Season Three of Bleach premiered on October 18, 2005 and is titled "Soul Society: The Rescue." It is the second part of the "Soul Society" story arc. Although the series is run without breaks like Western television seasons, episodes are grouped into storylines and considered "seasons" in that right.
In "Soul Society: The Rescue," Ichigo is forced to train to reach a new threshold of power, known as bankai, under the burden of Rukia's impending death sentence looming overhead. This part of the season is also partially dedicated to telling the backstories of several soul reaper characters, including Rukia and Renji. In the second half of the season, Ichigo masters his bankai abilities after a great deal of training and must fight his way through captains to buy Rukia time. At the same time, the people pulling the strings behind the scenes of the soul society make themselves known and attempt to execute their final plan.
The third season was broadcast on Adult Swim in America starting on July 22, 2007 and ended on May 10, 2008. Originally, episodes 52 and 53 were aired as a one-hour special, but episode 52 was largely a recap of the previous episodes. Despite this, only the first episode was broadcast before the 52-episode break. The second half of the episode was broadcast nearly a year later when the series started up after the break.
Theme Songs
Opening
- 3x11—4x11 - "Ichirin no Hana" by High and Mighty Color
Ending
Episodes
| # |
#
|
Title
|
|
|
Original Japanese Airdate
|
|
|
USA Airdate
|
| 42 |
1
|
Yoruichi, Goddess of Flash, Dances!
|
|
|
July 26, 2005
|
|
|
July 22, 2007
|
| 43 |
2
|
The Despicable Shinigami
|
|
|
August 2, 2005
|
|
|
July 29, 2007
|
| 44 |
3
|
Ishida, Power of Limits!
|
|
|
August 9, 2005
|
|
|
August 5, 2007
|
| 45 |
4
|
Overcome the Limits!
|
|
|
August 16, 2005
|
|
|
August 12, 2007
|
| 46 |
5
|
Authentic Records! School of Shinigami
|
|
|
August 23, 2005
|
|
|
August 19, 2007
|
| 47 |
6
|
The Avengers
|
|
|
August 30, 2005
|
|
|
September 2, 2007
|
| 48 |
7
|
Hitsugaya, Roar!
|
|
|
September 6, 2005
|
|
|
September 9, 2007
|
| 49 |
8
|
Rukia's Nightmare
|
|
|
September 13, 2005
|
|
|
September 16, 2007
|
| 50 |
9
|
The Awakening Lion
|
|
|
September 20, 2005
|
|
|
September 23, 2007
|
| 51 |
10
|
Morning of the Sentence
|
|
|
September 27, 2005
|
|
|
October 7, 2007
|
| 52 |
11
|
Renji, Oath of the Soul! Death Match with Byakuya
|
|
|
October 4, 2005
|
|
|
October 14, 2007
|
| 53 |
12
|
Gin Ichimaru's Temptation, Resolution of Destruction
|
|
|
October 4, 2005
|
|
|
March 1, 2008
|
| 54 |
13
|
An Accomplished Oath! Get Back Rukia!
|
|
|
October 18, 2005
|
|
|
March 8, 2008
|
| 55 |
14
|
The Strongest Shinigami! Ultimate Confrontation Between Teacher and Students
|
|
|
October 25, 2005
|
|
|
March 15, 2008
|
| 56 |
15
|
Supersonic Battle! Determine the Goddess of Battle
|
|
|
November 1, 2005
|
|
|
March 22, 2008
|
| 57 |
16
|
Senbonzakura, Crushed! Zangetsu Thrusts Through the Sky
|
|
|
November 8, 2005
|
|
|
March 29, 2008
|
| 58 |
17
|
Unseal! The Black Blade, the Miraculous Power
|
|
|
November 15, 2005
|
|
|
April 5, 2008
|
| 59 |
18
|
Conclusion of the Death Match! White Pride and Black Desire
|
|
|
November 22, 2005
|
|
|
April 12, 2008
|
| 60 |
19
|
Reality of the Despair, the Assassin's Dagger is Swung
|
|
|
December 6, 2005
|
|
|
April 19, 2008
|
| 61 |
20
|
Aizen Stands! Horrible Ambitions
|
|
|
December 13, 2005
|
|
|
April 26, 2008
|
| 62 |
21
|
Gather Together! Group of the Strongest Shinigami!
|
|
|
December 20, 2005
|
|
|
May 3, 2008
|
| 63 |
22
|
Rukia's Resolution, Ichigo's Feelings
|
|
|
January 10, 2006
|
|
|
May 10, 2008
|
