Overcome Your Limits! | |
Kanji | 限界を越えろ! |
Romanji | Genkai o koero! |
Episode Number | 45 |
Manga Chapters | Chapter 127, Chapter 128, Chapter 129, Volume 13 sketches |
Arc | Soul Society: The Rescue arc |
Chronology | |
---|---|
Previous Episode | Ishida, The Utmost Limits of Power! |
Next Episode | Authentic Records! School of Shinigami |
Airdate | |
Japanese | August 16, 2005 |
English | August 11, 2007 |
Theme Music | |
Opening | D-tecnoLife |
Ending | Happypeople |
Episode 45 Screenshots |
Overcome Your Limits! is the forty-fifth episode of the Bleach anime.
Ichigo Kurosaki begins his Bankai Training.
Summary[]
Having confronted a wounded Uryū Ishida in the pavilion of the Senzaikyū compound, 9th Division Captain Kaname Tōsen assures Uryū that he bears him no ill will, but asserts that he must eliminate Uryū for the sake of their peace and releases his Shikai, Suzumushi, releasing a piercing chime that knocks out Uryū on contact, causing him to collapse as Tōsen resheathes his Zanpakutō and declares that Uryū's senseless struggle is over.
While Tōsen concludes by telling Uryū to sleep, within the Study Chamber inside Sōkyoku Hill, Ichigo Kurosaki holds his Shikai, Zangetsu, in a battle stance as he stands across from Yoruichi Shihōin, who explains that advancing from Shikai to Bankai usually requires over ten years of training even for those with talent, only to note that Ichigo must attain Bankai within three days instead. With a stunned Ichigo nodding at this, Yoruichi brings out the Tenshintai and holds it in front of her.
Upon being asked by a confused Ichigo what this is, Yoruichi details how the Tenshintai is one of the most important spiritual tools of the Onmitsukidō because it draws out and forcibly materializes one's Zanpakutō Spirit. Though Ichigo is uncertain of why this would be necessary for Bankai training, Yoruichi clarifies that while Shikai is achieved by communication and synchronization with one's Zanpakutō Spirit, Bankai is achieved by materialization and submission of the Zanpakutō Spirit, with their master bringing them into the real world instead of entering their own inner world in a process known as Materialization.
Admitting that several years of training are normally required to achieve this, Yoruichi observes that Ichigo fighting on equal footing with 11th Division Captain Kenpachi Zaraki and ending their battle in a draw means that he may have already reached the Materialization stage, leading Ichigo to recall Zangetsu appearing before him and inquiring if he wants to fight. As she notes with a smirk that Ichigo seems to know what she is referring to, Yoruichi concludes that Ichigo can forcibly manifest Zangetsu by stabbing the Tenshintai with Zangetsu, but warns Ichigo that the Materialization is limited to three days, during which he must force Zangetsu into submission.
However, while Yoruichi attempts to detail the consequences of not achieving this, Ichigo suddenly jabs Zangetsu into the Tenshintai, interrupting her, and asserts that it does not matter because he will do it if there really is no other way. Zangetsu and the Tenshintai burst apart in an explosion of darkness, and as Ichigo braces himself, Zangetsu appears behind him and observes that Ichigo has recovered somewhat while Ichigo turns to look at him. After confirming with Zangetsu that he heard everything they said, Yoruichi decides to leave the combat method to him and requests that he start immediately if possible, which Zangetsu affirms.
Kneeling and places his hand on the ground, Zangetsu generates dozens of Zangetsu-like swords around the Study Room, to Ichigo's astonishment, and explains that only one of these swords represents him and can thus defeat him before proclaiming that Ichigo must find it and slay Zangetsu before the latter kills him. After leaping back from each other, Ichigo and Zangetsu each grab one of the swords and clash fiercely while Yoruichi watches. During this, at the Sōgō Kyūgo Tsumesho within the Fourth Division barracks, 3rd Seat Yasochika Iemura repeatedly rubs an inkstick against an inkstone to prepare ink for his diary writings.
