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Side Story...Ichigo and the Magic Lamp

EpisodeEp. 287

A standalone dream casts Ichigo as a desert thief named Chigo in an Arabian Nights riff on Soul Society. Chasing a jewel called the Snow Crystal, he wrangles a genie version of Rukia and keeps trying, and failing, to wake himself up.

Japanese Air Date: September 7, 2010
English Air Date: March 3, 2013
Opening Theme: ChAngE
Ending Theme: Echoes
Previous Episode: Protect Karakura Town! Ichigo, towards the Real World!
Next Episode: The Final Trump Card! Ichigo, Towards the Decisive Battle
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Summary

Ichigo wakes in a desert dressed in Middle Eastern garb, greeted by friends who insist his name is Chigo and answer to their own altered names. Following Uryo's plan, the group breaks into the mansion of the wealthy Ura Vira, a dream double of Urahara, to steal the Snow Crystal, only to find a lamp shaped like Kon's plush head. Rubbing it summons a tiny genie, Rukiruki, a stand-in for Rukia who reluctantly grants wishes despite her disdain for tainted hearts and dyed hair.

When a wasted wish drops the group into the parody Lamp Society, Chigo learns Rukiruki is condemned to execution and is swept along to rescue her. The dream restages several of Ichigo's old battles, including a comic rematch with a costumed Byakuya, before he awakens back in the desert. Granted a final wish, he asks for the Snow Crystal on his friends' behalf, and the treasured jewel turns out to be a piece of fishcake. The whole reverie is bookended by Isane Kotetsu waking from her own strange fishcake dream.

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Key Events

Ichigo dreams himself into an Arabian Nights world as a thief named Chigo, joined by altered versions of his friends. They seek the Snow Crystal and awaken a genie, Rukiruki, based on Rukia. After journeying through the Lamp Society parody of Soul Society and restaging past fights, Ichigo wishes for the Snow Crystal, which turns into fishcake. Isane wakes from a related dream.

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Notes

A standalone comedic episode with no arc, loosely based on Chapter 179 and a color spread reprinted in the All Colour But The Black artbook. It marks the tenth anniversary of the Bleach manga. The picture-book short warns viewers against falling into holes into alternate worlds, just before Ichigo and Uryū tumble into one. Ura Vira's hoard hides cameo treasures modeled on numerous Bleach characters.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What episode is Ichigo and the Magic Lamp?

Side Story...Ichigo and the Magic Lamp is episode 287 of Bleach, a standalone anime-only comedic episode that does not belong to any story arc.

What is the episode Ichigo and the Magic Lamp about?

The episode is a standalone dream that casts Ichigo as a desert thief named Chigo in an Arabian Nights riff on Soul Society. Chasing a jewel called the Snow Crystal, he wrangles a genie version of Rukia and keeps trying, and failing, to wake himself up.

Who is Rukiruki in Ichigo and the Magic Lamp?

Rukiruki is a tiny genie who serves as a dream stand-in for Rukia, summoned when the group rubs a lamp shaped like Kon's plush head. She reluctantly grants wishes despite her disdain for tainted hearts and dyed hair.

What is the Snow Crystal in this episode?

The Snow Crystal is the treasured jewel that Chigo and his friends set out to steal, but when Ichigo finally wishes for it, the prized treasure turns out to be a piece of fishcake.

Is Ichigo and the Magic Lamp part of the main Bleach story?

No, it is a standalone comedic episode with no arc, loosely based on Chapter 179 and a color spread from the All Colour But The Black artbook, and it marks the tenth anniversary of the Bleach manga.

Sources & Information

Looking for more on Side Story...Ichigo and the Magic Lamp? The Bleach Wiki on Fandom has a dedicated page with community notes.

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This content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Bleach anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.

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