Bleach/Tear Jerker: Difference between revisions

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* Rukia's goodbye as she's taken back to Soul Society. Ichigo lies on the ground bleeding to death but he grabs Byakuya's leg. As Byakuya threatens to cut off Ichigo's arm, Rukia runs up and kicks his arm away, scolding him for daring to touch her brother. Ichigo reacts with hurt and tries to get up to stop her. She shouts at him not to move and her facade cracks enough to reveal tears in her eyes. She demands he not follow her as she walks through the portal to Soul Society. Then, Ichigo realizes that she left to face ''execution'' in order to save him and screams.

** [[It Got Worse|It gets a little worse]] in the following chapter. Ichigo gets back to the school, only to discover that {{spoiler|almost}} nobody remembers Rukia {{spoiler|save for Chad and Orihime}}. A guy even is using her seat. When she got back to Soul Society, she was erased from everyone's memory.And she ''knew'' it would happen the moment she stepped out of the Human World, considering how Shinigamis are ''not'' supposed to be known by humans and yet her case was a special one. That makes her conversation with the girls some chapter before, when she realizes that she's going to have to leave everybody, even more painful.

* Another one would be the always tough [[Bokukko|Karin]] breaking down completely during Chad's introductory mini arc, as she's overwhelmed by Shibata/the parakeet's memories and the strongest one ''happens'' to feature {{spoiler|[[Kick the Dog|the * gruesome* murder of]] [[Missing Mom|Shibata's mother]]. }}

* The scene after Ichigo battles [[Complete Monster|the Grand Fisher]]. {{spoiler|Ichigo's mother appears to him, tells him how much he's grown...and then tells him never to lose that smile. The irony of this request makes [[Perpetual Frowner|what the audience had long taken for granted]] suddenly become very sad indeed.}}

* This troper cannot listen to Memories in the rain (One thing, just one thing / that I couldn't protect / my fight still continues, for my pride / No time to cry / I can cry later / Right now I can only swear to the June rain) without tearing up. Oh, * Ichigo* ...

* The episode that got This Troper hooked on bleach was the one where {{spoiler|Orihime's brother Sora}} is purified. Not by a Zanpakutou (soul sword), as is normal when dealing with Hollow, but by {{spoiler|his love for his little sister.}} She felt guilt over his death because she had been angry with him and did not send him off properly on the day of his accident. So when she wishes him a safe journey for the last time it really gets the tears flowing.

** Ichigo's "Do you know why big brothers are born first..." speech in that episode had this troper bawling his eyes out.

* Most of Hinamori's character arc in the Soul Society arc, the high points being {{spoiler|when she saw Aizen dead}}, {{spoiler|when she fought her adoptive brother Hitsugaya crying and claiming she didn't know what to believe in anymore}} and {{spoiler|when Aizen stabbed her to almost death}}. It made {{spoiler|her recent [[Big Damn Heroes]] return in the manga}} so damn ''sweet''.

* And there's also chapter 98 of the manga, with Renji and Rukia's backstory and Renji's reaction after losing to Ichigo, {{spoiler|begging him to beat Byakuya and save Rukia's life}}.

* This Troper never liked Byakuya, but she went all wibbly when he told Rukia the ''true'' reason why she was adopted into the Kuchiki clan...

** The performances of [[Ryotaro Okiayu|Byakuya]] and [[Fumiko Orikasa|Hisana's]] (Japanese) VA's in the anime were what really made that scene so heartbreaking. Seeing Byakuya display that much emotion... just wow.

* {{spoiler|Nnoitra's death}} in the anime, while it did not draw tears, made this troper sad. It doesn't make him any more likeable, but still...his inner monologue shows how much pain he really feels. Then, as he falls, {{spoiler|he looks at child Nel right before dying. She can't remember him, but it seems like her subconscious does. When she says his name, it almost seems like she's lamenting over the fact that she couldn't save him from his violent ways.}}

* Chapter 199, 'Ugly'. It lasts around five pages, but in those five it basically tells you up-front that, despite the powers and adventures; Orihime is just a fifteen year old girl. To this troper, this is the chapter that made her feel that Orihime is the most human character in Bleach.

