Back to Back, a Fight to the Death!

 is the fourteenth episode of the Bleach anime.

Ichigo Kurosaki and Uryū Ishida work together to defeat a Menos Grande.

Summary
Staring down Uryū Ishida on a path in Karakura Town as Rukia Kuchiki and Kon stand nearby, Ichigo Kurosaki declares that he has finally found Uryū and will not be satisfied until he beats him up. When Uryū grimaces and pulls back a Heilig Pfeil on his Heilig Bogen, Kojaku, Ichigo notices a Hollow standing behind him and runs in front of it. Surprised by this, Uryū is unable to keep his grip on the bowstring due to the blood on his finger, causing the Heilig Pfeil to hurtle toward Ichigo, who slashes through it.

Bifurcating the Hollow from the top down with a second slash of his Zanpakutō, which purifies it, Ichigo turns back around to face a shocked Uryū and notes that the latter understands how this is a battle between the two of them before challenging Uryū to abandon the Hollow-killing contest and settle this one-on-one with him. However, as Ichigo grows irritated by Uryū not saying anything in response, an unnerved Kon draws his attention to a large crack in the sky above them while Uryū observes with astonishment that the Hollows are congregating around it.

Uryū begins to run up the nearby steps to combat the Hollows, and when Ichigo cautions him to think about his next course of action because there are so many of them waiting, Uryū stops and asks him if he is scared, startling Ichigo. Advising Ichigo to stay there and watch if he is scared, Uryū declares that he is the winner of this duel and reaches the top of the steps, where he fires a Heilig Pfeil that splits apart mid-flight and kills multiple Hollows flying overhead. As the remaining Hollows look down at him, Uryū declares that the Last Quincy will take them on, prompting Ichigo to wonder what he means by referring to himself as that.

In response to this, Rukia tells Ichigo that the Quincy went extinct 200 years ago before clarifying that the Shinigami exterminated them at that time, shocking Ichigo. In the past, Kisuke Urahara sits in the Urahara Shop and explains to Rukia that this was a difficult decision for the Shinigami to make because they had to exterminate the Quincy in order to prevent the destruction of the universe. Noting that Shinigami are often referred to as Balancers in Soul Society, Rukia explains that a roughly equal amount of Souls are maintained in Soul Society and this world at all times and observes that Souls can travel between the two worlds.

After clarifying how the Shinigami serve to adjust the number of Souls in the two worlds, Rukia reveals that this changed when the Quincy appeared because they completely eradicate Hollows, preventing those Souls from returning to Soul Society and leading to the number of Souls in the Human World increasing instead of remaining stable, and explains how this would have eventually led to the collapse of the universe. With Ichigo listening in stunned silence, Rukia recounts how Soul Society began pleading with the Quincy to leave the management of Hollows to the Shinigami a few years after they were discovered, only to note the Quincy stubbornly refused.

Shortly afterward, as he runs toward Uryū and the Hollows, Ichigo recalls Rukia concluding that the Quincy beginning to rapidly increase in number afterward is what led to the decision that the Quincy must be eliminated and asking him if he thinks this was the results of the arrogance of the Shinigami. Meanwhile, as he destroys another Hollow with a Heilig Pfeil through the head, Uryū stands surrounded by several Hollows and observes with frustration that their numbers are not decreasing as he thinks of Sōken Ishida. Suddenly, Ichigo yells Uryū's name, prompting the latter to turn and see dozens of Hollows being flung into the air by Ichigo's charging assault.

With Uryū left bewildered by his rash approach, Ichigo stands atop a mountain of defeated Hollows and tells Uryū that he has heard why he fights before asserting that he is not going to tell him whether the Shinigami or Quincy were right. However, as Ichigo attempts to declare that he does not agree with Uryū's methods, Uryū flatly states that the fall of the Quincy is just an old story, to Ichigo's surprise. Uryū explains that he does not care about the extermination 200 years ago because it is just a story that his master told him and admits that he actually agreed with the Shinigami when he first heard the tale before revealing that this changed when his master died.

