Bleach – 278
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Summary:
Ukitake decides to help Shunsui and jumps in the fight against Starrk and Lilynette. After using several Ceros, Starrk figures out that Ukitake’s ability is to absorb attacks and return them while adjusting the power and speed. Though Ukitake and Shunsui finally seem to begin to gain the upper hand in the battle, a large Garganta opens and Wonderweiss steps out, followed by Fura. Starrk is surprised by their arrival, and states that Aizen must be tired of waiting. After Wonderweiss impales Ukitake through his back, Starrk strikes down Shunsui with a cero. Wonderweiss then screams, which shatters the prison of ice encasing Harribel and blows away the smoke surrounding Barragan. Fura blows away the walls of fire surrounding Aizen, Tosen, and Gin; however moments later, the Vizard also appear. Some flashbacks regarding the hollowfication of the shinigami who became the Vizard are then shown.
Preview
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Impressions:
Though Ukitake justifies his involvement in Shunsui’s fight by claiming it’s only fair since Lilynette joined the fight, he’s not exactly correct, as Starrk and Lilynette are technically part of each other. Not only that, but Lilynette is a weak little kid who doesn’t really count as an opponent. Regardless, I don’t disagree with his decision, since war is by no means a one on one dueling affair. Just when Starrk is planning to release his “true abilities” however, the shit really hits the fan for the shinigami. With Wonderweiss and Fura’s arrival, not only are both Ukitake and Shunsui suddenly down (for the moment anyways), Aizen, Tosen, and Gin are also free now. Even though I think they could have gotten out of the prison of fire without help, it’s still a large blow to the shinigami’s morale. Harribel and Barragan are, unsurprisingly, also unharmed. With most of the shinigami down or injured, and Yamamoto still standing there like an idiot doing nothing, they are pretty much on the verge of defeat (no surprise considering their poor strategy).
Wonderweiss was able to create significant shockwaves just with his scream; no doubt this kid is quite powerful, even given his mental retardation. It was also interesting that the gigantic hollow, Fura, was the same one hiding in the Garganta back when Aizen, Tosen, and Gin escaped from Soul Society to Hueco Mundo. Even though I completely do not recall seeing the eye, it’s still nice that Kubo tied current events to something that happened quite a while ago. As for the arrival of the Vizard, hopefully the focus will turn to them, and we can look forward to seeing lots of new abilities. The Gotei 13 seriously needs a death though, it’s ridiculous seeing characters take lethal amounts of damage and still live or continue fighting. I vote for Soifon to be first (she again continued to act like an asshole in this episode). If you can’t appreciate someone saving your life many times, then they shouldn’t save your life at all.
July 6, 2010 at 9:17 amChris
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We can all agree on one thing though…if there’s a death, it’s definitely not going to be the 10th Division’s plot-armored captain.
July 6, 2010 at 9:18 amLinkark
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Oh man, I remember when I read these chapters in the manga; I was quite annoyed that none of the shinigamis died. Even with the Vizards arrival, I wanted one death from the Shinigamis.
July 6, 2010 at 2:07 pmcrazystudyguy
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That annoyed me too, how many deaths have there been in the entire series not much and how many times have we had the scene where the dudes sword is being swan, ready for the kill, and then “swoop” Ichigo or someone comes to block the attack..
July 6, 2010 at 9:22 aminfinite
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The anime is caching up to the manga. Wonder when they will start with the fillers?
July 6, 2010 at 4:31 pmEspada
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bleach is near its end
July 6, 2010 at 4:47 pmRaj
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I thought there were 2.5 archs to go. The accepted claim was in 2012. Unless there is new information, bleach isn’t stoping any time soon.
July 6, 2010 at 9:25 amrsone0104
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Enter the Vizards!!!!
Get ready to be owned by Aizen
July 6, 2010 at 9:33 amanimeE
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yamato *is* an idiot.. i hate this arc. it just shows how weak that the shinigami are. but it’s interesting that kenpachi and bayakuya are not on this side of the barrier. perhaps so they don’t have to have their overrated images marred by defeat?
July 7, 2010 at 8:41 pmderp…
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Actually, I thought that was the reason for kubo sending those three to hueco mundo back when this arc first started in the manga.
July 6, 2010 at 10:05 amduh
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I don’t read the manga, but the arrival of the Vizards wasn’t really a surprise given that they already feature in the OP and it was plain as day obvious that Harribel and Barragan weren’t dead.
In that sense, they could’ve built the suspense more or as mentioned by a few, someone should have died to give the previous fights at least some sort of meaning or purpose.
Having said all that, it doesn’t mar the fact that I do anticipate seeing the upcoming fights between the Vizards and Espada/Aizen, but I fear fillers are inbound so it’ll probably be a while before Ichigo inevitably meets Aizen.
July 6, 2010 at 10:24 ambbb
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no one ever dies on the gd side… they’ll get beat..stabbed..sliced up(no blood ofcourse) just lines drawed across their backs..after the rukia arc…production on the eps with the censorship(no more blood), deleted scenes from the manga if they’re too excessive (ex. ishida’s arm being cut of..) just ruining the show….
July 6, 2010 at 2:15 pmcrazystudyguy
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Exactly all we get are the same progression in fights, nobody dies, and “bam” another filler but it must be turning in a profit since the series is continuing to air.
July 6, 2010 at 4:05 pmTyKH
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I totally agreedThis ep just showed the biggest flaw of Bleach which is not dying and last minute saving for the good guys. Think about, who is actually did? Shiba Kaien is the only but not that we had any emotion towards as it happened in the past. And it doesn’t matter what kind of injury is inflicted they just simply survive. Let’s make “small list” :P
-Ichigo (pff deadly injury from Byakuya, Kenpachi, Aizen [almost cut in half], Ulquiorra twice, but oke he’s the main character.
-Hinamori [Aizen stabbed her head on, should equal death]
-Rukia [Espada 9th. This one was ridiculous, it was confirmed!!! that the she was dead, but no, of course not]
-Kenpachi (stab to the heart from Tousen)
But in this arc it went too far, I mean Hinamori, Matsumuto, Hisagi, Iba were deadly injured by Eon. Matsumuto is missing a quarter of her body for crying out loud. And everybody just keeps ssaving each other last minute. And now the Vizards are here to save the day.
There was on other thing which I disliked in this ep. The unnecessary recap from the battle between Aizen and Shinji & co. Plus, the dragged shocked reactions from SS when the garganta openened and the other Espada were revived.
July 6, 2010 at 10:59 amtheburntshadow
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What are the odds that Ukitake’s lungs somehow got better, thanks to that attack?
July 6, 2010 at 11:03 amShinjiro
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Let’s just hope it won’t drag forever as the manga did. What am I saying? This is Bleach, we’ll have a filler arc that will probably make most of us curse and whine only to get disappointed when the anime comes back to follow the manga again.
I sorta gave up expecting anything from Bleach. It used to be one of my favs long running show but I don’t feel the excitment I used to have back then.
July 6, 2010 at 2:02 pmcrazystudyguy
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I agree,Bleach got ruined partially because it kept going off track but also because it just became ,simply said, boring. IMO should have just ended it after the soul society arc ( the only good arc) and put in 12 OVAs or something like that.
July 6, 2010 at 2:26 pmShinjiro
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I’m not sure about the OVA though. Usually, an OVA mostly implies there’s no real material the series can translate from. Bleach is mainly based based upon the manga and as far as the story goes, the anime can continue.
Problem is the ongoing weakness and growing lack of interest comes from the manga. IMO, it feels like Kubo has been extending (read overly stretching) the recent material for months when it could have been cut here and there.
As far as wishing death from the Shinigamis, I’d point out we’re talking about Bleach here, so I don’t see any captains dying anytime soon. The problem is they’ve been made to look weak with their bankai released on a whim. I think the idea was to make the read/viewing interesting and to demonstrate the strength of their opponents but the gimmick is running real old now. There are no element of real surprise anymore.
Ichigo’s hollowfication (and “ultimate” form when he fought Ulquiorra) was the greatest surprise for me. Loved it but then nothing real impressive followed. I won’t spoil anything for those who don’t read the manga but, Aizen is made out to be an unstoppable force…So much so that it would take a WTFZOMG surprise for me to rekindle my love for the series.
Some hardcore fans might tell me I should then drop it and yeah, I should but after following the series (anime/manga) for so long, it became a habit to tune in…And maybe I’m still hoping for that surprise I mentioned here.
