Bleach episode 104 review

May I stop and mention how good the music OP/ED are at the same time right now? Not since Houki Boshi have we had as good a combination of OP and ED at the same time. Rolling star by Yui and Baby It’s You by June make for a musical paradise surrounding each Bleach episode.

We’re running out of Bounts now. Apparently all the other ones have been killed off, and the only ones left are Koga and Kariya. Koga has a death wish. He plans to stop Kariya, but in the process decides he’s going to pick a fight with our albino shounen Captain, Toshiro Hitsugaya. Bad move. Koga gets killed in quick order, and all we’ve got left is Kariya.

This portion of the Bount arc started out so well – Soi Fon’s battle was one of the best in the series to date, and Kenpachi Zaraki’s battle was brilliant as well. But then we’ve had letdowns in the Mayuri and Uryu fights. This one is a letdown also. It was very straightforward, just Toshiro overpowering Koga. No suspense really at all.

And that’s a wrap on Kariya’s crew. They’re all dead now. All that’s left is Kariya, and four or so episodes for Ichigo to defeat him. Can he do it before the arc ends? Because if he doesn’t beat him by the time the Bount arc ends, Kariya becomes canon!

Best girl of the episode: Rangiku (11) (tied for third; she had a prominent role in this episode in helping Toshiro find Koga, before Toshiro begged for a dreaded one-on-one battle)

Episode rating: 7/10

Bleach episode 103 review

Well it’s springtime in the valley on Magnolia Lane, it’s the Augusta National and the master of the game… who’ll wear that green… hair?

That’s right, our green-haired villain Yoshi is back, and unfortunately about to meet her end. Not because Uryu was stronger or faster than her, but rather that she basically signed her own death sentence. Twice she kicked Uryu when a simple slash of her sword would have easily killed him. It was as if she was daring him to kill her. It’s kind of like when you’re fighting a giant enemy crab in a video game, and they always have that weak point that you can attack for massive damage. That’s what she was acting like here.

And attack her Uryu did, dealing massive damage and destroying her altogether. That means we’re running out of Bounts! Kariya attacks hist own man Koga, but he appears to still be alive. Any others still alive? I’m not sure. If Koga survives, who’s gonna want him? He’s been an enemy this whole time, surely they can’t accept him as an equal. But Kariya has decided that he wants to die, so he’s given the Seireitei 24 hours to think of the best way to kill him. And kill him they will.

Best girl of the episode: Yoshi

Episode rating: 6/10

Bleach episode 102 review

Yoshi (the green-haired Bount) and the Quincy Uryu go at it in an all-out battle, and it appears that Yoshi has the better of it. Meanwhile, Kariya defeats poor Nemu, who has gone through enough hell in her life and doesn’t need any more. Nevertheless, he does so, and then Ichigo shows up, too late. Because while Ichigo is flailing away with his Bankai (and with Chad being useless as ever), Kariya finds “The Crest” which is so important.

Then he starts talking in German. Did you know that any time a character speaks German, they instantly become evil? It’s true. Ragyo Kiryuin had a German song. Fuhrer King Bradley of FMA had a German title to his name. Asuka spoke German, but only early on when we weren’t sure if she was on our side or not. Bernhard Langer? Well, there’s a guy who speaks German and isn’t evil in the least bit. He’s one of the classiest guys to ever play the game. So, maybe not, I guess.

Anyway, Kariya gives the Soul Society 1 day to have enough time to figure out a way to defeat him. Why? Because he wants to lose, of course. But hey, let’s oblige him. Ichigo, go off on one of those training things that Goku and Gohan do where they train for a year in the matter of a day. That ought to be enough to take down Kariya, and end this arc.

Best girl of the episode: Nemu (3)

Episode rating: 7/10

Bleach episode 101 review

It’s Mayuri vs. Old Man Bount in this battle. And I don’t know who I’m cheering for! I hate Mayuri’s guts, but how could I cheer on the Bounts when I just celebrated Soi Fon beating one of them? The battle actually isn’t all that good. It’s basically Mayuri taking hit after hit after hit and then winning in the end. That’s a boring combination.

Thankfully, Rangiku appears in a brief scene, which saves us from the embarrassment of having no “best girl” for this episode. But I was bored to tears by this episode, because it never felt like Mayuri was in any danger. We know he can grow back arms and legs, so nothing bad happening to him even matters. An overrated episode.

Best girl of the episode: Rangiku (10)

Episode rating: 5/10