In the past, Sōken sits with a young Uryū on the roof of Karakura Hospital and explains that he felt the Quincy were at fault for refusing to listen at all to the Shinigami. Surprised by this, Uryū points out how the Quincy were the ones who were annihilated, which Sōken affirms before asserting that it was pointless to think about who was right or wrong when there were so many casualties as he tells Uryū that all they must think about is how to prevent it from ever happening again. As Uryū sits in stunned silence, Sōken states that it saddens him to see the sad faces of Humans or Shinigami. In the present, Uryū declares Sōken was a kind and gentle man who never hated anyone.

Destroying another Hollow with a Heilig Pfeil, Uryū recounts how Sōken kept pleading with the Shinigami to join forces and work together with the Quincy even though he was constantly under surveillance as the Last Quincy, only to constantly be told to not interfere with the work of the Shinigami. As he continues to destroy Hollows, Uryū recalls how Sōken was confronted by five large Hollows one day and obviously could not take them on without the help of Shinigami, but they only showed up two hours after Sōken had begun fighting, which led to his death. Uryū turns to face Ichigo and asserts the Shinigami would have saved Sōken if they had acknowledged his ideals.

After asking Ichigo if he understands that Uryū must prove the strength of the Quincy to the Shinigami, Uryū turns back to the Hollows and acknowledges that they have opposite ways of thinking and tells him to watch if Ichigo disagrees with his methods, only for Ichigo to suddenly kick him in the back of the head while proclaiming that he talks too much. Sent skidding along the ground by this, a flabbergasted Uryū sits up and demands to know what Ichigo is doing as the latter points out that Sōken's hope was for the Shinigami and Quincy to work together rather than prove the power of the Quincy to the Shinigami before grabbing Uryū by the collar.

Ichigo inquires when Uryū will be able to do this if not right now and pulls him to his feet before walking behind him and asserting that it is fine if they have opposite ideologies because it is best to fight multiple opponents back-to-back. As Ichigo slashes a Hollow's head in half, Uryū destroys two more approaching him with Heilig Pfeil, leading Ichigo to commend him as Uryū claims that he only did so because he would have been killed otherwise. Declaring that this is also fine because it is kill or be killed, Ichigo points out that it is too hard to do alone and that this is enough reason for the two of them to join forces before admitting that he just wants to kill Hollows.

When Uryū asks him why this is the case, Ichigo reveals that his mother was killed by one, to Uryū's surprise, and states that this is enough reason on its own before explaining that he primarily does not want anyone else to go through that after seeing what his father and two sisters went through after his mother died. Cutting through two more Hollows, Ichigo proclaims that he just does not want to see any more of that, leading Uryū to recall Sōken explaining how it saddens him to see the sad faces of others. As he admits he cannot protect everyone in the world, Ichigo refuses to just protect a few and concludes that he wants to protect as many as possible.

Ichigo criticizes Uryū's plan as endangering too many innocent people and asserts that he will not forgive Uryū for it, only to dismiss this as not being important right now before appealing to Uryū to join forces with him for the time being. As a Hollow advances toward him, Uryū claims that Ichigo talks too much, but states that he understands Ichigo's logic because they will not have someone to beat up later if they do not both survive as he draws back a Heilig Pfeil in Kojaku and aims it at the Hollow. Encouraged by this, Ichigo runs past Uryū and cuts through several Hollows as Uryū fires Heilig Pfeil into several more, destroying them all.

While Ichigo continues to slash through Hollows, Uryū destroys three more with Heilig Pfeil before returning to his back-to-back formation with Ichigo in the middle of the Hollow horde. However, as the two of them stare down the remaining Hollows, Uryū draws Ichigo's attention to the crack in the sky, where they are shocked to see two massive white hands grip the edges of the void from the inside. With Rukia watching in terror from several meters away, a Menos Grande pushes apart the Kūmon and brings its head into view, prompting a stunned Kon to wonder what it is. Inside the ring of Hollows, Ichigo expresses astonishment at the Menos Grande's size.

