Imo the earlier Bleach was such a good read. His mom's death, apparently caused by a Hollow, i still remember that scene and plot twist. His first time holding Zanpakuto and slicing the giant monster, awesome.
...then powerlevel mania happened and Ichigo vs Zaraki and Ichigo vs Byakuya and Ichigo vs Aizen etc all become powerlevel fanservice and HEART panels
Bleach was amazing until after Soul Society imo. It has great moments until the end but it was messy as hell, worse than other series I've read.
I agree about those fights too, the power creep was absurd, accelerated beyond measure and then Aizen effortlessly stopping Ichigos Bankai with just a finger happened too.
I was even kinda disappointed that Aizen wasn't actually dead and grew to find him pretty generic, boring, annoying and overhyped/overrated as hell over time too. Far too much of a mystery and perfection obsessed type villain like Cell too.
I know that's going to trigger a lot of people especially the massive Aizen cult ofc but Bleach is the most wasted potential ive ever seen anywhere by far.
I could type literal essays not even just one on what's so wrong with it.
Early Bleach was the best and amazing though. It had such fantastic style, atmosphere, tone and a different vibe overall.
The one-shot chapter Kubo did recently I thought was amazing before but now im feeling its too edgy, cynical, horrifying etc for what it revealed and implies in the lore/world building for Bleach. Its fitting but it feels excessive too.
I love Masaki though or Ichigos mom ofc, shes great. Kubo did write quite a few wonderful female character here and there.