Bleach Review: Theatre Suicide Scene 4

Glad we are getting the cool ninja form from the anime!

Lille reveals the ultimate form of his Jilliel Vollstandig and dominates the fight so Shunsui decides to return Nanao's Zanpakuto to her.

Wow Kubo sure has a way of surprising the audience because I never expected Lille's new form to look like that! I was expecting some kind of change because his first Vollstandig form looked like a cocoon so I thought he was getting ready to become something else but he is a complete monster now. I have to say I really like this form because besides from being unexpected I don't think it was random based on two things. Frist Lille has constantly been saying he is the messenger of God and owls (his new face) have always been messengers throughout history and in Greek mythology owls have always been used as protectors for armies and trade, secondly his name is similar to the demon Lilith who has been associated with owls in certain texts. Now you could say these are a coincidence but Kubo has always portrayed the Quinces as these holy angels so I kind of like to think that it isn't. Now back to his form I do really like it because some of the shots Kubo draws it makes it look really creepy, like the close ups of it's face. It does also seem to be really powerful with the way it is destroying the surrounding area but I think it's weakness could be in it's eyes with the way Lille mentioned several times that his eyes are getting dry.

You can't say Kubo isn't creative

Now on to Shunsui and I will first get out of the way that while I did enjoy seeing his Bankai I am disappointed no other stage of it was shown because I wanted more after so much hype. However I have read some fan theories suggesting Shunsui will get another form or stage to his Bankai based on the ending which I hope is the case. I have to say that Shunsui has a really dark relationship with his Zanpakuto because of the way Katen Kyokotsu suggests that he should just give up and die which Shunsui actually seems to be contemplating, before Nanao shows up. We also get some more insight into their past with Nanao mentioning a promise Shunsui made to her mother (we defiantly need a Flashback soon!) but the big reveal is that Shunsui has been keeping Nanao's Zanpakuto, Kyokotsu, away from her. Now this is really weird because does this mean that Shunsui never had a had two swords because the other was Nanao's? and if it is Nanao's then are some of his Shikai moves not his like the child's games or the shadow moves? Like I just said we need a Flashback to clear this up but I see Nanao joining in this fight now with possibility a Bankai of her own if both the swords possess one, this again might make me think Shunsui could get another Banaki because what if his true one was being blocked by Nanao's Zanpakuto? Finally I am really, really glad they used the other Katen Kyokotsu spirit form the anime for Nanao's Zanpakuto because I have always really liked that one as well!

"I see you"

Overall got some big surprises in this chapter and setups for some exciting new twists for the rest of this fight.

SCORE: 9/10

Highlights: Lille's new form
                   The dark banter between Shunsui and Katen Kyokotsu
                   Nanao's Zanpakuto revealed

Let - downs: Is this it now for Shunsui's Bankai?    

Bleach Review: The Theatre Suicide Scene 3

Been ages since we have seen someone else Zanpakuto spirit

Lille tries to resist the power of Shunsui's Bankai however Shunsui then unleashes the Final Dan and gets a visit from his Zanpakuto spirit.

You know Bleach used to put a lot of emphasis on the Zanpakuto and the spirits they possess but after the Soul Society Arc they take a back seat, we even only have ever seen two in the manga and that is Ichigo's and Renji's. So I am glad that Kubo hasn't forgotten about them when we get the appearance of Shunsui's Zanpakuto spirit Sakuranosuke. I am so glad she turned up for that reason and I am also glad she looks the same from the anime filler arc because her design in that was really great already; I guess she is also the shadowy figure when Shunsui first released his Bankai. I liked the scenes and the banter between her and Shunsui since you can just tell that these two have been together for ages because Shunsui is the most experienced Captain now. Like how Shunsui keeps calling her "My Flower" and how he did act silly with her at the end, it was all nicely done. Sakuranosuke herself also drops hints to the background of Shunsui's kimono and I have read some fan theories thinking that it used to belong to a former lover of Shunsui so I hope we get a flashback soon. The Final Dan of Shunsui's Bankai was also very cool in they way a trail of light followed his fingers, the poem he recited to it then slashing Lille's throat. As for Lille himself I knew he wasn't going down for the count just yet which I am glad because I want this fight to last longer, plus the final page which showed his face reforming out of energy looked really menacing. I have enjoyed Shunsui's Bankai and it's ability to bring stories to life is cool but I am still feeling a bit underwhelmed by it. I am not going to mark this chapter down for it in case there are more stages to it next chapter because the fight is still going but if it doesn't then I will be disappointed.

