List of Bleach episodes (season 6)

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The Arrancar arc is the sixth story arc of the Bleach anime series. The episodes are directed by Noriyuki Abe and produced by TV Tokyo, Dentsu, and Studio Pierrot. It is based on Tite Kubo's Bleach manga series, and has adapted volumes 21 through half of 27 over 34 episodes. All the episodes in this arc start off with a short recap of the previous episodes. Nova, Ririn, and Cloud from the anime exclusive Bount arc continue to appear in the series for the Arrancar Arc. The main villain of the Bount arc, Kariya Jin also makes a brief appearance.

The arc began in January 2007 in Japan on TV Tokyo and officially ended on October 2007. The first English airing of the series has yet to be announced.

Five pieces of theme music were used for the episodes; two opening themes and three ending themes. The opening theme for the first eleven episodes is "Rolling star" by Yui; the rest use "ALONES" by Aqua Timez. The initial ending theme is "Cherry Blossom Weather" (桜日和, Sakura Biyori^?) by Hoshimura Mai, switching at episode 121 to "Tiptoe" (爪先, Tsumasaki^?) by Ore Ska Band and again at episode 132 to Bitter Orange (橙, Daidai^?) by "Chatmonchy".

[edit] Episode list

EP#	Title	Original airdate	English airdate
110	"Reopening of the Substitute Business! The Terrifying Transfer Student" "Daikōgyō saikai! Kyōfu no tenkōsei" (代行業再開！恐怖の転校生)	January 10, 2007	—
In Hueco Mundo, the hollow Grand Fisher transforms into an imperfect arrancar and makes his way to the human world. Meanwhile, Shinji Hirako enrolls at Ichigo's school. During a routine hollow purification, Ichigo is confronted by Shinji, who shows that he can willingly produce a hollow mask just like Ichigo has done unconsciously on occasion. He asks Ichigo to join his group: the vizard. At the same time, Kon (inhabiting Ichigo's body) is attacked by Grand Fisher and Uryū is attacked by another imperfect arrancar. Uryū is rescued by his father, who reveals himself to be a Quincy, while Kon remains helpless against Grand Fisher.
111	"Shock! The True Characters of the Fathers" "Kyōgaku! Oyajitachi no shōtai" (驚愕！親父達の正体)	January 17, 2007	—
After rescuing Uryū from the arrancar attacking him, Ryūken offers to restore his powers provided he never again associates with the Soul Reapers. Meanwhile, Kon is still running through town in an attempt to evade Grand Fisher. Despite receiving help from Ririn, Cloud, and Nova, he is eventually caught. Just as he is about to be killed, Isshin Kurosaki steps in to save him, dressed in Soul Reaper clothing. Both Ichigo and Shinji become aware of a new presence, though neither are able to identify it as Isshin. Curious, Ichigo decides to leave in order to check it out, but not before turning down Shinji's invitation. After a short conversation between Grand Fisher and Isshin, during which Isshin makes it clear that he's been aware of Kon, Ririn, Cloud, and Nova as well as Ichigo's Soul Reaper activities, Grand Fisher transforms into a larger version of himself and draws his zanpakutō whilst mocking Isshin. Isshin casually identifies him as an arrancar and dispatches him in a single attack.
112	"The Commencement of War, Vizard and Arrancar" "Tatakai no hajimari, vaizādo to arankaru" (戦いの始まり、仮面の軍勢と破面)	January 24, 2007	—
With the death of Grand Fisher, Urahara appears to have a short chat with Isshin. The two talk about the plans of both Aizen and the vizard, more aware of the former than the latter. Both are aware of the vizard's interest in Ichigo. After they sense Ichigo approaching, they depart to avoid being seen. Things in Soul Society are also becoming tense, though what is causing it is unclear. At school, Shinji is still following Ichigo. When Ichigo confronts him, Shinji admits that he won't give up until Ichigo agrees to join the vizard. The offer is equally out of concern for Ichigo as it is for the vizard. Shinji explains that Ichigo's inner hollow will eventually overpower him, destroying everything he cares about. Later on, Shinji is confronted by Hiyori Sarugaki, a fellow vizard, about his lack of progress. They are interrupted by Chad and Inoue, who want to know what the two want with Ichigo. Hiyori states that it is none of their business, and prepares to kill Chad and Inoue. Shinji grabs her and runs away to prevent any such thing from happening. At the Karakura hospital, Uryū formally asks Ryǔken for his own Quincy powers, swearing not to further affiliate with the Soul Reapers.
