Ichigo Kurosaki

Ichigo Kurosaki (黒崎 一護) is a Human who has Shinigami powers. He is the son of Isshin and Masaki Kurosaki, and older brother of Karin and Yuzu. He is the main protagonist of the Bleach series.

Appearance
Ichigo looks like a normal teenage boy; the one exception to that is his spiky orange hair, a trait that he has been ridiculed about for years. He is a fairly tall, lean-built person with peach skin and brown eyes. He has a tendency to wear shirts patterned with the number 15, because his name is a homonym for the number. Since becoming a Shinigami, he has become noticeably more muscular, as noted by his sister Karin. When in his spiritual form, Ichigo wears standard Shinigami attire with the addition of a strap across his chest. Initially, it was a thick brown belt to hold his Zanpakutō sheathe, but it later became a red rosary-like strap. The shape of them is a kite with a flat top and bottom. Ichigo's appearance has caused several people, including Jūshirō Ukitake, to notice a similarity to Kaien Shiba; the former lieutenant of the 13th Division. After training in the Dangai, Ichigo's hair grows considerably and is noticeably taller, as stated by his friends. However, after Ichigo loses all his spiritual powers, his appearance reverts to the way it was before his Dangai training.

Seventeen months after defeating Aizen, after regaining his powers, Ichigo’s Shinigami attire also consists of a thicker strap across his chest. He also has four black vertical lines on his forearms and black bands with white ends crossing over his chest, wrists, and ankles. Similar bands are around his neck as collars. Kūgo speculated that these changes are influenced from the remaining traces of Ichigo's Fullbring.

Personality
When he was young, Ichigo considered his mother to be the center of his world. Ichigo always smiled whenever he was with Masaki and he was regularly at her side, holding her hand. Despite crying whenever he lost in a match at the dojo he attended, Ichigo started to smile again as soon as he saw Masaki when she came to pick him up. At a very young age, Ichigo heard his father saying that his name means "to protect one thing", which instilled in him a desire to protect his mother. When his sisters were born he began attending a dojo for the sake of protecting them, since then the number of people he wished to protect has continued to grow, causing Ichigo to risk his life to protect both his family and strangers.

As a Human teenager, Ichigo's personality is much more complex. Stubborn, short-tempered, strong-willed and impulsive, he attempts to maintain a detached and "cool" image, despite claiming not to care about what other people think about him. He generally keeps his face set in a permanent scowl, with his eyebrows drawn together. His outspoken, hot-headed demeanor is a trait Ichigo himself acknowledged, and that if somebody picks a fight with him, he cannot help fighting back. He coldly refers to his teachers as “instructors”. He is shown to be genuinely compassionate and empathetic about others, as seen by him promising to bring a Plus flowers and a toy plane or soothing others when they become upset. Ichigo is also a capable student, ranked 23rd in his high school. He studies regularly and does not neglect his schoolwork, claiming that he has "nothing better to do at home", though he actually works as hard as he does simply to overcome the misconceptions many have about him, which are based on his hair color and fighting. Ichigo hates fortune telling, horoscopes, feng shui, psychics and anyone whose trade involves taking money from people for things that they cannot see. He has difficulty remembering people's faces and names. Ichigo becomes extremely shy and uncomfortable around nude or immodestly dressed women, a fact both Rangiku Matsumoto and Yoruichi Shihōin have teased him for. Ichigo has some trouble with authority and traditional respect, often quite rude and disrespectful when talking to those older than himself, calling Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto "gramps" and referring to several of the Shinigami captains by their given names.

When it comes to fighting, Ichigo has a complex sense of honor; he regularly seeks to exact revenge for the actions of his opponent, such as instilling the fear of being murdered in Shrieker and cutting off the right arm of Yammy Llargo in retaliation for him ripping Yasutora Sado's right arm apart. He would often taunt and belittle his opponents when fighting, sometimes even attacking without warning. Ichigo has a strong desire to win his fights and to win them in what he views as a legitimate manner. To this end, he has refused the aid of his inner Hollow, even when knowing that it would allow him to win. Similarly, after regaining control of his body, he tells Ulquiorra to cut off his limbs so that they may have a fair fight and refuses to kill him when he is dying, saying that it was not the way he wanted to win.

Ichigo has even shown that he despises those who mistreat their allies in any way, even if they are his own enemies. He is disgusted when an individual berates his/her own allies, such as when Yammy calls Ulquiorra Cifer, Nnoitra Gilga, and Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez "trash". . He also expresses anger towards those who go as far as attacking their own allies, expressing that he cannot forgive those who murder their own comrades.

Despite Ichigo's strong sense of honor, his will to win can waver at times, which directly affects his overall energy levels and fighting abilities. His absolute resolve is depicted by his eyes glowing bright blue and his body being engulfed in a bright blue aura. The same is included with his Hollow powers, in which his eyes glow yellow and his aura turns black. Ichigo’s abilities at their peak allow him to hold his own, if not contend, against the toughest opponents. His will to protect his friends is shown to be so great that, even when battle-worn, he can fight at deceptively high levels, as seen when he effortlessly caught Grimmjow's punch when in his released state. However, at the same time, his lack of resolve to win can also impede his spiritual energy and fighting prowess, shown when he goes into a state of depression and self-loathing when he loses a major battle or lets a friend down; after losing his fight against Yammy and Ulquiorra, thanks to the crippling fear of his inner Hollow, Ichigo's will became so weak, he was unable to even defeat a weak Hollow until Rukia helped restore his resolve.

History
Ichigo was born on July 15th, as the son of Isshin Kurosaki and Masaki Kurosaki, 15 years before he became a Shinigami. His sisters Karin Kurosaki and Yuzu Kurosaki were born a few years later. When he was four, Ichigo joined a karate dojo, where he met and befriended Tatsuki Arisawa. Tatsuki beat Ichigo in every match they had. Tatsuki would also help Ichigo if he was being picked on by bullies and cheer him up if he was upset.

Ichigo was able to see Pluses for as long as he could remember. He could see them so clearly that, as a child, he could not tell the living from the dead. This resulted in him appearing to other people to be looking at deserted places and talking to himself. This caused people to say that he could see ghosts, though when Tatsuki Arisawa asked him about this, he denied being able to see them.

On June 17th, when Ichigo was nine years old, he and his mother were walking home alongside one of Karakura Town's rivers; which was swollen from heavy rain. Ichigo saw a girl near the river and thought that she was about to jump into it. Unable to tell the difference between ghosts and living people, Ichigo ran towards her to stop her, unaware that the girl was the lure of the Hollow Grand Fisher. Masaki tried to stop him, but he did not listen. After failing to grab hold of the girl, Ichigo lost consciousness for a time. When he awoke, Masaki was lying on top of him, covered in blood. Starting the day after Masaki's death, Ichigo repeatedly skipped school to go to the riverbank where Masaki died. Tatsuki found him there, where he would stay from morning until night, wandering along the bank as if searching for his mother; squatting down if he was tired and then wandering some more.

One day when Ichigo was twelve, prior to the Clinic opening, he heard the bell ring and answered the door to find a girl with her brother on her back. He had been in a car accident and was covered in blood. The clinic did not have the equipment necessary to save him and he died before an ambulance arrived to transfer him to Karakura Hospital. Sometime later, he learned that the girl was Orihime Inoue.

Ichigo later entered Mashiba Junior High School. During this time, Ichigo had finally defeated Tatsuki in a karate match and had not had another match with her since. Ichigo regularly got into fights with thugs, due to the unusual color of his hair. During one of these fights he received help from Yasutora Sado. Shortly after Ichigo returned the favor when he rescued Chad from two gang members roughing him up. When the thugs later abducted Chad, Ichigo found them and knocked down their leader, Yokochini. He used Yokochini's phone to ring for an ambulance for each of the five thugs, and then beat up all of them. After Chad was freed they made a pact to protect and fight for each other, they have remained good friends since.

Shortly before Ichigo became a Shinigami, he and Chad began attending Karakura High School, and their reputations preceded them. During a fight with a gang led by Reiichi Ōshima, Ichigo and Chad met Keigo Asano and Mizuiro Kojima, saving the former in the process. While Keigo was initially afraid of Ichigo and Chad, both he and Mizuiro later became friends with them.

Agent of the Shinigami arc
One evening, after scaring off a group of skateboarders who had knocked over an offering to a dead girl Ichigo apologizes for using her to scare them and promises to bring her some new flowers and tells her to hurry up and go to heaven. When he arrives home, he has an argument with Isshin and later sees Rukia Kuchiki, mistaking her for a burglar and kicks her. Isshin tells him to stop creating a ruckus, but when Ichigo informs him about the intruder, Isshin states there is nobody there. Ichigo accepts that Rukia is a ghost of some sort, but refuses to believe her explanation about Shinigami; causing Rukia to bind him with Kidō. A Hollow then attacks the Kurosaki Clinic and upon hearing his sister's pleas for help, Ichigo breaks out of the Kidō and rushes to stop the Hollow. Ichigo is surprised that it is a monster rather than the Human like spirit he expected, but when he notices that it is holding Yuzu, charges at it with a baseball bat in a futile attack. Rukia injures the Hollow, freeing Yuzu and explains that the Hollow's target is likely him. Ichigo thinks this means that it is his fault that his family is in danger and his reckless actions force Rukia to shield Ichigo with her body; causing her severe injuries. Seeing that Ichigo is truly determined to protect his family, Rukia offers to temporarily turn him into a Shinigami by piercing his chest with her Zanpakutō and transferring half of her power to him. However, Ichigo absorbs almost all of Rukia's power. Transformed into a Shinigami, Ichigo makes short work of the Hollow, collapsing afterwards.

The following morning, Ichigo awakens from a nightmare to find that his family's memory of the attack has been replaced. At school, he is horrified to find that Rukia is now a part of his class. After she threatens him not to make a scene she informs him that she is using a Gigai while she awaits the return of her powers and insists that he help her do her job in the mean time. Ichigo refuses, saying that the only reason he fought the previous night was because his family was in danger. Rukia forces his Shinigami form out of his body and takes him to a park where where a Hollow is about to attack. She then manipulates the situation to persuade Ichigo to perform her duties. After having undergone some training with Rukia to improve his combat tactics, Ichigo is startled when Rukia jumps out of his bedroom closet and warns him about a Hollow. As a large hand bursts through the floor, Rukia forces Ichigo's soul out of his body. Ichigo slashes at the Hollow's head, but only manages to slice off a portion of its mask, revealing the Hollow to be Sora Inoue. Rukia explains the origins of Hollows and then cuts off an angry Ichigo to tell him that Orihime Inoue is in danger. As Rukia explains that Hollows often attack their relatives, she and Ichigo rush to Orihime's apartment. Ichigo manages to stop the Hollow before it eats Orihime's soul Ichigo notes that Tatsuki has been caught up in Sora's attack before realizing that Orihime's soul is outside her body.

The Hollow sends Ichigo through an upstairs wall. As Ichigo lands and comes to a stop in mid-air, the Hollow spits acid at him, causing him to drop his Zanpakutō. Sora then knocks him into the ground. As Rukia wakes Ichigo, he notes that the battle is different and that it has affected him. Rukia reminds him that Orihime's soul will be eaten if he loses. Ichigo jumps back into the apartment and cuts off Sora's hand. Sora demands to know why Ichigo is interfering and insists that he will not give her to anyone else, especially Ichigo. Ichigo tells him that Orihime does not belong to anyone. Sora charges at him, but Orihime steps in between then and is bitten. Ichigo listens as she talks to her brother. As she collapses, Rukia arrives and attempts to heal her. Ichigo reveals that Orihime had told him that her hairpins were a present from Sora and that he is not the only one who is sad. Sora uses Ichigo's sword to purify himself and Rukia explains to Ichigo that Hollows defeated by a Zanpakutō are purified and sent to Soul Society. As Ichigo and Orihime talk, Rukia erases her memory.

Mizuiro Kojima interrupts a discussion about Ichigo's healed wounds, noting that Rukia and Ichigo are together again, saying that they get along well, which Ichigo denies and states that he would have dyed his hair long ago if he was worried by the impression he creates. Ichigo warns Rukia to watch out for Mizuiro and as Keigo Asano arrives, Mizuiro tells him that Ichigo asked her out. Keigo congratulates him, but is interrupted by Reiichi Ōshima. Reiichi asks Ichigo when he will dye his hair, claiming it is a copy of his own. Ichigo reminds him that it is his natural hair color and tells him to do something about his own hair and insults him. Angered, Reiichi produces brass knuckles, but is knocked out by Chad. As Chad explains his injuries, Ichigo notices that he has a parakeet with him. Rukia tells him that the spirit inside of it is just a lonely Plus, which they should send to Soul Society that night. Ichigo complains about missing another night of sleep. When Ichigo returns home, he finds his sisters busy helping with the injured from a car accident. Ichigo is told to stay out of the way, but when an injured Chad is brought into the clinic, Isshin asks him to help. Ichigo notes that the wound on his back were inflicted by a Hollow.

The following morning, Ichigo rushes to school in search of the missing. Rukia catches up to him as he leaves the school, saying that she did not find him nor has she received any information about Hollows from Soul Society. Ichigo tracks the spirit inside the parakeet using Reiraku, which shocks Rukia. They find Chad, who runs away from them. Ichigo tells him that it is dangerous to be by himself, but is distracted by an ill Karin. At Rukia's behest, he brings his sister home. Karin tells him that she saw the memories of the child trapped within the bird and that the Plus saw his mother being murdered. She asks him to save the child. After placing her in her bed, Ichigo rushes back to help Chad. Reflecting upon how long it has been since he last saw Karin cry, he promises to send the Plus to Soul Society.

