Bleach Review: My Last Words

"Now I'm finally going to have the spotlight"

Uryu's true intentions are revealed as he confronts Haschwalth meanwhile Ichigo and the rest try to make it to Yhwach while he is in his weakened state.

With Arrow, Flash and Supergirl not returning to the UK for a while I thought why not review Bleach for a while again and see where it goes. I have still been keeping up to date with Bleach lately and this chapter was just another setup chapter that we have been reading for a while; Askin vs. Yoruichi, Gerard vs. the Soul Reapers and now Uryu vs. Haschwalth, we haven't had any proper fights and the plot hasn't moved forward that much either. We get a few new revelations like Haschwalth destroying the Sun Gate connected to the world of the living because he saw Uryu's betrayal but also the reveal that his seeing powers isn't so perfect after all. Is this because the Almighty ability is not as good when it transfers to Haschwalth? Now as for Uryu's betrayal everyone saw that he was still a good guy for months and months now and Kubo hasn't done anything with this subplot. I mean Uryu hasn't fought or been featured that much throughout this whole arc and his whole plan doesn't sound as elaborate as he thinks because I seriously think there was no need to keep Ichigo and the others in the dark about it. It's a shame this subplot didn't go anywhere because we never even got to see a good fight between Uryu and Ichigo which I think a lot of fans (myself included) was hoping for. However I am looking forward to seeing Uryu vs. Haschwalth and it is helped with some awesome artwork of the two of them facing off against one another.

As for everything else Chad actually got a chance to shine by staying behind to deal with the statues that have come to life which I admit I didn't see coming. And while I like his dialogue and willingness to fight I don't think we'll see much of him now since he is just fighting cannon fodder. That has been the major problem with this arc is that there have been too many characters that have been wasted and have barely done anything. Like the Vizards, Shinji in particular who hasn't fought for long, won a fight and just seems to be defeated by one move all the time now, I don't know what the hell Ginjo and the other Fullbringers are doing and where is Uryu's father been in an arc that has been about Quinces? I think the major problem with this arc is that there have been too many good guys and Kubo has been too afraid to kill them off. For example I really admired Kubo when I thought he killed off a popular character like Toshiro but no he brought him back and he is taking over the Gerard fight when it could have been the Vizards time to shine. If you want to go back even further why couldn't Kubo let BG9 win against Soi Fon? He could have fought another day then against another Soul Reaper, Vizard or even a Fullbringer but no he was killed off along with Cang Du when the two could have done way more. Finally many Sternritter where defeated off screen by Byakuya and then killed by the Auswahlen; these included NaNaNa, Robert, Candice and Meninas, four Sternritter who haven't had a proper fight this whole arc and never will now. Sorry for the rant but it is just something that has really been annoying me throughout this whole arc.

Those statues do have an interesting design

Overall not much happened because it is mainly setup for fights and what is happening next but I am also interested in seeing if Ichigo will make it to Yhwach before he wakes up.       

SCORE: 5/10

Highlights: Great shots of Haschwalth and Uryu
                   Chad getting some of the spotlight

Let - Downs: Uryu's infiltration of the Sternritter wasn't all it could be
                      Doubt Chad will play a large role in the arc now along with many other characters
                      Don't really care about Ganju now at this point

Bleach Review: Friend 4

"Must not scream out in pain"

The fight between Bazz - B and Haschwalth comes to an end.

What an awesome fight, I tell you I really wish the anime would come back so we can watch it! This chapter we got a mix of Flashback and present day fight and in the Flashbacks we unfortunately didn't get to see any more Sternritter but it was still great none the less. Seems that Bazz - B didn't see Haschwalth for 3 years and has since been trying to fight him even though it is forbidden. Haschwalth does look more and act like his present day self however I got the feeling he was looking out for Bazz - B by refusing to fight him and then threatening Hubert. However in the fight in the present Haschwalth obviously doesn't care anymore as he seemingly kills Bazz - B after slicing his arm off. We got some awesome shots like when Bazz - B activated Burner Finger 4 and then 5, the fire looked epic and the whole movement with the two characters made this fight out to be really intense (which again is a shame it is not animated). It really is a sad end for Bazz - B, the way he grabbed his former friend's collar before collapsing and the way he said it isn't shameful to lose made me think he didn't mind it. What I mean is that in the Flashbacks we got to know that Bazz -B never got to fight Haschwalth but now that he has, he has accepted the loss. All in all this fight has been one of the best moments in the arc but I am looking forward to the Elite Sternritter taking on the Soul Reapers. Plus we got to learn Bazz - B's real name is Buzzard Black which actually sounds really cool.

Guess this is the end for Buzzard Black

Overall I am going to give this chapter a perfect score because I liked all of it, found no faults and I was a fitting conclusion to the fight.

