How do you people not remember this?
Ichigo's soul chain got cut by Byakuya while he was in Shinigami form; Kiskue saved him, and put him in a giant hole and told him if he could escape, his powers would come back.
When Ichigo escapes the pit is the first time we see his hollow form/mask, it's never explained HOW it happens, but this is when he aquires his hollow.
This is what he looked like when he came out of the hole:

Quote (Charity @ Oct 25 2012 12:20pm)
nor did they ever say ichigo's mom was a quincy. it also does not make sense why it would be a secret seeing as she is "DEAD". juha bach himself called ichigo a human and himself a quincy she he differs between the 2. therefore ichigo's mom should be 100% human so just because he used a quincy tech its still speculation until tite explains it.
Hrm i dont recall him becoming a shinigami more than once. i thought he got his hollow when he used kisuke machine to learn his bankai.
Ichigo's mom being Quincy is purely speculation at this point, no one is claiming it's fact - but it does make sense.
Ichigo has lost/gained his powers a stupid amount of times too:
He becomes a soul reaper when he stabs himself with Rukia's Zanptaktou
He comes a Visard (soul reaper/hollow) after getting his soul chain cut and escaping Kiskue's pit (This is before he learns bankai)
He gains Fullbring powers after losing his abilities
He gains Shinigami powers again from the Captains after the Final Getsuga Tenshou.
This post was edited by Nitrix on Oct 25 2012 06:03pm