Support NeoGAF

[TheInfamousKira]

Kind of iffy that they've already padded half an episode with OP/ED and a five minute recap counted towards the TOTAL run time by the fourth episode. That's shades of late Arrancar Arc anime stuff. Disturbing if it continues. There's more than enough content to fill an Arc of anime without wasting your limited episode count with the dreaded flashback from last episode with a sienna filter.

 

[Sub_Level]

Kind of iffy that they've already padded half an episode with OP/ED and a five minute recap counted towards the TOTAL run time by the fourth episode. That's shades of late Arrancar Arc anime stuff. Disturbing if it continues. There's more than enough content to fill an Arc of anime without wasting your limited episode count with the dreaded flashback from last episode with a sienna filter.

Looks like the recap is just every 3 episodes. Annoying but still waaaay better than the Arrancar/Hueco Mundo days.

This week’s episode was incredible.

 

[k1m1d4n]

Looks like the recap is just every 3 episodes. Annoying but still waaaay better than the Arrancar/Hueco Mundo days.

This week’s episode was incredible.

And the next one will be FIRE !!

 

[Sub_Level]

Kenpachi speedrunning 3 of these fuckers lmao

 

[EviLore]

Surprising that this is actually worth watching. Better than anything to come out of Bleach since the Rukia rescue arc a lifetime ago.

 

[Kenpachii]

Dam he deleted those 3 fast.

 

[YukiOnna]

I had heard Episode 6 was going to have some insane animators on it and they weren't kidding.

Worth the 10 year wait.

EDIT: Man, still in awe of Episode 6... they went all out and again the anime original scenes were very welcome.

 

[Werewolf Jones]

Watched all 5 episodes in one go with a friend and it was fucking fire. Animation was top quality when it needed to be and the narrative is hitting just right and fast paced as fuck.

I shit on Bleach for over a decade, I'm not sorry but this arc is the apology. Yhwach is the best Shounen antagonist I've seen in years, no sitting around doing fuck all or announcing he'll do something, he's already done it. He just goes IN.

 

[Sub_Level]

HOLY FUCKING SHIT

Watched all 5 episodes in one go with a friend and it was fucking fire.

Watch episode 6 immediately.

 

[TheInfamousKira]

This one lived up to expectations.

 

[Sub_Level]

Next ep will probably be shorter than usual thanks to the recap. But honestly after last episode they deserve a break lol

Chad’s new English voice actor sounds exactly the same. Impressive job by the new guy.

 

[H-I-M]

Episode 6 was everything and more.

 

[YukiOnna]

Next ep will probably be shorter than usual thanks to the recap. But honestly after last episode they deserve a break lol

Chad’s new English voice actor sounds exactly the same. Impressive job by the new guy.

It's going to be worth it though since we'll be seeing the OG Gotei 13 IIRC. Kubo also released a new art of them in the upcoming Jump magazine.

 

[YukiOnna]

Arguably just as good an episode as 6. Thank you Kubo for the extra scenes and nailed Ichigo's rage.

 

[H-I-M]

This episode was crazy, I hope we'll get more content with the OG squad (movie, novel, animé).

 

[Sub_Level]

Haven’t seen the ep yet. Stuck at work. But people are saying the animation is still good? How is that possible?

 

[TheInfamousKira]

Haven’t seen the ep yet. Stuck at work. But people are saying the animation is still good? How is that possible?

Lots of very good uses of light and contrasting Darkness, lots of artistically framed scenes in two tones of color. None of it was particularly as IN DEPTH detail and smoothness wise as last week, but the cinematography made this feel like legit DBZ at parts.

 

[YukiOnna]

Haven’t seen the ep yet. Stuck at work. But people are saying the animation is still good? How is that possible?

Notable animators and excellent person on storyboard this week, too. That's how.

 

[Ribi]

Haven’t seen the ep yet. Stuck at work. But people are saying the animation is still good? How is that possible?

That's what happens when you get an actual budget and people who are passionate about an adaptation. The trick is to break it up into cours. These episodes take months to be made so a weekly format for a whole year won't fly.

 

[EviLore]

Never thought I'd see the day where I'd be calling Bleach legitimately good...

