Overcome Your Limits!

Overcome Your Limits! is the forty-fifth episode of the Bleach anime.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: August 16, 2005
 * English Airdate: August 11, 2007
 * Opening Song: D-tecnoLife
 * Ending Song: Happypeople
 * Manga Chapters: Chapter 127, Chapter 128, Chapter 129.
 * Kanji: 限界を越えろ!
 * Romaji: "Genkai o koero!"
 * Arc: Soul Society: The Rescue arc

Summary
We begin with Tōsen, having taken out Uryū Ishida, musing on the ryoka invasion and the senseless fighting. Meanwhile, Yoruichi explains to Ichigo that it takes well over ten years for even talented Shinigami to achieve Bankai, but she has a way that will help him achieve it in only three days. She has a spirit-transfer doll that pulls out the spirit of his Zanpakutou and because he achieved a draw with Kenpachi, he is easily at the materialization level as it is. She explains that he has to defeat the spirit of his Zangetsu in three days. Zangetsu summons a bunch of Zanpakutou, and there is only one that will defeat him. Ichigo is to try to kill Zangetsu.

Yasochika Iemura a is now writing in his diary, and is trying to write about the ryoka disturbance. He complains about the 11th squad men who are being admitted frequently, and is incensed because they have admitted Ryoka, citing Ukitake and Kyouraku as people who requested Ryoka be admitted. It is revealed that Tousen requested that Ishida be admitted.

Sentarō and Kiyone are present at Hanatarō's disciplinary hearing. Unohana decides that he is to be punished in some way for aiding the ryoka, but it is never revealed how he is to be punished. He later voices his misgivings to Isane. Meanwhile, Renji is having flashbacks about Rukia, and decides that it is time to break out of his cell and go save Rukia.

Kira is sitting in his cell in a straightjacket having flashbacks about his battle with Hinamori. Ichimaru comes up, and offers to get him out.

Ichigo coughs up some blood, and Yoruichi yells at him that there isn't any time to waste, and to get up. Zangetsu threatens to make him get up.

Aramaki is groveling at Yachiru because she evidently came in the nick of time and helped him take Orihime back to the 11th squad headquarters. He explains that Orihime has the ability to bubble out of walls, and Yachiru is obviously entertained by that. Madarame and Yumichika inquire about Ichigo, and Orihime mentions she hopes he is alive. Kenpachi hopes this is the case too, so he can fight him again. For this reason he decides to aid Orihime.

Then, we're back at the 4th squad HQ in a cell with Ganjyu, Ishida, and Chad. They talk about why they have been treated, and Chad mentions that they are probably being kept alive because they are suspected in Aizen's murder. They have no real way of escaping, as their reiatsu is sealed by their handcuffs, and they conclude that Orihime, Ichigo, and Yoruichi are all out there somewhere, they just have to find them. Chad makes the decision that they wait.

Back in the hidden hole in the ground, Ichigo is still losing his fight with Zangetsu because he is relying too much on what is familiar to him in his heart. He has to find his strength among his weaknesses, and defeat Zangetsu.

Kon-sama's Ultimate Shinigami Illustrated Guide
The featured character is Kiyone Kotetsu.

Characters in order of appearance
Uryū Ishida

Kaname Tōsen

Yoruichi Shihōin

Ichigo Kurosaki

Zangetsu

Renji Abarai

Zabimaru

Kenpachi Zaraki

Yasochika Iemura

Yasutora Sado

Nurse

Shunsui Kyōraku

Sentarō Kotsubaki

Kiyone Kotetsu

Hanatarō Yamada

Retsu Unohana

Isane Kotetsu

Rukia Kuchiki

Byakuya Kuchiki

Renji's Prison Guard

Izuru Kira

Sōsuke Aizen

Momo Hinamori

Gin Ichimaru

Makizō Aramaki

Yachiru Kusajishi

Orihime Inoue

Yumichika Ayasegawa

Ikkaku Madarame

Ganju Shiba

Sōken Ishida

Powers and Techniques used
Shikai

Tobiume (flashback)

Wabisuke (flashback)

Bankai

Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō (flashback)

Techniques

Quincy Final Form (flashback)