113	"Prelude to the Apocalypse, The Arrancar's Attack" "Sekai hōkai e no jokyoku, arankaru shūrai" (世界崩壊への序曲、アランカル襲来！)	January 31, 2007	—
After his chat with Shinji, Ichigo realizes that his inner hollow is indeed becoming more than he can control. Meanwhile, two arrancar (Yammy and Ulquiorra) arrive in Karakura Town, making a spectacular crater at their landing site. When everyone comes to see what happened, Yammy begins sucking the souls from everyone in the immediate area. Only Tatsuki Arisawa survives, and is left weakened as a result. Chad and Orihime arrive to save Tatsuki, but are easily repelled by Yammy, whose strength is great enough to bat Chad away in a single attack and reduce Tsubaki (Orihime's attack spirit) to pulp merely by blocking it. Before he can kill either of them, however, Ichigo arrives to save them.
114	"Reunion, Ichigo and Rukia" "Saikai, Ichigo to Rukia" (再会、一護とルキア)	February 7, 2007	—
Ichigo starts his battle with Yammy, blocking Yammy's first attack and cutting off his arm. However the fight is cut short when his inner hollow interferes, allowing Yammy to gain the upper hand. Before he can kill anyone present, however, Urahara and Yoruichi arrive to take over the battle. Yammy is no match for them, and is rescued by Ulquiorra, who then retreats in Hueco Mundo. Back at Ichigo's school, a team of Soul Reapers is dispatched in response to the ever increasing arrancar threat. The team consists of Renji Abarai, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, Rangiku Matsumoto, Ikkaku Madarame, Yumichika Ayasegawa and Rukia Kuchiki, all of whom are posing as new students at Ichigo's school.
115	"Mission! The Shinigami Have Come" "Tokumei! Yatte kita shinigamitachi" (特命！やってきた死神たち)	February 14, 2007	—
After a harsh reintroduction to Rukia, Ichigo is dragged off in Soul Reaper form to fight a hollow. While Ichigo attempts to deal with the hollow, Rukia berates him over his inability to defend his friends, and reveals that she knows about his inner hollow, telling him not to fear it but to get stronger and crush it. Inspired, Ichigo easily defeats the hollow. Rukia then drags him to Orihime so he can apologize. At Ichigo's house, Hitsugaya goes over Aizen's plans and the different types of menos-class hollows. Finally, Ulquiorra and Yammy return to Hueco Mundo to report back to Aizen.
116	"The Evil Eye, Aizen Again" "Ashiki hitomi, Aizen futatabi" (悪しき瞳、藍染再び)	February 21, 2007	—
Ulquiorra and Yammy are debriefed by Aizen and the other arrancar. Grimmjow Jeagerjaques questions their actions in regards to Ichigo, but Aizen trusts in Ulquiorra's judgement and does nothing. Annoyed, Grimmjow takes a group of five arrancar with him to the human world to eliminate anyone with even a trace of spiritual power. Meanwhile, Tōshirō's team separates to find places to stay while in the human world. There is character development, especially in Orihime and Matsumoto as there is an unveiling of Orihime's character and feelings for Ichigo and Rukia. Matsumoto is shown as a matronly type character, embracing Orihime and explaining to her that this type of feeling is always present, and necessary.
