When we think of popular Shonen anime, Bleach is usually one of the first titles that comes to mind. Its engaging storyline, unforgettable characters, and thrilling fight scenes make fans often compare it to other Shonen giants like One Piece and Naruto.
However, there’s another thing where fans often compare them and it is the fillers episodes. While all these three classic Shonens had their fair share of filler episodes, Bleach stands out for one particularly infamous arc that often drove fans away: the Bount Arc.
The Bount Arc: Bleach’s most hated filler
Covering episodes 64-109, the Bount Arc is Bleach‘s first major filler arc. It introduces a set of vampire-like creatures known as the Bounts, who exist by means of ingesting human souls. While the concept of the Bounts appeared promising, in reality, the execution fell short.
One of the worst things about the Bount Arc is how it is timed. It immediately follows the dramatic Soul Society Rescue arc, in which Ichigo and his friends put everything on the line to rescue Rukia from death. The fans were ready to know what happened next, only to be greeted by a totally unrelated story involving the Bounts.
Many viewers found themselves confused and frustrated, as fans noted:
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The sudden cut from the main plot to an unrelated arc with new villains left fans disoriented. Compared to subsequent fillers such as the Zanpakuto Rebellion Arc, which appeared to blend well with the main story, the Bount Arc was disjointed and slow-moving.
One of the greatest criticisms of the Bount Arc is how long it is. With 46 episodes, it went on for almost a year in real time. Fans hoping for a quick side story found themselves trapped in an arc that seemed to have no end, as viewer summed it up perfectly:
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Moreover, Bleach had just dropped one of the best story arcs in Shonen history with the Soul Society arc. The stakes were high, the fights were epic, and the fans could not wait to see what happened next. Then, out of nowhere, the story deviated into a slow-paced arc with villains that did not carry the same impact as Aizen or the Soul Reapers.
One popular criticism is that the arc lacked a solid conclusion. Although later filler arcs such as the Zanpakuto Rebellion and Muramasa saga left viewers with a sense of fulfillment, the Bount Arc concluded on something that didn’t seem to add much to the grand scheme. Even fans who made it till the end ended up feeling as if it had been a waste of time.
Is the Bount Arc as bad as fans remember?
In hindsight, the Bount Arc is not the worst filler arc of all time, but it certainly is among the worst. It broke the momentum of Bleach at a pivotal moment and overstayed its welcome, driving many fans away from watching the anime entirely.
Yet those who saw it later and realized it was filler tended to find it more acceptable. As one viewer confessed:
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Eventually, the Bount Arc is an example of the effect that placement of filler content can have on an anime’s pacing and appeal.
Although Bleach picked itself up with more solid arcs and better filler subsequently, the Bount Arc itself is a cautionary tale as to what transpires when too much filler exists and it emerges at the wrong time.
Bleach is currently available to watch online on Crunchyroll.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