Though Uryū asserts that his Hollow Bait should not be able to draw such a large Hollow, Ichigo points out that it is too late now before cursing alongside Uryū when four more Hollows attack them from behind. Suddenly, the Hollows are destroyed by a barrage of blasts from Ururu Tsumugiya, who lowers her Senren Bakusatsu Taihō and timidly greets the surprised Ichigo and Uryū as Jinta Hanakari smashes several Hollows away with Jinta Home Run and Tessai Tsukabishi destroys the upper half of a Hollow's head with Tesshō. As the dust clears, Kisuke Urahara stands with his crew and reveals that they came to help Ichigo, who is shocked by his appearance.

Jinta destroys a Hollow with a single swing of his Muteki Tekkon and Ururu mows down several other Hollows behind Ichigo and Uryū, who can only watch in stunned silence as Urahara explains that they will take care of the ordinary Hollows so Ichigo can focus on the Menos Grande before noting that Ichigo does not have time to listen to his rambling. Upon seeing the Menos Grande push its head through the Kūmon, a terrified Rukia identifies it and explains to Kon that it is a gigantic Hollow formed from hundreds of other Hollows combining before admitting that she has only seen it in the form of illustrations in textbooks up until now.

Expressing disbelief that such a powerful Hollow would be drawn out, Rukia reveals that only the Royal Guard are supposed to combat it and asserts that a single Shinigami cannot hope to take it on. As the Menos Grande turns its head to stare at him and Uryū, a grinning Ichigo states that there is no point in thinking about how to fight such a massive opponent and declares that the only method available will be to cut the Menos Grande up over and over before charging forward as a bewildered Uryū runs after him. Though Rukia runs up and warns Ichigo that the Menos Grande is not an opponent he can take on, she is interrupted when Urahara appears in front of her.

As Rukia demands to know if he plans on killing Ichigo, Urahara holds two fingers up to her face and uses Shibireyubi before denying this. While Rukia falls to her knees and realizes that he has used a Bakudō on her, Urahara states that this battle is necessary for both her and Ichigo. Meanwhile, a yelling Ichigo leaps toward the Menos Grande as it steps into the Human World and sinks his Zanpakutō into its ankle, only for the unfazed Menos Grande to simply kick him back. Seeing Ichigo skidding to a halt in front of him, Uryū reminds him that he criticizes this plan of action and fires a Heilig Pfeil at the Menos Grande, which does minimal damage.

Uryū curses and asks Ichigo if he can stand, prompting Ichigo to assert that he is okay as blood begins to trickle down his forehead. When Uryū demands to know what he was thinking and how he planned on defeating the Menos Grande, Ichigo explains his plan of cutting away sections of the Menos Grande starting with its feet until he could reach its head. Expressing disbelief at Ichigo's way of thinking, Uryū kneels and tells him to get up and think of a new strategy while placing his hand on Ichigo's Zanpakutō, only to be shocked when his Kojaku suddenly increases drastically in size, leading him to realize that he is absorbing Ichigo's Reiryoku through his Zanpakutō.

Upon having his attention drawn by Uryū, Ichigo is equally shocked to see the size of his Kojaku and asks him how it got so big, but Uryū dismisses this and reveals that they may have a way to defeat the Menos Grande, to Ichigo's confusion. Watching the Menos Grande exit the Kūmon and begin approaching Ichigo and Uryū, Orihime Inoue and Yasutora Sado stand on a nearby bridge as civilians walk around them and confirm with each other that they can see Ichigo and Uryū clearly. As she notes that Urahara asked them to wait here and watch, Orihime wonders if he wants them to watch before choosing the path which they want to take with their powers.

