The long awaited... Kenpachi appears!

The long awaited... Kenpachi appears! is the two-hundred forty-fourth episode of the Bleach anime.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: November 03, 2009
 * English Airdate:
 * Opening Song: Anima Rossa
 * Ending Song: Sakurabito
 * Manga Chapters: None
 * Kanji: 満を持して…剣八登場
 * Romaji: "Man o jishite... kenpachi toujou!"
 * Arc: Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc

Summary
As Wabisuke prepares to finish Izuru Kira, the building they are on top of is ripped apart by the release of Reiatsu from Kenpachi Zaraki, who was inside the building, causing Wabisuke to free Kira. Soifon questions why Zaraki making such a dramatic entrance, and why he is late. Zaraki simply says that he got there as quickly as he good so he could join in the fighting. Wabisuke attacks Kenpachi, but is unable to cut him. Zaraki slashes and defeats Wabisuke, who transforms into Kira's sealed but broken Zanpakutō. Soifon points out to the other Zanpakutō spirits that the same fate awaits them if they are defeated by anyone other than their former master.

Elsewhere, Ruri'iro Kujaku tells Yumichika Ayasegawa that he dislikes Zaraki and talks about the similarities between the Zanpakutō spirit and his former master, before beginning to drain Yumichika of his Reiryoku. Gonryōmaru asks Zaraki were he has been hiding. Yachiru Kusajishi explains that they were in Rukongai fighting Hollow. When they heard what was happening, they rushed back, but became lost. Kenpachi then sets his sights on Byakuya Kuchiki, but Senbonzakura attacks him instead. In response to Senbonzakura's Bankai, Zaraki removes his eye-patch, blowing everyone else away. Upon sensing Zaraki's actions, Yumichika attacks the vines of Ruri'iro Kujaku's Shikai with a mid-level Hadō, freeing his arm. He cuts the remainder with his sword and attacks Ruri'iro Kujaku.

As Zaraki replaces his eye-patch, he once again targets Byakuya, this time succeeding in engaging the rogue captain in battle. Having been forced away from Zaraki, Senbonzakura resumes his battle with Ichigo Kurosaki. Suzumebachi also resumes her attack on Soifon. As Bayakuya and Zaraki continue to fight, Yumichika taunts his Zanpakutō into using his Shikai again. As he does so, Yumichika uses a low-level Bakudō to bind the vines, and uses the opening to defeat Ruri'iro Kujaku, before collapsing himself.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Izuru Kira
 * Kazeshini
 * Wabisuke
 * Kenpachi Zaraki
 * Ichigo Kurosaki
 * Senbonzakura
 * Byakuya Kuchiki
 * Rukia Kuchiki
 * Renji Abarai
 * Gonryōmaru
 * Tenken
 * Suzumebachi
 * Soifon
 * Ikkaku Madarame
 * Yumichika Ayasegawa
 * Ruri'iro Kujaku
 * Zabimaru
 * Yachiru Kusajishi

Powers and Techniques used
Kidō used:
 * Hadō #58 Tenran (闐嵐, Orchid Sky)
 * Hadō #31 Shakkahō (赤火砲, Shot of Red Fire)
 * Bakudō #4 Hainawa (這縄, Crawling Rope)

Zanpakutō released:

Shikai:
 * Kazeshini (風死, Wind Death)
 * Wabisuke (侘助, Miserable Man)
 * Tenken (天譴, Heavenly Punishment)
 * Suzumebachi (雀蜂, Hornet)
 * Ruri'iro Kujaku (瑠璃色孔雀, Azure Peacock)
 * Senbonzakura (千本桜, "Thousand Cherry Blossoms)

Bankai:
 * Tensa Zangetsu (天鎖斬月, Heavenly Chain Moon Cutter or Heavenly Chain Cutting Moon)
 * Senbonzakura Kageyoshi (千本桜景厳, Vibrant Display of a Thousand Cherry Blossoms)