A (Very Late) Recap of 2010

I know this should have been posted last week at the latest.  I didn’t have the time (i.e. got lazy) to finish it last week.   Anyway, after reviewing my 2006 and 2007recaps (and wondering why I didn't make recaps for 2008 and 2009 – were they boring years?), got interested on writing one for 2010.  

Enumerating the highlights:

a.) Good news: The traffic of “The Bernel Zone” picked up this year.  One major reason, probably, was the “Top 10” articles which I started in 2010 (note: blog statistics was only activated in June).

Bad news: Adsense cancelled my account when it was on a good pace on nearing $100 – the amount to earn before a check would be sent.  Just like that, it was cancelled because of “illegal clicking activity”.

b.) My celfone of three years got broken in February.  And Ma gave me a China phone as replacement.  As usual, my celfone usage was minimal.  Text sent is probably around 3,000 and text received is around 7,000 (estimation based on texting stats of previous years, when I still had my former phone that can record text stats). 

c.) During this year, I was able to experience bowling again.  Thanks to the new bowling alley in Embarcadero.

d.) In February, I finally finished my On-the-Job-Training (in BIR) – my last course in college.   And after wrapping up some other school requirements and then grabbing my last academic medal (as a dean’s lister), I was finally set-up to graduate.

e.) In April was graduation day.  And, by the grace of God, I graduated cum laude.  I love the cum laude medal most among the medals I got from college.    This was the best thing that happened to me in 2010.

f.) This year, in a reunion among my high school friends, I got drunk for the first time.   Hahaha.  No, I’m not really proud of it.  But it’s definitely a highlight.  I got drunk, not because I was “pressured” to get drunk, but because it was an “experiment.”  Really.   Just to understand the feel of it and why many like to drink booze.  And if there’s going to be a point in my life where I can allow myself to get drunk, that was the most preferable circumstance.  I’m of legal age…  I’m out of college… and, most importantly, the booze is free (I’ll never pay up just to get drunk at all).  How did it go?  I wrote about it a few days after the experience:

Ok. Just this once. For experience’s sake. I downed glass after glass.

Throughout my drinking spree, I kept track of how drunk I was by asking those with me to ask me simple trivia questions for me to answer. When I answered, “Uh… Bzz… Aldrin…” to the “first man to go to space” question instead of “Yuri Gagarin”, I know I was screwed for missing such easy question. 

I was mentally calculating everything.  Forcing my mind to focus.  There was like three of me that night.  First, the one with dreamy outbursts, saying things without actually thinking. Second, the still logical thinking machine which was trying to force the first to calm himself; observing and taking notes of the first’s responses and reacting by “So, this is how getting drunk feels… The dreamy state… The quick tongue” or “Why did I said that? I never thought of saying that” or “The volume of my voice is starting to get loud. Better soften it” or “I still have a part of me which is rational. I will hang on to it, so that I will not do anything stupid” – you get the picture.   My nature of making logical connections, my desire to remain rational and in control, and the oral recitation (if I was not drunk, I will not recite what is going on in my mind, of course, but it keep it there) of these mental notes that I took every step of the way amused and impressed observers. The third personality, which in a way scared me, was a cold third-person observer.  That was very much like a Twilight Zone movie.  At that time, it seems not at all weird.  But it was weird when I thought about it the next day.  Subconsciously, there seemed to be a third me taking independent notes from the second, with an amused (scary) smile on his face while just observing.  In a way, the third was like the second, but I can feel that the second was a part of me (which is actually, how a “waking” non-drunk me semi-normally acts).  This third feels like someone distinct from me.  I am not sure if I imagined or hallucinated an actual doppelganger watching the scene in a third-person view.  But what I know is it felt that this independent personality existed in my mind. (Probably the manifestation of the Devil’s Agent of Drunkenness? Hahaha.)

With this “three-personality” observation, I mentioned it feels like “border-line psychosis”… and that’s one reason I will not get drunk again.  I value my mental-emotional-personality control too much.  Crazy things do happen when getting drunk. 

Wow (just read this again for the first time after writing it more than half-a-year ago).  Aside from this, there’s another thing.  My main defense mechanism is a sort of Repression.  But instead of burying memories into the subconscious, it buries emotions.  I don’t allow emotion to be an uncontrollable variable or as an outcome of a circumstance.  I want emotion to be something controllable or a mere “tool”.  As an epigram of mine goes, “Feelings are irrelevant, they can’t change reality.”  Emotions should fuel you to a result and not be the result.  Thus, if an emotion can’t help you at all, it is illogical to hold on it. That is my philosophy.  However, the Repression defense mechanism’s repressed memories can re-emerge in a future time.  The problem with this is other memories might “re-emerge” that actually did not happen.  Thus, repressed memories are defective.  Real forgotten memories are mixed with the subconscious’ fabricated memories.  Often, you can’t set them apart.  It’s the same with repressed emotions.  I learned that getting drunk can trigger their resurfacing.  But you can never tell the difference between real feelings and illusionary feelings.  Of course, I will not tell you the details of this part of the experience.  Anyway, to continue the documentation, here was my conclusion:

The results of that night’s “experiment”? Nausea and vomiting interrupting my sleep, experiencing the “dreamy” (almost psychedelic?) high that regular alcohol-drinkers love, a lesson learned (there should be a lesson, of course, from the experience, like “Don’t get friggin’ drunk next time! Are you crazy? You nearly lost it!”), appreciating more the logical mental-emotional control God-given talent (“feelings are irrelevant. It can’t change reality.”), and an allergic reaction brought by rashes the next day - which is either brought by too much alcohol or the hellish summer heat, but the former is more probable (now, I can use it as excuse to avoid being drunk the next time. “I’m allergic to alcohol!” Nice.)

