Bleach Chapter 461 – Come Around Our Turn

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Hey folks, ssj’s laptop is suffering from technical problems, so I will be doing this short summary to get discussions going. A fitting title for this chapter. Ichigo pulls of one humongous Getsuga Tensho, one that Ginjo has no way of dodging. Man, I just loved Kubo’s art during those 3-4 pages, especially this one:


In the immediate aftermath, Toshiro tells Ichigo that the reiatsu transferred to him from the special sword Urahara gave to Rukia was infused with that of all the Captains of the 13 Divisions, and that the Commander Yamamoto gave the order to go against Shinigami laws this one time for Ichigo. Ichigo must feel pretty awesome right now after having his life being dragged through the mud these last few chapters.

But of course, Ginjo can’t be downed that easily. As the smoke clears, a transformed Ginjo appears with armor similar to that of Ichigo’s when he mastered his fullbring. Ginjo is revealed to be the first substitute shinigami assigned to Earth, but went AWOL sometime before Ichigo received his powers, it’ll be interesting to hear the full story. Undoubtedly, Ginjo is relying on the shinigami powers he claims to have taken from Ichigo, but let’s see if he’s even half the beast Ichigo is right now.

Other things:
- It’s so nice to see the Soul Society shinigamis return. I’ve missed seeing Rukia around, and her new look is very cute.
- It looks like Urahara returned to Soul Society to plead with the Commander to assist Ichigo. Shame on anybody who doubted his motives in the past, this is like the millionth time he’s come through to save Ichigo and his friends. I also hope this is the beginning of a re-newed cooperation between Urahara and Gotei 13.
- What’s Tschishima been doing this whole time, I still see him as a wild card in this fight, he’s still in control of Ichigo’s friends and the other members of Xcution.
- I wonder what would happen to the members of Xcution after all this is over. It seems to me they’ve been misled by Ginjo this whole time, but how will Soul Society judge them especially with their strict sanctions against non-shinigami beings possessing spiritual-esque powers?
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Bleach Chapter 460 – Deathberry Returns 2

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“Death and Strawberry” was the name of the first chapter of Bleach. It was when Ichigo first gained his shinigami powers. Last week’s “Death and Strawberry 2″ was when Ichigo regained those shinigami powers. “Deathberry Returns” was chapter 151, when Ichigo’s determination finally returned after Byakuya beat his ass, and he unleashed hell on Soul Society. In this week’s “Deathberry Returns 2″ Ichigo’s determination finally returns after Tsukishima and Ginjou shattered his psyche, and he’s abou to unleash hell on their ass.

The Death and Strawberry 2:

I missed the review last chapter, so allow me to address some major developments we’ve seen in the last two chapters. The gist of last chapter is this: we confirm that Ginjou has been in cahoots with Tsukishima from the beginning, he just had Tsukishima cut him to gain Ichigo’s trust, Rukia stabs Ichigo with a reiatsu composed blade to return his powers, and the earth trembles before Ichigo’s new shinigami-self.

A couple of other things I’d like to address:

• Where does the rest of Xcution fall in Ginjou and Tsukishima’s whole scheme? Were they also double stabbed? They saw saw Tsukishima as an enemy (or they claimed to) when he first attacked, but have treated him as an ally since then.
• Rukia is now the Lieutenant of Squad 13, presumably under her favorite captain, Ukitake. To me this is the best fit, since a.) they haven’t had a real Lieutenant since Kiba, and b.) her strength was deserving of that position. My only question now is, has she reached bankai?
• Ichigo’s shinigami uniform is different, as is Zangetsu. Obviously this is his shikai form, so my conclusion is this: initially I thought the new look to his shikai was just the result of his training in the Dangai Precipice World before his fight with Aizen (since his bankai’s appearance changed as well, and we never did see his shikai since then). But when I looked at it closer i realized the shape of his sword is a lot like the sword he carried in his fully evolved fullbring. So most likely, the appearance is a mix between the two – very frightening.
• If this is true, this means his bankai will change too!