"You better not come back after this Lille"

Overall a really good chapter nothing really wrong with it but it doesn't feel perfect to me, I mean it was kind of short in all.

SCORE: 8/10

Highlights: Sakuranosuke
                   Shunsui's Final Dan
                   Lille's return

Let - Downs: Felt short 

Bleach Review: The Theatre Suicide Scene 2

"Bet you weren't expecting this?"

Ichigo runs into Askin but as the two begin to fight they feel the chill of Shunsui's reiatsu as he activates his Bankai.

The chapter we have all been waiting for but before I get into that I want to first talk about the unexpected appearance of Askin and Ichigo. You know Askin continues to be one of my favourite characters just based on his personality alone; the funny reveal that he hasn't even fought Grimmjow and just ran away from him, even admitting that he is the type to run than fight even though he is supposed to be an Elite Sternritter lol. Now I don't think for a second that Grimmjow has been defeated and we won't see him again because he has been hyped up for so long and it would be a waste of his character who has been underused so far. Since Gerard is taking on multiple opponents at once I guess Askin can probably do the same against Ichigo and Grimmjow which would make for an awesome team up. We also get some shots of Chad, Ganju and Orihime but I don't really care at this point because they have just been completely useless this entire arc and I don't know who they can fight since there is not enough Sternritter to go round. However the fight between Askin and Ichigo was cut short went they both felt a very dark and chilling reiatsu coming from Shunsui's Bankai.



Askin continues to be such a great character

This was a great introduction to his Bankai and really mirrors his dark personally quite well; everything from the change of atmosphere to the moves themselves. It kind of remind me of Yamamoto's Banaki which moves was divided into North, West, South, East but Shunsui's is First Dan, Second and Third. The moves are pretty twisted such as the first one where each opponent suffer from the same wounds, the poisoning of Lille and then trapping them both in a cube of water until one of them dies. Plus I was right in thinking that these moves are like a play because off the story Shunsui is saying while Lille feels the effects. It was all very great however I feel like we went through them all really fast and it left me wanting more because the first thing I thought after the chapter despite really liking the Bankai was; "Is this it?". However I am not too worried because I am sure Lille is not down for the count just yet which will force Shunsui to use more moves, maybe something involving that shadow figure?

 

So Lille does have legs in this form

Overall a really decent Bankai reveal chapter and I liked how we got to see a bit of Askin and Ichigo just like we got to see a bit of Gerard and the other Soul Reapers last chapter. 

SCORE: 8/10

Highlights: Shunshui's Bankai
                   The opening with Askin and Ichigo

Let - Downs: The moments with Shunsui's Bankai felt rushed
                      The rest of Ichigo's group is still very useless

Bleach Review: The Theatre Suicide

The moment we have all been waiting for!

Gerard Valkyrie finds Shinji's group and prepares to take them on all at once meanwhile Shunsui, having trouble dealing with Lille's Vollstandig, activates his Bankai, Katen Kyokotsu: Kuromatsu Shinju.

Finally we have! The confirmation that Shunsui will be using his Bankai because he activates it at the end of the chapter. I knows lots of fans have been waiting for this since the nature of his Bankai was hinted at during the FK arc where Ukitake says "it shouldn't be used where others can see it". Shunsui eludes to this before activating it by hoping Nano is far enough away and to forgive him if not. This makes me thing that his Bankai is something so massive those caught in a specific area are in danger and based on the title of the chapter and the namesake of the Bankai (The Love Suicides at Sonezaki) my guess is that it takes the form of some sort of play. We don't see much of it other than the fact that shadows appear in the ground in the form of a tree and a shadowy figure appears next to Shunsui so shadows are probably involved in it. Other than that we also get to see Shunsui evaded Lille's attacks and preforming a Kido, Hado #74 Zangerin, that takes the form of a blade, which I really liked because Kido hasn't been used as often as it should in this arc. However I got to say that I am a bit disappointed that after Lille's Vollstandig was released last chapter we don't get more info on it; all Lille did was chase Shunsui around (and teleport) and we don't even know how Shunsui freed himself from the paralysis.

