The titular focus of the episode belongs to the battle between the Gotei 13's 6th Division Lieutenant, , and the 8th Espada, Szayelaporro Granz .
: Loly violently grabs Orihime by her hair and throws her to the ground, stepping on her head and stomping on her.
While Renji fights for survival, the most iconic and devastating sequence of the episode happens elsewhere in Las Noches between and Ulquiorra Cifer . 162 : Szayel Aporro Laughs, The Net Trapping Re...
: Szayelaporro dismisses Zabimaru as a simple, power-type weapon with no unique properties. He effortlessly catches a segment of the blade and breaks it off just to prove a point.
: Bored by the exercise, Szayelaporro unleashes a massive horde of modified Hollows that he turned into Arrancar. Renji is quickly overwhelmed by a massive brute named Medazeppi. The titular focus of the episode belongs to
: This scene perfectly sets up the profound kindness of Orihime, who (as viewers of the later Thousand-Year Blood War arc will know) eventually heals these exact same bullies after they are brutalized by enemies. ⚖️ Episode Verdict: A Masterful Setup Szayelaporro Laughs, The Net Trapping Renji is Complete
: Ichigo exerts every ounce of his power, donning his Hollow mask and unleashing a massive Getsuga Tenshō that engulfs Ulquiorra. : Szayelaporro dismisses Zabimaru as a simple, power-type
: Ichigo desperately claims that defeating Ulquiorra will effectively end the war, assuming Ulquiorra must be the strongest Espada because of his overwhelming power. Ulquiorra calmly pulls aside his jacket to reveal the number 4 tattooed on his chest.