Bleach episode 102 review

Yoshi (the green-haired Bount) and the Quincy Uryu go at it in an all-out battle, and it appears that Yoshi has the better of it. Meanwhile, Kariya defeats poor Nemu, who has gone through enough hell in her life and doesn’t need any more. Nevertheless, he does so, and then Ichigo shows up, too late. Because while Ichigo is flailing away with his Bankai (and with Chad being useless as ever), Kariya finds “The Crest” which is so important.

Then he starts talking in German. Did you know that any time a character speaks German, they instantly become evil? It’s true. Ragyo Kiryuin had a German song. Fuhrer King Bradley of FMA had a German title to his name. Asuka spoke German, but only early on when we weren’t sure if she was on our side or not. Bernhard Langer? Well, there’s a guy who speaks German and isn’t evil in the least bit. He’s one of the classiest guys to ever play the game. So, maybe not, I guess.

Anyway, Kariya gives the Soul Society 1 day to have enough time to figure out a way to defeat him. Why? Because he wants to lose, of course. But hey, let’s oblige him. Ichigo, go off on one of those training things that Goku and Gohan do where they train for a year in the matter of a day. That ought to be enough to take down Kariya, and end this arc.

Best girl of the episode: Nemu (3)

Episode rating: 7/10

Bleach episode 101 review

It’s Mayuri vs. Old Man Bount in this battle. And I don’t know who I’m cheering for! I hate Mayuri’s guts, but how could I cheer on the Bounts when I just celebrated Soi Fon beating one of them? The battle actually isn’t all that good. It’s basically Mayuri taking hit after hit after hit and then winning in the end. That’s a boring combination.

Thankfully, Rangiku appears in a brief scene, which saves us from the embarrassment of having no “best girl” for this episode. But I was bored to tears by this episode, because it never felt like Mayuri was in any danger. We know he can grow back arms and legs, so nothing bad happening to him even matters. An overrated episode.

Best girl of the episode: Rangiku (10)

Episode rating: 5/10

Bleach episode 100 review

If you’ve followed me since the days of my previous blog, you’d know that Soi Fon is my favorite Bleach character. If you haven’t, well, now you know. I love everything about her – everything! Her voice, her attitude, her look, her hair, her zanpakuto, her attacks, her backstory – everything about her is my favorite in Bleach. So, when we get pretty much an entire episode devoted to her, I’m really pumped up.

And this was a fantastic episode. Mabashi (I think that’s his name) uses these little butterfly things to take control of victims, those being the people working under Soi Fon. One of them threw a poison dart at Soi Fon, poisoning her. And now Mabashi takes her head-on. Soi Fon is dying of the poison, but she gets in a first attack from her Suzumebachi, which means a second attack at the same spot will kill Mabashi.

One problem: she’s poisoned and keeled over. So, she stings herself with Suzumebachi, a brilliant move because while that hurts her, it also immunizes herself from the poison. Cue the vaccine jokes here; whether you’re a vaxxer or an anti-vaxxer, you’re free to make your own jokes at this point. Now that you got in that joke, Soi Fon goes and stabs Mabashi the second time, and this time his own butterflies are honing in on him, and he evaporates.

Man, I love that woman. I’m going to have to do a “Best Girl Bracket” next year, and she’s going to go very far in it. Of course, I have pledged my fealty to Queen Erina Nakiri. So maybe there’s no need for a bracket, unless Soi Fon somehow gets her own arc in TYBW.

Best girl of the episode: Soi Fon (7) (What? Were you expecting someone else?)

Episode rating: 9/10

Bleach episode 99 review

In the least surprising development ever, Kariya uses the Kusajishi crew to open up the gate for him, then he throws them away and calls them pawns. Great, Kariya, but did you know what pawns turn into? Queens.

And here’s our queen, Soi Fon, “sadi rani.” She is furious as ever, trying to keep the ryoka out of the Seireitei. Meanwhile, at the Captains’ meeting, Mayuri lays into Toshiro, then Shunsui lays into Mayuri. Good, the Captains are turning on each other again. This couldn’t possibly go wrong.

While Ichigo, Chad, and Renji are running aimlessly through the Seireitei, guided by their modsouls, Soi Fon gathers her punishment force together, and suddenly is hit by a poison dart. You can’t do this to my Captain, my Bleach queen. Fortunately, I know that Soi Fon is clothed in plot armor, since she’s a woman and Tite Kubo hates killing off female characters. Oh, and this is filler anyway.

Best girl of the episode: Soi Fon (6)

Episode rating: 7/10