Thank you.
I got into Bleach after reading all about its generally positive feedback. I agreed with all the positive things I have seen about the anime until they started introducing some really trashy fillers, not to mention the extremely long and draggy battles fought throughout the course of the anme,
Well, to be fair, I do know why they do these fillers:
To ensure that the anime does not catch up with the manga too quickly.
However, the problem with Bleach is that most of the fillers are really, really hate-able. Provided,I found the Shinigami Zanpakuto Unknown arc to be particularly enjoyable until Muramasa revealed that he materialized all the Zanpakuto just so to revive his "beloved" master (who abandoned him for his selfish ego). Not to mention that the arc involving the "Bounto" was extremely boring, and full of corny jokes (I especially disliked the creepy chicken doll who acted in an extremely bitchy manner).
For the story-line, I think the only *really* good one ever done was the arc where Ichigo first met Rukia, and then had to go rescue her. Everything then went downhill from there (Yes, that includes the manga).
Additionally, the common trend for most battles in the series follows this formula:
1) Both sides stare at each other in an *ahem* intimidating manner.
2) One of them says something to irritate the opposing side, and the other reacts by attacking (and making a huge fuss about it by a) screaming {SHUT UP! (URUSAI!) } or b) keeping silent so as to make fans go like "KYAA~~~! He/She's so DANRED cool!")
3) This is when flashbacks will start appearing, and we will literally be scammed into watching stuff we have already seen before.
4) When one of them has the upper hand, he/she just haaas to spoil it by going like "Behind you! (Kochi!)", "Where do you think you are looking (Doko ni irun da?!)", or some other phrase to attract the opponent's attention. This spoils the mood of the fight by extending it for a unnecessarily longer period of time (in terms of episodes).
5) The fella on the "good side" will almost always get defeated (with more flashbacks too) and some other idiot screaming (I will avenge you!) in the background, and then . . . The fight against the same opponent continues for more episodes!
The art used in the series is very well done, with fresh backgrounds introduced frequently in various scenes and angles, so as to perk up the animations.
The sound effects are well, okay (the same effects are used throughout many other series), and the music is astoundingly memorable, with my favorite being "Nothing can be Explained".
It is hence a huge pity that all of this beautifully-done artwork and music is being wasted on an anime that has lost its glamour ever since its first arc.
To sum up this review, I will strongly recommend *new* viewers to quit following the series after the end of the Soul Society arc.
