Bleach episode 339 review

I can’t get over it. This episode is memorable for one reason: Retsu Unohana’s maniacal cackle. I guess she really was the first Kenpachi. Super bloodthirsty, crazy, power-drunk… yes, this is the Unohana we all deserve. Who cares that it wasn’t the *real* Unohana? If the fake one is even half as good as the real one, then she’s good enough for me.

Also, Kageroza gains tons of power and now is almost unbeatable. He defeats all of Ichigo’s pals, so Hollow Ichigo has to step in. No surprise there. The Captains continue to fight each other, to varying levels of entertainment. At one point Shunsui and Ukitake talk it out and basically admit that they are contractually required to have one-on-one battles. I mean that almost literally.

Hey, I was entertained by this episode. Positive steps.

Best girl of the episode: Unohana (7) (even if it was the *fake* Unohana; she moves into sole possession of ninth place)

Rukia’s real magic #: 11

Episode rating: 6/10

Bleach episode 338 review

Pretty much wash, rinse, and repeat from the last five to ten episodes. Captains fight themselves. Kon goes on trying to be the hero. (They’re pushing him so hard to be the hero even when it makes zero sense.) Kisuke fights himself too, that’s the big twist from this episode. And Ichigo goes full Hollow and loses control.

Unfortunately, there’s not much new about this episode that we haven’t seen recently. It just feels like the same old stuff. People need to start dying in order to make this thing interesting. Maybe start with Hiyori?

Best girl of the episode: Nozomi (5)

Rukia’s real magic #: 12

Episode rating: 5/10

Bleach episode 337 review

Weird when the same phrase comes up in two different anime I’m watching at the same time. First I heard it in Blue Exorcist, then I hear it here in Bleach. But whatevs. Yoruichi shows up with all the real Captains and announces that Kukaku got them all back to health so that they can fight the fake Soul Reapers. We’re back to people fighting themselves again, and other odd matchups like Soi Fon + Yoruichi vs. Unohana.

Then Kisuke and Kon run off to do some stuff in the research and development headquarters. It’s all very boring and a waste of time, but at least now Kon has a purpose. He’s got to run off and do… something, while Kisuke has to face opponents – possibly including himself? That’s on the table.

A better episode than the ones recently, though still not all that great.

Best girl of the episode: Yoruichi (20) (all alone in 5th place)

Rukia’s real magic #: 13

Episode rating: 6/10

Bleach episode 336 review

“We call it… pastor and servant. Let’s play… pastor and servant.”

Basically, Ichigo is going to get his powers back, just in time to fight Kageroza, who is using fake Nanao and fake Nemu to help him with his computer work. Ichigo and pals have to go to the research and development place to do… something, and now it’s going to be the fake Captains against the real Captains one last time.

A rather dull episode, but what’s stopping that at this point? It’s all blurring into each other now.

Best girl of the episode: Nanao (10)

Rukia’s real magic #: 14

Episode rating: 5/10