Bleach Review: Don't Call My Name

The chapter starts off with Shunsui walking around Vandenreich city, commenting on all of the damage, before coming across Ukitake. Ukitake says that Kamikake is taking effort and a mysterious shadow appears behind him. Shunshui says he has to ask the Central 46 about something before he opens a passage underground and walks down the stairs.

"Who's going to pay for all this"

In the Royal Realm Ichibei has drawn another seal and says to Yhwach he will be defeated within it, however Yhwach replied that it will be Ichibei. Ichibei again says that he should not call out his name before drawing another seal and actives Senri Tsūtenshō where a massive hand comes out of it and smacks Yhwach 1000ri away. He creates another one that sends Yhwach downwards, Yhwach tries to counter this but Ichibei says that his throat has been crushed by calling his name so casually. Yhwach then punctures his own throat, gives himself the power of "The Voice" and casts a spell called Sankt Bogen which creates a massive spirit bow and fires several arrows upwards. One grazes Ichibei who notices that Yhwach had pieced himself with an arrow bring himself back up, Ichibei says he has no more choice but to kill him before his eyes roll up into his head.



"Told you not to say my name" 

Got ourselves a really great fight this chapter and really proves that Ichibei is a badass and probably the most powerful member of the Zero Squad. What I really liked about this chapter was that it has been even between Ichibei and Yhwach; all of the fights lately have been completely one-sided and just shows someone dominating the fight (Nimaiya) until a new power is revealed and another one dominates the next chapter (revived Sternritter). I really liked this fight and the moves that where used as well; Ichibei must have put a curse on his name to crush the throats of those who spoke it too many times and it worked on Yhwach who almost found himself ejected out of the Royal Realm. As for his eyes rolling up it did make him look really sinister and I guess he does that when he is finally taking the fight seriously.

A Titian's hand!!

As for Yhwach I always thought he had the fighting style of a berserker from what I saw in this previous fights and what I saw now really strengthens that. His willingness to tear open his throat and piece himself with a giant arrow just to gain back the advantage in a fight is pretty crazy. His Sankt Bogen ability was awesome; that massive bow had a huge panel to itself so it looked cool, I hope he uses it again. As for giving himself the power of "The Voice" it makes me think that he is using the letter V he bestowed upon Gremmy for himself since the power has returned back to him. But since Gremmy was "The Visionary" that implies that Yhwach can use the letter V for anything he wants or that was the power of a previous Sternritter who died.

I think this is what Yhwach used to summon his broadsword

I didn't really like the beginning of this chapter however because I just didn't get what the hell was going on. It was great seeing Ukitake again but I didn't like that he mentions something called Kamikake but doesn't explain what it is or that Shunshui was going to visit Central 46 but doesn't say what for. I have read that several people think that it is to see Aizen and while that one be one of the best things ever why couldn't he just say it. I know Kubo is trying to build suspense and have a big reveal later but it is kind of annoying while we got all these fights in the Royal Realm and since we haven't seen Ukitake or Shunshui fight yet during this while second invasion.

Overall this was a great fighting chapter and we got to see some awesome abilities but I just didn't see any point for the beginning of the chapter.

SCORE: 8/10

Highlights: Yhwach vs. Ichibei
                   An even fight between those two
                   Cool abilities like Sankt Bogen  and  Senri Tsūtenshō 

Let - Downs: Didn't care much for the beginning

Bleach Review: The Shooting Star Project [We Only Have to Beat You Mix]

Lets crack on with another Bleach review.

The chapter begins right where it left off with the countdown with the cannon about to fire Ichigo and his group to the Royal Realm, however they are stopped by Ganju who insists on coming. After a brief argument where Ichigo warns Ganju about how dangerous it is they decide to let him on because he says he is ready and he has a map. After the blast off the group remembers how this is similar to when they rescued Rukia and Orihime sadly comments how Uryu was with them then, Ichigo says he will beat Ywach and bring Uryu back.



"Don't worry Sakura, I'll rescue Sasuke......wrong manga!"

It then changes back to the Royal Realm and Nianzol Weizol explains that is ability is to deflect all attacks and all the swords that are aimed at him will bend. At first Shutara believes that this ability can be counted by attacking Weizol from his blind spot but he quickly disproves this theory by bending the swords of his attackers, saying that if he has already seen the ability it doesn't matter if it is in his blind spot. He then uses his finger to bend one of the guard's sword even more and then slices three in half at the same time.

Bet this is really annoying for those guards

Shutara however says that the guards where not her true attack and that in a blink of an eye she managed to remake his entire trench coat with one of her hands. She then says that if he attempts to take it off he will not survive and sure enough Weizol is then impaled by a dozen spikes from his coat.