Deathberry Returns 2:

This chapter was outstanding. It has humor, it has familiar faces, and best of all, it has violence. It was nice to see Rukia whipping Ichigo back into shape like the old times. I feel as though she has been a driving source of reassurance for him, and is just the person he needed to see to whip his psyche back into shape. I also found it interesting that she said Urahara told her of Tsukishima’s ability. Is there anything this guy doesn’t know? Or is there some sort of history between Ginjou/Tsukishima and Urahara/Isshin?

Major points from this chapter:

• Renji looks badass with the tats and the headband – I hope it’s a permanent look.
• Byakuya isn’t wearing the scarf anymore – symbolism that he isn’t as conceited anymore.
• Ikkaku looks more muscular.
• Kenpachi is sporting a new hairdo – bye bye bells.
• Toshiro looks battle-worn – I think it’s safe to say he’s been doing some serious training.

•  All in all I’d say the gang looks pretty good. The only thing I’m a little surprised about is, it seems like neither Renji nor Ikkaku have become captains. They seemed like the best candidates to fill the vacant spots, being that they were the only others capable of bankai, and they had superior battle experience. I’m pretty sure the seats have been filled over the time-skip, the only question now is, by who?
• Since even Byakuya put his reiatsu in for Ichigo, they are doing it legally this time around. Also, they unlocked his shinigami powers, but they didn’t have to sacrifice their own powers in the process (like Rukia had to last time).
• According to Rukia, the power Ginjou robbed Ichigo of was only a tiny fraction of his full power, that had fused with his fullbring. That’s why his fullbring had shinigami-like abilities, like that half assed Getsuga Tenshou he used. His true power is created deep inside him – something that Ginjou could never take.
•  When Rukia gave Ichigo that speech about despair, I just know the only thing going through Ichigo’s mind was Ulquiorra.
• Just the pressure from Ichigo swinging his sword (in shikai) was more powerful than his Getsuga Tenshou when he had a fully evolved fullbring. This is much like how the pressure from his sword swings against Aizen was enough to destroy mountains.
• I don’t know if you guys remember, but ever since Ichigo finished his training in the Dangai Precipice World, we never saw a regular Getsuga Tenshou fired from him as a shinigami. Ginjou better move fast, because there is no way he’ll be able to block this.

Bleach Chapter 458 – End of All Bonds

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Oh. Dear. God. I knew things couldn’t be so simple, but I didn’t expect it like this…

Thank you Tite, you’ve restored my faith in you. I’m literally teeming with anticipation for next week’s chapter. I suppose having your main character impaled through the chest should be a bad thing, but I couldn’t be happier. We all know things can only get more interesting from here.

So where do I begin with all that happened within fifteen seconds of action? Something I could relate to in this chapter was seeing Ichigo’s frantic stream of thought, trying to figure out who was his ally. Much like we the fans try to calculate every possible scenario before assuming things, Ichigo was extremely reluctant to just assume Ishida was a friend. But it wasn’t Ishida Ichigo should have been worrying about…

After Ginjou’s betrayal, he and and Tsukishima cut Ichigo and Ishida down. I guess being cut by Tsukishima’s ability twice reverses the hypnotic effects. This is the real Kugo Ginjou. Much like after Aizen’s betrayal, Ginjou’s hair and facial expressions slightly change to  make him slightly more sinister looking – a nice touch by Tite.

If you think about it though, “Ginjou” actually was a good guy all this time. He was genuine in wanting to help Ichigo in the same way that Orihime and Chad genuinely want to help Tsukishima right now. But that Ginjou is gone. Before he attacked Ichigo he pulled something out of his pocket – a substitute shinigami badge. What does this have to do with Ginjou’s goals, and what does it have to do with Ichigo?

