The Hollow spells out its philosophy of domination: instinct and bloodlust decide who becomes king and who becomes horse. Impaling Ichigo and branding him too rational to win, it presses its claim, only for Ichigo to seize the white blade and begin turning it black.
Summary
Outside the barrier, a battered Lisa Yadomaru warns Kensei Muguruma how badly she underestimated the possessed Ichigo. Within, Kensei tears into the creature's shoulder and blows its arm away, but High-Speed Regeneration instantly restores it, even spawning a lashing worm from the stump. Watching the wounds seal so fast, the Visored reckon the internal struggle is nearing its end.
Key Events
In the inner world, the Hollow shatters Ichigo Kurosaki's whitening Bankai and hurls him through the ruins, then poses a riddle: what separates a king from the horse he rides? Its own answer is instinct, a primal bloodlust and hunger to kill that Ichigo, who fights with reason and a still-sheathed will, supposedly lacks.
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Notes
To prove the point, the Hollow drives its sword clean through Ichigo's body, swearing it will never serve a weaker master. As it wrenches the blade free, the dazed Ichigo grips the edge barehanded, and the metal begins darkening from his touch, forcing the startled Hollow to recoil as its foe meets its gaze with clear eyes once more. The chapter, from the twenty-fifth volume NO SHAKING THRONE, was adapted in Episode 124, Collision! Black Bankai and White Bankai.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a king and his horse in Bleach's King & His Horse chapter?
In the Bleach chapter King & His Horse, the Hollow poses this as a riddle and answers that instinct is what separates the two. It argues that a primal bloodlust and hunger to kill make one the king, while Ichigo, who fights with reason and a still-sheathed will, is only fit to be the horse.
What happens between Ichigo and his Hollow in chapter 220?
In King & His Horse, the Hollow shatters Ichigo Kurosaki's whitening Bankai and drives its sword clean through his body, vowing never to serve a weaker master. As it wrenches the blade free, the dazed Ichigo grips the edge barehanded and the metal begins darkening from his touch, startling the Hollow.
What is happening outside the barrier during chapter 220?
Outside the barrier in King & His Horse, Kensei Muguruma tears into the possessed Ichigo's shoulder and blows its arm away, but High-Speed Regeneration instantly restores it and even spawns a lashing worm from the stump. Watching the wounds seal so fast, the Visored reckon the internal struggle is nearing its end.
Which volume and arc does chapter 220 belong to?
King & His Horse is chapter 220 of Bleach, collected in the twenty-fifth volume, NO SHAKING THRONE, and set during the Arrancar arc. The volume was released in Japan on December 4, 2006.
Which Bleach episode adapts King & His Horse?
King & His Horse was adapted in Bleach Episode 124, Collision! Black Bankai and White Bankai. The chapter covers Ichigo's inner struggle to seize control from his Hollow.
Sources & Information
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View on FandomThis 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.
Rights holders
- Created byTite Kubo
- Published byShueisha
- Animated byStudio Pierrot
All rights belong to their respective owners.
Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:
- Movie pages: theatrical posters and key visuals, credited to Studio Pierrot and the production committee.
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- Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha and Tite Kubo.
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