The One Bleach Filler Arc That You Really Shouldn't Skip
Creator Tite Kubo's "Bleach" is a complex series filled with amazing storylines, heart-pounding fights, incredibly well-rounded characters, and unfortunately, quite a bit of filler. As the name suggests, these types of episodes are created in order to the fill the gaps between the main storylines. From cute little one shots (such as when Yumichika Ayasegawa tries to bake a cake) to full blown arcs (like Ichigo Kurosaki fighting the nefarious Bounts), filler comes in all shapes and sizes.
Though it's easy to skip the non-canon episodes and get back to the series' central plot, filler installments of "Bleach" can be quiet fun, interesting, and worthy of a watch. In fact, there is one storyline that you definitely don't want to miss out on. The 36-episode Zanpakutō Rebellion arc gives viewers even more insight into the spirits that reside within each Soul Reaper's sword. As the title suggests, these spirits no longer wish to serve their Soul Reapers, and as a result, declare war on their former owners.
Zanpakutōs Rebel
As fans know, Zanpakutōs are essential to Soul Reapers, and bond with them in order to fight Hollows and protect both the Soul Society and World of the Living. Though it is clear from the start that each spirit is different and holds unique powers, viewers only see the form of what appears to be Ichigo's Zanpakutō, Zangetsu.
When the Zanpakutō rebel against their Soul Reaper owners, they are no longer bound to the sword, and instead manifest into physical forms. One of the most interesting things about this arc is seeing how each Zanpakutō looks in their humanoid state. Rukia Kuchiki's, for example, is often said to be the most beautiful in the Soul Society, and it's no surprise that Sode No Shirayuki is a gorgeous woman with flowing white hair and a resemblance to Rukia.
Furthermore, because Zanpakutōs hold a special bond with Soul Reapers, these episodes can strike an emotional chord for devoted fans. The arc finds that closeness threatened, and it might not seem that it will ever be repaired. In the end, though, it's clear that this bond can never be severed. It's a beautiful story that shows viewers that, no matter what, the spirits will always find their way back, and that Zanpakutōs and Soul Reapers are definitely strongest when they're together.