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 Chapter 486-490 – Buried Secrets

So Ichigo was that much of a threat? Smart antagonist

Well now, things sure are tensing up with the beginning of the invasion and Ichigo’s battle against Kirge Opie who has unleashed his Vollstandig Quincy form. Great how things became more mysterious and interesting with the revelation that Yamamoto and the Vandenreich head have a past relationship and that these Quincy guys know about Uryuu – what did Kirge mean? Hmmmm.

Bleach Chapter 485 – The Fall Of Hueco Mundo

Hueco Mundo's beauty chained and at the mercy of Vandenreich - colour by Bl4ckBurn (http://bl4ckburn.deviantart.com)

Wow, I’m genuinely shocked and overwhelmingly excited, I was not expecting any of these twists this chapter. Having both Nel and Tier appear in the same chapter after so long, how incredibly awesome, what a great chapter. So Hueco Mundo is now under the Vandenreich’s control, and Tier Harribel has been captured (noooooooooooo!! – is this the reason why the Arrancar have to obey Vandenreich, because they have Hueco Mundo’s Queen?). What despairing circumstances, I hope Tier is saved soon, those Vandenreich guys, especially the King, are bad news, real bad news – he killed his subordinates!

Bleach Chapter 484 – For The Sake Of Peace

Thats a pretty big cloak he has and he certainly does have some nice boots!

This King sure caught my eye, blowing (?) off one of his underlyings arms in order to stop the fight/squabble that was taking place right in front of him – he sure does stretch the meaning of peace to a strict definition. He seems like the type who would forceful end conflict before it inflates into something huge. While his actions are seemingly contrary to “peace” at first, this King does seem to want to end serious conflict before it begins even if through twisted and perverse means. Plus this guy has one badass character design.

Bleach Chapter 483 – Echoes Of The End

Ohhhhhhhhhh YEAH! How badass Yamamoto Genryuusai

Now that was an enjoyable Bleach chapter; badass Ichigo and Soul Society in crisis, how exciting. I was not expecting it, but Ichigo has become quite the thinker in battle, analyzing his opponent and noticing the strangeness in his actions – I guess his training with the Fullbringers helped after all.