The Thousand-Year Blood War arc

Yeah it was pretty great seeing Kuukaku again. If this arc is following a similar pattern as the SS arc, I'm hoping that means we'll also see Yoruichi again soon. Since the Shihouins are in charge of the Tenshiheisoban, which is basically heavenly weapons, I'm thinking that maybe the thing Ichigo has to use to reforge his sword is something that belongs to the Shihouins. Wishful thinking but you never know.

519 - Hot Hot Heat

Ok, so we now know where Urahara got the idea for his healing springs. And we get a glimpse of the Spirit King. Yeah, really looks more like an 'it' to me, with those kind of eyes. Funny how Renji and the Kuchiki siblings are being healed. Now we can call Abarai something other than pineapple.

Why is Rukia's ass so damn buoyant?

Do you guys think that Urahara has personally visited the king's palace because he knows about the hot spring. Or maybe he has known the yakuza guy when he was simply a soul reaper - which would have been thousands of year's ago since, the yakuza is unohana's mentor.

Razputin wrote:

Do you guys think that Urahara has personally visited the king's palace because he knows about the hot spring. Or maybe he has known the yakuza guy when he was simply a soul reaper - which would have been thousands of year's ago since, the yakuza is unohana's mentor.

In a world ruled by logic and reason, it would be the latter, but given Urahara's allusions to seeing the Spirit King before, I would have to say it's the former.

Got to say that I'm let down by (what we've seen of) the design of the Spirit King. The way they were talking about it, I was expecting Gravelord Nito.

520 - Killers Not Dead

So....Shunsui has been appointed Yamamoto's successor. And apparently, Unohana was the first Kenpachi, plus her name is Yachiru. Guess that explains why her gaze is so damn scary. Back in the Royal Dimension, Ichigo and Renji are healed. Looks like pretty much everyone's busy on their respective ends.

Ah shit, now the UnohanaXKenpachi shippers actually have fuel.

So Unohana was the person Kenpachi admired since a long time ago...? And he named his lieutenant Yachiru (and maybe himself) after her? Fuel indeed ^^"

Potentially a positive sign if he's validating popular fandom ships (at least in such a subtle way as this). Especially given that Unohana/Kenpachi remains pure crack (although that could be the other reason he's doing it, regardless of crack pairings, drawing on the appeal of the absurdity of the heretofore pacifistic Unohana being the first kenpachi and mistress of the art of killing).

Still no Yoruichi, despite yes Kukaku. Hmm...

521 - A Piggy Party

Whoa. New chapter's out a week before Christmas. How nice. I just realized Ichigo's still in his Bankai outfit. And Kon is still useful in some ways. So Hikifune slims down when she's out of reiatsu? So that's the image why Hiyori looks up to as a mother figure. And the Zero Squad guy has something to do with the beginning of Zanpakutos. That oughta be an interesting trip.

Yes, these have been interesting chapters. There's a break for a week since this was a double issue, though.

There's one thing I'm curious about, though. I guess Kenpachi doesn't actually recognize Unohana as the Yachiru that he was inspired by? Part of his amnesia, I guess.

The giant braid might have magic powers that prevent him from recognizing her. After all, she didn't have it 100 years ago when their was that other Kenpachi.

If people don't recognize Clark Kent as Superman because Clark wears glasses, a giant braid with magic powers is definitely possible.

522 - Love It

Is this week supposed to be Golden Week? Clearly I didn't get a memo about there being a new chapter.

I'm not sure of what to think of the Royal Guard members anymore, other than what they do is something...extraordinary, to say the least. Wait, so this guy can make Zanpakuto that are hot chicks in spirit form? ....daaayuuuuum. And something tells me we're gonna see Tensa Zangetsu and Zabimaru in spirit form too. Unless some other trial comes to Ichigo and Renji. At least Kon found a new friend.

This new world is certainly interesting. I almost wish the story were moved there (e.g. that the next Vanderreich attack goes to the Spirit King Realm), as they're barely scratching the surface of the neat stuff around (especially given that each squad 0 member controls a whole city).

523 - Words of Origin

After 3 weeks, here's the newest chapter. OMG, Zaraki and Unohana are gonna fight. And even Shunsui says that only 1 of 'em will get out alive.

Unohana is actually creepy as fuck.

I don't believe for a second that either of them is going to die. Still, it'll be an interesting fight.

So if Unohana was a diabolical criminal before she was became a captain, or would be a diabolical criminal if not for being a captain, I guess that explains how it was ok for Mayuri to become a captain as well? Like, Yamamoto didn't actually care what kind of person you are as long as you make a good captain, it seems.

I have to say, given Unohana's backstory, I'm actually really curious to know what some of the other captains may be hiding.

As far as the zanpakuto thing, I think what he's trying to get at is that a lot of Shinigami (not just Ichigo and Renji) treat zanpakutos as a separate thing. Like, as a weapon, or tool. But if it comes from your soul, it's actually a part of you. It's you. So when you're mistreating a zan, you're really mistreating yourself. If you rely on your zanpakuto for power, you're failing to realize that you already have the power.

524 - The Drop

So we see Kenpachi and Unohana duke it out. At least this fight won't be too short.
Also, with the chapter, I feel as though there oughta be a dubstep joke somewhere. Idk, just wanted to get it outta the way.

Pretty sure i don't like the almost split-personality way he's handling Unohana. I certainly don't cotton to the idea of Unohana saying anything so crude as "Diarrhea of the mouth."

Indeed, if Kubo's trying to make her scarily psychotic, it would have been creepier if she was the calm, motherly figure who would completely annihilate you with a smile on her face

It would be the acme of stupidity if one of them actually had to die, however. Making Kenny a better fighter isn't going to make up for the loss of Unohana for the next round of fight with the Reich.

Mr Khan wrote:

Pretty sure i don't like the almost split-personality way he's handling Unohana. I certainly don't cotton to the idea of Unohana saying anything so crude as "Diarrhea of the mouth.

I would chalk that up to some fast and loose translation before anything else. Try to find Binktopia's translation of "Let's Stop the Pendulum." It's amazing.

I also don't care for how this who situation is playing out. Am I the only one that finds this "new" Unohana colossally boring? She's not threatening or exciting, she's just dull. I liked it much better when she commanded so much respect without needing violence. Also, the fight itself isn't even that interesting. It's like Kubo took all the jokes about his backgrounds to heart and now they are literally fighting in a void.

I miss the urgency of the Quincy invasion. Now, things are just plodding along with Ichigo and Renji jerking around in the Royal Realm with those assholes and the Gotei 13 sitting around with their thumbs up their asses while they wait for them to get back. I would have much rather seen Unohana become the Sotaicho and her ruthlessness come out that way.

Also, I'm not dead.

This week's chapter is not really any better.

Chapter 525 - Edges

Kind of throws away all the hype for Unohana.

Spoiler:

You should, Captain, you should.

I'd say I'm disappointed but the whole thing was set up from the start for some serious Kenpachi wanking.

526 - The Battle

We didn't get a chapter last week since Kubo was sick. Thankfully, we got one this time. And...Zaraki seems to have bested Unohana. Not sure what'll happen if she survives a blow like that.

Yep, KenpachixUnohana is as gross as I though it would be, but for a completely different reason than it would be.

Kubo's got to be breaking some kind of manga record for fastest ruining of a perfectly good character.