Ichigo Kurosaki/Anime Continuity

is a Human who is also a Substitute Shinigami. Ichigo is the son of Isshin and Masaki Kurosaki, and older brother of Karin and Yuzu.

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

Ichigo, unaware he is unable to perform Bankai outside of Soul Society, faces three Modified Souls in a series of games, set by Urahara, which involve kidnapping Ichigo's friends, all unbeknownst to Ichigo. Ichigo undergoes training with three the Mod Souls, Ririn, Kurōdo, and Noba. After the training, which is unsuccessful, he, finding out about the Bount, confronts Yoshino Sōma. Unable to win, despite the help of Rukia, Ichigo is unintentionally saved by another Bount, Ryō Utagawa. Later, when Utagawa tries to eat Uryū's soul, a battle between him and Ichigo's group ensues. While visiting Uryū in the hospital, the group is met by water-manipulating Bount twins Hō and Ban. Ichigo fights them, but they prove to be tough to beat. He discovers when the twins are separated, their ability to control their Dolls is greatly reduced. With some assistance from Ganju Shiba, the group kills the weakened Dolls with fireworks. Ichigo and company infiltrate Jin Kariya's mansion in search of Uryū.

There, Ichigo engages Utagawa in battle, during which he obliterates a large portion of the house, surprising both Utagawa and Maki Ichinose. When Ichinose confronts Ichigo, the two fight until Kariya, taking over, overpowers Ichigo. As Ichigo is on the brink of defeat, Urahara and his assistants arrive to rescue them. Later, Ichigo fights Gō Koga and his Doll, Dalk, after the Bitto nearly kill Keigo. When Ichigo is beaten, his inner Hollow takes over. Managing to repel his inner Hollow, Ichigo succumbs to his previous injuries. When Izuru Kira, appearing, disables the Doll, Koga retreats.

As Ichigo invades the Bount hideout with Sado, Orihime, Rukia, Renji, and the Mod Souls, four Shinigami lieutenants, who had entered the cave earlier and fought Ugaki's Doll, Gesell, assist them. When Renji and Ichigo, continuing into the depths of the cave, find Ugaki, Renji decides to take on Gesell with his Bankai so Ichigo will have the strength to take on the remaining Bount. As the cave begins to crumble, Yumichika Ayasegawa convinces Ichigo to leave them behind and go further into the cave. When Ichigo finds the remaining Bount, they open a portal to Soul Society. Ichigo starts a battle with Kariya, who, defeating Ichigo, threatens to kill him with Zangetsu, convincing Ichigo to recover his will to fight and regain his ability to use his Bankai. As the fight continues, with both adversaries now evenly matched, they are interrupted by Uryū, who helps the Bount reach Soul Society, believing he will get stronger there and defeat the Bount.

In Soul Society, Ichigo's group, using Kūkaku Shiba's house as a base of operations, splits up to search for the Bounts. When Ichigo asks Byakuya for assistance, he, declining the request, says Ichigo's job is in the Human World. Later, Ichigo, coming across Byakuya and Kariya fighting in a forest, joins in, but they are unable to beat the Bount leader. Ran'Tao, the Shinigami who created the Bounts, steps in and, taking Ichigo and Uryū back to her home in Rukongai, explains how her spirit powers were sealed, and how she was banished for creating the Bount.

After departing from Ran'Tao's home, they meet up with Tōshirō Hitsugaya, Rangiku Matsumoto, and Renji, who are in the middle of a battle with Ichinose. Arriving, Kenpachi challenges Ichinose, allowing the others to pursue the Bount. At the SRDI, Ichigo and Sado, catching up to Kariya, are unable to stop him. Their battle inadvertently unearths the Jōkaishō, a massive energy source, which Kariya had been searching for. Absorbing the energy, Kariya, using its destructive potential as a threat to keep Ichigo at bay, gives the whole of Soul Society a day to think about their impending destruction. With permission from Matsumoto, Ichigo uses the 10th Division as a base of operations during this time.

The next day, Ichigo saves Uryū and Ran'Tao from Kariya. Their fight is interrupted by the arrival of Ichinose, who, initially attacking Ichigo, turns his sword on Kariya before being killed. As Kariya attacks Ichigo, whose inner Hollow momentarily takes over, Ichigo, regaining control of his body, tells Kariya he cannot absorb spirit particles to heal himself because Ran'Tao sealed his absorption ability. After Kariya attempts to detonate a Jōkaishō, Ichigo deals him a fatal blow, and he, questioning what will become of Ichigo in the future, dies. Ichigo, Renji, and Rukia return to the Kuchiki Manor to discuss Kariya, Ichigo remarking on how his life was changed when Rukia gave him her powers. Afterwards, they return to the Human World.

