I have to admit, fanfiction helped motivate me to watch that first episode, although the theme song almost had me give up before the episode really started. It is slowly growing on me, so much so that now I only dislike it. And we'll see how I take the filler-- bleach!fan coworker wasn't too impressed with the filler either, but says it isn't nearly as bad as Naruto is.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you... but your work totally sounds deliciously spy-ish with the controlled areas. Secret Agent Rishies? XD.

And I'll believe you on other shonen animes... but somehow, I have a feeling Bleach is going to turn into something special and completely unlike anything else. I just wish I'd given in earlier so I wasn't so far behind everyone!