After Ichigo and his friends return to the world of the living, a mysterious new exchange student raises disturbing questions.

"Ichigo Kurosaki was a little boy when his mother passed away. One rainy day, Ichigo, whose ability to see the undead is a blessing and a curse, tried to stop a young girl from drowning in a nearby river. His mother, Masaki, ran after them, frantically trying to rescue her only son. Then everything went black, and Ichigo awoke only to discover his mother dead and the little girl gone. It's the anniversary of Masaki's death, and the entire Kurosaki...

Ichigo and Yoruichi race to save Ichigo's friends from Rukio's brother, Byakuiya Kukichi. Ichigo is determined to defeat Byakuiya this time, but isn't prepared yet. Can he master the skills in time?

Ichigo defeats Ikkaku and discovers where Rukia is being detained before her execution. Meanwhile, Ganju is having more difficulty with his opponent, and Uryu finally has an opportunity to prove how much more powerful he has become.

Ichigo "Strawberry" Kurosaki was born with the ability to see ghosts. When his family is attacked by a Hollow - a malevolent lost soul - Ichigo becomes a Soul Reaper, dedicating his life to protecting the innocent and helping the tortured spirits themselves find peace. The scheduled execution of former Soul Reaper Rukia Kuchiki is just hours away. The Soul Society is in chaos, with Soul Reapers drawing swords against one another. Who, or what, could...

A long-awaited showdown between Ichigo "Strawberry" Kurosaki and Byakuya Kuchiki has begun. Has Ichigo succeeded in mastering bankai, the highest level of power that a Soul Reaper can attain, to face Byakuya as an equal?

Ichigo's recent battles with the Arrancars have proven that if he wants to protect his friends he must get stronger, and the only way to do that is to control his inner Hollow. Ichigo turns to the Vizoreds, ex-Soul Reapers who have been Hollowfied, to teach him. But before his training begins, Ichigo must do battle against his Hollow self--winner takes his soul.

"Ichigo and crew are determined to rescue Rukia from the Soul Society, and with the help of explosives expert K©?kaku, they actually have a chance of making it inside the walls. But the plan hinges on Ichigo getting control of his torrential spiritual energy, and with Rukia awaiting execution, there's no time to waste! And even if they can breach the Soul Society's defenses, there are twelve companies of angry Soul Reapers standing between them and...

The shocking truth behind the collapse of the Soul Society is finally revealed. The magnitude of the conspiracy is far-reaching, and the perpetrators wield staggering power. Is this the end of the Soul Society?

"Ichigo and his friends are moving ever closer to the center of Hueco Mundo and rescuing Orihime. But their battles against the Arrancars are testing them in ways they never thought possible. Can they keep their honor in a world where it doesn't exist, or will Hueco Mundo leave an indelible mark on their souls?!" -- from publisher's web site.