Bleach episode 92 review

It’s the circle of life. Ichigo & pals are back to trying to get into the Soul Society, and the first place they go is Kukaku Shiba’s new home. In an episode where *not* *much* *happened* as it pertains to our heroes, Ichigo & pals get all ready for their second infiltration of the Soul Society, only this time as welcomed guests. And predictably, they all go off in separate directions, because we have to have one-on-one battles.

Also Rangiku reports back to Toshiro and tells him that she completely failed, which unfortunately Toshiro didn’t just answer with a “yep!” Instead, he blames himself – too noble a feat, in my opinion. Oh, and that joke of a Lieutenant Tetsuzaemon Iba gets taken to the woodshed by the Bounts, literally. Omaeda does as well, but not as badly as Iba does. How the heck is Iba even a Lieutenant? He has got to be the most useless Lieutenant, if not the worst. I hate the thought of this guy becoming a Captain. Squad 7 will be in some pretty bad trouble with him at the helm.

Best girl of the episode: Kukaku (3)

Episode rating: 7/10

Bleach episode 91 review

The chain reaction caused by Uryu’s battle with Mayuri back in the Soul Society arc has finally come to this grand conclusion. Uryu fought Mayuri to save his “daughter” Nemu, and thus grew a bond with Nemu after she SAVED him. Then 40 episodes or so later, Nemu comes back into the world of the living. There, she restores Uryu’s powers to him, as a goodwill gesture. What should have happened next was a grand wedding between Uryu and Nemu, and we could have saved ourselves the entire Thousand-Year Blood War.

But no, Uryu now uses those powers he gained for evil. He allows the Bounts to gain their portal into the Soul Society by shooting it open with his newfound powers. And off Kariya & pals go! They are now in the Soul Society, and they couldn’t have done it with Uryu’s help.

Afterward, everyone shows up and realizes just how bad Uryu has biffed it. The only response is for everyone to head back to the Soul Society to SAVE the Soul Society from the Bounts. Although, Uryu says that Ichigo wasn’t in any shape or condition to take on the Bounts as he was, which sadly was true.

Now we get some other Soul Reapers to take on the Bounts! And the only Soul Reaper I can remember taking them on is… well, we’ll get to him soon enough. At least we’re set up for a thrilling fight. But just remember: if things go downhill, it was all Mayuri’s fault.

Best girl of the episode: Nemu (2)

Episode rating: 8/10

Bleach episode 90 review

First, this episode has a part where Renji literally tells Ichigo something to the effect of: “It makes more sense to battle as a team against the Bount and Kisuke Urahara told me so, but this is Bleach so I insist on having a one-on-one battle with the Bount.” And why are all these Bounts’ names so hard to remember?

The Bount Renji fought gets abandoned by Jin Kariya and then gets buried alive, even though Renji didn’t really win his battle. He just got lucky enough to escape alive, whereas the Bount met his doom. So, you can’t say Renji finally won a battle, at least not yet. We may have to go to Hueco Mundo with Renji seeking his first victory of the year.

Then Ichigo goes in to fight Kariya and gets pummeled. Ichigo is like Kenny from Survivor: Gabon, virtually useless in this challenge! Kariya beats him up, then tells him that the Bounts plan on invading the Soul Society. The other Bounts tell him not to tell Ichigo this information, but Kariya basically says that the only thing Ichigo will be talking to would be a fish, or maybe the undertaker. So, Ichigo’s next to dead and Renji’s in no shape to save him. Will Yumichika have to save the day?

Oh, and the shadows thing. I’m pretty sure the Bount’s power of the shadows ends up getting repeated in TYBW, which is why Mayuri wears that glowing suit. So, you heard it here first, the shadows giving bad guys power isn’t anything new, TYBW.

Best girl of the episode: Rangiku (8) (literally reduced to a line in the recap and a small bit in the post-credits sequence)

Episode rating: 7/10

Bleach episode 89 review

Rangiku shows up to SAVE Ichigo & pals after they get in trouble. You know you’re doing bad when Rangiku has to SAVE you. While Izuru fights enemies by increasing their weight, the girls are all thrown away as dead weight when Ichigo & Renji decide they’re leaving them behind (with Chad, who is always useless). That’s right, we can only have men doing any fighting, we have to leave the women behind.

Obviously I’m not happy with that, as any long-time listeners/readers would know. But now that we’re stuck with an all-male alliance, let’s see them actually make some headway against the newest Bount. Ugh, this is so frustrating. Ichigo & Renji are painted out to be the tough guys, yet they struggle against enemies that would never give them trouble in canon.

Just an overall mediocre episode.

Best girl of the episode: Rangiku (7)

Episode rating: 5/10