The destined showdown between Ichigo and Ulquiorra is finally here what will their fate be along with Orihime's?

Below the Fifth Tower, Sado and Renji battle it out with a giant Hollow. But then, the sandman Batticaloa arrives to the scene. Batticaloa's body is made of sand, so Sado and Renji have a hard time inflicting any damage on him. And Rukia, whose ice-snow Zanpakuto is the sole weapon that can contend with Batticaloa, is struggling in another battle against Rudobon. Meanwhile, Ichigo and Ulquiorra are still battling when Ichigo learns that Orihime has already been converted to Ulquiorra's side. Ichigo pretends it doesn't concern him, but he can't hide his distress.

While Orihime is watching Ichigo and Ulquiorra's battle from the sidelines, Loly and Menoly appear before her. They learned that Orihime is no longer of any use to Aizen, and they want to seize this opportunity to defeat her. Orihime has no means to fight back, and she gets hurt left and right. When Ichigo notices this, he tries to go rescue her, but Ulquiorra keeps getting in his way, and he is unable to get anywhere near Orihime. Amidst the chaos, a new enemy breaks through the floor of the Fifth Tower and appears before Ichigo and the others. The new enemy is none other than Yammy who came to assist Ulquiorra

Uryu rushes to stop Yammy from attacking Orihime. Ichigo is surprised, but Uryu charges at Yammy without hesitation. Uryu notices that Ichigo, concerned about Orihime, was not using the power of his Hollowfication, and Uryu was trying to get the fight with Yammy over with as quickly as possible. However, Yammy's body is tough, and every attack from Ginreikojaku's arrow and Seeleschneider is repelled. Yammy triumphantly brings out a giant Cero on them. Just when they thought it couldn't get any worse...

Ulquiorra's sword release, Murcielago, is too strong for Ichigo and every swift attack further injures him. Even when he fires Getsugatensho with all of his remaining power, Ichigo is unable to wound Ulquiorra. In spite of that, Ichigo continues to attack Ulquiorra in order to save Orihime and go back with his friends. But Ulquiorra tries to show off his Resurreccion Segunda Etapa. Meanwhile, Orihime and Uryu are worried about Ichigo as they head to the top of the dome...

When Orihime and Uryu make it to the top of the dome, they see Ichigo collapsed in front of Ulquiorra. Orihime's reaction is to rush over to Ichigo, but Ulquiorra tells her that it's no use. Just then, Uryu hits Ulquiorra with his arrow. But like all of Ichigo's attacks, Uryu's arrow is ineffective against Ulquiorra. Ulquiorra attacks back and Uryu is no longer able to even draw his bow. Distressed by the situation, Orihime calls out to the immobile Ichigo for help. Then something happens to Ichigo's body....

Rukia, Renji and Chad continue their fight against Rudobone. However, no sooner do they finish him off than a very angry Yammy appears. Meanwhile, Ichigo's fight against Ulquiorra finally comes to an end, albeit one that none of them expected.

Rukia, Renji, and Sado struggle against the giant Yammy. However, when they see Yammy's tattoo of the number "10", they realize that he is weaker than the Espadas they've fought in the past. Each one of them tries to go after Yammy, but Yammy releases his sword, Ira , which overwhelms them. Meanwhile, in Karakura Town, the battle between the Soul Reapers and the Espada, led by Aizen, intensifies. Halibel attacks Hitsugaya, who achieves Bankai and counterattacks, but...

Hitsugaya is doing everything he can to counter Halibel's sword release, Tiburon. Halibel says she will win against Hitsugaya to avenge her Fracciones. She melts the ice with Hirviendo and drives Hitsugaya into a corner. Hitsugaya counters by turning Halibel's water attack into ice with his Zanpakuto, Hyorinmaru, but Halibel has other tricks up her sleeve...

