• Air date: 26 Jul '05 22 episodes
      The Soul Society: The Rescue arc is the third season of the Bleach anime series. In the English adaptation of the anime released by Viz Media, the title of the season is translated as The Rescue. The episodes are directed by Noriyuki Abe and produced by TV Tokyo, Dentsu, and Studio Pierrot. The episodes are based on Tite Kubo's Bleach manga series over twenty-two episodes. The episodes' plot centers on Ichigo Kurosaki's and his friends' efforts to save Soul Reaper Rukia Kuchiki from execution by her superiors in Soul Society. The season initially ran from July 26, 2005, to January 10, 2006, in Japan on TV Tokyo. The English adaptation of the season began airing on July 21, 2007, on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim programming block. On October 14, 2007, the Bleach anime went on a hiatus; episodes resumed airing on March 2, 2008, and finished airing on May 11, 2008. The episodes use four pieces of theme music: two opening themes and two ending themes. The opening theme for the first ten episodes is "D-TecnoLife" by Uverworld; the other episodes of the season use "Ichirin no Hana" by High and Mighty Color. The two ending themes are "HappyPeople" by Skoop on Somebody, used from episode 42 to 52, and Yui's "Life", which was used for the remainder of the episodes.
  • List of Episodes (22)
    • 1. Yoruichi, Master of Speed, dances!

      26 Jul '05
    • 2. The Despicable Shinigami

      02 Aug '05
    • 3. Ishida, Power of Limits!

      09 Aug '05
      In conclusion to the battle between a captian and a quincy, Ishida must unleash a power that threatens to lose all of his quincy powers!
    • 4. Overcome the Limits!

      16 Aug '05
    • 5. Supersonic Battle! Determine the Goddess of Chivalry

      23 Aug '05
      There is flashback with Abarai Renji, Hinamori Momo, and Izuru Kira training for there first years as Shinigami. As the training ends for these three, the entire class is attacked by big hollow. It takes out two of the 6th year Shinigami trainiees and leaves Hisagi Syuuhei by himself. Renji, Momo, and Kira go to save him. They run until they are all four are pinned down, by a lot of huge hollows. As the hollow is about to strike Vice Captian Ichimaru Gin and Captain Aizen Sousuke save them.
    • 6. The Avengers

      30 Aug '05
    • 7. Hitsugaya roars!

      06 Sep '05
    • 8. Rukia's Nightmare

      13 Sep '05
    • 9. The Awakening Lion

      20 Sep '05
    • 10. Morning of the Sentence

      27 Sep '05
    • 11. Renji, Oath of the Soul! Death Match with Byakuya

      04 Oct '05
      Abarai Renji runs toward the site of Rukia execution hoping to save her. He is stopped by Kuchiki Byakuya, his captain and Rukia's brother. Byakuya refuses to let him pass and attacks.
    • 12. Ichimaru Gin's Temptation, Resolution of Destruction

      04 Oct '05
    • 13. An Accomplished Oath! Get back Rukia!

      18 Oct '05
    • 14. The Strongest Shinigami! Ultimate confrontation between teacher and student

      25 Oct '05
      While fighting with Ichigo, Captain Kuchiki Byakuya asks him why he wants to save Rukia. Ichigo responses by asking Byakuya why he doesn't want to save her. Later, after running away from the execution area, Ukitake Jyuushiro, 13th division captain, and Kyouraku Shinsui, 8th division captain, prepare to face off against the Commander of the Gotei 13, Yamamoto Genryuusai. Upset because the others have turned against him, Yamamoto releases his Soul Slayer and begins his attack.
    • 15. Supersonic Battle! Determine the Goddess of Chilvary

      01 Nov '05
    • 16. One thousand cherrry blossoms, crushed! Zangetsu thrusts through the sky

      08 Nov '05
    • 17. Unseal! The Black Blade, the Miraculous Power

      15 Nov '05
    • 18. Baunt! The Soul Hunters

      22 Nov '06
      The conclusion of the fight between Ichigo and Byakuya. Ichigo first appears to be at a disadvantage until his Hollow mask takes over and gives him the edge against Byakuya.
    • 19. Return of Rukia! The Substitute Team Revival

      06 Dec '05
      After finding everyone dead in the Central 46 Chambers, Hitsugaya realizes that all of the most recent orders have been fake. Then, later he finds out who is the real mastermind behind the recent events in the Soul Society.
    • 20. Aizen stands out! His Terrifying Ambition

      13 Dec '05
    • 21. Congress together! The Strongest Shinigami Organisation

      20 Dec '05
    • 22. Rukia's Resolution, Ichigo's Feelings

      10 Jan '06