About time we see more Kido

Apart from the fight between those two I was surprised to see Gerard finding the rest of the Soul Reapers and challenging them to a fight. That was great because I want to see Gerard in action and to see what his Miracle power is because he does come across as someone who will be tough to beat. Well he has to be because he is insisting that all of the Soul Reapers fight him at once rather than one on one which I was so pleased to see because I don't want another one on one fight. You know I get the feeling that Lille's and Gerard's fights won't be as long as Pernida's because well Lille activated his Vollstandig after only a few chapters and Shunsui is now using Bankai. I think Kubo doesn't want to spend many months on these fight, it's a shame but I also think Askin's will be pretty long because he has been teased at being stronger than he looks for ages no.

"Your going no where" 

Overall I am excited to see Shunsui's Bankai and how the Soul Reapers will fare against Gerard but I feel that we didn't see enough Lille and he has been neglected after just releasing his Vollstandig,

SCORE: 8/10

Highlights: Shunsui activating his Bankai
                   Shunsui using that cool Kido move
                   Gerard finding the rest of the Soul Reapers

Let - Downs: Lille should have played a larger part in this chapter 

Bleach Review: The Second Eye

Which one is the real one?

Shunsui manages to catch Lille off guard with his shadows however that doesn't last when Lille reveals the true power of his X - Axis ability.

Now this chapter defiantly picks up the pace a lot more than the last one despite it wasting a bit of time in the beginning. To elaborate it's basically Shinji confirming that Shunsui is the type of person who fights alone and especially now that he is Captain Commander however despite that I would have preferred more Captains fighting Lille. Throughout all of Bleach the fights have mostly been one on one, even the Espada in FK fights that started off multiple Captains against them eventually became one on one so I wouldn't have minded if there was a bit of a change here. Moving on Lille confirms that his rifle is made out of Reishi and simply restores when it is sliced in half, though this was going to be obvious because he is a Qunicy. We also get some cool moves from the both of them as they try to land a blow on each other and then Shunsui getting the upper hand by creating shadow copies of himself which made for an awesome shot!



It's been too long since we've seen a Vollstandig

However just when things look bad for Lille he reveals that when he opens his left eye swords can just pass right through him just like how his bullets can pass through anything. Then we get some great backstory on Lille and that he was the last Quincy granted power by Yhwach and is the most powerful one because his god - like ability makes him closer to Yhwach. I don't know if this is actually true because while his ability is overpowered maybe Lille just has a bit of an ego lol. Finally the chapter ends on a really awesome few pages when Lille activates his Vollstandig Jilliel which, besides from looking freaking cool!, immobilizes Shunsui and then fires several shots into him. Now Lille's Vollstandig is one of the most unique I have seen and makes me look forward to the remaining Sternritter Vollstandig, Pernida didn't use one but then again it was a left arm. It's power to stop Shunsui along with the X - Axis ability makes me think that Shunsui will have to go Bankai to win, plus Lille looks like his in some sort of a cocoon so maybe we will see more forms?

"Ha! You missed my vital spots"

Overall a way better chapter than last time, besides from the beginning the fight is really looking like it can be just as good as the Pernida one. However unlike the Pernida one this one seems like it could be a lot more face paced since Lille is already in his Vollstandig

SCORE: 8/10

Highlights: Shunsui vs. Lille
                   More background on Lille and his power
                   Lille's cool Vollstandig

Let - Downs: The beginning with Shinji and the others was kind of irrelevant

Bleach Review: Don't Chase a Shadow

"Can't believe I'm fighting someone with a gun again"

Shunsui and Lille begin their fight and while Shunsui is using his unique Zanpakuto abilities Lille is proving to be quite the match.

I guess I don't really have much to say about this chapter, I mean it was interesting and the artwork with it's use of shadows was great but all in all it was just one big explanation of powers. It's always great to see Shunsui's Zanpakuto in action because it is so unique with it's ability to turn children's games into reality but he went on such a long rant about his new game and maybe because of the translate errors but didn't get some of it. From what I can tell Shunsui's new ability is based on the Japanese game Darumasan ga Koronda (which is like Americana's Red light, Green light) and Lille was attack a fake doll of Shunsui because he keep his eyes and sense on that. We also get more on an explanation on sensing Reiatsu in the middle of battle which was what Shunsui was taking advantage of. We also then get Shunsui using Kageoni shadow ability which is always awesome to see but Lille still proves quite a match by saying he can even shoot through the shadows. Besides that there is not much else to talk about but I will mention the artwork again because it is great; Kubo does such a great job of making Shunsui laidback in one panel but then so menacing in the next. Also thought I'd mention that it is a shame Shunsui has told the rest of the Soul Reapers to go on a head because I would have really liked to have seen more try to take on Lille, plus there isn't that much Sternritter compared to the Soul Reapers so we can't just keep having these one on one fights.