Mentally admitting that she has not forgotten a single thing from the night her Hollowfied brother attacked her and could only doubt her own memories, Orihime asks Sado what they are supposed to do, only for him to remain silent. Back on the ground, Uryū declares that they are ready to go as he kneels in front of Ichigo with the latter's Zanpakutō tied to his head, prompting Ichigo to let go of his Zanpakutō, which causes Kojaku to shrink back to its normal size, as he asks Uryū if he is crazy. Offended by this, Uryū explains that he will be able to fire a massive Heilig Pfeil if Ichigo channels all of his Reiryoku into Uryū through his Zanpakutō.

However, when Uryū tells him to exert control over his Reiryoku and release it all at once, Ichigo bluntly asks him how to do so, leading a shocked Uryū to asks him if he really cannot do that. Upon being pressed about how he has fought Hollows up until now, Ichigo guesses that he just fought on instinct, further bewildering Uryū, before asserting that his Reiryoku being so high must mean that it is always at its maximum level. Suddenly, as Ichigo and Uryū stare at each other, they are alerted by the Menos Grande beginning to charge a massive Cero in front of its mouth, prompting a stunned Rukia to beg Ichigo to run before he is obliterated by it.

Seeing this, Uryū decides that there is no other way and tells Ichigo to grab his Zanpakutō again, only for Ichigo to yank it off his head and charge at the Menos Grande while yelling, to Uryū's confusion. As Ichigo runs up to it, the Menos Grande fires an enormous red Cero at him, forcing Ichigo to block it with his Zanpakutō held over his head. Forced back by the resulting shockwave, Uryū stares closely at Ichigo's Zanpakutō and wonders where this powerful Reiatsu he is sensing is coming from. While Ichigo struggles to withstand the Cero, Uryū realizes that his power is increasing and recalls Ichigo theorizing that it is always at maximum level.

Uryū concludes that this is not possible because always having one's Reiryoku output at maximum would invariably result in it running out regardless of size, which means that Ichigo must have an immense amount of Reiryoku available if his unconscious output is so high, and details how most people would quickly turn off a faucet if it were spewing a large amount of water after they turned it on before wondering what will happen if Ichigo's Reiryoku is always at its minimum and were suddenly let loose. As Urahara notes that it is about time, a roaring Ichigo pushes through the Cero and slashes at the Menos Grande, resulting in a massive vertical cut down ing its entire body.

With those watching shocked by this, a massive shockwave emanates from Ichigo as the Menos Grande rears back before pulling the Kūmon around itself, leading Rukia and Uryū to realize that it is retreating. Seeing this, Ichigo turns around and forms the peace symbol with his hand as he sticks it in the air and declares victory. While Uryū wonders just what Ichigo is, Tessai expresses admiration of his power and observes that this must be why Urahara is interested in him. Ichigo stands in front of Uryū and demands that the latter thank him for saving his life, only to suddenly collapse as he realizes that he no longer has any strength left in his body.

However, those present are shocked when Ichigo's Zanpakutō begins glowing brightly and distorting, leading Uryū to realize that it is losing its integrity as Rukia explains that this is the result of Ichigo releasing so much power at once before asserting that his spiritual body will not survive at this rate. Declaring that he must do something, Uryū steps on top of an agonized Ichigo's Zanpakutō, causing his Kojaku to flare up to an even larger size than before as several cuts appear on his arm. Despite the pain, Uryū manages to fire a giant Heilig Pfeil up into the air and mentally details how he will stabilize Ichigo by releasing the power he cannot control.

Looking up to see Uryū continuing to fire Heilig Pfeil into the air, Ichigo demands to know what he is doing and observes that Uryū's hand is tearing apart, but Uryū tells him to shut up and reminds Ichigo of their plan to stay alive so they can beat each other up later before ordering Ichigo to stay alive so this can happen. As he continues to fire off Heilig Pfeil, Uryū mentally asks Sōken to forgive him for looking away from Uryū's own failure to save him by hating Shinigami while recalling the time he spent with his master as a child. Noting he will save a Shinigami today, Uryū falls to his knees as Ichigo stabilizes and asks Sōken if he can forgive him while addressing him as his grandfather, which leads Ichigo to admit he cannot beat up a man who looks so sad.