Iemura introduces himself and decides to disclose the contents of his medical journal which chronicle his division's strenuous activities. While 4th Division 8th Seat Harunobu Ogidō carries a Shinigami on a stretcher with the aid of another 4th Division member behind him, Iemura details how the Sōgō Kyūgo Tsumesho is in daily chaos due to the recent Ryoka disturbance and barely refrains from negatively describing the many members of the Eleventh Division who have been hospitalized as he recounts how both 8th Division Captain Shunsui Kyōraku and 13th Division Captain Jūshirō Ukitake each requested to have a Ryoka admitted for medical care.
After noting this forced them to implement the three-shift emergency protocol as Yasutora Sado is wheeled down the hall nearby on a gurney, Iemura expresses annoyance at having to admit the Ryoka on top of their already-busy proceedings and questions why the Ryoka should be purposely hospitalized and treated in the first place. Though he admits to having no problem with Ukitake requesting this, Iemura claims Shunsui is always goofing off, chasing after women, wearing gaudy clothing, and sleeping during important situations, leading Iemura to wonder how someone like Shunsui could possibly become a captain while he himself remains an 8th Seat.
Upon being approached by one of the nurses, Iemura asks her what she wants to tell him, and after stunning Iemura with Tōsen's request that another Ryoka be admitted, the nurse informs Iemura that he was thinking out loud, prompting Iemura to sweat heavily and briefly scream in panic. Composing himself, Iemura returns to his diary and asserts that he has the deepest respect for Shunsui, to the nurse's embarrassment. Meanwhile, 13th Division 3rd Seats Sentarō Kotsubaki and Kiyone Kotetsu stand before 4th Division Captain Retsu Unohana as Sentarō loudly relays Ukitake's opinion that 4th Division 7th Seat Hanatarō Yamada was held captive by the Ryoka.
Detailing Ukitake's stance that Hanatarō had no choice but to obey the Ryoka after being physically and mentally subjugated by them, Sentarō concludes with Ukitake's request that Unohana show leniency in this matter while an annoyed Kiyone covers her ears. However, though she acknowledges this, Unohana points out that the damage caused by the Ryoka whom Hanatarō aided is substantial and declares that she cannot condone Hanatarō's actions in light of his rank and responsibilities, which she asks Hanatarō if he understands. Some time later, 4th Division Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu escorts Hanatarō along a walkway in view of the Senzaikyū compound.
When Hanatarō stops and looks at Senzaikyū, Isane inquires what is wrong as she places a hand on his shoulder, and with Hanatarō questioning if he made a mistake and ended up creating more trouble for Rukia Kuchiki instead, Isane states she does not know, but admits seeing Hanatarō act so true to his feelings makes her a bit envious of him. With Isane concluding the rest is up to Unohana, she and Hanatarō continue walking. Elsewhere, in his cell, a shirtless 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai looks at the bars of the sole window in the room and recalls his childhood with Rukia, as well as her adoption by the Kuchiki Clan and retrieval from the Human World.
As he envisions his captain, Byakuya Kuchiki, an angered Renji smashes through the bars of his cell, knocking out the guard outside, before stepping through the opening with his Zanpakutō while telling Zabimaru that they must go. In a different area, 3rd Division Lieutenant Izuru Kira sits in his scratched and damaged cell as he agonizes over having drawn his sword against 5th Division Lieutenant Momo Hinamori. Recalling their brief battle, Izuru is startled when the lights suddenly turn on and demands to know who is there, only to be shocked when his captain, Gin Ichimaru, approaches him while claiming that he cannot bear to look at this sad scene.
Telling Izuru that he looks haggard, Gin grasps one of the bars of his cell and offers to help Izuru get out. Back in the Study Room within Sōkyoku Hill, an explosion of force kicks up a large cloud of dust, which Ichigo is sent hurtling out of. Ichigo lands flat on the ground with a bleeding head wound, and as Yoruichi instructs him to get up because he does not have time to waste, Ichigo attempts to get to his feet, only to cough up blood and remain on his hands and knees. Though Yoruichi wonders if Ichigo is going to waste time, Zangetsu asserts that he will drag Ichigo to his feet if he will not stand up while wielding a sword with spines arcing off the back of the blade.
