Anime Blog 53: Bleach

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bleach_(manga)

Alright, because the English dub of Bleach finally ended, I'm going to do my blog on Bleach this go round. The anime is 366 episodes over 16 seasons. There are 4 movies and 2 OVAs along with 8 different types of Omakes (the shorts at the end of the episodes).

So we all know the story of Bleach. Guy named Ichigo meets a "soul reaper" named Rukia, gets powers from her, fights hollows, and becomes the strongest character in the existence of characters ever...simply because he beats everyone else. (exaggeration? maybe)
[If you don't actually know the premise of this story, just read the wiki page because I don't feel like talking about it since the show isn't very cohesive story-line-wise)

I just want to start out by saying that I really enjoyed the first season of Bleach. Then when weird arcs started appearing (the bounts, that weird one with the new captain of squad 3, the fullbring.......) I got annoyed with the show. I can't believe it took 15 seasons to kill butterflaizen! (if you don't know who that is...Google it...seriously). By the time I reached season 16...I was done. The only reason I watched the crappy fullbring arc was because I knew it was the last season and I'm a slight completionist. The final arc sucked. But at least the ending was good.

Overall I liked the show for it's amazing cast of characters. I loved the zanpakuto arc (to an extent...the story on that one sucked) and I take pride in knowing such a large cast of characters by name (AND their zanpakutos!)

As for the art (since you all know how I feel about art), it definitely got better as the show went on.
So art comparison!

(Ichigo: Season 1 (L) & Season 16 (R) )

I decided just to use one picture of Ichigo...there are just too many characters in this show and I can't find one that I like of all of my favorites :)

Bleach also has some openings and an ending that I really like the music to!

Season 1 Opening:

Season 1 Ending:

Opening 5:

These are my faves!

Now it's time again for pros and cons:

Pros:

• Great cast of characters
• Typically good music for openings/endings
• Much improved art!
• Yoruichi & Urahara! (faves!)
• Zanpakutos
• Good first couple of seasons
• Good ending
• Omakes galore!

Cons:

• Got way too long
• Filler arcs had no connection and made no sense (esp. the Karakurizer crap...)
• Butterflaizen...enough said
• It just plain got ridiculous
• No cohesive storyline connecting all the arcs/seasons

That last con is a big one for me. There is another long show that I'll blog about later on (not mentioning it's name...*cough* *cough* it involves ninjas *cough* *cough* where at least it forms a cohesive storyline if you connect it all (esp. if you consider the filler as flashbacks). But whatever, that's for another blog.

It is a good show. I just personally don't care about a lot of the arcs...they were just a bit over-the-top...Glad it's over. Honestly the omakes were better than most of the show & that's just sad.

Well thanks for reading! Until next time!

~Kei

**Shipping addition: I ship IchigoXRukia, RenjiXRukia, ToshiroXMomo, UraharaXYoruichi, and sometimes IchigoXRenji (or vice-versa)...**

Anime Blog 52: Good Witch of the West: Astrea Testament

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Good_Witch_of_the_West

Alright. Good Witch of the West (GWW) is a 13 episode Shonen series that I watched subbed.

The story revolves around Firiel Dee and her best friend Roux Liskin. Firiel's mother had passed away and on her 15th birthday she received her mother's necklace as a gift. In this kingdom a ball is thrown for the Queen's birthday and all 15-year-olds are invited. Firiel wears her mother's necklace. The necklace is recognized at the party as belonging to the royal family, making Firiel a princess and inserting her into the line for the throne. She is sent to a school where all who are in line for the throne attend where everyone is trying to come out on top.

I really like this show. It was one of the first series that I ever watched. I really like Roux and his bug-eyed glasses :D It was an adorable and romantic story with plenty of "OMG MEAN GIRLS" happening. And cutthroat people trying to attack the candidates for the throne. Plus the art was really cute!

ART:

 

 Firiel

 

 

Roux

 

 Adel (Firiel's friend)

THE ART IS SO CUTE!

Anyway, time for pros and cons.

Pros:

• Cute art
• Adorable story
• Roux's glasses XD
• Short with a good ending

Cons:

• There was 1 really nasty character that I didn't like...but that's just how anime goes :D
• That's really it though.

So Watch it!

Thanks for reading! Until Next Time!

~Kei