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: The Dark Arm

"I was just one day from retirement"

Shunsui has now completely freed Aizen who tires to convince him to use his powers for the Soul Society meanwhile in the Royal Palace Yhwach tries to stop Mimihagi but Ichigo steps in.

If your wondering why I didn't review last chapter that is because I was really busy but I was incredibly disappointed in it anyway. I would have given it 10/10 for the reveal of Aizen alone but the majority of the chapter had to waste a lot of time with Urahara and the rest. As for this chapter it was a lot better because we got to see more of Aizen and Shunsui while we didn't waste several pages on Urahara's group doing absolutely nothing to advance the story (besides Ukitake) like they have been for a while. I really enjoyed the banter between Aizen and Shunsui because despite being in prison Aizen is still being his usual self, like not asking to be released and acting like he could care less if he is. It seems at the end that he will go because it is implied that he hates Yhwach even more than the Soul Reapers, which would also explain why he turned down the offer to work with him before. Two things that was really interesting was that the suit Aizen his in only contains his powers not remove them which is great because if he does fight in the future he will be at full power right away. Secondly because the fingers of that guard literally disintegrated when he got close to Aizen I'm guessing that Aizen his still a transcendent being thanks to the Hogyoku that is still in him; remember it only started to reject him at the end it didn't leave him. As for the rest of the chapter Ichigo and Yhwach have a pretty cool confrontation but it wasted time with Ichigo going on about how he protects peoples (like he always does) and Yhwach still talking about Ichigo's Quincy blood but only vaguely but hopefully we will get a proper fight next chapter.

This was really cool

This review may have seemed short but that is because I don't find much to talk about them; I mean Yhwach stabbed the Soul King quite a while ago and yet the story hasn't really progressed much at all. Plus why aren't the rest of Ichigo's group doing anything and where the hell are the Elite Sternritters?

SCORE: 7/10

Highlights: Long Live Lord Aizen!!!!!!
                   The stuff that happens with Aizen and Shunsui
                   Ichigo stopping Yhwach

Let - Downs: Ichigo and Yhwach waste time talk on stuff we already know
                      Where are the rest of Ichigo and Yhwach forces?

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