As much as I can help it, I don't want to get drunk again.

g.) Both North Korea and Iran (and to some extent *cough* *cough* *cough* China  *cough* *cough* *cough*) continue to be douchebags this year.  Especially North Korea.

h.) It was an election year this year.  And it was my first time to vote.  And I got my first encounter with this:

Anyway, I really did my homework before I choose who to vote for president.  I didn’t want to vote without thinking at all and just go with the popular.  Though my candidate did not win, I support P-Noy and wish him well in leading the country.  God put him to be in charge and I should submit to authority (because, ultimately, all authority comes from God and all leaders are put in position by God).

i.) In May, my band was invited to play in the Ice Music Festival held in Embarcadero.  On August 29 (I can still remember the date because it was my father’s birthday), our church held a concert at Albay Park.  And on December 10, we were invited to play in the second One Heart concert.  These three gigs were all blessed opportunities to perform for the Maestro, which I love doing.       

j.) Lakers won back-to-back!  Oh, what joy I got from that when it happened!  Beating the Celtics in an epic and grueling Game 7 to earn the championship.  I love that game (my favorite game of the year).  Of course, I expect them to win again this year.  Though they are still not at their best form (so far) this season (just good enough to be number 2 in the West), I am expecting that when the playoffs comes, they will be on the roll.  This year, we also had LeBron James’ “The Decision” where he became the NBA’s lead villain overnight.   LeBron joined D-Wade and Bosh to form a so-called “Three Kings” (now, the “Heatles”) superteam in Miami.  But I am not worried about the Heat (even though they had beaten the Lakers in their Christmas meeting).  I am more concerned of the Celtics.  But I have faith in my team, that they can beat whoever faces them in June.  Go Lakers! Threepeat!  

k.) It was my “debut” this year.  Hahaha.  

Anyway, turning 21 means I am no longer a “borderline” adult/teen.  20 years old is still “twenteen.”  Now, I am definitely 100% young adult.  I’m still wondering if I can handle it (I miss the teenage license of being reckless and carefree. Hahaha).  21 already and I am still not sure what to do for the rest of my life.  But I do pray for God’s direction.  Starting when I turned 21, I continually pray (up till now): that whatever God wills for my life, he would put that desire in my heart, so that God’s will and my desire would be in sync.

l.) Spain won the World Cup… breaking the pattern of winners in history:

m.) I’m a fan of Neil Gaiman since I was in high school.  But it was only this year that I got to buy some of his books.

n.) I also went job hunting this year (after graduating).  My first ever job interview was for Rapu-Rapu Minerals, Inc.  A friend of mine (working there) told me about a job vacancy (administrative assistant) there.  So, I applied.  On the day of my interview, I went to the site via motor boat.  It was a three-hour ride.  Pretty tiring.  I did not get the job.  Let’s just say, the company couldn't give me what I wanted, and I couldn't give them what they wanted.  Nonetheless, I had a great time there.  It was just like an overnight vacation.  My friend toured me around the mining site.  I got free and delicious lunch and dinner.  And my room accommodation was great.   The rooms for visitors and regular employees were all filled to capacity already (at least four persons occupy one room), so I was housed in, probably, the quarters for executives or special visitors.  I had nobody sharing the room with me.  It had a personal CR, a table, a piece of art (!), a lavatory, and a TV with cable.  And it was roomy.  It was fun staying at that quarters.  Again, it was like a vacation.  I had to wake up the next day at 3 am because the motor boat to take me back to Legazpi goes at 4 am.  Great experience.  Some pics...

  

o.) My Hawk Gear backpack, which I had since when I was in Grade 3, finally got broken.  It was too old already that the cloth was already weak and tore easily.  From elementary to college, I had used it.  And now it's finally time to say goodbye.  Thanks for all those years, faithful backpack.

p.) I miss this cat...

She was energetic and naughty.  She would do funny things like annoy my other cat (which is already old and serious) or enthusiastically "swim" on our home's tiled floor.  She also would usually wake me up every morning (jumping on my bed).  Then one day this year, she disappeared.  My theory is that a biology or nursing major student kidnapped her to be dissected in a school project.  She's a gentle and trusting creature that she probably didn't realize the danger when, one day, a stranger in white took her.  I hope her ghost will haunt that student's conscience.

  

q.) ESPN tied-up with Marvel Comics to make these awesome comicbook-themed art of NBA teams.

