Bleach, Vol. 16

In this 16th volume of Bleach Tite Kubo finally treats us to the story of Rukia's past in which she claims to have killed Ganju's older brother Kaein. It's a rather tragic story for which I feel she's being to over dramatic. True he did die at her hands but is she really to blame? Also the similarities between Kaein and Ichigo dont just stop at their appearances, which Captain Ukitake cant be blamed for thinking the two of them somehow connected, the two guys also have similar behaviors that Rukia seems to be drawn to. Also in this volume we finally find out what was in Captain Aizen's letter to his adjutant. It's a rather shocking revelation that leaves your head spinning as to who is telling the truth and who on earth is lying. I mean do the dead tell lies or what? And no big shocker Rukia's execution date is moved yet again though she doesnt seem to be to bothered by it having already accepted her fate. Though for the most part the volume has a rather serious and suspenseful tone it also has that lovable humor that makes the series so great, mainly due to Kenpachi and crew looking for Ichigo. Yachiru is truly adorable in my opinion. She doesnt know the difference between left and right but Kenpachi is always listening to her for some crazy reason. All in all it's a good vloume. If you're a fan of the series you wont be dissapointed at all since there are a few things that are revealed that had been left as loose ends in previous volumes plus it ends on a wicked cliffhanger. My only complaint is that there was no Radio-Kon. I sure do love those things.

The scheduled execution of former Soul Reaper Rukia Kuchiki has been moved up and is now just hours away. Meanwhile, the Soul Society is in chaos, with Soul Reapers drawing swords against one other. Something is rotting at the core of the Soul Society, but who, or what, could be behind it? [[ASIN:150781173X Angel Cat: Anime Manga Comic Book Ghost Soul Angel Heaven War Battle Good vs Evil Teenager Cat (0)]]

My teen loved this book and completed it in one afternoon. It's also a great read over.

I'm going to spare the hardcore details here and get right down to business.

Ichigo is training with Yoruichi in an attempt to master a powerful technique crucial in defeating Byakuya and saving Rukia.

Chad, Uryu, Ganju are still in locked up within the Soul Society, while Orihime's whereabouts are unknown.

The Soul Society is still on high alert while tensions between Gin Ichimaru and Captain of 10th Company increase.

While I didn't feel there was any real "filler" here it does continue to move at a rather slow pace. (Much like Volume 15). It still has all of the trademark comedy and even moving slow we still learn a number of new things.

The ending leads me to believe 17 will not wrap this story arc up, but if you're a Bleach fan at this point in the series you'll know what to expect.

The series overall is highly recommended(it's what got me into manga initially) and even giving the pacing manages to deliver, albeit rather grudgingly.

The date of Rukia’s execution keeps getting pushed forward, and now it’s set for noon the next day! The time that was gained on the passage through the Senkaimon will count for nothing if Ichigo doesn’t figure out how to bankai! Without that, he’s doomed to failure!

Hitsugaya finds himself under attack by none other than Hinamori, to his confusion and consternation. She’s found a letter, in the late Captain Aizen’s hand, blaming his death on none other than the captain of the 10th Company. Of course Toshiro is innocent of the charge, but Momo is in no condition to understand that. It doesn’t help that she is being egged on by the ever-smiling Gin Ichimaru.

Meanwhile, Renji has shown up at the place where Ichigo is training. He wants to train there too, to be ready to save Rukia. He informs Ichigo of the change in date of the execution, which causes Yoruichi dismay. But she continues to have faith in Ichigo’s abilities.

Learning of the change, Rukia seems to be accepting of her fate, as her mind turns to a fallen comrade, Assistant Captain Kaien Shiba, the man whose death she is responsible for. Nothing could have changed what happened, and yet she feels guilty for what she did. No wonder Ganju hates her and doesn’t wish to help her. Shiba was his brother. Captain Ukitake tries to talk to Byakuya, but doesn’t understand his acceptance of Rukia’s fate. His own sister!

Thanks to Kenpachi, Orihime is reunited with Ishida, Chad, and Ganju, but they are confronted by Captain Komamura, Captain Tosen, Hisagi, and Iba. Kenpachi says he’ll take them all on. When Ikkaku and Kumchiki show up, the subordinates go off to fight, leaving the captains to it. For his part, Captain Kyoraku is thinking he’ll be the only one to be yelled at by old man Yama, but he has to do what he feels is right.

The clock is ticking and Rukia’s fate lies in Ichigo’s hands. The backstory of Rukia and Kaien is very poignant and explains much. I enjoy seeing such stories about the characters, which flesh them out. Having already watched the anime, it only adds to my enjoyment and knowledge of them, and sometimes explains things I didn’t realize, or things that went by too fast in the anime.

I like the relationship between Hitsugaya and Hinamori, which never wavers through the series. He is very protective of her, just as Matsumoto is protective of him. The brief scene with Shunsui and Nanao is priceless (in case you hadn’t noticed by now, he is quite my favorite lol).

Of course I already know what’s going on, so I won’t speculate on some things, but it is obvious that there are wheels within wheels. Byakuya’s seeming indifference to his sister’s fate is baffling. Also, what is the health issue which seems to greatly affect Ukitake (if it’s explained in the anime, I missed it). We see little of Ichigo’s companions in this volume, but I found it funny to see both Orihime and Yachiru riding on Kenpachi’s shoulders. Kenny is an interesting man. He lives to fight, without rancor or malice but a simple love of fighting. I would never cross this man, although I suspect he has a good heart deep down, and I love his relationship with Yachiru. Gin is enigmatic as ever, and layered much like an onion. And Komamura with the strange mask – what’s up with that? How does he even see?

Then again, Tosen is blind and he manages, reminding me of Geordi La Forge on Star Trek Next Generation, even down to the visor! The race is on to save Rukia and time is running out. If the hero is going to make a dramatic rescue, he had best do it soon! Another great volume, looking forward to more!

good

This series is almost unequaled in its depth of characters, its storylines, and its length. A well written almost never ending tale of action adventure love betrayal death and almost everything human. Buy the manga, Buy the movies, Buy the dvd's. If you can find it on blu-ray pick it up and keep it forever. Its certainly worth it.