While Hitsugaya and Halibel's battle looks to be coming to a close, Omaeda and Soi Fon fight against Barragan. Just when Soi Fon is about to attack Barragan, Soi Fon suddenly becomes sluggish. Soi Fon is baffled, and Barragan tells her that he has the power to age people. Barragan only has to will old age upon his opponent and touch that person for the opponent to immediately grow old and die. Soi Fon now understands the severity of this power, but she has already been touched by Barragan...

The battle between the Soul Reapers and the Espada becomes more and more tense. Soi Fon and Omaeda find themselves in a bad situation against Barragan's Respira. They can't even counterattack Respira because they can't get anywhere near it. Then, Soi Fon goes off somewhere, leaving Omaeda to fight Barragan alone. Omaeda attacks with Gegetsuburi, but Barragan destroys it easily with Respira. Just when Omaeda is backed into a corner, Soi Fon arrives, having released her Bankai...

Kyoraku and Stark are both fighting defensively in their battle. But Stark's expression changes when he spots Hitsugaya and Soi Fon's Bankai. Kyoraku leaves his haori with Ukitake to confront Stark. Stark calls Lilinette over, and tells everyone that the two of them used to be one person. Stark then releases his Resurreccion and takes on the form of Los Lobos. Kyoraku achieves Shikai and they continue to fight for real!

Kyoraku is in a pinch, and Ukitake, who had been watching the battle, steps in. Ukitake fires Cero at Stark, even though it is a technique that Soul Reapers shouldn't be able to use. Stark is surprised, but he quickly recovers from the shock and shoots something back at him. Then, all of a sudden, Garganta starts to open to reveal the creepy Wonderweiss and Fura. All of the Soul Reapers are exhausted from battling, and they are in no state to face a new opponent...

The Soul Reapers find themselves in hot water against Fura and Wonderweiss when the Visoreds, led by Shinji Hirako, make their appearance. Used in Aizen's Hollowfication experiment 101 years ago, the Visoreds have since lived in hiding in the World of the Living. Believing that now is the time to defeat Aizen, the Visoreds have set foot on the battlefield. Recognizing familiar faces, both Visoreds and Soul Reapers exchange words with one another. Wonderweiss disrupts the scene by signaling Fura to release hordes of Menos...

Hisagi joins Komamura to battle Tosen in hopes of bringing his former captain back to his senses. Meanwhile the other Soul Reapers form an uneasy alliance with the Visoreds: Lisa, Hiyori, and Hitsugaya take on Halibel. Love and Rose take on Stark. Hachi, Omaeda, and Soi Fon take on Barragan. The battle against the Espada resumes!

Barragan appears to be defeated by the combined efforts of Hachigen and Soi Fon. But the two are shocked to find Barragan forcing open Hachigen's Shiju Saimon barrier. As king of Hueco Mundo, Barragan is determined to show the world his absolute strength and power. His reason originates as far back to when he once reigned over his subjects in Las Noches. Having no enemies to conquer, Barragan would pit his subjects against one another to fight off his boredom. That was when Aizen arrived in Hueco Mundo.

Stark shows no sign of getting serious in his battle against Love and Rose. Running out of patience, Lilinette begins to mindlessly fire at the two Visoreds without Stark's permission. But her attacks prove to be ineffective against the two, and she is gradually cornered by the pair's fine team play. Finally, Love hits Stark with his Zanpakuto attack, and the Espada is thrown into a sea of flames.

Stark splits his own soul and shapes it into packs of wolves and launches them against Love and Rose. Preparing to deliver the finishing blow, Stark is caught off guard by Shunsui, who suddenly appears out of Stark's shadow. Despite his best efforts to dodge the attacks, Stark is gradually weakened. Just then the wolves, headed by Lilinette, swarm over Shunsui. He brushes them off, and the wolves disappear. Stark calls out for Lilinette but hears no reply.

Las Noches. Long ago, Apache, at the time still an Adjucha-class Hollow, was hunted by other Hollows when Halibel saved her life. Apache soon joins Halibel's group consisting of Sun-Sun and Mila Rose. As they spend more time together, Apache notices Halibel does not devour the enemies she defeats. When questioned, Halibel responds that she does not wish to become stronger by sacrificing others.

