Bleach Chapter 553 – The Return Of The Bankai

Partially Hollowfied Hitsugaya Toushirou by aConst

I’m not sure if it is because Bankai grants the user an insane power boost or because Cang Du is one of the weaker Sternritter, but Toushirou just dished out what he was tasting from Bazz-B right onto Cang Du. Whats more and something I had actually forgot after reading the previous chapter, but Toushirou in Bankai form partially Hollowfied looks quite badass. I’m quite excited to see the Gotei 13 members unleash their partially Hollowfied Bankai now, because I do find the Hollow designs by Kubo-sensei insanely creative and badass.

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 501 – The Abyss Of Fear

Byakuya’s struggle against the encroaching despair… – colour by ioshika (http://ioshik.deviantart.com)

Hah, I was expecting this from Kubo-sensei, but I was hoping so badly that he wouldn’t pull here what he did in Fullbring Arc in regards to the mysterious Shinigami (which ended up being Rukia), but alas such a thing happened. Hopefully Kubo-sensei doesn’t leave that cliff-hanger hanging too long otherwise it will lose all tension and deteriorate into something quite lack-luster.

Anyway, so the Stern Ritter member, Äs Nödt, who represents the letter “F” utilises the emotion “Fear”. Enjoyed the explanation he gave about his take and philosophy on “fear”, especially the contrast between the fear which has a “reason” and “true fear”. It was interesting and fascinating to see a side of Byakuya which we have never had the pleasure of seeing, him being consumed by desperation.

Bleach 497-500 – The Maelstrom Of Despair And Courage

The Rescuer in the Dark, Kurosaki Ichigo – colour by VitalikLoL (http://vitaliklol.deviantart.com)

Beyond the shadow of doubt and the darkness of fright, a ray of light filled with warmth and resolution pierces the apprehensive filled moment revealing a source of courage capable of shattering all unease tormenting ones mind. A reason to attach ones hope onto, a foundation to support ones self back onto, a hero to cast ones belief in. Just as easily as fear and despair can paralyze someone, belief and courage can melt it all away.

Soul Society gripped by a terror so unfamiliar and close begin to waver and despair. Facing a reality so unknown and so foreign causes fear and hestitation to overwhelm whatever remains of courage and hope they have left. At a lose of what to do, they turn to their savour, Kurosaki Ichigo, whose presence and ability sparks up their will to fight once again.

Bleach Episode 327-328 – Space Control

It must have taken him lots of practice to get a face that "charming" when he smiles

It really is surprising how entertaining I’m finding this filler arc, it’s great. There is actual mystery, suspense, tension, direction and the action is engaging. I do find with Bleach, especially right now, that the Bleach anime > Bleach manga – I prefer the extra spin Studio Pierrot gives to Bleach. What I find the current manga arc lacks which this filler arc has is focus. I’m somewhat lost in what to think for the Lost Shinigami Representative arc, as Kubo is keeping everything in the shadows, making you question everything and not giving any hints or direction in which to cast your focus – who is the actual “bad guy” in the current arc and what is the story the arc is trying to tell? This filler arc makes it clear what the plot is and what direction it is taking – Kageroza is the villain and he plans to manipulate the space to bring everything under his control.