117	"Rukia's Battle Commences! The Freezing White Blade" "Rukia sentō kaishi! Kōritsuku shiroi yaiba" (ルキア戦闘開始！凍りつく白い刃)	February 28, 2007	—
Grimmjow's five arrancar head off to fight their opponents: Shawlong Qufang and Nakim fight Hitsugaya and Matsumoto, respectively; D-Roy fights Chad; Edrad Leones fights Ikkaku; and Ilfort Grantz fights Renji. D-Roy nearly deals Chad a fatal blow to the chest before Ichigo intercepts it with his hand. Upon being told by Ichigo he should stay back and not fight, Chad becomes greatly discouraged since he is no longer any help to his friend. Rukia then steps in and tells Ichigo she will take care of D-Roy herself. Unveiling her zanpakutō, Rukia easily kills the arrancar. She and Ichigo are then found by Grimmjow. Meanwhile, Keigo stumbles upon Ikkaku's fight with Edrad.
118	"Ikkaku's bankai! The Power that Breaks Everything" "Ikkaku bankai! Subete o kudaku chikara" (一角卍解！全てを砕く力)	March 7, 2007	—
Ikkaku fights Edrad, who is forced to release his zanpakutō. Ikkaku is overwhelmed, even with his shikai, and is forced to reveal his bankai. Meanwhile, Grimmjow easily dispatches Rukia as Ichigo prepares to face him. Ikkaku, now using his bankai, begins to overpower Edrad. Edrad comes up with a strategy to defeat Ikkaku, and the two clash at full power as the episode ends.
119	"Zaraki Division's Secret Story! The Lucky Men" "Zaraki tai hiwa! Tsuite iru otoko tachi" (更木隊秘話！ツイている男たち)	March 21, 2007	—
Ikkaku flashes back to his first encounter with Kenpachi Zaraki, which he lost miserably. Kenpachi advises him that when one loses a fight but doesn't get killed then the person is lucky. He tells Ikkaku to survive so he can kill the person that failed to kill him. When Kenpachi becomes the captain of the 11th division, Ikkaku and Yumichika join under him. Later, Ikkaku is shown teaching Renji how to fight. After their training is eventually finished, Renji asks to see Ikkaku's bankai, but Ikkaku refuses. Ikkaku wishes to keep it a secret so he can continue fighting under Kenpachi's command. In the present, Ikkaku falls from the sky, his weapons shattered. However, Edrad is missing a fair portion of his chest and his entire right arm. Edrad falls to his death and Yumichika congratulates Ikkaku for winning.
120	"Hitsugaya Scatters! The Broken Hyōrinmaru" "Hitsugaya chiru! Kudaketa Hyōrinmaru" (日番谷散る！砕けた氷輪丸)	March 28, 2007	—
With Ikkaku's battle over, the other fights are touched upon: Hitsugaya, using his bankai, can't manage to land a hit on Shawlong; Renji, doing the same, is equally outmatched by Ilfort; Matsumoto has seemingly been defeated by Nakim; and Ichigo's shikai can't even scratch Grimmjow, forcing him to use his bankai to keep up. Renji is granted a short reprieve by a sleep-walking Ururu, whose insane strength allows her to beat Ilfort to a pulp almost effortlessly. Ilfort counters this by releasing his zanpakutō, impaling Ururu on his newly-grown bull horns. Elsewhere, Shawlong has also released his zanpakutō, and effortlessly dodges or blocks Hitsugaya's attacks. All this time, however, Matsumoto has been requesting that they be able to lift their power limits in order to deal with the powerful arrancar, and now they finally have permission.
121	"Clash! The Person Who Protects vs. The Person Who Suffers" "Gekitotsu! Mamoru mono VS kōmuru mono" (激突！護る者ＶＳ被る者)	April 11, 2007	—
With their power limits lifted, Hitsugaya, Matsumoto, and Renji easily dispatch their opponents. Meanwhile, Ichigo isn't doing so well against Grimmjow, who is able to block Ichigo's strikes barehanded. After a protracted battle, during which Ichigo can't land a single blow, Ichigo resorts to his "black" getsuga tenshō. The attack only manages to burn Grimmjow slightly, and allows Ichigo's inner hollow to begin surfacing. Ichigo is 'rescued' by Kaname Tōsen, who has arrived to take Grimmjow back to Hueco Mundo because he had disobeyed orders in orchestrating this attack.