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

Ichigo and Rukia are alerted to an abnormal amount of Hollow sightings. As they leave to dispatch them, Ichigo encounters Rurichiyo Kasumiōji, who is attacked by Hollows. As Kenryū and Enryū take Rurichiyo away, Ichigo uses his Bankai to defeat the horde of Hollows pursuing them. The following day, the trio, moving into the house next to Ichigo's, become students at his school. Later, he learns their identity, and Kenryū reveals that despite her young age, Rurichiyo is the leader of the Kasumiōji Clan due to her parents' death. They came to Karakura Town to protect Rurichiyo after several suspected assassination attempts on her by Gyōkaku Kumoi, who wants to become the clan's leader. Kenryū asks for Ichigo's help in stopping Kumoi. Later, a group of Bakkōtō-wielding assassins attack. Ichigo fights one of them, who gains the advantage by using his Bakkōtō's mirror to blind Ichigo, but the assassins are stopped. When Rurichiyo goes to Soul Society on her own, Ichigo, Rukia, Kenryū, and Enryū go in search of her. Finding Rurichiyo, Ichigo attempts to defend her from an assassin.

After the group return to Karakura, Hanza Nukui leads another group of assassins to kill Ichigo, his friends, and Rurichiyo. Hanza fights Ichigo using the same mirrored Bakkōtō Ichigo previously fought against. After learning the Bakkōtō, Saiga, becomes stronger by feeding on the Reiatsu of its wielder, Ichigo is saved by Yoruichi, who reveals the remaining assassins have been defeated, prompting Hanza to retreat. Rurichiyo tells Ichigo others would frequently be blamed for her reckless actions, including Kenryū and Enryū. Sensing the arrival of Hanza and his minions, Ichigo and Rukia stay to protect Rurichiyo while the others go out to fight them. Fighting Hanza again, Ichigo, breaking Saiga's mirror, becomes engulfed in its light. He is sealed in a dream-like state, where he is forced to relive his childhood and his mother's death. As the fake Masaki tries to kill him, Ichigo breaks free by making peace with his mother. Donning his Hollow mask, Ichigo, overwhelming Hanza, forces him to allow his Bakkōtō to absorb more of his energy. Ignoring Ichigo's pleas to stop, Hanza is consumed by his Bakkōtō.

Rurichiyo returns to Soul Society on her own, and on the day of her wedding to Shū Kannogi, Ichigo and company enter the family compound to retrieve Rurichiyo, who does not respond to Ichigo's calls. When Captain Suì-Fēng and her troops surround them, Enryū, using his Shikai, destroys the building, and in the confusion, Ichigo, reaching Rurichiyo, tells Shū of Kumoi's intentions, but is attacked by Rurichiyo, who is actually an impostor. As Suì-Fēng begins to fight Ichigo, he and Rukia escape with Shū's help. The three decide to escape by having Shū pose as a hostage, which sparks a manhunt for them. Deciding to rescue Rurichiyo, the trio is attacked by Shūsuke Amagai. Stopping the battle, Shū reveals the truth of Kumoi's intentions to Amagai, who agrees to help them.

Ichigo, Amagai, Rukia, and Shū, evading the patrols, make contact with the 3rd Division members and head towards Rurichiyo's last known location. Pursuing a pair of assassins with Rurichiyo, Ichigo and Amagai discover it is a ruse. The quartet head to the Kasumiōji compound, which Captain Hitsugaya is guarding. As the others fight, Ichigo and Shū enter the compound. After discovering one of Amagai's men is working for Kumoi and has a Bakkōtō, the hunt for them ends. Managing to catch up to Kumoi and Rurichiyo, Ichigo and Rukia witness Amagai striking down Kumoi. Amagai teleports away with Rurichiyo, leaving the dying Kumoi to reveal Amagai is behind the conspiracy. Ichigo arrives at Yamamoto's office, where Amagai is facing off against the Captain-Commander. Armed with a Bakkōtō which can negate all Shinigami and Zanpakutō powers other than his own, he fights Ichigo with his Bankai.

