'Knuckle Down' and Grit Through it! The Ends Justify the Means! (Bleach 438)

What can possibly follow one of the best chapters of Bleach in resent arcs? Some sneezing, self-punishment and a merchant of death. But enough talk, let's hop right in!

If you have not read 438, then click here.

Bleach is really starting to heat up now that Ichigo isn't just a useless baby anymore. Of course, they still need to tie-up some loose ends before moving along with Ichi's training, while creating even more questions about the true nature of Ichigo's Fullbring. After Riruka breaks her Fullbring, Ichigo notices something odd about his badge: it seems to be talking.

Elsewhere, Inoue has her own problems to deal with, as she is confronted by Moe Shishigawara, a punk who can't beat up girls. After a slip of the tongue, Moe slips that he may have been responsible for Uryu's attack, and Inoue preps for battle. Suddenly, Uryu's real attacker appears, sticking fear into the heart of both Moe and Inoue. OMG NO! After what's been going on with MSPA, I can't take anymore main character deaths!

But he can't strike her! How could you break such a beautiful frame?!?

439-442 should be a blast, depending on exact goes down between Moe, Inoue and (slight spoiler) Tsukishima. Just have to wait and see. 6/10

. . .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.