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The Underscore’s Triple Bleach Review
So basically Bleach hasn’t been reviewed for the last three weeks. This is probably due to the way Kubo decided to go with his story, shifting the focus from Hueco Mundo to the fake Karakura town, while everyone was waiting for the confrontation between Ichigo and Ulquiora. The chapters of the confrontation between Soul Society and the Espada’s were also relatively slow on their own making the reviews seem a little unnecessary because of the lack of content. However, those who (re)read several chapters after each other may have noticed that, in doing this, it results in a reading experience that is quite worth it.
So hopefully reviewing three chapters in one go is going as much fun as reading them in one go. I’m The Underscore, I’m Dutch which may result in some awkward English. The format I’ve chosen is similar to those used in other reviews (hope the other reviewers don’t mind). And just so you know, the scans used in this review are from Maximum7 who made three excellent HQ releases.
335 Chimaera chord
Let’s start this show!
This chapter starts off with a confrontation between the 8th division captain Kyouraku and Stark (whom I believe to be the Primera Espada, but I’ll talk about this at the end of these three chapters), in color! The confrontation between these two is rather interesting. Both are unharmed and aren’t showing any signs of going all out. Kyouraku suggests putting on “a little show” after noticing the attack released by Hinamori in the previous chapter. Stark declines saying Kyouraku isn’t taking this seriously because he hasn’t been using both his swords. While Kyouraku makes a logical comeback concerning his use of only his katana, Stark makes a rather unexpected argument.
That’s the question.
Why don’t you just show us your Bankai? ;P
Instead of using information any of the former three captains could have given at any time concerning Kyouraku’s two sword style, he notes that Kyouraku has been switching hands and that both swings have a different timing suitable for a two sword style (eliminating the option that the switching of hands is just another fighting style). This goes to show that Stark is certainly one of (if not the) strongest Espada’s. Stark’s analytical skills are clearly top notch, being able to actually notice the difference in timing between strikes that are actually aimed at him. Also the fact that Stark (probably) wasn’t told about Kyouraku’s fighting style could mean that Aizen didn’t think it would be necessary to do so, believing that Stark is powerful enough to handle any situation. Whether this only applies to Stark is only speculation of course but we’ll see what will happen.
Going all out
We’re expecting a show here Stark, just go with the flow!
Kyouraku on the other hand shows us that he isn’t one to be underestimated, after calmly noting how scary Stark is with his analytical abilities, he changes the timing of his swing in one go. From the way Kyouraku has been portrayed in my opinion, I would say he actually adjusted his timing at that moment, though it is also possible that he was testing Stark by making that difference on purpose. After that Kyouraku asks Stark whether he would go out if he uses both his swords. Stark’s reply actually made Kyoraku draw his other sword, in spite of it not seeming to be a sarcastic comment from how I see it. Maybe Kyouraku is getting annoyed by the behavior of the Espada, seeming as how it resembles it’s own, or maybe he sees something in Stark that we (I) have yet to notice.
The spectators
All we need now is some tea…
As Kyouraku and Stark start to fight all out, we see that Ukitake and Lillinete were just watching the fight. Lillinete asks Ukitake why he won’t join the fight, believing that Stark can easily handle two of the strongest captains in Soul Society. Ukitake replies in a way most adults would towards a child, saying it wouldn’t be fair. Lillinete then suggests that they fight, making Ukitake say that he doesn’t want to fight with children. In spite of Lillinete claiming that age doesn’t matter to Arrancars, Ukitake suggests that she should just go and play, resulting in her drawing her sword from her left horn.
What a blast!
Seriously... What a blast!
After Lillinete’s little outburst, which left Ukitake unphased, we see the results of the Hinamori’s attack. As Rangiku and Hinamori go over the attack, we learn that Hinamori certainly deserved the vice-captain position with her Kidou skills. Hinamori apparently combined three different spells, just to power-up her Tobiume’s attack. In spite of this gigantic explosion, the three fractions still seem to be alive and kicking thanks to their resurección. The three seem to be a stag, lion and anaconda, which when added together result in…
336 El Verdugo
Does this mean he has a split personality?
So after ripping/cutting/twisting their arms off, Halibel’s fraciones create the chimera Eón. Mila Rose explains that Eón is a pet created by combining the left arms of their released forms using a technique called Chimaera Parca. The thing I find strange is the fact that this chimera, made by three women, becomes a male. Putting that aside, this technique is rather interesting. This would seem to be a technique more suitable for a twisted scientist like Szayelaporro (the octava Espada), though it certainly is something new and rather interesting. Rangiku’s reaction to Eón seems to imply that he is powerful, which he shows after looking around for a few seconds following an immediate attack. Rangiku tries to counter this attack using her Haineko, only to lose half of her abdomen at the hand (literally) of Eón. Rose elaborates saying Eón is “frikkin strong”, making me think that his power is probably greater than that of Rosa, Apache and Sunsun combined.
Throwing a fit
What would you expect fighting a captain?
After witnessing the attack launched by Eón, the scene shifts to the “fight” which started in the previous chapter between Ukitake and Lillinete. While Lillinete goes all out using everything including a Cero, Ukitake tells Lillinete how she is inexperienced and that she can’t go up against him in her current state. After explaining that even a Menos can shoot off better Cero’s than her, he suggests that she goes home. Even though the difference in ability between these two is rather obvious, saying she is weaker than a Menos might be overdoing it. Though it is possible that Lillinete is an Arrancar made from a normal Hollow, it would be more likely that she is made from the Adjucas class Menos. This would mean that her personality was the strongest within the Menos Gillian and as such shouldn’t be underestimated. Though Ukitake tries to send Lillinete away, his comments only annoy her even further, maybe to the point of a release, but we don’t get to see how this turns out.
A wHOLE lot of trouble
Taking dieting to a new level… Who needs intestines?!
Eón’s attack caused Rangiku to be taken out in one blow (obviously), resulting in Hinamori’s use of her Bakudou to stop her from falling. After Hinamori’s quick diagnosis, she tries to heal Rangiku only to be stopped by Eón’s fist. Hinamori luckily doesn’t get hit into two pieces, which is clearly possible seeing Rangiku’s current state. As Hinamori falls to the ground, she gets saved by Kira and Hisagi who prepare to take over the battle.
Advertisement
Let’s see how you’ll do in this chapter first…
So before the 337th chapter begins, we get a little ad for the next Bleach movie: Fade to Black. Even though it’s supposed to be an ad for the movie, these two frames seemed to be suitable for this chapter.
337 Hall in your inferno
It’s time to shine Hisagi!
With Eón wrapped in the chains of Hisagi’s Zanpakutou, Mila Rose asks where the two vice-captains came from. As they obviously came from the two pillars, she actually has a point in asking why they weren’t stopped. Rose then tries to order Eón to attack them, only to be ignored. Apache and Sunsun then point out that he actually never listens to them, while Rose shows that she has no idea as how Eón actually works. The only thing she knows for certain however is that he is ‘creeping the hell out of her’.
Estimates
Just 2 frames ago, you seemed a lot cooler Hisagi…
So Hisagi tells Kira to heal Rangiku and Hinamori while he holds off Eón. At first I thought he would actually be fighting him by himself, but instead we get to see that he isn’t so full of himself to actually do that. To me, his reaction seems kind of similar to the ones we often see from Ichigo. This little conversation also tells us that Kira used to be part of the fourth squad, but the fact that Kira has to do the healing makes me wonder why there’s no one from the fourth squad around. This could either be because they couldn’t find anyone strong enough to be on the battlefield, or maybe they are hiding somewhere. As Kira goes off to heal Rangiku and Hinamori after being told to come back as soon as he’s done, Hisagi uses some Kidou to test Eón’s abilities. That is just one of the things that I do like about these chapters. Because we finally get to see more of the 100 Kidou’s and other Bakudou’s etc. than the same 3 over and over again, proving that there are actually 100 different spells in each spelltype. I don’t know about you guys, but I was getting kind of tired of seeing Hakashou and Byakurai(?) every single time.
Twister!
Break-dancer or broken dancer…. You decide.
