Bleach episode 155 review

Rukia continues her fight with Kaien Shiba Aaroniero, which she is doing better at now that she’s realized that the Kaien is a fake. Unfortunately, it’s not so easy to beat an Espada, and Aaroniero shows her what its true form is. Hint: it’s not pretty.

While Rukia fights, there’s some tomfoolery with Nel, with Ichigo claiming that he’s never having kids (you’ll have to talk with Orihime about that, Ichigo). The Chad and Uryu fights just seem to be sideshows at this point, while Renji’s rushing to try to rescue Rukia… again.

At the end, Aaroniero goes back to its Kaien Shiba form, so Rukia’s got to kill Kaien again if she wants to stay alive. These things are always messy, aren’t they?

Best girl of the episode: Rukia (34)

Episode rating: 7/10

Bleach episode 154 review

Rukia comes face to face with an Arrancar which takes on the form of Kaien Shiba. Everything about him seems genuine. He even has a story to back him up. It’s enough that Rukia finally trusts him, that he’s going to betray Aizen and that he needs her help. Then, suddenly, swipe – and Rukia’s face is cut.

Honestly, if Arroniero (the Arrancar) was going to go through this whole ruse, it was pretty stupid to only get one little facial wound on Rukia. He should have been going for the kill. Now Rukia can fight back. After he’s told her one too many lies – and tells her to bring the heads of her friends – she goes into rage mode and lets the hate flow through her. And now, the battle is on.

A great episode especially given all the gaslighting Arroniero does. He keeps on lying and lying to the point that Rukia has no choice but to believe the lies as the truth. This is much like what Gul Madred did to Picard in the famous TNG episode “Chain of Command.” But like Picard, Rukia knows exactly what’s up…

THERE! ARE! FOUR! LIGHTS!

Best girl of the episode: Rukia (33)

Episode rating: 8/10

Bleach episode 153 review

The triple-digit Arrancar gives Ichigo a long lecture on what he must do now that he has defeated him… except he doesn’t actually give it to Ichigo. He says it internally, so Ichigo never hears a single word that he says. It’s as if he took on the role of narrator. It’s also a completely nonsensical scene, that he’d be coaching up Ichigo without ever actually saying a word to Ichigo. It makes zero sense.

Then Szayelaporro visits Aizen and apparently gets approval for his research? Not really sure what’s going on there. Aizen’s throne changes every time we see him, by the way. Meanwhile, Renji has trouble with “egghead” Dondechakka while Uryu faces a female opponent. Finally, Rukia meets up with an Espada who has the same face as Kaien Shiba, whom she “murdered.” So, other than the nonsense lecture, it wasn’t all that bad an episode.

Except it was.

Best girl of the episode: Rukia (32)

Episode rating: 6/10

Bleach episode 152 review

This triple-digits Arrancar apparently is a lot better than his number suggests, as he survives even Ichigo’s Bankai + Hollow form. The episode consists mostly of that battle, and of Renji having fun with Nel’s “brother” Dondechakka. Unfortunately, this battle is quite boring, because all it is is the Arrancar boasting about himself, then playing dead, before getting back up again.

If Ichigo couldn’t beat him with even his Bankai and his Hollow form, then what’s he got left? Is he going to go Quincy on him? Might as well pack it in if you can’t beat this guy.

Best girl of the episode: Nel (2)

Episode rating: 6/10