Bleach episode 41 review

So! (as Pat Sajak would say) Ichigo has been rescued by Yoruichi, but how? Yoruichi is just a cat, right? As it turns out, no. Yoruichi reveals herself in the most revealing way possible… stone-cold naked, right in front of Ichigo. And Ichigo is so prudent that all he can do is yell at her to put some clothes on.

I love Yoruichi, she’s one of my favorite Bleach characters. Even I can admit that she is a little too casual about nakedness. But Yoruichi isn’t just here to show off that gorgeous body. She’s also in on the rescue of Rukia.

… or so we thought. She is in on it, to be clear, but it ceased being a rescue at the time Ichigo and Rukia ran into each other. Ichigo made his way to the bridge where all the battles are taking place, but not in time to save Ganju’s life; he’s dead, killed by Byakuya Kuchiki. But at least Ichigo is here to save Rukia. Oh, wait! Rukia doesn’t want to be rescued anymore! So, it’s no longer a rescue. Instead, it’s just a bunch of Soul Reapers trying to kill each other.

This might have been the episode where I forever went anti-IchiRuki. When Rukia couldn’t offer a single bit of thanks for Ichigo’s help, and when we got a flashback of her telling Ichigo to “live a few seconds longer,” it made up my mind for good that she wasn’t right for Ichigo. There is someone who is just right for Ichigo, though. She’s currently stuck somewhere in the Soul Society, ignored by the plot for a while now.

Oh, and after Ichigo and Byakuya begin battle, Yoruichi shows up and tries to stop Byakuya. Squad 13 Captain Jushiro Ukitake is just… there, for some reason.

Another fantastic episode. This arc is the best!

Best girl of the episode: Yoruichi (she’s finally turned to the female side, so she can start earning points!)

Episode rating: 9/10

Bleach episode 40 review

Kenpachi Zaraki reveals that Ichigo actually WON the battle, despite what it looked like last episode. Then we get a flashback as to how he and Yachiru Kusajishi got their first and last names. Very cool stuff. Yachiru continues to be awesome, and Kenpachi Zaraki wants a rematch with Ichigo, who is going to live thanks to cat-form Yoruichi showing up just in time.

Meanwhile, Ganju and Hanataro make their way to Rukia, with Ganju using Hanataro as a grappling hook in quite the amusing scene. Then, once they get to her cell, Ganju sees her and says that she’s the one who killed his brother. So, not only does Ganju get to Rukia first (who knows what the Quincy Uryu is up to), but he doesn’t even want to save her now. Great. And amidst all that, here comes big bro Byakuya, who isn’t much of a brother to Rukia… yet.

Awesome episode with not a complaint in sight.

Best girl of the episode: Yachiru (6)

Episode rating: 9/10

Bleach episode 39 review

This might have been the best episode yet, if it hadn’t been for the time spent in Zangetsu World. Seriously, I hate the episodes that are wasted in Zangetsu World. It’s not very entertaining TV.

But the rest of the episode was fantastic. Kenpachi goes all out, removing his eye patch. And Ichigo goes all out, buoyed on by Zangetsu World. Okay, so maybe it wasn’t all a waste after all.

At the end of the fight, Ichigo goes down. The payoff doesn’t come until next episode, though. Just an awesome display of shounen one-on-one battling that makes even the most cynical part of me… happy.

Happy peoples in the house!

Best girl of the episode: Yachiru (5) (literally the only female to appear in this episode)

Episode rating: 9/10

Bleach episode 38 review

Captain Shunsui Kyoraku has defeated Chad, and now his spiritual pressure is gone. But wait! Sweet Nanao notices that he’s not actually dead. Shunsui decides not to kill him, and instead do what they do to everybody else – put him in jail. Talk about overcrowding prisons.

Meanwhile, Kenpachi and Ichigo keep going at it, with Ichigo starting to win a little bit, before Zaraki splits his zanpakuto in two. Now Ichigo is lying on the ground, losing 90% of the blood in his body. I remember this being a very poignant point when watching Bleach for the first time back in 2007. Back then, I actually thought people could die in Bleach, or in anime altogether. I miss those days.

Captain Unohana lays Aizen to rest with Captain Komamura and Kaname Tosen in haul. Tosen walks off mumbling something which I’m sure has something to do with his “path of least bloodshed.” Yeah, okay, Tosen, you do that.

I actually forget what happens next, so this next episode ought to be a good one!

Best girl of the episode: Nanao (2) (I see you, Nanao!)

Episode rating: 8/10