Reel it back in, Ichi!: the Bleach Mega Catch-up (Bleach 441-446)

So it's been a while, yea? Well, instead of boring you with a bunch of small reviews, I'm going to consolidate the reviews that I would have done for each series into a mega review for each series. Therefore this is going to be chapters 441-446 of Bleach, but I will indicate a change in chapter with a link to the chapter itself.

So without further adieu, Ikuze!

[441] We open Ichigo paying a visit to Ikami, asking her to let him take off a couple more weeks from work, presumable to train. Ikumi, with Kauru listening in from the back room, begs for Ichigo to trust her with his secret, but instead, he thanks her and bolts.


Heading to Ginjo, he begs for two things: an explanation and training. Ginjo, happy to oblige him with both, starts with the explanation, telling Ichigo that Tsukishima, Xcution's former leader and a powerful Fullbringer, helped them formulate the plan to use a shinigami to cleanse Fullbringers of their powers, but suddenly killed the shinigami and went rogue. As proof of the events, Ginjo holds up a shinigami badge. He also explains that he is behind the attacks on his comrades and reveals that the second stage of his training is nearly prepped.

Wait, what did he do . . . oh, yeah now I remember. Sorry, it been a while. X'D

Leaving, Ichigo spies his father hanging out around a street light outside Xcution's lounge. Hiding behind a wall, Ichigo observes as Isshin meets with Urahara; Isshin suggests that they should move on, just in case, and they do. (speculative comment: Is it possible that Isshin helped Urahara look into the power of Fullbringers with using Ichigo as a subject? Could his special mix of human and shinigami blood triggered his ability to master both? This would also seem to suggest that Urahara purposefully imbued Ichigo with hollow/Visored abilities, wanting to see the limits of his greatest subject to date.)

Urahara, what have you done?

Ichigo is left to ponder this trusted duo's true intentions with Ginjo's words echoing in his head, but soon decides to focus on regaining his powers first. Coming back the next day to the lounge, Ichigo sees Rurika waiting with a fish tank on a table. After allowing him to enter, we see Jackie Tristan waiting in ankle-high water with dirt underneath, and before you know it, the fight is on!

Funny story, he also has boots made for walking.

[442] Jackie activates her Fullbring "Dirty Boots" and seems to disappear right before Ichigo's eyes. Barely managing to dodge her first advance, Ichigo quickly goes on the defensive, carefully dodging and weaving away from Jackie. This fight is absolutely fantastic, and it only gets better in 443, but we will get to that later. Meanwhile, Inoue finally calls Chad to talk about the recent events and her encounter with Tsukishima.

Now you see me, . . .

She reveals that for a moment, she felt as if she knew Tsukishima from some far distant past, even going so far as to call him a friend. Chad fears the worst in Tsukishima's ability, which he believes may allow him to plant memories or project false pasts into a targets mind. Tsukishima, on the other hand, is thinking about heading directly for his target.


[443] Ichigo and Jackie are still going at it. "Dirty Boots," as the name suggests, refers to the power bonus her Fullbring provides as her boots become more and more sullied. The imperfections came come in the form or blood, dirt, mod, crap, whatever. Obvious a fish tank with plenty of available mud does not bode well for Ichigo, as Jackie announces that she plans to get more aggressive in her attacks, in order for Ichigo to evolve his Fullbring attacks. Seeing him attacking blindly, Jackie picks apart Ichigo's technique move by move, avoiding all three of his attacks before launching a counter; the attacks, however, are a feign by Ichigo, who offers up a powerful counter of his own. Jackie, seeming to have some to an understanding about Ichigo's ability, speculates that he took the brunt of all of her hits so that he could counter with even more power.

[444] Meanwhile Chad arrives to talk to Ginjo about Tsukishima's abilities and reveals to him the what Inoue confided in him. Ginjo waves off Chad's concern, saying that he know the extent of Tsukishima's abilities and Fullbring abilities never evolve. An interesting concept, that Fullbrings have a set max, like a tiered tower; however I would be far from surprised if it turned out that Tsukishima had found a way to bend that rule.

Back in the tank, during a momentary lapse in the battle, Ichigo's badge goes haywire, and dozens of black tendrils begin consume the right side of his body. Fearing the worst, Jackie calls off the training but Ichigo begs her to reconsider, saying that he has always had it this hard. They go back at it, and outside the tank, Ginjo tells Chad to see what Ishida remembers about his attack, fearing that the one who attacked them both might not be Tsukishima; all of a sudden the man of the hour cuts through the door of the lounge.

Go Tsukishima!!! Use Cut!

