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: What The Hell

What the hell indeed.

The chapter begins with Nimaiya saying that the Zero Squad has very little information on Yhwach aside from the battle he had against Yamamoto 1000 years ago and when Royd Lloyd copied him. Nevertheless he prepares to attack but then Yhwach emits light from his hands which shines out of the tree cage.

Every act Giselle does has a sexual undertone

Back on the ground Giselle he feeding on the blood from the undead Bambietta but goes too far and accidently kills her. Liltotto then emerges from behind a rock and says that Pepe is dead while she managed to knock out Meninas. Just then the Sternritter N Robert Accutrone appears and says that all the Sternritter who where left behind on the ground are all going to die. Liltotto doesn't understand but Robert insists that they wouldn't because they are new and that the Sternritter where created for Yhwach's use and to do with as he pleases.

Finally we get your name and letter

At that moment light engulfs Robert and strips away his flesh and Liltotto just manages to push Giselle out of the way in time. The Auswählen light then surrounds multiple other Sternritter such as NaNaNa and Bazz - B who wonder what is happening to them. Back in the Royal Realm Yhwach uses the gathered power to revive his fallen elite Sternritter and commands them to do battle.

Told you that the elites would be back.

This chapter was an improve over last weeks chapter because as I have mentioned above the elite Sternritter are not down for the count yet and back in the fight. I am really glad for this because it would have been a real waste if they where and I am sure we can look forward to some great fighting because I doubt they would make the same mistake again.



Yep we are all screwed

We also finally get the name of Sternritter N and the conformation that Pepe is dead and that several other of the Sternritter are still alive however it is likely that they have lost their power. That is what the Auswählen does so I wonder what will happen to the Sternritter on the ground now; will they eventually get their powers back? Will they turn on Yhwach? Or will they get captured by the Soul Reapers and interrogated? I kind of think they will turn on Yhwach because Liltotto really didn't seem happy after losing her powers and Bazz - B was annoyed with him the time he chose Uryu has his successor.

"Looks like its just us two now Giselle....don't do anything weird"

I am glad the elites are back and as I said earlier I think Nimaiya isn't going to finish them off so easily again and that we will even have some one on one fights now. I also think that the elites are going to win their fights because I just can't see Yhwach not capturing the Royal Realm. I hope Askin continues his fight against Nimaiya because that was a good match up but this time Askin just has to win.

So much for Sternritter N

Overall this was a better chapter than last week and was pretty morbid for the Sternritter on the ground, great that we got to see them again and see Giselle as crazy as usual.

SCORE: 7/10

Highlights: The return of the elite Sternritter
                   The Auswählen was really cool
                    Possibly get some one of one fights now

Let - Downs: Looks like the Sternritter on the ground are out of the fights now

Predictions: Now that Yhwach has lost most of his Sternritter I wonder if we will see him make more by giving out new letters to other Quincy. It would be great seeing some more uses of other letters, not to mention some more Quincy characters.

If not than I hope that Aizen returns soon and he starts coming up with his own plan to take out Yhwach and the Soul Reapers. I also want the Arrancar to return as well however it is implied that they will be allies now to the Soul Reapers but since there isn't any Sternritters left for them to fight that is why I am hoping more will be created.

Bleach Review: Bane Licking Good



Really cool bow!

The chapter begins with Askin explaining that his ability "The Deathdealing" allows him to control the lethal doses of any substance and manipulate it freely. Nimaiya doesn't understand at first but soon collapses when Askin tells him that he has made the amount of blood in his body lethal to him.

Askin then begins to rise saying that it also feels the same for him but that Nimaiya has severely underestimated him. He then removes his cloak and detaches his bow from his gauntlet and is preparing to finish Nimaiya off however Nimaiya surprises Askin by slashing his own throat and attacking him from behind.

Nimaiya says that he simply has to remove the amount of lethal blood from his body and he would be alright but Askin doesn't understand because Nimaiya will be dead from blood loss soon anyway. Just then Kirinji summons his red hot spring water to replenish Nimaiya's blood who then slashes Askin. Nimaiya then turns his attention to Yhwach and tells him to bring it on.

I really wasn't expecting this and that isn't a good thing.

If I had to admit I was really disappointed in this chapter because not only is a huge chunk of it used to explain Askin's power but it looks like Askin might be out of the battle for now. Askin's power was interesting of controlling the lethal doses of a substance but it isn't the most exciting power Kubo has come up with and Nimaiya easily countered it with the help of Kirinji. Also why is Kubo making these elite Sternritter fall so easily to Nimaiya and especially since Askin has been hyped for ages? I seriously doubt that any of them are dead and it could all be some trick by one of them but I really hope Kubo reveals it in the next chapter.

Overall there is not much to say about this chapter except that it was a let down but at least Kirinji is stepping into the battle again and Yhwach may enter it. However even though I really want to see Yhwach fight again I honestly don't want it to be now and I want the elite Sternritter to get back up and keep fighting.

SCORE: 4/10

Highlights: Kirinji is back in the fight

Let - Downs: Askin's power is kind of boring
                      Nimaiya easily countering Askin's power and taking him down
                      All of the elite Sternritter down now (unless it is a trick)

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.