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Bleach 64: Mr. Moocher

Bleach episode 64 review

So! We’re back in Karakura Town, the real version of it, where tomfoolery happens. Renji shows up as apparently the new Soul Reaper taking care of this area. He’s staying at Urahara Shop, where he “mooches” off the food from the other members of the shop. But when Orihime gets visited by her “brother” in the middle of the night, he immediately takes action.

Renji goes to Ichigo, who whines and complains, before Renji mentions it’s about Orihime. Suddenly Ichigo turns focused on doing the job. He says, “why didn’t you say that earlier?” (to that effect), jumping into action. See, you can’t tell me Ichigo had no interest in Orihime. When she’s in danger, Ichigo instantly wants to protect her. IchiHime rules, as the #1 pairing in Bleach.

But before Ichigo can save Orihime, she gets taken off into another world, and then she’s gone. What are they going to do about it? Find out tomorrow!

Best girl of the episode: Orihime (13)

Episode rating: 7/10

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Bleach 63: All’s well that ends well

Bleach episode 63 review

Everyone’s happy. Rukia gets to apologize for Kukaku for doing something that wasn’t even wrong, and everyone gets to make up with those who they got mad at during Aizen’s betrayal. It’s all sunshine and roses… except for the fact that we’ve got Aizen lurking somewhere out there.

Komamura knows that. He is still focused in on Tosen, who he hopes will come back someday. Komamura, don’t get your hopes up. Oh, he may come back, but not as a comrade. This scene is actually tragic knowing what happens.

A little bit of tomfoolery later, Mr. Hat & Clogs apologizes to Ichigo for causing the whole thing with his experiment. Uryu tells Ichigo that he’s still his enemy, which unfortunately is true. And finally Ichigo goes back home, having gotten stronger thanks to Kisuke’s folly.

The Soul Society arc is over. Pour one out for it. Bleach will never be the same again.

Best girl of the episode: Rukia (15)

Episode rating: 9/10

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Bleach 62: The path of least bloodshed

Bleach episode 62 review

Aizen shakes off Komamura’s “big attack,” then wants to get something out of Rukia’s body, saying that it’s the whole purpose for everything. And when he gets the chance, he finds that she doesn’t have. So he goes to kill her. He hands her off to Gin, who goes full force at Rukia, but is stopped… by big bro! Byakuya steps in for his little sister and saves her. It’s a touching moment, that Byakuya sacrifices himself for his sister. It provides the final super-awesome moment of the Soul Society arc.

Everyone then goes and attacks Aizen and Gin, but Aizen shakes them all off. He then decides to go into the world of Hollows, and those two along with Tosen head on up. As he’s on his way up, Komamura asks Tosen if this is justice. No, Kaname Tosen says, he wants to follow the path of least bloodshed. Which is absurd and ridiculous and nonsensical and… oh, Tosen, you should have stayed a hero. I’d much rather you be fighting those fights in TYBW then those replacement captains.

We’re at the closing ceremonies. Tomorrow, the flame will go out on the Soul Society arc. And Bleach will never be the same. But for now…

Best girl of the episode: Yoruichi (3)

Episode rating: 10/10

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Bleach 61: Ichigo vs. Aizen’s finger

Bleach episode 61 review

Ah, yes. The famous moment. Renji and Ichigo have teamed up to give one final thrust at Aizen, with Hazel Fernandez’s “Number One” playing at full blast – and then Aizen stops Ichigo with his finger. It’s an iconic moment in Bleach, maybe the second-best behind only what happened yesterday. To put it simply, this is all-out awesome.

Then Aizen begins his explanation of how everything was an elaborate plan by him, starting from the very very start of the show. He also blames Kisuke Urahara for all the world’s problems. Seriously, what did Mr. Hat & Clogs ever do to you? Oh, I bet he did do something… anyway, Aizen filibusters a bit, but I’ll forgive it because it isn’t just info dumping – it’s making everything make sense. Now we know why who was where when they were.

Komamura shows up at the very end of the episode, giving everyone some false hope. Buckle up, people. We’ve got another 300+ episodes to go, and Aizen’s the villain in a good many of them.

Best girl of the episode: Isane Kotetsu (she had her most extensive action in this episode)

Episode rating: 10/10