So showing that the Stern Ritter aren't to be messed with, Kubo did something that at one time fans would have said was impossible - killing one of the main characters in the series. I have been a Byakuya fan for years and so am of course gutted he's been killed off, but it shows Kubo isn't afraid to take risks or to upset the fans anymore.
This is what a REAL war is. Not like the one Kishimoto is writing where nobody dies, and not even like the last war Kubo wrote with Aizen and the Espada, this is the real deal and has been nothing short of amazing.
Seriously, if you dropped Bleach because of the Aizen arc, or even more recently with the Fullbring arc, I strongly urge you to pick the series back up. Needless to say this chapter was fantastic, and yet again Kubo has outdone himself, but also the arc itself could well be the best stuff Kubo has ever done.
The first arc was brilliant, and I personally loved Turn Back the Pendulum as well, but at this rate neither of them will stand up to this current arc. It's as if Tite Kubo listened to all the complaints from the fans, and then changed and fixed all the things he was previously criticised for.
But yeah, Byakuya not only died, but did so because of As Nodt using Senbonzakura's power against its' owner. That's bloody cruel and such a bad way to go out, not to mention it looks like Rukia and Renji have both been badly injured because they were angry / concerned for Byakuya.
I am actually really worried about who might be next. At the moment it looks like a toss-up between Rukia, Renji and Urahara for who may die next, and needless to say I would be very sad to see any of them go, particularly Urahara or Rukia who are two of my favourite characters in the series.
Oh, and of course I can't talk about this chapter without mentioning the sheer badassery from Kenpachi.
Every time you think he can't be any more of a badass, he comes along and does something that makes you think again! The way he just showed up with a couple of dead Stern Ritter slung over his shoulder/on his blade and asked if the other guy(s) in front of him were in charge, it was just such an incredibly awesome and badass moment, and in all honesty I see Kenpachi being the best hope Soul Society has after Ichigo.
This chapter was very emotional, and I don't blame Renji in the slightest for flipping out over what happened to Byakuya. As Nodt is just plain scary, and it's going to take a heck of a lot to defeat him that's for sure. I am hoping for some craziness from Kenpachi (and Ichigo when he escapes), and also I am curious to see what Shinji does whenever we eventually get to see him.
I honestly can't fault this chapter or this arc at all. If you haven't read it yet, go do so now, Kubo has made sure that Wednesdays are quickly becoming the most exciting day of the week with all the fantastic chapters he is producing.
I think i am going to bookmark you on my chrome :) Hope u keep it up !
ReplyDeleteWe are at 506. Where are the reviews? :-(
ReplyDeleteSite admin here (obviously under a different account as I cba to sign in again), and I'll C+P the answer I have to someone else a while back when they asked a similar question:
ReplyDelete"Hi there, thanks for the comment.
I just decided to give up on reviewing to be honest.
Including my old site, I have been doing them for about 8/9 months now. The thing is, the view count remains very low, and it's extremely rare I get so much as a comment.
I have less time than before, but ultimately the reason I am giving it up is because there just seems to be such a lack of interest (at least shown), and I don't have the motivation to put out reviews on a regular basis for something where I am seeing no kind of results, thanks, or even encouragement."
Hope that helps!
It does :-(
ReplyDeleteThey were wonderful reviews though, but I understand.
reading a follow up to this post would be fun ....
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDelete