Kenpachi Zaraki Approaches!

Zaraki Kenpachi Approaches! is the thirty-sixth episode of the Bleach anime.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: June 14, 2005
 * English Airdate: June 9, 2007
 * Opening Song: D-tecnoLife
 * Ending Song: Houkiboshi
 * Manga Chapters: Chapter 103, Chapter 104.
 * Kanji:更木剣八、迫る!
 * Romaji: "Zaraki Kenpachi semaru!"
 * Arc: Soul Society: The Sneak Entry arc

Summary
Open with Ichigo, Ganju, and Hanatarō climbing the stairs. The three head down the courtyard and are stopped by Captain Kenpachi Zaraki's reiatsu. Back at fifth squad station, Momo Hinamori is in jail. She recalls the deceased Aizen's body being hung from the wall. Rangiku Matsumoto enters to check on Hinamouri. Hinamouri asks what's going on outside, and Matsumoto reports utter chaos. When Hinamouri asks how the investigation goes, Matsumoto explains that fifth squad is in chaos more than anyone because they've lost their captain and vice-captain. She rebukes Hinamouri, who apologizes for her actions. Matsumoto then presents Hinamouri with a letter from Aizen written before his death.

Hinamouri carefully opens the letter and reads. It is Aizen's will. It explains that Aizen knew he was being followed and he apologizes for worrying her. She figures he must've written it the night before when she visited him. He says he will reveal everything he knows so far, and she is shocked at the news, but we don't know what it is yet.

Back to Ichigo, the three are still stayed by the reiatsu. Ichigo announces that they have to escape. Kenpachi is already on to them, however, and listening very carefully to their movements. Ichigo notices that they don't seem to be getting away. Hanatarō finally collapses, and Ganju lifts him. Kenpachi evaluates all three and decides Ichigo is worth the fight. Finally, Ichigo figures out where his foe is hiding- on the roof. Instantly, Kenpachi is behind him, and Ichigo has been impaled in the shoulder. But not really. Apparently, it was some kind of hallucination. Ichigo decides it must be an "air of bloodlust". Kenpachi knows who Ichigo is, but Ichigo must have a flashback of fighting Ikkaku to remember Kenpachi's name.

Ichigo turns to face his foe, and the scene changes again to Rukia, who felt something even inside the shrine. She recalls Renji's report of Ichigo's entrance to Soul Society. She prays for him to leave her, and it goes back to Kenpachi. Ichigo recalls Yoruichi's warning of "run if you meet a captain". His teammates have been floored from Kenpachi's reiatsu, and suddenly, Yachiru jumps from behind Kenpachi to note Hanatarō's poor condition. Ichigo is amazed at her and asks who she is. She introduces herself as the Lieutenant of the 11th Division, and Ichigo urges Ganju to take Hanatarō and run. Ganju reluctantly complies, and Ichigo stands to face the captain. Kenpachi announces that all he wants to do is fight, and doesn't care about anything else Ichigo may be trying to defend. Ichigo prepares, and Kenpachi notes the many flaws in his stance, and finally offers Ichigo a chance at a free cut. Ichigo is unsure of what's going on, but Kenpachi holds to his offer. Kenpachi taunts him, and Ichigo finally strikes.

Hanatarō suddenly wakes, and causes Ganju to trip with his worry about Ichigo. He asks where Ichigo is, then urges to go back when he finds out. Hanatarō explains that Kenpachi's name means that he's immortal. Ganju still refuses to go back on the grounds that they were urged to save Rukia by Ichigo, and the two take off.

Some blood on the floor, but oddly, it's Ichigo's! His cut didn't hurt Kenpachi at all, but in fact wounded Ichigo's hand. Kenpachi is disappointed, and pushes Ichigo back by Zangetsu's sharp edge with his bare hands. Kenpachi explains that when two reiatsu's collide, the one that is stronger repels the weaker one. Kenpachi's reiatsu is too strong for Ichigo, so no damage was done. Kenpachi draws, declaring it his turn, and Ichigo attacks readily.

Kon-sama's Ultimate Shinigami Illustrated Guide
The featured character is Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.

Characters in order of appearance

 * 1) Ichigo Kurosaki
 * 2) Ganju Shiba
 * 3) Hanatarō Yamada
 * 4) Momo Hinamori
 * 5) Sōsuke Aizen
 * 6) Rangiku Matsumoto
 * 7) Kenpachi Zaraki
 * 8) Ikkaku Madarame
 * 9) Rukia Kuchiki
 * 10) Renji Abarai
 * 11) Yoruichi Shihōin
 * 12) Yachiru Kusajishi
 * 13) Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto (Omake)

Powers and Techniques used

 * Zanjutsu (斬術, Cutting Technique)