When Ichigo arrives to take over fighting the Hollow, Shrieker,, Rukia releases him from his body and he immediately injures Shrieker. Ichigo notes the small creatures nearby, which he had seen carrying Chad's birdcage. He states that he is glad that he killed them and Rukia tells him that they spit out explosive leeches. After seeing the leeches explode, asks Shrieker if he was the one who killed the child's parents, which the Hollow confirms. Ichigo catches one of the leeches and slams it into Shrieker's mouth. When the Hollow does not trigger them, Ichigo rips out its tongue, before stabbing his sword into Shrieker's leg. Ichigo asks him how it feels to be unable to move or fight and if he can savor what it is like to be murdered. Shrieker briefly escapes, but Ichigo cuts through his head. From this wound, the gates of Hell emerge and Rukia explains about Hell as they watch Shrieker being dragged inside. When Rukia tells the Plus that they will send him to Soul Society, Ichigo tells him that he might be able to see his mother there.

The following day, Ichigo notes that Chad's memory has been erased. Rukia forcefully drags a reluctant Ichigo out of class and gives him a Gikongan, a dispenser of Artificial souls. After explaining its purpose, and striking Ichigo for making fun of her, she forces him to try one. Ichigo is unconvinced by the replacement soul's personality, but is forced to leave it in his body when they receive an order from Soul Society. After defeating the Hollow, Ichigo rushes back, concerned about how the artificial soul is getting on. He sees his body jumping out an upstairs window and run away at extremely high speed. As they chase after him, Rukia tells him that it must be a Mod soul. Rukia explains what she means to an angry Ichigo, who asks if Rukia is alright with the idea of the Mod souls being created and killed all for Soul Society's convenience. She tells him that it is irrelevant as it is Soul Society's law which is there to protect Humans. Ichigo wonders how the Mod soul must feel about being persecuted and then gaining his body. As they search for him, they receive a warning about a Hollow. Hurrying to its location, they find the Mod Soul is fighting it and Ichigo rushes to his aid. When the Mod soul tries to ask why Ichigo saved him, he reminds him that he is using Ichigo's body. The two continue arguing as they defeat the Hollow together. Kisuke Urahara arrives to reclaim the Mod soul, removing it from Ichigo's body. Ichigo asks him what he is going to do with it and, realizing that Kisuke can see him, he asks who he is. Rukia gives the Mod Soul to Ichigo; who thanks her for not throwing him away.

On the 16th of June Ichigo is woken by Kon. He throws Kon at the wall, reminding him that he has been told to act like a normal stuffed toy animal before recalling how he and Rukia had searched for a body to place the Mod soul in, but ended up placing him inside a stuffed animal. He also reminisces about how he came to call him Kon. Rukia complains about the noise they are making. Ichigo scrambles to hide them as Yuzu comes into the room to say that Mizuiro is waiting for him. Whilst hurrying to get dressed, Ichigo apologizes to Mizuiro and notes that Mizuiro's memory seems to have been erased, remembering that Rukia had told him that Urahara, must have worked hard. As Rukia leaves, Ichigo complains that Isshin did not wake him up as usual before noticing the date. At school, Orihime greets him and he smiles back as he returns the greeting. That night, the Kurosaki's hold a family meeting to discuss their trip to Masaki's grave the following day. Ichigo asks Rukia if he can take just the one day off from the Shinigami work, telling her that it is the day Masaki was killed. Ichigo lies in his bed, as memories of her death flash through his mind. Ichigo covers his eyes, trying to block out the painful memories.

On the 17th of July, while walking to the graveyard, the twins see Rukia waving at them. After initially denying that he knew her, Ichigo tells them that she is from his school and goes to talk to her, sending the girls ahead to the grave. Ichigo asks why Rukia followed him and gets annoyed when she says it was in case of a Hollow attack, saying that she should be more covert. Rukia asks if Masaki was killed by a Hollow, angering Ichigo. Ichigo notices the same girl he saw the night Masaki died and he runs after her. He later tells Rukia that he killed Masaki. At Masaki's grave, Ichigo looks watches his families antics and reflects on his mother died and its impact on his family. Later, Isshin tells Ichigo to find the girls, but he refuses, saying it is tiring and that he should go himself. Isshin grabs Ichigo, asking if his little sisters are not precious to him. He tells Ichigo to search in one direction and while he stays there, prompting Ichigo to kick him. Ichigo then senses the reiatsu of a Hollow.

Ichigo realizes that Yuzu and Karin are easy targets. He meets up with Rukia and asks her if she is going to question him further on his mother's death. She tells him that it is his problem and that she will wait until he is ready to talk about it. Kon tells them to stop acting so cool, surprising Ichigo. He questions when Kon became so devoted to Rukia, saying that Orihime is there. Seeing his reaction he says that Kon is not devoted at all as he is left behind. As the Hollow attempts to eat Yuzu, Ichigo arrives and cuts frees the twins. He demands to know why the girl he saw when Masaki died is there; asking if she is a Hollow's crony or if she is controlled by a Hollow. The girl is revealed to be part of the Hollow. Rukia tells him that the Hollow is called Grand Fisher and that it uses a lure to trick and devour Humans who have high levels of spiritual power. Ichigo realizes that the girl he was trying to save when Masaki died was actually Grand Fisher's lure and that it killed his mother. Despite Rukia's protest, Ichigo lunges at Grand Fisher, who dodges his attack. As Grand Fisher attacks Ichigo, Ichigo stops Rukia from using Kidō on it. Ichigo insists on fighting the Hollow alone and instructs her to mind his sisters.

Ichigo struggles against the faster Grand Fisher and is subjected to the Hollow's Transcribe ability. Grand Fisher transforms his lure into an image of Masaki and explains about his ability. The Hollow punches through Masaki's form and pierces Ichigo's chest. Ichigo stabs the Hollow's chest and grabs his arm, saying that he has finally caught him, slashing open his chest. As Grand Fisher collapses, the severely injured Ichigo props himself up. When Rukia arrives, Ichigo tells her that she is late and that he has already cleaned up. Rukia reminds him that it was him who told her to stay out of the fight. As Grand Fisher stirs behind Ichigo, Rukia warns him just in time to dodge another attack. The Hollow then transfers its form into the lure and leaps into the sky, escaping. Rukia tries to convince Ichigo that he cannot fight him any more, but he insists that he can still fight and that the Hollow is still not dead yet; despite this he soon collapses.

Ichigo awakens in his body, in great pain. Rukia tells him that he should know by now that the wounds his soul received will show up when he returns to his body. Ichigo complains that she has not fully healed him and Rukia apologizes, saying that she used most of her strength to heal his stomach wound. Ichigo asks her if he lost, but she tells him that the Hollow fled and nobody died, so he won. Ichigo says that Grand Fisher is not dead and walks off. At Masaki's grave, Ichigo apologizes to her for being able to avenge her. Isshin offers him an umbrella, but Ichigo declines it, prompting Isshin to repeatedly poke Ichigo in the head until he hits him back with it. Isshin notes that the time has gone by quickly and that it has already been ten years since Masaki died. Ichigo corrects his error and Isshin replies that he was "so close". Ichigo loudly complains about this, causing Isshin to say that Masaki can rest easily if she sees him being so lively. When he starts smoking a cigarette, Ichigo says that he thought he had quit smoking when Karin and Yuzu were born. Isshin explains that Masaki complimented him when they started dating about his hand looking cool when he was smoking, the only time that she had complimented his looks, which is he is smoking on this one occasion. When Ichigo asks why nobody blames him for Masaki's death, Isshin asks why he would, saying that if he did, Masaki would be mad at him. He explains that Masaki would gladly die to protect her child and reminds Ichigo that he is the one that the woman he loved gave her life to protect. He then knees Ichigo in the back and tells him to live his life well and leaves. Ichigo asks Rukia if her powers are returning and asks that she allow him to remain a Shinigami for a while longer regardless. He says that he wants to become stronger so that he can defeat Hollows, protect those that are targeted and to defeat Grand Fisher; otherwise he will not be able to face Masaki.

One Sunday morning, Ichigo and Rukia try to clean Kon. Later, Kon, wearing a dress, leaps at Ichigo apologizing for having run away from home. Ichigo, who had been wondering where Kon was, questions why Kon is dressed in such a way. While Yuzu and Isshin are watching Don Kanonji's Ghost Bust TV program one Wednesday evening, Ichigo asks Yuzu what the pose they are doing is and annoys her with his responses. He then asks a distracted Karin what she is looking at. She says it is nothing, prompting Ichigo to tell her that she is acting weird. Ichigo asks her if she is not going to watch with Yuzu and Isshin, but she says she is not interested. She tells Ichigo that she can see spirits about as clearly as Ichigo can, hence her disinterest in the ghost show. Ichigo remembers that she was the only member of the family to see the Hollow that attacked the house when he first met Rukia and realizes that she might be able to see Shinigami as well. His thoughts are interrupted by Yuzu shouting as the announcer reveals that the show will be broadcast from an abandoned hospital in Karakura Town the following week. The next morning at school, Orihime performs Don Kanonji's pose as Ichigo arrives in class, confusing him. She asks Ichigo if he has not heard of it. When Ichigo identifies the pose, Orihime ask him to do the pose with her. As Ichigo's friends all do the pose, Ichigo tells Keigo that he is not going to the show in Karakura. Keigo tries to convince him to go, but he retorts that Keigo is not even from Karakura.

The following Wednesday, an annoyed Ichigo, accompanied by his family, watches his friends gather at the abandoned hospital where Ghost Bust is being filmed. Orihime apologizes to him for trying to get him to do Don Kanonji's pose and he tells her that it is okay. He reveals that Keigo and Mizuiro know he despises it, but yet still do it anyway. When asked why he came, he explains that Isshin and Yuzu are huge fans of the show, saying that they would look pitiful if just the two of them went. Orihime tells him that he is so kind, but Ichigo dismisses it as normal. Rukia tells him that he must be tired from his dual life and instructs him to use this chance to relax. Ichigo is surprised that she is concerned about his health, but gets annoyed with her when she reveals that she does not know what the "festival" is about. After explaining it to her, he asks if there really is a spirit in the hospital, saying that the Shinigami would have dealt with it already. Rukia says that it is likely to be a Jibakurai and begins to explain what this is. When the Jibakurai begins screaming, Ichigo notes that it sounds like the voice of a Hollow. Rukia tells him that it is on its way to becoming a Hollow. Ichigo notes that it feels like there is a Hollow nearby, but it does not look like one. As the Jibakurai screams at those who have gathered, Ichigo says that he is carrying "one hell of a greedy grudge". As the show begins filming Don Kanonji parachutes into the hospital grounds. Ichigo asks Rukia if they should not perform Konsō on the Jibakurai to prevent him from becoming a Hollow. Rukia tells him that it takes months to turn into a Hollow. She says to do it after the show as it would be trouble if there was a struggle and someone was hurt. Seeing that Ichigo is unconvinced, she seeks to reassure him. However, Don Kanonji jams his staff into the hole in the chest of the Jibakurai.

Concerned, Ichigo tries to stop Kanonji, but he and Rukia are pounced upon by security. He tells them to let him go or something bad will happen. Urahara frees Ichigo's Shinigami form from his body. Ichigo rushes towards Kanonji, shouting at him to stop. He knocks him away from the Jibakurai. Kanonji asks what he is doing, causing Ichigo to realize that the medium can see him. However it is too late and the Jibakurai vanishes in an explosion. Kanonji promises to send Ichigo to heaven too as Rukia shouts at him to look up, where they see the spirit reforming into a Hollow on top of the hospital. Kanonji asks what it is, surprising Ichigo, who tells him it is a Hollow. As Ichigo and Kanonji bicker, the Hollow charges at them. Ichigo knocks it back and fends off another attack. When the Hollow gets its head stuck in a wall, Ichigo drags the medium inside the hospital.

Kanonji argues that he should not run away as he is viewed as a hero and must be a symbol to his fans. Ichigo stops him from returning to where the TV cameras can see him, asking the medium what he will do if the audience gets caught up in the fighting; insisting that protecting his fans is also a hero's duty. He explains that Hollows attack people with high levels of spiritual power, meaning that the Hollow will definitely come after them if they stay inside, avoiding harm to others. The Hollow bursts through the floor and Ichigo's Zanpakutō becomes stuck in the ceiling as he fends it off. Realizing that the corridors are too confined to use his sword in, Ichigo admits to himself that he never thought of such a thing. The Hollow glues his hands together. Kanonji jams its mouth open with his staff. Kanonji uses his Kanon Ball technique to free Ichigo's blade. He thanks the medium and injures the Hollow. With his sword still embedded in the Hollow's shoulder it smashes through the external wall and climbs up on to the roof, dragging Ichigo with him. Freed from the Hollow, Ichigo takes advantage of the open space to attack. defeats the Hollow, prompting Kanonji to congratulate him and dance around. Ichigo tells him to stop and explains that it is the same spirit Kanonji thought he had sent to heaven. Ichigo tells him that he should not let it get to him, as he did not know and regretting it will do no good. Ichigo points out that the crowd is waving and tells him to answer them, asking if it is not his duty. Kanonji thanks him, complimenting his courage, quick-wits and strength and asks that they work together in future. Ichigo agrees to help him once in a while. Kanonji then annoys him by calling him his number one pupil. Before departing, Ichigo is forced to take a Don Kanonji fan club card, signed “to my #1 pupil”.