Meanwhile, at the Eleventh Division barracks, Makizō Aramaki expresses his surprise and gratitude at Lieutenant Yachiru Kusajishi having rescued him, only for Yachiru to bluntly state that she was not interested in him. In the past, Aramaki runs through an alley with Orihime Inoue over his shoulder, whom he knocks out with a chop to the neck for biting him in an attempt to break free, before stopping in astonishment upon finding Yachiru crouching at the top of the set of stairs he has just reached. When Yachiru asks him if he is holding a Ryoka, Aramaki claims that he found her under certain circumstances, leading Yachiru to wonder what these circumstances were.
Aramaki asserts that Orihime spurted out of the nearby area, and as Yachiru expresses confusion at his description of her bubbling up, Aramaki elaborates that he wanted to show Yachiru because he thought it was unusual, which prompts a delighted Yachiru to declare that they should take Orihime back with them, to Aramaki's bewilderment. In the present, Yachiru expresses excitement at the thought of Orihime bubbling up and wonders if Ichigo can do it too as Aramaki attempts to clarify what he meant. With Yachiru struggling to remember his name, Aramaki assures her that she can call him Maki-Maki and marvels at how it has been ten years since he joined the division.
However, Yachiru merely laughs at how silly the name Maki-Maki is, leading a shocked Aramaki to remind her that it is the name which she gave him. As Orihime sits in a chair nearby, 11th Division 3rd Seat Ikkaku Madarame asks her what is happening and if Ichigo is still alive while 5th Seat Yumichika Ayasegawa obsessively chews his thumbnail over how beautiful she is. Upon being told by Orihime that she is certain Ichigo is alive, Ikkaku is slightly stunned by her conviction, only for his bandaged captain, Kenpachi Zaraki, to laugh and proclaim that he knows Ichigo is still alive and trying to get stronger as he sits on a bed in front of Orihime.
Agreeing to help Orihime, Kenpachi states that he feels like he will see Ichigo again if he sticks with her while his subordinates affirm his decision, though Aramaki is left confused. Back at the Sōgō Kyūgo Tsumesho, within one of the underground relief cells, Uryū opens his eyes and is surprised to find himself lying on a cot attached to a wall. As Uryū sits up and wonders where he is, as well as how he is still alive, a heavily bandaged Ganju Shiba leans over the side of the cot above him and chuckles while noting that Uryū is awake, leading a frightened Uryū to scream in terror and demand to know who or what Ganju is as he backs up against the wall.
Upon being asked by Uryū if he is a burglar, Ganju questions why anyone would try to steal from an injured man in prison and leaps down onto the floor before parting the bandages covering his mouth and eyes to show Uryū who he is. Relieved that Ganju is alive, Uryū admits he did not consider him to be very strong, only for an annoyed Ganju to claim he felt the same way about Uryū. Uryū ponders their situation and questions why the Shinigami treated their injuries despite the Ryoka being intruders and their enemies, leading Sado to reveal the situation has changed due to a captain being assassinated within the Seireitei as he sits nearby with bandages covering his chest.
After noting that the culprit of this murder remains unknown, Sado concludes that the Ryoka are prime suspects in the case, and as Uryū realizes that they are being kept alive for the investigation, Ganju affirms this and bemoans the Sekkiseki handcuffs on his wrists sealing his Reiatsu, which is preventing him from breaking them out with Seppa. Looking at his own set of handcuffs, Uryū recalls activating the Quincy: Letzt Stil despite Sōken Ishida's warning that it would cause him to lose all his Quincy powers and somberly observes that his Reiryoku is already severely drained even without the handcuffs while Ganju sums up the unfortunate situation they are in.
Despite this, Ganju points out that the other Ryoka must still be alive if the Shinigami have no intention of killing them, to Uryū's surprise, and Sado deduces that Orihime must also be detained somewhere due to her lack of combat abilities before asserting that this leaves Ichigo and Yoruichi, the former of whom he decides to wait for because he is certain Ichigo will come for them. As he declares that all they can do until then is heal their wounds and prepare for the next battle, Sado encourages Ganju and Uryū to wait for Ichigo alongside him. Back in the Study Chamber inside Sōkyoku Hill, Ichigo has another sword shattered by Zangetsu and is send skidding back.
