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: 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.