The following day, Ichigo and his friends are brought before the principal regarding the events at the abandoned hospital. Showing a recording of the program, Kagine complains that their escapades were broadcast live nationwide. When Rukia says that it is her own fault for not stopping Ichigo and distracts Kagine, Ichigo and the others sneak out the window. After they make their escape, Keigo thanks Rukia, but Ichigo tells him not to, as she was going to sell just him out. When Keigo mentions that the announcer talked over Ichigo’s shouting during the show, Ichigo thinks that he owes the announcer one for preventing people from realizing that he had called Rukia by her first name. That afternoon, Ichigo answers the door to Don Kanonji. Ichigo immediately closes and locks the door, demanding to know how he found out about his house. Kanonji reveals that he invited Rukia along and Ichigo realizes that it was her who told him where he lived. Yuzu then sees Kanonji and knocks Ichigo over while opening the door. Rukia’s Denreishinki alerts her to a Hollow and they rush off to fight it.

Arriving at what they believed to be the location of a Hollow attack, Ichigo and Rukia find a Plus cowering in a corner, but no Hollow. Ichigo asks how many times such a thing has happened in the past week, suggesting that Rukia’s Denreishinki is broken. They bicker as Rukia insists that the Denreishinki is working and Ichigo asks if there is another Shinigami defeating the Hollows before him. Rukia tells him that Shinigami are strictly sorted and that it should not be the case. As the Plus jumps at Ichigo, thanking him, Ichigo hits him and orders him to say that to the person who saved him. When Rukia is unable to get the Plus to tell them who saved him, Ichigo performs Soul Burial on him.

At school, Ichigo tells a worried Keigo that exams do not hold a lot of meaning in life. Mizuiro points out that Ichigo is ranked 18th out of the 322 people in their grade. He points out that his orange hair causes him a lot of trouble as older students pick on him and teachers watch him closely and he studies so that the school does not complain about him. Mizuiro then asks him if he has seen Rukia, saying that they are always together. Ichigo tells Mizuiro that he has been trying to keep away from her at school to avoid the “creepy glances” and rumors since their appearance on Don Kanonji’s TV program. Rukia then drags Ichigo off, causing him to complain about the rumors regarding them. Rukia tells him to complain later as there is a Hollow. Ichigo tells her that he will not forgive her if it is not there this time. After school, as they fail to find another Hollow, Ichigo complains about the current missing Hollow and the one from lunch time. As Rukia drags his body from its hiding place, she tells him to shut up and return to his body. Re-entering his body, Ichigo tells her to do something about the problem. The pair are approached by Uryū Ishida, dressed in a Quincy outfit, prompting Ichigo to ask if the unusual outfit means that he is a priest. Uryū asks Ichigo if it is correct that he can see spirits, which Ichigo denies is even possible. When a new Hollow appears, Uryū kills it and introduces himself, saying that he hates Shinigami and Ichigo.

At school, Ichigo reflects upon his encounter with Uryū, wondering why he would say such things to a complete stranger and why Uryū was angry. Realizing that he cannot remember his full name, Ichigo lists of possible names out loud. Orihime overhears him and states that Uryū is in their class. She takes him to the handicrafts club to show him Uryū. Ichigo notes that he is indeed in their class and they watch him sew a teddy bear for Michiru Ogawa. Orihime asks what happened between Ichigo and Uryū, but Ichigo dismisses it as no big deal. After school, Ichigo follows Uryū as he leaves. The Quincy asks him if he intends to follow him all the way home, noting that he had noticed him spying on him from the classroom doorway. When Ichigo applauds him, Uryū states that it is due to Ichigo’s inability to restrain his spiritual power and that he lacks the ability to sense reiatsu, as evidenced by him not noticing Uryū until that day. Uryū then explains that he noticed Ichigo’s unusually high spiritual power and that in mid-May, he acquired Shinigami powers. He invites Ichigo to fight him, saying that Shinigami are unnecessary in the Human World.

Ichigo calls the idea ridiculous, saying that his grudge against Shinigami has nothing to do with him. Uryū succeeds in convincing Ichigo to fight him. Ichigo uses Kon to free his Shinigami form and tells Kon to watch from there as he beats Uryū. He asks the Quincy what the rules for the fight are and Uryū uses some Hollow bait, saying that it will cause Hollows to gather in Karakura Town and the one who defeats the most Hollows within twenty-four hours wins. Angered by this, Ichigo demands to know why he is exposing the town's residents to such danger. Uryū tells him not to worry as they will kill all the Hollows. When Uryū kills the first Hollow, Ichigo leaps at him and tells him to undo it, but Uryū tells him that Hollows will soon flood the town and that he should run if he wishes to protect as many people as possible. When Uryū warns him that Hollows tend to prefer people with high spiritual power, Ichigo runs off to find Karin. After slaying his third Hollow and saving a pair of Pluses, Ichigo struggles to think where Karin is. He sends Kon to get Rukia’s Denreishinki to aid in reacting to the Hollows. Ichigo defeats the Hollows between the Kurosaki Clinic and the last place where he saw Karin, thinking that it should be safe for her now.

Having found Uryū, Ichigo bickers with Kon when he arrives. Unable to attract their attention by shouting, Uryū fires an arrow at Ichigo, who blocks it. Ichigo insists that it is a battle between him and Uryū and that the amount of Hollows they beat is irrelevant. Kon points out that there is a large crack forming in the sky, and Uryū notes that the Hollows are converging upon it. When Uryū begins to fire arrows into the group of Hollows, Ichigo tells him there are too many and that they need to come up with a strategy. Uryū asks him if he is afraid and charges towards the Hollows, shouting that the last Quincy will be their opponent. Ichigo asks what he means by this, and Rukia explains about the fall of the Quincy at the hands of the Shinigami, prompting him to run after Uryū and attack several Hollows around Uryū. Ichigo tells him that he does not know or care about whether the Shinigami or Quincy were right and expresses his frustration at Uryū’s methods. Uryū tells him that he thought the Shinigami were correct, until his sensei was killed in front of him. Uryū tells Ichigo of his sensei’s attempts to convince the Shinigami to work together with the remaining Quincy, but he died fighting a group of Huge Hollows without achieving that goal. Uryū says that he must prove the strength of the Quincy to the Shinigami. Ichigo points out that his sensei’s wish was to work together and asks if he will do that now, saying that fighting back to back is the best way to deal with the situation.

As the two begrudgingly work together, Ichigo tells him that his approach to their fight is endangering the people he wants to protect and says that he will not forgive him for that, but it is not the time to talk about such things. The pair agree to beat each other up after the Hollows have been dealt with, but as they are about to attack a horde of Hollows, a Menos Grande appears. After they argue about how to deal with the Hollows and the Menos, Ururu Tsumugiya, Tessai Tsukabishi, Jinta Hanakari and Urahara arrive to fight the Hollows. Urahara tells Ichigo to concentrate on fighting the Menos. Seeing its size, Ichigo questions whether it is in fact a Hollow and is shocked to see it eating the nearby Hollows. Saying that there is no way they can figure out how to fight such a monster and that the will have to simply cut it repeatedly until it succumbs to its injuries, Ichigo charges towards the Menos and attacks the Menos' leg, but is knocked back by the unfazed Menos. Uryū notices that Ichigo's power flows into his bow when he touches it and Ichigo is shocked to see the increased size of the bow.

Uryū plans to fire an enlarged arrow at the Menos, telling Ichigo to increase his power to maximum. Ichigo points out that he never controls his energy output and comments that it must be at maximum all the time. When the Menos starts to charge a Cero, Ichigo rushes towards it and blocks the Cero with his Zanpakutō. Uryū notes that Ichigo's power increases as he resists the Cero. Ichigo repels the attack, injuring the Menos in the process. As the Menos retreats from the Human World, Ichigo collapses. He notes that he cannot move and his Zanpakutō begins to destabilize. The energy released from Ichigo and his Zanpakutō causes Uryū's bow to grow again, this time without having to touch it. Noting that it will explode, Uryū begins to fire arrows into the sky to release the excess power, injuring himself. Ichigo tells him not to over do it, as he will lose his arm. Uryū tells him to make sure that he lives so that they he can beat him later. The following day, when Uryū arrives late to school with both arms bandaged, Rukia tells Ichigo not to pay attention to it, as Uryū is responsible for his injuries. Ichigo denies being worried. He later overhears Keigo telling Mizuiro that he saw Uryū talking to himself the previous day, believing it to be related to a theatre. Ichigo is thankful, thinking that it is good that Keigo is an idiot. At lunch, Ichigo asks Uryū to join them for lunch. While they eat, Ichigo instructs him to tell some jokes to liven things up, thinking to himself that maybe he should not have invited Uryū. When Uryū asks Ichigo why he invited him, he replies that he is in a good mood and that he ought to be grateful that someone invited him. When the Quincy says that he prefers to eat alone, Ichigo says that he enjoys eating alone too and tells him to eat while facing the other way.

That night, Yuzu complains when Ichigo takes the leftovers from dinner again. Ichigo claims that it is a midnight snack, as it is very tiring during puberty. When Yuzu tells him she will not care when he gets fat, he says he will be careful and goes into his room. Ichigo calls Rukia, but she is not there. Realizing this, Ichigo resigns himself to eating the meal, even though he is not hungry. At 2:00 a.m. Ichigo wonders whether Rukia is going to return that night, noting that it would be nice to get a full night's sleep for once, with no Shinigami duties to carry out. Hearing a muffled noise, Ichigo finds Kon gagged and tied to the back of the toilet bowl. Ichigo brings him back to his room, where Kon thanks him while Ichigo holds his nose due to the smell. Ichigo sprays him with deodorant, prompting an argument between them. When Ichigo asks why he was tied up, Kon tells him that Rukia is in big trouble. He shows Ichigo a note that is sitting on his desk and informs him that she has left. Not knowing why she left without any explanation, they open the note and are shocked to find that she has left the message in a word puzzle. Ichigo figures out the puzzle and reads the message, telling them that she has to leave and instead of looking for her, they should go into hiding. Still confused about the situation, Ichigo decides that nothing will be resolved if they just stay there. He tells Kon that he will become a Shinigami and find her. When Kon asks him how he will change into his Shinigami form, Ichigo realizes that he cannot change form without Rukia. He demands that Kon change him into a Shinigami, but he resists. Urahara appears at the window and offers to change him into Shinigami form, saying that he wants to help his frequent customer.

As Renji Abarai attacks Rukia, Ichigo arrives and attacks him. Renji dodges and demands to know who he is. When Renji notes the size of Ichigo's Zanpakutō, Ichigo replies that he thought it was large compared to Rukia's, but there had not been anyone else to compare it to. Renji realizes that he is the Human who took Rukia's Shinigami powers and attacks him. As they clash swords, Renji asks if Ichigo's sword is just for show. Ichigo tells him that his yapping is becoming annoying and that he will end up biting his tongue. As he mentally notes Renji's speed, Renji cuts Ichigo's shoulder and tells him that it is over. He reveals that Rukia will be executed in Soul Society. Renji taunts him, saying that he could not even scratch him. Ichigo slashes at him, cutting his chin. He then apologizes for interrupting his speech and asks him to continue, reminding him that he was saying that he could not scratch the more experienced Shinigami. Captain Byakuya Kuchiki tells Renji that thirty three hours previously, their undercover forces witnessed Ichigo inflicting a scar upon a Menos Grande. Hearing this, Ichigo wonders what a Menos is, thinking that he must be referring to the "big-nosed guy" he fought with Uryū. Renji laughs at this, saying that while his sword is big, it has not power to back it up and asks Ichigo what the name of his Zanpakutō is. Ichigo replies that he has not named his sword and asks if they actually give them names. Renji activates his Shikai, surprising Ichigo with its change of form. He leaps into the air and slashes Ichigo's left shoulder, saying that it is the end of the rookie.

Renji explains that a Zanpakutō can change its size and shape based on the strength of the owner and that while he does not have a grudge against Ichigo, he will finish him slowly. Rukia attempts to stop Renji and tells Ichigo to run, but Ichigo grabs his sword. As he stands up, Ichigo's reiatsu increases, severing the tassel on his Zanpakutō's hilt. Ichigo injures the surprised Renji and quickly overwhelms him, claiming that his movements have slowed. Ichigo reveals that his wound no longer hurts and that he feels great. As he attempts to end the fight, the blade of his sword disappears. Stunned, Ichigo concludes that Renji is not responsible for it. He then notices that Byakuya is holding the severed blade. Ichigo thinks this to be impossible due to the distance between them and as he prepares for Byakuya's attack, Byakuya appears behind him and stabs him through the chest. As he falls to the ground, Ichigo wonders whether he was attacked from the front or from behind. Byakuya comments that he is slow, even when falling over and stabs him again. As Rukia runs to Ichigo's side, Renji stops her and Byakuya acknowledges that he greatly resembles "him". Ichigo grabs Byakuya's leg, telling the Shinigami captain not to talk about him as if he is dead. Byakuya tells him to let go, but Ichigo instructs the captain to look at him when he is talking so that he can hear him. When Byakuya threatens to cut off his arm, Rukia kicks Ichigo's hand away from her brother, telling him that as a Human, he should know his place. She then tells Byakuya that she is ready to leave for Soul Society. Ichigo protests, but Renji tells him to stop making things worse. Rukia tells Byakuya that there is no point in deliberately kill Ichigo, as he will soon stop breathing on his own. Ichigo asks if this is a joke, causing Rukia to reply that if he tries to follow her, she will never forgive him. She tells him to conserve what energy he has left so that he may live a moment longer. Byakuya acquiesces to Rukia's request and explains that he Ichigo should die within thirty minutes due to his injuries, but if he does survive, he will no longer possess any Shinigami powers. As Renji opens a Senkaimon and leaves with Rukia and Byakuya, Ichigo notes that he cannot move or speak. He reflects upon coming to protect Rukia, but instead she protected him again. As Ichigo contemplates his injuries in the rain, Urahara and Yoruichi Shihōin approach him.