Despite hearing Amagai's allegations against Yamamoto, Ichigo is determined to stop Amagai, whom he states has selfishly caused innocent people to suffer. Unleashing his Bankai, Ichigo eventually uses his Hollow mask. As Amagai begins to attack Ichigo's mask, Ichigo hits Amagai with a Getsuga Tenshō. Injured, Amagai, declaring he is willing to die for his revenge on Yamamoto, starts to draw more on his Bakkōtō's power. With some well-timed maneuvers, Ichigo is finally able to strike and destroy the Bakkōtō power-negation ability before defeating Amagai. As Amagai turns his attention to Yamamoto, Yoruichi, arriving, explains the truth about what happened between Yamamoto and Amagai's father as Ichigo listens. As Ichigo tries to stop Amagai from taking his own life, Byakuya makes Ichigo understand he needs to let Amagai repent the best way he feels possible. Later, Ichigo says he will help Rurichiyo whenever needed, but she says she will try as the head of her clan to handle it with her own power from now on.

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

In his inner world, Ichigo is asked by Zangetsu if he can hear anything other than his voice, which he cannot. When Ichigo asks what is going on, Zangetsu states all is well. Later, Ichigo encounters a seriously injured Rukia being pursued by the spirit of her Zanpakutō, Sode no Shirayuki. As Ichigo forces the spirit back, Rukia reveals all the Zanpakutō Spirits in Soul Society were released from their ties with the Shinigami by Muramasa, and Soul Society is in chaos. Following Rukia back to Soul Society, Ichigo, briefly fighting Sode no Shirayuki, is interrupted by Muramasa, who tells Ichigo his goal is to "free" all Zanpakutō from the control of Shinigami. When he removes Zangetsu's spirit from Ichigo, Zangetsu attacks and overpowers a hesitant Ichigo, whose inner Hollow, taking over, defeats Zangetsu. As Ichigo regains control, he passes out.

Ichigo awakens in his inner world, where he finds Muramasa trying to gain control of his inner Hollow, who attacks Muramasa, leading him to bind it. Seeing through Muramasa's power, Ichigo, saving his inner Hollow, forces Muramasa out of his body. Exiting his inner world, Ichigo faces Zangetsu's Bankai. Telling Ichigo he cannot access his Zanpakutō's true power because it resides with Zangetsu, his inner Hollow offers to lend him his power as long as Ichigo agrees not to use his mask. As they fight, Ichigo learns Zangetsu wants to see how strong Ichigo can become, and if it is enough to defeat him. Using his inner Hollow's power, Ichigo defeats Zangetsu. After Muramasa disappears, Zangetsu, assuring Ichigo he has returned to normal, reveals Muramasa can forcibly unleash one's deepest instincts and warp them so one cares only about those desires, regardless of the consequences.

After Ichigo reports his findings to the captains, he and Ikkaku find Hōzukimaru and Gegetsuburi. They catch Gegetsuburi, but Hōzukimaru escapes, and Ichigo follows him. Ichigo's pursuit is stopped by Byakuya, who disappears. While trying to find Byakuya, he is hindered by Tobiume and Haineko, and later by Hyōrinmaru. Continuing to look for Byakuya, Ichigo, encountering Muramasa again, fights him, gaining the upper hand. Senbonzakura, intervening, fights Ichigo with his Bankai. Having fought Byakuya's Bankai in the past, Ichigo, holding his own against Senbonzakura, overpowers the spirit. Trying to fight back, Senbonzakura is stopped by Byakuya, who attacks him with Kidō. When Ichigo questions Byakuya's actions, Byakuya, revealing he is following his own inner desires, retreats with Muramasa and Senbonzakura.

