Lots of filler episodes for the Bleach Series. Kind of disappointed… I just hope they won’t be following Naruto’s trend of having a whole season full of filler episodes.

Anyway~ Let’s move on to Bleach 134: The Beautiful Patissier, Yumichika!

The episode begins with a task from General Yamamoto-Genrysai Shigekuni, Captain of the 1st Division. According to him, they wanted to gather some data from the Arrancar battle field in order to improve the release rate of the Shinigami in the real world. Captain Kurotsuchi Mayuri thought it was a rather, boring job, so he assigns the task to the people below him.

No one wanted to go and do the tedious work, but surprisingly, Tsubokura Rin, the shy, young researcher, volunteered. He was to also give Madarame Ikkaku a set of replacement molars during his trip.

Rin meets up with Yamada Hanatarou as his bodyguard and companion. It was rather funny to see them together, as they not only look alike, but have the same mannerisms as well.

Hanatarou and Rin go to Urahara’s Shop as their base. Urahara Kisuke was already expecting them and told Ayasegawa Yumichika to accompany them to the battle grounds as per Hitsugaya Toushirou’s orders. Yumichika hates having to go through such errands, but complies in the end since it was from a Captain’s Order.

Rin has brought a couple of weird looking devices (or could they actually be living creatures?) with him from Soul Society, including a “Soul Projector” that allows humans to see the Shinigami without needing to have a faux body. He uses the soul projector to buy a cake (his true intention for going through with the tedious task), and meets an earth bound soul in the bakery. Yumichika wanted to perform the Soul Burial at once, but Rin and Hanatarou stopped him, wanting to here the baker’s reason for not moving on.

An unusually long Soul Chain allowed the baker, Momoyama Heita, to go almost anywhere, unlike most earth-bound souls who are trapped in only one place. He tells the group that he died in an accident in front of the bakery, and, even though his mother prays for him everyday to move on, he was bound to earth because of his one wish… To let his mom taste one of the cakes he made.

Rin pleaded the group to help the baker in creating a cake in his place, as after all, it was about cake! Urahara was able to provide them with a kitchen and ingredients, and Yumichika, who was skeptical until he saw how beautiful he looked on a chef’s uniform, decided to helped out.

It was pretty obvious that none of them have ever baked a cake before. Heita was frustrated in instructing the three of them left and right, Rin taste-testing too much, Hanataro having a hard time beating eggs, and Yumichika slicing strawberries.

They succeeded in creating their first cake, but still needed to taste test it before they could make a new one and give it to Heita’s Mom. Since none of them had ever tasted a cake before, they had to look for someone to do the… honors…

Sado and Renji became the unfortunate victims of various, horrible tasting cakes. It got to such a sad point that they were now hiding from Ururu whenever she came down to their training ground for a new cake taste test.

Frustrated and since they ran out ingredients, Heita was close to giving up on ever getting a perfect cake. But when the team found out that Heita’s Mom was moving the following morning, they got serious in their work, and was finally able to achieve 2 perfect cakes! Heita couldn’t be happier and excitedly awaited for his mom to arrive outside the bakery he used to work.

Upon presenting the cake, however, Heita’s Mom became upset. The loss of her son made her unable to eat cakes. There was simply too much sadness in the remembrance of her son that she refused to accept the cake Ayasegawa and the rest made.

This infuriated Heita and his anger made the chain in his chest loose. His reiatsu attracted a Menos Grande. A heated battle begins as Yumichika does his best to fight off the Menos. Hanatarou was more concern with Heita and his mom. Heita’s anger was causing him to lose himself as a human soul and he began attacking his Mom..! If they didn’t do anything, Heita would surely become a hollow!

Fearing there was no choice, Hanatarou took a gamble and used his Zanpakutou, the Hisagomaru to Heita’s heart. Hanatarou’s Zanpakutou absorbed Heita’s injury, healing him, and Heita releases the absorbed energy towards the Menos Grande. A second slash from Ayasegawa’s Zanpakutou, Fuji Kujaku and the battle was over.

When Heita awoke, he was back to his old self again. Rin’s Soul Projector suddenly came out and Heita’s Mom was able to see him. She was so happy to see her son again that she was able to accept that the cake Yumichika and the others made. She fulfilled her son’s last wish and enjoyed the cake they made.

All’s all that ends well in this episode… I just wonder when the fillers will ever end. T_T It was rather funny how gullible Ikkaku is though. In the Shinigami Cup, Rin accidentally crushed Ikkaku’s replacement molars, and Rin left a message saying “only fools cannot see these molars” and he believed it… xD Lolz~ Haha~

Rukia again! I hope you guys don’t get tired of reading my episode reviews..! Now we’re off to Bleach 133: Ikkaku’s Hot-Blooded Kendo Tale!

