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Not only does Captain Kuchiki have to contend with Ichigo, but his own Lieutenant, Renji Abarai, has shifted to Ichigo's side in an attempt to rescue Rukia from execution.īyakuya isn't having it, so he gladly faces Renji in combat. Here's another one that features Byakuya in battle. 5 Episode 52: "Renji, Oath of the Soul! Death Match with Byakuya" (8.8) until he shows off his own bankai for the first time! Byakuya can't believe it, but he's forced to accept reality when Ichigo starts fighting him on equal footing.
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So, he brings out his bankai, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, and gains the upper hand with a massive display of force. This is the middle episode of Ichigo and Byakuya's duel, and in it, Byakuya realizes that shikai alone is not enough. RELATED: Bleach: 10 Amazing Works of Fan Art That We Love As promised, both Ichigo and Byakuya square off, and by this episode, the battle is really heating up. Right before Ichigo unites with everyone to fight Captain Aizen, he has to contend with Captain Kuchiki first, who is determined to put down this troublesome human boy for good. Now, he begins to explain the motives behind his nefarious scheme, and he's cut short when the huge Captain Komamura bursts onto the scene.Ħ Episode 58: "Unseal! The Black Blade, the miraculous power" (8.8) And despite both Captain's power, Renji refuses to hand over Rukia when asked.īoth Renji and Ichigo attack Aizen, but the Captain shows incredible power and takes them both down. Aizen stands tall at the execution site, and Kaname Tosen brings Rukia and Renji to him. Many of the most popular episodes of the Soul Society arc involve the climactic final battle, and that includes episode 61. 7 Episode 61: "Aizen Stands! Horrible Ambitions" (8.8) But the victory doesn't last long since Uryu is soon intercepted by another Captain: Kaname Tosen. Ultimately, Uryu prevails, and Kurotsuchi retreats. It's been a vicious battle, and Uryu uses every Quincy trick he knows to stay in the fight when Captain Kurotsuchi uses his fearsome bankai. RELATED: Bleach: 5 Heroes & 5 Villains Ranked by Power
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He's fighting hard to protect Orihime, and he even faces off against the Captain of Squad 12, Mayuri Kurotsuchi the mad scientist. Uryu Ishida has long been separated from Ichigo and Chad, but he's far from defenseless. Yoruichi steps in and stops the fight, and tells Byakuya that this battle may be finished three days from now.Ĩ Episode 44: "Ishida Ultimate Power!" (8.7) Ichigo surprises everyone when he blocks Byakuya's ultra-fast sword strike, but he's now about to use shikai. Things heat up when Ichigo arrives at a bridge leading to the prison tower, and he faces off against Byakuya Kuchiki once again (and meets Rukia face to face). She's a survivalist and doesn't want Ichigo to act recklessly.
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She wants him to be cautious about his next move, though. But Yoruichi has a surprise: "he" is actually a "she," and a full-grown woman! Yoruichi is a tricky one, and she's ready to help push Ichigo's power to the next level. Ichigo, still badly hurt from battle, is brought to a cave and awakens to find the black cat Yoruichi with him. 9 Episode 41: "Reunion, Ichigo and Rukia" (8.6) It is also revealed that Aizen had used large-scale hypnosis to fool everyone into thinking that the Central 46 members were alive, when in fact Aizen had killed them all days earlier. Aizen impales Momo on his zanpakuto and nearly kills her, and not even Toshiro Hitsugaya, who just arrived, can land a blow on Aizen as retaliation. The reunion won't be happy for long, though. This episode occurs late in the Soul Society arc, and it is in this moment when Captain Sosuke Aizen reveals the true depths of his villainy! He faked his own death, and Momo Hinamori discovers the truth for herself when Captain Ichimaru leads her into the arms of her Captain. 10 Episode 60: "Reality of the Despair, the Assassin's Dagger is Swung" (8.6)