Ok, so it’s been about 19 episodes since by last post and I’ve neglected this blog for sometime and I have to say thanks to those people who took the time to comment/spam on the last review as it’s prompted me to return (that and the fact that this episode was, in a word, immense – but more on that later!).

Well since Bleach #200, we were in the throws of another massive show down between Nnoitra Jiruga and Kenpachi Zaraki. Since then a number of the Espada have fallen and Sōsuke Aizen, along with his cronies (Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen) have made their way to Karakura Town, albeit the fake Karakura Town.

The encounter between Aizen (plus cronies) and the remaining Espada (with the exception of Ulquiorra who was left behind to hold the fort in Hueco Mundo and is amidst a show down of his own against Ichigo) encounter the full-force of the Gotei 13, including the Commander-General, Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai.

First to face off are the Vice-Captains; Ikkaku Madarame, Yumichika Ayasegawa , Izuru Kira and Shūhei Hisagi against Barragan Luisenbarn’s Fracción (his minions who fight at the level of Vice-Captains).

Still with me?

Before this current episode, both Yumichika and Izuru have beaten their Fracción counter-part in quite prolific fashion, in particular Izuru, who has, arguabley, both the lamest and most ingenius weapon/zanpakutō (depending on who you talk to, I lean toward the latter opinion), Wabisuke. Which not only has the ability to double the weight of whatever it touches bet seems to lend itself quite well to spectacularly gruesome beheadings.

Now, on to today episode, and let me just begin by saying: Wow!

It’s been a long time since I can quite easily say, “I enjoyed watching that episode”.  Not only was it action packed from start to finish, it was well produced, the artwork was top-rank and the all round quality of the scripting and direction was nigh on faltless.

I dare say that it was almost as good as Ichigo vs Grimmjow – and you can quote me on that!

The battle scenes where fast paced, helped my plenty of flash-step, a personal favourite and the build up toward the end and the final crescendo was just right – dare I say, perfect.

What contributed to such an amazing episode was the contrast between the two leads for this episode,  Shūhei Hisagi – who is humble, downcast and melancholic, and the Fracción, Findore Carias, with his confident, proud and arrogant exclaim of “Exacta!”, on multiple occasions.

There is plenty in this episode to commend it to you to watch at the earliest opportunity and maybe even, more than once.

This was indeed a welcomed break from slow pace of late and the punishment of filler. Lets hope that they keep this pace up when  Ikkaku, who ends the episode appearing to be down-and-out, can defeat the final Fracción, Choe Neng Poww.

I’m interested to hear whether, you agree with the above or disagree entirely. Leave a comment – it makes me warm and fuzzy inside.