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Bleach – Episode 208 [Review]
Summary
It’s been a while since I’ve written single episode reviews of a series–mainly Bleach. It’s a little difficult to talk about every single episode of an Anime airing every week that spans over 200 episodes, but I find it easier to blog about a long running series once it reaches a certain point of the series, such as a conclusion of a story arc. For Bleach, on the other hand, is different. This one episode of Bleach was awesome in a certain way (for me, at least) that I just had to blog about it.
Review
The newest episodes of Bleach finally goes back in time to 101 years ago when different Captains where in charge of the squads. There were no Hitsugaya, no Gin, no Unohana, or no Komamura. Instead, the Vizards from the start of the Arrancar arc were Captains and Vice-Captains, including the leader of Squad Five, Shinji Hirako. Other than the Vizards being Captains, we at last get to see Kisuke’s backstory; a former captain of Squad 12.
In this episode, Kisuke asks Vice-Captain Hyori (Shinji’s little friend) to escort him to the Second Squad’s detention grounds, known as “The Maggot’s Nest”. The nest is where Shinigami are sent when they are deemed too dangerous to be hanging around [the captains]. On the way there, Kisuke explains the principals of the Second Squad, and how the Secret Remote Squad are exclusive only to the noble families of Soul Society. Yoruichi Shiouin, Captain of Squad Two, is in charge of not only the squad, but the SRQ as well, being a member of one of the Four Nobles and a captain.
Kisuke and Hyori arrives at The Maggot’s Nest where they are greeted by the detainees when Hyori’s former classmate takes her hostage. Not allowed to use weapons, Kisuke takes the prisoners on one-by-one using the traditional hand-to-hand method. Once the fight was broken up, Kisuke and Hyori head over to another part of The Nest to meet a prisoner who may become Captain someday: Mayuri Kurotsuchi. Kisuke offers Mayuri a position in his upcoming special division for Squad 12: The Department of Research and Development.
Meanwhile, we are treated to a special (well, not that special) scene involving another member of one of the Four Nobles of Soul Society. A young Byakuya Kuchiki is praised by his Grandfather, who was at the time, Captain of Squad Six, for training tirelessly to become a Shinigami (or Captain being next in line to Grandfather). The nameless Grandfather Kuchiki (or “Old Man Kuchiki” as I like to call him) makes note of Yoruichi’s (who is (as per the scenes during the Soul Society arc) Byakuya’s “rival”) sudden arrival. A pissed off Byakuya declares that he will surpass Yoruichi’s Shunpo [once he becomes the head of the Kuchiki clan]…
Finally, we see a scene involving a younger Ukitake and Ganju’s then-living brother, Kaien Shiba, talking over a cup of tea about a new recruit who happens to be the same age as Byakuya. Hint: It’s not Hitsugaya–but Hitsugaya wanted him dead for hurting Hinamori during the Soul Society arc. This new recruit becomes friends with Vice-Captain of Squad Five, Sousuke Aizen.
Thoughts
Just how was this episode awesome, exactly? Well, it brings together the “analysis” I did last year for possible storylines for the then-upcoming third Bleach movie, “I Call Your Name”. I was hoping the story focused on Byakuya (since he didn’t have a lot of attention despite the fight with Ichigo), but it was Joana who made the suggestion of a movie centering around Kisuke since he needed further explanation. ^_^
Of course… she probably read a chapter of the manga that the episode was based on featuring a few “theories” that were posted… which could happened conveniently around the same time I wrote the post. Being a reader of the translated Shonen Jump graphic novels and a Bleach addict who might suffer from withdrawal if is caught up to the manga in addition to the anime, I could not have known that it happened already–but it helps a little when you stumble across spoilers… 
Other than that, the episodes focusing on the past before Aizen defected to Hueco Mundo have been entertaining despite being actionless…especially after those two episodes involving Lurichiyo (ugh).
Rating:
Popularity: 20% [?]