Ichigo thinks to himself he must finally be dying, as he was just cold and now he has no pain and is also warm. He then awakes to see Tessai Tsukabishi lying on top of him in a small bed on the floor. As Tessai calls Urahara, Ichigo recognizes him as one of "sandal-hat's" associates, and pushes him out of the bed, hurting his left shoulder. Heavily bandaged, Ichigo realizes that he is neither dead nor at his own house. Urahara enters the room, telling Ichigo that his wounds are not yet fully healed, and that if he moves too much he could die. Ichigo realizes that he is in Urahara's house, and that it was Urahara who saved him. He asks the shopkeeper if he found Uryū as well, and if he is alright. Urahara explains that Uryū's injuries were less severe, so he treated them on the spot. When he left, he was about Ichigo. Ichigo is skeptical of this, but Urahara continues, saying that Uryū had stated that Ichigo was the only one who could beat the Shinigami and save Rukia. Ichigo says that he cannot do anything as Rukia has been taken to Soul Society, which he cannot go to. Urahara reveals that he can send Ichigo to Soul Society, but on the condition that he trains with Kisuke for the next ten days. Ichigo replies that since they do not know when Rukia will be executed, he should go to Soul Society as quickly as possible. Urahara knocks him to the ground with his cane, saying that he will die if he goes there in his current condition. Kisuke then reveals that he purposely allowed Ichigo to fight Renji and Byakuya, as he believed that it would be easier for him to realize this after having fought them himself. As Urahara continues to force the point home, Ichigo stares at Urahara's cane, noting that it feels as if there is a sword pointed at his head. Urahara tells him that Soul Society typically allows a grace period of a month before executions, so they till spend ten days training and seven days opening the gate to Soul Society, leaving Ichigo with thirteen days in Soul Society to rescue Rukia. Ichigo asks if he can truly become stronger in ten days. Urahara assures him that he can and asks if he will do it. Ichigo responds that if he does not, then nobody will.

Urahara gives Ichigo a bottle of pills and instructs him to take one every hour. Saying that he will be recovered from his injuries by dinner time, Kisuke sends him to school for the final day of the term. At school, Tetsuo Momohara speaks with Ichigo, who fails to remember his name. Tetsuo reminds Ichigo of his name and that he has repeatedly tried to recruit him for the karate club. Ichigo apologizes and Tetsuo takes Rukia's seat in the class. Ichigo reflects upon the rate at which he is healing thanks to the pills and the fact that nobody appears to remember Rukia. As Misato dismisses the class for summer, Ichigo notes that Uryū did not come in, thinking that he would remember Rukia. Keigo interrupts his thoughts by blind-folding and spinning him around, telling him to guess where the watermelon is. Ichigo hits Keigo over the head with a stick, shocking Keigo and Mizuiro. Keigo recovers and excitedly invites the group on a ten day trip to the ocean. Ichigo declines, saying that he has no time in his schedule, insisting that he cannot go no matter what Keigo says. As he walks home, Ichigo thinks that it is odd that nothing feels out of place, that the world is continuing as normal without Rukia, and that if this is how things are supposed to be, then why should he bother. When Ichigo meets Orihime on the way home, she asks him where Rukia is. She notes that everyone has forgotten about her, but she believed that Ichigo would know. Ichigo explains the situation to her, saying that he had no idea that she could see his Shinigami form. Orihime scolds him about thinking that he could take Rukia away from her friends and family in Soul Society, and that she would be taken back again. She then tells a confused Ichigo that she knows he has already made up his mind even if she scolds him like that. She then gives an impression of how she thinks Ichigo would react and tells him to go save her, insisting that she does not want her friend to die either. Ichigo thanks her and runs off. Ichigo goes to the Urahara Shop, showing Kisuke his healed wounds. He tells Urahara that he told Isshin that he would be sleeping over at a friend's house and asks Urahara to teach him well.

In a hidden training area underneath Urahara's shop, Kisuke acts surprised to see such a large space underneath his shop. Ichigo tells him to stop feigning surprise, but Urahara ignores him, prompting Ichigo to tell Tessai that his boss has a habit of ignoring his customers and going off on rants. Ichigo ridicules Urahara's comments about the training area and urges Kisuke to hurry up and start the training. Urahara tells him that he has an admirable spirit and pokes his cane through Ichigo's head, freeing his soul form. Ichigo complains, but is quickly finds it difficult to move. Urahara notes that it is his first time he has had to move in soul form. He explains that Byakuya destroyed the source of his power, leaving him without any Shinigami powers and that he must restore these powers in order to fight the Shinigami. Kisuke explains about Reiryoku, saying that the more one's reiryoku rises, the sharper the movements of their spiritual body becomes. He says that if Ichigo can manage to move even better with his spiritual body than he can with his mortal body, then we will have made a complete recovery of his reiryoku. Not understanding what Urahara wants him to do, Ichigo asks if he has to do gymnastic exercises. Urahara tells Ururu Tsumugiya to get ready. The two greet each other before Urahara tells him to fight her, stating that the lesson will end when one of them can no longer move. Shocked, Ichigo refuses to fight the girl, but is interrupted by Ururu, who tells him to put on some gloves and headgear or else he will die. She lunges at Ichigo and causes a large could of dust and debris. Ichigo emerges from the dust and grabs his headgear, thinking that he would have been killed instantly if that attack had hit him. Noting that it might not do any good, he asks how to put on the headgear. Urahara tells him to put it on his forehead and shout an incantation, but Ichigo refuses. However, when Ururu narrowly misses him again, he does as Urahara instructed, but nothing happens. Annoyed, he yells at Urahara, who is surprised that he did as he had said. Ichigo figures out how to put on the headgear, but runs away from Ururu after another near miss. Ichigo realizes that he is able to run away from the girl. Knowing that he can match her speed, he guesses that he can also dodge her attacks directly and allows her to attack him. Ichigo dodges and begins to attack Ururu. Trying to keep his self control, Ichigo does not aim for the face, preferring to hit her headgear lightly, believing the weight difference will do the rest. However, he hits and cuts her face, causing Ururu to leap onto his outstretched arm and kick his head, sending him flying him into a rocky outcropping. Tessai catches Ichigo before he hits it, cushioning Ichigo from the impact.

Ichigo asks for one more try, but Urahara congratulates him for clearing the lesson. Urahara explains to a confused Ichigo that he never said anything about beating Ururu to clear the lesson. He says that she is strong enough to fight a Shinigami, so there is no way he could win. He asks Ichigo if he is still having trouble breathing or moving, and Ichigo says no. Urahara says that he has successfully recovered his spirit energy; the soul tends to gain the reiryoku faster when it is in danger of being destroyed. If Ichigo had not been able to dodge the attacks, however, he would have died. Ichigo gets mad at this, but Urahara says that everything worked out and that they will move straight to the next lesson. Tessai then cuts Ichigo's Chain of Fate. As Tessai pins him to the ground by sitting on his back, Ichigo yells at Urahara that he will die, as he can no longer return to his body now that the chain has been cut. Ichigo becomes angrier when Urahara tells him that he knew that, who tells him that all he has left is death. He reveals that the chain has already begun to corrode from the severed end, and that if it reaches his chest, a hole will open up and Ichigo will become a Hollow. Urahara tells him that he can avoid this by becoming a Shinigami. The point of this lesson, which Urahara calls "Shattered Shaft", is to restore Ichigo's Shinigami powers. A hole opens up underneath Ichigo and he and Tessai fall to the bottom, where Tessai immobilizes him with a "Kin" spell. Urahara tells him to scale the sides of the deep shaft to clear the lesson, but Ichigo tells him that this is not possible. Kisuke points out that the corrosion of his Chain of Fate has begun, as the chain begins to eat itself. Ichigo falls to the ground and demands that Urahara stop the corrosion, but Kisuke tells him that he would only be eaten as well. He then reveals that there is a gas at the bottom of the shaft which speeds up the corrosion process from months or years, to at most 72 hours. He tells Ichigo to become a Shinigami and climb out of the hole before that, or else he will become a Hollow and they will destroy him. Ichigo asks him if he is planning on killing him, prompting Urahara to tell him that is what he will have to do if Ichigo gives up.

After the fifth corrosion of the chain, Ichigo notes that the process alternates between a few minutes of corrosion and a few hours of dormancy. Due to the pain caused by the corrosion, he is only able to attempt to escape during the dormant phases. Ichigo stands up and attempts to run up the wall of the shaft, but quickly falls back down. Jinta Hanakari asks him if he is hungry. Ichigo replies that he cannot be hungry as souls do not get hungry. Jinta tells him that a soul feeling hungry is a sign that they will soon become a Hollow. He then offers to allow Ichigo to drink his drool and spits down the shaft, encouraging Ururu to do the same. Ichigo threatens to beat them up as drool lands around and on him. Later, as Ichigo wonders how long he has been in the hole for and how he can get out of it, Jinta runs down the shaft's wall with a platter of fruit. He offers the food to Ichigo, who denies that he is hungry, saying that the chain is still long. Jinta places the food on the ground and tells him that it he cannot tell the time in the hole, but it has been seventy hours since he entered the Shattered Shaft. He also reveals that the final corrosion phase is stronger than the earlier ones. The entire remaining length of the chain then begins to eat itself. Ichigo asks Urahara and his associates to stop it, but a hole opens in his chest and a mask begins to form over his face. As Jinta leaves the shaft, Urahara explains that the mask forming before his body reforms is a sign that Ichigo is resisting the transformation. Hearing a voice calling him, Ichigo awakens inside his consciousness on the side of a tall building and sees a man standing on a flagpole. He asks the man who he is. Surprised at this, the man says his name, but Ichigo cannot hear it. He remarks that it is sad, and asks how many times he has to tell him his name before he is able to hear it, as he thought that nobody in this world knew him better than Ichigo. Ichigo denies know anyone as "gloomy" as this man, but is stunned to see him stand on the side of the flagpole. As the man asks how he can sit like he is doing, Ichigo falls from the building and screams. The man follows him and tells him that it is good that he can yell and that Shinigami control death, so he should not worry. As the two fall towards the ground, Ichigo tells him that he is not currently a Shinigami. The man tells him that he can control the Reishi around him and that he should focus them underneath his feet to stand on. The man urges Ichigo to try to remember a time when he was a Shinigami when he stopped in mid-air. He tells Ichigo that Byakuya only destroyed the powers given to him by Rukia, but he failed to realize that Ichigo has his own Shinigami powers. Saying that his powers were hidden deep inside his soul and awakened by Rukia's power, he instructs Ichigo to find it as the world is crumbling around him.

With the buildings of his inner world dissolving into countless boxes, the man tells Ichigo that his powers are hidden inside just one of them and that if he cannot find it before the world disappears completely, then he will become a Hollow. Ichigo falls through a fissure into water where he wonders if he should do it. He thinks to himself that he has never been any good at sensing reiatsu, as Uryū had previously told him. He then remembers that Uryū had an easy way of sensing reiatsu and soon figures out what it was. Ichigo finds the red Reiraku of his Shinigami powers and opens the box it is coming from, surprised to find a Zanpakutō's hilt inside. The man tells him that this time he ought to hear his name, and urges him to take the hilt. Ichigo struggles to pull out the Zanpakutō as the world crumbles around him. In the Shattered Shaft, the Kidō restraining Ichigo's arms begins to break apart. Tessai tells Urahara that he can no longer simply hold him and activates the next stage of the Kidō, Bankin, restraining his entire body. However, a burst of energy from the hole in Ichigo's chest ruptures the Kidō and there is an explosion. As the smoke clears, Ichigo, wearing a Hollow mask and Shinigami clothes, emerges. As Jinta and Ururu prepare to fight him, Ichigo draws his still broken Zanpakutō and uses it to smash the Hollow mask. Urahara congratulates him on his success, saying that he is now a complete Shinigami, prompting Ichigo to hit him in the eye with the sword's hilt. Ichigo reveals that he swore that he would kill Urahara when he got out of the shaft. Urahara suggest they move straight to the third lesson, which is simply to knock Urahara's hat off of his head. Ichigo immediately attacks Kisuke, cutting the hat slightly. Urahara compliments the power of the broken blade, prompting Ichigo to say that he can do better when he gets serious. Ichigo proposes a five minute time limit as Kisuke draws a blade from within his cane.

Urahara quickly overwhelms Ichigo, who compliments the power of his attacks, despite the sword being so skinny. Remembering that the only thing which can cut a Shinigami is Zanpakutō or a Hollow, Ichigo concludes that he cannot be harmed by Urahara's blade and relaxes. Kisuke, however, immediately cuts off the remains of Ichigo's Hollow mask and calls him naive for thinking that his sword is not a Zanpakutō. He activates Benihime's Shikai, telling him that it is a genuine Zanpakutō. As Ichigo remembers Renji using his Shikai during their fight, Urahara tells him that every Zanpakutō has a name. He attacks again, destroying a rocky outcropping and sending Ichigo flying. Ichigo blocks his next attack, causing Urahara to compliment him on his bravery. He then cuts through the remains of the blade, slicing off even more of it. Ichigo runs away from him in response and wonder how it could have happened. Urahara catches up and destroys the rest of the blade and the tsuba, saying that there is no power in Ichigo's sword. Urahara asks him if he can still win with just the hilt remaining, saying that he will kill him if he continues to fight with just the hilt. Ichigo runs away again, thinking that he is going to die. As Urahara continues to attack him, Ichigo thinks that it is embarrassing and questions why he ran. As he is knocked to the ground, Ichigo sees the man from his inner world again. The man asks why Ichigo ran when he has not yet called him. He says that Ichigo should be able to hear him now and tells him to cast off his fear. He reveals that his name is Zangetsu and Ichigo stops in his tracks, turns towards Urahara and calls out Zangetsu, activating his Shikai. Ichigo looks at the new form of his Zanpakutō as Urahara tells him it is time to start lesson three for real. Ichigo warns him that he might not be able to hold back and swings Zangetsu at Urahara, who activates his Chikasumi no Tate ability. As the dust settles, the hat-less Kisuke comments that he could have lost an arm if it were not for the Chikasumi no Tate. He picks up his ruined hat and calls Ichigo a scary kid, as he did not expect so much from one swing. Urahara congratulates a sleeping Ichigo on passing the third lesson.

