Bleach Chapter 665-668 – Bankai VS Vollständig

The last Giant character didn’t amount to much, but fortunately Gerard is somewhat intimidating given his defeat foes

Effectively the battle between the Shinigami and Quincy has come down to a battle of Bankai vs Vollständig, where one power ends ups effectively countering the others strength to ultimately defeat the opponent. Against the multiple of characters battling against Yhwach’s Schutzstaffel (Pernida, Askin, Gerard, Lille), the Quincy are initially overwhelmed by one characters abilities but with the release of their Vollständig, they are able to nullify its danger yet are overcome by the release of another characters Bankai (which serves to counter their ability). Formulaic, yes, but not necessarily bad thanks to the stylized and creative approach of Kubo-sensei. Yet unfortunately its use in these four battles have become repetitive and have ultimately diminished the intrigue this battle against the final Schutzstaffel member has.

Bleach Chapter 662-663 – Kisuke And Yoruichi VS Askin

Yoruichi unleashes her Shunryuu Kokubyou Senkei (Flash God Black Cat Warrior Princess) form

I love it, these past few chapters of Bleach have been absolutely fantastic. The focus has shifted back to Yoruichi VS Askin and on top of that, Kisuke has been introduced into the battle as well. And just as we all expect from Kisuke, he has an answer (of sorts) to the problems that arise with seemingly no answer. Yoruichi has unleashed her Shunryuu Kokubyou Senki forcing Askin to unleash his Vollständig forcing Kisuke into a very interesting position where he may have to unleash his genius and powers (c’mon Benihime).

Bleach Chapter 627 – The Recreated World

Hope to finally see the main characters actually feature in a battle!

Looks like Juhabach really does plan to create a world of his shaping once he has done destroying it. I was curious to see what exactly Juhabach’s end goal was and it turns out it was more than just killing the Soul King. Juhabach didn’t just want to destroy the Gotei 13 for what they had done to Quincy a thousand years ago, but he is seeking to completely consume the very world they have created. Juhabach seeks to attain his revenge by replacing the world of the Shinigami by a world of his creation. The Gotei 13 currently represent the “Gods” of the world, but Juhabach plans on creating a world in which the Quincy represent the “Gods”.

Bleach Chapter 614 – The Destruction Of Soul Society

Well that was unexpected…in an unusual way…

How does Ichigo do it? Whenever you feel he has the ability to avoid falling into enemy traps, he reminds you once again just what a master he is at being trolled. Aizen and Ginjou must have felt a slight shiver run down their spine when Ichigo fell prey to the future Juhabach had seen. For Ichigo to end up in such a situation, unintentionally attacking the Soul King and bringing about the beginning of Soul Society’s destruction, what a hilarious development and one which pretty much cast Ichigo’s mind into a spiral of negativity and anguish. Will Ichigo pick himself up from this and finally try to take on Juhabach and stop whatever he believes Juhabach is attempting to do?

Bleach Chapter 612 – No Hope

Well thanks for the belief in them Ichibei…

What exactly does Kisuke intend on doing by breaking into the Soul King’s Palace? Even with the current captains and vice-captains of the Gotei 13, I seriously doubt they would amount to much against Yuhabach and his “Elite Force”. As for Ichibei, what the hell did he mean? And what the hell is with his trolling – asking Ichigo to save them and then stating that “humans” have no chance of winning against Yuhabach. Whatever Ichibei meant, I guess it’s a good thing Ichigo is only part human =/.

Bleach Chapter 606 – Impending Danger

Glad to see the Visored again

My goodness, wherever Kisuke threads, a mass wave of mystery follows, just what exactly is he up to and what does he have planned? I’m confident that Kisuke does genuinely rely on Ichigo but based on the conversation Kisuke and Hiyori had there are certain things he seems to have omitted sharing with Ichigo. My guess would be the energy balance between the dimensions being out of sync and posing some form of danger to the worlds. Hiyori was investigating the distortion between Soul Society and the Human World, so it would make sense if the context of the conversation she had with Kisuke was concerning such a matter. Still, I find it interesting that Hiyori believes Ichigo doesn’t stand a chance against the enemy at the Soul King Palace O.o.

Bleach Chapter 589 – A Vacation To The Soul King’s Palace

It took me a moment to spot the bottles…

Is there anything Kisuke can’t do? Regardless of what ends up being asked of him, he ends up delivering and even has a good time in the process – the situation he created thanks to taking advantage of Inoue’s feelings for Ichigo, how amusing it was. Great chapter, I was hoping the focus would shift back to Ichigo, Sado, Inoue and Kisuke, and it did, but Kubo-sensei took it even further and had Yoruichi return into the story – yay! I also am liking how great a team Kisuke and Mayuri are making, able to rely on each other to counter whatever the Quincy come up with.

Bleach Chapter 587 – Invasion On Reioukyuu

Yhwach finally makes into Reioukyuu, will he really be able to handle the Soul King?

Looks like Yhwach finally made it to the Soul King’s Palace, I wonder how the Royal Guard/Zero Division will stack up against Sternritter’s best. Seeing that the members of the Royal Guard each specialise in a particular field, it will be interesting to see how Yhwach goes up against such masters. Ichigo on the other hand regresses back into his emotional cesspool of despair, but thanks to Sado, Ichigo is smashed right back into reality and his resolved self. With Kisuke making arrangements for Ichigo and Co. to get into Reioukyuu, it should be exciting to see what Yhwach ends up doing during the time it takes for Ichigo to reach Reioukyuu.

Bleach Chapter 552 – A Hollow Embrace

The Quincy’s poison – colour by MrAali

Urahara Kisuke, what a guy, reaching a solution to the crushing blow of Bankai’s becoming useless against the Quincy and completing turning the tables on those having stolen the Bankai. I had deduced beforehand that the reason Ichigo’s Bankai wasn’t able to be stolen was because of the Hollow presence as it was something the Quincy didn’t meld with properly but I didn’t attribute the very foundations of why as the Hollow essence being like poison to the Quincy. Those instinctual reactions existing within the Quincy towards Hollows may very well be the thing that crushes then now.

Bleach Chapter 551 – The Sternritter [Part II]

Will Toushirou be able to get his bankai back?

Once again the Shinigami are pushed on the back foot by the Sternritter and once again they seem to be getting themselves saved by the man whom Soul Society ignorantly forsook, Urahara Kisuke. I’m quite enjoying seeing the Shinigami in such a panicked state and them outclassed and overwhelmed by their Quincy counterparts. Though this push by the Sternritter doesn’t seem like it will last much longer, you can just feel the Shinigami are going to push back now.