Bleach episode 121 review

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Rapid-fire punches don’t work. Especially not against Ichigo. Grimmjow must have punched Ichigo a thousand times, and yet Ichigo bounces back with ease. We’re supposed to get the feeling that Ichigo lost, but the fact is, his opponent had hundreds of opportunities of landing the knockout blow and couldn’t do so. So, I’m chalking this up as a win for Ichigo, as Renji did as well in his talk with Ichigo after the fight.

Before that, the TV monitors tattoos on the three Soul Reapers (Toshiro, Rangiku, and Renji) were all activated, and now they’re fighting at 100% strength instead of just 20%. Seems rather convenient. “You know, I feel like getting beaten to a pulp today, so hold off on giving me that 100% strength until I’m about to die, then activate it.” It’s a plot device aimed at making those weaklings (Toshiro, Rangiku, and Renji) stronger without forcing them to go through a training arc. And while it works, it’s still really cheap.

Also, Kaname Tosen, probably the most badass Captain outside of Kenpachi Zaraki, shows up to tell Grimmjow that Aizen is mad at him. Man, I wish you could have been on the right side of history, Tosen. Sadly, you’ll be forgotten about like all the other Hueco Mundo enemies. Aizen’s pissed off because Grimmjow took 5 Arrancar with him, got them all killed, and did so without permission. So now he’s going to be punished held back for a rematch with Ichigo.

Oh, and Keigo’s sister loves men with shaved heads, so when Keigo shows up with Ikkaku and Yumichika in tow, she’s instantly in love (while also being instantly angry at Keigo). I had to look up her name, it’s… Mizuho. This isn’t like Cheers, where I know everybody’s name. But in any case, Mizuho steals the show with her love for Ikkaku’s bald head and her simultaneous rage against Keigo. Talk about a yandere – am I using that term right?

Best girl of the episode: Mizuho

Episode rating: 8/10

Bleach episode 120 review

So, Ururu has this weird out-of-body experience where she just suddenly gets up from sleeping, goes into the sky, and starts fighting one of the Arrancar. It was a makes-no-sense moment like no other, especially given that she didn’t even defeat the guy. Then we see the modsouls trying to help Renji in his battle, but I thought they were all filler characters. Poor Renji can’t even win a battle for himself without filler characters assisting him, and he didn’t even win.

Meanwhile, the other Arrancar who is attacking Toshiro reveals that the top 10 Arrancar are called “Espada,” and that they’re ranked by number. The rest of them? Just in order that they were created. Which means, basically, that they’re fodder for the non-main characters to kill.

Just in time, Rangiku gets approval from the Soul Society to use this new tattoo thing. “Yeah, guys, you know that thing that we can activate on our bodies so we can actually win these battles instead of getting slaughtered? Yeah, I think it’s about time we activate it, because we’re getting our butts kicked out here. Anytime you want to turn it on would be nice. How about now?”

And now they’ve got extra powers, so I assume they’re going to win these battles now. Ichigo vs. Grimmjow, however? I don’t see the appeal in Grimmjow as a character, but I get the feeling those two are going to take some time in their battle against each other.

Best girl of the episode: Ururu (her first win)

Episode rating: 7/10

Bleach episode 119 review

This episode is a giant flashback to Ikkaku’s past. First, we find that he has been living out in the boonies and fighting anyone who wants to take him on. Then he finds Kenpachi Zaraki and fights him, and gets beaten (as everyone else does). Kenpachi Zaraki tells him to get stronger, then they go their separate ways. Zaraki goes on and becomes Captain of Squad 11, so Ikkaku joins the squad. Yumichika is just… there, the whole time. The best part comes when Yachiru cheers on Kenpachi as he takes down a giant enemy. “Victory! Kenny!” she shouts in the cutest way. The only better “Victory!” came from Puck from Re:Zero. “Victory! Victory! Victory!”

Then Renji decides to ask Ikkaku to train him, so he does. But Ikkaku won’t go the whole way and show him his Bankai, so Renji isn’t just a copy of him. Later, in present time, Renji begs Ikkaku to replace Aizen as Captain of Squad 5 (not sure why Renji’s doing it as a member of Squad 6), but Ikkaku refuses, because no one ever accepts a request in Bleach.

And then we’re back to the battlefield, where Ikkaku has Bankai’d his opponent and defeated him. Yumichika is… there. Actually, a pretty good episode compared to what we had been getting.

Best girl of the episode: Yachiru (12)

Episode rating: 8/10

Bleach episode 118 review

Got a little behind the eight-ball with my reviewing time, so I’ll keep this one short. Grimmjow stabs Rukia and figures out quickly that she isn’t the droid he’s looking for. Assuming Ichigo goes next. As for Ikkaku and the Arrancar he’s going up against, yeah, that takes up nearly all of this episode. Basically, the two of them just fight and fight, until Ikkaku pulls out his Bankai. Then they fight some more.

I’m not a fan of the obsession of one-on-one battles, but that’s what we’re getting, because Yumichika refuses to lift a finger to help Ikkaku. If Ikkaku was the only one there, sure, that would make sense, but you’ve got two people there. Yeah, yeah, I know, Squad 11, Zaraki, blah, blah, blah. It still makes little sense to me.

Best girl of the episode: Rukia (25) (by default)

Episode rating: 7/10