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.

]]> http://www.bleachedichigo.com/2010/09/01/bleach-418-deicide-20/feed/ 41 http://www.bleachedichigo.com/2010/08/25/bleach-chapter-417-deicide-19/ http://www.bleachedichigo.com/2010/08/25/bleach-chapter-417-deicide-19/#comments Wed, 25 Aug 2010 23:36:41 +0000 ssj http://www.bleachedichigo.com/?p=5895 Read the Chapter

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.

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!

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.

Deicide Six-frickin-teen! I’m beginning to think that deicide won’t end until the actual deicide (killing of Aizen, or the Soul King) takes place. Anyways, this chapter more than makes up for the filler-type lack of progression last chapter. All suspicions are put to rest of the most interesting character of the series; Mr. Ichimaru.

It starts where the last one left off, with Gin interrupting Aizen from killing once again. The tension between the two has been building for quite a few chapters now. Ever since his little encounter with Ichigo, my suspicions of Gin have been on the high, but this chapter pretty much answers that question.

Gin tells Aizen that he killed Matsumoto. I doubt he did, considering Gin’s following actions, but I am curious how he made her reiatsu disappear. When Aizen is about to finally finish off Ichigo’s friends so he can begin creating the key, Gin insists that he will do it instead. On his “way” toward them, he pushes Aizen’s sword down nonchalantly. In an instant, he finally makes his move, and he pierces Aizen right through the heart from behind his enormous sleeves.

Apparently, the only way to escape Kyouka Suigetsu’s abilities is to be touching the blade itself before it is activated. It took Gin decades and decades of patiently waiting to learn that one piece of vital information. That makes you think just how long he has been planning this move. A scheme of this caliber is on par, if not better than Aizen himself. Even Gin’s wardrobe was planned out from the beginning, with the enormous sleeves to mask his move. This, to me, speaks miles for Gin overall. Aizen admits that he knew about Gin’s intentions, but led him along out of curiosity. Well curiosity killed the cat…

You see, not only does Gin’s bankai make his zanpakuto the fastest, and longest, but also the sneakiest. When extending and retracting, Gin’s blade becomes dust for the slightest moment, then rematerializes. This happens so fast, not even Aizen can catch it.  When he pierced Aizen’s heart, Gin left a small fragment of the blade within the heart. Conveniently, the interior of Gin’s blade secretes a poison capable of breaking down all cells in the body, ultimately killing them.

Gin has been called many things; a snake, a fox, a traitor, but I’m gonna go with a badass. For the first time in his new form, Aizen is experiencing something known as fear. I honestly believe that if Gin attempted this before Aizen’s ascension, this would have worked, but unfortunately I don’t think this is the end of Aizen yet. Which makes me wonder just what Ichigo will have to do to really kill him off.

The last thing I want to mention is Gin’s loyalty. Obviously he isn’t loyal to Aizen. However, the question still remains as to whether he is doing this all for himself, or if he is the Gotei’s greatest double agent ever. It would explain why he whisked Matsumoto away, told Ichigo to run for his life, interrupted Aizen from killing Ichigo’s friends, and even manipulated the hallways back in Hueco Mundo to keep Ichigo’s friends safe. But his speech about being like a snake at the beginning of the chapter makes me wonder if he really is just doing this because Aizen looked so “tasty.”

Oh well. Let’s dive into this weeks chapter. The chapter started of promising with Ishinn repeating his lines from last week and Ichigo still spitting blood. The next page shows all the other players moving around in the transferd Karakura town. Exept for one. We see a little more detail on Matsumoto. And her expression can be discribed as shocked as it looks empty. Has someone finally been properly killed in bleach. Seeing Bleach history. Probably not… I think we were all thinking that the inner battle would rage one. Well… no…. damn.

I'm on the phone woman!!

