Bleach Chapter 418 – Deicide 20

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The twentieth deicide chapter, 418, was a little more action-packed, and a little less filled with dialogue than the recent chapters. Normally I wouldn’t mind this, but with all the recent questions raised I kind of want to know more about Ichigo’s secrets. Oh well, there will always be time for that later.

The chapter begins with Aizen resonating with Ichigo’s last words last chapter. Obviously he isn’t buying it. The main point of this chapter was to expose Aizen’s biggest flaw; egotism. He is so self-obsessed at this point that he is no longer using his most powerful ability – his wit. He believes himself to be so unbelievably powerful that he can throw away all caution, regardless of the opponent. Not the smartest thing to do, considering he just acquired these powers, doesn’t  even know their limitations yet himself, and is fighting an opponent whose powers are also unknown.

There are multiple examples of Aizen’s egotism throughout the chapter, but the first is his misdiagnoses as to why Ichigo was able knock him around last chapter. Because Ichigo’s physical strength is so tremendous, Aizen believes that the only way another being could reach that level is by throwing away everything else, most specifically reiatsu. This could be true, but I honestly don’t believe Ichigo just threw away his reiatsu for physical power.  I think that that is just a comforting thought Aizen is forcing himself to believe, but who knows, I could be wrong.

Immediately after Aizen’s speech he uses the same teleportation technique granted to him by the hougyoku that he used against Gin, to appear behind Ichigo. Ichigo notices though, and they clash swords. I massive mound of earth is sliced clean off the landscape in the distance from the force. Aizen immediately goes into a rant about how impressive what he just did is, and how much it gives him chubs to know that his power exceeded his own expectations.

They clash one more time, sending the landscape into frenzy. Aizen takes note about their zanpakuto. It seems that both of their right arms have, in a sense, “merged” with their zanpakuto. This is not to say that they couldn’t put the sword down, but the connection between them and their swords is stronger than others. I think we caught a glimpse of this before when Ichigo was able to summon Zangetsu to him from far away while fighting Ulquiorra. He was after all, “closer” to Zangetsu at that time; since it turned out that his hollow powers and zanpakuto powers were actually one all along.

And then once again, Aizen rants about how he could crush Ichigo in one blow if he wished it. The look on the next page is priceless, when he actually tries to do this, and Ichigo stops his blade with his bare palm. Correct me if I’m wrong, but as we learned when Ichigo fought Kenpachi, in order to stop another’s blade with bare hands, you must have greater reiatsu, no? If Ichigo was just physically stronger, the blade could still slice his tissue, it is the reiatsu that prevents it from doing so, much like an Arrancar’s hierro. (Also, isn’t Ichigo’s outfit in direct proportion to the amount of reiatsu he has left? He pretty much has a full outfit on.) Then we finally get a glimpse into Aizen’s mind, as he tries to figure out how this is possible. Like I said before, he has gotten so convinced that his power is absolute, that if anything doesn’t follow his logic he no longer has the sense to think about it reasonably. To me, the old Aizen was much scarier.

Ichigo tries conveying this message to Aizen himself. There is one scene where it almost appears that Ichigo launches Aizen back with just a flick of his hand. It may be that Aizen just jumped back, but the panel at the very top of the page makes me think otherwise.  Aizen, still not able to cope with the fact that someone may just be stronger, decides to crush him through Kido.

It appears that no matter how strong he has become, the only thing that could improve his Kido brain-power, and studying the spells. Like I said before, Aizen’s brain is the one thing that hasn’t improved. So he recites the #90 spell, “Black Coffin” to crush Ichigo with the force of gravity.

One way or another, whether it is physical strength, or through means he hasn’t felt the need to explain to Aizen, Ichigo breaks the spell effortlessly. He reveals that he is without a doubt stronger than Aizen right now. It turns out the blade that fucked up the landscape when their swords collided at the beginning of the chapter was not Aizen’s but actually Ichigo’s. Aizen was too closed minded to consider that possibility, and after one swipe from Ichigo, it may be the end of him… Doubt it, but Aizen will probably have to revert to his zanpakuto’s powers to get any advantage on Ichigo at this point.

Bleach Chapter 417 – Deicide 19

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Chapter 417 was not the longest chapter, nor did it have the most content, but it might have been the most pleasing chapter (to me personally) in a while. After all the suspense left at the end of the last chapter, this one only leaves us with more.