With Zangetsu observing that this is his eighteenth shattered sword and chasing after him, Ichigo runs through the field of swords in search of another one and finds a sword that looks identical to Zangetsu, which he assumes must be the real one. However, when Ichigo pulls the sword out of the ground and swings it at him, Zangetsu casually shatters it with his forearm and proclaims that this is weak before slashing Ichigo's chest and sending him skidding back once more, where he falls to one knee and pants heavily. Zangetsu reminds Ichigo that each sword represents a piece of his soul and that the purpose of this trial is to find the one which was forged for combat.
While Zangetsu describes the sword he just broke as representing a frail piece of Ichigo's soul that relies on his power, Ichigo processes his words as Zangetsu orders him to not even think about Bankai if he cannot even discern this. As he looks over the Study Chamber and sees how many swords there are, Ichigo realizes that Zangetsu is saying these are all his weakness and curses. Stepping forward, Zangetsu orders Ichigo to stand up because he does not have time to be kneeling, which Ichigo affirms as he grabs another sword nearby. Meanwhile, in her cell, a kneeling Hinamori puts the letter from her captain, Sōsuke Aizen, into her shihakushō and looks up sternly.
Next Episode Preview[]
As 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai complains about the bad food served to him in his cell, 3rd Division Lieutenant Izuru Kira bemoans the lack of sunlight in his cell and 5th Division Lieutenant Momo Hinamori reveals that her cell had cockroaches. With Renji asserting that there is room for improvement, an annoyed 10th Division Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya observes that they do not seem to understand why they were imprisoned, and when Hinamori suggests that he try it, Hitsugaya angrily refuses to do so.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Kaname Tōsen
- Uryū Ishida
- Yoruichi Shihōin
- Ichigo Kurosaki
- Zabimaru (flashback)
- Zangetsu
- Yasochika Iemura
- Tetsuzaemon Iba (flashback)
- Shūhei Hisagi (flashback)
- Nanao Ise (flashback)
- Harunobu Ogidō
- Yasutora Sado
- Shunsui Kyōraku (envisioned)
- Sentarō Kotsubaki
- Kiyone Kotetsu
- Retsu Unohana
- Hanatarō Yamada
- Isane Kotetsu
- Renji Abarai
- Rukia Kuchiki (flashback)
- Byakuya Kuchiki (flashback)
- Izuru Kira
- Momo Hinamori
- Gin Ichimaru
- Makizō Aramaki
- Yachiru Kusajishi
- Orihime Inoue
- Yumichika Ayasegawa
- Ikkaku Madarame
- Kenpachi Zaraki
- Ganju Shiba
- Sōken Ishida (flashback)
Events[]
Powers and Techniques Used[]
Quincy Techniques:
- Quincy: Letzt Stil (
滅却師最終形態 , Kuinshī Retsutoshutīru; German for "Quincy: Last Style", Japanese for "Monk of Destruction: Final Form") (flashback)
Zanpakutō released:
Shikai:
- Suzumushi (清虫, Cricket)
- Zangetsu (斬月, Slaying Moon)
- Kyōka Suigetsu (鏡花水月, Mirror Flower, Water Moon) (flashback)
- Tobiume (飛梅, Flying Plum Tree) (flashback)
- Wabisuke (侘助, The Wretched One) (flashback)
Bankai:
- Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō (金色疋殺地蔵, Golden Leg-Cutting Jizō) (flashback)
Music[]
Anime Notes[]
- Yoruichi Shihōin affirming that they need the Tenshintai for Ichigo Kurosaki's Bankai training after the latter questions this.
- Yoruichi mentioning that the Tenshintai method can only be performed once.
- Yoruichi telling Ichigo that he still has a long way to go after he is knocked down and injured.
- Ichigo saying Zangetsu's name after the latter promises to drag him to his feet if he will not stand.
- Yachiru Kusajishi mentioning that Orihime Inoue's Reiatsu is similar to Ichigo's and how she found Makizō Aramaki when she went to investigate this.
- Kenpachi Zaraki telling Ikkaku Madarame to not ask stupid questions.
- The identifier of the specific cell that Uryū Ishida, Ganju Shiba, and Yasutora Sado are in.
[]
Episodes | |
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Ishida, The Utmost Limits of Power! | Authentic Records! School of Shinigami |