Bleach 1.08

June 17, Memories in the Rain

The Kurosaki family goes to visit the grave of Ichigo's mother on the anniversary of her death. Ichigo blames himself for her death. He was only 9 years old at the time.

Rukia tries asking him about what happened but he doesn't want to talk about it and walks off.

Rukia is approached by  Eikichirō Saidō, a soul reaper, who was sent to bring her back to the soul society. She doesn't recognize him. He tries to jog her memory without success.

Kon goes and gets Ichigo. Saidō is amused when Ichigo claims to be a substitute Shinigami. Ichigo takes the pill that is in Kon's mouth and swallows it. His Shinigami form separates from his body. Ichigo and Saidō fight. Ichigo finds that he is no match for Saidō.

A Hollow strikes. It overpowers Yuzu and Karin who are praying at their mother's gravestone. Rukia gets a warning of the Hollow on her phone. Ichigo and Saidō stop fighting and along with Rukia they rush to Masaki Kurosaki's gravestone.

Thoughts

It seems like every other episode of this show ends on a cliffhanger.

Orihime and Tatsuki are in this episode for one brief scene which helps to reveal part of Ichigo's past. That scene is all about the day that Tatsuki met Ichigo for the first time. They were four. He was a crybaby. She made him cry.

I don't recall anything about Saidō. Will be appear again once this story is over? I'm not sure. I could do some research but I'm afraid that will spoil future episodes.

This was a decent episode. The world of Bleach continues to expand.