After Hisagi’s use of his Kidou, it seemed Eón was weak to these attacks. But as it turns out, Eón was just playing possum (didn’t see that one being mixed in now did we
). Hisagi tries to fight him off without any luck. Even Iba’s sudden appearance didn’t help because of him being blasted away by a surprise Cero. After beating up Hisagi, Eón makes his way towards Kira. As Kira starts to panic, we get another unexpected visitor….Stepping in
Having to do all the work at your age…
Enter, Genryuusai. Now this was obviously overkill, Genryuusai shows his skills by piercing through Eón without even having to take out his Zanpakutou. I’m guessing Eón is done for now and that Genryuusai either kills off the three Fractions or that he orders one of the other fighters to do so. Either way, most of the Arrancar can’t escape the Arrancar fate of releasing and dying after showing off their best skill, and I’m guessing this won’t be any different for Mila Rose, Apache and Sunsun.
So here I end my first review, for those of you who actually made it this far: Congratulations. Though I suppose that I owe you guys an explanation for my choice of primero Espada… Well just look at the spoiler text below if you want to read my arguments for the ranking of the top 3. If you don’t want to know my arguments you can always give your own opinion on the topics I’ve discussed up to this point. Also, if you enjoyed my review, let me know, I’m considering to write them more often if no one else does so. If you didn’t like it, I could always use some advice. If our opinions don’t match, you can try to give me your point of view, and maybe you can convince me (given that you tell me more than “You’re wrong”). If you want to know my opinion on other aspects of the chapters or Bleach in it’s entirety you can post your questions here. So unless you’re going to read the Espada ranking, I’ll end it with this.
Espada Ranking
For those of you who are reading this part: Don’t worry, this won’t take long, it’s pretty straightforward. Just remember this is just my opinion, we'll have to wait until Kubo comfirms this.
Behold, part A of my explanation. This picture is taken from chapter 315, where Aizen calls them in this order. I suppose it is a somewhat meager explanation for my choice, but don’t worry, this was just the thing that got me started on my theory. Basically it’s based on the idea that people start at one and then go on. But the next picture probably gives a better founded idea, so keep reading!
Not exactly the way to behave if you’re supposed to be the #1 Stark…
This is what made me believe the given ranking of Espada’s. Baragan, being number two, decides that he should give the orders and that no one should complain. The fact that Stark agrees and Lillinete kicks him for that is proof enough for me. If Stark was ranked lower than Baragan, I wouldn’t expect her to do the same. As for Halibel being the third Espada. The fact that none of her Fractions even says a word kind of shows her ranking. As we have seen throughout the story, they aren’t exactly the types to sit back quietly without a reason. So I’m guessing that they are respecting the ranking and the orders of those above them. This is basically the only reason I have for the ranking (plus the fact that Stark is going up against Kyouraku).
If you have any reason to think the order should be any different, I’ll be glad to read your own ranking and the reason for your ranking.
From left to right: 3, 2, 1
Who’s your choice?
Behold, part A of my explanation. This picture is taken from chapter 315, where Aizen calls them in this order. I suppose it is a somewhat meager explanation for my choice, but don’t worry, this was just the thing that got me started on my theory. Basically it’s based on the idea that people start at one and then go on. But the next picture probably gives a better founded idea, so keep reading!
Bossing people around
Not exactly the way to behave if you’re supposed to be the #1 Stark…
This is what made me believe the given ranking of Espada’s. Baragan, being number two, decides that he should give the orders and that no one should complain. The fact that Stark agrees and Lillinete kicks him for that is proof enough for me. If Stark was ranked lower than Baragan, I wouldn’t expect her to do the same. As for Halibel being the third Espada. The fact that none of her Fractions even says a word kind of shows her ranking. As we have seen throughout the story, they aren’t exactly the types to sit back quietly without a reason. So I’m guessing that they are respecting the ranking and the orders of those above them. This is basically the only reason I have for the ranking (plus the fact that Stark is going up against Kyouraku).
If you have any reason to think the order should be any different, I’ll be glad to read your own ranking and the reason for your ranking.