Pretty cool, eh?

r.) In a single week, the Philippines was hit by a “meyjer, meyjer” 1-2 punch.

s.) Pac-Man continued to dominate and give the country pride.  (While Mayweather continued to make excuses.)

t.) Had fun hanging out with church friends throughout the year.

u.) My favorite place for food this year was "Binalot".

I like the concept of "binalot" (wrapped) Filipino food in banana leaves and paper.  And the amount of rice is always enough.  I never order extra rice when eating here.  Had eaten several times there, with family or with friends.   

v.) Went to Lucena again after three years.   

w.) This year, I was able to experience, for the first time, watching a movie in 3-d.

x.) December was full of fun activities in our church.  We went caroling in which instead of asking for presents or Christmas favors, we did the giving instead.  Our church had its 23rd anniversary (and I get to dance again… after a year.  The last time I did was during the 22nd anniversary).  We had a fun Christmas party.  And before the year ended, we went swimming in San Mateo Hot Spring Resort (in Sorsogon). 

  

y.) I got three wallets for Christmas gifts – and I haven’t used the wallets I received last year yet!

z.) I spent my New Year’s Eve at the annual reunion of the Jimenez clan.

So those were my highlights of 2010 (I hope I haven’t forgotten anything).  Expecting for great things this 2011. 

Read More

Top 10 Movies of 2010

Making a “top 10 movies of the year” list is kind of difficult.  First, you have to remember all the movies that you have watched for the year.  Movies you watched at the latter part of year would be recalled easily.  Recalling movies you watched at the early part of the year needs more effort.  Second, you have to weigh each movie with each other on which one you like better.  Again, this is easier to movies you have watched recently than those you watched in February or March.  You have to really concentrate so you can recall how much you liked (or hated) that movie.  After all of this, picking the ten is easier.

There are some worthwhile 2010 movies, like “Tangled” and “Tron: Legacy”, that were released in December and I wasn’t able to watch yet.  So, even if, later on, I would like them after watching them, I can’t put them in this list anymore since I was not able to watch them during the year they were released.

 

Before I enumerate the top 10, let me acknowledge some other significant 2010 films…

I was able to watch “Sherlock Holmes” in January, but this movie is technically a 2009 film, thus it is disqualified from making the list.  If I have to put it in the top 10 somewhere, it would make top 5 or 4. 

Saw 1 to 4 were great, but it started getting weak on the 5^th movie.  “Saw 3d” – the 7^th film in the franchise – was kind of disappointing.  It still retains the “Saw” charm, but it is far inferior if you compare it to the early Saw movies. 

“Step Up 3d” had a better story than its predecessors, and the best dance scenes I have seen in a “Step Up” movie.  The final showdown between the House of Samurai and the House of Pirates was epic.

I enjoyed the action of “Resident Evil 4”, but I have some complains.  It started with promise with the opening sequence, but it gets disappointing after that.  Alice losing her clones and her powers early on set the tone of disappointment for the rest of the movie.  It destroyed the hype and excitement brought by the cliffhanger ending of the 3^rd movie.  This one also had a cliffhanger ending, but it also destroyed the ending I wanted: Alice and friends turning the ship “Arcadia” into a real refuge from the undead.  Let’s hope “Resident Evil 5” would do better. 

Many said that “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1” was the best HP movie so far.  I disagree.  I still think the best HP film is the 3^rd, the 4^th, or the 5^th movie (I can’t make up my mind which). 

“The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader” was okay.  I watched it in 3d.  I already wrote about my sentiments regarding this movie (and the 3d experience). 

As for other movies that nearly made the top 10… let’s be fast, this post is long already and we haven’t mentioned a single one of the top 10… Ok, here goes…

The sequel to “Wall Street” was awesome (there seems to be a third movie coming up); the Gecko character comes strong and interesting. 

I thought “Kick Ass” was going to be cheesy, but it was unexpectedly good. 

I was really excited to watch “Alice in Wonderland”, and it was good, like other Tim Burton films, but once you get used to Burton’s style, it seemed to come out a little bit bland already. 

“The Other Guys” had me cracking up from opening to close (what you expect from a Will Ferrell film).   

“Shrek 4” has a good story, but not as hilarious as the previous Shrek films.           

“Splice” was a refreshing sci-fi tale that really bites the audience.
“The Social Network” was a yarn take on the story of the creation of Facebook.

In “After.Life”, Cristina Ricci shows nudity… again (rolls eyes).  It seems that she only chooses roles that require her to show her breast.  Nonetheless, it was a gripping, eerie, and interesting story.

If there is going to be a number 11, “The Ghost Writer” will take that place.  This or the all-star fun movie “The Expendables.”

Now, to the top 10…       

10.) SALT

The best thing about it is the movie poster.  Just look at it.  That is the most “badass and sexy” photo of Angelina Jolie ever. 

The movie started strong and ended strong.  The Evelyn Salt character easily captivates.  She is badass, versatile, and enigmatic; up there with the ranks of the elite of spy fiction like James Bond, Jason Bourne, and Jack Ryan.  Throughout most of the movie, we expected her to do the unexpected.      