Shunsui's shadow moves have always been awesome!

Overall the chapter was really long winded but hopefully that means we can just have some fighting next time and maybe Shunsui will release his Bankai soon.

SCORE: 5/10

Highlights: Awesome artwork
                   Lille vs. Shunsui has the makings to be a great fight

Let - Downs: Too much explaining of the new abilities
                      Barely anything really happened

Bleach Review: BABY, HOLD YOUR HAND 7 (Never Ending My Dream)

"SURPRISE!"

With Pernida defeating Mayuri enters a pod to recover meanwhile Shunsui and his group deal with the Sternritter sniper Lille Barro.

It looks like the Pernida fight is truly over now and I got to say this has been one of the best fights of the arc; it was one of the longest, very entertaining and my favourite captain was fighting it. After they fight he retreats to a pod to heal and I'm guessing this is an excuse for Mayuri to have a break now from this arc and let it focus on other character. Kenpachi is also healed and since he got taken out pretty quickly by Pernida I think he will recover faster so he can have a proper fight later on. I did really like how Mayuri states that he has surpassed Urahara because of Nemu which is something he wanted to do for ages and we also get an image of Mayuri and Nemu floating together in water (with Nemu being naked for fan service). It was cool because it rounded up the father/daughter relationship these two have, with Mayuri finally appreciating Nemu and most likely going to bring her back with the brain he has. However what I really, really didn't like about this chapter was the reveal of Toshiro and Rangiku now alive and well because I just do not like those two characters and would have preferred them to stay dead. The reason for this is because Toshiro loses all of his fights, makes himself out to be really strong thought I think he is the weakest captain and I bet he was only brought back based on his popularity. It was a big WTF moment when I thought Kubo killed him off (I gave him praise back then for having the guts to do it) but no he has now ruined it but what really annoys me is that I bet great captains like Rose and Kensei are still dead because they just wasn't as popular but that is Kubo's fault for mostly ignoring them in favour of Toshiro. Moving on from this it looks like the new fight will be with Lille Barro which I have been looking forward to and I hope he kicks some ass! I liked how Shunsui managed to trick him but I am interesting in seeing is how Lille Barro is going to fight such a large group? Because Shunsui was travelling with quite a few people I would be annoyed if they all are just going to wait on the side-lines.

I wonder if these two will fight during the arc?

Overall I really good end to the Pernida fight and set up for the next big show down however I have got to dock this chapter quite a bit of score for bringing back to of the worst characters in Bleach and all in all it was a bit slow. However I got to say that I hope in the future we will get a Flashback showing how Perndia came into existence and that Yumichika and Ikkaku will get to have a fight and they finally use their Zanpakuto to the fullest instead of always holding back which got annoying years ago.   

SCORE: 6/10

Highlights: Mayuri's joy at beating Urahara
                   Shunsui vs. Lille Barro

Let Downs: Toshiro and Rangiku now alive and well

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: Revitalize

Things aren't looking too good for the Zero Squad now.

The chapter begins with both Bazz - B and Liltotto angry at Yhwach has used Auswählen and shouting up at the sky that they will not die. Across the Soul Society the beams of light can be seen from every where, Byakuya sees it and even Shunsui who says to Nanao and Okikiba that they must leave for the Royal Realm because he senses that it is in danger.

Back at the Royal Realm Nimaiya has had a large chunk of his shoulder blasted off and he wonders what could have happened. Haschwalth explains that Auswählen takes the powers of Quinces Yhwach now deems useless, killing them (we even see the corpse of Robert Accutrone) and those powers are given to other Quinces who are then reborn even stronger.

Nimaiya says that must be why the bullets didn't work on the cage before because they have new power to which Lille corrects him in saying that it was always his power and what he shot him with wasn't a bullet. He then fires again and Kirnji and Hikifune try to block but the attack goes through both their weapons and puts a hole in Nimaiya's chest. Lille explains that his power "The X - Axis" pieces anything between the muzzle of his gun and his target and asks the other members to line up so he can take them all out in one shot.