SCORE: 10/10

Highlights: Flashbacks
                   Bazz - B vs. Haschwalth
                   Bazz- B's death was really sad and done well  

Bleach Review: Friend 3

"I thought you where my FRIEND!"

The Flashbacks seem to conclude with Yhwach explaining to Haschwalth the true nature behind his powers.

I may have said it seems to conclude but I guess it is still too early to tell yet because it could have just been a quick transition to the present at the end of the chapter. I did find this chapter interesting but like the last one not too exciting because it spent the majority of it on a long winded explanation of Haschwalth's powers. It does reveal a lot with the fact that Yhwach and Haschwalth are the only two Quincy who give power instead of taking it and again explains why Haschwalth doesn't display any Quincy powers in the past or the present. The highlight of the chapter though is Bazz - B because I just feel really bad for the guy now; he believed he was a progeny but his advancement was all thanks to Haschwalth and there was the fact that he was jealous of Haschwalth being Yhwach's right hand man. Now I know Bazz - B wants to kill Yhwach so I think his jealous stems from the fact he trained for this moment for years only to have it taken away from him. Then there was the moment Bazz - B fired at Yhwach which was so awesome and Haschwalth catching the arrow; that was the moment he seemed to completely side with Yhwach. This has a lot to do with the great facial expressions Kubo did this chapter because they showed a lot of emotion. Continuing on with Haschwalth the reason I think he joined Yhwach so easily is because he never seemed as dedicated in killing Yhwach as Bazz - B but despite that he was still loyal to his friend when he spoke for Bazz - B. Finally there was the scene at the end when Haschwalth slashes Bazz - B which was really cool but I doubt the fight is over this soon.

I really hope this isn't the end of Bazz - B

Overall if this really is the end of the Flashbacks and of Bazz - B I would be disappointed because I wanted to see the first Sternritter, the war between the Quincy and Soul Reapers and how Bazz - B even got to be a Sternritter when he attempted to kill Yhwach?

SCORE: 7/10

Highlights: Haschwalth's powers explained
                   Bazz - B's shot at Yhwach
                   Detailed facial expressions this chapter

Let - Downs: Majority of it spent explaining too much 

Bleach Review: Friend 2

 

"Why aren't you bowing before me kid?"

The Flashback continues with Bazz - B and Haschwalth who try to join the Sternritter when Yhwach sends recruiters to various towns.

Glad we are getting more and more Flashbacks however I will get it out of the way now that it is a damn shame we didn't see more of the Bazz - B vs. Haschwalth fight in the present because it has been awesome so far. All in all this chapter wasn't as exciting as the previous two but it was still a gripping read with the reveal that Haschwalth is Yhwach's "Other Half". Not sure what this really means yet but it must have something to do with the fact that they can switch powers in the present and that Haschwalth couldn't form a bow while training. Now that I think of it he has only used a sword in the present and hasn't used any Quincy powers so maybe that is the trade off for being the "Other Half", plus Haschwalth was also the only Quincy not affected by Yhwach's spiritual pressure. We also got some lore on the Quincy's that a type like Haschwalth with no powers is rare but what I would like to know is where exactly in the world is this set because it seems the town was full of Quinces? Other than this it was great seeing Bazz - B get more development because he is really loyal to his friend during all their training and it was sad to see him truly believing he was going to be chosen by Yhwach because of how powerful he was even young. You know Kubo really portrayed Bazz - B as a manic when first introduced but he has been given a lot more depth; I'm guessing despite Bazz - B wanting to kill Yhwach he still hated Soul Reapers which is why he fought so many during the invasion. Lastly it was good to see more Quinces that Yamamoto had killed which makes me really excited to see a big battle soon.

I wonder when these two will be burnt to a crisp lol

Overall not that much happened but it was still a great chapter and I really, really want to see some younger versions of Sternritter soon.

SCORE: 7/10

Highlights: Bazz - B has been developed into a really great character
                   Haschwalth as Yhwach's "Other Half"

Let - Downs: Not that exciting this week    

Bleach Review: Friend

"That was supposed to be my rabbit!"

While Bazz - B and Haschwalth continue their fight we get Flashbacks to when they first met and the early days of Yhwach's conquest.

