Bleach episode 232 review

If there isn’t an image, I apologize for the inconvenience.

Basically, Rukia faces her Zanpakuto, who tells her how much she hates Rukia. Then Ichigo shows up and solves nothing, so Rukia decides she’s just going to let her Zanpakuto free, which doesn’t make much sense because her Zanpakuto already declared herself free! And somehow, by doing that, Rukia kind of sort of maybe defeats her Zanpakuto?

Maybe this is why I hated this arc, because nothing makes common sense. The Soul Reapers are completely helpless without their Zanpakutos, yet they’re supposed to fight (and win) against them. It was as ridiculous in TYBW, but the seeds for that insanity were planted here. “They’re not sealing our Bankai; they’re stealing it!” Same thing here, and it just takes Rukia saying 100 nonsense words, and boom, she wins.

Not sure what to think about this episode.

Best girl of the episode: Rukia (46)

Episode rating: 5/10

Bleach episode 231 review

We’ve entered into a new era… welcome to Zanpakuto World.

Byakuya gets his tonsils torn out by his Zanpakuto, while the rest of the Soul Reapers are rendered virtually useless by their own Zanpakutos. Everyone’s in a state of panic, and Rukia gets shoved back into the World of the Living. There, Rukia goes face-to-face with her Zanpakuto, who also beats her up. Then it’s up to Orihime to heal Rukia.

Yoruichi, fortunately, has no Zanpakuto to speak of, something that doesn’t make much sense at the moment. Urahara and Ichigo have no problems with their Zanpakutos, which at least gives the Soul Reapers some hope. Otherwise, this has the feeling of the “dark” TYBW, where the Soul Reapers are completely helpless, at the mercy of their foes. Maybe that’s why I didn’t like it too much the first time around.

Best girl of the episode: Rukia (45)

Episode rating: 6/10

Bleach episode 230 review

I distinctly remember hating this arc the first time around. I’m giving it a fair chance this time around, though. I checked out early and never really paid much attention as the episodes went by. This time, I’m going to try to enjoy it as much as I can.

Basically, all the zanpakutos rebel against their holders, and manifest in humanoid form to oppose the Soul Reapers. It’s an interesting concept; not much different is “they aren’t sealing the Bankai; they’re stealing it!” from TYBW. So, in that case, the Soul Reaper has no powers, but they’ve got to figure out a way to win without their zanpakuto. It’s sort of like Q on Star Trek: The Next Generation: “I have no powers!” “Q the liar! Q the misanthrope!”

Best girl of the episode: Rangiku (30) (only one of three girls to reach 30 wins)

Episode rating: 7/10

Bleach episode 229 review

We never get a conclusion to the tentacles on the beach, which is just as good, because now we get an episode about Ikkaku and Mizuho. That’s right, Keigo’s sister is the star of this episode, all happy because Ikkaku comes and stays at her place. But there’s a catch: Ikkaku goes and gets a wig, which makes her hate him because he no longer has a shaved head, and she goes and kicks him and Yumichika out. Wacky antics ensue, until Ikkaku is finally able to save Mizuho’s life from the Hollow.

It’s a filler episode, so what do you expect? At one point, Yumichika says, “This is getting old fast,” which I think is a perfect description of the filler. But hey, we got some humor in here, and an entertaining episode for the moment. Just don’t use superglue the next time you put on a wig, okay?

Best girl of the episode: Mizuho (4)

Episode rating: 7/10