* The only moment that really got me was the end of Nel's backstory, where she's wounded in child form, and goes to sleep as Pesche and Dondochakka swear to protect her from now on.

* Okay, I may be the only one who feels this way, but I literally cannot read Grimmjow's backstory without crying. It's just so...lonely. He thinks the other Hollows are cowards for giving up because he's been through so much shit. And there's the kind of Jesus-sounding "Become my flesh and blood and see what lies ahead." It's even called Historia del Pantera y sus sombras, "History of the Panther and his shadows." Then he gets lowered, very softly, to the ground by Ichigo, who tries to convince him to give up so they can fight again, and Grimmjow KEEPS TRYING. And then Nnoitra comes and Ichigo looks extremely shocked, and then protects Grimmjow from dying, which all (again, in my head) seems like Ichigo wants Grimmjow and him to only be rivals, not enemies. I cry every DAMN TIME.

== Fake Karakura Town Arc ==

* Most recently, we have the deaths of {{spoiler|Stark and Lilynette at the hands of the <s> Vizard</s> Kyoraku. The fact that his aspect of death was loneliness was never more apparent. }}

** Additionally, his dying flashback...

{{spoiler|Starrk: Wherever...but let's stick together. Forever.}} }}

** His inner monologue while fighting {{spoiler|Kyoraku}} is just as heart wrenching.

** Seriously, if you didn't look like someone just shot your dog after hearing him scream Lilynette's name over and over in desperation, then you have either no heart, or a face made of stone.

* In chapter 387, {{spoiler|Tousen's death. Sure, he wasn't [[The Scrappy|the most popular of characters]], and he seemed like [[Jerkass|a jerk]] in the more recent chapters, but in this chapter, we get flashbacks of him begging Central 46 to punish the man who killed his friend, and a shot of her grave, with him thinking "Why is it..." If that weren't enough, we then get Komamura and Hisagi standing over him, and despite the fact he ''tried to kill them less than five minutes ago'', they look more sad and hurt than angry. Komamura tells him he knew they would eventually have to fight each other, and says "I don't expect you to stop being angry. Nor will I tell you to stop hating. Just...don't focus only on revenge until you lose yourself...like when you lost your friend...my heart would be empty as well if I lost you." Tosen then thanks him, and tells Hisagi he wants to see more of his face, and "while I still can, I want to remember your face..." Then, he dies. [[Ludicrous Gibs|Messily.]] [[Stuff Blowing Up|He randomly explodes.]]}}

** Well, the whole irony deal [[Captain Obvious|was what Kubo was aiming for]] this entire chapter, so as shocking as it is, it makes sense in retrospect. Doesn't make it any less sad, and this is coming from someone who doesn't even like the two characters in question.

** Now ''that'' was a [[Shocking Swerve]], KT. And completely ''heartbreaking''. Damn you KT, for writing/drawing ''that'' scene so damn well. And [[Invincible Villain|FUCK YOU]], {{spoiler|[[Complete Monster|Aizen]]}}, [[Moral Event Horizon|FUCK YOU]]. There's a freaking reason why {{spoiler|Momo is the one in the picture atop the page.}} SOB.

*** I agree with these comments. SO. HARD. Seriously, if this is the reaction we get from ''the manga'', it's going to be about ten thousand times worse when we see this in the anime.

**** This troper is ''EXTREMELY GLAD'' he read this in the manga, as he (legally) watches Bleach on his DS at night, and seeing this animated at that hour of emotional vulnerablity would have left him unable to sleep for about a month. Forget Evangelion, ''that alone'' was sadder, because these guys are all relatively sane, authentically '''GOOD''' people...

