The eighth season of the Bleach anime series is named the Arrancar: The Fierce Fight arc. The episodes are directed by Noriyuki Abe and produced by TV Tokyo, Dentsu, and Studio Pierrot. Based on Tite Kubo's Bleach manga series, the episodes' plot centers on Ichigo Kurosaki's and his friends' battle against the Espada, the strongest members of former Soul Reaper captain Sōsuke Aizen's army, to save Orihime Inoue.
The season began airing on December 12, 2007 in Japan on TV Tokyo and ended on April 16, 2008. The English adaptation of the Bleach anime is licensed by Viz Media, and this arc began airing on September 26, 2009 and ended November 21, 2009 on Adult Swim. Four DVD compilations, each containing four episodes of the season, were released by Aniplex between May 28, 2008 and August 27, 2008 in Japan. Viz Media released the season in two separate DVD boxes during 2011 on June 21 and September 6. The first box, however, also contains episodes from the previous season.
The episodes use three pieces of theme music: one opening theme and two closing themes. The opening theme is "After Dark" by Asian Kung-Fu Generation. The first closing theme is Kousuke Atari's "Tane o Maku Hibi", which switches in episode 154 to "Kansha." by RSP. To promote the second Bleach featured film, Bleach: The DiamondDust Rebellion, the opening and closing credits for episode 152 to 154 use footage from the film, which was released on December 22, 2007.
Ichigo is pushed to the limit and releases his bankai to protect Nel. Also by the urging of the… |
The Espada Szayel Aporro sends out the execution unit named "Exequias" to go after Ichigo who… |
Rukia talks with Aaroniero Arruruerie, but his faces resembles Kaien Shiba. Aaroniero tells his… |
Rukia and her battle with Aaroniero continue. Rukia is still struggling with Aaroniero, and finally… |
Ishida and Pesshe continue there battle with Cirucci, and gain the upper hand when Pesshe uses his… |
Ishida continues his fight with Cirucci and reveals a secret weapon, Seele Schneider. Meanwhile,… |
Chad struggles with his battle with Gantenbainne Mosqueda, until his Right arm takes it true form.… |
Chad realizes Noitora's fearsome strength too late and he falls. The others sense it including… |
Rukia continues her fight with the 9th Espada, Aaroniero Arruruerie.
She still has mixed… |
Everyone on the Arrancar side, sees Rukia's and Aaroniero's death. Meanwhile, Renji continues his… |
Renji continues his battle with Szayel Aporro while Ichigo faces off against Ulquiorra.
Not… |
Loly and Menoly continue to mistreat Orihime and Loly is about to finish her off when the wall… |
Uryuu and Renji continue fighting against Szayel and with Renji's help, Uryuu pulls out a secret… |
Uryuu and Renji recover from their battle with Szayel Aporro while Orihime continues to heal… |
Ichigo pulls out his Hollow mask and Grimmjow releases his sword, Pantera. With both in their most… |
Grimmjow's past and his ascension to Adjuchas, along with his meeting of Shawlong and the others is… |