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.
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.
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.
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
Tommy A. Phillips 