The thrill and action brought by the movie was very Jason Bourne-esque.  In fact, critics said it was just a rip-off of the Bourne movies, only with a female lead instead.  They might be right, but Salt looks to be a promising movie series like Bourne. 

 

9.) RED

Red was a lot of fun.   This movie, which was loosely-based on a comic book, was about a group of retired (i.e. old), but still dangerous, agents who are being hunted by the CIA due to being framed by a corrupt and treacherous politician.  Full of hilarity and badass action as the group try to uncover the “whys” on the plot to kill them while the CIA was hot on their heels. 

Frank Moses (Bruce Willis’ character), Joe Matheson (Morgan Freeman’s), and Victoria (Helen Mirren) were all interesting characters.  But, hands down, the best character in the group is the conspiracy theorist, Marvin Boggs (played by John Malkovich).   His antics cracked me all throughout the movie.

This movie was a first-class action-comedy, never uninteresting, and delivered what I expected from it – and more – from start to finish. 

8.) DESPICABLE ME

Epic.  To be honest, I did not expect it to be special.  But it was.  One of the best animated movies I ever watched.  A good story, good graphics, a family-oriented charm, and several hilarious scenes and lines… it has all the formulas for a winning 3d movie.   Several scenes had cracked me up real good, from Gru’s lines and reactions (“Wow, this is garbage.  You actually like this?” while reading the “3 Little Kittens” book), to wacky scenes (Gru destroying a shooting gallery using his blaster gun to win a unicorn stuffed toy for Amber), to one-second shots (“Bank of Evil: Formerly Known as Lehman Brothers.” This made me laugh so hard), and to almost every scene these guys were present…

Gru’s Minions are very much like Toy Story’s LGMs, only clumsier and funnier.  They are a major factor why this movie was very funny.

I heard that “Megamind” was also a good movie.  I haven’t watched it yet so I can’t compare which is better.

 

7.) PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME

I know the premise and the general plot of the game, and I know that if I am not aware of the time travel concept of the game, I would had enjoyed the movie more since the “time travel for a few seconds” function of the prince’s dagger would come as an enjoyable surprise.  “Prince of Persia” has the swashbuckling fun that the “Pirates of the Caribbean” has.  The fight and acrobatic scenes were both graceful and badass.  The story was, yup, almost cliché for an adventure film, but it was still exciting. 

And I really liked the relationship of the Prince with his father and brothers.  He was really a part of the family even if he was only adopted.  At first, it was as if it was a brother of the Prince was the one that framed him (in the murder of his father).  But it turned out, that the initial subtle hints (like traces of jealousy) of his brothers’ treachery were just mere red herring of the plot.  They were not the villains.  In truth, their bond as brothers was strong.   I love how it all went.

Aside from what I have already mentioned, the audience was also charmed by the lead characters – or rather the actors.  Girls fell in love with Jake Gyllenhaal’s abs, and guys got bedazzled by Gemma Arterton’s sex appeal.  This scene shows what I mean:

I'm expecting there will be sequels…

6.) MONSTERS

A sci-fi drama that contains a very valuable underlying theme.   The movie might be uneventful in some parts, but it is only when you finished the movie that you realize the movie had a beautiful story and a deep message.   The scenario of the movie was when a NASA probe crash lands on north Mexico, cthulu-like alien creatures started appearing in the USA-Mexico border.    This area became known as an “infected zone” as military from both countries work to keep them at bay (though the aliens were still able to move towards urban areas).  The story was about a photojournalist who agreed to escort his employer’s daughter from Mexico to USA through the “infected zone”.  They would encounter danger in their journey which would culminate when they had a clear and up-close view of the aliens for the first time (also the first time for the audience).  It would end with the two admitting their love to each other and leaving us with the questions: “What makes them monsters?  Just by being different from us?  But who are really behaving as monsters?  Us or them?”

     

5.) IRON MAN 2

This was the only Marvel movie of 2010.  But, I dare say, it successfully filled the hunger for the annual dose of Marvel Superhero movies.  It was better in everything than the first movie.   It joins the ranks of “Spider-Man 2” and “The Dark Knight” – comic book movie sequels that were better than their respective first movies.  All the major scenes were awesome; they were funny or action-packed or both.  Scenes and cameos meant as appetizers of incoming “Avengers” and Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero films were also scattered across the movie.       

Robert Downey, Jr. was – again – brilliant in this movie.   He played Tony Stark in a way I haven’t seen the Tony Stark character.  He was more suave, more fun, more charismatic, and more lovable.               

Moreover, in this movie, we got…

Rrrrrr.

Hope Part 3 will not disappoint (now that the director, Jon Favreau, is not on board for the third movie). 

4.) EXAM

Technically, this movie was a 2009 movie.  But I have my reasons for treating it as a 2010 movie.  First, when it was shown in 2009, it was mostly limited to film festivals.  Second, this movie was released in UK theaters in early 2010 and was never released in the US.  Instead, it was released in DVD in 2010 for US.  So I’ll treat it as a 2010 movie since it was more widely circulated in 2010. 