I’m not going to assume anything, since I’ve just been schooled as to why not to, but here is my theory. Tsukishima was with Xcution until very recently. For some reason, they have their sights set on Ichigo. Tsukishima and Ginjou attacked ishida, and then shortly after that, when Ginjou realized he would have a hard time gaining Ichigo’s trust, he had Tsukishima stab him and the rest of Xcution to see him as an enemy. This gave Ichigo and Ginjou a common “enemy,” and allowed for him to progressed Ichigo’s fullbring like they wanted. Once Tsukishima acknowledged Ichigo’s fullbring as complete, and ready for whatever plan they have, he would bring everyone together, like he has, and turn Ginjou back. Now… the real story begins.

So all of Ichigo’s friends have turned against him, Ishida was just slashed down, and his dear Ginjou just skewered him through the chest. What happens next? Either Isshin and Urahara finally show up, or we release the beast…

Bleach Chapter 457 – End of Bond 3

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This week the lackluster battle continues in “End of Bond 3.” I’m curious, who’s bond is ending? Ichigo’s with all of his friends, Ichigo’s with Ginjou (because of, well, what happens in this chapter), or is it the end of another bond altogether? I will say that the end of this chapter made me a little sad, so props to Tite for achieving this, but we’ll get to that later.

Ginjou desperately seeks to help Ichigo against Tsukishima, but is bombarded with all the experienced combatants of Xcution at once, as well as Tsukishima’s little lackie, Moe. It was interesting to see how each of them uses their powers in battle, as I originally thought that none of them aside from Ginjou and Jackie really had combat-based fullbrings. Jackie obviously attacks him with the enhanced physical abilities of “Dirty Boots.” Riruka is converting her “Dollhouse” ability through the gun originally designed by Tsukishima. My assumption is that it allows her to forcefully emit her “pass” to her dollhouse at her enemies, and then freely place them in her little world. Giriko was attempting to set some sort of timer on Ginjou-probably one with a restrictive rule set upon it, by shooting little numbers(times) at him.

Moe’s ability is a little more abstract than the others. My best understanding of his fullbring is as follows. He punches people with his “Jackpot Knuckles.” These knuckles act like a slot machine (usually falling in Moe’s favor), and if what he punches hits a “jackpot,” then something will happen to that object in Moe’s favor. For example, the chandelier from the last chapter detached itself from the ceiling and fell because Moe wanted it to hit Ginjou. Ginjou’s sword broke, but probably because it’s also a fullbring, containing tremendous power, only a small piece of the guard came off.

Ichigo’s battle with Tsukishima is progressing slowly. It appears that Ichigo is actually Tsukishima’s superior when it comes to strength, speed, and raw power, but is so overwhelmed with rage that his mind is clouded, and his veteran battle tactics are nowhere to be seen. I must say, I was pretty surprised to see Ichigo fire off a Getsuga Tenshou at Tsukishima. According to Tsukishima, Ichigo has succeeded in melding his shinigami and fullbring powers. But if that were actually true, I feel like Ichigo would be even stronger than he is now. I mean he is strong now, but he isn’t what he was when he fought Aizen. He is still missing something, and I think Tsukishima would shiver in despair if he saw how strong Ichigo once was.

As soon as Tsukishima has confirmed to himself that Ichigo has reached the pinnacle of his power, he decides to “finish it up.” I assume this is where he planned on working his magic on Ichigo, to make it easier for him to do whatever he wants to do next. Unfortunately for him, Ginjou is a badass and took the hypnotic blade himself. This speaks volumes for Ginjou, and eliminates almost any doubt in my mind as to his allegiance to Ichigo. But it also means he’ll now be under Tsukishima’s spell too, eliminating Ichigo’s only present ally.

The last panel of the chapter shows Ishida, on his way to somewhere in a hurry. Two questions:

1. Is he coming to this battle?
2. Is he free from Tsukishima’s bullshit?