It seems Bleach has been drawing plenty of flak recently, whether it's fanboys/girls crying over their fave characters getting pwned or supposed "plotkais" where an author defies his or her own story's logic and/or continuity for the sake of plot convenience. Now, Bleach is a manga I genuinely enjoy; and I'm not ashamed to say so. Kubo Tite deserves major props for his innumerable literary allusions and use of symbolism in his writing. His artwork is undisputably, even by his fiercest critics, nothing short of amazing - in particular, his use blank space to convey distance and emptiness is masterful, and a striking foil to his bold, dramatic inkwork.
One often forgets that Bleach is a shounen manga - its main intended audience is teenage boys, and is in essence a string of "cool" battles strung alongside the requisite humour chapters, the ostensible plot development - with pertinent emphasis on the strength of nakama and the power of friendship, and exaggerated power-ups. If you're looking for Code Geass-style character design, or Monster-esque drama, look elsewhere. However, Bleach is an exceptionally well-executed shounen; one that doesnt seek to subvert or reinvent the genre and its associated tropes, but to tell such a story as tastefully and rewardingly as possible.
It is a serial publication and as such is guaranteed to have episodes of cheesy, vapid or less-than-inspired writing. Well, KT could do alot worse imo, and perhaps one should re-read (or start reading) certain parts of the manga to remember what an exhilirating ride it can be. Here, in no particular order, is my unexclusive and uncomprehensive list of five semi-random favourite Bleach moments.

Death of Ulquiorra
Yes we know that manga authors have been ripping off the Roman Catholic church for decades... alot of ppl absolutely hated this story arc, but I really enjoyed it; and only in hindsight can one truly appreciate the Dante's Inferno overtones. The seven sins frame Ulquiorra's condition of life (or anti-life), like how the circles surround the devil, and provide an understanding toward his relationship and point of view on Ichigo and, to a lesser extent, Orihime. Ulq's existence, as with any other hollow, is one of despair - for all his power (power which is gained, notably, from the despair of others), he can never escape the pitiful cycle of feeding on others to alleviate his own lust.
Menoli and Loli (w/e their names are) and Yammy are cast in support roles to show how all hollow are bound to this despair (and to help the juveniles understand the titles) but really it's all about Ulq. At the start of the mini-arc, Ichigo suggests that he may be turning more hollow-like; and Ulq may be becoming more human - a provocation that actually encapsulates the entire battle. KT repeats lust as a title 6x, which should be sufficient to drive home the point. Ulq lusts for Ichigo and Orihime's despair, and for their hearts (no doubt, the very thing he realizes he could never obtain). Relate this to Ichigo's own penchant for violence and revenge, for vanquishing his enemy - culminating in the return of Hichigo, and no doubt opening new plot avenues for Zangetsu to expound on the balance between resolve and bloodlust. Compare, also, Orihime's own absence of lust, her incapability to be corrupted by power or desire, her virtues to Ulq's sins. His lust to understand, to subvert, or perhaps even grasp that semblance of humanity, followed by his subsequent fading to ashes - with zero backstory...it pissed off plenty of fans, but the sudden finality of Ulq's departure was the whole freaking point - serves as the manga's most powerful reminder of the despairing, colourless void that hollows inhabit.

Shirafune
Haha everybody absolutely HATES this fight, and it's half the reason I chose it. For a start, it once again depicts the hollow's insatiable gluttony for feeding on fear and despair, even each others. It's also one of the better character development battles so far. Most ppl hate Rukia, and it's easy to see why. She's an oxymoron, and the subject of numerous accusations of plotkai. She's overly sentimental, naive, doubtful, and plain stupid. She speaks of the heart, of sacrifice, kinship, and all things nice and kitsch. She's weak and too willing to throw her life away. At the same time she's always the one helping Ichigo rediscover his resolve. She galvanizes the Karakura group with antics and self-righteous speeches alike. And she gives another reason for Byakuya to be awesome. Where would Bleach be w/o her? I daresay, along with Orihime, she provides the emotional spine of the manga; and, like it or not, KT makes gd on her character this time round.
The significance of Kaien's resemblance to Ichigo is still not fully explored, but Kaien's backstory was no doubt central to Rukia's character, and a big part of why she's such a weak-willed sissy. With Shirafune, she exices the spectre of Kaien's memory, allowing both his soul and hers to rest in peace. Her reforged Sode no Shirayuki represents both the purifying of Kaien's spirit as well as her resolve to pick up the broken pieces and move on. That "you mus not die" ethos echoed in the title and volume poem has been often preached by Rukia herself, and in this chapter she justifies that sanctimonious tenacity.

