Recollection #7 (Episodes 13-14)

Flower and Hollow (13) - As Ichigo and Uryu continue their competition to kill the most hollow and determine who is the better species - Shinigami or Quincy, Chad and Orihime, Ichigo's friends, discover that they are beyond normal as they uncover their powers. In the previous episode, Chad's power was shown and in this episode, it's Orihime's. She demonstrates her will to fight when a hollow by the name Numb Chandelier attacks their school. Orihime's Shun Shun Rikka emerge as they help out Orihime in defeating this hollow while keeping her friends out of harm's way. Tatsuki, Orihime's friend, turns against her when the hollow's ability is manipulating people into doing the hollow's doing. Orihime's determination to save her friends and eliminate this threat is clearly present in this episode as her character, though clumsy and weird, is growing and developing due to Ichigo's influence on her. Orihime's power allows to shoot projectiles, project force fields, and healing - all used in order to subdue Numb Chandelier. I like this episode because it showcases how Ichigo's development as a Shinigami has rubbed off on our, at first, unlikely heroes, but it soon became apparent that, like Chad, Orihime isn't a normal human being - she's special, unique, and all gift-wrapped with a big amount of badass. This episode is uncovering Ichigo's spiritual awareness on Orihime (previous episode Chad) and Orihime's development as a character. In the end, Chad and Orihime are introduced to the world beyond normality as Urahara guides them on Ichigo's journey, hollows, and the world known as the Soul Society.

Back to Back, a Fight to the Death! (14) - Continuing off from our last episode, Ichigo and Uryu continue their grudge match until Uryu, using the remaining hollow bait, unleashes a Meno Grande, a huge-ass hollow that is about 5-10x stronger than an average hollow. Uryu, clearly taking advantage of this challenge, sees it as a way to prove he is better, but this angers Ichigo as he is sworn to protecting the world of the living - Uryu not doing that at the moment, putting lives at risk as a form of competition much to Ichigo's dismay. This Menos Grande is the center of the episode as both unlikely heroes must find a way to subdue this creature before it tears them and the human world apart. As they conjure up a strategy, Ichigo, clearly being opposite Uryu, is uninterested in Uryu's methods and does it the "Ichigo" way. Much to Uryu's surprise, it works, but does considerable damage to Ichigo and his reiatsu. The Menos fires a red blast known as a Cero, a burst of energy capable of much collateral damage. However, this doesn't stop Ichigo one bit as he tries to reflect it back with all his strength and before you know it, he won, but almost died with Uryu having to assist. In the end, Uryu apologizes and explains to Ichigo his grandfather, the influence of Quincy on Uryu and his dislike of the Shinigami. This episode showcases Uryu's development and how their rivalry only put innocent people at risk, not considering the damage done and that his actions had consequences (the release of the Menos). So I like where these episodes are going - the development of Ichigo's "group" as they uncover the mysteries of uncharted territories apart from their normal lives.

I hope you enjoyed my recent Recollection post and until then, you all stay classy.