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Bleach Did it AGAIN |
You Can't Keep Getting Away With It: Bleach Episode Review
Well, Bleach did it again. I guess the first part of the Thousand-Year Blood War was not a fluke, as Studio PAU continues to knock it out of the park. This time, we get another 13 episodes of practically nothing but fight scenes, with a ton of abilities we've never seen before and even some that weren't in the manga.
Plot Summary
Our boy Greg is up to his usual antics, but this time he has recruited Sasuke, formerly of the Hidden Leaf, to become a successor. Instead of just invading normally, he reveals he's got a goddamn shadow city he's been hiding in the shadows. From this point on, we get like 23 and a half fight scenes that are just as good if not better than part one.
Episode 1: The Setup
The first episode is probably the only time where we get a chance to breathe and kind of assess all the stuff that's taking place. As I mentioned, Greg is planning his next attack on the Soul Society and names Ishida as his successor. Everyone's pissed. This dude gets cut in half from the power of cleavage and Ishida drinks blood. All incredibly normal occurrences.
- Ichigo, Renji, Rukia, and Byakuya are finishing the recovery at the Squad Zero barracks.
- Urahara and Yoruichi are doing some obviously sketchy stuff.
- Chad and Inoue are still vibing in Hueco Mundo with what we assume is the goat Grimmjow.
The Fights
I know this whole shadow city thing isn't exactly ideal for the Soul Reapers, but it looks pretty sick. The contrast between the ice-like buildings in the red sky is a perfect backdrop for the darker aesthetic that we've seen this arc. The Quincy's orders were to annihilate the enemy instantly, but the Soul Reapers ain't going down without a fight.
I know this whole shadow city thing isn't exactly ideal for the Soul Reapers, but it looks pretty sick. The contrast between the ice-like buildings in the red sky is a perfect backdrop for the darker aesthetic that we've seen this arc. The Quincy's orders were to annihilate the enemy instantly, but the Soul Reapers ain't going down without a fight.
The Talking Session
Before fighting can actually begin, you have to show up directly in front of your enemy for the mandatory talking session. And no one is better at talking than Mayuri. This dude pops out of the lab with the snuggy as bright as the sun.
Before fighting can actually begin, you have to show up directly in front of your enemy for the mandatory talking session. And no one is better at talking than Mayuri. This dude pops out of the lab with the snuggy as bright as the sun.
First Fight: Toshiro vs. Fingerman
Visually, the fights still look sick, but Toshiro and Soyon got their ass beat. This fight seemed like a transitional fight used to set up the distribution of the hollowed Bankai pills.
Visually, the fights still look sick, but Toshiro and Soyon got their ass beat. This fight seemed like a transitional fight used to set up the distribution of the hollowed Bankai pills.
Shinji's Bankai
Naturally, we transition to someone who we have not seen use Bankai yet. Shinji's Bankai looks dope, but can we just talk about how unnecessarily hard his music is? It's like a clean-ass lo-fi hip hop track with the shakuhachi flute. Bambi blows everything up around her as a means to counter Shinji.
Naturally, we transition to someone who we have not seen use Bankai yet. Shinji's Bankai looks dope, but can we just talk about how unnecessarily hard his music is? It's like a clean-ass lo-fi hip hop track with the shakuhachi flute. Bambi blows everything up around her as a means to counter Shinji.
Sjin's Revenge
This fight hit different from an emotional standpoint. Sjin took the death of Yamamoto especially hard and was going to do whatever it took for revenge. He sacrificed his heart for the jena technique to gain temporary immortality and a means to take revenge. He wanted nothing more than to knock the stupid mustache clean off this guy's face, but even as a vessel with no heart, he still stepped in to save his comrades.
This fight hit different from an emotional standpoint. Sjin took the death of Yamamoto especially hard and was going to do whatever it took for revenge. He sacrificed his heart for the jena technique to gain temporary immortality and a means to take revenge. He wanted nothing more than to knock the stupid mustache clean off this guy's face, but even as a vessel with no heart, he still stepped in to save his comrades.
The CGI Nightmare
Something that made this fight fantastic was the CGI. The scene with the dangai joy was terrifying. The sounds it makes are terrifying. It's pure intimidation. The CGI just gave it this otherworldly presence. It is a power that looks worthy of staking your life on.
Something that made this fight fantastic was the CGI. The scene with the dangai joy was terrifying. The sounds it makes are terrifying. It's pure intimidation. The CGI just gave it this otherworldly presence. It is a power that looks worthy of staking your life on.