Ichigo informs the others of Byakuya's betrayal. Later that night, Ichigo, sensing Renji and Rukia's distress, rushes to help them, arriving with Suì-Fēng and other Shinigami to combat the numerous Zanpakutō spirits who have surrounded the pair. Ichigo squares off with Senbonzakura again, but when Izuru falls prey to Wabisuke's power, Ichigo frantically tries to come to Izuru's aid until Kenpachi defeats Wabisuke. After overpowering Senbonzakura, Ichigo rushes to Byakuya and Kenpachi's battle. While Ichigo is distracted by Byakuya, Senbonzakura, reappearing, launches Ichigo into Ashisogi Jizō's path. Poisoned, Ichigo, collapsing, is treated by the 4th Division members, and learns of Yamamoto's whereabouts from Yoruichi. After being lead into a network of caves by Yoruichi, Ichigo voices his concerns about Byakuya. When the two are attacked by Haineko and Tobiume, Ichigo, at Yoruichi's instruction, carries on while she deals with them. Minazuki draws Ichigo in to the path of Kazeshini, and, after a short struggle, Ichigo, striking down the Zanpakutō, finds Yamamoto inside a barrier. Before Ichigo can do anything, Muramasa, attacking him, coerces Ichigo into using his full power. He uses this power to shatter the barrier surrounding Yamamoto, who, awakening, voices his dread at the turn of events. Ichigo learns the barrier was not Muramasa's doing, but rather something Yamamoto created to keep Muramasa from entering his inner world. Muramasa liberates Ryūjin Jakka, who, covering Muramasa's escape, traps Ichigo and the other Shinigami.

Upon learning of Muramasa's intention to free his former master, Kōga Kuchiki, who is sealed in Karakura Town, Ichigo feels it is his fault the town is in danger. After several failed attempts to escape, Ichigo, freed by the arrival of Captain Hitsugaya, heads to the Human World, where he confronts Muramasa, who has just completed the release of Kōga. Surprised at how powerful Kōga is after being sealed for so long, Ichigo, shocked to see Kōga stab Muramasa, listens as he explains his motive for doing so. As he tries to deliver a finishing blow, Byakuya stops him.

Senbonzakura reveals Byakuya had only been pretending to be in league with Muramasa to find and destroy Kōga. When Kōga destroys his sword, Muramasa, powers going out of control, releases all the Hollows he had absorbed. Understanding Byakuya was trying to restore his family's honor, Ichigo tells him to concentrate on Kōga while he deals with the Hollows. As the amount of Hollows keeps increasing, Muramasa, absorbing all nearby Hollows, becomes a Hollow himself. After he is defeated by Ichigo, he transforms into a huge dome-like creature which engulfs Ichigo as it grows. Ichigo finds himself inside Kōga's inner world, where he defeats the ailing Muramasa. After he escapes from the dome, Muramasa dies, and Byakuya sincerely thanks Ichigo for his efforts.

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

In the Human World, after Ichigo briefly encounters a Tōjū, which escapes, Hitsugaya tells Ichigo and Urahara about the current situation in Soul Society. After the Tōjū is absorbed by a Hollow and the two fuse together, Ichigo, saving Haineko from it, battles the creature, which Zangetsu reveals is the same Tōjū from before. When Ichigo is thrown back by a Cero, Hitsugaya defeats it with his Shikai. Later, Ichigo encounters Renji and Zabimaru. Noticing the Hebi half is not there, he asks what is going on. Returning home to find Hebi on the floor, Ichigo mentions Renji, causing an argument which wakes Karin and causes Hebi to run off. Later, Hebi, bringing Karin to Ichigo, prepares to leave, telling him not to let her know what has happened. Waking up at home, she asks Ichigo where Hebi is, but he implies she just dreamed the whole thing up.

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

One month after Aizen's defeat, Ichigo continues his duties as a Substitute Shinigami, with Rukia remaining in Karakura Town. One day, Ichigo is angered to find Kon has brought a sleeping, naked girl named Nozomi Kujō to the house. While Kon explains himself, Rukia, noting she cannot sense the girl's existence, realizes Kon found the girl near the location of a Senkaimon she had noticed earlier, prompting her to send a report to Soul Society. When new orders are received for Rukia to bring Ichigo before the SRDI, she is unable to contact them again. When they go to Urahara for help, they learn Yoruichi went to Soul Society three days previously and has not been heard from since, despite her intending to return immediately. Urahara advises Ichigo against traveling there, as his Shinigami powers will eventually fade away, and overexerting himself will quicken their loss. Ichigo and Rukia travel to Soul Society regardless, and while passing through the Dangai, they are chased by the Kōtotsu. As they run, Ichigo, dropping his Substitute Badge, uses his Bankai's speed to escape the Kōtotsu with Rukia. Upon arriving in Soul Society, Ichigo, feeling faint, falls to the ground, where he is arrested by the Gotei 13 as a material witness.