While everyone stands around dumbfounded, Tsukishima Cuts the tank in two, releasing Ichigo and Jackie. When the dust settles, Ichigo stands before Tsukishima half-cloaked in a Shinigami outfit produced by his Fullbring with half a zanpakuto.


[445] Chad describes his Fullbring as a "clad-type," remarking that his bankai had a similar effect, while Jackie lies bleeding on the floor. Impressed by Ichigo's progress, Tsukishima attacks using Book of the End but is blocked easily by Ichigo. Chad, wanting to protect Ichigo, blasts a hole though a wall, ejecting Tsukishima out of the lounge. Ichigo follows Chad outside and overhears him and Ginjo talking about Inoue's attacker, exciting him into a vengeful rage.

A natural Ace at Fullbringing, Ichigo knocks Tsukishima into the air, then chasing after him by Fullbringing the concrete roof and the air. Tsukishima blocks the attack; Ichigo still unstable Fullbring fractures on his left arm, allowing Tsukishima to easily kick Ichigo back to earth. Diving at a defenseless Ichigo, Tsukishima seems to have won this fight, but like lightning, Ginjo intervenes.

[446] He knocks out Ichigo, then turns to Tsukishima. They duel for a bit before Ginjo releases a massive amount of energy around his blade and strikes at Tsukishima, who predicts his attack nicking Ginjo on the forehead with his countering blow. As building crumble about them, Ichigo jumps back into the fray. Tsukishima blocks his attack, but then he notices Ichigo's Fullbring going berserk again, starting to engulf his head in darkness (are we close to seeing a Fullbring version of his sadistic side?). Knocking him back, Tsukishima seems impressed by Ichigo's current power, which apparently has been dubbed "Invaders-Must-Die."

And we can't wait to see it!

Right then, several black panels fly out from behind Ichigo's head, and start connecting together in front of Tsukishima . . .

And now we're back on track, and I have to say I'm excited for upcoming future of Bleach. Most likely in the next 5 chapters, we will see some significant changes in both Ichigo's and (given the preview text seen at the end of 446) Inoue's powers, culminating the the first of many battles with Tsukishima and his disciples. My only question is, when will Soul Society get involved? Do they even know about what is going on, or are they purposefully choosing to ignore these developments? Stay tuned and we'll find out together!

Shot Through the Heart, and You're To Blame . . . (Bleach 440)

The chase is on as we begin Chapter 440 of Bleach, as Chad and Ichigo are now hot on the trail of Inoue, who is emitting peculiar reiatsu patterns. Ichigo is obviously very concerned, but his is still in a weakened state from the training he just completed. Chad cannot lock onto her precise location, but Ichigo notices that it seems to be coming from the direction of her apartment.

Meanwhile, at the Justice League, Inoue stands between Tsukishima and Shishigawara, vowing to not let the former leave with holding him accountable for injuring Ishida. Tsukishima scoffs at Inoue's assertion as she contemplates her battle strategy. As Tsukishima turns to leave, Inoue seizes the opportunity to activate Santen Kesshun, but is countered instantly by Tsukishima, appearing behind her.

Just then, Ichigo and Chad arrive to find a perplexed, yet unscathed Inoue standing alone by her apartment door. She claims to have just have experienced a stomach ache after her "friend" left. Bewildered by her own response, referring to Tsukishima as "friend," she tells Chad that she will text him later, so as to not get Ichigo involved (as Inoue is unaware of Ichigo's recent exploits), and plays along with the ruse.

Suspecting that there is much more to this that both Inoue and Chad are letting on, Ichigo returns to the Xcution headquarters, where Kuugo reveals to him the true source of the attacks on his friends: Xcution's former ally and fellow Fullbringer, Tsukishima.

After witnessing Inoue's response to Tsukishima's attack, you have to wonder if his Fullbring, Book of the End, has other special properties, such as some sort of mind-manipulating poison or something like that. Possibly poisoned works, or something of that line, to fit with the book theme. Only time will tell I guess. This chapter was quite solid, a good 9/10 with much to look forward to in the chapters to come.

. . . And the Bag is in the River . . . (Bleach 439)

Bleach 439 is live and a go! Looks like we are still dealing with the aftermath of Ichigo's training will finding out a bit more about the newly introduced antagonist, Shūkurō Tsukishima. If you have been keeping up with the manga lately then you know a bit about Tsukishima, in that he is the bastard responsible for the attack on Ishida!He also revealed himself to Inoue, who is now stuck between him and one of his cronies, Shishigawara.