** Hitsugaya's reaction is what really hits home. The fact that at first, he's horrified, but it doesn't quite compute. Like all that is running through his mind is "No way, no way, no way..." And then she asks WHY? And then ''snap'', it finally registers and he screams. This horrible, heartbreaking scream, that of course you can't hear because it's manga, but his ''face'' tells it all. I was ''sobbing''.

* Not as close as the others, but still sad: {{spoiler|Wonderweiss Margera}}'s death at the [[Badass Normal|bare]] hands of {{spoiler|a depowered but still [[Badass]] Yamamoto}}. [[Alas, Poor Villain|Who even expresses pity for the one he's just slain.]]

 

== Deicide Arc ==

* 413: Dunno about you guys, but seeing Chizuru [http://www.mangareader.net/94-55673-6/bleach/chapter-413.html in the border of an] [[Heroic BSOD]] while telling {{spoiler|Tatsuki and Co.}} how confused and upset she is struck a chord in me. It's [[Plucky Comic Relief|CHI]][[Genki Girl|ZU]][[Meganekko|RU]], damn it, she's not ''supposed'' to be sad or angry or depressed... :(

* {{spoiler|Ch. 416: Gin’s apparent death, and Rangiku’s reaction. [[Alas, Poor Villain|SNIFF.]] His dying flashback makes it even worse.}}

** Oh God, so true. {{spoiler|The flashback makes it ''even worse''.}} Seeing {{spoiler|teen!Gin with the blood of [[Klingon Promotion|the third seat he killed]] on his face and the guy's hakama as a cape, telling teen!Rangiku that he will become a Shinigami [[I Will Protect Her|so she won't cry again]]... Now only it explains a LOT about him ([[Draco in Leather Pants|while NOT excusing his actions, mind you]]) but it also can't fail to bring the waterworks.}}... SNIFFFFFFF.

** {{spoiler|And remember, this isn't just Zangetsu, this is Zangetsu merged with Ichigo's Hollow Side, who spent a lot of his screen time boasting about how he wanted to take over Ichigo's body. For him to admit that all he ever really wanted was to protect Ichigo, all the while starting to cry, makes it especially heartbreaking.}}

* Just the look on Ichigo's face in Chapter 421 as {{spoiler|[http://mangastream.com/read/bleach/58631179/7 his powers] [http://mangastream.com/read/bleach/58631179/8 start to crumble away]. His just looks so sad, because he knows that all his abilities, all his training, and Zangetsu are disappearing forever and he'll never get them back.}}

** From the same chapter {{spoiler|Yammy's Arrancar puppy goes to his dying master's side, trying to comfort him. It doesn't matter how big a jerk you are, your dog will still love you.}}

**** Gets even worse in the anime, {{spoiler|Where you can here his barks, whines, and his mournful howl at the passing of Yammy. GOD DAMN YOU STUDIO PIERROT.}}

** Would it be a bad time to mention that {{spoiler|it's never outright stated that Gin died, [[He's Just Hiding|just heavily implied]]}}?

** Acutally, the last databook confirmed it. Link's up there. {{spoiler|We won't firget you, oh lovable bastard.}}

 

== Lost Substitute Shinigami Arc ==

** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3wnCuLRuJM The (first) ending theme] is even more depressing to listen to. Kon is sitting on Ichigo's shelf, lifeless. Like an ordinary doll. Over piano music. Note how even though this arc takes place entirely in the World of the Living, ''Kon has no role in it and no character mentions him,'' implying this where he's been the whole time! Somehow seeing a memory fade away makes you forget how annoying he used to be!

* Chapter 424. There isn't any specific cause, but the aura of melancholy is ''palpable'', and you can tell that while Ichigo is putting on a facade of being perfectly satisfied, he's ''really, really'' unhappy.

** Going by {{spoiler|the silhouette and the use of [[Full-Name Basis]], this troper was under the impression it was Byakuya.}}

* 427. When {{spoiler|Karin decides she can't keep saying "[[I Just Want to Be Normal]]" and goes to Urahara's Shop to tell him she's willing to take up Ichigo's place.}} Not only it's quite the [[Character Development]] for her, but to see her telling the people there that {{spoiler|she doesn't want Ichigo to fight anymore, since he's sacrificed so much already and so he deserves a normal life and she wants to protect him}}... SOB.