 

[Amiga]

Don't want to rain on the parade, but was there any talk of rebuilding the final act in the Manga? kind of came to a rushed end.

 

[YukiOnna]

Don't want to rain on the parade, but was there any talk of rebuilding the final act in the Manga? kind of came to a rushed end.

Not specifically the final act of the arc, but Kubo confirmed there's new scenes/battles he wrote & suggested throughout, the screenwriter in a recent interview reiterated it and they've already been adding additional scenes almost each episode.

 

[killatopak]

I fucking love bleach…

10 years was worth the wait. I’m so happy.

it will kinda wind down a bit after this episode though but I think a breather is necessary after all that emotion.

 

[March Climber]

I'm a little worried about the whole 'chosen one' storyline that may be ahead but regardless of how that goes, there are a ton of other anime this season that have been performing well beyond expectations. MHA's animation may not be on the level of Bleach, but their ability this season to keep you on the edge of your seat after every episode so far this season is just as masterful as what's happening with this Bleach arc.

 

[TheInfamousKira]

This was a good pace changer episode. Haven't really had any down time in the Arc so far, so I was instantly taken back to the more slapsticky days of the anime/manga pretty much from Ichigo's first classic derp face on. I knew about all the character appearances from the Little bit I kept up with the Manga, but I don't think I realized they were all so BOOMBOOMBOOM back to back. Probably didn't feel so overwhelming at a pace of fifteen pages a week.

I was also waiting for the first Rukia and Ichigo exchange. I've been a sub watcher from day one, and I'm very happy with Japan's border line OCD need to have a voice actor reprise their role in every appearance until the actor passes away. It's kind of how I feel about this entire thing so far. Like I was in a completely different place in my life when the original run ended, but even with all of the changes, these 24 minutes a week are there exactly the same as before.

I'm old and sad.

 

[Sub_Level]

This was a good pace changer episode. Haven't really had any down time in the Arc so far, so I was instantly taken back to the more slapsticky days of the anime/manga pretty much from Ichigo's first classic derp face on. I knew about all the character appearances from the Little bit I kept up with the Manga, but I don't think I realized they were all so BOOMBOOMBOOM back to back. Probably didn't feel so overwhelming at a pace of fifteen pages a week.

I was also waiting for the first Rukia and Ichigo exchange. I've been a sub watcher from day one, and I'm very happy with Japan's border line OCD need to have a voice actor reprise their role in every appearance until the actor passes away. It's kind of how I feel about this entire thing so far. Like I was in a completely different place in my life when the original run ended, but even with all of the changes, these 24 minutes a week are there exactly the same as before.

I'm old and sad.

There was a rumor, not sure if true, that other anime productions were getting mad at Bleach cuz they were bringing back SO MANY VA’s lol it probably causes scheduling conflicts. The dub is doing a surprisingly good job at retaining old actors as well.

And I agree we needed a more laid back episode like this. We still had quite a few reveals and developments, the pacing is very fast.

 

[Sub_Level]

Never stick your sword in crazy.

 

[Sub_Level]

The finale, Episodes 12 and 13, will be a combined 1 hour special!

I love how Dragonball Super was an infinitely more watched show but had an absolute dogshit production in comparison. They really did that series dirty. Meanwhile Bleach, a mediocre show with dwindling popularity, is getting a damn Criterion Collection level of care. We are feasting boys.

 

[Wheeljack539]

The finale, Episodes 12 and 13, will be a combined 1 hour special!

I love how Dragonball Super was an infinitely more watched show but had an absolute dogshit production in comparison. They really did that series dirty. Meanwhile Bleach, a mediocre show with dwindling popularity, is getting a damn Criterion Collection level of care. We are feasting boys.

Honestly thought the season ender was going to be what we got in this episode

Spoiler: Manga Spoilers

and with Isshin about to tell Ichigo about the past and his mother leaving the hook for the next cour. I'm now guessing the last parts will be Ichigo and his new zanpakuto that's contrasted with Uryuu joining the Sternritter.

