Bleach: Uncut - Set 13

The "Arrancar vs. Shinigami" arc (episodes 190 to 205) makes up the 10th season of the popular supernatural adventure Bleach. The series returned to the manga storyline after the anime-only "The New Captain Shusuke Amagi" arc (episodes 168 to 189) gave creator Tite Kubo time to continue the main plot in published form. The story picks up with Ichigo and his friends on a rescue mission in the vast deserts of the Hueco Mundo ("Dry World"), the dimension between the human world and the realm of the Soul Society, which is the home of both the Arrancar and Hollows: Orihime has been taken there by agents of evil Captain Aizen. Although Ichigo defeats the redoubtable Grimmjow, the remaining Espadas--Hollows who have evolved to new levels--are too strong for them. Help arrives unexpectedly with the appearance of several of the most powerful captains from the Soul Society, including Kenpachi, Byakuya, and Kurotsuchi. The costumes, weapons, and Bankai spells grow increasingly flamboyant, although a certain sameness creeps into the battles. At one point, Kurotsuchi complains that Kenpachi is needlessly prolonging his duel with Nnoitra, who fights with a bizarre halberd: the fight goes on for more than six episodes, although the outcome is a foregone conclusion. Once the Espadas have been dispatched, Ichigo, Rukia, Chad, Orihime, and Ishida return to Karakura High, where Soul Society princess Rurichiyo arrives unexpectedly. She's had a tiff with her servant Kenryu over a proposed kemari tournament (an ancient Japanese ball game, somewhat like soccer). The argument leads to a flashy ball game that feels incongruous while Aizen and the Soul Society prepare for a battle that will determine the fate of Karakura Town. The viewer understands Ichigo's puzzlement at the end of the game when he asks, "Would someone mind explaining to me what that was all about?" (Rated Teen: suitable for ages 13 and older: violence, violence against women, grotesque imagery, risqué humor, brief nudity) --Charles Solomon

(194. Nelliel's Past, 195. The Ultimate Union! Pesche's Seriousness, 196. Joining the Battle! The Strongest Shinigami Army Appears, 197. Byakuya's Bankei, the Quiet Anger, 198. The Two Scientists, Mayuri's Trap, 199. Holy Birth, the Resurrected Szayel Aporro, 200. The Hardest Body!? Cut Down Nnoitra, 201. Nnoitra Released! Multiple Arms, 202. Fierce Fighting Conclusion! Who's the Strongest? 203. Karakura Town Gathers! Aizen Versus Shinigami, 204. Ichigo's Stomach-cutting Persuasion Strategy, 205. Thump! A Kemari Tournament Filled with Hollows)