I hate constantly-recurring flashbacks as much as any other, though the flashback exclusive to this episode was really nice, I thought. The demise of Aaronierro seemed somewhat of a letdown, since he never really even used his released form, but oh well. Nice to see that fight's over and all, with Rukia as the victor.

Overall, I really enjoyed 160. Rukia questioning her value in the Gotei 13, Kaien sharing with her where heart is, and the importance of entrusting it to your friends. Just one of my favorite chapters in the manga, and it came through nicely in the anime. Should be getting into Renji's fight next week.

The Golden Cup was interesting too, haha. I'm wondering if they'll carry that over to next week, with the whole paparazzi gig.

Finally, the fight I've been looking forward to the most.







I'm too sexy for my shirt. Too sexy for my shirt. So sexy it hurts.



Fear me, bitches.




I'm too sexy for my car. Too sexy for my car. Too sexy by far.







Judging by the preview for the next episode, it looks like they won't try to drag it out. So that's good.
Can't wait for next week's episode.


Yeah, they did actually.

Ya, I liked the last episode... although I felt sorry for Renji. Kinda got his butt kicked.... Meh, he was a punk/badA to begin with, so he needed to be humbled

YAY!!!!! Itsyugo finally gets to fight!!!!! This is gonna rock.

Haa, I decided that I am not going to totally read the Manga past the Amine. I think it'll kinda ruin it for me... so ya, if ya could... don't put TOO many "spoilers" in this, please???

I'm watching the anime faster then I'm reading the Manga as well... So no, there won't be unmarked spoilers unless they wish to face my wrath.

Anyway, for undisclosed reasons, I'm back to having to watch Bleach on Youtube <.< It sucks but it's better then not watching it at all, although I'm not sure how long it'll even be available on YouTube for >.<

I've caught up and can I just say... What the hell is with recycling footage? So we saw Espada number 9 showing his true form twice, and then being killed twice. >.< Is Rukia dead? Naaa... I doubt it VERY VERY much but it's safe to say she is out of action at the moment.

For some reason, I just don't care about Renji's fight. As far as his power and his fights go, he just isn't very interesting. The enemy is much more interesting, I loved how he pretended he was being overpowered only to laugh it back in his face. Now the Ichigo Vs Emospada DOES pique my interest. Ichigo's fights can get quite boring (maybe we've just seen too many and he doesn't have many tricks up his sleeve for most) but I can tell this is one I don't want to miss out on. I'm not sure how this one will go, although I have a sneaking suspension that someone or something is going to interrupt this fight, but that's just my speculation.

Failed:



Haha.

As mentioned, 162 should be nice. You'll really be given an idea of just what kind of challenges lie ahead. It's pretty frightening.

Well the fight was identical to the manga. No changes made, and I'm happy with that concidering they may have screwed some things up if they tried.
I thought it was a really great episode. The fight was short, but sweet. And Ichigo's 11 seconds felt a lot more like 11 seconds this time.




Well, all Ichigo was really able to accomplish was to force Ulquiorra to take out his other hand from his pocket.

All I can say about Ichigo in this fight is this.







Ichigo's full power didn't even require Ulquiorra to draw his sword. Let alone release. "What a pity."
I like the part where Ichigo assumed that Ulquiorra was the top of the Espada, and that beating him would be like winning the whole war.



You could see in his face, all his hopes being crushed in an instant. lol

This was a good episode, lots going on... although they are really dragging out the really boring Renji fight. Yes the guy has studied him and can overpower him easily... WE GET IT! I loved the ending... I must admit I wasn't really expecting it and I was expecting Ishida to save Renji of all people even less. Poor poor Orihime... maan I want to see her do something cool and vengeful-like soon... I've always had the feeling that Tite wanted to do more with her role then make her just a damsel in distress (I love the two pictures in the manga where The dragon is defending princess orihime and then the next one where Orihime is defending the dragon) but so far she's fit right into the cliché. Realy shame.

Wow, Ichigo really got his arse kicked and it was great they kept it so short. It was a really well done fight especially when Ulquwhatever starts running beside Ichigo.