Longest Fight So Far
The next fight was by far the longest we've had so far. There's so much stuff that happens in the span of like one and a half episodes.
- Ikaku and Yumichika getting their ass beat.
- Nacho Libre and James, a really cool enemy with annoying dialogue.
- Rose and Kensei springing into action.
The next fight was by far the longest we've had so far. There's so much stuff that happens in the span of like one and a half episodes.
- Ikaku and Yumichika getting their ass beat.
- Nacho Libre and James, a really cool enemy with annoying dialogue.
- Rose and Kensei springing into action.
Renji's Drip
Just when you think the Quincies have won this battle, the boy, the legend, Renji drops in absolutely dripping out. As soon as I saw the fit, I knew...
There was no chance that this dude was losing. Just look at how unconcerned he is, even when the enemy is punching him through buildings. We do not care. The snake had bonai revealed through the smoke, was clean af. Even though I personally do not like snakes, if this man is getting his equivalent of Ichigo's theme during this fight, you know that the enemy is screwed. And again, just so unconcerned, disintegrates this man.
I'm not sure if it's just me, but seeing the zago reminded me a lot of Rengoku's ability in Demon Slayer. I figured everyone who went up to squad zero would be stronger, but this is pretty ridiculous. Seeing how two captains and three other strong squad members were already defeated at this point, Ichigo finishes his training and leaves the royal palace. And we are reaffirmed that Mr. Greg is in fact not a chill dude. Well, I say with a magnificent pair of bananas. Oh great heavens, if you lose as a Quincy, you just get merked and your powers are absorbed.
Then we swap our focus to Rukia, who encounters Oote after transferring Roseen Kensei for medical care. Oote is 100% my favorite Quincy we've interacted with. The dude just emanates creepiness. The voice acting performance is scary. The concept of fear as a weapon is done so well. And it's probably one of the only times I've actually enjoyed when someone explains the basis of their power. Basically, as long as you're alive, fear will always have an effect. Too bad Rukia hits him with the Kyrie Irving, revealing that the true version of her zak though essentially kills her. Rukia has, in fact, become too cold, making her incapable of feeling fear.
Oh, this scene was absolutely fantastic, and the visuals alone are better than 99% of what you see in actual horror animes. Asot has experienced all forms of fear, pain, and suffering in his past life, but now that that suffering is gone, the only thing he fears is being rebuked by his majesty. The amount of tonal changes in his voice, plus the added elements of body horror, make this even more memorable of a fight. The cuts to silence, the wall of eyes, the swarm of flies leading into a truly perilous scream from Rukia. It is fantastic.
Thankfully, Big Bro Byakuya is there to assist and remove any fear that Rukia may have had remaining in her heart. Realizing that Asnot's power is an actual manifestation of his own fear, Rukia is able to use her Bankai for the first time. You know if that outro song starts playing in your fight, it's going to be filth. The shit's like a goddamn ice nuke. And the form she takes is beautiful. Being able to remove that lingering fear and increase her bond with Byakuya while also having one of the biggest power glow-ups and using it against an actual interesting Quincy made this one of the most memorable fights in all of Bleach for me.
Now, if you thought we were going to go through part two without a little bit of Kachi action, you were surely mistaken. Of course, it was cool to see Yiro use her Shikai for what I believe was the first time. But the hype for Kimachi is insane. What this man had to go through, killing Uno Hana to unlock his full potential, we finally get to see it on display. And of course, in typical Kenpachi fashion, he faces the most busted stupid Quincy in existence. The power to make anything you imagine into reality is, in theory, unbeatable. But if anyone was to beat the unbeatable, it would be Kachi.
I don't know if Grmy is just stupid, but his imagination kind of sucks. If I was him, I'd just be like, "Hey, I imagine you're dead," and then poof. Yo, holy shit, he's dead. My first reaction would not be to immediately go and summon the MLG gun green screen. He kept summoning dumb things, and eventually Kachi got him to question his own imagination, which makes him create an even more stupid and busted power, creating a second version of himself and thus doubling the power of his imagination, unlocking the move Death 2 Electric Boal. This move is in the form of a meteor. Now, I was expecting Kachi to remedy this somehow, but the dude literally cuts a meteor in half with only his Shikai and his eye patch still on. That's why he's the goat. It's got to be one of the coolest animation sequences we've seen in Bleach so far. Grammy virt kills himself when trying to imagine that he's stronger than Kachi and then just makes a bunch of excuses.