The movie’s story was centered on eight applicants for a vacancy in a high-status, powerful, but enigmatic corporation.  They were put inside a closed room, with one guard with them.  A piece of paper and pencil were in front of each of them.    They were instructed that in 80 minutes they should be able to give one answer to one simple question.  They were left with three rules by their proctor: "If you try to communicate with myself or the guard... If you spoil your paper intentionally or accidentally... if you choose to leave this room for any reason… you will be disqualified."  He left and the clock started ticking.  The candidates turned over his or her respective paper and found a blank page.  That was when the fun started, as candidates attempted to find loopholes and clues in the three rules and to discover what was the question (so they can answer).  One by one, the candidates got eliminated, by trickeries of their co-candidates, by choice, or by accidentally breaking a rule.  In the end, a sole applicant remained non-eliminated after 80 minutes.  The remaining applicant was also able to successfully uncover what the question was and was able to deliver the correct answer.

This movie’s main appeal was the plentiful twists.  The final twist – the real score of the corporation – was kind of weak, though, compared to the twists of the body.  Nonetheless, this was an exciting movie that would keep you guessing until the end.        

3.) SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD

This is one of the greatest comic book movies ever made.  “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World” was adorably wacky and creatively done.  I love the concept.  It was kind of cartoony but still interesting and not cheesy.  It has the “feel” of my generation.  Moreover, I was really impressed by the fight scenes.  Michael Cera’s appearance looks weak and clumsy, but when he did his fight choreographies, it was executed crisply and excellently.  The story was kind of slow at the early part of the movie, but it picks up as soon as the first evil ex-boyfriend appears.  From there, it becomes fast-paced and grows exciting and action-packed by the second.  In summary, Kevin Smith put it perfectly, “I would be hard pressed to say, 'he's bringing a comic book to life!' but he is bringing a comic book to life.”    

  

2.) INCEPTION

“Inception” will go down in history as one of the greatest movies ever made.  In fact, it ranks number 2, so far, in the Internet Movie Database’s all-time list in ratings.    I don’t have to say anything more about “Inception”.  Really.  If you haven’t watched it yet, it’s a pity.  Go watch it and understand why it’s awesome.  I won’t spoil it for you.  But if you already did, then you already know why it’s awesome.  And you’re also probably wondering why it only made the number 2 spot when it’s a hands-down number 1 choice to all of you. 

Well, it’s because…    

1.) TOY STORY 3

“Toy Story 3” was also released this year.  That’s why “Inception” did not get the top spot.  I believe that “Toy Story 3” is the best movie this year.  Well, at least to someone like me who really loves the pop culture of his childhood, in which “Toy Story” was one of the best things about it.  This movie was something I had been waiting for for a long time.  And my wait was not disappointed. 

In my article a few months ago titled “Movies I Like Hollywood to Make, Keep on Making, or Start Making Again”, I wrote this about the movie:

“I had always been a lover of toys.   I was a toy lover since, and still a toy lover now.  Thus, you see how much I love the Toy Story movies.  I had waited for the sequel for Toy Story 2 for more than ten years and it was just recently that the 3^rd installment came out.  I was about ten when Toy Story 2 came out at the theaters, and I’m now 21 when I watched Toy Story 3.  Thus, in some ways, I had been able to relate to Andy growing older and about to go to college.  Though, of course, as for me, I, instead, had just graduated from college.  But allegorically speaking, there are parallels.  Andy grew older, I grew older (We were both kids by the time of Toy Story 2).  Andy’s steppingstone change in life was going to college, mine was finishing college.  Andy has to let go of his toys, a symbolism of letting go of important things of the past and comfort zones so we can grow up.   There, Toy Story 3 made me sentimental.  Made me reminisce my past and provoked pondering of my future.”

Not only was “Toy Story 3” funny, entertaining, and heartwarming but it had a theme I can relate to and a familiar recipe that I really love.  It is the movie that made the most impact to me this 2010, and that’s why it’s the best movie of 2010.

Now done with 2010 movies, it’s time for 2011 to showcase its offering…    

Read More

Top 10 Twists in BLEACH

One of the hot mangas/anime I am into is “Bleach”.  Bleach easily became popular for having badass fight scenes, a vast collection of interesting characters, and entertaining storylines.  One of the reasons why the storylines of Bleach are highly interesting is its incredible twists that were used as “what the -!” moments, plot augmentation, or/and just for the sake of good old fun.  Among these, here is my top 10 take.  

10.) Tōsen’s Defeat

Kaname Tōsen is the blind Gotei 13 captain, who aside from Gin Ichimaru, joined Sosuke Aizen and betrayed the Gotei 13.  In the battle in the Fake Karakura Town, Tōsen fought using his newly acquired Hollow powers from Aizen for the first time.  After equipping his Hollow mask, Tōsen would take on his former lieutenant, Shūhei Hisagi, and his former bestfriend, the Shinigami captain, Sajin Komamura.  In his Hollowified form, Tōsen was able to hold his own against Hisagi and Komamura, and then being able to get rid of Hisagi (temporarily, as we’ll see later on) and getting the upper hand against Komamura.    