I look forward to next weeks episode indeed.

Ya, I kinda found that confusing in the manga with Orihime. She gets royally screwed all the time. I would have definitely went insane by that time. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Uliquoarra tell her earlier not to use her "power" a.k.a. Shibaki because anybody there could break it??? Stupid Arrancar/espada hoes... always hatin'!!!!

The horrific truth behind why Heuco Mundo is so feared...
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=L8C50eoG_Oo&...feature=related

So has anyone watched the whole thing? I think that would have to make you a proper bleach fan to watch all of the shows (There has been about 5 shows from different parts of the anime, but I think the furthest they have gotten is where Aizen shows his true self). I think they have shot themselves in the foot a little though because they got rid of Chad and Orihime (and there wasn't even an Ishida to begin with from the looks of things) so doing the Heuco Mundo Arc could be quite troublesome.

I haven't watched much myself... but it looks like it isn't taken seriously which is cool. It looks like they all know that this is a bit of a joke. If they were playing in my town, I'd probably go and watch but more out of curiosity then anything.

While I'm craving the new episodes I've been watching some older classic ones when I came across something pretty disturbing from Episode 112 between Shinji and the Blonde haired Viazard... Just what are they doing with their fingers!? 0.o and what does she mean when she says that "[he better] not Mess up my chances to be a virgin bride" 0.o Truley disturbing.

Ya, I've watched it from the beginning. (got into it like 5 seasons late though... Thank goodness for Bit Torrent ) I kinda don't understand your concerns though... could you elaborate??


Yep, it's what you think I was like, what the poop?? He totally stuck his finger up her woo woo.... pervert!!

Hahah that was bad wording from me... I meant has anyone seen all of the Bleach Musical shows xD In the Bleach Musicals they got rid of Orihime but obviously she plays quite an important part in the later Animes... I'm saying they will have some trouble doing the arrancar story arc in the MUSICAL without her.

Bleach Musical??? Why do I have a bad feeling this is like animated Grease?? Like with all the bad A characters singing songs???

Here's a snippet:

Renji: Hey Kenpachi!! What did you do last summer??

Ken-chan: Well, I met a girl named Orihime

(music starts and all other captains come out snapping fingers)

Da duuuu da duuu, da duuu, da daaaa daa dum

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, THE HORROR!!!!

Glad to see a favorite face return. Was looking forward to it.




I haven't been too interested with the first stage of the Szayel fight. It should be all uphill starting next week though, and judging by the preview they're staying on path.

I'm really disappointed with this episode.
I was looking forward to something, and thanks to their child proof censuring, it never happened.

First of all, what's with this?



That's not where he got hit.






Was that really a neccesary change?




And when did this happen in the manga? Those girls using Cero. And to blast a door?
So the door is gone...




Then Grimmjow has no reason to blast open the door, like he did in the manga, right?




Wrong. He just blasts open a hole in the wall, right next to the opening where the door used to be.
Why make a hole in the wall right next to the door when the door was already gone? It makes no sense.

What were they smoking when they made that change? Why would he blast a hole in the wall right next to the opening?
Anyway, none of that really bothered me. It just made no sense. It's the next bit that really bothers me.




I was really looking forward to seeing Grimjow just walk in and kick Loly right in the stomach, without even looking at her. That was awesome.



But instead, all we got was a lousy slap in the face.

I'm really disappointed. That kick in the stomach was so awesome. In the manga, Grimmjow treated them a lot more like trash. He didn't bother speaking to them much or humor them with comments about Cero being dangerous, or saying "boo". He just went in, and did his thing, and left. Gave him a more badass impression.




And of course, they replaced this:



With this. Just a stomp...

They replaced the kick in the stomach to a slap, and Grimmjow breaking her leg in half to a stomp.
I'm glad they didn't change the Ichigo and Ulquiorra fight, but this was really bad.
And of course, most of the Orihime torturing and Ishida fighting with Szayel's Frachions was filler.

Yeah, a lot of the censorship seems a tad ridiculous. I'm not sure I understand why the censorship of manga and anime seem to be treated so differently. =\

I was wondering about Grimmjow's entrance as well, haha. As you said, that just plain didn't make sense.

