Ikkaku's Bankai! The Power that Breaks Everything

'''Ikkaku's bankai! The Power that Breaks Everything''' is the one-hundred-eighteenth episode of the Bleach anime.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: March 7, 2007
 * English Airdate: May 23, 2009
 * Opening Song: Rolling Star
 * Ending Song: Sakura Biyori
 * Manga Chapters: Chapter 203, Chapter 204, Chapter 205.
 * Kanji: 一角卍解！全てを砕く力
 * Romaji: "Ikkaku bankai! Subete o kudaku chikara"
 * Arc: The Arrancar arc

Summary
As the fights around town rage on, Ikkaku Madarame challenges his Arrancar opponent to pull out his Zanpakutō, but the Arrancar does not think it will be necessary. It is not until Ikkaku strikes with an attack of such force that the Arrancar is forced to do so. Watching them from the sidelines are Yumichika Ayasegawa and a horrified Keigo Asano. Yumichika calmly explains that Ikkaku is the second strongest in the 11th Division and then points out how happy Ikkaku is in the fight. He knows that he should not help out and that if Ikkaku dies, then that is Ikkaku’s desire.

In the fight, the Arrancar is figuring out Ikkaku’s attacking patterns and strikes when there is an opening. However, Ikkaku surprises him by switching his Zanpakutō and his sheath between his hands, thus creating an opening to strike at the Arrancar’s face. It is only after getting slashed that the Arrancar realizes that Ikkaku had intentionally been using a predictable pattern and is actually fighting recklessly for his own enjoyment. Because of this, the Arrancar decides to release his Zanpakutō so that Ikkaku will learn that fighting an Arrancar is not fun. Ikkaku is shocked to see that the Arrancar’s Zanpakutō Volcanica’s release actually covers the Arrancar’s arms and has made them massive. Now that he’s powered up, the Arrancar finally introduces himself as Arrancar No. 13, Edrad Liones

Meanwhile, Rukia Kuchiki notices that Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez’s spiritual power is much higher than Di Roy Linker’s. Grimmjow demands to know whether Ichigo Kurosaki or Rukia is stronger. When there is no immediate answer, he stabs Rukia in the gut with his hand. As she collapses, an infuriated Ichigo charges at his new opponent. Back at Ikkaku’s fight, Edrad explains that the Arrancar’s Zanpakutō release, unlike a Shinigami’s, releases their true power and true forms. Volcanica is Edrad’s true power, and he demonstrates it by nearly incinerating Ikkaku. Seeing this, Yumichika contacts Soul Society to have them freeze the area around here since there is chance a large number of souls could be affected. In addition, he also asks them to make preparations for Ikkaku’s funeral. At that moment, Ikkaku is being beaten left and right by Edorad’s Volcanica powers. He manages to release his own Zanpakutō Hōzukimaru, but is then met with Edrad’s fist in an attack that breaks Ikkaku’s Zanpakutō. Ikkaku, however, refuses to give up and uses his own body to withstand the force of one of Edrad’s fists. Thinking that the other Shinigami must be so preoccupied by now that they would not notice what he is about to do, Ikkaku initiates Bankai.

Emerging from the smoke and dust is Ikkaku wielding several large blades that he identifies as Ryūmon Hōzukimaru. With it, he is able to slice through Edrad’s fist and puts the Arrancar on the defensive. Edrad realizes that Ikkaku’s Bankai is simply a solidification of massive power, but it leans so heavily towards offense that it is too fragile to withstand an attack. Feeling that he can win, Edrad decides to use overwhelming force to crush Ikkaku, however he then notices that Ikkaku’s power is increasing. Ikkaku explains that his Hōzukimaru powers up as the fight goes on until the dragon symbol on it turns completely red - that is when his power is at its highest. The fight has been going on long enough so that this dragon is already red, and the two opponents charge at each other in a final attack.