The Zero Division battles Yhwach's Schutzstaffel for the Soul King. Senjumaru sacrifices comrades to unleash her Bankai, cornering them. Ichibe turns Yhwach into a fragile black ant, pushing Yhwach and Uryu to the brink of death.

Ichigo decides to return to Hoohden with a renewed resolve to finish what he has started.

Squad 10 Captain Isshin Shiba of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads decides to not report his encounter with the Quincy named Masaki Kurosaki in the World of the Living to the Head Captain.

Ichigo is kicked out of the Royal Palace after failing his test and finds himself in the Human World. There he is visited by his father, who tells him the story of Ichigo's mother, Masaki Kurosaki.

Kenpachi Zaraki removes his eye patch to fight Retsu Unohana, a.k.a. Yachiru Unohana, "The First Kenpachi." Meanwhile, Ichigo and Renji head to Hoohden to meet Oh-Etsu Nimaiya, the man who is said to have created the Zanpakuto.

Squad Zero brings Ichigo back to the Soul King Palace to prepare for the upcoming battle. Meanwhile, Kyōraku is appointed as the new Head Captain to lead the Gotei 13. 

Rescue operations are being carried out across the Seireitei to find and help those who have survived the onslaught of the Sternritter. 

Ichigo finally enters the Soul Society to confront Yhwach. 

Captain-Commander Yamamoto confronts Yhwach for the first time in a thousand years. 

Quilge uses his power to imprison Ichigo inside the Garganta. As Ichigo tries to fee himself, he starts to hear the screams of the Shinigami falling to the enemy's onslaught.

After their arrival in the Soul Society the Sternritter face off against the Shinigami. Since the Sternritter seem to be able to steal the Shinigami's Bankai, the Soul Society asks Ichigo for help.

While Ichigo takes on Quilge, the other Sternritter gather at the Gate of the Sun to invade the Soul Society. 

Ichigo and his friends decide to set out for Hueco Mundo to help the Arrancars.

When new enemies appear in Karakura Town, Ichigo plunges back into battle to help those in need. Meanwhile, the Soul Society is observing a sudden increase in the number of Hollows being destroyed in the Human World.