Now this is the chapter we have all been waiting for, a Flashback arc focused on the Wandenreich set a thousand years ago just before Yhwach was sealed by Yamamoto. Now I think it is set back then because of the evidence; the scenery with castles, the dead Quincy Zeiditz and a younger Yhwach who is said to be over 200 years old even though in the present he is way older than that because it is after his sealing. I also want to point out that the only other Sternritters to get a Flashback where Lloyd, Royd and As Nodt and those where only a few pages long. First off I am really liking the friendship that has been developed between Bazz - B and Haschwalth because it adds a lot more depth to their characters and defiantly makes Bazz - B justified for turning against the Wandenreich. We got some funny dialogue between them as kids (With Bazz - B dressed as a Roman solider) and it is interesting that Bazz - B was superior to Haschwalth back then. It was nice that though Haschwalth was quite throughout he seemed to enjoy Bazz -B's company after the latter tossed him the rabbit however that didn't last with the arrival of his uncle who I think we may see because soon because he was kept in shadow.

When are you going to show us Burner Finger 5?

These good times didn't last with Yhwach burning down the castle and forest, seems like he ruled with an iron fist back then too, and Haschwalth and Bazz - B swearing vengeance. However I'm guessing something changed with Haschwalth because he is so loyal to Yhwach now and he is also given his power at night; maybe he betrayed Bazz - B at some point? Still this revenge plot kind of reminds me of Gin's however this one is defiantly more developed than that one lol. The chapter then ends with Yhwach telling Zeiditz that he will create a new vanguard called the Sternritter to conquer the Soul Society which makes me so excited for next chapter because we can see the origins of the group. Since this most likely is a 1000 years ago the Sternritter in the present won't be the same as the past because firstly Yamamoto does decimate the Quincy and Yhwach recruits ones born in modern day (like the Y brothers and As Nodt) this make me think that surviving Sternritter, like Bazz - B and Haschwalth, go in some kind of suspended animation while Yhwach is sealed until being awoken in the present where Yhwach fills in the rest of the letters. I cannot wait to see which Sternritter where alive in the past and I hope we get some massive battle between the first Sternritter and the Soul Reapers. Finally the first between Bazz - B and Haschwalth in the present is still so damn good!             

Overall I hope this turns into another Turn Back The Pendulum arc because I want more and more Flashbacks. Again this chapter was just perfect and I may have to keep giving out 10/10 if the rest of the Flashbacks are all this good lol.

SCORE: 10/10

Highlights: Flashbacks
                   Origin of the Sternritter hinted at next chapter
                   Bazz - B vs. Haschwalth continues to be awesome  

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

Bleach Review: Gate Of The Sun

To battle!!!

Yhwach has now assimilated the Soul King's power and transformed the Soul Palace into Wahrwelt however Ichigo, Shunsui and all the others have infiltrated and prepare to battle the Quincy.

Your probably wondering why it has taken me so long to review Bleach and that is because besides being busy with Arrow, Flash and Gotham I have been so bored with Bleach lately. The story has barely moved along for months with only the return of Aizen and Grimmjow to keep me interested but it looks like it has picked up now. First off I just want to say that the new Wandenrich City and the castle Wahrwelt look so freaking awesome! Kubo is not really known for detailed backgrounds but he has put a lot of effort into the Quincy buildings which is a definite plus. Next I liked how the heroes are now split up into three groups because some characters can get more spotlight and some fights, like Mayuri and Kenpachi. The funniest part of the chapter was from those two and how they are at each other's throats and since they haven't had much interaction since the early chapters of Bleach I really hope they team up in a fight. Also it is typical of Mayuri to go off on his own to gather data but I wonder if he has some hidden plan? Plus I do hope he brings the revived Arrancar from down below somehow because we have not seen enough of them. Then there was the appearance of Askin who is attacked by Grimmjow and that was a match up I wasn't expecting but should be interesting. I really like Askin and I don't think he is going to die soon because I just think he is always hiding his true power; unlike almost every villain in Bleach he is never arrogant like how he is dismayed with finding Ichigo's group, there has got to be more to him. I also have more hope that we will get more Sternritter soon because besides from the fact that Wahrwelt looks like it can hold an army there is just too few Sternritter and too many Soul Reapers. Finally Bazz - B, Giselle and Lilotto arriving at the old castle makes me think they have their own plan to take out Yhwach but the menacing shot of Haschwalth at the end makes me think they will end up as cannon fodder for his powers. I wouldn't mind that because Haschwalth is a good character but he just needs to do more.

"Home sweet home"

Overall this chapter looks like the pace is really about to pick up and makes me look forward to some great fights. The only down side was that it spent too long with Ichigo's group chatting away before the arrival of Askin which bothered me in the previous chapters; their group just keeps yammering on and on, stuff can be discussed shortly is dragged on because Kubo wanted to add some comedic moments with them or a long winded explanation of the situation.

SCORE: 8/10

Highlights: The environment art is amazing
                   Mayuri and Kenpachi team up
                   Askin vs. Grimmjow?
                   Haschwalth looks like he will actually do something soon

Let - Downs: Ichigo's group