After completing Urahara's training, Ichigo has a relatively normal summer holiday while waiting for the gateway to Soul Society to be opened. On the first of August, Ichigo and his friends gather for a fireworks festival. Having kicked Keigo in the face for over-reacting to seeing Ichigo again, Ichigo asks him why the have gathered so early in the day when the festival is that night, prompting a short argument. Ichigo asks Tatsuki what happened to her arm, which was broken when she was hit by a car during a national tournament. Isshin, Karin and Yuzu, all wearing kimonos, come running up to Ichigo, knocking him down a bank. Due to the girls' behavior, Ichigo asks if they are drunk. Isshin explains that a juice seller had used wine to dilute the juice instead of water. Isshin then tells the group that they saved a seat on the opposite bank of the river that morning and Isshin heads off with the twins, and several of Ichigo's friends. Ichigo decides to follow them and apologizes to Tatsuki for always bothering her, saying it is alright if she does not want to come. She tells him to hurry up, and that she will be there later. Later that night, Ichigo complains to a drunken Isshin about having to carry Karin and Yuzu. Isshin tells his son that he can enjoy that touch and that they did not wear any underwear under their kimonos. When Ichigo angrily asks him what he wanted to do to his daughters, he replies that it is just a joke and that he should not make such scary expressions. Ichigo tells him that he will be leaving for another week again and that he might not be back until the summer vacation ends. Ichigo looks at his father, prompting Isshin to ask why he is giving him a "I'm very worried about what will happen when I'm gone look". He tells Ichigo that he will take care of everything at the house and that while he is still around, he will not allow anyone to hurt his family. Ichigo asks if he is an idiot, saying that he is not worried at all.

Seven days after completing his training, Ichigo follows Urahara's instruction to open his window at 1:00a.m. and wait for his message. Saying that he has a bad feeling about this, Ichigo enjoys the breeze before a ball flies through the window and leaves a bloody message on his closet door, telling him to go the Urahara Shop. Ichigo notes that it is like a message from a dying person and becomes angry when more of the message is revealed, showing that Urahara had anticipated his reaction. As Ichigo leaves, he says goodbye to Yuzu and Karin. Outside the clinic, Isshin once again tries to assault him, only to miss and smash his head into the pavement. Isshin gives him an amulet, which Ichigo dismisses. Isshin tells him that Masaki gave it to him, and that it will bring him good fortune. He insists that he is lending it to him for his trip, and that he is to give it back when he returns. When Ichigo does not answer, Isshin tells him he will have to shave his beard if he loses it. Ichigo asks if this is a threat and decides to borrow the charm. On his way to the Urahara Shop, Ichigo meets up with Orihime, who reveals that she had received the same message as Ichigo. Ichigo reveals that he did not know she was going too until Urahara mentioned it and asks her if she is sure about it. When she insists that she is, he urges her to hurry. When they arrive at the shop, they find Chad waiting for them there and asks where Uryū is, saying that he had heard that he was coming too. When Uryū arrives in a Quincy outfit, he promises to show Ichigo how powerful he has become. Ichigo, however, asks him if he had walked the entire way there wearing that outfit, saying that he is very brave. Urahara interrupts them and invites the group inside, saying that they must listen carefully to him or else they might die before reaching Soul Society.

In the underground training area, Ichigo notes that Orihime finds it easy to get along with new people, unlike Chad and Uryū. Urahara attracts their attention by revealing the Senkaimon that they will be using to enter Soul Society. He then uses his cane to remove Ichigo's Shinigami form from his body. As the others examine his body, Ichigo complains about them touching it freely. Kon appears and agrees with Ichigo, prompting Ichigo to demand to know why he is there. Kon insists that he is going with them, but Urahara requests their attention again as he explains about how the Senkaimon works. When Ichigo says that he understands and that it is time to go, Urahara pokes him in the side with his cane and continues talking, saying that the Senkaimon will only stay open for four minutes. If they do not reach Soul Society in that time, then they will become trapped in the Dangai. As Urahara tells them about the Dangai, Yoruichi tells them that only those who are truly ready for the task can go, Ichigo tells the talking cat that that everyone gathered there has already made their decision and will go to Soul Society. When Yoruichi tells him that they will never return if they lose, Ichigo responds that they simply have to win. When the Senkaimon opens, Ichigo tells the now tied up Kon to take care of his family. Ichigo, Uryū, Orihime, Chad and Yoruichi enter the gate and appear in the Dangai. Yoruichi tells them not to zone out and run to the exit. As they run, the parts they have already passed through collapse behind them. When Uryū's cape is caught by the Kōryū, Ichigo grabs his Zanpakutō, but Yoruichi tells him not to use it, as the Kōryū will trap it and he will not escape. Ichigo asks what he should do instead, but Chad grabs Uryū and tears the cape. The group continues along the path, but are chased by the Kōtotsu. Realizing that they will not make it to the exit in time, Orihime uses her shield to protect them from the Janitor and the group is propelled through the exit and into Soul Society.

Soul Society arc
Upon arriving at one of the Seireitei entrance, Ichigo and his team meet Jidanbō Ikkanzaka, a Seireitei gatekeeper. There Ichigo quickly shows off his newfound might by defeating the giant easily, but he is in turn quickly repelled back outside the gate by Captain Gin Ichimaru.

Needing a new method to enter the Seireitei, Yoruichi brings them to Kūkaku Shiba whose fireworks specialty helps launch them into the Seireitei through a spirit cannon. While successfully entering, Ichigo and the team get separated from each other. He then proceeds to fight Ikkaku Madarame. Ichigo beats Ikkaku, even after Ikkaku reveals his Zanpakutō's Shikai, and learns that he will be hunted down by Kenpachi Zaraki, who will seek out the strongest of the intruders.

Ichigo is then met by Renji Abarai, who seeks revenge for his earlier defeat. Renji gravely injures Ichigo, who becomes stronger during the fight and manages to barely defeat Renji using a direct Getsuga Tenshō; after which Renji begs him to rescue Rukia, his childhood friend, upon changing his mind regarding his loyalties. Renji is taken into detention for trying to fight alone and losing, while Ichigo is healed by Hanatarō Yamada in Seireitei's sewage system. It is revealed here that Ichigo's Hollow mask was able to lessen the damage from what would have been fatal blows by Renji, causing Hanatarō to discard the mask in fear. Ichigo finally encounters Kenpachi Zaraki on his way to the Shrine of Penitence, where Rukia is held, and at first hardly injuring the powerful captain, who according to Hanatarō, is immortal. After Zangetsu helps Ichigo find his resolve, Ichigo makes a tremendous comeback, managing to overpower and greatly injure Zaraki. Finding Ichigo his equal, Kenpachi decides to unleash his full power. This prompts Ichigo to call for help from Zangetsu to summon his full power (and perhaps his inner Hollow as his spiritual power manifests into his Hollow mask during the clash) shocking his opponent again by equaling Kenpachi's own immense spiritual energy to defeat the captain. Despite technically winning, both Ichigo and Kenpachi are left incapacitated in the aftermath. After Kenpachi is evacuated by his lieutenant Yachiru Kusajishi, Ichigo is rescued by Yoruichi.

After learning of Yoruichi's true Shinigami form and having most of his injuries treated, Ichigo quickly rushes to the tower where Rukia is being held to save both Hanatarō and Ganju from Byakuya Kuchiki. Upon his arrival he confronts Byakuya, even though he is not at full strength. The fight goes better than his first confrontation with Byakuya, but knowing that Ichigo is not ready to fight someone of Byakuya's caliber, Yoruichi stops the fight by incapacitating Ichigo, swearing to make Ichigo stronger than Byakuya in three days. After escaping Byakuya, Yoruichi then takes Ichigo to the secret training ground to undergo training to achieve the said power.

Yoruichi tells Ichigo that he cannot save Rukia with his present power and asks him to train to achieve the Bankai of his Zanpakutō. Upon completing the training, he, along with Yoruichi and sympathetic captains Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake, separately converge upon the Sōkyoku to stop Rukia's execution. At the last possible second, Ichigo stops the execution, and proceeds to dispatch three lieutenants — Marechiyo Ōmaeda, Isane Kotetsu and Chōjirō Sasakibe — barehanded. Along with being able to stop the Sōkyoku, a blade with the power of 1 million Zanpakutō, he proves that he has truly become more powerful within three days. He is then confronted by Byakuya Kuchiki.

At first they fight without releasing their Zanpakutō, Byakuya casually analyzing Ichigo as he fights, noticing an impressive difference. Ichigo eventually coerces Byakuya to use Bankai. Ichigo is unable to keep up just using his Shikai, and he reveals his Bankai against Byakuya, using his speed to outmaneuver Senbonzakura and eventually injure him for the first time. Byakuya counters using the second form of his own Bankai, and after a while Ichigo's bones begin to break under his Bankai's spiritual compression, giving Byakuya the chance to paralyze him with a single Kidō attack (shot through his shoulder). This leaves him in critical condition. At this point, Ichigo's inner Hollow surfaces and injures Byakuya to the point that both combatants have almost no power left. After regaining control of himself, Ichigo faces off against Byakuya in a final clash, each channeling all their energy into a single attack. After this final clash, neither has the strength to fight, but Byakuya admits his defeat because his blade was destroyed by Ichigo's. Byakuya then departs, leaving Ichigo barely standing, the only thing supporting him being his Zanpakutō.

Through a message relayed through Kidō by Isane Kotetsu, Ichigo then finds out that the events in Soul Society were an elaborate plot masterminded by Sōsuke Aizen. Renji is then severely wounded by Aizen but refuses to give Rukia over and Aizen tries to kill him but Ichigo saves them. The two of them then join forces to fight off Aizen. Renji uses his Shikai Special Ability, Higa Zekkō where he uses the broken segments of his Zanpakutō to surround the opponent in order to give Ichigo an opening. But this plan proves futile for Aizen is able to deflect Ichigo's sword with his finger and instead slashes him across the midriff just by flicking his wrist. As Ichigo falls to the ground in a state of shock, Aizen slashes Renji who falls to the ground as well.

He then takes Rukia by the collar but is interrupted by Ichigo who surprises him as he is still alive. Aizen then begins to tell Ichigo how he had planned every move from the beginning for his goal, to obtain the Hōgyoku with the help of which he would be able to surpass the powers of normal Shinigami by merging the thin line between that of Shinigami and Hollows. However their conversation is interrupted by Sajin Komamura captain of the 7th division who tells Aizen that he would never forgive his betrayal to Soul Society and demands an explanation from Tōsen. He proceeds to hit Aizen with his Shikai but Aizen stops it with his bare hands and gets away quickly and moves up close to him.

He then tries to release his Bankai but is unable to for Komamura is caught in Aizen's hypnosis. Aizen then defeats him single-handedly by using a Level 90 Kidō spell. Ichigo looks on dumbstruck, wondering about the vast difference between the powers of two captains. With Komamura out of the way Aizen continues his conversation with Ichigo and tells him that Kisuke Urahara had planted the Hōgyoku inside Rukia Kuchiki in order to hide its very existence as Rukia was inhabiting a Gigai that would ultimately reduce her to a normal Human. Thus concealing the Hōgyoku for ever. Just then Ichigo's comrades, Orihime Inoue, Yasutora Sado, Uryū Ishida, and Ganju Shiba arrive at the scene but are rendered helpless as Gin releases an enormous amount of spiritual power.

Aizen then proceeds to extract the Hōgyoku from within Rukia using an technique that was made by Urahara that could forcibly take the Hōgyoku from within a soul without damaging it. One other way of extracting it that Aizen had thought of was using the Sōkyoku on Rukia, though this proved to be a failure because of Ichigo's interference. He is unable to do anything without the help of the remaining captains before Aizen departs for Hueco Mundo.

Prior to leaving Soul Society, Ichigo is given a badge by Ukitake that serves as a license that allows him to hunt Hollows in his area officially. He also speaks with Rukia who has decided to stay in Soul Society.

Bount arc (anime only)
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

Arrancar arc
When Ichigo returns from Soul Society, Isshin attacks him in bed. Ichigo blocks the attack, earning praise from Isshin. Ichigo returns the protective charm to Isshin, but he says that he does not want it and sews it to Ichigo's school uniform. Ichigo asks if he lied about Masaki haven given him the charm, but Isshin changes the subject.

When Ichigo returns home from school, Isshin elbows him in the face, knocking him to the ground, surprising Isshin, who notes that he looks depressed. He says that he must have done poorly in an exam and tells him that Isshin "The Man" Kurosaki does not get upset by school exam results, saying that grades are unimportant. He tells Ichigo that a high school student should be energetic and do things that are difficult to speak of, such as falling in love. Ichigo, however, says that he will stay in his room until dinner, prompting Yuzu to blame Isshin for not apologizing.