With the Espada gone, the Visoreds are now able to confront Aizen. Having been unwilling test subjects in Aizen's past experiment, the Visoreds make no effort to hide their hatred toward the man who destroyed their lives. Hiyori, unable hold in her anger, is the first to attack Aizen with her blade. Meanwhile, Chad, Renji, and Rukia continue their fight against Yammy in Hueco Mundo.

Ichigo goes up against Yammy. Rukia notices that Ichigo is acting strange following his battle with Ulquiorra and shows her concern for him. Ichigo is also shaken up by the fact that his Hollowfication now feels different. But, unable to forgive Yammy for labeling Ulquiorra and Grimmjow as trash, Ichigo makes another attempt at his Hollowfication.

Ichigo wakes up to find himself in the middle of a desert. Sitting next to a confused Ichigo are Uryu, Orihime, and Chad, all dressed in an Arabian style. Introducing themselves as "Urio," "Ori Mei," and "Chaido," the three explain that they are in search of a treasure called the "Snow Crystal."

The Final Trump Card! Ichigo, Towards the Decisive Battle

As he holds a dying Hiyori, an enraged Hirako readies himself to confront Aizen in battle. Meanwhile, Hisagi and Komamura battle Tosen in a desperate attempt to bring their former ally back to his senses. But Tosen, who believes he follows a just path, ignores their plea and attacks them.

Komamura performs his Bankai, Kokujo Tengen Myo-oh, to subdue Tosen. However, Tosen has already deduced the weakness of Komamura's Bankai from years of working closely together. Despite the damage received, Komamura refuses to give up on his former friend, throwing out the question of why Tosen chose to become a Soul Reaper in the first place.

Tosen is now able to see in his Ressureccion form. But Komamura states that in exchange for his vision, Tosen has now blinded his own heart. Unable to bring himself to kill the man he wanted to save, Komamura falls before Tosen's attack. Meanwhile, Hirako prepares to use his Shikai, Sakanade, against Aizen.

Ichigo has returned to the World of the Living to battle Aizen. After an unsuccessful first attack, Ichigo Hollowfies to deliver his Getsugatensho against Aizen, but that too proves ineffective. Witnessing the immense power Aizen holds, Ichigo begins to lose his will to fight, when the Thirteen Court Guard Squads stand up to support him.

The Thirteen Court Guard Squads and Visoreds launch a full-scale attack against Aizen. But Aizen makes quick work of their combined efforts. Just when all hope is thought to be lost, Hirako uses his Zanpakuto's power to draw away Aizen's attention, giving way for Hitsugaya to deliver the killing blow.

Head Captain Genryusai Yamamoto of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads steps in to battle Aizen. Genryusai's attempt to incinerate Aizen in a blazing inferno is thwarted by Wonderweiss, whose Ressureccion form extinguishes the flames. Wonderweiss is revealed to be a Mod Arrancar created by Aizen for the sole purpose of sealing away Genryusai's zanpakuto, Ryujinjakka.

It's All A Trap...Engineered Bonds!

Aizen's revelation that Ichigo is his greatest research subject throws Ichigo into a state of shock. But before Aizen can reveal Ichigo's most startling secret he is interrupted by an unexpected person arriving on the scene.

As they cross blades, Gin asks Ichigo if he recalls their last encounter, to which Ichigo responds he does not remember Gin's "heart" being present back then. Ichigo's answer prompts Gin to display his Bankai and its incredible power. Meanwhile, Isshin notices a change occurring within Aizen.

A Seireitei International Film Festival is to be held in the Soul Society, and Nanao recruits Ichigo and his friends to cooperate with the filming. The crew consists of Rukia in the lead role, Renji as the director, Uryu as the costume designer, with Rangiku, Orihime, and Chad as supporting cast members. Will these guys really be able complete the film and win the award for best film?!

