Bleach Episode 308 Discussion Thread

[monir]

Hello ladies and gentlemen. Good morning! How is everyone doing? I would imagine that this episode should wrap things up for Gin. I also wonder if he would be able to convey to Matsumoto why he did all that he did thus far. Matsumoto is actually one of the characters I like in Bleach. Her empathy and the line of thinking matches those of Rukia's. She is just blessed with bigger bazookas. Ahem... One poster brought up a good point in last week's thread about Gin, that his characters was mishandled very badly at the climax of things. The way he went out is just too convenient. The explanation about his reasons for siding with the bad guy also seem kind of shallow and selfish. I get the selfishness of it, but not the shallowness. I don't think he is meant to be seen as shallow. It's more like he doesn't give a crap about anything or anyone for that matter. Case in point, two halves of Hiyori's delicate frame. Matsumoto is the only exception. He is a villain without a question. The real question is what should be the general consensus about someone who is so singular about what he wants to achieve that he throws away anything and everything to get to it. My only gripe about this development is how easy Gin goes to the gallow considering how long he has sided with Aizen. I felt like the viewers didn't have any other choice but to except a resolution in regards to Aizen in the hands of one and only Ichigo. It's pretty much shoved down to our throat the shounen hero will get the ultimate glory regardless of how deserving he may appear. Then again, Kubo is concocting this story.... So... I guess.. go with the flow?

Enjoy the discussion.
__________________

Absolutely no manga spoilers in any anime-only threads such as the weekly Episode Discussion threads. That means, no hints, or vague remarks about a future event from the manga, even within the spoiler tags. Inability to observe this rule will result in a BAN!

[Wiggy Fuzz]

Queens of the Stone Age - Go With The Flow

[Hellychan]

Way to shut him up Ichigo! Aizen's babbling was just getting irritating =P

Even though he didn't show it, it's like Ichigo was taking a sweet "revenge" when he stopped Aizen's blade with his bare hand

Also, I was kinda "surprised" at the violence of the arm-tearing scene...poor Gin! =<

The cliffhanger screen was such a pleasure to the eyes!



Btw Sebastian just came to mind after Aizen's incantation...xD!

[Mizugetsu]

OMG OMG OMG what a cliffhanger, just left me demanding more. even though i've read the Manga to see a well executed Stop like that was awesome

[Aqua Knight]

It will be good if they continue to put so much work and effort in episode 309 too.
This one was a truly Bleach episode with kickass music and action.

[Mr. Anon-san]

Best /facepalm in history.

Regarding what Aizen claimed: fear is required for evolution.
So, explain to me "the logic of Aizen Kubo":
-Aizen planned for Gin to attempt to kill him,
-he didn't plan for it to actually be successful
-by not planning that, as per the above, his ultimate goal to evolve beyond hollow/shinigami was possible due to above mentioned fear... and his own plan to "not-plan"?
/just thinking (I'm confusing myself lol)

A very good episode nonetheless.

[Petbe]

I wasn't sure if I should watch this episode or wait for tomorrow to watch it, I am glad I did not wait.

My apologies for the lengthy post in the Spoiler. I have not really posted or been excited for Bleach in a long time. So I thought I would put some effort into the post.

Spoiler for Thoughts on the episode:

For quite some time now, I have actually been pissed off with Ichigo. He has always relied so heavily on those around him. He has failed so often, and barely made it out alive. He never was able to stand on his own two feet and truly have the resolve needed to kick some butt. There greatest moments for Ichigo was when he had the resolve. But for a while now, it always came off as being lackluster. I actually considered him to be bipolar at times with how often his attitude changes.

Alas, this episode made me truly like Ichigo once again. Although, his entrance was a bit lacking. That comedic moment where he could not remember Afro-Shinigami's name sort of ruined it for me. I do not know if it was in the manga or not, but it felt out of place. I mean, we knew he would be training for a long time, and when he would be done, things would be different. And just appears [with might I add, some pretty nice metal music that fits his new look], but following that, they add a rather iffy comedic part (with poor animation as well)

I will admit, I was happy to see the look on Aizens face when Ichigo caught his sword [I think playing on the time when Aizen did the same, showing that Ichigo is finally caught up]. I also like Ichigo's new look. His eyes, his non-annoying behavior that always ruined a serious moment. The look and appearance that he has finally grown up and understands his strength.

This post is already long so I will end it with a few more points. The part where Gin mentioned that he can now die, and leave it up to Ichigo, sort of did not end right. They should have added more to him dying after that. Or at least, possibly dying (who knows what happens anymore). Everyone's reaction seemed alright, but still not quite right. Not sure if I was expecting more surprise, more of a 'wtf' moment from everyone. Lastly, as for the outfit. The chain to me reminds me of when Ichigo first did his Bankai. It reminds me of the moments when the piece on the hilt would wrap around his arm. It seems like those were always leading up to this moment where they are now truly one in the same, they are connected. Thusly, there is a chain, and the Zanpakutou are connected to his right hand. The confusing part is how Aizen mentioned how they are the same, in that, both are tied to their right hands. But it seemed like they went over it way too quick; like, what did he mean, was Ichigo's actually stuck like that, in the glove, as it seems. And why is Aizen's sword like that as well, why is his sword tied to his right hand. I don't know, seemed like it was a point brushed over.