Ikkaku finds himself caught in the middle of what Hitsugaya calls “Human Affairs”. Karakura First District’s Kendo Club are ambushed by Koutei Academy in an attempt to make them forfeit upcoming tournaments. As Student Council President, Mizuho decides to hold a match between the two schools in order to avenge the seniors that got beaten up.

Ikkaku was rather delighted to have the opportunity to teach. According to him, he owes Mizuho and therefore agrees to her terms. Keigo, however, is doubtful as to Ikkaku’s true intentions.

A series of strange and hard training ensues, and the freshmen are pushed to their limits. One particular freshman caught Ikkaku’s attention. Shinji, who’s inability to fight or flee during the ambush, had a desire to become much stronger and avenge his upperclassmen. It was a long time since Ikkaku’s seen such desire, which made him enjoy training him even more.

Unfortunately, Ikkaku went overboard with his training, resulting in having the freshman even more injured than the upperclassmen..! This poses a problem for them. Who would represent Karakura district if there were no Kendo members left?

Ikkaku then comes up with a plan to participate in the tournament himself along with his “friends”. Mizuho adores this idea as it assures them their victory, but Keigo realized that this was Ikkaku’s intention all along… To participate in the tournament.

Of course, this still left a problem for them. They needed 5 members in order to participate in the match. So far, Ikkaku was the only one in the team. Surprisingly enough, when Ikkaku asked for participants, Shinji stood up to the challenge even if he was sore all over from the training.

Ikkaku proceeds to ask his fellow Shinigami for some help. Unfortunately, Ayasegawa and Rangiku immediately declined his offer because as according to them, “the uniform stinks!”

He decides to use other tactics in order to get the other Shinigami to help him. We first see a hilarious “bribery” going on for Hitsugaya, being offered candy and toys like an elementary school student. Though Hitsugaya doesn’t like being called an elementary student by Shinji, he reluctantly agrees to help Ikkaku out.

Ikkaku was also able to bribe Urahara (with candy of all things) to get Renji to help Ikkaku, but Sado refused to accept bribes. With only one member short, Ikkaku decides to force Keigo as their 5th member.

Hitsugaya, being the first of the five fighters, won his match easily. As expected from Keigo, he ran away and was easily defeated. Renji also won his match, leaving only one more win for Karakura First District to win the match.

Shinji was the 2nd to the last fighter, and Ikkaku assured him that if he were to loose, Ikkaku would win it for him. But how would Shinji feel if he were to lose again?

A hollow appears during Shinji’s match and Ikkaku was forced to leave. Being unsure as to whether he can come back in time for his match in case Shinji loses, he challenges him to go and be a man. 

Shinji took on his challenge, and though he had a hard time, he was able to successfully beat his opponent to everyone’s surprise! Ikkaku was certainly proud of the young man, but as we know, Ikkaku loves to have a good fight. Although it wasn’t necessary since Karakura First district had already won, he looked for his opponent and challenged him. This was where Mizuho’s true true intentions came to light, as the Ikkaku’s opponent turned out to be Igoroshi, a guy who dumped her.

In the end, Ikkaku not only defeated Igoroshi, but defeated the entire Koutei Academy Kendo Club with ease. Mizuho was very happy and fell even more madly in love with her “darling”, and Ikkaku got to fight as much as he wanted…

Strange but very hilarious episode. It’s well worth watching all over again, just for the fun of Mizuho’s crazy personality and especially for the scenes were the Shinigami mod souls showed how completely opposite they were from their masters’… ^_^

I find Bleach to be one of the more popular cosplays this year. Perhaps it’s because of the simplicity of the costumes and hairstyle that lets people think they can pull it off without a problem.

I beg to differ.

The simpler the costume, the plainer the look, the harder it is to let people know who you are cosplaying as. I’ve only found a few images on the net that have pulled off their Bleach Cosplays successfully.

This is one of them.

She may not be trapped in the tower like she was in the series, but you can tell from one look that she’s cosplaying Kuchiki Rukia. It would be hard to top this cosplay.

Good job to both the cosplayer and the photographer! 

Speaking of cosplay, it’s about time I gave most of my research in the Bleach Blog.

Here’s a nice picture of the Captain of the Third Division, Ichimaru Gin I found some time ago. I love the expression and the attitude in this photo. He really captured the character’s essence.

I don’t know who this cosplayer is, and before you react about copyright infringement, please read my disclaimer.

Catch more anime cosplays in my blog, Nanao’s Research. Who knows? I just might feature your cosplay someday.

