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Bleach 140: So many SAVES, it ought to be a hockey game

Bleach episode 140 review

You might not know some of the terminology I use about Bleach. The first one is “WHAT,” which is when a character is surprised and lets out a big “WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT?” This episode had several instances where a “WHAT” would have worked, but surprisingly not given by the characters in question.

The second term is “SAVES.” It’s not a hockey save, though. It’s when a character is about to be killed, and at that very moment someone appears from off screen to stop the attack. This happened about six times in this episode. Urahara SAVED Rangiku, Urahara SAVED himself, Toshiro SAVED Rangiku, Rukia SAVED Ichigo, Shinji SAVED Rukia, and Ulquiorra SAVED Shinji.

Obviously, when something like that happens that many times in the same episode, it gets a little tiresome. It’s a bit annoying, to say the least. How many times does it need to happen before you start rolling your eyes with each new SAVE? I’m not sure, but a few more times and I’ll be there.

But all that matters now is that we’ve come to that poignant episode tomorrow where Orihime will confess her love to Ichigo. I’ll try to hold back my tears as best I can.

Best girl of the episode: Rangiku (21)

Episode rating: 7/10

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Bleach 139: Ulquihime is a complete fabrication

Bleach episode 139 review

I am vindictive. I have come to keep the receipts of all those who thought Orihime would somehow, some way, end up with Ulquiorra. This episode proves my point quite well. When Orihime is in between worlds, Ulquiorra appears and threatens Orihime’s friends. His bargain? If she goes with him, then he’ll spare her friends. Orihime, being naive and a bit stupid, believes him. And thus begins the capture.

But Ulquiorra comes off not as some sort of possible lover but rather as that of a creep. “Come with me, little girl,” he says, in the fashion of someone who would prey on innocent women. It’s disgusting to me that anyone would equate that with some sort of romance between the two. If you are someone who supports this ship, you need to repent and “reject” (pun intended) this sickening ship altogether.

Oh, and tentacles. You can guess pretty easily who gets squeezed by Luppi’s tentacles. Here’s a hint: she’s been gaining on Orihime in the “best girl” race. But Orihime is going to pull a little bit away from her today. Mr. Hat & Clogs has come to take on Luppi; Ichigo tried to kill Grimmjow in 11 seconds (in what actually lasted closer to 11 minutes) but failed, so he’s in trouble.

All of that is to say: Ulquihime sucks as a ship. You should be ashamed of yourself if you support it.

Best girl of the episode: Orihime (24)

Episode rating: 7/10

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Bleach 138: Cut Your Hair

Bleach episode 138 review

Have you ever noticed that post-Captain Aizen and Rukia have nearly the same hairstyle? Rukia’s is just a little longer. Aizen also tends to talk very slowly and gently. Anyone who employs Ulquiorra is a bad guy in my book, so I’m not very happy with Aizen.

Anyway, basically, everyone’s training, thinking they’ve got two months before the Arrancar show up. Well, the Arrancar say, screw that, we’re fighting right now! And then Ichigo quits training because he wants a second shot at Grimmjow. Why didn’t he just cut his losses?

Toshiro is going to take on Yammy, which has the potential to be a great fight. But other than that, this seems so rushed and forced. Orihime’s kind of stuck, and Renji and Chad aren’t allowed to fight either, even after all that training. Mr. Hat & Clogs has joined the chat.

Overall, just a complete mess of scattered storylines that somehow fit enough together to make this a chaotic slightly above-average episode.

Best girl of the episode: Rangiku (20)

Episode rating: 7/10

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Bleach 137: Shadow Clone Jutsu

Bleach episode 137 review

I think this is filler. It has to be. How did Renji actually win a battle? Though he was so pathetic that he needed the help of the Mod Souls to win the battle. That’s embarrassing. At two points in this episode, the Mod Souls use a Shadow Clone Jutsu to trick the Arrancar who “betrayed” Aizen. As it turns out, the Hogyoku he stole was a fake. No kidding.

These served as a waste of two episodes to buy more time. There was only one thing of note in this episode, and that’s the thing I’m going to use to call out Ulquiorra. His “love” for Orihime has him feeling like her powers might be useful to Aizen. I know, love at first sight. This is the first “interest” Ulquiorra has in Orihime. Meaning that UlquiHime shippers can see their ship dead on arrival. (Hard to go back to the game after that news flash, which in duty bound, we have to take.)

Indeed, it is Ururu claiming a second straight win thanks mainly to no other female characters showing up, save for a cameo appearance by Rangiku and a post-credits appearance by Karin. Now can we actually get to canon, please? I’d like to get this Orihime kidnapping over with as soon as possible.

Best girl of the episode: Ururu (4)

Episode rating: 6/10