Later, Rukia, freeing him from his cell, informs him of the current situation. When hey are attacked by Renji and Ikkaku, their fight is brought to a close by Yoruichi, who seals Renji and Ikkaku with Kidō. As the three escape, Ichigo comments upon the strange behavior of Renji and Ikkaku. Stating they were not the real Renji and Ikkaku, Yoruichi, revealing they were Reigai, tells Ichigo she has no idea how many Reigai have infiltrated the Gotei 13, but speculates the 12th Division's SRDI may have something to do with it. Going to the 12th Division barracks, Ichigo and Rukia come across information regarding Nozomi, who was present in the Dangai.

Upon arriving at the Senkaimon, they discover the area is being guarded by Reigai copies of several high-level Shinigami, including several captains. Choosing to attack them directly, the trio, charging in, make use of Urahara's portable Gigai to distract the Reigai long enough for them to make it through the Senkaimon. When Ichigo shatters the gate with a Getsuga Tenshō, they almost make it through, but Yoruichi is flung back by Reigai-Byakuya Kuchiki. Making a stand against the Reigai, Yoruichi gives Ichigo and Rukia time to escape to the Human World, where Ichigo saves Orihime from the mastermind behind the Reigai incident, Kagerōza Inaba. After a short skirmish, where Ichigo's powers fluctuate due to him overexerting himself, the real members of the Gotei 13, arriving, save Ichigo from Inaba, who flees.

Ichigo and the Gotei 13 members, who are now trapped in the Human World, have a meeting, during which Mayuri Kurotsuchi informs them of Inaba's identity and what Nozomi's role in recent events may be. Ichigo assists in defending of Nozomi and Kon from an attacking Reigai. Later, when Nozomi runs away, Ichigo is among the group which searches for her. After separating from the group, he finds Nozomi attempting to seal herself away permanently in the Dangai, only to be stopped by several Reigai. Despite being outnumbered and having diminishing powers, Ichigo, refusing to let them take her, uses his Bankai to destroy them. After explaining his reasons for helping Nozomi, he convinces her to abandon her plans to run.

After a run-in with a Reigai, Ichigo, Kon, and Nozomi arrive at the Urahara Shop, where Ichigo, inquiring about the state of the injured Shinigami, asks Tessai to take a look at Nozomi. While bickering with Kon, Ichigo, beginning to get weak, falls back. Catching him, Orihime says she will treat him. When Ichigo brushes it off as nothing, Kenpachi kicks him away, "proving" it to be more than nothing. Angrily dismissing this, Ichigo asks why Kenpachi has not left for Soul Society yet. When Kenpachi, saying he is leaving now, refuses to allow Ichigo to accompany him, Ichigo tells Kenpachi not to die, prompting him and Yachiru to reassure him he will not die before he fights Ichigo again.

After Urahara reveals the captains have safely made it to Soul Society, Ichigo, pleading with Urahara to send him too, says he cannot sit idly by. Kon and Orihime try to talk him out of this. When Nozomi asks why everyone is trying to protect her, Ichigo, reassuring her, says if she does not want to tell, that is fine, but she knew something bad would happen if Inaba caught her, telling her she is not alone. After their conversation, Nozomi, healing Ichigo with Kidō, restores some of his Reiatsu before collapsing. Helping her up, Ichigo asks once more to go to Soul Society, thinking it best to take the fight to them before his powers fade altogether. Agreeing to it, Urahara says this entry will be much riskier than his first. The group see Ichigo off as he leaves through the Senkaimon.

Arriving in Soul Society, Ichigo, noticing he is not where he is supposed to be, spots Inaba and, attacking, questions Inaba about many things before Inaba, backing off, says he summoned Ichigo there by tweaking the Dangai so he could erase his existence. Using his Shikai to envelop him in a portal, Inaba says Ichigo should not exist, as he is not Human, nor is he is pure Shinigami or Hollow. As he calls Ichigo an anomaly, saying since he cannot create a Reigai of him he is getting rid of a variable, Ichigo, swallowed by the portal, is trapped inside the Dangai.

In the Dangai, Ichigo, overrun by the Kōtotsu, awakens, floating on his back and surrounded in purple light. As a bright light appears above him, a mysterious figure reaches for him. Ichigo reaches up to grab their hand, but is too far away. Later, Urahara and Renji find Ichigo. As he wakes up in the Urahara Shop, Ichigo finds his friends sitting before him. When Nozomi becomes angry with him for not defeating Inaba, he says she should not be so tough on him, and at least he made it back alright. When he asks Renji if he had rescued him from the Dangai, Renji says he had not, leaving Ichigo to wonder who it could have been. Hearing he had been swallowed by the Kōtotsu, Urahara, stating what Ichigo did is impossible, says he will find out how it happened and reveals Inaba was after information about Mod Souls.

