Enter! The World of the Shinigami

'''Enter! The World of the Shinigami''' is the twenty-first episode of the Bleach anime.

Ichigo and his friends arrive in the Soul Society.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: March 1, 2005
 * English Airdate: February 2, 2007
 * Opening Song: *~Asterisk~
 * Ending Song: Thank You!!
 * Manga Chapters: Chapter 71, Chapter 72, Chapter 73, Chapter 74.
 * Kanji: 突入！死神の世界
 * Romaji: "Totsunyū! Shinigami no sekai"
 * Arc: Soul Society: The Sneak Entry arc

Summary
An intrusion call sounds in Seireitei. Meanwhile, Ichigo Kurosaki and the others inside of the Senkaimon are busy escaping from the Kouryū, that is chasing them through the Dangai Precipice World. While running, Uryū Ishida's cape is caught by the Capturing Flow, and Yasutora Sado rips off Uryū's cape in order to get him away from the wall. Just then, another obstacle called the Kōtotsu appears to start chasing them. Yoruichi explains that the capturing thrust is a cleaner that appears only once every seven days. Uryū tells the others that they are not going to make it to the exit before it catches them. Thus, Orihime Inoue uses her shielding powers to buy them just enough time to make it to the exit.

After escaping from the two obstacles, they finally arrive to Soul Society. Yoruichi immediately punishes Orihime for using her powers against the Kōtotsu. Yoruichi reveals that if any of the Shun Shun Rikka themselves had come in contact with it, they would have been destroyed. Yoruichi explains to the others that the place they are in is known as Rukongai. Ichigo then sees the entrance to Seireitei, and rushes to it recklessly. Before he can enter, a big gate drops down to stop him. A giant Shinigami called Jidanbō Ikkanzaka blocks Ichigo and uses his axe to smash the ground, creating a barrier to prevent the others from interfering.

Jidanbō attacks Ichigo, but Ichigo blocks the attack. Jidanbō says that nobody has ever stopped his second attack and hits again, but Ichigo blocks it once more. Jidanbō uses an attack called 'Ten Jidan-Hit Festival'. Jidanbō starts counting the attacks, but loses count, as Ichigo blocks all of them. Jidanbō then brings out a second axe and uses a double-axe attack called 'Ten Thousand Year Jidan-Hit Festival'. Ichigo, however, smashes both of Jidanbō's axes, knocking Jidanbō to the ground. As a mark of respect for beating him and showing concern for his broken axes, Jidanbō opens the gate for Ichigo and his group. However, much to Jidanbō's despair, Gin Ichimaru appears on the other side.

Kon-sama's Ultimate Shinigami Illustrated Guide
The featured character is Suì-Fēng.

Characters in order of appearance

 * 1) Renji Abarai
 * 2) Rikichi
 * 3) Ichigo Kurosaki
 * 4) Yasutora Sado
 * 5) Orihime Inoue
 * 6) Uryū Ishida
 * 7) Yoruichi Shihōin
 * 8) Jidanbō Ikkanzaka
 * 9) Izuru Kira
 * 10) Shūhei Hisagi
 * 11) Gin Ichimaru

Fights

 * Ichigo Kurosaki vs. Jidanbō Ikkanzaka (concluded)

Powers and Techniques used
Techniques used:
 * Santen Kesshun (盾舜六花, Six Flowers of the Hibiscus Shield; Six Princess Shielding Flowers in the English anime)