Bleach 89: 'Rematch?! Ishida vs. Nemu'

Impressions:

I am really impressed with this episode. The animation quality has gotten much better, and the character design has improved greatly. I especially like the improvements on Orihime; compare her in this episode to the two where Rukia was controlled. However, there were a few extra shortcuts taken to compensate. For example, quite a few stills were used and several scenes were repeated. I don't mind that at all, as I am very happy with the improvements. The story was quite good and the show continues to keep up its non-stop action, but I still don't understand how Geselle actually works. If it only appears in shadows, shouldn't it be able to move freely within the caves as the whole place is dark? Judging by the preview of the next episode, Ichigo will face Kariya. Some people say that the fillers will continue to the end of the year, which is another 20 or so episodes. That's highly likely, but if the next episode is the start of the final round between the Shinigami and the Bounto (which I doubt it is) then the fillers will be ending soon. If the fillers continue to be as good as this episode, I'll be happy for it to last until the end of the year – but then again, I doubt the high quality will continue.

Quick Recap:

For those of you who don't like reading long episode synopses, here's a brief outline of the events that occurred (the full summary is below). As Kira, Matsumoto, Hisagi and Ayasegawa succumb to Ugaki's shadow doll, Geselle, Ichigo, Renji, Rukia, Chad, Orihime and the three – no four – modified souls arrive at the entrance to the Bounto's cave. Meanwhile, Ishida and Nemu exchange a few short greetings before the vice-captain suddenly lunges at Ishida, attacking him. Ishida, with no powers of his own, has no choice but to dodge and back away. Nemu concludes that he has indeed lost his powers. Back at the cave, the group are confronted by the shadow-casting eyes, the same as those the other ice-captains encountered. However, their attacks are ineffective as the eyes are far too numerous. The eyes begin to cast shadows, allowing Geselle to appear and attack. By the waterfall, Nemu asks Ishida if he wants power. Ichigo finds himself in a dangerous situation, but is saved by Matsumoto. She appears, dirty and wounded, and informs everyone of the secret behind the enemy. The doll, Geselle, can only appear from shadows. All they have to do is destroy the eyes and their surroundings to prevent this from happening. Ugaki broadcasts a message for them to challenge him. Ichigo and Renji go, leaving the others behind. They meet up with Hisagi and Kira, who are both battered pretty badly. In the end, Kira defeats Geselle using his Zanpakuto's weight doubling ability. The tunnel starts to collapse, prompting Kira and Hisagi to tell Ichigo and Renji to go on ahead. The two comply and run off. Nemu hands Ishida an object that is said to have belonged to the top Quincys hundreds of years ago.

Full Summary:

The episode starts with a short recap of the last episode, depicting the scenes where the vice-captains and fifth seater are defeated. As Ichigo and the others prepare to raid the cave, Nemu approaches Ishida by the waterfall where he had been training. Ishida recognises her and remembers the last time they met. They exchange a few greetings before Nemu suddenly lashes out at Ishida. Having no powers, he is forced to evade her attacks. She eventually knocks him down and proceeds to finish him off with a kidou attack.

Ichigo asks the modified souls if they sense any Bounto. None of them are too sure and Cloud suggests that there may be something that is preventing the detection of reiastsu. The group head in and walk for a bit without encountering any danger. Orihime wonders if the others are ok. Renji comments that three vice-captains won't be defeated by the Bounto that easily. Ugaki, pleased with the previous results, lays his cards out again. The mysterious eyes appear above them. Ririn tells them to run away, but the ever-confident Ichigo and Renji charge forward, ignoring her. They enter another room, which appears to be free f\of the eyes. The group walk on in silence for a while before the eyes appear again. This time, they begin attacking. Ichigo and Rengi swing their Zanpakutos around, destroying many at a time. Chad uses his enhanced fist to attack. Rukia uses her kidou – White Lightning – to attack, but ends up provoking the eyes, causing them to surround her. Before they can counterattack, Orihime forms her triangular shield in front of Rukia, saving her. Everyone else continues to attack, but they realises it is pointless as there are too many eyes. Rukia suggests they lure them into a confined space and attack them all at once. The group agrees, but before they can carry out the plan, the eyes begin to shine. Several create a shadow from a pillar behind Rukia; from which Geselle appears as a giant hand. It strikes her before she can get away, easily sending her flying. Renji catches her but gets propelled backward as well. He ends up crashing into the wall and falling a great distance. He seems to be fine, but Rukia has to struggle just to utter a few words (which are 'I'm fine').

Geselle starts appearing in stranger forms. It takes the shape of a giant blade and swings itself down at Ichigo. While he is holding it off, another appears behind in, this time with a rotor blade. Before the spinning blade can cut Ichigo in half, Orihime steps in and casts her shield to protect them. She tries to counterattack, but the eyes behind stop glowing and the blade disappears. Taking the opportunity, Ichigo charges forward, only to be grappled by the sword, which has now morphed into a number of ropes. Both Ichigo and Orihime are ragged down, rendered powerless. Renji is on the ground protecting Rukia, so he can't help. Chad tries to go to their aid, but is blocked by the hundreds of circling eyes.