Really interesting chapter here; I thought it would go back to the fights back on the ground but we remain with Ichigo and the Zero Squad.

What I really like about this chapter was how the first part with Ichigo was like a nod to the Soul Society Recuse Arc, so it was really nostalgic to read it. It was really funny seeing Ganju and the group argue again even if it did waste quite a few pages when I wanted to see more fighting. It is still good to see Ganju again and he must have gotten way stronger or else he would not be so confident about going to the Royal Realm but where did he leave the Xcution members? It also once again raises the question on whether or not the Shibas have any connection to the Royal Realm because of how you must use the cannon to get up there and how Ganju has a map of the place.

I really don't think this is the end for him

We also got some great action in the Royal Realm; Weizol's ability is really interesting and I curious to who is going to fight him and get round it (I seriously doubt he is dead already). Weizol turned out to be a real sarcastic person when speaking, using his lisp as an excuse for not explain his abilities properly. Shutara also turns out to be a real badass and her stitching based abilities are really cool and it makes me all the more excited to see hers, and all the other Zero Squad members, Shikai and Bankai.

Overall this was a real solid chapter even though it felt kind of short and that is mainly because I felt the reunion between Ganju and the rest dragged out for too long.

OVERALL: 8/10

Bleach Review: Winded by the Shadow

Been busy so I only just now got time to review the chapter

The chapter begins with Pepe trying to crawl away from Liltotto and trying to calm her down, however she is having none of it and activates her Vollstandig. She then starts to open her massive mouth and then seemingly devours a scream Pepe.

You are f***ed!

The scene then changes to the Royal Palace and Tenjirō Kirinji is getting more than a little frustrated because his attacks aren't connecting with Yhwach despite him not appearing to dodge them at all. Yhwach then ignores Kirinji and starts to walk past him, Kirinji tries to attack him one last time but again it doesn't effect him and he can't sense any illusions involved either.

Yep, there isn't something odd happening here.

Senjumaru Shutara then confronts Yhwach with her personal guard and remarks that it has been ages since she lasts seen him. Yhwach however doesn't even reply and barely acknowledges her, instead he makes his way up the stairs. Shutara orders her guards to kill Yhwach but their swords are stopped just like Kirinji.

This is a really badass two page panel; her guards look really cool

The answer to Yhwach's immunity from attacks comes in the form of Sternritter W "The Wind"; Nianzol Weizol who emerges from Yhwach's shadow. He is a rather odd looking Sternritter who also possesses two tongues and the ability to deflect attacks. Before we can see anymore the chapter ends with Ichigo and his group preparing to go to the Royal Realm in the cannon.

When I first saw this I almost thought it was As Nodt

It is really refreshing to finally see some action back in the Royal Realm because for awhile I thought Yhwach's fight with Kirinji was going to happen off screen. I was relived that this is not the case and the only thing we have missed is Kirinji failing to land a hit on Yhwach. That is something that is ok to skip, I wasn't incredibly disappointed when three Sternritter where defeated off screen in Rubb Dolls 1.

We also get the introduction of a new Sternritter, Nianzol Weizol, who has a really unique look and an ability which is interesting and over powered. I am glad we have a reveal of another letter and that Yhwach has also brought more Sternritter to the Royal Realm.

Bet talking is a real pain for him

 We also get some great shots and art work in the Royal Realm, one of the best panels was Shutara with her guard because they have a badass design. I hope we see them more in action in the future and I am curious to what other abilities they might have.

The only let downs in the chapter was the beginning and the end; I am guessing by now that Pepe has turned out to be such a disappointment after so much hype. So unless people eaten by Liltotto can survive in her stomach Pepe is now dead and we also hardly knew ye. As for the ending, if I am honest I really didn't care that Ichigo is on his way back to the Royal Realm because the focus will just shift to him and I want to see more of the Zero Squad fight.

Overall this is a major improvement over the Rubb Dolls chapters and I hope that it either stays here for a while or the fights below get a lot more better.

SCORE:8/10

Predictions: Haven't done this in a while but firstly I think the reason Yhwach isn't fighting the Zero Squad and letting Nianzol block the attacks is that he may have some way to make them serve him. He was going to make Ichigo serve him during the first invasion but we only got a vague hint about it but maybe he does have some brainwashing power. I think Nianzol (and maybe other Sternritter Yhwach has brought with him) will be opponents not for Ichigo but for Urahara, Chad, Orihime and Yoruichi and it will be interesting how they will get past Nianzol's ability.