Bleach Chapter 593 – Mayuri’s Wonderland

Even when he smiles he creeps you out, what a unique guy Mayuri…

Unless you are Kisuke, don’t ever follow the “rabbit” that is Mayuri down the hole towards the “Wonderland” that is a world of torment and suffering waiting for you thanks to his drugs and unnerving taunts. Toushirou should have just died and saved himself the mental anguish and suffering he is currently subjected to. To be caught inside some ridiculous scrapping of reality, I too am bemused at the exact functionality of Mayuri’s drug which he administered to Toushirou at some point during their battle in a yet-to-be-revealed way. Whatever the case, Mayuri’s smile when caught up in his excitement over torturing others is quite the chilling gesture.

Bleach Chapter 592 – Zombie Hitsugaya Toushirou

Stripped of will and consciousness, Toushirou targets his fellow Shinigami

Interesting, so zombifying a person right before their death heightens the subjects movements and reactions, it also removes all traces of free will and consciousness. Looks Zombie Toushirou is going to be quite the challenge for Mayuri to handle, but given Mayuri’s “colourful” and mad personality, this battle is set-up to be quite an exciting one. Should be interesting to see what “drugs” Mayuri utilises in his battle against Toushirou and whether he can nullify the zombification done to Toushirou.

Bleach Chapter 591 – Arrancar VS Zombies

Arrancar (left to right): Cirucci, Dordoni, Charlotte and Luppi

What a pleasant turn of events to see Arrancar in the spotlight for a change, especially being featured in battles. It has been a while since we seen an Arrancar unleash, and frankly, I have been waiting for this, hopefully now, we get some other Arrancar members featured in battles this arc. Mayuri is such a sinisterly glorious fellow, to be able to revive Arrancar and even find a way to subjugate them to do his bidding or at least manipulate them to want to do his bidding =P. A shrewd and dangerous existence Mayuri is indeed. I look forward to seeing how Mayuri is going to deal with Giselle and her “zombies”.

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 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.

Bleach Chapter 550 – The Sternritter

The man who prides himself with his flames, Bazz-B – colour by pollo1567

I was curious where the Sternritter stood power-wise compared to the current captains of the Gotei 13 and this chapter illustrated that quite comprehensively. I am quite glad these Sternritter members weren’t just written off as fodder to showcase how Toushirou and Soi Fong improved without their Bankai. Well that conclusion may arrive but what I am happy about is that these battles aren’t one-sided, both parties are given time to shine. If these two Sternritter members are this tough, it makes you wonder how tough the higher ranking members are O.o.

Bleach Chapter 549 – Overcoming The Handicap [Part II]

Soi Fong and BG9 – colour by DEOHVI

Well that was insanely cool, I had forgotten that Soi Fong had Shunkou up her sleeve. So she had mastered it after her battle with Yoruichi and spent the time after her Bankai was stolen refining all the inconsistencies and inefficiencies with it out huh? Badass. Things just got a lot more exciting now with Soi Fong utilizing Shunko against these mysterious Quincy who have prepared for these battles for a REALLY long time. I’m curious to see what the Quincy have up their sleeves to deal with the Gotei 13.

Bleach Chapter 548 – Overcoming The Handicap

The results of Toushirou and Rangiku’s training – by i-azu

So that’s how Toushirou went about overcoming his inability to release his Bankai now. Quite creative and unexpected to see Rangiku’s Haineko utilised in such a way to strengthen the ice. I’ve yet to wrap my head fully around what exactly Toushirou did but I kind of get the general idea of what he accomplished by creating multiple layers of thin ice in the walls. Going to be incredibly cool to see Toushirou and Rangiku battle alongside each other coordinating their zanpakutou abilities together.