Meanwhile, it seems that Nemu had intentionally missed Ishida with her kidou attack. He is on the ground, stunned. Nemu concludes that Ishida really has lost his powers. Annoyed, Ishida asks her why she attacked him. Ignoring this question, she asks him if he wants to have power. Ishida thinks back to when Yoshino (the female Bounto who he fell in love with – well, maybe it wasn't love, but he certainly cared for her a great deal). He thinks that if he had more power, he could've saved her. He tells Nemu that he doesn't want everything to end without him doing something. Nemu replies saying she understands and will lend him her power.

Before Ugaki, a bruised, dirty Matsumoto shows up and releases her shikai. The particles of dust cut Ichigo and Orihime free. She explains that the doll appears from the shadows cast by the eyes. She tells them to smash everything that creates a shadow. Ugaki is getting panicky at the sight of his crumbling plan. However, he regains his calm, collects his cards and prepares for another round. Once again, he smiles… evilly. The group are sitting on the ground, resting. Rukia is asked if she is ok, and she replies 'yes'. Matsumoto mentions that she was told Rukia sustained direct damage to the soul during the fight against Mabashi. She says that damage to the soul heals much slower than physical wounds. As Rukia is about to restate that she is fine, a voice interrupts. Ugaki is broadcasting his voice to the them. He introduces himself and his doll. He explains that the Bounto have collected and consumed a large quantity of living souls using the Bitto. This had brought them and their dolls an enormous increase in power. They had done this as an attempt to evolve. Ugaki changes his tone to a melancholic one. He says that the Bounto are filled with sorrow now, as even though they are human, they were treated badly, excluded, persecuted. He starts talking about their infertility; their dwindling numbers. For a moment it looks like Renji is about to cry, but in fact is about to burst with anger. He stands up and says there is no reason for them to steal people's lives. Ugaki's speech had awoken his emotional side by bringing back memories of the injured boy he had saved. Ugaki's tone of speech returns to normal. He then finishes his talk by challenging them to reach him in the middle of the caves.

Renji is about to leave, but Ichigo stands up and says he will go too. Orihime offers to help, by Ichigo asks her to stay and take care of everyone's injuries. Rukia protests, saying she can still fight, but is met by a quick, negative reply from Ichigo. He says he and Renji will be the only ones going on from here. He asks Chad to stay and watch their backs and to protect everyone as they are being healed. Chad complies. Matsumoto tells Ichigo that she thinks Kira and Hisagi are somewhere in the caves, but for him to still be careful. She also says that she will catch up to him when she has recovered. The three modified souls ask what they should do. Ichigo tells them to stay, which gets a quick reaction from Kon, who decides to protect Rukia, Orihime and Matsumoto. Ichigo and Renji leave, which makes Kon realise the girls aren't going with them.

As the two Shinigami proceed deeper into the tunnels, they destroy the rocks and pillars in the way. The eyes show up again and casts shadows from Ichigo and Renji – something they didn't account for. Two blades appear from their shadows and swing down. The blades are stopped by the sudden appearance of Kira and Hisagi, both looking quite beaten up. They fend off the blades then begin to destroy the eyes. As the four walk on, something illuminates the ceiling. Blades spring forth from the shadows above and break off the stalactites. The four Shinigami split up to avoid the falling chunks of rock. Eyes appear and begin to shine. Shadows are cast from the fallen stalactites. Spears arise from one of the shadows, shooting straight at Ichigo. Kira blocks the attack and says they are cowardly because they only attack from behind. He takes on the spears with his shikai. Eventually, they become to heavy and collapse onto the ground. Ugaki has not caught on as to what had happened. As if answering his question, Kira says that his Wabisuke doubles the weight of whatever it cuts. A large flail appears behind him and throws itself at him. Hisagi leaps in the way and sinks his blade into it. Kira takes the chance to hit it repeatedly, multiplying its weight. Desperate and frustrated, Ugaki collects his cards and recalls Geselle. From a distance, Ichigo asks Kira and Hisagi if they are alright. Before he and Renji can get to them, the roof begins to cave in. The two vice-captains tell Ichigo to go on as 'he' wants to face Ichigo himself. By this, I think he is referring to Kariya, as they then say they will stay back and take care of 'this', which I assume refers to Ugaki. Althought reluctant at first, Ichigo and Renji agree.

The final scenes are of Ishida and Nemu. The vice-captain presents him with a strange object that's meant to be wrapped around the wrist, supposedly to increase the Quincys' bow power. She tells Ishida that it's a battle accessory passed down to the top Quicys hundreds of years ago. Soul Society's technology department had custody over it for research. She says it has the ability to control spirit force, and offers the object to Ishida. Nemu says that if he is a true Quincy, the object will surely help him.

Preview: