Recaps

Yoriichi Tsugikuni awakened Hekyō, protected Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends, and joined their mission to rescue Rukia Kuchiki. After entering the Seireitei, Yoriichi fought Shunsui Kyōraku, learned Rukia’s execution had been moved up, and set out with Orihime Inoue and Yasutora Sado toward the Senzaikyū.

• Yoriichi awakened his Zanpakuto Hekyō during the Hollow attack on the Kurosaki Clinic and kept his past-life memories secret from Ichigo and Rukia.
• Yoriichi rescued Orihime and Tatsuki from Inoue Soraichi, then saved Chad and Yūichi from a Hollow and destroyed it before the Gates of Hell could take it.
• Yoriichi defeated the Gillians drawn to Karakura Town, while Sōsuke Aizen revealed that he had released them to test Yoriichi.
• When Byakuya Kuchiki and Renji Abarai came to take Rukia back, Yoriichi defeated Byakuya, but Rukia chose to return to Soul Society, and Ichigo vowed to save her.
• Yoriichi trained Ichigo at Urahara’s shop, helping him regain his Soul Reaper powers and prepare to enter Soul Society.
• Yoriichi and the group reached the Seireitei through Kūkaku Shiba’s cannon, but the spiritual sphere broke apart and scattered them across the city.
• Yoriichi fought Shunsui Kyōraku, released Hekyō, and was cleared of suspicion after Aizen’s supposed murder was announced.
• After learning Rukia’s execution had been moved to noon the next day, Yoriichi led Orihime and Chad toward the Senzaikyū to find Ichigo or rescue Rukia themselves.

Yoriichi helped rescue Rukia, became a captain stationed in Karakura Town, and prepared for Aizen’s war while Ichigo trained and Orihime was abducted. The arc ended with Ichigo’s group heading to Hueco Mundo as Yoriichi and the Gotei 13 faced Aizen in Karakura Town.

• Yoriichi refused to use Hekyō’s fully materialized power during his training, then joined Ichigo’s rescue of Rukia and helped destroy the Sōkyoku.
• Yoriichi held off Yamamoto until Isane revealed Aizen’s plot, but Aizen escaped to Hueco Mundo with Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen.
• Yamamoto appointed Yoriichi Third Division Captain and stationed him in Karakura Town, where Yoriichi helped Ichigo and his friends return from Soul Society.
• Yoriichi recognized Shinji Hirako as a Visored, then trained in Kidō with Tessai Tsukabishi while Ichigo agreed to learn to control his inner Hollow.
• Yoriichi fought off the Arrancars who attacked Karakura Town and helped Soul Society prepare for their next invasion.
• During the invasion, Yoriichi defeated Nnoitra and aided Hitsugaya, but Orihime left with Ulquiorra after Aizen threatened her friends.
• Yamamoto kept Yoriichi in Karakura Town to resist Kyōka Suigetsu while Ichigo, Uryū, and Chad went to Hueco Mundo to rescue Orihime.
• After Soul Society replaced Karakura Town with a replica, Aizen arrived with Gin, Tōsen, and the Arrancar forces, and Yamamoto confronted them as Yoriichi vowed to protect the town.

Yoriichi helped defeat Aizen, then faced the fallout of the battle and new dangers in Soul Society. After Sōya Azashiro escaped to pursue his plan for human souls, Yoriichi protected Karakura Town and chose to shelter Luo Jia.

• Yoriichi broke free of Nulviedo Vacio’s Void Prison, defeated Aizen, and helped Kisuke Urahara seal him as the Arrancar surrendered or stopped fighting.
• Yoriichi and the male Soul Reapers protested funding cuts, but Nanao and the Female Shinigami Association took over their funds to stage a swimsuit party at the Kuchiki Clan’s garden beach.
• Yoriichi helped Kira investigate a faceless shadow and discovered that Mayuri’s prototype had stolen Soul Reapers’ belongings, forcing Mayuri to face demands for compensation.
• Yoriichi sparred with Unohana, who revealed that she was the First Kenpachi, then stopped the duel and asked him and Isane to keep it secret.
• Sōya Azashiro escaped Muken, explained his plan to alter human souls, and fled to the World of the Living while Yamamoto ordered Yoriichi to protect Karakura Town.
• Yoriichi learned from Kisuke that Azashiro was seeking research on modifying human souls, while Luo Jia escaped Las Noches and found shelter with Don Kanonji.
• Yoriichi killed Cien Granz when he came to reclaim Luo Jia, then offered to guard her from Azashiro and began living with her and Kanonji.

Yoriichi investigated Ichigo’s missing Substitute Shinigami Badge signal and uncovered Xcution’s plot to awaken Ichigo’s Fullbring and steal his powers. After Ginjo’s betrayal, Ichigo insisted on facing him himself, and his cracking badge released a new surge of power as he declared Bankai.

• Yoriichi investigated Ichigo’s silent Substitute Shinigami Badge and learned that Tsukishima had altered the memories of Ichigo’s family and friends.
• Yoriichi challenged Tsukishima’s account, then followed Ginjo to Xcution and questioned the group’s story about its past and Soul Society.
• Ichigo failed to awaken his Fullbring, so Isshin sent him to the Dangai to learn the Final Getsuga Tenshō, and Yoriichi fought him after he mastered Mugetsu.
• Ichigo awakened the Substitute Shinigami Badge’s soul and completed his Fullbring through Xcution’s training, then confronted Tsukishima as he arrived with Orihime and Chad.
• Tsukishima stabbed Ginjo to restore his memories, and Ginjo revealed that they had conspired to make Ichigo awaken his Fullbring before Ginjo stole his powers.
• Ginjo and Tsukishima used Orihime and Chad to restrain Yoriichi while Ginjo drained Ichigo’s Fullbring, but Ichigo’s badge released Reiatsu that let him fight back.
• Ichigo chose to face Ginjo without Yoriichi’s help, and after his Fullbring faded, his Substitute Shinigami Badge cracked as he declared Bankai.