Meanwhile Pernida uses her power to destroy the cage that they are trapped in and the chapter ends with Yhwach demanding Hyousube to let him pass but Hyousube just stand up to confront him.

This chapter is just as good as the last one, maybe even slightly better, because we get another purpose for Auswählen and that it to strengthen Sternritters to fight his most important battles. This is great because we can see the elite Sternritter kicking some ass and putting up a fight against the Zero Squad however I kind of hate the fact that the Sternritter on the ground are now powerless. This includes Robert and NaNaNa whose powers we ever even got to see and ones like Bazz - B who was kicking all kinds of ass and now won't be going to anymore. I have read several comments on this and some think that the powerless Sternritters will side with the Soul Reapers for some redemption but I would have preferred them always hating each other.

At the Royal Realm it looks like that Nimaiya might be out of the fight for a while but I really hope he isn't dead because besides being my fav Zero Squad member I'm sure we haven't seen the full extent of his powers. I mentioned a few chapter reviews a while ago that I think Yhwach will bring the Zero Squad to his side because he vaguely mentioned some technique like that when he first fought Ichigo. Also we might get a proper battle between Ywach and Hyousube who has been hyped up quite a bit as well because Hyousube always kind of seemed like the leader of the Zero Squad so lets see how this goes.

Overall this was a great chapter with the explanation of Auswählen and the revival of the elite Sternritter and we had some great art as well like the panel with Kirnji and Hikifune trying to block Lille's shot, however like the last chapter this is again just another setup with no real fight, hopefully that changes next week.

SCORE:8/10

Highlights: Auswählen
                   The elite Sternritter fighting back
                   Ywach vs. Hyousube setup

Let - Downs: Sternritter on the ground now powerless or dead
                      Nimaiya may be out of it for a while now.

Predictions: With the deaths and power drains of so many Sternritter it raises the question who Ichigo and his group, the Arrancars and the Fullbringers are going to fight? The Zero Squad could be used against them but since Yhwach has the power to revive fallen Sternritter I like to thingk that he may revive several. This could be a great chance to see Sternritter in action who we never got the chance to see or barely, Robert and NaNaNa for example. However there is another way that I have been thinking about for awhile and that is that Yhwach creates some new Sternritters. He makes more by craving a letter on a Quince's soul and that becomes their power, this could be a great way to introduce new Sternritter characters and different uses for a letter; The F could not mean "The Fear" a second time. The Quinces he could find to do this is the Soldat and this could be a way of promoting them, let me know what you think of this idea.

Sorry for lack of picture in this review.

Bleach Review: Verge On Vermillion

Another great Bleach chapter from inside the Royal Realm.

The chapter begins with Nimaiya saying that the real battle starts now but his sword shakes a little however he is still able to dodge an attack from Gerard. Gerard goes to attack again but he is taken down quickly by Nimaiya who slices open his back.



"You like my fountain of blood?"

Lille observes this clash and states that some kind of trick is at work here and it has something to do with the jelly like substance and why the Zanpakutō shook at the beginning. He fires at Nimaiya who slices the bullet in two and, shocked, fires more but they are all deflected. Before he can do anything else Nimaiya slices him almost in half.

Not Lille's shooting arm!

Pernida starts to do some attack however Nimaiya simply throws his sword through her head, retrieves it by jumping off her body and then slices Askin who survives this attack but Nimaiya doesn't give him a chance to do anything else and slices his neck.

Now that's pretty damn cold

Nimaiya then says that his sword, Sayabuse, is a failed creation and that it is so sharp that even blood slides off the blade. In fact a sheath can't even hold it which is why he carries it in the jelly substance and because no one else can use it that is why it "failed" but thanks Yhwach for the chance to use it. However he is interrupted by Askin who begins to stand up saying that because of his power, that he hates, he has survived but always feels that he is close to death.

Gross!

Finally got a proper fight here in the Royal Realm because the previous ones, as great as they where, was mainly the Zero Squad and the Sternritter showing off their powers.

