agreed and set out to obtain travel authorization, while Ukitake hoped the silence did not mean Ichigo had betrayed the Soul Society.

• Yoriichi visited the Thirteenth Division, where Sentarō Tsubaki and Kiyone Kotetsu argued over which sweets were better.
• Yoriichi and Ukitake discussed Yoriichi’s life in the Seireitei and the paperwork in the Third Division.
• Ukitake showed Yoriichi a report stating that Ichigo Kurosaki’s Substitute Soul Reaper Badge had stopped transmitting three months earlier without any damage alert.
• Yoriichi agreed to investigate Ichigo in the World of the Living and left to apply for travel authorization.
• Ukitake watched Yoriichi leave and hoped Ichigo’s missing signal did not indicate betrayal.

Yoriichi returned to Karakura Town on a mission to investigate why Ichigo Kurosaki's Substitute Badge had stopped transmitting. Urahara hinted that Ichigo had become involved with a group of Fullbringers, and Yoriichi set off to find him without learning more.

• Yamamoto approved Yoriichi's travel paperwork and refused to send the Stealth Force with him.
• Yoriichi arrived in Karakura Town and visited the Urahara Shop, where he told Urahara that Ichigo's Substitute Badge had sent no signal for three months.
• Urahara said Ichigo was still fighting Hollows and had made new friends, but told Yoriichi to meet them himself.
• Yoriichi changed into casual clothes and left for Ichigo's school.
• After Yoriichi left, Urahara told Yoruichi that Ichigo's new friends were Fullbringers and that Yoriichi needed to judge the situation firsthand.

Yoriichi returned to Karakura Town and reunited with Ichigo at Karakura First High School. After discovering that an unknown power had blocked Ichigo’s Substitute Badge, Yoriichi learned that Ichigo had become close to people with special powers whom he considered family.

• Yoriichi suspected that someone had blocked Ichigo’s Substitute Badge and went to Karakura First High School to find him.
• Yoriichi entered Ichigo’s classroom, and Ichigo recognized him and led him to the rooftop.
• Ichigo told Yoriichi that his days consisted of school, going home, and dealing with Hollows.
• Yoriichi examined Ichigo’s Substitute Badge and found an unfamiliar power blocking its connection to the Soul Society.
• Yoriichi asked about Ichigo’s new acquaintances, and Ichigo said they were not only friends but family.

Yoriichi met Ichigo and learned that Shūkurō Tsukishima had altered the memories of Ichigo’s family and friends, making them believe Tsukishima had always been part of their lives. After Ichigo explained the situation, Yoriichi asked him to take him to Tsukishima.

• Yoriichi waited on the school rooftop while his Reiatsu confirmed that Ichigo’s friends showed no signs of ordinary mental control.
• At lunch, Ichigo brought Chad, Uryū Ishida, and Orihime Inoue to meet Yoriichi.
• Ichigo told Yoriichi that Shūkurō Tsukishima had inserted himself into the pasts of Ichigo’s family, Chad, and Orihime, while Ishida remained unaffected.
• Ichigo explained that Tsukishima claimed the altered memories would persist even if he were killed, and that the affected people now stopped Ichigo from opposing him.
• Yoriichi concluded that Tsukishima likely had another objective and asked Ichigo to take him to learn more about him.

Yoriichi accompanied Ichigo to the Kurosaki home, where Tsukishima had become so accepted by the family that Ichigo felt like an outsider. Yoriichi recognized a strange spiritual power in Tsukishima’s bookmark but held back, leaving Ichigo reassured that someone still believed him.

• Orihime invited Yoriichi to dinner, and Ichigo said Yoriichi was coming to his home while Tsukishima would be there too.
• Chad warned Ichigo not to fight Tsukishima again, and Yoriichi walked with Ichigo back to the Kurosaki Clinic.
• Isshin, Yuzu, and Karin welcomed Yoriichi, while Yuzu introduced Tsukishima as their cousin.
• Yoriichi shook Tsukishima’s hand, noticed spiritual power in his bookmark, and avoided touching it because he did not know how Tsukishima’s ability worked.
• At dinner, Tsukishima chatted comfortably with the Kurosaki family while Ichigo sat silently, and Yoriichi’s presence helped ease his distress.