** Ah, God! Why is that panel so depressing? I feel like just scooping her up a saying everything will be alright...

* Chapter 456. For the first time since the series began, {{spoiler|Ichigo actually questions why he wanted his powers}}.

** If that isn't bad enough...{{spoiler|Tsukishima has manipulated/brainwashed Orihime and Chad into fighting Ichigo. He's basically forced into either a) harming his friends or b) losing the battle.}} Not to mention, {{spoiler|there's the look on Orihime's face as they all fight; she's clearly heartbroken and reluctant on the whole deal. And the reason for that is because she legitimately believes the man she loves has gone}} {{spoiler|''insane'' and is trying to kill ''one of their best friends''.}}. [[Break the Cutie]] or What?

*** The same goes just as much for Chad. {{spoiler|"I didn't get stronger for this... I didn't get stronger to hurt you!" }} BAWL.

** 458. The ''look'' on Ichigo's face when {{spoiler|Ginjo stabs him after revealing that he'd been working with Tsukishima the whole time}}. The poor kid's going to {{spoiler|have trust issues for ''years''}}, to say the least.

*** The scanlations sum it up quite nicely on the last page: "Despair" and "Zero Hope".

* Chapter 459. For a moment, it looks like Ichigo's own ''father'' has just stabbed Ichigo. {{spoiler|While it's quickly revealed to be Rukia restoring Ichigo's Shinigami powers}}, the look on Ichigo's face when he thinks his own father has also turned against him is just heart-wrenching.

** This [http://www.mangareader.net/bleach/459/15 page] is a [[Tear Jerker]] of the happier variety.

*** Oh, GOD YES! Seriously, we ''needed'' that scene... the tears of utter despair and hopelessness stop falling, and the audience begins to openly ''weep'' tears of joy!

** Worse still is the exact ''details'' he starts replacing. He {{spoiler|supplanted Orihime's brother and Chad's grandfather in their memories! That's just needlessly cruel.}}

* 466 [http://www.mangareader.net/bleach/466/6 gives us] {{spoiler|Jackie's [[Alas, Poor Villain]] demise.}} Double since {{spoiler|we get to see a glimpse of her past... as a crying teenage girl. That, and her [[Famous Last Words]] ("I wish the one who saved me... was like you") imply a ''serious'' [[Break the Cutie]] past and makes her a [[Broken Bird]].}} ''Damn''. {{spoiler|Nevermind that she ultimately lived through. Thank God.}}

* 471. {{spoiler|Fullbringers and their ''really'' fucked up backstories.}} The top moments are: {{spoiler|Jackie [http://www.mangareader.net/bleach/471/7 finding her family dead] and getting her boots dirty with her little brother's blood}}, {{spoiler|Yukio [http://www.mangareader.net/bleach/471/3 being rejected by his dad] since [[Cute Mute|he has a speech impediment]] [http://www.mangareader.net/bleach/471/8 and later turning more and more bitter] }}, and {{spoiler|Riruka [http://www.mangareader.net/bleach/471/9 naively using her powers] [http://www.mangareader.net/bleach/471/10 on her first love] [[Love Hurts|and screwing it up]].}}

* And now there's 477. Where {{spoiler|both [http://www.mangareader.net/bleach/477/10 Ginjo] and [http://www.mangareader.net/bleach/477/16 Tsukishima] ''finally'' show some bits of humanity}}, {{spoiler|Riruka attempts to [http://www.mangareader.net/bleach/477/14 speak with Tsukishima] [http://www.mangareader.net/bleach/477/17 and make him listen to her]}}, and we also see {{spoiler|how [http://www.mangareader.net/bleach/477/18 a Shinigami!Ginjou and a teenager!Tsukishima met], long ago}}.