Next Episode Preview
Kon asks the audience how they are doing and introduces himself as the superstar of Bleach before revealing that he will be starting his own segment soon that will shock even Soul Society. As Kon declares that Kon-sama's Ultimate Shinigami Illustrated Guide will begin soon and tells the audience to stay tuned, Ichigo Kurosaki pulls him off-screen while asserting that he has never heard of such a thing.

Fights

 * Ichigo Kurosaki & Uryū Ishida vs. The Menos Grande (concluded)

Powers and Techniques Used
Hakuda Techniques:

Hohō Techniques:

Kidō Techniques:

Hollow Techniques:

Quincy Techniques:

Spirit Weapons:

Other Weapons:

Anime Notes
Removed Content= Added/Expanded Content= Censorship= Changes=
 * Ichigo Kurosaki and Uryū Ishida saying each others' names after encountering each other once again.
 * Ichigo grabbing Kon by the collar and berating him for not obtaining Rukia Kuchiki's Denreishinki in time, leading Rukia to begin arguing with and attacking Kon as well when Kon claims that he could have found her by her scent alone while a flustered and confused Uryū watches from afar, eventually declaring in irritation that he is Ichigo's opponent.
 * Uryū mentally expressing shock at Ichigo's speed.
 * Kon describing how the cracks in the sky are converging at one point as Uryū points out that this is not all that is happening.
 * Ichigo warning Uryū to think before he attacks.
 * Ichigo attempting to assert that he is not scared.
 * Ichigo wondering what Uryū means by calling himself the Last Quincy.
 * Rukia noting that all surviving Quincy despise Shinigami and that the origin of this hatred lies in their annihilation.
 * Ichigo expressing shock at the Shinigami wiping out the Quincy and Rukia affirming that it was done to prevent the collapse of the universe.
 * Rukia stating that an equal number of Souls not being maintained in the Human World and Soul Society would lead to a shift in the balance and the destruction of both realms.
 * Rukia detailing how the Souls released by Soul Society to be reincarnated are accounted for by the Shinigami, who return Souls to Soul Society when they die and purify Hollows to accomplish this as well, allowing Soul Society to monitor the number of Souls in each world and maintain the balance through entrusting the transfer of all Souls to the Shinigami.
 * Rukia mentioning that the Shinigami begged the Quincy to leave the management of Hollows to them.
 * Rukia recounting how the number of Quincy rapidly increased and the cycle of Souls was disrupted, leaving the universe on the brink of collapse.
 * Ichigo admitting that he does not know if the eradication of the Quincy was the result of the Shinigami being arrogant.
 * Uryū realizing that Ichigo is the one sending Hollows flying and expressing disbelief at the latter telling him to think before attacking.
 * Uryū clarifying that he considers the slaughter of the Quincy to be an old legend and that it is not why he is fighting.
 * Uryū assuring Ichigo that he would not hold the Quincy genocide against him.
 * A young Uryū pointing out how Sōken Ishida left out details in the story about the annihilation of the Quincy and questioning if the Shinigami were wrong in the end, which Sōken denies.
 * A young Uryū asking Sōken if the traditional Quincy outfit will ever be updated since he does not consider it cool, to Sōken's astonishment.
 * Uryū detailing Sōken's proposition for a squadron of Quincy stationed in the Human World who could respond quickly to Hollows since the Shinigami do so slowly from the peace of Soul Society.
 * Uryū stating that Sōken was killed.
 * Uryū noting that the Shinigami who showed up on the day of Sōken's death were slow to arrive as usual.
 * Uryū revealing that Sōken had been dead for an hour before the two Shinigami arrived.
 * Uryū concluding that Sōken's philosophy never reached the Shinigami.
 * Uryū asserting that he does not want Ichigo's help in this battle since he is a Shinigami and Uryū is a Quincy.
 * Uryū promising to demonstrate the effectiveness of his way of thinking.
 * Ichigo kicking Uryū in the face while telling him to shut up.