I am quite curious as to where Yiru went off to. Perhaps she felt that Kachi won't need her anymore because of his newly discovered power. But you can tell immediately how worried he appears, especially given how injured he is. Seems only natural after cutting a meteor in half and being sent into deep space that Kachi would be attacked by four more people. Thankfully, our boy Ichigo decides to finally make an appearance. And like I thought, Renji looked unbothered while fighting. Dude hits him with the boom bam b b boom pow. If you unleash a powerful attack, and the only thing the enemy does is smile at you, you know you fucked up. Personally, I wouldn't take that kind of disrespect. But when Ichigo releases a Getsuga Juji Show, creating an explosion as big as that meteor with virtually no effort, most people are going to lose.
The thing I remembered most about this fight wasn't even anything to do with Ichigo. It's the fact that they use the most goofy sound effects for GG's little skeleton dudes. We're talking the stock Hanna-Barbera running, zip sound effects. I lost all composure watching this, but that kind of strange comedic relief was actually welcomed. Of course, another four So Quincy want a piece of Ichigo's ass, but the gang steps in and allows him to pursue Greg.
This is where we have our fated encounter. Naruto sees Sasuke, but is a member of the Akatsuki. Truly tragic. Chad also shows up, looking drippy, and in a way, is pulling off her best Tier Harribel cosplay. That outfit simply cannot be combat efficient. So now, no sooner than leaving the royal palace, Ichigo has to, in fact, go back to the royal palace. Oh look, Yaku and Yumka. Certainly, they'll redeem themselves and use their full power. I'm hoping they don't get beat again without at least trying.
I like to call this next battle "How Fucked Up is Fucked Up?" That's fucked up, and that's fucked up, and I'm fucked up. The battle between Myori and Gigi at who is the best at performing unethical experiments. I was honestly more sad to see how Gigi's zombies reacted. I honestly kind of felt bad for Bambi. No one comes close to creating zombies as effective as Myori. Dude is also unmatched when it comes to shit talking.
Also, I was pleasantly surprised to see Charlotte make a return. I don't know if I'm in the minority here, but I really enjoyed the first encounter they had with Yumka. The fight itself isn't super notable, but the most thought-provoking thing is the fact that not only Koshiro but Kirio and Rangiku are turned into zombies. I know Gigi said that they can do this to Soul Reapers before they die, but I'm not like 100% sure if they're all actually dead. Remy said that he killed Kensei and Rose when they were getting treatment, but I don't know. I can't really be sure. I'm sure Myori does some weird Houdini shit and they'll be fine.
Okay, so they're not fine, but they're more fine since...
Just when you think the Quincies have won this battle, the boy, the legend, Renji drops in absolutely dripping out. As soon as I saw the fit, I knew...
There was no chance that this dude was losing. Just look at how unconcerned he is, even when the enemy is punching him through buildings. We do not care. The snake had bonai revealed through the smoke, was clean af. Even though I personally do not like snakes, if this man is getting his equivalent of Ichigo's theme during this fight, you know that the enemy is screwed. And again, just so unconcerned, disintegrates this man.
I'm not sure if it's just me, but seeing the zago reminded me a lot of Rengoku's ability in Demon Slayer. I figured everyone who went up to squad zero would be stronger, but this is pretty ridiculous. Seeing how two captains and three other strong squad members were already defeated at this point, Ichigo finishes his training and leaves the royal palace. And we are reaffirmed that Mr. Greg is in fact not a chill dude. Well, I say with a magnificent pair of bananas. Oh great heavens, if you lose as a Quincy, you just get merked and your powers are absorbed.
Then we swap our focus to Rukia, who encounters Oote after transferring Roseen Kensei for medical care. Oote is 100% my favorite Quincy we've interacted with. The dude just emanates creepiness. The voice acting performance is scary. The concept of fear as a weapon is done so well. And it's probably one of the only times I've actually enjoyed when someone explains the basis of their power. Basically, as long as you're alive, fear will always have an effect. Too bad Rukia hits him with the Kyrie Irving, revealing that the true version of her zak though essentially kills her. Rukia has, in fact, become too cold, making her incapable of feeling fear.
Oh, this scene was absolutely fantastic, and the visuals alone are better than 99% of what you see in actual horror animes. Asot has experienced all forms of fear, pain, and suffering in his past life, but now that that suffering is gone, the only thing he fears is being rebuked by his majesty. The amount of tonal changes in his voice, plus the added elements of body horror, make this even more memorable of a fight. The cuts to silence, the wall of eyes, the swarm of flies leading into a truly perilous scream from Rukia. It is fantastic.