Yoriichi and Ichigo questioned Tsukishima about his motives, but Yoriichi spotted holes in his explanation and foiled his attempt to touch him. Tsukishima withdrew, and Yoriichi said they should follow his plan to uncover his objective, though Ichigo had missed what it was.

• Isshin made a mess while trying to help Yuzu clean up, and Karin and Ichigo told him to sit down.
• Yoriichi asked Tsukishima to speak privately, and Ichigo joined them as they left the Kurosaki Clinic.
• Tsukishima explained that he had founded Xcution, left after changing his mind about giving up his powers, and wanted Ichigo's help against the group pursuing him.
• Yoriichi challenged Tsukishima's explanation, pointing out that Ichigo was already strong enough to help and that Tsukishima's story had too many holes.
• Tsukishima tried to reach for Yoriichi, then backed away and left after Ichigo moved to protect him.
• Yoriichi said they should follow the enemy's plan to reveal its objective, while Ichigo failed to understand what objective he meant.

Yoriichi deduced that Tsukishima wanted Ichigo to awaken his Fullbring, so Ichigo went to Kisuke Urahara for help activating it. Urahara admitted he already knew a little about the situation, leaving Ichigo angry and Yoriichi reminding him how easily concern for loved ones makes him lose his temper.

• Yoriichi explained that Tsukishima was trying to make Ichigo activate his Fullbring, and Ichigo realized they could draw the group out by awakening it.
• Ichigo asked Yoriichi how to activate Fullbring, and Yoriichi suggested seeking help from the great inventor Kisuke Urahara.
• Yoriichi warned Ichigo that Tsukishima might need physical contact to use his power and advised him not to fight before they understood it.
• Ichigo and Yoriichi went to the Urahara Shop, where Ichigo asked Urahara to help activate his Fullbring.
• Yoriichi told Ichigo that Urahara had said a lot of things that were false, and Urahara admitted he knew a little about the matter.

Urahara tested whether Ichigo could awaken Fullbring through his Substitute Shinigami Badge, but it showed no response. While Ichigo stayed behind for further preparations, Yoriichi met Kūgo Ginjō, who invited him to join Xcution, and agreed to see the organization.

• Urahara explained that Fullbring required a deeply meaningful personal object and that despair could help awaken its power.
• Ichigo tried to activate his Substitute Shinigami Badge in Urahara's testing apparatus, but it showed no response.
• Ichigo stayed at the Urahara Shop while Urahara prepared further tests, and Yoriichi went out to look around.
• Yoriichi met Kūgo Ginjō, who introduced himself as Xcution's leader and invited Yoriichi to join the Fullbringer organization.
• Yoriichi agreed to follow Ginjō and learn more about Xcution.

Ginjo brought Yoriichi to Xcution’s hidden base in Naruki City and introduced him to its members. The group revealed that Tsukishima was approaching Ichigo, while Yoriichi privately suspected that their memories of Xcution’s past might have been altered.

• Ginjo took Yoriichi by train to an old apartment building in Naruki City, where a concealed entrance led to Xcution’s remodeled base.
• Ginjo introduced Yoriichi to Giriko, Riruka, Yukio, and Jackie, who handled refreshments, Fullbring training, the base’s finances and renovations, and combat training.
• Yoriichi questioned Yukio’s right to scan him, and Yukio called him a boring NPC.
• Ginjo explained that Xcution had hidden the base from Soul Society and kept backup bases in case it was discovered.
• Ginjo told the group that Tsukishima had begun approaching Ichigo Kurosaki and had used his ability on people around him.
• Yoriichi noticed the group’s anger toward Tsukishima and wondered whether Tsukishima had altered their memories of Xcution’s past.

Ginjo explained how Soul Society had surveilled and rejected the Fullbringers, and why he wanted to use Ichigo’s powers to free them from Fullbring and save Tsukishima. Yoriichi found Ginjo and the others sincere but remained unsure what Tsukishima had changed in their memories.

