Bleach episode 296 review
Aizen reveals that absolutely everything that has happened in Bleach history has been designed to happen by him. Sorry, but I’m not buying it. If he really was controlling everything like a Doflamingo puppet, he did a terrible job, because Ichigo came close to dying so many times that all it really took was a couple things to happen here and there and his whole empire would have come crashing down. Seriously, what happens if Byakuya decides just to finish off Ichigo the first time they meet? Then Aizen’s plan is completely ruined and none of this ever happens. Oh, Aizen was controlling Byakuya too?
No, this is just a retcon, plain and simple. We needed an excuse for why Aizen’s plan has had so many mistakes, so we turn it into a story of how Aizen had everything planned out the whole time. It’s so ridiculous that it’s maddening. Does he take us for idiots?
Also, Ichigo’s response is very similar to when Darth Vader told Luke, “No. I am your father.” Which is ironic because who comes out to save Ichigo but… his father! Unfortunately, we already knew he was a Soul Reaper, which completely ruins this moment because Ichigo’s the only one who didn’t know, and then it’s made even worse by the fact that Ichigo just goes along with it as if he figured that was the case from the beginning.
Despite all my complaints, this was still a good episode, though I’ve got to wonder, what parts of Bleach actually happened and what parts were retconned away? Because I’m not buying the Doflamingo puppetry excuse from Aizen. And even if Aizen planned absolutely everything from episode 1…
… he’s an absolute idiot.
Best girl of the episode: Rukia (55) (getting some cheap wins to pad her lead, if only because she’s the only girl I remember appearing in this episode)
Episode rating: 7/10
Tommy A. Phillips 