 

[TheInfamousKira]

Finally caught the last episode. Unohana's bankai was everything visually I'd hoped it would be animated. That entire battle was just neat. Very fun episode to just WATCH. They're doing really really good color work in this series. Lots of really artsy camera work and surrealist sets and a kind of personal touch that I can't quite put my finger on that makes it feel much more like the original couple or arcs in the anime, that is, a labor of art and love, and not something underpaid and overworked C-tier animators and artists work 12 hour days to finish without fucking up the airing schedule.

This feels like an anime.

The middle to the end barring a few special instances, of the original run of episodes felt like an assembly line product. Most eloquent way I can phrase it right now.

Great episode, though.

 

[March Climber]

The finale, Episodes 12 and 13, will be a combined 1 hour special!

I love how Dragonball Super was an infinitely more watched show but had an absolute dogshit production in comparison. They really did that series dirty. Meanwhile Bleach, a mediocre show with dwindling popularity, is getting a damn Criterion Collection level of care. We are feasting boys.

DB Super had a vague layout with it’s larger story but no grand plan to follow. That’s why it’s a series full of great individual moments with terrible in-between story segments.

TYBW is taking a manga that was beyond finished and is treating it with the utmost care and polish. It is the Bleach: Brotherhood of Bleach.

It’s a massive difference to me. It doesn’t fully excuse DB Super but it also doesn’t make that show the best comparison material.

Also, on a side note, Super needs new leads. The current ones are creating a carrot on a stick situation with more forms, more forms, more forms. It’s monotonous and the fans either don’t see it or don’t care enough to speak up about it.

I would pay good money for a completely new lead to write a separate manga series on Future Trunks and his adventures.

 

[Sub_Level]

Another good ep. Pacing was fast but did not bother me. So basically Ichigo is a freakish Soul Reaper-Quincy-Hollow hybrid. Who also has Human Fullbringer powers. Normally this kind of Gary Stu nonsense irks me but it has been revealed gradually over hundreds of episodes. And Ichigo gets his ass kicked plenty of times.

 

[Wheeljack539]

Another good ep. Pacing was fast but did not bother me. So basically Ichigo is a freakish Soul Reaper-Quincy-Hollow hybrid. Who also has Human Fullbringer powers. Normally this kind of Gary Stu nonsense irks me but it has been revealed gradually over hundreds of episodes. And Ichigo gets his ass kicked plenty of times.

Remember that Fullbringers have their powers due to their mother's being attacked by a Hollow. Masaki got double the problems as White was stated to give her something extra for Hollowfication that Aizen and co. were expecting to be passed to a shinigami.

 

[TheInfamousKira]

Yeah, seeing this play out before my eyes did WONDERS for my understanding of the actual events. It's not that it's even particularly convoluted, and more that I used to read jank translations of Manga. I was once a fool.

 

[Sub_Level]

Episode 12 was beautiful. I even teared up a little. I honestly like Ishin, Ryuken, Masaki, Uruhara, Yoruichi, etc more than the present day cast of Ichigo, Rukia, Uryu, etc.

Episode 13 was poorly paced and just a massive exposition dump, There were random new pointless characters, scenes of Captains that had no time to breath, & too much flashback usage with that awful strawberry filter. Its emblematic of the poor writing that plagued the manga. Shame to end the season on such a meh episode but at least it did a lot of heavy lifting for the plot. And it was nice to send off Zangetsu/Hollow Ichigo.



The show returns July 2023. Bleach is back baby.

 

[TheInfamousKira]

Episode 12 was beautiful. I even teared up a little. I honestly like Ishin, Ryuken, Masaki, Uruhara, Yoruichi, etc more than the present day cast of Ichigo, Rukia, Uryu, etc.

Episode 13 was poorly paced and just a massive exposition dump, There were random new pointless characters, scenes of Captains that had no time to breath, & too much flashback usage with that awful strawberry filter. Its emblematic of the poor writing that plagued the manga. Shame to end the season on such a meh episode but at least it did a lot of heavy lifting for the plot. And it was nice to send off Zangetsu/Hollow Ichigo.



The show returns July 2023. Bleach is back baby.

Yeah, was a much bigger fan of 12 than 13, but that's probably a factor in why they decided to air them together, because otherwise, it'd be a wet fart of an ending, with no battles or any kind of non-flashback action beyond the highest budget I've ever seen on someone pulling an object out of a fire.