• Ginjo told Yoriichi that he had been the first Substitute Soul Reaper and showed him a badge that Yoriichi identified as a surveillance device.
• Ginjo described how Riruka, Giriko, Jackie, and Yukio had suffered because of their Fullbring abilities, while each reacted to his account.
• Ginjo explained that Soul Society had refused to help the Fullbringers and sent Soul Reapers to attack them, killing many of their companions.
• Ginjo said Tsukishima had once avoided using Book of the End, but pursued power after witnessing the deaths and eventually left Xcution.
• Ginjo revealed that he had approached Ichigo so they could use his Soul Reaper powers to remove the Fullbringers’ abilities and save Tsukishima.
• Yoriichi suspected that Tsukishima might have altered the group’s memories and questioned how much of Ginjo’s story was true.

Yoriichi refused Ginjo's offer until he learned the truth and returned to Urahara Shop to find Ichigo undergoing a procedure to awaken his Fullbring. Urahara asked Yoriichi to beat Ichigo after he woke up if the procedure failed, and Yoriichi eagerly agreed.

• Yoriichi left Ginjo without joining either side and flew back to the Urahara Shop.
• Yoriichi learned from Yoruichi that Ichigo was underground with Urahara and Tessai while the two children slept.
• Urahara explained that Ichigo was in his inner world, where the Substitute Shinigami Badge would guide him toward the source of his Fullbring.
• Urahara said he did not know whether Ichigo would succeed and proposed that Yoriichi put him under pressure by beating him if he woke without mastering his power.
• Yoriichi agreed to fight Ichigo once he woke, while Urahara, Yoruichi, and Tessai fell silent at his eager response.

Ichigo failed to awaken his Fullbring, so Isshin revealed that Ichigo had to lose his Soul Reaper powers to give it a chance to emerge. Ichigo agreed to learn the Final Getsuga Tenshō, and Isshin prepared to train him in the Dangai.

• Ichigo emerged from Urahara's apparatus without awakening his Fullbring, and Urahara said Yoriichi's help would not be enough without greater pressure.
• Isshin arrived and revealed he had resisted Tsukishima's memory alteration, explaining that he had pretended to accept Tsukishima to protect Yuzu and Karin and learn his intentions.
• Isshin explained that Ichigo's other powers would suppress his Fullbring, so Ichigo needed to exhaust his Soul Reaper powers with the ultimate technique called the Final Getsuga Tenshō.
• Ichigo agreed to risk losing his Soul Reaper powers to restore Karin, Yuzu, Inoue, and Chad, and asked Isshin to teach him the technique.
• Isshin asked Yoriichi to fight Ichigo after he mastered the technique, then arranged to train Ichigo in the Dangai.

Ichigo entered the Dangai with Isshin and Yoriichi to learn the Final Getsuga Tenshō, while Isshin explained the technique’s cost and the need for Zangetsu’s acceptance. After confronting Zangetsu in his inner world and recognizing his desire to protect Ichigo, Ichigo received the technique and returned transformed, ready to begin.

• Urahara opened the Senkaimon, and Yoriichi split the approaching Kōtotsu with a single slash after the group entered the Dangai.
• Isshin stabilized the space and told Ichigo that the Final Getsuga Tenshō would cost him his Soul Reaper powers and required Zangetsu to accept his choice.
• Ichigo entered his inner world through Jinzen, where Zangetsu attacked him and refused to teach him Mugetsu.
• Ichigo realized Zangetsu had been protecting him, apologized, and explained that protecting his friends and returning to Zangetsu were not separate goals.
• Zangetsu admitted that he only wanted to protect Ichigo, then passed the Final Getsuga Tenshō’s knowledge and his own power to him.
• Ichigo returned to the Dangai fused with Zangetsu, told Yoriichi he had learned the technique, and prepared to begin.

Yoriichi and Ichigo fought at full strength in the Dangai, ending their battle with Yoriichi’s Scarlet Radiance Final Ring and Ichigo’s Mugetsu. Ichigo exhausted his Soul Reaper powers and collapsed, and Yoriichi carried him back through the Senkaimon as the Dangai neared collapse.

