Ashido, the Shinigami Who Came from the Past

Ashido, the Shinigami Who Came from the Past is the one-hundred-forty-eighth episode of the Bleach anime.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: November 14, 2007
 * English Airdate: September 12, 2009
 * Opening Song: After Dark
 * Ending Song: Tane wo Maku Hibi
 * Manga Chapters: None.
 * Kanji: アシド、過去から来た死神
 * Romaji: "Ashido, kako kara kita Shinigami"
 * Arc: The Hueco Mundo arc

Summary
Ashido Kanō reveals that his attack on Rukia was a test of her strength, and he decides to take her back to her friends. Along the way, he relates his past to Rukia, explaining that he was part of a Hollow-hunting unit that inadvertently came to Hueco Mundo. They are then attacked by an Adjuchas-class Menos. Meanwhile, Nel and her friends are held captive by the other Adjuchas, and Ichigo, Chad, Uryū, and Renji are searching the area for them. Ashido and Rukia easily destroy the first Adjuchas, and another Adjuchas prepares up an ambush, in which Ashido is hit while trying to protect Rukia.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Rukia Kuchiki
 * Ashido Kanō
 * Ichigo Kurosaki
 * Yasutora Sado
 * Uryū Ishida
 * Renji Abarai
 * Bawabawa
 * Guardian of the Forest of Menos
 * Nel Tu
 * Dondochakka Bilstin
 * Pesche Guatiche
 * Sōsuke Aizen (flashback)

Powers and Techniques used

 * Getsuga Tenshō
 * Cero