THE BLACK MOON RISING

THE BLACK MOON RISING is the nineteenth volume of the Bleach manga series.

Publisher's summary
The long-awaited showdown between Ichigo Kurosaki and Captain Byakuya Kuchiki has finally begun. Has Ichigo succeeded in mastering Bankai, the highest level of power that a Shinigami can attain, to face Byakuya as an equal?

159. LONG WAY TO SAY GOODBYE
As their battle draws to a close, 2nd Division Captain Suì-Fēng recalls her past with Yoruichi Shihōin.

Summary:

Characters in order of appearance:
 * 1) Yoruichi Shihōin
 * 2) Suì-Fēng

Episodes adapted from this chapter:
 * Episode 57: Senbonzakura, Crushed! Zangetsu Thrusts through the Sky

160. Battle On Guillotine Hill
While 11th Division 3rd Seat Ikkaku Madarame and 7th Division Lieutenant Tetsuzaemon Iba continue their periodic fight, Ichigo Kurosaki demands that 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki use his Bankai in their battle.

Summary:

Characters in order of appearance:
 * 1) Ikkaku Madarame
 * 2) Tetsuzaemon Iba
 * 3) Ichigo Kurosaki
 * 4) Byakuya Kuchiki

Episodes adapted from this chapter:
 * Episode 57: Senbonzakura, Crushed! Zangetsu Thrusts through the Sky

161. Scratch the Sky
With Ichigo Kurosaki having broken through his Shikai with the power of his Getsuga Tenshō, 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki gives into his demands and activates his Bankai.

Summary:

Characters in order of appearance:
 * 1) Byakuya Kuchiki
 * 2) Ichigo Kurosaki
 * 3) Kisuke Urahara (flashback)
 * 4) Zangetsu (recollection)

Episodes adapted from this chapter:
 * Episode 57: Senbonzakura, Crushed! Zangetsu Thrusts through the Sky
 * Episode 58: Release! The Black Blade, the Miraculous Power

162. Black Moon Rising
Despite 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki refusing to believe that he can do so, Ichigo Kurosaki activates his Bankai.

Summary:

Characters in order of appearance:
 * 1) Byakuya Kuchiki
 * 2) Ichigo Kurosaki
 * 3) Renji Abarai
 * 4) Rukia Kuchiki
 * 5) Yasutora Sado
 * 6) Orihime Inoue

Episodes adapted from this chapter:
 * Episode 58: Release! The Black Blade, the Miraculous Power

163. THE Speed Phantom 2 [Denial by Pride, Contradiction by Power]
Though 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki still does not believe he is using Bankai, Ichigo Kurosaki quickly disproves this by countering Senbonzakura Kageyoshi.

Summary:

Characters in order of appearance:
 * 1) Byakuya Kuchiki
 * 2) Ichigo Kurosaki

Episodes adapted from this chapter:
 * Episode 58: Release! The Black Blade, the Miraculous Power

164. That Who Change the World
While Ichigo Kurosaki's friends reach the top of Sōkyoku Hill to witness his battle, 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki decides to use his strongest Bankai technique.

Summary:

Characters in order of appearance:
 * 1) Yasutora Sado
 * 2) Orihime Inoue
 * 3) Uryū Ishida
 * 4) Ganju Shiba
 * 5) Makizō Aramaki
 * 6) Yachiru Kusajishi
 * 7) Rukia Kuchiki (flashback)
 * 8) Ichigo Kurosaki
 * 9) Byakuya Kuchiki

Episodes adapted from this chapter:
 * Episode 59: Conclusion of the Death Match! White Pride and Black Desire

165. Dark Side of Universe 2
Ichigo Kurosaki finds himself outmatched and exhausted against 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki's Senkei, leading to an unexpected emergence.

Summary:

Characters in order of appearance:
 * 1) Ichigo Kurosaki
 * 2) Byakuya Kuchiki
 * 3) Renji Abarai (flashback)
 * 4) Kenpachi Zaraki (flashback)
 * 5) Hollow Ichigo

Episodes adapted from this chapter:
 * Episode 59: Conclusion of the Death Match! White Pride and Black Desire

166. Black & White 2
After Hollow Ichigo grievously wounds 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki, Ichigo Kurosaki regains control so they can finish their duel.

Summary:

Characters in order of appearance:
 * 1) Byakuya Kuchiki
 * 2) Hollow Ichigo
 * 3) Ichigo Kurosaki

Episodes adapted from this chapter:
 * Episode 59: Conclusion of the Death Match! White Pride and Black Desire

167. The Burial Chamber
6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki concedes victory to Ichigo Kurosaki while 10th Division Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya and his lieutenant, Rangiku Matsumoto, make a horrifying discovery.

Summary:

Characters in order of appearance:
 * 1) Byakuya Kuchiki
 * 2) Ichigo Kurosaki
 * 3) Kaien Shiba (recollection)
 * 4) Orihime Inoue
 * 5) Yasutora Sado
 * 6) Uryū Ishida
 * 7) Ganju Shiba
 * 8) Makizō Aramaki
 * 9) Rangiku Matsumoto
 * 10) Tōshirō Hitsugaya

Episodes adapted from this chapter:
 * Episode 59: Conclusion of the Death Match! White Pride and Black Desire

168. Behind Me,Behind You
Having discovered the entirety of Central 46 slaughtered in their council chamber, 10th Division Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto are diverted by 3rd Division Lieutenant Izuru Kira, who is behaving enigmatically.

Summary:

Characters in order of appearance:
 * 1) Tōshirō Hitsugaya
 * 2) Rangiku Matsumoto
 * 3) Rukia Kuchiki (flashback)
 * 4) Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto (flashback)
 * 5) Jūshirō Ukitake (flashback)
 * 6) Izuru Kira
 * 7) Momo Hinamori
 * 8) Gin Ichimaru

Episodes adapted from this chapter:
 * Episode 60: Reality of the Despair, the Assassin's Dagger is Swung

Trivia

 * In the Japanese version of this volume, chapter 162 is still printed in color and not grayscaled like regular color pages; as such, the chapter sketch following it is also in color, making it the only colored volume sketch in the entire series.