Tite didn’t switch the scene back to Hueco Mundo, or to the injured captains in Fake Kurakara town as some of you feared, not yet anyways. It started with Ichigo giving Aizen the death stare, something he lacked in his previous encounter. Whatever happened in Ichigo’s inner world over those 2-3 months has transcended him to a level higher and quicker than any imagined.

Just to confirm it, you guys were right about the chain being and extension to the hilt of Tensa Zangetsu. It’s hundreds of times longer than the two or so links it once was. I’m just not certain yet, what that chain’s length entails. It seems I was right about Ichigo being taller in addition to his hair growing, and Tatsuki notices this too. Now his hair is in an almost identical style (perhaps a little longer) to Kaien Shiba, and is probably now around the same height. Rukia will cream her pants next time she sees him. Also, I’d just like to take a moment to thank Tite for doing what Naruto’s author hasn’t. Many people have hoped Naruto’s hair would grow out a little, maybe like his fathers, to give his appearance a badass look to go with his new moves. Well at least Ichigo pulled it off.

Ichigo’s reiatsu sensing abilities have been fine tuned as well, as he is instantly able to find his sisters to confirm their well being. What is funny though, is that right after that, Kiego, and then even Aizen point out that they can literally sense no power, no reiatsu, and no threat coming from Ichigo at all, just a deadly stare. But one person is able to pick up on what nobody else can…

It turns out there is still a hint of life left within Gin Ichimaru. He notes the difference in confidence within Ichigo’s eyes from before to now. He really did want to save the world, but is happy to know he can leave it in Kurosaki’s hands. Unfortunately, I think knowing that was all he needed before he felt he could pass on, and might have died in the panel after that. Let’s hope not though.

As Aizen is preaching his condescending bullshit yet again, Ichigo interjects with the suggestion that they change locations. He obviously doesn’t want to damage his real town, but Aizen refuses to listen to such an inferior being. Well too bad biotch it ain’t up for discussion. Ichigo manages to bitch slap and simultaneously launch them both to his desired location in one instant. Afterwards, Aizen is astonished to realize that this was done with brute strength alone. Quite impressive considering normal humans and objects disintegrate near him, and captain level fighters fall apart at his touch.

This is it kids, the showdown begins next chapter, as Ichigo plans to “end this in a single instant.” I’ll see you then.

Bleach Chapter 416 – Deicide 18

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Sorry this one’s out a little late. My dumb ass forgot to back up my original draft and had to start all over. Anyways, chapter 416 – a little revealing, a little saddening, and at the end, very fuckin’ sweet! I’d like to first address the colored page Kubo drew of Ichigo’s evolution. It starts out with him as a normal teenager, then him with his sealed zanpakuto after he first attains shinigami powers. Then one for when he learns Shikai, Bankai, Vaizard powers, and his evolved hollow form. After that just out of eyeshot is something new, the final step in Ichigo’s evolution…

The intro of this chapter reveals that Rangiku is, as many of us suspected, still alive. It turns out that Gin used a Kido spell called Hakufuku to bind her reiatsu. It was the same spell Momo used to break out of her cell during the Soul Society arc. Back to Gin vs. Aizen: it seems that Gin survived Aizen’s attack at the end of the last chapter.

He remembers Aizen telling him how he actually discovered the phenomena of the Hougyoku as early as, or maybe even earlier than Urahara. He sacrificed hundreds of lives just for the sake of perfecting it, but to no avail. When he found out that Urahara also had an incomplete Hougyoku, he knew he had to introduce them to each other to find what he was looking for. I’m curious, since Urahara seems to be the only being from Soul Society with wits to match Aizen’s, if he would have become just as powerful if he had the desire to be.

Back to the present, Gin reaches out desperately one last time to separate the Hougyoku from Aizen. Aizen brutally rips his arm off, in a similar fashion to the way Ichigo ripped off Ulquiorra’s. I don’t think I have ever read a manga where characters lose arms as much as Bleach. Aizen then proceeds to stab Gin through the torso, explaining how the constant threat of having Gin around him, and the fear it generated was necessary for him to reach the level of “perfection” he is at. It is nice though, even in such a tragic situation, to finally see Gin’s true face. It turns out that when he isn’t putting up the evil front, his facial expressions are pretty normal.

On another note, does anybody else see the resemblance between Aizen’s new form and Dr. Manhattan from Watchmen? Both levitate, both seem emotionless, both have astronomical powers, both fear nothing, both have a marking on their forehead, both have creepy eyes, both claim to be godly and carry and omnipotent aura around them, and I hate hearing both of them run their fuckin’ mouths.