122	"Vizard! The Power of the Awakened" "Vaizādo! Mezameshi monotachi no chikara" (ヴァイザード！目覚めし者たちの力)	April 18, 2007	—
Grimmjow is taken back to Hueco Mundo by Kaname Tōsen, who asks Aizen for permission to execute Grimmjow. When this request is denied, Tōsen slices off Grimmjow's arm and destroys it. With the arrancar threat over for the moment, Ichigo sets out to find the vizard, aware that his inner hollow has become too powerful to control. Meanwhile, Ishida trains with his father under Karakura Hospital and Chad requests that Urahara train him as well. Back at the vizard warehouse, Ichigo fights Shinji so he can force him into telling him how to control the inner hollow. Hiyori interferes and uses her hollow mask to fight Ichigo as a test to see if he's strong enough to join the vizard.
123	"Ichigo, complete hollowification!?" "Ichigo, kanzen horō-ka!?" (一護、完全ホロウ化！？)	April 25, 2007	—
With her hollow mask, Hiyori is more than a match for Ichigo. She continues to goad him into using his hollow mask or bankai, neither of which Ichigo is willing to do. At home, Yuzu is very worried about Ichigo and where he has gone. Rukia even admits to herself that she could not feel Ichigo's spirit power. Nevertheless, Ichigo's inner hollow surfaces and nearly kills Hiyori before the other vizard step in. After some seemingly pointless exercise, Ichigo demands that they tell him the secret to controlling his hollow, so Shinji explains to him that he must force his hollow into the core of his soul. Acknowledging how quickly Ichigo became a Soul Reaper and obtained shikai and bankai, Shinji decides to let Ichigo confront his inner hollow and starts the process by rendering Ichigo unconscious. While Ichigo battles his hollow in his inner world for control of Zangetsu, Ichigo transforms into a hollow in the real world where the vizard begin taking turns battling him.
124	"Collision! Black bankai and white bankai" "Gekitotsu! Kuroi bankai to shiroi bankai" (激突！黒い卍解と白い卍解)	May 2, 2007	—
Ichigo battles against his inner hollow for control while the vizard struggle to keep his berserk body in check. Ichigo and his inner hollow both use their bankai and commence fighting, but Ichigo is continually assaulted by inner manifestations of previous foes Byakuya and Kariya. Ichigo's inner hollow overpowers him and breaks his sword, then explains to him that he has no desire to serve someone with no instinct for battle. Ichigo regains his resolve at this and snatches away his inner hollow's sword.
125	"Urgent Report! Aizen's Terrifying Plan!" "Kinkyū hōkoku! Aizen no osorubeki keikaku!" (緊急報告！藍染の恐るべき計画)	May 9, 2007	—
After a conversation with a manifestation of Kenpachi Zaraki, Ichigo is able to steal his hollow's sword and impale him with it, gaining control over his inner hollow. Elsewhere, Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai speaks with Hitsugaya about Aizen's objective: he plans to obtain the royal key and overthrow the king of Soul Society. However, as Yamamoto is the only person who knows where the key is, Aizen will have to manufacture a duplicate using 100,000 human souls gathered in Karakura Town, and in doing so vaporize a large portion of the city. At Urahara's shop, Chad is fighting against Renji's bankai as training, while Ishida is still dodging arrows from his father under Karakura Hospital. Hinamori is also seen to be awake, and is wanting to talk to Hitsugaya.
126	"Uryū vs. Ryūken! Clash of the parent-child Quincies" "Uryū VS Ryūken! Gekitotsu kuinshī oyako" (雨竜ＶＳ竜弦！激突クインシー親子)	May 16, 2007	—
Hinamori appears to still be in a trance, believing that Aizen is innocent and urges Hitsugaya to save him, which angers him. Throughout the town, various training sessions are taking place: Ichigo is training with Hiyori to lengthen the time he can use his hollow mask, Chad is training with Renji to make his arm stronger, and Uryū is training with Ryūken to regain his powers. Meanwhile, Orihime tracks down Ichigo to inform him of Aizen's plans. This comes as a surprise to the other vizard, as she passes through the barrier with no effort. In his battle with Ryūken, Uryū finally loses his patience and goes on the attack, only to be shot through the chest. A pentacle-shaped scar forms at the point of contact, and Ryūken informs Uryū that his powers have been restored.