 * Kon observing that he and Rukia are alone and trying to embrace the latter, only for Rukia to knee him in the crotch and run up the stairs to see Ichigo and Uryū facing off against the Hollows as Kon apologizes to Ichigo.
 * Uryū expressing confusion at the idea of fighting alongside Ichigo due to their differences, prompting Ichigo to question if he is still obsessed with that.
 * Uryū reacting with surprise to Ichigo accepting his claim of fighting back to protect himself.
 * Ichigo asserting that he and Uryū have to help each other.
 * Ichigo admitting that he does not know much about Shinigami and is not performing his duties because he likes it since he is originally a Human.
 * Ichigo stating that he is not Superman.
 * Ichigo declaring that he will not forgive Uryū for his reckless endangerment of innocent people.
 * Ichigo pointing out how many Hollows are surrounding them and encouraging Uryū to kill them with him so he can beat Uryū up later.
 * Uryū destroying a Hollow behind Ichigo with a Heilig Pfeil.
 * Ichigo promising to make Uryū cry and the latter daring him to try it if he survives.
 * Ichigo asking Uryū what he is concerned about when the latter alerts him.
 * Ichigo wondering if the Menos Grande is a Hollow, only for Uryū to question how he would know this and question how they are supposed to fight both it and the other Hollows at the same time, causing him and Ichigo to argue over whether or not they have time to plan out their attack.
 * Uryū expressing shock at how rapidly Kisuke Urahara's employees are taking out the Hollows as Ichigo questions why Urahara keeps following him, prompting Urahara to remind Ichigo that he is here to help while Jinta Hanakari and Ururu Tsumugiya destroy Hollows behind him.
 * Ichigo realizing that the Menos Grande is coming through the Kūmon.
 * Kon frantically asking Rukia what the Menos Grande is.
 * Ichigo commenting on the tremendous size of the Menos Grande as it skewers several Hollows on its tongue and devours them, shocking Uryū, who questions how they are supposed to fight it.
 * Rukia demanding that Urahara move so they can stop Ichigo, only for Urahara to apologize and claim that he cannot do this.
 * Rukia mentally noting that she cannot move her body after Urahara casts Shibireyubi.
 * Uryū realizing that he cannot do enough damage with just Kojaku.
 * Ichigo muttering that he never had a strategy to begin with.
 * Uryū internally detailing how Shinigami and Quincy are different even in how they use power, with Shinigami forming a Zanpakutō with their Reiryoku while Quincy form a Spirit Weapon with Reishi coated in their Reiryoku, before observing that Ichigo's Reiryoku flowed from his Zanpakutō into Kojaku when Uryū touched it, meaning that it must flow involuntarily.
 * Yasutora Sado admitting that Ichigo is still blurry to him.
 * Orihime Inoue recalling how she saw Ichigo and her brother trying to kill each other.
 * Ichigo questioning how he should know how he has fought Hollows up until now and assuming that controlling his Reiryoku means being able to turn the flow on and off.
 * Uryū mentally admitting that Ichigo's Reiryoku constantly being at max output would make sense, only to wonder if the idea of his energy pouring out really does not bother Ichigo.
 * Uryū realizing that the Menos Grande's Reiatsu is rising as it begins to charge a Cero.
 * Uryū forming Kojaku again upon seeing the Menos Grande charging its Cero.
 * Uryū observing that Ichigo is charging in for another close-range attack and asserting that he will not survive this.
 * Uryū expressing shock at Ichigo deflecting the Cero and realizing that he is hearing resonance from the clash.
 * Uryū comparing the sound he is hearing to that of a magnet pulling iron particles out of sand.
 * Uryū recalling Ichigo admitting that he has never really controlled his Reiryoku before.
 * Uryū concluding that Ichigo's Reiatsu would skyrocket if his Reiryoku were to be suppressed and realizing what will happen if it is suddenly unleashed.
 * The Menos Grande roaring in pain as Rukia expresses disbelief at Ichigo cutting it all the way up the length of its body.
 * Uryū expressing shock at Ichigo repelling the Menos Grande.
