Bleach episode 291 review

Yikes. I never saw Tosen die the first time around in Bleach, so seeing how it went down was very powerful this time around. Komamura fights him while flashbacks tell the story of their time together. Eventually, Tosen stops Komamura, but 69 guy (as I predicted) steps in to beat Tosen. Tosen’s dead now, right?

Nope. He comes out of his Resurreccion and gets to see Komamura and Shuhei. And he’s about to repent from his ways, when Aizen kills him out of nowhere. Great job by Aizen building up his villain prowess and making sure we hate him. I was actually about to start cheering for Aizen in the battle against Shinji, since I hate Shinji because he likes Hiyori. But now, I’m ready to root against Aizen. Not giving Tosen his moment was an ultimate evil move and he ought to be hated for that. Just after he destroys Shinji, please.

Best girl of the episode: Kakyo (2)

Episode rating: 9/10

Bleach episode 290 review

This battle between Kaname Tosen and Sajin Komamura is more through words than it is through actual fighting. Tosen talks about revenge, justice, etc. which all rings Hollow because what he’s doing is the opposite of what he’s saying. We never really find out what Tosen’s got such a grudge about. Who killed his girlfriend? Who is he trying to exact revenge against? Did Komamura kill her? Why the heck is he mad at Komamura, who’s been his biggest supporter even up to this very point? This is just nonsense behavior out of Tosen.

Then Tosen pulls out his Resurreccion, which turns him into a giant grasshopper but at least allows him to see for the first time in his life. You know in Bleach, when a villain transforms, there’s nowhere for them to go except to the grave. Mix in the flashbacks, and we know Tosen is a goner. But will Komamura get the satisfaction of killing him off? Or will we have to force it on 69 guy who is somehow popular despite never doing one thing of significance? Tosen, the bell tolls.

Best girl of the episode: Kakyo (Tosen’s girlfriend)

Episode rating: 7/10

Bleach episode 289 review

We have a battle between Kenpachi and Byakuya teased, but that never comes to fruition because Yammy uses his Resurreccion to power up and focus their attention on him. Meanwhile, Komamura and 69 guy take on Kaname Tosen, who again brings up the old tired excuse of walking the path of the least bloodshed. Actually, all he wants is Hollowification so he can have more power. So much for “justice.”

Tosen beats 69 guy in the wild card round to move on to face Komamura in the second round. Meanwhile, Aizen goes off on a tangent about something something something… yeah, it was a huge nothingburger. Shinji’s going to have to face him, and as long as Shinji supports Hiyori, I’m rooting against him.

Overall, a pretty good episode, though Tosen is now doomed to die now that he got a sad flashback.

Best girl of the episode: Rukia (53) (not too many girls got lines in this episode)

Episode rating: 7/10

Bleach episode 288 review

Mayuri wants Ichigo to die for his experiments, as he also wants Kenpachi to die, and Yammy too. Is there nothing this bloodthirsty evil scientist will stop at? Ichigo follows Retsu into the passage to the World of the Living. All this buildup to Unohana being this scary super-powerful character, and what did we get in TYBW? Her just throwing her life down so that Kenpachi could get stronger. Stupid.

Anyway, just as Ichigo was in between worlds, we are in between stories here. Kenpachi’s beaten up Yammy good, but since Byakuya’s here, we’ve got to let him do his part in defeating him. As for everyone else, yeah, they’ll have to wait a while. Seems like a filler episode could have fit in here.

Best girl of the episode: Unohana (5)

Episode rating: 6/10