User blog:Lemursrule/BLEACH 343 Review: 17 Months Later

Behold the impossible has happened! Lemursrule is actually on time with a review this week. But, it is also a very special event. One year ago today (counting Tuesdays not actual calendar date), I wrote my very first Bleach review. So much has changed in my life over the past year, but some things never change. So, enough self-reflection, on with the review!

I really like the new opening by Scandal, it is definitely a vast improvement from Shōjo S both musically and artistically. I also appreciate that the anime team didn't really put in any spoilers, both openings 12 and 13 (which I both love deeply) were overflowing with spoilers. I didn't mind it, but I could understand why some people would be upset. I also noticed that Tite Kubo's name both in the recent manga tankōbon volumes and now in the anime opening is written in Rōmaji. I think this is Kubo's way of reinventing himself, kind of like when artists legally change their name, but in a less self-absorbed way.

Now for the episode itself. I really liked the episode, it stayed very true to the manga, the animation was consistent throughout the entire episode (something that we really haven't seen since April of this year), and I like the fact that the anime team added some additional scenes to stretch out the content. I really like the idea of adding a few short scenes here and there and maybe a filler episode or two (yes I have already heard the rumors, but let's not discuss spoilers here) just to pad it out to avoid going to another filler arc as long as possible.

Overall it was a fantastic reboot episode and I think this is just what the anime needed. I look forward to the next couple of months.

Final Rundown

 * Story 8/10
 * Art/Animation 10/10
 * Sound Effects 10/10
 * Music 10/10
 * Acting 10/10
 * Omake 7/10

I give Bleach episode 343 a 9.2 out of 10. Remember to join me next Tuesday when I review Bleach episode 344, and join me on this Saturday when I review Bleach 226 dubbed.

Until next time! --Lemursrule (talk) 17:44, October 11, 2011 (UTC)