Things start to get a bit more serious in 439, as Mr. Pork starts freaking out over the fact that he was kidnapped; really, he's being a big baby about it, yelling and screaming like a toddler who had his toy stolen from him my a magical puppeteer who locks people in dollhouses. Seriously, grow up dude. Riruka shuts him up quickly, gives him a phone so that she can use him whenever the occasion arises, then orders Ichigo to go home and rest. Kuugo seconds this opinion, adding that a couple more days of powerlessness couldn't hurt lil' Ichi. And then there was Inoue . . .

Kuugo gives Ichigo a steer warning against training to hard.

Oh, Inoue. How do you manage to stumble into some of the worst possible situations possible? Will you never learn? Bah . . .

Right when things start to get awkward, Tsukishima breaks the tension by scolding Shishigawara, ordering to take his proper punishment like a man. What's the sentence? Death. He closes his book, removes the bookmark and initiates his Fullbring, Book of the End, which makes his bookmark take the form of a katana. Inoue says she can't let the attack on Uryu go unavenged, and we cut to Chad and Ichigo heading back to their homes.

Tsukishima unleashing his R.O.D.-esk Fullbring, Book of the End.

Chad's complaining about accepting Inoue's bread baskets and offers Ichigo half of whatever she has left for him today; arriving at this door, though, Chad senses traces of Inoue's reiatsu, but it feels . . . off. In shock, Chad shouts out to Ichigo that something must be happening to Inoue, and we can only assume that Tsukishima is the cause.

This chapter is another nice bridge, with enough suspense and answers to keep you reading throughout. 7.5/10, I guess. Not terrible, but nothing really stuck out really, other than Tsukishima.

. . .And This Little Piggie Cried, "I'm Gonna F^ck!ng Kill You!!!" (Bleach 435)

Oh the Bleach train keeps chug-chug-chugging along. Next stop? PIG BATTLE!!!

That's right, Bleach 435 picks up in Riruka's Doll House, with Ichigo training against a giant pig doll to help him get in touch with his Fullbring abilities. Honestly it's become more interesting than I originally anticipated, but it's still in it's infancy right now. There is definitely some potential for 436 to be really fantastic.

It's much better to face these kinds of things with a sense of poise and rationality.

As Ichi runs from the stuffed menace, he begs Riruka for a hint on how to unleash his potential. Scoffing at his inquiry, she notes that there are not hints or secrets. All of the members of Xcution have had these powers since birth, with no clues on how to control them or to harness their full abilities. At that moment, the pig-bear starts to talk!

Yesh, Ichigo he can talk. He can also kill.

Turns out that Riruka kidnapped a member of the yakuza and sealed his soul into the pig-bear, making him a . . . OMG MANBEARPIG!!! N0t only that, it is on a 15-minute timer. What happens when the timer is up? Well, I guess we'll see, in time. What we do know is that he doesn't kill Ichigo within the time limit, he'll be stuck inside the Doll House forever.

As Ichigo flees will concocting a strategy, Chad enters and gets the news: Ichigo is in a fight for his life with no knowledge of how to defend himself. Ripping the lid off the Doll House, Chad slips Ichi some knowledge: he should use his Shinigami Badge, for it is something that he deeply cares for and always has on him. Ichigo agrees, but right as he reaches for the badge, the time goes out. And all hell breaks loose.

I believe there is a term for this type of scenario: ohfuckrunweregonnadie.

Like I said, the next chapter looks exciting, but this one mainly filler till then. 7/10. Until next week, folks.

And the Big Reveal! (Bleach 433)

Hey guys! Sorry about the long drought, it's been a weird week. I though I was going to start class, but now I'm going to be sitting here til next Tuesday. Yay? It's like some cruel joke. "What, you want to start your last semester and get out of school? TOO BAD BITCH!"

Anyway you don't want to hear me complain about not being able to start class. You want to hear about Bleach and Kamen Rider! No OOO right now, but I do have a review that I have been meaning to post about Episode Yellow. But first, Bleach 433, the return of Chad!

So in the last chapter, we ended with Chad and Ichigo being reunited in the lounge of Xcution. We start 433 with the two standing face-to-face, with Ichigo absolutely dumbfounded by what he see. Raging, Ichi starts demanding answers from Jingou, who calms him quickly, then requests a drink for Chad while he explains how and why Xcution plan to restore Ichigo's power.

Turns out that Jingou and the others' powers come from, in part, Hollows. Each Fullbringer has a parent who was attacked by a Hollow. A residual amount of that energy from the Hollow was then transferred to the child upon their birth, thus manifesting itself into powers such as Jingou's. The Fullbringers gathered in Xcution to help erase themselves of their acquired abilities, which can only be done if they can transfer their powers into a person who has both human and shinigami powers. Who do we know like that? Hmmmm. . .

