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Impressions:

Wow, Bleach has made it to its 100th episode (I was gonna say ‘centennial’ episode, but I wasn’t sure about that because it would seem like it’s 100th year, while 100 episodes only makes the span of about 2 years). Still, four years is very long for an anime and it’s really impressive that Bleach has managed to remain popular for such a long time (for certain purposes, Naruto will remain out of this reference). Bleach has plenty of time to build its popularity and also sets a higher standard for other shounen series that follow ongoing manga series (the only other one that comes to mind right now is D.Gray-man; I wonder how that will hold out). I started watching Bleach rather late – about a year ago when it was up to episode 50 something. I wasn’t really hooked in the beginning but I definitely wanted to see the next episode at end of every previous episode. The more I watched the more I liked it. It’s a good thing the fillers come in a long time after the start of the series as many Bleach followers would remain faithful to the show. A lot of people think the fillers suck bad (including me), but this is really only in comparison to the glorious times when Bleach was actually following the manga.

Like how I think after every episode, I hope the fillers end soon. The fillers ARE enjoyable right now, especially with all the big fights between Bounto and Captain, but what I really want to see really badly is ICHIGO! I want to see him train with the Vizards, fight his the Espada…but before that, I want the fillers to end so he can fight Kariya for real and end everything to do with Bounto. I wouldn’t mind it if the Bounto were somehow incorporated into the manga storyline, as long as it doesn’t affect the main plot. This episode features a battle between Bounto Mabashi and Captain Soi Fon. From the previous of this episode from last episode, I was pretty worried that they made Mabashi too strong as he was fighting Soi Fon on equal grounds, but this is because Soi Fon was poisoned and on the verge of death. The hand-to-hand combat was pretty cool, but it wasn’t dynamic enough and the cheap background didn’t help it either. Overall though, the fight was much better than some previous ones. I am including the quality of the episode when I say this, just to let you know. Although the quality of this episode was better than the one with Kenpachi and Ichinose, only Mabashi and Soi Fon got good treatment.

Not really related but, does anyone think Mabashi’s hairstyle looks like Yukito’s from Air? I’m asking this because they have the same seiyus. Anyway, there are now only four Bountos left. If Mayuri takes care of the old guy next episode or two (Sawatari?), there’ll be Yoshi, Koga and Kariya left. I don’t think Ichinose will do much now; either he will die trying to help Kariya in the final battle, die trying to kill Kariya in the final battle, or not appear at all and reappear sometime after the fillers. Hmm, speaking of which, lately I’ve been worrying if the fillers will continue even when the Bounto arc finishes. There is a limit to how long they can stretch it, so either way if the producers aren’t ready to start animating the manga, there’s gonna be some random fillers like Naruto. It is HIGHLY unlikely that another long arc will be stuffed in – that would be insanely irritating. I’d much rather the fillers end soon and the manga storyline be stretched out, than for more fillers when the anime catches up once again. There’s only enough manga for another 30 or so episodes right now. After thinking about all that, what about ‘when will Bleach end?’ Noo! I don’t want that to happen. I can’t imagine that happening. There just has to be more after Aizen…

Plot Outline:

- Basically a lot of fighting so…
- Anyway, after Soi Fon gets stung by the Bitto, her troops elsewhere start succumbing to Mabashi’s control as well
- Ichigo and the others are attacked by these mind controlled slaves
- Soi Fon meets Mabashi alone and they start to fight
- The two fight unarmed and are evenly matched as Soi Fon has been weakened by the Bitto
- However, Mabashi informs Soi Fon she is about to die because of the poison, which is evident as she is weakening with every second
- She releases her Zanpakuto and strikes Mabashi once with her claw thing
- She is too weak to go on and collapses

- Meanwhile, shinigami under Mabashi’s control are knocked out and brought to Unohana for treatment, but she can do nothing
- When Mabashi leaves Soi Fon to die, she thinks about her past with Yoruichi and realises how to save herself
- When Mabashi comes back, Soi Fon pretends to be on the verge of death still, but in fact has already counteracted the poison with her Zanpakuto’s ability
- She uses the ‘flash release’ technique and kills Mabashi
- The other Bounto sense Mabashi’s demise but think he deserved it for being weak
- Mayuri gets caught by Sawatari as even though he hid his reiatsu, his killing intent could be felt
- Mayuri asks for Ichinose, but he is told he is probably already out of action, so Mayuri decides to settle for Sawatari
- Next episode, seems like Mayuri’s going to go all out with his Bankai!

Preview:

Next episode – #101
It’s Mayuri’s turn…

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