* 478. There ''is'' a genuine tearjerker in the scene where {{spoiler|[http://www.mangareader.net/bleach/478/11 Riruka] wakes up in Urahara Shouten, is told [http://www.mangareader.net/bleach/478/12 by Ichigo and Rukia] that the others Fullbringers are gone, ''and'' sees Orihime [http://www.mangareader.net/bleach/478/13 mourn for the Fullbringers]. And then [http://www.mangareader.net/bleach/478/15 she starts crying too].}}

* 479. {{spoiler|Riruka [[But Now I Must Go|leaves Karakura alone]].}} Beautifully and heartbreakingly done.

 

 

== Filler ==

* At Episode 262, {{spoiler|[[The Woobie|Narunosuke's]] death may not be as depressing as some of the other examples above, but considering that virtually the entire episode was spent developing his relationship with Haineko and his slow descent into a rage-filled berserker, and that Haineko [[The Tease|herself]] actually had a crush on the guy, it's pretty sad nonetheless. Here's the kicker: Haineko's a mischievous catgirl with a knack for teasing and a flirtatious streak, close enough to qualify as a [[Lovable Sex Maniac]], so she's normally the one that makes other people blush. When it was ''her'' that blushed, over a much younger, blue-haired and shy [[Bishonen]], no less, it was absolutely ''adorable''. Following that, however, for her to be sad, it's as rare as it is alarming and depressing, and many viewers apparently cried along with her as Narunosuke died}}.

* Episode 342. Just....all of it. Especially the end.

 

 

== General ==

** This Troper doesn't even like Tousen, but damn - she understands what you mean. Very, very much.

*** [http://www.mangareader.net/94-42482-18/bleach/chapter-386.html This page from chapter 386.] That's ''all''. '''HUGE SPOILERS!'''

* It's a small one, but the omake for episode 303. You see Urahara and Yoruichi in a room set up for a birthday party, then they both bend down to the cake and blow out the candles, and then sadly lament that everyone forgot their birthdays. Considering their [[Big Damn Heroes]] moment in the Deicide arc, it's sad to see the two of them being forgotten, even if it's just an omake.

** Also, in the episode itself, Orihime watches her friends and [[Fridge Horror|it hits you]] that this is probably how she spent her New Years every year since Sora died: alone because she didn't want to intrude on her friends time with their families.

* The [[Unfortunate Implications]] of episode 307's omake. Gin announces that Arrancar Encyclopedia will be discontinued. After that announcement, he tries to continue the segment but is rushed offstage by Ichigo, Chad and Orihime, the last of whom carts him off in a box. Considering what got animated in that episode...{{spoiler|His fight with Aizen that ends with Gin's death.}}

* {{spoiler|Orihime saving Harribel and her Fraccion's lives}} [http://athakra.livejournal.com/1789.html in the databook's novel part] is both this and a [[Crowning Moment of Heartwarming]].

* The fact that the anime will end at 366 episodes, only at the end of the Lost Shinigami Arc, and is being replaced by a [[Naruto|Rock Lee]] spin-off. Not only does it further fuel the [[Broken Base]] of both shows (they're both shonens from the same magazine, animated by the same studio, and licensed by the same North American distributor), but this means the end of the 10-year story will not be animated, and we so far ''have no clear answer behind this move'' other than dwindling popularity, and poor quality of the story. Japan ''rarely'' makes a move like this, let alone releases news about it at almost the last minute. Now the broken bases will ''never'' be civil. Imagine those reading negative reactions to the show online for 10 straight years and bearing with it, only to face the inevitable time in two years when [[Adult Swim]] (and, by extention, [[Cartoon Network]]) will no longer have anime for the first time in about two decades.

** That and Toonami is back and will be airing Bleach. We're saved, ladies and gentlemen.

** Who's to say the anime is gone for good? The most reasonable rumor I've heard as to why the anime was cancelled is the budget just flat-out ran out. All they need is few more years to pile up the cash and it'll be back...the fan outcry is almost guaranteed to bring it back anyway.

 

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Tear Jerker]]