127	"Urahara's Decision, Orihime's Thoughts" "Urahara no ketsudan, Orihime no omoi" (浦原の決断、織姫の想い)	May 30, 2007	—
With Orihime's attack spirit, Tsubaki, out of commission, Urahara tells Orihime that he doesn't want her to participate in the upcoming battle, as anyone who cannot fight would simply be a burden. Orihime is saddened by the decision, but understands it. After being taken back to the vizard by Hiyori, however, Hachi is able to restore Tsubaki for her, which she could not accomplish on her own. Meanwhile, Yammy has his arm reattached, while Ulquiorra explains that Grimmjow lost his rank when he lost his arm.
128	"The Nightmare Arrancar! Team Hitsugaya Moves Out" "Akumu no arankaru! Hitsugayatai shutsugeki" (悪夢のアランカル！日番谷隊出撃)	June 6, 2007	—
During what appears to be a common hollow attack, Matsumoto is forced to protect the foul-tempered spirit of a child from an armadillo-like arrancar that sings a strange tune. After Ikkaku dispatches the arrancar, they forgo sending him to Soul Society in order to interrogate him. The child, named Shōta Toyokawa, is quite insisitent that he has something to do before leaving the real world, but won't say what. Matsumoto convinces Hitsugaya to wait a day before sending him to Soul Society. At night, Shōta attempts to steal Matsumoto's zanpakutō, but is caught by her. He reveals that he has to find someone, but is still evasive about just who it is. Before Matsumoto can press the issue, the supposedly-dead arrancar shows up once more. This is the first of ten filler episodes between the various characters training and the beginning of the fight between the arrancar and Soul Society.
129	"The Swooping Descent of the Dark Emissary! The Propagation of Malice" "Maiorita yami no shisha! Zōshoku suru akui" (舞い降りた闇の使者！増殖する悪意)	June 13, 2007	—
While tracking the arrancar, Matsumoto and Shōta discover that its song can force pluses to walk themselves into its jaws. Furthermore, it can multiply itself seemingly without limit, leaving dozens of copies of itself for Hitsugaya's team to dispatch. A researcher from the 12th Division later explains that another arrancar is creating the copies, hence their inability to die. Despite the large number of copies, they are no match for the Soul Reapers and thus are quickly dispatched. Afterwards, Shōta finds the person he was searching for: his sister, Yui. Before they died, Yui liked to play the ocarina, the tune of which is reminiscent of the arrancar's. While Hitsugaya's team tracks any stray clones that may have escaped destruction, the clones mass yet another attack while a larger, more humanoid arrancar emerges to watch. During the confusion, Yui runs off to the park where she was originally found, where Shōta admits that he abandoned her out of fear.
130	"The Invisible Enemy! Hitsugaya's Merciless Decision" "Mienai teki! Hitsugaya, hijō na ketsudan" (見えない敵！日番谷、非情な決断)	June 20, 2007	—
The arrancar is revealed to be able to disguise itself as the human souls it has devoured, which both increases its power and makes it impossible to find while disguised. Upon learning of the attack on Yui by the arrancar, Hitsugaya assumes she is one of the copies, something an attempted soul burial seems to confirm. Still unsure, Hitsugaya has Soul Society track the disguised arrancar while Yui is sealed within a barrier. The analysis confirms Yui is one of the clones, and also reveals the cloning power came from her in the first place. Shōta, being her brother, seems to have similar powers, and Yui uses him to break the barrier so she can lure him to the park and devour him.