On the note of Cero, though, isn't the concept of it supposed to be that whatever it hits is reduced to nothingness? Then why does it seem like it just acts like a typical blast of energy, blowing things up like anythine else would? It just makes Cero seem less threatening, to me. Not a big deal, really, but it's just something that's been on my mind.

As for the episode, I was mostly just disappointed by the long past-episodes review, again. If half the episodes are going to be reviewing the past episodes, I'd honestly rather just have them postpone new episodes to let the manga get ahead more. It's just annoying when you wait a week for only half an episode, y'know?

Welll the anime censuring has always been different from the manga. I'm not sure why, since all the kids most likely also pick up Shounen Jump every week. But they definitely don't have to be too graphical about it, but why take it out completely?
They at least showed Ichigo chopping off Yami's arm, even though the actual cut was censured away in the anime.

As for Cero, fillers have a tendency to cheapen certain conceps when they're used for strange things.
Rasengan in Naruto for example. I mean, not only did he use it a billion times per episode, but he also used it to make Ramen noodles...

Anyway, for those hoping that the recaps and filler content will be reduced once this arch concludes in the manga might be disappointed.



Something really big and unexpected happened in this weeks manga chapter, and it looks like this arch isn't over yet.
What that means for the anime is that there will probably be even more filler content and recaps to stall for time from now on, because this new event seems really big, and there will be no room for fillers yet after all.

Now...let's hope they censor out the Holy Divine Two Handed God Slash Of Death right on out of the anime too when they get to that point and make it somthing cooler. -.-;;

Hahaha, yeah I couldn't agree more. That really opened up pandoras box. Way too many contradictions or inconsistancies in the story now, thanks to that slash.

I don't even want to think about what it means that Aizen blocked Ichigo's two-handed Bankai slash with just one finger.

wats up im new here and i dont get the conscept of this hole thing so kan any one exsplane

Concept of what exactly? The forum? Well you post, and discuss things. Pretty simple huh?
Try to go to the Introduction forum here and make an introduction topic. Tell us a bit about yourself.

http://www.rpgdreamersforum.com/index.php?showforum=59

If you check your PM box, you should have a survey that you can fill out and copy and put onto your introduction topic.

That means he's an expert button-smasher and totally rocks @ Mario Party

I thought that last episode was kind of a sleeper. Not nearly as cool as the manga. (dangit, why the crap did I blow through those manga...) I thought the Espada eating his suboordinate wasn't nearly as gruesome as I thought it was going to be from the manga. Also, isn't this the part where Nell goes.... nuts??? Ya, Orihime's the bomb, and I hate to see beautiful girls have to go through that emotional trauma. How evil!!!!

This episode just seemed really really short. Not a lot really happened in it, Renji did one attack and Ishida did one attack and for some reason the majority of the episode was gone. Maybe it's all the forgettable 'comedic' moments with the two annoying Hollows who follow them about. Also I think a lot of the time was just Nel screaming <.< Still... I'd rather it be this way then them changing the fights, repeating old clips or trying to add a filler arc slap bang in the middle.

Watching Ishida and Renji fighting together makes for a much much more interesting fight then when they were fighting separately. For some reason I didn't see the preview of next weeks... but the end of this weeks was just awesome. Ulquirro (or whatever his name is) is fast becoming a favourite of mine.

Piece of news I just got when taking a look at the site. Good to see that Viz already has the movie covered, now that they're getting to that point in the anime where the movie will fit right in. The manga news is probably a major letdown for those who read it, though I think some flashback stuff could be potentially interesting. More character development, hopefully.

I'm more for character development, especially for some of the captains. Like I'd like to see more of that guy with the pink dude-kimono. I love his released zanpakato, and I'd like to see more of it

So releasing the movie, huh??? What did they do with it in the first place?? Was it just a TV release?? And also, I'm guessing it's going to be released in the theaters only in Japan, huh??

