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ファイト／ステイナイト 
February 23, 2005 | 
19 Comments
Unfortunately the recap will have to be shorter this time around since I don't have the episode in front of me and I barely remember the sequence of events. I also feel a bit annoyed with Ichigo's tendency to be over-confident here. I think it's one thing to be confident of one's ability, but it is quite another to brag about it before showing what one can do. It doesn't help that unlike Naruto, who has a naive personality, Ichigo is all serious. As a result, when his basic personality is combined with his over-confidence, the character ends up looking rather obnoxious. In the end, I can't help but think that Ichigo deserves the fear that Urahara dishes out on him in this episode. Unfortunately, even this doesn't seem to change him much. He's as impatient and over-confident at the end of the episode as he was at the start of the episode.
Anyway, the episode begins with Byakuya having a light verbal standoff with two Shinigami who make sarcastic remark about his reaction, or lack thereof, to his sister's upcoming execution. In the end, however, one of the Shinigami (Gin) decides to drag the other Shinigami away from Byakuya before the two ends up in a physical fight. Meanwhile, Ichigo gets the scare of his life when he can't defend himself against Urahara's sword attack. Just when he thinks he's about to die, however, he manages to recall his sword's name and consequently, draws its power to fight Urahara. The fight ends with Urahara declaring that Ichigo pass the third test. In fact, if it wasn't because of Urahara's own power, Ichigo's Soul Cutter may have sliced his arm. At the same time, Orihime and Chad have also completed their training. So they return to their friends to celebrate summer together.
When the festival is over, Ichigo sneaks out of his house and goes to Urahara's shop again. He, however, is surprised when he finds out that Chad, Ishida, and Orihime will come to Soul Society as well. At first Ichigo is worried about this, but Orihime assures him that no one forces them to come and they already know the risk. Urahara then tells them that in order to go to Soul Society without too much trouble, they have to go through this portal that enables them to go in their current form. He, however, warns everyone that as soon as they get to the other side, a dangerous current as well as 'welcoming parties' are likely to greet them. Having said that, most of them don't seem to have any trouble in using the portal to go to Soul Society. The only exception to this is Urahara. It seems that some kind of a barrier is suddenly in place when he tries to touch the portal with his hand.
Impression:
An okay episode that generally serves to flesh out Urahara's character a bit more, as well as to show more mystery surrounding the concept of Shinigami. By now, it is obvious that Urahara has a connection to Soul Society in one form of another. The fact that the portal's barrier repels him suggests that his presence is not wanted in Soul Society at the moment. I wonder if this means that even if he dies, his soul can't go to Soul Society? The more interesting question, however, is: what did he do to warrant such drastic action from Soul Society? Anyway, apart from Urahara himself, I'm also interested in the two Shinigami introduced at the start of the episode. Their conversation with Byakuya suggests that there's a division fight and power struggle within the core of Soul Society itself. If Ichigo and his friends play their cards right, they can probably use this situation to their advantage.
I think I'm done with this show. I'd have ditched it a while back but I really wanted to like it. So I kept giving it a chance hoping there would be something to really capture my interest. But for some reason, the show continues to bore and irritate me. The only character that I find interesting is Rukia and she's been taken out of play for god knows how long. I'm going to skim the manga to see if there's anything interesting down the road that might compel me to start watching again but I'm not that optimistic. In the end I think it's just a little too formulaic for my tastes. I can look past that most of the time if there's some other element to make up for it (i.e. interesting characters/good character development, original concept, etc) but I just can't find any of that in Bleach. And after twenty episodes, I think it's had more than enough opportunity to provide it.
I am upset that Hephador finds Bleach uninteresting. I find it very interesting. You mentioned the manga in your reply. I love the manga! I'm up to chapter 167 and it gets better (though the fighting does get repetative).
It is not said so in the manga yet, but I want to know why Urahara is helping Ichigo! There has got to be another reason other than trying to help Rukia. Garten, you were wondering about Urahara dying if he'd be let back into Soul Society. I don't know but... if he is still able to draw a Zanpakutou then is he still a Shinigami who just isn't allowed back into Soul Society? I want to know more about Urahara but even in the manga you don't see him. >_:lt;
Ah, Pajee, tread carefully with spoilers >.<;
I have bought the manga current with this stage of the anime, and I think the main thing that surprises me is how fast it seems to be moving through the storyline. I think they've already managed to cover up through Volume 8 (though I don't have my copy handy), and just in 20 episodes.
Bleach does feature alot of anime cliche, but I have to admit... compared to some of the high school kids I teach in Tokyo, Ichigo is a breath of fresh air. He's the Super Talented Kid Who Didn't Know He Could Til Forced By Circumstance, suffering from a lack of instruction and experience, but at least he isn't angsty like some 15 year old mecha fodder we could mention ^__^; he has a decent heart and he's helping Rukia because it, and it makes, at least in this case, the gamansuru attitude (do your best) of alot of these anime characters easier to swallow.
Although character development would be really nice, to go along with the fan service. (I cringe whenever I see Orihime, but at least she's brighter than she looks, even if it is dressed up in sensitivity.)
Now, I need an anime where the chick has the giant sword (low fan service costume a plus) and the guy does the shield/healing spells. Anybody know of one of those?
well... All I can say is that it gets better after the hop into soul society. For one, Hitsugaya is there! w00t!
I too found the first few volumes boring at first... but seriously, I can't wait for them to kik ass in SS arc. :)
Good things come to those who wait.
I agree with the most of the review. I also find Ichigo's bragging to be tiresome - I was hoping the writers would make him more humble after getting crushed by Rukia's brother.
So far, I watching to find out more about Urahara and his staff, the cat, the soul society, as well as what is going on between Rukai/Ichigo and Orihime/Tatsuki. I might read the manga during the summer to find out more about them.
I hope the writers don't ruin it by cramming too much into too few episodes. The reason I mention this is because character development is lacking IMO (with a few exceptions like Rukia).
well u guys have a point about ichigo being a bit exrta self confidence, but i think that its just part of his character, he always acts like this even in the worst situations put in, so actaully i think i like that trait about him cuz whatever the situation he still has the spirit-although it gets him in trouble mostly- but come one guys he's so tuff! i'd be more confident if i was him lol.
and about those death gods, well they sure sound like they carry a big role in the sequence and i dont think that they'll be just a bunch of opponents.
i have a questiuon, maybe u guys can help me, where can i get the manga from! is there a site where i can view them or order them?
ps: what i've been wondering about since the beggining of the series is "what the hell happens to all those deep cuts that go thru him?! they just seem to heel in the next episode,"
fayyad, I don't know if you still need it but you can find current manga translations at http://www.bleach7.com and also http://www.bleachportal.net :D
to be honest i thought the anime sucked... until i read the manga. see, the first 15 or so episodes were nothing but killing dumb hollows. only the manga allowed me to understand that the story wasn't as superficial as i thought. i find the anime awesome now. so give it a chance.
fayyad, the bleach manga has been translated to english so you should be able to get the volumes at your local bookstore (barnes and nobles or borders). it's just not up to the current ones though.
ummm i have a question! When i came 2 this sight earlier u had Bleach ep.1-25! Wat happend 2 them ?
Eijichan: Erk, I think you were looking for "ganbaru". "Gaman suru" can mean "enduring" or "holding a full bladder" depending on context, and isn't really used for "do your best".
hey ppl how come no more episode synopsis are posted anymore! this site posts the best ones i've ever read
"Now, I need an anime where the chick has the giant sword (low fan service costume a plus) and the guy does the shield/healing spells. Anybody know of one of those?"
Try 12 kingdoms. I love it for the fact that the main character is a girl with a sword. And for its character development. I have also tried hard to like Bleach and i continue watching it (up to ep 27) but some of the fight seasons bore me, it just gets too repetitive after a while and has little character development compared to 12 kingdoms (which Ive seen all episodes of). And with episode 26, hm how to say this without spoiling it..well there is no way, but it looks like it is well fleshed out with fight scenes in the future..sigh.
there are more annoying characters than Ichigo's confidence. that's the beauty of this anime, he might seem like a serious character, but its interesting that way.
Through all of the fillers and boring, predictable fighting scenes, there are some occasional exciting episodes of late (as of episodes 40s) and its nice to have an ongoing series.
*spoiler starts*
With episodes 50s they've really lowered the animation quality and streching the story line thin. Looks like Naruto and Dragonball..
But, I'll continue to watch it for those occasional gems.. and find out how the story "ends".
*spoiler ends*
You're kidding me, right? Give Bleach a chance; it gets much better in the later episodes. Look through the manga and you'll be interested in Bleach again in no time.
Ive been watching this, and although quite a few people says its not that good, the majority thinks its excellent, yeah people have their own opinions, but i would like to say something about this just hooks you on like a drug. I liked it from the start and the Opening theme from Orange Range just makes it fuzzy to the dark cloud
The fillers are a bit dull but overall i think its a good anime, though i have'nt watched many others to compare with.
A thing that is annoying me is when they pause mid-fight to explain the technical details of their attacks. Same as what they do in Naruto i guess..
How come its only till ep. 20? I've watched up to ep. 72 already... But great summaries though! :-)
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