Bleach episode 308 review

We get a sad flashback about Gin, which means only one thing: he’s about to die. We see some of his interactions with both Aizen and Rangiku, which I thought didn’t really add much to the story. Then we get Aizen powering up, although not really screaming his way to it. That’s when Ichigo shows up.

Ichigo names his friends one by one, but he says the one guy’s name too fast, and I didn’t get the license plate number on that truck. Oh, well, he can remain nameless. For now, Ichigo fights Aizen, while Gin is in a bad spot. And that’s where this episode ends.

I wasn’t too keen on this episode, even though it is the start of an epic fight, or at least I think it is. The sad flashback really slowed things down, and I think we’re about to get even more of a slowdown tomorrow.

Best girl of the episode: Rangiku (38)

Episode rating: 6/10

Bleach episode 307 review

Lots of characters give out big WHATs, but rarely is Aizen one to say it. I think he has once or twice, but they weren’t really big WHATs. This one was a big WHAT. He gets betrayed by Gin, who stabs him, then reveals that he’s placed a part of his sword in Aizen’s heart. Aizen, for some reason, goes off with a WHAT. “WHAAAAAATTTTT?” he says.

Meanwhile, all he did was allow Aizen to transform, because this wasn’t even Aizen’s final form. And now, what do you think’s gonna happen? Is Aizen going to go easy on Gin, like he went easy on Tatsuki, Keigo, Chizuru, Don Kanonji, and the other boy who played the biggest role but I can’t remember his name? What about Rangiku? She didn’t do enough to earn the “best girl” title today. Gin’s gonna die, and it’s probably going to be next episode. (I never saw these episodes, as I had lost access to cable for the weeks these premiered.)

Best girl of the episode: Tatsuki (8) (back in a tie for eighth with Nanao)

Episode rating: 7/10

Bleach episode 306 review

Don Kanonji shows up. I’m not even kidding you, Don Kanonji shows up. Against *Aizen* of all people. And Aizen shows great mercy in not killing him, but rather takes his time before Kanonji finally figures out that this ain’t no game. Then Rangiku shows up to fight Gin, and she *convinces* Kanonji to take off running with Tatsuki, because she is going to beat him up if Aizen doesn’t kill him first.

Ichigo also fights Hollow Ichigo, but no one really cares about that right now. Instead, the focus is all on Rangiku vs. Gin, and how that’s going to shake out. Honestly, Rangiku should be like Mr. McMahon and stand “no chance in hell” against Gin. In fact, Gin should come out strutting like Mr. McMahon with that song blaring. What a bizarre episode.

Best girl of the episode: Rangiku (37) (does she have enough in the tank to catch Orihime for 2nd?)

Episode rating: 7/10

Bleach episode 305 review

If you’re all alone, pick up the phone, and call… Ghost Writers!

In this (filler) episode, Shuhei (otherwise known as 69 Guy) gets chosen to go on a mission with Rangiku. Not explored before today was the idea that Shuhei has a crush on Rangiku. So, that makes this a little surprising, that we’re having a whole episode about Shuhei wanting Rangiku’s attention… while never having established this idea in the history of Bleach up to this point. If I sound repetitive, that’s because I am, on purpose: this whole episode felt out of the blue.

And worse, there are some jokes that never get fulfilled. Shuhei hears Rangiku talking in the hot tub about how she wants him to relax and come in with her, or at least that’s what he thinks he hears. But we never find out if she was really saying those things to him or not. All we get is a quick Hollow battle that eases the tension and finishes the story prematurely.

I wanted to like this episode, but ultimately it falls short because it only tells half a story. We get that Shuhei has a crush on Rangiku; we never get a sign that Rangiku either rejects him or actually likes him. Instead, we just run out of time in the episode. And there’s no sequel to this episode; next episode is back to canon. So, we have a huge opportunity missed, as if the writers came up with a 2-episode arc and just stopped it after the first half. Oh well, at least now I think I ship Shuhei x Rangiku!

Best girl of the episode: Rangiku (36) (could it be anyone else?)

Episode rating: 6/10