I think the original release was also in select theaters, in Japan, and then the DVD eventually. In this case, though, it'll be aired in select theaters in the US (likely in NY and CA, as usual), since it's the English adaptation from Viz Media. ...Though I really wish they would just release it like a regular movie. Alas, it is anime, which still isn't quite mainstream enough. (Or whatever the reason may be, though I'm sure that's at least a part of it.)

I'm not sure what the word is for outside of the US, though. Not sure if Europe will have the same release, or if they won't get it at all, or whatever the case may be. If I happen to find anything, I'll try to update.

So in other words, chapter fillers, potentially at least. Oh well Code Geass is coming in two weeks, won't be too much of alost for me.

Well, spoiler or not, I'm certainly intrigued now. Enough so that I may just specifically check out this Gaiden stuff. Is there anything else majorly spoiler-ish that I would find if I started reading it?

As for it continuing, I assume it should, based on the news clip I posted. It says the next two months will be flashback chapters for the manga, so I assume those would fit right in there. As for the specific topic, I'm not sure, but I imagine they should continue to focus on that, at least for more than one chapter.

So far nothing in particular except learning who was and who wasn't a Captain back then (will give a better idea of who knew eachother) and some more insight on Aizen. At least that seems to be where it's going, given how he stared at Urahara at the end of the chapter, as if he saw right through him.

Haa, whoopsies.... I didn't realize it was a "spoiler" per se just knowing that small fact.. Thanks for covering for me Death... I just thought they mentioned that a while ago and I just forgot it....

And yes, I do know how to use spoiler tags

Spoiler tags are amazing things... but can we just tell people if it's spoilers for the Manga or Anime? I only watch the anime (I hate reading manga on a computer screen) so I'm glad we're all using spoiler tags... but I'm up-to-date with the anime so I don't want to miss out on posts because I think people are hiding manga spoilers when they're hiding anime spoilers...

Anyway, that being said... I'm growing impatient... I might just have to bite the bullet and read the manga because I hate being so behind. I've heard there is an 'amazing twist' and now there is some really good flashbacks but I'm growing impatient waiting for the anime to catch up >.<

Sorry, duely noted though.

Chapter -107: All I can really say about this chapter is I wonder who that old guy is... Not Yamamoto, of course, but there's another old guy who's seen on pages 07-09. ...Looks kinda like Ocelot or old Snake. XD

Episode 166 was... nothing short of the amazingness I expected. Really loving some of the new music used in this fight, too. Definitely makes it pretty intense. (Moreso than the fight already is, of course.) My only complaint is how horrid Orihime looks at times. x_X Whoever's been drawing her in lately, they're making her look pretty bad at times. Not to mention just inconsistent. (Hell, not that I can do better, but it bothers me.) Other than that, pretty much everything about this episode was pretty sweet.

...It all makes me that much more disappointed that DB didn't really release it in HD. *long sigh*

He looks like Yamamoto's right hand man in the present.

I briefly thought that at first, but dismissed the idea quickly.

Pretty different characteristics overall.

My other idea was related to the old-guy Espada, but... that probably makes even less sense. I dunno. As I said before, I'm curious to find out more about this dude.

**Sniff sniff** Oh Bleach!... O how I have missed thee.... **sniff sniff*

The last anime eposide showed just how much of a BAMF Kurosaki is.

Also, Honestly, (without reading the Anime and knowing what Nel really is...) She has annoyed the utter crap out of me up to this point. (execpt when she swallowed that cero... scveet) But she did redeem herself in this episode when she finally talked some sense into Orihime. Also, I FINALLY understand why Orihime gets soooo antsy/afraid of Kurosaki when he goes into Vaizard mode. It's a legit fear... but she should have realized that the guy under the mask is the same caring Kurosaki whose risking EVERYTHING to rescue her.

Dangit. He'd better get with her by the end of the series or I'm going to be pissed. I don't want another Princess Mononoke on my hands...

BTW. Episode 21 of Death Note = BEST THING EVER!!!! (just had to say that)

Having Ichigo kicking ass and taking names is great and all, though I seriously wish he'd actually do something new. I mean, yeah, the mask can apparently stay on longer now, which is totally great, but other than that, the only special thing he's really got going for him (specifically, at the moment) is his willpower. And the whole "willpower revival" thing is getting a bit cliché, and even just overused in this series alone.

