I liked this episode because now we don't need to waste time with Ichigo's inner fight anymore, but I didn't like the "hmm running out of plot lets put in something never mentioned ever" part that most longrunning stories fall into. Also, ever since the new intro started I've noticed a substantial increase in animation quality, is there any particular reason for this?

Episode 125 was pretty-fucking-awesome.  I thought Ichigo in his complete Hollow form was fucking BEAST.  However, what I don't get is what exactly happened to Old Man Zangetsu?  I understand that Ichigo's inner Hollow took over him, but now that Ichigo has control over his inner Hollow, shouldn't Old Man Zangetsu return?

..and I don't want to spoil myself through the manga, even though I have a bit already..

Yeah, Zangetsu returns, and if I remember correcty, he did return at the same time in
the manga. They screwed over this part of the manga big time in the anime.

Other than that, Bleach's plot isn't very long winded. The Bounto Saga may make it
look like that, but it's actually just:
1: Ichigo gets powers, Kuchiki loses em, and is taken to soul society for execution
2: Soul Society Arc, Aizen gets the hell out of there
3. The Aizen aftermath, the Arrancar Saga

Seriously, it's not 'lets take some plot detail we never mentioned ever because we
don't know what to write about anymore'.

This was planned, and the reason the king was never mentioned is, like Matsumoto
says, 'because they don't even feel like he's there'. It was just never important. The
king doesn't do crap, so why bother to introduce him to the Soul Society invaders?

Bleach is my favorite anime of all time and I'm about to see episode 125.


EDIT:

Bleach is my favorite anime of all time and I'm about to see episode 125.

Post count +1

Good for you. Now please edit your post after you've seen it to make your post more important,
or you could just as well not have posted.

Edit: K, I got the picture. I'll cool down.

Yeah, Zangetsu returns, and if I remember correcty, he did return at the same time in
the manga. They screwed over this part of the manga big time in the anime.

Other than that, Bleach's plot isn't very long winded. The Bounto Saga may make it
look like that, but it's actually just:
1: Ichigo gets powers, Kuchiki loses em, and is taken to soul society for execution
2: Soul Society Arc, Aizen gets the hell out of there
3. The Aizen aftermath, the Arrancar Saga

Seriously, it's not 'lets take some plot detail we never mentioned ever because we
don't know what to write about anymore'.

This was planned, and the reason the king was never mentioned is, like Matsumoto
says, 'because they don't even feel like he's there'. It was just never important. The
king doesn't do crap, so why bother to introduce him to the Soul Society invaders?

I thought we were just supposed to assume he comes back. I mean, its not like we need VISUAL PROOF or anything. Also, I'm just wondering but how did the Manga adapt to the year or so time it took for the Houkyowhatever to mature?

Also if the king isn't important, then why is Aizen interested in making the key?Even if he someohow kills the king and becomes one, that doesn't change that the king doesn't do anything.

The King is obviously important, but just doesn't sshow himself often making people like Matsumoto forget that he even exists. Aizen probably wants to get to the King's dimension so that he can end up ruling from his throne (remember what Aizen said before he left Soul Society? It could be this that he was talking about).

I thought we were just supposed to assume he comes back. I mean, its not like we need VISUAL PROOF or anything. Also, I'm just wondering but how did the Manga adapt to the year or so time it took for the Houkyowhatever to mature?

If I remember correctly, Aizen just went about using it on hollows, creating freaks
like the Grand Fisher. Somehow, this caused the Hyougoku (or something) to awake
much faster, resulting in a big problem for the Shinigami and humans.

Also if the king isn't important, then why is Aizen interested in making the key?Even if he someohow kills the king and becomes one, that doesn't change that the king doesn't do anything.

That's what I'm wondering about myself. It must be of vital importance, but I think
there'll be a big plotshift somewhere in the middle of the saga, just like in the
Soul Society Arc.

Also, I'll look up the Zangetsu thing today.

Quick question concerning the soundtrack.  Does anyone know the names of the two themes that play during episode 125 when Ichigo and Kenpachi are discussing "battle" instinct (its during the scene where the kanji is displayed; it's right before Ichigo rips Tensa Zangetsu out of his stomach).  The other plays after Ichigo has impaled his inner Hollow with Tensa Zangetsu and his inner Hollow begins to dematerialize/burn away..  I REALLY want those two songs, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Quick question concerning the soundtrack.  Does anyone know the names of the two themes that play during episode 125 when Ichigo and Kenpachi are discussing "battle" instinct (its during the scene where the kanji is displayed; it's right before Ichigo rips Tensa Zangetsu out of his stomach).  The other plays after Ichigo has impaled his inner Hollow with Tensa Zangetsu and his inner Hollow begins to dematerialize/burn away..  I REALLY want those two songs, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

The only sound tracks that have come out go up to the end of the fillers, so I doubt you'll be able to find those tracks!

Quick question concerning the soundtrack.  Does anyone know the names of the two themes that play during episode 125 when Ichigo and Kenpachi are discussing "battle" instinct (its during the scene where the kanji is displayed; it's right before Ichigo rips Tensa Zangetsu out of his stomach).  The other plays after Ichigo has impaled his inner Hollow with Tensa Zangetsu and his inner Hollow begins to dematerialize/burn away..  I REALLY want those two songs, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

You're not gonna find those yet, at least until 10 to 15 episodes later, or the end of the
season. Unless you're Japanese and friends with the director. I have no idea whatsoever.

Also, I read the manga yesterday, it seems I was confused with another part of the series.
you're not going to see zangetsu for a while (just because they apparantly forgot about him)

Very experimental episode. My favourite pic would have to be this: