Bleach Chapter 649-653 – Shadow Play V [Sinners + Memories]

The blade that reflects the power of the Gods, Shinken Hakkyouken

Colour me surprised, I did not expect this battle to be the foundation of a revelation concerning Nanao, especially one that links back deeply to her very past. A past that deals with Nanao’s mother (and his older brother), a promise Shunsui made with her and why he has two zanpakutous. At the brink of hopelessness Shunsui finds through his memories and Nanao, a reason to carry on and to continue challenging the seemingly undefeatable “God”. Nanao recognised her mother’s desire, but just as her mother exercised her own will, Nanao chose to accept the curse of the Ise and embrace it wholeheartedly in order to attain the power necessary to protect that which she loves. The Shinken Hakkyouken, the blade which reflects the abilities of the Gods.

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 623 – The Gate To The Soul King Palace

Oh you tease Kyouraku…

Looks like Aizen won’t be bringing down the Soul King’s Palace…awwwwwww! I prepared myself for some fireworks but it looks like I will have to settle for Aizen chilling back in his chair some more, which is fine with me, as long as Kubo-sensei is holding Aizen (and his chair) back for something even more spectacular. The remaining Sternritter left in Soul Society appearing to challenge the Gotei 13 was surprising but Bazz-B quickly remedied that confusion and got rid of the growing annoyance called Nanana Najahkoop…what a name. Good work Bazz-B and glad to see you are utilising your free will smartly, Juhabach never once had any of his followers interest in mind.

Bleach Chapter 622 – The Overwhelming Aizen

Do it!

Ah, it is so good to see Aizen again, especially when we have a whole chapter dedicated to highlighting how powerful he is. I have never been a fan of the Gotei 13, maybe a few of the characters, but never the whole system and what they embody. The Gotei 13 are ready to create problems that threaten the whole universe and dimensions, but when it comes down to clearing the mess created by their ignorance, the only thing highlighted is the incompetence of the Gotei 13. For them to rely on a highschool boy, an exiled man and an imprisoned man to fix what they induced into reality, one (me) can’t help but feel unconvinced at their capabilities of being the “police” of the spiritual world. This is why I completely loved Aizen displaying his overwhelming power and burning it into the minds of the Gotei 13 just how weak and incapable they are. Bring the Royal Palace down Aizen! Show us all a spectacle of epicness.

Bleach Chapter 616 – Replacing The Soul King

The birth of a new Soul King

Wow, that was quite the twist…so Ukitake survived his lung disease as a child because of the “mythical God” Mimihagi-sama, who happens to be the right arm of the Soul King. Ukitake’s lungs were offered as a sacrifice to Mimihagi-sama and since that moment Ukitake had expected for a time like such to arise, where he would have to invoke Mimihagi-sama again and use its power to save Soul Society from ruin. Ukitake with all of his internal organs as a sacrifice will give his life to become a vessel for Mimihagi-sama and become the new Soul King.

Bleach Chapter 605 – Ichibei VS Yhwach

Seeing Yhwach so surprised by Ichibei’s attack was quite pleasant, too bad Yhwach isn’t destined to be defeated until Ichigo appears and does so…

I’ve been wondering how Aizen will end up being used in this final arc and it seems Kyouraku heading to Central 46 is heavily implying that he intends to have Aizen freed or at least temporarily aid in the defense against the Sternritter invasion on the Soul King Palace. It should be interesting to see what Aizen ends up doing when he is told that Yhwach is on his way to annihilate the Soul King. Despite Ichibei standing against Yhwach and holding him off, it is inevitable that Ichibei won’t end up stopping Yhwach. But thankfully, his efforts are buying Ichigo valuable time to arrive at the Soul King Palace.