• Yoriichi released his full power and activated Bankai, Heavenly Illumination Sun Wheel, while Isshin fled toward the Senkaimon.
• Ichigo and Yoriichi clashed with repeated sword strikes and powerful attacks, damaging the Dangai and forcing Yoriichi to acknowledge Ichigo’s strength.
• Ichigo transformed and unleashed Mugetsu as Yoriichi answered with his Thirteenth Form, Scarlet Radiance Final Ring, shattering space throughout the Dangai.
• The fighters survived the final clash, and Ichigo collapsed after losing all his Soul Reaper powers; Yoriichi caught him.
• Urahara told Yoriichi that the Soul Society had detected the Dangai’s collapse and that the Captain-Commander wanted a damage report.
• Yoriichi carried Ichigo through the Senkaimon to the Underground Training Ground beneath the Urahara Shop.

After losing his Soul Reaper powers, Ichigo awakened the first stage of Fullbring through the Substitute Shinigami Badge. Yoriichi revealed that he knew where Xcution was based, and he and Ichigo set out for Naruki City so Ichigo could continue training.

• Urahara found that Ichigo's Soul Reaper powers had gone dormant and began the next stage of his training after Ichigo woke.
• Jinta and Ururu attacked Ichigo while Urahara told him to dodge and listen for the voice of the Substitute Shinigami Badge.
• Ichigo recalled the battles and responsibilities tied to the badge, awakened its soul, and formed a black Reiatsu shield that repelled Jinta's club.
• Urahara explained that Ichigo had only reached Fullbring's initial stage and still needed to develop its complete form.
• Yoriichi revealed that he knew the location of Xcution's base, and he and Ichigo left for Naruki City.

Yoriichi brought Ichigo to Xcution, where Ginjo and the others trained him to control and strengthen his Fullbring. After enduring brutal trials, Ichigo fully activated his power and gained white armor and a restored Zangetsu.

• Yoriichi brought Ichigo to Xcution’s base in Naruki City to train his Fullbring, and Ginjo agreed to help as long as Yoriichi stayed out of the training.
• Jackie attacked Ichigo with Dirty Boots until his determination to protect his family and friends stabilized his Fullbring into a black outfit and short blade.
• Yukio trapped Ichigo in a virtual game filled with Hollows, forcing him to fight until his Reiatsu and attacks became controlled and efficient.
• Ginjo tested Ichigo’s defense with his enormous sword, repeatedly wounding him and urging him to stand up while Tsukishima approached Ichigo’s family.
• The Substitute Shinigami Badge answered Ichigo’s resolve, and white Reiatsu formed full armor and restored Zangetsu as Ichigo completed his Fullbring.
• Ichigo used Spirit Light Step to reach Ginjo and stopped Zangetsu beside his neck, then declared that his Fullbring was fully activated.

Ichigo celebrated awakening his Fullbring, then learned Tsukishima had arrived with Orihime and Chad, whose memories he had altered. Ginjo tried to persuade Tsukishima to return to Xcution, but Tsukishima suddenly attacked him with his sword.

• Ichigo examined his newly released Fullbring and vowed to use it to bring Yuzu, Orihime, and the others back.
• Yoriichi sensed Tsukishima, Orihime, and Chad approaching, and Ichigo rushed to meet them.
• Orihime and Chad defended Tsukishima, whose altered memories had made them regard him as a friend.
• Ginjo reminded Tsukishima of their shared past and offered to welcome him back to Xcution.
• Tsukishima appeared to waver, then opened his book, formed a longsword from its bookmark, and stabbed Ginjo.

Ginjo and Tsukishima revealed that their apparent conflict and the Fullbringers’ memories had been staged to make Ichigo trust Ginjo and awaken his Fullbring. Ginjo stole Ichigo’s Substitute Shinigami Badge and claimed the power within it, leaving Ichigo to face the betrayal.

• Tsukishima stabbed Ginjo, but Yoriichi sensed Ginjo’s Reiatsu gathering in his Cross and warned Ichigo.
• Ginjo attacked Ichigo, cut away his Substitute Shinigami Badge, and caught it as Yoriichi pulled Ichigo to safety.
• Ginjo admitted he had taken Ichigo’s power, while Tsukishima revealed that they had always worked together and that he had altered the Fullbringers’ memories.
• Tsukishima explained that stabbing Ginjo restored his true memories, and Ichigo realized the scheme had been designed to make him awaken his Fullbring.
• Ginjo thanked Tsukishima while holding Ichigo’s badge and the Complete Fullbring power within it.

