Ichigo Becomes a Hollow!

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

Ichigo Kurosaki regains his Shinigami powers.

Summary
In Soul Society, Rukia Kuchiki and Renji Abarai learn from Byakuya Kuchiki the former will be executed at Sōkyoku Hill in one month. When a stunned Renji asks if Byakuya is serious, Byakuya states the next time he sees Rukia will be at her execution. As Byakuya leaves, Rukia, feeling despair set in, remembers a Shinigami must never cry, so she fights the depression and fear.

In Karakura Town, under Kisuke Urahara's shop, Ichigo Kurosaki begins his second step of training. Ichigo learns he must 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 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 spring forth. Tsubaki, furious with her for summoning them without a good reason, begins to pull her hair. Watching the show, Yoruichi, turning her attention towards Chad, asks if he can now summon his strength after seeing Orihime do it.

Back at the training area, 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, Urahara 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 Ichigo is resisting, and he might still become a Shinigami. Inside his soul, Ichigo comes face-to-face with a mysterious stranger. As the stranger tries to speak his name, Ichigo is unable to hear it. As the stranger asks how many times must he call out to Ichigo before he can finally hear it, Ichigo begins falling. Following him down, the stranger tells him his world is collapsing, and he must find his Shinigami powers in order to save his soul. Ichigo learns the powers Byakuya destroyed were Rukia's, and his own powers were not destroyed by him.

Plunging into a large lake, Ichigo, thinking of how he can find his power, remembers Uryū Ishida had a special way of finding a Shinigami; finding the red Reiraku, which is the color of all Shinigami Reiraku. Ichigo finds it, and inside the box linked to it is his Zanpakutō's hilt. Behind him, the stranger, reappearing, congratulates his success in finding it. As Ichigo realizes who this stranger really is, his inner world begins to crumble even more, and he removes his sword from the box. On the outside, as Ichigo's mask fully forms, Tessai tries to subdue the transformation with '''Bakudō 99. Bankin'''. As Ichigo shatters his restraints and the Kidō, a massive explosion of Reiatsu shoots out from the pit. When Ichigo, appearing with a Hollow mask and a Shinigami shihakusho, draws his broken sword, Jinta thinks he is going to attack, but Ichigo uses its hilt to shatter his mask, revealing he has indeed become a Shinigami.

Urahara reveals the third step of the training; Ichigo must knock off his hat. Ichigo's initial strike almost succeeds, but Urahara 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

Fights
None.

Powers and Techniques Used
Kidō used: