User blog:CathalOHara/Cathal's Bleach Recap Episode 347 & Chapter 472

Only just on time to post this, huzzah. Onto the mini reviews then. Enjoy my jibber-jabber.

Anime
Episode 347: '''A Creeping Danger in the Kurosaki Family?! Ichigo's Confusion!'''

For a filler episode, this is by far my favorite in the arc thus far. Primarily because of the one thing I have complained about the last few weeks... the blithering lighting.

I'm not going to go on and repeat myself from last week but thankfully the lighting is much better this time around! Seeing Ichigo and Chad's flashback really did remind me of my early days watching Bleach. The animation has evolved drastically And the scene under the bridge was the best way to remind us of how far we come.

Audio wise it was top-notch. Same ol' Bleach music tunes were used but since I've come to love them so much I don't mind rehearing them over (really rough estimate) 300 times. Voice acting was a charm and the writers really but plenty of effort into making this filler feel genuine to Kubo's own work. Which I can always appreciate. I promise this is the last time I'll mention it... but I'm not fond of Megumi at all. There, said it. All the others though, top-notch.

Plus, Ichigo taking on that Hollow not being able to see it gave me goosebumps. Which I RARELY get with filler episodes. This feels like it really belongs to the canon, so much so I even slightly wish it was.

But that ending with Kūgo throwing Ichigo back his badge felt very tacky. Well it did at first, but that Xcution Diary was like the apology letter so I'll let it slide.

Next week we have the best Bleach character ever coming in... Mr. Pork.

Pros
 * Feels like it fits into the canon.
 * Powerless Ichigo vs. The Hollow was tense.
 * It's brighter! Yes!

Cons
 * Getting the badge back like that felt too quick, like as if the writers forgot they done that.

Give this episode a 9.5 out of 10. Nearly a perfectly done episode.

Manga
Chapter 472: Razoredge Requiem

Bleach really was on fire today! By far my favorite chapter in months!

Well it began with Riruka dissappearing (don't know why) and Rukia passing out (don't know why).

All confusing that was, but the real deal of this chapter was Byakuya fighting Tsukishima. Which was by far one of the most triumphant chapters in this arc. Now, I'm not the biggest fan of Byakuya (not even remotely) but I do love that brilliant Zanpakutō of his, Senbonzakura. I just love imagining crazy techniques you can do with that Bankai. And Byakuya shown that even he can fight really dirty if he wants to.

Best fight in this entire arc (although they're really wasn't much competition) and I even dare say the best chapter... well either that one or End of All Bonds.

Pros
 * That fight finally got Bleach back up to 11.
 * Senbonzakura continues to show how it is the best Zanpakutō of the Gotei 13.
 * Brilliantly executed finisher.
 * Tsukishima finally got what he deserved for the past few months.

Cons
 * What ever happened to the influence Tsukishima was supposed to have? Did it just walk out of the door or was Byakuya stabbed twice in the sense of the Fullbring being disabled? Guess it will be resolved soon though.

Give this chapter a big 10 out of 10. I was slightly at nit-picky giving it that score at first governing how this is only my third review. But trust me, I don't give that score out easily.

Comments always welcome! As well as feedback!