Bleach episode 4 review

We are introduced to Chad in this episode, which begs the question, what the hell happened with him? He became a nobody once we got past episode 100 or so. We are also introduced to the juice box. Rukia can’t open it no matter how hard she tries. There’s a certain charm with Rukia that makes her so lovable. Can’t wait for her to get together with Renji 400 episodes from now and start popping out some Soul Reaper babies.

Karin and Isshin also play roles in this episode, where people have to go to the hospital, in the middle of a Hollow attack. Rukia tries taking it on by herself and fails, because she doesn’t have her Soul Reaper powers anymore. Meanwhile, Ichigo runs down the street with Karin in his arms. This can’t end well. (But it does.)

Best girl of the episode: Rukia (2)

Episode rating: 8/10

Bleach episode 3 review

So, a Hollow is after Orihime. Tatsuki takes some collateral damage in the process; Tatsuki also may be up for the award of “best character who never did anything” in anime history. The Hollow turns out to be Orihime’s dead brother. But there is Ichigo, saving Orihime, for the first (but not nearly the last) time. IchiHime has begun!

The funniest part of this episode comes after the whole battle is over. Rukia pulls out something that looks like a Pez dispenser (“Ha ha, the Pez dispenser!”) and uses it as a “memory replacer.” Now there’s something I totally forgot about. File that away under “one of those things that happens early on and quietly disappears from the plot.”

Best girl of the episode: Orihime (2), though I thought about giving it to both Tatsuki and Rukia

Episode rating: 7/10

Bleach episode 2 review

Orihime has entered the chat.

This first encounter between Ichigo and Orihime really sets the table for what will become the greatest couple in the history of anime (or maybe second behind Miroku & Sango). Ichigo really doesn’t know much about Orihime, and Orihime doesn’t seem that interested in him. Yet when they leave, Ichigo is out to protect Orihime, and Orihime is blushing when talking about him with Tatsuki.

The fact that people try to find faults with Orihime is simply ridiculous. She’s of course not a perfect character, not a Mary Sue like Rey from the franchise formerly known as Star Wars. She has her flaws. But one thing she has that’s good: an optimistic spirit that will carry her for the next how many episodes…

…364 of them left to go.

Best girl of the episode: Orihime Inoue

Episode rating: 9/10

Bleach episode 1 review

So, it’s the year of Bleach! Welcome in as I attempt to review 366 episodes of Bleach in 366 days. Yes, that includes one day of 2026 (crazy to think about).

Ichigo beats up some punks for trampling on the memory of a recently departed soul. That’s all well and good, until the next day when there’s a big attack, and his sisters get dragged into it. With Karin and Yuzu in danger, Ichigo goes to help, while meeting something called a “Soul Reaper” named “Rukia Kuchiki.” Rukia inadvertently gives him all her powers, and Ichigo goes on to attack the thing called a “Hollow.”

Obviously all this stuff is basic stuff, so I’m not going to dwell too much on the plot. What I will say, though, is that Rukia is such a great character from the very first scene she appears. Sure, she doesn’t deserve Ichigo’s love; only Orihime deserves that. But she’s a fantastic character and she only gets better from here. Kudos to Tite Kubo for giving us a good one.

Best girl of the episode: Rukia Kuchiki

Episode rating: 9/10