Tatsuki and Keigo finally meet up with Mizuro and Chizuru. Where you can immediately see that Mizuro is pretty calm but Chizuru is scared shit-less and she didn’t even got close to Aizen yet. As to why all of these people are awake… Probably for the same reason Orihime and Chad gotten their powers. Being close to Ichigo and co. But not too close as to awaken their own abilities (yet?). Mizuro has basically bunkerd down and has ’stolen’ food and whatnot pretty damn fast. The conversation between these kids drags on for a while it gives us a bit of comic relief, gladly Kanonji keeps his mouth pretty much shut… Chizuru being the person that wasn’t there in Urahara cave – Yeah, you know? back when ichigo departed for Hueco Mundo?- she obviously knows very little of what is going on. Not that the other 4 do, but at least they know what Ichigo is, what Chad and Ishida can do. Reality settles in as to how they should explain… They don’t get a chance however. Aizen’s presence brings down the pressure and will wreck lunch seconds later. Mizuro not having encountered Aizen before throws a bottle at him and in turns into ash. Probably to confirm what Keigo told him earlier. Aizen still acting almighty (since the whole Deicide started, and before) gets a taste of our good friend Mr. Science.

Afro-San Pwnage

Obviously… the explosion isn’t enough to even scratch the surface. Then Afro-San drops in… And even releases a shikai(never guessed he would have one). A pretty interesting one at that, well, apart from the name that is. His Zanpaktou manipulates rock and boxes in Aizen. He immediately wants to take off(so would I) but Aizen can ‘ofcourse’ also manipulate rock with the force…(what else). Just when Aizen wants crush him Gin comes in to save the day. Aizen is barely giving him a gaze, which makes me belief he’s slowly getting more and more annoyed by Gin’s presence. Almost like Aizen is trying to rid himself of his poorly working moral compass. Hell, I wonder how Gin will act from here on out. So after this chapter which wasn’t all that interesting, I wanna see what Gin will do, and if Aizen might get rid of Gin. So either way, the inner battle can wait for one more chapter for all I care.

Creepy stare contest

Any theories anybody?

http://www.onemanga.com/Bleach/412/06/

1. Tatsuki: Waaaay back Tatsuki was exposed to hollows (pre-soul society arc) but she has been acting like Karin and ignoring the spirits. We later see her get re-introduced to them when Yami came to town, but she still hasn’t really come to terms with them, however in this chapter she notes Rangiku as one of “Ichigo’s friends” and in her typical R.B.D. fashion is angry at Ichigo for not mentioning her. Will her powers finally awaken and if they did would they be any use? or will she just be cannon folder for Aizen’s rampage? I’m guessing she’ll awaken her power only to have Aizen own her like everyone else.

http://www.onemanga.com/Bleach/412/13/

2. This leads to my next point. Rangiku: Last chapter she arived to save the day, after which she promtly puts Don Konoji in his place. When she was yelling at him I couldn’t help but wonder if she was talking about what she would do or Aizen… Anyway, Aizen tells Gin that they’ve got time to kill, so Gin grabs Rangiku and takes her to a roof top, where she confronts him about her actions on the premise of Izuru’s honor, but Gin promtly sees through this and tells her she is in the way.

http://www.onemanga.com/Bleach/412/16/

3. Then it skips over to Asano: We see him holding a sword, to which my first reaction was to think that he finally awakened his powers meaning Tatsuki would soon folow. But, it turns out he just took “afro-man’s” sword. Again this had me fooled thinking that Kensei was afro-man until I remembered that almost folder character who took over protecting Kakura town in Rukia’s place. This is also a reference to the rapper Afro-Man. I think his sword will shatter when Asano uses it since he isn’t pumping Reiatsu into it, OR Aizen will stab Asano with it to raise the spiritual awareness levels of Kakura town.

http://www.onemanga.com/Bleach/412/18/

4. Finnaly we switch back to Rangiku: It seems like Gin has killed her, but this whole situation has made me think of the movie “Hero” about a man who learns how to fake assasinations by stabbing a person in the correct spot on their chest. He does this in order to get close to the Chinease Emporer to take revenge for his dead brother but in the end decides that killing the Emporer would only bring more instability and death, something his brother wouldn’t want, so he uses his same fake assasination technique on the emporer. The topper for this whole connection is that the name of his technique was also the “God Killing Spear” (lance) as it was meant for the Emporer or was treated like a god. Therefor following the metaphor, I think he is simply faking Rangiku’s death to get close to Aizen.

Enjoy and discuss.