This was such an epic chapter because of how badass Nimaiya was; he absolutely stole the chapter with his impressive sword play and the way he dispatched the elite Sternritter. This shows that even though Nimaiya does like to goof around, like when he was first introduced, when the s**t goes down he turns in to a demon. He showed no mercy to any one the Sternritter and he is probably the most deadly with a sword in Bleach like when he took out Pernida, ripped the sword from her head and immediately went for Askin. His sword is very impressive as well; it's basically a one hit one kill blade but the back story about how its a failed creation was really interesting and when Lille was saying there was I trick behind it I think he was just guessing and it was just Nimaiya's sword work.

Askin's like WTF

As for the Sternritter I really do not think that they are dead because they are supposed to be the Yhwach's elite guard and he wouldn't have brought them if they where going to be taken out that easily. Gerard for example is "The Miracle" so maybe he can perform miracles on the battlefield, for example maybe "It's a miracle that he survived that attack" so something like that. As for Pernida I am not even sure if she is even human and I have read some people's opinions that she may be a robot or even an alien. However they could also be saved by Askin's ability as well.

"You can't touch me"

Askin has been hyped up so much that next chapter is obviously his time to shine and we may even get to see what his ability is. It could be something as simply as that he can not die which is what he hinted at the end of the chapter but I like to think there is more there. He is "The Deathdealing" so maybe he can make deals with those about to meet death or are close to death but that is just speculation.

"Didn't I just say you can't touch me"

Overall this has really showed off Nimaiya as the greatest swordsman in the Zero squad and since he is my favourite member I am glad he got such an epic chapter. The art and the swordplay where all perfect and I am glad we got a fighting chapter and I can't wait for next weeks!

SCORE: 10/10 

Bleach Review: Snipe

A bit late reviewing this chapter but better late than never! The name of this chapter is a nod to the original title of Bleach because I think Kubo wanted the series to have more guns in it back then.

How much blood was in her head?

The chapter begins with Shutara dead on the ground with a massive pool of blood where the top part of her head was. Gerard is angry about this because her body and blood is blocking His Majesty's path, Lille then asks Pernida for assistance. Pernida then uses her power to crush Shutara's body in to a ball and then Lille uses his massive rifle to destroy the surrounding Soul Palaces. He bows to Yhwach and says his path is clear but Yhwach only stares on.

Now that is one powerful rifle

Just then the area surrounding the Sternritter is revealed to made up of fabric and the Soul Palaces and Shutara that Lille destroyed where fakes. Shutrara then says that the fakes where prepared for their arrival and that Ichibei Hyōsube is protecting the real Palaces by drawing a forbidden symbol over them. At that moment the Sternritter are also trapped in a cage made up of trees made by Kirio Hikifune who says she can use her powers to create life.

Bet the Sternritter have got a bad feeling about this

Lille tries to snipe his way out of it but his bullets have no effect; Hikifune reveals that the tree have a taste for Reishi and will constantly devour the bullets that are made from them. The chapter ends with the arrival of Ōetsu Nimaiya who removes his Zanpakutō from a box of water, challenges all the Sternritter to a battle and says the real battle begins now.

Have to say that Numaiya looks quite the badass!

The action in the Royal Realm are truly shaping up to be something epic here!

This chapter is a great follow up to the previous one; not letting up on any of the excitement and setting the stage for some awesome battles. Firstly I am glad that Shutara is not really dead because I wouldn't have wanted a Zero Squad member to have been one - shoted already and we get some more insight in to her abilities. It seems that she could weave a separate reality in to her fabrics, one that completely fools anyone who his trapped within them. They managed to fool the Sternritter but I am glad that Shutara is dispelling them now because I would hate for more chapters to have been an illusion.

I wonder if I can get curtains like that

Next we have Hikifune's tree ability and I am kind of disappointed with this because it just seems like a copy of the First Hokage's Wood Style Jutsu from Naruto. It does seem useful but I doubt that it will keep the Sternritter trapped in there for long (will explain why in predictions at the bottom). Lastly we get the arrival of Nimaiya who wants to fight all of the Sternritter and that was the best shot of the chapter; he looked really menacing holding his Zanpakutō with the shadows over his face, really great art for that as well. He also removes his Zanpakutō from a box of water which makes me think that it might be an incredibly powerful fire type for something else is special about it.

"Let's get his party started!"

Overall this chapter was almost as good as the last chapter where it introduced the new Sternritters however it didn't feel like much happened because it is still was a load of set up and no battles yet.

