THE BLADE AND ME

The Blade and Me is the eighteth volume of the Bleach manga series

Publisher's summary
While training Ichigo, Urahara's assistant, Tessai Tsukabishi, cuts off the chain attached to Ichigo's soul. This causes him to begin transforming into a Hollow. Ichigo is then assisted by his zanpakutō's spirit to awake his spiritual power. This gives him the ability to turn into a Shinigami instead of a hollow when he awakens. In another training exercise, Ichigo fights against Urahara, who uses his own zanpakutō to force Ichigo to flee. Embarrassed by this defeat, Ichigo talks with his zanpakutō's. He reveals that his name is Zangetsu and it changes its form. After finishing his training, Ichigo reunites with Orihime, Uryū, Chad, and Yoruichi, who will be a guide on their journey. They all prepare to go to Soul Society in order to save Rukia.

Volume data

 * Cover: Zangetsu
 * [[image:Flag of Japan.png|20px]] Release Date: June 4, 2003
 * ISBN: ISBN 4-08-873392-4


 * [[image:Flag of the U.S..png|20px]] Release Date: August 2, 2005
 * ISBN: ISBN 1-59116-872-4

Chapter list

 * 062. Lesson 2-2: Bad Ending in The Shaft
 * 063. Lesson 2-3: Inner Circle Breakdown
 * 064. Back in Black
 * 065. Collisions
 * 066. The Blade and
 * 067. End of Lessons
 * 068. The Last Summer Vacation (最後の夏休み, Saigo no natsuyasumi)
 * 069. 25:00 gathering
 * 070. Where Hollows Fear To Tread