Bleach Review: The Princess Dissection

"Need to stitch my face back together for all the fan girls" 

Urahara shows off the power of his Bankai to a surprised Askin and gets help from an unlikely ally.

Sorry that I wasn't able to review last weeks but besides from being busy I haven't been feeling 100% lately (might be coming down with something) but I am here for this epic chapter! Finally we Bleach fans get to see one of the most anticipated Bankai and so far it hasn't disappointed. First off I really like the design of Kannon Biraki Benihime Aratame because I much prefer it when Kubo creates giant Bankai like Mayuri's and Komamura's because there is just so much more detail in them. I guessed ages ago his Bankai might be female looking because his Zanpakuto is one of the only few confirmed with a female spirit and it does look rather creepy looking with it's doll - like appearance. Secondly it also has a rather useful ability that can spilt open and stich back together anything Urahara wishes such has his damaged eye and his arm so he can deliver and powerful blow against Askin. Now I really don't think that this is it for his Bankai's abilities because since Zanpakuto are supposed to mirror the personalites of their owners I'm guessing Benihime also has a darker side like Urahara.

Bet your surprised Askin

As for the fight it got really good with Urahara coming back strong thanks to his Banaki ability and actually has Askin on the ropes. I do like Askin saying that he doesn't really like close combat but he did carry a really interesting looking spear or trident in one of the panels. However the fight suddenly ends with the arrival of Grimmjow who mercilessly rips out Askin's heart and crushes it. I read that a lot of fans where disappointed that Grimmjoe hasn't done much since his return but I think this brutal move really makes up for it. Now I seriously doubt that Askin is dead because Kubo seems to really like him based on how much development he hasn't given the character so I'm 95% sure Askin will transform into something else. I also am saying this because the next chapter is 666 and there are a lot of fan speculation that Kubo is saving something really big or shocking for this.

DAMN! Now that's pretty brutal!

Overall a really entertaining chapter for a Bankai that did not disappoint.

SCORE: 10/10       

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

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: 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: MASTER

This chapter continues on the fight between Yhwach and Ichibe, with Yhwach still confident he will win the fight and sending beams of Reishi towards Ichibe. Ichibe however merely garbs it between his palms and saying he wanted to half Yhwach's powers because taking down the Quincy King at full strength would shame all Quinces before using Bakudō #62. Hyapporankan, only for Yhwach to block the beams with Blut Vene Anhaben.

Awesome power!

Blut Vene Anhaben extends the power of Blut outside of the users body and create a dome shield, protecting those within. Ichibe then uses Urahadō Sannodō Tetsufūsatsu which creates a dragon shaped ball of energy that breaks the dome, this allows Ichibe to grab Yhwach around the throat. However the Blut soon travel up Ichibe's body and Yhwach explains that Blut Vene Anhaben can consume everything in it's path. Ichibe then sends the Blut back to Ywach which explodes in his face before releasing his Zanpakutō, Ichimonji.

"Your f**ked now"

This epic fight still continues and I have to say this is turning out to be one of the best fight in the Bleach series. Here we have two of the most powerful beings in Bleach and neither of them seem to be giving up and we also go to see them display some great abilities. Firstly there is Yhwach who of course still believes he can win this fight even at half his strength but that probably isn't just arrogance since Quinces fight by stealing the Reishi around them, which is probably what he did at the beginning. Next we have the more powerful Blut Vene Anhaben and I am just really glad to finally see Blut again after so long because the Sternritter don't even mention it after the first invasion. It was just so cool seeing Yhwach create that massive dome and using it in an offensive way as well when it was crawling up Ichibe's arm.

Is this Kido or something else entirely?

Speaking of Ichibe the guy continues to act more and more like a maniac the longer this fight continues, like when he is confident how he could of beaten Yhwach at his full strength. He also seems to keep getting more powerful by first stopping the Reishi with his hands, using a Kido without saying any of the chant, using a new move that went through the Blut dome and stopping the Blut. I think he stopped the Blut from travelling up his arm by using his own Spiritual Pressure to force it out and sending it back to Yhwach. His expressions as well when he fight is just so crazy; the art work for this chapter is one of Kubo's best. Of course the biggest reveal is Ichibe releasing his Zanpakutō and that was an epic moment (as pictured above), it's basically his brush with a blade but I like it; simple yet effective. Since he now has a blade I guess his Zanpakutō allows him to cut flesh now not just words and if we are lucky maybe we could see a Bankai soon!

"Even at half the strength I am still the strongest!"

Overall I am glad this fight is still going strong and even though I don't know when it would end I hope it lasts for another three or fours chapters. Yhwach will probably win in the end since I just think Kubo is going in the direction of him succeeding but I cannot see Ichibe dying either, still he doesn't have to die if he loses. There isn't really anything at fault with this chapter but I guess it felt a bit short but so does every chapter that just focuses on a fight.

SCORE: 9/10

Highlights: Ichibei vs. Ywach
                   Ichibei's cool abilities and releasing his Zanpakutō (Hopefully Bankai soon!)
                   Yhwach using a new Blut power