SCORE: 9/10

Highlights: Shutara is still alive
                   The epic arrival of Nimaiya
                   The prospect of a great battle next chapter

Let - Downs: Not that impressed with Hikifune's ability
                      Still no real fight between the Sternritter and Zero Squad

Predictions

As I mentioned above I don't think that the tree cage will hold the Sternitter for long because if they absorb Reishi then I think it is time for the return of Sklaverei. It is a Quincy move which uses their power to steal Reishi to it's highest degree and enslaves it, I think it is the best way for them to break apart and escape from the tree cage. Plus we haven't seen it used by any one else besides Quilge Opie many, many, many chapters ago.

I also hope the Kirinji steps back in to the battle and fights along side Nimaiya now that Weizol is out of the way because I don't know what he is doing now. I don't think Yhwach is going to personally fight just yet because, just like Aizen, he is content to watch his minions fight for him for a while.

Bleach Review: Too Early To Win Too Late To Know

One hell of a chapter this week!

The chapter starts off with Nianzol Weizol falling to the ground, apparently dead and Shutara being sarcastic about it and her abilities almost how Weizol was to her. She then turns to Yhwach and says that with Weizol's ability out of the way her soldiers can now attack him however Yhwach is unnerved by this. Instead he summons several more Soldat to deal with the soldiers and then summons his elite Sternritter guards; Gerard Valkyrie (M 'The Miracle'), Lille Barro (X 'The X -Axis), Pernida Parnkgjas (C 'The Compulsory) and Askin Nakk Le Vaar (D 'The Deathdealing')



They must be badass with such an epic entrance!

While Askin commnets that he is the only Sternritter here from the lower ranks, Gerard says how he better not slow them down and then draws his sword and throws off his cloak. He then goes to attack Shutara who tires to block it with one of her arms and her needle but Gerard cuts through it easily and even injures her.

Right now Shutara is probably thinking; "Oh s**t!"

Shutara then quickly summons a large solider that lands behind her but that is also quickly destroyed by an unknown ability by Pernida. Lille ends things by taking out a massive rifle from underneath his cloak and blowing off a large portion of Shutara's head.

Now that has got to sting a little

Must admit that I really didn't expect this chapter to go down like this, I thought Weizol would still be alive because of his Blut and would continue the fight against Shutara but it would seem that is not the case. I will start off with the only bad thing about this chapter and that is that I am slightly annoyed that Weizol is mostly likely dead now. A letter has been wasted and a character (whose design and personality I really liked) has been killed off so quickly; you got to admit that his ability made Yhwach look like a badass, menacingly advancing his way slowing though the Royal Realm?



"Who wants some!"

However that is completely overshadowed by the arrival of Askin and three badass Sternritter who seem to be on a whole other level than the Sternritters we have seen so far. I can't wait to see the Zero Squad and these new Sternritter pair off and fight each other but after seeing Shutara fall like that I wonder if the Zero Squad can win now.

So who does this remind you of?

As for the designs of the new Sternritter the are all really awesome; Gerard may look like a rip off of Thor but I always thought that Thor looks really cool anyway. He seems like the type who just wants to fight and crush his enemies (kind of like Mask and Driscoll) and I am interest to see what his 'Miracle' power is. Lille I think looks the coolest out of all of them and its great to see more Sternritter using guns as well, he must also be really powerful since only one shot was enough to scalp Shutara like that! I also didn't expect that his letter was going to be X - Axis but it is really creative and probably has something to do with accuracy. Lastly there is Pernida who we don't see much of because she (name sounds more like a girl's) didn't take off her cloak, so we are just going to have to wait for a bit more to gauge her character.

"Damn!"

Finally we also get to see Askin again and I am really looking forward to seeing what he can do. He has been one of the most hyped up Sternritter, even more than Pepe and NaNaNa, and with a power called 'Deathdealing' it must be something sinister. He mentioned about being the only Sternritter here from lower ranks so that either means he was promoted to this guard or that he was brought he because his ability was just as good? Also I hope Shutara isn't really dead because it would be a shame for a Zero Squad member to be out already but I am thinking Yhwach might revive her and control her.

Overall this was a great chapter; the art work was at it's best, especially the two page panel of the new Sternritter arrival, and it was a epic intro for them. Almost a perfect score but I have to mark it down just very slightly because I really expected more from Weizol.

SCORE: 9.5/10