Bleach Chapter 648 – Shadow Play IV [Abyss]

Shunsui actives his Third Dan ability, Dangyo’s Abyss

The wait was worth it. Oh, how satisfying it is to see Shunsui’s Bankai and what it is capable of and despite seeing a good portion of what it can do, Shunsui is still not done revealing exactly what it is capable of. Even with the ability to pierce anything and to distort injuries to himself, Lille is currently overwhelmed by the mysterious and intense nature of Shunsui’s Bankai. With every action of Lille’s having a shadowed consequence, can he even do anything to escape the madness he has found himself submerged in?

Bleach Chapter 647 – Shadow Play III [Bankai]

BAN-KAIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been waiting for this moment, this epic, soul-shattering moment that unleashes a Bankai that couldn’t be released in fear of dragging fellow allies into its enigmatic effects. For Shunsui to consider his Bankai his last resort, what exactly is the nature of it and how severe are its exact effects on those caught up in its rules? The reluctance of Shunsui wanting to unleash it and instead opting to try any tactic not his Bankai has me incredibly intrigued in what happens now with it unleashed. Lille may perceive himself some holy entity, but that smug arrogance he has deluding his sensibilities has him destined for a dramatically intense defeat.

Bleach Chapter 645 – Shadow Play I [Rules]

What a dangerous ability Shunsui has…not only to his opponent but to himself as well

Even though Shunsui basically educated Lille on the functionality of his zanpakutou, I don’t really mind. The situation and Shunsui’s zanpakutou warranted Lille needing to know the “rules of the game” in order for Shunsui’s zanpakutou to fully function. And keeping Lille in the dark about the abilities of his zanpakutou wouldn’t have helped as Lille had expressly mentioned that the Sternritter had done comprehensive research on the Shinigami’s zanpakutou’s and their abilities shown throughout the battles they have had so far (information gathered from the Spirit King’s palace?). With both parties restricted by the “rules”, the victor will be decided on how one plays the specific game.

Bleach Chapter 644 – Let’s Play A Little Game

Time for a Lille game! Sorry I had to…

Shunsui is finally getting an opportunity to show off his zanpakutou this arc and most likely will end up having to rely on his Bankai to defeat Lille Barro thanks to whatever power-up Yhwach bestowed upon them by sacrificing his less capable members. Whatever Shunsui’s Bankai is, it is going to be terrifyingly exciting to find out.

Bleach Chapter 642-643 – Nemuri Nanagou

The expression of life through the freedom of choice

I guess that ominous feeling I had in the previous chapter was genuine, someone really did “die”…Nemu’s expression of love and gratitude through her disobedience towards Mayuri’s orders was a touching moment indeed, especially given the origins of her character and the development of her emotions and attachment towards Mayuri. Nemu may not have revealed much raw emotion in past but through this fight and her desire, beyond any order or programming, to protect Mayuri, Nemu conveyed exactly how human/alive she was.

Bleach Chapter 641 – Mayuri And Nemu

Mayuri’s fatherly feelings for Nemu really does help deepen his character

For some reason I have this unnerving feeling that either Mayuri or Nemu is going to die soon while they try to save each other. With Nemu’s life threatened, Mayuri shifts his attention to her to try to warn her, which in turn opens him up to attack by Pernida. This spurs Nemu to force herself to protect Mayuri. With the two of them caring about each other and the way the fight is currently set-up,  it feels almost likely that someone will die. Pernida has progressed/evolved to a state in which he has gained the reaction and nerve capability of someone as strong as Zaraki. At this level is seems Mayuri may need more than just himself and Nemu to combat Pernida.

Bleach Chapter 640 – The Left Hand Of The Soul King

Got to admit, this is a fantastic colour spread. Happy 14 Years Bleach!

I thought as much, Pernida was far from done, it had much more up its sleeve than it was revealing. Pernida referring to itself as a Quincy was expected due to Yhwach referring to the Soul King as his father and himself as the origins of the Quincy. With Pernida’s statement, it seems we have the confirmation needed to conclude that the Soul King was in fact a Quincy and ended up being used by the Shinigami to balance the worlds. With Pernida advancing/evolving with each attack, the notes about the Left Hand of the Soul King which Mayuri read in past also appeared to be confirmed as true – that the Left Arm of the Soul King governs “Progress”.

Bleach Chapter 639 – Golden Ashisogi Jizou

There really is no limits to what Mayuri wouldn’t do to satisfy his cravings…

Wow, I am stunned, I am honestly struggling to find words to comprehend exactly what happened. Did Pernida just snap off a finger to mutate another hand? Did Mayuri’s Bankai just give birth to another Bankai? Did Mayuri really redesign his Bankai into THAT? I knew Mayuri was twisted and psychotic but the guy seriously takes experimentation to a level even I wasn’t expecting from him. Just how far hasn’t he gone yet? And yeah, I don’t believe the fight is over just yet.

Bleach Chapter 638 – Mayuri VS Pernida

The schemes of the twisted…

Somehow this battle seems so fitting with two twisted existences beyond the boundaries of logic going at it. The Left Arm of the Soul King deluded by individuality and the insanity of the Gotei 13 known as Mayuri driven by the curiosity of his own delusion. With each unexpected development, each has a counter ready to get on the others nerves, and for Pernida, quite literally. The victor will definitely be the one who doesn’t run out of surprises first.

Bleach Chapter 637 – Pernida Parnkgjas

The Left Arm of the Soul King…the true form of Pernida

Well colour me surprised, even though I was wondering what happened with the Left Arm of the Soul King, I honestly did not expect Pernida’s true form to be that of the Left Arm. Mayuri was correct in questioning Juhabach’s intention with the Left Arm, why has Juhabach not done more with it? Why not absorb it with the rest of the Soul King? Another interesting possibility that now opens up with the Left Arm becoming relevant is what about the Soul King’s right and left legs? If the arms are relevant to the story, why not the legs? With the Left Arm ready to unleash on Mayuri, I can’t help but be excited about the resulting effects.