Tōsen then released his Resurrección, transforming himself into a giant cricket-like creature.   He started opening his eyes, and was rapturous when he was able to see (we can conclude that that was the first time he ever used his Resurrección) for the first time in his life.    As he was about to deliver the finishing blow to Komamura, this happened…

It was a big surprise for me.  Just like that, Tōsen, who is clearly stronger than an Espada, in his Resurrección form, got blind-sided (no pun) by Hisagi, who is still not powerful enough to have a Bankai, to impale him with a mere Shikai.  No one saw that coming. 

9.) Yoruichi is a Woman

We first saw Yoruichi Shihōin like this…

A black cat with a male voice.  

“He” was the one who trained Ichigo’s friends and the one who guided Ichigo and his friends on their trip to Soul Society to rescue Rukia.  And everybody – audience and characters alike – at that point believed that Yoruichi is a man.  And “he” never gave any reaction to make us think otherwise.  “He” never corrected the assumption that “he” was actually a she.

Then after rescuing a wounded Ichigo (which he got from his battle with Kenpachi Zaraki), Yoruichi finally revealed “his” true form to him. 

And I was as shocked as Ichigo to discover that Yoruichi was really a woman.  In her own words, she loves transforming to her true form to surprise people, who always assume – because of the male voice in her cat form – that she was a male. 

Being in cat form, not only did we assume she was a male, but because of appearing in such “cute, harmless” form, we really did not take the character seriously.  Oh, we assumed the character might be strong, but not that awesome as revealed later on.   After the surprise we got from discovering she was a female, more revelations came that made us learn that she is one of the most badass characters in Bleach.  Princess of the Tenshiheisōban… former captain of the 2^nd Division of the Gotei 13 and former commander of the Onmitsukidō… former Corps Commander of the Corrections Corps and of the Executive Militia… considered the greatest “flash step” (high speed movement) master that she earned the nickname “Goddess of Flash”… what a resume.  Makes me feel silly for initially supposing that she was a one-dimensional, boring character.

8.) Hollow Ichigo

In his training to regain his Shinigami powers (after Byakuya destroyed its source), so he can rescue Rukia, Ichigo had undergone training under Kisuke Uruhara.   One of the processes (to regain his powers) is to cut his “Chain of Fate”, the chain that attaches the soul to its body.  When cut, the chain would corrode towards the chest, and when it reaches it, a hole would open that would transform the person into a Hollow.  Eventually, just as the chain’s corrosion completely made a hole on Ichigo’s chest and started turning him into a Hallow, he was finally able to tap into his Shinigami powers.

I (and Ichigo) never thought that Ichigo’s experience of nearly becoming a Hallow would have a consequence in the future.  Later on (during the mission to rescue Rukia), we got clues about this impending development when Hallow masks kept on appearing on places in his body where there would be normally fatal wounds.   Finally, in a fight with Kenpachi Zaraki, Ichigo encountered his Hallow alter-ego in his inner world.

I find this Hollow alter-ego of Ichigo an exciting surprise, especially when he took over Ichigo’s body when Ichigo was losing his battle against Byakuya.  The Hollow Ichigo would then proceed to get the upper hand, until Ichigo took back the control of his body from his Hollow self. 

From then on, several times, we would see times when Ichigo was on the ropes in a fight, a pissed Hollow Ichigo takes over Ichigo’s body to fight. 

As his Hallow split-personality’s control grows stronger, Ichigo sought the help of the Visoreds to allow him control of his Hallow self (and powers).      

After finally becoming a Visored, Ichigo finally was able to manifest the strengths (though probably not all) of his Hollow alter-ego without losing control.  Though, in his fight with Ulquiorra, a more powerful, more badass, and more violent Hollow Ichigo would appear.  

Ichigo, as of the present, has lost his Shinigami powers – and presumptively, his Hollow powers as well – after learning the Final Getsuga Tensho from the Zangetsu-Hollow Ichigo amalgam.  I am excited for further developments, especially on how Hollow Ichigo would manifest himself again when Ichigo regains his powers.   

7.) Wonderweiss

Wonderweiss’ first appearance was during his transformation to an Arrancar by Aizen.  Several Espada were present during this.  By then, I never ever thought there was something special about him.  I thought his “birth” was shown for mere demonstration on how Hollows become Arrancars.  At most, I thought he was a Fracción – a subordinate of an Espada, especially when he accompanied Yammy in the Arrancars’ third visit to Karakura Town. 

Later on, Wonderweiss was with Aizen, Tōsen, Ichimaru, and high-ranking Espada (with their Fracción) during their battle against Gotei 13 in the Fake Karakura Town.  He arrived with Fūrā – the biggest Hollow that appeared in Bleach so far (it is so big that it has masks of Gillian-class Menos for fingernails) in the middle of the battle.  At this point, I thought of Wonderweiss as nothing more of a “keeper” for this giant Hollow.   Then he did this:

By taking out Jūshirō Ukitake – one of the two strongest Gotei 13 captains who are not Commander Yamamoto – I finally realized that Wonderweiss is just no ordinary Arrancar… that he could even be somebody higher in rank than the elite Espada, and that his number 77 ranking was just a ruse.       