131	"Rangiku's Tears, the Sorrowful Parting of Brother and Sister" "Rangiku no namida, kanashiki kyōdai no wakare" (乱菊の涙、哀しき兄妹の別れ)	June 27, 2007	—
Though Yui is able to resist the arrancar and keep Shōta safe, the source body appears to devour her completely. However, it is little match for Rangiku and Hitsugaya, who arrive to defeat it. It manages to stall them by reminding them of Yui's trapped soul, allowing it to escape and create hundreds of copies to attack the town with while it hides behind a barrier. While the rest of the Soul Reapers fight off the infinitely respawning clones, Rangiku, Hitsugaya, and Shōta track down the main arrancar through his clones, which link back to it through the song it sings. In order to break down its barrier, Hitsugaya uses his bankai, guided with some help from Yui. Revealed, the arrancar releases its zanpakutō, but is disabled by Hitsugaya and finally killed by Rangiku and Shōta together, releasing every soul it devoured in the process. With the arrancar gone, Rangiku performs a soul burial on Shōta to reunite him with his sister.
132	"Hitsugaya, Karin and Soccer Ball" "Hitsugaya to Karin to sakkā bōru" (日番谷と夏梨とサッカーボール)	July 4, 2007	—
Karin Kurosaki meets Hitsugaya after he saves her soccer ball from going in to the street. Later, Karin discovers that older students are using a soccer field for practice during a time slot her team had booked. After a confrontation with the older gang, the two teams decide to have a soccer match for control of the field. Karin asks Hitsugaya to join in, but he turns down the offer, though he does take interest in her ability to sense hollows and follows her there anyway. On the day of the match, Karin injures her knee, prompting Hitsugaya to help her win simply to end the match. After the game is over, a Menos-class hollow tears its way into the real world right above the field, upon which Hitsugaya easily defeats it. Having revealed himself as a Soul Reaper, Hitsugaya is questioned by Karin about Ichigo, which explains for him why she can see him in the first place. Hitsugaya reassures her that, wherever Ichigo may be, he is trying to become stronger, which helps Karin get over her worry for Ichigo.
133	"Ikkaku's Hot-Blooded Kendo Tale" "Ikkaku, nekketsu kendō monogatari" (一角、熱血剣道物語)	July 11, 2007	—
Ikkaku is brought in by Keigo's sister, Mizuho, to help train a group of freshmen kendo students, the upperclassmen having been injured by another team to take them out of an upcoming competition. In doing so, Ikkaku injures all but one of the students, a boy named Shinji who wants to become stronger and avenge the attack on the upperclassmen. Down four members, Ikkaku tries to recruit the other Soul Reapers to take their places, but can only get Hitsugaya (by bribing him) and Renji (by bribing Urahara). Keigo is forced into participating to pick up the slack. Since they only need three wins, victory is basically assured, since even if Keigo and Shinji lost, the Soul Reapers never would. However, Ikkaku encourages Shinji to win anyway, since that's what he wants. An attack by a Menos Grande forces the Soul Reapers to leave just as Shinji's turn comes up (the score now 2 to 1 in their favor), during which Shinji wins the match. Ikkaku, upon returning, finds that his match is canceled because of Shinji's victory. Searching for his opponent, Mizuho indicates their team leader, a bald man wearing a wig who dumped her, thus revealing the real reason she recruited him.
134	"The Beautiful Patissier, Yumichika!" "Utsukushiki patishie, Yumichika!" (美しきパティシエ、弓親！)	July 18, 2007	—
Rin Tsubokura from the 12th Division is sent to the Karakura Town to take readings, with Hanatarō Yamada as an escort. Yumichika Ayasegawa is assigned as their guide. While Rin searches for sweets to purchase, they stumble upon the ghost of a cake maker who wants the three Soul Reapers to bake a cake for his mother. Upon delivering the cake, however, the chef's mother refuses to eat it because it reminds her of her son, precipitating the chef's transformation into a hollow. Furthermore, his change attracts a Menos Grande. Hanatarō is able to both stop the chef's transformation and harm the Menos Grande with his zanpakutō, allowing Yumichika to dispatch it. Using a specialized device, Rin is able to make the chef visible so he can convince his mother to eat the cake.
