Bleach episode 21 review

This episode includes two mentions of one-on-one battles and one big “WHAT?” In other words, it was a very Bleachy episode of Bleach.

Ichigo & pals make it through the gate to the Soul Society, then face a giant wall and a giant opponent. This guy’s a complete idiot, and he loses to Ichigo easily. So, Ichigo & pals are allowed in, but guess who shows up just in time? Gin Ichimaru, my least favorite original Captain.

There were a ton of little jokes and one-liners in this episode that I really enjoyed. Maybe the battle hasn’t begun yet, but these characters are keeping it lighthearted. And Yoruichi is still a cat, and totally different in personality than her human form. But she’s still a he for now, which means the Best Girl is totally obvious.

Best girl of the episode: Orihime (7)

Episode rating: 7/10

Bleach episode 20 review

So, Byakuya gives the sentence for Rukia’s killing, showing no mercy. There’s a funny scene with Gin and Kenpachi that helps liven things up a bit, but otherwise it’s just training time for Ichigo. Finally, at the end, we see Ichigo & pals ready to go through the gate to the Soul Society.

If this sounds boring to you, what do you think it was to me? All setup in this episode. It has to happen from time to time, but that doesn’t mean I have to enjoy it.

Best girl of the episode: Orihime (6)

Episode rating: 5/10

Bleach episode 19 review

Byakuya not only refuses to release his sister, he proudly boasts that this will be the final time he speaks to her, and says the next time he will see her is her execution. Some brother that is. Rukia goes into damsel in distress mode and gives up on life. This is probably the point in the series that I pivoted from Rukia to Orihime.

We see Orihime and Chad training with cat-form Yoruichi, and I’m saddened by the fact that Orihime’s always hanging around Chad and not her OTP. There’s a reason for it today, though. Ichigo is in training himself, and after a long struggle, Ichigo meets his zanpakuto (no name given yet) and finally becomes both a Soul Reaper and a Hollow of sorts, as you can see by his mask.

Not much to write home about in this episode. I hate training arcs.

Best girl of the episode: Orihime (5)

Episode rating: 6/10

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