It is revealed that Wonderweiss is a “modified” Arrancar, and has the same spiritual energy of an Espada.  All forms of rationality, memory, retention, speech, and intelligence were removed to give more concentration on power instead.  He was designed by Aizen to nullify the abilities of Yamamoto’s Zanpakutō.  Though he would still lose in the end against Yamamoto, going head to head with Gotei 13’s legendary commander was badass enough. 

It’s a pretty good twist when a character we presumed to be weak was actually badass.              

6.) Bankai

The most constant developmental twist in the Bleach concept is the Bankai – the Zanpakutō’s second form.  What make this weapon so interesting are the various forms of Bankai shown.  

Some of these forms are: 

an exhibition that pink is badass…

a portable nuke launcher…

an abominable fetus from hell…

and, my personal favorite, a gundam swordsman…

There are still several characters that haven’t revealed their Bankais yet.   There’s no captain-level Visored that revealed his Bankai yet.  Ichigo’s father, Isshin Kurosaki, hasn’t revealed his.  Neither Aizen nor Uruhara revealed theirs.  And the Bankais of several captains – including Commander Yamamoto – haven’t been revealed yet.

Bankais are full of surprises.  A Bleach fan will always get excited whenever the words “Bankai” is spoken, especially if the shinigami would reveal his or hers for the first time. 

5.) Aizen is the Main Villain

If I had made this list years ago, this would be number one.  It was a real shocker back then when Sōsuke Aizen was revealed to be the main villain of the story – a first rate “what the hell was that!” moment. 

Initially, Aizen was shown as the nicest and most mild-mannered of the Gotei 13 captains, with those harmless kind eyes.  I mean look at him…

Then sometime when Ichigo and the other Ryokas was in Seireitei (to rescue Rukia), Aizen appeared to had been murdered. 

Suddenly, there was a mystery among Gotei 13.  Who could have killed Aizen?  Only a captain-level Shinigami could have done it.  Thus, there was a traitor among them.  And the prime suspect was Gin Ichimaru. 

Ichimaru proved to be a red herring, a mere minion, since the true mastermind was Aizen himself and the “Aizen” corpse was a mere illusion.  After obtaining the Hōgyoku from Rukia (which was hidden by Uruhara within Rukia’s soul), Aizen would leave for Hueco Mundo with his subordinates, Ichimaru and Tōsen.  In that epic scene, as Negacióncarried them away, Aizen, while removing his glasses and combing his hair by hand to change the hairstyle that changed his appearance from mild-mannered and kind changed to a cold and menacing, announced his intention of becoming a “god”.  Very dramatic.  He would proceed to rule in Hueco Mundo and build an Arrancar army.  

                                     

Eventually, during his forces’ encounter with Ichigo and his allies, he and his Espada would be defeated.  But since he’s immortal, he can’t be killed, thus he was sentenced to be imprisoned for 20,000 years.

I don’t think we’ll see the last of Aizen.  Heck, as I mentioned before, he has yet to reveal his Bankai.  I think he will still be a major player in a future story arc in Bleach.

4.) Ichigo’s Dad Turned Out to be a Shinigami

In the early parts of Bleach, Isshin, Ichigo’s goofy doctor dad, was more of a comic relief.  Nobody was expecting that he was far more badass than that.  However, he was actually a captain-level Shinigami.  The revelation of Isshin being a former Shinigami answered the question why Ichigo has hidden Shinigami powers.  But it raises some more questions as well.  What was his division and why did he leave the Gotei 13?  How and why did he lose his powers?

It is first revealed that he was a Shinigami, when he took on Grand Fisher – an imperfect Arrancar.  Later on, it is also shown that he was acquainted – even friends – with Ryūken Ishida, Uryu’s father (who is also a Quincy), and Kisuke Urahara.   .

Ichigo would only become aware that his father was a badass Shinigami when the latter pitched in in the fight against Aizen in the Fake Karakura Town.  Aizen would also show that he knew Isshin.   Later on, Isshin was instrumental on teaching Ichigo the “final” Getsuga Tenshō that helped in the defeat of Aizen.

There are still a lot of questions unanswered regarding Isshin, and fans are excited for further developments.

3.) The Eleventh Division is More Badass Than It Appears to Be

The 11^th division are composed of Shinigamis who only concentrate on melee combat and do not concern themselves with other Shinigami skills.  Their philosophy is to live for fighting – that if they are going to die anyway, they will go down fighting gloriously.   

      

We know how badass this division is because it’s a reflection of its captain, Kenpachi Zaraki.  Zaraki is one of the toughest and most powerful captains in the Gotei 13 even though he does not have a Bankai nor know the name of his Zanpakutō (thus, not being able to tap its full potential).  The lieutenant, Yachiru Kusajishi, is a mere child but she possesses immense spiritual pressure.  And two other lieutenants in other divisions, Renji Abarai and Tetsuzaemon Iba, were formerly from the 11^th. 

But what makes this division more badass than it appears to be is because of Yumichika Ayasegawa and Ikkaku Madarame. 