135	"Kon is Deceived! Rangiku on the Lookout.." "Hakarareta, Kon! Rangiku wa mite ita" (はかられた、コン！乱菊は見ていた・・)	July 25, 2007	—
After a run in with Rangiku Matsumoto, Kon rescues a little girl named Miyuki from drowning. Unfortunately, Kon ends up inside Shintarō, the girl's stuffed animal. After being brought to Miyuki's apartment, Kon inadvertantly reveals himself. Miyuki believes his sudden ability to talk to be the answer to her prayers, and Kon is forced to play with Miyuki. When she refuses to go outside, claiming that she has no friends, Kon coaxes Miyuki into revealing that her parents are divorced and her dog, whom the stuffed animal is named after, was killed in front of their house by a passing car. Kon convinces her to visit the house with him, where they are attacked by a two-headed dog hollow. While attempting to defend Miyuki from the hollow, Miyuki's worry for him causes one of the hollow's heads to attack the other, and Rangiku purifies it in the confusion. As the hollow is purified, the rogue head is revealed to be Shintarō, while the other is just a random dog. Since Miyuki can't see this, Kon explains it to her, and to escape from the stuffed animal, insists that Miyuki stop relying on him and make friends of her own.
136	"Hueco Mundo Civil War! Ulquiorra's Death" "Weko Mundo nairan! Urukiora no shi" (ウェコムンド内乱！ウルキオラの死)	August 8, 2007	—
In Hueco Mundo, an arrancar named Patros and his two subordinates steal the Orb of Distortion, seemingly killing Ulquiorra Schiffer in the process. Patros is unwilling to continue taking orders from Sosuke Aizen, and intends to make himself king by learning how to use the orb. To this end, he heads for Urahara's shop, having heard that someone there can operate it. Kisuke, however, is out on business, so Renji battles him instead. Meanwhile, the other Soul Reapers are kept busy by Patros' two subordinates. As the two sides battle, Ulquiorra appears in the real world, showing no signs of his previous injuries.
137	"Battle of Bad Faith, Aizen's Trap" "Akui no tatakai, Aizen no wana" (悪意の戦い、藍染の罠)	August 22, 2007	—
In Las Noches, Ulquiorra's staged death and the theft of the Orb of Distortion are revealed to be a ploy by Aizen, engineered using his illusion-casting zanpakutō. The real Orb is safe, Patros having stolen an ordinary ball. Meanwhile, in the real world, Patros' two subordinates are defeated after some effort, leaving Patros alone. In addition, Renji reveals his bankai and lifts his power limit, forcing Patros to release his zanpakutō. This allows Patros to overpower Renji, but in doing so he reveals the secret of his attacks to Ririn, who has been watching the whole time. By having Kuroud grab Patros' arm, which now functions in the same manner as his sealed zanpakutō, Patros is unable to generate the energy to unleash his attacks, allowing Renji to destroy him. Back in Hueco Mundo, Ulquiorra reports to Aizen on Orihime, relating that her abilities would be useful to him. He also notes that she is not in the real world at the moment. This is the last of the filler episodes.
138	"Second Move of Hueco Mundo! Hitsugaya vs. Yammy" "Hueco Mundo saidō! Hitsugaya vs Yamī" (ウェコムンド再動!日番谷vsヤミー)	August 29, 2007	—
In Hueco Mundo, the transformation of Wonderweiss Margera takes place and Aizen has Ulquiorra gather some arrancar for a special mission. Meanwhile, Ichigo's training has only amounted to him being able to hold his hollow mask for about 11 seconds. In Soul Society, Jūshirō Ukitake and Shūhei Hisagi observe Orihime and Rukia, who are training for the winter showdown. Yumichika and Rangiku are learning how to execute their bankai when Luppi, Grimmjow, Yammy, and Wonderweiss attack. Ichigo meets Grimmjow and activates his bankai. In the training room under the Urahara shop, Kisuke Urahara prepares to head out for battle.
