Bleach: In What Episode Does Ichigo Save Rukia?
As we know quite well, Rukia Kuchiki is one of the central characters of Tite Kubo’s Bleach. We know how important she was for Ichigo Kurosaki, the story’s principal protagonist, and how much effort Tite Kubo put into developing her as a character. Rukia Kuchiki was in trouble on more than one occasion in the series. Still, in this article, we will talk about the time from the beginning of the story when Rukia was almost executed for giving Ichigo her powers. In this article, you are going to find out in which episode Ichigo saves Rukia.
The scene in which Ichigo Kurosaki saves Rukia Kuchiki from being executed in Soul Society happened in Episode 54 of the Bleach anime series; the episode was titled “An Accomplished Oath! Get back Rukia!” and it premiered on October 18, 2005. This was one of the final episodes of the Soul Society Arc and one of the most important moments in the initial phase of the story.
The rest of this article will tell you two things – you’re going to find out when Ichigo saved Rukia Kuchiki, as well as what happened right before and right after this moment. As far as spoilers are concerned, they will be present in this article, so be careful how you approach them. This is actually going to be a part of Rukia’s story, so prepare for a lot of info!
When does Ichigo save Rukia from execution?
The Soul Society Arc is by far one of the most popular ones in the whole series. It introduced us to one of the main factions of the lore of Bleach – the Gotei 13 – and also one of the most thrilling storylines in the series, culminating in Aizen’s betrayal. But, as well as that, it also put Rukia in focus, as it continued the story that started when Renji Abarai and Byakuya Kuchiki came to pick her up and return her to Soul Society.
Due to her incursions, as her lending Ichigo her powers was considered a form of betrayal, she was tried and sentenced to death. Ichigo and his friends ventured to Soul Society to save her, and just as Rukia was about to be executed, Ichigo jumped in and saved her life. This happened in Episode 54 of the Bleach anime series; the episode was titled “An Accomplished Oath! Get back Rukia!” and premiered on October 18, 2005. What follows is a recapitulation of events that happened in the episode in question.
Rukia was transferred to the Senzaikyū and had already given up on life. She blamed herself for Ichgio’s death until Renji told her – to bolster her will to live – that there had recently been some Ryōka in the Soul Society, with one of those invaders fitting the description of Ichigo. While Rukia was happy that Ichigo was alive and well, she also hoped that he would turn around so he wouldn’t end up actually being killed. During her time in the Senzaikyū, she also reflected on her past, particularly regarding Kaien Shiba, and still regrets her “deed,” especially when she then encounters Ganju Shiba, who originally came to rescue her on behalf of Ichigo.
After realizing who Rukia is, Ganju is reluctant to help her. However, when Byakuya showed up, he still tried to buy time for Rukia and Hanatarō Yamada to escape; in the process, Ganju was badly injured. Shortly thereafter, Ichigo appears, trying to save Rukia. However, instead of a maudlin reunion between Ichigo and Rukia, there was only a minor argument between the two, with Rukia being glad Ichigo hadn’t changed a bit.
However, since he couldn’t take on Byakuya at the moment, he was knocked unconscious and taken away by Yoruichi Shihōin, with the promise that she would make Ichigo stronger than Byakuya in a short time. On the day of her execution, she made only one last wish to Commander-in-Chief Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. Nothing should happen to her friends from the human world, and they should be allowed to return to their world. Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto promised to comply and wanted to start the execution by the Sōkyoku.
Shortly thereafter, Ichigo appeared at the right moment and managed to stop the Sōkyoku, which was soon sealed by the commanders Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku since they were also against Rukia’s execution. Meanwhile, Renji allied with Ichigo to save Rukia; he also came along and, on Ichigo’s orders, was supposed to take Rukia to safety. However, the two were stopped during their escape by Kaname Tōsen. This brought them back to where they met Sōsuke Aizen.
Aizen, who single-handedly engineered Rukia’s execution, revealed to her that the Hōgyoku was hidden in her Gigai, a powerful artifact created by Kisuke Urahara, which, among other things, could give Hollow Shinigami powers and vice versa, basically in an artificial way Arrancar and Visored was able to create. Because Sōsuke Aizen wants the Hōgyoku for himself, he hoped Rukia’s death would give him access to it. However, he ultimately aims at a non-lethal alternative.
The Hōgyoku was removed from her body, and he finally wanted Rukia killed because she was useless to him. However, her adoptive brother Byakuya intervened. Aizen and his accomplices Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen fled, and all charges against Rukia and her friends were dropped. After that, Rukia learns from her brother the story of her sister and why he hasn’t done anything to help Rukia for so long. The relationship between the two then quickly changed for the better.
Rukia now also wanted to clarify Kaien’s family and apologize for Kaien’s death. However, Kūkaku Shiba, Kaien’s sister, explained that Rukia’s commander had done this years ago and that she had long since forgiven her. While Rukia now had the choice to return to this world with Ichigo if she wanted to, she chose to remain in Soul Society at Kūkaku’s request.