Shinji Hirako reveals himself as a recruiter for the Visored, approaches Ichigo and attempts to convince him to join his organization. Ichigo persistently refuses, even after being warned that his inner Hollow will eventually take over and destroy everything in sight. Shortly afterwards, two Arrancar, Yammy Llargo and Ulquiorra Cifer, appear in Karakura Town in order to locate and evaluate Ichigo's strength. Upon seeing Chad injured, Ichigo battles Yammy using his Bankai, and manages to cut off the giant's right arm. Before he could progress, however, Ichigo's inner Hollow soon interferes, paralyzing Ichigo, and Yammy injures both him, and Orihime. The arrival of Yoruichi Shihōin and Kisuke Urahara forces Ulquiorra into strategic retreat. Ulquiorra returns to Aizen believing that Ichigo is a waste of his and Aizen's time.

After his failure against the Arrancar, Ichigo loses his will as a Shinigami since he cannot protect his friends. This mood lasts until the arrival of Gotei 13's expeditionary force: six Shinigami sent to the Human World under the command of Tōshirō Hitsugaya. Rukia, who is among them, forces Ichigo to defeat a Hollow, all the while chastising him. Later that day, Ichigo discusses the growing Arrancar threat with Hitsugaya's force and learns what the Arrancar actually are. When Rukia returns to the Kurosaki household, Isshin and Yuzu try to eavesdrop on her and Ichigo from his bedroom door. When Ichigo hears him talking to Karin, he scares them off. After they discuss the mission, Renji and Rangiku study Kon's Mod Soul pill and his stuffed lion body, amazed that a gikongan pill could be used in a stuffed animal's body. Getting annoyed by their company, Ichigo asks them when they would be leaving. Renji tells him that they cannot return to the Soul Society until after the Arrancar threat is dealt with. Ichigo tells them he has no problem with them in the Human World, but insists that they all cannot stay at his house, which eventually causes all of Hitsugaya's team to leave Ichigo's residences, except for Rukia, who tries to move into Ichigo's closet again, which Ichigo prevents, since his family now knows about her. Rukia tells Isshin and Yuzu a cover story of having no home in order to coerce them to let her stay with them, which apparently succeeds. However, instead of staying in Ichigo's closet, Rukia ends up sharing a room with Karin and Yuzu (much to her dismay).

Later during the night, six Arrancar under the command of Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez invade Karakura Town, intending to finish what they view as an incomplete mission on Ulquiorra's part. They split up, seeking targets with spiritual power. Ichigo senses them and fully recognizes their reiatsu. Rukia tells him that there are six Arrancar total and that they are targeting anyone with reiatsu, regardless of how much or how little each person has. She further states that one of them already arrived Chad's house. Although he has not completely recovered from his injuries against Yammy, Chad heads out to fight the Arrancar, but is nearly killed by Di Roy Rinker, who tries to impale his arm into Chad's chest. Ichigo arrives in time and stops Di Roy's strike, narrowly saving Chad's life. Ichigo tells Chad to let him handle Di Roy. Chad tries to protest, but Ichigo insists that he lets him fight Di Roy. Realizing that he is not strong enough to help Ichigo anymore, Chad lets Ichigo fight Di Roy and runs off. Rukia arrives after Chad leaves, asking Ichigo what he said to Chad. Ichigo just tells her that he told him to step aside and let him fight. Rukia then tells Ichigo to step aside, as he already exceeded his strength when he fought Yammy during his last encounter with the Arrancar. She swallows a Gikongan pill and transforms into her Shinigami form, which surprises Ichigo. Rukia explains that she lost her powers in the first place because of Urahara's Gigai, and that once she was out of that Gigai, her powers returned as time passed. The artificial soul possessing Rukia's Gigai pounces on Ichigo. Rukia explains that the soul's name is Chappy, and that it was the one she originally intended before they got Kon by mistake, to which Ichigo remarks that he's glad they got Kon instead.

Growing impatient, Di Roy attacks Rukia while Chappy continues to keep Ichigo from interfering with their fight. Chappy keeps Ichigo pinned down until Rukia returns from the fight, having killed Di Roy with her Zanpakutō's Shikai. Chappy explains Rukia's Zanpakutō to him and that her abilities are actually on-par to that of a seated officer, and that Byakuya pulled some strings to prevent Rukia from being promoted, so she would not be involved in dangerous missions. Before anything else can be said, another Arrancar arrives, having sensed Di Roy's death at Rukia's hands. He introduces himself as Arrancar #6: Grimmjow. Rukia is lost in her own thoughts, as she questions as to whether or not if Grimmjow is really the same species as Di Roy, as he is much more powerful than Di Roy was. Grimmjow questions them both as to which one of them is stronger, breaking Rukia from her thoughts. She yells to Ichigo to retreat, but Grimmjow silences her shortly after by impaling her with his arm, stating that he knew that Rukia was not the strongest of the two. Rukia loses consciousness as Grimmjow slides her body off of his arm. Ichigo proceeds to charge at Grimmjow in response to him impaling Rukia.

He tries to attack him with Zangetsu, but Grimmjow blocks it with his bare arm and pushes him back with his reiatsu. Grimmjow tells him that he is giving him a chance to use his Bankai, and that if he does not, then he will punch a whole in him like he did to Rukia. Ichigo complies and activates his Bankai. Ichigo tries to attack Grimmjow with his Bankai, but Grimmjow is able to block each of Ichigo's strikes unarmed and is even able to out-maneuver him. He proceeds to attack Ichigo unarmed and severely beats him to the point of exhaustion without sustain any injuries or fatigue of his own. Grimmjow is disappointed with Ichigo's Bankai, as he only notices that Tensa Zangetsu increases Ichigo's speed. Desperate, Ichigo uses his black Getsuga Tenshō to attack Grimmjow, which he barely manages to block. Grimmjow questions what attack Ichigo used, as Ulquiorra's report did not record Ichigo's use of his Getsuga Tenshō. Ichigo smirks and ask Grimmjow if he is still disappointing. However, Ichigo is halted by his inner Hollow, who tries to take over. Grimmjow laughs at Ichigo's remark and states that he might just be worth killing after all. Ichigo looks at Grimmjow and sees that his Getsuga Tenshō only wounded him superficially. He further states that his black Getsuga Tenshō was originally his inner Hollow's technique and determines that he can fire two or three more blasts before his inner Hollow takes over completely. Grimmjow begins to draw his Zanpakutō, but is stopped by Kaname Tōsen who tells Grimmjow to sheathe his sword. Ichigo recognizes Tōsen as one of the captains who defected with Aizen. Grimmjow questions Tōsen why he is in the Human World. Tōsen tells him that he broke orders by mobilizing five Arrancar, taking them to the Human World, and getting them killed in battle, when he did not receive orders to attack the Human World in the first place. He informs Grimmjow that Aizen is upset with his actions, and that he is to be taken back to Hueco Mundo to be punished. As Tōsen opens a Garganta, Grimmjow reluctantly complies, which upsets Ichigo. As Grimmjow explains that he's returning to Hueco Mundo, Ichigo demands that Grimmjow finishes their fight. Grimmjow counters him by saying that the only reason he is still alive is because he is leaving before their fight is finished. He further states that he knows Ichigo can only fire two or three more Getsuga Tenshō blasts at him, and that even if he could fire his Getsuga Tenshō without limit, he would not stand a chance against him in his released state. He tells Ichigo not to forget his name: Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, as the next time he hears his name, he would be a dead man. The Garganta closes, leaving Ichigo alone to ponder the events that have occurred. Renji arrives soon after, asking Ichigo if he won. Ichigo states that he lost, but Renji argues that since he's alive, it means that he won. Ichigo tells him not to patronize him, as he would not be saying that if he were in Ichigo's position. He further states that he cannot protect anyone or even help the wounded; he was defeated in battle by Grimmjow.

Ichigo, unable to control his inner Hollow, accepts Shinji Hirako's offer and seeks out the Visored in order to gain control. During a sparring match with Hiyori Sarugaki, he loses control to his Hollow side once more and nearly kills her. After reverting back to his Shinigami state, Ichigo is informed that he cannot simply keep his Hollow in check with his body or mind, but must force it into the very core of his soul. After a brief period of unappreciated training, Ichigo is told to confront his Hollow side within his inner world. There, Ichigo squares off against his Hollow self. Even after several exchanges, Ichigo is unable to damage the Hollow, while badly injured and stabbed himself. Finally, Ichigo is defeated, and his sword shatters. After a brief discourse with his Hollow, and then another with an inner manifestation of Kenpachi Zaraki (in the anime, Byakuya Kuchiki and Jin Kariya appear before this, and force him to fight their battles again. Ichigo is defeated by both of them), Ichigo realizes his trouble is that he lacks pure fighting spirit, instead needing reasons to fight his opponents. His spirit rekindled by this revelation, Ichigo is able to make a comeback, seizing the Hollow's sword and impaling him on it. With his Hollow subdued for the moment, Ichigo fades back to reality. When he comes to, he learns that while he was fighting internally, his outer body had transformed into that of a powerful and berserk Hollow. The Visored had taken turns battling this monster to keep it in check. Ichigo then trains with Hiyori to increase the amount of time he can stay in masked form.

A month later, the Arrancar once again invade Karakura, and Ichigo brashly heads off to fight Grimmjow, even though he can only remain in his masked form for eleven seconds. This backfires, as despite using his masked form and Grimmjow's loss of an arm since their last meeting, Ichigo is unable to defeat him within the eleven-second limit. His mask crumbles, and Ichigo is brutally counterattacked. On the brink of defeat and pinned to the ground, Ichigo is granted a short reprieve by Rukia. As Grimmjow recovers from Rukia's attack, Shinji Hirako appears and fights him until the Arrancar retreat by order of Ulquiorra.

When tending to Ichigo's wounds, the Visored Hachigen Ushōda reveals that Ichigo's spiritual power has been contaminated somewhat by Grimmjow's. As per his instructions, Rukia takes him back to the Kurosaki Clinic to recover. While in a deep sleep, he is visited by Orihime, who has been taken prisoner by the Arrancar and given a twelve hour reprieve by Ulquiorra to say good-bye to just one person. Orihime tries to kiss Ichigo while he sleeps, but is unable to. She does, however, confess her love for him.

Later, Ichigo awakens from a bad dream and realizes that the wound from his wrist is healed. Trying to sense by spiritual pressure who has healed him, he is visited by Hitsugaya, who tells him to come immediately for an emergency Shinigami meeting. The meeting is held at Orihime's apartment where Hitsugaya and Matsumoto took up residence and done via a live-conference device connecting Soul Society and the Human World. Captain Ukitake greets them and informs them Orihime was taken by an Arrancar and might have been killed. Ichigo informs them that she visited him to heal him the night before, which leads Yamamoto to believe that Orihime has betrayed them. Renji requests permission to go to Hueco Mundo to rescue her but the request is denied, as Yamamoto believes that the death of one person and the death of the world are weighted on a scale, thus saving Orihime is not important overall. Ichigo asks to go save Orihime by himself, but Yamamoto once again denies the suggestion, stating that Ichigo is a significant asset to Soul Society. The Shinigami are ordered to return to Soul Society to fortify their defenses, leaving Ichigo alone.

Despite Yamamoto's decision, Ichigo decides to make preparations with Urahara to single-handedly retrieve Orihime from Hueco Mundo. At school, Tatsuki Arisawa confronts him about her sightings and she becomes angry and violent over his reluctance to explain himself. She reveals to him that she is able to sense his and Orihime's spiritual energy, and can see Ichigo and other Shinigami. She is restrained by Keigo and Mizuiro while Ichigo walks away coldly telling his friends not to get involved. At Urahara's shop, Ichigo is joined by Uryū with his Quincy powers restored and Chad with a new more powerful right arm. After some convincing, the trio agree to help each other rescue Orihime, and Urahara opens a gate to Hueco Mundo. Ichigo leads Chad and Uryū into Hueco Mundo but unbeknownst to him, Tatsuki, Keigo, and Mizuiro had followed him and witnessed his departure.

Hueco Mundo arc
As Ichigo, Chad, and Uryū enter Hueco Mundo, they are immediately detected by Aizen and attacked by two Arrancar, Demoura Zodd and Aisslinger Wernarr. Ichigo is then told to stay back and simply watch as Chad and Uryū engage the two Arrancar by themselves. Once they are victorious, the room and passageway collapses around them, forcing the trio to race outside where they see their destination, a castle in the middle of a barren desert.

They see what looks to be a Human child being chased by three Hollows. After Ichigo attacks the three, it is revealed that the "Human" is actually an Arrancar named Nel Tu; the Hollows are her two "brothers" and their pet. After becoming friends, the expanded group travels to the wall of Las Noches, where they are attacked by a sand-based Hollow, Runuganga. The Hollow is immune to their attacks, but the group is saved by Renji and Rukia, the latter of which freezes Runuganga in a circle of ice.

Ichigo and his group break into Las Noches and split into five directions, leaving Nel and her brothers behind. The siblings decide to follow Ichigo but get lost. Nel is the only one who catches up to Ichigo, arriving just in time to see Dordoni Alessandro Del Socaccio, a Privaron Espada with the number 103.

As Ichigo and Dordoni fight, the difference in power between the two quickly becomes apparent. Dordoni suggests that Ichigo use his Bankai, so he will at least stand a chance, but Ichigo refuses, noting that it would only be a sign of weakness if he were to use his Bankai in every battle. Hoping to force the issue, Dordoni releases his Zanpakutō, thus greatly increasing his power. Now commanding two wind elementals, Dordoni is more than a match for Ichigo. When Dordoni tries to fire a Cero blast at Ichigo, Nel steps in and absorbs the blast and fires it back. Enraged, Dordoni attacks Nel, who is then saved by Ichigo, now using his Bankai.

