Bleach episode 257 review

More music, more music, more music, more music…

A new enemy has appeared, called “Sword Beasts.” Rukia spends all day talking with her Zanpakuto, and not really doing all that much. Rangiku shows up to Urahara Shop with Haineko, then joins Orihime as they go after the enemy. A new building is being built, one that eerily resembles the U.S. Steel Tower in my hometown, all the way down to the shape of the building, and the red lights on top of it. In any case, there’s a Sword Beast up on the scaffolding, and when Rangiku proves too useless to defeat it, Ichigo shows up to fight it.

Overall, a good episode with some antics between Nanao and Mayuri (!) which further shows the dysfunction within the Seireitei which explains why they are so keen to betrayals. It’s enough for me to hand the “best girl” title to Nanao, even though Rangiku got more screen time.

Best girl of the episode: Nanao (4) (moving into a tie with Nemu and Mizuho for 12th place)

Episode rating: 7/10

Bleach episode 256 review

When it’s time to party we will party hard. And party Rangiku does, alongside Haineko. That’s right, the Zanpakuto, who were supposed to disappear at the end of the last episode, have manifested themselves once again. So, they party with their Soul Reapers under the supervision of Rukia’s Zanpakuto.

And then a couple of crazy guys step in and attack Rukia and her Zanpakuto. They’re apparently Zanpakuto themselves; as expected, Rukia defeats them and sends them off to be researched by Mayuri, which is a fate worse than death. Now Ukitake and Shunsui warn Rukia that more may be on the way, so not only does Rukia have to stay on her toes, but the Zanpakuto arc remains alive and well and living in L.A.

Best girl of the episode: Rukia (51) (I think she’s got the year-end title wrapped up; she’s up 12 on Orihime!)

Episode rating: 6/10

Bleach episode 255 review

This episode pretty much is just, Ichigo fights Muramasa, Zangetsu talks to Ichigo, Ichigo beats Muramasa, all the Zanpakuto go away. And that’s it. It’s very straightforward. Not really much to say about it. It’s a big letdown after all it took to get to this point, and it looks like we won’t even get a wrap-up episode. Just the Zanpakuto disappear, and boom! That’s it.

Rangiku gets credit for “best girl,” but truthfully this episode was 99% Ichigo, so this one should only count as half a win for her.

Best girl of the episode: Rangiku (33)

Episode rating: 5/10

Bleach episode 254 review

One of the great things about Soi Fon is that she’s almost always in a miserable mood. Only when she’s around Yoruichi does she show her softer side. In this episode, Soi Fon is as miserable as ever, and Ichigo’s going to pay for it. You see, Muramasa captured Ichigo in a giant… thing, and Soi Fon just wants to destroy it, even though doing so would kill Ichigo and likely wipe out most of Karakura Town. When told of this by Uryu and Rukia, she gives this three-word answer: “I. Don’t. Care.” It’s peak Soi Fon. Eventually Toshiro convinces her to not take such drastic action.

Later in the episode, everyone lends their spiritual pressure to Byakuya so he can power up the Spirit Bomb. No, seriously, that’s what they did. Byakuya uses it to defeat an enemy, but Ichigo is still trapped inside the big circular thing that Soi Fon wanted to destroy. Rukia makes it clear that only Ichigo can save himself now. Oh boy.

Best girl of the episode: Soi Fon (21)

Episode rating: 7/10