And we're back!
I must admit I didn't even realize how soon Bleach: TYBW would return back, but it's back. Man, I've been waiting for this and I bet many other people have also waited for its return.
I'm happy that the second course (season?) started so strongly when it opened with Yhwach's birth. The moment I saw those 'glowing lights' I knew what they were and I knew where it would lead. But the fact we saw a little bit of how the system works with Yhwach? That was a bit surprising. Those who have read the manga will get the reference right away, but it'll be kind of a bit surprise to anime-only watchers. ;)
That new opening was truly a banger! I've missed openings like that where the vibe seems so relaxed, but in reality lot of things are going on. The fashion, the way characters are represented, etc. everything looked very neat and the lyrics supported nicely everything. So many little details that hint at the future, but done in such a way one might not get it right to way. I hope some fic writers will get inspiration from the opening and write some AUs based on the world we saw at the opening before it shifted back to the universe we're familiar with.
I'm glad the anime picked up right away where it was left because while recaps can be handy, in this case, it would have felt a bit unnecessary.
The animation is still top-notch, and so are the soundscape, music, and voice acting. Glad to see the animators and the rest of the staff got the needed time to keep up with the quality we got at the first part.
I loved how Ichigo walked all the way up to Ichibe's palace, then thanked and bowed and was all 'bye'. Like bruh. I would have probably been too exhausted to go right back, not to mention...if Ichibe would have just wanted Ichigo's thank you, I doubt they would have needed to climb aaall the way to his palace that is on the mountain.
The transitions between the scenes were quite smooth.
Even though I knew why Bambietta called that guy, it still made me chuckle a bit. The poor guy thought tonight would be his lucky night, but unfortunately...Bambietta has a bit different preferences. xP
Hehe, the Yhwach announcement really caused havoc among the Sternritten ranks, eh? But it was a good way to showcase some of the main Sternrittens' personalities.
I must admit Liltotto's voice surprised me a bit. I don't know, but I didn't imagine it to be so low and so mature sounding? I'm not sure what I was expecting, but not that. That doesn't mean, though, I wasn't positively surprised by it.
Also, Giselle casually calling out Candice. Lol. Goes to show the girl group's internal dynamics. A further point of that was just moments ago Candice calling out to Bambietta.
Man, I couldn't help but swoon over that successor ritual scene. The animatics during that scene were just fantastic. I loved the contrast between turquoise, white, and black. The little red? (Though blood rituals are a bit cliché in my mind) It was a nice addition to that all. It just drew the viewer to look at the scene where Uryuu severed his ties with his friends and embraced his Quincy origins.
Man, I still wish I could read Japanese just so I could understand those middle dividers in the episode. Even though I bet those are merely just telling further about the things we already know or will learn, I still kind of hope that.
Also, it's nice how at the first course (season?) the theme color was magenta, but now it's turquoise. Small neat detail that goes to show now it's time to hear more of the Quincies' side of things.
Lol, what were Nel's fraccions doing? Playing once again tag or what? And yeah, I know the scene was supposed to be foreboding and serious, but my focus slipped upon them...instead of Orihime's conversation with Chad.
Luckily that scene quickly switched to Ichigo's training and then to Kyoraku and Nanao. And yeah, like Kyoraku let that slip on purpose. Of course not. He isn't such a man. (Oh, but he is.) And generally showcasing what others were up to.
Wait, Kirinji called Rukia? I kind of get people at Seireitei having cellphones, but even at Royal Palace? Who is their dealer? Or, who makes those? Not to mention it made me think about how the whole service system works...
And omg! We actually get the naked Byakuya scene! I was quite sure we wouldn't get it, but we did. I bet all Byakuya fangirls cheered when they saw that scene. ^^
I think the whole Soul Ticket's reason was explained much better in this than in the manga. I don't know why, but back then when I read the manga, it didn't make so much sense to me. In this, it felt like it made more sense. Not to mention, it portrayed Kyoraku in a very sweet light for considering Ichigo's human friends, should the worst-case scenario happen.
I know they probably added that adult shinigami giving a child that toy just to showcase how peaceful everything was in one moment and then nothing wasn't anymore, but even so...It's kind of hard to believe considering everything, everything would return like that when the upcoming war was looming over. Then again, even in the real-world humans tend to try to forget all bad, upcoming things and just enjoy peace and little happiness there is...in that way, it was a good shift between 'everything is alright' and in the next moment, nothing will be. Even so...it felt a bit...awkward -at least in my mind. But if not anything else, at least the animation of that tone shift was very neat.
Not much to write about the ending. I felt like it was on purpose done in a more muted way, as a contrast to the beginning which was all bubbly and colorful. (Which merely covered the bubbling problems underneath everything.) The ending was truly from Quincies' POV and showcased how they've lived in the shadows...just like Soul King.
Foreshadowing much, eh?
I'm not sure if the one at the ending was Rangiku who spoke that poem, but it sounded like her? But the poem itself didn't exactly fit her, so I'm unsure who it was this time around... |