Bleach/Gin Ichimaru's Temptation, Resolution of Destruction

Gin Ichimaru's Temptation, Resolution of Destruction
Season 3, Episode 12
Airdate	October 4, 2005
Production Number	53
Written by	Genki Yoshimura Masahiro Okubo Masashi Sogo Michiko Yokote Natsuko Takahashi Rika Nakase
Directed by	Noriyuki Abe
← 3x11 Renji, Oath of the Soul! Death Match with Byakuya	3x13 → An Accomplished Oath! Get Back Rukia!
Bleach — Season Three

Gin Ichimaru's Temptation, Resolution of Destruction is the twelfth episode of the third season of Bleach and the fifty-third episode overall. Rukia's execution is finally at hand, but all of the time she spent convincing herself that she deserves to die is broken when Ichimaru gives her a little hope before taking it away suddenly.

Co-Stars: Doug Erholtz (Gin Ichimaru), Beau Billingslea (Sajin Komamura), David Lodge (Kenpachi Zaraki), J.B. Blanc (Kaname Tosen), Brian Beacock (Yumichika Ayasegawa), Steve Staley (Shūhei Hisagi), Wally Wingert (Renji Abarai), Spike Spencer (Hanataro Yamada), Liam O'Brien (Rikichi), Jeannie Elias (Yachiru Kusajishi), Vic Mignogna (Ikkaku Madarame), Michael Sorich (Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai), Cindy Robinson (Soi Fong), Lex Lang (Marechiyo Oomaeda)

Plot Overview

On the bridge headed to the execution grounds, Gin Ichimaru meets Rukia and her guards halfway in order to tease the prisoner. His presence makes Rukia remember how much she hates Ichimaru and how he always made her feel like she was being strangled. Ichimaru says that Renji isn't dead after all and suggests that he could easily save everyone right now, if he wanted. He leads Rukia on just long enough to allow her to believe it before saying that he lied. This is enough to give here a little hope, which shatters her resolve and brings her will to live back.

Elsewhere, Kenpachi Zaraki is still fighting with Captains Tosen and Komamura, but they aren't putting up a satisfactory fight in his eyes. He tells Komamura to show him his Bankai and make the match even. Komamura refuses, but Tosen humors the "eccentric traitor" by performing his own Bankai. Tosen tells Zaraki that he always knew that he was trouble and would like nothing more than to throw the entire soul society into chaos. Tosen doesn't appreciate Zaraki disrupting the peace and declares that he must kill him if the Soul Society is to remain peaceful. Finally, Tosen releases his Bankai, which robs Zaraki of his sight and hearing as long as fear hinders his movements. But, of course, Zaraki knows no fear and is still able to strike back. He still has a hard time defending himself, however, because he only has his sense of touch. Eventually, he allows Tosen to stab him, which gives him an opening to grab hold of his body and regain his senses temporarily. Shortly after discovering the flaw in Tosen's Bankai, the black sphere dissipates and Zaraki tries to walk away.

Tosen, despite clearly being defeated, tries to strike again but Komamura stops Zaraki from issuing a killing blow. This blocking destroys his helmet, revealing the head of a wolf. He finally releases his Bankai, which impresses Zaraki far more than the previous one did. While he revels in the battle ahead of him, Yumichika finds his second wind and releases his zanpakutō's energy form, something that he keeps secret from his squad members. Also, Renji's wounds are being healed by Hanataro, who claims that his captain must have been by to heal Renji's more severe wounds before he arrived.

While this is all happening, Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai begins the execution ceremonies. But, it's surprisingly sparsely attended. Only three of the 13 squads are bearing witness to the execution. After a while, Byakuya also shows up. Rukia is asked if she has any final words and anything she has to say is left as a cliffhanger.

Trivia

The Show

• Closing Theme: The closing title is changed as of this episode (although, technically, it would have been different in the previous episode as well had it been shown) to suit the new song "Life" by YUI. The title sequence shows the main characters in their school uniforms in the real world, along with other characters associated with reality, as opposed to the soul society. None of the soul reaper characters, aside from Rukia, appear in these titles.
• Special Presentation: This episode was originally broadcast along with the preceding episode as part of an hour long special.