Dordoni, not satisfied with Ichigo's Bankai, wishes to see his Hollow form. He even resorts to attacking Nel in an attempt to force Ichigo to transform. Ichigo sets Nel aside and tells Dordoni he will show him his Hollow form, but for only a second. Dordoni is pleased at first, but Ichigo defeats him in one blow. Dordoni is healed a bit by Nel, and unexpectedly attacks Ichigo again, who blocks the attack and runs away with Nel, and finally encounters Ulquiorra Cifer.

Ulquiorra tells Ichigo that Rukia has been killed, which Ichigo denies. Ichigo attempts to leave to save Rukia, reasoning that he and Ulquiorra have no quarrel and thus no reason to fight. Ulquiorra reveals that he was the one who kidnapped Orihime and successfully goads Ichigo into fighting. Though Ichigo starts out well, he proves to be no match for Ulquiorra, who explains that even if Ichigo managed to somehow win, there would be three other Espada who are stronger still, as Ulquiorra reveals himself to be the 4th Espada. Ulquiorra then impales Ichigo's chest with his hand. He leaves after telling Ichigo to leave Hueco Mundo if he is able to.

Grimmjow brings Orihime to heal Ichigo before he can die, wanting to fight him at full strength. Ulquiorra discovers this and attempts to retrieve Orihime, but Grimmjow uses a portable Negación field to temporarily imprison him, thus allowing the two to battle unimpeded. Much like Kenpachi before him, Grimmjow insists that Ichigo not battle for his friends, instead just wanting him to focus on killing him, and reveals that he kept the scar from their first battle as a reminder to fight and kill Ichigo to prove that he is stronger.

As the battle ensues, the advantage shifts between the two combatants at random. During the battle, Grimmjow fires a Gran Rey Cero at Orihime and Nel to make Ichigo put on his Hollow mask. Seeing that Ichigo is finally at his full strength, Grimmjow releases his Resurrección and fiercely attacks Ichigo, smashing him into the ground. As he looks for Ichigo amongst the dust, Ichigo appears behind him and fires a Getsuga Tenshō at him. Grimmjow only starts to laugh maniacally and tells Ichigo how much he hates his "eyes". As the fight continue both fighters seems to be on par, and Tier Harribel, who was watching the fight from a distance, even said it felt like a fight between two Espada.

Towards the end of the battle, Grimmjow is about to kill Ichigo, but after hearing Orihime beg for him to not get hurt anymore, Ichigo deftly catches Grimmjow's fist without looking, and slashes his shoulder. Grimmjow gets up after this, enraged at the injury, and impales Ichigo in the stomach. He then uses his most powerful attack, Desgarrón, but the battle still ends in his defeat. Grimmjow, badly injured and reverted back to his unreleased state, tries one more attack which Ichigo blocks bare-handed. Suddenly, Nnoitra Gilga appears, incapacitates Grimmjow, then attacks Ichigo, revealing that he is the 5th Espada and is thus more powerful than Grimmjow, whom Ichigo barely defeated.

As they fight, Nnoitra notices Nel, recognizes her as the former third Espada, Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck, and explains to Ichigo that he gave Nel the crack in her mask. Nel denies this accusation heavily as Nnoitra attacks Ichigo again, eventually snapping his wrist. Seeing Ichigo hurt triggers Nel's transformation into her adult form. Nel attacks Nnoitra after revealing her ex-Espada status and easily matches him. She releases her Zanpakutō and overwhelms Nnoitra; but, just before finishing him, reverts to her child form. Nnoitra kicks Nel and the enraged Ichigo attacks again, only to be slammed into the ground. Nnoitra then orders his Fracción, Tesra Lindocruz, to switch with him and kill Ichigo and takes hold of Orihime. Tesra also releases, but just as he is about to kill Ichigo, Ichigo is once again saved at the last moment by Kenpachi, who defeats Tesra in one strike and briefly explains that along with him, Byakuya, Retsu Unohana, and Mayuri Kurotsuchi have come to perform an intrusion on Las Noches before engaging in combat with Nnoitra. As Kenpachi and Nnoitra fight, Orihime heals Ichigo and Nel to full health. When Nnoitra, thinking for a moment that Kenpachi is dead, attempts to attack Yachiru Kusajishi, Orihime rushes to defend her, while Ichigo, trying to stop Orihime, is stunned that he cannot break through her healing shield.

Kenpachi kills Nnoitra, and as he orders Orihime to heal him, Coyote Starrk appears, apparently reluctant as he snatches Orihime away to bring her to Aizen. Aizen makes an announcement to all of Hueco Mundo, stating that Orihime is in the fifth tower, should anyone want to retrieve her, and that he has closed the Gargantas that the captains used for entry into Hueco Mundo. He informs them that he is leaving to destroy Karakura and orders Ulquiorra to take charge of Las Noches. Ichigo tells Kenpachi that his duty is not to defend his town, but to protect his friends, and flies to rescue Orihime as Ulquiorra declares his challenge to Ichigo. Before he gets far though, he is attacked by the Exequias, but is assisted by Renji, Chad, and Rukia who start fighting them while he continues on. Before Ulquiorra can interrogate Orihime's mind further, Ichigo reaches them. In order to protect Las Noches, Ulquiorra brandishes his sword and begins dueling with Ichigo.

The New Captain Shūsuke Amagai arc (anime only)
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

Fake Karakura Town arc
Ichigo is seen with a wound on his right shoulder done by Ulquiorra during the battle. As his fight with Ulquiorra continues, Ichigo manages to fight on equal footing with the Espada. Ulquiorra taunts Ichigo as they fight. Ulquiorra is surprised when Ichigo manages to catch his wrist. The battle rages on hard than before. Orihime is able to save Ichigo from an attack with her Shield. Ulquiorra continues to taunt as Menoly Mallia and Loly Aivirrne show up and ambush Orihime. Ichigo tries to help her but is interrupted by Ulquiorra and the Arrival of Yammy Llargo The arrival of Uryū Ishida sends Yammy falling to the bottom of Las Noches and Ichigo orders him to protect Orihime. Ichigo dons his Hollow mask and manages to gain the upper hand against Ulquiorra. Ulquiorra, noticing how strong Ichigo has become, heads to the top of Las Noches. Ulquiorra explains the reason why he has brought them there and releases his Zanpakutō, Murciélago. Ulquiorra attacks but Ichigo instinctively blocked with a Getsuga Tenshō to which Ulquiorra notes that had he not done so, the attack would have killed him. Ichigo then starts to realize how much more powerful and faster Ulquiorra is. Ichigo continues to try but has no luck in doing anything to the Espada. Ulquiorra then tells Ichigo he will demonstrate the difference in their power with his Cero Oscuras.

Ichigo then prepares for Ulquiorra's "Cero Oscuras", but is overwhelmed by it and greatly injured. Ulquiorra continues in a series of attacks and questions why Ichigo will not put his sword down. He explains that he always knew that Ulquiorra was stronger, but nothing he sees him do will stop him from fighting. Ulquiorra then states that Ichigo has still not realized the meaning of despair, and transforms into a new form. Ulquiorra explains that only he has a second release form and then proceeds to carry on with his series of attacks against Ichigo. Ichigo is completely overwhelmed but keeps going, which Ulquiorra does not understand. Ichigo says he has no choice but to fight but Ulquiorra calls him a fool. Ulquiorra attacks with his tail and Ichigo tries to reform his mask but it easily breaks. Orihime arrives to the top of the dome just in time to see Ulquiorra fires a Cero Oscuras through Ichigo's chest, seemingly killing him.

Orihime is devastated by the attack on Ichigo and tries to heal him. Uryū then tries to attack Ulquiorra to little success. Seeing Uryū losing, Orihime pleads for Ichigo to help. Ichigo slowly begins to move as his hair grows longer, almost resembling a mane and his hands grasp at the ground. Hearing Orihime's desperate cry for help, Ichigo's inner Hollow takes over, resulting in a new transformation. Quickly, Ichigo's new form proves vastly superior to Ulquiorra in every conceivable way and easily defeats him. However, Ichigo has no control behind his desire to protect Orihime and tries to attack Uryū with a Cero but Ulquiorra cuts off one of Ichigo’s new horns, resulting in an explosion. Ichigo's mask then breaks off entirely and he falls back down to the ground. Spiritual power gathers and enters the hole in Ichigo's chest healing him completely.

Ichigo regains control of his body with no memory of what has transpired. Ulquiorra grabs Ichigo’s sword and gives it back to him so they may finish. Seeing the damage inflicted on his opponent, Ichigo wants to even the fight but Ulquiorra begins to disintegrate. Ulquiorra tells Ichigo to finish him off, but Ichigo refuses. Ulquiorra admits an interest in humans as he fades into the wind.

After recovering slightly from his battle, Ichigo jumps off of the dome and manages to save Rukia before she falls. Ichigo then teases Yammy and manages to stop his cero. Yammy attacks but Ichigo manages to dodge along with Rukia. He tells Rukia he will take care of things. Ichigo runs causing Yammy to follow and get away from his friends. He dons his new mask and slams Yammy to the ground.

Ichigo notes that his mask is very heavy. Yammy recovers and fires off a barrage of Bala and explains his rank to Ichigo. Ichigo cuts through the Bala and taunts Yammy once more. Ichigo tries to summon his mask again, but is unable to. While distracted by this event, Yammy grabs Ichigo. However, before Yammy can continue his attack against Ichigo, he is blindsided by a Sōkatsui spell. Before he is able to retaliate, one of his appendages is cut off as well; Byakuya Kuchiki and Kenpachi Zaraki have arrived. Kenpachi scares off Ichigo so he won't get in the way of his foe as he fights off the Cero Espada. Ichigo is concerned but Byakuya reminds him that Karakura Town is his duty. Mayuri Kurotsuchi approaches Ichigo and opens a Garganta. Retsu Unohana volunteers to accompany Ichigo on his way back and the two head off while Byakuya and Kenpachi fight Yammy. On their way through, Unohana tells him how Aizen's Shikai works and that he is the only one able to defeat him due to having not seen it. She informs him that he must not look at Aizen's Shikai, no matter what. Ichigo then says he will defeat Aizen.

As they continued their path, Unohana decides to take the lead to produce a sturdier path to run on. Unohana says Ichigo’s skills are not polished enough but Ichigo insists that if he was at full strength, he could produce a much more solid path. After explaining how the damage to his Bankai shihakusho’s condition gives a clear example of how much spiritual energy he has left, Unohana was awe struck to discover just how great Ichigo’s reiatsu is. Realizing Ichigo’s potential power, Unohana offers to replenish his energy along the way. He jumps out of the Garganta and tries to end Aizen in one blow but is blocked by a barrier. Ichigo thinks he should have used his Hollowfication but Aizen, guessing his thoughts says that it would not work and invites him to try.

Ichigo tries attacking with his mask but Aizen moves behind him. Ichigo tries to back away but Aizen tells Ichigo that distance Is meaningless between them. Aizen questions why Ichigo is fighting him when he does not hate him. His comrades are all alive so he has no reason to fight. Ichigo begins to waiver but Sajin Komamura appears beside him and tells Ichigo not to be taken in by Aizen's provocation. He tells that the Shinigami and Visored will not let him see Aizen’s Shikai as they all gather around him. Ichigo is reluctant to receive help but Shinji says the battle is everyone’s. Komamura thanks Ichigo for his arrival, stating that if he did not arrive when he did, he would have attacked Aizen in anger and would have most likely been cut down. Shinji asks Ichigo why he didn't bring Orihime back with him due to her healing powers but says that since it is combat, Unohana was a better choice. As the Visored leave, Sui-Feng advises Ichigo to watch them fight Aizen and says they are all their to fight for survival. She then leaves to fight Aizen. Ichigo resolves to watch for now.

Ichigo watches the battle closely waiting for an opening on Aizen, but sees him defeat Komamura, Rose, and Love. Ichigo then watches as the captains and Visored rejoice for defeating Aizen. Ichigo, the only one of them not under Kyōka Suigetsu's influence, asks everyone what they are doing as they realize it is not Aizen but Momo Hinamori that has been stabbed. . When the remaining captains are cut down, Captain-Commander Yamamoto engages Aizen in battle. He tells Aizen that the Gotei 13 will lay down their lives to stop Ichigo but Ichigo should fall back. After Yamamoto uses a Ittō Kasō spell against Aizen, Aizen emerges only to be pounced on by Ichigo using Getsuga Tenshō.

Ichigo’s attack sends Aizen through a building. As Ichigo continues his attack, Aizen blocks his blade and tells him that was his final chance to kill him. Aizen’s wounds heal and Ichigo believes it is High-Speed Regeneration but Aizen says it is merely the instinct of the Hōgyoku to protect its master, revealing that he has implanted it in his chest. Aizen complements Ichigo's Reiatsu, saying that he has grown, just as he had planned. He lists various important moments in the development of Ichigo's power and tells him that all of his battles have taken place exactly as he desired. Ichigo becomes angry at this and Aizen explains that he believed Ichigo to be the perfect subject for his research. Aizen tells Ichigo that all of Ichigo’s victories were by his own doing, prompting Ichigo to attack Aizen again. Aizen blocks and Ichigo tells him that his claims do not match those he made back in Soul Society but Aizen questions what made Ichigo believe he told the truth back then. Aizen claims responsibility for the events that have led Ichigo to this point. Ichigo asks him when he came to the conclusion that he would be a perfect subject for his research. Aizen replies that he has known about Ichigo from the day he was born. He is interrupted by Isshin, who appears on the battlefield between his son and Aizen, stating that Aizen "talks too much".

