Bleach (Chapters 71-75) - Review

Chapter 71

A cover page with the four Ryokas who will invade the Soul Society to save Rukia. Nice! But I'm still salty that Tatsuki didn't develop powers.

Previously in Bleach. Ichigo, Chad, Orihime, Uryu and Yoruichi are trying to go to the Soul Society. They enter the Dangai and begin their journey!

Some chapters ago, Chad said that Uryu was the weakest among them because he was too complex. That's maybe why he felt the need to babysit Uryu.

But Ichigo and his friends see the Kōtotsu. The Kōtotsu appears once every seven days to cleanse the area - killing anyone and everything that makes contact with it. That's some bad luck...

Fortunately, Orihime is there to save everyone with her Santen Kesshun!

I love how everyone look ridiculous apart from Chad who manages to make a badass landing.

I also like how despite being a serious guy, Uryu has some funny quirks.

That's the Rukongai, the place where souls live when they first come to Soul Society. It is the poorest and most free area, but at the same time holding the most souls. 

The Rukongai is located around the Seireitei, where Shinigamis live. Yeah, social inequalities exist in "heaven" after you die. Soul Society sucks. Soul Society sucks so much. Remember when Rukia Kuchiki initially describes Soul Society as something of a paradise, where nine out of ten times it is better than the living world and hunger is never a problem? She totally lied.

Ichigo tried to go to the Seireitei, but the wall that surrounded the Seireitei closed down. Why were the wall held up? I don't see any reason why they should not be always closed down. Is it to show the dead how much their life in the Soul Society sucks compared to Shinigami's? 

""It's been so long... someone who wants to go to Seireitei without a pass... I finally have something to do. I'll treat you well, kid!" Jidanbo Ikkanzaka

Chapter 72

So, the Seireitei is at the center of the Soul Society. And the Shinigamis don't have any military base in the Human World or in the Rukongai. And we always see them remaining in the Seireitei although there is no way a Hollow would come there.

It is stupid to have all your Shinigami in one place since Hollows can appear anywhere in the realm or in the Human World. That's maybe why they are always late when Hollows arrive. Or why there are millions of Hollows even though Shinigami can just Konsô every Plus in the Human World to prevent them from turning into a Hollow.

To enter the Seireitei, Ichigo and his friends must defeat Jidanbo. Jidanbo has been a guardian for 300 years and till now, nobody has ever passed him. According to Yoruichi, a swing from his axe and you will disappear from the world. Yoruichi wanted Ichigo to retreat so that they can come up with a plan. 

But instead, Chad and Orihime tried to help Ichigo.

Well, Jidanbo does seem to be quite strong. But seriously what was Yoruichi's plan to rescue Rukia? If it doesn't believe that Ichigo can beat Jidanbo, how could he beat Vice-Captains? Or Captains? How can Ichigo and his friends save Rukia if they can't even defeat someone who isn't even a Vice-Captain? 

Well, for a guy who has lived for hundreds of years, he has good hygien. That's surprising.

Jidanbo wants a one-on-one duel against Ichigo. Chad wanted to make a hole in the wall so that Orihime take a chance to attack Jidanbo. But the latter heard them. 

Ichigo then accepted the duel, although Uryu didn't believe that Ichigo could handle Jidanbo by himself. And look at Chad! He trusted Ichigo to win alone against Jidanbo. His friendship with Ichigo is awesome.

Ichigo explained to Uryu what he had learnt in the past 10 days with Urahara. The original plan was for Ichigo to recover in 10 days. But he actually recovered by the 5th day. During the 5 days left, he was fighting day and night against Urahara.

Jidanbo vs Ichigo begins!

Chapter 73

Ichigo easily blocked Jidanbo's axe. Jidanbo then laughed because he could finally use all of his strength.

"Until now, there has only been 3 people who could block my axe including you... But the ones that can block my second, there has been none!" Jidanbo

Jidanbo then attacked Ichigo multiple times.

But Ichigo is still standing and is uninjured by Jidanbo's attacks!

Yeah, that wasn't even a contest. Jidanbo was completely outmatched. Ichigo easily destroyed Jidanbo's axes!

Chapter 74

Jidanbo was not wounded, so he wanted to continue the fight. But then he noticed that his axes are broken and started to cry "like a siren". Even Ichigo felt sorry for his enemy.

"I lost completely! Both as a fighter and as a man, I was utterly defeated! I have been the gate-keeper for 300 years... I have never lost a battle. You are the first. Go inside! I, Jidanbo, grant you my permission to pass through the Gate!"

Jidanbo seems to be a nice guy. He knows that Ichigo and his friends are not evil, so he let them enter.

But Ichigo and his friends saw the Captain of the 3rd Division, Gin Ichimaru...

Ichimaru cut Jidanbo's arm. Kubo likes to cut his characters' arm. Maybe I should do a count?

"This is now allowed. That's too bad. You are a gatekeeper. Opening the door is not your duty." Ichimaru Gin

Chapter 75

Ichimaru Gin is impressed that Jidanbo can still hold the door even with one hand. It's no wonder that he is one of the elites in the Soul Society. However, Jidanbo still fails as a guardian according to Gin.

Yoruichi was already worried when they were facing Jidanbo. So against a Captain, it is even more worried!

As much as I like Jidanbo's kindness, his logic was... wrong. He is supposed to keep enemies from entering the Seireitei. He can't open the door because he lost. That's not natural at all!

Gin is scary as hell. I love his design with his squinty eyes and his grin. And his personality and motivation are also great. He is definitely one of my favorite character in the series!

Ichigo decided to protect Jidanbo! Gin's logic was also messed up. You don't execute your soldier because he failed one time. That's some bad work ethic and a stupid way to lose manpower.

I don't know why Kubo drew Ichigo in such a funny way, but I like it!

""If you're so eager to fight, then I will be your opponent. For a no good punk like you who attacks an unarmed person so hastily, I will rip you apart." Ichigo

But when Gin learnt Ichigo's name, he decided to walk away for mysterious reason. "So he does exist", Gin said.

"Shoot to kill, Shinsô!"

"Are you planning to throw that knife to me?" Then Ichimaru released his Shikai and revealed that he had a very large Zanpakutô. I don't know why Ichigo wanted to have a dick Zanpakutô-measurement contest...

The door is closing. Gin (and myself) say "Bye-Bye <3" to you all!