Some time after introducing Nozomi to his family using a cover story, Ichigo, encountering a Hollow, is unable to transform himself into his Shinigami form, and so evades the Hollow until Uryū kills it. Thanking him, Ichigo invites him over for dinner, saying Kon needs to be cheered up. Later, Ichigo talks with Renji, Ikkaku, and Yumichika, who want to question Nozomi, as they know too little about her. When Ichigo asks them if it is not enough that he protects her, he is told the Gotei 13 captains were defeated by Inaba's invasion force, which they will now have to face in Karakura Town. Ichigo tells them as long as someone is born into the world, they have a right to continue existing.

As Nozomi's powers are debated, Ichigo suggests that if her Zanpakutō is dormant, then they should awaken it. Along with, Rukia, Uryū, and Sado, Ichigo spars with Nozomi, who absorbs some of the incoming attacks. Activating his Bankai, Ichigo fires a Getsuga Tenshō at Nozomi, who, attempting to block it, successfully activates her Zanpakutō's Shikai in the process. When Nozomi rushes off to help the others fight against the newly-arrived Reigai, Ichigo pursues her. Ichigo catches up to an exhausted Nozomi, who has seemingly defeated Reigai-Kenpachi. As she explains her Zanpakutō's Reiatsu-absorbing powers, the Reigai emerges unfazed. Yumichika covers Ichigo as he retreats with an injured Ikkaku. After leaving him with Orihime, Ichigo, finding Nozomi, convinces her to retreat. When they are found by several Reigai, Ichigo, with his fluctuating Reiatsu continuing to impair him, agrees to rely on Nozomi's Zanpakutō. Ichigo, his friends, and the Shinigami all direct their attacks on her, allowing her to absorb the power and release a powerful blast which defeats most of the Reigai, with Yamamoto finishing off the sole survivor.

As Ichigo and Rukia attempt to convince Yamamoto to accept Nozomi as an ally, they are attacked by two powerful Reigai. Hindered by his weakening powers, Ichigo, using his Bankai, continues fighting. Arriving, Inaba has the Reigai stand down while he finishes things. When Ichigo warns Yamamoto about Inaba's power to copy attacks, Yamamoto states he is aware of this. Volunteering to act as a decoy, Nozomi attacks Inaba. Finding an opening, Ichigo and Yamamoto launch two attacks from different sides, but Inaba manages to counter their attacks. Having reached his limit, Ichigo, collapsing, plummets to the ground, where he is caught by Renji.

After awakening to find an unconscious Yamamoto, Ichigo joins Renji and Rukia in defending him. During the battle, Inaba reveals Nozomi and himself were created from the Reiatsu of the same Shinigami. Refusing to believe this, Ichigo, charging at Inaba, is beaten. As Nozomi escapes and is pursued by Inaba, Ichigo, following, finds them and gathers his remaining strength for a Getsuga Tenshō, which annihilates a duplicate of Inaba. The real Inaba strikes down Ichigo, knocking him out and draining the last of his Reiatsu, which causes his shihakushō to turn white. Inaba leaves with Nozomi.

Roughly half a day later, a healed but powerless Ichigo awakens in Urahara's shop. After clearing his mind, he and the group discuss the best course to take. When Ichigo recalls how Inaba repeatedly used the Kōtotsu on him, Urahara speculates that by obtaining Ichigo's remaining Reishi swallowed by the Kōtotsu, they can restore his powers. Urahara reveals because Ichigo has no Reiatsu, he can move freely through the Dangai. Determined to rejoin the fight, Ichigo, entering the Dangai with a Reishi collector, is swallowed by the Kōtotsu. He manages to find and collect his Reishi, but before leaving, he is surprised to find an unconscious version of himself. Confused, he, grabbing his other self, escapes the Kōtotsu, only to find his other self has disappeared. After returning to the Human World, Ichigo tells the others about this. Surmising it was Ichigo from the past, Urahara realizes the present-day Ichigo saved himself during his previous encounter with the Kōtotsu. Satisfied with this, Ichigo wishes to get on with restoring his powers.