Strawberry filter is somewhat relevant thematically, at least, and I didn't even make the connection until you described it that way. But yeah, it makes it super hard to even get Your bearings in scenes that contain it. Fine for a stylized OP, but a bit much for entire settings. Overall quite happy with what has been adapted so far, though.

 

[Sub_Level]

Overall quite happy with what has been adapted so far, though.

Oh for sure. Episodes 3 and 13 were pretty mid-tier but as someone who just rewatched the entire anime this has been a HUUUUUGE quality jump. If they land the rest of the episodes this might be one of the best shounen arcs since Chimera Ant or Dark Tournament. (i dont watch one piece)

 

[GymWolf]

jesus this fucking season is everything i hoped for

 

[Sub_Level]

jesus this fucking season is everything i hoped for

good cuz THIS BITCH RETURNS JULY 8 AT 7:30AM PACIFIC LETS GOOO

 

[Sub_Level]

Rukia’s special episode is today lads.

 

[Nankatsu]

Rukia’s special episode is today lads.

Was expecting more screentime for her bankai but damn, it looked really good nonetheless.

 

[March Climber]

Was expecting more screentime for her bankai but damn, it looked really good nonetheless.

The amount of times Rukia has to rely on others to get the job done, makes her feel like a comedy relief at times. Even though her and Renji are now more powerful, it disappointed me that Renji was able to handle his battle with zero help, yet Rukia still needed someone to save her and give her a pep talk. All of that training and it felt like she's still not truly ready to fight on her own merits.

 

[Sub_Level]

Was expecting more screentime for her bankai but damn, it looked really good nonetheless.

Not go mention 1/3rd of the screen was obscured with dialogue subtitles, music subtitles, and credits. Thousand Year Blood War is quickly becoming one of those rare anime where I prefer the English dub. Less shit on the screen so I can actually see the beautiful artwork.

 

[Kenpachii]

The amount of times Rukia has to rely on others to get the job done, makes her feel like a comedy relief at times. Even though her and Renji are now more powerful, it disappointed me that Renji was able to handle his battle with zero help, yet Rukia still needed someone to save her and give her a pep talk. All of that training and it felt like she's still not truly ready to fight on her own merits.

I think the writers had to write in the validation of her brother, as it was always something that haunted her. Didn't mind it.

 

[March Climber]

I think the writers had to write in the validation of her brother, as it was always something that haunted her. Didn't mind it.

I guess if that scenario could be written differently, I would have preferred for her to overcome her own battle with a combination of newfound strength, combat knowledge, and wits. Then after the battle her brother could show up to acknowledge that she has grown and that he finally respects her as an equal.

 

[March Climber]

The latest few episodes had some visually good fights, but the amount of times the show went from one side winning, defeating the losers, then the losers pretending to die and defeating the winners, then the winners pretending to die and defeating the losers, back and forth again and again like a seesaw felt like the show was parodying itself.

 

[thefool]

Started today (only 1 episode, im gonna take a looong time. I'm also skipping fillers, but jap dub instead), there's something strangely comfy about this show. Your opinion of the arcs is not that different from my original perception. Huenco was super trash, horribly paced.

After almost 1 year (wow) i finally rewatched it all (and watched what i hadn't yet). Its still enjoyable, but like i remembered when they get to Hueco Mundo, pacing is really atrocious. There's definitely some cool shit after it, but it takes a lot of time to get there.

Will eventually watch this one when it ends (next year? Probably not, maybe 2025).

 

[killatopak]

I haven’t been this excited since I have learned to masturbate.

What an amazing adaptation.

 

[Panajev2001a]

Started today (only 1 episode, im gonna take a looong time. I'm also skipping fillers, but jap dub instead), there's something strangely comfy about this show. Your opinion of the arcs is not that different from my original perception. Huenco was super trash, horribly paced.

I would say to watch the Bounts filler arc, one of the best they have done and it is not worse than the Fullbringer one really…

 

[Nankatsu]

Kubo doing justice to Squad 0 is legit fucking amazing.

What an ending.