Ichigo Becomes a Hollow!

Ichigo Becomes a Hollow! is the nineteenth episode of the Bleach anime.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: February 15, 2005
 * English Airdate: January 19, 2007
 * Opening Song: *~Asterisk~
 * Ending Song: Thank You!
 * Manga Chapters: Chapter 62, Chapter 63, Chapter 64.
 * Kanji: 一護、ホロウに墜ちる!
 * Romaji: "Ichigo, horō ni ochiru!"
 * Arc: Agent of the Shinigami arc

Summary
In Soul Society, Rukia Kuchiki and Renji Abarai learn from Byakuya Kuchiki himself that she will be executed at Sōkyoku Hill in one month. Renji in a stunned state asks if Byakuya is serious. Byakuya answers that the next time he sees Rukia, it will be at her death. Byakuya then leaves. Rukia feels the despair set in, but remembers that a Shinigami must never cry, so she fights the depression and fear.

In Karakura Town, under Urahara Kisuke's shop, Ichigo Kurosaki begins his second step of training. Ichigo learns that he must somehow recover his Shinigami powers in seventy-two hours or he will become a Hollow and die. As such his arms have been bound by Tessai Tsukabishi and Ichigo has been dropped down into a large, vertical pit dug by Ururu Tsumugiya. Meanwhile Orihime Inoue and Yasutora Sado begin their training with Yoruichi Shihōin. At first both are unable to access their powers, but after remembering the first time she used them, Orihime's powers suddenly spring forth. However, Tsubaki becomes furious with her for summoning them without a good reason and begins to pull her hair. Yoruichi watching the show, turns his attention towards Chad and asks if he can now summon his strength after seeing Orihime do it.

Back at Kisuke's, Ichigo's numerous attempts to escape the pit end in failure. Jinta Hanakari and Ururu, who are watching decide to torture him by spitting on him from the top of the pit. As time passes Ichigo's chain finally begins the Hollowfication process and Ichigo begins changing. Watching from above, Kisuke tells the others not to interfere, because the mask is forming first. Normally, when a Plus becomes a Hollow, the mask is the last thing to form. Kisuke says this is a sign that Ichigo is resisting and that he might still become a Shinigami. Inside his soul, Ichigo comes face-to-face with a mysterious stranger. The stranger tries to speak his name, but Ichigo is unable to hear it. The stranger replies with a question to Ichigo; asking how many times must he call out to Ichigo, before he can finally hear it. Suddenly Ichigo begins falling. The stranger follows him down and tells him his world is collapsing and that he must find his Shinigami powers in order to save his soul. Its now that Ichigo learns that the powers Byakuya destroyed were only Rukia's and that his own powers were not destroyed by him.

Ichigo plunges into a large lake and begins to think how he can find his power. Suddenly, he remembers that Uryū Ishida had a special way of finding a Shinigami. Uryū did this by finding the red Reiraku, which is the color of all Shinigami Reiraku. Ichigo finds it and the box linked to it. Inside it is his Zanpakutō's hilt. Behind him the stranger reappears and congratulates his success in finding it. Suddenly, Ichigo realizes who this stranger really is. At the same time Ichigo's inner world begins to crumble even more and he removes his sword from the box. On the outside, Ichigo's mask fully forms and Tessai tries to subdue the transformation with the highest level of Bakudō, ninety-nine. Ichigo shatters his restraints and the Kidō whilst a massive explosion of reiatsu shoots out from the pit. Ichigo lands with a Hollow mask and a Shinigami shihakusho. Jinta initially thinks Ichigo is going to attack when he draws his broken sword, but Ichigo uses its hilt to shatter his mask, revealing that he has indeed become a Shinigami.

Kisuke then reveals his third step of the training. Ichigo must knock off his hat. Ichigo's initial strike almost succeeds, but Kisuke responds by drawing his sword.

Kon-sama's Ultimate Shinigami Illustrated Guide
The featured character is Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

Characters in order of appearance

 * 1) Rukia Kuchiki
 * 2) Renji Abarai
 * 3) Byakuya Kuchiki
 * 4) Tessai Tsukabishi
 * 5) Ichigo Kurosaki
 * 6) Kisuke Urahara
 * 7) Orihime Inoue
 * 8) Yasutora Sado
 * 9) Yoruichi Shihōin
 * 10) Chizuru Honshō
 * 11) Tatsuki Arisawa
 * 12) Ururu Tsumugiya
 * 13) Jinta Hanakari
 * 14) Zangetsu

Powers and Techniques used
Kidō used:
 * Bakudō #99 Kin (禁, Seal)
 * Bakudō #99, Part 2 Bankin (卍禁, Great seal)