P.S. I did see the preview for next episode. I will not say anything about it except for this; they [producers] seemed to have purposely made the preview extremely vague and confusing. So it will be much more of a surprise for people, we anime viewers will all be wondering what the next episode will bring

[Kyero Fox]

the music was awesome to say the least.

[Aqua Knight]

And we heard a new rock version of Number One

[Kyero Fox]

Originally Posted by Petbe

I wasn't sure if I should watch this episode or wait for tomorrow to watch it, I am glad I did not wait.

My apologies for the lengthy post in the Spoiler. I have not really posted or been excited for Bleach in a long time. So I thought I would put some effort into the post.

Spoiler for Thoughts on the episode:

For quite some time now, I have actually been pissed off with Ichigo. He has always relied so heavily on those around him. He has failed so often, and barely made it out alive. He never was able to stand on his own two feet and truly have the resolve needed to kick some butt. There greatest moments for Ichigo was when he had the resolve. But for a while now, it always came off as being lackluster. I actually considered him to be bipolar at times with how often his attitude changes.

Alas, this episode made me truly like Ichigo once again. Although, his entrance was a bit lacking. That comedic moment where he could not remember Afro-Shinigami's name sort of ruined it for me. I do not know if it was in the manga or not, but it felt out of place. I mean, we knew he would be training for a long time, and when he would be done, things would be different. And just appears [with might I add, some pretty nice metal music that fits his new look], but following that, they add a rather iffy comedic part (with poor animation as well)

I will admit, I was happy to see the look on Aizens face when Ichigo caught his sword [I think playing on the time when Aizen did the same, showing that Ichigo is finally caught up]. I also like Ichigo's new look. His eyes, his non-annoying behavior that always ruined a serious moment. The look and appearance that he has finally grown up and understands his strength.

This post is already long so I will end it with a few more points. The part where Gin mentioned that he can now die, and leave it up to Ichigo, sort of did not end right. They should have added more to him dying after that. Or at least, possibly dying (who knows what happens anymore). Everyone's reaction seemed alright, but still not quite right. Not sure if I was expecting more surprise, more of a 'wtf' moment from everyone. Lastly, as for the outfit. The chain to me reminds me of when Ichigo first did his Bankai. It reminds me of the moments when the piece on the hilt would wrap around his arm. It seems like those were always leading up to this moment where they are now truly one in the same, they are connected. Thusly, there is a chain, and the Zanpakutou are connected to his right hand. The confusing part is how Aizen mentioned how they are the same, in that, both are tied to their right hands. But it seemed like they went over it way too quick; like, what did he mean, was Ichigo's actually stuck like that, in the glove, as it seems. And why is Aizen's sword like that as well, why is his sword tied to his right hand. I don't know, seemed like it was a point brushed over.

P.S. I did see the preview for next episode. I will not say anything about it except for this; they [producers] seemed to have purposely made the preview extremely vague and confusing. So it will be much more of a surprise for people, we anime viewers will all be wondering what the next episode will bring

Lol just wait until next episode

[DarkHollowIchigo]

Ohmygawds!!

I knew this episode was going to be epic!

[SidVicious]

Epic facepalm is epic.

[Kuroda]

Must... have more ichigo! this episode was awesome!

[Langus]

Loved it!

The little Gin/Ran tenderness was nice, but it could have been drawn out a bit longer. Though given that it was cut short in favour of Ichigo badassery I guess it's okay.

Man, Aizen really needs to talk less. I almost forgot how annoying his constant gloating got in the manga.

[Sabinswe]

Jesus Christ was Ichigo Badass or what, Best episode since forever.

Where are all the Ichigo haters, have you changed your mind yet??

[miroku2192]

Where da buhjeezers if frigging orihime? Fugging revive my Gin damnit. Don't want to see rangiku like dat

[Kyero Fox]

you think Ichigo coulda been a few seconds earlier and catch aizens attack towards gin... that woulda been epic..

[SilentSib]

I was THIS close to forget all about Bleach after the last episodes that aired. I'm glad I caught up with it, it would definitely have been stupid to miss this episode. I'm probably the first to recognize that Bleach is far from being my best anime ever with all that "yeah I'm gonna get super powerful, etc." and all these stupid lines we all know Bleach for. But hey, I gotta say one thing here. Even though I find a lot a to dislike in the anime, this very episode made me want to see what's going to be next. Hell, it's been a long time since I loved an episode this much. Gin's death almost made me cry like a little girl >.<
Of course, they used the proper music to make it very emotional, and even though Gin wasn't that much of a developped character (though I loved him for his odd grin), his death really did something (whatever that may be).

If we add to that badass Ichigo, that's really a great episode we had there. Aizen, shut your damn mouth for cry's sake! It was really nice to see Ichigo in this more mature version of himself. Very serene, confident and... powerful. Really far away from his adolescent version. I just hope it stays like that in the future.

[Baragan]

We have to big up the bleach animators damn this episode was great.

[Bossman]

Damn, Ichigo just went full emo. You should never go full emo.