Bleach episode 340 review

At one point, one of the fake Soul Reapers calls the real Soul Reapers out on the carpet: “You’re acting totally out of character!” Was this an intentional or unintentional breaking of the fourth wall? The episode played it off like it was meant as a serious statement. And it wasn’t in the “Illustrated Guide to Soul Reapers” segment that is done for laughs. My guess is that it was an unintentional breaking of the fourth wall, making it actually quite funny.

The rest of the episode is immaterial; Ichigo faces down Kageroza with a little help from his friends, literally – Kon ends the episode by again saying “the power of friendship,” which apparently wasn’t just a throwaway line but rather the entire message of the filler arc. My understanding of friendship, though, is that you don’t kick your friend in the face like everyone does to Kon.

Also, there’s a part in the episode where the Soul Reapers admit that Kageroza’s goal is to split them up, a.k.a. one-on-one battles. I joke about it so much, but it’s true: Bleach has an utter obsession with one-on-one battles. And likely these battles are going to be the Soul Reapers facing down themselves. An unenviable position, for sure.

Best girl of the episode: Rukia (64)

Rukia’s real magic #: 9

Episode rating: 6/10

Bleach episode 339 review

I can’t get over it. This episode is memorable for one reason: Retsu Unohana’s maniacal cackle. I guess she really was the first Kenpachi. Super bloodthirsty, crazy, power-drunk… yes, this is the Unohana we all deserve. Who cares that it wasn’t the *real* Unohana? If the fake one is even half as good as the real one, then she’s good enough for me.

Also, Kageroza gains tons of power and now is almost unbeatable. He defeats all of Ichigo’s pals, so Hollow Ichigo has to step in. No surprise there. The Captains continue to fight each other, to varying levels of entertainment. At one point Shunsui and Ukitake talk it out and basically admit that they are contractually required to have one-on-one battles. I mean that almost literally.

Hey, I was entertained by this episode. Positive steps.

Best girl of the episode: Unohana (7) (even if it was the *fake* Unohana; she moves into sole possession of ninth place)

Rukia’s real magic #: 11

Episode rating: 6/10

Bleach episode 338 review

Pretty much wash, rinse, and repeat from the last five to ten episodes. Captains fight themselves. Kon goes on trying to be the hero. (They’re pushing him so hard to be the hero even when it makes zero sense.) Kisuke fights himself too, that’s the big twist from this episode. And Ichigo goes full Hollow and loses control.

Unfortunately, there’s not much new about this episode that we haven’t seen recently. It just feels like the same old stuff. People need to start dying in order to make this thing interesting. Maybe start with Hiyori?

Best girl of the episode: Nozomi (5)

Rukia’s real magic #: 12

Episode rating: 5/10

Bleach episode 337 review

Weird when the same phrase comes up in two different anime I’m watching at the same time. First I heard it in Blue Exorcist, then I hear it here in Bleach. But whatevs. Yoruichi shows up with all the real Captains and announces that Kukaku got them all back to health so that they can fight the fake Soul Reapers. We’re back to people fighting themselves again, and other odd matchups like Soi Fon + Yoruichi vs. Unohana.

Then Kisuke and Kon run off to do some stuff in the research and development headquarters. It’s all very boring and a waste of time, but at least now Kon has a purpose. He’s got to run off and do… something, while Kisuke has to face opponents – possibly including himself? That’s on the table.

A better episode than the ones recently, though still not all that great.

Best girl of the episode: Yoruichi (20) (all alone in 5th place)

Rukia’s real magic #: 13

Episode rating: 6/10