What Are These Fists For?
I’ve only been following 3 anime series lately, and I’m hungry for something else. Something in the ‘omgsocheezy’ genre. I follow the big three: Naruto, Bleach and Yakitate Japan. I do regular posts on Naruto, so I’ll spare you the details. I’ve also written about Bleach before (complete with series synopsis), but only once in a blue moon. I’ll be blogging Yakitate Japan on the regular too, so keep your eyes out for that. Also keep your eyes on your pet rabbit, I think that guy from apt. 1D is thinking dirty thoughts.
Bleach’s series branches out their story line quite a bit. There are tons of fights, but the arch is chopped up by flashbacks and other character development pieces. It’s kind of like Rouni Kenshin (KIND OF) in that the sword techniques / mystic arts are explained in detail to show the viewer how ‘that guy got beat down’. As with most action anime, the main character, Ichigo, has a ‘crew’ to back him up. It fits the regular mold: Fearless leader, forcibly indifferent anti-hero (think Vegeta), the well endowed female (you know it’s true) and the not-so-smart strong man. Here’s a ‘wallpaper sized’ screen capture of Chado, the big brute, here. There are more supporting roles, but those are the ones that really keep the story interesting. At times, the episodes are very dramatic and moving (episode 1 was really great). And other times… well… umm… it just gets really random (but low in fat @ the same time).
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Episode 37 introduced the captain of the 8th division: Kyouraku Shunsui. He’s a bad motha shut yo’ mouf. Calm, cool and collected, he’s always trying to hit on younger ladies. He’s the guy pictured ^^^ up there. He volunteered himself to be the roadblock for the bulldozer that is Chad-o, Sado or whatever his name is. When Chad confronted Shunsui, he dropped from the sky as rose petals dropped @ his feet. Mystical flower technique? No, the petal drops are courtesy of his vice-captain: Ise Nanao. Cheesy but it works!
The 8th captain seems like a pretty chill ass guy. He even offered Chad to stop the fight and have a drink with him. Chad declined and shot an ‘energy ball’ from his demon arm (LOL. I’m making all of these names up). Shunsui deflected it with one arm and told Chad that he’d die before hitting him. “What are you fighting for?” he asks.
Dammit another flashback. To sum it up, Ichicgo saved Chad’s ass and they both pledged that they’d use their fists for each other. We jump back into present time as Chado screams “I cannot lose to him”. He destroys the building in front of him (and hopefully the 8th captain). Sadly, Shunsui dodges, sheaths his sword, closes his eyes and whispers… “I’m sorry.”
*Fade to black.*
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SO WHAT HAPPENED?!!?! Good episode. I don’t think I should have written this summary as detailed as I did. Oh well. The ones that will follow will only be a few paragraphs. My posts are getting too damn long as it is.
Related topic: I haven’t read any of the manga that these shows were adapted from, nor do I want to. I know it’s the original storyline and some elements from the written works don’t transfer that well to television, but again, I’m lazy and I like pretty colours. If I wanted to live in black and white, I would have married my ex-fiance. LOL. Ok just kidding, I never had one.
Whew. Dodged that bullet. 
~Spec
