Bleach Review: The Princess Dissection

"Need to stitch my face back together for all the fan girls" 

Urahara shows off the power of his Bankai to a surprised Askin and gets help from an unlikely ally.

Sorry that I wasn't able to review last weeks but besides from being busy I haven't been feeling 100% lately (might be coming down with something) but I am here for this epic chapter! Finally we Bleach fans get to see one of the most anticipated Bankai and so far it hasn't disappointed. First off I really like the design of Kannon Biraki Benihime Aratame because I much prefer it when Kubo creates giant Bankai like Mayuri's and Komamura's because there is just so much more detail in them. I guessed ages ago his Bankai might be female looking because his Zanpakuto is one of the only few confirmed with a female spirit and it does look rather creepy looking with it's doll - like appearance. Secondly it also has a rather useful ability that can spilt open and stich back together anything Urahara wishes such has his damaged eye and his arm so he can deliver and powerful blow against Askin. Now I really don't think that this is it for his Bankai's abilities because since Zanpakuto are supposed to mirror the personalites of their owners I'm guessing Benihime also has a darker side like Urahara.

Bet your surprised Askin

As for the fight it got really good with Urahara coming back strong thanks to his Banaki ability and actually has Askin on the ropes. I do like Askin saying that he doesn't really like close combat but he did carry a really interesting looking spear or trident in one of the panels. However the fight suddenly ends with the arrival of Grimmjow who mercilessly rips out Askin's heart and crushes it. I read that a lot of fans where disappointed that Grimmjoe hasn't done much since his return but I think this brutal move really makes up for it. Now I seriously doubt that Askin is dead because Kubo seems to really like him based on how much development he hasn't given the character so I'm 95% sure Askin will transform into something else. I also am saying this because the next chapter is 666 and there are a lot of fan speculation that Kubo is saving something really big or shocking for this.

DAMN! Now that's pretty brutal!

Overall a really entertaining chapter for a Bankai that did not disappoint.

SCORE: 10/10       

Bleach Review: Hooded Enigma

Knowing Kenpachi a twisted arm won't bother him at all

With the Quincy rebels defeated the Elite Sternritter make their move against the invading Soul Reapers. 

I guess I should start off by saying that I was really disappointed that Giselle and Litotto got defeated (and possibly now killed) off panel, I know they stood no chance against Yhwach but it would have been nice to see something. What was good however was the shot of Haschwalth gaining the Almighty powers now that Yhwach is asleep and his comment about the future makes me think that he has seen something important. The meat of this chapter focused on the Elite Sternritter starting to fight the Soul Reapers and it was all awesome and what I wanted to see for ages. First off it was funny that Gerard was sent to a dead end (I thought he would fight Kenpachi) but I think this is Kubo's way of saving him and his powers for a later fight. Then there was Lille Barro who was a complete badass sniping away at the Soul Reapers who had fallen behind; his monologue was interesting and unlike most Bleach villains he is not wasting time killing his target. It seems like Hisagi might be killed but honestly I lost interest in his character ages ago because he has kind of been worthless since the Arrancar Arc despite being hyped up with a Bankai. Askin also continues to be really funny by running away from Grimmjow (and having coffee lol) but surprises him with what looks like some blob of blood or poison that stuns Grimmjow. I'm not surprised by this because Askin does have a really strong ability and I still think he is hiding his true power but I hope this isn't the end because I want a proper fight between him and Grimmjow. Finally Mayuri and Kenpachi run into Pernida and we get a gruesome shot of Kenpachi's arm being twisted and Pernida's hood acting all weird. I am looking forward to see more of this fight because Pernida is one of the most interesting Sternritter so far and again I am loving the team up between Mayuri and Kenpachi because of their banter with each other.

"I just wanted to drink my coffee!"

Overall an awesome chapter because Kubo is setting up for some awesome fights the only thing that bugged me besides Giselle and Litotto fight being skipped is that if they are dead along with Bazz - B then the Quincy rebellion is over already?

SCORE: 8/10

Highlights: Askin is a scene stealer
                   Lille sniping the Soul Reapers
                   Kenpachi and Mayuri vs. Pernida

Let - Downs: Giselle and Litotto defeated off screen
                      That's it for the Quincy rebels?  

Bleach Review: The Twinned Twilight

"Time to BURN!"

Grimmjow continues to goad Askin into battle meanwhile Bazz - B and Haschwalth start their fight.

Now this is the kind of chapter I have been waiting for; getting right into the action and not being dragged down by long exposition of the current situation. First of the beginning of this chapter was so funny with Askin running away from Grimmjow because he wanted to sneak attack Ichigo's group rather than fight them head on. Of course Grimmjow gives chase and we get a bit of a teaser for a new move when his fingers transforms into claws; to me this looks like he is preparing a move similar to Desgarron even though he isn't in his Resurreccion. I am looking forward to seeing Grimmjow in a fight once again and I hope he has a lot of new power ups and maybe a second release form. As for Askin like my last review I really think this is a charade and he has yet to show his true, I think this because of the way he has been acting and his has been hyped up for ages but unlike Pepe I don't think we will be disappointed.

As for the later half of the chapter I was glad to see that Haschwalth actually got to fight Bazz - B and we got some really cool scenes of Haschwalth using his sword and Bazz - B using his Burner Fingers. There where three important things to take from this second half; one Uryu has actually entered the battle (probably going to fight Mayuri) but Haschwalth still does not trust him because he wanted a spy placed on him. Secondly it is revealed that Haschwalth actually takes over and gains the power when Yhwach sleeps, I did not expec thist because Bazz - B isn't just randomly attacking him, Bazz - B believes he can destroy Yhwach's power when it is transferred to Haschwalth. Thirdly we get the reveal that Bazz - B and Haschwalth where proper friends (a least Bazz - B thought so) because they gave each other nicknames and Bazz - B took it really personally when Yhwach used Auswahlen. Plus we got to know that Auswahlen takes way the survivor's Vollstandig so Bazz - B is already at a disadvantage in this fight but he must obviously have a plan or he wouldn't charge right in to battle.

What is this new move?

Overall after the slow pacing of the previous chapters this one was just so refreshing; we got some awesome fights set up and we could get a Bazz - B flashback next chapter. This is great because I want to know more about the Wandenreich, the Quinces and this friendship between Bazz - B and Haschwalth.

SCORE: 10/10

Highlights: Funny moments with Askin and Grimmjow
                   Haschwalth vs. Bazz - B/them being friends?
                   The fast pacing
                    Set up for Bazz - B flashback