Joining the Battle! The Strongest Shinigami Army Appears

'''Joining the Battle! The Strongest Shinigami Army Appears''' is the one-hundred ninety-sixth episode of the Bleach anime.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: November 25, 2008
 * English Airdate:
 * Opening Song: Velonica
 * Ending Song: Hitohira no Hanabira
 * Manga Chapters: Chapter 298, Chapter 299.
 * Kanji: 参戦！最強死神軍団登場
 * Romaji: "Sanzen! Saikyō Shinigami gundan tōjō"
 * Arc: Hueco Mundo arc Part 2

Summary
As Tesla prepares to finish off Ichigo, Kenpachi Zaraki stops the attack. Ichigo is shocked to see the captain and asks if it is really him, to which Kenpachi confirms, asking if Ichigo was beaten so badly that his mind was affected. Tesla then question who the captain is while Nnoitra Jiruga assesses Kenpachi with his Pesquisa. Realizing how powerful the captain is, he yells a warning to his Fracción that comes too late as Tesla is quickly cut down by Kenpachi. Ichigo, who was under the impression that Soul Society would not assist him in rescuing Orihime Inoue, inquires the reason for Kenpachi's presence. Kenpachi responds with kicking Ichigo out of his way. Ichigo then asks on how Kenpachi came to Hueco Mundo. Kenpachi answers this by explaining that Kisuke Urahara's was given several orders from the Captain-Commander, one of them being stabilizing Garganta to enable the Gotei 13 captains to come to Hueco Mundo. Yachiru, who also came, adds that Kenpachi came as soon as the Garganta was ready.

Other members of the Gotei 13 are also confirmed to have come as Szayel Aporro Granz, Zommari Leroux, and the Exequias notice the new presences near them. Kenpachi remarks on how annoying that the other captains did not listen to his affirmation that he could handle things alone. It is revealed that Captains Byakuya Kuchiki, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, and Retsu Unohana have also infiltrated Hueco Mundo and are confronting Zommari Leroux, Szayel Aporro Granz, and the Exequias, respectively. Each respective party begins their battle, with the exception of Retsu Unohana, who, with her lieutenant, proceeds with healing Sado Yasutora and Gantenbainne Mosqueda.

Arrancar Encyclopedia
Gin Ichimaru talks about Zommari Leroux and his ability, Gemelos Sonído. Zommari makes an appearance and briefly demonstrates his skill for holding the self-proclaimed title for the fastest Sonído among all Arrancar, including the Espada. Byakuya Kuchiki then appears, calling on him for being arrogant. The two then attempt to "outspeed" each other, going outside of Las Noches.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Kenpachi Zaraki
 * Ichigo Kurosaki
 * Tesla
 * Nnoitra Jiruga
 * Orihime Inoue
 * Yachiru Kusajishi
 * Szayel Aporro Granz
 * Exequias
 * Retsu Unohana
 * Isane Kotetsu
 * Zommari Leroux
 * Byakuya Kuchiki

Kidō used

 * Hadō #4: Byakurai (白雷, Pale Lightning)

Techniques used

 * Zanjutsu
 * Hohō
 * Pesquisa
 * Sonído
 * Resurreción