And episode 21? Pfft. Try 23-25.

Less talk of emo note... more talk of bleach.

Yeah it was a cool episode but I agree with Chal about the whole Willpower revival thing. It's getting old. Still it's interesting to see that Ichigo's mask is getting more red the more powerful he seems to get. It certainly was quite an interesting fight, which we haven't really seen in a while. Hurry up next episode though...

I believe that's a Kuchiki. He seems to wear the same scarf as Byakuya, and behind him is a vice captain that looks a lot like Byakuya when in the meeting room.

Anyway this weeks anime episode with Ichigo and Grimmjow's fight was pretty awesome. Except that I could have lived without seeing Orihime think about her brother so much. And the new music when Grimmjow released was awesome.

I have to say that I really enjoyed the last episode of bleach, 166. Probably moreso than any previous episode.
Although I'm not sure how spoiler-ish this is based on previous posts, I'll use a tag anyways. It is a manga spoiler.

After looking at the scarf and the age of the man, although age doesn't affect people in soul society very much, I'd have to assume that he is a Kuchiki as well. If you think to the timelime, Byakuya has been in power for a relatively long period of time, but he isn't in there at that point, so it just seems logical that the old man is the old house leader.

And I can't wait for the upcoming episodes.

Concerning the Captain of the Fourth squad, I forgot her name. If you've noticed, throughout the entire anime and manga, everyone just chooses not to fight her at all. Back in the Soul Society Arc, Aizen and Gin's sub-captain just outright try to ignore her rather than kill her, despite knowing that she holds great power and authority. Also, she healed Renji after the his fight with Byakuya, despite him being considered a traitor. This was never even mentioned as a guilt or crime, where I have no doubt that any other person would have been punished for it. And then in the Arrancar arc... the entire execution team confronts her, only to turn away. Seriously, there are 30 executioners who have the power to outright destroy the Ex-espada! To think that they would simply turn away from fighting two opponents, one being relatively weak, is rediculous. After seeing this latest chapter showing her being a part of the Gotei 13 for this long, I have no doubt that she has outright mastered most step moves and Kidou, espcially Kidou considering she's a healing expert.

Although she hasn't lifted her sword out of the scabbard in any hostile way, I have no doubt she just knows how to use it, probably better than the majority of Soul Society, (although that's kind of expected since she is a Captain, but I hope you understand the point I'm trying to make.) For her zanpaktou's power, it obviously has healing properties, but that only seems to be her sword spirit. Her powers are probably based off of the spirit, but I can see her sword having the power to decay through something, as well as regenerate it. Of course, it could just have the power of pure pacificism and cause one to be completely paralyzed if they have hostile thoughts...

Well played Flame... well played. (just finished that series... I definitely see the "emo note" you're talking bout )


I thought that the manta-ray thing was her Bankai...

I've been rather curious about Yammy for a while now, as well.
Though I doubt he poses much of a threat, compared to, say, Grimmjow or Ulquiorra, but I'm just wondering what exactly happened to him. The last thing I remember is his arm getting fixed.

Anywho, just watched 167. Seemed sort of short, somehow. In any case, it was definitely a good episode. Fillers starting next week, though, it seems. (A new Captain of the Gotei 13? Interesting...) Hope they're decent.

Not a minute after and I'm done watching it too. Lmfao.

FILLERS

BOO

Finished it about 20 minutes ago...I have to say that I truly enjoyed that episode. In combination with 166, those two episodes have taken favorite above all others.

Fillers...eh'. Bleach fillers don't bother me nearly as much as other anime fillers. There are still fights breaking out and conflict everywhere, therefore, is still entertaining.

Hrm. New Bleach OP and ED coming with the fillers, apparently. Based on what I've read:

New OP: "CHU-BARA," by Kelun
New ED: "Orange," by Lil'B a.k.a. MIE & AILA

YouTube clip with the new OP song, apparently: CHU-BARA

105? Should be -105, if anything. (Negative 105, that is.)

