Hueco Mundo Chapter, Restart!

Having confirmed Orihime Inoue is unharmed, Ichigo Kurosaki carries her down from the ruined tower, judging a jump faster than searching for stairs. His comment about her weight earns a scolding from Nel on proper manners toward a lady. Once on the desert floor, Ichigo announces he will go free Sado Yasutora and Rukia Kuchiki, deciding it is safer for the others to come along than to remain behind.

A gravely wounded Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez staggers toward them as his Resurrección fades and his sealed form returns. Still refusing to accept defeat, he lunges, but Ichigo catches his arm and asks what being a king means with no one left to rule, offering to fight him again in the future. Grimmjow rejects the mercy and is cut down from behind by Nnoitra Gilga, who claims Ichigo as his prey. When Nnoitra moves to finish Grimmjow off, Ichigo intercepts the blow. The two clash, and Ichigo is stunned by Nnoitra's raw power before being slammed into the sand. As Orihime rushes over, Nnoitra calls for Tesra Lindocruz, who pins her down, and Nnoitra reveals himself as the fifth Espada.

Elsewhere, Renji Abarai, Uryū Ishida, Pesche Guatiche, and Dondochakka Birstanne keep fleeing from Szayelaporro Granz. Uryū reminds the pair that their goal was to rescue Orihime rather than defeat any Espada, while Renji grumbles about also having to save Rukia and Sado. Their flight loops them right back into the chamber they had just escaped, where Szayelaporro is waiting to greet them.

The first portion of the episode is devoted to a recap of the series since Aizen defected from Soul Society. Ichigo concludes his final duel with Grimmjow by refusing to kill him and offering a future rematch. Nnoitra strikes down Grimmjow, subdues Ichigo, has Tesra capture Orihime, and reveals his rank as the fifth Espada. Renji, Uryū, Pesche, and Dondochakka find themselves cornered once more by Szayelaporro.

This is the one hundred ninetieth episode, set in the second part of the Hueco Mundo arc. Its opening fifteen minutes recap events from chapter 178 onward before the narrative picks up from chapter 286 and continues where episode 167 left off. The opening theme is Velonica and the ending is Hitohira no Hanabira. A comedic Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book segment features Kon and Hanatarō Yamada fretting over their changed broadcast time. Released forms shown include Tensa Zangetsu and Grimmjow's Pantera.