- Joined
- Apr 26, 2008
- Messages
- 74
- Reaction score
- 38
- Gender
- Hidden
- Country
-
True Blade Reviews...
Bleach 329: Raging Rampage
Greetings and salutations my friends! Welcome one, welcome all to True Blade's (that's me) review of Bleach 329. I'd just like to start off by saying that this has been a very solid week for the big three in my opinion. Very good chapters on all fronts! But of course you can read one of the other reviewer's fantastic works on Naruto or One Piece, right? You are here for BLEACH. So without further ado...
Edited Mangas used in this review are from SleepyFans. Maybe I'll buy them some coffee to help them out? Thanks guys!
Unparalleled Tension
Last Week on Bleach!
Well, last chapter, things were finally starting to heat up. Potential matchups were formed, Barragan was pissed, and our hearts all sped up a little. While the last frames of last week's chapter gave the impression that we'd be jumping right into combat this week, it looks like that's not the case. Instead we get some prebattle thoughts from our favorite characters, as well as clarifying our match ups. Of course there's still plenty of speculation to be done!
Commanders: Genryusai and Barragan
This chapter opens with Genryusai and Barragan staring each other down, followed by Genryusai giving a rather gruesome motivational speech. The severity of Genryusai's message conveys just how important this battle, and by extension, preventing Aizen's army from reaching Soul Society is.
Barragan on the other hand continues his reputation as a divine god. Not only does he out-gruesome Genryusai, he shows he cares very little for his fraccion, seeing them only as tools, or servants. He still refers to the Shinigami present as ants, despite the fact that 4 of his "dragons" have already been defeated, either he's as arrogant as we think, or the 2 remaining fraccion are particularly strong. Maybe a little of both! Finally, we get Barragan's full name. His Majesty Barragan Luisenbarn.
A few notes on Barragan. Fitting with some other names in this arc, it seems the name Barragan Luisenbarn is based on another architect, Luis Barragán Morfin. He is considered the most important Mexican architect of modern times, and you can read up on him there, as we may see more of an influence, maybe in Barragan's zanpakuto and attacks. Also, obviously Mexico speaks spanish, so it's an easy fit with the Espada and Hueco Mundo in general.
As for Barragan's attitude, he still seems to think he himself fighting is not necessary, or that the battle is not worthy of his power. He is still delegating commands to his underlings, showing little concern for their lives, and condemning them if they fail. He demands they give him "a path soaked in the enemy's blood" for him to walk. He definitely is acting like a god or king. The fact that he's been shown face to face against Genryusai argues pretty strongly that he may in fact be the first Espada. Also, rather than a comedic response to his previous fraccion's failings, he is still calm, collected, and "divine". However, he still shows a lack of judgement when it comes to the power of his opponents, which I feel makes him less likely to be number 1.
The Two Strongest
Ukitake and Shinsui notice the severity in Genryusai's message, and as the two captains closest to him, their interpretation of it is something to take note of. First off, Shunsui's omnipresent carefree demeanor seems to have dissipated due to Genryusai's mood. Not only does he note that the situation is tense, but also that he himself is. Obviously if a person as experienced, powerful, and normally laidback as Shinsui is feeling the pressure associated with this fight, and Ukitake has never seen him like that before, then this is possibly the most difficult battle he's ever faced.
Said severity doesn't seem to affect Ukitake as much, as he makes a rather humorous comment about giving Genryusai a backrub after the battle (Can you imagine that?). I think this entire situation may be a bit of foreshadowing. Shinsui has been called the most perceptive captain in Soul Society despite his laid-back attitude, and if he's tense, it almost hints that Soul Society may face a substantial loss (or losses) in the upcoming battle. But... Kubo wouldn't possibly kill off Shinsui, would he?
The Assassin and the Oaf
Next we see Soifon addressing her lieutenant Omaeda, asking if he's scared of the battle. It's pretty obvious he is, with his teeth chattering, and his panicked insistence that he's not worried. She also seems to try to motivate him via fear, by mentioning that this would be a good time to get himself killed. Like I said in last week's review, seeing Omaeda fight is going to be a very interesting thing. He's had absolutely no combat, and is always portrayed as pathetic, so I'm sure we'll be in for some good humor, or a big shock! We get a glimpse here that Soifon may actually care for her lieutenant, despite numerous threats and her previous attitudes, when she almost passively tells him not to die. That's... sweet, I guess!
The Beauty and the Brains
Hitsugaya and Matsumoto seem to be matching up against Halibel and her fraccion. That's quite a few opponents for just the two of them, but we'll see how it plays out later. Hitsugaya and Matsumoto share one of the closest Captain/Lieutenant bonds in the series, so his concern for her is expected. Also, Hitsugaya shows just how observant and keen he is, and his question regarding hesitation in her heart is almost certainly regarding her relationship with Ichimaru, in case the two meet on the field. It's a nice testament not only to Hitsugaya's perceptiveness, but also just how close these two are.