In the first time we saw Yumichika fought, he was beaten by Ganju.  Ganju is not one of the elite characters in Bleach, so Ayasegawa (5^th seat in the division) must be weak, right?  No.  Ayasegawa was not really at top form when he fought Ganju.  Not even close.  At one time, he beat Hisagi by finally showing his Shikai’s true power.  Yumichika’s Zanpakutō is as vain as its owner.  “Fuji Kujaku”, the nickname Yumichika uses on it, greatly annoys the Zanpakutō that whenever Yumichika uses that nickname, it would not appear in its true form, but instead transform to a (weaker) melee-type released form:

But when it is called by its true name, “Ruri’iro Kujaku”, it goes full power:

Yumichika is actually as strong as the strongest lieutenants of Gotei 13.  But he wouldn’t fight with his Shikai’s true form if anybody in the 11^th would know (especially Ikkaku) about it, since the true form of his Shikai is kidō-type.  That would be disgraceful in their division because the division’s unofficial rule is that members should only have melee-type Zanpakutō.  He would only use its full potential when his fights are hidden from spectators.  If not, he won’t use it and would even risk getting defeated by an opponent just to protect this secret. 

Like Yumichika, Ikkaku was defeated in the first battle we saw him fought (against Ichigo), thus since Ichigo was still weak at that time, we assumed that Ikkaku was insignificant.  Ikkaku (3^rd seat) is the same as Yumichika, he would even risk defeat just to hide a secret… that he had already achieved Bankai (making him the only non-Captain, aside from Renji, that knows Bankai).  

He’s also has the same fighting philosophy as with his captain, Kenpachi.  He would handicap himself (not using Bankai) just to make a fight more “enjoyable”.  Another reason he hides his Bankai from others is for the fear of being promoted, since he is satisfied as 3^rd seat serving under Kenpachi Zaraki. 

  

At first, I never really thought of them as someone special, I thought of them as mere “stepping-stones” for Ichigo in the Soul Society Arc.   I never thought they will be noteworthy after their initial fight.  I was wrong.   They turned out to be the proof that the 11^th division is the most badass in Gotei 13…

2.) Espada Ranks

The Espada were the top ten most powerful Arrancars.  Their power greatly outdistanced every other Arrancars (the Numeros).   Normal Arrancars are ranked depending on the order of their becoming an Arrancar, but the Espada are ranked depending on their power, with the highest number the weakest and the lowest number the strongest. 

The rankings of the Espada have some twists in it, though. 

First, it was revealed that Nel, the sniveling brat Arrancar that Ichigo had befriended…

…turned out to be a former Espada, with the number 3 rank. 

Second, I (as well as others) guessed the rank of the most prominent Espada rival of Ichigo (aside from Grimmjow), Ulquiorra Cifer, as, at least, in the top 3 of the Espada.  However, his actual number was 4, implying that there are at least three more powerful Espada than him.   But there was a “double twist”.  It seemed that assuming initially that he was a top 3 Espada was right after all when he revealed that he was the only Arrancar that was able to obtain a second release form of Resurrección (Resurrección: Segunda Etapa).  Aizen hasn’t seen him in this form, and Ulquiorra might have been ranked higher – even maybe number 1 – if the former did.      

Third, and most mind-blowing of all, the ranking of Espada was not at all from 10 to 1, but from 9 to 0.  Yammy Llargo was originally number 10, and was thought to be the weakest of the Espada.  It turns out he is the strongest as the “1” was removed from 10, leaving “0”, when he finally released his true power.  Among the three, this was the most surprising.

1.) Gin Ichimaru betrayed Aizen

This was the latest among the twists here.  And so far, in my opinion, the best, most dramatic, most surprising development ever.

Throughout the show, I have a gut feeling that there is more to Gin ichimaru.  The character is just so awesome and charismatic.  No way is he just a mere lackey.  Maybe he has his own agenda and is only using Aizen.  Those were my thoughts then.

In a way, I was right.  It turned out Gin indeed has his secret reasons for joining Aizen.  Just a few moments after Aizen and Ichimaru left the Fake Karakura Town to enter Karakura Town… 

The reason?  Revenge.  To avenge what Aizen did to Rangiku.  He waited for many decades to learn the vulnerability of Aizen, and then struck when the time was ripe.

Of course, Gin failed to kill Aizen, but nonetheless, what he did was still awesomely unexpected.  Though I was a bit expecting that Ichimaru would somehow betray Aizen, it still blew my mind when and why (which I was not able to deduce) and how he did it.  Just for the sake of avenging the honor of Rangiku Matsumoto, the only person he really cared for, he was willing to do a “sleeper agent” routine.  Serving under his target and enemy; the burden of the thought that Rangiku, the person he was doing it all for, was feeling disappointed (because he betrayed the Gotei 13 and “joined” Aizen) and thinking of him as an enemy; the pressure of observing and planning; and the many years it had to take… all the emotional and mental baggage these brought did not hinder Gin.  Such amazing patience and resolve.

Gin Ichimaru’s current status is unknown.  I would be disappointed if he’s now dead, considering the awesomeness of the character and the potential of being an invaluable ally to the main character, Ichigo Kurosaki.   

Read More