While visiting the World of the Living, Rukia comes across Kurumadani, the current Soul Reaper stationed in Karakura Town, being attacked by a mysterious masked man. To her surprise, the masked man reveals himself as Shrieker, the Hollow previously defeated and sent to hell by Rukia and Chad.

Kisuke Urahara steps onto the battlefield as Aizen, fused with the Hogyoku, begins his transformation. Urahara's Kido attack appears ineffective against Aizen, who claims he has complete control over the Hogyoku. But Urahara's true goal was to turn Aizen's own spirit energy against himself.

Ichigo finds himself cornered against Gin's Bankai. But to Ichigo's surprise, Gin advises him to run from this battle. Meanwhile, Urahara, Yoruichi, and Isshin fight Aizen in a three-on-one battle. But none of their attacks appear to work against Aizen.

While going after Aizen, who has left for Karakura Town, Ichigo and Isshin arrive in the Precipice World, a place where time flows two thousand times slower than the outside world. Isshin decides to use this opportunity to have Ichigo acquire the "Final Getsugatensho," which could defeat Aizen. Meanwhile, at the Karakura Town relocated to the Soul Society, Keigo and Tatsuki wake up to realize something terrible is happening to their town.

The Women's Soul Reaper Association is hosting a New Year's party in the Soul Society, when Hitsugaya and the other male Soul Reapers come crashing in. Meanwhile in the World of the Living, everyone is spending New Year's with their families.

Two monster hunters arrive at an old castle where Franken Ichigo, Succubus Rukia, Vampire Uryu, Pumpkin Orihime, Mummy Renji, Witch Rangiku, and Wolfman Hitsugaya all live as lackluster monsters.

Shuhei Hisagi leads a busy life handling the duties of Squad 9 Lieutenant and Editor in Chief of the Seireitei Bulletin, as well as preparing picnic lunches for the Soul Reapers. One day, Hisagi and Rangiku are sent to investigate a string of disappearances in the Rukon district. But being alone together with Rangiku causes Hisagi's imagination to go wild, which worsens when Rangiku suggests spending the night at an inn.

It's definitely good to see Bleach back on track after it started us down an interesting path in the World of the Living with Aizen and Gin there now. Unfortunately, the break with the filler has kind of thrown the mood a bit and it takes a little to really get back into it, especially if you were expecting another filler episode. There's things to definitely like here, especially with Don Kanonji involved, but also with Rangiku who has a straight up serious stance to deal with. Ichigo's time spent trying to master the Final Getsugatensho unfortunately is a drag on the episode because of the mechanics of it, keeping him off to the side to bulk up in a sense so he can come and try to kick Aizen's ass. It's standard shonen fare without anything to really set it

Kinky? jitai! Aizen, saranaru shinka!

We pick up where we left off in the previous episode and find the aftermath of Gin's betrayal. A short scene explains why Gin has done this. An incident in the past involving Rangiku and Aizen has sent Gin along this path. Aizen uses his own fear of death to evolve into a being that transcends both Soul Reaper and Hollow. Ichigo appears. The battle begins, as mountain tops explode from each parried attack. In a true show of power Ichigo catches Aizen's sword, and literally waives off a level 90 Kido spell (enhanced by both Soul Reaper and Hollow powers). We end with a "To Be Continued", after the realization that the power behind the "mountain leveling" blows were from Ichigo's sword...not Aizen's.

The battle continues as Aizen still cannot fully understand how Ichigo can be on his level, and warns him not to be full of himself. In his anger, the Hogyoku begins a bloody transformation. Aizen takes it as a sign that the Hogyoku finds it inexcusable, and wishes to end the fight. Aizen's powers have increased and traps Ichigo, which forces him to use the Final Getsuga Tensho. But at what cost? It is called "Final" for a reason, and Ichigo must make a sacrifice in order to wield it.

Ichigo's Resolution! The Price of the Fierce Battle

The Two Hinamoris, Hitsugaya's Resolution