So here's the deal: Xcution will help Ichigo gain his powers back in exchange for him taking their powers, therefore restoring the humanity of the members of the group. Sounds. . .suspicious, but even Chad is in for it. Turns out that he is also a Fullbringer (I still suspect that Inoue is as well, but we might not find that out till much later), and he fully supports any plan to restore Ichigo back to his former glory.

Reluctantly, Ichigo agrees to the plan (bad idea dude), and Xcution become bound to Ichigo. Things are about to start going down soon, but I'm not sure that either Ichigo or Chad have fully though this through yet. . .

Overall, 6.85/10 for the chapter. Not perfect but exciting, and it was a decent resolution of the 432 cliffhanger.

Wait, Do What Now? (Bleach 432)

So sorry folks, a major combi of work and family crap has kept me off the net for a bit, but I'm back with a review of Bleach 432, among other things. So let's get on with it!

So we open with Ruruka (you remember her, the loud mouth companion of Juugo) picking up another one of their comrades. Seems to be the strong silent type, as he can just barely put up with with her yapping.

Cut back to Ichigo and the Xcution gang. It seems as if Ichigo is just as surprised as I was with what Juugo said in the last chapter. To calm his jets, Juugo decides explain this bit by bit over drinks. It seems as if Juugo is "human" with the ability to draw souls out from matter and re-purpose them. He can, for instance, draw the soul of liquid out and use it to force it into his mouth.

His powers don't end there. He can also change the form of an object if he has a high compatibility with it, which he demonstrates by changing his necklace into a sword. He calls this ability "Fullbring," and it sounds very much like what Inoue can do with her hairpin. You could even say that Chad and Ishida's abilities are also akin to this fullbring ability, as Chad has a strong link to the necklace his grandfather gave him; Ishida focues through the Quincy equipment.

All of a sudden, Riruka bursts in, with her guests. And you'll never guess who it is: Chad Sado! Better yet, he doesn't seem surprised at all! WTF is going on?!?

First of, the ending and explanation of these new abilities makes this chapter a pure 10/10, hands down. Can't wait for the next chapter just to see what Chad's role is in all of this.

Where in the world is Sado-kun? (Bleach 431)

So things are getting kinda crazy in Karakura Town. Ishida is out of commission (spoiler alert! . . . oh . . .), Sado is out of contact and Kurosaki is in contact with some shady bedfellows known as Xcution. Bleach 431 picks up with Ichigo still on the phone with the Xcution's concierge, who gives him some odd instructions for contacting Juugo.

Call twice, hang up a weird intervals and the third call puts you though to the man? Who they hell does that? Anyway Ichigo finally gets through and requests a meeting time with Juugo. He still doesn't trust him (I wouldn't either, that MoFo is really creepy), but where else can he turn?

Later on at Karakura High, Inoue catches Ichigo in the hallway. To be more accurate, Inoue crawls through a window to ask Ichigo if he has seen Sado-kun recently, 'cause that is normal. Well I guess for Inoue that is . . .

She reveals that Sado hasn't been seen in a couple of days (worst fears are starting to come back again), and proceeds to ask Ichigo out on a date to find the big teddy bear (too far?). Ichigo declines, stating that he has plans, which we find out meeting Juugo in a creepy alley in a creepy part of town.

Inoue goes over to Sado's anyway with a sack of bread and a worried soul. With the worlds of Kyuken still ringing in her ears, she tries to repress the idea of Sado lying in some ditch ( . . . oh, I just made myself sad again . . .) and leaves him some bread to help him recover some strength.

Meanwhile in a dark alley in a bad part of town, Ichigo tries not to get raped while waiting for Juugo. The shady character finally shows, and leads Ichi into a rundown building with a keycard-access door. After sliding his card, Juugo opens the door to reveal a GIGANTIC lounge with three men inside waiting. One of them is Kutsuzawa, the other two are brand new.

Juugo explains off the room causally, then reveals Xcution's true purpose for drawing Ichigo closer: to jump-start his shinigami powers. Dun-dun-duuuuuuuun!

Holy hidden objectives, Batman, we've got ourselves a plot twist! All this time I feared that they were the cause of Ishida's attack and Sado's disappearance (I still do, 'cause these guys can't be trusted) because they wanted to eliminate all the competition in Karakura Town before they started a grand assault. Turns out they just want what I want: for Ichigo to get back to kicking some Hollow ass. But for what purpose? Only time will tell. I just hope that they find Sado soon, and we can worry about the rest of the ramifications later.

Guess that will have to wait another week. As for this chapter, I'd rate it a 9/10 simple because of the twist. Yeah it's slow to develop, but the payoff was well worth it. It definitely gets you stoked for next week's chapter.