It's back to high school and Hollow slaying for Ichigo Kurosaki, who is now officially recognized as a Substitute Soul Reaper by the Soul Society. On the day he returns to Karakura First High School, Ichigo meets an unusual new student named Shinji Hirako.
Uryu is attacked by a Menos Grande and is saved by his father, Ryuken. Ryuken defeats the Menos with a single attack. He tells Uryu that he can help him regain his powers but only under Ryuken's conditions.
Isshin Kurosaki shows up in his Soul Reaper form and defeats Grand Fisher with a single strike. When Kisuke Urahara appears, Isshin and Kisuke discuss the fact that Sosuke Aizen has made contact with Hollows...
Ichigo senses that the hollow within him is getting stronger and fears that he'll be swallowed whole in his current state. Meanwhile, the Soul Society's Department of Research and Development detects large amounts of spiritual pressure headed toward Karakura Town.
Ulquiorra and Yammy have returned to the Hollow World, Hueco Mundo. They report to Sosuke Aizen and twenty other Arrancars about their fight with Ichigo and his friends.
The Arrancar, Grimmjow, has entered the World of the Living and he has brought a group of minions from Hueco Mundo with him. The Arrancars' goal is to kill anyone who possesses the slightest amount of spiritual pressure.
Ikkaku and the Arrancar, Edrad, have a fierce battle in the streets of Karakura Town. Yumichika stands aside and watches because he knows that Ikkaku will be furious if he interferes.
Ikkaku releases his Bankai, Ryumon Hozukimaru, which he has kept a secret for some time. He clashes with Edrad, who shows his true power by releasing his zanpakuto.
The Soul Reapers struggle against the might of the Arrancars. Despite the Arrancar Shawlong's overwhelming strength, Captain Hitsugaya continues his attacks.
Grimmjow is the only survivor of the Arrancars' intense battle with the Soul Reapers. He returns with Tosen to Sosuke Aizen's palace, Las Noches in Hueco Mundo.
Ichigo visits Shinji Hirako at the Visoreds' hideout in order to find out how to control his inner Hollow. He tries to get an answer by force, but Hiyori Sarugaki interrupts his battle with Shinji.
Ichigo has begun training with the Visoreds in order to learn how to suppress his inner hollow. He enters his inner world and is greeted by the mirror image of himself holding a white Zangetsu.
Ichigo has entered his inner world and is blocking fierce attacks made by another Ichigo who wields a white Zangetsu. Ichigo is cornered as images of Byakuya Kuchiki and Jin Kariya pummel him into the ground.
Sosuke Aizen's ultimate goal of killing the Soul King has been revealed. The Soul Society has learned that in order to gain access to the Royal Family's palace, Aizen will need a key known as the Ouken.
Ichigo and his friends undergo exhaustive training in preparation for the upcoming winter showdown with Sosuke Aizen. Kisuke summons Orihime to his underground training facility...
Captain Hitsugaya's advance troops remain in Karakura Town to prepare for the showdown with Sosuke Aizen. Rangiku is fascinated by life in the world of the living, and she finds it impossible to devote her time to training.
Rangiku saves a young soul named Shota from being attacked by a Mock Arrancar. Believing this to be Aizen's doing, Captain Hitsugaya decides to hold off on Shota's soul burial to further investigate the situation.
Hitsugaya and his advanced troops learn that Shota's little sister Yui was the Mock Arrancar's first victim. Shota abandoned Yui out of fear and blames himself for the entire incident.
It is revealed that the Mock Arrancar gained an explosive amount of strength when it devoured Yui and has reanimated her soul to use her as bait to lure and attack human souls.