Desperate Effort vs. Desperate Effort! The Hollowfied Ichigo

'''Desperate Effort vs. Desperate Effort! The Hollowized Ichigo''' is the one-hundred-sixty-sixth episode of the Bleach anime.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: April 9, 2008
 * English Airdate: November 14, 2009
 * Opening Song: After Dark
 * Ending Song: Kansha
 * Manga Chapters: Chapter 281, Chapter 282, Chapter 283.
 * Kanji: 死力ＶＳ死力！ホロウ化した一護
 * Romaji: "Shiryoku vs. shiryoku! Horōkashita Ichigo"
 * Arc: The Hueco Mundo arc Part 1

Summary
Grimmjow, pleased that Ichigo is fighting with his full power, releases his zanpakutō. The two continue their fight, and Ichigo is slowly worn down by Grimmjow despite the fact that he is able to use his hollow mask longer than he previously could. Espada Tia Harribel and her Fracciónes, Apache, Mila-Rose, and Sun-Sun, are seen watching the fight and comment during it. Harribel tells them that it is natural that they are afraid of Grimmjow and Ichigo, that it is more like a fight between two Espada than anything else. Orihime, frightened by Ichigo's appearance due to his hollow mask, is afraid to watch the battle, but after Nel admonishes her, she overcomes her fear and cheers Ichigo on, giving him the resolve to deal a blow across Grimmjow's chest.