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
Kenpachi Zaraki stops Tesla's attack on Ichigo. Nnoitra Jiruga's warning to Tesla 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 how Kenpachi arrived. Kenpachi then explains that Kisuke Urahara's stabilizing of Garganta enabled the Gotei 13 captains to come to Hueco Mundo. He 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.

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

Powers and Techniques used

 * Zanjutsu
 * Pesquisa
 * Sonído
 * Resurreción