Fairly busy month for the writers of this Bleach Blog. You have to forgive us for taking so long in updating this, but we’ll continue doing our best! x)

Now let’s move on to Bleach Episode 132! One of my favorite episodes just because Hitsugaya is the star of this filler episode!

A chance encounter between Kurosaki Karin and Hitsugaya Toushirou occurs when Karin absent-mindedly kicked her soccer ball out of worry for her brother. She had no idea that this meeting with the strange, bleach haired boy would prove quite useful for the events that would occur later on.

Middle School Bullies were hogging the field that Karin’s Team had reserved for practice. A heated debate on Karin’s Team’s right to practice real soccer on a real field resulted on a “good will” match between the two teams. If the Middle School Bullies won, then Karin’s Team will be forced to eat spaghetti through their noses. (is that even possible? ew.) But if Karin’s Team won the match, then they would have to follow the rules and let Karin’s Team play.

This of course, poses a problem. The Middle School Bullies were much bigger, stronger, and faster. How could Karin’s Team win with such impossible odds?

The team first comes up with an idea to ask Karin’s brother, Ichigo, to help them out. But with Ichigo no where to be found, they had to find someone else to help them. This is when Karin gets to meet Toushirou again for the second time, and remembering his footwork from earlier that day (and since she thought Toushirou was an elementary student just like them), she immediately asks for help.

Toushirou immediately declines, saying he has no time, and Karin’s Teammates did not want to have Toushirou on the team because of his strange appearance. As Toushirou walks away, slightly pissed about being called a “midget”, Karin kicks the soccer ball at him, which Toushirou returns back easily with a back flip kick.

The team invites him to practice with them in the park tomorrow afternoon. He declines again, and come the next day, he did not show up. Karin decides to check out the same spot she saw him the previous day, and finds out he stays there because the view of the sky “brings back memories”.

Karin thought it strange that someone their age would say something like that. She invites him to practice again, but gets the same answer from the previous day.

Toushirou picked up a signal of a Hollow that appeared close by and was about to go after it when Karin stopped him. She warned him not to go there, though offered no explanation. This was a surprise to Toushirou, but dared not ask Karin any questions… for the moment.

Toushirou went to practice the next day, but decided to watch Karin instead of joining them. Matsumoto Rangiku catches Toushirou watching Karin and immediately speculated that her captain has a liking for the girl. He denies it and walks away, but he never told Rangiku his suspicions about Karin’s strong reiatsu.

On the day of the tournament, Karin’s Team had low spirits since Toushirou had not shown up to help them. What’s more, a play from the opposing team injured Karin’s leg, giving her team a bigger disadvantage.

Surprisingly, Toushirou did show up near the end of the game. The opposing team was leading at 4-0, and seeing that Karin was injured, Toushirou decides to help them out. He easily evens the score, but he decides to let Karin shoot the winning goal saying that it was her team and that she should lead and set an example.

Karin was of course grateful for what Toushiro did, but his true intentions was to find out how strong Karin’s reiatsu was. Before he could ask when the game ended, a Menos appeared in the field they were playing in. Fearing for her friends’ safety, Karin kicked her soccer ball towards the Menos but had no effect.

Toushirou finishes the Menos with ease in his shinigami form (but I wonder where his faux body went?). He was surprised that Karin could still see him in his form, and Karin, realizing Toushirou was a shinigami like her brother, took this chance to ask him if he knew where her brother was. Toushirou realized that Karin was actually Ichigo’s sister, explaining why they had similar strengths in reiatsu. He had no idea where Ichigo was, but assured her that he was alright and doing his best to become stronger… Same with what she was doing.

The episode ends with a rather disappointed, but hopeful Karin. When Matsumoto came, detecting that a Menos had appeared in the area, Karin realizes how elite Toushirou was, even though he was only an elementary student. No longer able to hold back, Toushirou screams at her saying he’s in fact, not a child anymore…

But I wonder… How old is Hitsugaya Toushirou anyway?

With the proof that Yui was now being controled by the Pseudo-Arrancar, a battle begins between the two sides. Clones kept Rangiku busy while Shouta confronts Yui, making the Pseudo-Arrancar show his true self.

The Pseudo-Arrancar underestimated his enemy, giving Rangiku a bit of an advantage. But once the Pseudo-Arrancar decided to send his clones to devour Shouta’s soul, Rangiku lost her concentration.

It was a good thing the Hitsugaya-Taicho came to the rescue. It was clear to see that the Pseudo-Arrancar was no match for a Captian and Vice-Captain, no matter how much he boasted that he was far stronger than the Espada. 

The Pseudo-Arrancar decided to use Shouta’s feelings for Yui and told him that her soul would disappear forever if he were to die. Shouta would not have that and became the Pseudo-Arrancar distraction in order to escape.

