Bleach episode 40 review

Kenpachi Zaraki reveals that Ichigo actually WON the battle, despite what it looked like last episode. Then we get a flashback as to how he and Yachiru Kusajishi got their first and last names. Very cool stuff. Yachiru continues to be awesome, and Kenpachi Zaraki wants a rematch with Ichigo, who is going to live thanks to cat-form Yoruichi showing up just in time.

Meanwhile, Ganju and Hanataro make their way to Rukia, with Ganju using Hanataro as a grappling hook in quite the amusing scene. Then, once they get to her cell, Ganju sees her and says that she’s the one who killed his brother. So, not only does Ganju get to Rukia first (who knows what the Quincy Uryu is up to), but he doesn’t even want to save her now. Great. And amidst all that, here comes big bro Byakuya, who isn’t much of a brother to Rukia… yet.

Awesome episode with not a complaint in sight.

Best girl of the episode: Yachiru (6)

Episode rating: 9/10

Bleach episode 39 review

This might have been the best episode yet, if it hadn’t been for the time spent in Zangetsu World. Seriously, I hate the episodes that are wasted in Zangetsu World. It’s not very entertaining TV.

But the rest of the episode was fantastic. Kenpachi goes all out, removing his eye patch. And Ichigo goes all out, buoyed on by Zangetsu World. Okay, so maybe it wasn’t all a waste after all.

At the end of the fight, Ichigo goes down. The payoff doesn’t come until next episode, though. Just an awesome display of shounen one-on-one battling that makes even the most cynical part of me… happy.

Happy peoples in the house!

Best girl of the episode: Yachiru (5) (literally the only female to appear in this episode)

Episode rating: 9/10

Bleach episode 38 review

Captain Shunsui Kyoraku has defeated Chad, and now his spiritual pressure is gone. But wait! Sweet Nanao notices that he’s not actually dead. Shunsui decides not to kill him, and instead do what they do to everybody else – put him in jail. Talk about overcrowding prisons.

Meanwhile, Kenpachi and Ichigo keep going at it, with Ichigo starting to win a little bit, before Zaraki splits his zanpakuto in two. Now Ichigo is lying on the ground, losing 90% of the blood in his body. I remember this being a very poignant point when watching Bleach for the first time back in 2007. Back then, I actually thought people could die in Bleach, or in anime altogether. I miss those days.

Captain Unohana lays Aizen to rest with Captain Komamura and Kaname Tosen in haul. Tosen walks off mumbling something which I’m sure has something to do with his “path of least bloodshed.” Yeah, okay, Tosen, you do that.

I actually forget what happens next, so this next episode ought to be a good one!

Best girl of the episode: Nanao (2) (I see you, Nanao!)

Episode rating: 8/10

Bleach episode 37 review

In one of the most bizarre yet hilarious scenes we’ve seen so far, Squad 8 Captain Shunsui Kyoraku appears to Chad with a bunch of flower pedals flying by. What an entrance! But, as it turns out, those were only flower pedals being released by his Lieutenant Nanao Ise, who then goes and dumps them on his head. Nanao, you have become sneaky good in your little time on screen.

Most of the episode is just a flashback about Chad and Ichigo. Typical shounen fare. But what’s awesome is that, after the flashback, Chad has all this motivation and energy, and he charges at Shunsui – and gets stopped easily. Not as cool as the moment that we all know is coming near the end of this arc, but still pretty humorous.

Despite the flashback, this episode wasn’t bad at all.

Best girl of the episode: Nanao Ise (I hope this isn’t your last, you need more screen time)

Episode rating: 8/10