Bleach episode 234 review

In this episode, Renji lets out no fewer than FOUR “WHAT”s during this episode. FOUR of them. The word “WHAT” is starting to lose its meaning. How is he surprised by so many things? It’s as if it’s his first day on the job as a Soul Reaper. I really don’t get how he could possibly be thrown off by this many different things. You’d think he’d be used to this stuff by now.

There’s no reason Renji should be this shocked, but he is. And now he goes up against Zabimaru. Meanwhile, “69 guy” is going up against his Zanpakuto too, and nobody cares. Ichigo is in Zangetsu World, which I think I’ve made clear is my very least favorite part of Bleach.

Best girl of the episode: Retsu Unohana (2) (she had some quality time in the part of the episode not devoted to the three above topics)

Episode rating: 6/10

Bleach episode 233 review

Ichigo turns Hollow as he fights his Zanpakuto, while Mayuri experiments to find further information on the situation.

That’s all that happens in this episode, aside from a talk amongst Nemu, Unohana, and Isane, which is about Mayuri’s experiments anyway. This arc is really aggravating. I wish I had taken my own advice and not watched this again. It’s really boring and stupid. Every one of these Zanpakuto fights consists of the Soul Reaper running away, running away, and running away, before finally striking back. And we’ve got like 20 of these to go.

Best girl of the episode: Isane Kotetsu (2) (for providing probably the most interesting dialogue in the episode)

Episode rating: 4/10

Bleach episode 232 review

If there isn’t an image, I apologize for the inconvenience.

Basically, Rukia faces her Zanpakuto, who tells her how much she hates Rukia. Then Ichigo shows up and solves nothing, so Rukia decides she’s just going to let her Zanpakuto free, which doesn’t make much sense because her Zanpakuto already declared herself free! And somehow, by doing that, Rukia kind of sort of maybe defeats her Zanpakuto?

Maybe this is why I hated this arc, because nothing makes common sense. The Soul Reapers are completely helpless without their Zanpakutos, yet they’re supposed to fight (and win) against them. It was as ridiculous in TYBW, but the seeds for that insanity were planted here. “They’re not sealing our Bankai; they’re stealing it!” Same thing here, and it just takes Rukia saying 100 nonsense words, and boom, she wins.

Not sure what to think about this episode.

Best girl of the episode: Rukia (46)

Episode rating: 5/10

Bleach episode 231 review

We’ve entered into a new era… welcome to Zanpakuto World.

Byakuya gets his tonsils torn out by his Zanpakuto, while the rest of the Soul Reapers are rendered virtually useless by their own Zanpakutos. Everyone’s in a state of panic, and Rukia gets shoved back into the World of the Living. There, Rukia goes face-to-face with her Zanpakuto, who also beats her up. Then it’s up to Orihime to heal Rukia.

Yoruichi, fortunately, has no Zanpakuto to speak of, something that doesn’t make much sense at the moment. Urahara and Ichigo have no problems with their Zanpakutos, which at least gives the Soul Reapers some hope. Otherwise, this has the feeling of the “dark” TYBW, where the Soul Reapers are completely helpless, at the mercy of their foes. Maybe that’s why I didn’t like it too much the first time around.

Best girl of the episode: Rukia (45)

Episode rating: 6/10