Byakuya, Disappearing with the Cherry Blossoms

Byakuya, Disappearing with the Cherry Blossoms is the two-hundred thirty-first episode of the Bleach anime.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: August 4, 2009
 * English Airdate:
 * Opening Song: Shōjo S
 * Ending Song: Mad Surfer
 * Manga Chapters: None
 * Kanji: 白哉、桜と共に消ゆ
 * Romaji: "Byakuya, sakura totomo ni shō yu"
 * Arc: Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc

Summary


Ichigo Kurosaki senses a large Reiatsu while on patrol, and see a Senkaimon open, and Rukia Kuchikifall out of it, followed by Sode no Shirayuki. Ichigo engages the renegade Zanpakutō spirit, while trying to find out who he's fighting. He recognises several of her techniques, but it's Rukia who confirms her identity as Sode no Shirayuki. Ichigo regroups with his friends at Urahara Shop and has Orihime Inoue heal Rukia's wounds Rukia informs the others as to what has happened in Soul Society, especially the disappearence of Byakuya Kuchiki. Yoruichi Shihōin‎‎ informs the group of the situation in Soul Society, having talked with Retsu Unohana and the other senior captains. From what is known, the Zanpakutō in the real world have not been affected. Ichigo reassures Rukia of Byakuya's safty, but is disturbed in his bed later by the modsouls, informing him that Rukia has run away. Kisuke Urahara is able to determine that she has returned to Soul Society, so Ichigo and Yoruichi follow her.

Arrancar Encyclopedia
The topic covered is Resurrección.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Ichigo Kurosaki
 * Rukia Kuchiki
 * Sode no Shirayuki
 * Kurōdo (plushy form)
 * Kon
 * Noba (plushy form)
 * Yasutora Sado
 * Kisuke Urahara
 * Uryū Ishida
 * Ririn (plushy form)
 * Orihime Inoue
 * Muramasa
 * Sentarō Kotsubaki
 * Shunsui Kyōraku
 * Tōshirō Hitsugaya
 * Rangiku Matsumoto
 * Isane Kotetsu
 * Jūshirō Ukitake
 * Renji Abarai
 * Byakuya Kuchiki
 * Mayuri Kurotsuchi
 * Yumichika Ayasegawa
 * Tetsuzaemon Iba
 * Ikkaku Madarame
 * Shūhei Hisagi
 * Momo Hinamori
 * Soifon
 * Marechiyo Ōmaeda
 * Hōzukimaru
 * Gegetsuburi
 * Kazeshini
 * Retsu Unohana
 * Izuru Kira
 * Nemu Kurotsuchi
 * Hyōrinmaru
 * Tenken
 * Senbonzakura
 * Suzumebachi
 * Chōjirō Sasakibe
 * Sajin Komamura
 * Nanao Ise
 * Ashisogi Jizō
 * Gonryōmaru
 * Yoruichi Shihōin
 * Kiyone Kotetsu
 * Gin Ichimaru (omake)
 * Nirgge Parduoc (omake)
 * Ggio Vega (omake)
 * Apache (omake)
 * Mila-Rose (omake)
 * Sun-Sun (omake)

Powers and Techniques Used
Kidō used:
 * Bakudō # 61, Rikujōkōrō (六杖光牢, Six Rods Prison of Light)

Techniques used:
 * Getsuga Tenshō (月牙天衝, Moon Fang Heaven-Piercer)
 * Some no mai, Tsukishiro (初の舞・月白, First Dance, White Moon)
 * Tsugi no mai, Hakuren (次の舞・白漣, Next Dance, White Ripple)
 * Hikōtsu Taihō (狒骨大砲, Baboon Bone Cannon)

Zanpakutō released:

Shikai:
 * Sode no Shirayuki (袖白雪, Sleeve of the White Snow)
 * Hyōrinmaru (氷輪丸, Ice Ring)
 * Tenken (天譴, Heavenly Punishment)
 * Senbonzakura (千本桜, Thousand Cherry Blossoms)
 * Suzumebachi (雀蜂, Hornet)
 * Kazeshini (風死, Wind Death)
 * Hōzukimaru (鬼灯丸, Demon Light)
 * Gegetsuburi (五形頭; Five-Formed Head)

Bankai:
 * Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō (金色疋殺地蔵, Golden Leg-Cutting Jizō)
 * Hihiō Zabimaru (狒狒王蛇尾丸, Baboon King Snake Tail)

Resurrección:
 * Mamut (マムート, Mamūto: Mammoth; 巨象兵, Giant Elephant Soldier) (omake)
 * Tigre Estoque (ティグレストーク, Tiguresutōku: Tiger Rapier; 虎牙迅風, Tiger Fang Swift Wind) (omake)
 * Cierva (シエルバ, Shieruba: Doe; 碧鹿闘女, Blue Deer Battle Girl) (omake)
 * Leona (レオーナ, Reona: Lioness; 金獅子将, Gold Lion General) (omake)
 * Anaconda (アナコンダ, Anaconda; 白蛇姫, White Snake Princess) (omake)