Bleach Manga Chapter 359 – The Frozen Obelisk
One down, three to go! Toushiro reveals his ultimate technique, which, I should say, is damn scary! I don’t think anyone can escape from that, perhaps only Yamamoto with his fire attacks, or someone with exception kidou skills could hope to survive an attack this devastating.
When Hitsugaya said last chapter that he controls everything under the sky, he wasn’t kidding! The incredible spectacle over Karakura town even makes Stark tremble in fear. The entire sky is covered with dark clouds, giving off the feeling of doom. I was really hoping for a thunderstorm alongside the snow, since the technique is called “Tensou Juurin” (“Weather Domination”). That would’ve been awesome! The 10th Division Captain explains that Tensou Juurin is Hyourinmaru’s most powerful technique, but also the most dangerous one, since his powers haven’t fully matured yet. He has never used it in bankai mode so far, so he has no idea exactly how destructive its power will be. Toushiro has a small flashback, which takes us back to his fight with Gin. Back then he didn’t use this technique, because he was afraid of harming Hinamori. And judging by what happens after this attack is commenced, he did the right thing.
As you can see in the picture above, Hyouten Hyakkaso is not just a normal snow technique. The heavens themselves opened to pass this killing force. An avalanche-like stream of snow begins falling over Karakura town, freezing everything it touches. Just one snowflake is enough to freeze Hallibel’s sword and render it useless. This ability reminds me a lot of Yumichika’s shikai - Ruri’iro Kujaku – everything touched by the vines sprouts a flower blossom, filled with the enemy’s reiatsu. In the end it sucks out all of the opponent’s energy and kills him. Hitsugaya’s flowers probably work in a similar way – they need to touch the enemy in order to bloom.
The blossoming itself is another spectacular sight – the hundred flowers form a gigantic ice tower, which can be seen from miles away. Hallibel meets her demise, completely frozen inside. A beautiful grave for a beautiful woman.
10h Division Captain Histugaya Toushiro vs. Third Espada Tear Hallibel: Winner – Hitsugaya Toushiro.
That just leaves two more battles between the Espada and he shinigami in the human world.
Shunsui’s fight against Stark is progressing as slow as ever, both still having no intention of releasing their swords. The 8th Division Captain just bounces around, avoiding his opponent’s attacks one after another. That pisses off Mr.1, who fires a Cero at him. I’ve never seen a hollow fire one like that. And by Shunsui’s reaction, he hasn’t seen one either. Most Arrancar and ordinary hollows use their mouths, horns, tails or fingers. Some even use their eyes and legs, but Stark just fires it out of nowhere. I guess that’s why he’s the Prima Espada. Just like Shunsui, he’s obviously had hundreds of years of experience, nothing else could explain abilities like those. Hopefully we’ll see some more development in next week’s chapter.
Turning to the final clash of the week, Barragan seems to be enjoying himself in playing with Omaeda. The poor fat guy is just pathetic, running around, screaming for help from his captain. Barragan intentionally toys with him by using his “slow” ‘Death breath’, which just barley touches Omaeda’s Lieutenant badge. Of course just that is enough to scare him shitless.
Meanwhile Soi Fon has just finished setting up the preparations for her plan and is ready to counterattack. I’m not sure how tying up a building with a scarf can defeat Barragan’s againg abilities, but I’m sure her bankai, which she’ll finally use next week, is going to bring the Espada down.
Overall, I’m a bit disappointed in the way the Espada are being eliminated. It almost makes me think none of them are Vasto Lorde.
Tags: bleach manga chapters
May 30, 2009 6:33 am 10 Comments
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By Pretend3r, May 30, 2009 @ 2:44 pm
WEll byakushi, maybe Harribel isnt dont just yet. If Toshiro does beat her as it would seem, it would screw up my ideas of what the Vaizard would be up to. I mean eight of them going after Aizen would be just plain overkill.
I am impressed by Toshiro’s power. I dont think his bankai will last long after this attack, the ice pettels representing his ‘timer’ will probably wither away after this attack.
I think your right on the espade not being vasto lorde. Seeing that these limited ‘rulers’ of Hueco Mundo would feel a need to follow Aizen. They dont need to convert themself to gain back sanity and reason, since there are intelligent enough to have it already. Also, a long while back now, Toshiro explained to Ichigo that a captain would not be able to handle a Vasto Lorde. So there you could somewhat
And Soi Fon. I like how she reacts to Omeada’s cries. Indeed I wonder what she is up to. I doubt breaking a building would be much of a problem to people who stand in air most of the time anyway. But I’ll guess we’ll see what this scarf will do in junction with her Bankai. Hell, im more wondering on how it will look to begin with.
By ssj sousuke, May 31, 2009 @ 7:14 am
Good work here J-kush. I’ll comment more later -kinda short on time- but there is one interesting thing I like about what you said. That maybe none of them are Vasto Lorde. This would conflict with the idea that all above cuatro are because of the whole releasing under the dome rule. However, Yammy definitely resembles an adjuchas class, and if his release is truly stronger than the rest, then their Vasto-ship would be questionable.
Also I can see a scenario where Aizen is forced to retreat from this battle after all his Espada have been defeated or something, and in like the final panel he mentions something about how none of them were Vastos. Then everyone is shocked and the dramatic/scary music sounds off.
But if I had to put my money on two, I’d say Stark and Ully were Vastos… oh and Wonderweiss
By Byakushi, May 31, 2009 @ 8:02 am
Ah, SSj, we think exactly alike on this matter. I suspect that only Stark and maybe Ulqui-chan out of the Espada are Vasto Lorde. I’ve also always considered the possibility that Wonderweiss and Lilinette are like Yammi and increase their power vastly after heir release. There are also a few arrancar that still haven’t been officially introduced, but which have been shown in a few panels over a hundred chapters ago.