Ginjo revealed that he had manipulated Ichigo into developing his Fullbring so he could steal it and use its power against Soul Society. After Ginjo took Ichigo’s power, Ichigo vowed to stop him while Ginjo mocked him for being powerless.

• Ginjo admitted that he had targeted Yoriichi first but chose Ichigo because he could not find anyone to hold hostage against Yoriichi.
• Yoriichi wounded Ginjo with Byakurai, but Tsukishima threatened Inoue and Chad with Book of the End, stopping Yoriichi from attacking further.
• Ginjo used the Substitute Shinigami Badge to drain Ichigo’s Fullbring into his greatsword and explained that he sought revenge on Soul Society for killing his companions.
• Ginjo transformed as he absorbed Ichigo’s power, then threw the now powerless badge in front of Ichigo.
• Ichigo condemned Ginjo for manipulating his friends and family and vowed not to let him get away with it, while Ginjo mocked him.

Orihime and Chad defied Tsukishima to protect Ichigo, prompting Yoriichi to sever Tsukishima’s arms. Ginjo threatened Ichigo to stop Yoriichi, but Ichigo declared he would kill Ginjo himself, and his Substitute Shinigami Badge awakened a tremendous surge of Reiatsu.

• Orihime asked Tsukishima and Ginjo to stop hurting Ichigo, and Chad stepped forward to protect her.
• Tsukishima tried to kill Orihime, but Yoriichi appeared and severed both of Tsukishima’s arms.
• Yoriichi admitted he could not kill Tsukishima, but threatened to keep him alive while crippling him further.
• Ginjo pressed Ichigo’s head into the ground and threatened to kill him if Yoriichi harmed Tsukishima again.
• Ichigo struggled to raise his head and told Yoriichi he would kill Ginjo himself.
• Ichigo’s Substitute Shinigami Badge glowed, unleashing Reiatsu that blasted Ginjo’s foot off his head.

Ichigo recovered enough power to fight Ginjo but was badly outmatched, while Yoriichi kept Tsukishima incapacitated. Riruka, Jackie, Giriko, and Yukio turned against Shishigawara after learning Ginjo had deceived them, as Ginjo continued to overpower Ichigo.

• Ichigo rose with his bone armor restored and attacked Ginjo, who realized Ichigo had regained only a fraction of his power.
• Ginjo blocked Ichigo's Getsuga Tenshō and beat him back repeatedly, despite Ichigo's determination to kill him.
• Shishigawara arrived and charged Yoriichi, but Jackie kicked him away while Riruka, Giriko, and Yukio opposed him.
• Giriko's contract and Yukio's game trap restricted Shishigawara, and Riruka's doll and Jackie's kicks further stopped his attack.
• Yoriichi left the others to handle Shishigawara and watched Tsukishima as Ginjo continued to overwhelm Ichigo.

Ginjo continued to overpower Ichigo, but Ichigo refused Yoriichi’s help and insisted on ending the fight himself. With his remaining power fading, Ichigo awakened a new surge of Reiatsu and declared Bankai, leaving Ginjo and Tsukishima stunned.

• Ginjo beat Ichigo into the rubble while Riruka wanted to help and Jackie stopped her.
• Ichigo recalled how Yoriichi had protected him in past battles and decided he had to fight Ginjo himself because his family and companions were involved.
• Yoriichi prepared to draw Hekyō, but Ichigo asked him not to interfere, and Yoriichi sheathed his blade and accepted Ichigo’s choice.
• Ginjo mocked Ichigo for having lost his powers and claimed that neither his companions nor Yoriichi would save him.
• Ichigo focused on the power within his soul as his Fullbring faded, then his Substitute Shinigami Badge cracked and a new wave of Reiatsu erupted.
• Ichigo declared Bankai, freezing Ginjo’s mocking expression and drawing Tsukishima’s attention.