 * Jinta admitting that Ichigo is fairly tough and Tessai affirming that he will be if he can learn to control his power.
 * Uryū greeting Ichigo in turn and being startled when the latter approaches him after the Menos Grande retreats.
 * Uryū telling Ichigo to stop fooling around when the latter collapses.
 * Uryū realizing that Ichigo's massive release of Reiryoku is out of control.
 * Uryū expressing astonishment on how much Reiryoku is flowing into him and how his Kojaku is even bigger than it was before as he realizes that its size will cause it to explode and that he cannot maintain it.
 * Uryū concluding that he will keep firing Heilig Pfeil until Ichigo stabilizes.
 * Ichigo frantically telling Uryū to stop firing Heilig Pfeil.
 * Uryū reiterating that he hates Shinigami and admonishing Ichigo for wanting Uryū to thank him.
 * Uryū telling himself to endure the pain because it will be his fault if Ichigo's Soul is blown to pieces by his overloading Reiryoku before recalling how he searched for Shinigami for years in order to avenge Sōken, only for the one he found to request that they join forces even after Uryū chose a method of proving his superiority that endangered others.
 * Uryū concluding that he tried to forget his own shame by blaming the Shinigami.
 * Urahara having his employees fix the crack in the sky as Jinta smashes a seemingly ordinary fly with his Muteki Tekkon, only for it to end up being a surveillance drone that reports Rukia's location to Central 46.
 * A Hollow appearing near Ichigo while he is confronting Uryū, prompting him to move in front of and purify it.
 * Ichigo angrily questioning what Kon is calling his attention to.
 * Ichigo expressing confusion at the Shinigami being called Balancers.
 * A flashback to Sōken training Uryū in the usage of a Heilig Bogen.
 * Uryū destroying an additional Hollow after the one he destroys at the beginning of his and Ichigo's team-up.
 * Ichigo and Uryū defeating dozens of Hollows in rapid succession after teaming up.
 * Rukia staring up at the Menos Grande in shock as Kon wonders what is happening.
 * Jinta destroying a Hollow's head with his Muteki Tekkon.
 * Ichigo musing on needing a new strategy.
 * Uryū declaring that they cannot waste this vast amount of Reiryoku and an unimpressed Ichigo requesting that he not phrase it like this.
 * Urahara noting that it is about to happen as he watches Ichigo hold back the Menos Grande's Cero.
 * Rukia asserting that Ichigo's Zanpakutō warping is a direct result of his sudden release of energy and that his body will not be able to withstand this.
 * Flashbacks of Uryū doing laundry and cooking with Sōken.
 * Ichigo does not get cut on the cheek by a Heilig Pfeil from Uryū.
 * Uryū is not bleeding from cracked fingernails.
 * The blood shed by the Hollow whose head Tessai destroys is black.
 * The Menos Grande's ankle is not cut open and left bleeding by Ichigo's strike.
 * Ichigo does not bleed as much from his forehead after withstanding the Menos Grande's kick.
 * In the manga, when Uryū accidentally fires a Heilig Pfeil at Ichigo, the latter is arguing with Kon and Rukia; here, Ichigo is instead confronting a Hollow.
 * In the manga, after seeing the Hollows converging in the sky above, Uryū immediately forms his Kojaku and destroys a Hollow after questioning if Ichigo is scared before running up the stairs while telling the remaining Hollows that he will be their opponent; here, he instead runs up the stairs nearby and stops to question if Ichigo is scared before destroying three Hollows with a single splitting Heilig Pfeil and declaring that he will be their opponent while standing still.
 * In the manga, when asserting that the Quincy were eradicated by the Shinigami to prevent the collapse of the universe, Urahara is standing outside of the Urahara Shop alone in the present; here, he instead tells this to Rukia directly in a flashback to their conversation.
 * In the manga, the visual metaphor for the balance of Souls maintained in the Human World and Soul Society is first a seesaw, then a dish with two different colored liquids and dozens of small spheres; here, it is instead an hourglass with blue and orange liquid, which cracks open at the bottom and eventually bursts.
