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Bleach 255: Kinder, gentler Zanpakuto hand

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

anime

Bleach 254: I don’t care

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

anime

Bleach 253: Sleep-inducing

Bleach episode 253 review

So now Muramasa has become an Arrancar? Meanwhile, Byakuya has defeated Koga, but Muramasa has gone mad, and not even Orihime trying to use the power of love and friendship can stop him. More importantly, this episode absolutely put me to sleep. And that might be the sharpest indictment of the episode possible.

I don’t know where this is going, probably because I checked out of this arc by this point the first time around. It’s getting more ridiculous by the moment, though. And any positive momentum from the last episode has gone by the wayside thanks to this embarrassment.

Best girl of the episode: Orihime (39)

Episode rating: 3/10

anime

Bleach 252: Byakuya’s ruse

Bleach episode 252 review

So Byakuya was faking being a bad guy all along! In this episode we find out that he was just joshing the whole time about being on Muramasa’s side, as was his Zanpakuto. “Jk lol guys, I can’t believe you fell for that!” And of course Muramasa stays loyal to Koga, who just tried to kill him. Which means we have two enemies: Muramasa and Koga.

Ichigo and Rukia team up for a 2-on-1 battle with Muramasa which I find quite refreshing. However, Byakuya is up against Koga in a 1-on-1 battle™. They go back and forth a bit before this episode comes to a close. All in all, a pretty good battle.

A step in the right direction in this episode for certain.

Best girl of the episode: Rukia (50)

Episode rating: 7/10