Anyway, yeah, not much happened this chapter, though more than the previous one, I think. Seeing Byakuya... was a bit funny, actually. Haha. He seems like such a joke at that age. Still arrogant as ever, though. And, actually, on the note of the Kuchikis, anyone else notice this resemblance?

...Well, not as similar as I thought at first, but that was one dead giveaway of him being a Kuchiki, I thought.

Anyway, now that Kisuke's plan for Mayuri has been introduced a bit more, I'm really curious to see just how that unfolds, especially with some theories I've got concerning the vizard. Seeing Gin in that particular scene was a bit interesting as well. Seems he and Aizen may have been in cahoots from rather early on. It's all moving a bit slowly for me, but nevertheless, I'm liking this flashback.

I didn't catch the negative part.

Concerning the Vaizard, perhaps events will unfold like this.

1. Kisuke creates Hogyoku, with Mayuri's help.
2. Aizen attempts to secretly steal Hogyoku, in attempt to take over the Soul Society.
3. Shinji, Kisuke, Yoruichi, Isshin (Who'll I think will be introduced in the next coming chapters), and the other future Vaizards band together to secretly fight Aizen.
4. Shinji fights Aizen only to realize they fair evenly against each other.
6. Shinji, to get stronger than Aizen, uses the Hogyoku to become a Vaizard.
7. Other captains and vice captains (the future members of the Vaizards) follow suit to Shinji's example.
9. Vaizards, Urahara, Yoruichi, and Isshin flee to the human world to prepare for Aizen in the future.


Though there's one thing that has been bugging me.
Possible Spoiler

Okay so Grand Fisher, when Isshin appeared, said something about Ichigo being a pure-blood Shinigami. Seeing that his father was a Shinigami, could it be that his mother was a also a Shinigami on the run? If that is the case, could she be the former captain of 12th company before Kisuke took over?

End Spoiler

Also I thought it was implied that Gin and Aizen have been in cahoots for a long time now, considering the two have a close relationship apparently.

Yeah, I've been thinking something along those lines, as well, concerning the Vizard.

Y'know, I haven't thought about that recently, but now that you bring it up, it sounds like a familiar theory. And, I have to say, it sounds like a pretty possibility. Though they must've changed their names if that's true. Ichigo's mom's name is Masaki Kurosaki, while the ex-Captain of the 12th division was named Kirio Hikifune. (That name sounds familiar, somehow...) While a name change would make sense, of course, I haven't noticed any other name changes, so I dunno...

And yeah, I guess I should've picked up on that by now... ^^; I'm not too great with noticing such things sometimes.

I vaguely remember discussing the Pure-blooded statement with you before...

And I'm going to guess that Kisuke makes up a lot of other stuff before attempting to make the Hygokyo thingy. Also, if they are aware of what it can do, I don't think that so many captains are going to volunrteer to become vaizard. I can see it bring more of an accident than anything else.

Doubt time! I seriously doubt that that's how things are going to happen.
First off: Aizen is still a sub-captain that is seriously outmatched. Shinji outright destroyed his illusion and he was generally surprised when he did so, therefore, he doesn't compare. Also, there's no way he can fight all of the other people that would resist him, even if he was able to compare to Shinji alone.
Second: We don't know that the captain for the fifth squad is Isshen. Sure, even I agree that it is most likely Isshen, but at the same time, I still have my doubts. With the timing of Kisuke coming up to him after killing Grand Fisher, it just seems that Isshen is a far more recent captain...

Concerning Ichigo's mother, she could have just been Isshen's wife? It does happen in Soul Society...(Kaien.)

Also, up until Rukia's sentence, it didn't appear that Kisuke was even running from anyone in specific. Obviously, he left soul society, but they weren't acitvely persuing him. I have no doubt that Aizen had greater goals from the start, but up until Kisuke left, I don't think he was aiming to use the hogyoku to create an army of Arrancar...
His plans came later, after people left and he was in a position of power and respect. Personally, I simply believe this is immediatly after the Vaizard are cast out and the one blind captain is also put into a position of power.