In Gin’s last moments before losing consciousness he remembers his last encounter with Rangiku before beginning his plan. He tells her he is going away, to become a shinigami, to change the world so he doesn’t have to see her cry anymore. *wipes tears* Just then Rangiku rushes to Gin as he is fading away. He begins to note his regrets, when he notices something, something he “knew” would come.

The strawberry is back ladies and gentlemen, and he is one badass motherfucker. He storms in with his dad slung over his shoulder. Get ready to atone for your sins Aizen, you’re about to get the ass-whoopin’ you’ve been waiting for.

A couple of things I’d like to address before leaving you guys this week:

-Whether or not Gin is dead or alive is about as conclusive as the rest of the cast. Yamamoto, Hitsugaya, Shinji, Ukitake: they all have injuries as bad or worse, so we’ll just have to wait until the end of the arc. to find that one out.

-Ichigo looks a little different. The missing sleeve is probably due to his rieatsu from training, but I don’t know exactly what the black whip spiraling down his arm, turning into a glove is for. Also, in the two months he has been training, his hair has grown (improvement) and he has gotten a little taller. Look at the size of his father slung over his shoulder, who used to be much taller, in comparison. I mean he is at the age to hit growing spurts (16), so two months is plenty of time for that.

That’s all for this week folks. See you next time, when the final battle begins!

Bleach Chapter 415 – Deicide 17

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Well Aizen is still alive, and in turn so is the deicide… In response to the question raised last chapter – the answer is badass; Gin is a badass. The chapter finally gives the readers a “glimpse of the truth” of Gin. I think it’s safe to say that Gin is one of the top theorized characters in Bleach, so finally having some questions answered is a long awaited event.

I’m going to address the events chronologically, since the flashbacks are thrown in kind of randomly throughout the chapter. I can’t verify whether or not this scene occurs before or after Gin takes up becoming a shinigami, but I think it is before. Either way, long ago, Gin is wandering around Soul Society, when he finds a young, wounded, and possibly raped Matsumoto. He takes note of the guys walking away from her body, and after that is probably when he first meets her. If I remember correctly, in Matsumoto’s memory of meeting Gin, he saved her when she was in critical condition.

Later Gin finds those same guys, and wouldn’t you know it, they are some of Aizen’s first underlings. Gin notes that Aizen is the “boss” and decides that he is the one he has to get revenge on for Matsumoto. One very important fact about this scene is that Aizen already has the Hougyoku before Gin meets him. This means most of the following events in Gin’s life, like becoming a shinigami, entering the fifth division, and even the scene where he “ruthlessly” kills the third seat (which might have been one of the underlings that harmed Matsumoto) was just to get closer to Aizen. Talk about dedication.

Back to the present, the chapter continues where the last left off. Gin’s poison deteriorates Aizen’s chest, exposing the Hougyoku. Gin reaches for it without hesitation. He gets it, but just afterwards is lashed by Aizen. I’d say the Gin is probably stronger than the average captain-level shinigami, and just a lash from the injured Aizen was enough to launch Gin back and blast off half his wrist.

All looks well for Gin. He thinks to himself that this whole ordeal is finally over, but then in a surge of rage, Aizen transforms once again. This is where I lost all respect for Aizen – he turned into a frickin butterfly. He looks retarded. It is possible that this is his version of a ressureccion – whatever he is.  I guess with the long hair he kind of looks angelic, which would be a fitting match against Ichigo’s new demonic-looking form.

Aizen explains that even if you take the Hougyoku out of him, it will remain loyal, fore it knows its master. That is bullshit. Aizen is constantly living through the most ridiculous things, just because. We get it Tite, he is really strong! But at least stop leaving these cliffhangers with him “dying” at the end when we all know that he won’t die until at least 10 chapters of fighting Ichigo. The suspense is just gone until then.

Aizen then teleports to Gin, and cuts him down. This is probably the end of him for now, but I really hope he lives on afterwards. He might not have lived the best life, but he did it for what was right in the end. His life-journey with Aizen might have started as a romantic revenge, but I think once he caught wind of Aizen’s plans, he felt a sense of duty to stop him. He let himself be viewed as a villain by everyone, even the one he loved, just to end a great threat. He is like the Itachi of Bleach. It would make sense now why he abstained from fighting any of the good guys, except Ichigo, who he never intended on killing, and might have just been trying to make stronger.

If Gin is dead, then he probably told Matsumoto everything right before incapacitating her. Someone has to know his story; his sacrifice.