Thankfully, Big Bro Byakuya is there to assist and remove any fear that Rukia may have had remaining in her heart. Realizing that Asnot's power is an actual manifestation of his own fear, Rukia is able to use her Bankai for the first time. You know if that outro song starts playing in your fight, it's going to be filth. The shit's like a goddamn ice nuke. And the form she takes is beautiful. Being able to remove that lingering fear and increase her bond with Byakuya while also having one of the biggest power glow-ups and using it against an actual interesting Quincy made this one of the most memorable fights in all of Bleach for me.
Now, if you thought we were going to go through part two without a little bit of Kachi action, you were surely mistaken. Of course, it was cool to see Yiro use her Shikai for what I believe was the first time. But the hype for Kimachi is insane. What this man had to go through, killing Uno Hana to unlock his full potential, we finally get to see it on display. And of course, in typical Kenpachi fashion, he faces the most busted stupid Quincy in existence. The power to make anything you imagine into reality is, in theory, unbeatable. But if anyone was to beat the unbeatable, it would be Kachi.
I don't know if Grmy is just stupid, but his imagination kind of sucks. If I was him, I'd just be like, "Hey, I imagine you're dead," and then poof. Yo, holy shit, he's dead. My first reaction would not be to immediately go and summon the MLG gun green screen. He kept summoning dumb things, and eventually Kachi got him to question his own imagination, which makes him create an even more stupid and busted power, creating a second version of himself and thus doubling the power of his imagination, unlocking the move Death 2 Electric Boal. This move is in the form of a meteor. Now, I was expecting Kachi to remedy this somehow, but the dude literally cuts a meteor in half with only his Shikai and his eye patch still on. That's why he's the goat. It's got to be one of the coolest animation sequences we've seen in Bleach so far. Grammy virt kills himself when trying to imagine that he's stronger than Kachi and then just makes a bunch of excuses.
I am quite curious as to where Yiru went off to. Perhaps she felt that Kachi won't need her anymore because of his newly discovered power. But you can tell immediately how worried he appears, especially given how injured he is. Seems only natural after cutting a meteor in half and being sent into deep space that Kachi would be attacked by four more people. Thankfully, our boy Ichigo decides to finally make an appearance. And like I thought, Renji looked unbothered while fighting. Dude hits him with the boom bam b b boom pow. If you unleash a powerful attack, and the only thing the enemy does is smile at you, you know you fucked up. Personally, I wouldn't take that kind of disrespect. But when Ichigo releases a Getsuga Juji Show, creating an explosion as big as that meteor with virtually no effort, most people are going to lose.
The thing I remembered most about this fight wasn't even anything to do with Ichigo. It's the fact that they use the most goofy sound effects for GG's little skeleton dudes. We're talking the stock Hanna-Barbera running, zip sound effects. I lost all composure watching this, but that kind of strange comedic relief was actually welcomed. Of course, another four So Quincy want a piece of Ichigo's ass, but the gang steps in and allows him to pursue Greg.
This is where we have our fated encounter. Naruto sees Sasuke, but is a member of the Akatsuki. Truly tragic. Chad also shows up, looking drippy, and in a way, is pulling off her best Tier Harribel cosplay. That outfit simply cannot be combat efficient. So now, no sooner than leaving the royal palace, Ichigo has to, in fact, go back to the royal palace. Oh look, Yaku and Yumka. Certainly, they'll redeem themselves and use their full power. I'm hoping they don't get beat again without at least trying.
I like to call this next battle "How Fucked Up is Fucked Up?" That's fucked up, and that's fucked up, and I'm fucked up. The battle between Myori and Gigi at who is the best at performing unethical experiments. I was honestly more sad to see how Gigi's zombies reacted. I honestly kind of felt bad for Bambi. No one comes close to creating zombies as effective as Myori. Dude is also unmatched when it comes to shit talking.
Also, I was pleasantly surprised to see Charlotte make a return. I don't know if I'm in the minority here, but I really enjoyed the first encounter they had with Yumka. The fight itself isn't super notable, but the most thought-provoking thing is the fact that not only Koshiro but Kirio and Rangiku are turned into zombies. I know Gigi said that they can do this to Soul Reapers before they die, but I'm not like 100% sure if they're all actually dead. Remy said that he killed Kensei and Rose when they were getting treatment, but I don't know. I can't really be sure. I'm sure Myori does some weird Houdini shit and they'll be fine.
Okay, so they're not fine, but they're more fine since...