There’s also the theories that only fallen shinigami like the Vizards or humans like Ichigo and Chad ca be Vasto Lorde.
By Optimus1, May 31, 2009 @ 2:28 pm
Ive been reading the comments of Byakushi, ssj sousuke and Pretend3r. Ive been thinking the same thing about the Espada not being Vasto Lorde, but I also think that they are. I actually have a few theories. 1, i think that the Espada are VL from looking at there release forms. When Grimmjow came to the real world with Shawlong, Edrad, Nakeem, Yylfordt Granz, and Di Roy Linker, they all had taken the forms of humans. But once they released there Zanpakutō they all took the forms of there true hollow selves which were further away from looking like normal humans. But, when Grimmjow released Pantera, notice that his form was cat like, but he retained the full characteristics of a human. Now, when Tōshirō gave his rundown of the 3 menos classes in ep 115, he simply put that VL numbers were fewer, and they have become the same size as humans. I think the VL, ADjuchas and Gillian are defined by there released hollow forms. Remmeber, Arrancar Zanpakutō’s are there true hollow powers sealed away in the form of a sword. Thats why when looking at a few Espada that have released there swords, i think they are VL. Such as Grimmjow, Harribel, Ulquiorra, and even Nnoitra, Zommari, Szayel Aporro. In there released forms, they retain more human characteristics while when other Arrancar, such as the 3 that came to the real world thinking that they had taken the Hōgyoku, release there Zanpakutō and they become more hollow like.
I have a some other reasonings to they the Espada are infact VL, but i would like to hear what other ppl think of my theory.
By ssj sousuke, June 1, 2009 @ 4:59 pm
Ok, bout the chapter, it was pretty good; revealed some key information. Toshiro’s move was pretty sweet, but still, it seems like Hallibel (I refuse to call her Harry-bell) went down a little too easy right?
A scenario I can see happening, but probably won’t, is if the theory that all Espada above Ulquiorra also have a second release, first soi fon seems to romp Barragan with her Bankai, then when both him and Hallibel are almost goners, they release again. Idk about what stark is doing, his fight is at a totally different pace. (once again, I really don’t see this scenario happening, but if it did, i wouldn’t complain.)
About your theory Optimus – It seems like it would make sense, but allow me to make some counter statements. Yes it is true that most of the Espada seem human like in their released forms, but there are other reasons for it besides for all of them being Vasto Lordes. First off, when a Hollow becomes an Arrancar, the process is called Shinigamification. Its main side effect is to make a hollow more human/shinigami like. Now when they release, it is true they bring back remnants of their former self, but not the full thing. Usually just powers and characteristics. Like Grimmjow bringing back cat-like features, but not turning completely back into a feline. Also the stronger an Arrancar’s spiritual power, the more human like they will become. Just because they aren’t all VL’s, doesn’t mean all the Espada don’t have tremendous spirit power.
Plus Aizen told Gin a ways back that they need to find more VLs to complete their Espada full of them, meaning it isn’t currently full of VL’s.
By Optimus1, June 1, 2009 @ 6:15 pm
I hear ya ssj sousuke, i guess the only thing we casn really do is jusst wait to see how things play out. But, i like you idea about the Espada above UL having a 2nd release. It would be a good scenario because, lets just say that Tōshirō’s and Soi Fon’s new breakthrough ability and Bankai do just enough to maybe not kill them but at least put Hallibel and that old fart (Barragan of course) out of the fight, then there wouldnt be much of a point for all 8 Vizards to show up. I know that Shinji is going to want a piece of Aizen for sure, same as with Kensei wanting to fight with Tousen seeing how he betrayed him to Aizen. But if only Stark is left, i doubt that Shunsui will be completely outmatched. So there has got to be a reason for all the Vizards coming to fight. And lets not forget about Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi. I feel they have a part to play in the battle with Aizen as well.
By mart1, June 1, 2009 @ 6:20 pm
I like the idea of a hollow Bankai, it would mean that Haillibel could come back from her icy death as a giant tidal wave monster.
What would Barragan evolve into though? he’s already near impossible to beat except by shear power…
By Byakushi, June 2, 2009 @ 11:34 am
I definitely don’t think Barragan and Hallibel have 2nd release forms. I think you all just have to accept that Hallibel is dead for good. And by the looks of Soi Fon’s bankai (just saw the spoilers), Barragan is petty doomed, as well.
Maybe only Stark or Yammi have 2nd forms. And perhaps the Vizards.
By Pretend3r, June 2, 2009 @ 1:21 pm
Yammi a second form? How much bigger will he get then.:D He already is f’ing huge and his body he is very long.
I dont expect those two to have a second stage release. I dont think Yammi has enough restraint to keep it hidden in the first place. And Stark. Who the hell knows what he is up to. Sometimes i wonder if he’ll actually bother to release in the first place or just keep ‘goofing’ around.
I think the Vaizard have the ‘normal’ releases. You know Shikai and Bankai. If you add up the added power of the hollow mask i think they could match, and i think they could be equal or stronger than Ichigo. Shinji was dominating Grimmjow before without his sword released.(now Grimmjow was missing an arm, but still.)
By Pretend3r, June 3, 2009 @ 3:06 pm
Something been nagging me a bit thou. If these (unmasked) captain can take care of the Espada. Then Ichigo wouldnt be half as strong as I thought he would be. And if the Vaizard would wish to attack SS. SS would have the underhand.