Bleach episode 62 review

Aizen shakes off Komamura’s “big attack,” then wants to get something out of Rukia’s body, saying that it’s the whole purpose for everything. And when he gets the chance, he finds that she doesn’t have. So he goes to kill her. He hands her off to Gin, who goes full force at Rukia, but is stopped… by big bro! Byakuya steps in for his little sister and saves her. It’s a touching moment, that Byakuya sacrifices himself for his sister. It provides the final super-awesome moment of the Soul Society arc.

Everyone then goes and attacks Aizen and Gin, but Aizen shakes them all off. He then decides to go into the world of Hollows, and those two along with Tosen head on up. As he’s on his way up, Komamura asks Tosen if this is justice. No, Kaname Tosen says, he wants to follow the path of least bloodshed. Which is absurd and ridiculous and nonsensical and… oh, Tosen, you should have stayed a hero. I’d much rather you be fighting those fights in TYBW then those replacement captains.

We’re at the closing ceremonies. Tomorrow, the flame will go out on the Soul Society arc. And Bleach will never be the same. But for now…

Best girl of the episode: Yoruichi (3)

Episode rating: 10/10

Bleach episode 61 review

Ah, yes. The famous moment. Renji and Ichigo have teamed up to give one final thrust at Aizen, with Hazel Fernandez’s “Number One” playing at full blast – and then Aizen stops Ichigo with his finger. It’s an iconic moment in Bleach, maybe the second-best behind only what happened yesterday. To put it simply, this is all-out awesome.

Then Aizen begins his explanation of how everything was an elaborate plan by him, starting from the very very start of the show. He also blames Kisuke Urahara for all the world’s problems. Seriously, what did Mr. Hat & Clogs ever do to you? Oh, I bet he did do something… anyway, Aizen filibusters a bit, but I’ll forgive it because it isn’t just info dumping – it’s making everything make sense. Now we know why who was where when they were.

Komamura shows up at the very end of the episode, giving everyone some false hope. Buckle up, people. We’ve got another 300+ episodes to go, and Aizen’s the villain in a good many of them.

Best girl of the episode: Isane Kotetsu (she had her most extensive action in this episode)

Episode rating: 10/10

Bleach episode 60 review

Oh yes, we’ve reached the point, the high point, the climax, the top of the mountain for Bleach. It doesn’t get any better than this. Momo follows Toshiro and Rangiku into Central 46, where the former two have just found everyone dead. Izuru Kira draws their attention and gets them out of there, while Momo goes in alone. That’s when Aizen appears, and Momo is beyond overjoyed. She puts all her trust in Aizen, and then…

BOOM!

That’s right, Aizen stabs her. It is the pinnacle of this series. When I saw this for the first time, I was blown away. What an awesome heel turn moment. Everything from the entire arc suddenly gets put into a new perspective when this happens. And before you can catch your breath, Toshiro finds out. He goes and attacks Aizen, and Aizen easily defeats him. Then Unohana and Isane show up.

Unohana seems to be the smartest person in the room, yet even she is deceived by Aizen’s illusions. One man isn’t – that’s Kaname Tosen. For reasons not yet divulged, he is on Aizen’s side as well, as he stops Renji and Rukia from getting away. Aizen disappears and leaves, then reappears on Sokyoku Hill, where he plans on doing something dastardly. Poor Unohana… the most screen time she’ll ever get will be when she decides to sacrifice herself for Kenpachi Zaraki’s benefit.

This was an amazing episode, and no one can tell me otherwise.

Best girl of the episode: Unohana

Episode rating: 10/10

Bleach episode 59 review

It’s the finale of Ichigo vs. Byakuya II! And this time, Ichigo’s going Hollow on Byakuya. This is going to become problematic for him later, but for now, he’s able to fight off his Hollow self and go at Byakuya. Then, the two of them use one final thrust at each other. Ichigo is injured, but Byakuya goes down! Ichigo wins!

Byakuya now tells Ichigo that the reason he wanted Rukia dead was because she broke the law, and all he ever cared about was the law. But while Byakuya agrees that he’s not going to go after Rukia anymore, for him to admit he’s wrong… that’s for another day.

Orihime and pals (including Yachiru) meet up with Ichigo, and we get a nice, warm IchiHime moment. Seriously, this moment right here should have sealed IchiHime in everybody’s minds. No idea how people were in denial of the OTP after this.

And Rangiku and Toshiro are charging head-on into Central 46. This could be a problem. Yeah, I have the feeling something really bad is about to happen…

Best girl of the episode: Orihime (12)

Episode rating: 10/10