 * In the manga, when Rukia explains how Quincy upset the cycle of Souls by preventing Souls from returning to Soul Society, this is illustrated by a Quincy destroying a Hollow with a spell in a flashback; here, it is instead illustrated by Uryū destroying a Hollow with a Heilig Pfeil.
 * In the manga, Rukia details how the Quincy destroying Souls causes Soul Society to begin to spill into the Human World and creates chaos by mixing life and death together; here, she simply says that this will eventually cause the balance between the two worlds to collapse.
 * In the manga, when standing over Sōken's corpse, the two Shinigami are facing away; here, they are instead facing each other.
 * In the manga, when kicked in the head from behind by Ichigo, Uryū crashes into a nearby Hollow and leaves a dent in its mask with the force of his impact; here, he is instead sent sliding across the ground face-down.
 * In the manga, after Uryū demands to know why he kicked him in the back of the head, Ichigo claims to have forgotten the beginning of his story due to how long it was; here, he instead declares that he does not understand Uryū's logic.
 * In the manga, when slashing through a Hollow after teaming up with Uryū, Ichigo launches himself over Uryū with a hand on his shoulder to attack the Hollow behind him; here, he instead attacks a Hollow in front of Uryū without touching him.
 * In the manga, when purifying two Hollows while explaining his motivation to Uryū, Ichigo cuts through the head of one and horizontally bifurcates the other with a single slash; here, one Hollow is instead bifurcated vertically and the other is decapitated with two slashes.
 * In the manga, Uryū describes how the Hollows around him and Ichigo are looking up to the sky as though they are praying; here, he instead simply looks upward and draws Ichigo's attention to the sky.
 * In the manga, Uryū wonders what the Menos Grande is after it shoves its face through the Kūmon; here, he instead wonders what it is before its hands become visible within the void.
 * In the manga, Urahara greets Ichigo alongside his employees before Jinta and Tessai attack the Hollows; here, he instead does so afterward.
 * In the manga, when she sees Ichigo charging at the Menos Grande, Rukia is to his right; here, she is instead behind Ichigo at the area where he and Uryū were staring at the Menos Grande.
 * In the manga, Uryū's Heilig Pfeil strikes the Menos Grande near its mask and does not leave a mark; here, it instead strikes the Menos Grande's mask directly and leaves a small black mark.
 * In the manga, when gripping Ichigo's Zanpakutō by the blade, Uryū remains standing; here, he instead kneels first.
 * In the manga, when watching Ichigo and Uryū face off against the Menos Grande, Orihime and Sado stand inside an empty building and look out the window; here, they instead stand on a nearby overpass as other people pass by.
 * In the manga, by the time that the Menos Grande begins charging its Cero, Ichigo has already removed his Zanpakutō from Uryū's head; here, it instead remains tied up, forcing Ichigo to grab it off as he runs toward the Menos Grande.
 * In the manga, the Menos Grande's Cero emits from the air in front of its closed mouth after being fully charged; here, the Menos Grande instead opens its mouth and fires the beam from within.
 * In the manga, the Kūmon remains partially open when Ichigo speaks with Uryū; here, it instead fully closes a few seconds beforehand.
 * In the manga, Ichigo's Zanpakutō begins warping after his arm involuntarily holds it up in the air; here, it instead begins warping while still on the ground.
 * In the manga, when moving in to help Ichigo, Uryū begins having the former's Reiryoku channeled into him without even touching Ichigo's Zanpakutō; here, he instead has to step on Ichigo's Zanpakutō first before the Reiryoku is channeled into him.
 * In the manga, Uryū's arm only receive cuts after he fires his first empowered Heilig Pfeil; here, it instead receives cuts as soon as he begins absorbing Ichigo's Reiryoku.
 * In the manga, when asking Sōken for forgiveness, Uryū addresses him as his master; here, he instead addresses Sōken as his grandfather.