Bleach episode 18 review

Oh, Rukia. Your cheekiness in prison won me over during this training episode. At first, it looked like we were on our way to a swimsuit episode, with Keigo wanting to go to the beach. But instead, Ichigo goes off to train with Mr. Hat & Clogs, Orihime and Chad go off to train with cat-form Yoruichi, and the Quincy Uryu goes camping by himself.

So, just training, right? Nope, there’s a scene that makes it all worthwhile. We have never seen inside the Soul Society yet in Bleach history. This is our first look at it. Rukia is imprisoned, and Renji goes to check on her. You can cut the romantic tension between the two with a zanpakuto. Rukia has the upper hand on Renji even though she’s locked away. It’s fantastic stuff, watching the two of them go at it like this.

But we learn that Byakuya hates Rukia, and that Hanataro Yamada is useless. Both of those facts are going to come into play, once Ichigo’s finished fighting Ururu or whatever nonsense Urahara has him going on right now.

Best girl of the episode: Rukia (9) I wanted to give it to Orihime, but Rukia’s scene just stole the show.

Episode rating: 8/10

Bleach episode 17 review

Ichigo recovers from his wounds from Renji’s attack, then goes after Renji, only to have Byakuya flash-step him and destroy his zanpakuto. Then Rukia realizes that we need a damsel in distress, so she pretty much gives up on life and decides that she will go face her fate in the Soul Society. Byakuya and Renji take her away, and Rukia will soon be on death row.

Tessai and Mr. Hat & Clogs save Ichigo, though, and Kisuke tells Ichigo that it’ll take a month for Rukia to be executed. So, train for ten days, take seven days to get into the Soul Society, and then they’ll have about two weeks to save Rukia. Time is of the essence!

Not a terribly exciting episode, actually. The one part where Ichigo strikes back is quickly taken away by Byakuya’s ease in defeating him. Which I’m totally okay with, don’t get me wrong. Ichigo should look weak at this time. But this battle just isn’t nearly as entertaining as the ones will be in which Ichigo does have power.

Best girl of the episode: Rukia (8), though I wasn’t impressed with her, she was just the only option

Episode rating: 7/10

Bleach episode 16 review

RenRuki? Really? Yes, it’s here, even in this episode.

We see Renji and Rukia talk to each other for the very first time, and obviously it’s not so kind. But it’s clear from the start that Renji won’t do much damage to Rukia. Oh, sure, he gives her a couple cuts, but he holds back to make sure he doesn’t really hurt her. The time will come, Renji, when that girl you’re fighting will start popping out your offspring!

Rukia tried to do whatever she could to stop Ichigo from getting involved. Mission accomplished, if you’re President and standing on a Navy aircraft carrier. Not only does Ichigo get involved, but so does the Quincy Uryu. And now we’re in big trouble, because Renji has taken down Rukia, Uryu, and Ichigo with little resistance. Meanwhile, Byakuya stands and watches. He’s like Saul watching the Pharisees stone Stephen to death. And he even has a coat.

This was the perfect introduction to Renji, and an even more perfect introduction to actual battles in this show. Now we finally have stakes. Ichigo, Rukia, and Uryu’s lives are all officially on the line. These battles are going to get bigger and better. Byakuya even mentioned “Hueco Mundo,” which I didn’t realize existed as a concept at this point in the story. Oh, boy, are we in for some fun. Get your seatbelt on, because this is the start of something wonderful.

Best girl of the episode: Rukia (7)

Episode rating: 9/10

Bleach episode 15 review

Wow. So much going on here. First, you’ve got Kon running away and then getting stepped on by Ichigo’s classmates; you’ve got Orihime imagining a love heptagon amongst Ichigo and herself, Rukia, Tatsuki, and three others; you’ve got Rukia preparing for something ominous; you’ve got an ongoing rivalry between Ichigo and Uryu; you’ve got Renji Abarai showing up in the last ten seconds of the episode, One Piece style; and finally, you’ve got a talking black cat who is being fed milk by Mr. Hat & Clogs.

Not sure which of these various plotlines should be talked about the most, but I’m going to go with the cat. Knowing what we know now about Yoruichi, it is amusing to see her in her cat form, and Kisuke interacting with her in such a way that the viewer is led to believe that she is just a talking male cat. If you’re going to spring a surprise, you’ve got to lay down the groundwork a long time in advance. Which is why the Soul Society arc is such a success, of course, but we’ll get to that when we do.

Also, a ton of groundwork for IchiHime was laid down for this episode. We’ve got it official on Orihime’s side only 15 episodes in, while Rukia denies that she likes Ichigo. In most anime, that would be enough to signal that Rukia would end up with Ichigo. Not Bleach! Ichigo and Rukia never get romantic even once, so I remain firmly staunch anti-IchiRuki. I don’t even want to think about what I would do if IchiRuki was somehow made canon. I’m IchiHime for life.

Overall, there was something for everyone in this episode. Not sure you could walk away without feeling like a whole lot of stuff was crammed into 23 minutes. Oh, and don’t forget: Kon introduces Renji in the final five seconds of the post-credits scene.

Best girl of the episode: Orihime (4)

Episode rating: 9/10