139	"Ichigo vs. Grimmjow, 11 Second Battle!" "Ichigo vs Gurimujō, 11 byō no tatakai!" (一護vsグリムジョー、 １１秒の戦い)	September 5, 2007	—
Ichigo and Grimmjow face off, with Ichigo donning his hollow mask much to the surprise and dismay of Grimmjow. However, he is quickly overpowered after failing to defeat Grimjow within his 11-second limit. Hitsugaya does battle against Yammy, until a boastful Luppi requests that all four of the present shinigami face him at once. Luppi then releases his zanpakutō, which causes him to sprout eight enormous tentacles from his back. After knocking out Hitsugaya, he captures Rangiku, Ikkaku, and Yumichika. Luppi turns one of his tentacles into a mace and attempts to attack Rangiku, only to have it severed by an attack from Kisuke Urahara. Meanwhile, in Soul Society, Orihime Inoue prepares to cross into the real world. Orihime is escorted back there by two Soul Reaper guards, only to be intercepted by Ulquiorra. He severely injures the guards and demands that she accompany him, lest her friends die at the hands of the Espada attacking them.
140	"Ulquiorra's Scheme, the Moment when the Sun Sets!" "Sakubō no Urukiora, taiyō ga shizumu toki" (策謀のウルキオラ、太陽が沈む時)	September 12, 2007	—
As the battle with Luppi continues, Hitsugaya accomplishes a sneak attack with his bankai and defeats Luppi. Meanwhile, Kisuke Urahara dodges Yammy's bala using a portable gigai, toying with the Espada. Grimmjow nearly kills Ichigo, but is temporarily saved by Rukia. She too is nearly killed, but Shinji Hirako in turns saves her. Grimmjow decides to kill Shinji, but is overwhelmed by Shinji's much better control over his hollow powers. As Grimmjow is about to release his zanpakutō, Ulquiorra stops him and all the arrancar return to Hueco Mundo. The mission, which was to bring Orihime to Aizen, had been completed.
141	"Goodbye..., Kurosaki!" "Sayonara..., Kurosaki-kun!" (さよなら・・・、黒崎くん)	September 19, 2007	—
Orihime is given twelve hours to say goodbye to one person. Ulquiorra gives her a bracelet to make her invisible, which also allows her to pass through walls, in order to keep her from telling her friends anything. Orihime travels around town, watching her friends from a distance. She then visits Ichigo, who is recovering from the numerous injuries Grimmjow inflicted on him. She uses the chance to make a tearful love confession to a sleeping Ichigo. She comes close to kissing him but cannot bring herself to do it. Before leaving the human world, she writes a cryptic line in a notebook, "Good bye, halcyon days."
142	"Order! Forbid rescue of Inoue Orihime" "Genmei! Inoue Orihime no kyujutsu o kinzu" (厳命！井上織姫ノ救出ヲ禁ズ)	September 26, 2007	—
Orihime's friends discover that she's gone missing following the attack by the arrancar. Since she heals Ichigo before departing, she is assumed to have turned traitor by Soul Society, and any rescue attempts are denied. Meanwhile, Tatsuki questions Ichigo about Orihime's disappearance, only to be told that it's none of her concern. Ichigo, unwilling to abandon Orihime, turns to Urahara for help, joined by Sado and Uryū.
143	"Grimmjow Revived" "Fukkatsu no Gurimujō" (復活のグリムジョー)	October 3, 2007	—
After being brought before Aizen, Orihime is asked to demonstrate her power by restoring Grimmjow's arm. Upon doing so, Grimmjow asks her to restore his tattoo. With that done, he quickly kills Luppi to regain his rank. Though worried that her actions might only cause more fighting, Orihime resolves to make herself useful until Soul Society has prepared for the upcoming war. Meanwhile, Ichigo, Sado, and Uryū make their way in Hueco Mundo. Along the way, Uryū reveals why he is breaking his promise to his father not to associate with Soul Reapers; since Ichigo is a Soul Reaper substitute and has been abandoned by Soul Society, he doesn't consider Ichigo one of them. The episode concludes with Kurosaki Isshin meeting with Ryūken Ishida in the training chamber underneath the latter's hospital, who talks to him about both their sons.

[edit] References

• BLEACH しょぼいカレンダー. Retrieved on 2007-05-25. - List of Bleach episode titles (Japanese)
• web Newtype. Retrieved on 2007-07-13. - List of Bleach episode titles (Japanese)
• BLEACH - Official U.S. Site (flash). Retrieved on 2007-05-25. - Official Viz Media Bleach anime site.

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