Bankai
'nuff said, honestly. Bankai has become a pop culture phenomenom, used to denote all sorts of willpower, resolve, skillz, 1337ness and sexual prowess. As the de rigueur power-up in Bleach, it's been pretty exciting...credit to KT for revealing his aces at a good pace. Although the recent spate of Arrancar releases and the prior foreshadowing of their power has somewhat nerfed the impact of the humble Shikai (although Hisagi's release was still pretty impressive), thousands of Bleach fans and skeptics alike continue to wait with bated breath for the wtfbbqpwn moment of the next Bankai revelation. In fact, many ppl read Bleach simply in wait of witnessing the top-tier Captains' releases. Shounen, indeed.

Byakuya vs Ichigo
Besides being one of the most epic fights ever (particularly the anime version), this battle was a crucial highlight of the Soul Society arc converging many developments and foreshadowing new ones to come - Aizen's motives, Ichigo carrying the cross of a Vaizard, a higher principality above Sereitei, et al. From the onset, the battleground is ripe with imagery - overcast black against a backdrop of white, rotting cherry trees (yes go google Kurosaki and Kuchiki Byakuya if u cant get it); white and black, pride and desire, sun and moon. Both characters get meaningful development which further establish their personalities - Byakuya as the resolute vanguard of Sereitei's harsh brand of justice, Ichigo as the typical Shounen protagonist who's going to tear down the walls with nothing but reckless self-belief.
Each of these men have a speck in their eye only the other can remove, but it is more interesting because they are not cast as direct foils to each other. Their personalities do however play off each other's effectively, as do their ties to their respective nakama, bringing to fore the wide ensemble of characters and relationships that is one of Bleach's strength. The idea of Soul Society as some sort of anti-utopia is further explored, as is the notion of the right/status which Shinigami claim as to a soul-purifying elite. The bout provides no clear winner, and no clear resolution to the associated conflict of ideals, but serves as an effective fulcrum of the SS arc, as well as the manga, opening up a grey arena in need of a heavy dose of bleach and colour.

Aizen Sousuke
Where do I begin? To label Aizen as some devious plotter or coldhearted mastermind wouldn't be inaccurate, but far too simplistic. He gives me the chills, which is pretty impressive for a manga character. Aizen reads like some modern reimagination of The Grand Inquisitor, similarly professing the guise of salvation to the multitudes of sinners to acquire power and influence, eventually unleashing his inner demons and hatred upon them. Aizen rules Hueco Mundo, but his reign inspires no hope, only despair - yet he himself appears all but immune to despair, and therein lies the reason for the Hollows' subjugation.
The inquisition, however, appears to be directed at Soul Society - have the Shinigami misjudged both themselves and the hollow? Aizen states that his intentions are to displace the Soul King, but to what end? More power? To prove he has been right all along? To remake the world in his image? His smug, calculating demeanour gives nothing away, and in line with a man whose identity and power revolves around illusions, he has only provided glimpses of his true motives. Shrouded in mystery and ambiguity, Aizen is the perpetual plot pivot which leverages the ideals of freedom and moralism, instinct and base nature against the constant imagery and symbolism which distinguish what would otherwise probably be a mediocre manga. The defining moment where he sheds his venerable glasses and morphs into the sinister overlord looking down on heaven from hell is the most badass "villain" statement in all of Bleach.

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