But anyway, let’s concentrate on what’s important here – SPIRITS AAAAAAAAAAAAARE ALWAYS WITH YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And in Ichigo’s case that’s one spirit too many. The strawberry has finally discovered the truth (which we have known for 300 chapters) – that Zangetsu and Ichigo’s inner hollow are actually one and the same. Apart they look really cool, but mixed together they look even more awesome. Their hybrid form manages to take all of the best aspects of the originals. Or perhaps it’s more appropriate to say this is the original and Zangetsu and hollow were never really meant to exist as separates. The only weird thing is that it looks like a 13-year old Ichigo with long hair, so it actually looks more like a girl…

Now Ichigo needs to beat this new Zangetsu in order obtain new powers and regain his fighting spirit. As Zangetsu said, Ichigo is terrified by the very thought of how destructive his power can be. Until he embraces the idea of being the strongest character in his own manga, Ichigo is gonna have to get his ass kicked a lot. BUt wait, that’s already happended. Ever since he first met Aizen Ichigo has done nothing but lose, or barely win with the help of some miracle. Could this mean the bad streak is almost at an end?!

And finally – how does Matsumoto plan on stopping Gin and Aizen? I’m guessing she’s just here to talk to Gin, but even if she could convince him, there’s nothing in the world she could say that wouldn’t make Aizen kill her in a second. So obviously now we’re waiting for some confessions of love and then the appearance of a new character. Or has she decided not to strugle and just join Gin and Aizen in their quest for godliness?! The worst possible mistake she could make is to try to seduce Aizen. I think we all know he only has eyes for Ichigo.

The chapter begins with Tensa Zangetsu bashing Ichigo a little more. Clearly outmatched, the strawberry asks Tensa to explain himself. It seems that the appearance of his inner world is in direct correlation with Ichigo’s heart. Tensa knows that merely teaching Ichigo the final Getsuga Tensho isn’t going to steady his heart, and ready him to fight Aizen. If his inner world (which is what Tensa wants to protect) is going to be stable, and in turn a comfortable home for Tensa, then other measures need to be taken.

Tensa brutally tears through Ichigo’s chest (the same spot his hollow hole was) and pulls out Ichigo’s inner hollow. It’s about time if you ask me. Last time they met, Hollow-Ichigo told Ichigo that if he ever wanted to fully grasp his powers he would have to live to face him one more time. Well lets get it on bitches! His sudden appearance also brings a new form we have only seen once before; in the fight against Ulquiorra. It is similar, but not exactly the same. This form is surely what Ichigo will look like if he can master this final test. The mask he most recently donned was clearly an incomplete attempt to tap into this power. As illustrated by Kaname, if vaizards master their hollow powers even further, they can gain more than just a mask to their armor.

Hollow Ichigo vs. Ichigo

When Ichigo faces Aizen, he will have not only this new gear, but he will hopefully have also mastered the other entity lurking inside him – Zangetsu. I’m hoping it brings more than just a fancy new slash, but I’ll be happy with anything after seeing his new hollow form.

As for the rest of the chapter, it was just meh. There was some boring ass conversation between Ichigo’s friends, then they are finally confronted by Aizen and Gin. It appears, since they do hold some spiritual presence, they are able to at least survive in front of him. Gin is clear evidence that anybody of Captain level or above isn’t really phased by his rietsu directly.

Aizen reveals that he did have clear intentions when killing the janitor; knowing Isshin would find that opportunity to train Ichigo. I find it funny how he withheld this part of the plan from Gin though. It seems his deepest desire, along with creating the key (if that is his real plan) is to have Ichigo at maximum capacity before he “eats” him. I think it is safe to say that Aizen has some connection to hollows, and clearly Ichigo does too. There doesn’t seem to be too many ways for Aizen to become stronger than he is right now, other than doing what hollows do to ascend; eat other strong beings like themselves. So maybe that is Aizen’s secondary goal.

Whose god damn foot is this?

Anyways, just before Aizen kills Tatsuki to push Ichigo’s rage, someone appears behind her. This is quite a cliffhanger if you ask me. I have a couple theories as to who it could be though:

1.) The first and most boring one is that Keigo grew a pair and came back to sacrifice himself for her. I pray to God that isn’t it.

