Bleach episode 290 review

This battle between Kaname Tosen and Sajin Komamura is more through words than it is through actual fighting. Tosen talks about revenge, justice, etc. which all rings Hollow because what he’s doing is the opposite of what he’s saying. We never really find out what Tosen’s got such a grudge about. Who killed his girlfriend? Who is he trying to exact revenge against? Did Komamura kill her? Why the heck is he mad at Komamura, who’s been his biggest supporter even up to this very point? This is just nonsense behavior out of Tosen.

Then Tosen pulls out his Resurreccion, which turns him into a giant grasshopper but at least allows him to see for the first time in his life. You know in Bleach, when a villain transforms, there’s nowhere for them to go except to the grave. Mix in the flashbacks, and we know Tosen is a goner. But will Komamura get the satisfaction of killing him off? Or will we have to force it on 69 guy who is somehow popular despite never doing one thing of significance? Tosen, the bell tolls.

Best girl of the episode: Kakyo (Tosen’s girlfriend)

Episode rating: 7/10

Bleach episode 289 review

We have a battle between Kenpachi and Byakuya teased, but that never comes to fruition because Yammy uses his Resurreccion to power up and focus their attention on him. Meanwhile, Komamura and 69 guy take on Kaname Tosen, who again brings up the old tired excuse of walking the path of the least bloodshed. Actually, all he wants is Hollowification so he can have more power. So much for “justice.”

Tosen beats 69 guy in the wild card round to move on to face Komamura in the second round. Meanwhile, Aizen goes off on a tangent about something something something… yeah, it was a huge nothingburger. Shinji’s going to have to face him, and as long as Shinji supports Hiyori, I’m rooting against him.

Overall, a pretty good episode, though Tosen is now doomed to die now that he got a sad flashback.

Best girl of the episode: Rukia (53) (not too many girls got lines in this episode)

Episode rating: 7/10

Bleach episode 288 review

Mayuri wants Ichigo to die for his experiments, as he also wants Kenpachi to die, and Yammy too. Is there nothing this bloodthirsty evil scientist will stop at? Ichigo follows Retsu into the passage to the World of the Living. All this buildup to Unohana being this scary super-powerful character, and what did we get in TYBW? Her just throwing her life down so that Kenpachi could get stronger. Stupid.

Anyway, just as Ichigo was in between worlds, we are in between stories here. Kenpachi’s beaten up Yammy good, but since Byakuya’s here, we’ve got to let him do his part in defeating him. As for everyone else, yeah, they’ll have to wait a while. Seems like a filler episode could have fit in here.

Best girl of the episode: Unohana (5)

Episode rating: 6/10

Bleach episode 287 review

You don’t know what we can find… Ichigo reborn in the land of Aladdin and the magic lamp? While that sounds ridiculous, that’s underselling it. This one is wild. A filler episode to end all filler. Ichigo keeps getting reminded that he’s in a dream, while the story of Bleach is retold in Arabian Nights fashion.

There were several laugh-out-loud moments in this episode, which is big because I just don’t laugh unless something is really funny. So kudos to Bleach on producing a filler episode that even I can enjoy. Bonus points for the final segment, which makes this entire episode work. This wasn’t Ichigo’s dream at all! Even though he and others kept breaking the fourth wall to the point that my screen was smashed, telling us over and over again that this was Ichigo’s dream, this was actually all the dream of… Isane Kotetsu??? Way to pick a random character to wrap everything up. What an episode. All filler episodes should dream of being as funny as this one.

Best girl of the episode: Rukia (52) (or, should I say, Ruki-Ruki?)

Episode rating: 8/10