July 6, 2010 at 11:13 amFallenrock
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Called it!
http://randomc.net/2010/06/29/bleach-277/
July 6, 2010 at 11:31 amM
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you guys are hoping for fillers that quickly?
with the current trend of 1.5-2chapters per episode, they’ve at least got enough material for half a year at least.
July 6, 2010 at 9:31 pmpj4ever10
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Agreed. I prefer more slightly dragged out episodes of the manga story over filler arcs anyday.
July 6, 2010 at 12:20 pmFreya
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Dude don’t be a soifon hater. She has a fat good for nothing VC who finally did something good for once in his life. I wouldn’t even immediately start liking him just cause he cut my arm off.
July 6, 2010 at 2:11 pmShinjiro
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Omaeda is as useless as they get until very recently. Tbh, I’ve always had a little soft spot for Soifon.
July 6, 2010 at 1:06 pmGrant
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Give credit where credit is due, I really disliked this arc but some of the fights around here were fun.
July 6, 2010 at 3:22 pmtman
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The golden announced a new ending next week
July 6, 2010 at 4:50 pmDa5id
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…did anyone in the episode actually call that big hollow Fura?
July 8, 2010 at 1:04 amKandur
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Next episode.
July 8, 2010 at 1:24 pmda5id
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Oh, so its a spoiler, then.
July 6, 2010 at 5:47 pmichigoat
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nobody died?
aizen planned that.
July 7, 2010 at 6:06 amAizen
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Ah at least there is some intelligence from the commoners. Why else would i be standing around relaxing while my foolish pawns do what i expect? Even those low powered prototypes called Vizards are nothing but a little entertainment.
July 6, 2010 at 6:14 pmfreedomapoc
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yeah how do you know the name of the big hollow? fura? didnt recall readin it in manga :/
July 6, 2010 at 7:07 pmUh
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Some of you guys complain WAY too much.
July 6, 2010 at 7:14 pmWell
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Some of you guys like to overlook spoilers just because they’ve already read the manga.
It’s not like this hasn’t happened before, he also spoiled Lilynette being a part of an Espada (either that, or it was a hell of a typo).
July 6, 2010 at 7:25 pmoutcast
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There is something in your tone of writing that is sucking up all the fun out of it.
July 6, 2010 at 7:29 pmoutcast
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oh oh i just got it. Since you hate soifon so much and like that annoying guy. Maybe you are fat and useless as well? Some weird psychological projection? Because honestly I think the useless vice captain is getting the treatment he deserves. That scardy cat even backed out of the plan that soifon made.
also don’t take my fat and useless remark to personal.
July 6, 2010 at 7:43 pmWell
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Also, this:
“Though Ukitake justifies his involvement in Shunsui’s fight by claiming it’s only fair since Lilynette joined the fight, he’s not exactly correct, as Starrk and Lilynette are technically part of each other. Not only that, but Lilynette is a weak little kid who doesn’t really count as an opponent. Regardless, I don’t disagree with his decision, since war is by no means a one on one dueling affair.”
So…there was no real point to this sentence. Plus, since when do people over-analyze a SHONEN SERIES, especially one like Bleach? No one ever uses an actual excuse to get into someone else’s fight. They just give half a reason so readers aren’t left wondering “when did that guy get there?”.
And stop hating on Soifon. At least she’s actually doing something.
July 6, 2010 at 9:12 pmShinjiro
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outcast, that was harsh coming from you, dude. We can all be passionate and disagree on different matters but that is something you should think about. I won’t speak for everyone else but I am still a Bleach follower (Not a fan per se anymore)and it’s always nice/interesting to see/discuss the perspective of others.
Furthermore, I think Prooof showed a bit of frustration about the actions or lack of the series characters. Maybe it’s something else about the series. It’s his call and we can all respectfully agree or disagree without insulting each other.
Coming back to what’s at hand…Stigma0080 pretty well summed up some of the events Bleach went through and why Aizen is seen right now (by more than a few people) as a story development block. Kubo will really need a shocking surprise from the protagonists to defeat this near-God like antagonist. By the way, I think Sasuke still does a lot more actions than Aizen.
July 7, 2010 at 11:57 pmProoof
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While I have mentioned that Omaeda has a terrible personality and character, it is irrelevant in the point I made. Someone who does not want to be saved should not be saved. Since the Secret Forces are not about loyalty but rather stealthy tactics, I’m sure Soifon would be happier if her disgusting vice-captain did not save her so many times.