2.)It is somebody from fake Kurakara town. Like I said two chapters ago, there were a few possible shinigami who could have shown up in real Kurakara town – Matsumoto, Shunsui, Unohana, etc…

3.) It’s possible Isshin ran ahead, but I doubt it since he was supposed to hold off the current.

4.) It is Uryuu’s dad. He lives here too, and surely has enough spiritual pressure to be awake right now. I would be interested to see his power.

5.) It is Ichigo. It could be that Tite is narrating in a way to confuse us. Remember only an hour goes by in the real world while Ichigo is training. Where Aizen and Gin are, Ichigo could already have finished his training and be ready to confront them. Of course Tite would show the inner-world fight/training through a flashback before continuing to show us the final confrontation.

-I didn’t care to look back through the chapters to compare feet. I’ll let  you guys do that for me -

Anyways, Deicide sets a new record for most number of chapters, just in time for a “Black and White” and “Dark Side of the Universe!”

Read Chapter

The chapter starts off with an awesome coloured opening. A two headed bird arching over Ichigo and his closest friends surrounding it. The second coloured page shows Aizen smug smile again and a bit of a better look at his final(?) form as he steps into the transferred Karakura town. After that we see Ichigo leap into his Zanpaktou world. However this time its slightly different. It’s still an upside down world of building however the world is underwater. Understandably ichigo has trouble breathing. As he is struggling to swim to the surface something throws into a building.

This time, no old-man, no hollow, but a new form of Zangetsu shows himself in this inner world. After a few opening words he whips out Tensa Zangetsu and reveals his face.

The words in the frame above says an interesting thing. He indeed has never showed up here in bankai. Ichigo did however went Bankai in his fight while fighting his hollow. In the follow panels it’s confirmed that he is neither Zangetsu or the Hollow(zangetsu). I find it somewhat odd that a bankai would be a different entity(if you will) in comparison to his shikai. On the other hand, why else would a bankai have a different name. Is a bankai a temporary ‘evolution’ of old-man Zangetsu into Tensai Zangetsu? That doesn’t really add up seeing how Tensa Zangetsu seems to have a very different personality. I’d like to hear what you all think of this. I’m not sure what to think to make of it just yet.

After this Ishinn reveals, imho, the most intresting info in this chapter. There was some discussion about this in earlier chapters. Ishinn’s blade is called Engetsu, I’ll leave to someone to translate that name if it has a specific meaning. This means that zangetsu is a seperate zanpaktou in relation to Ishinn’s Engetsu. So Zangetsu might be simply the equivilant of a son to Engetsu. So Ishinn probably figured this out beforehand and would be the ideal choice to guide Ichigo to these final stages. I still thinks it’s somewhat obvious that the abilities of Engetsu and Zangetsu will be similar if not the same.

The chapter continues on with Ichigo trying to ask Tensa Zangetsu into learning him the Final Getsuga Tenshou. Tensa is having not of it thou. Apparently he doesn’t give a shit about what Ichigo wants to protect. So getting your Bankai to submit seems to be a total different chapter. It will be interesting to see how Ichigo will deal with him.

The chapter ends with Aizen’s deadly presence. The power he has obtained simply destroy the spiritually weak humans just by walking by. The only think I wonder a bit if that man was able to see Gin aswell. Gin is still a ‘normal’ shinigami and in theory should not be visible to normal humans. As for Aizen, will it obvious that he is something else to begin with. The end of the chapter shows that time in the ‘bridge-dimension’ couldn’t be slow enough. Tatsuki and Keigo will be in deeps shit very fast. My guess is that Aizen needs to travel to the absolute center of the town in order for him create the key. Why? It would just make sense that way.

I guess we’ll see if tite will continue events in Karakura and the Bridge world side-by-side in the next chapter. Oh yeah one more thing.. Remember this cover? You think that was already Tensa Zangetsu?

What does he want to protect?

Will Tatsuki notice Aizen?

Why are Ishinn’s hands suddenly free?

Will the remaining Hueco Mundo squad, barge right back to SS?

Will Byakushi make it to the shower in time?

This and more, next week on BleachedIchigo.com