The Soul Society is observing a sudden surge in the number of Hollows being destroyed.

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

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

The war between the Gotei 13 and the Wandenreich begins as the captains discover the true power of the Medallions used by the Sternritter.

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

General Yamamoto confronts Yhwach for the first time in a thousand years.

Ichigo finally enters the Soul Society to confront Yhwach.

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

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

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.

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.

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 learns that he is the child born of a Soul Reaper and a Quincy. Finally understanding the truth behind his heritage, Ichigo decides to return to Hoohden with a renewed resolve to finish what he has started. Meanwhile, the Soul Reapers are seen training or seeking new powers to prepare for the next battle. Back at Hoohden, Ichigo passes the Asauchi test and is brought to the next stop by Oh-Etsu, who tells Ichigo that he must now bid farewell to his Zangetsu.

Ichigo prepares to leave the Royal Palace to return to the Seireitei but is stopped by Hyosube, who claims that Ichigo cannot defeat Yhwach as he is now.

As the Seireitei is completely replaced by the Wandenreich, the Gotei 13 are confronted by the Sternritter.

Mayuri receives a call from Urahara, who had stayed behind in Hueco Mundo to search for a way to reclaim everyone's stolen Bankai. Urahara claims that he was able to come up with a solution based on the data gained from his earlier battle with Quilge.

The tides of battle seemed to have turned after the captains reclaimed their stolen Bankai. However, the Stern Ritters release their Quincy Voll Stern Dich to drive the Soul Reapers deeper into a corner.

Kensei Muguruma joins the battle against Masculine, who has already defeated Shuhei Hisagi, Ikkaku Madarame, and Yumichika Ayasegawa. However, Kensei is taken aback by how weak his opponent is.

A fearless Rukia swings her Sodenoshirayuki in battle as she takes on Äs Nödt.

Isane and Yachiru are treating the wounded Kensei and Rojuro when they are attacked by Gwenael, a Quincy who not only possesses the ability to disappear physically but can also erase his existence from the memory of his opponents.

Kenpachi is hit by Candace's lightning attack after defeating Gremy. Rukia and Byakuya feel a change in Kenpachi's spiritual pressure, and at the same time, they feel another familiar spiritual pressure approaching from above.

Ichigo and the Soul Reapers try to stop Yhwach upon learning that his real target lies within the Royal Palace. However, their efforts are thwarted by Uryu, who stands in Ichigo's way in order to allow Yhwach safe passage to the Royal Palace.

Ikkaku, Yumichika, and the Arrancars work together to fight off Giselle's zombies. But the group is shocked when Giselle reveals her next pawn, who is none other than Captain Hitsugaya of Squad 10.

Yhwach finally steps through the main entrance of the Royal Palace. Accompanied by Haschwalth and Uryu, the Quincy King is preparing to advance toward the Greater Palace when they are stopped by Senjumaru Shutara of Squad Zero.

Yhwach escapes from the cage surrounding Squad Zero's fake Royal Palace to confront Hyosube, who is protecting the real Royal Palace.

?Yhwach performs Auswählen to bestow power to his fallen Royal Guards and activate their Voll Stern Dich forms. What follows is a fierce battle between the Royal Guards and Squad Zero.