July 6, 2010 at 7:53 pmStigma0080
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Come on Guys we all know what Bleach is now. Its simply Trash now, Awful on all accounts. Soul Society arc was good but they said screw that. y’all should do what i did and stop watching cuz it only get worse. Hyberolic time chamber , Final Getsuga Tenshou. Aizen is plot aware of everything so no one can surprise him.Even if a new chracter shows up he would be all like i saw you coming and i know everything about you even though i never met you before.
Then Ichigo has to regain his resolve like 20 more times, then random powerup. I hate Ichigo more then i hate Sas “Plot-Block” uke. I really really hate Sasuke. Seriously where can they go from here after Aizen is defeated nowhere they closed all avenues so this is it. i can only pray that it is.
July 6, 2010 at 7:58 pmcain
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Yeah, leave soifon alone :p
July 7, 2010 at 3:40 pmPpl
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Everyone…. XD it’s just a series, no need for the hatin’ and complaining… give valid opinions rather rants…
Have respect for other animes/mangas with Naruto getting interresting in the manga (Lol I remembered not likin’ that series XD), One Piece, FMA — etc.
Simply… you don’t like it I recommend not watchin’ it. There’s other anime/mangas to be read and watch.
July 7, 2010 at 5:11 pmrufe
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Actually, the under-powering of the Shinigami has also always bugged me. Supposedly only 1 in several generations of the noble families achieve Bankai, and right now there are what…15 instead of the normal 12 that in the past have simultaneously suppressed the hollows, forced the Vizard into hiding, and plotted the elimination of the Quincy.
Suddenly it’s like “oh ****, here’s a power even BETTER than bankai and there are almost as many people who can use it as there are captains…Oh and Aizen is all powerful…and the King’s guards will never interfere in the plan to overthrow him…and Ichigo is stronger than everyone but everyone still beats him on their first try”
It also bugs me that there are so many captains significantly more senior than Aizen and Gin including some who specialize in scientific research or spend all their time in the library and still Aizen is always so far ahead of them. Fu**ing die bleach
July 7, 2010 at 11:43 pmBROOKLYN otaku
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DUDE, I FEEL YOU!!! you got many many maaaaany valid points, but you see we gotta check our brains off at the door for this ride…that’s just the way it is. all i know is ONE THING and that is that KRILLIN was the STRONGEST human on DBZ. and that’s ALL i KNOW. i base all my future power ranking with THAT as the baseline hahaha!!!
July 9, 2010 at 5:33 pmSora no Kaze
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Well… I dunno about you, but it’s pretty damn annoying when everything you fight could be a possible illusion.
July 7, 2010 at 5:35 pmAllie
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@Rufe
I COULD NOT
AGREE
MORE
<3
July 7, 2010 at 11:38 pmBROOKLYN otaku
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WOW! at this point i actually FORGOT who kills who, MEANING i’ll be watching with antici….pation!
July 8, 2010 at 4:20 amkaineng
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wow Prooof-san, you are SOOOO biased to Soifon-taicho man…
well with no one dying means we get to see more action! well, like people who have shown enough (eg. bya-kun, shiro-chan) can just go sacrifice. more of vaizards next episode, though the last part of this episode (the recall) is so unnecessary…
wow more BLEACH! MORE ACTION! Can’t wait…
July 8, 2010 at 1:03 pmda5id
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I like how the last screenshot is just a random pic of Rose. Feels so out of place its hilarious.
July 10, 2010 at 2:41 pmTenkei~
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I think Gin from Gintama should just walk in and beat the shit out of everyone.
July 11, 2010 at 10:10 amvalerie
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its nice to know that the anime is catching up with the manga, but i hate how the anime is going quite slow with the dialogues. they dont make the new scenes/appearances quite exciting as before now. bleach is stil awesome though
July 11, 2010 at 2:20 pmShad_Phoenix
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SUPERCHUNKY FROM HELL IS BACK!
Wonderweiss’ power comes from what RvB terms “tard strength.” Fearsome indeed.
July 12, 2010 at 11:19 pmMasterofawesomeness
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It’s strange. Where the heck are the royal guard. It’s a freaking squad of former Captains, and isn’t it their job to protech the Soul King?
July 15, 2010 at 11:04 amda5id
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Well the soul king isn’t in fake karakura, so there probably isn’t any reason for them to be there. Plus, aren’t they in another dimension or something?