Bleach episode 204 review

Foreign debts, homeless vets, AIDS, crack, Bernie Goetz…

Rurichiyo’s back! Why? Because this is filler, filler night, and no one’s gonna save you from the crap about to strike. In this episode, Rurichiyo and Kenryu have a fight to the death over a game of kemari. I’m being literal here. When Kenryu loses his argument with Rurichiyo, he threatens suicide. Like that’s going to help. Aside from this being stupid, it’s also irresponsible for the millions of people watching this episode worldwide. Remember, suicide is a permanent solution for a temporary problem. And making light of it like in this episode is a big no-no with me.

But that’s just me going on my soapbox. Eventually things get resolved, then immediately unresolved, and then the two of them stake their lives on a game of kemari. As much as I want to put this down, I specifically remember the episode with the game being especially memorable. We’ll see how that goes down tomorrow.

Best girl of the episode: Rurichiyo (6) (reluctantly to the brat)

Episode rating: 5/10

Bleach episode 203 review

Nnoitra is officially dead, maybe. In any case, Aizen decides that he’s not going to use Orihime to fix the Oken anymore. Now he’s just going to go to Karakura Town and get the Oken that way. Very smart. By sealing away all the Soul Reapers who were in Hueco Mundo, Aizen eliminates untouchables like Ichigo, Kenpachi, and Byakuya, and goes instead up against some not-so-smart guys like Old Man Yama.

Of course, it does beg the question: what was the point of capturing Orihime, again? Sounds to me like it got retconned. Pretty much everything about the Oken gets retconned even further in TYBW. Anyway, Aizen’s off to Karakura, or at least “fake” Karakura Town, and Orihime is back in captivity.

Rangiku wins this episode’s award thanks to a hilarious post-credits scene where she tries teaching other girls how to be sexy. Sorry, none of them have the goods like Rangiku does.

Best girl of the episode: Rangiku (24)

Episode rating: 7/10

Bleach episode 202 review

Ah, good old Bleach. A character is about to die, so we get a super-sappy flashback about them. That’s the way it goes for almost the entirety of the rest of the series. This time, it’s Nnoitra, a guy whom I wouldn’t pee on if he was caught on fire on the side of the road. There’s nothing redeeming about him; I don’t want him to have his moment. Kenpachi Zaraki should just kill him and let him die.

But no, we have to get a sad flashback between Nnoitra and Nel. Obviously now we know that Nnoitra is about to meet his end. Maybe he survives and I don’t remember. But this certainly felt like classic “death by flashback.”

Best girl of the episode: Nel (6)

Episode rating: 6/10

Bleach episode 201 review

This entire episode is Kenpachi Zaraki going up against Nnoitra in a battle of the ages. First, Kenpachi loses his eyepatch, which causes him to grow even more powerful. Then he cuts Nnoitra, only for Nnoitra to come back with an attack that seemingly puts Kenny out cold. But Kenpachi comes back and slices off one of Nnoitra’s arms. That’s okay, Nnoitra says, cause he will just grow more arms. And thus the battle goes on and on.

Kenpachi Zaraki is obviously one of the easiest people to root for in Bleach, so watching him in battle is a delight. The only thing that gives me a bit of trepidation is the fact that Ichigo has been reduced to a battle commentator role. That’s odd. But whatevs, we have to have battle commentators in Bleach, no matter who’s fighting. Yachiru fills the role well, giving her the honors for today.

Best girl of the episode: Yachiru (16) (that is a boatload for a character who’s not really one of even the supporting cast)

Episode rating: 8/10