Chapter 390 – Beyond the Death Understanding
Aizen lives up to all our expectations once again in this chapter, easily bettering multiple Captain-level opponents at once. The chapter begins where the last one left off, with Hitsugaya going bankai yet again. It has really lost its impact like Ichigo’s, since they use them so much it is more like their default battle plan now :/ . Remember how cool they were the first times we saw them? and now everyone just expects it. Ichigo always has some new hollow power as an ace in the hole, but Hitsugaya is just losing his luster the more he fights. I hope that changes soon. But I digress, in response to his previous statement, Hitsugaya acknowledges how he no longer sees himself fit be be a captain, seeing as how he too carries hatred within his sword. Supposedly in order to be a captain one must only swing their blade out of a sense of duty, not hatred. But according to Aizen, somebody fighting him without hatred is powerless. Therefore a true Captain can not defeat him, leaving just one candidate – Ichigo.
Yes, I know this is from the last chapter.
After Hitsu’s charge on Aizen fails, Aizen is targeted by perhaps two of the largest zanpakutos we have seen yet: Tenken and Tengumaru. It was actually a pretty cool tag team, but of course something like that won’t work on Aizen. He rips through Komamura’s Tenken like a twig, just before slicing off his left hand, and finally delivering a near fatal wound to the mid-section. I think it is safe to say Komamura is finally out of commission for this battle. How many people have lost arms now? Soifon, Hachi, Komamura, and even Ishida. But I’m sure Unohana is skilled enough to reattach limbs.
pwned
Again, Love and Rose try to surprise attack Aizen. You’d think they’d get it now that simple physical attacks won’t work. They know what he is capable of, why wouldn’t a few of them go bankai? Most of the remaining fighters are capable of it, what are they waiting for? And what the hell Vaizards, use your fricken masks, you’ve been training a hundred years to master them, now is the time to use that advantage. Anyhow, Aizen easily catches Rose’s whip-like zanpakuto, and appears to pull him in. This is followed by a panel of blood flying through the air, so it is assumed that Aizen slashed (but probably didn’t kill) Rose that easily.
Gin’s whereabouts are finally revealed, as he has just been standing atop of a damaged building this whole time. I wonder what the purpose of having him removed from the battle will serve. Don’t get me wrong, I love that Tite is finally straying away from the cliche’ hierarchy of battle formula where you have to fight the strongest bad guy last, but where will Gin come in? Gin seems to have no lack in confidence in his seemingly invincible leader, while he provides some insight throughout the chapter as to why Aizen is so fearsome, and respected by his Arrancar. Kyoka Suigetsu is a fearsome ability, and no doubt it has been the main concern of the Gotei, but it is only one small ingredient to Aizen’s can of whoop-ass.
Führer Aizen
I think Tite is using a combination of the badass that Aizen really is, and downplaying everyone else’s abilities to try and live up to the hype he created for Aizen. In the current situation, things could be happening that would clearly give Aizen more trouble, like all the Vaizard actually using their masks, or all the captain-level opponents using their bankais, or Yamamoto could fight. Even if Aizen would still come out victorious, he would at least have some trouble, hell even Shinji’s shikai managed to wound the “God.” But I’ll let Tite have his moment with Aizen, because all good things will eventually come to an end.
-ssj
January 31, 2010 1:10 pm 7 Comments
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By Silver_Uchiha, January 31, 2010 @ 3:41 pm
It has been a relieve too see Hitsu lose his temper. Hope they made it funny in the anime.
I think Kubo can bring the downfall of Aizen either at Ichigo’s hands, or Hitsu’s or any who stop acting like Captain do.
GIN – Still think he is not bad cause the way he was to Matsumoto. At least i hope he get out alive
and Yamamoto suck – What kinda of good leader can watch pp bled and do nothing
By Bob Ichimaru, January 31, 2010 @ 9:05 pm
We knew Aizen was really powerful and all, but isn’t this a little much? It’s like all the captains combined won’t even make up 1% of Aizen’s power. If he’s this strong, then why did he even bother with gathering the espada and waiting so long?
I agree there, S_U, what the heck is Yamamoto doing? HE could have single-handedly beat up all Aizen’s Espada but let his men get maimed and slaughtered instead. I thought maybe he was just saving his energy to face Aizen, but he’s going to let the captains and vizards take the brunt of the attack here too. Aizen may be cold hearted for not giving a damn about any of his allies, but I could say the same about Yamamoto.
By Coach K, February 1, 2010 @ 11:00 am
I think Gin’s commentary is interersting. It’s clear he doesn’t worship Aizen like all of his other subordinates did. I’m wondering if he sees himself as an equal or if that is just his form of respect. Regardless I think he has something up his sleeve.
By Pretend3r, February 1, 2010 @ 1:44 pm
@SU: Indeed. Yamamoto only briefly fought the three Fraccion of #3. It seems so far he is just here to protect the wounded as Unohana can now take care of them.
Gin seems to be of a stranger in this battle. Whereas Tousen eagerly jumped into things, Gin rather just observes. Thou we have seeing him act like that before. He’d rather talk than fight… so far anyway..
Aizen strength seem to be beyond reasonable assuming Gin is accurate. It’s really hard to ‘guess’ what Aizen is actually doing atm with his sword. I suppose Ichigo would be able to tell, but his resolve seems to shatter as soon as Aizen speaks.
By ssj, February 1, 2010 @ 2:21 pm
I agree, Yamamoto just standing their seems pathetic, but there could be a few reasons for doing this.
1.) Like Byakuya said to Ichigo, “There is not a Captain in Soul Society who needs your aid in battle.” As shinji said, and evident through Toshiro’s actions, this i everyone’s battle. They all want, no need this for themselves. Maybe Yamamoto letting them fight out of respect.
2.) Perhaps Yamamoto had his own prediction as to Aizen’s strength. Remember Yamamoto knows as much about battle as anyone. Maybe the only way he thinks he can win is if he lets them tire Aizen first. So even if his comrades get hurt, it is a necessary step for victory.
3.) “The Goku Syndrome.” Maybe Yamamoto’s time is limited, and he knows this. Soul Society will eventually have to learn to succeed without him, and he wants to see how they do first.
4.) He fell asleep.
By BSK17, February 1, 2010 @ 11:16 pm
lol ssj, #4 is very likely. u can’t tell the difference anyway.
aizen is way stronger than anyone ever expected. even a captain’s bankai isn’t enough to make him do anything other than slash. no kyoka suigetsu, no super powerful kidou, and no hougyoku-given powers.
this definitely isn’t the final battle. the difference is strength is enormous. and i really want to see aizen face the king of soul society.
i’m starting to like hitsugaya less and less. the special move he used on halibel only managed to chill her for 2 secs. his bankai his has really lost it’s battle significance.
By ssj, February 2, 2010 @ 2:10 pm
it is kinda sad that even if he is pushed far enough, we will probably only get to see either aizen’s bankai or ressureccion. same for gin. judging from tousen’s bout, the don’t see it fit to do both, or are unable to use both simultaneously.