Tag(s): bleach, reviews
Website: http://centakume.info/
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Website: http://panther.clanbluepanthers.org/
“No Unohana” is wrong. Unohana was the third person to become captain and actually the senior of the first two Captains, Ukitake and Kyouraku.
Check out Panther´s recent blog post: Hinamizawa no Miko – Furude Rika
Website: http://moneyne.ws
I dunno I wasn’t really a fan of the Lurichiyo story arc. Just seemed like a babysitting arc kind of like that Star Wars animated movie was.
That being said, its pretty nice to see a history of the Vizards, and previous captains. I wouldn’t mind watching a whole season of just that, or a story arc following the Vizards/Kisuke up until present. Maybe we’ll find out who Ichigo’s dad really is, and how he knows Ishida’s dad too. Possible relation maybe?
Speaking of which I’ve been reading too many swordman type comics (Dai’s grand adventure, claymore, bleach, Vagabond) There something along those lines that is a good recommendation to read?
Check out Mitch´s recent blog post: It’s ALIVE!!! Welcome to Volkcrag.
Website: http://centakume.info/
@Panther: Oh, yeah…I forgot about her. She was in the previous episode. I could never get her full name—nor her entire presence. -_-
@Mitch: Have you tried Rurouni Kenshin? Best swordsman series out there, and it’s what got me into Bleach. The anime is a bit hard to find and can be a little expensive if you do find it, but the the manga is much cheaper and you can get Viz’s BigBook version if you don’t want buy the individual volumes. There’s also Samurai Deeper Kyo. I started watching the anime series, but I put it on hold until I finish a few other series, but it’s totally watch/readable.
Website: http://moneyne.ws
Yea, I’ve seen Rurouni Kenshin, but not all the episodes. Kind of forgot about that series to be honest since I haven’t watched it in soo long. Maybe I’ll take a look into that. I haven’t head of Samurai Deeper Kyo though, I’ll try to find a copy of that someplace.
Check out Mitch´s recent blog post: It’s ALIVE!!! Welcome to Volkcrag.
Website: http://nanashi-inc.net/weblog
I find it hysterical that you said there was “no Unohana”. LMAO. I mean Kyouraku forgot about Captain Mom too and look at the scary presence she gave him and Ukitake for it. XD
Ah, I am happy to see the Pendulum Arc finally make it to the anime series. ^_^ It does reveal a lot about Kisuke, even if it doesn’t entirely revolve around him. If you’re not following the manga as it’s translated and released weekly then I’ll refrain from spoilers and give no specifics. Suffice to say, the Pendulum Arc does a good job of tying up loose ends and answering questions that have been left unanswered for too long. We see the origin of the Vizards, how they became half-hollow and half-shinigami, and also just what part the Hogyouku plays in all of this. As well as how Aizen could have possibly found out about how it works and why he would have sought it. I mean heck, by the end of this arc we’ll even get to see Tessai and find out what role he played in all of this and just why Yoruichi followed Kisuke into exile.
One thing is for sure, the Pendulum Arc completely shattered my views of Seireitei. I mean, from the get go we’ve seen that Soul Society has it’s own dark secrets and murky spots. But, between Central 46’s ruling in the Pendulum Arc and the subsequent inability of anyone to see Aizen for what he is, I think Soul Society is being run by idiots.
I still find it highly unlikely that Kisuke will get a movie revolving around him though. I mean, there are still aspects undiscovered about Kisuke’s past, but between Yoruichi’s reminiscing in past chapters, other character’s thoughts on him, and the Pendulum Arc, we’ve got a pretty good picture.
I still would LOVE to see a movie, or even just an arc, revolving around Kurosaki Isshin. Why did he leave Soul Society? How did he meet Ryuuken or Ichigo’s mom for that matter? How’d he become Captain of the (my best guess) 10th Division? That would be a great story to see!
Check out Joana´s recent blog post: BTT: Movie Potential and Best Book I’ve Never Read
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I love the Bleach Seiyuu battling it out on Wii. LOL
http://japansugoi.com/wordpress/bleach-anime-seiyuu-battle-it-out-on-bleach-wii-video-game/