Gidanbou was shocked to see Ichimaru Gin at the other side of the gate. Before he could explain anything to him, Ichimaru Gin already drew his Soul Slayer and slashed Gidanbou’s arm with it. Although he was wounded, Gidanbou still held up the gate. He says to Ichimaru he lost and that’s why he opened the gate. Ichimaru replies that if a gatekeeper loses he must die. Yoruichi knows they can’t possibly defeat Ichimaru Gin and wants to think of a plan to retreat. However it was too late, because Ichigo has already rushed towards Ichimaru and attacked him. Yoruichi was shocked and asks Ichigo what he was trying to do. When Ichimaru heard Yoruichi call Ichigo’s name; he asks Ichigo if his name is Kurosaki Ichigo. When Ichigo confirmed it, Ichimaru walks back, draws his Soul Slayer and attacks Ichigo with it. Ichimaru managed to push both Gidanbou and Ichigo outside the gate with just one single blow. Without Gidanbou holding the gate up, the gate closed.
Fortunately, Ichigo wasn’t injured. He asks Orihime to assist in healing Gidanbou. Then they notice that people are coming out from the houses behind them. They didn’t show themselves before, because they were afraid. The people who live in Rukongai are called “Drifters”, souls that came to Soul Society without supervision of Death gods. They are considered to be the cause of all kinds of havoc. Ichigo and the others were cautious, because they think the Drifters might see them as their enemy. Then the chief of Rukongai appears and says to them they have no intention of fighting them. He actually wanted to thank them for saving Gidanbou and welcomes them to Rukongai. Then Chad gets to meet up with a friend of his. It’s Shibata, the boy who used to be a parakeet before Ichigo sent him to Soul Society. Chad gets to spend some time with Shibata and carries him around Soul Society. He finds out that Shibata hasn’t found his mother yet. Chad tells him not to give up, because he believes that one day Shibata will find his mother. Later on Chad says goodbye to Shibata and went with Ichigo to the chief’s house to discuss their strategy. They have to give up on going through the gate again, because the security has most likely become heavier. There is one other way to enter Seireitei, but they will need the help of someone called Shiba Kukaku. The chief of Rukongai seemed surprised when Yoruichi mentioned that name. Their meeting got interrupted by a man who suddenly barged into the house with his boar. Apparently his boar, Bonnie-chan, threw him off again. The chief seems to know that man. The guy’s name is Ganju. He looks at Ichigo and asks the chief why there is a Death god here. The chief tells Ganju that Ichigo is a good guy, but according to Ganju there are no good or bad Death gods. Ganju keeps on saying things to piss Ichigo off, until Ichigo couldn’t take it anymore and whacks Ganju in the head. After he got up again, Ishida asks Ganju who he really is. Ganju introduces himself as:
- self proclaimed Rukongai’s deep bullet
- self proclaimed North Rukongai’s number 1 person to call aniki (boss, someone to look up to), 14 years in a row
- self proclaimed number 1 Death god hater
Ichigo calls him a moron and the two of them started to fight. Ishida and the others wanted to interfere, but got stopped by Ganju’s minions (who ride on boars as well). Although Ganju seems like an experienced fighter, Ichigo was the one taking the upper hand. Their match had to remain undecided though, because the alarm clock, tied on the back on one of Ganju’s minions, went off and freaked out Ganju and his gang.

Anime Gin is creepier than manga Gin. He looked so devilish, it gave me the creeps. Though I do like his “bye, bye!”. I was surprised to see that Gin didn’t cut off Gidanbou’s arm, like he did in the manga. Guess the scene would have been too bloody for television broadcast.
Anyway, the best part of this episode has got to be the Ganju-Ichigo scenes. When the two of them get together they are so funny. I also like the name of Ganju’s boar (Bonnie-chan) and his self proclaims.

Btw, I am starting to doubt that Bleach will end with 26 episodes!

Art: 75
Music: 80
Story: 75
Overall: 76

(click on the thumbnails to enlarge)