New Bleach chapter out.
Okay. I can breathe again, kind of. Nii-sama.
So this was the "recovery" chapter.
First things first: we learn Rukia and Renji survived surgery and are stable, and we learned that Byakuya and Kenpachi are also alive - though in serious trouble. They seem to be comatose and it's indicated they might not be able to become captains, though whether that's due to them being comatose, or some other kind of damage (like loss of a bankai) I'm unaware of. Still, can I say how hugely relieved I am that my nii-sama pulled through? I suspect in the end he'll be fine - Orihime if nothing else might heal them, but this sets them up to recover their powers and fight in the future. (Can you imagine them competing to see who gets better faster? Though I also suspect this sets up loads of angst for Byakuya, who prides himself on his abilities).
There were lots of nice touches this chapter. Shinji's rough-edged affection for Ichigo (GET BETTER SOON DUMBASS) made me smile, and Ichigo's own derpy presence made me chuckle, too - as always, he puts a brave face for others even when his heart is breaking. At first I thought his presence in this chapter was incongruous with the last, but I'm starting to see shades of Hueco Mundo here - him trying bravely go on even though he feels he's failed and carrying this information around inside him. More than anything, the response of the captains to Yama-jii's death felt heartbreaking - Komamura's rage was palpable, Ukitake looks so fragile and worn, and it was gratifying to see Shunsui step into the power vacuum. Somehow, what touched me more than anything was seeing Ikkaku rail against his captain's situation.
Oh, and it seems Urahara and Co. are...fine? No mention of Aizen. Hmmm....
So, yes, I'm pleased nii-sama might make it, and I enjoyed this "restful" chapter. This gives me hope we'll get to see Byakuya grow and evolve more - and Kenpachi, too. (Where's Yachiru, I wonder?) I'm still annoyed with the road Kubo took to get here, but I'll take what I can get. Nii-sama, you're part of what makes Bleach for me - I hope you stay around for a long time.
The Quincy thing I could still give less than a crap about, but I'm sure plenty o' Ichigo angst is coming while Soul Society figures out how to deal with this threat. Aizen's back in play, the Zero Squad lurks at the edges of everything... I wonder where this is all going to go.
So this was the "recovery" chapter.
First things first: we learn Rukia and Renji survived surgery and are stable, and we learned that Byakuya and Kenpachi are also alive - though in serious trouble. They seem to be comatose and it's indicated they might not be able to become captains, though whether that's due to them being comatose, or some other kind of damage (like loss of a bankai) I'm unaware of. Still, can I say how hugely relieved I am that my nii-sama pulled through? I suspect in the end he'll be fine - Orihime if nothing else might heal them, but this sets them up to recover their powers and fight in the future. (Can you imagine them competing to see who gets better faster? Though I also suspect this sets up loads of angst for Byakuya, who prides himself on his abilities).
There were lots of nice touches this chapter. Shinji's rough-edged affection for Ichigo (GET BETTER SOON DUMBASS) made me smile, and Ichigo's own derpy presence made me chuckle, too - as always, he puts a brave face for others even when his heart is breaking. At first I thought his presence in this chapter was incongruous with the last, but I'm starting to see shades of Hueco Mundo here - him trying bravely go on even though he feels he's failed and carrying this information around inside him. More than anything, the response of the captains to Yama-jii's death felt heartbreaking - Komamura's rage was palpable, Ukitake looks so fragile and worn, and it was gratifying to see Shunsui step into the power vacuum. Somehow, what touched me more than anything was seeing Ikkaku rail against his captain's situation.
Oh, and it seems Urahara and Co. are...fine? No mention of Aizen. Hmmm....
So, yes, I'm pleased nii-sama might make it, and I enjoyed this "restful" chapter. This gives me hope we'll get to see Byakuya grow and evolve more - and Kenpachi, too. (Where's Yachiru, I wonder?) I'm still annoyed with the road Kubo took to get here, but I'll take what I can get. Nii-sama, you're part of what makes Bleach for me - I hope you stay around for a long time.
The Quincy thing I could still give less than a crap about, but I'm sure plenty o' Ichigo angst is coming while Soul Society figures out how to deal with this threat. Aizen's back in play, the Zero Squad lurks at the edges of everything... I wonder where this is all going to go.