Urahara brings Ichigo and Kon to the natural Senkaimon which Nozomi previously attempted to use to seal herself in the Dangai. Upon arriving in Soul Society, they, sneaking into the SRDI, find Inaba's lab, the technology of which Urahara uses to restore Ichigo's Reishi in the form of a Mod Soul pill. He tells Ichigo it might put a serious strain on his soul. As the process nears completion, a trap in the system is set off, causing it to begin self-destructing. Before the explosion occurs, Ichigo ingests the Mod Soul, which restores his Reiatsu. The process is incomplete, leaving his Reiatsu very weak and causing his inner Hollow to start growing out of control. When Ichigo fears he might transform again, they go in search of another of Inaba's labs and his research so they can use it to stabilize Ichigo. As they leave the building, they are surrounded by several Reigai captains. Yoruichi and the real captains come to their aid.

Ichigo, Urahara, and Kon are able to escape, but Ichigo's inner Hollow begins to act up again, leading Urahara and Kon to insist he stay behind to be safe. After Ichigo half-heartedly agrees, Urahara makes an extra precaution of binding Ichigo with a Kin spell, but Ichigo, transforming into a Hollow, breaks free. As he rampages through the area, several Shinigami, finding him, attempt to subdue him, only for Ichigo to easily overwhelm them. He notices a Shinigami, Ōko Yushima, behind him.

Ichigo attacks Yushima, who escapes. Later, he, finding Yushima again, attacks him, but Yushima binds him with Kidō. As Yushima prepares to finish him off, Rukia forces him back, and Ichigo's other friends arrive. Effortlessly defeating them, Yushima frees Ichigo in the process. As Yushima moves to kill Rukia, the Hollowfied Ichigo blocks the attack with his body. As Ichigo, gaining control of himself, loses the rest of his Reiatsu, he realizes Nozomi is still alive inside Yushima. Defending him from Yushima, Ichigo's friends are defeated. Stopping Yushima from moving, Nozomi asks Ichigo to kill him, but he refuses, as it will also kill her. When Yushima regains control, the pair mock each other until Kon, posing as a Reigai bringing medicine to Inaba, kicks him back and gives Ichigo a complete Mod Soul pill of his Reishi, restoring his Shinigami powers and manifesting Zangetsu. Ichigo activates his Bankai.

As the two begin fighting evenly, Ichigo's friends join in the fight, and Ichigo, finding an opening, exploits it by using his Hollow mask. Unable to absorb Hollow-based Reishi, Yushima is completely overwhelmed. Ichigo reveals while his powers are not fully restored, his attacks are much stronger than their last encounters because he refuses to fight with regret from fear of losing his powers. Re-emerging, Nozomi begs Ichigo to finish her and Yushima off, but Ichigo still hesitates. When Kon tells Ichigo to strike for her Soul Chain to break the fusion, Ichigo attacks, but Yushima, regaining control, blocks and activates his Renzan Hajokuri technique to destroy all of Soul Society. Unable to break through the technique, Ichigo is aided by the Reigai, who, overcoming the technique, are destroyed in the process. As Ichigo's Reiatsu weakens, he deactivates his Bankai. Emerging, Yushima attacks Ichigo, who, defeating him, ends the fusion and restores Nozomi and Inaba. After Inaba dies, Nozomi begins to vanish as well, having earlier stabbed Yushima's body with a Reishi blade. Later, Ichigo, given back his Shinigami badge, returns home with his friends.

Days later, Ichigo's Reiatsu falters again, and he becomes so weak he struggles against low-level Hollows and cannot perform Shunpo. While knowing his powers are nearing the limit, Ichigo calmly continues his duties as a Substitute Shinigami and daily life as normal. One night, while struggling to fight a huge Hollow, Ichigo, realizing he is beyond his limit, summons his remaining strength to launch a Getsuga Tenshō, which, destroying the Hollow, overtaxes Ichigo, causing him to faint. The next day, he wakes up, surrounded by his friends. Revealing he knew Rukia was ordered to prevent him from fighting any longer, Ichigo realizes he cannot feel the presence of anything. As Rukia begins to fade from his sight, Ichigo, telling her to give everybody his regards, thanks her before she completely disappears.

Quotes

 * (To Muramasa) "Look Muramasa, or whatever your name is... You missed one important thing. You've been calling me a Shinigami this whole time. I'm a Human!"