Hi guys, welcome to the weekly review of Bleach. I haven’t been active for a while now, I’m sorry for that, but I managed to squeeze some time for the reviews, cuz even if there’s an earthquake or any disaster I wouldn’t miss the chance to post my reviews. That been said, let’s focus a bit on what happened this week.
The never exhausted Kon-sama presents us the results of a poll, which began last summer and had as topic the fights in bleach so far.
As the panel suggests I will concentrate on the top four contestants. We got 2 fights for 3rd place and those are Ichigo vs. Grimmjow and Ichigo vs. Renji. 2nd place is the fight between Ichigo and Ulquiorra, and the Grand Winner is the spectacular Ichigo vs. Byakuya. When U think about it, there were lots of events in bleach, with many fine twists and fights. The best arc so far IMO, the SS arc presented us many great fights and set up the course of the manga since then. No wonder Ichigo’s fights in that arc are still in the top. The story back then was great and presented us a spectacular world.
Things got complicated as Ichigo needed new enemies, thus fights with stronger opponents. So there U go Ichigo vs. Espada fights are in the top, as well.
But things changed radically, cuz Ichigo came back to Karakura to fight Aizen, and last week’s chapter made us to believe even for a short moment that his help won’t even be needed.
Last weeks Blazing Glaciers are broken as the title suggests, what why are they broken?
I presented a few scenario’s last week concerning this chapter. Aizen will take the blow and show his “real power”, or that stab it was an illusion.
As the chapter begins Ichigo’s face looks a bit troubled, pointing us toward the fact that the illusion version is very probable.
We get a great panoramic view from Kubo. 3 captains and one ex captain are standing near Aizen watching him being defeated.
The panel is great IMO, the “glacier” which trapped Aizen was the motive of his apparent defeat, but I dare to say that Hitsugaya’s contribution was only the finishing blow, the others were in fact the ones who played the essential role.
Among Gotei the tense atmosphere begins to change as they realize that the captains defeated Aizen at last. First the lieutenants are shown as they are beginning to cheer for their captains. Shinji begins to taunt Ichimaru a bit, with a look that screams: “U don’t have one chance to survive this”.
Aizen has a troubled look on his face and curses the people who got him. It’s a merry situation, but something feels a bit odd as HInamori stands up and with a lifeless look she begins to walk away from her fellow lieutenants. As expected Aizen’s apparent death is not overlooked by Hinamori who joined Gotei for Aizen’s sake in the first place. Kubo does a great thing here. He slightly lowers the happiness of the situation by showing Hinamori, so he prepares us for what’s coming next:
This is when everybody snaps out from their little dream that they had of Aizen’s defeat, dream created by Aizen himself. The Hinamori who stood up was in fact Aizen so he cuts down all the lieutentants. Personally I don’t really know why he even bothered to do this, but we know that he likes to play mind games, and we also know that the lieutenants are precious for their particular captains. Probably this is the reason, but there’s no difference, because Aizen himself stated that the military power of Gotei lies in its captains.
Back to present time where Hinamoris image turned out to be Aizen. But where is Hinamori?
She is standing there pierced by her childhood friend. Very dramatic change in the course of this battle. The dramatic part is not shown only by Hinamori’s and Hitsugaya’s face and the situation at hand, but the facial expressions of the other captains are showing us that they lost hope in one instant.
As we thought it was all an illusion. The obvious question which follows this not so surprising discovery is when was the illusion cast. The exact question is posed by Shinji who faces Aizen apparently charging at him, though the panel isn’t that clear. After last week many who thought the stab was an illusion, believed that when Aizen noticed that Shinji is taking part in the combo attack, he immediately cast the illusion. As Aizen clears his powers again for Shinji, the latter isn’t satisfied with the answer. It’s been said that Kyouka Suigetsu’s illusion can be cast anytime Aizen wants to, so there’s no surprise but the real question is when did exactly happen?
I see. If U follow the panels on the same page as the panel I provided, U’ll notice the moment when Hitsugaya attacked and saying that he commends Aizen for not using Kyouka Suigetsu.
Aizen took that phrase to his advantage, released Kyouka Suigetsu and made it like the battle itself is going on. That was required for Ichigo’s eyes as well. If Aizen acted as he is taking part in the battle without Kyouka Suigetsu, than he needed Ichigo to believe that as well. So we can look at it, that the fight was real. It was real for Ichigo and for the readers, even if for Aizen’s opponents it was illusion. Aizen used the correct moment and placed Hinamori in the way of Hitsugaya’s sword, hence the current reaction of Ichigo who is able to notice what the others cannot.
The image of the stabbed Aizen was used to drop the guard of the lieutenants and to defeat them. The image of the defeated lieutenants and mad Hitsugaya charging for Aizen made the captains lower their guard.
Notice the frightened faces in comparison with the calmness of Aizen, calmness which reminds me of the phrase calm as a grave. The use of the word grave is not a coincidence. The dramatic feeling of the situation, the hopelessness, the fact that after a so well thought plan everything crumbled, and not just that it was crumbled before it began, reassures us that Aizen is superior. I can say that he’s not that of a godly figure. It was shown that he can be defeated without Kyouka Suigetsu, but his tactics, he strength and speed put together with Kyouka Suigetsu’s ability puts him above any other shinigami. He uses a good verb when he questions Shinji. “When did U hallucinate?”. The captains didn’t even think of the possibility if Aizen using Kyouka Suigetsu. They believed in Aizen’s arrogance, which turned out to be their stupid and as expected, fatal mistake.
Quick summary/OpinionsGreat chapter, though the demise of Aizen couldn’t be believed that easily so Aizen defeating his opponents was somewhat expected. But Aizen’s tactical prowess was shown is a great manner in this chapter, and I’m somehow disappointed in he captains. But the art was great. The terrified face of Kyouraku, the madness of Hitsugaya, Hinamori’s stabbing touched a sensitive chord in my heart so I will give this chapter a 9/10. The chapter in it’s entirety wasn’t that great. Surprising elements were few, or rather the predictable parts of the chapter were wrapped in a surprise coat. Illusion, illusion, but who would’ve thought Aizen will trick Ichigo as well? That’s Aizen’s real power. He can assess the situation in which he is in, and he doesn’t seem to miss one detail. His plans so far were perfect, wonder where will Kubo lead the story.
Predictions/Want to happenAs I thought there’s another chapter without Gin or Kensei. Aizen’s current victory doesn’t really allow them to be shown in a short while, but this has a good side to it as well. The only fighters that left are Ichigo, Unohana, Ukitake if healed and za big boss, Yama. So we should be seeing some great entertainment from Aizen’s behalf next week as well. I don’t expect Shinji and Kyouraku to fall completely from one blow. They are senior captains, they should be able to give some more. I doubt bankai will be shown, but if it will be then it’s okay. My long awaited twist should come very soon, because I don’t think Kubo will allow the slaughtering of innocent civilians, and even if Aizen defeats Yama and co. there are other people, like Isshin who is most likely immune to Kyouka Suigetsu, and hopefully on par with Aizen.
These are long term predictions though, so regarding the next chapter…I have no idea. I’m thinking that Kyouraku and Shinji will make a last stand, so that Yama and Unohana could take part of the action. Ichigo seeing this won’t stand still, he might attack Aizen as well. I think Aizen will continue with his mind game, so some intelligent talk is to be expected.
I forgot to thank Mangastream for the great chapter, so there U go. Let’s mention them in our prayers as well. Great work as always. I hope U guys enjoyed the review, but I know the chapter is very good, so at least enjoy that, especially because there will be no chapter next week.
I thank U for UR patience. Mata ne!