Now came the revelation. The Pseudo-Arrancar had enough reiatsu to produce endless amounts of clones to devour souls. He also threatened to kill humans as soon as he was powerful enough. 

Ikkaku and Ayasegawa decide to fight off as many clones as they can while Hitsugaya thinks of a plan to kill the Pseudo-Arrancar once and for all. Renji makes a brief appearance in this episode, showing that the numerous clones have reached as far as Urahara’s Shop. Hitsugaya contacts the Soul Society Research Facility, and finds out from Rin that the clones were like speakers and that the Pseudo-Arrancar had to be somewhere in the center of the broadcast in order to have the ability to switch with any one of its clones.

Rangiku reassures a very upset Shouta that Yui would be reborn in Soul Society as long as it’s a Shinigami that slays her. She tells Shouta that he had to save his little sister, and this gave him a new understanding of what a soul burial would actually mean to them.

With the estimated location of the Pseudo-Arrancar, Hitsugaya uses his reiatsu in order to somehow break the special barrier the enemy was hiding behind. It seemed like a waste of effort and of Hitsugaya’s reiatsu since he could be hiding anywhere. But a surprised whistle from Yui helped Shouta pin point the Pseudo Arrancar’s location.

Hitsugaya forced the Pseudo-Arrancar to finally show his true self, but he was now low on reiatsu. Although he was able to weaken it, he allowed Rangiku and Shouta to finally finish him off.

With the Pseudo-Arrancar finally defeated, it was then Shouta’s turn to leave for Soul Society. His final words to Rangiku were “It hurts”, though it’s really left to the audience to determine what exactly was hurting him. Was it because he regrets abandoning Yui? Or was it because he was frightened to leave the Real World? No one knows. But one can only hope that Shouta and Yui meet each other again in the vast world of Soul Society.

Wouldn’t it be cool if you can have a real-life replica of Ichigo’s Zanpaktou, Zangetsu? I’m sure most of you who loves the show would die to have one especially if you are into cosplay.

I was doing a search on Ebay about Japanese swords when I came accross one seller who sold an actual replica.

It boasts almost all the same details including a sheath and the bit of chain attached to its end (which could be replaced by a rope if you desire).

Its got pure black steel and is 37″ long. Its priced around $30 (wihtout tax and shipping). Its impressive but I still wouldn’t get one. I’d rather buy an authentic Japanese katana.

Whoo~ Long time no post! Definitely bad for Rukia’s Records there. Hopefully something like this never happens again for this Bleach Blog.

Now then, let’s move on to the next episode! Bleach 130: The Invisible Enemy! Hitsugaya’s Merciless Decision!

Toyokawa Shouta finally revealed the story behind his and his sister’s death. Being unable to find their parents in the real world, they had to fend for themselves and relied on each other. Unfortunately, the Pseudo-Arrancar found Yui’s soul when she went about on her own. Fearing for his (after?)-life, Shouta fled the scene and left Yui behind.

But Shouta adored his little sister and felt guilty about his decision. Facing his fear, he went back to the park where he left Yui and looked for her. That was when he encountered Rangiku in episode 128.

Meanwhile, Hitsugaya had lost the Arrancar clone that he had been tracking and called to check up on Rangiku’s progress. Or, so he thought he had lost him..! A frightened human soul made him think that the Arrancar disappeared, when in truth, it was merely a disguise.

A terrible realization came upon the group… With further research from the team in Soul Society, it was safe to conclude that the Pseudo-Arrancar had done something to Yui’s soul. Hitsugaya’s attempt to bury Yui’s soul proved that.

In order to try and protect Yui for, Hitsugaya decided to take spirit samples from Yui and put her inside a kidou barrier. This will protect Yui from attacks made by the Pseudo-Arrancar.

In order to ease the Toyokawa siblings’ fears and concerns about Yui being locked up, Rangiku gave Yui the whistle she had purchased during her shopping spree. This would at least keep Yui entertained while she is inside the barrier while the Shinigami sort out the mystery surrounding the Psuedo-Arrancar.

Little did the team realize that Shouta and Yui both had large amounts of reiatsu; more than enough to break the kidou barrier. It was because of Yui’s reiatsu that he was able to create clones of himself to do his bidding while his true self remains hidden. This is what the Pseudo-Arrancar was truly after, and he knew that he could use Yui to lure Shouta to his clutches.

The question still remains… Is Yui’s soul really lost forever after being devoured by the Pseudo-Arrancar? And how will Shouta take this new development? Will Hitsugaya and Rangiku ever move out of Orihime’s room? (Lol?) Well, we just have to wait and see…