Clash of the Carefree
Lil' Lili
It looks like Shinsui is going to be facing Stark alone, and Ukitake won't be facing Lilinette. Almost immediately Shinsui asks Stark if he can send Lilinette away, because after all, Shinsui is an honorable man, and wouldn't want to harm a child, even if it's an arrancar. He wants her to be sent away because he plans to fight with all of his power (hell yes!), and wouldn't want her to get harmed collaterally. We also see the first time that Stark actually reprimands Lilinette, telling her to be quiet. It's clear that unlike the rest of the Espada, Stark actually cares for his fraccion. While normally he's fine with her running amok in any situation, he realizes how serious Shinsui is.
Shinsui Serious?!
It's clear from Shinsui's request to remove Lilinette, and the tenseness I noted earlier, that he plans to go all out, both for Genryusai's orders, and to protect Soul Society. The Shinsui we are seeing now is in such stark (couldn't resist) contrast to the Shinsui we've grown to know and love, you can't help but be concerned! With his hat shading his eyes, and a no-nonsense dialogue with quite possibly the strongest Espada, this is not the oafish, comical captain we see when he's with Nanao. He's still incredibly perceptive, noting that simply having Lilinette around would alter the course of the fight.
For a moment we see the old goofy Shinsui surface, when Stark recommends simply faking the fight. Shinsui seems to recognize the similarity between their personalities, but almost immediately rejects the idea, stating that he "cannot do that, not this time". Shinsui jokes in situations he feels he has well under his control, or casual social situations. However, we will see the true fighting side of him in this upcoming fight, there is no doubt in my mind. This sudden change in attitude shows that he's well aware he will need to go all out, and also that he is fighting for a cause very important to him.
Likeable Stark!
While some Espada have been popular, they've almost universally been recognized as evil (Grimmjow might turn a new leaf, who knows). Stark however, has shown a disdain for fighting, a goofy carefree attitude, and compassion for his young fraccion. Is it just me, or is this guy TOTALLY likeable?! He's basically a mirror image of one of the most likeable characters in the series (Shinsui), though he actually seems to be even more carefree than him. Maybe it's simply that this battle isn't all that important to him. In that case, he's following Aizen out of convenience, which would explain the contrast between him and Shinsui right now. Shinsui is fighting for what's most important to him, Stark however, is not. Stark's power is still a mystery, but I think it's safe to say that this will be an incredible fight, and that no matter who wins or loses, we'll probably be a little sad to see the loser die.
Cold as Ice
Matsumoto Steps it Up
Last week I said I thought this would be a great battle for Matsumoto. I take that back, it is going to be a FANTASTIC battle for her. Not only does she single handedly remedy my worry of Hitsugaya having to waste time against a fraccion, she sets herself up to face the toughest battle any lieutenant is going to fight in this arc. She assures Hitsugaya that she can handle all three of Halibel's fraccion, and urges him to face the Espada. Woah, Matsumoto, WHAT? What could possibly give her this kind of confidence. All lieutenants have so far struggled against any arrancar they've faced, so what makes her think she can handle three alone?
One word. Bankai.
Yeah, I believe we'll see Matsumoto release her newly achieved bankai, I can't see her taking on three arrancar alone with just her shikai.
Hitsugaya and the Other Chick With The Huge Rack
Seriously, apparently when you get voted as the most popular character, you are around big boobs 24/7. Anyways, I'm not sure what to make of THIS matchup. Does Halibel have an ice-type resurrecion? Is she a young prodigy? By all means, this goes against every "mirror match" rule this arc has built up so far. I mean don't get me wrong, I love both Hitsugaya and Halibel, but I didn't see this matchup coming. Though, as Halibel is one of the top 3 Espada, this is going to be a pretty big "put up or shut up" moment for Hitsugaya. I know people hate to hear this, but he hasn't been very stellar in all of the fights we've seen. His defenses were shattered by a former 6th Espada (who in my opinion was far weaker than Grimmjow), so how is he going to handle one of the top three?!
Either this fight will play out, and be by far one of the most interesting they've set up, or this is going to be a fight that won't be finished. Basically I still think Yoruichi and Halibel are a better match up, and I want Ichimaru to fight Hitsugaya. But Kubo threw a wild card in the mix here, so I have no idea what he's planning for this.
Wrap Up
The Above Picture
A quick list here!
- Shinsui and Stark share the same expression, showing a reluctance to fight.
- Soifon and Beedrill also do, but with a look of intense focus.
- Omaeda and Graveler are different. Omaeda seems uneasy, while Graveler is smiling and in control. Is Omaeda facing someone who's true personality is the same as the front Omaeda wears all the time?
- Matsumoto is just looking focused (and hot), her opponents are not seen.
- Hitsugaya and Halibel, same sort of solemn focus on each other.
Predictions
Well, it looks like this was the last chapter for setting up the fights, and we're almost certainly going to see real combat next chapter. As for which fight(s) are first? Anyone's guess is as good as mine. What is sure though, is that we're through with the tension, and onto the combat. Next chapter should definitely sate our hunger for action!
Chapter Summary
- Genryusai and Barragan haven't moved... yet.
- Shinsui and Stark are going to duel, but this is not the Shinsui we're used to.
- Soifon and Omaeda are facing Barragan's remaining fraccion. Omaeda's pretty scared!
- Matsumoto is taking on 3 arrancar alone, and Hitsugaya is taking on Halibel
- The fighting has begun!