As Ichigo calls out to him, Isshin turns to his son and head-butts him, knocking him to the ground below. Catching up to his son, Isshin says that he will answer any questions later. Ichigo says that he has no questions and accepts that Isshin must have had a reason to keep things a secret. He then thanks his father and heads off. Ichigo begins a fight against Gin Ichimaru and Gin notes that it has been a while since they fought. Gin asks if Ichigo remembers their fight but Ichigo says no. Ichigo further explains his philosophy on battle. He notes that he could not feel Gin’s heart in his blade when they last fought. Gin states that he had thought Ichigo was an interesting kid, but now thinks he is simply a creepy one. He then notes that is starting to understand why Aizen is interested in Ichigo.

After quizzing Ichigo on the length of his sword, Gin releases his Bankai, Kamishini no Yari. The two fight as Ichigo is able to stop Gin’s attacks and Gin notes that Ichigo is a creepy kid. The two continue exchanging blades and Ichigo begins to worry about Gin’s blade and it’s speed. After his shoulder is grazed, Ichigo states that he has found the true danger of Gin’s blade is the speed and the speech on the length was a distraction. Gin claps and tells Ichigo that even though he has found this it still doesn’t mean he can win. After being knocked into a building by Gin's Bankai, Gin says that stopping his blade was a fluke but Ichigo claims it not to be. When the Hōgyoku begins to envelop Aizen, a shocked Ichigo asks Isshin what is occurring. Isshin states he does not know and after the two banter, Aizen is suddenly attacked by Kisuke Urahara. Ichigo watches on as Kisuke, Isshin and Yoruichi battle Aizen, but make little progress. As Ichigo watches Aizen go on the offensive against Yoruichi, Gin points out that his back is wide open. He tells Ichigo to relax and the two discuss Aizen and Ichigo’s allies. Once over, Gin presses his Zanpakutō against his chest, and activates his Butō ability, but Ichigo dodges. Before he can react, however, Ichigo realizes that Gin's blade has already fully contracted. Gin then uses Butō Renjin, causing Ichigo to don his Hollow mask.

After Ichigo becomes winded, Gin tells him to run. Gin tells Ichigo that it is hopeless and tells him that he has already realized he cannot win. He moves to finish Ichigo off but he is stopped by Aizen. Ichigo notices Kisuke, Yoruichi, and Isshin lying on the ground and when Aizen orders Gin to open a Senkaimon to Soul Society, Ichigo tells him to wait. Aizen turns to him and tells him he will "devour" him after they have destroyed Karakura Town and leaves with Gin to Soul Society. Isshin manages to get back on his feet and tells Ichigo to open a Senkaimon and to get ready to defend the real Karakura Town. Isshin head butts Ichigo to get his attention and says they need to head to Karakura town. Ichigo says there is no way they can beat Aizen with that monstrous reiatsu and Isshin realizes that Ichigo, unlike him and others, can sense Aizen’s reiatsu. He tells Ichigo to come with him but Ichigo does not move. Isshin asks if he is just going to stand there and cry, reminding Ichigo that if he does not fight, Aizen will just destroy everything he cares about anyway. Ichigo resolves to go and asks his father to open the Senkaimon, to which Isshin responds he didn't have to tell him. As they are running through the Dangai, Isshin stops Ichigo and notes that the Kōtotsu is not there. He explains how this benefits them in their situation and says he will teach Ichigo the "final" Getsuga Tenshō.

Confused, Ichigo asks his father what he means. Isshin explains the nature of the Dangai's time distortion. Isshin informs Ichigo that he will suppress the restrictive current and embeds four implements in the Dangai's walls, saying that he believes he can suppress it for around 2,000 hours, or nearly three months. He tells his son to use that time to get information from Zangetsu about the true nature of the "final" Getsuga Tenshō. As Ichigo meditates, Isshin hits him and Ichigo dodges, proving he is not concentrating. Isshin then explains the proper procedure and Ichigo tries it. Sometime later Ichigo receives a slash in his shoulder, indicating to Isshin he "did it". Isshin then warns him to be careful as this time around Zangetsu is going to be on a rampage.

Ichigo awakens in his inner world to find himself underwater and struggles to breathe. He is pulled by an unknown figure and thrown into a building. The figure tells him to calm down and teaches him to breathe. Ichigo questions who he is as Zangetsu is supposed to be there. The figure then pulls out Tensa Zangetsu. He tells Ichigo he is not surprised that he does not recognize this form, as this is the first time Ichigo has ever come to his inner world in Bankai. After attacking Ichigo, he identifies himself as Tensa Zangetsu as he continues his assault. Ichigo tries to stop the fighting so he can ask a question but Tensa Zangetsu already knows what Ichigo wants. He tells Ichigo that he cannot teach him such a technique. Ichigo says he needs it to protect Karakura town but Tensa Zangetsu says that what Ichigo wants to protect and what he wants to protect are different.

Ichigo is surprised that Tensa Zangetsu will not lend him his power and Tensa Zangetsu tells Ichigo to look around and that where there were once hope-filled skyscrapers, there is now a replica of Karakura Town, submerged by constant rain. Tensa Zangetsu explains that this all occurred because Ichigo ceased to walk forward and fell into despair. Tensa Zangetsu appears in front of Ichigo suddenly and pierces his arm into Ichigo's chest. He tells him that he will pull out the source of his despair. Tensa Zangetsu proceeds to rip out the "source of despair" and tosses it behind him. When Ichigo looks at it, he sees his inner Hollow, in a new form that he has not seen. His inner Hollow proceeds to remove his mask, asking Ichigo if he recognizes him. Ichigo is shocked to see his inner Hollow as he believed that he had defeated him but his Hollow reiterates what he said last time. Tensa Zangetsu reveals that this is the form Ichigo took to defeat Ulquiorra Cifer. Zangetsu states Ichigo will fight them together as they begin to fuse. The fused form of Zangetsu and Ichigo's inner Hollow emerges and tells Ichigo that they are two parts of the same being and they are his power and proceeds to attack Ichigo. Meanwhile, outside his inner world, Isshin is exhausted, still trying to suppress the current, as Ichigo starts bleeding more.

As their battle continues, Ichigo says that he will not give up until he learns the Final Getsuga Tenshō. Fused Tensa Zangetsu states that he already told him he has no intention of telling him about it. Ichigo begins to find something strange in the Fused Tensa Zangetsu’s actions. As they continue to fight Ichigo realizes something and discards his broken sword allowing Fused Tensa Zangetsu to run him through with his blade. Fused Tensa Zangetsu congratulates Ichigo on figuring it out and Ichigo notes the blade does not hurt. Ichigo then notices that Fused Tensa Zangetsu is crying and asks him why. He reveals what he wanted to protect all along was Ichigo. Ichigo is confused and questions what he means by this to which Fused Tensa Zangetsu states that its meaning, along with the essence of the technique, should be conveyed to him directly from the blade. Fused Tensa Zangetsu tells him that if Ichigo uses the Final Getsuga Tenshō he will lose his Shinigami powers. He then bids Ichigo farewell.

Ichigo later arrives with his unconscious father in Karakura Town in the Soul Society as Rangiku is grieving for Ichimaru. Startled by Ichigo's arrival, Aizen turns his attention towards him. Ichigo, now taller and with longer hair from his time in the Dangai, places Isshin on the ground and thanks him. After searching for the reiatsu of his sisters to make sure they are safe, Ichigo greets his friends and tells them to stay where they are. Aizen tells Ichigo that he is disheartened as he does not sense any reiatsu coming from him. Ichigo interrupts him, saying that he wants to move their fight elsewhere. Stating that Ichigo cannot harm him, Aizen refuses, but Ichigo grabs Aizen and brings him outside Karakura Town, throwing him into the ground. He tells a stunned Aizen that he will finish the fight in an instant.

Aizen states what he believes is the reason for Ichigo’s loss of reiatsu, believing he has converted it into raw physical power. He then tells Ichigo that he should give up all hope as even with his enhanced physical strength he still is far from being able to reach him. The two clash as a nearby mountain is cut in half. Aizen gloats on this feat. He moves to attack Ichigo head on and the two clash again causing significant devastation to the surrounding area. Aizen comments on their appearances, noting the similarities between each other with the agglutination of their right arms and Zanpakutō's and how it has brought forth a revolutionary discovery. Aizen continues to gloat as Ichigo then stops Aizen’s blade with his bare hand. The attack destroys the land behind Ichigo, who remains in place and uninjured. Ichigo asks Aizen if his feat is really that hard to believe. Ichigo then asks him if he's scared of what is in front of his eyes right now, of something he can't understand.

Aizen recovers and tells Ichigo not to gloat as he will crush Ichigo with Kidō and uses the full incantation of' the "Kurohitsugi". Aizen proudly gloats at the full power of his Kidō. Ichigo waves his hand and destroys the spell. Ichigo begins to explain to a stunned Aizen that he didn't notice that Ichigo is stronger than him currently. Ichigo then notes it was actually him who blew that mountain away with his sword, not Aizen. Ichigo moves in and strikes. Ichigo lands a strike across Aizen’s torso, but Aizen instantly backs. Ichigo tells him that it's a strange feeling when he put distance between them. Ichigo then asks Aizen why he has put distance between them. Aizen becomes enraged and the diamond shape on his forehead opens up and develops into a third, vertical eye as he transforms again. Aizen then states that he now sees that the Hōgyoku will not truly allow him to lag behind a human. Aizen then fires an immensely powerful blast that creates a crater. Ichigo survives the blast but it destroys the upper half of his shikakushō and singes his left arm he used to block the blast. Aizen attacks Ichigo, sending him into the crater. Aizen grabs Ichigo and creates a large circle of spiritual energy. He asks Ichigo if he can hear him as he goes to theorize how at one point Ichigo destroyed the barrier between Shinigami and Hollow and became transcendental. He then states that now Ichigo has lost that power and will now be destroyed by a true transcendental being. Aizen continues his gloating as Ichigo asks Aizen if something like that is going to end him as he slashes at his chest forcing Aizen to release him as well as destroying the circle of charged spiritual energy. Ichigo then tells him they should put a stop to this as he is sick and tired of Aizen's logic. Ichigo readies himself and tells Aizen he wants to show him the "Final Getsuga Tenshō".

Ichigo initiates the technique causing Aizen to react in surprise to the new form he has taken. Ichigo explains the technique as Aizen becomes enraged, saying it is not possible for a human to surpass him. Ichigo initiates Mugetsu and darkness falls all over the land. Aizen is surrounded by the darkness and attacked causing him to plummet to the ground below. The darkness dissipates as Ichigo touches down on the ground as the blue bands covering his face begin to crack and peel off. Standing where Aizen crashed, he watches as his opponent’s wounds heal. Aizen begins to revert back to his original form. Ichigo falls to the ground as he realizes his Shinigami powers are disappearing. Aizen stands up and tells Ichigo he has lost as his Zanpakutō begins to disintegrate. Aizen tells him that the Hōgyoku has decided he doesn't need a Zanpakutō and likens it to Ichigo becoming one with his Zanpakutō and its powers. He then states that in fact he has risen even higher than Ichigo who has just lost that power. Ichigo then looks on as Aizen is affected by a hidden Kidō spell hidden inside his body by Kisuke Urahara, who appears at the scene to explain the mechanics of the spell. The two converse briefly before Aizen is finally sealed as Ichigo looks away.

Sometime after their battle with Aizen, Ichigo asks Urahara where everyone is and asks if everyone’s memories have been erased. Urahara says no and Ichigo is relieved. Urahara then tells Ichigo that Aizen's seal structure will be dealt with by Central 46. Ichigo asks him if Aizen was really rejected by the Hōgyoku and wonders if Aizen himself wished to lose his power. He explains his theory and thinks maybe Aizen wished to just be a Shinigami. Orihime, Uryū, Rukia, Chad, and Renji find Ichigo and he asks them if it's okay for them to be up like this. Rukia says that's her line and Orihime, while crying, says she knew it was him in the distance though Ichigo's longer hair made her think she was wrong at first. Ichigo laughs saying what a face she's making right now and adds that his hair is a mess. Suddenly, he collapses and everyone rushes to help him while he screams in pain.

Ichigo awakes to find himself back home surrounded by Orihime, Rukia, Uryū and Chad who explain that he has been unconscious for almost a month. Rukia explains that Urahara told them he has lost his Shinigami powers. Ichigo realizes that they all know now and tells Rukia he will most likely have to give back his substitute Shinigami title. Rukia explains that the first stage of loss brings intense pain, loss of consciousness, and a reverse flow of the time that his body experienced in the Dangai. She notes that his hair is shorter but it's not because they cut it. She further explains that he lost his Shinigami powers at that point. Then in the second stage, his remaining reiatsu stabilized, he woke up, and in due time, the remainder of his spiritual power will completely disappear. Ichigo, unsurprised by this, says that he expected this to happen, asking if he can go outside. As his energy continues to disappear, Ichigo notes that he can no longer sense spiritual presences anymore and that it is becoming harder to see Rukia. Realizing this is farewell, Rukia mocks Ichigo's sad face, saying she will still be able to see him; Ichigo says that fact doesn't make him happy at all and he wasn't being sad. As she starts to fade before his eyes, Ichigo asks Rukia to give his best regards to everyone, says goodbye, and thanks her.

Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc (anime only)
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

Beast Swords arc (anime only)
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

Gotei 13 Invasion Army arc (anime only)
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.