Bleach episode 266 review

We get back into the swing of things by a quick flashback. Then we get Old Man Yamamoto slicing and dicing his opponent. The other Soul Reapers are surprised by his willingness to get into the battle; Omaeda gives us a trademark “WHAT” when he feels his spiritual pressure. Soi Fon kicks him, which was almost enough to get her the best girl award.

But that goes to Orihime, who stared down Ulquiorra and outwitted him. Orihime completely makes Ulquiorra look like an idiot, no matter how much more powerful he is than her. She doesn’t take any crap from him. Instead, Ulquiorra looks stupid. And this is why UlquiHime will never happen and shouldn’t have ever even been thought of.

Then again, I now ship Ikkaku with Nanao because they spent one episode together. Ikkaku x Nanao forever!

Best girl of the episode: Orihime (40)

Episode rating: 7/10

Bleach episode 265 review

It’s the final episode of the Zanpakuto arc, and they’ll never appear again. Rangiku gets drunk alongside Haineko, when the big boss of the Sword Beasts arrives. Now the Zanpakuto need to go back into their swords in order to allow the Soul Reapers the opportunity to defeat the enemy, so they do, conveniently exiting the show just in time for the filler arc to end. With all their powers combined, the Soul Reapers defeat the big boss and end this arc for good.

What did I think about this arc? Well, it certainly wasn’t as bad as I remember it being. It wasn’t great, either, but there’s really nothing to complain about here. It did its job – it filled in the gap. Was it as good as either of the two previous filler arcs? No, but it didn’t have to be. It just had to find a way to entertain, even if mildly. And I was entertained. So, good job, Zanpakuto arc, you succeeded. Now it’s time for the real stuff to begin.

Best girl of the episode: Rangiku (34)

Episode rating: 6/10

Bleach episode 264 review

Nanao finally gets an episode of her own! Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most snail-paced, boring episodes in some time. Basically, she’s forced to babysit one of Shunsui’s Zanpakutos. That Zanpakuto doesn’t talk or show any emotion, as her face is covered up by a mask. It feels like a story of a person trying to help out a physically impaired person, which is admirable, except it isn’t actually clear if said character actually is physically impaired, or just really shy.

Anyway, Nanao connects with her through flowers, before an attack by a Sword Beast forces Shunsui to get involved and SAVE them. And all’s well that ends well; Shunsui gets drunk and the Zanpakuto fixes Nanao’s hair with a flower. It’s a touching scene. But the episode on the whole was quite boring.

Best girl of the episode: Nanao (6)

Episode rating: 5/10

Bleach episode 263 review

The two members of Zabimaru – Snake and Monkey – get involved in shenanigans with Senbonzakura, and hilarity ensues. Well, not quite hilarity. It’s honestly more annoying than it is funny. The three of them just keep causing more and more trouble, and while it’s a funny concept, it just didn’t work well for me. Not a bad episode, but didn’t hit my funnybone.

Although I can’t deny it’s funny to see Mayuri’s reaction once he realizes his entire lab has been destroyed. And it begs the bigger question: how does he get the thing rebuilt? Who knows.

Best girl of the episode: Monkey (one half of Zabimaru)

Episode rating: 5/10